Scranton Resident Raises Concerns Over Non-Functional Parking Kiosks and Cold Weather Protocols
October 01, 2025 | Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Residents of Scranton raised pressing concerns during the City Council Public Meeting on September 30, 2025, highlighting issues that directly affect daily life in the community.
One of the key topics discussed was the malfunctioning parking kiosks in the city. A resident shared her frustrating experience trying to pay for parking at a handicap meter, where multiple kiosks failed to work, causing her to arrive late to a meeting. This incident sparked a discussion among council members about the need to assess the operational status of parking kiosks throughout Scranton. Councilman Voldeberg committed to reaching out to the parking management to determine how many kiosks are currently operational and to explore ways to better inform the public about extended parking hours.
Another significant issue raised was the city's Code Blue policy, which currently sets the threshold for emergency shelter at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents expressed concern that this temperature is too low, especially with the increasing number of homeless families in Scranton. Suggestions were made to raise the threshold to at least 45 degrees, with some advocating for even higher limits to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations during cold weather. The discussion also touched on the challenges of securing volunteers for shelters, prompting ideas for the city to consider hiring additional staff to assist.
Additionally, residents expressed gratitude for recent city maintenance efforts, particularly the cleaning of storm drains that prevented flooding in their neighborhoods after heavy rainfall. However, concerns about the accumulation of non-recyclable campaign materials were also voiced, with residents seeking solutions for the disposal of plastic signs that remain after elections.
The meeting concluded with a call for transparency regarding the operations of local boards, as questions arose about the legitimacy of a recent vote taken without a quorum. This highlighted the community's desire for accountability in local governance.
As Scranton continues to address these pressing issues, the City Council's responsiveness to resident concerns will be crucial in fostering a more engaged and informed community.
One of the key topics discussed was the malfunctioning parking kiosks in the city. A resident shared her frustrating experience trying to pay for parking at a handicap meter, where multiple kiosks failed to work, causing her to arrive late to a meeting. This incident sparked a discussion among council members about the need to assess the operational status of parking kiosks throughout Scranton. Councilman Voldeberg committed to reaching out to the parking management to determine how many kiosks are currently operational and to explore ways to better inform the public about extended parking hours.
Another significant issue raised was the city's Code Blue policy, which currently sets the threshold for emergency shelter at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents expressed concern that this temperature is too low, especially with the increasing number of homeless families in Scranton. Suggestions were made to raise the threshold to at least 45 degrees, with some advocating for even higher limits to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations during cold weather. The discussion also touched on the challenges of securing volunteers for shelters, prompting ideas for the city to consider hiring additional staff to assist.
Additionally, residents expressed gratitude for recent city maintenance efforts, particularly the cleaning of storm drains that prevented flooding in their neighborhoods after heavy rainfall. However, concerns about the accumulation of non-recyclable campaign materials were also voiced, with residents seeking solutions for the disposal of plastic signs that remain after elections.
The meeting concluded with a call for transparency regarding the operations of local boards, as questions arose about the legitimacy of a recent vote taken without a quorum. This highlighted the community's desire for accountability in local governance.
As Scranton continues to address these pressing issues, the City Council's responsiveness to resident concerns will be crucial in fostering a more engaged and informed community.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting