City of Scranton Council Responses | June 23, 2026

Council President Tom Schuster asked the following question(s):

• Mr. Schuster has reached out previously to the city administration and SPD (6/3/26) for assistance on the problem property at 1708 Wayne Avenue. He asks the following questions related to the property;
  • Has the property been deemed a nuisance property by SPD? How many calls are on record and what designates a property as a nuisance?
    • We spoke to the homeowner and advised him that this property could be deemed a nuisance based on the number of police calls.  We further advised the owner that any additional issues would result in closure.  SPD also sent a letter to the owner regarding the same.  The tenants are currently under eviction; however, they filed an appeal which remains pending.
  • Does the landlord maintain the property, or do they have a property manager? Was the property visited and did it pass? Is it registered through the city rental department and are the rental fees paid?
    • A rental inspection was begun on 4/10, but the owner has not scheduled the second reinspection. It has not passed currently. Once it passes the second inspection, the license can be issued.
  • How many times has the fire department been needed to visit the property? Neighbors report both the fire department and police have been to the building several times.
    • There have been approximately eleven incidents involving response by the Police Department since January 1, 2026. It should be noted, however, that not all of the calls can be counted towards declaring the property a nuisance due to the nature of the call. The fire department responded to the property two times in 2026, each to respond to basement flooding.
• Regarding the pending RFP being prepared by Fitch & Associates;
  • Mr. Schuster asked if Council may please have a timeline for the RFP?
  • Is this part of the original study done by the company?
  • Was this always the intent or something new that the city is having the company do?
    • The RFP is currently being prepared. Fitch & Associates was retained to perform an EMS Feasibility Study, as you are all well aware. To reiterate and summarize, the study evaluated the current EMS system and make recommendations for said system that ensures appropriate coverage based in large part on response performance. The report further examined the financial impact of such service. To that end, the study obviously does not include reference to preparation of an RFP. The Administration conducts studies such as this one to obtain information necessary to make an informed decision on appropriate next steps from experts in their fields.
• Mr. Schuster kindly requested a copy of the resume for Mr. Tim Woody, newly appointed parks manager at Nay Aug.
  • Advice and consent of City Council for the hiring of a Nay Aug Park Manager is not required per the City’s Charter or Administrative Code. This position was previously approved by City Council in the 2026 Operating Budget.

Council Vice President Patrick Flynn asked the following question(s):

• Mr. Flynn thanked the city administration for the response under Item 2.B in the attached June 16th response to Council. However, he had asked that the city engineer please visit the 1021 Richmont Street property to inspect the rear deck and if the city blight remediation team may consider clearing the severely overgrown rear yard.
  • The matter is being reviewed and addressed as appropriate per the City’s Quality of Life Ordinance and related Administrative Code provisions.
• Mr. Flynn expressed concern over the lack of action and response in his requests for assistance regarding the failing pave cut in the 800 Block of Sunset Street near Capouse Avenue. The city immediately updated the Scranton311 system on 6/17 to accommodate City Council requests to expedite more smoothly and allow for regular reports, as needed.
  • The city has updated the 311 process and sent Council guidance on the new process.

Councilman Sean McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Mr. McAndrew thanked the administration for their response regarding an invitation to have a few members of the Unsheltered Task Force to a council caucus for update and answers to city council questions.
  • Acknowledged.
• Mr. McAndrew asked again if he may have a meeting with the Parks & Rec Director, member of the administration, and a few members of the SMRA as he has many concerns with the new parks manager position and how it relates to the responsibilities of the SMRA.
  • The Nay Aug Park Manager position was included in the 2026 operating budget unanimously approved by City Council.
• Councilman McAndrew asked if City Council may please have a copy of the PEL 5 Year Plan forecast for the city? He indicated we are weeks late on receipt of the final document as we move into budget season.
  • Upon completion and review, the report will be issued with sufficient time for review prior to the presentation of the proposed 2027 Operating Budget in November.
• Mr. McAndrew asked for clarification for city hall employees working from home when city hall is closed due to weather or other issues in the downtown?  Do employees have the proper tools (city issued laptops, etc.) and available duties to work remotely from home? He referenced Code Enforcement inspectors that can be throughout the city since that is what their duties entail, as opposed to being on call. May Mr. McAndrew have a breakdown of every department of what materials they have to work from home and what duties they would be tasked with?
  • Appropriate work-from-home accommodations and equipment are available to City staff when deemed necessary by the Mayor and her Administration pursuant to the Mayor’s executive authority.
• Councilman McAndrew asked when Council may have an anticipated date on when cameras will go up in Pretzel Park? He referenced a report of cameras being placed on Court Street near Tripp Park due to reported illegal dumping in the area and feels the city should expedite the same for the park?
  • The Administration has previously provided ample information to City Council in recent weeks regarding the prioritization and mechanics for installation of cameras throughout the City and in its parks.
• Similar to Council President Schuster’s inquiry regarding the current work by Fitch & Associates related to ambulance service, Mr. McAndrew asks
  • When was the decision made to have the discussion with Fitch & Associates?
  • Who is the consultant they hired regarding the issue?
  • When did the process start with them for the RFP?
  • Were the meeting and decision made before or after the meeting with Geisinger?
    • In response to the comments made at last week’s Council meeting, please note that it is a mischaracterization to state that the City decided to issue an RFP and then spoke to Geisinger representatives regarding an RFP for EMS service. As was discussed at our meeting, the Administration has always had ongoing discussions with various EMT providers that service the City to ensure proper coverage. As was clearly stated, the Administration was considering an RFP as one approach at the time of our meeting, and following said meeting, due what was perceived as interest by members of City Council to be a willing and open partner through this process, the Administration immediately took steps that day to arrange for an RFP. The Administration again reiterates its commitment to an open and fair process for receiving proposals from potential vendors for EMS service, and does not believe it is appropriate for any City officials to meet with one vendor to the exclusion of others to discuss possible proposals or future service at this time.

Councilman Mark McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Councilman McAndrew asked if the Elm Street Bridge Project was on target for completion. He asked if Council may have an update and timeline on the project?
  • The Elm Street Bridge remains on schedule to be completed in late July.
• Mr. McAndrew, realizing that the city storm drains are available on a GIS mapping, asked if the city may please prepare and maintain actual listing of storm drains/basins for better access and quick identification?
  • The request is acknowledged.

From June 9 Meeting:

Council Vice President Patrick Flynn asked the following question(s):

• Councilman Flynn asked that the administration kindly provide Council with the PEL Five Year Forecast, advising they were checking on the timeline with PEL. The original request for a date or timeline explanation was made approximately one week ago and PEL should have a concise response at this point in time.
  • Upon completion and review, the report will be issued with sufficient time for review prior to the presentation of the proposed 2027 Operating Budget in November.

City of Scranton Council Responses | June 23, 2026

Last modified: June 22, 2026