City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE – COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Date: September 12, 2019 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ 08829 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER: CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR LEE FLAG SALUTE: LED BY MAYOR LEE COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Councilman Columbus absent Councilwoman Moore present Mayor Lee present Councilwoman Ferry present Councilman Strange present Councilwoman Hughes absent Councilman Zappa present Also present were Attorney Barry Goodman, Administrator Michael Pappas, Director of Public Works Rick Roll, Clerk Adam Young, and five members of the public and press. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to dispense with the reading of the regular August 15, 2019 minutes: Moore / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Motion to approve August 15, 2019 regular minutes: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Malte Pengergast-Fischer spoke about the Grandfather Clause and the Resolution to have the grandfather clause put into effect. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2019-027: Amending Code 184-17, Parking permits for municipal parking lots Motion to open the the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-027: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2019-027: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-027: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. Master plan re-examination sub-committee - Administrator Pappas spoke about the appointment of a sub- committee being needed for the re-examination sub-committee. Councilman Zappa, Pablo Delgado, and John Musnuff were are appointed to this sub-committee by the Mayor and discussion of the goals of the sub-committee ensued. B. Sewer pump station - Councilman Zappa updated Council and the public about the operation, needed cleaning, and examination of the sewer pumping station and pumps, finishing the infiltration and infolow study, and the system for the pump alarm. Director of Public Works spoke about the timeline for repairs to the pump. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: A. Ordinance 2019-028: Amending Code 37-5 Duties of the Fire Chief Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-028: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-028 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of September 26, 2019. B. Ordinance 2019-029: Grandfather clause Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-029: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-029 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of September 26, 2019. C. Ordinance 2019-030: Amending Ordinance Ch 261 Parks and Playgrounds Part 2 and Disorderly Conduct 261-5 Council discussed that this addresses parking on Washington Ave. and other areas of the Borough, that Mayor and Council appreciate people not parking up on the grass or sidewalks. Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-030: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-030 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of September 26, 2019. D. Ordinance 2019-031: Ordinance Appropriating $35,000 from Capital - Pole lighting at Commons Motion to introduce Ordinance 2019-031: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Mayor states that Council is bringing lighting and security to the Commons Park, and is considering the impact to sky lighting. Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2019-031 shall be published in its entirety in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of September 26, 2019. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION # TITLE Resolution – 255 – 2019 Amend field usage permit application Resolution – 256 – 2019 Approval of Social Affair Permit - High Bridge Buisness Association Resolution – 257 – 2019 Approval of Social Affair permit - Califon Fire Resolution – 258 – 2019 Resolution to authorize negotiation of McDonald Street Improvement Project Resolution – 259 – 2019 Amend professional services contract - Maser Resolution – 260 – 2019 Award of contract - Administrative agent Resolution – 261 – 2019 Award of contract - Water Meters and Equipment Resolution – 262 – 2019 Award of contract - Generator pad for well eight Resolution – 263 – 2019 Award of professional contract - McGowan LLC  Resolution – 264 – 2019 Acceptance of audit 2018 Resolution – 265 – 2019 Chapter 159 - Drunk driving grant Resolution – 266 – 2019 Emergency appropriation for sewer plant equipment repairs Resolution – 267 – 2019 Grandfather clause Resolution – 268 – 2019 Highlands request for funding - sewer pump station Resolution – 269 – 2019 Updated Boards and Committees - September 12 Resolution – 270 – 2019 Utility adjustment - 1 Watergate Dr. Resolution – 271 – 2019 Amend Capital budget Resolution – 272 – 2019 Submission of the HB Chapter of the Hunterdon County Wastewater Management Plan to the NJDEP Resolution – 273 – 2019 Referral to Planning Board for street improvements Resolution – 274 – 2019 Authorize officials to sign agreements - StreetScape Motion to approve the consent agenda items: Zappa / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Councilman Zappa stated that the Grandfather Clause Resolution is now in effect, approval for StreetScape is in the works, spoke about the positive impact and added, unexpected funds given to the Borough. PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Nancy Hunt spoke about her concerns of renting the second floor of Solitude House, spoke about the technical repairs she believes are needed before an individuals utilizes the building, listed her plan and concerns for usage, involvement of the newly established Historical Committee, utilization of the grounds in the future, and the importance of preservation on the grounds. Nicole Poko asked about any dog park updates at the location and if there is any reason why a fence can not be erected. Administrator Pappas spoke to being informed about approvals being sought and reviwed at this time. Attorney Barry Goodman enters at this time. LEGAL ISSUES: NONE AT THIS TIME BILL LIST: Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $433,836.67 Motion to approve bill list: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent COMMUNICATIONS: A. StreetScape approval letter B. Report of Audit 2018 - Council spoke about having no recommendations on the Audit which is a good thing. Administrator Pappas recognized Bonnie Fleming for her great work with the audit. C. Tax and Finance Month End Reports - July ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS Motion to adjourn: Strange / Zappa Roll call vote: Columbus, absent ; Ferry, yes ; Hughes, absent ; Moore, yes ; Strange, yes ; Zappa, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 absent Next Council Meeting: September 26, 2019 - 7:30 pm – Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ ATTEST: Adam Young Michele Lee Municipal Clerk Mayor