City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE – COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Date: February 08, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ 08829 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER: CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR FLAG SALUTE: LED BY MAYOR COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Councilman Columbus present Councilman LoIacono present Mayor Desire present Councilwoman Ferry present Councilman Strange present Councilwoman Hughes present Councilman Zappa present Also present were 19 members of the public and press as well as Police Chief Brett Bartman, Administrator Michael Pappas, Attorney Barry Goodman, and Acting Clerk Adam Young. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES – JANUARY 25, 2018 Motion to dispense with the reading of the January 25, 2018 minutes: Motion: Strange ; Second: Hughes ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Motion to approve the January 25, 2018 minutes: Hughes ; Second: LoIacono ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. OATHS/APPOINTMENTS: A. Appointment of Fred Ferry to the Events Committee – Term expiring 12/31/2018. Motion to approve Resolution 077-2018, appointment of Fred Ferry to the Events Committee. Motion: LoIacono ; Second: Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, abstain ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 5 yes, 1 abstention. B. Appointment of Anthony Birriteri to the Events Committee – Term expiring 12/31/2020. Motion to approve Resolution 078-2018, appointment of Anthony Birriteri to the Events Committee. Motion: Strange ; Second: Zappa ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. VISITORS / PROCLAMATIONS: A. HBBA 2018 Goals – Christina Whited presented on the 2017 completed projects and goals for 2018. Fred Ferry asked who will volunteer for putting up the proposed Christmas trees on Main St. Ms. Whited commented that volunteers will be found. Councilman Zappa asked how the proposed Wifi on Main St. will be implemented. Ms. Whited commented that John Conant has a plan for implementation of this idea. PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Janice Kovach, 4 Mitchell Ln., Mayor of Clinton made statements on the sewer treatment litigation pertaining to expressing a willingness to meet, the current sewer agreement as well as the history of the agreement, the method of auditing which has been done, commented on processes of arbitration, the current request of charges requested of High Bridge, the request of using mediation between the entities to save money for the tax payers, and asked that more communication be had between Clinton and High Bridge. Attorney Goodman stated that he has recommended mediation for the past year, which Attorney Cushing refused mediation prior to discovery which is not typical and is very costly to the tax payers, and that some of the other statements presented by Mayor Kovach are misleading. Both Mayors agreed to sit and speak after the meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2018-003: Chapter 75, Police outside duty Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2018-003: LoIacono ; Second, Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2018-003: LoIacono ; Second, Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-003: LoIacono ; Second, Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. B. Ordinance 2018-004: Amend Ordinance 184-17, municipal parking lot fees Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2018-004: Strange ; Second, Columbus ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2018-004: LoIacono ; Second, Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-004: Hughes ; Second, Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Motion to amend the agenda to include discussion item G. Redevelopment plan Ordinance: Motion: Zappa ; Second: LoIacono ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. A. Signs and Parking on Main St. - Chief Bartman commented about having some direction from the County on posting signage about right of way issues near Main St., how the signs will be strapped to the poles, which intersections will be addressed. B. Water utility – Administrator Pappas gave an update for the applications for the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. The Borough has been assigned a liaison and is hoping to hear about the applications. C. 2018 Community Day - Councilman Columbus reported on the plan to bring fireworks to Community Day, presented a plan of the use of the space, and the hope to have Custom Alloy involved in the process. D. Landlord Registration - Administrator Pappas gave an overview of the last year's landlord registration waiver given and the current requests of waiver. Council discussed their intent to use postmarked dates on the envelopes to determine if an application is considered on time to not receive a late fee. Attorney Goodman recommended reviewing what each applicant has to present and considering action at the next meeting. E. Rezoning request – Administrator Pappas presented a memo on behalf of Darlene Green, the Borough Planner. Discussion ensued with Council about the shape of the lot as it pertains to the potential to build. F. Application to the Local Finance Board - Councilman Zappa gave an overview of the proposed Bond Ordinance and Resolution 079-2018 about the process of securing the Bond for roads. G. Redevelopment plan Ordinance - Administrator Pappas updated Council on a language update recommended in the redevelopment plan pertaining to a change of wording to ensure the vision of the Borough will be taken into consideration with any future applications. Resolution 079-2018: Application to Local Finance Board Motion to approve Resolution 079-2018, application to Local Finance Board Motion: Zappa ; Second: LoIacono ; Clarification of the Bond amounts was discussed. Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: A. Ordinance 2018-005: Amendment to Article II, Water Service, Section 407-16 Motion to introduce Ordinance 2018-005: Zappa ; Second: LoIacono ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. The presiding officer states that the Ordinance 2018-005 shall be published in whole or summary in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of February 22, 2018. B. Ordinance 2018-006: Various road improvements, appropriating $602,000 therefor and authorizing the issuance of $387,000 bonds or notes of the Borough for financing the cost thereof. Motion to introduce Ordinance 2018-006: Zappa ; Second: Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. The presiding officer states that the Ordinance 2018-006 shall be published in whole or summary in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of March 8, 2018. C. Ordinance 2018-007: Supplement Chapter 145, Land Use & Development Motion to introduce Ordinance 2018-007: LoIacono ; Second: Zappa ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. The presiding officer states that the Ordinance 2018-007 shall be published in whole or summary in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of March 8, 2018. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION # TITLE Resolution 080 – 2018 Approve use of Alcotest machine for County shared service program Resolution 081 – 2018 Parking permit refunds Resolution 082 – 2018 Award of contract – Jersey Mail Resolution 083 – 2018 Electronics recycling, rigid plastic, and shred event Resolution 076 – 2018 Approval of North Hunterdon Youth Baseball raffle Motion to approve the consent agenda items: LoIacono ; Second: Hughes ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: A. Monthly Tax and Finance reports B. Application to the Local Finance Board memo C. Main Street Signage documents D. Tax Collector certification letter – Jennifer Harrington E. Borough Planner Memo – Rezoning request PUBLIC COMMENTS: 3 MINUTES PER PERSON Chris Birmingham, 37 Highland, spoke about the Ordinance banning the sale of marijuana, stated that it is not wise to discourage a tax paying business from coming to High Bridge, encouraged Council to view the situation from a fiscal standpoint, and asked what fiscal items may be gained by the Borough. Council discussed the want to maintain the Borough with zoning, similar to other zoning rules currently in place, and discussed the newly proposed taxes for the sale of marijuana. Attorney Goodman stated that the bill for the taxes has simply been proposed and will, more than likely, be subject to changes. Christina Whited spoke on Ordinances of the past and how Main Street may be influenced by other businesses, such as tattoo shops, and stated that times have changed with what people generally allow. Council discussed what options they may have. Michael Estrada stated that he is concerned about banning marijuana before it is made allowable, but allowing it later, will make the fiscal opportunity irrelevant. Council stated that marijuana is federally illegal, the current laws prohibit the sales of medical marijuana, and that the Federal Courts may be less inclined to look the other way soon on this issue. Michele Lee, 22 West Main St: Stated that she supports bringing these types of businesses to High Bridge. Stated that if High Bridge did not offer marijuana that Clinton should and that she will attend Clinton’s next town Council meeting. Michelle Hoffmann stated she visited Colorado Springs, stated economics between a large town not offering marijuana for sale which has a deficit and a small town offering marijuana for sale becoming economically prosperous and hopes that High Bridge will take advantage of the opportunity. LEGAL ISSUES: NONE AT THIS TIME BILL LIST: Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $279,942.94 Motion to approve bill list: LoIacono ; Second: Strange ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGAL ADVICE FOR TOWN OF CLINTON ARBITRATION Motion to remove Resolution 084-2018 from the agenda as an Executive Session is not needed at this time. Motion: LoIacono ; Second: Zappa ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS. Motion to adjourn: LoIacono ; Second: Zappa ; Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes. Next regular meeting: February 22, 2018 – 7:30 pm – 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ _____________________________ Adam Young Acting Municipal Clerk ___________________________ Mark Desire Mayor