MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 5, 2010

7:15 PM

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 and Adoption

a.       Public Hearing to Receive Comments for the Possible Activities to be Undertaken and Submitted in F.F.Y. 2010 CDBG Application:  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing.  Mr. Ray Guernsey from the Monroe County Redevelopment Authority was present to explain the program and summarize the eligible activities.  In the past the Borough has used the funds to improve streets and curbs.  The skate park was also created using CDBG money.  He believes the money can be used for greenway projects.  Ms. Diddio closed the public hearing. 

b.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, Amending the Stroud Area Regional Police Department Pension Plan Adopted Pursuant to Act 600 of 1956, to delete the Killed in Line of Duty Benefit as Required by Act 51 of 2009:  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing.  There were no comments.  Ms. Diddio closed the hearing. 

c.       Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of     Stroudsburg Amending the Stroud Area Regional Police Department Police Pension Plan Adopted Pursuant to Act 600 of 1956, to delete the Killed in Line of Duty Benefit as Required by Act 51 of 2009:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

d.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg that Modifies Lot 2 Overnight Parking and Adds S. 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Streets to Parking Time Limited in Certain Locations, Certain Days, and Certain Hours:  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing.  There were no comments.  Ms. Diddio closed the hearing. 

e.       Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg that Modifies Lot 2 Overnight Parking and Adds S. 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Streets to Parking Time Limited in Certain Locations, Certain Days, and Certain Hours:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.                 Public Input:  Jim Dellevalle thanked Street Superintendent Tim Ace for the improvements he made at Glen Park, including placing barricades to prevent dumping.  He also thanked Mr. Ace for delivering dirt to fill in the holes on the bike trails.  He asked Council if his bicycle club could use their own machines to push the dirt where it needs to go.  It was the consensus of Council to discuss this with the staff and the SROSRC. 

Mr. Dellevalle also asked if vendors are allowed at the YMCA functions at the Glen Park.  Zoning Officers Jeff Wilkins and Ron Kimes will look into this matter.

5.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the minutes from the Council Meeting on April 15, 2010. Motion passed unanimously.

6.                 Old Business: 

a.       Consider Approval to Advertise the Proposed Sidewalk Café Dining Ordinance:  Mr. Wilkins discussed some of the changes to the proposed ordinance that were made based on some of Council’s comments and suggestions.  A lengthy discussion followed.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to approve advertisement of this ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.       Discussion of an Outdoor Amplified Music Ordinance:  Staff is still working on this and will present it at a future meeting.

7.                 New Business:

a.       Consider Request of Megan Williamson to Remove the Handicap Sign at Scott and Seventh Streets:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that Ms. Williamson requested this after the person who used the spot moved out.  She feels this would help the parking situation.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to remove the sign.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.       Consider Approval of the Proposed Regional Park and Facilities Rules and Regulations Adopted by the Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Commission:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.       Consider Request of the Pocono Mountains Art Group for the Use of Courthouse Square and the Section of Seventh Street between Main and Monroe Streets on Saturday, July 3, 2010, for the 64^th Annual Art Show:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

d.       Consider Request of the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging to hold their Senior Fitness Walk on Wednesday, May 19, 2010:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve. Motion passed unanimously.

e.       Consider Request of the United Veterans Organization of Monroe County to hold their Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31, 2010:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

f.        Discussion of the Traffic Signal Timing Change at the Intersections of 7th and Main and 8^th and Main :  Mrs. Quarantello stated she contacted PennDOT because the cross streets have very long red lights at certain times of the day.  Discussion followed.  Mrs. Quarantello said she will also talk to PennDOT about the intersection of 9^th and Main as well.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve moving forward with PennDOT on the timing of the lights at 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Streets at Main Street .

g.       Consider approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for Pocono Inne Towne for a new door entrance replacing the side window on the Seventh Street side of the building:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve. Motion passed unanimously.

8.                 Solicitor’s Report:  Regarding the Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement with Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, a special meeting will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, for a public hearing and possible adoption.  Mr. Matergia will be available to answer any questions from Council prior to the meeting.

9.                 Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Baughman also expressed concern about the length of the red light at Ninth Street and Main Street .  He stated people are turning onto Sarah Street to avoid the light at Main Street .  Mrs. Quarantello will ask PennDOT if the light coming from South Ninth Street can be changed as well.

10.             Council Members’ Reports:  Mrs. Kochanski reported some lights on Main Street are out.  Mr. Scelza thanked Mr. Matergia for all the work he did on the Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement.  Mr. Ewen noted one pothole was filled in on Broad Street .  Mr. Weiss said the lights in Municipal Lot 5 are not working and would like to have this put on the schedule to be fixed soon. 

11.             Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello reported we received a dividend check in the amount of $12,257.98 from MRM Property & Liability Trust.  To date, we have received $38,076 since we have been in the fund.  Mrs. Quarantello met with PPL regarding the levy banks and the coal tar containment issue.   She will report back with more information as it becomes available.  Mrs. Quarantello reminded Council the Borough-Wide Yard Sale is scheduled for May 29^th and 30^th and the Spring Clean up Day is scheduled for June 12^th.

12.             Approval of Bills:  Mrs. Quarantello added one bill in the amount of $735 to Penn State University for a course for the WWTP employees.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #100415.  Motion passed unanimously.

13.             Executive Session:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to go into Executive Session at 8:15 PM.  Motion passed unanimously.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to reconvene at 8:25 PM.  Motion passed unanimously. 

          Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski to enter into a separation agreement with John Venezia.  Motion passed unanimously.

          Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza to grant a one-month leave of    absence without pay for Walter Phillips beginning May 10, 2010.  Motion passed      unanimously.

14.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.