Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 7 p.m. Note that the minutes are presented in the order in which items were discussed at the meeting. Each agenda item, however, has retained the original number it was assigned on the original agenda. 1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Ken Lang called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Borough Manager Cathryn Thomas called roll. Present were President Lang, Vice- President James Smith, Mayor Tarah Probst (by phone), Solicitor Joe McDonald, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Matt Abell and Patrick Maurath. Absent were Council Members Mark Connors and Boyd Weiss. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Lang call Borough Manager Cathryn Thomas to the front of the Council table announcing that her last day of employment with the borough is September 2nd and that this is her last council meeting. He went on to read aloud a proclamation in her honor and presented her with a plaque. Ms. Thomas received a standing round of applause and stated it has been an honor to serve the borough for the last three years. 3. Public Hearing: First Public Hearing for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Borough of Stroudsburg, for the receipt of $95,799 in grant Funding: Present representing the Monroe County Redevelopment Authority was Martha Robbins who explained that this is the first of two required hearings for the $95,799 allocated to the borough for 2016 which will benefit citizens in a low to moderate income area by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities. She is here to encourage citizens to participate in the grant program. Hearing no public comment, a motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Smith, to close the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Public Input on Non-Agenda Items: Hearing no public input, a motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Smith, to close public input. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes from August 2, 2016: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith, to approve the Council Meeting Minutes from August 2, 2016. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Monthly Administrative Reports: Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the Monthly Administrative Reports. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Accept July Treasurer’s Reports: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the July Treasurer’s Reports. Motion passed unanimously. 1 Old Business 8. Update and reports on a recommendation from the Parking Committee to extend the hours when motorists are required to pay for parking in metered spaces, from the current 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in a limited area downtown: Mr. Maurath reported that being the parking study conducted by staff did not support the need for turnover, the Parking Committee decided not to request night time meter enforcement. 9. Report from the Codes Committee on a proposed amendment to the Borough Code to allow signage on outdoor dining area barriers/delineators: Codes Officer Ron Kimes reported that the changes being proposed by the Codes Committee state that the barricades would be permitted provided they meet the design standards, setbacks of six feet to trash receptacles, bike racks, planters, lighting devices, tree wells, etc. and would be required for outdoor dining licensed establishments of nine or more seats and meet the setback distances. In regards to the signage on the barricades, the committee is proposing signage be permitted every thirty linear feet, not to exceed thirty three percent of the fabric area of the barricade and that the signage applied shall only contain the name and/or logo of the licensed eating and drinking establishment which has an approved license for the outdoor dining area. The committee is proposing a $75 application fee for licensed eating and drinking establishments with outdoor dining seating of fifteen seats or less and an additional $5 application fee for every additional seat over fifteen seats. Main Street business owner Barry Lynch asked what his recourse is now that he went ahead and purchased the barricades with signage which he says was at the guidance of Codes Officer Ron Kimes and that he can no longer use. Mayor Probst wanted it on record that she feels Mr. Lynch’s business would be the only one negatively affected by this amendment and that the borough should grant him a special exception. She also wanted it known that the Codes Committee was not unanimous in its decision to recommend the proposed changes. Codes Committee members Joanne Kochanski and Maryann Kowalyshyn, who were present at the Codes Committee meeting, both stated there was only one dissension. Some Council Members voiced concerns over barricade colors and it was agreed that each single applicant’s barricades should be the same color. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Maurath, not to accept the Codes Committee’s proposed amendment changes. Motion failed; 2-3 with Mr. Abell, Mr. Lang and Mrs. Kochanski voting no. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to accept the Codes Committee recommendations adding that the color of the barricades be the same within each business. Motion passed; 3-2 with Mr. Smith and Mr. Maurath voting no. 2 Council set the public hearing for the proposed changes for September 6th. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the recommendation of the Codes Committee for the outdoor license fees. Motion passed; 4-1 with Mr. Smith voting no. New Business 10. Consideration of requests from St’ART Stroudsburg relating to the 2nd Annual Halloween On Main event on October 29th: Jody Singer was present and explained that the request is basically the same as last year. They will be putting up cornstalks and hay bales along Main Street. The only changes are the time, which they are shortening this year to 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a request for hanging blow-up eyeballs in the trees in Courthouse Square. Interim Borough Manager/Public Works Director Brian Bond stated there were no problems with the event last year and the Street Department will again supply the barricades for them to put up and take down. President Lang advised Mr. Singer to coordinate with Mr. Bond and the Fire Chief and thanked him for all his efforts. Mayor Probst also thanked Mr. Singer and his co-workers for providing chalk art to the concert series. Mayor Probst’s phone connection failed at this point. No action was taken. 11. Discussion and decision on a response letter to PennDOT concerning placement of a temporary traffic signal at Main Street and the I-80 ramp: Ms. Thomas drafted a response that the borough has no interest in installing and accepting ownership and maintenance of the proposed traffic signal. 13. Acceptance of the resignation of Planning Commission Solicitor Todd Weitzmann: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith, to accept the resignation of Planning Commission Solicitor Todd Weitzmann. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Consideration to set a public hearing to consider amendment of Chapter 15, Section 308 of the Borough Code, changing the time for No Parking Overnight from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., except during Snow Emergencies when that time shall be from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to hold a public hearing considering amendment of Chapter 15, Section 308 of the Borough Code, changing the time for No Parking Overnight from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., on N. and S. 7th Street, S. 6th Street and S. 8th Street except during Snow Emergencies when that time shall be from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Consideration to appoint Brian Bond to the following positions, effective September 3, 2016: Mr. Smith felt that a fireman would be a better qualified person to serve as Emergency Management Coordinator. Both Mrs. Kochanski and Assistant Fire Chief John Stevens stated 3 that firemen cannot serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator as they may get a fire call. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Brian Bond as the Interim Borough Manager, Administrator of the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan, Member of the Recycling and Tax Collection Committees and Borough Emergency Management Coordinator. Motion passed; 3-2 with Mr. Smith and Mr. Maurath voting no. 15. Consideration to appoint Brian Bond as a member of the Stroud Area Regional Police Commission, to fulfill the unexpired term of Cathryn C. Thomas, term ending December 31, 2017: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Brian Bond as a member of the Stroud Area Regional Police Commission, to fulfill the unexpired term of Cathryn C. Thomas only until her replacement is hired. Motion passed; 4-1 with Mr. Maurath voting no. 16. Consideration to appoint Mary Pat Quinn as the Borough Right-To-Know Officer: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Mary Pat Quinn as the Borough Right-To- Know Officer. Motion passed unanimously. 17. Solicitor’s Report: Mr. McDonald stated that at the last council meeting a vote was taken to purchase two multi-space parking meters for a price of approximately $22,000 which would require the borough going out to bid. Ms. Thomas announced an update saying because the company wanted the sale to go through and is looking forward to future sales, they agreed to lower the price this time only for the two meters to under the threshold that would require bids which is a significant savings for the borough. At the last Council Meeting Solicitor McDonald updated Council on the second application for Conditional Use received from Shanti House LLC. Today he received a letter from Attorney Wolfe requesting the Borough indefinitely continue the necessary public hearing. Solicitor McDonald reminded Council that the purpose for this authorization for more time is to allow the prior Shanti House LLC application be decided by the Monroe County Common Pleas Court Judge which decision may happen by mid to late fall. If that decision is favorable to Attorney Wolfe’s client he will withdraw the second application. If it is not favorable the second application would be considered. Codes Officer Ron Kimes stated holding the public hearing on September 6th would not allow the Borough Planning Commission the opportunity to make a recommendation on the second application. Solicitor McDonald and Mr. Kimes were at the Borough Planning Commission meeting last Monday where they voted 6-0 to deny granting the continuance and the second application. Solicitor McDonald told Council they could open the public hearing on September 6th just to satisfy the 60 day requirement but deal with it at a later date. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to schedule the public hearing for the second Shanti House LLC application for September 6th. Motion passed unanimously. 18. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Probst texted Ms. Thomas that due to the storm it is unsafe for her to be on the phone. 19. Council Member Reports: Mr. Abell stated that the reason N. 6th Street between Scott and Thomas was made a one way years ago was for the buses at Ramsey School. Now that the school 4 is closed he suggests either adding more parking on the opposite side of the street or returning it to a two way street. President Lang directed Mr. Bond to commence a study and bring Council a recommendation. President Lang asked Codes Officer Ron Kimes to discuss with Council an issue with a sign for a business on the 900 block of Main Street which is in the Historical District. Mr. Kimes explained that the sign the business owner wants to put on the building, which he took down from a previous business, does not fit on the building. Anywhere he proposes to place it, would cover architectural features of the building which is not permitted. One part of the zoning ordinance that Mr. Kimes feels would be beneficial to be reviewed is that a free standing sign in a C2 zoning district where the business is located, is only permitted by special exception. The applicant would submit a plan to the Planning Board to make recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board who has the final say. The applicant would be required to submit an application and pay a $450 application fee. Mr. Kimes does not see the purpose of going through that process because the sign already meets the standards. The benefits Mr. Kimes does see is it could possibly keep signs off of buildings that could cause damage to the building and would allow for a free standing sign in those areas around 8th and 9th Streets. So instead of special exception it would be simply permitted by right process. Consensus of Council was for Mr. Kimes to work on the changes he feels are necessary and bring Council a proposal. President Lang informed Council that Ray Price declined the borough’s license agreement offer for their air conditioning condenser that is on borough property. Solicitor McDonald will have more to report at the next meeting after speaking with Mr. Price’s attorney. President Lang received a letter from the First Presbyterian Church regarding a quality of life issue having to do with night activities in the parking lot. Being no church representative was present Mr. Lang gave the letter to Ms. Thomas for staff review. Mrs. Kochanski and Mr. Bond are looking at dark areas next week to see where more lights are needed, where lights are out and possibly changing over to LED lights. 20. Manager’s Report: Ms. Thomas received an informational letter from the Stroudsburg High School advising the borough of their pre-game bonfire on the softball field on September 8th. Ms. Thomas reported that the pension plan MMO (Minimum Municipal Obligation) for 2017 that needs to be budgeted for and approved by Council is $199,302 which is a 15% increase from 2016. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the 2017 pension plan MMO in the amount of $199,302. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Thomas asked if Council would like her to attend tomorrow’s Zoning Hearing Board meeting regarding Rite Aid. Consensus of Council was for both Ms. Thomas and Mr. Bond to attend. Ms. Thomas acknowledged intern Andrew Lindauer as being present at tonight’s meeting. Andrew is an incredibly bright young man that every department had the pleasure of working with this summer. Ms. Thomas thanked him for a job well done and stated he will be greatly 5 missed. Andrew thanked the borough for the opportunity. He commented that he learned a lot and that the operations of the borough are more intricate than he imagined. At this time Mr. Bond reported that he and Executive Assistant Mary Pat Quinn attended Quick Books training classes and reported that the borough has an opportunity to sign up for additional training and support for up to five employees. The cost for the first year is $1,009.35. Each year after would be $359 for support and updates. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the Quick Books training and support for the office staff. Motion passed unanimously. 21. Approval of Bills on Warrant 160816: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the bills on Warrant 160816. Motion passed unanimously. 22. Executive Session: None. 23. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Approved: ________________________________ Ken Lang, President of Council Attest: ______________________________________ Cathryn Thomas, Borough Manager/Secretary 6