MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

October 6, 2010

 

7:15 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider approval of the Robert Ace Subdivision Plan:  Zoning Officer Jeff Wilkins stated that engineer Nate Oiler has addressed all of surveyor Frank Smith’s comments.  The only outstanding issue is the Development Agreement and a letter of credit.  Mr. Matergia stated that council can take a vote on this now and he will work out the rest of the details.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the Robert Ace Subdivision Plan conditioned upon a signed development agreement and letter of credit.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider approval of Mette, Evans, and Woodside as bond counsel for the Borough’s portion of the financing for the expansion and upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant project:  Chris Gibbons, Concord Financial, presented council with bond financing rates and a payment schedule.  The two variables that need to be determined before council can move forward with the financing are the construction costs, applications the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority has with the Commonwealth Finance Authority, and the application Pocono Township has with Pennvest.  Both the Commonwealth Finance Authority and Pennvest will be meeting in the middle of November to review the applications and determine if either will be approved.  The bids for the construction costs will be opened on October 19th.  The borough will need to borrow approximately 5.2 million dollars with a 30 year payment schedule.  Ralph Matergia stated he received a proposal from attorney Tom Smida from Mette, Evans, and Woodside, for this work.  He suggested council authorize accepting the proposal, hire Tom as bond counsel, and get him working with Chris Gibbons on the debt ordinances that need to be enacted in November to place financing once we obtain construction prices.   Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to accept the proposal of Mette, Evans, and Woodside, and to hire Tom Smida as bond counsel.   Motion passed unanimously.   

 

Consider Zoning Map Amendment Application by George and Tammy Loudon for 15 Linden Street :  George Loudon handed out a site plan to council to review.  Tonight he is only asking for the zoning map change for 15 Linden Street but plans to approach the surrounding property owners about purchasing their properties in the future at which time he will come back and ask for them to be changed also.  Council does not want to make the changes one at a time.  They would prefer to do it all at once.  Mr. Loudon amended his request to include the entire block.  Mr. Matergia suggested council set a public hearing on this request for November 18, 2010 and receive the Planning Commissions recommendation.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to authorize advertising a zoning map change for the entire block surrounding and including 15 Linden Street .  Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Wilkins will contact the adjacent property owners regarding the hearing.

 

Consider approval of the application of Troy Nauman for a Certificate of Appropriateness for 907 Main Street :  Troy Nauman passed out photos of the proposed changes to the building which includes a front porch and changing columns and doors.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness to Troy Nauman for the renovations at 907 Main Street .  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider approval of the Jacob Stroud Corporation request for lane closure on Main Street for “Autos in Autumn” event scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2010:  Rich Berkowitz was present to request blocking one lane of traffic on the southside of Main Street from Sixth Street to Eighth Street and Courthouse Square .  He will pick up meter bags for the meters in these areas.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve request of Jacob Stroud Corporation for the lane closure on Main Street and around courthouse square for the Autos in Autumn event on October 9th.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider request from the Jacob Stroud Corporation for the closure of Courthouse Square on November 26, 2010, and December 11, 2010, for holiday celebrations:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to approve the request of Jacob Stroud Corporation for the closure of courthouse square on November 26th and December 11th for holiday celebrations.

 

Consider authorizing advertising for a public hearing on a proposed Ordinance  regulating display of parking permits and residential permits in vehicles and adoption of said Ordinance:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that this is to change displaying the permit from the back window or bumper to the front windshield by the inspection sticker.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to advertise for public hearing the proposed ordinance change regulating the display of residential parking permits in vehicles to the front windshield.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Consider authorizing advertising for a public hearing on a proposed Ordinance for the addition of a handicapped parking space in front of 813 Thomas Street, and adoption of said Ordinance:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize advertising for public hearing a proposed ordinance change for the addition of a handicapped parking space in front of 813 Thomas Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider approval of a Resolution authorizing the Borough of Stroudsburg to contract with Penn DOT for the Borough’s provision of winter traffic services from the 2010/2011 season 2014/2015:   Mrs. Quarantello explained that this is the same five year agreement as in the past but this agreement will pay us $4,000 per year more.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the Resolution authorizing the Borough of Stroudsburg to contract with Penn DOT for the Borough’s provision of winter traffic services from the 2010/2011 season 2014/2015.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider authorization to appoint the Monroe County Tax Collection Committee as the Earned Income Tax and Local Services Tax Collector effective January 1, 2011:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Berkheimer Associates as the Earned Income Tax and Local Services Tax Collector for Monroe County effective January 1, 2011.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider addition of parking meters on North Ninth Street, or the removal of existing meters on the west side of North Ninth Street:  Council agreed to put more meters on the West side of North Ninth Street. 

 

Consider approval of MMO calculations for 2011:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that the MMO has gone up quite a bit this year.  Part of what is calculated in here is the employee contribution.  Right now it is 3.5%.  It will be going up to 5% for 2011.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the 2011 MMO.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider approval of Trick-or-Treat date for Sunday, October 31, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as suggested by COG:   Motion by Mr. Allen, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Trick-or-Treat date for Sunday, October 31, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. barricading off Thomas and Scott Street from Fifth to Eighth Street, and notifying the Stroud Area Regional Police.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider approval of request from Stroudsburg Area School District for homecoming parade permit:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Allen, to approve the request from Stroudsburg Area School District for homecoming parade permit.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Consider the hiring of Tracy Hatton to fill the part-time Secretary/Clerk position:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to hire Tracy Hatton to fill the part-time Secretary/Clerk position at $10.00 per hour.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Weiss had four issues to report.  First, there are lights out in Lot 5 due to a wiring problem.  We need to fix this before it gets dark by 5 pm.  Second, we need to put flags out where our parking lot curbing is before snow fall to alleviate further damage.  Also remind street department staff to be careful when plowing snow around trees.  Third, the garbage can by Panda Kitchen is odiferous.  People are complaining.  Last, Mr. Weiss was very unhappy with the person who pulled out all his flowers from the tree well on the 700 Block of Main Street that he planted and maintained.  He said it was a commercial company hired to do it.