Concerns over malfunctioning parking kiosks and the need for improved cold weather protocols dominated the Scranton City Council Public Meeting on September 30, 2025. Residents voiced frustrations about the city’s parking system, particularly the issues with kiosks that left them unable to pay for parking. One resident recounted a frustrating experience where multiple kiosks failed to work, causing delays and confusion among attendees at a library meeting. “What do you do if you've hit three kiosks in the block and they're not working?” she asked, highlighting the need for a reliable payment system.

In response, council members agreed to reach out to the parking authority to assess the number of operational kiosks and explore public education efforts regarding extended parking hours. “Can we ask how many total kiosks we have and what percentage are operational?” one council member inquired, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The meeting also addressed the city’s Code Blue policy, with calls to raise the temperature threshold for activating emergency services for the homeless. Residents argued that the current limit of 20 degrees is too low, suggesting it should be increased to at least 45 or even 50 degrees to better protect vulnerable populations as winter approaches.

Additionally, the council received positive feedback regarding recent stormwater management efforts, with residents thanking officials for cleaning out local drains that prevented flooding during heavy rains. However, concerns about plastic campaign signs and their environmental impact were also raised, with residents urging the city to find a solution for their disposal.

As winter nears, the council faces pressing issues that require immediate attention, from ensuring functional parking kiosks to enhancing support for the homeless during cold weather. The discussions reflect a community eager for improvements and responsive governance.