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Scranton council introduces intergovernmental MOU, advances refuse-truck purchase and moves two ordinances forward
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Scranton City Council introduced an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on a specific property, approved introduction of a refuse-truck purchase resolution, introduced a zoning-board appointment, and passed readings by title for a PennDOT right-of-way conveyance and revised excavation rules.
SCRANTON — The Scranton City Council at its regular meeting introduced several measures and advanced two ordinances, moving items into committee or passing first readings on measures that city officials said relate to public works, zoning coordination and capital equipment purchases.
Council members introduced an intergovernmental cooperation agreement described in the agenda as a memorandum of understanding between the city and the borough of "Musick" to coordinate zoning, planning and code enforcement for the parcel listed as 53 Glenmara National Boulevard; the item was sent to committee after a voice vote to introduce the measure. The agenda described the item as 5 b for introduction.
The council also introduced and sent to committee a resolution ratifying a purchase agreement with Mid Atlantic Waste Systems for two refuse trucks. City comments during the meeting said the trucks include body scales and that the purchase was part of the 2025 capital budget; an administrative note provided during discussion said the original estimate for the pair had been $310,000 but costs came in slightly higher than that estimate. The resolution appeared on the agenda as item 5 c.
Council members introduced a resolution to appoint Paul W. Welby as alternate member No. 1 of the Zoning Hearing Board, with a term expiring July 1, 2028; that introduction passed by voice vote (item 5 d on the agenda).
On two ordinance items read by title, the council voted to advance both measures. The first (filed as to-council item 62 of 2025) accepts a proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to purchase a right-of-way and temporary construction easement involving city-owned land on Mattis Avenue for the Cedar Avenue bridge replacement project; Council voted to pass that measure on reading by title. The second (filed as to-council item 63 of 2025) amends a prior ordinance establishing regulations that govern excavations within public rights-of-way; that reading by title also passed.
All introductions and readings were approved by voice vote during the meeting; the meeting record shows affirmative "Aye" responses when each item was moved for introduction or for passage on title. No roll-call vote tallies by individual councilmember were recorded in the meeting minutes provided in the transcript.
Votes at a glance
- 5 b (introduction): Intergovernmental cooperation agreement/MOU between city of Scranton and borough of "Musick" regarding 53 Glenmara National Boulevard — introduced and referred to committee (voice vote "Aye").
- 5 c (introduction): Resolution ratifying purchase agreement with Mid Atlantic Waste Systems for two refuse trucks (2025 capital budget; trucks include body scales; original estimate cited as $310,000 for the two units) — introduced and referred to committee (voice vote "Aye").
- 5 d (introduction): Resolution appointing Paul W. Welby as alternate No. 1, Zoning Hearing Board; term to expire 07/01/2028 — introduced and referred to committee (voice vote "Aye").
- 6 a (reading by title): Ordinance authorizing conveyance of a right-of-way and temporary construction easement to PennDOT for the Cedar Avenue bridge replacement project (Mattis Avenue parcel) — passed reading by title (voice vote "Aye").
- 6 b (reading by title): Ordinance amending File to Council No. 10 of 2024 to establish regulations for excavations in city public rights-of-way (filed as No. 63 of 2025) — passed reading by title (voice vote "Aye").
What's next
Items introduced and referred to committee will return for committee consideration and may be scheduled for final passage at a future council meeting. The two ordinances that passed reading by title typically require additional readings or committee review under the city's legislative procedures before final enactment; the meeting transcript records the title readings but does not record final adoption for those ordinances.
Meeting context
Council advanced the measures during a meeting that included an extended public comment period on neighborhood quality-of-life issues, procurement concerns and municipal services; those public comments were recorded separately and will be addressed by council as appropriate in committee or by staff follow-up.
