MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

NOVEMBER 4, 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.  Present were Council President Ms. Diddio, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Jeff Ewen, and Matt Abell.  Mayor Charles Baughman and Solicitor Ralph Matergia were also present.  Absent were Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Council Members Eric Scelza, and Boyd Weiss. 

 

2.       The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

 

3.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Borough of Stroudsburg Code of Ordinances as it Relates to Snow Removal from Sidewalks: The public hearing was opened at 7:16 PM.  There was no public comment.  The hearing was closed at 7:16 PM.

 

Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Streets and

Sidewalks, of the Borough of Stroudsburg Code of Ordinances as it Relates to Snow Removal from Sidewalks: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell to approve the proposed ordinance amending Chapter21, Street and Sidewalks of the Borough of Stroudsburg Code of Ordinances as it relates to snow removal from sidewalks.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.       Public Input:

 

Mr. Eric Mark , a Thomas Street resident, expressed to council that he was unhappy with the amendment in June to the Refuse Collection Ordinance.  He feels that in the future before making ordinance changes, council should take into consideration the people who play by the rules as opposed to those who don’t.

 

5.       Approval of the October 15, 2009, Meeting Minutes:   Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the October 15, 2009, meeting minutes.  Motion passed 3-0 with Ms. Diddio abstaining due to her absence from that meeting. 

 

 

 

 

6.       Old Business:

 

a.       Consider Approval of the Land Development Plan of Conahan-Weiss Investment  Co. for the Pocono Ambulatory Surgery Center on Storm Street :

 

b.       Consider Approval of the Subdivision Plan of Conahan-Weiss Investment Co. for the Pocono Ambulatory Surgery Center on Storm Street :

 

Attorney Mark Wolfe, applicant Mr. Conahan and his engineer, and Borough Engineer Nate Oiler were present to address the project.  Mr. Wolfe explained that this project involves consolidating 7 parcels of land, and that the variance request regarding setbacks on Storm Street has been approved.  Mr. Oiler ran down the list of issues that need to be addressed regarding both the Land Development Plan and the Subdivision Plan, including a few waiver requests.  After much discussion a motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the waivers as requested by the applicant as outlined by the engineer.  Motion passed unanimously.  Another motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, giving approval of both the Land Development and Subdivision Plans subject to the resolution of the engineers comments and issues being addressed in the Land Development Agreement and will incorporate those that are open items into the Land Development Agreement to be worked out by the solicitors and such other terms as typically required by the Borough Solicitor in a Land Development Agreement.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Conahan and council thanked each other for their time and consideration in regards to the project. 

 

7.       New Business

 

a.       Consider Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for Community Enterprises to Expand Fencing at 110-112 South Eighth Street :  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness to Community Enterprises to expand fencing at 110-112 South Eighth Street .  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

b.       Discussion of a Letter from Benchmark Civil Engineers Services, Inc., Regarding the Stroudsburg School District Renovation Highway Occupancy Permit:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that there was a meeting between the borough, our engineer, the School District, the Housing Authority, and the Monroe County Transit Authority regarding the elimination of the crosswalk on West  Main Street in front of the Housing Authority.  The Housing Authority supports the idea and the School District and the Transit Authority agreed to work out a solution for the MCTA to drop off/pick up on school property.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the elimination of the crosswalk on West Main Street in front of the Housing Authority.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

c.       Consider Approval of the 2010 SROSRC Proposed Budget:  When asked if she feels comfortable with this budget, Mrs. Quarantello stated yes.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the 2010 SROSRC proposed budget.  Motion passed 3-1 with Mr. Ewen voting no. 

 

8.       Solicitor’s Report: Mr. Matergia stated his matters are for executive session.

 

9.       Mayor’s Report:  Nothing borough related, but he did announce the birth of his fourth grandchild.

 

10.     Councilmember’s Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski thanked everyone for all their concern for her and her family regarding the passing of her husband and our Fire Chief Butch Kochanski. 

 

Mr. Ewen and Mrs. Kochanski stated that our streets are overflowing with leaves and inquired when pick up ends.  Street Superintendent Tim Ace stated November 20th. 

 

Mr. Ewen asked when the crosswalk at Club and Bryant can be painted.  Mr. Ace stated next spring. 

 

Ms. Diddio complimented the Street Department on the great job they did on the Main Street trees.

 

11.     Manager’s Report: None

 

13.     Approval of Bills on Warrant #091104:  Mrs. Quarantello read into the minutes an invoice for Hanson Aggregates in the amount of $75,354.96 for the Fulmer Avenue and Bryant Street paving projects.  Borough Engineer Nate Oiler has signed off on the project, and we are awaiting approval from John Davis of PennDOT before releasing the funds.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the $75,354.96 payment to Hanson Aggregates for the Fulmer Avenue and Bryant Street paving project.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

12.     Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, at 8 PM to go to executive session to discuss legal and real estates issues.

 

Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, at 9:20 PM to reconvene to regular session.

14.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 9:21 PM.