City Council Meeting Recap – November 12, 2024

At its regular meeting on Tues., Nov. 12, 2024, Scranton City Council:

1. Held a pre-meeting caucus regarding the 2025 Operating Budget with the Scranton Police Department, Scranton Fire Department, and Department of Public Works. The operating budget, which does not include a real estate tax increase as proposed, is available for review online. Video of the caucus session is available online through the ECTV YouTube channel.
2. Introduced an ordinance amending the Responsible Contractor Ordinance, including minor technical adjustments. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 4-1, with Councilmembers Gerald Smurl, Mark McAndrew, William F. King, and Dr. Jessica Rothchild voting in favor, and Councilmember Thomas Schuster opposed..
3. Introduced an ordinance levying property tax millage for the year 2025. A mill is a $1 tax levied per $1,000 of assessed property value. The City’s total millage rate for 2025 is 301.80444 mills. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
4. Introduced an ordinance maintaining the waste disposal and collection fee at $300 for 2025, with a 10% discount for early payment. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
5. Introduced an ordinance levying the Local Service Tax of $156 for 2025. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
6. Introduced an ordinance to amend the 2024 operating budget. The amendment transfers $2,356,854 from the intergovernmental Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) permits revenue line-item account to the Department of Public Works (DPW) administration professional services expense line-item account to account for costs incurred following time extension approvals from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and FEMA. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
7. Introduced a resolution to apply for a grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Multimodal Transportation Fund for up to $2 million to be used towards the Ash Street Bridge Project. The City has secured $1,110,200 in multimodal funding and another $643,800 in City funds, but the project faces a shortfall of $1,994,087. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
8. Introduced a resolution to appoint Sherry Frable to the position of Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
9. Introduced a resolution to obligate $23,892.03 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for downtown beautification projects, including the cleanup of graffiti and litter, establishing community clean-up days, and planting flowers. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
10. Introduced a resolution to enter a contract for between the City of Scranton and the Scranton School District with Rainey & Rainey to perform the Scranton Single Tax Office independent audit for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2022. The $12,600 cost will be shared equally between the City and the school district. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
11. Introduced a resolution to amend ARPA funding allocations for City stormwater projects. Amendments reduce funding for East Mountain projects by $429,000, stormwater easements by $100,000, and the parking authority by $30,000. Funding is increasing for projects in Keyser Valley by $1,079,733.39, in West Scranton and Minooka by $150,865.60, in North Scranton by $128,286.62, and in Tripp Park by $402,286.62. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
12. Introduced a resolution to amend ARPA funding allocations for disaster relief and mitigation relative to Lindy Creek. Amendments reduce funding for the project by $273,528. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
13. Introduced a resolution to amend ARPA funding allocations for the Capouse Avenue Park playground and splash pad. Amendments reduce park funding by $13,717.50 and increase splash pad funding by $82. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
14. Introduced a resolution to obligate $5,000 in ARPA funds for the purchase of a new ARC Geographic Information System (GIS) and Geotabs to support the City Hall ESRI system project. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
15. Introduced a resolution to obligate $30,000 in ARPA funds for the assistance, maintenance, and installation of features to parking facilities, including the installation of electric charging stations. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 3-2, with Councilmembers Smurl, McAndrew, and Rothchild voting in favor and Councilmembers King and Schuster opposed.
16. Introduced a resolution to obligate $9,050.45 in ARPA funds for the repair of the pool and bathhouse at Weston Field. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
17. Introduced a resolution to waive the responsible contractor ordinance (RCO) requirements for the procurement of sitework and related work for a salt storage shed on Mineral Avenue. The waiver is in response to six bids received by the October 28 deadline that all failed to satisfy the requirements of the RCO and will allow the business administrator to select the lowest responsible bidder. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
18. Introduced a resolution to submit a Local Share Account (LSA) grant application for up to $408,510 to be used toward the Point Balance “Advocacy Center” project. The Advocacy Center is a proposed community hub that will combine indoor and outdoor amenities. Funding will help cover essential renovations, construction costs, and more. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
19. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for up to $204,000 to be used towards the University of Scranton’s nursing simulation laboratory expansion project inside McGurrin Hall. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 3-2, with Councilmember Smurl, McAndrew, and Rothchild voting in favor, and Councilmembers King and Schuster opposed.
20. Tabled an ordinance containing the 2025 general city operating budget to allow for the advertisement of a public hearing to be held Tues., Nov. 26, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. The ordinance was tabled by a vote of 5-0.
21. Adopted an ordinance to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Scranton and the Borough of Moosic regarding the coordination of zoning, planning, and code enforcement of 53 Glenmaura National Blvd., Scranton, which was purchased in December 2022 by Commonwealth Charter Academy. The ordinance failed by a vote of 2-3, with Councilmembers McAndrew, King, and Schuster opposed, and Councilmembers Smurl and Rothchild voting in favor.
22. Adopted a resolution to enter an interlocal agreement with Lackawanna County that will enable the City access to funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG). The funding is a block grant in the amount of $47,699 to be used in fiscal year 2025 for the coordination of local police efforts. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
23. Adopted a resolution to accept at $1,800 donation from Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation to the Scranton Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase educational fire prevention materials. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
24. Adopted a resolution to enter a contract with Fugro USA Land, Inc. Fugro USA Land was chosen from six proposals to perform services related to the Lackawanna Regional Stormwater Impervious Area Assessment, including the collection of photogrammetric and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services to support the development of a regional stormwater authority for the municipalities of Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Dunmore, Moosic, Old Forge, Scranton, South Abington Township, and Taylor. The $97,400 contract will be paid using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
25. The public is notified of additional City departmental work sessions regarding the 2025 operating budget at the following dates and times:
26. Tues., Nov. 19, with the Business Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, Law Department, and Treasury.

City Council Meeting Recap – November 12, 2024 | PDF

Last modified: February 19, 2025