Commercial fireworks ordinance, Kirby Park grant on council’s agenda

Oct 22, 2023

By Hannah Simerson [email protected]

WILKES-BARRE — Wilkes-Barre City Council will meet Thursday night to vote on several high-ticket items that were discussed during Tuesday night's work session.

The council will vote on a submission of an application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program for the West Bank Riverfront Park revitalization project grant in the amount of $250,000.

The project will focus on the upland area of Kirby Park and will consist of pond rehabilitation, new pedestrian trails, educational kiosks, safety lighting, benches, trash receptacles, and directional signage.

Council also will vote on the purchase of a 45-foot mobile clinic in the amount of $975,860 from Farber Specialty Vehicles in Ohio.

The mobile clinic will host three clinic rooms, a waiting room, and an educational room inside the vehicle.

Mayor George C. Brown hopes city officials will vote to authorize the purchase, noting the funding will not come out of the city's budget, but from a Epidemiology and Laboratory and Capacity grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

"I just want to say if we don't take advantage of it, another city will," he said.

Voting dependent, funds from the same grant may also be used to enter a $650,000 agreement with Esri, a geographical information software (GIS) company.

The hope is that the agreement will allow the city to better engage the community and improve operational efficiencies through Esri's software, services, and training program for multi-departmental collaboration.

Also at Thursday's regular session, the council will consider votes on:

• An ordinance that would prohibit the use of commercial-grade fireworks in Wilkes-Barre.

• The temporary suspension of the ordinance pertaining to the open consumption of alcoholic beverages for the Rockin’ the River concert series on July 14, 21, and 28 at River Common and the Rainbow Alliance Pridefest on June 25 on Public Square.

• The appointing of Arthur W. Breese to the city's Fire Civil Service Commission through Dec. 31, 2025.

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