Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Charles Unangst – Engineer
Reda Briglia – Supervisor Ingrid DeWitt - Secretary
Tina Transue – Secretary
Pledge of Allegiance
Konrath led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Comment Statement
Konrath read the public comment statement “Ladies and gentlemen, before the Board of Supervisors votes on any matter, the Board will allow for public comment on that particular item. If you wish to be heard at that time, please raise your hand, and you will be recognized.”
Konrath stated that the meeting is being recorded for the limited purpose of preparing the official minutes.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the January 20, 2020 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Work Session Items
Konrath stated that the Board discussed the Paradise Stream Restoration Project.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve Solicitor Prevoznik to contact Dody Frawley of Skelly and Loy, Engineering concerning the “Exhibit A” map that is to be
attached to the Landowner Agreements included in the grant and to clarify the timeline for the grant and the permits associated with the grant.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
BIU/Permit Manager – Follow Up
Transue explained that she had a conversation with Shawn McGlynn, Zoning Officer and that he had some concerns about someone inexperienced with building codes entering reports from BIU into Permit Manager. Gonze further explained Shawn McGlynn’s concerns regarding possible incorrect information being entered into Permit Manager.
Konrath asked Transue to coordinate having BIU and SFM Consulting come in to the next work session on February 19th at 5:00 p.m.
Joan Merli – Planning Commission Appointment
Konrath stated that Joan Merli was inadvertently appointed to the Planning Commission at the same time that she is serving as an Elected Auditor. It was determined that by the Second Class Township Code an Auditor may not serve on another board or commission. Further discussion was held that she could not be removed from her elected position therefore the appointment to the Planning Commission was withdrawn.
Gonze stated he would speak to Joan Merli to see which position she wanted to hold and Merli would have to resign as auditor if she choose to serve on the Planning Commission.
Proposed Fire Alarm Ordinance - Review
The Board discussed the proposed Fire Alarm Ordinance.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to send the proposed Fire Alarm Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik questioned whether the motion to send the Fire Alarm Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission included sending it also to Monroe County Planning Commission.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to amend the previous motion of sending the proposed Fire Alarm Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission to sending the proposed Fire Alarm Ordinance to the Paradise Township Planning Commission and the Monroe County Planning Commission.
Motion carried 3-0.
Tarpon Towers (SIC) – Update of Wireless Communications Ordinance
Konrath questioned if there was an update on Wireless Communications Ordinances from the Planning Commission. Gonze stated that the meeting will be on February 11, 2020. Gonze further stated he would attend.
Durney, Worthington & Madden – ZO Attorney Appointment
Konrath stated that they received the rates from Durney, Worthington & Madden.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to appoint the law firm of Durney, Worthington & Madden as the Zoning Officer’s attorney with Attorney Madden taking the lead. The fee is $175.00 per hour for Attorney hours and $50.00 per hour for Paralegal hours.
Motion carried 3-0.
Ingrid DeWitt – Wage Increase
The Board will hold an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss.
New Business
Tina Vacation Time – Ingrid to Take Minutes
Konrath stated that Transue would be taking vacation time in the near future that would require DeWitt to attend the Board Meeting to take the minutes. DeWitt’s attendance at the Board meeting would be at her overtime rate.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve overtime for DeWitt in the cases when DeWitt would need to attend the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Transue’s absence and also for the overtime for DeWitt to shadow Transue at this evening’s meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
PSATS Municipal Secretary Class – Ingrid to Attend
Transue stated that there was a PSATS Municipal Secretaries class that would be helpful for DeWitt to attend.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to send DeWitt to the PSATS Municipal Secretaries class on March 17th at the cost of $75.00 plus any other expenses that are usual pursuant to the employee manual.
Motion carried 3-0.
Host Compliance – Info from 2/3 Conference Call
Gonze relayed the information received in the conference call that he and Transue sat in on at 3:00 p.m. earlier in the day. Gonze stated that the module that would probably be of the most interest to the Township would be Address Identification. This would provide to the Township the street addresses and owner’s name of Short Term Rentals being operated in the Township. Gonze further explained that Host Compliance monitors STR websites to identify the Short Term Rentals being operated in the Township. Gonze stated he requested that Host Compliance forward a copy of their standard agreement to have Solicitor Prevoznik review it.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to have Solicitor Prevoznik review the agreement from Host Compliance and to work with Gonze.
Motion carried 3-0.
Paradise Historical Society – Request to Waive “Roof” Rental Fee
The Paradise Historical Society submitted a request to have the rental fee for The Roof Park for the date of July 12, 2020 waived as they do every year.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to waive the rental fee for The Roof Park as requested by the Paradise Historical Society for July 12, 2020.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he drafted letters concerning the 764 Red Rock Road residence and would further discuss the letters in Executive Session due to legal issues. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he was contacted by a resident who asked him to represent him in drafting a stormwater agreement at the direction of Shawn McGlynn. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he forwarded a copy of a model stormwater agreement for the resident to use but could not represent him.
Roadmaster – Mader summarized the roadmaster’s report. Mader reported that the road crew was out cutting down dead trees and brush on the roads to be paved this year. Mader reported that there were “approximately” a dozen dead ash trees on Hulbert Hill Road that should be removed. Mader stated in the past some of the residents on Hulbert Hill Road were resistant to having trees removed. Gonze said he would contact the homeowners on that road to explain the need to remove said trees.
Mader stated he would like to have snowbirds installed on the roof of the new Salt Mixing Building. Charles Unangst, Hanover Engineering stated he would contact the contractors to get a cost to install the snowbirds.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated he signed a document for the Security Door in the foyer.
Mr. Unangst stated he would not be in attendance at the February 19th meeting.
Other Business/Public Comment
Traffic Calming Grant – Signatures
Briglia stated that the Township was awarded the Local Share Account grant for the Traffic Calming devices to be installed on Route 191 leading to the entrances of the Timberhill Community and Paradise Falls Lutheran Association in the amount of $80,500.00. Mr. Unangst stated that the Township would need PennDOT’s approval to install the signs in their right-of-way which would require a plan prepared to show sight distance and existing speed limits on Route 191.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to forward the grant agreement to Mr. Unangst and for him to acquire the necessary permits to have the signs installed on Route 191 leading to the entrances of the Timberhill Community and Paradise Falls Lutheran Association.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to accept the Local Share Account grant for Traffic Calming devices agreement and authorize Konrath and Transue to electronically sign the document.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to send thank you letters to Senator Scavello and Representative Maureen Madden for their support for the Local Share Account grant for Traffic Calming devices to be installed on Route 191 leading to the entrances of the Timberhill Community and Paradise Falls Lutheran Association.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports (Continued)
Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services (PMREMS) – Gonze reported that PMREMS applied for grants in the amount of $615,000 and received $315,000 of that to be used for restoration and expansion of the main building for station 11-1.
Other Business/Public Comment (Continued)
Konrath stated that he received an email from Monroe County Control Center regarding the 2019 Municipality Statistics. Gonze stated that PMREMS reported that they have been monitoring how many ambulance calls are dispatched in Pocono Township and approximately twenty-five percent of their calls are being sent to mutual aid which about ninety percent are being picked up by Pocono Mountain Regional EMS ambulances out of station 11-3. Briglia questioned if Pocono Township has been made aware of this. Gonze responded that PMREMS was trying to collect more data which this report from the Monroe County Control Center may be used as. Gonze stated that it may be prudent to wait until the new Pocono Township manager was in place to approach Pocono Township.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Robbin Morgan – ZHB Letter of Resignation
Briglia stated that the Township received a resignation letter from Robbin Morgan resigning from the Zoning Hearing Board.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to accept Robbin Morgan’s letter of resignation from the Zoning Hearing Board with regrets.
Motion carried 3-0.
Executive Session
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that personnel issues and a discussion of the law in regards to firearms and discharge of firearms were discussed. No decisions were made.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he was asked to write letters to the owner of 764 Red Rock Road and also to the Pennsylvania State Police in follow up to complaints received from neighbors of the 764 Red Rock Road Property. Solicitor Prevoznik stated he drafted two letters for the Chair’s signature.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to send the letters drafted by Solicitor Prevoznik to Jeffrey LaBombard, owner of 764 Red Rock Road and the Pennsylvania State Police regarding the complaints received from neighbors about the discharge of firearms and explosives on the 764 Red Rock Road property.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment (Continued)
Shawn Garber – Planning Commission Appointment
Shawn Garber stated he would accept an appointment to the Planning Commission.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to appoint Shawn Garber to the Paradise Township Planning Commission to replace Ron Taylor. The remainder of Taylor’s term expires 1/1/2021.
Motion carried 3-0.
American Legal – Review Changes
Gonze stated we received from American Legal a draft copy of revisions and corrections to our Code of Ordinances and questioned the steps necessary to review those changes and corrections. Transue stated that American Legal would follow up in 60 day with a manifest of the changes and inconsistencies within the code. Solicitor Prevoznik suggested to set up a series of joint meetings with the Planning Commission to review the changes.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary