Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Ken Lang called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Council Vice President James Smith, Council Member Boyd Weiss, Mayor Tarah Probst, Solicitor Joseph McDonald, Council President Ken Lang, Interim Borough Manager Brian Bond, Council Member Matt Abel, Council Member Mark Connors, Council Member Patrick Maurath. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Input on Non-Agenda Items Jim Hutchins from St Luke’s presented Boyd Weiss and the Shade Tree Committee with a check for $1261 for the Elm Tree Fundraiser. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Maurath to Close Public Input. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes: October 04, 2016 Motion by Boyd Weiss, second by Joanne Kochanski to Approve Council Meeting Minutes for October 04, 2016. Abstain: Ken Lang, Mark Connors who were absent. Motion passed. 5. Monthly Administrative Reports a. Permits Issued Report d. Right-To-Know Report b. Street Department Report e. Police Department Report (provided via email) c. Parking Report Motion by Joanne Kochanski, second by Boyd Weiss to approve Monthly Administrative Reports. Motion Passed unanimously. Brian Bond to resend Police Department Report Old Business 6. Review of Stroudsburg Borough Council audio tape of February 18, 2014 and HARB application concerning DEIN Properties demolition of 777-779 Main Street. Minutes from February 2014 reflect the Audio Tape verbatim, no evidence of planting grass. DEIN Properties never promoted idea to plant a park. Mark Connors would like HARB to go through Zoning ordinance with regards to timeframes. Ken Lang to contact HARB for proper procedures to handle going forward.  7. Discussion of the Preliminary 2017 Budget. Increase in Healthcare cost $209K for all employees, would receive $10,820 back in addition Highmark will not charge $1,021 on admin charge. 2017 would receive a 37% reduction fee on admin charge, a savings of $4,331. We do not have SROSRC numbers, down 15-20K, increased revenue on entry fee and passes. Speculative numbers for SARP, meeting yesterday and later this week. Small increase 5.04% will go down to .68% w/ Stroud Township increase .68%. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell to advertise for a Public Hearing on 01 November meeting and authorize public viewing for tax ordinance. 8. Presentation by County Commissioner John Christy pertaining to the Borough providing CDBG funding for a drug counselor program with the county. Mr. Christy explained why the Commissioners are asking for $900 of the Boroughs CDBG funding a year for three years to help provide an additional drug counselor. Mr Christy stated to use the CDBG funds the individual must be resident of Monroe County and meet the income based requirements. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski to approve expenditure by the Borough of Stroudsburg CDBG funds to the Monroe County Commissioners for an additional drug counselor. Motion passed unanimously. New Business 9. Consideration of a request from the Pocono Irish American Club to hold the 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 19, 2017. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mr. Abell to Table. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bond to contact PIAC and ask to attend the next meeting. 10. Consideration of approval of the 2015 audit performed by Kirk, Summa & Co. Changed allocation for sewer and will not take 70/30, reviewed street department reports, split 55/25/15. Will change again in 2018 to implement changes with I&I upgrades resulting in a 45/35/15 split. Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell to Approve 2015 Audit. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Consideration of a request from UGI to utilize Ann St Park to store pipe while performing upgrades to the gas main on Ann St between 5th St and 6th St. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs Kochanski to Approve request from UGI to utilize Parking spaces on Storm Street with the purchase of meter bags. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Consideration to approve Payment No. 13 from Leibold, Inc., the mechanical contractor for the Fire Hall Renovation Project, in the amount of $18040.20, 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. Smith, Second by Mr. Abell to Approve final payment No. 13 form Leibold, Inc. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Consideration of issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended for approval by the Historic Architectural Review Board, Rosario Badalamenti, for the installation of a wall sign at 424 Main Street. 14. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs Kochanski to Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness as recommended for approval by the Historic Architectural Review Board, Rosario Badalamenti, for the installation of a wall sign at 424 Main Street. Motion passes with Mark Connors voting NO and recommends not following the HARB recommendation. 15. Consideration of issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended for approval by the Historic Architectural Review Board, John Iacono, for the replacement of roofing at 517 Scott Street. Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Smith to Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended for approval by the Historic Architectural Review Board, John Iacono, for the replacement of roofing at 517 Scott Street. Motion passes unanimously. 16. Consideration of a Resolution to authorize Robin S. Wall to access online banking. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs. Kochanski to Approve a resolution to authorize Robin S. Wall to access online banking. Motion passes unanimously. 17. Solicitor’s Report Mr. McDonald informed council of the Storm Street re-construction. All Granite &Marble update, directed staff to present a review of project at a Special Meeting to be held on 01 November @6PM, will advertise for this meeting. Motion by Mr. Smith, second by Mrs. Kochanski to Approve advertisement of a special meeting on November 1, 2016 at 6 p.m Motion passed unanimously. Mr. McDonald, Mr. Kimes and Mr. Bond to update council on bullet points. Mr. McDonald recommended to Council to appoint a separate council for the zoning officer on an as needed basis subject to agreement of fees not to exceed present solicitor’s hourly rate. Motion by Mr. Smith, Second by Mr. Abell to appoint a separate council for the zoning officer on an as needed basis subject to agreement of fees not to exceed present solicitor’s hourly rate. Motion passed unanimously.  Ray Price update directed to file equity action to remove equipment and property off Borough property. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith to direct Solicitor McDonald to file an equity action on behalf of the Borough to remove equipment and property from Borough properties. Motion passed unanimously. 18. Mayor’s Report Requested the Personnel committee find an alternate solicitor for council and the Zoning hearing Board. authorized the Committee to spend up to $400 on advertising. Motion Mr. Connors, second by Mr. Smith to authorize the Personnel Committee to spend up to $400 on advertising. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Probst thanked SARP for the recent drug busts. Mayor Probst stated the fire station looks awesome. Mayor Probst asked Captain Lyons of the Stroud Regional Police Department about the Speed sign placement on Thomas Street, Scott Street and 6th Street. Captain Lyons responded that SARP was looking for spots to set up. Mayor Probst inquired about possible Grant opportunities for purchasing of solar powered speed reporting signs for Main St. Mr. Bond will research grants available for the speed reporting signs. 19. Council Member Reports Joanne Kochanski: Time to review 3rd party zoning for building code. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Smith for Mr. Kimes to compile a report on Barry Isset Inspections and the Health Officer Motion passed unanimously Mrs. Kochanski provided information on House Bill 782. Council directed Mr. Bond to review HB 782 and report back on the outcome. James Smith: Requested from Council for Mr. Bond and himself to look into possible investment opportunities. Council directed Mr. Smith and Mr. Bond to explore possible investment opportunities. Mr. Smith Requested council direct Mr. Kimes review the Boroughs options on landscape restrictions after demolition of a building. Council directed Mr. Kimes to review with the codes committee for any possible amendments to the zoning ordinance.  Boyd Weiss: Asked for staff to look into specs of tree well dimensions in sidewalks. Council directed staff to work with the Shade Tree Committee to provide a recommendation of tree well opening specifications. Matt Abel: Dog Waste Bags need to be filled around the Borough Mark Connors: Requested staffs research the availability of grants for updating the Borough comprehensive plan and the cost to update. Mr. Connors reminded Council of Borough Manager Interviews on Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Patrick Maurath: Provided an update on the Parking Committee with mobile parking apps and budget concerns. 20. Manager’s Report: Mr. Bond informed council that the previously approved SASD bon fire will be this Thursday Mr. Bond informed council that a USA Cycling event will be held at Glen Park on November 14 Mr. Bond reported that the estimated reimbursement from PMIC for 2015 is $10,828, no administrative fee will be charged for the month of November and the administrative fee will be reduced 37% in 2017 Captain Jennifer Lyons reported that patrol officers will be handing out 4000 glow sticks to kids on Halloween night 21. Approval of Bills on Warrant 161020 Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss to Approve bills on Warrant 161020 Motion passed unanimously 22. Executive Session Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith, to go into Executive Session for a personnel issue at 8:42 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith to adjourn Executive Session at 9:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith, to reconvene to Regular Session at 9:16 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 23. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Smith, to adjourn at 9:16 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.