City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE – COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Date: June 13, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: 7 Maryland Ave., 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: CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR FLAG SALUTE: LED BY MAYOR COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Councilman Columbus present Councilwoman Moore present Mayor Lee present Councilwoman Ferry present Councilman Strange present Councilwoman Hughes present Councilman Zappa present Also present were Administrator Michael Pappas, Attorney Barry Goodman, Department of Public Works Director Rick Roll, Clerk Adam Young and twelve members of the public and press. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to dispense with the reading of the regular May 23, 2019 minutes: Hughes / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, abstain ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 5 yes, 1 abstain Motion to approve May 23, 2019 regular minutes: Hughes / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, abstain ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 5 yes, 1 abstain Motion to approve May 23, 2019 executive minutes: Hughes / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, abstain ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 5 yes, 1 abstain The Mayor gave two announcements; that the Borough is participating in the Food Stock campaign to assist those in the community. Also the survey for Open Space is up on the website and open for comments. AWARDS: A. Citizens of the Year Award - Mayor Lee spoke about Michael and Crissy Darmstadt's accomplishments in the Borough, thanked them for what they have done for High Bridge, and presented their award. PROCLAMATIONS: A. Roselle Bank 130th Anniversary – Read by the Mayor B. LGBTQI Pride Month – Read by the Mayor PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Mary Murdock spoke about her concern with canceling brush pickup, stated that the Springside Farm could be a very nice recreational area with funding put to it, spoke against Steven Sweeney's Path to Progress plan and asked to sit personally with Council to discuss these items. Councilman Zappa spoke about having his number on the website should anyone have questions about any Borough program. Terry Woods on 31 Nassau Road spoke about the potholes on Nassau Road being terrible. Mayor Lee spoke about having been down Nassau, having a prioritized list of roads, and getting repairs started in the Spring. Mrs. Woods asked about the brown water. Council spoke about having the hydrants flushed in her part of town. Coleen Conroy complimented the Environmental Commission, spoke about having the Columbia Trail receive signage to draw more residents and users to the Borough, and asked that publicity be done to inform people about High Bridge businesses and keeping the community clean. Jeff Oliver spoke about opposing the cancelation of Fall leaf pickup. Council spoke about the leaf pickup not being canceled. Fred Ferry of 5 Stillwell Road spoke about having a large brush pile, apologized for comments on the unofficial Facebook page, and asked for better time management of the Department of Works so that all brush can be picked up and potholes be filled. Nancy Hunt of 103 Fairview Ave spoke about the Historical Committee proposed Ordinance not having a plan for fundraising, asked for ideas for fundraising, and spoke about the Solitude House needing more funding as compared to Springside. Pablo Delgado of 9 Hickory Circle asked that the Darmstadts be recognized for their instrumental accomplishments and work within the Borough, spoke about their involvement in further business within the Borough, and stated that they will be missed. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2019-019: Amending Borough Code, Chapter 303-7, C.(7) Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-019: Zappa / Hughes Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-019: Columbus / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-019: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes B. Ordinance 2019-020: Ordinance providing for local enforcement of the New Jersey uniform fire code and amending chapter 180 of the Borough Ordinances Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-020: Columbus / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-020: Columbus / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-020: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. Shared service agreement – Street sweeping: Councilman Zappa spoke about the request by Lebanon Borough to have their streets swept prior to July 4th festivities. B. Water meters: Councilman Zappa spoke about the intent to update the Ordinances to include the ability to have radio read meters be installed when ownership or occupancy changes. C. Suspending fall brush pickup for 2019: Council and the Mayor spoke about brush pickup having many factors which impact the process including weather and safety, that there will be extended times to drop off brush in the Commons recycling area, that there are safety issues such as potholes and catch basins which needs to take priority, that better time management with weather dependant work items is difficult, that the decision is not an easy one to make, and that the suspension is only for this coming Fall. Councilwoman Ferry spoke about, for seniors in the community, this is a bigger issue and that perhaps there is something which can be done by the Borough. Councilman Zappa and Mayor Lee spoke to the fact that the request can be made and considered, and to please call the Borough if there is any issue to be considered. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: A. Ordinance 2019-021: Amend Borough Code, Chapter 407-17,B. - Water meter per unit Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-021: Strange / Moore Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-021 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 27, 2019. B. Ordinance 2019-022: Historical Committee Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-022: Strange / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-022 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 27, 2019. C. Ordinance 2019-023: McDonald Water Main Additional Funding Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-023: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-023 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 27, 2019. D. Ordinance 2019-024: Ordinance amending Fire Prevention Code Ch. 180 Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-024: Strange / Columbus Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-024 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 27, 2019. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION # TITLE Resolution – 193 – 2019 Amend Capital Budget Resolution – 194 – 2019 Emergency Appropriation - McDonald Street Watermain Resolution – 195 – 2019 Award of Contract - Penn Bower - McDonald Street Water Main Resolution – 196 – 2019 Appointment of Recreation Counselors and Directors Resolution – 197 – 2019 Authorization to bid – Vehicle maintenance / Excavation / Leaf Vacuum Resolution – 198 – 2019 Award of contract - LiveScan equipment Resolution – 199 – 2019 Award of Contract - sprayer Resolution – 200 – 2019 Reject all bids - CGHP Resolution – 201 – 2019 Chapter 159 Clean Communites Grant Resolution – 202 – 2019 Interlocal service agreement with Lebanon Borough - Street sweeping Resolution – 203 – 2019 Laborer with CDL - Aaron Mandigo Resolution – 204 – 2019 Creation of Recreation Coordinator position – Barbara Kinsky Resolution – 205 – 2019 Plenary license approval - Mrs Rileys Resolution – 206 – 2019 Utility adjustment Resolution – 207 – 2019 Updated Boards and Committees Resolution – 208 – 2019 Appoint Cultural and Heritage Member – Kelly Matos Resolution – 209 – 2019 Suspend fall brush pickup for 2019 Resolution – 210 – 2019 Reject all bids – Washington Ave. Motion to approve the consent agenda items: Strange / Moore Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: A. Clinton Township letter and resolution opposing proposed water quality standards B. Historic Trust letter PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Pablo Delgado thanked Administrator Michael Pappas, Councilman George Columbus, and Todd Honeycutt for their work on a recent grant for the Department of Tourism. Councilman Zappa spoke about Washington Ave Phase 1 starting next week which goes from where Mill Street was left off to Union Forge Park. Councilman Strange thanked Mayor Michele Lee and Pablo Delgado for racing in the HBAR race, thanked the contestants, the Borough Hall Staff for their assitance putting on the race, and thanked Michael Darmstadt and Crissy Darmstadt for their participation, and work, in the Borough. Councilwoman Hughes thanked Michael and Crissy Darmstadt for their help in the Borough. LEGAL ISSUES: Attorney Goodman updated the public and Council that the sale of Old Borough Hall should be next week. BILL LIST: Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $567,819.86 Motion to approve bill list: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS Motion to adjourn: Columbus / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes. 6 yes Next Council Meeting: June 27, 2019 - 7:30 pm – Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ