MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

BIENNIAL ORGANIZATION MEETING

 

JANUARY 7, 2009

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

1.                 Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.   Borough Manager Barbara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:   Ms. Diddio, Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Council members Joanne Kochanski, Jeff rey Ewen, Boyd Weiss, and Matthew Abell. Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also present.  Council member Eric Scelza was absent.

 

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                 Public Input:  Mr. Jonathan Garvin of 521 Sarah Street , Stroudsburg , PA was present to discuss the towing of his car during the recent snow emergency.  This was his first night in his new apartment and he was not aware of the snow emergency in effect or the fact that the street was a snow emergency route.  His car was towed by SARPD and he was charged $204 (towing, storage for 1 day and gate charge) by Schlier’s Towing.  He researched the other towing companies used by SARPD and found the prices ranging from $85 to $135 for towing and $40-45 for daily storage and some didn’t charge the gate fee at all or had a flat rate of $135 (Trieble).  He was troubled by the vast difference in prices and asked council to consider a flat rate when the Borough has vehicles towed for snow emergencies.  Ms. Diddio pointed out that the local radio and TV stations announce the snow emergency and SARPD order/enforce the towing.  Mr. Weiss agrees the police should notify the person where their car was towed.  Ms. Diddio said he could have called 911 and stated it was not an emergency.  Ms. Diddio added that this is a reasonable point for police to discuss at the Police Commission meeting January 14, 2009.  Mayor Charles Baughman urged Mr. Garvin to attend that meeting as well.  Mr. Garvin also asked council to re-consider the residential parking to tenants on the south side of Sarah Street .  Ms. Diddio said that ruling has been discussed and will not be re-visited.

 


4.       Position Appointments

 

A.       Borough Solicitor:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Ralph A. Matergia as the Borough Solicitor.  Motion passed unanimously.

B.       Borough Engineer:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Nate Oiler from R.K.R. Hess Associates as the Borough Engineer.  Motion passed unanimously.

C.       Borough Manager/Secretary/Treasurer:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Barbara Quarantello as the Borough Manager/Secretary/Treasurer.  Motion passed unanimously.

D.      Zoning Hearing/Codes Hearing Board Solicitor:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Elizabeth Weeks as the Solicitor of the Zoning Hearing/Codes Hearing Board. Motion passed unanimously.

E.       Alternate Borough Engineer:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to appoint Achterman Associates as the Borough’s Alternate Engineer. Motion passed unanimously.

F.       Borough Sewer Engineer:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Allen, to appoint Brinjac Engineering as the Borough’s Sewer Engineer.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.       Annual Board Appointments

 

A.       COG Representative:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Weiss to appoint Mr. Ace as the Borough’s representative to the Pocono Mountains Council of Governments with Ms. Diddio to be the alternate. Motion passed unanimously.

 

B.       MECAB Representative:   Motion by Mr. Allen, second by Mr. Abell to appoint Joanne Kochanski as the Borough’s representative to the Mid-eastern Counties Association of Boroughs.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

C.       Jacob Stroud Corporation Representative:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski to appoint Matthew Abell as the Borough’s representative on the Jacob Stroud Corporation Board.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.       Board and Commission Appointments

 

A.       Planning Commission:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Jim Gregor and George Nunn to the Planning Commission.  Motion passed unanimously.

B.       Zoning Hearing Board:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Weiss, to appoint William Miller to the Zoning Hearing Board.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

C.       Park and Recreation Board:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Susan Finley-Welsh to the Stroudsburg Park and Recreation Board.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

D.      Shade Tree Commission:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to appoint William Weitzmann to the Shade Tree Commission.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

E.       Stroud Regional Open Space & Recreation Commission:  Motion by Mr. Allen, second by Mr. Weiss, to appoint Mayor Charles Baughman to the Stroud Regional Open Space & Recreation Commission.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

F.       Stroud Area Regional Police Commission:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Allen to appoint Barbara Quarantello to the Stroud Area Regional Police Commission.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

G.      Monroe County Control Center:  Motion by Mr. Allen, second by Mr. Weiss to appoint Robert Philips and Joanne Kochanski to the Monroe County Control Center .  Motion passed unanimously.

 

H.      Historic Architectural Review Board:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski to appoint Ken Lang to the Historic Architectural Review Board.  Motion passed unanimously.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell to appoint Jack Muehlhan to the Historic Architectural Review Board.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.       Consider Approval of Depositories – Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust, PNC Bank, Pennsylvania Treasury INVEST Program, Pocono Community Bank:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.       Consider Approval of Recurring Monthly Invoices:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.       Consider Approval of 2009 Council Meeting Dates:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski to approve the first Wednesday and third Thursday of each month as the Council meeting dates for 2009.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

10.     Consider Council Committee Assignments – Ms. Diddio appointed members as follows:

 

A.       Non-union Pension Board:  Kim Diddio, Joanne Kochanski, Barbara Quarantello, Tim Ace, Mary Ann Tradrzynski, Nancy Gordon, Mark Louchart.

 

B.       Finance Committee Representatives:  Kim Diddio, Kathi Lockwood, Eric Scelza, Mayor Baughman, Mike Casey, Pat O’Reilly & Chuck Hoffman.

 

C.       Street Committee: Joanne Kochanski, Jeff Ewen & Eric Scelza.

 

D.      Sewer Committee:  Charles Baughman, Jeff Ewen & Eric Scelza.

 

E.       Codes Committee:  Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss & Neil Allen.

 

F.       Litter Committee:  Neil Allen & Kim Diddio 

 

G.      Recycling Committee:  Jeff Ewen, Neil Allen, Barbara Quarantello.

 

11.     New Business:

 

A.       Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on December 18, 2008.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

B.       Consideration to approve 2009 Wages and Benefits for Non-union Employees with no wage or salary increases.  Mrs. Quarantello corrected Brian Bond’s salary to $20.06 per hour.  Motion to approve by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

C.       Consideration to approve Mileage Reimbursement at Government/IRS Rate ($.55/mile). Motion to approve by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

D.      Consideration to authorize Early Payment of Invoices for Discount.  Mrs. Quarantello explained this would allow the Borough to pay bills on time if a meeting doesn’t have a quorum. Motion to approve by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

E.       Consider approval of the Sewage Conveyance Rental Agreement between Stroud Township and the Borough for capacity in the Ninth Street interceptor line.  The Mayor asked if anything looks at annual rate changes or if we’d want to add an automatic inflation clause.  Mr. Matergia reviewed it for capacity in the line not the rate increases.  Mr. Weiss asked if cost for repairs was factored into the agreement and Mr. Matergia confirmed the agreement covered repairs.  Mrs. Quarantello added that the agreement can be terminated with a one year notice.  Motion to approve by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

F.       Consider request of March of Dimes to hold their 2009 March for Babies on April 25, 2009.  Motion to approve upon receipt of insurance and approval of route by staff by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Allen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

G.      Discussion of letter received from Helen Gallo regarding towing of cars during a snow emergency.  She is seeking reimbursement.  The Mayor spoke with Brian Kimmins of SARPD who indicated an effort is made to announce to bar patrons that they will be towing cars if they are not moved during a snow emergency.  Ms. Diddio stated no refund will be given.  Mrs. Quarantello noted there is an ordinance and the street is signed.  Consensus of Council to authorize Mrs. Quarantello to send a letter to Mrs. Gallo.  Ms. Diddio received numerous irate calls from merchants on Main Street who wanted more cars towed.  Brian Bond, Tim Ace, Barbara Quarantello and Kim Diddio will meet to brainstorm possible snow removal strategies for Main Street .  They will also discuss this at a meeting with Jacob Stroud Corporation and local merchants. Mr. Weiss added that the Street Dept effectively handled snow removal on Main Street during the last storm, however, water is still pooling around the drain at 7th and Main St .  Mrs. Quarantello contacted the contractor about the drain being higher than the road surface.  There is nothing else to report on the drain at this time. 

 

H.      Consider request of Michael Joseph Eckert for a Hardship Withdrawal from the Non-Union Pension Plan.  Motion to approve by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

12.     Solicitor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

 

13.     Mayor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

 

14.     Council members’ Reports:  Mrs. Kochanski said the light on the interborough bridge is out.  Mr. Ace said it is on the E. Stroudsburg side and he already called to notify them about it.   Mr. Ewen noted the potholes on S 9th Street are huge and he is getting resistance from PennDOT.  Mr. Abell would like to know who is responsible for shoveling the interborough bridge.  Mr. Ace indicated Stroudsburg Street Dept shovels the eastbound side and E. Stroudsburg shovels the westbound side.  Mr. Ace said the E. Stroudsburg school district has classroom trailers to give away as long as you can haul it.  He is interested in securing one to be put out at the shed to store Jacob Stroud Christmas decorations.   Motion to approve placement of temporary classroom out at the Borough shed by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

15.     Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello received a proposal from David Hess to look at apparatus floor for a proposed price of $2460.  He will come the week of January 19 to measure beams and thoroughly look at the ceiling tiles.  Motion to approve $2460 to Hess Engineering by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

16.     Consider Approval of Bills: Mrs. Quarantello added Cart-E-Graph Systems Inc for software at Street Dept totaling $5827.  We are changing from a perpetual license to a subscription license.  Mrs. Kochanski noticed the PPL bill at N. 8th St has almost doubled since last December and she is wondering what is causing the large increase.  Staff will call PPL to have meter checked.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the bills on warrant #010709.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

17.     Executive Session:  None.

 

18.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM.