Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 1, 2020
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Konrath read the public comment statement “To meet the requirements established by the Office of Open records for virtual meetings, this meeting shall be audio and video recorded via GoToMeeting.com from the initial announcement of the meeting till its end with the exception of the executive session if any, which shall not be recorded. 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 we will also watch for you on chat, and you will be recognized.”
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Charles Unangst - Engineer
Reda Briglia - Supervisor Tina Transue – Secretary
Pledge of Allegiance: Waived
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the May 18, 2020 Board of Supervisors regular business meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Primary Election – Transue updated the Board on the ongoing progress of setting up for the Primary Election to be held at the Township Building on June 2. Transue reported the Cheryl Phillips, current Judge of Elections, did come to the Township Building to offer guidance on how to set up for the election. Konrath explained that the current Board of Elections declined to work the polls amid COVID-19 Pandemic therefore new poll workers were needed. Gonze questioned whether the Board of Elections declined to work this election or if they resigned completely. Konrath stated that they only declined to work this election and barring any continued after effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic they would work the November election.
Spring Clean Up – The Board discussed rescheduling the postponed Spring Clean Up for the July 13-18, 2020.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve the advertisement for bids for the rescheduled Spring Clean Up for July 13-18, 2020.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Webpage – Transue stated that the new webpage was up and running. There have been some minor glitches with the page such as missing links and ordinances that Transue is working with CivicPlus to fix however everything else has gone smoothly.
New Business
PMREMS – Logan Evans, Nick DeWitt and Denise Doremus were in attendance to discuss the funding shortfall for PMREMS due to a lower call volume stemming from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Gonze summarized the reasons for the funding shortfalls such as lower transports and emergency call volume is down. Gonze stated that the loss of funds from this year would be near one million dollars. Gonze stated that the EMS did receive a PPP loan during the pandemic that was being used for salaries. Gonze stated that if the call rate stayed the same the EMS may not be able to operate past the fall season if alternative funding could not be secured. Gonze asked the Board for a letter of support to be sent to state elected officials to ask for help with funding. Logan Evans also spoke to the Board regarding the shortfall and possible solutions. Evans stated that 80% of the budget comes from their call volume. Briglia stated that the Board would look at the general budget and the LST tax budget to see if there was a possibility of an additional appropriation to PMREMS.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to give the PMREMS a letter of support in asking for funding help from state elected officials.
Motion carried 3-0.
Konrath asked Logan Evans if the Fire Company would be open to allowing upcoming elections to be held in the Paradise Township Fire Station instead of the Paradise Township Building as there would be more room in the Fire Station. Evans stated that it would be a possibility. Konrath stated that he would contact Evans if the Township wanted to move forward with moving the election for the upcoming November election.
Unfinished Business (Continued)
American Legal Contract – Solicitor Prevoznik summarized his progress of reviewing the
Legal and Editorial Research and Report from American Legal in association with the recodification of the Township’s Code of Ordinances. Solicitor Prevoznik discussed meeting with a member(s) of the Board to review his findings. The Board also discussed contacting American Legal in reference to the content of the codification and follow up report not meeting the expectations of what was to be accomplished by the recodification. Solicitor Prevoznik is to contact American Legal to set up a date and time to hold a conference call with American Legal, Briglia, Gonze and Solicitor Prevoznik. Transue is to forward the contact information to Solicitor Prevoznik.
The Friendly Community Center – Konrath stated that The Friendly Community Center emailed a request for partial payment of the $7,500.00 appropriation that was budgeted for the year 2020. The email included copies of the invoices of monies spent so far to date on the classes offered at the Community Center. The requested amount was $5,530.00. Briglia stated that she would verify the amount stated on the report was correct.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to release the $5,530.00 of the $7,500.00 in appropriation monies budgeted for 2020 for The Friendly Community Center contingent on verification of the figures by Briglia.
Motion carried 3-0.
Seasonal Worker Hiring – Konrath stated that Chad Nauman, Asst. Roadmaster and himself would be interviewing candidates for the Seasonal Laborer position previously advertised on May 15-17, 2020. Konrath stated that the rate of pay for the Seasonal Laborers would be $17.00 per hour for up to 40 hours with no benefits.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve hiring two Seasonal Laborers with a pay rate of $17.00 per hour for up to 40 hours with no benefits.
Motion carried 3-0.
Volunteer Application Received – Konrath stated the Township received a volunteer application for a board/commission within the Township from Robert MacDonald IV.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to appoint Robert MacDonald IV to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Motion carried 3-0.
Transue to send a letter to MacDonald stating his appointment to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Salt Shed Mixing Building Final Payment – Konrath stated that Hanover Engineering sent a letter requesting the final payment in the amount of $1,425.00 be released to Creekside Concrete Construction.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve releasing the final payment in the amount of $1,425.00 to Creekside Concrete Construction for the Salt Shed Mixing Building construction.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Roadmaster – Konrath stated that Mike Mader, Roadmaster submitted his monthly report. Konrath summarized the Roadmaster report.
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he was reviewing the American Legal Publishing recodification of the Township’s ordinances. Solicitor Prevoznik stated he would forward the Nuisance Vehicle Ordinance information to Transue. Solicitor Prevoznik also stated that the information submitted with a bid from H & K Group in relevance to the Road Paving Project was verified.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that Lehigh Valley Interior Construction, Inc., was to begin construction the week of June 8, 2020. Mr. Unangst stated he contacted PennDOT and was told that the Stites Tunnel Bridge would be finished on or around July 19 pending any further delays. Mr. Unangst said he was contacted by David Horton, Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in regards to the water lines on the Pocono Mountain School Property. Mr. Horton stated in his email there is an issue with an incomplete item which is the vegetative growth within the Authority’s easement that is keeping them from closing out the contract. Solicitor Prevoznik stated the Mr. Horton stated he would like Mr. Unangst to be apprised of measures needed to correct the issue on the Township’s behalf and that the BCRA would cover the cost of Mr. Unangst’s fees.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve Mr. Unangst to work with the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in regards to the waterline project that crosses the Pocono Mountain School District Property at BCRA’s cost.
Motion carried 3-0.
Konrath asked Mr. Unangst when the traffic calming devices would be installed. Mr. Unangst stated the target was to have them installed by fall.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Yard Sales – Konrath stated that residents have been questioning whether they could get permits to hold a yard sale. The Board agreed to not allow yard sales until Monroe County was listed as green on Governor Wolf’s reopening of Pennsylvania plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Host Compliance – Gonze stated that he spoke to both DeWitt and Transue about the reports received from Host Compliance in regards to unlicensed Short Term Rentals in the Township. DeWitt will run the report every two weeks and forward the report to SFM Consulting for follow up.
The Roof – Transue questioned how to proceed with rentals already booked at the Roof. The Board agreed to not allow gatherings to be held at the Roof unless the County goes into the green phase.
Other Business/Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary