Scranton council advances stormwater, traffic and paving measures; introduces East Mountain stormwater contract

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Scranton City Council on April 22 took a series of votes to move forward with stormwater and traffic improvements and city paving work, and introduced a resolution and contract related to the East Mountain Stormwater Improvements project.

Council members voted to adopt several public-works measures and to introduce ordinances and resolutions that will enter committee review. The roll calls on adoption items were unanimous among voting members present.

Why it matters: The items include authorizations that clear legal and property steps for stormwater and drainage work, install traffic-control measures and fund the city’s paving program. One introduced item would waive parts of the city’s Responsible Contractor Ordinance for a specific East Mountain contract and is tied to an introduced contract for that same project.

Votes at a glance

- Item 6A (File to Council No. 71-2025): Ordinance updating the city’s adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code. Motion to pass reading by title was approved by voice vote.

- Item 7A (File to Council No. 67-2020): Final adoption authorizing acquisition of rights, franchises and easements for protection project Group 3; authorizes declaration of taking under Section 302 of the eminent domain code if required. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7A legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7B (File to Council No. 68-2025): Final adoption establishing an all-way stop at Kapowas Avenue and New York Street, installing international-style crosswalks, stop bars and ADA-compliant curb ramps. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7B legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7C (File to Council No. 69-2025): Final adoption installing a multi-way stop at the intersection of Crowd Avenue and Brook Street. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7C legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7D (file/citation as read): Final adoption authorizing installation of school-zone signage and relocation of existing signage at the St. Clair Saint Paul school main campus, with painted crosswalks. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7D legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7E (Resolution No. 197-2025): Adoption authorizing execution of a contract with M & J Excavation to provide street maintenance paving contract 2025. Roll call: Mr. King — Yes; Mr. Shuster — Yes; Dr. Rothschild — Yes; Mr. McAndrew — Yes; Mr. Smearle — Yes. President declared item 7E legally and lawfully adopted.

Introductions and committee referrals (action taken to send into committee)

- Item 5B: Ordinance to close and abolish inactive special city accounts — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5C: "Clean up the Code Ordinance of 2025" (various code updates including printing of ordinances, sewer service rates, bicycle licenses, alcohol and drug abuse fund, parking fines, board of examiners, abandoned refrigerators) — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5D: Ordinance to approve and authorize acquisition by easement agreements, deeds in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, including declaration of taking under Section 302 of the eminent domain code, for the North Scranton stormwater and drainage improvements project — introduced into committee by voice vote.

- Item 5E: Resolution to waive Responsible Contractor Ordinance requirements for procurement of the East Mountain Stormwater Improvements Contract 1 — introduced into committee. Council discussed procurement law options and requested counsel and administration share full backup material publicly.

- Item 5F: Resolution authorizing the mayor and appropriate city officials to execute a contract with RLE Enterprises for East Mountain Stormwater Improvements Contract 1 — introduced into committee; council noted this would be contingent on the Responsible Contractor waiver (Item 5E).

- Item 5G: Resolution establishing a sister-city relationship — introduced into committee.

Council discussion highlights

Council members asked that when the administration exercises discretion to waive responsible-contractor requirements, the administration forward the full backup to council and counsel so members can review the reasons publicly. Mr. Gilbride (Counsel) explained the ordinance’s permitted process and, when asked, answered, “That’s correct. Under the ordinance,” confirming the legal framework cited by administration about when a waiver is permitted.

Administration materials presented at the meeting indicate six bids were received on the East Mountain work; council members referenced a reported bid spread of approximately $900,000 to $1,400,000 and noted that two bidders initially appeared to meet requirements in the cover documents but, after a full file review, were judged non-responsible for purposes of the Responsible Contractor Ordinance review. Council asked that similar future waivers be routed through counsel for transparency.

What’s next

Introduced items will be heard in the appropriate committee(s) for further review before final passage. The East Mountain contract (Item 5F) was introduced but remains contingent on the Responsible Contractor waiver process (Item 5E) and further committee review.

Ending note: The meeting concluded with the council adopting all public-works items on the agenda and adjourning.