Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Borough Manager Cathryn Thomas called roll. Present were President Diddio, Vice President Joanne Kochanski, Council Members Eric Scelza, Ken Lang, Matt Abell, Neil Allen and Boyd Weiss. Also present was Solicitor Ralph Matergia. 2. The pledge of Allegiance was recited. Special Presentation: Proclamation in recognition of the service of Mayor David Deihl: Because Mrs. Deihl was not present, the presentation will be at the September 15th meeting. 3. Public Hearings A. Consideration to amend the Borough Zoning Map, changing a section of the map with the current zoning classification of C-1 to R-1: The public hearing was opened at 7:03 p.m. Dreher Avenue residents Cathy Giovinco and Elizabeth Almerigotti commented that they are in favor of the zoning change as the properties never have been and cannot be used as commercial. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to close the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. B. Consideration to adopt an amendment to the Borough Zoning Map, changing a section of the map with the current zoning classification of C-1 to R-1: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adopt an amendment to the Borough Zoning Map, changing a section of the map with the current zoning classification of C-1 to R-1. Motion passed unanimously. C. Consideration to amend the Borough Code of Ordinances pertaining to vehicles parked in public spaces with expired registrations and inspections: The public hearing was opened at 7:12 p.m. with no public comment. Mrs. Kochanski suggested this be researched further before taking any action. While the vehicle may have an expired registration sticker, they registrant may have renewed online and is awaiting the new sticker. Ms. Diddio commented that she is not in favor of this amendment anyway. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to close the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. D. Consideration of adoption of an Ordinance amending the Borough Code pertaining to vehicles parked in public spaces with expired registrations and inspections: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Allen, to adopt an Ordinance amending the Borough Code pertaining to vehicles parked in public spaces with expired registrations and inspections. Motion passed; 4 ayes and 3 nays with Ms. Diddio, Mr. Lang, and Mr. Abell voting no. 4. Public Input: None. 5. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes from August 18, 2015: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the Council Meeting Minutes from August 18, 2015. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business 6. Consideration of a request from Borough Tax Collector Lynn Harrison to appoint a Deputy Tax Collector: Ms. Harrison is requesting Council appoint her daughter Siobhan Dunleavy as Deputy Tax Collector. She stated that there is no liability to the Borough as the deputy is covered under her bond and receives no compensation. Solicitor Matergia stated that because there is no compensation nepotism would not apply. Motion by Mr. Allen, second by Mr. Weiss, to appoint Siobhan Dunleavy as Deputy Tax Collector. Motion passed unanimously. New Business 7. Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended for approval and issuance by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for 712 Associates for the installation of railings, guards and handrails at 720-722 Monroe Street: Marc Wolfe, an owner of 712 Associates, was present to explain that HARB’s recommendation was to change the material originally proposed, which was vinyl, to a composite material which his carpenter cannot find. What he is suggesting to Council is vinyl over aluminum. Mr. Lang suggested he return to HARB for a recommendation of the vinyl over aluminum material. Mr. Abell agrees. Mr. Wolfe is choosing rather to come directly to Council for their approval as he is under pressure from his insurance company for a decision. Mr. Lang stated this could be put on the HARB agenda for the September 8th meeting and HARB’s recommendation can be put on the September 15th Council agenda. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to table this until the next Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of the following event request: A. To hold the 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade by the Pocono Irish-American Club on Sunday, March 20, 2016: Ms. Diddio asked if the Borough has met with anyone from the parade. Ms. Thomas stated no. Also, no representative from the Club was present at the meeting. Motion by Mr. Lang, second by Mr. Abell, to table this request. Motion passed unanimously. B. Information Only (no approvals required) the “Recovery Walk” by the Carbon- Monroe-Pike Drug & Alcohol Commission on September 23rd from 11:30 to 1:30 a.m.: No action needed. 9. Consideration of the following requests pertaining to parking: A. To amend the West Side Residential Parking District to include the following addresses on Sarah Street: Nos. 909, 911, 913, 915 and 917: Consensus of Council was to refer this to staff. B. To amend Chapter 15, Part 3 General Parking Regulations to add one handicapped parking space in front of 111 North 9th Street: Ms. Diddio referred this to staff to report back at the next meeting. 10. Consideration to Approve Change Order No. 1 with Mechanical Contractor Leibold, Inc., for a decrease/credit in the contract in the amount of $1,150 related to a change in the piping design and location for the Fire Hall Renovation Project: Engineer Dave McGarry explained that the $1,150 credit was the end result of a $4,350 credit for the relocation of two condensers from the rooftop to the ground level next to the other condensers, and the additional cost of $3,200 for the labor and material to relocate the 1” and ¾” piping from the new doorway to the rear of the building. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve Change Order No. 1 with Mechanical Contractor Leibold, Inc., for a decrease/credit in the contract in the amount of $1,150 related to a change in the piping design and location for the Fire Hall Renovation Project. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Consideration to Approve Change Order No. 2 with Electrical Contractor Mark Whitehead Electrical Contractor, Inc., in the amount of an increase of $903.82 for added electric in the office area for the Fire Hall Renovation Project: Engineer Dave McGarry explained that the additional cost of $903.82 was the end result of an additional charge of $1,790.42 for the additional electric requested in office #107, and a $886.60 credit for installing conduit feeders to the back of the building instead of on the roof. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve Change Order No. 2 with Electrical Contractor Mark Whitehead Electrical Contractor, Inc., in the amount of an increase of $903.82 for added electric in the office area for the Fire Hall Renovation Project. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Solicitor’s Report: Mr. Matergia gave a brief update on the dumpster issue in Lot 3. After speaking with Codes Officer Jeff Wilkins, Mr. Matergia sent a letter to 717/719 Main Street property owner Mr. Gialouris and then looked at the deed he provided. There is no express easement in the deed. There is a suggestion that he may own three feet of a walk area which cannot be determined from the deed. Mr. Matergia feels the best approach is to have Engineer Nate Oiler’s office plot the Borough’s deed against Mr. Gialouris’ deed to see where the three feet is. If it applies to where the dumpster is located, a survey should be obtained. Mr. Matergia feels there needs to be some degree of prudence before requesting the dumpster be removed. 13. Council Member Reports: Ms. Diddio requested a discussion on selling sewer capacity. The Borough is allowed 1,000,000 gallons per day. Currently 600,000 gallons per day is the highest of what we would use so there is plenty to sell. Mr. Scelza stated that we first need to identify what we paid for the upgrade to the sewer plant and what we bonded to make sure we don’t sell for less. Doug Olmstead introduced himself stating he works for the entity, C.Castle Group, the developers of the proposed Spa Castle Grand – Pocono Resort with a request submitted to Pocono Township for an additional 250,000 gallons between the Borough and Stroud Township for their proposed project. In general Council feels this could be a good idea which requires additional discussion in the future and more information needs to be examined. Mrs. Kochanski reported there are still lights out, one specifically at 8th and Thomas. There also may be a need for additional lighting on Thomas between 7th and 8th.  Mr. Scelza feels that now that we own the lighting system, we should look at the dark spots throughout town to increase safety by having added lighting. Mr. Scelza and Mr. Allen left at 7:55 p.m. Mr. Lang reported that there have been parking meetings between himself, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Christman and the Parking Enforcement Officers. The world class staff of officers have created a minimum productivity standard and are enthusiastically enforcing parking ordinances throughout town. They will be meeting on a monthly basis. Mr. Lang reported that there was a meeting between himself, Ms. Thomas, Mr. Abell and Zoning and Codes Officers Jeff Wilkins and Ron Kimes regarding Ramsey School. The consensus of the group is to keep the use as residential. They are trying to establish what they want to bring to Council. Ms. Diddio also reminded everyone to attend the Borough’s StroudFest Bicentennial Celebration this Saturday in town. Mr. Weiss suggested a letter be sent out to business owners to clean up their sidewalks for the upcoming festival. 14. Manager’s Report: Ms. Thomas encouraged everyone to come out for the Bicentennial Celebration, including an Ice Cream Social with free ice served at 2 pm. Bill Weitzmann and Boyd Weiss will be doing the time capsule burial and a tree dedication. There will also be fireworks at 8 p.m. with the display launched from the County parking deck. Ms. Thomas thanked the Fire Department in advance for standing by for the fireworks. 15. Approval of Bills on Warrants 150901: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the Bills on Warrants 150901. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Executive Session: None. 17. Adjournment: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Approved: ________________________________ Kim M. Diddio, President of Council Attest: ______________________________________ Cathryn Thomas, Borough Manager/Secretary