MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

7:15 P.M.

1.                 Council President Kim M. Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM .   Borough Manager Barb ara K. Quarantello called roll.  Members present:  Ms. Diddio, Council Members Joanne Kochanski, Boyd Weiss , Jeff rey Ewen, Eric Scelza, and Matthew Abell.   Council Vice-President Neil Allen arrived at 7:28 PM.  Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also in attendance.

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3.                 Public Hearing

a.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic by adding a Handicapped Parking Space on Linden Street :  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing at 7:17 PM.  There were no public comments.  The hearing was closed at 7:17 PM.

b.       Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic by adding a Handicapped Parking Space on Linden Street :  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.                 Public Input:   Mr. Rich ard Berkowitz of the Jacob Stroud Corporation thanked Council Member Boyd Weiss for his supply of electricity during the ice sculpture event. 

5.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on February 3, 2010. Motion passed unanimously.

6.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Mrs. Quarantello noted that the police report is not included because they did not hold their meeting yet.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

7.                 New Business: 

a.                  Consider Del Water Properties Subdivision and Land Development Plan for 1009 Main Street :  Ann Wengert of Niclaus Engineering presented a basic overview of the land development plan for 1009 Main Street , which is alongside the Pocono Creek.  She displayed drawings of the front and rear elevations.  There will be stores on the first floor with 12,317 square feet of retail space.  There will be a total of 22 apartments on the second and third floors.  There will be parking in the rear with 29 spaces available.  She stated that the plan was rejected the first time because of sight problems exiting the parking lot.  They are requesting that two parking spaces be eliminated in front of the building. 

Zoning Officer Jeff Wilkins stated that the Planning Commission reviewed and approved an older plan that only included a 2-story building.  He recommended Council table the application so that the Planning Commission and the HARB can review the plans for the 3-story building.  Ms. Wengert consented to waive the 90-day review period.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to table this item.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.                 Consider Authorizing an Agreement to use Keystone Publishers, Inc., for Ordinance Codifications:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to authorize this agreement.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.                  Consider Authorizing Northeast Energy, Inc., to Service and Maintain the Borough’s Heat/Air Conditioning Systems:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that she asked for quotes, and Northeast Energy, Inc., has the lowest price.  Mr. Abell had questions about the charges listed for filter changes.  Mrs. Quarantello said she would look into it.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to table this issue until Council receives this information.  Motion passed unanimously.

d.                 Consider Approval of a List of Parking Files for Destruction in Accordance with the PA Historical & Museum Commission:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

e.                  Consider Robert Ace Subdivision and Land Development Plan for Collins Street :  No one was present to review this plan with Council.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to table this application.  Motion passed unanimously.

f.        Consider Additional Payment in the amount of $17,624 to Brodhead Creek Regional Authority to Cover Underestimated Engineering and Legal Fees for the Regional WWTP Project:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to approve this payment.  Motion passed unanimously.

8.                 Solicitor’s Report:  None.

9.                 Mayor’s Report:  None.

10.             Council Members’ Reports:

Ms. Diddio thanked the street department for the good job they did with snow removal. 

Mr. Weiss also thanked the street department.  They did a good job even with the amount of snow that we got.  However, Mr. Weiss said the plow drivers must be more careful near fences.  He has seen where the snow was pushed against fence slats until they came off the posts.  He also thinks curbs are being damaged by plows as well as the cement bumpers in lot 3.  They were pushed and damaged by the plows, and now the rebar is exposed. 

Mr. Weiss also pointed out that when the salt gets mixed in with the snow, it damages the trees when the snow is pushed into the tree wells.  The tree ordinance states that snow cannot be put in tree wells.  He thinks a notice should be sent out regarding this.  He also stated that individuals who don’t comply with our snow removal ordinance should be cited.

Mr. Weiss stated that a PPL guide wire was pulled out of the ground and the pole is not leaning with the power wires in our trees behind lot 3 in the alley. 

11.             Manager’s Report:

Mrs. Quarantello said she has contacted an engineer to inspect the parking deck and determine the scope of work to make corrections and to find the probable cause of the failure of the joints there.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to authorize proceeding with this inspection.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Quarantello reported on the south side drainage project.  She said the engineer is working on getting the water line moved to the other side of the street so it doesn’t conflict with the storm water pipe.  They will be applying for permits over the next two to three weeks.  The project should be done before the Seventh Street Bridge project begins.

Mrs. Quarantello stated that Street Superintendent Tim Ace obtained a quote on a piece of equipment, a small front-end loader that has an attachment to sweep the streets without water so it can be used during colder weather. The equipment will also include a brush cutter attachment to use on the levee. The equipment is on a Co-Stars contract and will be purchased through Medico who has one with a total purchase price of $79,625. Financing will be through Bank Capital Services with $8,000 as a down payment, which we would pay from the general fund, and the next annual payment due would be $16,557.90 in January of 2011. That would come out of the debt service fund.  We would also keep the old sweeper that we use now.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to authorize this purchase.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Quarantello reported on a meeting with representatives of the Pocono Irish American Club regarding the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  They told the Borough that they are currently looking for volunteers to pick up the trash after the parade.  Discussion followed on whether to allow vendors to get permits for parade day.  Mr. Wilkins stated that according to the ordinance, the police department is supposed to fingerprint applicants, issue the permits, and enforce this ordinance.  Mrs. Quarantello said she will discuss this issue with Mr. Matergia and the police department and report back at the next Council meeting. Mr. Abell also noted the conflict with the YMCA having their 5K run on the same day.  Mrs. Quarantello said she is waiting to hear back from someone at the YMCA. 

12.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #100218.  Motion passed unanimously.

13.             Executive Session:  None.

14.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM.