City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held April 1st 2021, at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey and via Zoom. I HEREBY ANNOUNCE AND STATE THAT ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY VIRTUE OF A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS FOR THE YEAR 2021; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 7th 2021, AND PUBLISHED IN THE MORRIS NEWS BEE AND THE DAILY RECORD; AND BY THE FORWARDING OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO ALL PERSONS ON THE REQUEST LIST; BY THE POSTING OF SUCH RESOLUTION ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE BOROUGH HALL; ALL OF THE ABOVE ACTIONS BEING IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. Present on Roll Call: Mayor Jason C. Karr Councilmembers: Catherine Kelly, Council President Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Dennis Wagner Absent: Councilmembers Joan Goddard Nancy Verga Present: Ursula Leo, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr introduced Larry Ripley of the Borough’s Community Band who is at the meeting tonight to discuss a proposal. Mr. Larry Ripley, 17 Academy Road, Morris Plains, said he is proposing to holding a Second Annual Morris Plains Community Band Festival. This event would be held on Sunday, June 6th 2021 with a rain date of Sunday, June 13th 2021. It will be composed of at least 11 North Jersey bands; the first Community Band Festival was held about a year and a half ago and was a wonderful success enjoyed by many attendees. Mr. Ripley explained how everyone is planning to comply with the various current COVID protocols. Food handling and restroom protocols will also be established. There will be no cost to the Borough in connection with this event. Councilmember Kelly asked if the choral group that participated at the last event will again be participating. Mr. Ripley said the choral group will again participate. Councilmembers agreed this is a great idea and thanked Mr. Ripley for all his work in organizing this event. Mayor Karr commented on the Band’s mission statement and said he is looking forward to hearing some good music at the event. Mr. Ripley reported he has 16 bands lined up to participate in the festival. It will begin at about 11:30 A.M. and continue until approximately 7:00 - 7:30 P.M. Mr. Ripley thanked the Council for its time and consideration of his proposal. Mayor Karr thanked Mr. Ripley for his presentation and for his service to the Borough. Mayor Karr asked if anyone had any comments or questions for the conference meeting. Councilmember Kelly reported that a Morris Plains Boy Scout troop will be having a campout on April 17th and April 18th 2021 at Community Park. She shared information about their plans. Mayor Karr gave an update on Mr. Nicholas Karr’s “Bravest” project that was presented at the last Council meeting. It should “be up and running very shortly.” He spoke about two Consent Calendar resolutions relating to two community-funding projects. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Kelly at 7:49 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2021-49 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. So ordered. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 7:52 P.M. Councilmember Cortese moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wagner moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 7:52 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held April 1st 2021 at 8:31 P.M. the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey and via Zoom. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER “I HEREBY ANNOUNCE AND STATE THAT ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY VIRTUE OF A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS FOR THE YEAR 2021; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 7th 2021, AND PUBLISHED IN THE MORRIS NEWS BEE AND THE DAILY RECORD; AND BY THE FORWARDING OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO ALL PERSONS ON THE REQUEST LIST; BY THE POSTING OF SUCH RESOLUTION ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE NOTICE OF MEETING MORRIS PLAINS BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR Thursday April 1, 2021 WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PERSON WITH REMOTE ZOOM AND TELEPHONE CALL-IN OPTIONS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Morris Plains Borough Council meeting presently scheduled for April 1, 2021 will be conducted in person with social distancing requirements being observed and with REMOTE Zoom meeting and telephone call-in options from off-site locations due to the ongoing State of Public Health Emergency pursuant to the New Jersey Governor’s Executive Orders, COVID-19 public health concerns and social distancing requirements. The meeting will be held at Morris Plains Borough Hall, Council Chambers, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains at 7:30 p.m. Formal action will be taken. To comply with the social distancing requirements established by the Governor through Executive Order, the maximum number of persons permitted in the Council Chamber is 35% of the maximum seating capacity, subject to a minimum social distancing requirement of six-feet between all persons. As a result of those requirements, fifteen (15) members of the public can be physically present at the meeting in addition to the Mayor, Borough Council, and Borough staff/professionals. To reserve a seat, please call the Borough Clerk at (973) 538-2224. Any documents that would be viewed or made available to members of the public physically present at the meeting shall be made available in advance of the public meeting for download on the Borough’s website, www.morrisplainsboro.org and made visible during a Zoom video broadcast of the public meeting. The Borough Council will follow its normal protocol for this meeting which means that there will be an opportunity for public comment participation. Residents and members of the public participating remotely will be able to ask questions or comment on the discussion when the public comment section is announced, either by audio and video in the Zoom remote format or by audio in a telephone call-in format. Until the public comment portions of the meeting, members of the public participating remotely will be muted. Once the public portions of the meeting are concluded, members of the public will be again muted. Please note that while muted, members of the public will still be able to hearing the Mayor and Borough Council conducting business. In advance of the remote public meeting, members of the public may submit public comments or questions to the Mayor and Borough Council in written letter form, or by contacting the Borough Clerk by email at rdenman@morrisplainsboro.org prior to the meeting up until 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. All public comments and questions submitted in advance must include the individual’s name and address. If residents and members of the public encounter problems in submitting questions or comments remotely during the public meeting, they may submit such questions and comments to the Borough Council via email to the Borough Clerk at rdenman@morrisplainsboro.org. Questions and comments must be submitted via email by Midnight on the date of the meeting, in order to be included in the record of the meeting. The Meeting Agenda and Consent Calendar will be available at www.morrisplainsboro.org Morris Plains Borough Council Meeting Time: April 1, 2021 - Meetings typically run two hours Conference Session starts at 7:30PM Regular Session starts at 8:30PM If an Executive Session is needed, the Borough Council will depart the meeting during the Conference Session for a confidential Closed Executive Session and will return at 8:30PM for the Regulation Session.  If a second Executive Session is needed during the Regular Session, the Borough Council will depart the meeting during the Regular Session and upon adjournment of the Closed Executive Session will return to the meeting to conclude the Regular Session. There are two options for joining the meeting: 1 - Join Zoom Meeting URL from computer or mobile device with Wi-Fi: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82787644794?pwd=MTU5SGlZcDhDY0ZPMWh5ZEZHbk4wZz09 Meeting ID: 827 8764 4794 Password: 049102 It is recommended that you download the app on your computer or mobile device prior to the meeting. 2 - Dial in by cell phone or landline (audio only): 1-929-436-2866 Meeting ID 82787644794 Password 049102 The Meeting Agenda and Consent Calendar will be available at www.morrisplainsboro.org Present on Roll Call: Mayor Jason C. Karr Councilmembers: Catherine Kelly, Council President Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Dennis Wagner Absent: Joan Goddard Nancy Verga Present: Ursula Leo, Esq., Borough Attorney Mayor Karr welcomed the members of the public attending this meeting remotely. He provided information as to documents that can be found on the landing page of the Borough website. He gave guidance about the meeting and how members of the public can participate in the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Kelly moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of March 4th 2021be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. So ordered. Voice vote. All in favor. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Budget Meeting of March 5th 2021be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. So ordered. Voice vote. All in favor. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Kelly moved: BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Morris Plains, that the attached reports be accepted and that said reports be kept on file in the Clerk’s Office: REPORTS None Resolution 2021-50 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED FIRST LIMO CAR SERVICE, LLC LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE NO. LO1-9383-2021.” Resolution 2021-51 entitled, “HSA MORRIS PLAINS RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 321-21.”  Resolution 2021-52 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS TAX IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT.” Resolution 2021-53 entitled, “RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANCELLATION OF PRIOR YEAR CHECKS.” Resolution 2021-54 entitled, “A RESOLUTION TO UTILIZE THE THREE YEAR AVERAGE METHOD IN COMPUTING REALIZED REVENUES FOR SWIMMING POOL FEES IN THE SWIM POOL UTILITY BUDGET.” Resolution 2021-55 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 FROM THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANTS TO INSTALL FENCING AT SIMONS MEMORIAL PARK.” Resolution 2021-56 Entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 FROM THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES ACCOUNT TO ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.” The Borough Council approve the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring April 5th2021 through April 11th 2021 National Public Health Week in the Borough of Morris Plains. Having received quotes to install an aluminum awning at the Borough Annex Building Department from the following: Maplewood Awning & Window Shade Co. $1,390.00 Bergen Awnings No Quote Awning Place No Quote A purchase order be issued to Maplewood Awning & Window Shade Co., 1789 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ in the amount of $1,390.00. Nicholas Mosuriak, Laborer DPW to receive donated sick time from the following: John Signorelli, DPW 40 Hours Seymour Foreman, DPW 24 Hours The Mayor be authorized to sign the 2021 revision to the Borough’s Emergency Operations Plan. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Cortese, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmembers Goddard, Verga Abstain: None GREETINGS OF PUBLIC AND INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr welcomed members of the public who are attending this meeting remotely providing informational and instructional guidance to the public for this portion of the meeting. No email messages were received for this meeting. He asked if any member of the public would like to speak. Mr. Marion Stith, 4 Bangiola Court, Morris Plains, asked about no quotes being received from two of three awning companies. Does it mean quotes were asked for but not received? Mayor Karr said that is correct. Seeing no one else wanting to speak, Mayor Karr closed the public portion of the meeting. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Bruhn thanked the Finance Department, Ana Thomas and Tracy Rooney, and all the Department Heads for their work in preparing the 2021 budget. Councilmember Bruhn reported the Clerk’s Office is busy with financial disclosures and certification of candidate petitions to the County Board of Elections. Resident and business parking permits are also being issued along with replying to OPRA requests. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese said he had no report. Police Department’s Report Police Chief Koroski spoke about the Mayor being authorized to sign off on the 2021 revision to the Borough’s Emergency Operations Plan and provided a description of the document. Revisions take place every four years. This revised plan is due to the State by April 24th 2021, but must be provided to the County first for their review. Chief Koroski reported on the two newest Police recruits. Chief Koroski reported on his serving as Chief for one year now and how he appreciates working with everyone and thanked everyone for their continued support. Mayor Karr thanked the Chief for his time and effort over the past year. He reported he and the Chief will be meeting with New Jersey Transit next week to continue talks about the generator and the hook-up for the underpass pump. Public Works Councilmember Wagner reported on the Department of Public Works (DPW) current work projects, including the Community Park Pool, the baseball fields and Watnong Park. Councilmember Wagner reported on the Business Development Committee and programs, loans and grants that may be available to small businesses. Councilmember Wagner reported on the sticker/magnet that was chosen for the Go Morris Plains campaign; it will be presented at the Local Government Week event on Saturday, April 24th 2021. Mayor Karr thanked him for getting this important information to the small businesses in the Borough. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Kelly reported the Easter Bunny on the Fire Truck event that was held on Saturday, March 27th 2021 and thanked Fire Chief Rongo for his help in coordinating this activity. Councilmember Kelly gave a Summer Recreation update including that a total of $18,405.00 has been received in Pool membership fees. COVID protocols will be in place at the pool. Councilmember Kelly reported on the Summer Theater program and also reported Little League Opening Day is on Saturday, April 24th 2021, however, there will not be a parade. Councilmember Kelly reported there is a Drug Take-Back Day from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Stop & Shop on Saturday, April 24th. Councilmember Kelly reported the March 25th blood drive had 57 donors; 125 donors participated in March drives. The next drive is on Saturday, April 17th 2021. Councilmember Kelly reported the Farmers’ Market opens on Saturday, June 12th 2021, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and will continue through Saturday, October 9th 2021. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers No report was presented at this meeting. Mayor Karr reported he was contacted by the County Health Department seeking information on homebound and critical care seniors and others in the Borough who may be in need of COVID vaccinations. Chief Koroski provided him with a list of such residents. This list was shared with Councilmember Goddard and Carlos Perez at the County Health Department Ordinances & Public Utilities No report was presented at this meeting. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, ETC. Mayor Karr asked if anyone had any communications, petitions or anything else to present. Seeing no one he closed this portion of the meeting. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Introduction of 2021 Municipal Budget Councilmember Bruhn moved the approval of the 2021 municipal budget and provided specific details for General Appropriations Within Caps, Municipal Purposes ($10,168,808.75); Appropriations Excluded from Caps, Municipal Purposes ($3,732,031.25); Reserve for Uncollected Taxes ($1,663,864.77); Total General Appropriations ($15,564,704.77) less anticipated revenues other than current property tax ($3,835,980.05) and the difference – the amount to be raised by taxes for support of municipal budgeting including reserve for uncollected taxes ($11,728,724.72), seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Cortese, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmembers Goddard, Verga Abstain: None VOUCHERS None. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. Mayor Karr wished all a Happy Easter. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Cortese moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:01 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. ___________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk