MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

September 1, 2010

 

7:15 P.M.

 

1.       Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:19 pm.  Members present were President Kim Diddio, Councilmembers Joanne Kochanski, Eric Scelza, Jeff Ewen, Matt Abell, Boyd Weiss, and Mayor Charles Baughman.  Absent were Vice President Neil Allen and Solicitor Ralph Matergia.

 

2.       Pledge of Allegiance:  The pledge of allegiance was recited.

 

3.       Public Input:

 

a.       Dr. Dietrich, from E.S.U., requested council reconsider the 7th Street Bridge Plan.  He doesn’t feel the proposed curbing and sidewalk sizes are safe for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Ms. Diddio and Mayor Baughman stated that the borough has no input on the plan.  It is a PennDOT plan but he is welcome to attend the emergency responder meeting tomorrow with PennDOT at 10:00 am here in council chambers. 

 

b.       Rich Berkowitz stated that in the past the United Way had thermometers posted and asked if they can do that again for this year’s campaign.  Mayor Baughman stated that it was already approved.

 

4.       Approval of the August 19, 2010 Council Meeting Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the August 19, 2010 council meeting minutes.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.       Old Business:

 

a.       Consider Approval of the Robert Ace Minor Subdivision Plan:  Mr. Wilkins stated that he received a letter today to table this for 60 days.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to table the Robert Ace Minor Subdivision Plan for 60 days.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of a Resolution authorizing execution of the Roadway Lighting Agreement for SR 611 between the Borough and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: Mr. Matergia has reviewed the plan and finds it satisfactory.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the resolution authorizing execution of the Roadway Lighting Agreement for SR 611 between the Borough and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider Approval of a Resolution authorizing execution of the Sidewalk Maintenance Agreement for SR 611 between the Borough and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation:  Borough Manager, Mrs. Quarantello, asked that council take no action on this at this time as there is an agreement already in place.  She will contact PennDOT for more clarification.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this issue for now.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.       New Business:

 

a.       Consider awarding the Storm Sewer Improvement Project:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that George Bruce Paving was the lowest of 11 bids.  Our engineer, Eric Snyder, found an error in his bid of $.03 but recommends approving the bid to George Bruce paving in the amount of $288,794.03.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to award the bid for the Storm Sewer Improvement Project to George Bruce Paving in the amount of $288,794.03.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

b.       Discuss PP & L Energy Audit:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that this audit is just of the Municipal Building and that there is no cost to the borough.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the energy audit of the Borough Municipal Building .  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider changing the parking on Collins Street between Stokes Avenue and Huston Street to the Southside of the street:  Mrs. Quarantello received a request from resident Carol Kopenhaver for this change.  Mrs. Quarantello did contact the neighboring residents.  Council feels this change is logical for now all the parking will be on the south side of the road which is better for street cleaning and snow removal.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve changing the parking on Collins Street between Stokes Avenue and Huston Street to the Southside of the street.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

d.       Consider approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for Caroline Strasser:  The HARB recommends approval.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for Caroline Strasser.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

e.       Consider appointing Walter Phillips as Parking Enforcement Officer at a probationary rate of $15.13 for a ninety-day (90) period.  Upon successful completion of the probationary period, his salary would increase to $16.23, per the Teamster’s contract:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that Mr. Phillips would probably ticket later, possibly until 9pm.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Walter Phillips as Parking Enforcement Officer effective September 7, 2010 at a probationary rate of $15.13 for a ninety-day (90) period.  Upon successful completion of the probationary period, his salary would increase to $16.23, per the Teamster’s contract.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

f.        Consider approval of a Change Order for the Stroudsburg Pool Bathhouse project:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that rather than a change order we need to do lead abatement for windows and door frames.  We received one quote so far for $9,900 but are still hoping for a better price and there is budget available.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the lead abatement for the pool bathhouse project not to exceed $9,900.   Motion passed unanimously. 

 

g.       Consider Authorizing advertisement of a proposed Ordinance amending the speed limit on Broad Street fro Main to Park Avenue :  Mrs. Quarantello stated we had a request to lower the speed limit from a resident.  Results of a PennDOT study justify the change to 30 mph.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to advertise for the change.  Motion passed unanimously.  Mayor Baughman suggested PennDOT to do a study of all state roads in the borough to have the speed limits lowered to 30mph.  Council agreed. 

 

7.       Solicitor’s Report: None

 

8.       Mayor’s Report: Mr. Baughman attended two Safe 80 Committee meetings.  One of the topics of discussion was that Route 80 from Route 715 to Delaware Water Gap is out on bid to be completely resurfaced this year.  He also reported that since all the accidents on Route 33, the speed of the vehicles is being closely watched. The average speed is 71.4 miles per hour in the Schafer's School House Road area which is a 55 mile per hour speed zone. 

 

9.       Councilmember’s Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski again reported the same street light out.  Mr. Ace stated he has reported it to MEM three times.  Mrs. Quarantello explained that MEM has been having problems with their internet site which should be resolved soon. 

 

Mr. Scelza asked when PP & L will be signing our contract with MEM.  Mrs. Quarantello stated that they are just about ready and that our credit will be retroactive back to November 2009.  

 

Mr. Ewen asked that the borough write letters to both Mario Scavello and Lisa Boscola requesting both municipalities be able to use radar.  Mrs. Quarantello thinks there may already be such a letter on file that she can pass on to him to use to draft a current version.  Dr. Dietrich, from E.S.U., offered endorsements. 

 

Mr. Weiss had two issues.  First, he verified complaints from S, 8th Street and Ann Street residents regarding young people tailgating in Municipal Lot #5 playing stereos and boom boxes very loudly.  Ms. Diddio suggested he and the residents call the police if it happens again.  Second, Mr. Weiss suggested council write a thank you letter to the Brown’s for all their generosity to the fire department and Stroud Fest through the past years.  Mayor Baughman will send a letter on behalf of the borough council. 

 

10.     Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that in the letter at their seats from our engineer R.K.R. Hess and Associates recommends a leveling course be laid before the final 1 /2” paving on Manor drive to extend the life of the pavement.  The additional cost is approximately $3,500 which we do have budgeted for in the street fund.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza to approve the additional $3,500 for the leveling course on Manor Drive .  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Mrs. Quarantello also stated that the annual COG Dinner will be on September 27, 2010 at the Country Club of the Poconos at a price of $29.50 per ticket.  All reservations and checks need to go to Sherry Predmore by September 17th.

 

11.     Informational Items: No discussion or action taken

 

12.     Approval of Bills on Warrant #090110:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the bills on warrant #090110.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

13.     Executive Session:  None

 

14.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mrs. Scelza, to adjourn at 8:05 pm.