Scranton City Council 7-7-26

The Scranton City Council meeting held on July 7, 2026, included discussions on various community and public safety issues, with a notable focus on budget and procurement matters. Key procurement-related topics included the ARPA budget transfer, emphasizing the need to obligate and expend funds by December 2026 in compliance with ARPA guidelines. Council members discussed potential reallocations of funds to city projects such as Naok Pool and Trip Park playground, as well as concerns about project cost increases. The council also approved motions related to grant applications, including a $250,000 recruitment incentive grant for the Scranton Police Department and a fiscal year 2026 DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services funding request. Additionally, ordinances amending the 2026 capital budget and reserve spending plan were tabled pending further information. Other procurement-related actions included the transfer of funds from inactive special city accounts to the general fund or capital reserve fund. The meeting also addressed public safety contracts, notably the need for a formal contract with PA Ambulance to ensure accountability and service standards. Several community concerns were raised regarding enforcement of ordinances, nuisance properties, and infrastructure maintenance, with follow-up actions planned. The council scheduled a rescheduled meeting for July 16, 2026.