City Council

BOROUGH OF KEYPORT WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024, 7PM CALL TO ORDER: 7:02 PM SUNSHINE LAW NOTICE: Read by Municipal Clerk Minutes of the Workshop 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, and Newark Star Ledger and posted on the Bulletin Board in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L.1975, c.231. ROLL CALL: Members present: Councilmember Brady, Councilmember Gross, Councilmember McNamara, Councilmember Reilly, Council President Vecchio, Mayor Araneo Members absent: Councilmember Peperoni PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE PROCLAMATION/PRESENTATION Honoring CERT Member Kenneth Bonnell on his Retirement – read by Mayor Araneo Honoring Police Chief Shannon Torres on her Retirement RESOLUTION #2024-295 Authorizing the Promotional Appointment of a Police Officer – Zachary Scully Motion to approve resolution R2024-295: MM: Vecchio 2nd: McNamara Roll Call: Ayes: Brady, Gross, McNamara, Reilly, Vecchio Nays: Absent: Peperoni Abstain: RESOLUTION #2024-296 Authorizing Promotional Appointment of a Police Captain – Det. Sgt. Joseph Rendina Motion to approve resolution R2024-296: MM: Reilly 2nd: McNamara Roll Call: Ayes: Brady, Gross, McNamara, Reilly, Vecchio Nays: Absent: Peperoni Abstain: RESOLUTION #2024-297 Authorizing Promotional Appointment of a Police Chief – Captain Michael Ferm Motion to approve resolution R2024-297: MM: Reilly 2nd: McNamara Roll Call: Ayes: Brady, Gross, McNamara, Reilly, Vecchio Nays: Absent: Peperoni Abstain: OATHS OF OFFICE Administered by Mayor Araneo:  Police Officer Zachary Scully  Police Sergeant Eric Devlin  Police Lieutenant Stephen Wheeler  Police Captain Joseph Rendina  Police Chief Michael Ferm PUBLIC COMMENTS The Meeting was opened to the public for comments on agenda items only. Opened: 7:30 PM Motion by Reilly, Carried by McNamara. Ayes by all present. Elmer J. Graham, Jr., St. Peters Place - Asked how much the increase is going to be for R2025-298 and R2024-299. Mayor Araneo stated the rate is going from $15.13 to $17 for #298  October 1, 2024 Keyport, NJ and from 15.13 to $16 for #299. Closed: 7:32 PM Motion by Reilly, Carried by Vecchio. Ayes by all present. CONSENT AGENDA R2024-298 Authorizing Increase in Hourly Rate of Compensation for Class 1 Special Law Enforcement Officers R2024-299 Authorizing Increase in Hourly Rate of Compensation for School Crossing Guards R2024-300 Authorizing Appointments of Special Law Enforcement Officers – Matthew Hozer, Yubir Rojas-Herrera, Heaven Cruz R2024-301 Authorizing Appointment of School Crossing Guard – Salvatore Laona R2024-302 Authorizing Issuance of a Social Affair Permit for Keyport Yacht Club R2024-303 Approving the Request of Our Lady of Fatima Parish to Conduct a Vehicular Procession APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS Motion to approve resolutions R2024-298 through R2024-303 on the Consent Agenda. MM: Peperoni 2nd: Reilly Roll Call: Ayes: Brady, Gross, McNamara, Reilly, Vecchio Nays: Absent: Peperoni Abstain: WORKSHOP ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Hometown Hero Banners Council President Vecchio explained the Hometown Hero Banner initiative and suggested a location by St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and by Waterfront Park. Councilmember Reilly asked if there was any concern for wind damage and asked about Maple Place instead. Council President Vecchio replied that it depends on how long they are installed, noting that they can be installed for the season and given to the family before they’re damaged. Councilmember McNamara asked whether the poles will need to be retrofitted. All councilmembers favored banners with pictures. Council President Vecchio stated that once their placement is determined the borough can get a price on hardware. Councilmember Reilly asked how will the public be notified about this. Mayor Araneo replied that notifying the American Legion would be very helpful. Council President Vecchio added that Hazlet offers this through the VFW. 2. Skip the Stuff Ordinance Councilmember Brady explained that several towns in the area adopted requirements and more are considering it, although State legislation hasn’t moved much. Essentially, this would mean that restaurants wouldn’t default to providing plastic utensils unless requested, or they could set up a self-serve station for someone to take on their own. Councilmember Brady also noted that single-use plastic utensils are too small to be recycled and get filtered into trash and go to landfills. They contain chemicals known to cause cancer. Atlantic Highlands enacted this. Some municipalities impose fines while others don’t. Plastic alternatives are acceptable too. Council President Vecchio asked about enforcement. Councilmember Reilly doesn’t want to fine businesses who are already subject to so many regulations. Councilmember Brady noted that this initiative is a Sustainable Jersey item that the Environmental Commission would receive credit towards. 2  October 1, 2024 Keyport, NJ Councilmember Reilly asked if the Environmental Commission could better assist with the education component. Councilmember Mcnamara expressed her interest in having restaurants ask whether someone wants the items at the time the order is placed. She asked whether the Borough could work with the KBBC to get the word out. Councilmember Reilly asked if Keyport can get points only for adopting an ordinance. Councilmember McNamara responded that points can be allocated for a resolution, too. The Borough Administrator will draft something and circulate to the Governing Body. PUBLIC COMMENT The Meeting was opened to the public for comments. Opened: 7:44 PM Motion by Brady, Carried by Reilly. Ayes by all present. Robert Bergen, Green Grove – commented on seeing a car carrier heading toward Beers Street and followed it, where it attempted to turn onto Perry Street, leading to two car carriers blocking Perry Street. A third car carrier comes out of Perry Street and can’t make the turn, which resulted in 25 minutes of three car carriers trying to get out of that intersection. Councilmember Brady commented on driver of car with accident damage being driven there. Robert Bergen – stated that 85% of everything he saw was legal under the ordinance that was passed. Commented on Planning Board letter from engineer that the application was incomplete. Commented on the number of officers leaving and letter of no confidence and urged council to look into why this is happening. Maura Sayour, Van Dorn – asked the Borough Administrator when a road inventory review would be completed. Questioned a tax bill concerning the added assessment for 2024 tax rate from the Tax Assessor. The Borough Administrator requested Ms. Sayour send an email and she would get answers for her. Mayor Araneo noted she wants to include the road inventory update in the Borough newsletter. Mike Lane, First Street – recalled that in February 2023, more than 18 months ago, he brought up the issue of fixing land use requirements. Latest T&M engineering report for 262 First Street states there aren’t any density requirements. Mike Lane asked the Borough Administrator about her observations during a walk along the beach. She observed that there are bulkheads in need of repair as well as debris. Councilmember Mcnamara said existing wharf and pier are required to be maintained. Mike Lane commented on the condition of neighbor bulkheads. Mayor said ordinance is from 1979 and it needs to be reviewed. The Borough Engineer will take a look at the ordinance. Mike Lane commented on debris (trees) behind Aeromarine. The Borough Administrator will contact them to see what they can do. Elmer J. Graham Jr., 22 St. Peters Place – believes Hometown Hero banners is a terrific idea. Agrees with Councilmember Reilly regarding Skip the Stuff. Business are over regulated; maybe education is better idea than ordinance. Mentioned We Care Adult Care and noted that the American Legion is looking for members. John Merla, 34 Broad Street – urged council to rectify the Perry Street issue, and suggested seeing if there are violations and whether it’s against the Master Plan and Zoning regulations, noting that maybe it could be spot-zoned. Had first meeting today for five hours with Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County regarding overdose awareness. Keyport was brought up at the meeting and commended for displaying the purple flags and MAC doing a good job; feels more 3  October 1, 2024 Keyport, NJ can be done. Stated that the coalition is organizing a youth campaign. Councilmember Brady asked Mr. Merla to attend the next MAC meeting. Commented on police departures. George Walling, Second Street – asked about the fire hydrant on Broad Street with a bag on it, to which the Borough Administrator stated that the DPW ordered threading supplies. Asked about bent signs. Commented about street lights being on during the day and no parking between 3rd and 1st on the east side. Robert Bergen – commented on the landowner who paved the (Cass St) parking lot, and the Borough Administrator said DEP required it. Believes that it requires site plan approval and a site plan has not been submitted. Stated that the Governing Body is not bound by decision of a zoning officer. Commented on police departures. Closed: 8:27 PM Motion by Vecchio, Carried by Reilly. Ayes by all present. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn MM: Reilly 2nd: Gross Ayes: all present Nays: Time of Adjournment: 8:27 PM 4