MINUTES

 

STROUDSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

 

September 16, 2010

 

7:15 P.M.

 

1.       Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call: Council President Kim Diddio called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.  Members present were President Kim Diddio, Vice President Neil Allen, Councilmembers Joanne Kochanski, Eric Scelza, Matt Abell,    Mayor Charles Baughman , and Solicitor Ralph Matergia.  Absent were Councilmembers Boyd Weiss and Jeff Ewen.

 

2.       Pledge of Allegiance:  The pledge of allegiance was recited.

 

3.       Public Input:

 

a.       813 Thomas Street resident Barbara Wright requested a handicapped parking space as near to her residence as possible designated for her elderly mother that will soon be residing with her.  Ms. Diddio requested that the staff review the request and have someone get back to her.   

 

b.       Rich Berkowitz and Chuck Hoffman handed out tee shirts and presented council with a $1500 check to show their appreciation for borough’s support of Stroud Fest. 

 

c.       On behalf of new Jacob Stroud Corporation member and Main Street business owner, Dawn of NY, Rich Berkowitz requested use of the lower level of the parking deck and for five meter bags in front of their business for their grand opening tomorrow September 17th.  They will need gate cards for their attendants to let guest vehicles in and out.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the request of Dawn of NY for the use of the lower level of the parking deck, and for five meters bags for their grand opening event on Friday evening September 17th.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.       Public Hearing

 

          a.       Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg

     amending Chapter 15, Part 2 decreasing the speed limit on Broad Street

between Main and Park; Part 3, parking prohibited on Eighth Street (N) on west side between Sarah and Main; and Part 4, eliminating parking from 2 AM to 6 AM in Lot #3 Monday east half/Thursday west half:  The hearing was opened and closed at 7:21 pm with no public comment. 

 

5.       Resolution/Ordinance Adoption and Amendment:

 

          a.       Consider Approval of a Proposed Ordinance of the Borough of Stroudsburg

     amending Chapter 15, Part 2 decreasing the speed limit on Broad Street

between Main and Park; Part 3, parking prohibited on Eighth Street (N) on west side between Sarah and Main; and Part 4, eliminating parking from 2 AM to 6 AM in Lot #3 Monday east half/Thursday west half: Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 15.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.       Approval of the September 1, 2010 Council Meeting Minutes:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the September 1, 2010 council meeting minutes.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.       Monthly Administrative Reports: Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the monthly administrative reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.       September 2010 Treasurer’s Reports:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to accept the September 2010 Treasurer’s Reports.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

9.       Old Business:

 

a.       Consider Approval of a Resolution authorizing execution of the Sidewalk Maintenance Agreement for SR 0611, Sec. 02B, Segment/Offset 01100/2107 to 0110/2785 between the Borough of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation:  Mrs. Quarantello received an email from a PennDOT engineer stating PennDOT is continuing our current Winter Maintenance Agreement therefore there is no need to execute a new agreement.  No action was taken. 

 

b.       Consider Request of Relay for Life to Hold a Celebration to Benefit the American Cancer Society in Courthouse Square on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 4PM to 9PM:  Joanne Lambert, representing Relay for Life, explained that their original request for the event in July was rained out and that this request is actually for Saturday October 23rd from 11 am to 3 pm with a rain date of Sunday, October 24th 11 am to 3 pm.  Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Scelza to approve the request of the Relay for Life.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

          c.       At this time Attorney Mark Wolfe, representing Dr. Conahan, presented an

update to the Pocono Ambulatory Project on Storm Street .  Plan revisions and waivers were discussed.  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mrs. Scelza, to grant the waivers discussed.  Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the Land Development Plan and the Preliminary Final Subdivision Plan conditioned on an acceptable development agreement.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wolfe also asked council to consider acting on the petition of the lot owners of Storm Street to ordain it as a public street.  Mr. Matergia will write a letter to council advising the procedure to set up a public hearing on the issue. 

 

10.     New Business:

 

a.       Consider approval to award Bid for Huston Avenue and Collins Street paving project:  Mrs. Quarantello stated that after reviewing the qualifications, our engineer Nate Oiler recommends awarding the bid to the low bidder Hanson Aggregates in the amount of $131,531.   Motion by Mr. Abell, second by Mr. Allen, to award the bid to Hanson Aggregates in the amount of $131,531.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

b.       Consider approval of RFP from Software Systems for FundWare Accounting Software:  Mrs. Quarantello explained that although the cost for the new software is $23,262.50, which includes conversion of current data, the borough will still save $3,600 a year by making the switch.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the RFP from Software Systems.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

c.       Consider authorizing advertisement of Leaf Pick-up from October 4 through November 19, 2010:  Motion by Mrs. Kochanski, second by Mr. Scelza, to approve the leaf pick-up dates.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

d.       Consider request of The Robert Taylor Foundation for children to hold a Drive-by-Drive donation collection at the corner of Seventh and Main Streets on September 25, 2010:  Council explained that they do not have the authority to grant this request as Main Street is a state road governed by PennDOT.    Council suggested they incorporate their drive with the Arts Festival in courthouse square the same day. 

 

e.       Consider Approval of the 2010 Minimum Municipal Funding Obligation for the Monroe County Control Center :  Mrs. Quarantello explained that they have their own funding but as part owners we have to approve it.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell to approve the 2011 Minimum Municipal Funding Obligation for the Monroe County Control Center in the amount of $143,141.   Motion passed unanimously. 

 

11.     Solicitor’s Report: None

 

12.     Mayor’s Report: Mr. Baughman stated that Stroud Fest was a wonderful successful event. 

 

13.     Councilmember’s Reports:

 

Mrs. Kochanski suggested additional garbage cans be used for next years Stroud Fest.  She noticed garbage overflowing from the Siamsa restaurant to the food court.  She also reported a street light out on Eighth Street between Sarah and Thomas.     

 

14.     Manager’s Report:  

 

a.       Mrs. Quarantello received a request from employee Mark Louchart to have his banked sick time bought out at 100% when the WWTP gets turned over to the BCRA instead of the 75% in the borough policy.   Council was not in favor of the request. 

 

b.       Mrs. Quarantello received a request of NHS Human Service to have a sidewalk sale in front of their building at 912 Main Street tomorrow September 17th to raise money for Christmas Presents.  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the request.  Motion passed unanimously.

         

          c.       Mrs. Quarantello stated that at the last Monroe County Tax Collector                  

meeting they discussed the three bids received for the county EIT and LST tax collection.   The vote was 89.85% in favor of the low bidder, Berkheimer, and 8.05% not in favor.  Stroudsburg Borough was one of three municipalities voting not in favor.  Berkheimer will charge 1.55% commission for the collection of the EIT and LST and 0% for delinquent collections.  The current commission paid is 2% for EIT and 2.5% for LST.

 

d.       Mrs. Quarantello reported that she approved a second bid received for the pool bath house lead abatement in the amount of $4,589 which is significantly lower than the first bid received for $9,900. 

 

e.       The 911 readdressing notification flyers are due to go out to Stroudsburg Borough residents within the next month. 

 

f.        Mrs. Quarantello submitted a grant for funding for the 5th and 6th Street intersections for Phase II of the Gateway Safety Project in the amount of $407,119.  The application has been accepted. 

 

g.       Mrs. Quarantello once again reminded council of the COG dinner on September 27th.  

 

15.     Informational Items: No discussion or action taken

 

16.     Approval of Bills on Warrant #091610:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mrs. Kochanski, to approve the bills on warrant #091610.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

17.     Executive Session:  None

 

18.     Adjournment:  Motion by Mr. Scelza, second by Mr. Abell, to adjourn at 8:15 pm.