Thread by @jhorvathTT

#Scranton City Council will meet virtually at 6:30 p.m. to adopt an amended 2021 city budget. The meeting will follow a 5:45 virtual caucus session. Both the meeting and caucus will be streamed live on ECTV's YouTube channel.

The meeting agenda did not appear on the city's website as it normally would because of an issue with the "web-hosting provider," Gaughan said. The agenda was posted in the foyer of City Hall and the full packet was available in the treasurers office for review. (1/2)

(2/2) The city also ran an ad in the Sunday Times outlining the agenda items, so they made an effort to make the agenda publicly available. Clerk Lori Reed said no one contacted her in advance of the meeting seeking access to an agenda.

During the budget vote later tonight, council VP Kyle Donahue will read 55 budget amendments into the record. Council will leave tabled legislation authorizing a contract with Portnoff Law Associates to collect delinquent city trash fees in 2021.

Council President Gaughan said he wouldn't support the Portnoff pact unless arrangements are made to offer a grace period where residents could pay the face value of their delinquent trash bills free of interest or penalties. The administration provided a proposal for a (1/2)

(2/2) potential grace period and solicitor Kevin Hayes is working to make adjustments to the proposed contract, he said. I don't have details on the proposed grace period at this time, but council won't vote to authorize the contract tonight.

The amended 2021 budget council will adopt tonight includes 55 amendments changing the spending plan significantly from an earlier draft version the Cognetti administration presented in November. Among other changes, council amended the budget to eliminate certain (1/3)

(2/3) new positions the administration proposed for creation and funding next year. It also scales back wage hikes for several senior administration positions proposed in the draft budget. The amended $114.5 million budget is balanced. Council amended the to include a $3.8M

(3/3) revenue line item titled proceeds from refinancing. Refinancing/restructuring certain debt was one option listed in the draft budget to close a pandemic-prompted revenue shortfall next year. #Scranton

Councilman Kyle Donahue is reading the 50+ amendments to the 2021 budget into the record. Council just voted 4-1 to approve Mayor Cognetti's appointment as city fire chief. Gaughan voted no, arguing Judge should give up his position as a (1/2)

(2/2) part-time South Abington Twp. police officer while he serves as fire chief. Gaughan acknowledged Judge is qualified to serve as fire chief, but worries the part-time employment may keep him from responding to an emergency in the city.