Council adopts Meadow Brook easement, approves university financing and crossing-guard pay increase; advances East Mountain easements

Scranton City Council voted this meeting to adopt permanent and temporary easements for the Meadow Brook flood‑protection project, approved a financing resolution tied to a University of Scranton project, and raised crossing‑guard pay to $30 per day effective Jan. 1, 2025. Council also introduced a separate East Mountain stormwater easement measure and a property transfer resolution related to a potential dog park and scheduled a public hearing on a liquor‑license transfer.

Why it matters: The Meadow Brook and East Mountain measures affect stormwater and drainage work the city says are needed to reduce flooding and complete capital projects. The crossing‑guard pay increase changes city compensation for public‑safety school crossing personnel; the university financing and other measures have potential fiscal and land‑use implications that will move through committees or public hearings.

Votes at a glance

- Meadow Brook flood‑protection easements (Item 7a): Adopted. The council chair for the Committee on Public Works recommended final passage; the council conducted a roll‑call vote and the measure was declared legally and lawfully adopted. Recorded roll call in the meeting shows affirmative votes by the council members present; the measure authorizes acquisition of necessary permanent and temporary easements for the Meadow Brook project and permits filing a declaration of taking pursuant to section 302 of the eminent domain code if required.

- Scranton Lackawanna Health and Welfare Authority financing resolution (Item 7b): Adopted. The resolution, filed as Resolution 176‑2025 and cited under section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, approves a plan of financing for a project for the University of Scranton. The council adopted the resolution after discussion; the roll call recorded one dissenting vote (one council member voted no) and the item was declared legally and lawfully adopted.

- Crossing‑guard compensation ordinance (Ordinance 56‑2025, Item 6a): Adopted (reading by title and vote). The ordinance increases crossing‑guard compensation to $30 per day, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The council passed the ordinance by voice vote at the meeting.

- East Mountain Stormwater and Drainage Improvements easements (Item 5b): Introduced and referred to committee. The ordinance language authorizes acquisition of necessary rights, franchises, licenses and easements for the East Mountain stormwater project and authorizes filing a declaration of taking under section 302 if required. The item was introduced and placed in the appropriate committee for further action.

- Property resolution at Albright Avenue and Marion Street (Item 5c): Introduced and referred to committee. A resolution authorizing city officials to execute agreements for property located at the southwest corner of Albright Avenue and Marion Street — discussed in the meeting as having potential for a dog park — was introduced and referred to committee for review.

- Liquor license transfer (Resolution 177‑2025, Item 8a): Tabled to public hearing. The council tabled the liquor‑license transfer and set a public hearing for next week at 5:45 p.m.

What the measures say and next steps

- Easements and eminent domain authority: Both the East Mountain and Meadow Brook items authorize the city to acquire permanent and temporary easements and, if needed, to file a declaration of taking pursuant to section 302 of the eminent domain code. The East Mountain item was introduced and referred to committee; Meadow Brook received final passage at this meeting.

- University financing: The financing resolution for the Scranton Lackawanna Health and Welfare Authority was adopted under the Internal Revenue Code provision cited in the resolution (section 147(f)); the council recorded a roll‑call vote with one dissent. The resolution declares the financing desirable for health, safety and welfare and authorizes the authority to undertake the stated project for the University of Scranton.

- Crossing‑guard pay: The ordinance increasing compensation to $30 per day was approved by council action and is effective Jan. 1, 2025.

- Public hearing and committee review: The East Mountain easement measure and the Albright/Marion property resolution will proceed through committee review. The liquor‑license transfer will be considered at a scheduled public hearing next week.

Context and related items mentioned at the meeting

During public comment, residents raised related concerns: a speaker noted Meadow Brook and East Mountain projects are shown in the capital budget and questioned why some legislative cover sheets listed financial impact as “to be determined”; that commenter said the Meadow Brook project cost to the city is $2,700,000 (claim made during public comment). The council also announced other ongoing projects and grant activity including park and pool improvements funded in part with American Rescue Plan funds and a $23,000 Department of Community and Economic Development award for an accessibility project at Harmon Field Sports Complex, which the council said the city will act as pass‑through for.

Ending: Items introduced to committee and the liquor‑license public hearing will return to council for further action after committee review or the public hearing; the measures adopted at this meeting are now in effect or will be implemented as specified (crossing‑guard pay effective Jan. 1, 2025; Meadow Brook easement authority adopted).