[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6516881,"mediaKeyId","5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c","parentId",5449319,"title","Residents press Council on nuisance properties, animal conditions and blight enforcement","audioSeconds",2527,"startMs",2235095,"endMs",4762435,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c&start=2235&end=4762","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c/thumbnail_2235095.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6516881/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-Council-on-nuisance-properties-animal-conditions-and-blight-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516881-64c0e2503e4d9875966c34742a7ac511/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413550&Signature=IYQ6RoImbU59xvD4~VsMN~7-OcUJhTpErVbC2S23SrVb6GRwtFnOO7Nd9Se7eGzdFAOsYSYeiu2xfBC3PpykV5HhDwhFmGDMAlFIp-rXgAu7hT7XpaiInQXXel17uIyZEIZg8~b-nLWfw0Pw8pCWX9byK2UPM~7ZaQovD6Mclr4Is6t10QV9VbX-Q9VrSU8vfWeB-cieiPSsKD2WYx2G5rkCn3tWIuxQTXuUF-c~o48JPK4iUy14DBBodEr7wlU2aGFQVoVtPlA1Jh6MATk49bbg7YwOKzaLvCvQHbcVQXfDV6UoBDqDduyiBG-znCD7~7-kHx86YU5zzlyWUrO1Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scranton CIty, PA","date","2025-07-02T00:00:00Z","article","Residents and council members raised multiple code-enforcement and blight concerns during the public-comment period, highlighting a property at 421 Campbell Street described by neighbors as a long-running nuisance with multiple large dogs, excessive waste and debris, and public-health risks. Speakers said repeated complaints, citations and court actions have not yet produced durable results.

Dawn Heffner told the council her neighborhood has reported a property with indoor furniture placed outside, animal feces, accumulated rubbish and multiple Cane Corso dogs; she said two large Cane Corsos have jumped over a deck into a neighbor’s yard and that the animals and property conditions create health and safety risks. Michael Duffy and other residents said they had repeatedly used the city’s 311 line and had not received timely follow-up.

Council members said Judge Powell had declared the property a nuisance on June 10 and directed removal of the dogs, and they said a hearing was pending on the 15th (an appeal period was mentioned). Councilman Shuster said the June 10 determination found the property to be a nuisance but not a zoning violation and that an appeal period applies; he expressed hope that the court decision would stand and that relief would follow. Council members asked the administration to have Department of Public Works (DPW), code enforcement and solicitors follow up and to coordinate with police and animal-control partners.

Speakers also asked the council for faster action on blighted properties elsewhere: Council members noted a Blighted Property Review Committee meeting scheduled for July 28 and a demo notice issued on June 23 for 429 Prescott Avenue, where a fire-damaged property had an expired bond and no act-98 funding in place. Residents raised a variety of related infrastructure and maintenance issues, including potholes and stormwater and requests for DPW to inspect and repair damaged pavement and storm drains after recent storms.

Council members asked administration staff to follow up with zoning and solicitors, to provide more responsive 311 follow-up and to present timelines for demolition or remediation actions where bonds or funding are lacking. The council did not adopt new code changes at this meeting but requested continued administrative follow-up and court enforcement where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Scranton City Council Public Mtg. 7-1-25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents described an ongoing nuisance property with numerous large dogs, unsanitary conditions, and longstanding blight; council members said courts had declared a nuisance and urged faster enforcement and follow-up.","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},6516886,"Residents urge Scranton to strengthen hate-crime response after downtown rallies",518,1060315,1578325,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c&start=1060&end=1578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c/thumbnail_1060315.jpg","/articles/6516886/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-Scranton-to-strengthen-hate-crime-response-after-downtown-rallies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516886-f97c17bbbdb59b54d54bcb7442033087/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413550&Signature=TKqFQPREtw6CoSt~yV0LyWJm5735ppsWfdGbOsFW2~NeycvvcKtZ5jwa~CZaXgzj97yYoRJ3evAx~kZh8LWhzs3JUlBpE0uLp3C-cdRkfZfgqcJhhgJLUGjq95DqVcmpb72KgOtR1rFEpPH1WDHBFxne4yrq5ef8DsnxSMpZJA1C90uoN1eqBf6qju1wnqQ~wbO3htttrj1GvoJKSFczJ4RRtEjyvoccP10Eu7xIX-66B9QE21WAIg~rnE98dwTJzDMwlK8w3-DvFe83Ip3zCWu~EOUHAa41Xyy8hECFOORtIwIFzh-cfWLkavcqG65fcght0woSs4QVnoSK5nLJPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council’s public-comment period to describe violent confrontations at recent local rallies and to call for clearer police and district attorney guidance on hate-crime charging and pretrial detention.

Angela Ramon, who identified herself as a Scranton resident, praised the city for defending its decision to fly the pride flag but said recent protests included violent assaults and hateful slurs that she believes were not recorded as hate crimes. Ramon said one woman was punched after a local rally and that the assailant had hurled slurs at people prior to the assault; she urged the city to review laws and prosecutorial practices so police and the district attorney have clear guidance in cases involving hateful rhetoric.

Riley Richards, a resident and volunteer marshal at a recent anti-war rally, described a separate episode in which an individual attending the rally repeatedly shouted Holocaust denial and later attacked a rabbi and others. Richards said bystanders intervened and restrained the man after he pushed toward the rabbi, and that law enforcement arrested the person on disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges; Richards said no charges related to assault or hate-related conduct were initially filed and that the person had been released on bail. He urged the mayor to issue a statement condemning acts of hatred and requested clearer protocols for charging and pretrial decisions in violent incidents accompanied by hateful speech.

Council members and the mayor’s office did not take immediate action on the floor during public comment but attendees asked the administration and the district attorney’s office to review existing ordinances and charging practices. Residents requested better documentation and reporting standards so that incidents involving hateful language and subsequent physical assaults are evaluated consistently for possible hate-crime enhancements.

The remarks were part of a broader set of public comments at the meeting that also covered parking, code enforcement and blight. Councilmembers acknowledged the incidents and said they would follow up with administration staff; no policy changes or formal directives were recorded during this meeting.","Speakers at the Scranton City Council public-comment period described violent incidents at recent local protests and urged the city to review hate-crime charging and pretrial detention policies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516891,"Council introduces multiple measures to change Scranton’s parking system, including transfer of garages and meter changes",0,3551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c&start=3551&end=3551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c/thumbnail_3551000.jpg","/articles/6516891/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Council-introduces-multiple-measures-to-change-Scrantons-parking-system-including-transfer-of-garages-and-meter-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516891-ab81ff98cace484776bd8add30d7229d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413550&Signature=nrN79CUlmkH4gAyzLhaXuRyL~xQttrhs1j~zUU0izVZWSCfeEdPOjD0wk4~Xoj00RgoO3NAnhDUSSi0zAkD0W16iraltmcZKsrgAu14luEX47cdH3kFiIZqRRbz0jAxX6AvVygwQaGt6jM1Cvg12soG0xN~YZrd2Jt~mfW4VAZJEzcuhq8e5L53~gdnvBjMRm5pUC4VdMMJIUZFRkHzMMvMg~J36qDPTA~tlZ2fZJNoBx-3kmxSVvHSy4tkKdeGNB8L7UwPfGnbxtEjbvydcw5gPD4kFzcK5mXlpf7-lwsbZs1xbQd9hQh4j3mug-5gNZ6WiS6QbiLk9LR54LqJHOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scranton City Council introduced a set of ordinances and resolutions that collectively would alter how the city’s metered parking system and parking garages are governed and operated. The measures, introduced into committee for further review, include amendments to the 2016 concession and lease agreements with Community Development Properties Scranton Inc. (CDPS), changes to meter hours and rates, and steps to accept ownership of parking authority assets.

On the floor the council introduced: an amended and restated concession arrangement relating to the Scranton Metered Parking System and Scranton Parking Facilities System (agenda item 5e); an ordinance to change metered-parking rates, extend hours of enforcement, and add a service fee for some payment methods (5f); a resolution approving a financing plan for Scranton Lackawanna Health and Welfare Authority to undertake a project for Community Development Properties (5i); and resolutions authorizing the city to accept and assume rights and obligations in the metered parking system and to acquire title to parking garages owned by the Scranton Parking Authority (5j and 5ks). Several smaller traffic- and school-zone ordinances were also introduced (5b, 5c, 5d) for committee review.

Council members and multiple public speakers raised questions about the financial terms and long-term implications. Joan Hoduanas, a Scranton resident, reviewed CDPS’s backup and said the nonprofit was seeking $200,000 a year for 10 years, refinancing authority of up to $35 million, transfer of meters and garages to the city, and other changes, and she questioned whether COVID alone justified CDPS’s revenue shortfalls. Tom Coyne (Manuka) and others said the proposed package contains many changes that should be split into separate bills and asked whether the city would assume bond liabilities; he also expressed concern about expanded enforcement hours and Saturday meters affecting downtown access and events.

Council members said Grow America/ABM (the concession operator) would attend caucus next week to answer questions; the mayor or administration staff asked citizens to submit questions in writing in advance to Frank Boldenberg, the city clerk, to be posed during caucus. Council members stated the city would not be liable for existing bonds and said the parking authority, which has no operational authority over the concession operator, is expected to be dissolved as part of the transfer discussions.

The introductions were voice votes; councilmembers signified support for introduction on each item. Council scheduled caucus time for the operator to appear and asked for additional documentation in advance, including a list of properties owned by the Scranton Redevelopment Authority (SRA) requested by a council member. Public commenters asked for clearer financial estimates from CDPS and Grow America/ABM about projected revenues from added hours and Saturday enforcement, and about liabilities the city might assume if ownership transfers proceed.

Council members indicated follow-up steps: a caucus with the concession operator to address questions, a Blighted Property Review Committee meeting scheduled for July 28, and requested materials (SRA property list and financial estimates) ahead of future hearings.","Council introduced a package of ordinances and resolutions that would amend the city’s 2016 parking concession and lease agreements, extend metered enforcement hours, authorize transfer of parking authority assets to the city, and consider a financing plan for Community Development Properties Scranton Inc.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516896,"City Council adopts contract with PeopleGuru for payroll processing",5953,83710,6037110,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c&start=83&end=6037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5449319-04978835e36c1e6636ec84fbd857a81c/thumbnail_83710.jpg","/articles/6516896/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/City-Council-adopts-contract-with-PeopleGuru-for-payroll-processing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516896-1239cfa381c76968d7e8f2b0d8deaad4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413550&Signature=EzVqPSWCvWkBDdOaB2KskICMwwLPSytI4usRTwAVhPDhFw3bIozFhSset0JUI47QF-QoGaz8MSlVateTEO6QUd2fLnlTfMCI7Vp1tPyaYGHWOhPCeK8JnaxPcjXMG4kYr~atCaWhZF~CVbmt-CHGDq5Bvo0qtztYYZ7TI8GYTC-EBKOsqgSDv092GUqQ7hgJE-Ja9bmq1es2izyfEsNesq601JGsHI2o3nazX9bxkykS3UDs2sw14NqUA62f5VVLTwThhwQSP3uLwo6jzxUKjBM1GJQ1obAZlQkRdQkB5UDuLlX-phc1lcglR8aRCIe9BtqDRGTKfg0-6XpxhTb7CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scranton City Council voted to take Resolution 235 of 2025 from the table and approved a contract with PeopleGuru, Inc., to provide payroll processing services for the city. The council moved to take the resolution from the table and later, following committee recommendation, voted on final passage.

Council members recorded on the roll call as voting in favor included Mr. King, Mr. Shuster, Dr. Rothchild and Mr. Smirrell; the council declared item 7a legally and lawfully adopted. The resolution authorizes the mayor and other appropriate city officials to execute a contract with PeopleGuru to perform payroll processing services; the contract text and procurement backup were referenced in committee and made available as part of the legislative packet.

Council members noted the previous payroll vendor (referred to in the meeting as “we pay”) did not submit a bid for the current solicitation. The committee on rules recommended final passage before the full council vote.

The action was presented and adopted as a formal resolution; the meeting record shows a motion to remove the item from the table, a second, committee recommendation for final passage, and a roll-call vote that resulted in adoption.

The council did not state contract dollar amounts or the contract term on the floor during the recorded portion of the meeting; those specifics appear in the contract backup materials and were not read into the record during the roll call.

The resolution's adoption was the final formal action recorded on the agenda before the meeting adjourned.","The Scranton City Council voted to take Resolution 235 of 2025 from the table and adopt a contract letting PeopleGuru perform payroll processing services for the city.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Council on nuisance properties, animal conditions and blight enforcement

Residents urge Scranton to strengthen hate-crime response after downtown rallies

Council introduces multiple measures to change Scranton’s parking system, including transfer of garages and meter changes

City Council adopts contract with PeopleGuru for payroll processing