City Council

THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY JULY 11, 2017 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Council President Bancroft called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT “The Provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have been met. Notice of this meeting, Resolution 2017-16, was posted on the Official Bulletin Board in City Hall, was published in The Burlington County Times on January 16, 2017, emailed to the Camden Courier Post, filed with the Municipal Clerk, on January 10, 2017, and was mailed to all persons who requested and paid for such notice.” Read by Council President Bancroft. FLAG SALUTE Council President Bancroft led those present in the Flag Salute. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor: Randy H. Miller Council President: Robert H. Bancroft Council Members: Lawrence F. Carlbon Robert E. Lowden, Jr. Mark A. Schwedes Robert D. Thibault Solicitor: Thomas Coleman, III Raymond/Coleman/Heinold/Norman, LLP Administrator/Director of Public Safety: Richard A. Wolbert Deputy Municipal Clerk: Elaine B. Kennedy APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 27, 2017 Regular Session Minutes MOTION - Councilman Schwedes made a motion to approve the above referenced minutes as present, seconded by Councilman Thibault. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Abstain – Schwedes. Motion Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY Please state your name and address clearly for the record. President Bancroft opened the meeting to public comment on agenda items. 1 Kraig McLaughlin, Chief of the Beverly-Edgewater Park Squad. Said he had numerous meetings and the bid was zero. The have met the RFP. He found that this was a done deal two months ago. Charlene Rogers, 510 Melbourne Ave., said that two years ago, there was no money; however, she found it disgraceful that there is money in the budget for outsiders. Bernadine Williams, 215 Laurel St., asked what this was about; Mr. Coleman explained about the RFPs. Nancy Richards, 533 Broad St. asked if this was not a done deal, to which Mr. Coleman explained that it was not. Richard Wolbert explained that the response rates have been going down for several years. He met with Chief McLaughlin, Emma and Lori last August concerning the response rate and it continued to go down. Mr. Wolbert advised that the recommendation was to go out for RFPs. He called Chief McLaughlin on May 18th and on June 14th they went out for RFPs. The City had been under transition aid and this is the first year the City was able to put something in the budget to help first responders. The issue is with the response rates. Charlene Rogers, 510 Melbourne Ave. said that training used to be free; now, it is about $2,000. She felt that the City should support their own town. Rose, 2 Greentree Dr. Burlington, reported that stated that this squad paid for her to become an EMT. Ross Closuer, 2 Greentree Dr., Burlington, advised the Council that the squad paid for him to get certified as an EMT. Christine Jennings, Greentree Dr., Burlington, said the squad contributed a lot to the residents of Beverly, i.e. Easter Egg Hunt, etc. Nancy Richards asked what would they do when they run out of money, like what happened in Edgewater park. Beverly has been there. MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion to close public comment, seconded by Councilman Carlbon, and unanimously carried. RESOLUTION 2017-85 ~ REAFFIRMING BEVERLY CITY’S CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-85, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-86 ~ CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-86, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Mr. Wolbert there is only one item on the corrective action plan. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-87 ~ AWARD CONTRACT FOR EMS SERVICES MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion hold the adoption until further discussion, seconded by Councilman Lowden, and unanimously carried. Councilman Thibault said that Beverly was an excellent squad, that it fell into disarray. This is a most difficult decision. The number one mission is to take care of the residents of Beverly. Council wants Beverly EMS to function and show up. Council has been brought into this due to the lack of response. He doesn’t think money is the issue. Chief McLaughlin said they discussed stipends to get members during the day. The biggest struggle is 6 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beverly Squad is applying for a grant from WaWa for $25,000. 2 The City used to pay the insurance for the squad. Councilman Carlbon asked what they would do if they got the WaWa grant, to which Chief McLaughlin said they could put on paid people during the day. Councilman Thibault asked how many members there were, to which the Chief responded 30 members, 17 of which are EMTs. Councilman Thibault asked of the 30 how many were from Beverly City, to which the Chief responded 2. Some of the members followed James Daly when he left and other followed when Paul Bush left. The Chief said they have money in the budget now for partial paid members during the day. Councilman Schwedes asked how many members would be on during the day, to which the Chief responded 2 people, 1 truck. In 2012 the squad lost the contract with Edgewater Park, which hurt them financially. Councilman Schwedes added that the City wants the squad to survive. Councilman Lowden told the squad members that this is not personal. It is accountability. He asked how much insurance costs, to which the response was $32,000. Councilman Lowden added that Diane Allen helped the City get the third rig. He asked how much would a paid squad cost as the $15,000 might not always be there. Chief McLaughlin responded that they could do more fundraisers. Councilman Lowden said that Edgewater Park was 60 – 70% of the squad’s income. Councilman Carlbon asked if the RFP states five years, could the Council shorten that term, to which Mr. Wolbert responded that either side could pull out with 90 days written notice. Councilman Carlbon felt it should be a one year contract. Councilman Thibault asked if they had the funds to staff two people from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., why haven’t they done so? Councilman Thibault asked if they did get a one year contract, what would be Council’s recourse if they fell down, to which Mr. Coleman responded that they would go back out to RFPs. Council President Bancroft added that this is a sad time for him as Beverly was the only squad he ever knew. They have waited six months for a meeting, and the Chief was supposed to come to a Council meeting once a month. He only came once. Mayor Miller added that the squad has to communicate better. The Council asked for a meeting in December. Mr. Wolbert advised Council if they were not comfortable with making a decision this evening, they could postpone it. Any questions Council wants answered, should be forwarded to Mr. Wolbert and he will forward all the questions to the squad. MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion to postpone action on Resolution 2017-87 until July 25th, seconded by Councilman Carlbon, and unanimously carried. RESOLUTION 2017-88 ~ SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH US COAST GUARD MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-88, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-89 ~ APPOINTMENT REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-89, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS There was none. 3 NEW BUSINESS There was none. BILL LIST – MAY 9, 2017 MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion to approve the bills as presented on the July 11, 2017, bill list, seconded by Councilman Lowden. Ayes – Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion Carried. CORRESPONDENCE  Beverly City meets criteria to lose focus school label Commissioner of Education Kimberley Harrington, wrote, “I applaud your successful efforts to close the achievement gaps in your school, and encourage you to maintain a cycle of continuous improvement in order to remain on a positive trajectory.”  Public hearing on application of funds to NJ Transit under NJ senior Citizens and Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program – 8/11 @ 1:00 p.m. Burl. Co. Human Services Facility.  FY 2017 NJ transit proposed Federal program – Comments on proposal to be received by 7/28/17. REPORTS Mayor – Mayor Miller commended the principal of our school for achieving the losing the focus school label, especially the curriculum coordinator. Council  Councilman Thibault reiterated Mayor Miller’s sentiments regarding the school. He also thanked the members of the first aid squad for being present this evening.  Councilman Carbon advised everyone that the Farmers Market is every Thursday at the Methodist Church from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. He also thanked the squad for coming out.  Councilman Schwedes thanked the squad for being here this evening. The concert which was scheduled for this Friday evening has been cancelled.  Councilman Lowden reported that the emergency squad use to be respected. Governor McGreevey came down when there was a death from a fire and praised the fire department. Administrator/Public Safety Director  Mr. Wolbert said there is a pre-bid meeting for the trash collection on July 20th. The concession stand is down.  Mr. Wolbert sat with the Engineer and Housing Authority regarding the storm system on Magnolia, addressing the sump pumps.  Mr. Wolbert requested an executive session. Professionals  Mr. Coleman had nothing at this time. 4 PUBLIC COMMENT President Bancroft opened the meeting to public comment. Kevin Mickle, 807 Third Street, Charlene Rogers, 510 Melbourne Ave. said they should be at the Council meetings one time a month to report. ShelbyTucker of Palmyra, stated that they cannot count out the City’s squad and asked to give them a year. Ken Gasser, Willingboro, also asked that the City give them a chance. MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion to close public comment, seconded by Councilman Carlbon, and unanimously carried. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-90 ~ 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: __X__Attorney Client Privilege _____Acquisition of Real Property ____ Contractual Matters ____ Pending or Anticipated Litigation _____Personnel Matters _____Review of Executive Session Minutes _X__ Public Safety Tactics and Techniques MOTION – Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-90, seconded by Councilman Carlbon, and unanimously carried. Council, Mr. Wolbert, Mr. Coleman, and the Deputy Municipal Clerk entered executive session at 9:10 p.m. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Council President Bancroft reconvened to regular session at 9:46 p.m. ADJOURNMENT MOTION - Being no further business, Councilman Schwedes made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Thibault, and unanimously carried. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elaine B. Kennedy, RMC/CMC Deputy Municipal Clerk 5