Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, August 21, 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 Mark Connors. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing, An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Sections §15-312, §15-316, §15-412, §15-608, §15-714, and §15-808 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing, An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Sections §15-312, §15-316, §15-412, §15-608, §15-714, and §15-808 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Sections §15-312, §15-316, §15-412, §15-608, §15-714, and §15-808 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance Entitled, “Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Sections §15-312, §15-316, §15-412, §15-608, §15-714, and §15-808 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code of Ordinances, second by Ms. Kochanski. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Connors). Motion Carries. 5. Public Hearing, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 7, “Residential Parking Districts”, Section §15-708, “Permit Fee and Term”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to close Public Hearing, An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 7, “Residential Parking Districts”, Section §15-708, “Permit Fee and Term”, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 7, “Residential Parking Districts”, Section §15-708, “Permit Fee and Term”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 7, “Residential Parking Districts”, Section §15-708, “Permit Fee and Term”, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 7. Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, “Traffic Regulations”, Section §15-206 (1), “One-Way Streets” and Section §15-207 (1), “Gross Weight Limits Established”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to close Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, “Traffic Regulations”, Section §15-206 (1), “One-Way Streets” and Section §15-207 (1), “Gross Weight Limits Established”, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries.  8. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, “Traffic Regulations”, Section §15-206 (1), “One-Way Streets” and Section §15-207 (1), “Gross Weight Limits Established”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adopt An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Part 2, “Traffic Regulations”, Section §15-206 (1), “One-Way Streets” and Section §15-207 (1), “Gross Weight Limits Established”, second by Ms. Kochanski. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion Withdrawn. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to table, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 9. Public Input for Agenda Items - No Public Input 10. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on August 7, 2018. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting on August 7, 2018, second by Mr. Abell. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors), Ms. Kochanski abstained. Motion Carries. 11. Acceptance of 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 accept Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Acceptance of Unaudited July, 2018 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Mr. Weiss to accept Unaudited July, 2018 Treasurer’s Report, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 13. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area. Ms. Maier advises we are waiting for the 2nd quote for the reception area. 14. The Pocono Arts Council will discuss the proposed Stroudsburg Borough property locations for the Go Collaborative Initiative – “The Snowmen of Stroudsburg”. Mr. Jody Singer and Mr. Jim Evanisko were in attendance. This is a Go Collaborative Initiative and not a Pocono Arts Council Initiative. Most properties are private with the exception of 2 Borough properties. One in front of the Municipal building on North 7th, the other by 5th and Main, the grassy area by Ken & Company. Both locations are not in the site triangle. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Connors to approve the use of 2 Borough areas with the caveat of not relocating any trees with the sponsors sign no more than 12 X 18 along with a certificate of insurance, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries.  Motion by Mr. Connors to authorize the Borough Manager on behalf of Council to write a letter to the Pocono Vacation Bureau expressing our support and asking for financial support this effort, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. New Business 15. Consideration of a Resolution Amending Resolution #13-17 Adopted February 7, 2017 to Add Executive Assistant as Liaison Between Stroudsburg, Monroe County and Berkheimer, The Duly Appointed Collector of Local Taxes For The District, For The Express Purpose of Sharing Confidential Tax Information With The District For Official Purposes. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Resolution Amending Resolution #13-17 Adopted February 7, 2017 to Add Executive Assistant as Liaison Between Stroudsburg, Monroe County and Berkheimer, The Duly Appointed Collector of Local Taxes For The District, For The Express Purpose of Sharing Confidential Tax Information With The District For Official Purposes, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Consideration of the approval to hire Michael Hennings as a Municipal Worker C in the Street Department at the minimum Probationary Rate of $17.69 per hour. Motion by Mr. Abell to the hire Michael Hennings as a Municipal Worker C in the Street Department at the minimum Probationary Rate of $17.69 per hour, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration of a Resolution to Fill a Vacancy on the Borough Council created by the Resignation of Patrick Maurath. Mr. Weiss nominates Ms. Erica Bradley McCabe Mr. Connors nominates Ms. Kris Battle Mr. Abell nominates Mr. Christopher McCabe Motion by Mr. Weiss to close nominations, second by Ms. Kochanski. Lengthy discussion ensued about advertising this position. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith), Voting NO (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors), Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting YES. Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Weiss to appoint Ms. Erica McCabe to the vacant seat, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith), Voting NO (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors). Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting YES. Motion Carries. Mayor Probst advises Ms. Erica McCabe is on the Parking Committee, The HRAC Committee, handles Public Relations, Concerts in the Park, Facebook page and Mayors Page. Solicitor McDonald advises Ms. McCabe may not be able to stay on the HRC Commission. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to pass a resolution to appoint Ms. Erica McCabe, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Connors). Motion Carries 18. Committee Reports. A. Codes Committee - Ms. Kochanski advises the Committee meet and will be advancing Short Term Rentals and Container Screening and Commercial Dumpster Screening for the next meeting. The Committee is continuing to work on blighted properties. B. Finance Committee – No Report  C. Parking Committee – No Report D. Recycling Committee – Meeting scheduled tomorrow E. Sewer Committee – No Report F. Street Committee – No Report G. Personnel Committee – No Report H. Public Relations/Media Committee – No Report I. Redevelopment Committee – No Report J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – No Report K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – No Report 19. Mayor’s Report – The Poconos Visitor Bureau did a commercial promoting the downtown businesses. The next commercial will be winter destinations and ski slopes. The County Commissioners will be meeting in September and I will be asking for money for Halloween on Main. This week is the last Concert in the Park meeting. I would like to thank Council Members for stopping by, Boyd Weiss for providing water, James Smith for sponsoring a few weeks, Pocono Arts Council and Jody Singer for working with children and Erica McCabe. This is our 3rd year and has been very successful. 20. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski – At the last Police Commission Meeting we were introduced to the 2 new K-9 dogs. The Police and Community raised $140K. Easton has a pamphlet for Express Pay where bills can be paid along with parking tickets online. Mr. Lanfrank – Would like to add advertising for all positions at the next Council meeting. Mr. Weiss – 4th and Main is still an issue with the extra-long trucks, damage to the curbs and night time racing. Mr. Connors - Nothing to Report Mr. Abell - Nothing to Report Mr. Smith – What does Council think about Solar Powered garbage cans for Main Street. Will refer to the Streets Committee. Will also refer dumping of household garbage on Main Street. The Streets Committee referred both back to the Codes Committee. 21. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises he has reached out to the other Solicitors from Pocono, Hamilton and Stroud Townships for the renewed Inter-municipal agreement. It will take one more meeting to prepare the language prior to advertising for a Public Hearing. 22. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises there will be a workshop scheduled September 24th in Council Chambers regarding the Comprehensive Plan and Benefits. I am asking the Mayor and Council to attend at 5:00pm, we will need to advertise. For the September 4th meeting I will be asking for permission to apply for a Fish and Wildlife Grant that we can match with services. This is to fix the shale pit. Ann Street will be milled and coated. I will be meeting with RKR Hess for Ann Street Sewer improvements and a potential Penn Vest Funding application. We reached out to business owners, property owners and residents Bryant and Stokes and Ann and Williams. They all said NO to the stop signs. RKR Hess submitted fees for 1st Street engineering for $32K. I received a call from DCED for the million dollar multi modal sidewalk grant. They are asking for additional information. 23. Approval of Bills on Warrants 180821 Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Bills on Warrants 180821, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items – Ms. McCabe would like to thank Council for the nominating to Borough Council and is looking forward to working with Council. 25. Executive Session – No Executive Session 26. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Weiss to adjourn at 8:05p.m, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.