City Council

THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Council President Bancroft called the meeting to order at 7:30p.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, 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 requesting and paying for same.” Read by Council President Bancroft. FLAG SALUTE Council President Bancroft led those 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 J. Coleman, III Raymond/Coleman/Heinold, LLP Administrator/Director of Public Safety: Richard A. Wolbert Acting Municipal Clerk: Sheri L. Hannah Deputy Municipal Clerk: Elaine B. Kennedy APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 22, 2017 ~ Regular Session Minutes MOTION - Councilman Schwedes made a motion to approve the above referenced minutes as presented, seconded by Councilman Thibault. Ayes – Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Abstain - Lowden and Carlbon. Motion carried. PRESENTATION ~ ENDEAVOR FIRST AID SQUAD Rich Wolbert, City Administrator stated that Endeavor Rescue intended to do a presentation but the Chief was in an accident. He was not released from the hospital until 6:00p.m. Mr. Wolbert also explained that out of 25 calls that Beverly had Endeavor answer 24 calls. Endeavors response rate is 96%, compared to our former squad at 47% last year. 1 Mr. Schwedes ask what the response time was for Endeavor. Mr. Wolbert stated that the response time for August was 8.2. Mr. Wolbert also stated that the response time would improve now that a rig is staged in front of the Municipal Building. Mr. Thibault questioned who the back up for Endeavor is. Mr. Wolbert stated that it is Delran. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY President Bancroft opened the meeting for public comment on agenda items only. John Haaf Warren St. – Mr. Haaf asked for clarification on Resolution 2017-96. Mr. Wolbert explained that there would be a lot more process in hiring an employee with the changes proposed by the DCA. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to close public comment on agenda items only, seconded by Councilman Carlbon, and unanimously carried. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE 2017-10 ~ SALARIES Mr. Bancroft explained that this Ordinance is just to be able to establish salary ranges. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to close public comment, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. ADOPTION – ORDINANCE 2017-10 MOTION - Councilman Lowden made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2017-10, seconded by Councilman Thibault. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-96 ~ OPPOSING DCA PROPOSED RULES CONCERNING HIRING, PERSONNEL NOTIFICATIONS Councilman Thibault asked for the purpose of these proposed changes. Mr. Wolbert stated that the process would be lengthy. It has to be advertized in the paper 10 days prior to the meeting, then you have to wait 10 day before it can be acted on; and, to take action there has to be a public hearing. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-96, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-97~ OPPOSING DCA PROPOSED RULES CONCERNING COMPENSATED ABSENCES Mr. Carlbon asked for clarification of this resolution. Again, Mr. Wolbert explained that the DCA wants to ensure that the public has all the information. Mr. Wolbert also explained that this would add a lot of work for the CFO. He stated that most municipalities have a cap on sick days for when someone retires. Beverly is 50% or $7,500.00.This proposed process would mean that the CFO would have to track when sick days are accumulated. With this plan, the non-compensated time will be used first, and as time goes on the compensation is reduced. With a fixed number, this is a number that can be budgeted. The CFO would have to calculate all numbers that the DCA is requesting. John Haaf asked is this for individuals or classes. Mr. Coleman, Solicitor stated that it applies to anyone. Mr. Carlbon asked if the Committee opposes this would Beverly keep their own rules. Mr. Wolbert said yes we would still have a cap. In addition, Mr. Schwedes asked if we could forward these Resolutions to local Legislators. Mr. Wolbert stated yes. 2 MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-97, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-98 ~ ACCEPTANCE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR RESIGNATION Mr. Thibault asked what we need to do to fill the position. Mr. Wolbert explained that the candidate has to be a Beverly resident. In addition, if they do not possess the credentials for the job, they can be hired but have to obtain it with one year. Mr. Thibault asked if it was a compensated position. Mr. Wolbert stated not at this time. Mr. Wolbert said that the State does the training. In addition, the appointment is not up until December; however, the City will advertise now for the position. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-98, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-99 ~ APPOINTMENT TO BEVERLY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. This is a reappointment to the Housing Authority. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-99, seconded by Councilman Lowden. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-100 ~ APPOINTMENT – P/T VIOLATIONS CLERK Mr. Wolbert stated that the new violations clerk would be a part time position. She will be taking payments for violations and performing clerical functions for the court. She will be averaging 15 per week. On weeks, that the Court Administrator may not be in her hours may vary. MOTION - Councilman Carlbon made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-100, seconded by Councilman Thibault. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-101~ APPROVAL OF BILLS FOR COMMUNITY DAY Mr. Thibault encouraged everyone to come to community day. He spoke about the vendors and that the band that will be performing is great. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-98, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2017-102 ~ AMENDING RESOLUTION 2017-37 BY REMOVING BLOCK 1056, LOT 10 IN THE DEVELOPERS AGREEMENT BEVERLY REVITALIZATION GROUP LLC. Mr. Thibault questioned what the address is. Mr. Wolbert explained that this is concerning the property located at 306 laurel Lane. Mr. Raia wants to renovate a different building with help from the RCAs. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-102, seconded by Councilman Schwedes. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS  November meeting (scheduled for Nov. 7th) 3 RESOLUTION 2017-104 AMENDING RESOLUTION 2017-16 MEETING DATE CHANGE Since the current date for the first meeting in November falls on Election Day the Council decided to move it to the 8th. MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-104, seconded by Councilman Carlbon. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. Mr. Schwedes asked the status of the body cams for the police department. Mr. Wolbert stated that new mounts are in and that the cams are working well. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Wolbert spoke of the meeting with Trash Pro, a sanitation broker. The three companies who bid were Waste Management with a fee of $8.00 to $9.00 per house for a month of service Solterra offered $7.00 per house per month for service. South Jersey with a fee of $5.00 per house per month of service. RESOLUTION 2017-05 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO AMBIENTGROUP LLC. FOR TANK REMOVAL MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-105, seconded by Councilman Lowden. Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. BILL LIST Approval of the September 12, 2017 Bill List MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to approve the bill list as presented, seconded by Councilman Lowden, Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, and Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. CORRESPONDENCE  Letter and invitation for a tour at the Recycling Center on Sept.18th and Sept. 28.  ERI letter with quote for tank removal.  PSE&G notice of Filing for a rate increase hearing on 9/14/2017 Read by the Mayor REPORTS Mayor – The mayor stated that he nothing to report at this time. He did say that his thoughts and prayers are with the families of Texas and Florida. Council – Mr. Carlbon also stated that his thoughts are with the victims of the hurricane. Administrator/Public Safety Director – Mr. Wolbert spoke of recycling contamination issues and repairs to the leaf machines Professionals – Mr. Coleman said he had nothing to report at this time. Municipal Court Administrator 4  Acceptance of the August 2017 Court Report MOTION - Councilman Thibault made a motion to approve the August 2017 Court report as presented, seconded By Councilman Lowden, Ayes –Carlbon, Lowden, Schwedes, Thibault, Bancroft. Nays – None. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT  Ronald Paice, 527 Broad St. Mr. Paice stated that he received a notice from Asplundh about cutting some trees. He is not sure what trees they are going to cut. Mr. Wolbert stated that they contracted with PSE&G about cutting the limbs away from the power lines. In addition, Mr. Paice asked about the paid time off. Mr. Wolbert explained that with personal or vacation it is a use or lose. However, if there were circumstances that would allow time to be carried he would allow it. i.e., Shortage of workers or an overload of work.  John Haaf, Warren St, asked Mr. Thibault with his new upcoming run for assembly will he use these changes that the DCA is proposing to be part of his campaign strategy? Mr. Thibault stated right now he is just a candidate and Thank you for bringing it up. RESOLUTION 2017-103 ~ 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 __X__Acquisition of Real Property _____Contractual Matters _____Pending or Anticipated Litigation _____Personnel Matters _____Review of Executive Session Minutes MOTION – Councilman Carlbon made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-103, seconded by Councilman Thibault, and unanimously carried. Council, Mr. Wolbert, Mr. Coleman, and the Acting Municipal Clerk entered executive session at 8:48p.m. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Council President Bancroft reconvened to regular session at 9:23 p.m. ACTION TAKEN AFTER EXECUTIVE No action taken ADJOURNMENT MOTION - Being no further business, Councilman Carlbon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Thibault, and unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted 5 Sheri L Hannah Acting Municipal Clerk 6