City Council

BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Date: June 9, 2021 – 7:30 p.m. – Location: Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge NJ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER BY MAYOR LEE FLAG SALUTE: LEAD BY MAYOR LEE ROLL CALL Councilman Columbus present Councilwoman Moore present Mayor Lee present Councilwoman Ferry present Councilman Schwartz present Councilwoman Hughes present Councilman Strange present Also present were Attorney Barry Goodman, Administrator Bonnie Fleming, Clerk Adam Young and ten members of the public and press. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Lee welcomed everyone back to in person meetings. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 05/27/2021 Motion to dispense with the reading of the May 27, 2021 regular minutes: Hughes / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Motion to approve the May 27, 2021 regular minutes: Hughes / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, abstain ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, abstain ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 4 yes, 2 abstain PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Theresa Woods of Nassau Road explained that the potholes on Nassau Road are bad, that some repairs have been done but that it is not enough in forty years to provide safety and requested relief for road repairs. Mayor Lee spoke about getting grant funds from the American Rescue plan which can be used for road repairs. Nicole Poko, owner of Scouts and President of the High Bridge Business Association, spoke about the parking Ordinance pertaining to for Main Street, speaking with members of the HBBA and others, spoke about all of them not wanting an app, not wanting a kiosk, not wanting to pay, not having a two hour limit on Main Street, recommended not having cars parking on the street for days on end, recommended no parking overnight from 2am to 6am, stated that her statement of having no parking overnight on Main Street without a permit was incorrectly reported and that her statement is that there should be no parking on Main Street from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m., stated that other people's needs may need to be explored, urged more discussion with a Committee and others to get multiple points of view, and thanked Council for their hard work. Al Schweikert asked about the appropriate time to speak about the Golf Course Ordinance. Mayor Lee stated during the public hearing is best. Christina Whited of Polka Dot Cafe, stated she has been in the Borough since 1994, spoke about the history of the parking regulations to have a two hour limit on Main Street and spaces on Main Street which used to have cars frequently stay on Main for multiple days in a row, the economic potential of having the trail near Main Street, stated that paid parking discourages people coming onto Main and into the Borough, that a parking kiosk doesn't serve the purpose of dealing with the current parking situation on, or near, Main Street, the previous County plan to do one side parking, the idea of doing overnight permits which would not be expensive. Ryan Ward of King Hill Road and McDonald Street asked about the parking Ordinance on the agenda. Mayor Lee stated the intent of the Ordinance. Mr. Ward asked if a speed bump could be put at Union Forge. Mayor Lee stated that it cannot be done due to snow plowing. Mr. Ward stated that he shares Mrs. Poko's concerns with cars being left on Main Street, that he would like to have permits or stickers utilized for different parking scenarios, and that he does not support the use of an app. Councilman Strange explained that there may be other reasons why a speed bump might not be able to be installed in certain areas. Mr. Ward spoke about traffic concerns at Union Forge Park. Councilman Columbus spoke about parking at different times of the year in that area. Councilman Strange suggested that perhaps a speed study could be done. Mayor Lee spoke about the history of the reengineering of the road, the decision to not have speed bumps, that recurving and relining, and how fences were completed. Sally Ward of Solitude Village stated that the people care about having their concerns be heard, that it is good to slow down the processes, that she is happy to see everyone here, and gave a thank you to Mayor Lee for walking the Borough through the pandemic. Mayor Lee thanked her and stated that it is a community effort. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. Ordinance 2021-031: Golf Course Redevelopment Plan Motion to open the public hearing for Ordinance 2021-031: Moore / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Mayor Lee stated that the Ordinance successfully made it to, and through, the Planning Board, and that this is an exciting opportunity. Al Schweikert of Mine Road recalled the history of a 1995 Council meeting, that he would like to see the plan itself, asked how the redevelopment plan is being funded, stated support for the revenue of the course going back to the residents to offset taxes. Mayor stated that the report is being funded by the Highlands. Councilman Strange stated that it is a good long-term decision and thanked Mr. Schweikert for his work with this. Councilman Columbus asked if the Planning Board had any comments. Mayor Lee and Councilman Strange stated that there were no additional comments on the plan, and that the Highlands Council is on board with the plan. Sally Ward stated support for the idea of the redevelopment plan. Nicole Poko asked how the possible redevelopment project which was previously presented will be paid for. Mayor Lee stated that this is action for the redevelopment plan, not the proposal, and that the Borough is exploring this proposal as an option. Discussion of the process ensued with Council. Motion to close the public hearing for Ordinance 2021-031: Strange / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-031: Hughes / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: A. Ordinance 2021-032: Amend parking Ordinances – No parking zones and permissible distances Motion to amend Ordinance 2021-032, item B. to “B. No person shall” and to amend item C. to “C. No owners or operators of any motor vehicle shall”: Strange / Schwartz Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-032: Strange / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2021-032 shall be published in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 24, 2021. B. Ordinance 2021-033: River Road – Phase 2 Motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-033: Strange / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2021-033 shall be published in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of July 15, 2021. C. Ordinance 2021-034: Amend Chapter 184-31 - Schedule 10 - Time Limit Parking Motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-034: Schwartz / Strange Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Mayor Lee states that the Ordinance 2021-034 shall be published in the Express Times and/or the Hunterdon County Democrat along with the public hearing date of June 24, 2021. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION # TITLE  Resolution - 169 - 2021 Amend Capital Budget Resolution - 170 - 2021 Approve 2021 General Sponsorship packages, fees, and donations Resolution - 171 - 2021 Chapter 159 – Clean Communities Grant Resolution - 172 - 2021 Open Account With Investors Bank Resolution - 173 - 2021 Plenary License Approval – Circa Resolution - 174 - 2021 Plenary License Approval – Mrs. Rileys Resolution - 175 - 2021 Plenary License Approval – Riverside Liquors Resolution - 176 - 2021 Refund of Tax Overpayment Motion to approve the consent agenda: Hughes / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes PUBLIC COMMENTS: 5 MINUTES PER PERSON Nicole Poko spoke about reading through the supporting documents for the meeting and that there is an Ordinance about permitted parking overnight on Main Street. Mayor Lee stated that the Ordinance is listed appropriately and accomplishes no parking on Main Street from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.. Discussion ensued between Mayor Lee and Nicole Poko about past and current proposals to enforce, or not enforce, two-hour parking on Main Street in which both parties disagreed about communications on this item. Ryan Ward disagreed with the tone of the prior discussion, asked about the current parking Ordinance on the agenda, asked about making Main Street a one-way street, asked about the proper forum to bring up traffic issues on Main Street, and spoke about being supportive of the property taxes being lowered. Mayor Lee stated that Main Street is a county road and not under the control of the Borough. Council suggested a meeting with the County Commissioners is the proper forum. Christina Whited thanked Council, Committees, and volunteers for seeking the grants they have for the work which has been done, that she recalls other conversations at Council meetings about how speed bumps can, and can't, be utilized, that the County's control of the Main Street is unfortunate, but we need to work with them, and spoke about the history of driving on Main Street. Councilman Strange stated that mirrors may be hit due to the narrow width of Main Street, but that Main Street has very rarely had anyone be hit by a car as that the traffic pattern slows cars down. LEGAL ISSUES: NONE COMMUNICATIONS A. Clinton Township Meeting Notice B. May Zoning Report C. Results From Note Sale BILL LIST Approval of Bills as signed and listed on the Bill Payment List. Total Amount: $158,504.04 Motion to approve bill list: Hughes / Moore Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes ADJOURNMENT: PRESIDING OFFICER ASKS IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER BUSINESS Councilman Columbus stated that the Jonathan Sekula charity golf event is on the 28th of June. Sign up is open on the High Bridge Hills website. Motion to adjourn: Moore / Ferry Roll call vote: Columbus, yes ; Ferry, yes ; Moore, yes ; Schwartz, yes ; Strange, yes ; Hughes, yes ; Motion passes: 6 yes Next Council Meeting: June 24, 2021 - 7:30 pm – Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge NJ ATTEST: Adam Young Michele Lee Municipal Clerk Mayor