[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6084246,"mediaKeyId","2919188-359d9b7edd8fdd15afc10fee43753de8","parentId",2919188,"title","Council introduces and adopts multiple ordinances and resolutions; easements, pools and safety signage advance","audioSeconds",421,"startMs",5601000,"endMs",6022000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2919188-359d9b7edd8fdd15afc10fee43753de8&start=5601&end=6022","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2919188-359d9b7edd8fdd15afc10fee43753de8/thumbnail_5601000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084246/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Council-introduces-and-adopts-multiple-ordinances-and-resolutions-easements-pools-and-safety-signage-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084246-04dc660bd1d8bdbccd928dd6f5c6c253/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098625&Signature=E-eTMR9xCLj-aWJvomBWX9wG1s4ajHg2VwXCgoBkpoXz8ur6EH1vV2R8o11eEwKQGFuxnd3iDzAYdtRTzFlUMFim7CmtHF44YKYcDTn1vnXtuDCbFBBZQ1XO77UNPmMTQtDto-zKYtkY87s8FbGu1X3QGkwlCw71ssErchoEyGtBaqzTMl-dIPorUNAA7ukbhcadxxI1cGXkCVH8KNaHJlOaegNqgxC4RopWTRCZdDWoO49ngAdo1DdVODX3QPqr-0r956ybXqGmRfE475CuAl21NjoKA9lHetVzvXFKgnkiYQfruUU9Uh200u44~B5MAiaH1E127sjcQkfhxd~JSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Scranton, PA","date","2025-04-09T14:32:38.983Z","article","The Scranton City Council took a series of procedural and final actions on infrastructure, flood mitigation, traffic safety and recreation projects.

Highlights

- Council introduced for committee review an ordinance authorizing acquisition of necessary rights, franchises, licenses or easements for the Keizer Valley Flood Protection Project (Group 3). The motion to introduce was approved by voice vote; the record does not specify counts.

- The council introduced ordinances to install traffic controls: an all-way stop at the intersection of Kaphouse Avenue and New York Street (with international-style crosswalks and ADA curb ramps), and a multi-way stop at Froud Avenue and Brook Street. Both items were introduced to committee by voice vote.

- The council introduced and approved installation of school-zone signage and crosswalk repainting for St. Clair–St. Paul School’s main campus and related ADA curb ramp work; introduction passed by voice vote.

- Council introduced and accepted a $5,000 donation to the Scranton Fire Department from Greg Lisonbee and Joan Sunday to purchase equipment; introduction passed by voice vote.

- The council passed readings by title authorizing acquisition of easements for the Kaiser Valley Flood Protection Project (Group 2) and the East Mountain Stormwater and Drainage Improvements Project (Group 2).

- By roll call vote the council adopted an intergovernmental cooperation agreement and memorandum of understanding between the city and the Borough of Moosic regarding coordination on zoning, planning and code enforcement for 53 Glenmara National Boulevard (Roll call: King—Yes; Schuster—Yes; Rothchild—Yes; McAndrew—Yes; Smearle—Yes).

- The council adopted plan-revision resolutions for a new land development in the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue and for the Weston Field Pool Complex (900 block of Providence Road). Both passed by roll call with all recorded members voting yes (King, Schuster, Rothchild, McAndrew, Smearle).

Other notes: Several introductions and approvals were handled by voice vote with the chair asking those in favor to say “Aye”; the minutes and some committee referrals were received and filed earlier in the meeting. Where roll-call tallies were recorded, the transcript lists unanimous yes votes by the five council members present; where only voice votes were used the transcript does not record numeric tallies.

Votes at a glance (items processed during the meeting)

- Item 5b (Introduction): Keizer Valley Flood Protection Project, Group 3 easements — introduced to committee (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 5c (Introduction): Install all-way stop at Kaphouse Ave & New York St; crosswalks and ADA ramps — introduced to committee (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 5d (Introduction): Multi-way stop at Froud Ave & Brook St — introduced to committee (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 5e (Introduction): School-zone signage and crosswalk painting for St. Clair–St. Paul School — introduced (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 5f (Introduction): Resolution accepting $5,000 donation to Fire Department from Greg Lisonbee and Joan Sunday — introduced and referred (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 6a (Pass reading by title): Kaiser Valley Flood Protection Project, Group 2 easements — passed (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 6b (Pass reading by title): East Mountain Stormwater and Drainage Improvements Project, Group 2 easements — passed (voice vote; counts not specified).
- Item 7a (Adopted, roll call): Intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Borough of Moosic for 53 Glenmara National Boulevard — King: Yes; Schuster: Yes; Rothchild: Yes; McAndrew: Yes; Smearle: Yes.
- Item 7b (Adopted, roll call): Plan revision for new land development, 500 block of Wyoming Avenue — King: Yes; Schuster: Yes; Rothchild: Yes; McAndrew: Yes; Smearle: Yes.
- Item 7c (Adopted, roll call): Plan revision for Weston Field Pool Complex, 900 block of Providence Road — King: Yes; Schuster: Yes; Rothchild: Yes; McAndrew: Yes; Smearle: Yes.

Why it matters: The easements and stormwater approvals clear the way for flood-protection and drainage work; the pool plan revision and related signage and ADA work advance recreation and school-safety projects. The intergovernmental MOU clarifies cross-border planning and code enforcement for a property at the Moosic city line.

Ending: Council adjourned after completing introductions, readings and the items above. Several items introduced to committee will return for further consideration and final votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Scranton City Council Public Mtg 4-8-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Scranton City Council took a series of procedural and final actions on infrastructure, flood mitigation, traffic safety and recreation projects.","taxTitle","Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2973,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6084248,"Residents and council members press for answers after city used Rubicon Routeware software before contract approval",349,3445000,3794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2919188-359d9b7edd8fdd15afc10fee43753de8&start=3445&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2919188-359d9b7edd8fdd15afc10fee43753de8/thumbnail_3445000.jpg","/articles/6084248/Scranton/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-and-council-members-press-for-answers-after-city-used-Rubicon-Routeware-software-before-contract-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084248-fc781ea244947953f0807b54de751ed5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098625&Signature=LxXRP~x4j52w2E6WEv53k37bSH6SG3tUOxM7cLSBOAin1qBM55Sk-yPfXKtPPd4TcEwgNCqCdHABKnjenNb8~IFH7NgvTwUTqz2gEFLfsiwwscz33xdg4sFAeSE5X4EGyARzD2ESq4vLBXC1knezjc-r7FPsdZEPJggz9yyjygfre5HIqfOccyZR56K3J2Vz2KjDzo9Az21pYLqif0FXgP7xUsSsDSep7H2WdcH3dleUwxgKkK5ktVhg8liYfAXdyBb9M-63qpDKEcY-ykkMNjbTWGwXy-kS1ToCwXaGL2lJVNs0u5mgA~wZPOkiQNb8chVgKtlfuWRY3he5VlG1ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bailey Simrill, a Scranton resident, told the council the city used Rubicon/Routeware software for more than 70 days before a signed renewal and that an unpaid invoice dated January through March had appeared in the city’s records.

Simrill said the administration permitted “interim use” of the software, that draft renewal documents were dated but not clearly enforceable, and that council members were not given complete pricing details (including planned year-over-year increases) before action was taken.

“The administration acted before approval,” Simrill said. “Rubicon operated for 70-plus days without a valid contract and accrued unpaid invoices. Who authorized this, under what budget and authority?”

Attorney Gilbride, the city solicitor, told council he could not speak for Rubicon but said it is not uncommon for a vendor to allow interim use while negotiations continue. “It could be a potential” basis for a legal claim if the contract were rejected, Gilbride said, adding that he did not know whether Rubicon would pursue litigation.

Council members asked staff to determine whether the January–March invoice reflected work performed during those months or a prior charge, and who authorized interim use. Council President Smearle and Councilman King asked the administration to report back with the invoice details and any budget lines used for the software.

Simrill and other speakers pressed for an accounting of the vendor’s claimed savings (Rubicon had promised $395,000 annual savings, according to public comment), and for evidence comparing pre- and post-implementation performance. Simrill said DPW workers she spoke with disputed some administration statements about product performance.

No formal vote or contract approval occurred during the public comment exchange. Council members directed staff to follow up on the outstanding invoice and the questions about authorization and budget authority.

Why it matters: Council exercises oversight of city contracts. Residents and some council members said a lack of transparency about interim use of technology and contract terms undermines the council’s ability to evaluate vendor claims and fiscal risk.

Next steps: The council requested that administration staff report back on (1) the invoice origin and whether work was done in January–March, (2) who authorized interim use and under what authority or budget line, and (3) documentation of claimed savings or performance metrics from Rubicon/Routeware.

Ending: Simrill urged the council to treat the matter as “a huge deal” and a test of legislative oversight; the solicitor reiterated that vendor risk-taking in negotiations is not unusual but acknowledged the council’s interest in written answers.

","A resident and multiple council members questioned the city’s interim use of Rubicon/Routeware waste-management software, unpaid invoices and the legal basis for the administration’s actions. The city solicitor said the vendor likely assumed risk by allowing use before a signed agreement; council asked staff to investigate.","actionData","errors"]

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Council introduces and adopts multiple ordinances and resolutions; easements, pools and safety signage advance

Residents and council members press for answers after city used Rubicon Routeware software before contract approval