Lansford Borough Council did not have a quorum for a scheduled workshop Tuesday, but its council president gave some updates and allowed residents to air their concerns in an open forum.

“There’s no official meeting for this evening,” Council President Joe Genits said. “The items on the workshop (agenda), I’m going to leave open. I don’t want to waste the time and effort.

“People that came here tonight, you’re welcome to speak, ask questions,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s an open forum.”

Borough Secretary Ashley McLaughlin remained even though Genits said no minutes were being taken. Councilwoman Michele Bartek was the only other council member in attendance.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio called saying she was unable to attend, Genits said, but he wasn’t privy to reasons for other council members absences. One resident said a council member was outside sitting in his car, but that was not verified.

Residents inquired about a completed annual audit and asked if the borough could now move to a forensic audit, which Bartek suggested at the beginning of the year.

Council planned to seek quotes for both an annual audit and a forensic audit at that time. It wasn’t clear if quotes for a forensic audit were obtained or not.

Genits explained that the annual audit didn’t show any discrepancies or point toward a need for a forensic audit.

“Therefore, unless there would be sufficient need to have a forensic audit — that you have proof of some wrongdoing somewhere, there’s no need for a forensic audit,” Genits said.

Residents pointed to past council actions of moving funds from one account to another to fund the borough and police operations, and other communities in other counties finding funds missing through a forensic audit.

Residents and council members then debated what could be found through a forensic audit that wouldn’t be found in a regular audit and how far back such an audit could go.

Genits also reported that council could vote on plans for an Auto Zone store, which recently cleared Carbon County Planning Commission. Two items need to be addressed by the firm to move forward, he said.

He also noted that he is working on setting up a meeting to resolve the sidewalk and parking lot issue at the Panther Valley Stadium, and he also got a report from ARRO Consulting regarding filling in the pool, which council could have discussed that night.

Residents also brought up public safety concerns, such as sight distances at intersections and obstructions, stop signs needed and school bus stop safety. Other topics included winter snow removal, salt storage near a creek; complainant names reportedly given out by police when investigating complaints; inspected rentals by code; and property maintenance, such as high weeds and grass.

Many of these same items have been brought up at prior workshop and committee meetings, as well as council meetings.