Board of Supervisors Regular Business Meeting
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 21, 2020
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:00 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: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the December 7, 2020 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Transue read the Treasurer’s Report.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the December 21 Treasurer’s Report.
Motion carried 3-0.
Unfinished Business
Monroe County Yearly Assessed Valuation/Assessment Difference Correction – Transue stated that the assessed value difference from 2020 to 2021 was stated incorrectly in the December 7 meeting. The assesse
7 Pines Park-Kobalt Construction/No Cost Change Order – Konrath stated that Kobalt submitted the No Cost Change Order for a time extension as discussed at the December 7 meeting. Kobalt Construction is requesting a substantial completion date of May 30th, 2021, completion of the parking areas of the 2 ball fields by April 30, 2021 and a Final Completion of June 30, 2021. Linder Engineering also submitted their recommendation to grant the No Cost Change Order to Kobalt Construction for the 7 Pines Park Project.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the No Cost Change Order submitted by Kobalt Construction for a time extension on the 7 Pines Park Project based upon recommendation of engineer.
Motion carried 3-0.
Pre-bid Meeting Questions/Discuss – Konrath stated that Mike Mader received questions from potential bidders for the Paradise Stream Restoration Project as to where boulders and trees could be stored temporarily until they could be disposed of. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that possible bidders had to go to PennBid for information on the Paradise Stream Restoration Project or contact Skelly and Loy, as they are the engineers for the project. Questions must be answered to all potential bidders which are addressed on PennBid. Questions can also be asked and answered by Skelly and Loy at the Pre-bid meeting on January 8, 2021.
Wyndham Emergency Exit/Update – Konrath stated that Terry Martin surveyed and staked the property for the emergency exit running from Wyndham Hills to Green Chapel Lane to Wood Acres Drive.
Nothing further is scheduled at this time other than possibly having brush cleared from the property line and, if possible, mark the property line.
Tarpon Towers Bond/Board Approval – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the bond in the amount of $86,051.08 is a Performance Bond for Tarpon Towers and the bond does not have an expiration date.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve the Performance Bond in the amount of $86,051.08 for Tarpon Towers.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
Resolution 09-2020/Tax Resolution – Konrath stated that Resolution 09-2020 sets the millage rate of 1.29 on each dollar of assessed valuation on all real property within Paradise Township for the fiscal year 2021. This millage rate is the same as 2020.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to approve Resolution 09-2020 establishing the tax millage rate for 2021 at 1.29.
Motion carried 3-0.
Planning Commission Items
Junk and Abandoned Vehicle Ordinance/PC Recommendations – The Board discussed the changes recommended by the Paradise Township Planning Commission to remove the following from the Junk and Abandoned Vehicle Ordinance:
This provision shall not apply to any Township-permitted business which possesses any of the following:
- Valid and current Pennsylvania salvers license;
- Valid and current Pennsylvania junkyard license;
- Valid and current motor vehicle dealer’s license;
- Any automotive repair facility with a sales tax and/or Pennsylvania inspection license.
The Board agreed to move forward with passing the proposed ordinance amendment as it stands. The Monroe County Planning Commission has approved the proposed ordinance amendment in its original version without the deletion of the above provision.
Wireless Communications Ordinance – Konrath asked about changes made to the ordinance from the Paradise Township Planning Commission. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that Attorney McManus made a few minor changes to ordinance and it was sent to the Monroe County Planning Commission for final review and comment. The Board discussed a date and time for a public hearing to pass the Wireless Communications Ordinance.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to schedule a public hearing to pass the Wireless Communications Ordinance at the second Board of Supervisors meeting in February at 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Joint Work Session/Proposed Date 1/18/21 at 5:00 p.m. – The Board discussed a Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission on January 18, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. to be held virtually via GoToMeeting. The purpose for the Joint Work Session is to discuss instituting recommendations made in the Comprehensive Plan and possible zoning district changes.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve advertising the Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission on January 18, 2021 at 5:00p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Short Term Rental Ordinance/MCPC Comments – Gonze stated that in the Monroe County Planning Commission’s comment letter dated December 17, 2020 that comment #3 states: “Noise monitoring devices are currently in use by a growing number of Short Term Rental owners. The Township should consider encouraging the use of such technology to prospective Short Term Rental license applicants. This would create verifiable records to corroborate nuisance complaints and improve enforcement abilities.” Gonze questioned if anyone was aware of the technology the MCPC was referring to. Transue stated that she has heard Paradise Township Zoning Officer Shawn McGlynn recommend to neighbors of nuisance Short Term Rentals that they download an app which could monitor the decibels of noise coming from neighboring properties.
Reports
Solicitor - Solicitor Prevoznik stated he had nothing further. Konrath asked Solicitor Prevoznik to notify the Township if he is made aware of extensions/changes to Governor Wolf’s orders regarding in-person meetings. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that he would contact Gonze to set up a meeting to discuss the recodification from American Legal.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that Hanover Engineering is still waiting on PennDOT approval for the Traffic Calming Devices. Mr. Unangst stated that he believed that in regards to the NPDES Permit for Mt. Airy, that they are just waiting for the County to close the permit. Solicitor Prevoznik stated he thought the Township was still holding a bond from Mt. Airy for their 2017 expansion. Briglia stated she would go to the Township office to look into whether there was still a bond open in connection with the 2017 expansion. Solicitor Prevoznik stated he received an email from Mr. McGlynn in which Pocono Towing, Inc., the buyers for the Pocono Plaza property, were requesting an extension of time for a conditional use hearing. Solicitor Prevoznik informed Mr. McGlynn that a time extension as provided was not adequate as a time extension cannot be open ended. Solicitor Prevoznik questioned whether an answer had been received as to how long of a time extension was being requested. At this time, no one was aware of an amended request for a time extension. Mr. McGlynn was called and indicated that there was a time crunch and that the hearing had to be held on January 4, 2021. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that it was therefore necessary to schedule and advertise a Conditional Use Hearing for the Pocono Towing, Inc. application for conditional use. It was discussed that if a proper extension was granted, then the January 4, 2021 hearing would be unnecessary but until such time as the buyers submit a proper request for an extension of time, then the hearing must occur.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to schedule a Conditional Use Hearing for Pocono Towing at 6:15 p.m. on January 4, 2021.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to approve Solicitor Prevoznik to advertise the Conditional Use Hearing for Pocono Towing.
Motion carried 3-0.
Zoning Officer – The Board reviewed the Zoning Officer’s report.
PMREMS – Gonze reported that PMREMS had a reorganization and he is now the Vice Chair of the PMREMS Board.
Planning Commission Items (Continued)
Planning Commission Packets/Send Electronically - Discuss – Transue stated that the Planning Commission is not receiving their packets in a timely manner even though they are being sent out the Wednesday before their meeting as it has always been done in the past. Transue questioned whether Ingrid DeWitt could send the packets electronically to the commission with the option of the commission members to stop by and pick up a printed copy of the packet from the Township office if they desired a hard copy. DeWitt can go back to mailing the packets once the postal service is able to deliver the packets in a timely manner.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Konrath stated that the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library was looking into installing air scrubbers on their furnaces to help purify the air to help eliminate airborne viruses. Konrath questioned whether the Township should be looking into doing the same for the Municipal Building. Konrath stated that he would get together with Mike Mader to talk to the Township’s furnace service provider to get a quote on the cost of installing air scrubbers on the Municipal Building furnaces.
Adjournment
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Transue
Secretary