Open Records

Prior to the meeting, an Executive Session was held to discuss personnel, litigation, and contractual issues. Key discussions included the President's Report detailing the upcoming College-wide In-Service, assessment of general education learning outcomes (Oral Communication and Information Literacy), and enhancements to the Faculty Advisement System. The Treasurer's Preliminary Report for June 2015 showed increases in Current Fund Income and Expenses, alongside fluctuations in Bookstore, Food Service, and Plant Fund areas, noting forthcoming changes due to GASB 67 and 68 entries. The Foundation reported on forming a 50th Anniversary Committee, the upcoming Annual Foundation Dinner, the installation of a recognition bench for President Leary, current scholarship status, and the dedication of a microbiology lab in honor of the late Dr. Cornelia Tengowski. The Foundation also established a scholarship in memory of the late Anna Cervenak, who was designated President Emeritus. Action items included the ratification of the purchase of three Ellucian software products (Student Planning, Mobile, and Financial Aid Self Service) for $93,830, funded by grants. The Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Student Housing Initiative was tabled. The Academic Committee's recommendation to add the Mechatronics (A.A.S.MEC) program was approved. The Finance Committee received approval for the summary of payments and acceptance of several grant awards, including funding for the LCCC Keys Program, PA Keys Program renewal, the Reduce Underage and Dangerous Drinking (RUDD) grant, and Perkins and ALTA renewal grants. The negotiation for an EBS Lease Agreement was approved to move forward. The Facilities Master Plan - MKSD Additional Services item was tabled.

The meeting included a Public Hearing regarding Pollworker Protection. The Voting Session agenda was adopted following public comment. Old Business included the approval of minutes from previous meetings in December 2025 and January 2026. New Business focused on budget amendments for the 2026 Fiscal Year (Domestic Relations) and the 2025 Fiscal Year (Licensing and Workers Compensation). Ordinances were introduced establishing protections for election workers from harassment, intimidation, and retaliation. Resolutions were adopted authorizing a Partnership and Operating Agreement with Lackawanna County for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, certifying Farmland Preservation Funds, amending American Rescue Plan Act Fund awards for several entities, authorizing an agreement of sale for a Hazleton property, and amending a contract with Info Quick Solutions, Inc. Numerous appointments and reappointments to various Authorities, Boards, and Commissions were addressed, including the Luzerne Conservation District, Retirement Board, and Planning Commission. The Council also declared vacancies on the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health and Developmental Services Program Advisory Board.

The meeting commenced with staff service recognitions for 30 and 20 years of service within the Intellectual Disabilities Department. A provider presentation from Ron Simon of Families United Network/Peer Help United Network highlighted the peer- and family-run structure of the Peer Help United Network, noting that sustainability is supported by MHDS funding programs amidst concerns over potential federal funding cuts and a statewide 2% decrease in Mental Health funding. Administrator reports included updates on the revitalization of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) with 27 responses in 2025, the current census at Clarks Summit State Hospital, the Early Intervention Winter Wonderland Event scheduled for December, and positive news regarding a 4% increase in ID funding and a 6% increase in waiver funding. New business involved an agreement to purchase staff appreciation cards for all MHDS staff.

The agenda for the meeting included the adoption of the agenda, public comment periods on both agenda and non-agenda items, and the Director's Election Bureau Report. Key discussion points likely covered during the overall meeting context (including the referenced minutes) involve updates on the campaign finance reporting software implementation scheduled for completion by the end of January 2026, the status of issuing certificates of election contingent upon campaign finance report compliance, discussions regarding the speed of mail-in ballot status updates on the State website, and the review of Bureau Operating Procedures manuals. Additionally, the Board addressed the review of ballot drop box operations from the November 2025 election, noting equipment failure for one specific box regarding voter photo recording, and the approval of the proposed Regular Meeting dates for the year 2026.

The agenda for the meeting focused primarily on the review and discussion of multiple Purchase Packets pertaining to property transactions involving Dalmas (three packets), Webby (two packets), Reph, Peralta, Tiedemann, and McGrath. Additionally, there were discussions scheduled regarding the appraisal of two county-owned properties proposed for potential sale: 100 West Broad Street and 54 West Union Street. The meeting also included a Public Comment period.