Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call – Present were: Council Member Jim Evanisko, Council Member Boyd Weiss, Mayor Tarah Probst, Solicitor Joseph McDonald, Interim Borough Manager Quinn, Council Member Victoria DeVries and Council Member Erica McCabe. Absent was Council Member James Smith, Council President Anthony Lanfrank and Council Vice President Matt Abell. A Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Reorganization/Regular Meeting, January 6, 2020. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve Council Meeting Minutes for the Reorganization/Regular Meeting, January 6, 2020, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 4. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 19, 2019. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Table Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 19, 2019, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 5. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 27, 2019. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Table Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 27, 2019, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 30, 2019. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Table Council Meeting Minutes for the Special Meeting, December 30, 2019, second by Mr. Evanisko. 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. Weiss to Accept Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 8. Accept Unaudited December, 2019 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Mr. Weiss to Accept Unaudited December, 2019 Treasurer’s Report, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 9. Status of Bike Rack Project Ms. Quinn advises she received an email from Mr. Richard Smallhouse from MCTA and he is going out for quotes for the bike racks. 10. Status of proposed LERTA Ordinance. Solicitor McDonald sent a draft email with revisions from the Re-development Committee to all Council members. Solicitor McDonald has questions to go over with Mr. Abell concerning the 10-year exemptions, all eligible properties within the Borough not just limited to commercial or non-residential, building in a potential minimal increase in value of $75K before LERTA eligibility would begin. This year Solicitor McDonald wants all new Council Members  understand the position of Council with the scope of LERTA. We are hoping the School board is in agreement with the 10-year term, we do not need to be in agreement with the School board. 11. Status of proposed ice rink. Mr. Ace advises the ice rink opened today, there is no set times. Stroud Township is open all day and night weather permitting and the lights are on, the rink closes at 40 degrees. Mayor Probst would like a basket for skate donations to be used on the honor system. Chief Lyons is concerned the skates would be used for inappropriate things at night with all the bars in town. Ms. Quinn will forward in writing the hours to Chief Lyons. Motion by Mr. Weiss to limit the ice rink hours to 9:00pm, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 12. Confirm/Amend 2020 Budget and Tax Levy. Ms. Quinn advises in a re-organization year; Council can amend the budget. Motion by Mr. Evanisko to Confirm the 2020 Budget and Tax Levy, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. New Business 13. Consideration to Approve a request from the Monroe Farmer’s Market to conduct the annual Farmers’ Market in Courthouse Square from May 2, 2020 through November 21, 2020; Michelle St. Andre will be present. Ms. Michelle St. Andre was present and wanted to thank everyone for their help and advised she will forward the insurance certificate. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve a request from the Monroe Farmer’s Market to conduct the annual Farmers’ Market in Courthouse Square from May 2, 2020 through November 21, 2020, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Lori Ruiz, Northern Regional Branch Administrator, and Sarah Wallace, Branch Manager of ESSA Bank and Trust-Stroudsburg will be present to introduce themselves to the new Council Members and to review the bank’s relationship with the Borough of Stroudsburg. Ms. Lori Ruiz and Ms. Sarah Wallace were in attendance and wanted to thank Council for their support and banking locally. 15. Kelly Lewis, President/CEO of Lewis Strategic, LLC. will be present to discuss the project goals for the Monroe County Dead Cell Zone Project. This item was skipped as Mr. Kelly Lewis was in Harrisburg. 16. Consideration to Approve a request from the Downtown Merchants to conduct Winterfest; Krystine Ciraciello will be present. Ms. Krystine Ciraciello was in attendance and is looking to close Courthouse Square for the ice sculptures for the duration of the event. Ms. McCabe advises Ms. Krystine Ciraciello to go to the County Commissioners for approval of Courthouse Square. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve a request from the Downtown Merchants to conduct Winterfest Saturday February 15, 2020, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 17. Consideration to Approve a request from East Stroudsburg University to fly ESU flags on Main Street from August 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. Mr. Ace advises he is working with Reilly’s Outdoor for a Fall Harvest Flag on Main Street; it would go up after East Stroudsburg University homecoming. Mr. Ace recommends East Stroudsburg University Flags go up from August 1st thru October 19thand is hoping the Mattioli Fund will fund.  Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve a request from East Stroudsburg University to fly ESU flags on Main Street from August 1, 2020 through October 19, 2020, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 18. Consideration to Approve Change Order #1 for the Mechanical Upgrades to the Stroudsburg Municipal Building in the amount of $12,213.00. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve Change Order #1 for the Mechanical Upgrades to the Stroudsburg Municipal Building in the amount of $12,213.00, second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 19. Acknowledgment of the receipt of the 2020 Hotel Tax Allocation Grant in the amount of $12,500.00 and to Approve the appropriate of same to various annual events in Downtown Stroudsburg. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Acknowledgment the receipt of the 2020 Hotel Tax Allocation Grant in the amount of $12,500.00 and to Approve the appropriate of same to various annual events in Downtown Stroudsburg second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 20. Consideration to Approve a request from the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the JDRF to conduct the annual JDRF One Walk on April 26, 2020 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve a request from the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the JDRF to conduct the annual JDRF One Walk on April 26, 2020 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M., second by Mr. Evanisko. All in favor, Motion Carries. 21. Consideration to Establish a LERTA Committee; members will be appointed by the Council President. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Establish a LERTA Committee; members will be appointed by the Council President, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 22. Consideration to Approve a donation to the Pocono Arts Council in the amount of $500.00 (not appropriated in the 2020 Budget). Discussion about if donations have been given in the past. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve a donation to the Pocono Arts Council in the amount of $500.00, second by Ms. DeVries. Motion Withdrawn. 23. Committee appointments by the Council President. a. Finance Committee (Anthony Lanfrank, James Smith, Erica McCabe, Mary Pat Quinn) b. Street Committee (James Smith, Matt Abell, Victoria DeVries, Tarah Probst, Brian Ace) c. Sewer Committee (Boyd Weiss, Matt Abell, Brian Ace) d. Codes Committee (Tarah Probst, Matt Abell, Jim Evanisko, Ron Kimes) e. Recycling Committee (Boyd Weiss, Victoria DeVries, Jim Evanisko) f. Parking Committee (Erica McCabe, Boyd Weiss, Victoria DeVries, Robin Wall, Nancy Gordon, Walter Phillips, Cynthia Talamo) g. Building and Grounds Committee (Anthony Lanfrank, Ron Kimes, John Stevens, Mary Pat Quinn) h. “HSPS” (Hamilton, Stroud, Pocono, Stroudsburg) Regional Planning Group, re: Comprehensive Plan (Matt Abell, Anthony Lanfrank, Dan Lichty) i. Non-Uniform Pension Board (Anthony Lanfrank, Brian Ace, Nancy Gordon, Wayne LaBar, Ron Kimes, Mary Pat Quinn, Barbara Quarantello) j. Personnel Committee (Anthony Lanfrank, James Smith, Erica McCabe)  k. PR/Media Committee (Erica McCabe, Tarah Probst, Jim Evanisko, Victoria DeVries) l. Redevelopment Committee (Matt Abell, James Smith, Jim Evanisko) m. Route 80 Task Force Committee (Kris Battle, Bonnie Miller, Mary Frances Kresge, Bill Parkinson, Jane Parkinson, Connie McCool, Tarah Probst, James Smith) Motion by Mr. Weiss to ApproveCommittee appointments by the Council President, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee – No report B. Budget Committee - No report C. Parking Committee - No report D. Recycling Committee– Ms. Quinn is attending a Grant Meeting at the Sewer Authority in Blakeslee tomorrow. E. Sewer Committee - No report F. Street Committee– The next meeting is February 4th G. Personnel Committee– No report H. Public Relations/Media Committee– Mayor Probst advises we are looking to schedule Concerts in the Park. Since attendance was low last year when we scheduled prior to school closing, we will wait and schedule when school ends. We will request authorization with the County Commissioners. Ms. McCabe advises beginning February 4th we will request information and music. The Borough provides $100 per concert, Ms. Quinn will give the check to either Mayor Probst or Ms. McCabe in case of a no show. I. Redevelopment Committee– No report J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee– Ms. Kris Battle submitted her report today and advises the Committee is still working towards the highway being the safest for the community along with working with elected officials up through the Secretary of Transportation. Mr. Smith has replaced Mr. Connors on the Committee. Environmental surveys are still in progress. The Committee is still asking for people to contact elected officials. We just met with Ms. Rosemary Brown. The next meeting is Tuesday at 6:00pm. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission -No report 25. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Probst thanked Mr. Ace for the great job with the roads and Christmas tree pickup. Mayor Probst asked when the next newsletter will come out and she and Ms. McCabe are available to help. Mayor Probst is getting feedback about the solar cans. Mayor Probst is getting pictures sent of emergency service vehicles parked in front of fire hydrants, there is a web page set up. 26. Council Member Reports – No Reports 27. Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor McDonald advises emails were sent for 2 Ordinances; Short Term Rentals and Zoning Amendment Licensing; both will need review from both Planning Commissions. 28. Manager’s Report - No Report 29. Code Enforcement Officer’s Report - No Report 30. Street Superintendent’s Report - No Report 31. Approval of Bills on Warrants 200121. Motion by Mr. Weiss to Approve Bills on Warrants 200121, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries. 32. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. Mr. Adam Courtney and Mr. Rich Hammond, both residents of the Borough were here to discuss the property at 124 Lee Avenue Rear. Mr. Kimes advises the last action from Codes Enforcement were Citations issued for litter, vegetation growth, property maintenance issues and failure to register the vacant property;the last correspondence was between myself and Solicitor McDonald as to the next course of action.Mr. Kimes advises multiple citations were filed with the District Magistrate and that taxes are current and there is no contact with the owner. Solicitor McDonald advises Council has the ability for an equity action to be filed with the Court of Common Pleas but moving forward any litigation would need to be discussed in Executive Session.Mr. Adam Courtney has contacted Attorney Jeff Worthington but he has not been in contact with the owner. 33. Executive Session. No Executive Session. Logan Decker was in attendance from the Boy Scouts Pack 86 for his Citizenship Badge. 34. Adjournment Motion by Mr. Weiss to Adjourn at 8:01pm, second by Ms. DeVries. All in favor, Motion Carries.