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The city will use its state fuels tax money to pay its share of the $2.2M project.
WILKES-BARRE – Council on Thursday agreed to pay a portion of a $2.2 million paving project scheduled for the spring.
The city’s share will be $440,000 or 20 percent of the cost under the agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The state will use Federal Highway Administration funds for the other 80 percent of the cost.
Council president Kathy Kane said the city will use its state fuels tax money to pay its share.
The project covers parts of South Franklin, South Main, North Main, East Northampton and Sherman streets and Wilkes-Barre Boulevard.
The agreement was one of five the council approved at its regularly scheduled meeting.
The others were:
• $71,000 contract with G.C. Wall Inc. for interior office space millwork at the Coal Street Redevelopment Project.
• $75,981 change order to Mar-Paul Construction Co. for work at the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Center.
• $248,655 change order to Popple Construction Inc. for work at the intermodal center.
• Destruction of sexually transmitted disease records from 2003 held by the city’s health department.
Two residents addressed council during the public comment period.
Wayne Flecknoe asked why a property he owns on Courtright Street is assessed for nearly $11,000 by the city compared to $2,000 from Luzerne County.
City attorney Tim Henry told Flecknoe that he could appeal the city’s assessment and if he was still unhappy with the result, to contact an attorney and file suit in county court.
Also, Bob Kadluboski, owner of City Wide Towing, handed subpoenas to council members Kane and Bill Barrett. He had two subpoenas for Tony Thomas Jr., who was excused from the meeting, and assistant city attorney William Vinsko, who was not in attendance.
Kadluboski said he wanted them to appear as witnesses for him at a Feb. 17 hearing in magisterial court. A woman whose vehicle he towed in December sued him, Kadluboski said.
The towing ordinance approved last year that deals with vehicles on private property “affects me alone and nobody else,” he said.
Kadluboski demanded answers from council saying he has gotten complaints about LAG Towing, which has the city towing contract. “What are you going to do about this situation,” he asked.
Kane said council had no reply.
What’s next
City council will hold a work session Feb. 22. The regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24.