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Residents press Scranton council on potholes, streetscape changes, tree protections and gift-card transparency
Summary
Multiple residents urged action on street repairs, construction impacts and tree protections; commenters also asked for transparency on a $5,000 gift-card program and praised Code Blue shelter cooperation during the winter.
Residents used the public-comment period to press the council for repairs and transparency.
On infrastructure, Les Spindler and Les Spindler (public commenter) and Les Spindler and others raised longstanding concerns about potholes, poor pave cuts and a slow Greenwood Street bridge reopening. "We need our own eyes on our own roads," said Mike Mancini, urging the council to add enforcement and consider fines for third parties that fail to maintain storm drains.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and said they have been meeting with utility companies and DPW; the chair said additional signage and police enforcement will be used to address a newly posted one-way street where drivers were entering the wrong way.
On the environment, Elaine Donnelly asked whether the shade-tree commission has enforcement authority over private-property tree removal after observing what she called large, healthy trees being cut near wetlands; she asked the council to provide meeting schedules and guidance on permits.
Tom Coyne Manuka asked for accounting of a $5,000 "gift card" program passed in July 2024, saying only one card appeared publicly distributed and asking "where's the $4,900 and $75?" Staff said another distribution round is planned for May 2026 and that further information would be provided.
Separately, speakers commended a Code Blue shelter response led by Catholic Social Services this winter and said the Community Intervention Center invited council members to tour its facilities to better understand available services.
The council directed staff to provide more information on the shade-tree commission, follow up on paving and traffic-safety signs, and supply an itemized breakdown of a $100,000-plus easement/engineering estimate tied to a Kaiser Valley stormwater project.
