Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2019
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
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
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. A public comment period will be held at the end of the regular agenda for any other business.”
Konrath stated that the meeting is being recorded for the limited purpose of preparing the official minutes.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the October 21, 2019 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried Konrath – aye, Briglia – aye, Gonze abstained (due to absence).
Executive Session
Konrath stated that an executive session was held to discuss personnel matters earlier today at 11:30 a.m.
No decisions were made.
Work Session Items
Gonze reported that the Board met with the Planning Commission to discuss issues concerning best practices to communicate with the Planning Commission on a regular basis, development of ordinances, Short Term Rentals and ordinances that were already in process.
No decisions were made.
Unfinished Business
Budget Work Sessions - Konrath stated that the budget work session scheduled for November 7 at 9:00 a.m. had to be rescheduled to November 7 at 11:00 a.m. Briglia stated that the change was advertised.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify the time change and the advertisement of said time change in the Pocono Record.
Motion carried 3-0.
Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan Resolution – Solicitor Prevoznik explained the history of the Tarpon Towers Land Development Plan as it pertained to previous Board of Supervisors’ meetings and Planning Commission meetings. Solicitor Prevoznik read Resolution 09-2019. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he collaborated with Charles Unangst, Hanover Engineering, to make sure all outstanding items were dealt with and also spoke with Attorney Williams on the conditions that are listed in the resolution. Attorney Williams stated that there were no objections to the conditions so stated in the resolution.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to pass Resolution 09-2019 along with Attachment A - Tower Removal Agreement as a form of the agreement not the Tower Removal Agreement.
Motion carried 3-0.
Public Hearing-Proposed Ordinance #261
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing for the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 1 (Definitions) in regards to definitions of Skid Road and Haul Road, Ordinance #261.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the purpose of Ordinance #261 is in regards to amending Chapter 1 of the Paradise Township Code of Ordinances.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the proposed ordinance was scheduled for tonight at 6:15 p.m. Solicitor Prevoznik summarized the advertised public notice for proposed Ordinance #261 (See Exhibit 1). Solicitor Prevoznik submitted the following Township Exhibits:
T-1 – Proposed Ordinance #261.
T-2 – Public Notice.
T-3 – Proof of Public Notice from Pocono Record.
T-4 – Memo from Reda Briglia, Secretary, stating that the proposed ordinance was delivered to the Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County Law Library, Pocono Record, and posted at the municipal building.
T-5 – Paradise Township Planning Commission minutes dated August 13, 2019.
T-6 – Paradise Township Planning Commission minutes dated September 10, 2019.
T-7 – Monroe County Planning Commission review dated October 16, 2019.
T-8 – Sign-in Sheet.
T-9 – Copy of Proof of Public Notice from Pocono Record.
Solicitor Prevoznik asked if the Board had any questions. The Board had no questions. Solicitor Prevoznik asked if any member of the public wished to discuss the Ordinance. No one participated or signed the sign-in sheet.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to move Exhibits 1 – 9 into the record. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adopt Ordinance #261 as advertised.
Motion carried 3-0.
Public Hearing-Proposed Ordinance #262
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing for the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 160-12.(A)(69.A), Timber Harvesting, Ordinance #262.
Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the purpose of Ordinance #262 is in regards to amending Chapter 160.(A)(69.A), Timber Harvesting of the Paradise Township Code of Ordinances.
Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the proposed ordinance was scheduled for tonight at 6:30 p.m. Solicitor Prevoznik summarized the advertised public notice for proposed Ordinance #262 (See Exhibit 2). Solicitor Prevoznik submitted the following Township Exhibits:
T-1 – Proposed Ordinance #262.
T-2 – Public Notice.
T-3 – Proof of Public Notice from Pocono Record.
T-4 – Memo from Reda Briglia, Secretary, stating that the proposed ordinance was delivered to the Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County Law Library, Pocono Record, and posted at the municipal building.
T-5 – Paradise Township Planning Commission minutes dated August 13, 2019.
T-6 – Paradise Township Planning Commission minutes dated September 10, 2019.
T-7 – Monroe County Planning Commission review dated October 16, 2019.
T-8 – Monroe County Conservation District review dated October 29, 2019.
T-9 – Sign-in Sheet.
Solicitor Prevoznik asked if the Board had any questions. The Board had no questions. Solicitor Prevoznik asked if any member of the public wished to discuss the Ordinance. No one participated or signed the sign-in sheet.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to move Exhibits 1 – 9 into the record. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adopt Ordinance #262 as advertised.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business (cont.)
Skelly & Loy – Administrative Proposal – Briglia stated that Skelly & Loy gave a quote of $5200.00 to see to the administrative tasks related to the Paradise Creek Stream Restoration at Red Rock Road, Growing Greener Grant. This is a grant that Debra Brady was working on before she retired and is still ongoing.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve retaining Skelly & Loy, Engineering-Environmental Consultants to administer the Paradise Creek Stream Restoration at Red Rock Road, Growing Greener Grant for the amount of $5200.00 (Fifty-Two Hundred Dollars).
Motion carried 3-0.
Web Design RFP – Gonze explained that the Board sorted through the proposals received in response to the RFP request for a Website Redesign and now have five candidates. The Board discussed the candidates. Gonze explained that he had follow up questions that he would like to have answered by way of a phone interview. The candidates were narrowed down to three companies. Gonze and Transue will follow up with the phone interviews.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to advance for consideration Municode, A Sound Strategy and Civic Plus for a follow up interview by Gonze and Transue.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
Jack Mazza – Eagle Scout Project
Jack Mazza presented his Eagle Scout Project to the Board. His project will be done at Ice Lake. Briglia stated that Jack presented his project to PARC and they recommended that he go to both Paradise Township and Barrett Township to also make his presentation as both municipalities are involved with Ice Lake. Jack’s project would entail installing benches and a picnic table near the foot bridge and also along the trail at Ice Lake. Jack stated the benches would be made of concrete and pressure treated wood and the picnic table would be made of pressure treated wood. Jack will also install tree identification signs with metal rods into the ground near several trees in the area. Jack expects his project to be completed by May of 2020.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve Jack Mazza’s Eagle Scout Project.
Motion carried 3-0.
PMRS/Employer Pension Admin Session – Tina and/or Ingrid attend 11/23/19 session
Briglia explained that there is an informational session for Employer Pension Administrators being held on November 23, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. by PMRS. The session is free to attend however it is on a Saturday and would require overtime pay for Transue and DeWitt if they would attend.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to authorize the overtime for both Transue and/or DeWitt to attend the PMRS/Employer Pension Admin Session at Kalahari on November 23, 2019 from 1-4 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company – Financial Statement/ Release Monies
Briglia stated that Paradise Township budgets $40,000.00 (Forty Thousand Dollars) as part of a contract with PMVFC, available for release when the Township receives their Financial Statement. The Financial Statement has now been received.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to release the $40,0000 (Forty Thousand Dollars) to Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company.
Motion carried 3-0.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik reported he has reached out to Ellen Gnandt again for the letter stating the definition of materiality as used in the audit but he has not received the letter to date.
Roadmaster - Mader summarized his report.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst reported on the progress of the Salt Shed Building with a timeline as to when the work is expected to begin on the construction of the building. Unangst reported on the progress of the Foyer construction.
PARC – Briglia summarized PARC’s budget as required by their by-laws.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve PARC’s 2020 budget as submitted in the amount of $76,535.00 (Seventy-Six Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars).
Motion carried 3-0.
Mader asked if there were plans to update the exercise equipment at Skywood Park. There was discussion on the future of the exercise equipment and how and if the equipment could be replaced.
PMREMS – Briglia stated that the Township received the Financial Statements from Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
None
Other Business/Public Comment
Reda Briglia - Letter of Resignation/Retirement – Konrath stated that Reda Briglia has given her resignation letter for the position of Executive Secretary. Briglia is retiring after 22 years with the Township. Briglia’s last day would be December 20, 2019.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to accept Briglia’s resignation letter as the Executive Secretary with regret.
Motion carried Konrath – aye, Gonze – aye, Briglia abstained.
Trees – Shawn Garber reported that there was a tree on Route 940 which is a PA State Road that was a potential hazard to motorists. Mader stated there were other trees that could be a hazard in the Township that were also located on PA State roads. Mader is to compile a list of the potentially hazardous trees and forward them to Transue. Transue will send a letter to PennDOT and cc Mario Scavello.
Executive Session
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to reconvene the regular meeting. Konrath stated personnel matters were discussed and no decisions were made.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment
Tina Transue – Konrath stated that the Board discussed making Tina Transue an offer to assume the position of Executive Secretary as of December 21, 2019. Gonze suggested a wage based on 40 per week plus attendance at the Board of Supervisors’ meetings as a salaried employee at the rate of $58,000.00 (Fifty-Eight Thousand Dollars) per year.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Konrath to hire Tina Transue as Executive Secretary as a salaried employee at $58,000.00 per year effective December 21, 2019.
Motion carried 3-0.
Adjournment
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Gonze to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary