Prior to meeting, #Scranton council met with officials from Barry Isett and Associates to discuss the review of the embattled LIPs Department. The firm seeks the contract to complete the review. Officials discussed process of review and recommendations.
City Hall is closed tomorrow for Election Day and next Monday for Veterans Day. #Scranton
#Scranton Ethics Board member Joan Hodowanitz says the board needs staff, office space and funding. They’ve done near almost all they can without such resources. The board next meets Thursday at 5 pm in the Governor’s Room at City Hall.
There is a motion on the agenda to appoint Carol Ann Migliorino, of Marion St., to the city ethics board #Scranton
Next up is speaker Dorothy Dietrich, an owner of the Houdini Museum, who is speaking to issues she’s had with the LIPs Department and contractor. The building has a damaged roof that allows water to infiltrate. The owners were dealt a stop work order that’s preventing repairs.
She says they need a permit to do the roof repair. Pat Rogan says she’ll need a commercial contractor. He says they’ll refer her to a contractor. Dietrich said no contractors she reached out to would take the job. Rogan says they can’t make an exception for the permit. #Scranton
Dietrich says commercial contractors don’t want the job because it’s just a small roofing job. She says she may have to do the work herself.
Another Houdini Museum owner speaks, John Bravo, reiterating that they cannot find a contractor willing to take on the roofing job. He says some contractors find #Scranton corrupt and not worth the time. He says they are considering moving from the city if can’t repair building
Rogan says council will contact acting LIPs director in morning to see if there’s any way they can help. Rogan vows that someone from the office will be reaching out. #Scranton
Next, @realBobBolus tells council not to believe “fake news” that he can’t be elected mayor. He tells everyone to write him in tomorrow. He also tells council to drop the whole gas card issue. “You guys are legislators, not investigators,” Bolus says. #Scranton
Scott Thomas, CEO of the Scranton Public Library, says patrons are worried about traffic at the corner of Green Ridge and Wyoming, bear the Nancy K. Holmes branch. He wants to open discussion about how to place signage, other efforts to protect patrons from traffic #Scranton
Resident Ron Ellman criticizes 3 women running for office: Debi Domenick, @Paige4Scranton and @jess4scranton for various things. Gaughan interrupts to say the public comment period isn’t for political commentary. He is allowed to proceed. #Scranton
Resident Marie Schumacher asks council to table a motion awarding contract for downtown connectivity plan until a new mayor and council take office in January. She fears cost. Motion is to award to Speck & Associates and Barry Isett & Associates. #Scranton
Glynis Johns, founder of @BlackScranton, notes she’s been appointed to #Scranton Library Authority, says she is excited to diversify the library’s collection of authors of color, disabled authors and others not included currently.
Public comment over, moving on to remarks and motions by council members.
Councilman Kyle Donahue, a write in candidate for mayor, urges voters to vote yes on tomorrow’s ballot referendum allowing the Scranton School District to switch to a payroll prep tax #Scranton
Councilwoman Mary Walsh Dempsey makes motion, which is approved, to send Business Administrator a letter requesting 2 hour audience with council to discuss the city’s budget at least 10 days ahead of a vote on the budget. #Scranton
Dempsey, on trash few delinquencies, noted city met with Northeast Revenue Service, the trash and tax collection firm, says the matter is now in the hands of lawyers. #Scranton wants out of contract. Dempsey says an RFQ for a new firm should go out soon
Dempsey blasts a chronic lack of oversight on city gas card usage. She says it’s unacceptable. To this point, however, she said she hasn’t seen proof of criminal behavior at this point. #Scranton
Dempsey makes motion, which is approved, to have city council solicitor send 5 gas stations where gas cards were used a letter asking that they preserve evidence, presumably video, in case it is needed for a city council investigation. #Scranton
Councilman Bill Gaughan makes a motion, which is approved, asking DPW director Dennis Gallagher to meet in caucus with council to discuss the gas card issue and other business. #Scranton
Council President Pat Rogan encourages voters to vote YES on ballot referendum switching to a payroll prep tax. He joins Donahue in that respect
Council introduces legislation regulating BYOB clubs in the city. The ordinance would ban such clubs from opening between 2-8 am and prohibit anyone under 21 from entering, among other restrictions. Enforcement would be done by the Scranton Police Department. #Scranton
Council introduces seperate resolutions to reappoint Thomas McClane to Shade Tree Commission and Attorney Terrance V. Gallagher to the #Scranton Housing Authority Board.
