Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, July 2, 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 and Council Member Erica McCabe. Absent was Council Member Mark Connors. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Public Input for Agenda Items. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to close Public Hearing, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, June 18, 2019. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Approve Council Meeting Minutes for Regular Meeting, June 18, 2019, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 5. Status of remaining Municipal Building Renovation Project Loan balance, re: Fire Alarm System, Upgrade Reception Area, HVAC improvements. Ms. Maier advises carpeting is being installed; the Building Mechanical and Fire Alarm is going out to bid. 6. Status of Bike Rack Project. No update. 7. Consideration to employ Parliamentary Procedure. This has been sent to the Personnel Committee. New Business 8. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15, Part 2, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic-Traffic Regulations” with the Addition of Barry Street to §15-207, Gross Weight Limits Established. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15, Part 2, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic-Traffic Regulations” with the Addition of Barry Street to §15-207, Gross Weight Limits Established for no trucks and local traffic only, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 9. Presentation of 2018 Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission Audit Report by Samantha Holbert, Acting Director. Ms. Samantha Holbert was in attendance and reported Council received the SROSRC audit, and there are no issues; SROSRC is in the process of interviewing and hiring; the pools, summer camp, and park control are going well. Ms. Samantha Holbert distributed the “Paint in the Park” information. 10. Presentation by Samantha Holbert regarding grant opportunities from 1% for Nature, a non-profit organization. Ms. Samantha Holbert is also the Executive Director for 1% for nature which is an opportunity for grant funds. The organization raises funds for park or open space nature programs. There  are 23 current participating businesses. Last week there was a scavenger hunt. Popcorn Buddha is selling left over kernels for animal food. 11. Consideration to adopt a Resolution to Close the Money Market Account, “Borough of Stroudsburg Capital Equipment” and open a Checking Account, “Borough of Stroudsburg Capital Equipment” at ESSA Bank and Trust. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Close the Money Market Account, “Borough of Stroudsburg Capital Equipment” and open a Checking Account, “Borough of Stroudsburg Capital Equipment” at ESSA Bank and Trust, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Consideration to adopt a Budget Transfer Resolution. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to Adopt a Budget Transfer Resolution, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 13. Consideration to Adopt a Resolution to Authorize an Exemption to the Property owner of 792 Bryant Street of 18-202, the Quarterly Sewer Rental, in Connection with Water Usage to Fill a Swimming Pool. This item was removed from the agenda and was replaced with item below: Consideration to Adopt a Resolution to Authorize CDBG Application for Bryant Street, from Broad to Huston, this would be for 2021. Resident, Cindy Martin asked if side roads could be done. We could then do the other streets, such as Lee and Stokes. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to Adopt a Resolution to Authorize CDBG Application for Bryant Street, from Broad to Huston for 2021, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration to adopt a Resolution to Support a Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Creative Communities Initiative Grant Application of Go Collaborative and to Provide for a Local Match. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to adopt a Resolution to Support a Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Creative Communities Initiative Grant Application of Go Collaborative for $25,000/year for 4 years with a Borough Match of $2,500/year, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 15. Consideration to approve a Notice of Intent to Award a bid to Barker and Barker Paving for the King Street Road Improvement Project in the amount of $235,604.00. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve for King, Queen and Oak Streets (1) Issuance of Final Award Notice (2) Execution of the Contract (3) Issuance of a Notice to Proceed, upon Favorable Review of the Agreement, Bonds and other documents by the Solicitor, Engineer and Manager, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Consideration to approve a Notice of Intent to Award a bid to Barker and Barker Paving for the 1st Street Paving and ADA Ramp Project in the amount of $412,544.40. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to authorize for King, Queen and Oak Streets (1) Issuance of Final Award Notice (2) Execution of the Contract (3) Issuance of a Notice to Proceed, upon Favorable Review of the Agreement, Bonds and other documents by the Solicitor, Engineer and Manager, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration of a recommendation of the Streets Committee for two designs for crosswalk paintings. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to approve the recommendation of the Streets Committee for two designs for crosswalk paintings which are firetruck and Stroudsburg with a cost of $5,000, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. 18. Consideration of a proposed ice rink. One of our local residents is Brian Boitano, Olympic skater, who would participate in the dedication ceremony. Discussion regarding allocating funds in the 2020 budget. Will put in next agenda as old business. Approximate cost is $9,000. 19. Consideration to approve a proposal from Barry Isett and Associates for Bid and Construction Phase Services for building/mechanical/fire alarm services for the Municipal Building. Motion by Mr. Weiss to approve a proposal from Barry Isett and Associates for Bid and Construction Phase Services for building/mechanical/fire alarm services for the Municipal Building, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 20. Consideration to adopt a resolution authorizing the Borough Manager to submit a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Application. This grant will include Main Street’s sidewalk replacement and changing Bank and Hood Alley to one-way with an added bike lane. Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to adopt a resolution authorizing the Borough Manager to submit a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Application, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. 21. Consideration to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15, Part 3, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic – General Parking Regulations” with the Addition of 509 Thomas Street, §15-316, Handicapped Parking Zones Established. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to schedule a public hearing for An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15, Part 3, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic – General Parking Regulations” with the Addition of 509 Thomas Street, §15-316, Handicapped Parking Zones Established, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 22. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee – Ms. Kochanski advises there is no report. An ordinance to fix sidewalks was recommended for when there is a change in owner or tenant, which would require the owner to install or repair the sidewalks. Also, the sidewalks could be constructed by the homeowner’s who could directly contract with the paving contractor while they are mobilized and have concrete on site to form curbs and curb ramps. The Borough will need to check on how the trees are affected. Slate installations should also be considered. This cannot occur on Dreher Avenue. B. Budget Committee – Mr. Smith advises the Committee will meet August 6th at 4:00pm. C. Parking Committee – No Report D. Recycling Committee – No Report E. Sewer Committee – No Report F. Street Committee – Mr. Lanfrank advises the Committee met with Mr. Ben Guthrie from Traffic Planning to review the traffic study; we would like to move forward making 5th Street a 2-way street. Mr. Lanfrank is requesting approval for Traffic Planning Consultants to apply for a Highway Occupancy Permit on behalf of Stroudsburg. The meeting with PennDOT is at no additional cost.  Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to approve or Traffic Planning Consultants to apply for a Highway Occupancy Permit on behalf of Stroudsburg, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries. Mr. Lanfrank suggested we discuss the sidewalk repair with the paving contractor first, to see if they would be agreeable to contract with the individual homeowners before we notify the residents by mail. The Streets Committee will be meeting July 16th to further discuss sidewalks at 6pm. G. Personnel Committee – Ms. Kochanski advises the Borough Manager’s performance reported to be acceptable, four areas of focus were defined. H. Public Relations/Media Committee – Mayor Probst advises on Thursdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm is “Concerts in the Park” with chalk art for kids; Saturdays from 8:00am – 12:00pm the Farmers Market will occur, followed by the 1st Saturday Arts Festival which will run thru October. Mayor Probst advises people said thank you for the Pride Flags and many people were really happy about the Pride Flags. I. Redevelopment Committee – Mr. Abell advises the Committee discussed moving forward with a 10- year LERTA program. Solicitor McDonald said that we can do this including residential properties. This will affect taxation of property improvements that result in a new assessed value. Council requested a revised ordinance for a 10-year LERTA and the inclusion of all Borough properties. Ms. Maier also mentioned the construction of new buildings are typically constructed with the first two floors of concrete block and the upper 4 stories of wood construction to create a mean roof height of 72’. Also, the School board requires the continued use of 10th Street as a bus route citing safety concerns. J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee – Ms. Maier read the I-80 memo from Mr. Connors. The Mayor and Mr. Weiss spoke out against the idea of 6 lanes. This expansion is a $500,000,000 project. Resident Tricia Dunkleberger Fritz asked what Mario Scavello wants. She was told that he wants 6 lanes. Motion by Ms. Kochanski for the I-80 discussion to move to the following Council Meeting as old business, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission – Mr. Weiss advises SROSRC is interviewing for a new director. 23. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Probst would like to institute a plastic bag and plastic straw ban. State Representative Maureen Madden started a committee regarding this issue. While there are legalities regarding the ban to be considered we should still be making a conscious effort to bring reusable bags. Mayor Probst also mentioned the YMCA is moving forward with inspections of the Ramsey School with GRO, their developer. 24. Council Member Reports Ms. McCabe - Ms. McCabe advises County Waste is still taking our recycling, Mr. Kimes needs to cite them. County Waste is charging her $5 monthly. Mr. Abell – No Report Mr. Smith – No report Mr. Weiss – No report  Mr. Lanfrank – Mr. Lanfrank got some pictures of the 3rd street basketball courts resurfacing project which will be completed for the league which starts July 18th. Public works is doing an incredible job. Ms. Kochanski – Ms. Kochanski is requesting a report from Mr. Smith regarding the PSAB conference. Mr. Smith will report at the next meeting. 25. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises Adams outdoor presented one witness. The witness is not a real estate expert. She spoke about the benefits of having a digital billboard. She said there is no mandate that she is aware of. The Zoning Board will render a decision at the July 17th meeting. 26. Manager’s Report – Ms. Maier advises Monroe County could become infested with the Lanternfly. Treatment of certain trees need to occur. Ms. Maier is requesting approval for the Council President to sign Lanternfly treatment document. Motion by Ms. Kochanski for the Council President to sign Lanternfly treatment document, second by Mr. Weiss. All in favor, Motion Carries. 27. Code Enforcement Officer’s Report - No Report 28. Street Superintendent’s Report - No Report 29. Approval of Bills on Warrants 190702. Motion by Ms. Kochanski to Approve Bills on Warrants 190702, second by Mr. Lanfrank. All in favor, Motion Carries. 30. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. Resident Mr. Ernest Swierkiewicz complained about speeding at 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit on Lee between Bryant and Collins, can stop signs be added? Council did not want to use stop signs in order to slow traffic. Mr. Ace will check to see if adequate speed limit signs are located on the street. Children at play signs were also discussed at a cost of $1,000 per sign. Brian will look at the speed. We will request that SARPD puts out their digital speed trailer. 31. Executive Session. No Executive Session. 32. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Lanfrank to adjourn at 9:00pm, second by Ms. Kochanski. All in favor, Motion Carries.