Borough Council

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 MEETING MINUTES 1-2. A meeting of the Stroudsburg Borough Council convened at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Stroudsburg Borough Municipal Building on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 with the following members present: Council President James Smith; Vice-President of Council Boyd Weiss; Council President Pro-Tem Joanne Kochanski; Councilman Anthony Lanfrank (arrived at 7:00 P.M.); Councilman Mark Connors; and Councilwoman Erica McCabe. Councilman Matt Abell was absent as was Borough Manager Jennifer Maier. Also present were: Mayor Tarah Probst; Borough Solicitor Joseph P. McDonald, Jr., Esq; Executive Assistant Mary Pat Quinn; Street Superintendent Brian Ace; and Assistant Codes Officer Andrew Lindauer. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Smith, roll call was taken, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Michael Seip, past Stroudsburg Fire Department Chief; Mr. John Stevens, past Stroudsburg Fire Department Assistant Chief; Mr. Charles Frantz, incoming Stroudsburg Fire Department Chief; Mr. Mehmet Barzev, incoming Stroudsburg Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief; Mr. Michael Mignosi, incoming Stroudsburg Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief; members of the Stroudsburg Fire Department; and family members were present. 3. The public hearing for An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Revise §15-801 Entitled, “Fire Lanes” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code was opened to the public. There were no comments or questions from the public. A motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, seconded by Mr. Weiss to close the public hearing. The motion was carried with all present voting affirmatively. (6-aye, 1-absence) A motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, seconded by Mr. Weiss to adopt An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Revise §15-801 Entitled, “Fire Lanes” of the Stroudsburg Borough Code. The motion was carried with all present voting affirmatively. (6-aye, 0-nay). 4. Mayor Probst expressed appreciation to the Stroudsburg Fire Department members for their bravery and service to the community. She asked Mrs. Kochanski, widow of Fire Chief Butch Kochanski, to administer the oath of office to the incoming officers of the Stroudsburg Borough Fire Department. Charles Frantz, Department Fire Chief; Mehmet Barzev, Department 1st Assistant Fire Chief; Michael Mignosi, Department 2nd Assistant Fire Chief were sworn in to office by Mrs. Kochanski. A stuffed bear that was made with a dress shirt of Chief Kochanski, was presented to Chief Frantz by Mrs. Kochanski. 5. Public Input for Agenda Items. There were no questions or comments from the public. 6. The minutes of the Council meeting on March 19, 2019 were approved as circulated on a motion made by Mrs. Kochanski, seconded by Mr. Weiss. The motion was carried with one abstention by Mr. Connors. (5-aye, 1-abstention) 7. Ms. Quinn reported that the HVAC plan design was completed by Barry Isset and given to the contractor for a proposal. 8. Mr. Lanfrank stated that there was nothing new to report about the bike rack project. 9. A discussion ensued regarding the appropriate penalties for violating the alternate parking regulations. Ms. McCabe noted that the Parking Committee recommended that the fine be increased from $15 to $50 due to the potential problem that emergency vehicles would have if motorists park on both sides of a road. The situation also prevents the Street Department from performing maintenance. Mr. Connors was opposed to an increase from $15 to $50. A motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, seconded by Mr. Weiss to schedule a public hearing on the Ordinance for the April 16, 2019 Council meeting. It was noted that the initial fine will be $50; if the fine is unpaid after seven days from the date on the ticket, the fine will increase to $75; if the fine is unpaid after 14 days from the date on the ticket, the fine will increase to $100. The motion was carried with one nay from Mr. Connors. (5-aye,1-nay). 10. Committee Reports.  Codes Committee – Nothing to report.  Finance Committee – Nothing to report.  Parking Committee – Nothing to report.  Recycling Committee – Nothing to report.  Sewer Committee – Nothing to report.  Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank reported that the Street Committee will meet on April 16 at 6:00 P.M. to review the traffic study with the traffic engineer.  Personnel Committee – Mr. Connors reported that the Personnel Committee decided to meeting quarterly; however, there are no topics to discuss at this time.  Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst noted that she still needs a biography from Mr. Smith and Mr. Ace for the newsletter. Ms. McCabe reported that there are three openings for concerts in the park.  Redevelopment Committee – Nothing to report.  I-80 Expansion Task Force – Mr. Connors reported that the last meeting of the task force was a working meeting to discuss what will be put into a packet that will be given to the elected officials representing the Borough. There has been a 6% return on the mailer which resulted in a majority of the respondents being opposed to six lanes on Interstate Route 80 and the closure of the Dreher Avenue ramp. The task force will summarize the responses, and that information will be included in the packets for elected officials . A representative of Penn DOT has asked for all of the individual responses; those will be copied at the municipal office. The last meeting of the regional project advisory group will be on April 30, 2019. Mr. Connors and another member of the I-80 Expansion Task Force will participate in the meeting. He invited the Stroudsburg Fire Department to submit their concerns and comments to him regarding the possible closure of Dreher Ave. Ms. Maier participated in a conference call with AECOM regarding the Broad Street bridge widening and the potential impacts to Ann Street and Rotary Park. The Historic Architectural Review Board was also involved in the discussion. AECOM will provide a summary of the conference call for the Borough’s review and comment.  Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – Nothing to report. 11. Mayor’s Report. Mayor Probst reported that three people in one neighborhood contacted her about consistent barking in the early hours of the morning. Mr. Lindauer replied that he will speak with the Code Enforcement Officer about the matter. Representative Maureen Madden approved the Borough’s Local Share Account Grant application for the solar trash receptacles for Main Street and the solar lighting for the parking garage. Mrs. Kochanski noted that she also spoke to Senator Mario Scavello at a recent first responder recognition dinner at which time he informed her of the grant award. Mr. Smith asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Representative Madden and Senator Scavello on behalf of the Council. Mayor Probst advised that there is still a problem on Thomas Street with the residential parking. She asked about the status of the Tenant Registration Ordinance. Mrs. Kochanski noted that the Codes Committee is still working on the Short Term Rental Ordinance. Mike Penn, the Mayor of Mount Pocono Borough, who was visiting, asked if the Borough has issues with air B & B’s. A discussion followed. The Mayor stated that the YMCA looked at Ramsey School. 12. Council Member Reports. Ms. McCabe thanked the Street Department for the clean up after the recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Ace added that the Pocono Irish American Club was also involved in that effort. Ms. Kochanski thanked the members of the Stroudsburg Fire Department for their attendance at the meeting. Mr. Lanfrank would like to present something to the Stroudsburg Fire Department and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department for their service to the community. Mr. Smith asked him to think of some ideas and present them to the Council at a future meeting. Mr. Smith stated that he took a webinar through the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs, “The Role of an Effective Council President”. He emailed the link to the Mayor and Council and urged everyone to view it. 13. Solicitor’s Report. Solicitor McDonald reported that Adams Outdoor Advertising appeared before the Zoning Hearing Board for a number of variances on what is commonly known as the Counterman property off of Dreher Avenue. One variance was granted to exceed the height limitations in the Zoning Ordinance. The record was scheduled to be continued to the April 17 meeting of the Board for a validity challenge by the applicant; however, there will not be a full membership of the Board present for that meeting. The matter will be carried to the May 15 meeting. David Horton, Director of Brodhead Creek Regional Authority reached out to Solicitor McDonald about a joint meeting to see if he represents the Borough in connection with BCRA. Mrs. Kochanski replied that Timothy McManus, Esq. is the Borough’s legal representative. Solicitor McDonald is working with the Codes Committee on a draft Short Term Rental Ordinance, which should be ready for Council’s consideration shortly. The agreement between the Borough and Stroud Township for sewer camera services will be prepared. A question from Ms. Maier about the fire alarm quotation for the Municipal Building is under advisement by the solicitor. A contract was executed for the project; however, the scope of work increased after the plans were prepared by Barry Isset’s office. 14. Borough Manager’s Report. Ms. Maier provided a report via email to Council on Monday, April 1. There were no questions or comments about the report. 15. Superintendent of Streets Report. Mr. Ace had nothing to report. 16. Codes Officer Report. Mr. Lindauer had nothing to report. 17. A motion was made by Mr. Lanfrank, seconded by Mrs. Kochanski to approve the Bills on Warrants 190402. The motion was carried with all present voting affirmatively. (6-aye, 0-nay) 18. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. There were no questions or comments from the public. 19. Executive Session. There was no need for an executive session. 20. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M. on a motion made by Mrs. Kochanski, seconded by Mr. Lanfrank. The motion was carried with all present voting affirmatively. (6-aye, 0-nay)