Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call - Present were: 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, Council Member Mark Connors and Council Member Patrick Maurath. Absent was Council Member Joanne Kochanski. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing, 2019 CDBG Application for Oak Street. Ms. Martha Robins from the Redevelopment Authority was present and advised we will begin the grant application process for fiscal year 2018. The allocation is $103,550 which is an increase of $7,751 from 2017 grant funds. This Public Hearing was advertised in July in the Pocono Record and on the Borough’s website. The County of Monroe will hold a 2nd Public Hearing September 19, 2018 and the Commissioners will approve the application by November 2, 2018. CDBG program is funded by the Federal Government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The overall mission is to assist municipalities and counties to develop viable and strong communities by providing decent housing, creating a suitable living environment, expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for individuals in the low to moderate income range. Ms. Maier advises this grant is to pave Oak Street, depending on the cost will determine if sidewalks can be done. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to close Public Hearing, 2019 CDBG Application for Oak Street, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Public Hearing, Amend SARPD 2018 Budget Line Item 126 entitled, “Major Building Maintenance Expense”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to close Public Hearing, Amend SARPD 2018 Budget Line Item 126 entitled, “Major Building Maintenance Expense”, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. **Not on the agenda** Consideration to Amend SARPD 2018 Budget Line Item 126 entitled, “Major Building Maintenance Expense”. Ms. Maier advises SARP’s roof is leaking and needs to be replaced. The estimated cost is $300K. There are funds available; $172K from the health insurance cooperative (refund check) and $128K from SARP fund balance (unassigned savings account). If these funds are used there would be no cost from the 3 municipalities, which could be $100K unbudgeted for each municipality. East Stroudsburg Borough and Stroud Township have both authorized using these funds for the roof repair. The architectural drawings are almost complete and will be sent out for bids. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Amend SARPD 2018 Budget Line Item 126 entitled, “Major Building Maintenance Expense”, second by Mr. Maurath. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors), Voting NO (Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Maurath). Mayor Probst breaking the tie Voting YES. Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Connors for the Borough Manager to send a well written and strong letter to the SARP Commission to plan for capital expenditures better in the future, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.  5. 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. Weiss 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 Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. 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 Mr. Weiss 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. Maurath. Mr. Connors emailed an excerpt to Council from Pennsylvania’s Common Handbook and provided handout to Council. Mr. Bobby Roldan from the Public commented if stop signs will not be added on 2nd Street, if white lines could be painted. Mr. Lanfrank advises the Street Committee has spoken about this issue along with some other ideas. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell, Mr. Maurath. Voting NO (Mr. Connors), Motion Carries. 7. Discuss status of 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Improvement Project with the Borough Engineer; Change Order #2 (Included are two change orders, one with speed humps and one without). Mr. Nate Oiler advises 2nd Street is almost complete. Lengthy discussion ensued on the price increase. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Improvement Project with the Borough Engineer; Change Order #2 without the speed humps at $45,313.15, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 8. Public Input for Agenda Items. Ms. Sarah Miller spoke about the Kiwanis Groups Daybreak 5K run on Labor Day at 8:00am. The route is from 7th to Wallace, turning around at Stevens and turning back, ending between Thomas and Scott. Ms. Miller is requesting SARP handle the intersection at Wallace and Phillips only. We will provide insurance and are expecting 50-100 runners. Mr. Ken Corcoran spoke about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled Sunday March 24, 2019. Same route as last year, beginning at Morey and ending on Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg. Mr. Jodie Singer spoke about “The Snowmen of Stroudsburg”. This is a new project for the winter months. Mr. Jim Evanisko is helping with promoting downtown Stroudsburg. We are looking to place life size 3D snowmen on private properties within the Borough, with insurance coverage, the end of November through the end of February. The snowmen will be moved monthly. We are looking for funding at major banks and larger institutions. 9. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on July 17, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on July 17, 2018, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 10. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area. Ms. Maier advises the Fire Alarm System has been purchased. The reception area price received was $16K, it’s been sent to a second vendor and we are awaiting pricing. New Business 11. Consideration to approve Payment Request #6 for the 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project. Northeast is requesting payment # 6 in the amount of $45,126.11 which represents the value of work completed since payment request #5 minus a 5% retainer. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Payment Request #6 for the 2nd Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Discussion regarding MS4 – Mr. Nate Oiler advised this is a draft permit MS4 program (separate storm sewer system). Stroudsburg is now part of an urbanized area and there are funding opportunities available. Stroudsburg qualifies for a permit process waiver for Little Pocono Creek which is impaired with sediment. The Borough is responsible to install improvements to reduce sediment. The DEP will not require a pollution plan, this is a big savings to the Borough. The DEP will issue the permit. There are educational programs to make sure we meet water quality specifications. When the permit was reviewed, we noticed there were errors in the conditions for pollution reduction plans required in the Chesapeake Bay area. Mr. Oiler is requesting Council have Solicitor McDonald draft a letter to the DEP about the errors. The Borough may need to re-advertise. Motion Mr. Abell to direct Solicitor McDonald draft a letter to the DEP about the errors, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances. Motion by Mr. Weiss to schedule a public hearing August 21, 2018 for An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for “An Ordinance to Authorize the Borough of Stroudsburg to Establish an Interlocal Municipal Agreement with Pocono Township, Hamilton Township, and Stroud Township for Preparation of a Comprehensive Study”. Motion by Mr. Abell to schedule a public hearing August 21, 2018 for “An Ordinance to Authorize the Borough of Stroudsburg to Establish an Interlocal Municipal Agreement with Pocono Township, Hamilton Township, and Stroud Township for Preparation of a Comprehensive Study, second by Mr. Weiss. Lengthy discussion ensued. All Council Members Voting NO, Motion Fails. Motion by Mr. Connors to direct Solicitor McDonald to investigate the Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement with a Comprehensive plan to present to Council, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 15. Consideration of a Budget Transfer Resolution. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Budget Transfer Resolution, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Consideration to Adopt a Resolution Appointing Jennifer W. Maier as the Borough Treasurer. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adopt a Resolution Appointing Jennifer W. Maier as the Borough Treasurer, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration to approve the request of the Pocono Irish-American Club to conduct the 42nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 24, 2019 in the Boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg.  Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve the request of the Pocono Irish-American Club to conduct the 42nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 24, 2019 in the Boroughs of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 18. Consideration to approve a request for StroudFest 5K on September 1, 2018. Motion by Mr. Maurath to approve a request for StroudFest 5K on September 1, 2018, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 19. Pocono Arts Council will discuss the Go Collaborative Initiative – “The Snowmen of Stroudsburg”. This will be listed as “Old Business” on the next agenda scheduled August 21, 2018. 20. Consideration to approve the Revised Personnel Manual. Motion by Mr. Maurath to approve the Revised Personnel Manual, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 21. Committee Reports. A. Codes Committee – The next meeting is scheduled August 20, 2018 B. Finance Committee - No report C. Parking Committee – Mr. Maurath advised we are adding 9 metered spaces back in Lot 5. Permits have already been sold for these spaces. The Committee is requesting Parking Enforcement Officer Cindy Talamo’s hours be increased from 24 to 30 hours. Ms. Maier advises this will help on coin collection days, delivery of council packets, court and vacation coverage. In addition, all meters need to be re-stickered to prep for Mpay2 and calibrated by years end. It will cost an additional $93 in salary and would bring $480 in ticket revenue. Motion by Mr. Maurath to extend Cindy Talamo’s hours from 24 to 30 hours weekly, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. The Committee also spoke about residential permit parking for rentals. Current residential permits are a 2-year permit. We may want to change to a yearly permit at the same cost of $5.00. Motion by Mr. Maurath to schedule a Public Hearing August 21, 2018 to change the residential permits in the Hill, West and South Districts from 2 years to 1 year, second by Mr. Abell. Lengthy discussion ensued. All in favor, Motion Carries. Mpay2 and the Permit Portal will go into effect September 1, 2018. D. Recycling Committee - No report E. Sewer Committee - No report F. Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank advises we spoke about Sarah Street between 9th and 10th to be changed to a one-way street. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to set a Public Hearing August 21, 2018 to amend the Ordinance to change Sarah Street between 9th and 10th to a one-way street, second by Mr. Abell. Voting Yes (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Connors). Motion Carries.  The Committee discussed making 4th Street one way from McConnell to Main, taking Kane out of the equation. Take the 2nd section of 2nd Street one way from Main to McConnell. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to schedule a Public Hearing September 4, 2018 to change 4th Street one way from McConnell to Main and the 2nd section of 2nd Street one way from Main to McConnell, second by Mr. Weiss. Signs will be posted with no truck traffic and pointing to downtown shopping; a draft copy will be ready for August 21st meeting. Voting Yes (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Connors). Motion Carries. Also discussed at the meeting if Ms. Maier and Mr. Ace could look into the cost of a traffic engineer to complete a feasibility study from the Interstate to Phillips Street and bring back to the Committee. Ms. Maier and Mr. Ace were also to look at roads that would benefit from line painting. Also discussed were children at play signs and raised crosswalks. G. Personnel Committee - No report H. Public Relations/Media Committee - 3 remaining Concerts in the Park I. Redevelopment Committee - No report J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee - No report K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – The next meeting is scheduled next week. 22. Mayor’s Report – Stroudsburg High School is listed in the top 100 schools. The Chamber of Commerce is airing a commercial locally, in New York and Philadelphia about downtown Stroudsburg. Mayor Probst has been speaking with John Schneitman about taking properties down and not replacing them, we have a loss in local earned income and taxes and may want to look at stiffer penalties. 23. Council Member Reports Mr. Maurath – Mr. Maurath advises he has accepted employment out of the area and needs to move and will be resigning his Council Member position effective August 17, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to accept Mr. Patrick Maurath’s resignation effective August 17, 2018, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Mr. Smith presented Mr. Maurath with an award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Borough of Stroudsburg. All in favor, Motion Carries. Mr. Connors – Nothing to Report Mr. Abell – The fencing around UGI’s regulator is not installed very well. 2 of the shrubs planted have already died. Mr. Ace advised he has spoken to Ed Boden with UGI. Mr. Weiss – Mr. Weiss would like to congratulate Mr. Maurath; there are seats reserved tonight at the Sarah Street Grill to celebrate. Mr. Lanfrank – Mr. Lanfrank saw an article about Easton doing a town-wide compost and is trying to get more information. Mr. Smith - Nothing to Report 24. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises The Borough has received notification for a slip and fall lawsuit for an ice related incident. It’s being handled by an Insurance Defense Counsel; no action is  needed from the Borough. The incident happened in the 500 Block of Main Street. 525 Main Street LLC, H&R Block and the Borough are listed as defendants. 25. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises Rabbi Salkow from the Jewish Resource Center is looking for permission to use 2 spaces in Lot 3 to install a Sukkot structure between September 26-September 30, 2018. This is the same request as last year. Motion by Mr. Maurath to allow the Jewish Resource Center to use 2 spaces in Lot 3 for Sukkot September 26-September 30, 2018, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. Pocono Raceway is looking to bring an Indy car to town Wednesday August 15, 2018 from 10:00am to noon. This is to promote Verizon’s Race scheduled Sunday August 19, 2018. Rides will be provided to fans and dignitaries. The Multi Modal Grant for sidewalks has been submitted for $1,134,587.00. The sidewalks included are from Garden Street to 4th Street. There is an open position on the Monroe County Open Space Advisory Board. Letters of interest should be forwarded to them. Our auditors have asked that I be named as Treasurer. We need to take out a 1-million-dollar bond at a cost for $2,500 yearly. Mr. Connors asked if we could look into an Open Space Grant for a possible Riverwalk. This application is due in the January-February 2019 timeframe. 26. Approval of Bills on Warrants 180807 Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve of Bills on Warrants 180807, second by Mr. Maurath. All in favor, Motion Carries. 27. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. Mr. Bobby Roldan is the owner for 77-79 N. 2nd Street and was approached by Mr. Ace for removing grass. He explains there is a tree which is uprooting the sidewalk causing water ponding. Mr. Roldan is looking for verbal permission to add pavers along with adding gravel for better drainage. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Abell to have the Borough waive the requirement for this homeowner to remove the grass between the curb and sidewalk at 77-79 N. 2nd Street, second by Mr. Connors. All in favor, Motion Carries. 28. Executive Session – No Executive Session 29. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Maurath to adjourn at 9:10p.m., second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries.