The City of Wilkes-Barre Council held a combined session on December 19, 2024, addressing several key issues impacting the community. The meeting began with discussions surrounding a proposed bill aimed at enhancing healthcare protections for citizens, particularly in light of recent national changes regarding reproductive rights. A speaker emphasized the need for local legislation to safeguard health care access, citing precedents from other municipalities and the necessity for a council member to sponsor the bill.

Following this, community member Anthony Ferrer expressed support for the proposed legislation, highlighting Wilkes-Barre as a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of codifying existing protections. The council acknowledged the need to review current human rights protections to ensure alignment with the proposed bill.

The session then shifted focus to public safety concerns raised by resident Thomas Niznik regarding the stability of a wall on Franklin Street. Niznik detailed past incidents and urged the council to prioritize repairs. Mayor Brown responded, confirming that engineers had assessed the situation and that plans were in place to ensure safety while awaiting a comprehensive report.

The meeting also included a discussion on holiday decorations in the city, with resident Sam Troy questioning the appropriateness and cost of the displays. He raised concerns about the separation of church and state, suggesting that the lavish decorations might not reflect the diverse beliefs of the community.

Troy further addressed the zoning board's composition, questioning the legitimacy of decisions made by a member who allegedly no longer resides in the city. The city solicitor clarified that while the zoning ordinance requires board members to be city residents, recent votes would not have changed even if the member's participation was invalidated. Mayor Brown added that the member in question had resigned, and a replacement would be sought in the upcoming council meeting.

The session concluded with Mayor Brown reiterating the administration's commitment to addressing residents' concerns, particularly regarding tax relief and urban blight. The council plans to continue discussions on these pressing issues in future meetings, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and safety.