Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 7 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council Vice President James Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Interim Borough Manager Brian Bond called roll. Present were Vice President James Smith, Mayor Tarah Probst, Solicitor McDonald, Council Members Joanne Kochanski (via skype), Boyd Weiss, Matt Abell, and Patrick Maurath. Absent were Council President Ken Lang and Council Member Mark Connors. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing A. Consideration of a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 2, Section 201, Sub-Paragraph 1, “Snow Removal from Sidewalks Required within Certain Time”: The public hearing was opened at 7:02 p.m. Solicitor McDonald stated the ordinance was properly advertised and a draft copy is in Council’s packet. Martha Loomis asked for a description of the change. Interim Borough Manager Brian Bond explained that previously it was from no later than 9:00 a.m. if the snow had fallen after 8:00 p.m., or no later than 9:00 p.m. if the snow had fallen after 9:00 a.m. It’s being changed to within 24 hours of snow ceasing to fall from a storm. This change is actually going back to the way it used to be and will give people more time. Council Member Kochanski and Codes Officer Ron Kimes added that this change only affects residential non-metered areas of the borough. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to close the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. B. Consideration to approve a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 2, Section 201, Sub-Paragraph 1, “Snow Removal from Sidewalks Required within Certain Time”: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 2, Section 201, Sub-Paragraph 1, Snow Removal from Sidewalks Required within Certain Time. Motion passed unanimously. At this time Vice President Smith announced that Receptionist/Parking Enforcement Secretary Lynn Heimbach has taken a new position and that she will be missed. Mayor Probst read a proclamation thanking her for her 16 years of service. Mrs. Heimbach thanked the Mayor and everyone for their well wishes. She stated it has been her pleasure to work for the borough and that her decision to leave is bittersweet. 4. Public Input on Non-Agenda Items: None. 5. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes: Council Member Abell noted that instead of the September 26th Special Meeting Minutes there were two copies of the September 20th Special Meeting minutes in his packet. Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the regular and special minutes from the September 20, 2016 Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Maurath, to table approval of the September 26th Special Meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business 6. Review of agreement with DEIN Properties for beautification of 777-779 Main Street: Mr. Bond reviewed the minutes which explained that after demolition the foundation would be removed down to one foot below sidewalk grade then brought back up to sidewalk grade with modified stone making the site aesthetically pleasing which is what has been done. Council Member Weiss added that he does not think the borough should landscape other people’s property and maintain it. He will come up to the borough office and listen to the actual audio file from that meeting. Council Member Kochanski suggested the HARB minutes also be looked at. Vice President Smith asked Mr. Bond to review the tape and HARB minutes and report back to Council. 7. Consideration of Twin Boroughs Recycling proposal to utilize Middle Smithfield Township for yard waste grinding: Mr. Bond reported that upon further review and after speaking with Middle Smithfield, it was realized that their grinder has a 6” capacity and many of the logs we grind are much larger than that. He will explore other options and in the meantime utilize our current contract. New Business 8. I-80 Task Force update by Mayor Probst: Mayor Probst and downtown business owner Martha Loomis attended a Route 80 Project meeting. Ms. Loomis read aloud a list of topics that were discussed regarding the overall goal of the project which is to improve motorist safety. The construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 and take approximately 3 years. Other concerns that were addressed were storm water basins, the taking of properties off the borough tax base, PennDOT Letters of Intent to Enter Residential and Business Properties, project alternatives, upcoming meeting dates, and I-80 signage. 9. Consideration of a request by Mayor Probst to present ESSA Bank And Trust with a “Key to the City”: Mayor Probst announced that ESSA will be celebrating 100 years of banking in our area this November and that their business continues to flourish with nearly 100 employees that continue to shop, eat, and support our local businesses. ESSA also donates money and helps with events in town which is why she feels they deserve a key to the borough. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve a request by Mayor Probst to present ESSA Bank And Trust with a “Key to the City”. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Consideration to approve Payment No. 16 from Nu Cor Management the General Construction contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $2,500.00, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve Payment No. 16 from Nu Cor Management  the General Construction contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $2,500.00, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Consideration to approve Payment No. 7 from Yanuzzi, Inc., the plumbing contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $3,158.85, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve Payment No. 7 from Yanuzzi, Inc., the plumbing contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $3,158.85, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Consideration to approve Payment No. 12 from Leibold, Inc., the mechanical contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $2,850.00, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve Payment No. 12 from Leibold, Inc., the mechanical contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $2,850.00, as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Consideration to approve Payment No. 7 and No. 8 from Whitehead Electric Construction, Inc., the electrical contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amounts of $3,278.93 and $7,157.80, total amount of $10,436.73 as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve Payment No. 7 and No. 8 from Whitehead Electric Construction, Inc., the electrical contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amounts of $3,278.93 and $7,157.80, total amount of $10,436.73 as reviewed and recommended for approval by David McGarry of Schoonover, et al, the architectural firm performing project management on behalf of the Borough. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Distribution of the 2017 Preliminary Budget and discussion of the schedule for budget adoption: Mr. Bond asked that tonight Council only approve the budget schedule. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the 2017 budget schedule. Motion passes unanimously. 15. Consideration to approve an amendment of the Stroudsburg Borough Personnel Policy, Types of Employment and Eligibility for Benefits: Council discussed both options and it was decided that this should go before the Personnel Committee. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, for the Personnel Committee to review the proposed amendments to the Stroudsburg Borough Personnel Policy. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Consideration of “Mountie” Mural for the pool bathhouse: Consensus of Council was for drawing #2 from Christie Lee. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Maurath to approve the Mountie drawing from Christie Lee for the pool bath house mural. Motion passed unanimously. 17. Consideration of a request from the American Red Cross for the Run for the Red marathon on Sunday, May 21, 2017 for it to take place on Borough streets and that State and Regional Police forces will be responsible for traffic control. Borough resources are not being requested at this time: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve a request from the American Red Cross for the Run for the Red marathon on Sunday, May 21, 2017 to take place on Borough streets using State and Regional Police for traffic control and not utilizing borough resources. Motion passed unanimously. 18. Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor McDonald reported that there has been a decision from Judge Zulick regarding the original Shanti House LLC application in favor of the Shanti House LLC. Solicitor McDonald informed Council that they have the right to appeal: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to make an appeal to protect the Borough’s interest from the September 16th, decision in the Shanti House litigation. Motion passed unanimously. Solicitor McDonald reported that he will follow up with to Attorney Alan Young on behalf of his client Ray Price Motors with respect to two separate trespasses, one on lower Main and the other on N. 9th in the interest of getting a resolution. 19. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Probst congratulated the Stroudsburg Volunteer Fire Department for a successful Golf Tournament. 20. Council Member Reports: Council Member Maurath reported that the Parking Committee met on September 28th where they viewed Park Mobile software for the Luke II pay stations. The Parking Committee will be viewing ParkX next week. Council Member Kochanski attended the Broadhead Watershed Association meeting; BWA is looking for locations for Rain Gardens within the Borough. Council Member Kochanski reported street lights out on West Main Street. Council Member Smith asked Solicitor McDonald if he would be interested in remaining as the Planning Commission Solicitor. Solicitor McDonald responded that he will have an answer next meeting. Council Member Smith requested Council to look into Grant services to inquire the availability of grants that the Borough could apply for. Motion by Mr.Weiss, Second by Mr. Abell to investigate possibility of hiring a grant services company to research available grants. Motion passed unanimously. 21. Manager’s Report: Mr. Bond reported a request from the County Commissioners for the Borough to provide a share of the Borough’s CDBG funding to help subsidize a drug counselor for Monroe County. Council requested more information from the Commissioners, Mr. Bond to contact the Commissioners for more information. Mr. Bond made a request on behalf of the Fire Department for $1950from the renovation funds to update the departments key fob system. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to expend $1950 on updating the Fire Department key fob system. Motion passed unanimously. 22. Approval of Bills on Warrant 160906: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the bills on Warrant 161004. Motion passed unanimously. 23. Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to go into Executive Session for a personnel issue at 8:32 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Maurath to adjourn Executive Session at 8:41 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to reconvene to Regular Session at 8:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to advertise for the position of Temporary Public Works Laborer. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to advertise and hire a part-time Parking Enforcement Officer. Motion passed unanimously. 24. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Approved: ________________________________ Ken Lang, President of Council Attest: ______________________________________ Brian Bond, Interim Borough Manager/Secretary