Mayor and Council

Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Bergen County, New Jersey Mayor and Council Minutes May 15, 2018 Work Session Meeting Called to Order at 7:35PM by Mayor Randall Open Public Meetings Statement: Read into the record by the Recording Secretary Roll Call: Mayor Randall, Councilman Troast, Councilman Rorty, Councilman Shell, Councilman Iannelli (absent), Councilman Fiato (absent), Councilman Crossley Also in Attendance: David Bole., Borough Attorney; William Jones, Borough Administrator; JoAnn Carroll, Recording Secretary Motion to change order of agenda: Crossley Seconded by: Shell All in Favor None Opposed Presentation by local Boy Scouts regarding their project helping homeless veterans in New Jersey; they collect backpacks and items to place in backpacks and distribute them to homeless veterans; requested help with areas to distribute the backpacks and also to promote their cause; Specialist Brooks of the US Army aided the boys; the Mayor stated the Borough would help in any way it could; can promote on Facebook; suggested the Boys Scouts reach out to the local churches as well. PROCLAMATIONS May 15, 2018 Peace Officers Memorial Day May 13-19, 2018 Police Week Mayor Randall read the proclamations into the record. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carried to the next Mayor and Council meeting COMMITTEE REPORTS- April 2018 All reports are on file at Borough Hall ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT In regards to the storm this same evening, Mr. Jones stated PSE&G had reported 70% of the Borough was without power; the Sheridan, Hollywood Avenue and Gilbert sections are affected; OEM opened the Community Church Mayor & Council Work Session Minutes, May 15, 2018 Page 1 as an evacuation point; power should be restored by 10PM; problem with residents calling the Police Department to state the power is out instead of calling PSE&G; this ties up the lines for real emergencies; the Mayor stated there was a large PSE&G presence in the Borough. Mr. Jones stated Phase 2 of the Brandywine project is basically 100% complete; Phase 1 is almost done; only portion left is the final hook up on West Road; the junction box has to be rebuilt; the County has started paving in that area; through all of the construction, the Borough has communicated with the school districts to let them know when the roads would be closed; tried to keep the roads open for school buses and garbage trucks; the curb cuts are still to be done on Race Track Road. CORRESPONDENCE Worth Pinkham Library Bd requesting a review of parking Mr. Jones stated a copy of the letter received from the library was distributed to the Council; a neighbor has been calling the Police Department in regards to illegal parking by library employees; if the parking in that area is allowed for over 6 hours, commuters will start to occupy the spaces; Chief Minchin has vowed to work with the library; the library is looking at two other parcels of land they own for possible parking; there is a steep grade in that area; Councilman Crossley asked if 2-3 more parking spaces could be added for library employees only; the employees’ cars could be identified by stickers; Councilman Rorty stated there is also parking available in the commuter parking lot approximately 100 yards away; Mayor Randall stated Chief Minchin would be in attendance at next week’s meeting to review. CONSENT RESOLUTION: # 18-63 Entering into an Agreement with GMA to provide an Interim Borough Clerk # 18-64 Payment of Vouchers Will be placed on next week’s agenda as Resolutions 18-66 Agreement and 18- 67 Vouchers Mayor Randall inquired about the railroad crossing study; Mr. Jones stated police activity reports are sent every 2 weeks; there are transit police on site; own policing being done; 30 summonses have been written; an Ordinance has been adopted and there is a sign at the site; the problem is the vast majority of travelers going up the hill are not Ho-Ho-Kus residents; Ridgewood residents have been informed; can’t get the word out because they are not our residents; people in violation on our side of the border are people going back into Ridgewood; Mayor Randall stated he wanted the public to know that the Borough has put forth every effort in regards to this issue but unfortunately the Borough is not totally in control. Mayor & Council Work Session Minutes, May 15, 2018 Page 2 PUBLIC DISCUSSION Mr. Stanley Kober, 919 Washington Avenue: stated the Eagle Scout project has been completed at the cemetery; would like to have an official opening and would appreciate members of the Council being there; will also contact the newspaper for some publicity; should not take more than 15-20 minutes. Mr. Jones suggested members of the Council could meet before a meeting. FINAL PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES Ord # 2018-06 “Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer” Ord # 2018-07 “Amend Chapter 79 Table of Organization HHK Police Department” Will be placed on next week’s agenda OLD BUSINESS A. Liaison Reports: 1. Recreation: Councilman Iannelli-not in attendance 2. Board of Education: Councilman Iannelli-not in attendance 3. Other: a. Ambulance Corps: Councilman Crossley- will have a report next week b. Library: Councilman Fiato- not in attendance B. Shade Tree: no report C. Chamber of Commerce: Councilman Shell: stated the Taste of Ho-Ho- Kus event is scheduled for June 6; tickets are for sale on line; only 300 are available; great event. Mr. Jones stated the Memorial Day events were currently being planned. MAYOR'S REMARKS Chief Minchin was currently occupied with the storm; the ladder truck has arrived; needs to be lettered; the Fire Department’s Wet Down and Block Party is scheduled for June 9th; there will be minimal impact to the business district. Mayor Randall asked about the scope of the lead testing; Mr. Jones stated there has always been lead testing programs; homes built prior to 1970 used lead pipes and homes built between 1980 and 1989 used lead solder; the Borough’s entire water system and the delivery of the water to the meters is completely lead free; the State is requiring the Borough to test 60 homes; unsure when the results are due; State mandates the Borough pay for the testing; tripled the amount of tests and the frequency. CLOSED SESSION: Employment replacement and designation pursuant to NJSA 10:4-12(b) 8 Motion to go into Closed Session: Councilman Rorty Seconded by: Councilman Shell Mayor & Council Work Session Minutes, May 15, 2018 Page 3 Ayes: Councilman Troast, Councilman Rorty, Councilman Shell, Councilman Crossley Nays: None Meeting went into Closed Session at 8:20PM. Meeting reconvened at 8:35PM. Roll Call: Councilman Troast, Councilman Rorty, Councilman Shell, Councilman Crossley Motion to adjourn: Crossley Seconded by: Rorty All in Favor None opposed Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM. Respectfully submitted by: JoAnn Carroll Recording Secretary May 16, 2018 Mayor & Council Work Session Minutes, May 15, 2018 Page 4