Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, April 16, 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 of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Specifically §15-312, “Penalties”. The Ordinance will increase the fines for violating the alternate parking provisions. Motion by Mr. Weiss to close Public Hearing and Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Specifically §15-312, “Penalties”, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adopt An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 of the Stroudsburg Borough Code Entitled, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Specifically §15-312, “Penalties” changing the fine from $50/$75/$100 to $30/$50/$75 and clarification for the Ordinance to read as it pertains to Chapter 15 Section 307 alternate parking, second by Ms. McCabe. Mr. Connors provided a rebuttal hand out to Council and a lengthy discussion ensued. There was public input from Fire Chief Franz about parking problems on N. 6th Street between Sarah and Thomas, Ms. Cathy Ehrhardt, Mr. Ted Hoyt, Mr. Ed Mason inquiring about multiple alternate days and a window of time to move cars and Mr. David LaBar via Ms. McCabe. Voting YES (Ms. McCabe, Mr. Abell, Mr. Smith, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Lanfrank, Ms. Kochanski), Voting NO (Mr. Connors), Motion Carries. 4. Public Hearing and Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance Amending the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 27 Stroudsburg Borough Code, Providing for the Regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing and Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance Amending the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 27 Stroudsburg Borough Code, Providing for the Regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Adopt An Ordinance Amending the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 27 Stroudsburg Borough Code, Providing for the Regulation of Medical Marijuana Facilities, second by Ms. McCabe. Ms. McCabe attended a Medical Marijuana conference and states the Borough needs to decriminalize possession with a Medical Marijuana card. All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Public Input for Agenda Items. No Public Input. 6. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, April 2, 2019. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, April 2, 2019, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries.  7. 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. Lanfrank to approve Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 8. Accept Unaudited March, 2019 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Mr. Weiss to Accept Unaudited March, 2019 Treasurer’s Report, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 9. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area. Ms. Quinn advises there is nothing new to report. 10. Status of Bike Rack Project. Mr. Lanfrank advises we are waiting for the Grant Process from MCTA. 11. Consideration to recognize the Stroudsburg Fire Department members and Stroud Area Regional Police Department employees for their service to the community. Per Mr. Smith this is being removed due to a possible conflict. New Business 12. Consideration to schedule a public hearing on An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 4, Part 2, of the Stroudsburg Borough Code, Historic Preservation District §4-213, Entitled “Application and Approval Procedures”. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to schedule a public hearing May 7, 2019 on An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 4, Part 2, of the Stroudsburg Borough Code, Historic Preservation District §4-213, Entitled “Application and Approval Procedures”, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Consideration of a request from the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to hang purple flags along Main Street during the fundraising event, “Paint the Town Purple”. Mr. Barnack was in attendance and is requesting the flags run from May 28th through June 9th, with the flags coming down June 10th. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a request from the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to hang purple flags along Main Street during the fundraising event, “Paint the Town Purple”, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration of a request from The African-American Network to conduct the 13th Annual JuneTeenth Freedom Festival on June 15, 2019. Ms. Cleo Jarvis was in attendance and selected the date and time based on this date not listing online for the Farmers Market but this conflicts with the Farmers Market. Lengthy discussion ensued. Ms. Jarvis will re-submit her request after speaking to Mr. Greg Christine and Mr. Richard Berkowitz. This will be added to the next agenda as “Old Business”. 15. Consideration to authorize the issuance of a parade permit to the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging and the Pocono Family YMCA to conduct the Annual Senior Fitness Walk on May 15, 2019. No action needed as this is on the sidewalk. Ms. Kochanski would like to add a new business item. The SARP Commission is requesting a Public Hearing May 7th. Stroud Township and East Stroudsburg have scheduled Public Hearing the same night. There are amendment provisions in the Inter-governmental agreement and this would need to be advertised. Lengthy discussion ensued.  Change from 2 elected officials to 1 elected official or Borough Manager and 2 at large.  Funding Formulas from 2017 need to be voted on. Stroud Township is 48.21%, East Stroudsburg 31.34% and Stroudsburg 20.45%.  Establish Post Retirement Benefits.  Extend term of agreement to 12/31/2025. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to have a SARP Commission Public Hearing May 7, 2019 and to Coordinate with Stroud Township and East Stroudsburg, second by Ms. McCabe. Voting YES (Ms. McCabe, Mr. Abell, Mr. Lanfrank, Ms. Kochanski), Voting NO (Mr. Connors, Mr. Smith, Mr. Weiss. Motion Carries. 16. Committee Reports. A. Codes Committee – Ms. Kochanski advises we are waiting to finalize Dumpster and Short-Term Ordinances with Solicitor McDonald. B. Budget 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 met with Ben from the traffic analysis company. He will be looking further at the intersection for 5th and Main by KFC, making it 2-way. Kane going toward Main, McConnell going toward Main and 2nd Street going toward McConnell all one-way streets. G. Personnel Committee - No report H. Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst advises Concerts in the Park will begin May 23rd at 6pm. Mayor Probst would like to thank everyone for their bio’s which will be in the next newsletter. I. Redevelopment Committee – Mr. Abell advises the next meeting will be scheduled May 14th At 4:00pm. J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – No report. Mr. Smith inquired if we have received updated crash statistics and what other County roads qualify for Federal monies. Lengthy discussion ensued K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission - No report 17. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Probst advises there will be a meeting with Congresswomen Susan Wilde tomorrow at Renegade at 7:00pm. Mayor Probst is receiving complaints about UGI/Penn Dot and the 2- inch cut-outs. Mr. Ace advises our Ordinance is not clear with restoration patches and he will bring up at the Streets Committee Meeting. Mayor Probst confirms clean-up day is the 1st Saturday in June and brush clean-ups are Monday’s and Friday’s during the first 3 weeks of April and will extend to Monday April 22nd. 18. Council Member Reports Ms. Kochanski – Ms. Kochanski would like to authorize free pool passes for the Fire Department and volunteers. This will be added to the next agenda. Ms. Kochanski would like a traffic study at the intersection of Route 191 and Route 611. Mr. Lanfrank – Mr. Lanfrank would like to look into adopting Parliamentary procedures. This will be added to the next agenda. Mr. Weiss – Mr. Weiss advises we need a traffic study on Lower Main. Mr. Smith – Mr. Smith advises he has not been getting Police Reports and to direct staff to forward to Council Members. Mr. Abell - No report Mr. Connors - No report Ms. McCabe – Ms. McCabe advises we need to enforce dog poop on Main. Ms. McCabe advises we need to decriminalize medical marijuana for possession. Solicitor McDonald will look into. 19. Solicitor’s Report - Solicitor McDonald advises the Assessment Appeal for Whitmeyer Holdings is scheduled June 20th. Solicitor McDonald has spoken to Mr. Nate Oiler and an appraiser. Solicitor McDonald advises Adams Outdoor’s validity challenge against the Curative Amendment Ordinance has been deferred to June 19th. Solicitor McDonald will follow-up with Mr. Kimes to finalize 3 Ordinances. Solicitor McDonald has a personnel or litigation item for Executive Session. 20. Manager’s Report – Ms. Quinn would like authorization for the free Borough wide yard sale prior to the bulk drop off. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to authorize a free yard sale weekend Memorial Day, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. Ms. Quinn advises we received the highest dividend from our Insurance Carrier of $34,199.85. 21. Code Enforcement Officer’s Report – Mr. Kimes updated Council from March’s Zoning Hearing Board Meeting. Adams Outdoor was denied on all items; Mr. John Chang/75 Kautz was approved for his variance; McDonald’s was approved for their digital signs. Mr. Kimes also advises there will be no meeting this month. 22. Street Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Ace advises we have received a certificate achievement award for the flood protection program. Mr. Ace advises the decorative street light pole at 4th and Main has been missing for several years and he would like to re-install. Mr. Ace advises there is no Spring leaf clean up scheduled.  Motion by Mr. Connors to authorize a leaf pick up the week of April 29 to be scheduled the same day as street sweeping and to advertise effectively, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 23. Approval of Bills on Warrants 190416. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to approve Bills on Warrants 190416, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. No Public Input. 25. Executive Session. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:02pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Connors to reconvene the Regular Council Meeting at 9:12pm, second by Mr. Lanfrank. A Personnel matter was discussed by Council and Solicitor McDonald. All in favor, Motion Carries. 26. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Connors to Adjourn at 9:20pm, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries.