Minutes

Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 7:15 PM

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

• Pledge of Allegiance was Recited

• Public Input - None

• Approval of the Council Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2010: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski , second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the  Council Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2010.  Motion passed unanimously. 

• Old Business

o   2009 Annual Report from Historic Architectural Review Board:  Mrs. Weiss is concerned about how to deal with buildings within the HARB district that are in need of repair, and also pointed out that there is a discrepancy with the motion council passed for the COA on 722 Main Street.  Mr. Wilkins stated that he is correct about the COA for 722 Main Street.  The HARB recommended that the material used for the cornice look like what had been there but when the COA was prepared it stated to replace the cornice with the same material.  Mr. Matergia suggested we pull the COA, look over any photographs, and he will review this with staff.  Ms. Diddio suggested we write a nice letter to the building owner.  Mr. Matergia stated he was concerned about selective enforcement.  The borough needs to be concerned about how the enforcement can be challenged and what is the degree of liability if not enforced correctly.  Ms. Diddio suggested a committee be established to put together an overall inventory of buildings in need of repair and then have an architect review it.  She nominated Mr. Weiss for the committee.  Mr. Abell agreed to also sit on the committee.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the 2009 Annual HARB Report.  Motion passed unanimously. 

• New Business

• Stroud Area Regional Police Budget: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second

by Mr. Scelza to table this until further review.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Monroe County request to underpay juror tickets:  It was the consensus of council that there should be no special exceptions when accepting ticket payments.  They themselves all are subject to tickets and are responsible for the full payment.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to deny the request of the County to underpay juror parking tickets.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Discussion/approval of PennDOT request for one-time night detour on Ann and Tenth Streets while Seventh Street Bridge is being removed:   Mrs. Quarantello stated she has a meeting with PennDOT this Friday and asked that this be tabled until after that meeting. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table the request from PennDOT for a one-time night detour and on Ann and Tenth Streets and also to use the same for emergency only detours while the Seventh Street Bridge is being removed.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Discussion/approval of next quarterly bill due to Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in the amount of $76,109.28:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the 4^th Quarter 2010 Regional WWTP Start-Up cost payment to Brodhead Creek Regional Authority in the amount of $76,109.28.  Motion passed unanimously. 

• Consider approval of Berkheimer letter and Fee Schedule:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the Berkheimer letter and Fee Schedule.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider approval of quote from Kirk, Summa & Co., LLP, for auditing services for EOY 12/31/2010:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the quote from Kirk, Summa & Co., LLP, for auditing services for EOY 12/31/2010.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider authorization to advertise for a Sludge Hauling Bid:  Motion by  Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to authorize advertisement for a Sludge Hauling Bid.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider request from Pocono Ambulatory Surgery for parking passes on Storm Street for patients during construction project:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the renewal of six parking passes on Storm Street at a rate of $720.00 every six months.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider approval of invoice from Pinto Construction Company for ADA ramp construction project on McConnell Street:   Mrs. Quarantello asked that this be tabled until our engineer is done working on it.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to table the approval of the invoice from Pinto Concrete.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider approval of invoice from Locust Ridge Paving for work done on Third and Scott Street paving project:  Mrs. Quarantello received a letter from our engineer with a price increase from $120,427.30 to $121,793.46 for a decrease in the amount of milling area and an increase in the tonnage required to complete paving.  Our engineer recommends payment upon verification of curb ramp slopes and completion of the following punch list items:  removal of piles of asphalt, placement of additional topsoil, a small amount of pavement to level pavement to an ADA ramp, and checking the grade on the ADA ramp.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the payment of the invoice from Locust Ridge Paving for work done on Third and Scott Street paving project in the amount of $121,793.46 upon completion of the punch list items.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Consider approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for deck construction project at 517 Main Street for Brendan Gilsenan: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, for approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to Brendan Gilsenen for his deck construction project at 517 Main Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Solicitor’s Report - None

• Mayor’s Report - Absent

• Councilmember’s’ Reports

Ms. Diddio requested authorization from council for her and staff to form a committee to research planners to achieve what council visions for the future of the borough, especially First, Second, and Third Streets.  Council approved authorization. 

Mrs. Kochanski requested an update on the old Weichel Buick building on West Main Street.  Mr. Wilkins stated that demolition permits have been issued but they have not come back before HARB regarding the latest plans to include a  third floor. 

Mrs. Kochanski also reported a broken window on the building on the corner of Scott and Eighth Streets.

Mr. Weiss inquired about the Carlton House.  Mr. Wilkins reported there is nothing new to report. 

Mr. Abell praised Locust Ridge for doing a good job paving Scott and Third Streets but stated he is unhappy with the paving done on Lower Main by PennDOT and wanted to know if the manhole covers can be reset.  Ms. Diddio suggested a letter be sent to PennDOT.  Mr. Weiss would like our State Representatives and the Pocono Record to be cross- copied.  Council will revisit this issue at the next council meeting. 

• Manager’s Report

Mrs. Quarantello stated that the Chamber of Commerce will be digging up the sidewalk in front of their building to uncover a time capsule.  They are aware that they need to restore the sidewalk to its original condition.

Mrs. Quarantello received a request from resident Michael Rineheimer at 71 Second Street for a handicap parking space in front of his residence while he undergoes cancer treatments which leave him weak and unable to walk long distances.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza to authorize advertisement for a handicap parking space at 71 Second Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Approval of Bills on Warrant 101103:   Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the Bills on warrant 101103.  Motion passed unanimously.

• Executive Session - None

• Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn at 8:01 pm.  Motion passed unanimously.