MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

JUNE 17, 2010

 

7:15 PM

 

 

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

 

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.                 Public Input:  Marv Walton, Treasurer of the Jacob Stroud Corporation, thanked Borough Council, the Fire Department, and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department for helping make the Nascar Day Festival a success.

 

4.                 Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the minutes from the Council Meeting of June 2, 2010.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.                 Monthly Administrative Reports:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.                 Treasurer’s Report:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Ewen, to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.                 Old Business:

 

a.       Consider Waiving Fees for Habitat for Humanity for a House Remodel on Dreher Avenue :  Leslie Howes from Habitat for Humanity presented an overview of the project.  She stated they received a grant for renovating foreclosures.  Mr. Wilkins stated the Borough has waived fees in the past.  He has prepared the permits for this job pending the fees.  Motion by Mr. Ewen to approve waiving the fees.  Mr. Matergia suggested allowing more time for evaluation of this situation.  He would review it further and address it at the next meeting.  Mr. Ewen rescinded his motion.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Ewen, to table the matter until the next meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of Minor Subdivision for Robert Ace Jr. Construction Co.: The applicant requested tabling this issue.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to table the issue.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.                  Consider Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing and Adoption an Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Adding Parking Meters on South Eighth Street :  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to authorize advertisement.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

d.                 Consider Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing and Adoption an Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, Part 3, Public Exhibitions, Amusement, and Entertainment: Mrs. Quarantello stated that a committee comprised of herself, Zoning Officers Jeff Wilkins and Ron Kimes, Mayor Baughman, Matt Abell, and Rich Berkowitz of the Jacob Stroud Corporation met and reviewed the ordinance.  Mr. Wilkins gave an overview of the ordinance, which he feels is vague.  The amendment would require Council approval of all events.  Mr. Matergia stated the permits would only be issued in conjunction with Borough events.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to authorize advertisement of this ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

e.                  Consider Request of Jane t Lynch for a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space at 3 S. Sixth Street :  Mrs. Quarantello stated that the staff has reviewed this request and recommend installing a handicapped space with a meter at the first space off Main Street on the west side of South Sixth Street.  Mrs. Lynch was present and said this will not help her because there is reduced parking in Lot 2; there aren’t many handicapped spaces in the area; and she is afraid that if it isn’t personalized for her, she may not be able to park there all the time.  Mr. Abell stated he is not in favor of personalized parking spaces.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to advertise for public hearing and adoption of an ordinance amendment to add a 10-hour handicapped meter at the first space on the west side of South Sixth Street and to re-evaluate the situation in three months.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

f.                   Consider Request of Jack Muehlhan for two Additional 15-Minute Meters on the West Side of South Sixth Street between Main Street and Bank Alley:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that this is the same block as the handicapped space previously discuss and that there is already one 15-minute meter on the next block down.  The staff recommends adding one additional 15-minute meter instead of two. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to advertise for public hearing and adoption of an ordinance amendment adding one additional 15-minute meter on the west side of South Sixth Street between Main Street and Bank Alley.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.                 New Business:

 

a.       Consider Request of County of Monroe Domestic Relations for two designated parking spaces on Monroe Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets: Mrs. Quarantello stated that the staff is suggesting that one space be designated, not two, and that the County should pay $992 per year for the space.  Motion by Mr. Ewen, second by Mr. Abell, to offer one space to the Monroe County Domestic Relations Office for this purpose for the fee of $992 per year, and to require the County to pay for the sign reserving the space, which the Borough will install.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

b.       Consider Approval of the Use of Borough Owned Property, Vehicles, and Equipment Policy:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that Ms. Diddio asked her to prepare this policy based on the issue of a Council Member using a Borough-owned vehicle two weeks ago.  Mrs. Quarantello stated there is a policy in place in the personnel manual, but it only references use of vehicles.  This new policy is clearer for everyone.  In order to utilize any property, Council approval is required.  Mr. Matergia stated the proposed policy overlaps but does not conflict with the personnel manual.  Borough Resident Mary Ann Kowalyshyn requested clarification on a few issues relating to the proposed policy. Discussion followed.  Council decided to change paragraph #6 to say authorization is needed from the Borough Manager or Borough Council. Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the policy with the changes discussed.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider Approval for Tim Ace to take the Borough Pick-up Truck Home:  Mr. Ace explained that this will save the Borough money because he won’t have to call in a union employee who would be paid a minimum of three hours overtime.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

d.       Consider Request of East Stroudsburg Borough to Permit their Firework Display on July 4th along the Brodhead Levee:  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

e.       Consider Approval of the Agreements of Sale of the Street Light System, and the Pole Attachment and Make Ready Agreement between the Borough of Stroudsburg and PPL Electric Company:  Mrs. Quarantello gave a brief explanation of the documents.  Once the Borough approves the agreements, they are submitted to PPL and the PUC.  After 30 days, we will begin getting lower rates.  Mr. Matergia reviewed the documents, and they are in order.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to approve.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

f.        Consider Award of the McConnell Street Curb Ramps Bid to Pinto Concrete for $41,180.00:  Mrs. Quarantello stated this project will be funded with CDBG money.  She presented a summary of the bids received.  They are:

 

Heim Construction – $80,190

Pinto Concrete Construction – $41,180

Kobalt Construction – $103,115

 

She stated the Borough Engineer and Borough Solicitor have reviewed the bids. The recommendation is to award the bid to Pinto. Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to award the McConnell Street Curb Ramp Bid to Pinto Concrete Construction for the total bid price of $41,180.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.                 Solicitor’s Report:  None

 

10.             Mayor’s Report:  None

 

11.             Council Members’ Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski reported she attended an event where Senator Boscola was in attendance and spoke with her regarding funding for the Fire Department.  She passed the information on to the Fire Department.  Both the Fire Chief and Joanne , acting as a Chief’s wife not in her capacity as a Council Member,  wrote letters to the Senator asking that Stroudsburg Fire Department be included in the state appropriations for next year.

 

Mr. Abell asked if the potholes could be fixed at the corner of Fifth and Scott.

 

12.             Manager’s Report:  None

 

13.             Approval of Bills:  Mrs. Quarantello also requested approval to pay a bill for $2,600 to Blair Bates for appraisal services.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the bills on warrant #100602 as well as the bill for Mr. Bates.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

14.             Executive Session:  None.

 

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