Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, May 15, 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, Solicitor Joseph McDonald, Council President James Smith, Borough Manager Maier, Council Member Mark Connors and Council Member Patrick Maurath. Absent were: Mayor Tarah Probst and Council Member Matt Abell. Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items – No public input. 4. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on May 1, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Council Meeting Minutes for the regular meeting on May 1, 2018, second by Mr. Maurath All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Monthly Administrative Reports a. Permits Issued Report d. Fire Department Report b. Public Works Report e. Right-To-Know Report c. Parking Report f. Police Department Report (provided via email) Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Accept Unaudited March, 2018 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Mr. Weiss to Accept Unaudited March, 2018 Treasurer’s Report, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 7. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area. Ms. Maier advises she received a quote for approximately $8K for (3) 3X3 sections of bullet proof windows with a pass through package door. Ms. Maier is waiting for a 2nd quote for the fire alarm system and will be measuring the reception area to complete a drawing for a better layout. 8. Consideration to set a public hearing to abolish “Recreation Board”, Section 1-321 through 1-329 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances. Motion by Mr. Weiss to set a public hearing June 5, 2018 to abolish “Recreation Board”, Section 1-321 through 1-329 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. New Business 9. Consideration of Approval of Payment Request #3 by Northeast Site Contractors in connection with the Second Street ADA Ramp and Road Project as Recommended by the Borough Engineer.  Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve Payment Request #3 by Northeast Site Contractors in connection with the Second Street ADA Ramp and Road Project as Recommended by the Borough Engineer, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 10. Consideration to award the Sarah Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project to Northeast Site Contractors in the amount of $276,121.00 pursuant to the recommendations of the Borough Solicitor and the Borough Engineer. Motion by Mr. Weiss to award the Sarah Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project to Northeast Site Contractors in the amount of $276,121.00 pursuant to the recommendations of the Borough Solicitor and the Borough Engineer, second by Ms. Kochanski. Lengthy discussion ensued. All in favor, Motion Carries. 11. County Commissioner John Christy to discuss expansion of County facilities. Mr. Christy advises a study was completed for the Courthouse and Annex for business flow and hearings. The project will be in stages. Architectural Firms will approve the work completed by the National Institute of Courts. When a Courthouse is built there needs to be 3 layers of security (courts, prisoners and the public). The height needs to be 15 feet due to the elevated Judges Bench and jury box. The estimated cost is approximately $35 million. The Borough has been named as an Economic Development Zone. Under the new tax laws, Municipal bonds are now taxable. Any properties the Borough has that fall under the Economic Development Zone, the developers and bankers save money on capital gains; there is a golden opportunity to revitalize the Borough. Alerta is a tax abatement program which will defer taxes for 5 years. Big projects sometimes have a Tiff which allows the payoff in 20 years if an infrastructure upgrade is included (example: the 1st section of Kalahari was a Tiff which had road, sewer, water and gas improvements). DCED is the contact. 12. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize the Jennifer Maier, Borough Manager, as a Contact on the PLGIT Fire Apparatus Account #00001023223. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve a Resolution to Authorize the Jennifer Maier, Borough Manager, as a Contact on the PLGIT Fire Apparatus Account #00001023223, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Resignation of Mary Pat Quinn as a member of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department Commission contingent upon the appointment of the Borough Manager, Jennifer Maier to fill the unexpired term; term expires December 31, 2021. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to accept the resignation of Mary Pat Quinn as a member of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department Commission contingent upon the appointment of the Borough Manager, Jennifer Maier to fill the unexpired term; term expires December 31, 2021, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration of a Resolution to authorize the closure of the WWTP Sinking Fund #1 to the Sewer Fund (08) for the purpose of performing an emergency repair of a portion of the sewer main on Ann Street. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Resolution to authorize the closure of the WWTP Sinking Fund #1 to the Sewer Fund (08) for the purpose of performing an emergency repair of a portion of the sewer main on Ann Street, second by Mr. Maurath. Discussion: Ms. Maier advises this is money was for the siphon repair; a rock needed to be removed. There is a little over $50K. We need money for Ann Street, the  quotes are approximately $56K without the gravel. We are looking to complete the work May 29, 2018. All in favor, Motion Carries. 15. Consideration of an invitation from the East Stroudsburg University 125th Anniversary Committee to submit a proclamation, acknowledgement or letter of appreciation from Stroudsburg Borough to commemorate this milestone of the University. Motion by Mr. Weiss to consider an invitation from the East Stroudsburg University 125th Anniversary Committee to submit a proclamation, acknowledgement or letter of appreciation from Stroudsburg Borough to commemorate this milestone of the University, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Consideration of appointing Joseph P. McDonald, Jr., Esq, Borough Solicitor, to represent the Borough in connection with a tax appeal filed by Pauline Fitzpatrick for Parcel #18-2/2/7/6, 613-617 Main Street; the tax appeal hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to appoint Joseph P. McDonald, Jr., Esq, Borough Solicitor, to represent the Borough in connection with a tax appeal filed by Pauline Fitzpatrick for Parcel #18-2/2/7/6, 613-617 Main Street; the tax appeal hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2018, second by Mr. Maurath. Ms. Maier will provide information on the amount of tax relief during Executive Session. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration of a request by Pocono Daytripper.com to run a shuttle service from Fernwood to Kalahari using Court House Square as a center point. Mr. Peter Luck will be present to discuss his request. Mr. Peter Luck has been in business for 3 years, running successful Wine Tours and NYC Tours. Mr. Luck would like to start a shuttle service from Courthouse Square to Kalahari, stopping at 15 locations in between and Courthouse Square to Fernwood, stopping at 14 locations in between. Mr. Luck owns 2 shuttles and his associate Mr. Kevin Cordale owns 4 vehicles. Mr. Luck is looking for the shuttle service to run Friday evenings 6:00pm to 12:00am and Saturday from 1:00pm after the Farmers Market through 12:00am. Lengthy discussion ensued. Council referred Mr. Luck to the County as Courthouse Square is not owned by the Borough. 18. Consideration to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness as recommended by the Historical Architectural Review Board to David Lapoint for the relocation of a metal fence to allow for a pedestrian walkway at 530 Main Street. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness as recommended by the Historical Architectural Review Board to David Lapoint for the relocation of a metal fence to allow for a pedestrian walkway at 530 Main Street, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor with Mr. Connors abstaining, Motion Carries. 19. Consideration to appoint an alternate third party inspection and review agency, SFM Consulting, LLC. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to appoint an alternate third party inspection and review agency, SFM Consulting, LLC, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 20. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee - Nothing to Report B. Finance Committee - Nothing to Report C. Parking Committee – Mr. Maurath advises the committee met and we are recommending an online permit portal to allow for debit/credit card payments. To offset the pricing and credit card processing fees we are looking to increase the quarterly parking permit pricing $9.00 per quarter. Motion by Mr. Maurath for the Borough to utilize the online parking permit portal and to increase the quarterly permit price by $9.00, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. The Committee determined diagonal parking spaces on Main Street will make the road too narrow. We will speak with the County Commissioners about possibly utilizing the County Parking lot for overflow on the weekends. We would like to place 4 Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces in the Borough; 2 on Snyder Street, off Dreher and another 2 in Lot 4. Ms. Maier advises there is a nationwide organization for electric vehicle users. The cost is $4K and takes 4 hours to charge. A high speed unit costs $26K. Ms. Maier will look into Tesla possibly donating charging stations. Council does not like Lot 4 as a location; the Committee will need to come up with an alternate location. The Committee will also work with Ms. Maier about grants and return fees to the Borough. Lot 2 deck does not have any handicapped spaces. We would like to move 2 spaces from the handicap Lot on 6th and Ann and move into the deck; replacing those meters with regular meters. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to move 2 spaces from Lot 2 handicap to Lot 2 Deck and place 2 regular parking meters in the Lot 2 handicap lot, have the Parking Committee write the Ordinance and present at the June 5th Council Meeting; then advertise for a Public Hearing June 19, 2018, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. D. Recycling Committee- Nothing to Report. Ms. Maier will reach out to Mr. Bond to setup a meeting. E. Sewer Committee- Nothing to Report F. Street Committee- Mr. Lanfrank advises the committee met and spoke about bike racks and setting up an ad hoc committee which should have a Council Member, a HARB member and a bike club member. We will send an email to Mr. Lang and the bike club. Mr. Lanfrank drew a diagram about 4th Street and turning into a one way street from McConnell to Main Street to alleviate the truck issues and put parking meters on the Wells Fargo side of the street. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to change 4th Street to a one way from McConnell to Main and add parking meters on the Wells Fargo side of the street, second by Ms. Kochanski. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion Withdrawn. We will have the Parking Committee look into parking meters on 4th Street. Ms. Maier will research if we have given past permission to Penn Dot about truck routes. Mr. Connors will email Mr. Lanfrank other opportunities for the Street Committee to look at the one way at Route 191/N Fifth.  G. Personnel Committee- Mr. Connors advises the committee is looking at options for harassment training for staff and Council. H. Public Relations/Media Committee- Nothing to Report I. Redevelopment Committee- Nothing to Report J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee- Mr. Connors advises Penn Dot’s Advisory Group will be meeting the end of the month. There is an Open House at Renegade Winery May 21st from 6:00pm – 8:00pm with a cash bar. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission- Nothing to Report 21. Mayor’s Report – No Mayor’s report 22. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski –Would like a moment of silence for Charlie Lasher who passed away. Prayers to the Street Department who will be working all night tonight. If the storm is declared an emergency we want to keep all bills. Mr. Lanfrank – Nothing to Report Mr. Weiss –2 trees were stuck by lightening on Lenox Street. Mr. Maurath - Nothing to Report Mr. Connors - Nothing to Report Mr. Smith – I provided a copy of the Sunshine Law. Moving forward we need to give the public an opportunity to speak on any item with a motion not on the agenda. Previously Council Meeting was cancelled for Election Day in November and asked Ms. Maier to pull the minutes. 23. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises we have 2 Public Hearings scheduled in June. June 5th the proposed Amendment for the Convenience Store and filling station; June 19th the Miscellaneous Amendment for the Sign Ordinance after the Curative Amendment was adopted. I received a correspondence from the owners/developers from the Shanti House to eliminate the need to show architectural changes to the exterior of the building. In the past Council was very clear we were not interested. They have submitted a request for an Ordinance change. It does not require a timely decision by Council. The owners are requesting a clause be removed that once a Conditional Use Hearing is approved they do not have to come back for any architectural changes. There are 5 pending claims to follow up on for Executive Session. 24. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises Flower planters will begin on Main. American Flags, American Cancer Society Flags and Veterans Flags will be displayed. MECAB will be meeting May 30th at 7:00pm in Council chambers, we need to provide food. We received a letter from the Borough’s Engineer for the sewer line replacement on Ann Street; he is recommending we replace the 12 inch line with an 18 inch line. We have a variety of line sizes, Mr. Ace and I recommend we replace the 12 inch with a 12 inch and sleeve the remaining pipe. There is adequate flow with the 12 inch line. I have arbitration items for Executive Session. Sarah Street paving will be from 5th to 9th Street.  Mr. Smith would like Council to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Ralph Materga, The Mattioli Fund and MCTI for their continued support to Stroudsburg Borough. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Ralph Materga, The Mattioli Fund and MCTI for their continued support to Stroudsburg Borough, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 25. Approval of Bills on Warrants 180515 Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Bills on Warrants 180515, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 26. Executive Session, re: pending litigation Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn to Executive Session, re: pending litigation at 8:43pm, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to reconvene Regular Council Meeting at 9:00pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 27. Adjournment Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn at 9:00pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.