City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE – COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Date: June 8, 2017 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: 97 West Main St., High Bridge, NJ 08829 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please note: This meeting may contain discussion of items not mentioned on the agenda and, alternatively, any items specifically listed may be omitted. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor calls meeting to order and states: “Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of 2017 regular meeting dates were published in the Hunterdon County Democrat and Express Times on December 16, 2016, and posted on the bulletin board at Borough Hall. Action may now be taken.” FLAG SALUTE: LED BY MAYOR OR PRESIDING OFFICER ROLL CALL: Councilman LoIacono, absent; Councilwoman Shipps, present; Councilman Strange, present; Councilwoman Hughes, present; Councilman Stemple, present; Council President Zappa, present; Mayor Desire, present. Also present were Attorney Barry Goodman, Administrator Michael Pappas, Acting Clerk Adam Young, Police Chief Bartman, and twelve public and press. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES – MAY 25, 2017 Motion to dispense with the reading of the May 25, 2017 minutes: Hughes; Second: Strange; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Motion to approve the May 25, 2017 minutes: Zappa; Second: Strange Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent OATHS/APPOINTMENTS: NONE PROCLAMATIONS/AWARDS: A. Friend of High Bridge - Sal Albanese – presented and recognized for his efforts with the construction of the new Borough Hall, 97 West Main St. Award will be sent. PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Christina Whited thanked Council and Chief Bartman for his work on the Main Street parking assessment. Discussion ensued about how to utilize the Commons lot for parking for Main Street shopping, the signage Ordinance, steps on the front of businesses, High Bridge's ability to encourage businesses to come in. A motion was made to move the public hearing of Ordinance 2017-14: Towing to after Discussion items: Motion: Strange; Second: Zappa Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent DISCUSSION ITEMS: Motion to discuss item G last in the discussion items: Zappa; Second: Strange; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Motion to add items K. Old Borough Hall sale update and L. Sewer litigation update to discussion items: Motion: Zappa; Second: Strange; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent A. Easement connecting the Commons Park to 71 Main Street - Administrator Pappas reported speaking to all the property owners who may be involved in the creation of a lit pathway behind Old B. Hall. B. Zoning map correction – The 200' list has been generated by the Tax Assessor and the mailers and Ordinance are being prepared. C. Mill Street - Council discussed receiving a grant for this work and is expecting to receive bids soon. Discussion ensued about the use of the fence and if it is needed, the banners hung on the fence. D. Landlord registration relief – The request of landlord relief and the number of prior notices given/advertised was discussed by Council. No action was taken. E. Solitude bid - Administrator Pappas reviewed the process that the Solitude Caretaker Bid has taken up until this point. Council discussed the items in the single bid received and noted the items listed did not conform to the vision intended for the position. F. Garbage pickup issue - Administrator Pappas and Council discussed in individual’s issue with garbage pickup, the timeline of the issue as reported, the request for a credit, and the process for which the issue was taken care of. No action was taken. G. Main Street parking - Chief Bartman discussed some issues with parking on Main Street that were reported, the use of Ordinances to change distances pertaining to parking stalls, and particular areas affected. Discussion ensued about approval by the County, considerations of single-sided parking, specification of what types of vehicles can be in spaces, a comprehensive discussion of parking permits, and timelines for dealing with the entire parking scenario, and if testing different scenarios of parking affects safety. H. Landscaping on municipal complex - the Mayor discussed and appointed members of Council to review the landscaping in the municipal complex. I. Award of contract – SeamlessGov - Administrator Pappas explained the use of SeamlessGov to create efficiencies with technology in the permitting processes and the efficiencies created by this program. J. Appointment of Acting Council President - Attorney Goodman updated Council about the Statute in New Jersey that the senior Councilperson with the most tenure to be appointed to run the meeting in the absence of the Mayor or Council President. K. Old Borough Hall sale - The Mayor announced that there are some people involved and with interest for proposals to utilize the old Borough Hall at 71 Main St. Discussion ensued about how to form a request for proposal based on potential ideas, income potential on particular bids, and approaches to look at realistic valuation of the property. L. Sewer litigation update - The Mayor proposed a meeting with Clinton Town to discuss the sewer issue. Resolution 146-2017 – Motion to approve Resolution 146-2017, appointing the Acting Council President: No motion, no second. No vote taken. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2017-14: Towing Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2017-14: Zappa; Second, Shipps; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Chief Bartman discussed the need to have very specific Ordinances in place for charging towing fees, the use of particular equipment for towing, and specific towing services. Council discussed how the towing fees were elected, how many towing services are maintained by the Borough, and how the utilization rotation is operated. Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2017-14: Strange; Second, Shipps; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Motion to adopt Ordinance 2017-14: Strange; Second, Shipps; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent OLD BUSINESS: NONE INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: A. Ordinance 2017-15: Appropriating $41,600.00 from the capital improvement fund for the purchase of a 12” capacity brush chipper Motion to table the introduction of Ordinance 2017-15 to the next meeting: Zappa; Second, Strange; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent NEW BUSINESS: NONE 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. Motion to amend Resolution 147-2017, SeamlessGov amount to $5,000.00: Strange, Second: Stemple; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent RESOLUTION # TITLE Resolution 147-2017 Award of Contract – Seamless Gov Resolution 148-2017 20 Main St Recycling and Trash agreement Resolution 149-2017 Plenary license approval – Riverside Liquors Resolution 150-2017 Plenary license approval – Mrs. Riley’s Motion to approve the consent agenda items (add “as amended” if needed): Hughes; Second: Shipps; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: A. Landlord relief request email B. Garbage pickup issue email C. Parking information sheets PUBLIC COMMENTS: 3 MINUTES PER PERSON It is the policy of the Borough Council that all public comments on an issue shall be limited to three (3) minutes per person. No debating between residents. Comments should be addressed to Mayor and Council at the public microphone. Christina Whited discussed parking twenty years ago on Main St. and the impact of moving cars then and now, additional parking spaces available ten years ago and the County's involvement, a proposal for single-side parking, and the need for additional parking spaces on Main St. Pablo Delgado spoke about exploring, with business owners, the ability to link rear properties on Main St the ability to utilized a linked area for parking. Pablo discussed the possibility of putting landlord fees on the utility bill or tax bill to integrate. Discussion ensued about the use of SeamlessGov for reminders. LEGAL ISSUES: NONE BILL LIST: Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $334,557.91 Motion to approve bill list: Strange; Second: Zappa Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Councilwoman Shipps abstained from anything Police related. Councilman Stemple abstained from anything Fire Department related. EXECUTIVE SESSION: REAPPOINTMENT OF TAX ASSESSOR Resolution 151-2017 - Motion to move into executive session: Strange; Second: Zappa; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Motion to move into open session: Strange; Second: Zappa; Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS. Council discussed how a Tax assessor position is a 4 year appointment and reappointment is with tenure, and that the position is closely monitored by the County Board of Taxation. The Tax Assessor explained the importance of good customer service and ratable items. Motion to adjourn: Strange; Second: Zappa Roll call vote: LoIacono, absent; Shipps, yes; Stemple, yes; Strange, yes; Hughes, yes; Zappa, yes; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 absent Meeting ended at 9:27 P.M. Next Council Meeting: June 22, 2017 - 7:30 pm – 97 West Main Street, High Bridge NJ, 08829 _____________________________ Adam Young Acting Municipal Clerk ___________________________ Mark Desire Mayor