Mayor and Council

Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Minutes June 19, 2018 7:30 p.m. A Work Session Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus was held in the Municipal Building at 333 Warren Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ on June 19, 2018. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Randal who asked that the Municipal Clerk to read the open public meetings statement: The Work Session Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is now in session. In accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the “Open Public Meetings Act”. Notice of this meeting has been posted in the front lobby entrance to the Borough Hall and Council Chambers, a copy has been filed with the Borough Clerk, and copies of the Annual Notice of Meetings, of which this is a part, have been heretofore sent to the Record and the Ridgewood News. Members of the public are welcome to be present at this meeting. Under Chapter 80, Public Laws of 2002, public comment is allowed at this meeting. The comment period placement is established by the Mayor and Council. The governing body has the discretion to set the length of time for public comment. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Randall, Councilman Troast, Councilman Shell, Councilman Rorty, Councilman Fiato and Councilman Crossley Absent: Councilman Iannelli Also Present: David Bole, Municipal Attorney, William Jones, Borough Administrator, and Deborah Fehre, Interim Municipal Clerk Flag Salute: The Mayor led those present in a salute to the flag. Mayor Randal noted that Ordinance 2018-07, An Ordinance to Amend, and Supplement Chapter 46 of The Code Of The Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus so as to Modify The Table of Organization was re-advertised, as amended, for introduction and will have a continued public hearing on June 26th for final adoption. Following the Ordinance adoption Resolution 18-68 will be approved, before the swearing in of Patrolman Leonard as Police Sergeant. May meeting minutes were previously distributed and will be on the June 26th agenda for approval, along with April minutes when finished. Department reports will be on file for next week. The Mayor opened the meeting to the public for comment on any issue, no comments. The meeting was closed to the public. Borough Administrator, William Jones, noted that the agenda is slightly different, due to changes 1  Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Minutes June 19, 2018 7:30 p.m. recommended by Interim Borough Clerk, Debbie Fehre. Lisa Caporale is here to observe, she takes care of Shade Tree, DPW calls, Board of Heath, registers dogs, she is also our Municipal Registrar, she does an excellent job for our residents. No action is needed regarding the tax bill dispute for Mrs. O’Brian. The MEL has a policy to protect land use board members; Members will be required take a class to get the coverage. The Brandywine project had a two week delay from County paving, weather, then the final section had sandy soil which presented some issues, the project should be done by this coming Friday or Monday. There were no complaints about closures for the Taste of Ho-Ho-Kus or the Fire Department wet down. We received the grant for Lloyd Street, $170,000.00 for next year’s paving project. We also received $36,000.00, Community Development money for paving Stone Ridge Lane next year. A resolution awarding this year’s paving project will be added to the agenda for the June 26 meeting. The resolution regarding the Tax Assessor, Edmund Brown is an amendment to his appointment. He has all Ho-Ho-Kus property tax cards online and responds to calls quickly when not here. Reminder: Eagle Scout Andrew Melarti’s cemetery project dedication is at 6:30 June 26. Affordable Housing project; testing is being done on the lower lot of the train station to check how many stories can be built there. Also looking into alternatives for parking. DOT – NJ Transit’s six month review has been completed on Brookside Avenue. The police have been enforcing the regulations posted. Councilman Shell asked about the turnover in dispatchers. Mr. Jones replied we have increased the pay; a solution is being worked on. Mr. Jones reported that he had a two hour conference call with the Tax Collector and the CFO regarding charitable trust for taxpayers to offset property tax deductions. Mayors Association are waiting for an IRS ruling, who have said they are not going to approve. The town would need to hire three more employees, set up a 501C3 for each account, charge a 5% surcharge to handle, much too cumbersome, costly and not feasible. Councilman Shell inquired about the new DPW hire, He has been with us part time, we were down one employee, a full time person works better than more part time employees. Mayor Randal reviewed the correspondence on the agenda Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority – adjustment of sewer connection fee Julie O’Brian, resident - interest accrued delinquent tax bill – covered in administrator’s report Terracon – opinion Re: completed remediation of site 50 North Franklin Turnpike NJLM – 103rd Annual League of Municipalities Conference Winne, Dooley & Bole, P.C. – Final Judgements entered by Judge Farrington Re: Ho-Ho-Kus Docket No.: BER-L-6215-15 – We now have immunity until 2025. BCUA – Ho-Ho-Kus Public School, 2018 BCUA Environmental Awareness Challenge Grant 2  Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Minutes June 19, 2018 7:30 p.m. MELJIF – Legislative Alert Re: recommended resolution to amend three pending senate bills – this should be looked into, resolution on agenda for June 26 if agreeable. Mayor Randal reviewed the following resolutions for placement on the June 26 agenda. 18-69 Accept Resignation Per Diem Police Dispatcher Clayton Kenny 18-70 Accept Resignation Full Time Police Dispatcher Chelsea Ferrara 18-71 Approve Liquor License Applications for Licensing Year 2018/2019 18-72 Appointment of Tax Assessor Edmund Brown Amended to Include July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2022 18-73 Authorize Borough Not to Require Signatures of Specified Purchase Orders 18-74 A Resolution Urging the Legislature to Amend S-716, S-477, and S-1766 18-75 Approve Vouchers and Purchase Orders for Bill List 18-76 Approve Hiring Full Time DPW Employee Stephan Tyler Koller 18-77 Accept and Comply With Audit Findings for the Year 2017 18-78 Approve Corrective Action Plan Re: 2017 Audit Report Liaison Reports: Councilman Shell reported that the Taste of Ho-Ho-Kus was well attended. Great success. Mayor Randall discussed the signs on lawns situation. The prevalence is increasing with graduations, Board of Education races, causes in town, the culture previously was that these signs were not needed, people spoke to each other. Now there are already signs for the upcoming General Election in November. Perhaps we can put something on the website encouraging people to refrain, we can’t disallow. Mr. Jones asked the Mayor and Council to check their calendars regarding attendance at the July 17 meeting, if no quorum the meeting can be changed to July 24. Mr. Bole, Borough Attorney asked for an Executive Session to discuss litigation Simon vs Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, and potential litigation, Aptive Environment. On a motion by Councilman Troast, seconded by Councilman Shell, the Council approved entering Closed Executive Session. WHEREAS, NJSA 10:4-13, Open Public Meetings Act, permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances exist: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho- Kus, Bergen County, State of New Jersey, as follows: NJSA 10:4-12 (b) 7 Matters relating to litigation, negotiations and the attorney-client privilege Simon vs Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus and potential litigation Aptive Environment. 3  Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Minutes June 19, 2018 7:30 p.m. Ayes: Councilman Troast, Councilman Shell, Councilman Fiato, Councilman Rorty Councilman Crossley Absent: Councilman Iannelli Closed Executive Session began at 8:17 pm Closed Executive Session ended at 8:34 pm On a motion by Councilman Shell, seconded by Councilman Troast, the Council the Council returned to Open Session. All present in favor. Roll Call: on return form Closed Executive Session Present: Mayor Randall, Councilman Troast, Councilman Shell, Councilman Rorty, Councilman Fiato and Councilman Crossley Absent: Councilman Iannelli Also Present: David Bole, Municipal Attorney, William Jones, Borough Administrator, and Deborah Fehre, Interim Municipal Clerk On a motion by Councilman Rorty, seconded by Councilman Shell, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m. All present in favor. Respectfully submitted, Deborah L. Fehre, RMC Interim Municipal Clerk 4