City Council

THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY APRIL 19, 2016 7:00PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Council President Bancroft called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT Mr. Bancroft read the following statement into the Minutes: In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-6, this is to announce that Adequate Notice of this meeting was provided in the following manner: On January 6, 2016 advance written notice of this meeting was posted on the Official Bulletin Board in the City Hall, was emailed to THE BURLINGTON COUNTY TIMES for publication (published on January 11, 2016) and emailed to the CAMDEN COURIER POST for advise, was filed with the Municipal Clerk, and was mailed to all persons who requested and paid for such notice. The proceedings of all meetings are recorded electronically and manually, and the Minutes will be on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk. FLAG SALUTE Mr. Bancroft led those present in the Flag Salute. MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORIAM FOR THE PASSING OF WALT GEHM, FORMER BEVERLY CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD MEMBER. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor: Randy H. Miller Council President: Robert H. Bancroft Council Members: Robert E. Lowden, Jr. Mark A. Schwedes Robert D. Thibault Solicitor: Thomas J. Coleman, III Raymond/Coleman/Heinold/Norman, LLP Engineer: William H. Kirchner (Attendance not required) Administrator/Director of Public Safety: Richard A. Wolbert Municipal Clerk: Donna F. Snyder, RMC/CMR/CPM Absent: Council Member: Lawrence F. Carlbon  2 LETTERS OF COMMENDATION Presented to: Police Officers Davis, Kelly, Wagner, and Zeigler. Administrator/Public Safety Director Wolbert stated that our Police Officers are doing an outstanding job, and that these Letters of Commendation were long overdue. Mr. Wolbert then read the Commendations into the Minutes and presented same to the respective Officers. Council and those present applauded the Officers presented as well as recognizing the team efforts of the entire Department. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 9, 2016 Regular Session Minutes submitted for approval. There was no Executive Session. Motion to Approve, as amended per Mr. Schwedes re spelling of Mr. Lowden’s name, made by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY Please state your name and address clearly for the record. There was no Public Comment at this time. ORDINANCES – None at this time. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 2016-72 Public Hearing and Adoption of the 2016 Beverly City Municipal Budget. As there was no Public Comment, Motion to Adopt by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried. RESOLUTION 2016-84 Authorizing entry into a Shared Service Agreement with Willingboro Township for the 2016 Calendar Year for Animal Control Services in accordance with the attached documentation. Motion to Approve by Lowden; Second by Schwedes. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried.  3 RESOLUTION 2016-85 Authorizing Top Notch Tree Service, POB 1614, Burlington, NJ 08016 to remove five trees from the Waterfront Park, grind the stumps, and remove all debris for a total amount due of $4,800. Motion to Approve by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried. RESOLUTION 2016-86 Approving the City of Beverly Salary Resolution for the 2016 Calendar Year. Motion to Approve by Schwedes; Second by Thibault. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes. Motion Carried. RESOLUTION 2016-87 Authorizing the submission of Beverly City’s 2015 Tonnage Grant Application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Motion to Approve by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS – None at this time. NEW BUSINESS – None at this time. BILL LIST Approval of the April 19, 2016 Bill List. Motion to Approve by Lowden; Second by Thibault. Roll Call Vote – All Ayes. Motion Carried. CORRESPONDENCE – (Note that all Correspondence will be handled/filed by and in the Office of the Municipal Clerk.) 1. Palmyra High School: Thank you from the Post Prom Committee for the $200 donation from the City for this year’s event. 2. Board of Chosen Freeholders/Community Development: Notice from Karen Trommelen, Division Head, re the Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2016 Low/Moderate Income Limits. 3. Beverly Free Library, Inc.: Thank you to the City.  4 4. Beverly Edgewater Park Emergency Squad: Invitation to Council, Administration, and the Police Department to attend the Squad’s May 15, 2016 Open House. 5. Sendzik & Sendzik for the Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire District No. l, City of Beverly: Re Consolidation of Fire Districts. Mayor Miller read to those present the received Correspondence as stated above. COMMENTS/REPORTS Mayor Mayor Miller stated that he was sorry the audience was so scarcely populated this evening, especially relative to the Commendations received by our Police Officers – three weapons were taken off the streets, one life was saved, etc., and never once was an Officer’s weapon fired. He said that we are all very grateful for the Officers we have! Council Mr. Thibault thanked all of our Police Officers, stating that they are all very professional and they make us proud – so thank you to each and every one of them. Relative to Community Events, Mr. Thibault advised that there were twice as many people signed up. He thanked Administrator Wolbert for completing the correlating map for same. He reminded all that our May event is the Memorial Day Parade and then in June, the Fishing Derby. Mr. Schwedes also extended a thank you to our Police Officers. He thanked Ryan Atkinson for his Volunteer work once again as Facilitator completing the City’s Tonnage Grant paperwork. Mr. Lowden thanked the entire Police Department for a job well done. He additionally thanked Administrator/Public Safety Director Wolbert for putting this team together. In Memoriam, Mr. Lowden said that he was so sorry to hear of Walt Gehm’s passing. Not only was he on Council, but was also on many Boards over the years.  5 Administrator/Public Safety Director Mr. Wolbert stated that the Beverly City Police Department is now one of the best-trained and best-prepared teams. He stated that Sgt. Matthews was part of the selection process for our Department. He stated that he is briefed every morning relative to overnights and any pertinent department info. He stated that they all do a great job. In January 2013, the Prosecutor’s Office would not even speak with us. Now, the City has good credibility with the Prosecutor’s Office and we collaborate with other jurisdictions as well. The Department devotes a considerable amount of time to the City, coming in to run evidence among other things on their days off. They all work well together, and we are blessed with having such a wonderful Department. The Administrator reported that the Auditors were in and they are done with their work. The Auditor reported that he saw a huge change for the better, which is a credit to our staff upstairs and down as well as to our CFO/Treasurer. He stated that he, the Mayor, and the Council President attended the County’s “30 Developers/30 Municipalities Economic Summit. Unfortunately, only ten developers showed up. However, several were interested in coming to meet with us. Additionally, last Friday the final measurements were taken for the Municipal Building’s HVAC system, and we continue to move forward with this project. Lastly, we continue to work with the Police Department to assess their needs, as well as remain current with new items coming to us from the Prosecutor’s Office. Professionals Solicitor Coleman advised that he continues to work with Administrator Wolbert relative to assigned projects. Mr. Coleman also updated Council regarding the Burlington County “200 Club” and their mission, part of which is recognizing Public Safety professionals through various awards. He advised that the Club is searching for recommendations for awards to present at their 2017 annual dinner which is the third Friday in February at Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson. He recommended that the  6 aforementioned Letters of Commendation be forwarded to the Club for consideration. Administrator Wolbert will follow-up with same. Municipal Clerk Ms. Snyder reminded Council that Financial Disclosure Filings are due prior to or by April 30, 2016 to avoid State fines. Municipal Court Administrator Submission of the March 2016 Court Report for acceptance. Motion to Accept by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. All in Favor, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT (Please state you name and address clearly for the record.) Public Comment was had by Ron Paice regarding replacing trees that will be removed in the City. Mr. Wolbert advised that when removal is done top soil and seeding will be done by Public Works in the area of removal. He said that we should consider replacing some trees and will speak to Mr. Carlbon re same. He also mentioned that through the State Forest Education Research Center Program/”Third Grade Tree Team”, Third Graders can get free seedlings. Paula Tiexiera advised that the Beverly/Edgewater Park First Aid Squad Easter Egg Hunt was extremely well attended with more children than last year. She additionally reminded Council of the Squad’s Open House on May 15 from 1-5PM at the Squad building on Melbourne Avenue. On May 29, the Dunk’s Ferry White Table Ceremony will take place at Noon. The Memorial Day Parade will once again this year take place on Monday, May 30. Ryan Atkinson brought up private property for re-planting of trees as well. He further mentioned that while he appreciates the Commendations for the Police Department, he sees very little coverage in the area of 600 Cooper Street. He had a brick thrown through his window. He felt that more Police presence/drive-bys need to be done in this vicinity for more balanced coverage. Mr. Wolbert advised that the Beverly City Police Department was on another crime call, which is why Edgewater responded to his call re the broken window. Mr. Wolbert further updated Mr. Atkinson on the status of the Family Dollar store opening. In questioning re the trees cut down on the corner of Pine and Cooper, John Haaf was advised by Mr. Wolbert that Code Enforcement had already sent a notice to the property owner.  7 Paula Tiexiera further wished to extend a thank you to Administrator/Public Safety Director Wolbert for all his work with the Beverly City Police Department, stating that they are amazing and that Mr. Wolbert is a great leader! EXECUTIVE SESSION - RESOLUTION 2016 - No Executive Session. A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Beverly to hold Executive Session in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, permitting the exclusion of the Public from a meeting in certain circumstances which the Governing Body deem now exist: _____ Attorney Client Privilege _____Contractual Matters __ Current and/or Possible Litigation _____Personnel Matters _____Review of Executive Session Minutes ACTION TAKEN AFTER EXECUTIVE: Yes _____ No _____ N/A___X__ ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Motion to Adjourn at 7:42PM was made by Thibault; Second by Schwedes. All in Favor, except Carlbon-Absent. Motion Carried. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________________ _____________ Donna F. Snyder, RMC/CMR/CPM Date