Luzerne County public meetings in 2023
3 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
County Council
Council created a Standing Act 13 Committee to manage Marcellus Shale Grant Program funds. The board also approved a budget amendment for the courts, a litigation settlement, and several board appointments.
- Created Standing Act 13 Committee to manage Marcellus Shale Grant Program funds (10-0)
- Adopted ordinance transferring reserve funds to Luzerne County Courts (10-0)
- Approved contract extension with USI Insurance Services for FY 2024 (10-0)
- Approved settlement for Daniella De’Angelo v. Luzerne County, et. al (9-1)
- Introduced ordinance creating a Committee on Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement (10-0)
- Appointed Richard Blum, William Greiner, John Sedor, and Jeffrey Williams to Forty-Fort Airport Advisory Board (10-0)
- Appointed Jane Ashton, Carmen Kahiu, Mary Malone, Heather Nelson, and Michael Saporito to Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board (10-0)
- Appointed Katherine Silfa and Charles Blewitt to Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Drug & Alcohol Executive Commission (10-0)
Zoning Hearing Board
The Zoning Hearing Board approved six cases involving residential variances, solar panel installation, and business use permits. Decisions included allowing a retail store and greenhouse in an agricultural district and a multi-family apartment use in a business district.
- Approved variances for a 12x20 ft carport at 53 Coal St. (unanimous)
- Approved front yard variance for a 10x14 ft porch at 17 Corby St. (unanimous)
- Approved variance for 56 free-standing solar panels at 144 Beaver Dam Rd. (unanimous)
- Approved Special Exception for multi-family apartments and commercial storefront at 425 Main St. (unanimous)
- Approved Use Variance for a riding arena, barn, and up to 5 horses at 51 Cragle Hill Rd. (unanimous)
- Approved Use Variance for a retail store and greenhouse plant sales at 304 Broadway Road (unanimous)
- Approved August 1, 2023 meeting minutes
County Council
Luzerne County Council approved the 2024 long-range plan and several budget amendments. The council also approved four LERTA tax exemptions for new construction and two labor agreements. A motion to rescind a Home Rule Charter ballot question was denied.
- Adopted 2024 Long-Range Operational, Fiscal and Capital Plan, including $130,000 for EMA/911 UPS System (11-0)
- Approved budget transfers to the Office of Law (11-0) and Luzerne County Courts (11-0)
- Approved LERTA tax exemptions for Northpoint Hanover Township, Northpoint Hazle Township, JVI LERTA 1, and JVI LERTA 2 (each 10-1)
- Approved lease amendment for Active Adult Center at 335 Third Avenue, Kingston (11-0)
- Approved memorandum of agreement with Teamsters Local Union 401 (11-0) and CBA with AFSCME District Council 87 (11-0)
- Confirmed Coroner’s Petition fee schedule (11-0)
- Authorized PA Dept of Treasury to return $5.00 local use fees to residents (10-1)
- Denied ordinance to rescind Home Rule Charter ballot question (2-9)