Lackawanna council adopts resolutions on HALT Act and salt sourcing, approves zoning changes and labor MOU; tables police contract and rec director

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — The Lackawanna City Council on March 18 adopted a slate of policy and administrative measures, including a resolution urging the New York State Legislature to repeal the New York State HALT Act and a separate resolution asking state lawmakers to amend the Buy American Salt Act to allow North American suppliers.

Why it matters: Both measures record the city’s formal positions for state lawmakers and were supported by council members as responses to operational concerns—correctional staff safety in the case of the HALT Act and winter road-safety supply issues in the salt measure.

The council passed the HALT Act resolution 5-0 after a short explanation from City Attorney John Gaughan. "What it did is it took away a lot of powers in relation to solitary confinement of prisoners," Gaughan said, describing the law’s practical effect on correctional facilities. The council’s resolution calls for repeal "until it can be researched and revised with the input of correction staff," language read into the record before the roll-call vote.

On salt procurement, the council approved a resolution urging the state to change the Buy American Salt Act to a Buy North American Salt Act so municipalities could bid Canadian suppliers when appropriate. Senior Foreman Dan Gerk told the council that the law limited the bidding pool this winter, forcing municipalities to rely on a single domestic supplier. "Compass Mineral, their original bid was lower than American Rock Salt, but they couldn't take the bid because they're from Canada," Gerk said.

Other adopted items - The council adopted a memorandum of agreement between the city and Firefighters Association Local 3166, effective Aug. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2029. The council approved the MOU and authorized the mayor to execute it. - Council members voted to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 230 (zoning) of the municipal code to replace fencing standards. The ordinance changes front-yard and backyard height limits (examples discussed included 3 feet for front-yard fences and up to 8 feet for typical rear-yard fences, with 10 feet permitted where properties border industrial lots) and clarified that existing fences are grandfathered. - The council approved a bid award to Snowplow Doctor for weekly mowing and landscaping in four wards and approved event requests including portable restrooms for Lackawanna Fundays and traffic detours for the Go Bike Skyride.

Tabled items and follow-ups - The council voted 4-1 to table a request to convert the recreation director position to full time with a $75,000 salary. Council members who supported tabling said they wanted the item posted to broaden the applicant pool and to receive clarifying budget and staffing details; one dissenting member voted to proceed. City Attorney Gaughan and the controller confirmed that funding for the remainder of the fiscal year is available, and any long-term budget impact will be revisited in the new budget cycle starting Aug. 1. - The council also voted to table consideration of the proposed agreement with the Lackawanna Police Benevolent Association pending further review; the item was referred back to a future meeting to allow council members time to analyze a multi-page contract.

Process notes: The council handled the measures largely by roll-call votes after brief presentations or caucus discussion. The mayor introduced several items; the city attorney provided legal context where requested. Several council members asked for additional documentation or time to review multi-page contracts before voting.

Votes at a glance - Resolution urging repeal of the New York State HALT Act — Adopted (5–0) - Resolution urging amendment to Buy American Salt Act (to Buy North American Salt) — Adopted (5–0) - Memorandum of Agreement with Firefighters Association Local 3166 (authorize mayor to execute) — Adopted (5–0) - Ordinance amending Chapter 230 (fencing) — Adopted (5–0) - Recreation director position: convert to full time at $75,000 — Tabled to 04/07/2025 (4–1 to table) - Proposed agreement with Lackawanna Police Benevolent Association — Tabled (4–1) - Snowplow Doctor bid for mowing/landscaping — Approved (vote recorded) - Portable restrooms/stage for Lackawanna Fundays — Approved (vote recorded) - Go Bike Skyride traffic detour (07/20/2025) — Approved (vote recorded) - Closure requests (Wilkes Barre, Olcott Street) for community events — Approved (votes recorded) - Entertainment licenses (class 1): Colonel John Weber Post and Lake Erie Italian Club — Approved; Ice House Pub and Steel City Pub — Tabled pending public-safety input - Class 2 coin-operated license (Winfield’s Pub) — Approved - Business registration: Speedy 1 Inc. (2540 South Park) — Denied (motion carried)

What's next: Several items were referred for additional review or moved to the next regular meeting April 7, 2025, including the recreation director salary question and the police bargaining agreement. The fencing ordinance and the firefighters MOU will be implemented per the ordinance and MOU timelines discussed at the meeting.

The council held the formal roll-call votes during the regular meeting following an earlier caucus; minutes and departmental reports were received and filed before the substantive votes.