MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

April 16, 2009

7:15 P.M.

1.                  Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.  Mrs. Quarantello called roll.  Members present were Council President Ms. Diddio, Vice President Mr. Allen, Mr. Weiss, Mr. Abell, Mayor Baughman, Mr. Ewen, and Mrs. Kochanski.  Members absent were Mr. Scelza and Solicitor Matergia.  

2.                  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

5.       Monthly Administrative Reports: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

3.                  Public Input:

Elsie Pedersen, 814 Ann Street , requested another handicap space near her home on Palmer Alley.  She has no off street parking and the existing handicap space is frequently occupied.  Council President Ms. Diddio will have staff look into this and get back to Mrs. Pederson.

                   Adam Rodriguez, an East Stroudsburg resident, asked council to consider endorsing the Homeowners Protection Act and send a letter to our state representatives.  Ms. Diddio stated that as a governing body, council would not endorse state or federal legislation but will have Mr. Matergia review it and get back to him.

                   Rich Berkowitz wanted council to know that the Sherman Theatre marquis should be going up on Monday.  There will be a light pole right in front of the marquis.  He asked council if the light pole can be removed being the marquis will be lit all the time.  Council agreed to temporarily remove the  pole to see if there is enough light without it.  If not, the pole will have to go back up.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell to have the light pole in front of the Sherman Theatre removed temporarily, have the marquis put up, and provide proper coverage for the junction box.  Motion passed unanimously.

A.     Jacob Stroud Corporation members Trisha Fritz and Sharon Bonawitz presented council with a plan showing placement of trash cans, benches, and flower plantings on Main Street .  Council approved of the plan.

4.                  Approval of the April 1, 2009 Meeting Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the April 1, 2009 meeting minutes.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.                  Treasurer’s Reports:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the treasurer’s reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

8.       New Business:

          A.       Consider approval of the Agreement for Provision of Emergency Medical

                    Services with Suburban Emergency Medical Services:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski,                           second by Mr. Abell, to approve the Agreement for provision of emergency

                    medical services with Suburban Emergency Medical Services.  Motion passed

                    unanimously.

7.       Old Business:

A.                 Consider Authorization to Advertise for a Public Hearing an Ordinance Designating a Proposed Residential Parking District Located on the 600 Block of Bryant Street between Park Avenue and Broad Street:  Motion to advertise for a public hearing an ordinance designating a proposed residential parking district on the 600 block of Bryant Street between Park Avenue and Broad Street.  Motion passes unanimously.

B.                 Consider Awarding the Chlorine Cylinder Bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc.:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to award the Chlorine Cylinder Bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc.  Motion passed unanimously.

C.                 Consider Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with CGI Communications, Inc. for a Community Video Tour Book:  Council would like to look into this more before taking any action.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to table this until there is more discussion.  Motion passed unanimously.

8.                  New Business:

     B.       Consider Request of the Pocono Arts Council to Hold Their Annual Evening on     Main/Pocono Arts Squared Celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2009 Closing off N. Seventh Street from Main to the Alley Next to the Arts Council:  Mr. Berkowitz clarified that N. Seventh would be closed after Brownie’s driveway to the top of courthouse circle.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the Pocono Arts Council to hold their annual Evening on Main/Pocono Arts Squared Celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2009 closing N. Seventh Street after Brownie’s driveway to the top of courthouse circle.  Motion passed unanimously.

C.        Discussion of Proposed Ordinances:

a.      Proposed Amendment to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance:

                             Council’s main concerns were enforcement and penalty fines.  Ms. Diddio

                        asked that council give some more thought to the ordinance and come back           to the next council meeting with their suggestions.

b.     Proposed Amendment to the Solid Waste Ordinance:  Council

     discussed possibly increasing the fines for non-compliance and for meter        bags used in conjunction with dumpsters or roll-offs. 

c.      Proposed Amendment to Chapter 15, Motor Vehicle and Traffic:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to advertise a proposed          amendment to Chapter 15, Motor Vehicle and Traffic.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Mrs. Kochanski asked if staff checks handicap space requests on a yearly basis to see if the spaces are still needed.  Mrs. Quarantello stated that we do not but can look into it.

9.       Solicitor’s Report: None

10.     Mayor’s Report:

A.     Arbor Day Proclamation:  Mr. Baughman reported that this years Arbor Day Celebration will be on April 22 in Courthouse Square .  The Scouts will be planting trees.

B.     Mr. Baughman stated that the Shade Tree Committee is getting more done              lately and that Assistant Street Superintendent Brian Bond completed the arborist course and has received his arborist certification. 

11.                 Councilmember’s Reports:

Mr. Abell reported a dead hollow tree in front of 712 Scott Street .  Mr. Ace will

check on it but believes it is already on the list to be removed. 

Mr. Ewen would like to see us start enforcing our sidewalk ordinance to have deteriorated sidewalks replaced.  Mr. Wilkins will have staff discuss how to implement this.  The problem is the cost to private residents.  Mr. Abell and Mr. Weiss would like to be included in these discussions. 

Mr. Allen would still like to see cigarette urns on Main Street especially in front of the bars. 

Mr. Weiss commended the police department for ticketing in the lots but has been receiving complaints that vehicles are not being ticketed on Sarah Street for alternate side of the street parking.  Mrs. Quarantello will e-mail Chief Baujan requesting more enforcement. 

12.                 Manager’s Report:

Mrs. Quarantello asked council to approve a lease agreement for a new copier.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to enter into a 5 year lease agreement with Edwards Business Systems for a Ricoh 5050 for $192.00 per month.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Quarantello also reported that the traffic light at Ninth and Main has been retimed.  Hopefully this will improve the backup of traffic on North Ninth Street .

14.       Approval of Bill on Warrant #041609:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr.      Weiss, to approve the bills on warrant #041609.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Weiss asked where we stand with Phase II of the Gateway Safety Project at Sixth and Main .  Mrs. Quarantello stated that the preliminary plans are with PennDot for review and doesn’t expect any action on the plan until next year. 

Mr. Baughman asked how we get PennDot to fix the drainage issue at the corner of Seventh and Main .  Mrs. Quarantello said that according to our engineers if the project was constructed according to the plans it should be draining.  A letter will be sent to PennDot to address the issue. 

15.                 Executive Session: None

16.       Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn at 8:43

          PM.