City Council

UNAPPROVED BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE MAYOR AND BOROUGH COUNCIL Meeting Date: April 10, 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 Councilwoman Hughes Councilwoman Miller Councilman Rapp Councilwoman Scarcia Councilman Stemple Councilman Flynn was excused. Attorney Barry Goodman, Administrator John Gregory, Municipal Clerk Diane Seals and eleven members of the general public and news media were also present. VISITORS: MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS: Councilman Rapp motioned to dispense with the reading of the Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2014. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Rapp motioned to approve the Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2014. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 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. No comments were made. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT: Monthly reports March 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, CULTURAL & HERITAGE &EVENTS NEWSLETTER/INFORMATION: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: RECREATION: Councilwoman Miller: EMERGENCY SERVICES, EDUCATION & MUNICIPAL COURT POLICE: RESCUE SQUAD: FIRE DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION: COURT: OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: CULTURAL & HERITAGE: EVENTS: Councilman Rapp: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & RECREATION 1 PUBLIC WORKS: RECREATION: SWAC: Councilman Stemple: FINANCE & GOLF FINANCE: John Gregory: ADMINISTRATORS REPORT Mayor, Mark Desire: EXECUTIVE SERVICES ND PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2 Reading. ORDINANCE #2014-8 “REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE”, TO BE ENTITLED “ “NUISANCES, PUBLIC HEALTH” UTILIZING NEW CHAPTER 276, TO BE ENTITLED “MAINTENANCE OF VACANT / ABANDONED PROPERTIES” Mayor Desire asked for a motion to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-08 continuing from Marach 27, 2014. Councilman Rapp motioned to open. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Questions and Comments: Attorney Goodman mentioned that the 19-80 should be corrected to be 19-81. Councilman Rapp motioned to amend Ordinance #2014-08 to 19-81. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Sally Ward questioned that if vacant yet kept in good order and maintained then it would not be considered abandoned. Yes, not considered abandoned. Michael Barton stated that if it were for sale or rent not abandoned and uninhabitable and no taxes are being paid then it would be on the list . Mayor Desire asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-08. Councilman Rapp motioned to close. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance #2014-08 as amended and stated that Ordinance #2014-08 shall be published by title only in the Hunterdon County Democrat. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt as amended. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. ORDINANCE #2014-10 REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING THE ABANDONED PROPERTY REHABILITATION ACT, N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 ET SEQ, CHAPTER 277. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-10 continuing from March 27, 2014. Councilman Rapp motioned to open. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Questions and Comments: Mayor Desire had sent out pictures of signs that are in windows at present. Administrator Gregory stated that the Borough is using a State law to hold the banks accountable. Grass that is 10 “ high invites vandalism. Liz Barton said she saw person taking pictures of an empty house. They may be realtors or maintenance company. Call the police if in doubt. Sherriff sales are always posted in the newspaper. Brent Dugan asked if signage is a flag, lets compromise, have emergency services acknowledge the vacancy and then remove the sign. State law requires that banks put a sign on the house. Councilwoman Miller said that foreclosures take 3 to 4 years and the homeowner is still responsible while the foreclosure is in process. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-10 Councilman Rapp motioned to close. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance #2014-10 and stated that Ordinance #2014-10 shall be published by title only in the Hunterdon County Democrat. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. ORDINANCE #2014-12 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $100,000 FROM CAPITAL FUND BALANCE FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOROUGH HALL BUILDING IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE, IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-12. 2 Councilman Rapp motioned to open. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Questions and Comments: Councilman Stemple explained that sewer lines will be replaced when Cregar Rd. is reconstructed. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2014-12. Councilman Rapp motioned to close. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Mayor Desire asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance #2014-12 and stated that Ordinance #2014-12 shall be published by title only in the Hunterdon County Democrat according to law. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. 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 #105-2014: Approve Joining NJ Sustainable Energy Joint Meeting. 2. RESOLUTION #106-2014: Appoint Bonnie Fleming as Deputy Administrator. 3. RESOLUTION #107-2014: Award Contract for Field Maintenance to US Athletic Fields, Inc. in the amount of $15,150.00. 4. RESOLUTION #108-2014: Approve Refund of DCA Fees to Bitow. 5. RESOLUTION #109-2014: Approve Refund of Escrow Monies to GPI. 6. RESOLUTION #110-2014: Authorize Redemption of Tax Lien. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt Resolutions #105 thru #110, copies of which are attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Resolution #63-14 from Town of Clinton “Calling on the Legislature to Make Permanent the 2% Cap on Interest Arbitration Awards”. 2. Notice from Comcast regarding Newsmakers interviews at the NJ Conference of Mayors 51st Annual Spring Conference on May 1, 2014. 3. Certification of Funds Available for US Athletic Fields. 4. Resolution #14-45 from Township of Raritan “Urging that Legislation be Signed into Law Extending the Cap for Police and Fire Contract Disputes.” 5. Utilities Report for March, 2014. 6. Ordinance No. 2014-04 from Township of Lebanon regarding “Highlands Area Land Use Ordinance”. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Discussion of “Safe Routes to School and Transportation Alternatives Programs”. Grant applications are due May 15, 2014. The grant is 80/20. Administrator Gregory stated that the sidewalks on Mill St. would be a good project to enhance Safe Routes to School. Will work with Engineer O’Brien to work up some numbers. Enhancement of the “Commons on the Wye” would be a good project for the “Transportation Alternative Program”, bike racks, bike rental kiosk, pedestrian signs, uncover the railroad tracks, improve parking, and perhaps a permanent bathroom. Next year, look at the trail from Solitude House to the school. Will have resolutions for the next meeting. NEW ORDINANCES: Introduction 1st reading. None at this time. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Council discussed revenue generating ideas for the Golf Course. The ideas that need less start up costs may be the ideas to pursue. Any input should be passed on to Councilman Stemple as soon as possible. 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. No comments at this time. Brent Dugan spoke that funds may be available from the “Highlands” as Sustainable Economic Development and asked if the Golf Course has ads at the driving ranges on Route 22. Sally Ward asked if paving of the Common’s parking lot would be part of the grant. Administrator Gregory said that graveled lots can be paved and parking spaces marked. Brenden Coughlin questioned appointing CFO Fleming as Deputy Administrator and what are the qualifications. LEGAL ISSUES: There were no legal issues at this time. BILL LIST: 3 Councilman Rapp motioned to approve and direct payment of all vouchers as they appear on the Bill List in the total amount of $507,492.13, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: RESOLUTION #111-2014: Legal Advice on Potential Litigation with Town of Clinton regarding sewer charges. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt a resolution allowing for Executive Session for Legal Advice on Potential Litigation against Town of Clinton, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Hughes seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Councilman Rapp motioned to return to Open Session. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Administrator Gregory wanted the Mayor and Council to know that shut-off notices for delinquencies over $50.00 will be sent out after April 21st. Attorney Goodman suggested making an announcement at next meeting. 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: 5 ayes. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT: 8:57 PM Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Diane L. Seals, Municipal Clerk, RMC 4