City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE MAYOR AND BOROUGH COUNCIL Meeting Date: October 9, 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 were 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 Councilwoman Scarcia Councilman Stemple Councilman Rapp Councilman Rapp entered at 7:48pm. Attorney Barry Goodman, Deputy Clerk Adam Young, and eleven members of the general public and news media were also present. VISITORS: At this time the Mayor asked for a motion to amend the agenda to include Mary Murdock on the list of visitors for a status update about the World Trade Center artifact. Mrs. Murdock put in to receive an artifact from the World Trade Center for display in the Borough. She heard back from the Director of the Port Authority about receiving an artifact. Mrs. Murdock and the Mayor spoke about details of transport for the artifact, where to put the artifact, etc. Councilman Stemple made the motion to amend the agenda. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye, Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 4 ayes MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF MINUTES OF PRIOR MEETINGS: Councilwoman Miller motioned to dispense with the reading of the Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes for September 25, 2014. Councilman Stemple seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 4 ayes APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Stemple asked for a minor text correction to the previous minutes. The correction has been made as of this date. Councilman Stemple motioned to approve the corrected Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2014. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 4 ayes At this time Councilman Rapp entered at 7:48 pm. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Christina Whited is concerned about the blue electric sign at the Huskies Field, the appearance of the banners, and the signs on the roof of the Huskies buildings. The Mayor confirmed that the signs on the fences and the vinyl banners are temporary and can stay for the season. He also confirms that the blue sign will have a timer and that the roof signs were given prior approval to be there. Ms. Whited wanted to know the status of Council’s recommendation for the two-sided parking issue. The Mayor stated that Council is still talking to business members and other residents and states that Council will probably be able to reach a decision at the next meeting. Dr. Brendan Coughlin was curious to know what committee is reviewing numbers in connection with possible litigation with Clinton Town, why it took ten years to find out about the improper numbers, and strongly recommends that the golf course receives a certified, independent accounting audit. The Mayor explained that he has been talking to Clinton’s Mayor about the issue and that they are hoping to avoid litigation. Mr. Goodman explained that he is still reviewing the data and that an audit has been done which is being reviewed. He also noted that a forensic accounting audit is not done with these types of numbers. Mr. Stemple assured Mr. Coughlin that the golf course has an independent auditor that reviews the accounting information. Dr. Coughlin went on to ask if Clerk Seals will be receiving a large severance package. The Mayor responded that she will not. Sally Ward brought a letter to the attention of Council about two-sided parking. Councilwoman Miller read her letter of resignation, stating that October 31st, 2014 will be her last day on Council. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT: Monthly report for October 23rd, 2014 Councilman Flynn: PLANNING & ENGINEERING Councilwoman Hughes: PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING, OPEN SPACE Councilwoman Scarcia: INFORMATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CULTURAL & HERITAGE & EVENTS Councilwoman Miller: EMERGENCY SERVICES, EDUCATION & MUNICIPAL COURT Councilman Rapp: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & RECREATION Councilman Stemple: FINANCE & GOLF Administrator Gregory: Administrator’s Report for the month Mayor’s Report: 1. The Mayor showed the awards from Hunter County planning board that High Bridge won for restoring the dam, Tisco building, and the Multipurpose Trail on Nassau Road. 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 #204-2014: Approve Submission of the Third Draft of the Wastewater Management Plan. 2. RESOLUTION #205-2014: Approve Thomas A. Crampton’s Application to the NJ State Firemen’s Association. 3. RESOLUTION #206-2014: Approve Temporary DPW Re-Hire of Brian Labuta. 4. RESOLUTION #207-2014: Approve charge for second Final Water Reading. 5. RESOLUTION #208-2014: Authorize Sale of Surplus Property, bikes. 6. RESOLUTION #209-2014: Request Approval of Items of Revenue Appropriation. 7. RESOLUTION #210-2014: Authorize Refund for Paint Out registration. 1 8. RESOLUTION #211-2014: Authorize redemption of tax lien. Councilman Stemple motioned to amend the agenda to remove Resolution #204-2014 from the consent agenda for discussion. Councilman Rapp seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Councilman Stemple noted a small correction that needed to be fixed on the third draft of the Wastewater Management Plan. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt Resolution #204-2014 pending the small correction found by Councilman Stemple. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt Resolutions #205 thru #211, copies of which are attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Comcast notice of Channel Changes. 2. Month End Tax/Finance Reports. 3. Notice from NJ State League of Municipalities of proposed Membership Dues increase for 2015. 4. Utilities Report for month of September, 2014. 5. Comcast notice of billing system changes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None at this time. NEW ORDINANCES: None at this time. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion of best practices was not discussed due to Administrator Gregory’s absence. 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 at the public microphone. Michele Schwartz, Adrienne Shipps, Brent Dugan, Sally Ward, Mary Murdock, and Chris Zappa all thanked, remembered, and complimented Councilwoman Miller on her service. LEGAL ISSUES: Mr. Goodman reported on the registration of the name Solitude House. He stated that the attorney for the Union Forge Heritage Association has decided to abandon the Trademark application. 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 $111,967.60, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Miller seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Miller, aye; Rapp, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: RESOLUTION #212-2014: Legal advice on possible litigation with the Town of Clinton sewer issue and legal advice on the Solitude House trademark. Councilman Rapp motioned to adopt a resolution allowing for Executive Session as amended to include legal advice on the Solitude House trademark, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilwoman Miller 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. Councilman Stemple seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hughes, aye; Rapp, aye; Miller, aye; Scarcia, aye; Stemple, aye. Motion Carried: 5 ayes. 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. Vote: 5 ayes. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT: 8:45 PM Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Adam Young, Deputy Clerk 2