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Council introduces multiple grants and contracts, approves $198,170 grant application for modular vehicle barrier system
Summary
Council introduced grant applications totaling more than $1.3 million for local streetscape and lookout renovation projects and introduced several construction contracts; it also adopted a resolution to apply for up to $198,170 to purchase a modular vehicle barrier trailer system for public-safety use.
The Scranton City Council on Oct. 15 introduced several resolutions to pursue grant funding and to authorize construction contracts tied to downtown and neighborhood infrastructure projects, and it adopted a public-safety grant application by roll call.
Introductions and grant amounts: Council introduced a resolution to reappoint Michael Hanley to the Scranton Housing Authority Board; accepted a $100 donation to the Scranton Fire Department; and introduced two Commonwealth Financing Authority Local Share Account grant applications: up to $314,768 for the Route 307 Musick Street scenic lookout renovation and up to $1,000,000 for the Lackawanna Avenue Streetscape project. Council also introduced contracts with Baseline Contracting Inc. (West Side Gateway Streetscape project) and Leeward Construction Inc. (Fawnwood Phase 1 stormwater improvements).
Public-safety grant adopted: The Committee on Public Safety recommended and the full council adopted a resolution authorizing submission of a grant application for up to $198,170 to purchase a modular vehicle barrier trailer system. The adoption was recorded by roll call with council members voting yes.
What council members said: Council members expressed support for targeted infrastructure investments — stormwater work in Kaiser Valley and East Mountain, façade and sidewalk improvements downtown — while reiterating the need for outreach to businesses and clear technical specifications in the contracts. "I'm glad to see us acting quickly on this and putting in this grant application," one councilmember said regarding the Musick Street lookout grant.
Next steps and context: Introduced items were referred to their proper committees for review; the public-safety grant (modular vehicle barrier system) will proceed as the city moves to finalize the application. The introduced construction contracts will be vetted in committee before execution. Council members and staff said they will continue to track state funding deadlines and follow procurement procedures.
Ending: The council moved a bundle of administrative and capital items forward in the meeting, signaling momentum on multiple downtown and neighborhood infrastructure projects while leaving committee review and final approvals for subsequent meetings.
