Scranton City Council on Thursday began the processes of formally opposing federal across-the-board sequestration cuts and authorizing an engineering study of Lake Scranton Road that could lead to a showdown with the mayor.
On sequestration, the council - all Democrats - voted 5-0 to introduce a resolution opposing the federal budget cuts. The resolution squarely blames congressional Republicans for "demanding" sequestration cuts that would hit the poor and elderly the hardest, and for wanting to give "additional tax breaks to Wall Street and the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans."
"They (congressional Republicans) are seeking benefit cuts that affect our most vulnerable citizens, the elderly and the poor," council President Janet Evans said. "They have threatened to shut down the federal government on March 27 and cause a government default after May 19. People want jobs, not cuts."
If approved, the resolution would be sent to GOP and Democratic legislators, including Democratic Sen. Bob Casey; Republican Sen. Pat Toomey; U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic; U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, Hazleton; and U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp., asking them to oppose sequestration, Mrs. Evans said.
Councilman Pat Rogan, who works as a caseworker for Mr. Barletta, said he opposes sequestration because its cuts weigh too heavily on the military. Mr. Rogan also said he disagrees with the "harsh language" of the resolution, and some of it was "over the top."
The city on March 4 received a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stating that, due to sequestration, the city stands to lose 5 percent of its federal HUD funds this year, Linda Aebli, the city's Office of Community and Economic Development executive director, said in an interview before the council meeting. OECD has requested nearly $3 million from three pots of HUD money: Community Development Block Grants for paving, blight demolition and other services; Home Investment Partnership program for housing rehabilitation, and down payments and closing costs for first-time homebuyers; and Emergency Solutions Grants for homeless programs, Ms. Aebli said.
Council also voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance authorizing an engineering study of Lake Scranton Road, that could lead to a dispute with Mayor Chris Doherty over the city's nonenforcement of a truck ban on that road. The ban was enacted in November but never enforced after DeNaples Auto Parts, which uses Lake Scranton Road as a link between Route 307 and the firm's access road at Elmhurst Boulevard, told the city in December that the truck ban would landlock the business and violate its rights. The mayor's solicitor agreed, and the administration has not enforced the ban.
The ordinance would authorize spending up to $10,000 to hire the city's alternative engineer, Civil Crossroads Consulting Engineers LLC of Monroe County, to do an engineering study as a precursor to enforcing a truck ban. Council believes the mayor may veto such an ordinance, and if so, council likely would vote to override a veto, Mrs. Evans has said. Efforts to reach Mr. Doherty after the meeting were unsuccessful.
Council also held a public caucus with Mike Washo, the court-appointed receiver of the Scranton Parking Authority's estate of five parking garages. Mr. Washo said the private firm that he hired last year to operate the garages, Central Parking, has found that expenses are higher than expected, and the city may end up having to cover an additional $300,000 in SPA debt above the $1.9 million that the city has budgeted this year.
In other matters, council voted 5-0, with Mrs. Evans and Councilmen Jack Loscombe, Frank Joyce, Bob McGoff and Pat Rogan in favor, on each of the following:
n To adopt a resolution approving the Scranton-Lackawanna Health and Welfare Authority's loan of $2.5 million for a project by the nonprofit Community Life Support Systems Inc. The firm, which provides ambulance transport services, is planning to build a headquarters in Scranton at 1 Oakwood Drive at North Keyser Avenue. While city approval is needed, there is no financial liability to the city in approving the resolution, and it would not pledge or obligate the credit or taxing power of the city, officials said.
n To adopt a resolution to authorize a contract with Abstract Enterprises Inc. of Scranton to do title searches on 20 to 60 hazardous properties to be demolished this year by OECD. Council also introduced a companion piece of legislation, a resolution authorizing a contract with Michael Baker Jr. Inc. of Moon Twp. for pre-demolition environmental inspections of the homes to be razed. Baker was the low bidder and would be paid $490 per unit.
n To advance on second reading two ordinances dealing with Regional Hospital of Scranton, including allowing a canopy and creating nine parking spaces in the 700 block of Jefferson Avenue.
n To introduce an ordinance updating the city's flood-plain management regulations, to bring them into compliance with standards recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The council also heard concerns from resident Joan Intoccia about potholes and dangerous road conditions in the East Mountain section. Council agreed to pass the concerns along to the administration and DPW.
Council also heard a plea for help from resident Donna Petroziello, who said she became homeless on Wednesday and expressed frustration with various governmental and nonprofit agencies. Mrs. Evans said council has no control over those agencies but would make inquiries on behalf of Ms. Petroziello.
Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com