Thread by @jhorvathTT

Scranton City Council is about to begin a virtual caucus with Portnoff Law Associates, the firm proposed to collect delinquent city trash fees next year. The caucus and following meeting are being streamed live on ECTV's YouTube channel.

Portnoff attorney Kevin Buraks tells council that the firm collects delinquencies under the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, which allows Scranton to shift collection costs to delinquent property owners. This incentivizes property owners to pay, because failure (1/2)

(2/2) to do so will result in additional legal and collection costs being applied to the account. Buraks said the firm also offers "positive incentives" to pay, including payment plans and hardship program for qualifying delinquent property owners who owe past-due trash fees.

Burkas outlined a stepwise collection process starting with an initial notice of delinquency. Portnoff would proceed to file liens against delinquent accounts. A last step is to list the property for sheriff's sale, but Buraks said they sell a tiny fraction of properties.

Treasurer Mary Jo Sheridan said that as of Oct. 31, trash fee delinquencies total about $16.7 million dating back to 2002. It's unclear at this point what amount of that total is collectable.

Portnoff would front legal and collection costs and recoup those costs at point of collection. Scranton would only have to cover those costs if the city "pulls the accounts," stopping Portnoff from pursuing them, prior to collection, Buraks said.

This conversation with Portnoff will continue in the 4th Order portion of council's regular meeting, which is beginning now.

Asked how much the city might have to pay former vendor Northeast Revenue Service at the end of that contract, city Solicitor Joe O'Brien says "that's under discussion now" but it won't be a large amount with council's permission.

Council President Gaughan said the only way he'd be willing to enter into the Portnoff agreement or any agreement is if a one-time grace period was offered allowing delinquent property owners to pay the face value of their past-due trash fees free of penalties or fees.

Solicitor O'Brien said a potential amnesty program is something that should be discussed. It's not included in the proposed Portnoff agreement, but it's not inconsistent with the contract, O'Brien said. Portnoff attorney Buraks says an amnesty period isn't something the (1/2)

(2/2) firm traditionally recommends because it sends mixed messages to property owners. Gaughan disagrees.