MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

JULY 16, 2009

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, and Matthew Abell. Members absent: Council Vice-President Neil Allen, Boyd Weiss , and Jeffrey Ewen. Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also in attendance.

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3.                 Presentation of a Commemorative Plaque to the Borough from the Brodhead Creek Watershed Association:  Mr. Don Baylor, President of the Brodhead Creek Watershed Association, presented the plaque to the Borough in recognition of our becoming an Adopt-a-Stream Program sponsor.  Mayor Baughman accepted the plaque. 

4.                 Public Hearings:

a.       Public hearing on a proposed ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, amending Chapter 27 (Zoning), Part 4 (Zoning District Use Requirement), Section 404 (Use Regulations for all Non-residential Zoning District) adding a special exception in a C-1 zone for government services and facilities:  Ms. Diddio opened the hearing.  There were no public comments.  Ms. Diddio closed the hearing.

b.       Consider adoption of an ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, amending Chapter 27 (Zoning), Part 4 (Zoning District Use Requirement), Section 404 (Use Regulations for all Non-residential Zoning District) adding a special exception in a C-1 zone for government services and facilities:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to adopt the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.       Public hearing on a proposed ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, regarding stormwater management of the Brodhead and McMichael Creek:  Ms. Diddio opened the hearing.  There were no public comments.  Ms. Diddio closed the hearing.

d.       Consider adoption of an ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg, regarding stormwater management of the Brodhead and McMichael Creek:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adopt the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.                 Public Input:  Mr. Rich ard Berkowitz of the Jacob Stroud Corporation informed Council that there will be a proposed sidewalk sale day on Saturday, August 15, 2009 and it is not finalized as of yet.  They are thinking of having people from the Farmers’ Mark et and the Garden Growers to have demonstrations, several restaurants will also be included.  They don’t require any street closures.  There will also be outside vendors.  They plan to return to Council with more details of this event.

6.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on July 1, 2009.  Motion passed 3-0-1 with Mr. Scelza abstaining due to lack of attendance at that meeting.

7.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

8.                 Treasurer’s Report:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion passed unanimously.

9.                 Old Business:

a.       Update of the activities planned for Stroudfest ’09:  Mr. Berkowitz stated the event will be on September 5, 2009, from 11 AM to 6 PM, in downtown Stroudsburg.  The United Way will incorporate their Super Saturday event in with Stroudfest.  Vendors will require meter bags on Main Street and in Courthouse Square . Lot 1 will also need meter bags for one of the stages.   The other music stages will be on Main Street next to Josephine’s, in Courthouse Square , on Main Street by Brit e Cleaners, and on Sixth Street .  The Borough will not have to do any clean up after the event.  They will provide the port-a-potties.  The Jacob Stroud Corporation would like the Borough to waive vendor fees and any permit costs.  Vendors will be on the sidewalks on both sides of Main Street between Fourth and Ninth.  They would like the Borough to have free parking throughout the town, including the lower level of the parking deck. 

The following street closures will be necessary:  North Sixth from Main to Monroe ; Monroe from Sixth to Eighth; North Seventh from the entrance to Brownie’s to Sarah Street; William Street from Main to Ann, with cones at mid-block to permit access to the YMCA parking lot via the alley. 

They would like to cone North Sixth from Sarah Street to the entrance to the County’s parking deck to allow for 2-way traffic and parking at the deck. 

b.       Consider authorization to award bid to sell specific Borough owned equipment:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to award the bid as follows:

          Motion passed unanimously.

c.       Consider proposed traffic change for Bryant Street :  Mrs. Quarantello stated that the proposal was to change a portion of Bryant Street to 1-way.  She sent a letter to the property owners who would be affected by the change, and the majority of them asked us to leave the street 2-way.  Their reason was because more traffic would use the alleys in the area, which the residents maintain.  Council took no action on this issue.

d.       Consider placement of stop sign at the corner of Scott and Stone Streets:  Street Superintendent Tim Ace stated that the request for a stop sign at this location is to try and stop people from speeding on Scott Street .  If Council wanted to pursue placing a stop sign here, they would need to have a traffic study done by an engineer.  Council took no action on this issue.

10.             New Business:

a.       Consider the request of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to hold an event on July 18, 2009, from 5 PM until 10 PM in Courthouse Square :  Their representative stated they would like to block off the streets around Courthouse Square . They will be having a DJ.  They would like the Borough to waive the $30 permit fee for the one vendor that will be there. They would like the electricity turned on by the streetlights.  Mr. Ace said he will turn it on at Seventh and Sarah and at Sixth and Monroe .  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve, conditioned on all details being worked out with the staff.  Mrs. Kochanski also noted that they can’t set up in the street beyond the width of a parking space.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.       Consider request of James Scott to hold a block celebration on Sunday, August 23, on Lee Avenue between Colbert and Collins Street from 10 AM until 10 PM:  Mr. Scott stated he will not be selling food, and he would like  the street closed on that block. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve Mr. Scott’s request, conditioned on Mr. Scott obtaining insurance for a 1-day event.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Scott will provide his insurance information to Mrs. Quarantello. 

c.       Consider authorization to advertise for a public hearing Amendment #5 to Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement Establishing Regional Police Department regarding the Initial Base Line Formula Level.   Mayor Baughman said we already agreed to hold off the re-evaluation of it until 2009.  This is saying that we are going to wait until the certifications of the 2010 census.  If it gets certified after July of 2011, it will be four years before we can change the formula.  Ms. Diddio noted this is just approval to advertise.  Motion to advertise by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

11.             Solicitor’s Report:  None.

12.             Mayor’s Report:   Highway Improvement Projects: In the American Recovery and Reconstruction Act, we were to be included in that for the 7^th Street Bridge and that did not occur.  On the new highway 12 year improvement plan, on the highway section five-points is #15 on the list and the 7^th Street Bridge is #8 on the list.  Generally they go down to 2-4 a year.  Interstate Route 80 there is no mention of any entrance ramp changes in the Broad Street area.

13.             Council Members’ Reports: None

14.             Manager’s Report:

a.                  The Mattioli Fund has purchased a John Deere tractor with trailer to water the flower baskets on the days the Fire Dept. can’t get out there. The Fire Dept. can get out there three times a week which has been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as well as Sunday mornings.  After discussion, some of the concerns were liability and covering it through insurance.  Joe Small suggested the Borough lease it from the Mattioli Fund for $1.00.  It had to be for more than 6 months, even if it is 6 months and 1 day so it could be considered a lease and covered under the Borough’s insurance.  Motion to approve by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.                 Mrs. Quarantello stated that the Borough needs to appoint an EIT collector by September.  The first meeting will be on October 28, 2009, at 6:30 PM.  Michael Casey had been asked, but he is unable to do it.  Mr. Scelza will consider it but requested more details.

c.                  Mrs. Quarantello mentioned that the Recycling Center is opening on August 3, 2009, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  They will not be opening on Saturdays.

15.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the bills on Warrant #071609.  Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Diddio noted that James Brown and Gabe Miles from Boy Scout Troop 105 were present for the meeting.

Zoning Officer Jeff Wilkins mentioned that the Zoning Hearing Board meeting for the Shanty House was postponed until August 19 at the applicant’s request.

16.             Executive Session:  None.

17.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.