Borough Council

MINUTES STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call - Present were: Council Member Joanne Kochanski, Council Member Anthony Lanfrank, Council Vice President Boyd Weiss, Mayor Tarah Probst, Solicitor Joseph McDonald, Council President James Smith, Borough Manager Maier, Council Member Matt Abell and Council Member Patrick Maurath. Council Member Mark Connors was absent. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items Ms. Keisha Williams is awaiting a C of O to open a dance hall on Main Street; the process to date has been 7 months. Ms. Williams has been paying rent and insurance for 7 months. All paperwork has been submitted to Barry Isset for review. Mr. Kimes advises this has gone through a special exception process. The building permit has been at Barry Isset since January 25, 2018. There have been conversations between Barry Isset and the 3rd party engineer. Mr. Kimes suggests a meeting between Barry Isset, the 3rd party engineer, Ms. Williams and the Zoning office. Mr. Kimes advises each application is different and this is not the norm. Ms. Williams will reach out to Ms. Maier to setup a meeting. Mr. Smith would like to introduce our new Borough Manager, Ms. Jennifer Maier. 4. Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, Section 15-206, “Traffic Regulations, Stop Intersections”. Motion by Mr. Maurath to close Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, Section 15-206, “Traffic Regulations, Stop Intersections” second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Consideration to Adopt, An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, Section 15-206, “Traffic Regulations, Stop Intersections”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Adopt, An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, Section 15-206, “Traffic Regulations, Stop Intersections”, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries.  6. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the regular meeting on April 17, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Council Meeting Minutes for the regular meeting on April 17, 2018, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 7. Status of Municipal Building Renovation Loan-Improvements. Mr. Ace advises the roof will be repaired this week. Ms. Maier advises the fire alarm/building security system require competitive quotes. 8. Discuss recommendations from Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission, re: Status of Skate Park, Recreation Use at Glen Park, Borough Recreation Committee, and Park Management. Sherry Acevedo, SROSRC Executive Director and members of the SROSRC will be present for the discussion. Ms. Sherry Acevedo was in attendance and introduced Mr. Jesse Scavone the lead for the ad hoc committee. Ms. Acevedo reviewed her letter sent to Ms. Jennifer Maier dated April 26, 2018 in reference to the Stroudsburg Skate Park, Glen Park Recreational Use, Borough Recreation Committee and Park Management where a lengthy discussion ensued. Ms. Acevedo advises the Pocono Creek Pedestrian Bridge is currently being built will open this summer. It will be a safe way for athletes to get to Knights Park. Ms. Acevedo advises pool pass rates are not consistent. All rules and regulations are consistent with the 3 municipalities. Ms. Acevedo would like to see anyone from the 3 municipalities be able to use either pool at the resident rate. East Stroudsburg Borough is considering this item at their Council Meeting tonight. Lengthy discussion ensued. Ms. Acevedo introduced Ms. Sonya Wolbert, a commission member and chairperson to East Stroudsburg Borough. Ms. Wolbert advises she was at the East Stroudsburg Council meeting and East Stroudsburg Borough Council members voted to approve the residency rates to Stroudsburg and Stroud Township contingent on Stroudsburg Borough offering the same. Question and answer session with Borough Council. Skate Park members Jesse Scavone, Jahmal White and John Jorgenson all spoke supporting the Skate Park. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to open the Skate Park immediately once repairs are deemed safe and with a recommended date from the Streets Supervisor with the contingency that the Skate Park will close once the Skate Park opens in East Stroudsburg; the young people will help take care of the Skate Park and raise funds, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Discussion: Solicitor McDonald advises we reserve the right to close due to vandalism.  All in favor Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Maurath). Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting YES. Motion carries. Motion by Mr. Abell to extend residency rates for East Stroudsburg Borough and Stroud Township, second by Ms. Kochanski. Lengthy discussion ensued. All in favor Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Maurath). Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting YES. Motion carries. Ms. Wolbert advises SROSRC will be hosting a member municipalities meeting June 7th at Mullally’s Clubhouse. Ms. Acevedo will send an email with the details. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank for a 5 minute recess at 8:40pm, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. Re-convene Council Meeting at 8:47pm. 9. Consideration of recommendations regarding the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Kimes reviewed the draft Ordinance, specifically Billboards in the I-1 zoning district and temporary signs. Motion by Mr. Abell to send to the County Planning Commission and the Borough Planning Commission for review and comments and to advertise for a Public Hearing June 19, 2018, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. New Business 10. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee – Ms. Kochanski advises we spoke about screening garbage, trash and dumpsters. We will submit 6 designs to HARB and ask they choose 3 standard designs. Screening is for dumpsters visible from the street or free standing. Recommendations of where to place trash cans on residential properties. We would suggest a 90 day letter with no fee involved. We are looking at vacant properties and short term rentals. We are also looking at blighted properties to have an Ordinance, we are using examples from Bloomsburg. B. Finance Committee – Nothing to Report C. Parking Committee – Nothing to Report D. Recycling Committee – Nothing to Report E. Sewer Committee – Nothing to Report  F. Street Committee – Nothing to Report G. Personnel Committee – Nothing to Report H. Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst advises we are approved to use the lot by PNC Bank for Concerts in the Park June 21st through August 23rd. I. Redevelopment Committee – Nothing to Report J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – Ms. Kochanski advises the committee met. There will be a get together May 21st from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Renegade Winery. Mark Connors and Kris Battle are on the Penn Dot created Committee. 11. Solicitor’s Report – Mr. Ace and I spoke to Nate Oiler. The County is ready to fill the tunnel with flowable fill through Quaker Alley. It has been suggested they apply for a street opening permit. The plans show support walls outside of the right of way. Nate Oiler has reviewed the updated plans and is recommending the application be approved subject to the following conditions:  The fee for the street opening permit shall be confirmed.  Confirm if the proposed wall requires a building permit.  The design engineer for the wall should seal the design.  The pavement restoration should be specified for the 4 holes required in the street for the project; upon completion certification should be provided to the Borough from the County’s Consultant confirming the construction has been completed in accordance to plans and specifications.  Temporary closing of Quaker Alley must be coordinated with the Borough  Specs for the flowable fill should be “excavatable”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to allow a street opening permit per the Borough’s Engineer, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. Solicitor McDonald advises the Ordinance for the gas and refilling station hearing is scheduled for June 5th. Staff has asked me to review Mobile Payment Processing System contract (mPay2). 12. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski – Motion by Ms. Kochanski to provide our volunteers with free pool passes, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries.  Mr. Lanfrank – Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to install (4) temporary bike racks per Council’s design approval with a maximum spend of $2,000 and place in the bump outs by Siamsa and 701 Main Street, also at Pocono Bike Shop and 580 Main Street, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. Mr. Weiss – Nothing to Report Mr. Maurath – Nothing to Report Mr. Abell – Motion by Mr. Abell to direct Solicitor McDonald to pursue any Ordinance change to retire Parks & Recreation Committee, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor with Mr. Weiss Voting NO. Motion Carries. Mr. Smith – Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve a Borough wide Free Yard Sale Memorial Day weekend, May 25, 2018-May 27, 2018, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Mayor’s Report – Penn Dot came to Stroudsburg to meet with Mr. Ace and myself. We looked at 4th Street and possibly moving the truck route to Kane Street. We need to put our request in writing. We are able to move existing traffic lights to Lower Main to save costs; we can place bike racks and business signage in the bump outs. Penn Dot needs to see those requests in writing. Ms. Maier will email Fatima from Penn Dot about allowing bike racks in the bump outs and the Historical downtown sign on the Broad Street Bridge; and will send a formal letter about moving the truck route to Kane Street and allowing business signage in the bump outs. 14. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises about the Wawa Bridge, Mr. Ace has reached out about the concrete approach and they will do a latex overlay. The intersection at Dreher and Main Street, we received a letter from Chief Lyons about the No Turn on Red Sign needing to be replaced. Mr. Ace and I will review. There is a possible sewer block on Ann Street. We are working with Possinger Monday night at 10:00pm to cut out a 3 foot section of the pipe. We attended a pre-bid meeting with the Engineer on the Sarah Street project, I requested they add pricing for curb removal and curb replacement. At the corner of 9th and Sarah there is a planter in the way of the ADA ramp. I would like to thank Council, the Mayor and staff, everyone has been very welcoming. 15. Approval of Bills on Warrants 180501. Motion by Mr. Abell to approve Bills on Warrants 180501, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Executive Session – Mr. Smith has one item for Council and the Mayor only. Motion by Mr. Weiss to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:35pm, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to reconvene Regular Council Meeting at 9:45pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Adjournment. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn at 9:45pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.