[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6263446,"mediaKeyId","3105956-cae23ec352ea6b0ed34eb5e164730cf6","parentId",3105956,"title","Scranton council advances stormwater, traffic and paving measures; introduces East Mountain stormwater contract","audioSeconds",682,"startMs",2628000,"endMs",3310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105956-cae23ec352ea6b0ed34eb5e164730cf6&start=2628&end=3310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105956-cae23ec352ea6b0ed34eb5e164730cf6/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263446/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Scranton-council-advances-stormwater-traffic-and-paving-measures-introduces-East-Mountain-stormwater-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263446-33436e65e15d4eec868854ffb248311c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659535&Signature=oSbPZFWyu3M~2nA~jH301AztfgRpxki3tLPzrQtl451Go48S0fRV6w0dlzX2jDnyJEnI2E9AjKWNcnqxuFaLF55nJJ7-dSLewm7pHIrYIUZFomwCrwCw8KN7kiVD-Ojt0aJJeA2sTDcpUAJN3V54MIJcfH4hWPNCqLo3FR3f6Hm0TRkK1CCgEah6lcP2dhvwYBzitVZNwZLCyt9-UGhRmgwZ3vBBrXx06m8JEO41MrqP17R4HUGz7~WlEN6TAhnBkFwczC0uFQ4fTkn2Z5YodG9BOCFGQO1mH37OMYsAh5bN7O~voBDhhaBx-wfirvE-q6bnt4mNq7KYoqjBkOka0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Scranton, PA","date","2025-04-24T06:32:49.913Z","article","SCRANTON, Pa. — The Scranton City Council on April 22 took a series of votes to move forward with stormwater and traffic improvements and city paving work, and introduced a resolution and contract related to the East Mountain Stormwater Improvements project.

Council members voted to adopt several public-works measures and to introduce ordinances and resolutions that will enter committee review. The roll calls on adoption items were unanimous among voting members present.

Why it matters: The items include authorizations that clear legal and property steps for stormwater and drainage work, install traffic-control measures and fund the city’s paving program. One introduced item would waive parts of the city’s Responsible Contractor Ordinance for a specific East Mountain contract and is tied to an introduced contract for that same project.

Votes at a glance

- Item 6A (File to Council No. 71-2025): Ordinance updating the city’s adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code. Motion to pass reading by title was approved by voice vote.

- Item 7A (File to Council No. 67-2020): Final adoption authorizing acquisition of rights, franchises and easements for protection project Group 3; authorizes declaration of taking under Section 302 of the eminent domain code if required. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7A legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7B (File to Council No. 68-2025): Final adoption establishing an all-way stop at Kapowas Avenue and New York Street, installing international-style crosswalks, stop bars and ADA-compliant curb ramps. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7B legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7C (File to Council No. 69-2025): Final adoption installing a multi-way stop at the intersection of Crowd Avenue and Brook Street. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7C legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7D (file/citation as read): Final adoption authorizing installation of school-zone signage and relocation of existing signage at the St. Clair Saint Paul school main campus, with painted crosswalks. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7D legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7E (Resolution No. 197-2025): Adoption authorizing execution of a contract with M & J Excavation to provide street maintenance paving contract 2025. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7E legally and lawfully adopted.

Introductions and committee referrals (action taken to send into committee)

- Item 5B: Ordinance to close and abolish inactive special city accounts — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5C: \"Clean up the Code Ordinance of 2025\" (various code updates including printing of ordinances, sewer service rates, bicycle licenses, alcohol and drug abuse fund, parking fines, board of examiners, abandoned refrigerators) — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5D: Ordinance to approve and authorize acquisition by easement agreements, deeds in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, including declaration of taking under Section 302 of the eminent domain code, for the North Scranton stormwater and drainage improvements project — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5E: Resolution to waive Responsible Contractor Ordinance requirements for procurement of the East Mountain Stormwater Improvements Contract 1 — introduced into committee. Council discussed procurement law options and requested counsel and administration share full backup material publicly.

- Item 5F: Resolution authorizing the mayor and appropriate city officials to execute a contract with RLE Enterprises for East Mountain Stormwater Improvements Contract 1 — introduced into committee; council noted this would be contingent on the Responsible Contractor waiver (Item 5E).

- Item 5G: Resolution establishing a sister-city relationship — introduced into committee.

Council discussion highlights

Council members asked that when the administration exercises discretion to waive responsible-contractor requirements, the administration forward the full backup to council and counsel so members can review the reasons publicly. Mr. Gilbride (Counsel) explained the ordinance’s permitted process and, when asked, answered, “That’s correct. Under the ordinance,” confirming the legal framework cited by administration about when a waiver is permitted.

Administration materials presented at the meeting indicate six bids were received on the East Mountain work; council members referenced a reported bid spread of approximately $900,000 to $1,400,000 and noted that two bidders initially appeared to meet requirements in the cover documents but, after a full file review, were judged non-responsible for purposes of the Responsible Contractor Ordinance review. Council asked that similar future waivers be routed through counsel for transparency.

What’s next

Introduced items will be heard in the appropriate committee(s) for further review before final passage. The East Mountain contract (Item 5F) was introduced but remains contingent on the Responsible Contractor waiver process (Item 5E) and further committee review.

Ending note: The meeting concluded with the council adopting all public-works items on the agenda and adjourning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Scranton City Council Public Mtg 4-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Scranton City Council on April 22 adopted several public-works measures and introduced ordinances and resolutions to advance stormwater, traffic and paving projects, and to refer a waiver and contract for the East Mountain Stormwater Improvements project to committee.","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},6263440,"Residents urge action on clogged drains, stalled sewer-easements and landfill leachate during Scranton public comments",1188,293000,1481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3105956-cae23ec352ea6b0ed34eb5e164730cf6&start=293&end=1481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3105956-cae23ec352ea6b0ed34eb5e164730cf6/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6263440/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-action-on-clogged-drains-stalled-sewer-easements-and-landfill-leachate-during-Scranton-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263440-208fa8f37c8c09a680821a38b9a29574/orig.mp4?Expires=1773659535&Signature=XOo29L6nXwbplWWX30Ql6-T3MeAgd~JJRGvyBXHjUqrrL7F6uSUnJzt78kvWdxVl3NlVYYqMcdnrZ3B9n-sX2451jZ38wmmfknKoRHxn031IbXiTKrvimYJ9sITGBVrThPS9pPcH~MIT~IOVzvAS3BqZw7gWTtFtsttvzzyfzmCSRUU3j7Udu-rvPd9zbFqL-uG8vWSTo3fFEFbPvqmUEjs8hsfM1nBljBgfNPQwdv7MiJCGpMDT8-IyDNT3iEE1cLTdnmujXBOZ8S3lar8QpueozkXunJdagf~muv~QB0iY4PPEDjp2~LlB6vlutItakZVy-PXcB5h2ObhVbxWXMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SCRANTON, Pa. — Dozens of residents and visitors used the public-comment portion of the Scranton City Council meeting on April 22 to press for swifter action on stormwater and sewer problems, and to ask for testing and transparency about landfill waste moving through area sewer lines.

Why it matters: Residents described repeated flooding in downtown sidewalks and fronting the cathedral, clogged basins and a filled retention ditch that they say redirects stormwater over roadways and onto private property. One speaker raised concerns that Keystone Landfill accepts fracking waste that is radioactive and that waste flows in local sewer lines and creeks, prompting calls for testing and public answers.

What residents said

Joan Holderness of Scranton told council she has seen sidewalks and approaches to the cathedral flooded after severe night storms and asked whether the Department of Public Works cleans storm drains on a schedule. She said at least twice she encountered water “halfway up the sidewalk” in front of the cathedral and reported visible debris in downtown street drains.

Lenny Cerebro (Geyser Valley) described chronic flooding on the 2200 block of Lafayette Street. Cerebro said a retention pond near the corner of Lafayette and Dewey fills frequently and that a 36-inch drainage pipe and an associated ditch are clogged with leaves and branches. He asked the city’s DPW to use its suction machine to clear the ditch.

Mike Mancini of Scranton raised a separate, longer-standing concern about Keystone Landfill and what he described as “4,000,000 metric tons” of radioactive leachate being accepted and routed through local lines. He asked when the city last tested lines to ensure safety and whether host fees are being received. He said the landfill accepts fracking waste and that leachate flows along creeks and the Lackawanna River, and called for public answers.

Administration responses and follow-up

Mr. Boldenberg (City staff) told council earlier that he had been told there were about 80 easements remaining before the sewer authority could “officially fold.” He said he had received a recap recently and would provide an update to council. During public comments a representative said a water-company basin had been reported and the water company planned repairs \"within the next two weeks.\"

Council members asked staff to pass specifics to the DPW: Mr. Shuster asked that a request be sent the following morning to clean the ditch on Lafayette; another council member agreed to follow up on missing stop signs and utility-pole cleanups raised in public comment.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting

- The administration indicated (via Mr. Boldenberg) that roughly 80 easements remain related to the Sewer Authority’s outstanding property work.

- A water company told the city it would be out within approximately two weeks to repair a reported basin that had been causing local flooding near the cathedral.

- Lenny Cerebro identified the flooded location as the 2200 block of Lafayette Street at or near the corner of Dewey; he requested DPW cleanout of the ditch and pipe.

- Mike Mancini described Keystone Landfill as accepting fracking waste and asked for testing and host-fee disclosures; the transcript does not record a city technical response to the leachate claim at the meeting.

What the record does not show

Speakers raised tests, host-fee receipts and the amount of material moving through sewer systems. The council transcript records those questions but does not include technical test results, dates of last testing, or administration confirmation of host fees — those items were not specified during the meeting.

Ending: Council members asked staff to follow up and report back; residents were told staff would provide updates on the sewer-easement status and that DPW would be asked to inspect and, if needed, clear the reported clogged ditch and related infrastructure.","During public comment at the April 22 city council meeting residents described recurring downtown flooding, asked for cleaning of a blocked retention ditch on Lafayette Street and raised concerns about radioactive leachate from Keystone Landfill running through local sewer lines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Scranton council advances stormwater, traffic and paving measures; introduces East Mountain stormwater contract

Residents urge action on clogged drains, stalled sewer-easements and landfill leachate during Scranton public comments