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In a series of virtual meetings Tuesday, Luzerne County Council will start at 5:30 p.m. with a public hearing on its proposed 2021 capital plan.
County Manager C. David Pedri has proposed three new projects:
• New flashing for leaking windows at the county-owned Penn Place building that are causing damage, $100,000
• LED highway safety lighting upgrade on the Cross Valley Expressway, which falls under the county’s responsibility due to a 1976 agreement with the state, $100,000
• Modernization of the motor system and controls of two elevators at the county prison to address safety concerns, $350,000
If these projects are approved, the county would have $1.34 million left in its capital projects bond.
Adoption of the capital plan is set for Tuesday’s voting meeting. Council has until September to adopt the plan, with or without changes, under the home rule charter.
Remaining Tuesday schedule
A public hearing will follow at 5:45 p.m. on a request to rezone a 0.13-acre parcel in Wyoming.
Council’s voting meeting starts at 6 p.m., with a work session after that.
Information on attending is posted under council’s online meeting section at www.luzernecounty.org.
Voting matters
In addition to adopting the capital plan, council is set to settle pending litigation filed by William J. Martin against the county over alleged damage to his property caused by the county’s 2001 construction of an underground storm drainage and piping system on an adjacent parcel, the agenda said. The county does not release settlement amounts until closer to the voting meeting.
Council also plans to approve a request for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funding from the state to design and construct temporary flood barriers for five vehicle and pedestrian entrances at the county-owned Water Street parkade and nearby Bernard C. Brominski Building in Wilkes-Barre. Both properties were damaged by record 2011 Susquehanna River flooding.
Position approval
County Councilman Walter Griffith also is seeking introduction of ordinances legislatively authorizing the administration’s position eliminations and creations in three offices.
Griffith and some council colleagues argue that position changes cannot be cemented in the budget without council approval due to a provision in the council-adopted county administrative code. To date, a council majority has abided by the county law office’s long-standing interpretation that it’s the manager’s power to alter positions as long as they fall within the budget provided by council under home rule.
The manager provides advance notice to council of planned position changes in case they want to provide feedback, the administration has noted.
Work session
County Budget/Finance Division Head Brian Swetz is scheduled to present the mid-year financial report.
Among the other matters up for discussion:
• An intergovernmental agreement with Hanover Township for the repair and dedication of the new Division Street Bridge.
• Proposed lease agreements for the Butler Township active adult center and the Flower Tent’s temporary use of parking lot space at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort.
Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.