At its regular meeting on Tues., Sept. 17, 2024, Scranton City Council:
- Held a pre-meeting caucus with officials from Muflehun, the authors of the 2024 Scranton Community Health and Safety Landscape Analysis. The report is available for review here: Scranton Community Health and Safety Landscape Analysis and video of the caucus session is available online through the ECTV YouTube channel.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a grant application on behalf of the South Scranton Little League to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a Local Share Account (LSA) grant for $84,000 to remodel restroom facilities and make them fully accessible for players and visitors. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of the Divine Marcy Parish for $122,651 for the St. Joseph Cemetery Restoration Project at 845-869 Davis St., Scranton. The fence surrounding the cemetery has been damaged due to traffic lane reconfiguration. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of Woodhaven Recovery for $96,600 for the Mulberry House project. Mulberry House is a young adult recovery house capable of housing seven residents and two staff members that needs professional renovations. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of St. Cats and Dogs for $31,500 for the restoration of two chimneys at the former Nay Aug Park Zoo. The chimneys “are in urgent need of rebuilding and exterior masonry… to keep the building safe for volunteers and visitors.” The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of the Scranton Cultural Center for $79,275 for the restoration of stone and terrazzo flooring throughout five levels of the building. This type of floor restoration has never been performed at the Cultural Center before and can help safeguard the community asset for the future. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to accept a $1,000 donation for the Scranton Fire Department from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. The donation will be used to purchase equipment for Truck 4, located at 1047 N. Main Ave. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant application for $100,000 for a comprehensive appraisal of City Hall operations and facility usage “to assess current performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and address the evolving needs of our community.” The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant for $150,000 to be used towards the digitalization of legal and other City documents. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to submit a LSA grant for $200,000 for a gateway and signature branded signs project. Signs will welcome residents and visitors at key entrances to the City, including on Lackawanna Avenue, Wyoming Avenue, and the Biden Expressway and serve as a cultural beacon, a historical marker, and a visionary landmark. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to obligate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds totaling $847,225.28 for a future community violence intervention and prevention program. Obligating funds through this resolution ensure they are earmarked before the Dec. 31, 2024, ARPA obligation deadline set by the U.S. Treasury. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to obligate ARPA funds totaling $200,000 towards the creation of a tourist attraction known as “The Office Experience” in partnership with Scranton Tomorrow. The interactive attraction would develop a must-visit destination for fans of the hit NBC sitcom set in Scranton. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to enter into an agreement with Multiscape, Inc., of Pittston, for $945,180 for the Nay Aug Park multicourt project. The project is funded in part through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to appoint Ro Hume as a member of the Scranton Civil Service Commission to full the unexpired term of Christopher McClatchy, beginning Sept. 23, 2024, and expiring on the last day of the mayoral term. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Advanced an ordinance closing and abolishing inactive special city accounts, per the recommendations of the fiscal year 2022 audit. Thirty-six inactive accounts will be closed. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
- Advanced an ordinance amending the Human Relations and Discrimination Code to change the size of the Human Relations Commission from 11 members to nine. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
- Advanced an ordinance repealing antiquated requirements for charitable solicitations. A previous ordinance dating to 1937 required certain charitable organizations to obtain a $5 license to solicit donations, but it has not been updated since its introduction or enforced in recent memory. Further, state law is sufficient to protect the public interest with respect to charitable solicitations. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
- Advanced an ordinance to amend the City’s administrative code to permit the City to publicly advertise certain bid opportunities online as an alternative to through the newspaper. Changes in the local newspaper landscape, including but not limited to the absence of a daily print edition on Mondays and the often expensive cost of publishing lengthy notices, prompted the change. Newspapers across the commonwealth and the country are reducing the frequency of their printed publication or cease printing their news as a cost-saving measure, providing greater instability in this self-imposed City practice. The ordinance was advanced by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted an ordinance to amend the City’s 2024 operating budget to properly account for a service of bond transactions and to authorize the City to make its initial 2024 bond debt service payment in November 2024. The ordinance was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted an ordinance to amend the 2024 operating budget to transfer up to $132,000 from the Bureau of Administration Contingency to fund raises for the clerical union that were not originally identified in the 2024 operating budget. The newly adopted clerical union contract requires the City to issue raises of $2,000 to each member of the clerical union in 2024. The ordinance was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to appoint Kathryn Bogaczyk as a member of the Scranton Civil Service Commission to fill the unexpired term of Walter Barron, beginning immediately and expiring on the last day of the mayoral term. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of the University of Scranton for $157,500 for the Weiss Hall workforce development project. The project is intended to establish an innovation hub/maker space that will provide access to tools, equipment, and technology. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of the West Scranton Little League for $73,500 to be used for a comprehensive field improvement project, prioritizing safety and efficiency. Current field conditions are often unsafe due to ponding of rainwater. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of NeighborWorks NEPA for $258,842 to be used towards a blighted property revitalization project at 115 N. Main Ave. NeighborWorks recently purchased the building with plans to convert part of it into office space for its growing community development team. The remainder of the building would be renovated into either leasable commercial space or affordable rental housing. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant application on behalf of Valley In Motion (VIM) and Trust for Public Land (TPL) for $200,000 for a green schoolyard project at Francis Willard Elementary School. VIM and TPL are in the process of executing similar projects in Scranton at John F. Kennedy and John G. Whittier elementary schools. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $900,000, and additional fundraising efforts from VIM and TPL have already started. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
City Council Meeting Recap – September 17, 2024
Last modified: September 19, 2024
