City of Scranton Council Responses | June 9, 2026

Council President Tom Schuster asked the following question(s):

• Mr. Schuster asked if the city blight crew may assist with clearing overgrown grass and brush in the front and rear of the property at 421 Colfax Avenue. The issues at the condemned property are ongoing, owned by an out-of-town landlord, is a high-profile issue and eyesore in the neighborhood with no clear resolution in sight.
  • The blight remediation teams have been informed.
• Regarding the Weston Field Complex, Mr. Schuster asked for an update on the pool and playground. Is the pool open and operational? Are there any issues occurring with the new pool?
  • The pool is operational and will open June 6 and 7. The pool will be open daily starting the weekend of June 13.
• Is the playground fully funded? What is the timeline on the playground being put in? Does the city have the playground equipment in possession now or awaiting the delivery?
  • The City received an ORLP grant for Weston Field and we are completing the federal government contracting process. No equipment can be purchased prior to that contracting process.
• Mr. Schuster advised that he is still receiving complaints about the gates at the Weston Field not being locked and individuals on the field at all hours of the night. May Council please have an update on the security?
  • The gates have been locked until this past weekend as equipment needed to be brought in for the mini-pitch. They may still be unlocked from time to time to facilitate more equipment for the project. Once it is completed, gates will be locked again.
• Mr. Schuster asked what studies were completed prior to the highway occupancy permit for the West Scranton Streetscape Project? Did the city take into consideration the trucking business at the end of Dorothy Street or just put the highway occupancy permit in for the one-way street?
  • This has been referred to the City engineer.
• Regarding Item 5E on the attached evening agenda, Mr. Schuster asked; Who performed these duties at the inception in 2022, 2023? Is this the first contracted firm?
  • PFM Asset Management LLC performed these services beginning in May 2023.
• Mr. Schuster shared a resident’s concern about possible creek obstruction near Sherman Avenue.
  • Chief Judge and our City engineers visited the site on June 2. No major issues with water conveyance were discovered after walking the channel. Chief Judge recommended simple maintenance including the removal of two trees upstream from the Jackson Street bridge, and that debris upstream of the bridge and in the downstream culvert leading into the flood control project be cleared. Unrelated to streamed maintenance, Chief Judge noted that a dump trailer is currently parked dangerously close to the bank on the downstream side.

Councilman Sean McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Mr. McAndrew had concerns regarding Nay Aug Park. He stated that he was of the understanding that the SMRA was in charge of the whole park and should have an approval in actions at the park, i.e. leagues granted access to use the pickleball courts, etc. He asked for clarification on what is the SMRA day-to-day responsibility is for the park?
  • The Parks Department has worked out these details with the SMRA. All activities scheduled will involve a meeting with both Parks and the SMRA moving forward.
• Regarding funding to the SMRA, Councilman McAndrew asked for their funding sources. How much they have received in recent years, current bank accounts amount, and where does the money go towards.
  • We have directed this question to the SMRA.
• Mr. McAndrew advised the administration has brought back many great and beautiful parks in the city. He stated we need to make sure they are safe, maintained and not become a nuisance to the neighborhoods. He agrees with Mr. Flynn and Council that cameras should be placed in all parks. He asked that the administration please advise, by Friday, June 5^th, regarding priority cameras at Pretzel Park; please follow with further update on cameras for other parks, as available.
  • SPD has been working closely with IT to build out the camera system for the City’s parks. Chief Carroll recognizes that this is not moving as quickly as many would like, but it is important to understand that this is not a standalone project. The park cameras operate within the same network as all other public safety cameras across the city. Because they coexist in a single system, SPD must constantly evaluate and prioritize procurement, installation, repair, maintenance, and replacement, based on overall public safety needs.
    
    In doing so, SPD must also balance location, timing, budget, staffing, and factors including weather and competing operational demands. Many of these priorities are determined by intelligence and continuous public safety assessments. Although managing the full public safety camera system is complex and demanding, SPD has the expertise, structure, and commitment necessary to keep the system reliable and aligned with operational priorities and the community’s expectations. 
    
    Pretzel Park has been previously and continues to be included in the City’s work plan as we continue to work through the open requests across the City. We will communicate the installation date when it is available.
• Councilman McAndrew asked if the city and PEL may kindly provide a deadline or timeline on the PEL five (5) year plan for the city. Last word received indicated the forecast was still in process.
  • The city will check on the timeline.
• Mr. McAndrew asked the following on behalf of a resident:
  • What is the total projected cost of the Nay Aug Project?
    • Pool  – $4.55 million
    • Courts – $1.2 million
    • Butterfly Park – Approx. $300,000
  • What happened to the waterslide
    • The waterslide was removed.
  • What is the status of the lap pool?
    • Underground infrastructure has been installed.
  • What happened to the children’s playground below the zoo area? Did we get reimbursed for the fort/play area?
    • It was removed per legal recommendation due to accessibility and safety hazards of older material and hardware could not be replaced.
  • What is the park going to charge to use the pool area and activity courts? How are they going to schedule the use of the activity courts?
    • The pool and courts will be free to residents.

Councilman Mark McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Mr. McAndrew asked for an update on the repairs and cleanup at The Lookout on Route 307.
  • The City is still in the process of having the Lookout designated as a historic landmark. Statewide LSA grant awards have not yet been announced. The City applied for that funding in October 2025. The blight team regularly visits the site to remove graffiti.
• Councilman McAndrew, like Council President Schuster, also asked if the city blight crew may assist with clearing overgrown grass and brush in the front and rear of the problem property at 421 Colfax Avenue.
  • Please see the response above.

Council Vice President asked the following question(s):

• Councilman Flynn thanked the city for the update on 1021 Richmont Street. He advised the front area has been trimmed, however, the rear of the property remains severely overgrown and asked if the city may engage the property owner to clear the back property?
  • Code Enforcement has been notified.
• Mr. Flynn expressed his concerns regarding the ongoing vandalism and lack of cameras at Pretzel Park in the city Green Ridge section.  He respectfully asks that the city administration review and advise Council why reports from residents indicate that the city IT Department has taken approximately three years to work on establishing cameras at the park. He asked for specifics on what is happening in IT, what they are looking into, are there any hiccups in the process, what is needed to get to the next level, and if Council may assist in any way.
  • Please see the above regarding the overall camera system.
• Regarding Item 5C on the attached evening agenda, Councilman Flynn asked if the city administration would kindly clarify for him the “and/or” terminology in the legislation and how this may affect the allocation of the funds.
  • Regarding the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, the scope of the project(s) the City will pursue will depend on the amount of funding awarded. If the award is large enough, we may pursue both project areas.
• Councilman Flynn asked that our City, city engineer, and SPD kindly review areas of Electric Street and Sunset Street for “Do Not Enter” signage. Residents report the smaller one-way signs do not deter motorists from turning onto the one-way sections of the streets.
  • Large scale “Do Not Enter” signs were installed off Electric and Sunset Streets. The one-way signs were also replaced with large scale signs to enhance awareness and public safety in the area as requested.

From May 26 Meeting

• Councilman Sean McAndrew asked if DPW Roads may visit Cherry Street at South Irving Avenue for a large pothole on the Cherry Street section of the intersection.
  • This area was milled, patched, rolled, and sealed with tar on Mon., June 8, 2026.

City of Scranton Council Responses – June 8, 2026 | PDF

Last modified: June 9, 2026