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Scranton council introduces four resolutions and votes to request filling vacant retired-firefighter seat
Summary
At its first meeting of the year, the Scranton City Council introduced four resolutions — including the appointment of a parks director and an application for a FEMA firefighters grant — and voted to send official correspondence to the administration asking when a vacant retired-firefighter seat on the fire pension board will be filled.
The Scranton City Council introduced four resolutions and voted to request that the administration fill a vacant retired firefighter seat on the fire pension board during its first meeting of the year.
The measures introduced included the appointment of Steven Hintz as parks and recreation director (effective Dec. 16, 2024), a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for a FEMA FY2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the appointment of Sherry Frable to the Lackawanna County Land Bank board to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2025, and ratification of procurement and a lease-purchase for a bucket truck from Structural Metal Fabricators Inc. Each item was introduced into its proper committee by voice vote; the chair called for introductions and reported “the ayes have it.”
Why it matters: The appointment and procurement items affect staffing and capital equipment for city services, while the FEMA grant application could fund department equipment or training. The council’s formal request that the administration seat a retired firefighter representative on the fire pension board addresses representation on a board that handles pension decisions for retired department members.
Votes at a glance
- Appointment of Steven Hintz as parks and recreation director (5B introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 b, for introduction of resolution. Appointment of Steven Hintz to the position of parks and recreation director, effective December 16, 2024.”
- FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant application (5C introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 C for introduction of resolution. Authorizing the mayor and other appropriate city officials to apply and accept a FEMA fiscal year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters grant.”
- Appointment of Sherry Frable to Lackawanna County Land Bank board (5D introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5 d for introduction of resolution. Appointment of Sherry Frable to the board of directors of the Lackawanna County Land Bank to fill the unexpired term ending December 31st 2025.”
- Procurement and lease-purchase of bucket truck (5E introduced into committee). Action: introduced into its proper committee by voice vote. Supporting text in meeting record: “5e for introduction of resolution. Ratifying and authorizing procurement of a bucket truck from Structural Metal Fabricators Incorporated, an execution of lease purchase agreement with Leasing 2 Incorporated for said truck.”
- Official correspondence asking when a vacant retired fire officer seat will be filled (council motion). Action: council voted to send official correspondence to the administration requesting the appointment of the retired fire officer seat that has remained vacant; outcome: approved in roll call. Council members recorded voting in the affirmative included Mister King, Mister Shuster, Doctor Rothschild, Mister McAndrew and Mister Smurrell. The motion’s sponsors were not recorded on the audio for the formal roll call, but the motion was made and seconded prior to the roll call.
Background and follow-up requests
Council members asked the administration for additional details on several items discussed elsewhere in the meeting: the total contract cost and procurement process for the holiday lights project at Neog Park, updates on the recycling vendor contract and cost-benefit analysis, and minutes from recent Scranton Housing Authority meetings. Several council members requested that the administration provide written answers or documentation to those questions through the city clerk’s office.
Ending
Council members indicated they will forward questions to the administration for written responses and will track answers in upcoming meetings. The introduced resolutions proceed to their respective committees for further consideration.
