At its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Scranton City Council:
- Held one pre-meeting caucus regarding the 2025 Capital Budget and another with representatives of Pennsylvania American Water Company regarding ongoing projects. The capital budget is available for review online. Video of the caucus session is available online through the ECTV YouTube channel.
- Introduced an ordinance approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Scranton’s Fire Department and the Borough of Dunmore regarding the borrowing of a spare city fire engine/apparatus. Dunmore will send both of its fire engines/apparatuses for refurbishment, leaving the borough without a fire engine for approximately one year. The City will not be affected in its ability to respond to incidents while this equipment is loaned to Dunmore. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to accept a $1,000 donation from the Scranton Counseling Center to the Scranton Fire Department. The donation will be used to purchase equipment for the Scranton Fire Department. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Introduced a resolution to appoint Scott Gassenmeyer as director of the Department of Public Works, effective Sept. 18, 2024. Gassenmeyer will earn a salary of $76,500 in the position. The resolution was introduced by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted 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 voting against.
- Adopted a resolution to submit a LSA grant for $150,000 to be used towards the digitization of legal and other City documents. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted 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 adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution to appoint Ro Hume as a member of the Scranton Civil Service Commission to fill the unexpired term of Christopher McClatchy, beginning Sept. 23, 2024, and expiring on the last day of the mayoral term. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
- Adopted a resolution approving the intermunicipal transfer of a restaurant liquor license from AARK Hospitality Dickson City TK, LLC, 4011 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City, to Shreeji Mart, LLC, 338 Franklin Ave., Scranton. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5-0.
City Council Meeting Recap – September 24, 2024
Last modified: September 27, 2024
