City of Scranton Council Responses | July 28, 2026

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

• Mr. Schuster thanked the administration for the 7/16 response to the below question, however, it was not clarified how the city, particularly SPD, addresses and deems a property as nuisance in their report, and how many documented nuisance calls would warrant a closure to a rental property? “Mr. Schuster advised, due to time constraints at yesterday afternoon’s caucus, SPD Chief Carroll was unable to be asked and address the question as to what the definition of a nuisance property is. How many nuisance calls will warrant closure of a problem rental property?  Are city police officers actually deeming a call as a nuisance call in their reports? Mr. Schuster asked if SPD may provide answers to these questions or meet with Council members, if warranted.”
  • The City follows the Administrative Code as legislated by City Council. See Section 360-4 which defines nuisance. The Code further provides thereafter how such matters are enforced.
• Mr. Schuster asked what are the total projects in Keyser Valley, what projects are completed, what projects are pending, and other projects are being put out to bid? When will the Fawnwood area street restoration occur? Status on the project that travels under the railroad, and then the pump house to Dewey Avenue?
  • All projects have been identified at this point and have been submitted to Council via related legislation. The Administration will have Tom Reilly prepare a summary of progress to date and a timeline. The Administration is still in discussions with the railroad company for required crossings.
• Mr. Schuster asked if the city may update Council on the West Scranton Project started with the parking lot on the corner of Price Street and N Main Avenue?
  • This project is in the design phase with our engineers.
• Mr. Schuster asked for an Excel document listing of Code Enforcement violations and citations that have been given out in the last six months?
  • Council receives updated copies of the citations report each month. A copy of those reports are attached.
• Mr. Schuster shared resident concerns about 44 Depot Street and the area of land behind it.
  • In a coordinated response, SPD, Code Enforcement, and DPW responded to 44 Depot Street on July 22. Code Enforcement and SPD towed vehicles from the yard, and DPW boarded up the doors that day. A citation on this property was filed earlier this year but was dismissed at the magistrate
• Mr. Schuster raised multiple concerns by email on behalf of East Mountain residents
  • The swales and catch basins on both East and West Mountains are a constant challenge and always foremost on the radar for DPW. Due to the dry weather and the continued requests for Knott Weed eradication and cutting, especially by East Mountain residents, DPW elevated that to a priority. The DPW Director will make the Parks Director aware of the request for “Beware of Wildlife” signs for Robinson Park so the most efficient signage can be developed and installed.
• Mr. Schuster raised a concern by email about a pothole on Hawthorne Street.
  • The DPW Director also received a 311 request about a pothole in the area of 1409 Hawthorne Street. Now that DPW is aware of this issue, they will address the area as soon as possible.

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

• Councilman Flynn thanked the city administration for the update provided on the E Elm Street/S Irving Bridge project. He asked if the closed 600 Block of E Elm Street may be opened until the city receives the funding and the project put out to bid? He indicated the block has been barricaded and closed for over a year with no work being done.
  • The East Elm Street Bridge near Hertz Court is closed because the bridge is unsafe to use. A PennDOT Bridge Conditions Report retrieved July 23 shows that the deck and superstructure conditions are rated 4, or poor, and the substructure condition is rated 1, for imminent failure. Council’s introduction last week and continued support of the administration’s application for $3 million in grant funding from the DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund is critical to reopening this bridge and roadway.

Council member Dr. Jessica Rothchild asked the following question(s):

• Regarding the Green Ridge Street Bridge opening, Dr. Rothchild advised on reports of a rough road surface and asked if the road is complete and if there was a reasoning for that type of surface being selected.
  • The high-friction substance was chosen by PennDOT’s design team in the initial phases of the project and acts as an additional concrete sealer.

Councilman Sean McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Mr. McAndrew thanked the administration for their confirmation that the demolition of N Main Avenue was an emergency bid. He further asks if the city may break down how the contractors were selected or how many contractors were reached out to? Is there a list of contractors that is normally used for demolition?
  • The City Administration follows the City Charter and Code, as adopted by Council, and works closely with the City Controller relative to all Emergency Bids. The Code Enforcement Department typically contacts entities with the capability to demolish a structure to inquire as to whether they wish to submit a bid. The vendors contacted may vary due to the varying nature of the size, location, and type of demolition being conducted.
• Councilman McAndrew asked what are the steps that normally must be taken for a property to be considered for condemnation or condemned? He asked if this can be placed in writing on the city website to allow residents to view these procedures?
  • The City follows the International Property Maintenance Code for condemnations, which was amended in 2024 and approved by City Council. An updated copy of the Code was provided to City Council to accompany the legislation and should be incorporated into the Code. As City Council manages the City’s online platform for eCode360, please ensure that the current version is available with the legislation.
• Mr. McAndrew asked for an update on the fire station on East Mountain related to any repairs, restoration, and/or the new building funding.
  • Council last asked questions about Engine 10 in February 2026.
    On Feb. 17, Council was informed that previous proposals by the administration to perform a feasibility study for Engine 10 were rejected by prior Councils.
    On Feb. 23, Council was informed that the City would continue to seek opportunities to apply for grant funding after not being awarded the most recent application for Engine 10 project funding

Council asked the following question(s):

• Mr. Tom Schuster and Council members kindly ask for their copy of the PEL 5 Year Plan.
  • Now that state legislature has passed legislation authorizing the City to continue to levy its tripled LST tax, the Administration is finalizing the 5 Year Fiscal Plan. The Administration is also in process of finalizing its Capital Budget, which will assist with identifying any capital needs that might inform the 5 Year Fiscal Plan. The Administration anticipates submitting the 5 Year Fiscal Plan in tandem with the Capital Budget.
• Mr. Sean McAndrew thanked the administration for their response regarding city access to clear private property owned by out of state entities. He asked if the city may move forward on those particular properties via the Court of Common Pleas to secure access to clear this growing number of problem properties.
  • The City would be required to obtain an injunction from the Court in order to access and clear these properties. A court ordered injunction is considered an extraordinary form of relief and requires the City to prove all of the necessary elements.  These elements include imminent and irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted, impact on the community, and demonstration of a likelihood of success on the merits. The City evaluates these matters on a case-by-case basis based upon severity and the likelihood of success. Historically, the City has pursued injunctive relief in matters related to serious public safety concerns.
• Mr. Sean McAndrew had asked for updated procedures and actions from SPD regarding ATV and E-bikes enforcement in the city: prior to drafting any ordinance regarding same.
  • The SPD enforces the current law as previously provided to City Council. The Department fields complaints upon receipt and take enforcement action where appropriate.

City of Scranton Council Responses – July 28, 2026 | PDF

Last modified: July 28, 2026