MINUTES

 

Stroudsburg Borough Council Meeting

 

Thursday, December 16, 2010 - 7:15 PM

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call:  President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.  Borough Manager Barbara Quarantello called Roll.  Present were Council President Kim Diddio, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Eric Scelza (who arrived at 7:38 pm), Jeff Ewen, Matt Abell, and Boyd Weiss. Also present was Solicitor Ralph Matergia.  Absent were Vice President Neil Allen and Mayor Baughman.

 

  1. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

  1. Mayoral Proclamation celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Stroudsburg Fire Department: In the absence of Mayor Baughman, President Kim Diddio read the Proclamation celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Stroudsburg Fire Department.  Chief Todd Martin, and Assistant Chiefs John Stevens and Mike Seip were present to thank council.  Chief Martin stated it is their honor to serve the borough.  

 

  1. Public Input - None

 

  1. Approval of the Council Meeting Minutes from December 1, 2010:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the Council Meeting Minutes from December 1, 2010.  Motion passed 4-0-1 with Mr. Abell abstaining.

 

  1. Monthly Administrative Reports: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the Monthly Administrative Reports.  Motion passed unanimously.  

 

  1. Treasurer’s Reports – November 2010:  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Weiss, to accept the November 2010 Treasurer’s Reports.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

  1. Public Hearing and adoption of proposed Ordinance for General Obligation Bond Series 2011 for $6,000,000 for Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant:  The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:21 pm with no public comment.  Mr. Chris Gibbons, from Concord Financial, explained that the bond amount was modified from $6,000,000.00 to $5,255,000.00 based on the bids.  Tom Smida, bond counsel,  requested a roll call vote based on the requirements of the Debt Act.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to adopt the proposed Ordinance for General Obligation Bond Series 2011 for $6,000,000 for Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Motion passed unanimously with Mrs. Kochanski voting yes, Mr. Ewen voting yes, Ms. Diddio voting yes, Mr. Abell voting yes, and Mr. Weiss voting yes.  Mr. Scelza had not yet arrived.   

 

  1. Public Hearing and adoption of proposed Ordinance incurring $1,535,000 principal amount of lease rental debt payment due on a $10,000,000 debt obligation of the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant:  The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:24 pm with no public comment.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adopt the proposed Ordinance incurring $1,535,000 principal amount of lease rental debt payment due on a $10,000,000 debt obligation of the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Motion passed unanimously with Mrs. Kochanski voting yes, Mr. Ewen voting yes, Ms. Diddio voting yes, Mr. Abell voting yes, and Mr. Weiss voting yes.  Mr. Scelza had not yet arrived. 

 

  1. Public Hearing and adoption of proposed Ordinance fixing real estate tax rates for 2011: The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:26 pm with no public comment.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adopt the proposed Ordinance fixing real estate tax rates for 2011.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Public Hearing and adoption of proposed Ordinance to amend quarterly sewer rental: The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:27 pm with no public comment.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to adopt the proposed Ordinance to amend quarterly sewer rental.  Motion passed unanimously.

        

  1. Public Hearing and adoption of proposed Ordinance to add handicapped parking space in front of 37 Garden Street: The public hearing was opened and closed at 7:28 pm with no public comment.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to adopt the proposed Ordinance to add handicapped parking space in front of 37 Garden Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Consider approval of 2011 Amended Stroud Area Regional Police budget:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that our contribution went up $14,000 based on the union negotiations.  Through the negotiations the department was able to save one position and delay the layoff of a second position by contributing $40,000 of their own money.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the 2011 Amended Stroud Area Regional Police budget.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Consider approval of 2011 Borough of Stroudsburg budget:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the 2011 Borough of Stroudsburg budget.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. New Business

 

    1. Discussion of the 2011 paving projects to utilize the 2008/2009 CDBG funds:  Mrs. Quarantello recommended this be tabled until maps designating the areas that qualify are received from the Redevelopment Authority.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to table this until the maps are received.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1. Consider approval of two easements to Pocono Township for the Joint Municipal Sewer System Project:  Engineer Nate Oiler explained that the two areas the easements are needed are just north of Shop Rite and just south of Fourth Street where the parking exists.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the two easements to Pocono Township for the Joint Municipal Sewer System Project.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1. Consider authorization to award the Sludge Hauling bid to Waste Management of PA/W. VA for the years 2011 and 2012 at a rate of $74.75 per ton, per year:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that out of the six bids received, Waste Management was the low bidder.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Abell, to award the Sludge Hauling bid to Waste Management of PA/W. VA for the years 2011 and 2012 at a rate of $74.75 per ton, per year.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1. Consider approval of a Resolution supporting Growing Greener II:  Mrs. Quarantello stated there is an example resolution in the council packet and asked if council was interested in moving forward by giving the borough’s support.  Consensus of council was to give this better look before making any decisions.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to table this until the next council meeting.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

    1. Consider authorization to advertise for public hearing and adoption on January 3, 2011, a proposed Ordinance amending the employee contribution rate for the Non-Uniform Pension Plan:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that the employee contribution will be increasing by 1.5 percent in 2011.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Ewen, to authorize advertisement for public hearing and adoption on January 3, 2011, a proposed Ordinance amending the employee contribution rate for the Non-Uniform Pension Plan.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Old Business

 

    1. Consider approval of the payment request from Hanson Aggregates for the Huston and Collins Streets paving project in the amount of $125,498.06, conditioned upon receipt of completed closeout documents.  Engineer Nate Oiler stated we are still waiting for one document.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to approve the payment request from Hanson Aggregates for the Huston and Collins Streets paving project in the amount of $125,498.06, conditioned upon receipt of completed closeout documents.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1. Consider approval of a Change Order and final payment in the amount of $137,984.97, to Bruce George for the Southside Storm Sewer Improvement Project:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that the $4,075.45 change order was due to the increase and decrease of different size superpave asphalt binder course, a decrease of wearing course, additional cement concrete curbing, a larger size detectable warning surface, an increase of pipe depth due to water lines, and additional stone backfill in the alley.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve a Change Order and final payment in the amount of $137,984.97, to Bruce George for the Southside Storm Sewer Improvement Project.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

  1. Solicitor’s Report - None

 

  1. Mayor’s Report - None

 

  1. Councilmembers’ Reports - None

 

  1. Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello had three issues to report.  First, there is a copy of the 2011 BCRA budget on file in the office for review. 

 

Second, a letter was received from property owners Bruce and Ann Weinbaum of 701/703 Scott Street.  They recently realized they are being billed for 4 units on their sewer bill but only have three, which has been verified by Zoning/Codes Officer Jeff Wilkins.  They would like reimbursement back from when the error began.  Borough policy is to reimburse back one year.  Mrs. Quarantello stated that BCRA’s sewer bills do not state the number of units being charged for.  Mr. Weiss would like the borough to ask the BCRA to revise the bills to include that information.  (Mr. Scelza arrived at this time).  Ms. Diddio felt we should stick to our policy but have staff do some investigation to see when the error in the number of units occurred and revisit the issue at the next council meeting. 

 

Third, PennDOT contacted the borough regarding the Congestive Corridor Project which they will be moving forward with next summer.  There are decisions to be made by the borough on whether we want additional overhead lighting, decorative lighting, and pedestrian crossing signals, which would be at an additional cost to the borough.  After some discussion, it was decided that more specific detail was needed before any action can be taken.  

           

  1. At this time Ms. Diddio reminded everyone that the next council meeting is Monday, January 3rd at 7:15 pm.

 

22.  Approval of Bills on Warrants 101216, 101216A, and 101216B:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Bills on Warrants 101216, 101216A, and 101216B.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Executive Session - None

 

  1. Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn at 7:53 pm.  Motion passed unanimously.