City of Wilkes-Barre Council - Combined Session 4.9.26

The Wilkes-Barre City Council held a combined session on April 9, 2026, primarily discussing the authorization to apply for the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totaling $22,820. This grant is intended to fund community-based and non-community-based police training, recertification, and saturation patrols targeting violent crime areas. Public concerns were raised regarding the specifics of the grant's allocation and its effectiveness in preventing violent crime. Additionally, significant public input focused on a local restaurant, the Burt Norton, which faced code enforcement issues related to hood vent requirements, resulting in operational restrictions and financial losses. The council also addressed ongoing public safety and infrastructure concerns, including traffic safety, pest infestations at a residential property, and stormwater drainage problems. No contract awards or vendor selections were reported during this meeting.