City Council Meeting Recap – November 19, 2024

At its regular meeting on Tues., Nov. 19, 2024, Scranton City Council:

1. Held a pre-meeting caucus regarding the 2025 Operating Budget with the Business Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, Law Department, and Treasury. 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 that will allow the Scranton Police Department to conduct an arrest without a warrant when there is conduct that imperils the personal security of any person or endangers public or private property. Offenses will include disorderly conduct; public drunkenness; obstructing highways and other public passages; and the purchase, consumption, possession, or transportation of a malt liquor or brewed beverage. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
3. Introduced an ordinance amending the street openings and excavations code to calculate pave cut inspection fees by time and mileage required, rather than by area. The ordinance was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
4. Introduced a resolution to enter into a contract for $200,000 with H2M Architects & Engineers, Inc., of Melville, N.Y., to provide engineering and architectural services for an emergency services training facility and emergency operations center, to be located on the campus of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
5. Introduced a resolution to the official sewage facilities plan of the City of Scranton for a new salt shed in the 600 block of Mineral Avenue. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
6. Introduced a resolution to the official sewage facilities plan of the City of Scranton for a new Hunter Truck Sales and Service Center in the 2900 block of Stafford Avenue. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
7. Introduced a resolution to submit a Local Share Account (LSA) grant application for $1 million for the Clover Field site renovation and recreation improvement project. New facilities will include a dog park, new playground, and basketball and pickleball courts, along with improved stormwater management systems. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
8. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $1 million for the Nay Aug Park swim complex project. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
9. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $1 million for the Wyoming Avenue streetscape project to improve physical infrastructure between Lackawanna Avenue and Spruce Street. Improvements may include enhancements to curbs, sidewalks, accessible ramps, colored and textured crosswalks, bike lanes, green infrastructure, and lighting upgrades. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
10. Introduced a resolution accepting a donation of bronze ADA signs from the Architectural Heritage Association to be used on City Hall property. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
11. Introduced a resolution amending the obligation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for enhancements to the Capouse Avenue park and splash pad. The amendments reduce needed funding for the splash pad by $13,717.50 to $913,719.89 and increases funding for the overall park by $46,385.35 to $201,556.50. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
12. Introduced a resolution amending the amount of funding requested through an LSA grant for the Francis Willard Elementary School green schoolyard project. The amendment increases the project budget from $200,000 to $208,749. The total project cost is $900,000, and the City’s LSA will provide “gap funding.” The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
13. Introduced a resolution to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a Sutphen custom ladder truck with First Security Finance, Inc. The new ladder truck will be Truck 4. The term of the lease is eight years, with a total final cost of $1,426,930.03. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
14. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $1,020,000 for the Marywood University campus renovation project. The project will improve sidewalks, lighting, and wi-fi accessibility. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
15. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $127,500 for the Linden parking garage renovation project. Funding will assist with the restoration of the elevator at the Linden Street parking garage. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
16. Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $408,000 for the Biden Street historic renovation project. The funding request will assist with renovations to the Scranton Life building at 538 Biden Street and is essential for preserving the iconic building as a well-maintained landmark. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
17. Introduced a resolution to submit a Main Street Matters grant application with the Department of Community and Economic Development for $1 million for the Clover Field site renovation and recreation improvement project. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.

18. Tabled an ordinance amending the Responsible Contractor Ordinance, including minor technical adjustments. The ordinance was tabled by a vote of 5-0.
19. Advanced 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 advanced by a vote of 5-0.
20. Advanced an ordinance maintaining the waste disposal and collection fee at $300 for 2025, with a 10% discount for early payment. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
21. Advanced an ordinance levying the Local Service Tax of $156 for 2025. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
22. Advanced 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 advanced by a vote of 5-0.
23. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
24. Approved a resolution to appoint Sherry Frable to the position of Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development. The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-0.
25. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
26. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
27. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
28. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
29. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
30. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
31. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
32. Approved a resolution to obligate $9,050.45 in ARPA funds for the repair of the pool and bathhouse at Weston Field. The resolution was approved by a vote of 5-0.
33. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
34. Approved 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 approved by a vote of 5-0.
35. Failed to approve 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 did not receive a second motion required to advance for a final vote.
36. Tabled an ordinance once again 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.

City Council Meeting Recap – November 19, 2024

Last modified: February 19, 2025