Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, December 18, 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. Absent was Council Member McCabe. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing - An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the year 2019. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing - An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the year 2019, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the year 2019. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Adopt An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the year 2019, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Public Hearing - An Ordinance to Amend An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Chapter 18, Part 2, §18-202, Entitled, “Sewer Rental Rate Schedule and Service Charge”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing - An Ordinance to Amend An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Chapter 18, Part 2, §18-202, Entitled, “Sewer Rental Rate Schedule and Service Charge”, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Chapter 18, Part 2, §18-202, Entitled, “Sewer Rental Rate Schedule and Service Charge”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Chapter 18, Part 2, §18-202, Entitled, “Sewer Rental Rate Schedule and Service Charge”, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 7. Public Hearing – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 2, Traffic Regulations Section §15-205, Entitled, “Stop Intersections” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code. Motion by Mr. Weiss to close Public Hearing – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 2, Traffic Regulations Section §15-205, Entitled, “Stop Intersections” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 8. Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 2, Traffic Regulations Section §15-205, Entitled, “Stop Intersections” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to Table An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 2, Traffic Regulations Section §15-205, Entitled, “Stop Intersections” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 9. Public Input for Agenda Items. 10. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, December 4, 2018. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, December 4, 2018, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.  11. 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 Ms. Kochanski to approve Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Accept Unaudited November, 2018 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Accept Unaudited November, 2018 Treasurer’s Report (a) Bank Account Balances, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Accept Unaudited November, 2018 Treasurer’s Report (b) Budget to Actual 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 Barry Isset has responded to us for the Fire Alarm System and will get back to us with a plan. Ms. Maier advises bullet resistant glass will be installed tomorrow along with tiling and painting for the reception area. 14. Status of Bike Rack Project. Ms. Maier advises she has reached out to a vendor for drawings and pricing and is waiting for a proposal. Ms. Maier will seek additional vendors to bid. New Business 15. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance to Revise the Fee Schedule for Building, Zoning, and Land Development. Follow up by Codes Office. Mr. Kimes advises commercial work and roofing has changed. Lengthy discussion ensued. Ms. Maier will forward the new Ordinance to council prior to the next Council meeting. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to schedule a public hearing February 5, 2019 for An Ordinance to Revise the Fee Schedule for Building, Zoning, and Land Development, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Abell), Voting NO (Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Connors), Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting NO. Motion Fails. 16. Consideration to approve the recommendations of the Street Committee and to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 15 entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”. lengthy discussion ensued about changing the 3 motorcycle parking spots back to compact car spots and removing 8 parking meters on N. 8th Street from Main Street through the handicap spot, adding a 15-minute spot for pickup at Cedar’s. Motion by Mr. Connors to refer back to the Streets Committee, second by Mr. Weiss. Voting YES (Mr. Weiss, Mr. Connors), Voting NO (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell). Motion Fails. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to schedule a Public Hearing January 2, 2019 to eliminate parking meters on N. 8th up to the church from Main Street, allowing for compact car spaces and a 15-minute space, second  by Mr. Lanfrank. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Weiss), Voting NO (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors). Motion Fails. 17. Consideration to approve a Budget Transfer Resolution. Motion by Mr. Abell to approve a Budget Transfer Resolution, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 18. Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize an Increase of the Annual Registration Fee of $10.00 to $20.00 for the Registration of Rental Housing and Tenants. Mr. Lanfrank advises in speaking with Mr. Kimes, Mr. Lindauer and Ms. Maier and the $10 not covering the cost of the program throughout the year. Mr. Lindauer will be setting up a website with fillable forms and $20 will help cover most of the costs. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to approve a Resolution to Authorize an Increase of the Annual Registration Fee of $10.00 to $20.00 for the Registration of Rental Housing and Tenants, second by Mr. Connors. Voting YES (Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Smith, Mr. Connors), Voting NO (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Abell), Mayor Probst breaking the tie by Voting NO. Motion Fails. 19. Consideration of a request from Linda Soba for a handicap parking spot at 6 Linden Street. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve a request from Linda Soba for a handicap parking spot at 6 Linden Street, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 20. Consider the application of Jim Randello, as recommended for denial by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the replacement of roofing at 709-711 Scott Street. Jim and Camille Randello were in attendance and advised their insurance company required them to repair 70 pieces of the slate roof and the asphalt front roof which was damaged while power washing. Mr. Randello advised like for like was replaced. Mr. Ted Hoyt a Harb member was in attendance and advised the color of the shingles do not match the house or porch color or color of a previously replaced side porch. HARB considers color as not historic. Mr. Hoyt advises this homeowner had been cited in the past. Mr. Kimes advises the Borough did not receive an application and the Codes Office reached out to the owner after the work was completed. Mr. Kimes advises Harb’s remedy was to install 3-tab grey shingle by removing the tan shingle. Mr. Randello also advises he is no longer the owner of the house, the house closed last week. Motion by Mr. Connors to consider the application of Jim Randello, as recommended for denial by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the replacement of roofing at 709-711 Scott Street, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor to deny, Motion Carries. 21. Consider the application of Mark Kelly, as recommended for approval and issuance by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the installation of window coverings at 14 North Eighth Street. Motion by Mr. Abell to approve the application of Mark Kelly, as recommended for approval and issuance by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the installation of window coverings at 14 North Eighth Street, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 22. Consider the application of Dawn Linden, as recommended for approval and issuance by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the replacement of roofing at 539 Thomas Street.  Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve the application of Dawn Linden, as recommended for approval and issuance by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for the replacement of roofing at 539 Thomas Street, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 23. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance Requiring Defining and Registering Vacant and Abandoned Properties and Storefronts, Establishing Registration Fee Schedule, and Penalties for Non-Compliance. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to schedule a public hearing January 2, 2019 for An Ordinance Requiring Defining and Registering Vacant and Abandoned Properties and Storefronts, Establishing Registration Fee Schedule, and Penalties for Non-Compliance, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Committee Reports. A. Codes Committee - No Report B. Finance Committee - No Report C. Parking Committee - No Report D. Recycling Committee - No Report E. Sewer Committee - No Report F. Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank advises he has sent analysis work to Council. The Committee met with a traffic and planning design company and discussed the 1st part of the traffic study to start with Main, Broad, 4th and Kane, then continue to look at the entire Borough. There are 4 parts of the study with a total cost of $53K. Ms. Maier advises there is enough in the Street Fund and General Fund to cover the cost, in speaking to Concord Financial we are above the recommended amount for savings. Motion by Mr. Connors to authorize the expenditure of $17K for Part A estimated services to be contracted, second by Mr. Abell. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss. Mr. Abell, Mr. Connors), Voting NO (Mr. Smith). Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion Carries. G. Personnel Committee – No Report Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst advises Mr. Greg Christine had come in the past requesting to use the vacant lot by Quaker Alley as a parking lot once a month for jury selection. Council at that time denied the request. With the County allowing us to have Concerts in the Park and the Quaker Alley pocket Park; with losing spaces on N 8th Street and needing additional parking in the Borough maybe we can allow this lot. There is room for 40 spaces and a pay station can be installed. Mayor Probst is asking Council to consider this. Commissioner Christie advises this is a temporary fix as there are signed contracts for the courthouse expansion and it is unknown at this time if this space will be needed. The county can bring in stone and level the area. It was denied by the Borough in the past as the need was temporary. Motion by Mr. Connors to refer to the Parking Committee with advice from Council we do not side step our Ordinances, second by Mr. Abell. Ms. Maier advises we will go to RKR Hess for pricing of permeable pavers for a better surface. Lengthy discussion ensued. All in favor, Motion Carries.  Mayor Probst also advises we have received $1,000 in grants for Concerts in the Park. H. Redevelopment Committee – No Report I. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – Mr. Connors advises the Open House fired up the public. There was a resident who offered to pay up to $1,000 for a Borough wide mailing. Penn Dot is welcoming input until 12/31/18. This mailing can reach 2,000-4,000 households. Estimate of mailer would be approximately $400 with $200 to mail. J. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – No Report 25. Mayor’s Report – No Report 26. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski – Ms. Kochanski needs additional business cards and is happy the budget was passed so the street lights can be fixed. Mr. Lanfrank - No Report Mr. Weiss - No Report Mr. Smith – Mr. Smith advises he attended a webinar for Council responsibilities and duties, it’s a 2-day series and was very informative. Mr. Smith advises the following are some suggestions from the Webinar: We should revisit our committees to verify we are compliant with The Sunshine Act; other Borough’s do not have a Council Member Report section, all business is handled through Committee Reports or agenda items, it can alleviate 45 minutes to an hour; agenda’s should be published one week prior to the public; with the recent violence it’s recommended to have Police presence at every Council Meeting; timeframes should be set for Council Members and the Public to speak on issues. Discussion on removing Public Input for Agenda Items from the beginning of future agendas and asking for public input prior to every item. Mr. Abell - No Report Mr. Connors - No Report 27. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald has 2 items for Executive Session. 28. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises she sent Council a link about revamping the web site, please provide feedback. We are going out for competitive local bank interest rates. SROSRC sent letters of support to us for the pool and pool facility rehabilitation. We met regarding the Broadhead Creek Super Fund-Site, putting a Zoning Ordinance in place so the site is not disturbed without proper permits from from DEP & EPA. We received our final LSA grant final payment for Sarah Street. The Recycling Center will be open over the holidays. We were given a cost proposal for metering sewer pipes to determine the amount of flow in the Ann Street sewer of, $6,400, we will pay half along with Stroud Twp. We will clarify with Penn Dot if we need approval for Barry Street. 29. Approval of Bills on Warrants 181218. Motion by Mr. Connors to approve Bills on Warrants 181218, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 30. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. Commissioner Christie advises the County is purchasing a product online called Solo Protect for County Employees, Children and Youth, the Coroner and Assessment Office. It’s a lanyard you wear, if you feel threatened you press a button. The conversation is transmitted to a central station. Police can be dispatched. Cost about $25 per person. Mr. Ted Hoyt advises if Council documents could be available online for the public to view ahead of time. Mr. Connors advises post cards were collected at the I-80 Open House and will be distributed to Penn Dot and elected officials. 31. Executive Session, re: Legal Matter. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn at 9:12pm to Executive Session, re: Legal Matter, second by Mr. Connors. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to re-convene at 9:40pm the Regular Council Meeting, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 32. Adjournment Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn at 9:40pm, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries.