MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL

FEBRUARY 19, 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 members Joanne Kochanski , Jeff rey Ewen, Boyd Weiss , Eric Scelza and Matt hew Abell.  Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia was absent but Attorney John Dunn was present. Mayor Charles Baughman and Council Vice-President Neil Allen were also absent.

2.                  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3.                  Public Hearing on an ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg amending the Stroudsburg Historic Preservation District Ordinance of 2008.  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing at 7:17 PM.  There were no comments from the public.  Hearing closed by Ms. Diddio at 7:18 PM.

4.                  Consider adoption of an ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg amending the Stroudsburg Historic Preservation District Ordinance of 2008.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell to adopt the ordinance amendment.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.                  Public Input:  Mr. & Mrs. Parkinson of 37 Club Court were present to report kids in their twenties parking and hanging out on Woodcliff Avenue .  They have been finding trash, cigar wrappers and have seen several different cars between 7:30 pm and 11:00 pm nightly. They have reported it to SARPD but have not received a response.  Lt. Kimmins was present and reported that SARPD has received approximately 5 calls to this site since November 2008 but when they patrol the area the kids are not present.  The Parkinsons noted the street is totally dark and requested a light be installed.  Bob Kerns from MEM was present and offered to install a light on the street.  Mr. Ewen added that police surveillance would also help.  Lt. Kimmins will inform the night shift of this matter.

6.                  Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on February 4, 2009.  The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Scelza abstaining due to absence at the meeting.

7.       Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mrs. Quarantello asked if the Police Report via email was easier for council members to read, and all agreed it was much better.

8.       Old business:

a.       Consider proposal of the Pocono Tournament Baseball to utilize Glen Park baseball field.  Lynn Heimbach received the call from this group asking for use of Glen Park from June through October 2009.  They are willing to pay Stroudsburg Borough $150 per weekend that they use the field and are expecting to use it every other weekend.  Lynn reported it will take approximately $6800 to bring the field up to standards and this group is willing to split the cost with the Borough.  Mrs. Kochanski asked if we will still be able to dump snow there in the winter.   Mr. Ace confirmed it is dumped in the parking lot.  Mr. Abell feels it will take a long time to recoup our money.  Park & Rec feels this is a benefit to bringing families into town to eat at our restaurants and stay at the local hotels.  Mrs. Kochanski asked if there is any money from Open Space to help with this project. Mrs. Quarantello said, “Not yet”.  Brian Bond added the Stroudsburg Little League should be contacted to see if they are interested in utilizing the field. Perhaps they would be interested in contributing funds to bring the field up to standards.  Consensus of Council to refer this matter to staff for discussion.

b.       Discussion of the cobra street light purchase project.  Bob Kerns from MEM presented what has been done to date and items still remaining to be completed.

c.       Discussion of the lighting project for Parking Lot #5.  Mr. Weiss commented that the lights they are planning to install in Lot 5 are ugly and he is afraid the light will be visible in the apartment windows.  Mr. Kerns offered to email the light styles for distribution to the Council.  The Borough needs to select the lights and then they’ll put them on a map for final review.  Ms. Diddio noted this will be addressed by the committee headed by Mr. Weiss who will work with Tim Ace , Brian Bond and Mrs. Quarantello going forward on this project.

9.       New Business:

a.       Consider the Subdivision and Land Development Plan of Middletown Place for the property located at 51 N. Second Street .  Present were Mr. Maula of Middletown Place , engineer Nate Oiler, and Mr. Maula’s attorney Geoffrey Worthington.  They are proposing a 30 unit two bedroom apartment building similar to the Phillips Street Apartments.  The Stroudsburg Zoning Hearing Board has already granted a variance and special exception and the Planning Commission recommends conditional approval of the plan. Nate Oiler stated that Achterman Associates reviewed it and their recommendations are in a letter dated 1/12/2009.  Mr. Oiler handed out copies of the plan for council to review and Mr. Wilkins supplied council with a letter from engineer Leo Achterman.  Mr. Weiss asked if they would be renting them to college students.  Mr. Maula stated that the leases are 1 year or greater which would not attract college students.  A joinder deed to join two parcels was presented for Mr. Matergia’s review.  There was also discussion by Mr. Oiler regarding a 15’ easement that was created in 1937.  Council is requesting 25’ of sidewalks be constructed on Kraemer Avenue .  Mr. Maula agreed to add this to the plan.  Ms. Diddio noted this will be forwarded to the Borough Solicitor for review.

b.       Consider request of John J. Schnaitman, Schnaitman’s Flooring America to designate the first parking space on the west side of William Street as a handicap parking space.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the handicap parking space. Motion passed unanimously.

c.       Consider destruction of certain Borough stored files.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza to authorize destruction of the files. Motion passed unanimously.

d.       Review of the BCRA Regional Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan.  Mrs. Quarantello referred Council to the email from Jeremy Nelson of Reilly Engineering.  This topic was tabled until the next meeting.

10.              Solicitor’s Report.  No report.

11.     Mayor’s Report.  No report.

12.     Council members’ Reports:  Mrs. Kochanski asked Tim Ace to contact E. Stroudsburg about the light that is out on their side of the inter-borough bridge.

13.     Manager’s Report:  Nascar Celebration Day was approved by PennDOT.  Middle Smithfield Twp is interested in joining in SARPD.

14.     Consider Approval of Bills: Mrs. Kochanski asked about the expensive binders.  Lynn Heimbach explained they were for the PACE case. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the bills on warrant #021909. Motion passed unanimously.

15.     Executive Session:  None.

16.              Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.