[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6396114,"mediaKeyId","2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e","parentId",2097561,"title","Greenridge residents seek clarity on Park Gardens; housing authority identified as manager","audioSeconds",2129,"startMs",1959000,"endMs",4088000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e&start=1959&end=4088","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e/thumbnail_1959000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6396114/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Greenridge-residents-seek-clarity-on-Park-Gardens-housing-authority-identified-as-manager","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396114-838ce5b9838eef6413e200fbed9d06f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659528&Signature=ExJ4VBgnKoF9C2kHibXjfmz~R8k9xz0QHuyl4usnpq5pYXQTuMw3r~SGV-XMIkD-PlK7xQpy9KCiW1zVXLk-~Hwjn98JfKeI~zZdXllueUtrBKpE2OLakBbHF2nW23Q-yu7Nbgczw4rGTBLlTcAwgqHWGAPwHBpGudI70wnqDkcsLFmzgbUcKISrWkMIp0sHjBcgezlQKac9ZgH-BqMx5SCbw~uQRy-8IobTkMlo6GqY8MfZmw3~Emxbxy7eXtu7~qMpuY~7ZV4h646eVEjBT~xtQfj4RLSkutThwq18eQ1yNgji0sCMAHkzQNW-iomp9dGcawrGyeChS7zxxp-zWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Scranton, PA","date","2025-01-10T03:06:13.673Z","article","Greenridge residents told the Scranton City Council they want clear answers about the status and future of Park Gardens, a neighborhood rental complex that neighbors fear could change in character if ownership or funding were altered.

At the meeting, Laura Agostini, president of the Greenridge Neighborhood Association, summarized residents’ inquiries and asked council and administration for transparency. Agostini said questions included whether Park Gardens is a city asset, whether the city pays any bills for the property, whether the complex receives federal funding and whether its ownership or program restrictions (for example, age restrictions or income-based occupancy) may change.

“My understanding is that Park Gardens is owned by the city of Scranton,” Agostini said during public comment, and she asked council to help provide accurate information to neighbors. Agostini also said the association had attempted to obtain minutes from the Scranton Housing Authority and had not been able to find recent records online.

Why it matters: Residents say Park Gardens fits the Greenridge neighborhood’s character and that a conversion to a subsidized or income-restricted property could change neighborhood composition and management. The questions raised touch on transparency about public housing assets and tenant impacts.

Council and administration follow-up

Council members asked that Agostini’s questions be sent to the administration for written answers. Mister King and Mister Schuster asked that a formal list of questions be forwarded so staff could provide definitive responses. Doctor Reister (council member speaking during the meeting) provided a clarification: Park Gardens is owned and managed by the Scranton Housing Authority and “they do not get city funding,” and the housing authority is working to make minutes available after recent membership changes.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting included residents’ statements that Park Gardens currently does not have income restrictions and does not receive federal funding, according to the speaker’s understanding; the Community Housing Partnership was referenced by a public commenter as an organization that manages low-income properties in other places, but no formal transfer or management contract was presented to council. Council asked the administration and the Scranton Housing Authority for definitive, documented answers and requested minutes from recent Housing Authority meetings.

Ending

Council members directed staff to forward the neighborhood’s questions to administration and to request the Housing Authority produce or provide recent meeting minutes. The meeting record shows a public meeting about Park Gardens was scheduled for Jan. 13 in the basement of Saint Clare’s Church; council members and neighborhood leaders said tenants should be invited to that forum.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Scranton City Council Public Meeting 1-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","Greenridge residents asked the Scranton City Council for clear, documented answers about the ownership, funding and possible future of Park Gardens, a rental property neighbors say could change the character of their neighborhood if its status changes.","taxTitle","Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2973,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6396109,"Residents sharply divided over 'Biden' Spruce Street signage; multiple callers urge referendum or removal",2235,997000,3232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e&start=997&end=3232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6396109/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-sharply-divided-over-Biden-Spruce-Street-signage-multiple-callers-urge-referendum-or-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396109-b6a669f7f887393695c6ff46936ce2e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659528&Signature=eWP7m8e1-gcbHCdY1RsRY-BzyEt-IwqIKlT5ajvHLJG6ooHIpERA6CHLH9oPtMYacHoEk-JRGMcFNaH7bDHmcw48IRn669nH9QKyxW-UtQL90IRKxcA74nFzlSjd9KacbNLMMjNwnBraneG~JcZsSsdJLOBYoVtRAoNlG327R3Fsxm6tsr6bHpb1FZfgGP~bdqfnOos0MqANjgnQyVpPvi50ycQmNsjZAd2K9boHYsrsLHXuoxoCCN4zIvKfkgDgE4wp2vQvEn8TFwsH-vFL~O8bS2VBKZzhOWqC1bMkubSGtwmKqZlg2L9KVzk~5jddJHMr9teAPtkVgz1oYb2kuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and frequent public commenters raised a contentious debate over the Spruce Street signage honoring President Joe Biden, with speakers alternately urging council to remove the signs, to leave them in place, or to put the question to a public referendum.

Several commenters argued for removing the signs and restoring the former street name. Bob Bolas, who described a long record of community service including an annual Christmas dinner, urged the council to “remove those signs from the expressways of Spruce Street” and said he had gathered petition signatures and may pursue legal action. He said the designation disrespected victims of past local scandals and that the city had been “sold out.”

Other speakers pushed back. Les Spindler and Lynn Labroski said they were proud Spruce Street honored a native son and urged council to put the question to voters rather than change it by administrative action. Mike Mancini suggested council could restore the name immediately or send it to a referendum on the May 20th ballot. Several speakers called for civil dialog and urged council to allow the public to decide.

Why it matters: Street names and honorary designations can symbolize community identity and provoke strong reactions. Commenters emphasized civic voice and suggested a referendum or citywide vote as the appropriate method to resolve the dispute.

Council response and next steps

Council members did not take formal action on the signage during the meeting. Multiple public commenters asked council to place the question on the May ballot or to act immediately to change signage. Council members acknowledged the comments and said they would consider the public remarks; no ordinance or resolution concerning street naming was introduced at this meeting.

Ending

The conversation remains unresolved in council minutes. Several public speakers encouraged a ballot referendum; others asked council to retain the designation. Council staff or administration were not recorded taking immediate action during the meeting.","Residents pressed the Scranton City Council to act on Spruce Street signage honoring President Joe Biden, with calls both to remove the signs and to leave them in place — many callers urged a public referendum.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6396118,"Scranton council introduces four resolutions and votes to request filling vacant retired-firefighter seat",113,4797000,4910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e&start=4797&end=4910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2097561-f9c3c2ec9b386cf1438c51d9f505d18e/thumbnail_4797000.jpg","/articles/6396118/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Scranton-council-introduces-four-resolutions-and-votes-to-request-filling-vacant-retired-firefighter-seat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396118-8571e9d8e6c6ed13c35f579473a50f37/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659528&Signature=X~m-mGgqk1868KBcPvvWkxnsW1Eg4zod2HGCbKwGgvGoA~NYQmqb5ffl5cCx3VWXP~8584JTkfSQbNXr7dUb~ll0HF36zomtiqOqxJ1~HIv2ACh1UpaLln4-BG9DQGNv0VedQ9SfpNnWAX3uBIW-KxZHDnd1EH1wxf7WQoBWk-XUh~JBQRKKVYAJuw9b7SaaEFjAlAnXGzGLseuXgiVbCjDwAPgl4mGgZNEJGGcGrfLnBFPrXavVH8rfjbdtAyDlyOshAxzaydhloPAvA-0cTy~a1AWaMS-4OABaLFKQ0JXeWVkCr91al1Yk4myfimQV-740z3KNUWSWLPtKeGjong__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scranton City Council introduced four resolutions and voted to request that the administration fill a vacant retired firefighter seat on the fire pension board during its first meeting of the year.

The measures introduced included the appointment of Steven Hintz as parks and recreation director (effective Dec. 16, 2024), a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a FEMA FY2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the appointment of Sherry Frable to the Lackawanna County Land Bank board to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2025, and ratification of procurement and a lease-purchase for a bucket truck from Structural Metal Fabricators Inc. Each item was introduced into its proper committee by voice vote; the chair called for introductions and reported “the ayes have it.”

Why it matters: The appointment and procurement items affect staffing and capital equipment for city services, while the FEMA grant application could fund department equipment or training. The council’s formal request that the administration seat a retired firefighter representative on the fire pension board addresses representation on a board that handles pension decisions for retired department members.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment of Steven Hintz as parks and recreation director (5B introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 b, for introduction of resolution. Appointment of Steven Hintz to the position of parks and recreation director, effective December 16, 2024.”

- FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant application (5C introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 C for introduction of resolution. Authorizing the mayor and other appropriate city officials to apply and accept a FEMA fiscal year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters grant.”

- Appointment of Sherry Frable to Lackawanna County Land Bank board (5D introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 d for introduction of resolution. Appointment of Sherry Frable to the board of directors of the Lackawanna County Land Bank to fill the unexpired term ending December 31st 2025.”

- Procurement and lease-purchase of bucket truck (5E introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5e for introduction of resolution. Ratifying and authorizing procurement of a bucket truck from Structural Metal Fabricators Incorporated, an execution of lease purchase agreement with Leasing 2 Incorporated for said truck.”

- Official correspondence asking when a vacant retired fire officer seat will be filled (council motion). Action: council voted to send official correspondence to the administration requesting the appointment of the retired fire officer seat that has remained vacant; outcome: approved in roll call. Council members recorded voting in the affirmative included Mister King, Mister Shuster, Doctor Rothschild, Mister McAndrew and Mister Smurrell. The motion’s sponsors were not recorded on the audio for the formal roll call, but the motion was made and seconded prior to the roll call.

Background and follow-up requests

Council members asked the administration for additional details on several items discussed elsewhere in the meeting: the total contract cost and procurement process for the holiday lights project at Neog Park, updates on the recycling vendor contract and cost-benefit analysis, and minutes from recent Scranton Housing Authority meetings. Several council members requested that the administration provide written answers or documentation to those questions through the city clerk’s office.

Ending

Council members indicated they will forward questions to the administration for written responses and will track answers in upcoming meetings. The introduced resolutions proceed to their respective committees for further consideration.","At its first meeting of the year, the Scranton City Council introduced four resolutions — including the appointment of a parks director and an application for a FEMA firefighters grant — and voted to send official correspondence to the administration asking when a vacant retired-firefighter seat on the fire pension board will be filled.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Greenridge residents seek clarity on Park Gardens; housing authority identified as manager

Residents sharply divided over 'Biden' Spruce Street signage; multiple callers urge referendum or removal

Scranton council introduces four resolutions and votes to request filling vacant retired-firefighter seat