At its regular meeting on Tues., Nov. 26, 2024, Scranton City Council:
Held a pre-meeting public hearing regarding the 2025 Operating Budget. 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.
Introduced a resolution to enter into a contract with Midlantic Engineering, Inc., to perform pave cut inspections. The one-year contract has two optional one-year renewals. There is no cost to the City, and all costs will be reimbursed by persons performing pave cuts. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
Introduced a resolution to enter into a $3,266,831.60 contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for five years for the purchase of hardware, software, and related services to expand on and integrate other Axon products already used by the City. The City received a $3 million grant from the Department of Justice for upgrades to technology and training that support this contract. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
Introduced a resolution to submit a Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide grant for $346,000 on behalf of the Scranton Cultural Center for an HVAC renovation project. The project is one part of a larger $1.2 million heating and air conditioning system project to replace old cast iron and vacuum systems. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
Advanced 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 advanced by a vote of 5-0.
Advanced 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.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted an ordinance maintaining the waste disposal and collection fee at $300 for 2025, with a 10% discount for early payment. The ordinance was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted an ordinance levying the Local Service Tax of $156 for 2025. The ordinance was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA Statewide 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $1 million for the Nay Aug Park swim complex project. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution accepting a donation of bronze ADA signs from the Architectural Heritage Association to be used on City Hall property. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted, as amended, 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA Statewide grant application for $1,020,000 on behalf of Community Development Properties, Scranton, Inc., (CDPS) for the Marywood University campus renovation project. The project will improve sidewalks, lighting, and wi-fi accessibility. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA Statewide grant application for $127,500 on behalf of CDPS 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA Statewide grant application for $408,000 on behalf of Scranton Life Realty Co. 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
Amended an ordinance containing the 2025 general city operating budget. Amendments are as follows:
Amended the standard salary of City Clerk and Council from $265,071.24 to $266,681.24 to increase the salary for the City Council legal advisor’s salary by $1,610 from $46,000 to $47,610.
Amended non-departmental allocations for the Everhart Museum from $52,500 to $50,890.
Amended the following standard salaries in Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Fire:
Deputy Chief (1) from $104,178.28 to $104,955.42
Assistant Chief (3) from $300,578.88 to $302,820.63
Assistant Chief for Training (1) from $99,632.96 to $100,380.21
Captain (1) from $92,116.27 to $92,807.15
Captain (15) from $1,381,744.05 to $1,392,107.18
Lieutanant (15) from $1,328,600.10 to $1,338,564.60
Chauffeurs (30) from $2,555,000.10 to $2,574,162.60
Fire Inspector (2) from $191,601.84 to $193,038.86
Fire Prevention Officer (1) from $95,800.92 to $96,519.43
Private (68) from $5,368,041.04 to $5,321,219.85
Master Mechanic (1) from $95,800.92 to $96,519.43
Council approved all budget amendments by a vote of 5-0 and tabled the passage of the budget until its December 3, 2024, meeting.
Tabled once again an ordinance amending the Responsible Contractor Ordinance, including minor technical adjustments.
City Council Meeting Recap – November 26, 2024
Last modified: February 19, 2025
