City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE – COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Date: August 16, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: 97 West Main St., High Bridge, NJ 08829 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER: CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR DESIRE FLAG SALUTE: LED BY MAYOR DESIRE 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 Police Chief Brett Bartman, Administrator Michael Pappas, Attorney Barry Goodman, and Acting Clerk Adam Young along with twenty-two (22) members of the public and press. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to dispense with the reading of the regular July 19, 2018 minutes: Motion / Second: Hughes / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, abstain ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 5 yes, 1 abstain Motion to approve the July 19, 2018 regular minutes: Motion / Second: Hughes / LoIacono Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, abstain ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, abstain ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 abstain Motion to approve the July 19, 2018 executive minutes: Motion / Second: Hughes / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, abstain ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, abstain ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 abstain The Mayor announced the passing of Max Fox and asked to observe a moment of silence. VISITORS: A. Summer Recreation recognition – Council read the names of those involved with running the Summer Recreation program and presented certificates of appreciation. PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Ann Willard asked what is being done to assist with the bills of the residents of the Borough. Mayor Desire and Attorney Goodman spoke about the history of the Town of Clinton sewer issue, the status of the issue, the possibility of building a new sewer plant and seeking approvals, the increasing number of developers interested in capacity, and the hope to wrap up the issue through mediation to help lower the sewer rates. Pat Bielcik asked if the arbitration includes continuing to utilize the Town of Clinton for sewer processing in the future and who oversees the sewer rate to begin with. Council spoke about exploring all the options at this time and that Council and the members of the sewer utility oversee the utility items. Michele Lee asked who is still in the lawsuit, how the percentage of usage of the sewer users is calculated, spoke about Borough workers utilizing payment from the utilities, asked what the estimate of the new sewer plant would cost, and that she has heard that it would be difficult to build a sewer plant. Attorney Goodman and Council explained that a lawsuit was filed but retracted early on as the contract had obligation to follow, explained the history of the parties involved, that the percentage number is based on usage of High Bridge customers, explained that spending appropriately for salary out of the utilities is fine but that was not what the Town of Clinton was doing, that the cost of the new sewer plant calculated to four (4) to six (6) million dollars, explained that the DEP finds it beneficial for a newer sewer plant to be operating, and Council spoke about the letter of termination from the Town of Clinton to the Borough of High Bridge. Nancy Hunt spoke about Resolutions 203 and 204 and the logistics required to utilize the Solitude House for a possible pending event and asked that the Resolutions not be passed. Discussion ensued. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2018-031: Adopt 2018 amended zoning map Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2018-031: Motion / Second: LoIacono / 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 2018-031: Motion / Second: Columbus / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-031: Motion / Second: LoIacono / Hughes Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. Tax Assessments – Council spoke about the handling of the vacation of the alleys and concerns by residents for taxes going up for added property. Council reports that the results of good sales in the area are being reported and drive most of the tax increases in that area. Michele Lee asked how often properties need to be assessed. Council spoke about implementing the rolling, 5 year assessment plan. Ann Willard spoke about tracking down the Tax Assessor to assess her home. B. Cregar Road speed limit – Council and Chief Brett Bartman discussed the differing signs of 25 and 30 mph on Cregar Road, spoke about the 2015 study, and the need to get some data from the County to begin the process of adjusting speed zones. C. Police Dept. proposal for camera surveillance – Chief Bartman spoke about objective of having some public parks and Borough properties incorporated into his budget in the future and explained some uses of those systems. D. U-turn Ordinance – Chief Brett Bartman spoke about the use of U-turn signs to adjust traffic patterns at the schools to assist with traffic flow. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: Motion to amend the agenda to include Ordinance 2018-032: Motion / Second: LoIacono / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to introduce Ordinance 2018-032, appropriating $35,000 from the capital improvement fund for various improvements to the High Bridge Hills golf course: Motion / Second: Columbus / 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 Ordinance 2018-032 shall be published in whole or summary in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat with the public hearing date of September 13, 2018. COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:  Official Department Councilman Zappa Engineering, Department of Public Works Spoke about water main breaks, Hillcrest Ln is being repaired, Washington Ave. is being designed, Mine Rd bridge water bypass, McDonald St. repairs, DPW filling potholes, mowing, cleaning storm drains, brush pickup, 68 tons of asphalt put out Councilwoman Hughes Environmental, Solid Waste / Recycling, Public Health & Open Space Spoke about recertification for Tree City and Community Wildlife Habitat, recognized by HART, care for the Commons gazebo, Green Team sustainable Jersey grant, Councilman LoIacono Education, Finance, Emergency Services Spoke about Emergency Services update for the Fire Department stats, thanked Emergency Services for responding to the Solitude Village incident Councilman Strange Economic Development Committee, Recreation Spoke about the Recreation Committee’s coming meeting, updating the guide book, holding an adventure race, update on the park slide, work on the dog park and pump track delayed due to rain, EDC spoke about request for proposal flexibility, utilizing the train station, Hunterdon County tourism survey Councilwoman Ferry Cultural and Heritage, Events Spoke about Cultural and Heritage speaker series, coming speaker series on the Fire Department at the Fire House, the large branch has been removed, Events concerts under way Councilman Columbus Golf Spoke about the Golf Committee meeting, golf stats read, rider cup in which the High Bridge Hills won, projections low due to rain, and new pricing strategy for residents, introduction of a Senior rate, WLGO benefit for Veterans Michael Pappas Administrator Spoke about attending the compliance hearing for Affordable Housing and the immaculate submission by Darlene Green and Steve Firkser,, complimented the DPW on the handling of the water main breaks and the communication with residents Mayor Mark Desire Executive Services Spoke about the new business, High Rail Brewing Company, spoke about the McDonald street project and contacts with Senators and Congressman, High Bridge growing, a surprise visit to Gronsky’s with Leonard Lance, and thanked the H.B.P.D. for their work CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to remove Resolution 203-2018 and Resolution 204-2018 from the consent agenda for discussion: Motion / Second: Hughes / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, abstain ; Zappa, abstain ; Motion passes. 4 yes, 2 abstain Council discussed amending, or not, the Resolutions based on the dates of the events. Attorney Goodman suggested passing it and seeing if logistics can be worked out and allowing the Administrator to make the determination if both events can be viable. Motion to amend Resolution 203-2018 to be conditioned upon the Borough Administrator’s determination of the event logistics to have both events on the same weekend: Motion / Second: Hughes / LoIocono Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, abstain ; Zappa, abstain ; Motion passes. 4 yes, 2 abstain Motion to approve Resolution 203-2018 as amended and Resolution 204-2018: Motion / Second: Hughes / LoIacono Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, abstain ; Zappa, abstain ; Motion passes. 4 yes, 2 abstain RESOLUTION # TITLE Resolution – 203 - 2018 Approval for Solitude House reservation application – “For High Bridge” Resolution – 204 - 2018 Authorization of Social Affairs permit – “For High Bridge”  Resolution – 205 - 2018 Award of Contract – 19,500 GVW Mason Dump Resolution – 206 - 2018 Refund of duplicate payment - Medevoke Resolution – 207 - 2018 Safe routes to school grant application Resolution - amended Resolution – 208 - 2018 Transportation Alternative Funding for infrastructure improvements to enhance qualities of Bridge St and Train Station Resolution – 209 - 2018 Volunteer Tuition Credit Program Resolution – 210 - 2018 Lien redemption Resolution – 211 - 2018 Approval to Submit NJDOT Grant Application Motion to approve the consent agenda items as amended: Motion / Second: Hughes / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: A. End of month Tax and Finance reports B. 2018 Lake Solitude Dam Inspection Proposal PUBLIC COMMENTS: 3 MINUTES PER PERSON Michele Lee spoke to supporting the “For High Bridge” event, asked if there were any amendments to the sewer contract between the Town of Clinton and High Bridge, and if the Borough Engineer was showing up at this meeting? Attorney Goodman and Mayor Desire discussed that there was one 20 year old amendment to the contract and that the Borough Engineer will be coming to the next meeting. Nancy Hunt asked if a dredge bucket can sit in front of Borough Hall. Council expressed an interest in keeping the front of Borough Hall greenscaped. Discussion ensued about bucket location and uses. LEGAL ISSUES: NONE BILL LIST: Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $2,553,476.36 Motion to approve bill list: Motion / Second: Strange / Zappa 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 Resolution 212-2018 - Motion to move into executive session: Motion/Second: NO MOTION Executive session was not held. ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS. Motion to adjourn: Motion / Second: LoIacono / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; LoIacono, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Next regular meeting: September 13, 2018 – 7:30 pm – 97 West Main Street, High Bridge, NJ Respectfully submitted, Adam Young Mark Desire Acting Municipal Clerk Mayor