MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

April 15, 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 members Joanne Kochanski, Eric Scelza, Matthew Abell and Boyd Weiss. Jeffrey Ewen arrived at 7:17 PM. Neil Allen arrived at 7:35 PM.   Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also in attendance.

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

5.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion to approve by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.                 Approval of Minutes from April 7, 2010:  Motion to approve by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Mr. Weiss noted the minutes should be modified to include that a dead deer on Rt. 80 was reported to PennDOT and it sat on the side of the highway for two weeks.  Amended motion to approve the minutes with the noted change by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

8.                 New Business:   

C)  Consider Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to Kenneth and Jacqueline Wynder for their Exterior Alterations and Renovations at 519 Thomas Street .  Assistant Codes Enforcement Officer, Ronald Kimes, made a presentation to Borough Council submitting the following:

          1.       Application of Kenneth and Jacqueline Wynder, photographs and                        other information contained in a report dated March 12, 2010 to                       the Historic Architectural Review Board.

          2.       A chronological background setting forth the procedure of the                            application, including its presentation to the Historic Architectural                      Review Board.

          3.       The staff recommendation recommending Certificate of                                      Appropriateness be issued.

Solicitor Matergia asked Mr. Wynder if he was in agreement with what Mr. Kimes presented.  Mr. Wynder agreed it was accurate and added that HARB approved the siding on the house, therefore, he felt this extension would be approved because he is using the same siding as the house.  Motion to approve Certificate of Appropriateness by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza. Motion passed unanimously. 

3.                 Public Input:                                                                                               A)   Mr. Williamson represents the Shanti House, LLC and gave his opinion on how the proposed ordinance of the overlay district for Main Street could benefit his client and the Borough.  He mentioned there are three empty lots on Main Street that could benefit from this ordinance and bring revenue to the Borough.  He also stated the wide lot can be combined to make 1 building and add parking underneath the building.  He is looking for some consideration of Council sooner rather than later so his client can make an informed decision on whether to pursue building on Main Street .                                                                      

          B)  Mr. Shadle, a resident of Stroudsburg Borough, asked Council about the         parking deck; specifically, what are the deficiencies, what is the loss of income     from having the exterior of the parking deck closed, what professionals evaluated the parking deck, have the engineers been sued, etc.  He stated      Tuesday 2-6 a.m. Lot 2 has no parking overnight and the lot is full each night.    He asked if Council would allow parking on Main Street until Lot 2 is fixed.    Mrs.    Quarantello stated Main Street has no overnight parking so the street sweeper          can come through and alternate side parking did not work in the past.  With         regard to Lot 2, the engineers need more info and we are waiting for their   response.  We are also modifying the overnight parking in Lot 2 so it will be split          between two nights for cleaning to help accommodate the parking situation.          South 6^th, South 7^th and South 8^th Streets do not allow overnight parking but can      be used during the day if the parking deck is full.  People can also park on Ann        Street except on Mondays.  Mr. Shadle was told by the County that they offered the lot on N. 6^th Street to the Borough for parking.  Ms. Diddio said they need a land development plan to use it as a parking lot. 

7.                 Old Business:  Consider Approval of the Following Items for Stroud Area School District : Minor Subdivision/Lot Combination, Land Development Application, Land Development Agreement, and Exoneration of Real Estate Taxes for Properties Purchased by the District.  Attorney Daniel Corveleyn said they plan to accept bids May 12th, award bids by the end of May and start construction in June 2010.  An overview of the project was given by Niclaus Engineering.  They said they will have provisions for the public to access the pool during the construction and the signage will be provided by the School District .  Solicitor Matergia said the terms of the extensive development agreement include opening of streets, new streets, signals at intersections and waivers, and he recommends Council to allow the waivers.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve minor subdivision/lot combination, land development application and land development agreement subject to specific grant of waivers received and recommended by staff and the Borough engineer to be documented on the plan.  Motion passed unanimously.

Motion to exonerate the School District from the payment of the municipal taxes as per Daniel M. Corveleyn’s letter dated December 5, 2008, by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.  The School District asked for an approval letter from Mrs. Quarantello.

8.                 New Business:

A)  Consider Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Borough of Stroudsburg for Demolition and Erection of Structures, Approval of a Subdivision and Land Development Plan, and Approval of the Land Development Agreement for the WWTP Project at 355 Main Street .  Attorney John Prevoznik and David Horton of Pennoni Associates gave an overview of the WWTP plan.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the final minor sub-division plan with requested waivers.  Motion passed unanimously.    

A discussion took place about the size and placement of trees as well as the construction entrance.  They expect approximately 2 trucks per week for sludge removal and will not be using chlorine.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve land development plan subject to BCRA entering into a land development agreement with Stroudsburg Borough on terms satisfactory to the Borough solicitor and Borough engineer along with requested waivers.  Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to the Borough of Stroudsburg for demolition.  Motion passed unanimously.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to issue Certificate of Appropriateness for new building and structures.  Motion passed unanimously.

B)  Consider Authorization to Advertise for Bid a Complete Restoration of First Street, to include Curb and Sidewalk.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve advertising for a bid to Complete Restoration of First Street, including Curb and Sidewalk.  Motion passed unanimously.

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

8.                 New Business:

D)  Consider Authorization to Advertise the Proposed Sidewalk Café Dining Ordinance.  Mr. Quinn, of Siamsa Restaurant, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance; however, he would like to see the ending time extended to closing but was satisfied with midnight.  He would also like authorization to stack the tables and chairs up against his building until closing because he doesn’t have the room inside while the restaurant/bar is busy. 

Vincent Chen of East Café feels having tables and chairs 10 feet from the front building line is not practical and would like to see it changed to 13-15 feet.    Mr. Weiss feels the outdoor music should be incorporated into this ordinance instead of being in a separate one.  Mr. Abell feels music should be in a separate ordinance because there are times when a waiver would be granted for special Stroudsburg functions.   Ms. Diddio instructed Council to send their comments directly to Mr. Wilkins to be reviewed by the Codes Committee.  Consensus of Council to work on a new version for approval and adoption at the May 5^th Council meeting.

E)  Consider Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing and Adoption an Ordinance Signifying the Intention of the Borough of Stroudsburg of Monroe County, Pennsylvania to Enact and Ordain Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation of the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, Approve the Execution of an Amended and Restated Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement Among the Municipalities, Authorize the Negotiation and Execution of One or More Bulk Sewage Treatment Agreements with the Brodhead Creed Regional  Authority, Authorize the Doing of All Things Necessary and Appropriate to Effect and Establish Said Amendments.  Motion to advertise by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

9.                 Solicitor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

10.             Mayor’s Report:  The Mayor read the Arbor Day Proclamation and stated Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 24, 2010 in the Borough of Stroudsburg.

11.             Council Members’ Reports:

A)  Mr. Ewen reported the potholes on state roads are getting worse.  He would like to see Mrs. Quarantello send a letter to PennDOT’s district headquarters and then go to the top if no action.  Consensus of Council to have letter sent to local PennDOT and copy Rep. Mario Scavello .

B)  Mr. Ace reported a hole in the deep end of the Stroudsburg pool.  The pump couldn’t keep up with the water leaking out of the drain in the pool and he feels this needs to be addressed by a pool specialist.

12.             Manager’s Report:  Nothing to report.

13.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the bills on warrant #100415.  Motion passed unanimously.

14.             Executive Session:  Motion to go into Executive Session at 9:24 PM by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Allen.  Motion passed unanimously.

15.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to reconvene into regular session at 9:30 PM.  The purpose of the Executive Session was to discuss a personnel issue.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.