MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

DECEMBER 17, 2009

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

1.                 Council Vice-President Neil Allen called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM .   Borough Manager Barb ara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:  Mr. Allen, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Jeffrey Ewen, Eric Scelza, and Matthew Abell. Members absent: Council President Kim M. Diddio and Boyd Weiss.  Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also in attendance.

 

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                 Public Hearing:

 

a.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the Stroudsburg Code of Ordinances, Prohibiting Parking on the North Side of Main Street between the Pocono Creek and Elizabeth Street :  Mr. Allen opened the public hearing.  There were no comments from the public.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to close the hearing.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the Stroudsburg Code of Ordinances, Prohibiting Parking on the North Side of Main Street between the Pocono Creek and Elizabeth Street :  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Monroe County , Pennsylvania , Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the Year 2010:  Mr. Allen opened the public hearing.  There were no comments from the public.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to close the hearing.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.                 Public Input:  None

 

5.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on December 2, 2009.  Motion passed 4 – 0, with Mr. Ewen abstaining.  Mr. Ewen noted that he abstained because he was absent from that meeting; however, the minutes from that meeting listed him as present.

 

6.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.                 Treasurer’s Report:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the report.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.       Old Business

 

a.       Consider Approval of the 2010 Budget:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the 2010 budget.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of the Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg,     Monroe County , Pennsylvania , Fixing the Real Estate Tax Rate for the Year 2010:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.       New Business

 

a.       Consider Approval of Budget Amendments for 2009:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that there are only two amendments from the sewer fund and the street lighting fund, and they will be retroactive to November, 2009, once they are approved.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the budget amendments.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of a Certification Letter to the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority Indicating the Borough’s Willingness and Ability to Pay for Regional WWTP Start-up Costs for the Period of January 1, 2010, through March 31, 2010:  Mr. Matergia noted that a Memo of Understanding is in place.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider Request from Attorney David Williamson, Representing Shanti House, LLC, that any Excess Grant Monies from the Borough Parking

          Garage Project be Allotted to the Parking Garage for their Planned Project

          at 621-625 Main Street :  Council held a brief discussion on this matter, and they decided to take no action at this time.

 

d.       Consider Approval of the Urban Research Development Corporation Proposed Fee Increase for Additional Zoning Changes:   Mrs. Quarantello noted that this would be $1,100 that would come out of the 2010 budget.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

e.       Consider Recommendation of Park & Recreation Commission to Allow the SROSRC to take over the Management of Rentals/Usage of all Borough Parks:  Mrs. Quarantello noted that the Park and Recreation Commission discussed this issue, and they feel that the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission would do a very good job.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

f.        Consider Request of Jim Dellevalle for him, Members of the Valley Mountain Bikers, and some of their Board Members to be put on an “A” List to Work on the Glen Park Trails and to be Included in any Future Designs or Builds at Glen Park:  Mr. Dellevalle distributed information to Council on his Club.  He stated that some of the ideas they have include moving the skate park to East Stroudsburg and to put all the parks on the bus route maps.  They would like Council to give them an official statement allowing them to clean, operate, and obtain grant money to help the parks.  It was the consensus of Council to refer Mr. Dellevalle to Tim Herd, Director of the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission. 

 

10.             Solicitor’s Report:  None

 

11.             Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Baughman mentioned that the Ann Street Christmas display looks great as does Main Street .

 

12.             Council Members’ Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski asked about the street light on Stone Street that is out.  After discussion, the matter was referred to the Street Department staff.

 

13.             Manager’s Report:  None

 

14.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #091217.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

15.             Executive Session:  None.

 

 

16.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.