Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON February 6, 2017 - 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Madison was held on the 6th day of February, 2017. Mayor Conley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, Kings Road, in the Borough of Madison. STATEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT The Borough Clerk read the statement pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act: “In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting of the Council was provided by transmitting a copy of the meeting notice to the Madison Eagle and Daily Record, posting a copy on the bulletin board at main entrance of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, and filing a copy in the office of the Clerk, all on January 23, 2017. This Notice was made available to members of the general public.” ROLL CALL The Borough Clerk called the roll and the following acknowledged their presence: Council Members: Robert Landrigan Carmela Vitale Astri J. Baillie Benjamin Wolkowitz Patrick W. Rowe Maureen Byrne Also Present: Raymond M. Codey, Borough Administrator James E. Burnet, Assistant Borough Administrator Elizabeth Osborne, Borough Clerk AGENDA REVIEW There was approval of the Special Meeting Agenda. ITEMS OF BUSINESS a) Welcoming Community Resolution R 57-2017 RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON EXPRESSING MADISON’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EQUAL, RESPECTFUL AND DIGNIFIED TREATMENT OF ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS AND TO REMAIN A WELCOMING COMMUNITY WHEREAS, the Borough of Madison has long embraced and welcomed individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and national backgrounds; and Special Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2017 WHEREAS, for over a century, Madison has been a welcoming community to immigrants including many current residents who were foreign born; and WHEREAS, every year Madison welcomes international students earning their education from Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University or the College of St. Elizabeth; and WHEREAS, fostering a relationship of trust, respect and open communication between Borough officials and residents is essential to delivering effective public services and maintaining a high quality of life and the sense of community we value so highly in Madison; and WHEREAS, it is the Borough’s intention to clarify the relationship between the Borough and the federal government regarding enforcement of federal immigration laws. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the Borough of Madison, County of Morris, State of New Jersey that: 1. No department, employee or official of the Borough of Madison shall condition the provision of Borough services or benefits on matters related to citizenship or immigration status. 2. All departments, employees and officials of the Borough of Madison shall comply with the United States and New Jersey Constitutions, New Jersey Attorney General Directives and Federal and State Nondiscrimination Laws and shall not take any actions that profile individuals or groups based on religion, race, ethnicity, national origin or immigration status. 3. No department, employee or official of the Borough of Madison shall take part in the registration of individuals based on religion, race, ethnicity or national origin. . 4. The Madison Police Department will continue their long-standing practice of “community policing” and sensitivity training for all members of the department to support the goals of this Resolution. 5. Within seven (7) days after passage of this Resolution, the Borough Administrator shall disseminate this Resolution to all Borough employees and officials and within ninety (90) days shall develop appropriate additional employee training. PAGE 2 OF 6 Special Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2017 6. Nothing i n this Resolution shall be construed or implemented to conflict with any obligation imposed by Federal o r State statutes, applicable regulations and Directives of the New Jersey Attorney General and the Morris County Pr osecut or . 7. Borough employees and officials shall monitor any efforts by the Federal Government to withhold or withdraw Federal funding as a result of the Borough's policies to protect and defend the rights and liberties of all its residents and shall take action to protect such funding. 8. Borough employees and officials shall monitor any efforts to require the Borough to expend Borough funds or resources to enforce Federal Immigration Laws and shall take action to appeal or challenge any such requirement. 9. The Borough Council hereby joins with a growing number of municipalities and organizations in standing up to threats against privacy and liberties by taking meaningful steps to ensure that communities are safe and the rights of all residents are respected. Mayor Conley provided the following comments: We are living in interesting times – not just the past few months but also the past few years – a time of globalization, a time of the world growing smaller yet growing apart. Yesterday, I visited a few churches to share my thoughts on why we need to declare Madison a “Welcoming Community”. I will share the genesis behind this resolution shortly, but first I want to share some of the words I spoke yesterday. It is fair for us to be judged on our actions, on how we treat others. It is fair for us to be judged on our words, spoken, written, posted or tweeted. As your Mayor, it is fair for me to be judged on how Madison handles issues such as we are discussing today. What is not fair or right is to be judged by the color of our skin, the sound of our name, the neighborhood we live in, the church, temple or mosque we may attend, or even the fact we choose not to worship. It is not right to be judged by the country we may come from or the war that we seek refuge from. This was not right when our Country was founded and it is not right today. Certainly since our Country was founded, immigrants have landed on our soil to start new lives, and yes they were not always welcomed from the start. But each wave of immigration has made our Country stronger. This has been evident in Madison as the Rose City, 100 years ago. And it is evident today, in this room. We cannot afford to take a step backwards. PAGE 3 OF 6 Special Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2017 That is why we are here today, not to pass a resolution and say we have done our duty. We are here to take the first step in making Madison a Welcoming Community. And as we take this step, we know that much is going on in courts across this country as they address steps taken by the new administration. We hope courts will help undo some of the directives of the last two weeks. The idea of a Welcoming Community was started when I saw Assemblywoman Mila Jasey post on Facebook the resolution passed by her hometown of Maplewood. I felt it was essential that Madison follow that lead and do it quickly. This was not only to send a message to Washington, but also to our neighboring communities in Morris County. We should not just leave it to the major cities in this state. Towns such as Madison, who has always prided itself on diversity, must also take a stand. Since we posted the resolution on the Borough website, I have heard an outpouring of support and pride in Madison for taking such a step. I have also heard from a few that feel that this is not necessary. And I have heard from some that this resolution doesn’t go far enough. To those I say I hear you and understand, but this is an important step and certainly not the end of the discussion of this important issue. We need to send a message now by approving this resolution and we need to understand that a piece of paper does not make for a Welcoming Community, only our actions, actions that I am willing to be judged on. Mayor Conley read the resolution in full and opened the floor for comments. INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Conley opened the meeting to the public for their opportunity to ask questions and make comments on Resolution 57-2017. Mayor asked that, upon recognition by the Chair, the person shall proceed to the lectern and give his/her name and address in an audible tone of voice, and print the same on the sheet provided for the record. He/she shall limit his/her statement to three (3) minutes or less. Lily Matthews, Green Village Road, noted that the proposed resolution is imperative and said human rights are being taken away. Caitlen Killran, Madison Avenue, commended the Mayor and Council for considering a Welcoming Community resolution and noted that Drew University has many international students. Scott Foster, Greenwood Avenue, noted he’s proud of Madison for adopting such a resolution and asked to keep the conversation going. Denis Schreiber, Amelia Court, asked if there are residents whose civil rights are being compromised, and asked what the next steps are. Cristina D’Amato, Belleau Avenue, noted her respect for the proposed resolution but sees trouble with several parts, suggesting that the resolution does not protect residents or clarify what will happen if rights are taken away. Claudia Sydenstricker, Ridgedale Avenue, noted many children in her school are afraid of the consequences of recent Presidential executive orders. PAGE 4 OF 6 Special Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2017 Andre Benhaim, Rosedale Avenue, noted that the proposed resolution is very important to human rights. Mr. Benhaim would like to see the resolution go further. Stuart Sydenstricker, Ridgedale Avenue, thanked the Mayor and Council for considering a Welcoming Community resolution, but suggested that community involvement take place first, before considering a resolution. Mabel Jean Francois, Boonton, suggested a different type of resolution that addresses issues such as racial profiling and immigration status. Hannah Kohn, Madison Avenue, noted the large international student population at Drew University, and asked that the community be involved in the next steps. Jerita Giraldo, Central Avenue, noted he’s proud to be a Madison resident, even though the resolution may have flaws, it’s a good beginning. Jonathan Van Daren, Madison Avenue, noted several resolution templates available and suggested revising the proposed resolution, making it more meaningful. Barbara Hughes, Glenwild Road, noted she’s proud of Madison for taking a step such as R 57-2017, and asked that the voices of immigrants are heard. Diana Mejia, Ridgedale Avenue, asked that the proposed resolution be postponed to consider stronger language with community input. Mike Soriano, Woodland Road, noted he came to tonight’s meeting for a municipal budget hearing and was surprised to see the proposed resolution. Mr. Soriano read a quote from former President Bill Clinton regarding immigration, and suggested better federal laws than municipal resolutions. Missy Elias, Green Village Road, saluted the brave people who spoke at tonight’s meeting and suggested that residents be included in the discussions regarding these issues. Karol Ruiz, Dover, asked that the Mayor and Council consider postponing consideration of the welcoming community resolution and work with members of the community on a resolution with stronger language. Mayor Conley asked for a round of applause for those willing to comment, and noted that he believe it’s correct to move ahead with Resolution 57-2017. Mr. Wolkowitz moved adoption of the Resolution 57-2017. Mrs. Vitale seconded the motion. Mrs. Vitale thanked those who commented and noted that this resolution is a starting point. Mr. Landrigan acknowledged that more work is needed, but believes the resolution is a beginning. Ms. Baillie agreed that the resolution is not perfect but indicated something should be done now. Mr. Wolkowitz noted that Madison has to say something in response to Washington. Mr. Rowe noted that he would abstain from voting on Resolution 57-2017, raising his concern for setting immigration policies. Ms. Byrne noted that this is the first step and the conversation will continue. There was no further Council discussion and the motion passed with the following roll call vote recorded: PAGE 5 OF 6 Special Meeting Minutes – February 6, 2017 Yeas: Mr. Landrigan, Mrs. Vitale, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Wolkowitz, Ms. Byrne Nays: None Abstain: Mr. Rowe Mayor Conley asked anyone wishing to volunteer for the committee to guide Madison in its goal to be truly a Welcoming Community, please send your contact information to mayor@rosenet.org with “Madison Welcoming Community” in the subject line. (b) 2017 Municipal Budget 1. Review Annual Budget Process 2. Electric Utility Department Budget Hearing 3. Five (5) Year Capital Review 4. Draft Municipal Budget Summary and Guidelines 5. Utility Budgets and Performance 6. Questions Mr. Burnet provided information regarding the proposed 2017 municipal budget including the Utility Budgets, Utility Capital, Electric Dividend, and an initial draft review of the Municipal Budget Summary. In reviewing the annual budget process, Mr. Burnet focused on the Electric Utility Department Budget with a presentation from Electric Utility Superintendent Michael Piano, a 5 Year Capital Review, draft of the Municipal Budget Summary and Guidelines and the Utility Budgets and Performance. Following the presentation, Mayor Conley asked Council members to send Mr. Burnet questions for the February 13th budget hearing. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Osborne Borough Clerk Approved February 27, 2017 (EO) PAGE 6 OF 6