Mayor and Council

BOROUGH OF HO-HO-KUS PUBLIC MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL November 28, 2017- 7:30 PM MINUTES Mayor Randall called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The open meeting statement was read. The combined meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is now in session. In accord with the provisions of Section 5 of the "Open Public Meetings Act", I wish to advise that notice of this meeting has been posted in the front lobby entrance to the Council Chambers of the Borough Hall and that a copy of the schedule of this meeting has also been filed with the Borough Clerk, and further that the required 48 hour notices have been sent to The Record and the Ridgewood News - newspapers with general circulation throughout the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Roll Call: All members present. Also present were borough administrator William Jones and attorney David Bole. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 17, 2017 Work Session Motion: Councilmember Crossley Second: Councilmember Rorty 2. October 24, 2017 Public Session Motion: Councilmember Rorty Second: Councilmember Troast Absent: Councilmember Shell. COMMITTEE REPORTS-October 2017 On file ADMINISTRATORS REPORT Brandywine project will commence March 1, 2018 and end June 30th. All contracts signed and the low bidder is in line with what the borough wants. NJ Transit asked that the borough get our intentions along with Ridgewood in place by December 2017. Mr. Jones suggested we also get the press involved, working with the Chamber of Commerce. We have six (6) months to enforce rules and regulations. Holiday Tree lighting is Friday December 1st 2017. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Todd Macher710 West Saddle River Road discussed the safety issue on his street. He asked if the police department would set up Radar or if a Drive 25 Stay Alive sign can be placed on the street. Mayor Randall commented that Signs do have an effect on drivers. Police Chief Minchin stated that the flashing portable signs gets placed on different streets in the borough. CORRESPONDENCE None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None FINAL PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES None RESOLUTIONS None CONSENT RESOLUTION 1. # 2017-110 Forgiveness of Solid Waste Bills Whereas, 755 ESRR, 115 Jacquelin Ave, 9 Blanchfield Court, 109 Blauvelt Ave, 920 WSRR, 427 Racetrack Road, are lots under construction; and Whereas, 303 Ardmore Road is an empty Lot in Ho-Ho-Kus; and Whereas, above resident structures will be credited for 3 months and then to be reviewed for the balance; and Whereas, 26 Prescott Road and 622 WSRR are also lots under construction, and will be credited for 6 months; and Therefore, be it resolved, that the bills in question be cancelled 2. # 2017-111 Arbor Day 2017 WHEREAS, Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care; and WHEREAS, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and WHEREAS, the idea for this holiday grew in enthusiasm and popular appeal to such an extent that an estimated one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day; and WHEREAS, the year 2017 is the 145th Anniversary of the holiday and Arbor Day is now celebrated throughout the nation and the world; and WHEREAS, trees can reduce erosion of topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air and provide habitat for wildlife; and WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource for giving us paper, wood for our building industry, fuel and beauty in our communities: and WHEREAS, the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is proud to be designated as a Tree City USA and trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas W. Randall, Mayor of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus proclaim December 09, 2017 as the 145th anniversary celebration of ARBOR DAY in the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus 3. # 2017-112 Cancellation of Bills WHEREAS, N.J.S.A 40A: 5-17.1 provides that a municipality may authorize the processing of tax refunds of less Ten ($10.00) Dollars and the cancellation of Water, Solid Waste and Tax Delinquencies of less than Ten ($10.00) Dollars. NOW, THEREFORE, BEIT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the Borough Of Ho-Ho-Kus that the Water & Solid Waste Registrar is hereby authorized to process, without any further action on the part of Governing Body, any property tax refund of less than ($10.00) Dollars; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Water & Solid Waste Registrar is hereby authorized to process, without further action on part of the Governing Body, the cancellation of any property tax delinquency of less than ($10.00) Dollars; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified Copy of this Resolution be provided by the Municipal Clerk to the Water & Solid Waste Registrar, the Tax Collector and the Chief Financial Officer. 4. # 2017-113 RVRRC Tax Delinquent Forgiveness Whereas, the Ramapo Valley Railroad Club (620 Cliff Street) in Ho-Ho-Kus is no longer in existence, and Whereas, the Tax Collector is hereby authorized to process the forgiveness of the delinquent Tax Bill without any further action on the part of the Governing Body; and Therefore, be it resolved, that the bill in question be cancelled 5. # 2017-114 Inter-local Court- Allendale NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, that it hereby authorizes the Mayor and Council and the Municipal Clerk to sign the Inter-local Court Agreement of 65%/35%. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus contributes 65% of all cost and the Borough of Allendale contribute 35% of all cost 6. # 2017-115 Transfer of Funds FROM: TO: Borough Clerk (S&W) $700.00 DPW (S&W) $21,500.00 Borough Clerk (O&E) $700.00 A & E (S&W) $14000.00 Construction (S&W) $7500.00 Total $22,200.00 $22,200.00 7. # 2017-116 Payment of Vouchers WHEREAS, claims have been submitted to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus in the amount of $37,117.62 WHEREAS, such claims have been listed according to Department and account number with corresponding vouchers to be reviewed and approved by the Mayor and Council; and, WHEREAS, the CFO has determined that the funds have been properly appropriated for such purposes and are available, in the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus and that the claims specified on the schedule attached hereto, following examination and approval by the Mayor and Council, be paid and checks issued accordingly; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus that the claims totaling $37,117.62be approved and ratified respectively 8. # 2017-117 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Whereas, approximately one-third of all fatal traffic crashes in the United States involve drunk drivers; and Whereas, impaired driving crashes cost the United States almost $45 Billion a year; and Whereas, 29% of motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in 2014 were alcohol-related; and Whereas, an enforcement crackdown is planned to combat impaired driving; and Whereas, the holiday season in particular are traditionally times of social gatherings which include alcohol; and Whereas, the State of New Jersey, Division of Highway Traffic Safety, has asked law enforcement agencies throughout the state to participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2017 Statewide Crackdown; and Whereas, the project will involve increased impaired driving enforcement from December 8, 2017 through January 1, 2018; and Whereas, an increase in impaired driving enforcement and a reduction in impaired driving will save lives on our roadways; Therefore, be is resolved that the Borough of HoHoKus declares it's support for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2017 Statewide Crackdown from December 8, 2017 through January 1, 2018 and pledges to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. 9. # 2017-118 Municipal Alliance WHEREAS, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse established the Municipal Alliances for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in 1989 to educate and engage residents, local government and law enforcement officials, schools, nonprofit organizations, the faith community, parents, youth, and other allies in efforts to prevent alcoholism and drug abuse in communities throughout New Jersey. WHEREAS, The Borough Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey recognizes that the abuse of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem in our society amongst persons of all ages; and therefore has an established Municipal Alliance Committee; and, WHEREAS, the Borough Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus further recognizes that it is incumbent upon not only public officials but upon the entire community to take action to prevent such abuses in our community: and, WHEREAS, the Borough Council has applied for funding to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the County of Bergen Now therefore be it resolved by the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey hereby recognizes the following: 1. The Borough Council does hereby authorize submission of a strategic plan for the Ho- Ho-Kus Municipal Alliance grant for fiscal year 2016 in the amount of: DEDR 9,520 Cash Match 2,380 In-Kind 7,140 2. The Borough Council acknowledges the terms and conditions for administering the Municipal Alliance grant, including the administrative compliance and audit requirements Motion: Councilmember Troast Second: Councilmember Shell OLD BUSINESS A. Liaison Reports: 1. Recreation Councilman Iannelli: A tentative meeting is scheduled with Recreation Commission, Athletic Association and the School Board. Travel baseball has changed the name from Saddle River Baseball League to Highland Baseball League towns include, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Allendale and Ho-Ho-Kus. Reason for the change is due to a decline in players. There no longer are any individual Teams just League teams. 2. Board of Education Councilman Iannelli: The School is dealing with a few concerns due to the defeat of the school referendum with funding of certain elements. School sports will continue, participants would have to pay a fee towards the sport. An anonymous donor donated $15,000 towards the program. 3. Other a. Ambulance Councilmember Crossley: Attended meeting of Oct 30th. Training held on the new Hydraulic stretcher (Mr. Crossley proceeded to explain to the Boy Scouts that were in attendance as to how the stretcher works) Police department was also part of the training. The Corps members appreciate the Stryker Hydraulic Stretcher, makes a big difference with patient lifting. The LUCAS that the Corps has saved someone’s life in November (Mr. Crossley again proceeded to explain to the Boy Scout about the device) b. Fire Councilman Rorty: Tree Lighting December 1, 2017. The trailer will be decorated. Santa drive through town will be the Sunday before Christmas. c. Library Councilmember Fiato: The Library had its most successful event for the Halloween Pumpkin Carving looking for more participants next year. B. Shade Tree William Jones: Going out to bid for pruning and removal of trees. C. Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Shell: November 25 was small business Saturday which was a success. Town is decorated for the Holidays. A recent new business opened up in town called McLaughlin. NEW BUSINESS Police chief Minchin commented that all resident keep their cars locked all the time. There were a few cars stolen. MAYOR'S REMARKS Mayor Randall stated that the governing body attended the League of Municipalities, educational classes are offered that the governing body can attend, one of which is a mandatory class offered by Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) to which each member receives a stipend towards the boroughs premium. Visit all the vendor booths to get an idea of what’s out there should the town be in need of something in the future. CLOSED SESSION WHEREAS, under the “Open Public Meetings Law”, all sessions must be open to the public, and WHEREAS, under the Public Meetings Act Law, exceptions exist for a public body to hold a Closed Session NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus hereby recess under Personnel BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the results of the Closed Session will be available to the public in the minutes regarding the same at the conclusion of the matter. ADJOURNMENT With no further discussions to come before the Council, Mayor Randall adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, Laura Borchers RMC/CMR Borough Clerk