Mayor and Council

Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 20, 2020 7:30 p.m. The Work Session Meeting of the Municipal Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus was held in the Municipal Building at 333 Warren Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ on October 20, 2020 in the Council Chambers and via teleconference. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Mayor Randall who asked the Municipal Clerk to read the open a public meeting 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. ROLL CALL: Mayor………………. Thomas W. Randall Council President……. Douglas Troast Councilman…………. Steven Shell Councilman…………. Edward Iannelli (arrived at 8pm) Councilman…………. Kevin Crossley Councilman…………. Dane Policastro Councilwoman……… Kathleen Moran Also, in attendance: David Bole Board Attorney; William Jones, Borough Administrator; Joan Herve, Borough Clerk. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES September 22, 2020 –Closed and Combined Meeting of the Mayor and Council DEPARTMENT REPORTS - Reports are on file in the Municipal Clerk’s office: Police Report – September 2020 Court Report – September 2020 Library Report – October 2020 PUBLIC DISCUSSION Mayor opened the meeting to the public. He stated if anyone desired to be heard, state your name and address for the record. Seeing & hearing none, the Mayor closed the meeting to the public. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Administrator reported on the following; Old Business Library – No new updates regarding the grant process for the library renovation, however the grant timeline has been extended. DOT Train Station Project – NJDOT Project is moving forward with the one-way going into Ho-Ho-Kus, looking at the possibility to break ground sometime in the Spring. BC United Way/Madeline Partnership Affordable Housing Project – This project has been moving forward, estimated timeline is approximately 14 months. They are looking by the end of the year for potential financing they may get from some various groups. HHK Crossing Project – To be discussed in executive session. Budget – Budget process has begun, CFO Joe, Citro and himself will be meeting with department heads. Taxes – The updated and corrective version of the tax bills have been sent out. Monies have been coming in; therefore, we are not expecting any shortfalls from the revenue side on the taxation. Parking revenue is non- 1  Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 20, 2020 7:30 p.m. existing right now due to the fact people are working from home. New Business Leaf Schedule – Leaf schedule has been posted and sent out. They will hit each zone 3 times. We will continue to inform residents through email alerts, Facebook and our Website for their scheduled pick-up dates. Election – We continue to inform residents the process of voting this year as no in-person voting is allowed. We removed the black mailboxes outside as we are not using them anymore since we installed the mail slots. We also removed the flag box as people were putting their tax/water & solid waste payment in them and since it’s red white and blue we did not want to confuse residents thinking it was a mail-in ballot box. It is now at the VFW. Water & Solid Waste – We are looking to increase the water and solid waste to meet with our budgetary constraints. Approximately 300 meters this year have been installed. Council Crossley stated he received a call from a resident who stated their water bill increased dramatically, they did retain a plumber who did not find a leak. Discussion ensued, administrator will look into further and report back to Councilman Crossley. CORRESPONDENCE a) Northwest BC Utilities Authority notice of special meeting – October 20, 2020 b) Borough of Beach Haven resolution supporting High Speed Internet Accessibility c) NJ Notice for Halloween guidelines d) The Village of Ridgewood Planning Board notice of Meeting on October 6, 2020 for their proposed Master Plan. e) NJDEP – Application for Letter of Interpretation, line verification (block 811 lots 5 &6) for Applicant William Rukin who is exploring the possibility of subdividing that property. f) BC Board of Chosen Freeholders public hearing on Transportation Funding for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 10AM. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES and PUBLIC HEARING to be placed on October 27, 2020 agenda • 2020-38 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 57A OF THE BOROUGH OF HO-HO-KUS ENTITLED “SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY PROHIBITION” • 2020-39 - AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL CHAPTER 66 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND CHAPTER 66A STORMWATER CONTROL AND TO ESTABLISH A NEW CHAPTER 66A OF THE BOROUGH OF HO-HO- KUS CODE ENTITLED “STORMWATER CONROL” INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE to be placed on October 27, 2020 agenda • 2020-40 – AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 81 OF THE CODE ENTITLED “WATER AND WATER RATES” RESOLUTIONS REVIEW to be placed on October 27, 2020 agenda • Payment of bills – October • Solid Waste Annual Service Increase • Authorize Participation in the Employee Prescription Drug Program • Tax Appeal – Yomtobian vs. HHK • Award Contract to Marini Brothers Construction Co., for the Brandywine/Valley Forge Drainage Improvement – Phase 3. • Authorizing the Borough of HHK Police Department to Participate in the 1033 Program which 2  Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus County of Bergen Mayor and Council Work Session Meeting Minutes October 20, 2020 7:30 p.m. enables them to request and acquire excess to Department of Defense equipment. • A Resolution recommending the closure of the PSE&G Bergen Generating Station in Ridgefield, NJ • Remote Meeting Public Comment Policy (Borough Attorney, Bole explained this resolution is needed due to the Division of Local Government Services which issued new remote meeting guidelines) LIAISON REPORTS Recreation – No report Library –No report Board of Education – No report Ambulance Corp. – No report Fire Department – No report Chamber of Commerce – Councilman Shell reported we had previously discussed doing something for Domenic Parisi of Domenic & Pietro’s Barber Shop for being in business in Ho-Ho-Kus for 50 years. However, he since passed, Councilman Shell suggested the Mayor and Council do something in his memory. Mayor and Council agreed. MAYOR'S REMARKS Mayor reported he has been in contact with Superintendent, Dr. Mardy to discuss guidelines for Halloween. More information to follow. Administrator added, there will be no Halloween Window Painting this year. CLOSED SESSION - On a motion by Councilman Shell, seconded by Councilwoman Moran, the Mayor and Council approved entering into Executive Session closed to the public. Motion Carried by voice vote – all present voting “Aye”. A Resolution - providing for a meeting not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. NJSA 10:4-12 Whereas, the Borough Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is subject to certain requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-6; and Whereas, the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-12 provides that an Executive Session not open to the public may be held for certain specified purposes when authorized by resolution; and Whereas, it is necessary for the Borough Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus to discuss in a session not open to the public certain matters relating to the item or items authorized by NJSA 10:4-12 (b) as follows: 4-Matters relating to collective bargaining agreements Pilot Program/Library Now therefore, be it resolved by the Borough Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus assembled in public session on October 20, 2020 that an Executive Session closed to the public be and the same is hereby authorized for discussion of matters relating to the specified items designated above. Closed Session began at 8:15 p.m. and ended at 9:35 p.m. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Councilman Crossley, seconded by Councilman Iannelli, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Motion Carried by voice vote – all present voting “Aye”. Respectfully submitted, Joan Herve RMC/CMR Borough Clerk 3