MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

JULY 15, 2010

 

7:15 PM

 

 

1.                 Council Vice-President Neil Allen called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM .   Borough Manager Barb ara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:  Mr. Allen, Council Members Joanne K ochanski, Eric Scelza, Matthew Abell, and Boyd Weiss. Members absent:  Council President Kim Diddio, Council Member Jeffrey Ewen.  Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were absent.

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                 Public Input:  Rich ard Berkowitz of the Jacob Stroud Corporation indicated the business owners on lower Main Street are interested in getting planters for beautification purposes.  They are not expecting money from Council and the Fire Department would not have to water them.  The businesses will purchase and maintain their planters.  Mr. Weiss is in favor of it as long as the businesses take care of them and water them daily so they don’t look terrible. 

 

Jane t Lynch asked if there will be handicap parking spaces in Lot 2.  She would like to see one on each side of the deck to accommodate for the alternate side parking in Lot 2.  It was the consensus of Council to refer this matter to staff. 

 

Beth ­­­­­Brelje of the Pocono Record asked about the letter from Attorney Williamson regarding the zoning ordinance that refers to building hieght.  Mrs. Quarantello said it will not be discussed tonight because the Council President, Borough Solicitor and the Council Member Ewen were not present.

 

4.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting of July 15, 2010.  Motion passed with abstentions from Mr. Weiss and Mr. Allen due to absence from the last meeting.

 

5.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed with an abstention from Mr. Allen.

 

6.                 Treasurer’s Reports:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the Treasurer’s Reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.                 Old Business:

 

a.      Consider Approval of Robert Ace Minor Subdivision.  Mr. Wilkins said they didn’t provide an easement to the Borough.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to table the matter to the August 4th Council meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.     Discussion of the Proposed Changes to the Sandwich Board Sign Ordinance.  Mr. Wilkins highlighted the changes to the proposed ordinance which include the addition of a definition of special events sign to subsections 101-104.  Mr. Allen read the entire ordinance to the audience so everyone was aware of the proposed changes.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize advertisement.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.      Consider Request of the Monroe Farmers Market Association for Permission to Display their Sandwich Board Signs on Saturday Mornings.  Council will approve this request once the additions to the sandwich board sign ordinance are advertised and adopted.

 

8.                 New Business:

 

a.      Consider Award of the Scott & Third Street Paving bids.  Mrs. Quarantello indicated the bids were opened but the low bidder did not provide all the necessary documentation.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this issue until the August 4th meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.     Consider final Approval of the 2010 Stroud Fest on September 4th.  Rich ard Berkowitz said the goal is to free up the sidewalks a bit more than last time.  He summarized what they plan to do and Mrs. Kochanski asked for the details in writing so Council can discuss it at the next meeting.

c.      Consider Adoption of the Resolution for the Stroudsburg Borough Emergency Operations Plan.  Mrs. Kochanski noted the name of the person receiving a copy of the plan on the distribution list for the Red Cross on page 4 should read “Chapter Chairman or Executive Director” and the name of the organization should be “American Red Cross of Monroe County”.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adopt the resolution with changes as indicated from Mrs. Kochanski.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Weiss asked who directs traffic if the lights go out due to a power outage?  Mrs. Quarantello responded the Control Center would contact Mrs. Quarantello or Tim Ace but the police are the first responders. 

 

9.                 Solicitor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

 

10.             Mayor’s Report:  Nothing to report.

 

11.             Council Members’ Reports:  Mr. Allen supports the planters on lower Main Street .  He asked where we stand with Welcome to Stroudsburg Borough signs off major roadways.  Jacob Stroud Corporation worked on this and there is no funding for it at this time.  Tim Ace reported the Tree City USA and Welcome to Stroudsburg Borough signs have all been installed.

 

Mrs. Kochanski reported a COBRA light is out on Sarah Street between Hess and 8th Street on the south side.

 

Mr. Weiss thanked Tim Ace for keeping the parking lot #5 lights on. 

 

Mr. Scelza reported the light in front of Main Street Appliance under the marquis is not on at night.  He feels this is a potentially dangerous situation given the crime that has been occurring in the alley. 

 

Tim Ace asked if the Borough can continue to borrow equipment from Niles Possinger as he does from us.  Mrs. Quarantello indicated Council would need to decide if that practice can continue.  Mrs. Kowalyshyn noted it is a liability issue if someone gets hurt.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to refer to staff for further discussion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

12.             Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello and Eric Snyder met regarding the Southside Storm Sewer Project.  The Conservation District will issue permits on July 16, 2010.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize to bid.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BCRA letter was received.  Each municipality can pay for the project on a quarterly basis.  Bids are due at the end of July and will be awarded in August.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to send a certification letter to the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority indicating the Borough’s willingness and ability to pay for regional WWTP start-up costs for the third quarter of 2010 in the amount of $50,471.40.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

          Mrs. Quarantello would like to move the second meeting in August to August 18 directly after the joint meeting with three municipalities.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize advertisement.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

13.             Approval of Bills:  Mrs. Quarantello read in a bill in the amount of $50,471.40 to BCRA for the 3rd quarter WWTP start-up costs.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #100715.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

14.             Executive Session:  None.

 

 

 

15.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.