Mayor's $21 million wish list (Scranton: sale, city hall, refinancing)

[NYRangers 2008]

Mayor has $21 million wish list
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
09/12/2007
Mayor Chris Doherty has started compiling a $21 million municipal wish list that includes $3 million in renovations and repairs to fire stations, $10 million in upgrades to city parks and no means to fund it all.



The five-year capital improvement program, which council members began considering Tuesday, covers proposed projects for the city from 2008 through 2012.

"There is no refinancing or large immediate cash available," city business administrator Leonard Kresefski said. "Funding for this would have to mainly come through grants and through the issuance of debt."

With a principal long-term debt of about $108 million, the city has no immediate plans to borrow, he added.

A capital improvement plan is a tool to assess the long-term capital project requirements of the city and to establish funding of high-priority projects. Development of the plan is intended to ensure that the administration and council are responsible to local residents and businesses when spending public money.

The purpose of the plan is to identify and describe capital projects, the years in which funding each project is to occur and the method of funding. The plan generally extends beyond the current operating cycle and usually covers a 3- to 5-year time frame.

Unlike the operating budget, which is funded primarily by taxes, most of the money for the capital budget comes from debt, usually through the sale of bonds.

In its first session back following a six-week summer break, City Council voted 3-1 to introduce legislation to accept the plan. The panel has scheduled a public hearing on the measure for 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

"It's a tough sell," Mr. Kresefski said of the plan. "Basically, none of it will ever happen without some debt being issued or a large grant comes in that is sponsored by a congressman or senator. We've had that happen, but nothing to the tune of $21 million."

The wish list also includes $3 million in sidewalk, curb and street repairs throughout the city and a $3.5 million renovation, acquisition and construction of new property for the Scranton Public Library.

"It's a wish list, nothing more," Mr. Doherty said, adding he would one day like to see the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna County Children's Library merge and be housed in a new building.

"There is a lot that would be required for that to happen," the mayor said. The library is county-run, and any changes would require approval by the county commissioners.

The city's nine fire stations are in need of renovations and certain major equipment and apparatus need to be replaced, Mr. Doherty said. He also hopes to make $1.5 million in improvements to City Hall and other city-owned buildings and add new bath houses, security cameras, lighting, filtration system buildings and pool upgrades to all city parks.

Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
__________________________________________________ ______________

Of course the city has no money left for anything with King Doherty running the ship. And yes folks, it's sinking. Let's no kid ourselves here. This city has nothing left but finds money for parking lots, cameras, non-profits, building bridges to nowhere and treehouses. When the election hits in November, we have to vote the current councilpeople out with ones who really care about the people of this city. This current council is inept and does not look out for the best interests of the people of Scranton. Enough is enough already. They just want to continue to tax us and give us a corrupt government. They continue to let Daron operate illegally and cause damage to the citizens of Scranton. The population drop in Scranton is very great. People can't afford to stay with all the tax increases. This city gives out loans to open a silly business that won't last, but won't put that money into what we really need.
Fixing the roads, the flood areas in lower Green Ridge and East Mountain would be a start. It won't get any better until we get rid of the current administration. It's that plain and simple and Scranton needs to wake up!!!

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Mayor has $21 million wish list
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
09/12/2007
Mayor Chris Doherty has started compiling a $21 million municipal wish list that includes $3 million in renovations and repairs to fire stations, $10 million in upgrades to city parks and no means to fund it all.


The five-year capital improvement program, which council members began considering Tuesday, covers proposed projects for the city from 2008 through 2012.

"There is no refinancing or large immediate cash available," city business administrator Leonard Kresefski said. "Funding for this would have to mainly come through grants and through the issuance of debt."
These two statements are very contradictary are they not!

With a principal long-term debt of about $108 million, the city has no immediate plans to borrow, he added.
A capital improvement plan is a tool to assess the long-term capital project requirements of the city and to establish funding of high-priority projectsWhich would they be?. Development of the plan is intended to ensure that the administration and council are responsible to local residents and businesses when spending public money.Why start now? Its not like they care to begin with or have in the past.
The purpose of the plan is to identify and describe capital projects, the years in which funding each project is to occur and the method of funding. The plan generally extends beyond the current operating cycle and usually covers a 3- to 5-year time frame.

Unlike the operating budget, which is funded primarily by taxes, most of the money for the capital budget comes from debt, usually through the sale of bonds.

In its first session back following a six-week summer break, City Council voted 3-1 to introduce legislation to accept the plan. The panel has scheduled a public hearing on the measure for 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

"It's a tough sell," Mr. Kresefski said of the plan. "Basically, none of it will ever happen without some debt being issued or a large grant comes in that is sponsored by a congressman or senator. We've had that happen, but nothing to the tune of $21 million."

The wish list also includes $3 million in sidewalk, curb and street repairs throughout the city and a $3.5 million renovation, acquisition and construction of new property for the Scranton Public Library.

"It's a wish list, nothing more," Mr. Doherty said, adding he would one day like to see the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna County Children's Library merge and be housed in a new building. Thats because they want to give the Alright library and Childrens library to the medical school. Between the med school and the U we might as well just give them the city.


"There is a lot that would be required for that to happen," the mayor said. The library is county-run, and any changes would require approval by the county commissioners.

The city's nine fire stations are in need of renovations and certain major equipment and apparatus need to be replaced, Mr. Doherty said. He also hopes to make $1.5 million in improvements to City Hall and other city-owned buildings and add new bath houses, security cameras, lighting, filtration system buildings and pool upgrades to all city parks.

Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
__________________________________________________ ______________

I think that given our financial situation here in the city that this list will be used to wipe our collective asses right into another tax increase. If Mcgoff is relected in November we will see this increase without question.

[NYRangers 2008]

So basically Dan, we're screwed. And if McGoff gets re-elected, we're seriously screwed. Wonderful!!!!!!

[casper]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Mayor has $21 million wish list
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
09/12/2007
Mayor Chris Doherty has started compiling a $21 million municipal wish list that includes $3 million in renovations and repairs to fire stations, $10 million in upgrades to city parks and no means to fund it all.



The five-year capital improvement program, which council members began considering Tuesday, covers proposed projects for the city from 2008 through 2012.

"There is no refinancing or large immediate cash available," city business administrator Leonard Kresefski said. "Funding for this would have to mainly come through grants and through the issuance of debt."

With a principal long-term debt of about $108 million, the city has no immediate plans to borrow, he added.

A capital improvement plan is a tool to assess the long-term capital project requirements of the city and to establish funding of high-priority projects. Development of the plan is intended to ensure that the administration and council are responsible to local residents and businesses when spending public money.

The purpose of the plan is to identify and describe capital projects, the years in which funding each project is to occur and the method of funding. The plan generally extends beyond the current operating cycle and usually covers a 3- to 5-year time frame.

Unlike the operating budget, which is funded primarily by taxes, most of the money for the capital budget comes from debt, usually through the sale of bonds.

In its first session back following a six-week summer break, City Council voted 3-1 to introduce legislation to accept the plan. The panel has scheduled a public hearing on the measure for 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

"It's a tough sell," Mr. Kresefski said of the plan. "Basically, none of it will ever happen without some debt being issued or a large grant comes in that is sponsored by a congressman or senator. We've had that happen, but nothing to the tune of $21 million."

The wish list also includes $3 million in sidewalk, curb and street repairs throughout the city and a $3.5 million renovation, acquisition and construction of new property for the Scranton Public Library.

"It's a wish list, nothing more," Mr. Doherty said, adding he would one day like to see the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna County Children's Library merge and be housed in a new building.

"There is a lot that would be required for that to happen," the mayor said. The library is county-run, and any changes would require approval by the county commissioners.

The city's nine fire stations are in need of renovations and certain major equipment and apparatus need to be replaced, Mr. Doherty said. He also hopes to make $1.5 million in improvements to City Hall and other city-owned buildings and add new bath houses, security cameras, lighting, filtration system buildings and pool upgrades to all city parks.

Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
__________________________________________________ ______________

Of course the city has no money left for anything with King Doherty running the ship. And yes folks, it's sinking. Let's no kid ourselves here. This city has nothing left but finds money for parking lots, cameras, non-profits, building bridges to nowhere and treehouses. When the election hits in November, we have to vote the current councilpeople out with ones who really care about the people of this city. This current council is inept and does not look out for the best interests of the people of Scranton. Enough is enough already. They just want to continue to tax us and give us a corrupt government. They continue to let Daron operate illegally and cause damage to the citizens of Scranton. The population drop in Scranton is very great. People can't afford to stay with all the tax increases. This city gives out loans to open a silly business that won't last, but won't put that money into what we really need.
Fixing the roads, the flood areas in lower Green Ridge and East Mountain would be a start. It won't get any better until we get rid of the current administration. It's that plain and simple and Scranton needs to wake up!!!

I know the list is pretty big..any chance we can fit a new mayor on the list?
Oh, Wait..that is already on the agenda for 2009. Sorry.

[NYRangers 2008]

Here's to hope casper, here's to hope. We must make Doherty go in 2009....or else!!!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Here's to hope casper, here's to hope. We must make Doherty go in 2009....or else!!!

Hubbard for mayor, 2009!

[NYRangers 2008]

Right on Paul. We can be his campaign advisors.