MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

MARCH 3, 2010

7:15 P.M.

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

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3.                 Public Input:  Mr. Ed Sosna and Ms. Hoda Alsharife were present to ask Council’s permission to seek donations on Main Street from vehicles passing by to help fund a street patrol organization, similar to the Guardian Angels. Council referred them to meet with the staff first.

4.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council meeting on February 18, 2010.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.                 Old Business:

a.       Consider not Allowing Vendors for this Year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that she and the staff have met with the parade organizers, Stroud Area Regional Police Chief John Baujan , and East Stroudsburg Borough Manager Jim Phillips.  The problems from the vendors include no enforcement for those who do not pay for a permit.  The vendors also tend to encroach on the parade route.  The police have assured us that they will enforce the permits.  Mrs. Quarantello also noted that two vendors have already come in for permits.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to allow vendors at the parade.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.       Consider Authorizing Northeast Energy, Inc., to Service and Maintain the Borough’s Heat/AC Systems:  Mrs. Quarantello noted that there had been a 6 percent amount included in the original proposal that represented a sales tax amount, which has since been removed.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to authorize.  Motion passed unanimously.

6.                 New Business:

a.       Consider Including Parts of Club Court in the Southside Parking District: Mrs. Quarantello presented a letter and petition from some of the residents of  the area—Holly Gravel, Sharon Setzer, and Norman Fayne.  Mrs. Quarantello stated that according to Borough ordinance, after a petition is submitted to Council, the Borough must conduct two separate surveys of the area, and if 30 percent or more non-residents are parked in the area then it will qualify under the ordinance.  It was the consensus of Council to proceed with this request.

b.       Consider Approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to Kenneth and Jacqueline Wynder for New Building or Structure to their Property at 519 Thomas Street:  It was noted that HARB voted 6 – 1 to approve.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for Kenneth and Jacqueline Wynder.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.       Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Maintenance Service Agreement with the Commonwealth of PA Dept of Transportation for Sweeping Services, not to Exceed $4,000, Terminating June 30, 2013:  Mr. Weiss asked how the fee is set, and Mrs. Quarantello stated that the state sets it.  We will submit invoices for work performed on a monthly basis.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the agreement.  Motion passed unanimously.

d.       Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Maintenance Service Agreement with the Commonwealth of PA Dept of Transportation for Brushing/Tree Work, not to Exceed $3,000, Terminating June 30, 2013:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

e.       Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Maintenance Service Agreement with the Commonwealth of PA Dept of Transportation for Inlet Cleaning, not to Exceed $3,000, Terminating June 30, 2013:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

f.        Consider Request of Suzanne M. Gordon for a Handicap Parking Space Outside her Residence at 531 Queen Street :  Council referred this matter to staff to see if it is possible.

g.       Consider Resignation of Michael Casey from the Stroudsburg Borough Planning Commission:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to accept Mr. Casey’s resignation with regret.  Motion passed unanimously.

h.       Consider authorization to appoint the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority as agent of the Borough of Stroudsburg for the purpose of presenting the application for zoning approval, land development approval and review and recommendation of the Board of Historic Architectural Review as relating to the upgrade and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint BCRA.  Motion passed unanimously.

7.                 Solicitor’s Report:  Mr. Matergia reported on a meeting he held with Mrs. Quarantello, Mr. Wilkins, and Borough Engineer Nate Oiler regarding the Stroudsburg High School project.  The items they are presenting need to be combined into one land development agreement.  That way Council can deal with all issues at one time.  Right now they expect different open-ended waivers.

Mr. Matergia also reported that the intermunicipal agreements for the Regional Sewer Project is close to being finalized.

8.                 Mayor’s Report:  None

9.                 Council Members’ Reports:

Mrs. Kochanski stated she met with Gary Hoffman, Director of the Monroe County Control Center , and he notified her that the e911 addressing project has progressed to the post office. 

10.             Manager’s Report:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that the COG dinner will be held at Smuggler’s Cove on March 29, 2010, at 6 PM.

11.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #100303.  Motion passed unanimously.

12.             Executive Session:  None.

13.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.