City of Scranton Council Responses | September 15, 2026

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

• Mr. Schuster asked if the city may secure an actual estimate or quote on what it’s going to cost to secure the gates at Weston Field? It was previously estimated at approximately $50,000, however, Mr. Schuster asks for an exact quote. He further asks that the administration revisit the front gate access to allow for entry during Code Blue events this winter.
  • The city will solicit a quote for the entire complex.
• Mr. Schuster asked if the city administration and city engineer may provide an estimated cost for restoring Euclid Avenue to a two-way street; roadway, curbing/sidewalk reconfiguring, etc.
  • The estimated cost of the West Scranton Streetscape was $1.6 million in the 2026 capital budget. Eliminating the new curb bump out, milling, and paving for any road restoration would be an undetermined percentage of that cost. Please note PennDOT approved the streetscape plan/HOP based on Euclid Avenue being a one-way street.
    
    With regard to restoration of two-way traffic of Euclid Avenue, please note that it is anticipated that it would not be legally feasible to achieve the same. PennDOT approved the plan for one-way traffic based upon their existing regulations when viewed in context with the current location, size, and sight distance of the specific area in question. We do not have any reason to believe that PennDOT would approve any plans to revert back to two-way traffic. Additionally, because the project was partially funded by a PennDOT Multimodal Grant, PennDOT regulations must be strictly adhered to.
    
    Additionally, it is worth note that there are significant liability concerns that exist for failure to adhere to PennDOT regulations and abide by grant conditions. Failure to approve this legislation would unnecessarily create exposure for the City.
• Mr. Schuster also asked via email about the status of a property on South Webster Avenue that may be an unregistered rental property.
  • The property at 11 S. Webster Ave. was not registered as a rental property. A letter was sent to the owner on Aug. 27. Following no response, the city issued a citation on Sept. 11. As of this response, we have not received notification of a hearing date through Magistrate Corbett’s office.

Council member Dr. Jessica Rothchild asked the following question(s):

• Regarding the Euclid Avenue , Dr. Rothchild wanted to clarify her earlier question; she thanked the administration and city engineer for their comments shown under Item 1.a. in the attached 9/8 response to Council. She asked in her Motion on 9/1 for an updated traffic study to be completed based on Euclid Avenue as a one-way at present to find out if there is a better improved situation or a worsened situation regarding traffic in the neighborhood and surrounding area.
  • Council is being provided with a copy of the updated traffic study as a separate attachment.

Councilman Sean McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Councilman Sean McAndrew and other Council members referenced the problem business property at 1001 S Main Avenue recently shut down by the Lackawanna County District Attorney office. He asked why Code Enforcement and city management did not follow the Certificate of Occupancy issued and address the many complaints directly with the property owner, particularly the use as a restaurant only for the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. allowed for the business. Councilman Patrick Flynn specifically asked if there was ever a letter sent from Code Enforcement advising the owners they were operating outside the purview for their Certificate of Occupancy?
  • According to the Certificate of Occupancy for 1001 South Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18504, the approved use of the property is a restaurant.
    In July 2026, the City received a citizen complaint concerning garbage dumpster pickup occurring at approximately 11:30 p.m. and later on a Sunday. In response to that complaint, Code Enforcement issued a letter to the property owner advising that the activity constituted a violation of the City of Scranton Zoning Ordinance, File of Council #54 of 2023.
    • The violations identified included the following:
      • Section 5.9.A.1 – Noise Control: No person shall operate or cause to be operated on public or private property any source of continuous sound, including sound that is static, fluctuating, or intermittent with a recurrence greater than one time in any 15-second interval, in a manner that creates a sound level exceeding the limits established for the receiving land-use group or within the property boundary of the receiving land use.
      • Residential receiving areas, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.: The maximum permitted sound level, other than on Sundays and legal holidays, is 62.
      • Residential receiving areas, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., including Sundays and legal holidays: The maximum permitted sound level is 52.
  • The complaint received by the City concerned noise and dumpster activity, and Code Enforcement responded to that complaint accordingly. Additionally, phone logs indicate calls received in June and July from a resident. City practice is that after hour complaints would be forwarded to SPD for further action.
    
    It is also important to distinguish between the information available to Code Enforcement and activity that may have been occurring outside of the normal operating hours of the approved restaurant use. Based upon the complaint received by Code Enforcement, the Office took enforcement action regarding the specific violations brought to its attention.
    The City is thankful to the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office and the Scranton Police Department for their prompt action in addressing the issues that were taking place after the property’s normal restaurant operating hours
• Regarding ATV and E-bike enforcement in the city, Mr. McAndrew expressed concern how this is not something that can be easily quantified, such as an Excel file that can be easily searched or filtered. He questioned how expansive our record keeping is as the department moves forward with the live crime center in the new building.  He asked if SPD Chief Carroll may please revisit and quantify for Council in writing how many tickets were issued to date for ATV and E-bike violations. He stated that the fact that they can’t quantify it right now is alarming and that the department please take the time to get Council this important information. Councilman McAndrew noted that we just had ATVs and E-bikes flying through downtown during the La Festa celebration.
  • The Administration is evaluating the feasibility of adopting additional regulations regarding the use of e-bikes and scooters in public rights-of-way, and will submit the same to City Council for legislative review and approval once our research is completed.
• Regarding the listing of hearings with the magistrates. Mr. McAndrew stated that the city met with the court administrator, not the magistrates. What the outcome was regarding the meeting, and may Council be advised with an update on where we are right now with these hearings and any hearings being scheduled? Mr. McAndrew further indicated that magistrates are advising that city representatives are not showing up, so cases are being dismissed in favor of the defendant. He asked, if we have employees not showing up to these magisterial hearings, what’s the repercussion? Is there something in the handbook? Is there something that can be done with that? Mr. McAndrew requested more enforcement and accountability.
  • On the question regarding the scheduling of hearings, the City did have a Teams meeting with Court Administrators to help identify potential roadblocks within the Magistrate Court’s systems to the hearing dates being scheduled. These questions were directed to the Court Administrators as the City has seen a decline across the board, and not with any particular office.  Therefore, a meeting regarding the process itself seemed appropriate.  Potential alternatives to the current notice requirements were discussed, particularly in situations concerning chronically unresponsive property owners.  Another meeting is planned to further discuss alternatives that may better help move cases from citation through disposition.
    Regarding the question on City inspectors appearing at hearings, it is expected that a City inspector will appear at any Magisterial hearing scheduled concerning a citation they have issued.  In the event that a hearing date is missed and the citation is dismissed, an inspector may then refile the citation

Councilman Mark McAndrew asked the following question(s):

• Mr. McAndrew asked that the city engineer please visit and review the intersection of 10th Avenue and Washburn Street, near the Novembrino Splash Pad Park. He advised new curbing and handicapped access was placed, however, there is a problem every time it rains. The water pools on 10th Avenue, does not drain as there is no storm drain, and the water sits for days.
  • The storm basin issue has been referred to PAWC, and they have agreed to relocate the basin for better drainage.

City of Scranton Council Responses – September 15, 2026 | PDF

Last modified: September 15, 2026