MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

1.                 Council President Kim M. Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM .   Borough Manager Barb ara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:  Ms. Diddio, Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Councilmembers Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss , Jeff rey Ewen, Eric Scelza, and Matthew Abell. 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 an Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Authorizing and Directing Issuance of GO Bonds Series 2010:  Chris Gibbons from Concord Public Financial presented an overview of the bond sale.  He noted there will be a $157,000 net savings for the Borough. 

 

b.       Adoption of an Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Authorizing and Directing Issuance of GO Bonds Series 2010:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adopt the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.                 Public Input:  None.

 

5.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on January 21, 2010.  Motion passed unanimously.

         

6.                 Old Business:

 

a.       Consider Authorization to Advertise Public Hearings on Petitions as Presented by the Stroudsburg Area School District :  Mr. Matergia explained that the School District is asking the Borough to vacate Hamilton Street and a portion of Elizabeth Street .  Mr. Matergia recommended advertising the public hearings well in advance of the March 18 meeting.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize advertisement of the public hearings.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.                 New Business:

 

a.       Discussion of the PennDOT Seventh Street Bridge Replacement Project:  Representatives from PennDOT and from the engineering firm McCormick Taylor presented the most recent plans for the project. 

 

Discussion followed on proposed vehicular and pedestrian detours and how the HARB regulations will affect the plans. 

 

The timeline for the project is to open bids in December, 2010; to start the project in March, 2011; and to complete the project in approximately 20 months.

 

Mr. Weiss commented that he would like any tree removals and replacements to be approved by the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission.

 

Mrs. Kochanski raised the issue of the poor road condition going into Rotary Park , and the officials from PennDOT stated they would need to build it up in order to use it.  The area will be restored after completion of the project.

 

Mayor Baughman was concerned with possible flooding, which PennDOT is prepared to deal with.

 

Acting Fire Chief Todd Martin expressed concerns about emergency vehicles getting around when the detour is being used and when Route 80 is closed for short periods of time.  Mrs. Kochanski suggested any time Route 80 will be closed that Control Center should be notified.  PennDOT will be setting up a meeting with the Fire Department. 

 

Mr. Weiss also noted that our sewers may be damaged by all the extra heavy traffic volume.  He didn’t feel the taxpayers should have to pay to repair them.

 

State Representative Mario Scavello was present and commented that he would like the State Police to monitor any wide-load truck traffic. 

 

The maps and pictures will be left here at the Municipal Building along with comment cards for public review and input. 

 

 

 

b.       Consider Approval of Request from the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission to host the 5th Annual Levee Loop Trail Run:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider Appointment of Mark Connors to the Historic Architectural Review Board:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to appoint Mr. Connors.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

d.       Consider Authorization to move the Borough’s PNC General Fund, Sewer Fund, Payroll, Recreation, and Street Lighting Accounts to Another Financial Institution within the Borough:  Mrs. Quarantello noted that she is recommending switching to Citizen’s Bank.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

e.           Consider Approving a Resolution Authorizing a New Fee Schedule for Building and Zoning Permit Fees:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

f.        Consider Request of Pocono Family YMCA to Hold a Road Race on March 21, 2010, prior to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve.  Discussion followed.  Mrs. Quarantello stated the YMCA has requested that no parking be allowed on Main Street and that there be a rolling closure on Main Street .  Council did not agree with allowing no parking on Main Street .  People need to park there for church, and they will need to park there later in the day for the parade.  Mr. Weiss rescinded his motion.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this request until the next Council meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.                 Solicitor’s Report:  None

 

9.                 Mayor’s Report:  None

 

10.             Council Members’ Reports: 

 

Mrs. Kochanski asked whether our streetlights are being taken care of properly.  She has noticed one on North Eighth Street that is on all day.  Mrs. Quarantello said M.E.M. does not always respond in a timely fashion.  Ms. Diddio said she will e-mail Bob Kerns from M.E.M.

 

Mr. Weiss mentioned that Main Street and the municipal lots are filled with trash and look deplorable.  We charge money to park, but broken glass and garbage are everywhere.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to have the street department clean Main Street and the parking lots.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

11.             Manager’s Report:

 

Mrs. Quarantello reported that the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority is replacing the water lines on Manor Drive .  She said Nate Oiler was asked to provide an estimate for repaving the area where the work will be done.  He estimated the cost to be between $6,000 and $7,000, which includes milling.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize Mrs. Quarantello to contact BCRA Manager Ken Brown.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

12.             Approval of Bills:  Mrs. Quarantello said she would also like approval to pay a bill for Tu-Way Wireless in the amount of $6,450. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the bills on warrant #100203 and #123109 as well as the bill for Tu-Way Wireless.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

13.             Executive Session:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to enter executive session to discuss real estate.  Motion passed unanimously, and Council entered executive session at 8:45 PM.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to reconvene in open session.  Motion passed unanimously, and Council reconvened in open session at 9:10 PM.

 

14.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.