City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE MAYOR AND BOROUGH COUNCIL Meeting Date: February 13, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of High Bridge came to order with Mayor Desire, at 7:30 PM on the above date. “Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of 2014 meeting dates was published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on January 9, 2014 and posted on the bulletin board in Borough Hall. The meeting was held in the Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ. Action may be taken.” Mayor Desire led those present in the salute to the Flag. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Desire Councilman Flynn Councilwoman Hughes Councilwoman Miller Councilman Rapp Councilwoman Scarcia Councilman Stemple Municipal Clerk Diane Seals and four members of the general public and news media were also present. VISITORS: None at this time. MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS: Councilman Rapp motioned to dispense with the reading of the Regular and Two Executive Session Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2014. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Rapp motioned to approve the Regular and Two Executive Session Meeting Minutes of January 23, 2014. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: It is the policy of the Borough Council that all public comments on an issue shall be limited to five (5) minutes per person and no person may make more than one (1) comment per subject. Comments may be made on any subject pertaining to Borough issues. Comments pertaining to Public Hearings should be saved for that portion of the agenda. No debating between residents. Comments should be addressed to Mayor and Council. Brent Dugan asked about the Communication from the County regarding “No Passing” on Route #513. It is a County Road. Mr. Dugan went on to ask about the Newsletter Bid rejection. Administrator Gregory explained that he was exploring shared services with the school. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT: Monthly reports February 27, 2014 Councilman Flynn: PLANNING & ENGINEERING Councilwoman Hughes: PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING, OPEN SPACE ENVIRONMENTAL: PUBLIC HEALTH: SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING: Councilwoman Scarcia: INFORMATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CULTURE & HERITAGE & EVENTS NEWSLETTER/INFORMATION: CULTURAL & HERITAGE: Events Committee: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: RECREATION: Councilwoman Miller: EMERGENCY SERVICES, EDUCATION & MUNICIPAL COURT POLICE: RESCUE SQUAD: FIRE DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION: COURT: OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: CULTURAL & HERITAGE: EVENTS: 1 Councilman Rapp: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & RECREATION PUBLIC WORKS: RECREATION: SWAC: Councilman Stemple: FINANCE & GOLF FINANCE: John Gregory: ADMINISTRATORS REPORT Mayor, Mark Desire: EXECUTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2ND Reading. None at this time. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Borough Council and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately. 1. RESOLUTION #50-2014: Approve Appointment of Chris Zappa to Recreation Committee. 2. RESOLUTION #51-2014: Approve Automatic Amusement Device License for Mrs. Riley’s Publik House. 3. RESOLUTION #52-2014: Approve Sewer Hook up for Block 24, Lot 22 Dennis Ave., Apgar. At this time Resolution #52-2014 was amended to include “300 gallons per day for a four bedroom house”. Councilman Rapp motioned to amend. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. 4. RESOLUTION #53-2014: Approve Appointment of Hiram Ortiz to the Recreation Committee. 5. RESOLUTION #54-2014: Appoint Richard Drift Road Supervisor of the Public Works Department. 6. RESOLUTION # 55-2014: Approve Computer and Communications usage and Policy on Conflict of Interest and Decorum Forms. 7. RESOLUTION #56-2014: Approve two Mountain Bike Races to be held on March 1and 2, 2014 at the Nassau Multipurpose Trail. At this time, Resolution #56-2014 was removed from agenda as trail conditions are poor due to snow, so no races are planned. Councilwoman Hughes motioned to remove Resolution #56-2014. Councilman Rapp seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. 8. RESOLUTION #57-2014: Approve Appointment of Jason Bradow to Recreation Committee. 9. RESOLUTION #58-2014: Approve Application to N.J. State Firemen’s Association of Christopher M. Depasquale. 10. RESOLUTION #59-2014: Authorize Entering into a Contract to Recycle Electronics (No White Goods-No Freon Items). 11. RESOLUTION #60-2014: Accept the resignation of Deputy Clerk Tara Riordan effective February 7, 2014. 12. RESOLUTION #61-2014: Approve Lien Redemption. 13. RESOLUTION #62-2014: Approve Application to Hunterdon County Open Space Fund. 14. RESOLUTION #63-2014: Acceptance of Project Completion and Release of Payment to Independence Contractors for Above-ground Storage Tank Project. 15. RESOLUTION #64-2014: Approve Salaries and Wages. 16. RESOLUTION #68-2014: Approve Placement of Recruitment Banner for the Huskies over Washington Ave. Councilwoman Miller motioned to adopt Resolutions #50, #51, #52 as amended, 53 thru #64 & #68, not #56. Councilman Rapp seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 1. A thank you letter from Assemblyman Erik Peterson for the Council’s Resolution asking for Hunterdon County to undertake Animal Control. 2. Utilities Report for Month of January, 2014. 3. Resolution from Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders stating that County Route 513 has been established as a “No Passing Zone” from Fairview Ave in High Bridge to Califon-Chester Rd. 4. Monthly Tax/Finance reports. 5. Letter from the Highlands Council informing the Borough that partial reimbursement of $23,193.50 will be forth coming for the Task 1 for the Borough’s Exemption Area Ordinance work. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: RESOLUTION #35-2014: Councilman Rapp motioned to reject the Contract for Newsletter, good until June and rebid immediately the Website Maintenance Contract. Councilwoman Scarcia seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. NEW ORDINANCES: Introduction 1st reading. 2  ORDINANCE #2014-6 CALENDAR YEAR 2014 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14) Mayor Desire asked for a motion to introduce Ordinance #2014-6. Councilman Stemple motioned to introduce. Councilman Rapp seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. Mayor Desire stated that Ordinance #2014-6 shall be published in its entirety in the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the Public Hearing date of February 27, 2014. NEW BUSINESS: 1. RESOLUTION #65-2014: Councilman Flynn motioned to adopt a resolution Approving Use of Solid Waste Surplus of $160,000.00, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. 2. RESOLUTION #69-2014: Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt a resolution Approving New Water Rates, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. 3. RESOLUTION #66-2014: Councilman Stemple motioned to introduce the 2014 BUDGET, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Councilman Stemple explained that the Budget represents a 3.5 cent increase, equating to $6.00 per month per $250,000 assessed house. There was a 5 million dollar reduction in taxes due to appeals. Water rates are increasing to purchase new meters. Budgeted for immediate and future needs. Cregar Road, Streetscapes, new Borough Hall, Property Revaluation, and removal of underground fuel tanks are included in Budget. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. Mayor Desire stated that a Synopsis of the BUDGET will be published in the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the Public Hearing date of March 13, 2014. 4. Discussion of Role of High Bridge Borough Council Liaisons. Administrator Gregory developed the definition of Council Liaison to be put in the Personnel Policy. This will help employees pick the correct Council Person with any issues that arise, a specific chain of command. 5. RESOLUTION #67-2014: Councilman Stemple motioned to adopt a resolution Approving Shared Service Agreement with the High Bridge Board of Education for Snow Plowing and Salting, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Scarcia seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, recuse; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes and 1 recuse. PUBLIC COMMENTS: It is the policy of the Borough Council that all public comments on an issue shall be limited to one minute (1) per person and no person may make more than one (1) comment per subject at this second Public Comment section. Comments may be made on any subject pertaining to Borough issues. No debating between residents. Comments should be addressed to Mayor and Council. Adrienne Shipps stated that the EDC specifies 5 members, Liaison and Mayor. Administrator Gregory explained that the Liaison Chain of Command relates to employees. LEGAL ISSUES: There were no legal issues at this time. BILL LIST: Councilman Rapp motioned to approve and direct payment of all vouchers as they appear on the Bill List in the total amount of $629,676.54 a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Flynn, aye; Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 6 ayes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None at this time. Mayor Desire asked if there was any further business. There was none at this time. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Rapp motioned and Councilwoman Miller seconded. Vote: 6 ayes. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT: 8:06 PM Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Diane L. Seals, Municipal Clerk, RMC 3