Thomas Schuster
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 4:55:30
- Avg per meeting
- 8:41
- Segments
- 6330
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Top issues during term (20)
Regulation of Kratom Sale and Possession
Penalties are proposed for violations; no city cost estimate was given.
Infrastructure Maintenance, Pave Cuts, and Stormwater GIS Mapping
Vehicle suspension repairs and alignment costs for residents, alongside potential fine revenues for the city.
Data Center Zoning Regulations and Nuclear Energy Concerns
Unresolved — supporters claimed data centers could materially reduce property and school taxes; opponents fear stealth development.
Euclid Avenue One-Way Traffic Designation
Minimal signage and implementation costs handled by the Department of Public Works.
2027 Capital Budget and Spending Plan
Sets the capital reserve fund spending plan for fiscal year 2027.
Data Center Zoning and Potential Small Nuclear Reactors
Depending on how they're written, the rules could shape whether data centers come to Scranton — and what they'd pay in taxes and utility demand.
Downtown stop-sign trial and traffic changes
Downtown businesses report lost sales from construction and parking changes; liability exposure is a concern if unapproved signs caused a crash.
Short-Term Rental Proposal on Monroe Ave
Null
Access to Community Facilities and Neighborhood Centers
Roughly $2.9 million in combined grant requests funded by state gaming revenue, not city taxes.
Townhouse Development at Farr St and N Sumner Ave
Potential increase in municipal tax base offset by localized infrastructure and traffic mitigation costs.
Code Enforcement and Blight Mitigation
Potential expenditure on legal actions or court orders to address chronic private property blight.
E-Bikes and Motorized Devices Rules
Potential fines for violations, but costs of enforcement are not yet specified.
Extreme Heat and Emergency Cooling Plans for Unsheltered Residents
Council members noted the administration promoted a $3 million surplus while residents asked where funding for shelter improvements is.
Downtown Parking and Meter Kiosks
The holiday market program is free to participating businesses; four insurance claims were approved through PAWC.
Bridge Rehabilitation Grant Applications
Up to about $5.8 million in combined state grant requests that could offset local bridge repair costs.
mayoral succession
The city likely saves the cost of a special election, but an appointed mayor could still reshape spending priorities before voters weigh in.
Police records management system upgrade
Seeks up to $500,000 in state funding, limiting the hit to the city budget.
Koch Place vacation
A $1.00-scale quit claim conveyance of unopened right-of-way; exact consideration not stated in the record.
Blighted Properties and Code Enforcement Concerns
Minimal direct municipal impact; primarily administrative and enforcement costs.
Municipal Budget and Revenue Projections
A roughly $118 million budget holding the line on property taxes for another year.
Decisions during term (331)
Recorded while Schuster was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adoption of FY2027 Capital Budget (File of Council No. 41, 2026, as amended)
Acquisition of Hickory Street property for $1 (File of Council No. 42, 2026)
Resolution No. 108, 2026 — Albright Levee System O&M Manuals
Resolution No. 109, 2026 — South Side Levee System O&M Manuals
Resolution No. 110, 2026 — Plot Section Levee System O&M Manuals
Data-center zoning ordinances (Files of Council Nos. 7 and 8, 2026) remain tabled
Kratom ordinance (File of Council No. 12, 2026) remains tabled
Koch Place vacation ordinance (File of Council No. 20, 2026) remains tabled
Motion to add amendment to kratom ordinance on the agenda
Motion to suspend rules for amended kratom ordinance in 5th, 6th and 7th orders
Motion to take File of the Council No. 39, 2026 (Euclid Avenue one-way) from the table
Third Order reports received and filed
Adoption of File of Council No. 38, 2026 — refuse fee exoneration exception
Adoption of File of Council No. 40, 2026 — Capouse Avenue Splash Pad naming
Adoption of Resolution No. 107, 2026 — artificial turf donation to police
Adoption of File of Council No. 12, 2026 — kratom sales to minors, as amended
Motion to take File of Council No. 12, 2026 from the table
Old Business — data center zoning ordinances (Files 7 and 8, 2026)
Old Business — File of Council No. 13, 2026 (kratom, general)
Old Business — File of Council No. 20, 2026 (Koch Place vacation)
Voting record (248)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
final passage of Item 7-C
final passage of Item 7-A
final passage of Item 7-E
final passage of Item 7-B
final passage of Item 7-D
Adoption of FY2027 Capital Budget (File of Council No. 41, 2026, as amended)
Acquisition of Hickory Street property for $1 (File of Council No. 42, 2026)
Resolution No. 108, 2026 — Albright Levee System O&M Manuals
Resolution No. 109, 2026 — South Side Levee System O&M Manuals
Resolution No. 110, 2026 — Plot Section Levee System O&M Manuals
final passage on Item 7-A
final passage of Item 7-B as amended
Motion to add amendment to kratom ordinance on the agenda
Motion to suspend rules for amended kratom ordinance in 5th, 6th and 7th orders
Motion to take File of the Council No. 39, 2026 (Euclid Avenue one-way) from the table
Adoption of File of Council No. 38, 2026 — refuse fee exoneration exception
Adoption of File of Council No. 40, 2026 — Capouse Avenue Splash Pad naming
Adoption of Resolution No. 107, 2026 — artificial turf donation to police
Adoption of File of Council No. 12, 2026 — kratom sales to minors, as amended
Glad to take a first step protecting minors as kratom was starting to come into schools.