City Council

February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 1 of 10 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council, Borough of Keyport, held on the above date in Borough Hall Council Chambers, Keyport, NJ, pursuant to the Annual Notice on file with the Borough Clerk forwarded to the Asbury Park Press, The Independent, and Newark Star Ledger and posted on the Bulletin Board in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. Mayor Araneo called the Meeting to Order at 7:02PM. The Borough Clerk read the Sunshine Law Notice. ROLL CALL On roll call the following were present: Councilmembers Demarest, Reilly, Vecchio, Peperoni, McNamara, Council President Davidson, and Mayor Araneo. Councilmember Reilly. Also present were Borough Attorney Victoria Flynn, Police Chief Shannon Torres, Borough Engineer Derek Jordan, and Engineer Matthew Zwingraf. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE Mayor Araneo requested a moment of silence in remembrance of Monmouth County Parks Director Jim Truncer, Director of Monmouth County Parks since 1965. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Councilmember is lead or co-lead liaison of Committees in bold) Councilmember Demarest: KBBC, Public Works/Water-Sewer, Harbor Commission, Recreation/Senior Center Councilmember Demarest reported that the KBBC February 14th meeting was canceled. He expressed support for the Farmers Market returning to the Ye Cottage Inn parking lot. He said it’s important for the senior citizens. He also said there was disconnect between DPW and the prior administration and he wants to straighten that out. Councilmember Reilly: Environmental, Fire/First Aid/OEM, Finance/Grants, Heath/Registrar/Construction/Fire Bureau/Code Enforcement/Zoning, Cannabis Councilmember Reilly reported the Environmental Commission met up on February 11th at Cedar Street Park and distributed Christmas trees on the beach to help with flooding and sand dunes. There was also a mini beach cleanup. She read the First Aid calls for service report and said tonight the First Aid is holding a Narcan and Epi-Pen use refresher course which is being attended by volunteers from surrounding towns. She met with the Fire Chief and discussed that following their assist to a big fire in Holmdel a ladder truck was damaged. A claim was submitted to the insurance company. The truck is still in service. Councilmember Vecchio: Harbor Commission, Municipal Alliance, Police, NPP Councilmember Vecchio reported that the Municipal Alliance will be having a Drug Jeopardy event at the Senior Center on April 6th as a way of incorporating prescription drug information to the attendees. May have cards distributed to the seniors to fill out with their prescription drug details. MAC planning to have table at the Easter Egg Hunt in April. The 5th graders started their LEAD program with SRO Aumack. The Monmouth County Livestock 4-H Youth Club brought Keyport Police oxygen masks that can be used on animals. She reported the Harbor Commission will work with DPW to repair the kayak lockers; changes to leases-no automatic renewals, one locker per address, and a lottery system. Looking to have the concession contracts go out to bid shortly and streamline them. Also looking to extend the Charter Boat lease through December. Asked DPW to put trash cans at the end of Walnut Street and add one to Fireman’s Park lot. She also reported they are looking into boat ramp dredging. Councilmember Peperoni: Health/Registrar/Construction/Fire Bureau/Code Enforcement/Zoning, Recreation/Senior Center, Recycling, Municipal Alliance, Police, Redevelopment Councilmember Peperoni reported we are looking into working with Hazlet on a joint summer program. He reported the Senior Center heat is down and they will be closed tomorrow and plan to reopen on Thursday. He said the recycling brochures are out and can be picked up at the Post Office, Borough Hall, the Senior Center, and the Library. They are also online.  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 2 of 10 Councilmember McNamara: Finance/Grants, Cannabis, Green Team, NPP Councilmember McNamara reported on NPP signage and wayfinding continuation of decorative street and stop signs; looking to meet with Borough Engineer to review a few potential projects. Some work is being suggested for Mini-Park but critical repair work first needs to be done on stairs. Kearney Street Park is on the list and resident surveys are being prepared. The Main Street lot sealing might not be the recommendation. She reported Finance and Grants are looking into grants to fund Fireman’s Park; encouraged participation in survey. Councilmember McNamara further reported numerous businesses applied for and received grants through Monmouth County and NJEDA programs for small businesses. Worksheet budget documents are due back from all departments; looking to schedule budget work session. Met with Trevor Taylor, Councilmember Reilly and Borough Clerk regarding priority projects funding. There is one week left to file for Anchor tax relief. She reported the Green Team is looking for collaboration with other groups to work on community education and outreach via seminars. Green Team meets this Tuesday and tips of the month are available on keyportonline. Councilmember McNamara reported cannabis litigation cases are moving along nicely – hopefully resolution end of March/early April. The subcommittee is looking to meet next week to get new members up to speed and update forms and processes. Council President Davidson: Planning Board, Redevelopment, Fire/First Aid/OEM, Public Works/Water-Sewer Council President Davidson reported the Planning Board Reorganization Meeting was held on January 26th when they had their election of officers: Chairman Mark Sessa, Vice Chairman Harry Aumack, Planning Board Secretary Denise Nellis, Attorney Marc Leckstein and Engineer Fran Mullen. The next Planning Board meeting is this Thursday at 7PM. Council President Davidson reported she attended a very productive redevelopment meeting and is looking forward to meeting again in mid-March when new BA takes her place. MAYORS UPDATES Mayor Araneo: Library, Planning Board, KBBC, Green Team, Cultural/Civic, Mayors Wellness Campaign Mayor Araneo reported on the February 5th water main break on Highway 35 near the intersection of Luppatatong Avenue which caused southbound lanes of 35 to be closed. DPW staff, police and Borough engineer responded to assess and Derek will speak about it later. An emergency was declared and B&W made the repairs. This took many hours of overtime for both DPW and police. The cost for the repair from B&W was approximately $64k. She reported the Kiwanis is working on a proposal to bring back the flea market. They were advised the permitting fees have increased. Mayor Araneo reported the Library door closure broke on February 3rd – they have a temporary fix until a new door can be installed. The Library Director is working to get a date to fix the clock. The Garden Club donated flowers which were placed in adult section of the Library. She wanted to acknowledge the wonderful job they do throughout the Borough. She invited residents to revisit the Library. Councilmember McNamara asked whose jurisdiction is the water main break because it was on a State highway. Mayor Araneo said the Borough is responsible for the full $63k. Councilmember McNamara asked if the incoming BA contract has been signed. Ms. Flynn said it has. Council President Davidson asked regarding the Payment of Bills that the gas charge for Lincoln Hose Fire House be looked into because it seems unusually high. PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION The Meeting was opened to the public at 7:21PM for comments on Resolutions and Communications only, moved by Davidson and carried by McNamara with ayes by all present Dennis Fotopoulos 77A Beers Street asked Councilmember Demarest if he was referring to the Flea Market when he spoke about the Farmer’s Market. Councilmember Demarest clarified his comments. Mayor Araneo stated the KBBC is looking to relocate the Farmer’s Market to  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 3 of 10 Fireman’s Lot. Mr. Fotopoulos asked about the appointment of the new BA as JIF Commissioner and whether any other insurance fund was considered. John Merla 34 Broad Street said he recommended to the Planning Board Attorney that their resolutions should stipulate that the Planning Board does not approve tax abatements - that it is up to the Mayor and Council. He said the Manchester property has a sign promoting a tax abatement which has not been approved by the Mayor and Council. He commented on the JIF. Jack Straub 235 Main Street clarified with Councilmember Demarest there were two different markets in Fireman’s Park – Farmer’s Market on Thursdays and Flea Market on Sundays. Elmer J. Graham, Jr., 22 St. Peters Place said hopefully the Flea Market can come back. He asked for an explanation of R2023-77 Authorizing Release of the Maintenance Bond for Baypoint at Keyport/Keyport Realty Development, LLC which Ms. Flynn provided. Mr. Graham asked for an explanation of R2023-85 Acknowledging the Extension of the Contract to V&C Hartley Fishing LLC for the Operation of a Charter Fishing & Party Boat Service from the Municipal Pier in the Borough of Keyport which Ms. Flynn provided. Carol Grabowski said she has seen people putting tons of stuff out for garbage night and it being gone the next day. She asked if taxpayers are paying for that and said she thought there was an ordinance in place for one item and your garbage cans. Mayor Araneo said there is. There being no further comments or questions the meeting was closed the public at 7:33PM moved by Davidson, carried by Reilly with ayes by all present. CONSENT AGENDA (All resolutions listed hereunder are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any person may request that an item be removed for separate consideration.) R2023-75 Payment of Bills Listed on the February 10, 2023 Bills List R2023-76 Payment of Bills Listed on the February 21, 2023 Bills List R2023-77 Authorizing Release of the Maintenance Bond for Baypoint at Keyport/Keyport Realty Development, LLC R2023-78 Declaring an Emergency Regarding the Needed Repair of a Water Main Located on State Highway 35 South near the Intersection of Luppatatong Avenue within the Borough R2023-79 Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Form 1B – DHMAS Youth Leadership Grant R2023-80 Authorizing an Appointment to the Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative – Lorraine DeVizia R2023-81 Authorizing an Appointment to the Green Team of the Borough of Keyport – Laura Callow R2023-82 Authorizing Monmouth Municipal Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner – Kimberly Humphrey R2023-83 Appointment of Monmouth County Community Development Block Grant Representative – Kimberly Humphrey R2023-84 Designate Public Agency Compliance Officer – Kimberly Humphrey R2023-85 Acknowledging the Extension of the Contract to V&C Hartley Fishing LLC for the Operation of a Charter Fishing & Party Boat Service from the Municipal Pier in the Borough of Keyport APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS Motion to approve resolutions on the Consent Agenda moved by Peperoni, carried by Davidson Roll Call: Ayes: Demarest, Reilly, Vecchio, Peperoni, McNamara, Davidson Nays: Absent: Abstain: Demarest (abstained from R2023-77 only)  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 4 of 10 PUBLIC HEARING 1. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Green Acres program for funding for improvements to Fireman’s Park Promenade Improvement project Matthew Zwingraf of CME provided a summary of the improvement project. Councilmember Reilly asked what will changing these elevations do to flooding on Front Street. Mr. Zwingraf said there is not too much we can do for that with this project. Front Street is approximately at elevation 7 where it runs between the bridge over the creek and Beers Street. This project is focusing more on the parking lot and the boardwalk. Councilmember Reilly asked if it would make it worse and Mr. Zwingraf said it would not. Councilmember McNamara said she drove by today and it was one of those flood days. She noticed that by where the Fishery owners did their bulkhead it is not preventing flooding because we haven’t done our part. She asked if the theory is that when our part is done we’re not going to see what I saw today. Mr. Zwingraf said it’s the kind of plan that requires all the parts to be in place for it to function correctly. Councilmember McNamara asked if the thought is to do this in stages – do the bulkhead, then the boardwalk, then the elevation – is that the order? Mr. Zwingraf said yes, depending on the funding which will drive how it works. The first phase will be replacing the bulkhead, installing the new promenade, and then from there the parking lot and connecting the walkway to W. Front Street. Councilmember McNamara directed the public to copies of the survey prepared for input on the project. Matthew Zwingraf added that there is a summary of the application, cost estimate and concept plan posted on the website. Councilmember Davidson asked once the promenade is met with the existing bulkhead and it is all built up, what is the benefit to raising the parking lot at that point? Mr. Zwingraf said right now there are storm sewer grates in the parking lot and we have seen issues, even with the backflow preventers, it’s not always a sure guarantee that they will hold back floodwater, which is why we are also proposing to raise that parking lot. We would be raising the sewer grates up with the parking lot which would get us additional clearance from that floodwater. Chief Torres asked if the lighting fixtures will not allow for any nesting and asked if we are changing any entrances or exits. Mr. Zwingraf said as far as the parking lot we don’t have any plans to change that but there is no finalized detailed engineering plan at this point. Chief Torres asked what is the approximate start date and Mr. Zwingraf said that will depend on when the funding comes through. Mayor Araneo asked with the 450k that we have and if we get 900k, the rest is going to be bonded? because that’s still a significant amount of money for the tax payers. Mr. Zwingraf said it would either be capital funding or a combination of other funding resources that we might pursue for this. Councilmember Davidson mentioned maybe adding a fire zone area in case we need to get fire trucks in there. Councilmember Demarest said Keyport is a water town, correct? Mr. Zwingraf said correct. 1a. The Meeting was opened to the public at 7:46PM.for comments on the submission of the grant application moved by Peperoni, carried by Davidson with ayes by all present. Andrew Kelsey 29 St. Peters Place – reiterated that the bulkhead and promenade will be raised to 8 feet and 7.5 feet, and the parking lot will be raised to approximately 6.5 feet. He said the lot is notorious for regular flooding with the low end expected to flood annually 34 times and is forecasted to flood 158 times by 2030. The high end currently floods about 3 times and is expected to flood 21 times by 2030. Our [Parking Committee] recommendation for the elevation is to increase the entire lot to 8 feet to eliminate nuisance flooding for the next 50 years. Mr. Zwingraf said he will look into that. Mr. Kelsey spoke about the lighting and stated that the Parking Committee recommended to install lighting that is similar in all lots. He previously  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 5 of 10 provided a Parking Committee Report to the Governing Body. He said decorative lighting would be great. Also, the lot should be landscaped and signage should be installed on how to navigate all the lots. You call it Fireman’s Park but it’s not much of a park. We’re applying for Green Acres funding but he doesn’t see a lot of green. He said it is possible to gain 10 spaces in the parking lot and more space along the bulkhead for recreation and picnic tables. He thinks there’s an opportunity to add lots of trees and possibly close the entrance on the east side. He encouraged the Governing Body to read the Parking Committee Report and the Master Plan. Jack Straub, 235 Main Street said the tide this morning was about 6 feet and he asked Mr. Zwingraf if he is saying this plan would cover up to an 8 foot tide. Mr. Zwingraf said it would. Mr. Straub said the funding is confusing. A breakdown of the funding was discussed. George Walling, 54 Second Street asked what will happen if we don’t raise along American Legion Drive. Mr. Zwingraf said that will still be an issue. Dennis Fotopoulos, Beers Street asked if 1.4 million is what we would need to bond for unless we can get additional grants. He asked if the engineers could also address the issues on American Legion Drive. Mayor Araneo said we should consider that. Mr. Fotopoulos addressed Mr. Zwingraf saying once the bulkhead is raised there’s going to be percolation on American Legion Drive. Can we relocate that outfall? Mr. Zwingraf said we can look at that. That is a low point. This is Green Acres so we may not be able to expand to American Legion Drive. Mr. Fotopoulos asked Derek Jordan if we could tie in. Mr. Zwingraf said we should be able to butt right up to it. Mr. Fotopoulos asked is it a couple of years of construction? Mr. Zwingraf estimated 6 to 12 months. Michele Brusca, 39 Monroe Street, said she is thinking about the Farmer’s Market and asked how long each phase takes. John Merla, 34 Broad Street, asked when the application needs to be submitted. Mr. Zwingraf said by March 1. Mr. Merla stated Green Acres wants open space. He expressed concern about the project in Union Beach. He said they are doing a project, putting up a $50 million dollar seawall and asked where that water is going to go. He said the Municipal Open Space Account has over $200k now. He thinks this warrants a special meeting with public input and said the Harbor Commission should give input. Elmer J. Graham Jr., 22 St. Peters Place, said this project is a start and a good idea overall. He thinks there should be more public input. Andrew Kelsey asked if the details he mentioned need to be decided now. Mr. Zwingraf said it’s more a location and broad strokes right now. He thinks adding more greenery would help the application. Bert Aumack, 67 W. Front Street, said that parking lot was raised in maybe 1980’s. He said you have to pick parking or parks. Also, funding for the Keyport Fireman’s Fair is something to think about. He said it is upsetting that the plan was not provided to the Harbor Commission. 1b. The Meeting was closed to the public at 8:14 p.m., moved by Peperoni and carried by Reilly with ayes by all present. RESOLUTION #2023-86 STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GREEN ACRES APPLICATION ENABLING RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program (“State”), provides grants and/or loans to municipal and county governments and grants to nonprofit organizations for assistance in the acquisition, development, and stewardship of lands for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes; and  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 6 of 10 WHEREAS, the Borough of Keyport desires to further the public interest by obtaining funding in the amount of $3,283,215 in the form of a $900,000.00 matching grant and, if available, a $2,383,215.00 loan, from the State to fund the following project: Fireman’s Park Improvements at a cost of $3,283,215.00; WHEREAS, the State shall determine if the application is complete and in conformance with the scope and intent of the Green Acres Program, and notify the applicant of the amount of the funding award; and WHEREAS, the applicant is willing to use the State’s funds in accordance with such rules, regulations and applicable statutes, and is willing to enter into an agreement with the State for the above-named project; NOW, THEREFORE, the governing body resolves that: Mayor Rose P. Araneo or the successor to the office of Mayor is hereby authorized to: a) make application for such a loan and/or such a grant, b) provide additional application information and furnish such documents as may be required, and c) act as the authorized correspondent of the above-named applicant; The applicant agrees to provide its matching share to the Green Acres funding request, if a match is required, in the amount of $900,000.00. In the event the State’s funds are less than the total project cost specified above, the applicant has the balance of funding necessary to complete the project; The applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations in its performance of the project; and This resolution shall take effect immediately. OFFERED: MCNAMARA SECONDED: PEPERONI AYES: DEMAREST, REILLY, VECCHIO, PEPERONI, MCNAMARA, DAVIDSON NAYS: ABSENT: PUBLIC HEARINGS/ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES 1. Ordinance – Revising Occupancy Limitations in the Borough’s Housing Code The Clerk read the Ordinance by Title: ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF KEYPORT, COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY, AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 12 “BUILDING AND HOUSING”, ARTICLE 2 “HOUSING CODE”, SECTION 3 “AMENDMENTS” OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF KEYPORT 1a. Motion to Open Public Hearing at 8:16PM moved by Davidson, carried by McNamara with ayes by all present Elmer J. Graham, Jr. asked for an explanation of the ordinance which Ms. Flynn provided. She said the intention is to place limitations on the amount of people that are in certain residences to avoid overcrowding. There are public health and safety risks associated with some of the smaller spaces. Dennis Fotopoulos questioned where the amendment to the ordinance would be shown in the code. He asked why we are flooding the amendment section when it can just be put into the unfit dwellings section itself. He asked why rental is being singled out and not every residential dwelling. Ms. Flynn explained this comes out of housing law. John Merla said Tony Vecchio recommended this based on his inspections. He also said more than 30% are not letting people in their homes during the reval inspection.  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 7 of 10 Jack Straub asked about restrictions on a one-bedroom but no restrictions on a two and three- bedrooms. Ms. Flynn said that’s because they are different types of dwellings. The standards are developed by housing experts. Donna Purcell asked about number of bedrooms and number of people allowed. She spoke about the comment made that people are not letting anyone inside. She said they are scared. 1b. Motion to Close Public Hearing at 8:31PM moved by Davidson, carried by Peperoni with ayes by all present 1c. Motion to adopt the Ordinance moved by Peperoni, carried by Reilly Roll Call: Ayes: Demarest, Reilly, Vecchio, Peperoni, McNamara, Davidson Nays: Absent: Abstain: 1d. Motion authorizing the Clerk to publish the Ordinance as adopted moved by Peperoni, carried by Davidson with ayes by all present COMMUNICATIONS BY CONSENT (For Approval) 1. Application for a Social Affair Permit from Consolidated Fire House for an event to be held at 34 First Street on March 25, 2023 (rain date March 26, 2023) from 2PM to 11PM. 2. Recreation Committee Program & Activity Planning Summary for an Easter Egg Hunt at the Waterfront on Saturday, April 1, 2023 (rain date Saturday, April 8, 2023) from noon to 3PM. 3. Keyport Public Schools Application and Agreement for Use of Building and Grounds requesting road closure (Jackson Street) on Sundays for football games. 4. Email from Clean Ocean Action inviting Keyport to participate in the Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 1st and the Fall Beach Sweeps on Saturday, October 21st from 9AM-12:30PM. Also requesting Borough provide trash and recycling receptacles at cleanup locations for use during the Beach Sweeps. 5. Harbor Commission Program & Activity Planning Summary for the Snapper Contest to be held on the promenade and fishing pier on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9AM- Noon with awards ceremony to follow. (To Receive and File) 6. Email from Mayor Araneo advising Roy Jimenez will step down from his Environmental Commission seat to allow DJ Pacheco to take the seat. 7. Email from KBBC President advising Dolores Rilho has resigned from the KBBC effective January 1, 2023. APPROVAL and/or RECEIPT AND FILE OF COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember McNamara asked if we received an event application for DPW and the Police from the Fire Department for the Parade – yes, we did. She asked if the Chief needed any other information regarding the Keyport Public School application. The Chief said she’s reviewing it. Councilmember McNamara asked if we could get copies of letters of resignation when people are stepping down. Motion to Approve and/or Receive and File Communications by Consent moved by Reilly, carried by Davidson  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 8 of 10 Roll Call: Ayes: Demarest, Reilly, Vecchio, Peperoni, McNamara, Davidson Nays: Absent: Abstain: MINUTES FOR APPROVAL Motion to approve the January 17, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes moved by Peperoni, carried by McNamara with ayes by all present REPORTS 1. Municipal Clerk’s Report for January 2023 2. Tax/Water/Sewer Collector’s Report for January 2023 3. Board of Health Treasurer’s Report for January 2023 4. Building Department Report for January 2023 5. Municipal Court Report for January 2023 Motion to receive January 2023 Reports moved by Davidson, carried by McNamara with ayes by all present NEW BUSINESS Yoga and Tai-Chi License/Lease Agreements Councilmember Peperoni said Recreation asked that instead of these going through Recreation we could have them set up like the hot dog stand and kayaks. Councilmember McNamara said that currently we pay the yoga and tai-chi instructors for each lesson they provide and the Borough takes in the fees when people buy a pass for the season. We handle all that paperwork. What’s being proposed instead is you pay us “x” and now you have use of that property for Sundays at 8 and Tuesdays at 7, you go handle all the paperwork instead of us doing the forms. So whomever gets the contract handles that and just pays us a fee. Mayor Araneo proposed waiting until we have our new Business Administrator so she can advise on this. UNFINISHED BUSINESS DAIS UPDATES Chief Torres read the Police Calls for Service Report. She said February is “Heart Healthy” month and the “Bullet Proof Your Heart” event was a success. The department has begun issuing ABC ID cards. Anyone that needs them can contact Lt. Johnson. Chief Torres reported they are also working with JCP&L and currently have 68 poles reported for repair. There were poles that were complained about that were not the Borough’s responsibility. The incoming Business Administrator is looking into whose responsibility those poles are. Borough Engineer Derek Jordan reported on the water main break on Route 35 which occurred at about 4PM on February 5th. NJDOT helped set up proper traffic controls. B&W had to install an insertion valve. They worked continuously through the night into Monday and Route 35 was reopened at about 7PM Monday night. This was an emergency event and had to be treated as such. The road is back opened and the bill has been approved to be paid. Council President Davidson said perhaps we can make a note for the new BA, Mr. Lane has referenced many times the cleanup on the poles regarding all the cables that are hanging. Mayor Araneo advised Derek Jordan that Trevor Taylor was working with JCP&L because we have a lot of loose wires throughout the town. She asked him to touch base with Trevor to find out status. Council President Davidson said she believes it is cable and phone, not electric. PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION The Meeting was opened to the public for comments at 8:42PM moved by Peperoni, carried by Davidson with ayes by all present  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 9 of 10 Caly Gallopo asked Councilmember McNamara to clarify the comments made earlier regarding cannabis, that it is still under litigation and that you will be moving forward the end of March/beginning of April? Councilmember McNamara said she expects litigation to wrap up around then. She said the Cannabis Committee is meeting next week to do a review of our application and our process so that we can move forward. Caly Gallopo described the location of the proposed facility. George Walling asked Council President Davidson if she had an update as to Resolution 2023- 59-Donation of the Durango to the Fire Department- which she asked to have pulled on January 17th. Ms. Flynn explained that the Borough never accepted the donation so it is not technically the property of the Borough at this point in time. He asked if they found out who authorized the gas company to cut the street open on Church Street. John Merla said he’s happy to hear about the lights. He said he’s counted 118 lights out around town. There are old poles still left when new poles have been put in. There are 18 lights out on the waterfront. He said the traffic light at the 7-11 goes from green to amber to red in four seconds and the light by the Town and Country, the same thing. Mr. Merla spoke about 6 businesses downtown between Broad and Beers that had massive black bags out with no garbage cans, no lids. We have an ordinance that says they have to be in a can with a lid. He said it’s not a good look. Chief Torres addressed comments related to the traffic light timing and said they had County come out today to fix the sensors. They will continue to monitor this. Caly Gallopo said that the security with the business is monitored by the State. She said that it is part of the project plan so they have their own security cameras and security people on 24 hours. She said it’s a “must” and is tied into the CRC. Robert Aumack asked that you take the residents into consideration before you approve 16 or 18 straight weeks of music in the park. Mayor Araneo said she has addressed this with Melissa. Elmer J. Graham, Jr. asked about a Veterans Committee meeting. Mayor Araneo said March 3rd she has a meeting with the Legion. Mr. Graham said We Care Adult Care center is looking for volunteers. Andrew Kelsey asked if there was an update on the curb ramps. Mr. Jordan said he’s met with the new BA and they will address it. Councilmember Demarest left the dais to address the Governing Body from the floor. He said there was always water downtown and we’ve been trying to fix it for years. The only way you’re going to fix it is to elevate the property 35 feet and we’re not going to do that. He said we are constantly wasting money trying to put Band-Aids on it and not solving the problem. He mentioned the Union Beach $50m project and said that water will come here. He said Keyport is a water town and we’re never going to solve the problem. Councilmember Demarest spoke about hate. He spoke about the conditions in the police department, pieces of sheetrock cut out, holes in the wall, ceiling panels with tarps to protect equipment, and that when new mayors are elected the office should be cleaned and painted. Regarding recreation, Councilmember Demarest said we do an outstanding job for kids aged 4 to 12 but zero for kids 13 to 18. We have to redo the courts and repair these for the kids. He suggested inviting senior citizens to watch movies downtown with the kids so they can bond. He said he will fight for the kids. Kids are going other places because we don’t provide anything for them in town. He spoke about what Union Beach does for their kids. We should be able to fix the playgrounds. Councilmember Demarest said this whole building needs to be taken care of. Jack Straub addressed Councilmember Demarest and asked why he voted for it if he’s opposed to it? Councilmember Demarest said he’s behind this Mayor one-thousand percent and his negative vote isn’t going to help. He will support it but it’s not going to solve the problem.  February 21, 2023 Keyport, NJ Page 10 of 10 There being no further comments the meeting was closed to public at 9:05PM moved by Davidson, carried by Reilly with ayes by all present. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn at 9:05PM moved by Davidson, carried by Peperoni with ayes by all present.