Scranton Council adopts Kaiser Valley easements and FEMA fire-prevention grant; introduces dog-park and park-renovation grant applications

The Scranton City Council on June 10 approved final passage of permanent and temporary easements needed for the Keiser Valley flood-protection project (Group 4) and ratified submission of a FEMA Fiscal Year 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety grant application for up to $300,000. The meeting also introduced multiple ordinances and grant applications for committee review, including potential funding requests for a dog park and park renovations.

The council voted by roll call to adopt item 7A, authorizing acquisition of rights and easements necessary to complete the Keiser Valley flood-protection project Group 4 and authorizing the filing of a declaration of taking under the eminent-domain code if required. The roll call recorded unanimous "yes" votes from the five council members present (William King, Thomas Shuster, Dr. Jessica Rothschild, Mr. McAndrew and President Gerald Smurll).

The council also approved item 7B by roll call — a resolution ratifying and approving the execution and submission of a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant application for up to $300,000 to fund public education and risk mitigation projects. The roll call showed unanimous support from the five council members present.

In addition to those final actions, the council introduced several items into committee for later consideration. These introductions passed on voice votes ("ayes have it") and included:

- A proposed no-parking ordinance along the easterly curb line of State Route 3025 (Wyoming Avenue) to provide safe sight distances for a proposed driveway (Item 5B).

- A resolution amending Resolution 27 of 2020 to transfer the recreation needs-assessment and project activities engineer role from Thomas J. McLean & Associates to Colwell Nagley Associates, Inc., for the period listed in the project file (Item 5C). The project period on the file was stated as 12/01/2019 through 11/30/2024 in the meeting materials.

- A ceremonial resolution dedicating Cliff Street adjacent to the Steamtown National Historic Site in honor of John M. Hart Jr. (Item 5D).

- A resolution ratifying the submission of a Department of Community and Economic Development Greenways, Trails, and Recreation grant application for up to $250,000 toward the Lace Village Dog Park project (Item 5E).

- A resolution ratifying submission of a DCED Greenways, Trails, and Recreation grant application for up to $200,000 for Garrity Park renovations (Item 5F).

The council also passed on first reading by title an amendment to the city's Responsible Contractor Ordinance (RCO, Chapter 113) intended to "improve implementation" (File/Council No. 78-2025; Item 6A).

Several council members asked for operational updates during the meeting about ongoing stormwater and flood-mitigation work, including the Merrifield pump house, and asked administration to provide additional schedule and easement status information; those requests were not formal motions and no action was taken beyond the approvals and introductions noted above.

Roll-call votes

- Item 7A (Keiser Valley easements): Passed. Roll call: King — Yes; Shuster — Yes; Rothschild — Yes; McAndrew — Yes; Smurll — Yes. President Smurll declared item 7A legally and lawfully adopted.

- Item 7B (FEMA FY2024 Fire Prevention & Safety grant up to $300,000): Passed. Roll call: King — Yes; Shuster — Yes; Rothschild — Yes; McAndrew — Yes; Smurll — Yes. President Smurll declared item 7B legally and lawfully adopted.

Introductions (voice vote summaries)

- Item 5B: No-parking zone on Wyoming Avenue — introduced to committee; voice vote passed (ayes have it).

- Item 5C: Project-engineer amendment (Thomas J. McLean & Associates -> Colwell Nagley Associates, Inc.) — introduced to committee; voice vote passed.

- Item 5D: Cliff Street dedication for John M. Hart Jr. — introduced to committee; voice vote passed.

- Item 5E: Grant application (DCED Greenways) for Lace Village Dog Park up to $250,000 — introduced to committee; voice vote passed.

- Item 5F: Grant application (DCED Greenways) for Garrity Park renovations up to $200,000 — introduced to committee; voice vote passed.

- Item 6A: Responsible Contractor Ordinance amendment — passed reading by title and advanced per council procedure.

Why it matters

Approving the Keiser Valley easements clears a legal hurdle for a multi-site flood-protection project intended to reduce stormwater impacts in affected neighborhoods. The FEMA grant application, if awarded, would fund local fire-prevention education and risk mitigation projects. The introduced grant applications, if funded, would provide capital for parks and recreation projects the council discussed briefly during caucus and committee debate.

Next steps

Introduced items advance to their assigned committees for review; the council will schedule later committee hearings and potential final votes. The FEMA grant application will proceed through the mayor's office and grant administration processes; award decisions are made by FEMA.