MINUTES

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 2, 2010

7:15 PM

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 Vice-President Neil Allen, Council Members Joanne K ochanski, Boyd Weiss , Jeff rey Ewen, and Matthew Abell. Borough Solicitor Ralph Matergia and Mayor Charles Baughman were also in attendance.  Eric Scelza arrived at 7:18 PM.

2.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

3.       Public Hearings/Adoptions:

a.                  Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Part 3; Section 309, Special Purpose Parking Zones Established, Adding a Parking Space on Sarah Street for the Stroudsburg Fire Chiefs Only:  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing.  There were no public comments.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Weiss, to close the hearing.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.                 Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Part 3; Section 309, Special Purpose Parking Zones Established, Adding a Parking Space on Sarah Street for the Stroudsburg Fire Chiefs Only:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

c.                  Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Part 3; Section 316, Handicapped Parking Zones Established, by Eliminating a Handicapped Parking Space on North Seventh Street :  Ms. Diddio opened the public hearing.  There were no public comments.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Abell, to close the hearing.  Motion passed unanimously.

d.                 Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg Amending 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Part 3; Section 316, Handicapped Parking Zones Established, by Eliminating a Handicapped Parking Space on North Seventh Street :  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Weiss, to approve the ordinance.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.       Public Input

Rich ard Berkowitz from the Jacob Stroud Corporation presented a request from the Farmers’ Market.  They would like permission to set up on Main Street again this year between Eighth and Ninth Streets on Wednesdays, beginning at 3PM.  They would pay the Borough $25 for meter bags for each week they are there.  Mr. Berkowitz stated that the Saturday Farmers’ Market is still on Ann Street , but their space is full.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve this request.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.       Approval of Meeting Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Ewen to approve the minutes from the Special Council Meeting on May 13, 2010.   Motion passed 5 – 0, with Mr. Abell and Mr. Weiss abstaining due to their absence from that meeting.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the minutes from the Council Meeting on May 20, 2010. Motion passed 6 – 0, with Mr. Ewen abstaining due to his absence from the meeting. 

6.       Old Business

a.       Discussion of the Public Exhibitions, Amusements, and Entertainment Ordinance: Mr. Wilkins outlined the current ordinance and proposed changes to exclude events approved by Council. Discussion followed. It was the consensus of Council to form a committee to evaluate the ordinance and clarify any discrepancies.  Mr. Abell, Mayor Baughman, and Mr. Berkowitz agreed to serve on the committee.

7.       New Business

a.       Discussion of the Borough of Stroudsburg’s Possible Involvement in Making Public Access Television a Reality in Monroe County :  Mr. Steve Burgoon discussed his idea to bring a public access television station to Stroudsburg.  The Borough does not have a franchise agreement with Blue Ridge Cable, but there is an ordinance in place.  We receive 5 percent of the monthly revenue they collect from Borough residents.  That is the maximum that can be collected and kept in our general fund.  Mr. Burgoon informed Council that lawmakers in Harrisburg are discussing a new law that would allow the Borough to collect an additional 3 percent to be kept in a separate fund.  He also noted some of the benefits of a public television station, such as taping and airing the Council meetings. 

Discussion followed. Council felt they would like to continue this discussion after the new law is passed in Harrisburg .  Mr. Abell agreed to meet with Mr. Burgoon in the future along with one staff member.

b.                 Consider Waiving Fees for Habitat of Humanity for a House Remodel on Dreher Avenue :  No action required because no request letter was submitted.

c.                  Consider Request of Southside Borough Residents to Change the Speed Limit on Broad Street :   Mrs. Quarantello reviewed a safety assessment performed by the Stroud Area Regional Police Department from March 18, 2010, through March 20, 2010.  Officer Bingler of the Traffic Unit stated in the report that there were no speeding problems detected.  Lt. Kimmins stated that there have been 22 accidents over the past three years. 

Mayor Baughman recommended a Borough-wide 25 mph speed limit on all roads.  Mr. Ewen noted that the SARPD study does not address enforcement by the state police. 

It was the consensus of Council to send a letter to PennDOT requesting they perform a study.  The Borough will purchase and maintain the new speed limit signs. 

d.       Consider Waiver Request of Brodhead Creek Regional Authority for Regional Sewer Project:  Mr. Matergia explained the request.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to approve the request.  Motion passed unanimously.

e.       Consider Request of Jane t Lynch for a Reserved Handicapped Parking Space at 3 S. Sixth Street :  Council referred this request to the staff for review. 

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:  Council referred this request to the staff for review. 

8.       Appointments to fill Vacancies:

a.                  HARB vacancy:  Mrs. Quarantello noted that three letters of interest were received—Mrs. Kathleen Lockwood, Ms. Carol Varipapa, and Mr. Troy Nauman.  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Mrs. Kathleen Lockwood to fill the vacancy on the HARB Board, with her term to expire on December 31, 2012.  Motion passed unanimously.

b.                 Planning Commission Vacancy:  Motion by Mr. Weiss, second by Mr. Abell, to appoint Mr. Greg Christine to the Stroudsburg Planning Commission with his term to expire on December 31, 2010.  Motion passed unanimously.

9.                 Solicitor’s Report:  None

10.             Mayor’s Report:  None.

11.             Council Members’ Reports: 

Mrs. Kochanski reported that she escorted members of MECAB on a tour of Main Street .  Mr. Berkowitz assisted her, and he was very helpful.

Mrs. Kochanski asked why we still have not installed meters on South Eighth Street .  Mrs. Quarantello explained that the alternate side parking poses a problem.  Discussion followed.  Council does feel installing five additional meters would be helpful, particularly during the bridge project.  One option would be to remove alternate side parking on Eighth from Ann to the Hampton Inn or to not allow parking after 2 AM.  Mrs. Kochanski said she would like to discuss this further with Mr. Weiss and with the staff. 

Mr. Ewen thanked Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Kimes for enforcing the ordinance against tall grass and weeds.  Mr. Ewen also thanked the street department for painting the crosswalks. 

Mr. Ewen also asked if we could get assistance from PennDOT and the State Police with directing traffic when I-80 traffic is bad and overflows onto Main Street , especially around 3 PM. 

Mr. Weiss thanked Street Superintendent Tim Ace for getting the spring trees planted.  He said they should be given meter bags for this use. 

Mr. Weiss also reported that many people use Bank Alley to get around the traffic lights.  There is heavier traffic and speeding on the Alley.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Ace will review and explore different solutions.

12.             Manager’s Report:  None.

13.             Approval of Bills:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the bills on warrant #100602.  Motion passed unanimously.

14.             Executive Session:  None.

15.             Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.