Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, July 3, 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, Borough Manager Maier, Council Member Mark Connors and Council Member Patrick Maurath. Absent were Mayor Tarah Probst, Council President James Smith, and Council Member Matt Abell. Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Entitled Sewers and Sewage Disposal and Creating Part 4 Thereof Governing the Installation and Maintenance of Grease Traps”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Entitled Sewers and Sewage Disposal and Creating Part 4 Thereof Governing the Installation and Maintenance of Grease Traps”, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Consideration to Adopt “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Entitled Sewers and Sewage Disposal and Creating Part 4 Thereof Governing the Installation and Maintenance of Grease Traps”. Motion by Mr. Maurath to Adopt “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Entitled Sewers and Sewage Disposal and Creating Part 4 Thereof Governing the Installation and Maintenance of Grease Traps”, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Public Input for Agenda Items – Ms. Sonja Wolbert, East Stroudsburg Council Member and Chair for SROSRC was in attendance and wanted to ask about the June 18th vandalism of the Skate Park and the possible donation of Skate Park Equipment to East Stroudsburg Borough. Lengthy discussed ensued. Mr. Henry Jorgenson was in attendance to speak about the Skate Park. Solicitor McDonald advises any reports of vandalism should be reported to SARP. Ms. Kelly Kramer was in attendance to speak on the block party request. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on June 19, 2018. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on June 19, 2018, second by Mr. Maurath. 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 the pricing for the Fire Alarm system has been verbally extended; we are waiting for the extended pricing in writing. The contractor for the reception area requires additional drawings which will be provided. We are still awaiting pricing. New Business 8. Consider request from Robert Kramer for a permit to conduct a block party on Saturday, July 14, 2018 on Scott Street between 8th Street and Stone Street from 12:00 Noon through 9:00 P.M.  Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve the request from Robert Kramer for a permit to conduct a block party on Saturday, July 14, 2018 on Scott Street between 8th Street and Stone Street from 12:00 Noon through 9:00 P.M., second by Maurath. Ms. Kochanski advises nothing should be in the middle of the road to allow for emergency vehicles. The Street Department will leave barricades for the owners. Mr. Connors is requesting a checklist be prepared for special events with road closures. All in favor, Motion Carries. 9. Consider request from the Monroe Farmers’ Market and the Downtown Stroudsburg Business Association to hold “Christmas in July” on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to approve the request from the Monroe Farmers’ Market and the Downtown Stroudsburg Business Association to hold “Christmas in July” on Saturday, July 21, 2018, second by Ms. Kochanski. Ms. Mary Evanisko was in attendance representing the Farmer’s Market and advises the business owners are looking to place tables in front of the business to sell goods. All in favor, Motion Carries. 10. Consideration to authorize the Monroe County Redevelopment Authority to submit a 2018 Community Development Block Grant Application for Oak Street from Queen Street to Fifth Street on behalf of the Borough of Stroudsburg. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to authorize the Monroe County Redevelopment Authority to submit a 2018 Community Development Block Grant Application for Oak Street from Queen Street to Fifth Street on behalf of the Borough of Stroudsburg, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Ms. Maier advises Oak was selected as being entirely in the CDBG area and we have a good chance of getting the grant. Lengthy discussion ensued on sidewalks. All in favor, Motion Carries. 11. Consideration to approve Payment Request #5 for the 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Payment Request #5 for the 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Discuss stop signs as an alternate for speed tables on 2nd Street due to drainage concerns (1st Street, Garfield Street and Washington Street). Motion by Ms. Kochanski to set a Public Hearing August 7, 2018 to add stop signs on 2nd Street at 1st Street and Washington Street, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Lengthy discussion ensued on speed tables. Ms. Maier advises there is a change order for the next meeting for an additional approximate $44K due to finding concrete under the road and grading issues; the project took longer than expected. Speed tables would cost an additional $9,600. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Maurath), Voting NO (Mr. Connors). Motion Carries. 13. Consider the draft of a Short Term Rental Ordinance for Council’s review, as recommended by the Codes Committee. Ms. Kochanski advises the Codes Committee worked on this draft for consideration. Solicitor McDonald advises a Public Hearing would need to be scheduled. Lengthy discussion ensued. This draft Ordinance will go back to the Codes Committee. 14. Acknowledge communication from Dennis M. Davin, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development re: Stroudsburg Borough’s selection to receive one Qualified Opportunity Zone. Ms. Maier advises Stroudsburg is considered a distressed community which means capital gains could be invested in the Borough and investor not pay Capital Gains tax. Mr. Connors advises we should publicize with the Public Relations/Media Committee with FAQ’s. 15. Acknowledge letter from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to Monroe County Board of Commissioners re: 2017 Community Development Block Grant Award for King Street in the amount of $94,686.00. Ms. Maier advises this was applied prior to her tenure and is  for re-paving between Oak to Wallace. We apply yearly and it takes about one and a half years to receive the funds. 16. Consideration to donate skate park equipment to the Borough of East Stroudsburg. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to table until we can confirm the Borough of East Stroudsburg wants the Skate Park Equipment, second by Mr. Maurath. Lengthy discussion ensued. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Connors, Mr. Maurath), Voting NO (Mr. Weiss). Motion Carries. 17. Consideration to establish an Employee Wellness Committee (consisting of up to 3 employees) which will work with The Benecon Group’s ConnectCare3 Program and the P.E.P. Program to create a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles and attitudes that will benefit our employees, their families and our community. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to establish an Employee Wellness Committee (consisting of up to 3 employees) which will work with The Benecon Group’s ConnectCare3 Program and the P.E.P. Program to create a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles and attitudes that will benefit our employees, their families and our community, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 18. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee – No Report B. Finance Committee - No Report C. Parking Committee – Mr. Weiss and Mr. Maurath met with the County Commissioners on June 20, 2018 on possibly using the County’s parking on weekends. Solicitor Dunn and the Commissioners will check their liability insurance. D. Recycling Committee - No Report E. Sewer Committee - No Report F. Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank advises the committee will meet prior to August 7th Council Meeting. G. Personnel Committee – Mr. Connors advises the committee met last Thursday. Ms. Maier has taken the initiative on some issues which has relieved the Committee. The Committee is recommending a Parks & Recreation Committee opposed to a Commission. We would like to invite Ms. Ceil Yost and Ms. Wanda Lasher to the Committee. Ms. Maier advises as an administrator she does not have a vehicle to discuss information about parks. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Connors to refer back to the Personnel Committee and Park and Recreation Board; with the Personnel Committee to invite the members of the Park and Recreation Board to discuss the future of the board, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Additional items discussed were offering opportunities of additional education to board members, budgeting for Council members and Legal Counsel for the Borough Manager. We will meet if any issues otherwise we will meet Quarterly on the 4th Thursday September and December. **Ms. Kochanski left the meeting at 8:15pm** H. Public Relations/Media Committee – Mr. Maurath advises the first 2 Concerts in the Park were held with another this Thursday.  I. Redevelopment Committee – We are trying to identify under-utilized properties. The County is looking into. J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – Mr. Connors advises we had a good meeting. The next meeting is September 25, 2018, the same day as Penn Dot’s advisory Committee. We re-enforced keeping the Dreher Avenue exit as is. It’s necessary for improving Route 611, from the Borough line to Best Buy and Shafer School House Road be included in this project. Transient hub concept proposed location close to Wawa; the concept of the hub enhanced with items such as the Riverwalk trail , EV charging stations, parking to generate income for the Borough are all good ideas. Potential loss of tax revenue was mentioned. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – Ms. Sonja Wolbert advises the pools are open. Camp enrollment is down. There are 2 pool managers and plenty of lifeguards. We are completing a trail analysis and are working on signage for greenways. The next meeting is the 2nd Thursday in July at Day Street. 19. Mayor’s Report - No Report 20. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski – No Report Mr. Lanfrank – Mr. Lanfrank inquired about the temporary bike racks. Ms. Maier will reach out to MCTA as the money will be available in the end of June. Mr. Weiss – No Report Mr. Connors – No Report Mr. Maurath – Mr. Maurath advises there is a light out on Bryant Street. The Streets Committee should look into a stop sign at Ann Street and South 9th. Mr. Maurath met with Mr. Jacob Morris and the Monroe County Historical Association and spoke about the Underground Railroad and black history in Stroudsburg. Research has been done and there is not enough information to create a brochure. Instead there will be information on their website. 21. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald forwarded a copy of the agreement along with the 1983 Ordinance. The case has been dismissed from the sovereign citizen against the Borough and Parking Enforcement Officer. Continue working with staff. Mr. Kimes and I have been working on blighted buildings; we need to know what authority we have and it’s very close to a Nuisance Ordinance. There are some pending Zoning Appeals that were previously tabled for Adams Outdoor. Solicitor McDonald will have more information as we move forward. 22. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advised report was sent out to Council. We met with the contractors for Sarah Street and went over the paving details. Also discussed was the LSA grant. I also met with the Parking Enforcements Officers and drink lots of fluid or come inside in this heat. I received a map of an alley between 6th and 7th between Main and Monroe. There is an Ordinance from 1916 and appears to be Borough property, it’s not in good condition. I need a brief Executive Session. 23. Approval of Bills on Warrants 180703 Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to Approve Bills on Warrants 180703, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items – Ms. Tomlinson was in attendance requesting road closure on Scott Street, between 7th and 8th for the annual block party between 12:00pm and 10:00pm. Motion by Mr. Maurath to close Scott Street, between 7th and 8th for the annual block party, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Ms. Sonja Wolbert is on the Monroe Task Force and we are reaching out to Municipalities to ask to adopt September 29th as Pickup in the Pocono Days. 25. Executive Session. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:55pm, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to reconvene Regular Council Meeting at 9:30 pm, second by Mrs. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. The Council discussed personnel matters. 26. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to adjourn at 9:35 pm, second by Mrs. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries.