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Stormwater projects, Meadowbrook easements and closeout of disaster code discussed by council and residents
Summary
Council members and residents discussed long-running stormwater problems, a $24 million city stormwater program, progress on Meadowbrook easements and the pending closeout of FEMA/PEMA disaster code 4408.
Residents and council members told the Scranton City Council that stormwater and flooding remain urgent local concerns as the administration advances multiple stormwater projects and the city moves to close out a long-open disaster designation.
During public comment Joan Hoduanas (resident) praised the Department of Public Works for recent street-sweeper work downtown and urged greater attention to recurring stormwater flooding, citing historical flooding events in Meadow Brook and a notable past road collapse on Pittston Avenue. Hoduanas asked about progress obtaining easements for the Meadowbrook project; the transcript records that the administration reported more easements were coming in and that staff had been working with a project contact, Morgan Fester Good.
Council Member Schuster and other members reported updates: the city has submitted project updates to the state Department of General Services for the Meadowbrook project and is awaiting that agency's approval; Riley Associates and the project team conducted a property walk-through in the Fawnwood area of Keystone Valley for phase 1 of a stormwater program reported during the meeting to be approximately $24,000,000. Schuster said most projects from FEMA/PEMA disaster code 4408 (originating from the February 2018 storm) are complete, with the Elm Street retention wall behind South Side bowling lanes identified as the final project before the code is closed out.
Council members said easements remain a work in progress: Hoduanas noted that early in April the project had only three of 47 required easements; the administration later reported additional easements were arriving. Council members said engaging directly with affected residents and explaining work plans in person has aided easement acquisition. No final construction schedule for Meadowbrook was provided in the meeting transcript; the administration indicated the project is awaiting state review and approval before new public updates are released.
Speakers who asked questions or offered thanks emphasized both the urgency of flood mitigation and the administrative steps—easements, design approvals and state-level clearances—needed before construction could proceed.
