Council adopts FY2027 Capital Budget (File of the Council No. 41, 2026, as amended), 5–0

Adoption of FY2027 Capital Budget (File of the Council No. 41, 2026, as amended)

5 yes, 0 no

Mark McAndrew (yes), Sean McAndrew (yes), Patrick Flynn (yes), Thomas Schuster (yes), Jessica Rothchild (yes)

Acquisition of Hickory Street Property for $1.00 (File of the Council No. 42, 2026)

5 yes, 0 no

Mark McAndrew (yes), Sean McAndrew (yes), Patrick Flynn (yes), Thomas Schuster (yes), Jessica Rothchild (yes)

Adoption of Albright Levee System Operations and Maintenance Manuals (Resolution No. 108, 2026)

5 yes, 0 no

Mark McAndrew (yes), Sean McAndrew (yes), Patrick Flynn (yes), Thomas Schuster (yes), Jessica Rothchild (yes)

Adoption of South Side Levee System Operations and Maintenance Manuals (Resolution No. 109, 2026)

5 yes, 0 no

Mark McAndrew (yes), Sean McAndrew (yes), Patrick Flynn (yes), Thomas Schuster (yes), Jessica Rothchild (yes)

Adoption of Plot Section Levee System Operations and Maintenance Manuals (Resolution No. 110, 2026)

5 yes, 0 no

Mark McAndrew (yes), Sean McAndrew (yes), Patrick Flynn (yes), Thomas Schuster (yes), Jessica Rothchild (yes)

Data center zoning ordinances remain tabled (Files 7 and 8 of 2026)

0 yes, 0 no

Kratom ordinance remains tabled (File 12 of 2026)

0 yes, 0 no

FILE OF THE COUNCIL NO. 20, 2026 - CLOSING AND VACATING AN UNOPENED PORTION OF KOCH PLACE, BETWEEN BOLAND COURT AND S. KEASTNER COURT.

0 yes, 0 no

Data Center Zoning Amendments

Two zoning ordinance amendments dealing with data centers remain tabled until a public hearing can be held at a later date.

tabled · still tabled

Koch Place Vacation

Koch Place between Boland Court and S. Keastner Court

An updated ordinance to close and vacate an unopened portion of Koch Place and deed it to Robert Trapper was introduced; it replaces an older version still on the table.

still pending

Levee System Operations and Maintenance Manuals

Three resolutions would formally adopt operations and maintenance manuals for the Albright, South Side, and Plot Section levee systems — key flood protection infrastructure.

What it means: Residents and businesses in flood-prone areas protected by the levees.

E-Bikes and Motorized Devices Rules

Two introduced ordinances would define e-bikes, scooters and other motorized devices and set where they can operate downtown and in parks. Residents and council members say the drafts need work on enforcement, insurance, reflectors and mobility scooters for the disabled.

What it means: Pedestrians and drivers would get clearer rules about e-bikes and scooters weaving through traffic.

Koch Place vacation

The city will vacate and close an unopened stretch of Koch Place and quit-claim it to Robert Trapper. A newer version of the ordinance was introduced to replace one already on the table.

What it means: The adjacent property owner gains clear title to the unopened street segment.

Data Center Zoning Regulations and Nuclear Energy Concerns

Two zoning ordinance amendments and outside consultant correspondence are on the agenda about how Scranton should regulate data centers. This could shape where large data facilities can build and what conditions they face.

What it means: Residents near potential data center sites who want guardrails on noise, power use, and development.

Data Center Zoning and Potential Small Nuclear Reactors

The city has two tabled zoning ordinances on data centers and received outside planning correspondence on the topic. Public comment split sharply: one speaker warned data centers arrive 'on the sly,' another argued they could abolish property taxes.

What it means: Residents gain if the rules protect neighborhoods and taxpayers while still allowing economic development.

Regulation of Kratom Sale and Possession

A tabled ordinance would ban selling kratom and 7-OH products to minors and prohibit possession by minors. It's on hold while the city and county gather more information.

What it means: Families and minors are protected from unregulated psychoactive products.

Bridge Rehabilitation Grant Applications

The city plans to apply for up to $2.79 million and $3 million in state Multimodal Transportation Fund grants to rehabilitate the South Washington Street bridge over Roaring Brook and the East Elm Street bridge at Hertz Court.

What it means: If awarded, the grants would cover up to $5.79 million of bridge repair costs that would otherwise fall on the city.

Downtown Parking and Meter Kiosks

Members pressed the administration for answers on the downtown streetscape project: the projected 69 net new parking spaces, stop signs replacing stoplights, and whether auditory signals promised at crosswalks will actually be installed. Old and new answers aren't matching up.

What it means: Downtown businesses, shoppers and visually impaired pedestrians if the promised improvements materialize.

2027 Capital Budget and Spending Plan

The council unanimously adopted the 2027 capital budget, which sets the city's capital reserve fund spending plan — the projects and equipment the city will pay for next year.

What it means: Every resident who uses city roads, bridges, parks and equipment next year.