Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, February 5, 2019 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, Council Member Mark Connors and Council Member McCabe. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Hearing and 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. The Ordinance will add a stop intersection at Coolbaugh Street and Kautz Street in an easterly direction and remove the stop intersection at Kautz Street and Coolbaugh Street in a northerly direction. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing and 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. The Ordinance will add a stop intersection at Coolbaugh Street and Kautz Street in an easterly direction and remove the stop intersection at Kautz Street and Coolbaugh Street in a northerly direction, second by Mr. Weiss. Solicitor McDonald advises this was published correctly. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adopt Public Hearing and 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. The Ordinance will add a stop intersection at Coolbaugh Street and Kautz Street in an easterly direction and remove the stop intersection at Kautz Street and Coolbaugh Street in a northerly direction, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Public Input for Agenda Items – Mr. Steve Parker who resides on the 700 block South of Sarah Street is requesting a residential parking permit since he is surrounded by commercial properties (agenda item #11). Motion by Mr. Abell to approve a residential parking permit to Mr. Steve Parker contingent on providing proof of residency, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Discussion: Mr. Connors is opposed to Public Input on Agenda Items prior to discussing the agenda item. All in favor, Motion Carries. Mr. Tim Gasiewski from the Sherman Theater is here to discuss agenda item #10. 5. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, January 15, 2019. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, January 15, 2019, second by Mr. Abell. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell and Ms. McCabe), Mr. Connors abstained, Motion Carries. Old Business 6. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area and replacement of the HVAC system. Ms. Maier advised the Fire Alarm System drawings are being worked on now. The reception area cabinets will be delivered on February 12th with the exception of one cabinet which is backordered. There is a resolution on the agenda to approve Barry Isset’s office to prepare the drawings for the HVAC system so we can send for bids. 7. Status of Bike Rack Project. Ms. Maier advised this will go out for bid since we have the diameter of the metal. New Business 8. Mayoral Proclamation – National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Week in the Borough of Stroudsburg. Mayor Probst read the Mayoral Proclamation to Ms. Hirali Patel and Ms. Nirali Patel. Ms. Kathy Sickler, the America-Phi Beta Lambda advisor was in attendance. 9. Consideration to approve a Resolution to open a new business checking account at ESSA Bank and Trust in the name of “Borough of Stroudsburg Fire Escrow Account for Phillip Joyce at 4 Bell Terrace”. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Resolution to open a new business checking account at ESSA Bank and Trust in the name of “Borough of Stroudsburg Fire Escrow Account for Phillip Joyce at 4 Bell Terrace”, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 10. Consideration to approve the Annual Stroudfest Community Festival. Mr. Tim Gasiewski was in attendance and is requesting Stroudfest in Courthouse Square, Main Street from 5th to 8th with one lane each direction to remain open. Mr. Tim Gasiewski is also requesting barricades and cones to block off parking spaces. The vendors would face the sidewalks. We will not be requiring the County’s parking garage. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve the Annual Stroudfest Community Festival with proof of insurance, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 11. Consideration to issue a residential parking pass to Steven Parker, 705 Sarah Street. Addressed during Public Input for Agenda Items. 12. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg known as the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance, providing for the regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities. Lengthy discussion ensued. Motion by Mr. Weiss to schedule a public hearing March 5, 2019 for An Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg known as the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance, providing for the regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities to include changing Section 2 (A) to a Conditional Use for all districts except R-1, R-2, R-3, Section 2 (B, C, D) to a Conditional Use with the “I District” to change to Permitted Use by Right, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for 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”. The Ordinance will add two one-way streets, Sarah Street from 9th to 10th Street in a westerly direction and Barry Street from Park Avenue to Broad Street in an easterly direction. The reference to Barry Street from Broad Street to Park Avenue in a westerly direction will be removed. Note: PennDOT approval was received. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to schedule a public hearing March 5, 2019 for 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”. The Ordinance will add two one-way streets, Sarah Street from 9th to 10th Street in a westerly direction and Barry Street from Park Avenue to Broad Street in an easterly direction. The reference to Barry Street from Broad Street to Park Avenue in a westerly direction will be removed, second by Ms. Kochanski. Ms. Maier will prepare a flyer to deliver to the residents. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration to Adopt the Stroudsburg Borough Emergency Operation Plan. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to Adopt the Stroudsburg Borough Emergency Operation Plan, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. 15. Consideration to approve a Budget Transfer Resolution (CY 2018). Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Budget Transfer Resolution (CY 2018), second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Consideration to approve a Resolution to memorialize the emergency repair of the sewer main along the east bound lane of Interstate Route 80 without competitive quotations. Motion by Mr. Abell to approve a Resolution to memorialize the emergency repair of the sewer main along the east bound lane of Interstate Route 80 without competitive quotations, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration to approve a Resolution to release a Fire Escrow Deposit made by Donegal Insurance Group on behalf of 578 Main Associates, LLC. in the amount of $38,000.00 plus interest to 578 Main Associates, LLC. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Resolution to release a Fire Escrow Deposit made by Donegal Insurance Group on behalf of 578 Main Associates, LLC. in the amount of $38,000.00 plus interest to 578 Main Associates, LLC, second by Ms. Kochanski. Voting YES (Ms. Kochanski, Mr. Lanfrank, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Smith, Mr. Abell and Ms. McCabe), Mr. Connors abstained, Motion Carries. 18. Consideration to approve a Resolution to authorize the Borough Manager to submit a grant application to the 2019 Monroe County Open Space Development Grant Program for the rehabilitation of the basketball court at Amhurst Park, also known as the Third Street Park. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve a Resolution to authorize the Borough Manager to submit a grant application to the 2019 Monroe County Open Space Development Grant Program for the rehabilitation of the basketball court at Amhurst Park, also known as the Third Street Park, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 19. Consideration to approve a Resolution to request the assistance of the Brodhead Watershed Association in developing training programs, flyers and videos for training the staff and public on MS4 requirements. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a Resolution to request the assistance of the Brodhead Watershed Association in developing training programs, flyers and videos for training the staff and public on MS4 requirements, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 20. Consideration to approve a proposal from Barry Isett and Associates for professional mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services in the amount of $4,200.00 for the design of drawings for an HVAC system in the Stroudsburg Borough Municipal Building. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a proposal from Barry Isett and Associates for professional mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering services in the amount of $4,200.00 for the design of drawings for an HVAC system in the Stroudsburg Borough Municipal Building, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 21. Consideration to approve a request from Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services for the Borough to close 8th Street between Ann Street and Main Street to traffic between 9:30 and 11:30 A.M. on Friday, May 17, 2019 to facilitate the 19th Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a request from Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services for the Borough to close 8th Street between Ann Street and Main Street to traffic between 9:30 and 11:30 A.M. on Friday, May 17, 2019 to facilitate the 19th Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk with proof of insurance, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 22. Consideration to approve a voting delegate for the Annual PSAB Conference on June 11, 2019. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Mr. James Smith as a voting delegate for the Annual PSAB Conference on June 11, 2019, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 23. Consideration to direct Borough Manager to send a letter to AECOM approving the widening of the Broad Street Bridge and related impacts and restorations to Rotary/Ann Street Park. Lengthy discussion ensued about the historic character of the bridge and possible modification of the HARB district. Motion by Mr. Abell to direct Borough Manager to send a letter to AECOM approving the widening of the Broad Street Bridge and related impacts and restorations to Rotary/Ann Street Park and consideration of the Historic character of the area and design of the bridge should be considered, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Consideration to authorize the Borough Manager to submit a grant request to Benecon for a Wellness Grant in the amount of $1,000.00. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to authorize the Borough Manager to submit a grant request to Benecon for a Wellness Grant in the amount of $1,000.00, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 25. Consideration to authorize the Borough Manager to approach the Stroudsburg Area School District School Board and the Monroe County Commissioners to request that the Board of Education and Monroe County agree to participate with the Borough of Stroudsburg in the LERTA program for a 5-year incremental tax program increasing at 20% per year for new construction in all zones. Motion by Mr. Abell to authorize the Borough Manager to approach the Stroudsburg Area School District School Board and the Monroe County Commissioners to request that the Board of Education and Monroe County agree to participate with the Borough of Stroudsburg in the LERTA program for a 5-year incremental tax program increasing at 20% per year for new construction in all zones, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 26. Consideration to confirm the Stroudsburg Fire Department and Suburban Emergency Medical Services as the designated providers for the Borough of Stroudsburg. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to confirm the Stroudsburg Fire Department (perpetual) and Suburban Emergency Medical Services (end of year 2019) as the designated providers for the Borough of Stroudsburg, second by Mr. Lanfrank. Ms. Maier advises our current contract is with Suburban Emergency Medical Services and expires December 2021, the contract renewed automatically for all 3 municipalities. The cancellation policy is 90 days prior to the term of the contract. All in favor, Motion Carries. 27. Consideration to authorize the Borough Manager to request that the Stroudsburg Area School District extend the lease for the pool and playground area of Borough Park for an additional 25 years beginning November 5, 2023 and ending November 4, 2048 for the sum of $1.00. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to authorize the Borough Manager to request that the Stroudsburg Area School District extend the lease for the pool and playground area of Borough Park for an additional 25 years beginning November 5, 2023 and ending November 4, 2048 for the sum of $1.00, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 28. Committee Reports. A. Codes Committee - No Report B. Finance Committee - No Report C. Parking Committee – Ms. McCabe advises the Committee met today. The monthly meeting will be the last Tuesday of the month. The committee is recommending the following increases.  Meter bags from $5/day to $10/day to match parking fines and gives a deterrent to allow for the flow of traffic.  Fire Lane parking to increase from $15 to $50 with a late fee of $50, this would match East Stroudsburg and Stroud Township’s fine.   Snow Emergency to increase from $15 to $100 with a late fee of $50. East Stroudsburg’s fine is $300. This is to deter parking and leaving cars on snow emergency routes. This is an issue for the Streets Department to plow.  Residential Permit Parking to increase from $15 to $50 with a late fee of $50. People are parking on 6th, 7th and Thomas all day for one ticket.  Snyder Drive is currently a 2 hour limit, would like to go back to Alternate Side Parking. Lengthy discussion on signage. Mr. Ace will place 3 signs per street. D. Recycling Committee - No Report E. Sewer Committee - No Report F. Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank advises the Committee will meet the next Tuesday prior to Council Meeting. Mr. Jody Singer will be there to discuss the crosswalks. G. Personnel Committee – Mr. Connors advises the committee will meet quarterly or as needed. H. Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst advises we would like to increase the content in the Quarterly Newsletter and add Committee Reports. I. Redevelopment Committee – Mr. Abell advises the committee will meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 4:00pm. We would like to approach Judy Magann and/or John Christy to attend the next meeting to discuss combined incentives for redevelopment. J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – Mr. Connors advises the committee met with staff from US Representative Susan Wild’s office. We received plenty of good advice for follow up action at the State and County level. Representative Wild’s office will consider contacting the Federal Highway Administration and Penn Dot stating they are in support. Direct Mailers have started to come in, we have received 64 out of 3,500; the results will be forwarded to The Advisory Group, Penn Dot and elected officials and will include the impact on Rotary Park and considering Public input. Mayor Probst advises Ms. Battle met with Representative Maureen Madden’s office and Maureen knows Leslie Richards from Penn Dot and the Governor. Representative Wild is advising us to go back to NEPA about transportation needs, since Penn Dot is working with very old data. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission - No Report 29. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Probst would like to thank the Firemen for the dinner at the Stroudmoor. Mayor Probst is receiving complaints on N. 6th about being too dark by Quench and The Kabob House. Ron received a complaint about a dumpster behind Denovo which is overflowing. 30. Council Member Reports Ms. McCabe – No report Mr. Connors – No report Mr. Abell – No report Ms. Kochanski – Ms. Kochanski advises that at the dinner the other night, she accepted on behalf of Council from the Stroudsburg Fire Department a certificate of recognition for our contribution and support of the Fire Department. Mr. Lanfrank – Mr. Lanfrank is requesting the Borough Manager work along with a professional consultant to explore the possibility of implementing Historic Design standards for the business area in lieu of HARB regulations. Lengthy discussion ensued. This will be added to the March agenda. Mr. Weiss – Mr. Weiss advises 4th Street is still an issue. Trucks are driving over the sidewalk.  Mr. Smith – Mr. Smith reminds Committee chairs to forward dates and times to Ms. Maier for meetings. Mr. Smith advises there are not enough signs on Thomas Street as he recently received a ticket for Alternate Side Parking. The sign was further down from where he parked. 31. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises he represented the Borough for the Opening Hearing for Adams Outdoor Variance Hearing, it turned into a Variance with a Special Exception Hearing in front of the Zoning Hearing Board. This matter has been continued to 2/20/2019. This Monday the Borough’s Planning Commission will consider the request for the 672 square foot 2-sided (1,344 total square feet) structure along I-80. Solicitor McDonald made Council’s position known. The Zoning Board should be made aware there is a posted speed limit of 50mph on I-80. 32. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier is required by MS4 to read the Requirements for Storm Water document:  We don’t get any new water.  It goes up and it comes down.  Stormwater is from rain and melting snow.  Rain and the water from melting snow run across rooftops, paved areas, bare soil, sloped lawns and fields.  Along the way it collects and transports soil, pet and goose waste, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, leaves, and other pollutants. This ends up in our waterways. No one would want to drink any of these things or eat fish that drank waters tainted with these things.  Even when your house is not near the creeks, the water from your roof, driveway, lawn and street go into drainage pipes and end up in the waterways.  The soil that goes into water bodies cloud the water and smother habitats for fish and plants.  Fertilizers like phosphates and nitrates promote excessive algae growth.  Antifreeze and oil from leaking cars, pesticides and zinc from galvanized metal gutters and downspouts affect the health of fish and other aquatic life.  Bacteria, viruses and parasites from animal waste make nearby water sources unsuitable for wading, swimming, and fishing.  The only thing that should go into the storm drain is rain.  Brodhead, Pocono and McMichael Creeks are precious resources for fishermen, and kayakers, and are sources of drinking water.  There are ways that the residents can help:  Don’t use pesticide or lawn fertilizer.  Use a rain barrel to capture your roof drainage and use it to water your lawn or garden, or run the roof drainage into a rain garden.  Wash your car on the lawn instead of the driveway and don’t use detergent, or take it to a car wash that has an underground sand filter.  Keep leaves away from the storm drains.  Clean up after your pets.  Never pour anything down a storm drain that you wouldn’t drink out of a glass.  Contact the Borough or the Control Center if you see anyone pouring anything into the storm drain.  If your car is leaking oil or antifreeze get it repaired, or drive an electric car.  Replace your paved driveway with paving stones that allow the water to seep thru.  Plant a tree on your property.  Stroudsburg Borough is also researching ways that we can improve water quality by installing rain gardens, parking lot drainage that provides filtration, reducing erosion on the banks of our creeks, creating shallow vegetated areas along our streets to capture and filter stormwater runoff, retrofitting our storm inlets to prevent debris such as water bottles from entering the storm drains, marking storm inlets to let people know that they drain to the creek, and reducing the pathogens from animal waste in the creeks from geese. We are working with the Department of Environmental Protection, Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County Planning Department, Monroe County Conservation District and the Center for Watershed Protection on this initiative. 33. Street Superintendent Report – Mr. Ace advises he is in the process of purchasing two dump trucks, Hino Truck 1 and Hino Truck 2. Hino Truck 1 is currently being built. Hino Truck 2 was spec’d out a few weeks ago. The only  difference is the automatic drop chains. We need chains for only Fulmer Street and it is very expensive. the automatic drop chains are $2,600 option per truck. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to spec the truck with the automatic drop chains at $2,600 each for both, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. 34. Code Enforcement Officer Report – Mr. Lindauer advises there were four Commercial Zoning permits issued.  637-639 Main Street – The old Bank Building to a Health Agency  341 N. 9th Street – Former Bargain Cars across from Phillips Street is a continued use for Motor Vehicles Sales  701 Main Street – 1st Floor used for County Detectives  301 N. 9th Street – Former Ray Price, Non-Conforming as Automotive Use 35. Approval of Bills on Warrants 190205. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Bills on Warrants 190205, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 36. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items Mr. Bill Parkinson is recommending a fundraiser “Chase the Ace”, it can be used for sidewalk repairs. It could be implemented St. Patrick’s Day or during Stroudfest. The 7th Street bridge is very dark and not well lit. There is very little differentiation between the roadway and sidewalk. Ms. Maier will send a letter to Penn Dot. Mehmet needs Council’s signatures for the emergency response plan and he will be adding an addendum to the master plan based on the information provided by the Monroe County Commodities. If the Borough needs help, the moderators of the Fire Department Facebook page, engage up to 12-30K people with posts. 37. Executive Session – No Executive Session 38. Adjournment Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn at 9:00pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries.