Borough Council

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES -MAY 5, 2020 MEETING A regular meeting of the Stroudsburg Borough Council convened at 7:00 P.M. electronically and livestreamed through the Stroudsburg Borough Facebook Page with the following members present: Council President Anthony Lanfrank, Vice-President of Council Matt Abell, Council President Pro-Tem Erica McCabe, Councilman James Smith, Councilman Jim Evanisko, Councilwoman Victoria DeVries, and Councilman Boyd Weiss. Also present were: Brian Ace, Jr., Borough Manager; Tarah Probst, Mayor; Joseph McDonald, Jr, Borough Solicitor; Mary Pat Quinn, Executive Assistant; John Schnatter, Superintendent of Streets; and Ron Kimes, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer. Special Note: The meeting was held on Zoom.com; the public was given the opportunity to submit comments on agenda items and non-agenda items to the Borough Manager via bace@stroudsburgboro.com prior to the meeting. The public was also invited to participate via livestream by following the link on the Stroudsburg Borough Facebook page. Public Hearing and Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to Amend Chapter 15 Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 3 General Parking Regulations, Section §15-316 entitled “Handicapped Parking Zones Established”. The public hearing for the aforementioned Ordinance was opened to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. A motion was made by Ms. McCabe, seconded by Mr. Evanisko to close the public hearing. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) The subject Ordinance was adopted on a motion made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Ms. McCabe. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Public Hearing and Consideration to Adopt An Ordinance Establishing Certain License Criteria for Short-Term Rental of Residential Dwelling Units. The public hearing for the aforementioned Ordinance was opened to the public. There were no questions or comments from the public. A motion was made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Mr. Smith to close the public hearing. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) The subject Ordinance was adopted on a motion made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Mr. Abell. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting, April 21, 2020. The minutes of the regular meeting on April 21, 2020 were approved as circulated on a motion was made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Mr. Smith. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0- abstentions) OLD BUSINESS Status of proposal from Barry Isset and Associates for residential plan review and permitting services. Mr. Kimes reported that a written proposal from Barry Isset and Associates is forthcoming. NEW BUSINESS Consideration to adopt a Resolution of the Stroudsburg Borough Council to close the Fire Apparatus PLGIT Account #0000102322 and transfer those funds to the Fire Apparatus Account #0047706968. The aforementioned Resolution was adopted on a motion made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Ms. McCabe. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Consideration of a request from George Loudon for relief from the installation of sidewalks on Stokes Avenue in connection with the construction of a single-family residence at 309 Colbert Street (located at the corner of Colbert Street and Stokes Avenue). George Loudon, the property owner of 309 Colbert Street, submitted a written request to Council asking that he be relieved from installing sidewalks along Stokes Avenue. He is constructing a single-family dwelling at 309 Colbert Street, which is located at the corner of Colbert Street and Stokes Avenue. Mr. Kimes advised him in November, 2019 that he is required to install sidewalks to a certain width along both streets based on the Borough Code, Appendix H, Streets and Sidewalks. It was later discovered that Mr. Loudon’s property was subdivided by the previous owner, Spiros Darsinos, and the Borough Council approved that subdivision plan in July 2004 with the stipulation that the owner would agree “to put in sidewalks when the lots are developed”. Mr. Loudon and Mr. Kimes also discovered that the recorded subdivision plan recorded in Monroe County in May 2005 does not reflect the approved requirement for the installation of sidewalks. Mr. Loudon was present at the meeting via Facebook live. He stated that he will install sidewalks on the Colbert Street side of his property; however, he expressed concern about a gas main needing to be moved on Stokes Avenue if sidewalks were required. He hopes to finish the project by the end of May. Solicitor McDonald would like to look at the approved subdivision documents before Council makes any decision. The plan and the minutes constitute a binding condition of the property. Matt Abell advised that the Hamilton, Stroud, Pocono, Stroudsburg Planning Group is looking at safe pedestrian routes to Glen Park. Ms. McCabe and Mr. Smith noted that a goal of the Borough Council is to create a more walkable town. Mr. Loudon then withdrew his request and stated that he will install the sidewalks on Stokes Avenue. Consideration to approve Payment #3 (final) in the amount of $20,658.00 to Super Heat, Inc. Note: The payment of $11,955.00 that was approved at the April 21, 2020 meeting was the retainer only. Payment #3 in the amount of $20,658.00 to Super Heat, Inc. was approved for payment on a motion made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Weiss. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0- abstentions) Consideration to authorize the Borough Manager to execute an electronic transfer in the amount of $812,534.00 from the Fire Apparatus Account at ESSA Bank and Trust to Glick Fire Equipment Company, Inc. for the payment of the 2020 Pierce Enforcer Pumper Rescue truck. The Fire Chief advised the Borough Manager that the truck will be complete on or about May 13, 2020. The aforementioned Resolution was adopted on a motion made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. McCabe. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Committee Reports Codes Committee – Mr. Abell reported that the Codes Committee is working on a sidewalk ordinance to address the sidewalks in the Borough that are in disrepair. The Committee would like to phase in the requirement to replace sidewalks to lower the financial impact on homeowners. The Committee is also considering Borough-wide garbage collection. Other areas being considered are an update on citations, the definition of and regulation of “kitchen”, and the legality of live domestic fowl in residential areas. Mr. Smith asked if sidewalk repair could be included as a checklist item in a Tenant Inspection Ordinance and if the repair of a sidewalk could be a condition prior to selling a property. Ms. McCabe asked if raising honey bees is permitted in the Borough. Mr. Kimes responded that it is. Ms. Probst reported that she received a complaint about barking dogs on Oak Street. She asked if the Codes Committee could look in to a nuisance ordinance for barking dogs similar to the ordinance that East Stroudsburg Borough has. Mr. Abell asked that a Resolution be placed on the May 19 agenda to establish an initial fee of $250.00 for the registration of a Short-Term Rental and a $150.00 annual renewal fee. Public Relations/Media Committee – Ms. Probst reported that the Committee will meet on May 19. Redevelopment Committee – Mr. Abell advised that the Committee will meeting on May 20 at 3:00 P.M. via Zoom. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Committee – Ms. McCabe asked if SROSRC will hold the summer camp for children this year. Mr. Weiss will check on that and get back to Council. Mr. Smith asked about the Stroudsburg Pool and what the plans are for the summer. Mr. Ace advised that he has been in contact with Autumn Arthur, the Director of SROSRC, and will be meeting with her on May 15. He will report back to Council at the May 19 meeting. He further stated that with the staff restrictions in the Public Works Department, the pool could not be opened until June 30 at best. There is a lot of work to be done and money to be spent to get the pool ready. Mr. Smith asked if the pool does not open, would there be any surplus funds that could be spent for a new pool liner. He asked that Mr. Ace inquire about possible grants for the pool liner. Personnel Committee Mr. Smith suggested that when Monroe County goes in to the “Yellow Zone” that the furloughed staff should be called back to work and that all Borough meetings resume as in-person meetings. Borough Solicitor Report Solicitor McDonald reported that he did a PSAB webinar regarding Act 15 and that it was very informative. It was moderated by a Right-to-Know advocate. Ms. McCabe suggested that it be streamed on Zoom through Facebook. There is a personnel matter to discuss in Executive Session. Borough Manager’s Report Mr. Ace suggested that Council extend the Declaration of a Local Disaster Emergency as the current one expired April 30, 2020. A PROCLAMATION BY THE STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL DECLARING A LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY IN STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNTY OF MONROE, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA The aforementioned proclamation was extended to May 22, 2020 on a motion made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Weiss. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Mr. Smith asked that this topic be added as an agenda item for the May 19 meeting. Mr. Ace reported that Lori Foglio from RKR Hess has been working with him on the reduction of the scope of work for the Multimodal Grant project. He will follow up with Council at the next meeting. Code Enforcement Officer Report Mr. Kimes reported that the Planning Commission discussed the Zoning Amendment request of Nancy Guardo to allow kennels in the C-2 Zoning District as a special exception. The Planning Commission recommended the amendment to the Borough Council. A motion was made by Ms. McCabe, seconded by Mr. Smith to direct staff to prepare the Ordinance and advertise for a public hearing at the June 2, 2020 meeting. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0- abstentions) Street Superintendent’s Report Mr. Schnatter reported that his department is operating with four employees including himself. They are keeping up with maintenance. There is a bid opening on May 14 for the Oak Street and Scott Street Paving and ADA Ramps project. Approval of Bills on Warrants 200505. A motion was made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Mr. Abell to approve the Bills on Warrants for 200505. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items Jessica Keller, a resident of Oak Street, thanked the Street Department for doing the curbside brush and leaf pick-up. Executive Session – Personnel A motion was made by Mr. Weiss, seconded by Mr. Abell at 8:20 P.M. to go in to executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) The executive session concluded at 8:38 P.M. on a motion made by Mr. Abell, seconded by Ms. McCabe. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions) The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. on a motion made by Mr. Abell seconded, seconded by Mr. Weiss. The motion was carried. (7-yes; 0-no; 0-abstentions)