MINUTES

 

Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting

 

Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 7:15 PM

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.  Borough Manager Barbara Quarantello called roll.  Present were President Diddio, Vice President Neil Allen, Council Members Eric Scelza, Matt Abell, and Boyd Weiss.  Also present were Mayor Charles Baughman and Solicitor Ralph Matergia.  Absent were Council Members Joanne Kochanski and Jeff Ewen.

 

  1. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

7.   Monthly Administrative Reports:  Mr. Weiss questioned Sergeant Kimmins, of the Stroud Area Regional Police, if there has been any determination on what category the three wheeled vehicle seen on Stroudsburg streets falls under.  He stated the Captain did some research and found that it does not fit as a bicycle or skateboard.  The borough would need to draft an ordinance  to specifically address that type of vehicle.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Monthly Administrative Reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Public Hearing on a proposed Ordinance to vacate a portion of Kitson Street: President Diddio opened  and closed the public hearing at 7:17 pm with no public comment.

 

  1. Adoption of Ordinance to vacate a portion of Kitson Street: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to adopt an ordinance to vacate a portion of Kitson Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Public Input: None.

 

  1. Approval of the Council Meeting Minutes from July 6, 2011:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to approve the Council Meeting Minutes from July 6, 2011.  Motion passed 4-0-1 with Mr. Scelza abstaining

 

  1. Treasurer’s Reports – May 2010:   Mrs. Quarantello stated that the June Treasurer’s Reports were at council desks for review. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to accept the May and June 2011 Treasurer’s Reports.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

  1. New Business:

 

a.     Parking Department: Return the first meter after Quaker Alley on the west side of North Sixth Street (Meter #7), to a fifteen-minute (15) meter in front of Kathy’s Tailor Shop and Dempsey’s Barber Shop. This change is requested by the merchants at these locations since the thirty-minute “load/unload” area was removed:  Ms. Diddio expressed the need for a loading/unloading sign be returned to the yellow curb area on North Sixth Street at the same location.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to advertise an ordinance change to add an 15 minute loading/unloading sign in the yellow curb area on the west side of North Sixth Street right before Kathy’s Tailor Shop and Dempsey’s Barber Shop.  Motion passed unanimously.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to return the first meter after Quaker Alley on the west side of North Sixth Street (Meter #7), to a fifteen-minute (15) meter in front of Kathy’s Tailor Shop and Dempsey’s Barber Shop.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

b.     Review request from Pocono Pony (Monroe County Transit Authority) to use Featherman Drive [sic] as part of the pick-up route for the Westgate Apartment Complex due to traffic patterns from the school construction: Peggy, Executive Director of the Transit Authority was present to discuss a request from the  residents of Westgate Apartments.  153 of the residents are seniors, many with ambulatory challenges.  Their concern is now that the crosswalk has been removed, they have to walk to the corner and cross by the light which is very difficult.  After much discussion a motion was made by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to grant the Transit Authority access to Fetherman Street as they see fit to meet the needs of the community.  Motion passed 4-1-0 with Mr. Weiss voting no. 

 

c.     Consider request from Rick Lang of Lang Cleaning Service to place a boom truck on the sidewalks at 701 Main and South Seventh Streets in order to clean the windows at the Shearson Building, owned by Joe Darlak: Mr. Lang explained that the job entails window cleaning and caulking, and proposed two boom trucks, 86’ and 66’, be placed against the curb in front of 701 Main.  This would take half of the Monroe County Transit Authority’s bus stop.  He is willing to purchase meter bags for any additional spaces needed to make this work, will cone the area, and will have someone help with traffic.  Mr. Weiss voiced his concerns about the mess left from a previous caulking job at this location, and wanted assurance that the tree in front of the building would be protected.  Mr. Lang assured Mr. Weiss that the contractor will be responsible for clean-up and the tree will not be interfered with. Ms. Diddio suggested Mr. Lang meet with Tim Ace, Jeff Wilkins, and the Transit Authority to discuss this further. 

 

  1. Solicitor’s Report: None.

 

  1. Mayor’s Report:  Mr. Baughman would like to see more enforcement and signs on Lenox Street by the backside of the Budget Motel and the Pocono Record parking lot entrance. 

 

  1. Councilmember’s’ Reports:

 

Mr. Weiss reported that we need to do something about the back up of trees and logs near the damn.  Ms. Diddio suggested sending a letter to Mario Scavello. 

 

Mr. Weiss stated there is oil in the road in front of the Shearson Building from an accident that needs to be cleaned up.

 

Mr. Weiss feels there is selective enforcement when it comes to café dining table            placement. 

 

Mr. Weiss voiced his disgust regarding the black covering of signs in town.  He feels the “black shroud” needs to come down. 

 

Mr. Weiss received complaints from two gentlemen regarding the pole dancing presentation during Sidewalk Sales Day.  He feels the pole dancing should not be allowed.  Mr. Wilkins stated this type of business promotion is allowed during Sidewalk Sale Days.

 

Mr. Weiss reported a light out in Lot 5 in the corner at the back of the printing shop. 

 

Ms. Diddio asked if the sidewalks and bump-outs can be cleaned to remove gum.  Mr. Ace reported they would have to be cleaned with high pressure steam.  Rich Berkowitz stated he will look into this in conjunction with the borough.

 

Ms. Diddio asked council to just consider for now making the south side of Main Street one lane with angled parking to slow down traffic and add more parking spaces. 

 

  1. Old Business:

 

a.     Discuss proposed Ordinance regarding reduction of number of Board Members for the Stroudsburg Borough Zoning Hearing Board from five to three with an alternate: Mr. Wilkins explained that for many years this was a three member board then was changed to five.  It’s been harder to get five people to show up.  Council had more questions and wanted the issue tabled.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this until more information is gathered.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

  1. Manager’s Report:

 

Mrs. Quarantello asked council to approve a request of St. Luke’s for a Yard Sale to be held on July 30th and 31st in the rear parking lot of the bank next to their building.  Council approved the request. 

 

Mr. Quarantello wants council to start considering a replacement forp the Planning Commission Solicitor in the event that Dave Williamson is elected judge.

 

Mr. Quarantello advised council that the County has been granted permission by the Zoning Hearing Board to temporarily use the property at the corner of Quaker Alley and North Sixth as a parking lot for 120 days.  Mr. Abell, Mr. Weiss, and Mrs. Quarantello will meet with the County to further discuss this.

 

  1. Informational Items: No action needed.

 

  1. Approval of Bills on Warrant 110721: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Bills on Warrant 110721.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Executive Session: None.

 

  1. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn at 8:21 pm.