MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

 

7:15 PM

 

 

1.       Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.  Borough Manager Barb ara Q uarantello called roll.  Members present:  Ms. Diddio, Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss, Eric Scelza, Matthew Abell, and Jeffrey Ewen.  Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia was also present.  Mayor Charles Baughman was absent. 

 

2.       The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.       Public Input: Rich ard Berkowitz spoke on behalf of the Jacob Stroud Corporation.  Noticing that the proposed 2010 budget did not include the yearly contribution from the Borough to the Jacob Stroud Corporation, Mr. Berkowitz requested eliminating the free Christmas holiday parking in 2010 if the Borough would consider reinstating the contribution.  He stated that that eliminating the free holiday parking would save the Borough about $9,000; therefore, a $6,000 contribution is requested.  This matter was referred to the Finance Committee. 

 

4.       Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on November 4, 2009.  Motion passed 5-0 with Mr. Allen and Mr. Scelza abstaining due to their absence from that meeting. 

 

5.       Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.       October Treasurer’s Reports:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the October treasurer’s reports.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

7.       Old Business:

 

a.       Discussion of the Proposed PennDOT Seventh Street Bridge Replacement Project:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that there was a meeting last week with the Borough and PennDOT to discuss the traffic flow during construction.  Council needs to make a decision as soon as possible whether to eliminate the proposed left turn lane coming off the bridge onto Ann Street so that PennDOT can engineer the project.   Creation of the left turn lane would result in the loss of about ten parking spaces.  Council had mixed opinions on the issue.  After hearing all comments, a motion was made by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss, to keep the parking spaces and eliminate the proposed left turn lane.  Motion passed 5-2 with Mrs. Kochanski and Mr. Ewen voting no. 

 

8.       New Business:

 

a.       Request of the Sherman Theater to Use the Lower Portion of the Parking Deck on December 18th for a Concert Event:  Mr. Berkowitz explained that David Archuletta will be performing and there is a need for about 50 spaces for a V.I.P. group for which he is willing to pay the Borough.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the request of the Sherman Theater for the use of approximately 50 parking spaces in the lower portion of the parking deck on December 18, 2009, for their concert event.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

b.       Consider Request of Penn State Alpha Delta Pi Sorority for Canister Solicitation:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the request of Penn State Alpha Delta Pi Sorority for Canister Solicitation December 4th through 6th on various sidewalks throughout the Borough.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

c.       Consider Approval of the 2010 Stroud Area Regional Police Department Budget: Chief Baujan and Detective Miller, President of the Police Union, were present.  Detective Miller explained that he was present to help protect two officers’ jobs.  He stated that the more resources they have, the better the convictions, which brings in more revenue.  He also stated that even though they don’t want to, they will have to cut services if they lose two officers.  He reminded Council that the department is running with the same patrol staffing since 1980.  He stated that the State’s smoothing plan to help with their pension MMO is not enough.  He feels the State and the Borough should do more even though he is not in favor of the police department forgoing raises for 2010. 

 

Chief Baujan agreed with some of what Detective Miller had to say.  He does not want to lose any staff and has made significant cuts in the proposed budget.  He stated that with the State’s allowing the use of the 2007 MMO for 2010 and the smoothing plan will help, but it doesn’t make the problem go away.  A long-term solution is needed.  He stated that he did make use of grant money available to hire two civilian positions in 2010.  He will also be applying for additional grant money to retain officers scheduled for layoffs or to bring back laid-off officers, but there is no guarantee that the department will get the grant.  The amount would be $50,000 per officer.

         

Mrs. Quarantello and Ms. Diddio, while sympathizing with the situation, reminded Chief Baujan and Detective Miller that the Borough is also in a bad financial state and that our total assessed value went down  $450,000, which lowers the value of our millage rate.  It was also mentioned that this year the Borough has taken a hit in tax revenue, and that the Borough’s employees didn’t receive raises for a few years so that there would not have to be lay-offs. 

 

Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the 2010 Stroud Area Regional Police Department Budget.  Motion passed 6-1, with Mrs. Kochanski voting no. 

 

d.       Consider Request of Employee John Venezia for a 1-time Pension Hardship Withdrawal:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that Mr. Venezia is out on medical leave and has exhausted all his accumulated pay.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the request of John Venezia for a 1-time pension hardship withdrawal in the amount of $7,455.61.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

e.       Consider Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for Joe Small, Jr., for Alterations to his Building at 16 S. Seventh Street :  The HARB recommends granting the request.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to recommend a Certificate of Appropriateness be granted to Joe Small, Jr., for alterations to his building at 16 S. Seventh Street .  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.       Solicitor’s Report:  None

 

10.     Mayor’s Report:  None

 

11.     Council Members’ Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski mentioned that the lights in the trees on Main Street look great.  Mrs. Quarantello said that was thanks to Assistant Street Superintendent Brian Bond and use of the Mattioli Fund money. 

 

Mrs. Kochanski also mentioned that she was speaking to people from the 7th Street Bridge Replacement Project in Rotary Park , and that they will be removing a significant number of trees.  She suggested we take pictures now so we know how many trees need to be replaced when the project is completed. 

 

Mr. Weiss stated that the lights in the eastern section of Lot #5 are out.  Mr. Bond stated that they short out because water keeps getting inside of them.  They need to be rebuilt, and he stated he would take care of it.

 

12.     Manager’s Report:

 

Mrs. Quarantello reported that she received a request from the Jacob Stroud Corporation for free parking and carriage rides for the upcoming holiday season.  The free parking request is for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, every Saturday from then through Christmas, and the entire week before Christmas.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the request of Jacob Stroud Corporation for free parking and carriage rides for the upcoming holiday season.  Motion passed 6-1, with Mr. Ewen voting no. 

 

At this time Mrs. Delores Benford, downtown business owner, commented that when there is free parking for the holidays, the ESU students park there all day.  Mrs. Quarantello reminded her that the 3-hour limit has been and will be enforced. 

 

Mrs. Benford also inquired as to whether night meter enforcement will be reconsidered.  She feels that if her customers have to pay meters, the night business customers should have to also.  Ms. Diddio stated that possible night enforcement is one of the reasons the Borough is resurrecting the Parking Committee, and she welcomed Mrs. Benford to serve on it.   

 

Mrs. Quarantello also reported on the School District Project.  PennDOT is requesting an ordinance to eliminate parking from the bridge to the school property.  They need the ordinance passed in December but it does not have to be effective until the spring. 

 

13.     Approval of Bills on Warrant #091119:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Allen, to approve the bills on warrant #091119.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

At this time Mrs. Kochanski suggested we put meters on Snyder Drive , Palmer Alley, and South Eighth Street between the Hampton Inn and Ann Street .

 

14.     Executive Session:  None.

 

15.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.