MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

August 4, 2010

7:15 P.M.

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 Kim Diddio, Vice President Neil Allen, Councilmembers Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss, Matt Abell, Eric Scelza, Mayor Charles Baughman, and Solicitor Ralph Matergia. Absent was Councilmember Jeff Ewen.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited

3. Public Hearing

a. Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Adding Regulations Governing Sandwich Board Signs to Chapter 19, Signs and Billboards: There hearing was opened and closed at 7:16 pm with no public comments.

4. Resolution/Ordinance Adoption and Amendment

a. Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Adding Regulations Governing Sandwich Board Signs to Chapter 19, Signs and Billboards: A motion was made by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the proposed ordinance. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Public Input

a. 740 Ann Street resident Joshua Blum voiced his disapproval of the five new meters installed recently on South Eighth Street . Because he has no off street parking, he feels this will affect the resale of his home in the future. He asked council for their comments and/or suggestions. Ms. Diddio directed staff to review this and contact Mr. Blum with suggestions.

b. Mrs. Harris, who owns a building next to the burned out building at 12 South Eighth Street , expressed her frustration with the lack of security of the building, trash remaining in the front window of the building since the fire, and the ongoing bricks that fall from the building onto her roof at 761 Main Street . Mr. Wilkins stated that the building owner Mr. Birnbaum has been cited, and that he is optimistic there will soon be a new owner. Mr. Matergia suggested staff generate a report on the condition of the building to determine if it projects any health or safety hazards, make a determination, and come up with a remedy based on those facts. Ms. Diddio directed staff to have a report ready for the next council meeting.

Mrs. Harris also stated that because gutters were not installed at the time the parapet wall was constructed at 759 Main Street changing the roof pitch, the rain water now runs off onto her roof.

6. Approval of the July 15, 2010 Council Meeting Minutes: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the July 15, 2010 meeting minutes. Motion passed 5-0-1 with Ms. Diddio abstaining.

7. Old Business:

a. Consider Final Approval of 201 Stroudsfest on September 4, 2010: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the 2010 Stroudfest. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Consider Award of the Scott & Third Streets Paving Bid to Locust Ridge Quarry in the Amount of $120,147.30: Mrs. Quarantello stated that at their seats, council had a letter from Nate Oiler from R.K.R. Hess Associates stating that in the Locust Ridge Quarry bid there was an exception to their submittal. In order to qualify for the CDBG funding contractors are required to solicit woman and minority owned businesses. Locust Ridge did not do that. After the bid opening, Mr. Oiler contacted Locust Ridge who then supplied two letters stating that they had the ability to supply the services using their own company and their sister company. Therefore they did not need to solicit woman or minority owned businesses. Mr. Oiler spoke with both Ray Guernsey from Monroe County Redevelopment Authority and DCED to see if they still meet the CDBG requirements. The recommendation from DCED is that if council awards Locust Ridge Quarry the bid, at the time of signing the contract, they must complete DCED form 186 which will satisfy the issue. Mr. Matergia stated that being Locust Ridge is documenting the exemption they are not required to go out and solicit. Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Scelza, to award the bid to Locust Ridge Quarry. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Consider Approval of Robert Ace Minor Subdivision: Greg Rogers representing Mr. Ace was present to discuss the project. Mr. Wilkins asked that this not be discussed tonight because there are still about eighteen issues that need to be addressed and a revised plan was never submitted for review. Council took no action.

d. Consider Approval of a Paving Agreement between BCRA and the Borough for Huston & Clermont Streets: Mr. Matergia reviewed and approves the letter agreement. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the paving agreement. Motion passed unanimously.

e. Consider Request of Janet Lynch for Additional Handicapped Parking Spaces in the Upper Level of Lot #2: Mrs. Quarantello stated because there are already twelve handicapped parking spaces within one block of her residence, staff recommends that the request be denied. Council took no action.

8. New Business:

a. Consider Request of the Stroud Area School District for a Modification to the Renovation Project Parking Lots: Mr. Wilkins stated that the school district reconsidered and are now going to proceed as originally planned.

b. Consider Request of Resident Valerie Fasano to Make Robeson a One-Way Street During the Seventh Street Bridge Project: Council acknowledges her concerns and will discuss taking action if a problem arises after construction begins.

c. Consider Accepting Resignation of Barb Goll Effective September 1, 2010 as a Borough Community Service Officer/Parking Enforcement Officer: Mrs. Quarantello stated that her official date of resignation is now October 1, 2010. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to accept the resignation with regrets. Motion passed unanimously.

d. Consider Accepting Resignation of Sally Hatt Effective September 7, 2010 as the Borough Payroll Secretary: Mrs. Quarantello stated that Sally is requesting council continue payment of her families health care through 2010. The money is already budgeted. Council was not in favor of the request. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to accept Sally’s resignation with regrets. Motion passed unanimously.

e. Discussion of the Ironman Triathlon Proposed for October 2011: Matt Stevens Representing Philadelphia Triathlon LLC briefly explained the event. There has already been a meeting between the Borough, police department, Rich Berkowitz, and the fire department to discuss the details and make suggestions. Mr. Stevens has already been in contact with Penn DOT regarding road closures and has been given an initial approval. Philadelphia Triathlon has also agreed to pay the borough $10,000 to cover borough expenses and staff wages. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the initial request for the Ironman Triathlon in October 2011. Motion passed unanimously.

f. Discussion of Computer Purchase: Mrs. Quarantello stated that the last computer purchase was back in 2003 and that they are no longer big enough for the new software that’s out there. The quote from Access is a Co-Stars quote so we do not have to go out to bid. The total for the eight computers, battery backups, virus protection software, and a forty hour service agreement with Access Office Electronics to install software and configure the network setup for an estimated twenty fur hours of the forty hour contract is $13,889.50. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Allen, to approve the purchase. Motion passed unanimously.

g. Discussion of RFP for New Financial Software: Mrs. Quarantello explained that our current software system MUNIS is through Tyler Technologies. The market they are aiming for is much larger municipalities, school districts, and authorities. They are outpricing us and will no longer support the version we are on after next year. Years ago we had support for MUNIS through a secondary supplier called Software Systems whose support was outstanding. At some point after Tyler purchased MUNIS they severed all ties with Software Systems with a four year no contact clause. Now that the four years is up Mrs. Quarantello met with Craig Held from Software Systems. The RFP will not require any payment from the borough until after all the software has been installed, data converted, and the system is up and running after January 4, 2011. They suggest an ASP (Application Service Provider) which eliminates having to purchase a new server every three years as Tyler requires. Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to send out an RFP for the new purchase of municipal software. Motion passed unanimously.

h. Discussion of Gateway Safety Project Phase II: Mrs. Quarantello stated that Penn DOT is moving forward with the CCIP in 2011 so we need to discuss the upgrade of the Fifth and Sixth Street Intersections. We have enough traffic enhancement money for the Sixth Street intersection but not Fifth Street . At PennDOT’s suggestion, Mrs. Quarantello contacted NEPA and John Woodling from the County Planning Commission regarding the TIP. Mr. Woodling stated the TIP was conditionally approved so far but he’s not sure if they can have any additions or changes, and that he doesn’t expect any traffic enhancement money available for the next three years but will check and get back to her next week. There are grants out there that we will apply for. While reviewing the plans for the Fifth and Sixth Street intersections, Mr. Baughman commented that the crosswalk going from the northwest corner to the northeast corner at the Fifth Street intersection on Main (Kay’s Tavern to KFC) was set back too far, and he would like to see a crosswalk added going from the southwest corner to the southeast corner (Ken & Co. to NAPA).

9. Solicitor’s Report: None

10. Mayor’s Report: None

11. Councilmember’s Reports

Mr. Weiss had four issues to discuss. First, he would like to see enforcement of our sidewalk sweeping ordinance. Second, he asked who is responsible for the tree wells in courthouse square because they have weeds that are about two feet tall. Mr. Matergia asked Rich Berkowitz to look into that. Third, he inquired if the borough has a noise or duration of construction ordinance because he and other residents have been bothered by the sound of air compressors and nail guns until about 10:30 pm. Mr. Wilkins stated no. Fourth, since the accident a few months ago that knocked down signage at the intersection of Seventh and Main he has witnessed people stopped at the traffic light looking confused as to where to go and has witnessed near accidents.

Mrs. Kochanski noticed tables out on Main Street that were cabled together instead of being brought in at night. Mr. Wilkins explained that they were given temporary permission to do that because the business was having their floors redone.

At this time Beth Brelje from the Pocono Record inquired if council was going to discuss the letter from Attorney Williamson regarding height restrictions. Ms. Diddio and Council explained that there is an ordinance on the books and at this time there is no response to the letter. After much discussion Mr. Weiss asked that in the future non agenda items should be addressed during public input.

Also at this time Mrs. Kowalyshyn stated that Sally is a most energetic, gracious, and wonderful employee but feels that there should be a motion made to deny her request for the continuance of paid health coverage through 2010. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to regrettably deny Sally the three months of paid insurance. Motion passed unanimously.

12. Manager’s Report

Mrs. Quarantello received a request of the school district to eliminate parking on Hamilton Street through the end of September while water and gas lines are being installed because the vehicles are in the way and for safety reasons. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to eliminate parking on Hamilton Street from 6 am through 6 pm Monday through Friday, signs to be provided by the school district, through the end of September. Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Quarantello received an email from Ken Brown from BCRA and Bond Council indicating that the special meeting scheduled for August 18^thregarding the financing of the WWTP project is premature due to the fact that they are still working on the financing. Therefore the second borough council meeting for August can be held on the 19^th as originally scheduled.

Mrs. Quarantello informed council that BCRA is hosting a luncheon at Shawnee on August 24 for all key local officials and would like a representative form each municipality. Mr. Scelza expressed interest in attending but will confirm after checking his calendar.

13. Informational Items: No action needed

14. Approval of Bills on Warrant #100804: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the bills on warrant #100804. Motion passed unanimously.

15. Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, for executive session to discuss real estate at 9:04 pm. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to reconvene to regular session after a real estate discussion at 9:20 pm. Motion passed unanimously.

16. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn at 9:20 pm. Motion passed unanimously.