Borough Council

MINUTES Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. Special Note: This meeting will be held on Zoom.com; the public may submit comments on agenda items and non-agenda items to the Borough Manager via bace@stroudsburgboro.com prior to the meeting. The public is also invited to participate via livestream by following the link on the Stroudsburg Borough Facebook page. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call – Present were: Council Member Jim Evanisko, Council Member James Smith, Mayor Tarah Probst, Solicitor Joseph McDonald, Council President Anthony Lanfrank, Borough Manager Brian Ace Jr., Council Vice President Matt Abell, Council Member Victoria DeVries and Council Member Erica McCabe. Absent was Council Member Boyd Weiss. Quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Approval of Council Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting, February 2, 2021. Motion by Mr. Abell to Approve Council Meeting Minutes for the Regular Meeting, February 2, 2021, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor Voting YES with Mr. Smith Abstaining, Motion Carries. 4. 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) 5. Motion by Mr. Smith to Accept Monthly Administrative Reports, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 6. Accept Unaudited January, 2021 Treasurer’s Report. a. Bank Account Balances b. Budget to Actual Report Motion by Mr. Smith to Accept Unaudited January, 2021 Treasurer’s Report, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. Old Business 7. Consideration to Approve the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for Shanti House as prepared by Cornerstone Consulting Engineers and Architectural, Inc. Solicitor McDonald advises Attorney Wolfe is requesting this be tabled until March. Attorney Wolfe mentioned they are trying to schedule a construction finance closing and that is necessary to help secure the letter of credit. 8. Consideration to Approve the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for Alpha Recycling as prepared by Gilmore and Associates, Inc. at 2 Katz Drive.Ms. Lois Gilroy and Mr. Sean Policelli were on the call. Solicitor McDonald advised Mr. Oiler would not be on the call tonight. The developer needs to prepare a cost estimate and Mr. Oiler has some outstanding items. Mr. Sean Policelli has been speaking with Mr. Oiler; there is additional cleanup that will complete this week. Mr. Sean Policelli advises they are looking to adjust the landscaping plan. There are questions on the buffering by Route 80 per the Ordinance section 613, 1 A 9. Discussion about the trees not meeting the caliber requirement being 167 trees short and looking for a waiver even though over 1,000 plantings are in the plan. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Kimes or Solicitor McDonald if they are seeking a variance for the Zoning Ordinance or are they coming to Council for a Land Development issue? Solicitor McDonald explains this is aLand Development application and formal action may be taken next week; the item in discussion is if Council  is opposed or would consider a waiver for the screening/tree buffer criteria in the Sub-division and LandDevelopment Ordinance. Mr. Sean Policelli advises it is in the SALDO. Mr. Kimes advises the portion facing Rt 80 does need screening. 9. Status of Bike Rack Project. No update. 10. Status of LERTA Ordinance. No update. 11. Consideration to Approve the purchase of two (2) TC-400 Portable Radar Speed Signs from Radarsign in the amount of $6,023.00 (payable from the General Fund/Sewer Fund-Miscellaneous Supplies, Traffic Signs and Signals 433.372) Motion by Mr. Abell to Approve the purchase of two (2) TC-400 Portable Radar Speed Signs from Radarsign in the amount of $6,023.00 (payable from the General Fund/Sewer Fund-Miscellaneous Supplies, Traffic Signs and Signals 433.372), second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. New Business 12. David Horton, P.E., Manager of Brodhead Creek Regional Authority will discuss Wastewater Disposal at the Treatment Plant. Discussion with Mr. Davis Horton about the new water source (well #3) located by Pinebrook Golf Course. This is a big investment made over the last 10 years to bring online. It is a high-tech membrane filtration plant which will provide 500 gallons a minute of new water online. The system needs to be cleaned routinely with back wash that generates waste water. The waste water is clean water containing silts and BCRA is looking for approval to dispose at the Stroudsburg water plant. The Borough previously had concerns about septic overflow. BCRA doesn’t see this as an issue. The quantity would be one truck per week, approximately 5,000 gallons. Q & A discussion about no sludge or odor; no extra cost directly to the Borough; this will service parts of the Borough; backwash will be constant. 13. Consideration to Adopt a Budget Transfer Resolution for CY 2020. Motion by Mr. Abell to Adopt a Budget Transfer Resolution for CY 2020, second by Mr. Smith. All in favor, Motion Carries. 14. Consideration to Appoint Brian D. Ace, Jr., as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Non-Uniformed Pension System. Motion by Mr. Smith to Appoint Brian D. Ace, Jr., as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Non- Uniformed Pension System, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 15. Consideration to Appoint Joanne Kochanski to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the unexpired term of Rich Staneski which expires 12-31-2024. Motion by Mr. Abell to Appoint Joanne Kochanski to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the unexpired term of Rich Staneski which expires 12-31-2024, second by Ms. McCabe. Discussion about filling vacancies for boards and commissions. The last time we filled a position it was advertised. Solicitor McDonald advises Ms. Kochanski serves as a volunteer on various commissions and the MPC states that members of the Zoning Hearing Board shall hold no other elected or appointed office in the Municipality nor shall any member be an employee of the Municipality.Solicitor McDonald states Ms. Kochanski has not been elected nor is an employee. The question is if an appointed office is recognized  by the Borough Code and any potential committee assignment. Ms.Kochanski is on the Codes Committee, Alternate Council Member, Council of Governments and SARP. Motion Withdrawn. Motion by Mr. Smith to Table Appointing Joanne Kochanski to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the unexpired term of Rich Staneski which expires 12-31-2024. No 2nd, Motion Dies. Motion by Mr. Smith to advertise for the open position to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the unexpired term of Rich Staneski which expires 12-31-2024, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 16. Committee Reports A. Codes Committee– The next meeting isWednesday, February 24th B. Budget Committee – No Update C. Parking Committee - No Update D. Recycling Committee - No Update E. Sewer Committee - No Update F. Street Committee– The Committee met February 3rd. We are waiting to follow up with Ben Guthrie, the traffic engineer. Battery chargers were approved. We would like children at play signs on Colbert to slow traffic down. The Streets department can make the signs. Motion by Ms. McCabe to make and install children at play signs on Colbert, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. We received a letter from Penn Dot about taking back Main Street. I need to speak to another Mayor as Penn Dot doesn’t have the right to not allow us to take the street back. Discussion about Main Street being part of Rt 209/Rt 191 (between 7th and 9th). Rt 191 is a state highway and Rt 209 is a federal highway. This may go above Penn Dot. We are working on the crosswalks as there is a Street Art Grant available. Will be following up on the sidewalk ordinance. Solicitor McDonald has worked on the Ordinance but not since the last meeting. The next meeting is March 3rd. G. Personnel Committee– Mr. Ace has one item for Executive Session H. Public Relations/Media Committee– The Committee met tonight and spoke about the underground railroad monument. We are running out of room for Veterans flags, they cannot be hung from the other side due to the mounting hardware on the decorative poles, the flags can only hang on the decorative poles. We are working on flags for other events. Adam Courtney and Erica McCabe have been great assets. We are posting about black history month on Facebook. We received money for the Hotel tax for Concerts in the Park and may have an issue on location with the Courthouse expansion. The Sherman Theater is working on new programs and may be able to team up. We will meet the 3rd Tuesday at 5:30pm and will advertise on Facebook about changing of the meeting time. We are waiting for fence materials for the ice rink. I. Redevelopment Committee–The Committee meets tomorrow at 3:30pm.Mr. Abell asked Mr. Kimes to forward the revised commercial overlay map to Council for adoption. Mr. Abell asked Mr. Ace about adding an alternate to Ann Street roadwork about extending the sidewalk on 10th Street. Mr. Ace has reached out to Russ and needs to speak to Mr. Oiler. Spoke to Autumn Arthur at SROSRC for recommendations to the trail planner. There are 2 sections of trails cited in numerous studies as missing links in the Borough. They are ESSA Creek walk and South Levee Loop Trail. Spoke to  Larry from trail design and sent him a list of parameters, he is available if approved to begin working on it. This will provide guidance to Solicitor McDonald on easements. There are grant opportunities to apply for. This would be an alignment plan complete with site notes about tree removals and grades to fill in or excavation. The cost would be $3,000-$5,000 range for the plan. He will forward a not to exceed cost estimate that I will forward to the Committee and to Council for approval. J. I-80 Expansion Task Force Committee– Ms. McCabe advises Kris has reached out to Penn Dot for a follow up on items sent from December on emergency response times and the re-design of the fly over ramp to Rt 209. K. Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission– There will be an upcoming meeting 17. Mayor’s Report -There is a lot of good feedback about snow removal and Winterfest. 18. Council Member Reports Mr. Smith – Mr. Smith is asking why some members on the zoom meetings are visible and some are not. Mr. Lanfrank advises there is not law about being on camera. There was a lot of garbage during Winterfest, bags in the tree wells, could a Big Belly garbage can move over by Goombas. Mr. Kimes advises the Codes office has gone through several bags. Will the pool be open this year? Ms. McCabe advises SROSRC has not decided yet. Mr. Smith has a question for Solicitor McDonald if the Borough is required to provide a laptop and internet service for Council Members who do not have the technology at home to participate in the zoom meetings? The Borough is not required to provide. The zoom meeting can be accessed via cell and landline.With Covid,Mr. Smith has not attended a meeting this year as his work schedule has changed. The last time Mr. Smith attended a meeting he mentioned the Ordinancewe changed last year to allow appointments to the Police Commission. Mr. Smith had asked Council to bring the Ordinance back to allow for 3 elected officials. Ms. McCabe advised it was voted down as we were in the middle of contract negotiations at this time.Discussion about Council members not showing up for meetings or committees.Discussionensued about removing members and adding to the Personnel Committee about a Council handbook. 19. Solicitor’s Report– Solicitor McDonald forwarded a letter late today from Bio Spectra. Solicitor McDonald received a call from their Counsel making an inquiry if Council is open to an considering a zoning amendment of the former Shop Rite Plaza in Monroe Plaza. There is consent from the property owner. There company has a production facility in Bangor and Butler Park in Stroud Twp. The company manufacturers pharmaceutical buffers and are looking at both buildings in the plaza. This location is in the MUA zoning and warehousing is not permitted. Mayor Probst advises jobs would be high paying, there could be over 100 employees with earned tax income. Mr. Abell advises we will discuss at the Re-development Committee meeting tomorrow Peter from the public advises a lot of trailer and would need to make 3rd Street turn truck friendly. Solicitor McDonald advises124 Rear Lee Avenue was served to an adult family member in Edison, NJ. We are looking for compliance. The appeal for Adams Outdoor is scheduled for the week of April 12th. 20. Manager’s Report– Mr. Ace has spoken to Brian Gallagher and the St. Patrick’s parade has been cancelled for 2021. He is hoping to do an Irish festival around August/September timeframe. The Multi Modal grant is ready to go with the revised scope of work submitted and we can meet with the engineers. There is a meeting with the Union and members tomorrow at 3:30pm, we are still in contract negotiations. There is one personnel item for Executive Session. 21. Code Enforcement Officer’s Report– No report 22. Street Superintendent’s Report– Working on plowing and salting 23. Approval of Bills on Warrants 210216. Motion by Ms. McCabe to Approve Bills on Warrants 210216, second by Mr. Abell. All in favor, Motion Carries. 24. Public Input for Non-Agenda Items. Mr. Abell asked Chief Lyons about drivers going through the stop sign at Scott and Wallace. Peter from the public mentioned Scott and Stone too. Peter from the public was looking for an update to Bank Alley and was advised we are still waiting for Shanti House. Ozzy Petroza asked what Council members do to help franchise owners and was advised to speak to Mr. Kimes. 25. Executive Session. Motion by Mr. Abell to Adjourn to Executive Session at 8:33pm, second by Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. Motion by Mr. Abell to re-convene to the Regular Session at 8:38pm, second by Ms. Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries. Adjournment Motion byMr. Abell to Adjourn at 8:38pm, second by Ms. Ms. McCabe. All in favor, Motion Carries.