City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held September 16th 2021, at 5:01 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY THE CLERK OF THIS BOROUGH BY PREPARING A NOTICE DATED September 1st 2021 SPECIFYING THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF THIS MEETING; POSTING SUCH NOTICE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND FORWARDING THE NOTICE TO MORRIS COUNTY’S DAILY RECORD AND THE MORRIS NEWS BEE; AND I HEREBY HAND A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE TO THE CLERK OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS FOR INCLUSION IN THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING, 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: Cathie Kelly, Council President Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: None Present: Jonathan Frodella Esq. representing Borough Attorney Ursula Leo, Esq. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Personnel Candidates for Lieutenant Interviews Moved by Councilmember Kelly at 5:03 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2021-122 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:21 P.M. Councilmember Wagner moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Cortese moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:22 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 September 16th 2021 at 8:36 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Kelly moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of August 19th 2021be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice vote. All in favor except for Councilmember Bruhn who was absent from this meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Kelly moved: REPORTS Police Department, August 2021 Municipal Court, August 2021 Animal Control, August 2021 Sanitarian, July 2021, August 2021 Borough Clerk, August 2021 Animal Licensing, August 2021 Tax Collector, August 2021 Building Inspector, August 2021 Resolution 2021-123 entitled, “RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ISSUES OF BONDS OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, INTO A SINGLE ISSUE OF GENERAL BONDS AGGREGATING $9,275,000 IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT.” Resolution 2021-124 entitled, “RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE FORM AND OTHER DETAILS OF $9,275,000 GENERAL BONDS OF 2021 OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR SALE.” Resolution 2021-125 entitled, “REDEMPTION OF MUNICIPAL TAX SALE CERTIFICATE NO #3-19 ON PROPERTY KNOWN AS: BLOCK 72.01 LOT 12.01.” Resolution 2021-126 entitled, “REDEMPTION OF MUNICIPAL TAX SALE CERTIFICATE NO #3-19 ON PROPERTY KNOWN AS: BLOCK 72.03 LOTS 7 & 8.” Resolution 2021-127 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOIL DISTURBANCE PERMIT.” The resignation of Jeremy Diamond, Master Senior Operator, be accepted, effective September 30, 2021. The Mayor and Borough Clerk are authorized to execute a Separation Agreement between the Borough of Morris Plains and Jeremy Diamond. The Beautification Committee be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at their end of the year celebration to be held Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. to dusk at the Community Park Pavilion. Anthony Lagalante be promoted to the position of Senior Truck Driver, in the Department of Public Works, and granted the appropriate hourly increase, effective October 1, 2021. Scott Damiano be promoted to the position of Senior Operator, in the Department of Public Works, and granted the appropriate hourly increase, effective October 1, 2021.  Having polled the Council on September 14 th 2021, an approved excused absence was given to Kevin Rongo, Fire Chief to attend the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association annual convention in Wildwood on September 16th & 17th 2021, as per the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. The Mayor and Borough Clerk are authorized to execute the Developer’s Agreement with Morris Plains Holding UE, LLC in application PB-6-20 in the form approved by the Borough Attorney. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak and seeing no one, he closed this public portion of the meeting. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Bruhn reported the MELJIF yearly online underwriting schedule has been completed. Councilmember Bruhn reported the six- month parking permit renewals have been sent, Borough vehicles registration and insurance were updated. The Borough Clerk explained what is involved with completing the yearly MELJIF online underwriting schedule. Mayor Karr asked what may need to be done in connection with asset management; he mentioned signing up for updates. Councilmember Bruhn said he will check on the asset management issue. Councilmember Bruhn reported the electric vehicle charging station is now operational. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese reported the Fire Department Chief is at the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association annual convention in Wildwood and Chris Shay the Fire Prevention Official is in charge. Councilmember Cortese reported on a meeting he had with Fire Chief Rongo to review equipment and related matters which he will report back to his committed. Mayor Karr referred to the outfitting of the Chief’s car. Police Chief Koroski reported that beginning Monday, September 20th the Community Center will be serving as a regional disaster center where residents impacted by storm Ida will be able to meet with FEMA staff. There currently is no end date for this FEMA service. Chief Koroski reported on the upcoming drug take back at Stop & Shop on Saturday, October 23rd 2021, 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Chief Koroski reported on the school zone Zero Tolerance program which he stated is going very well – 66 vehicles have been stopped to date. Chief Koroski thanked all those who assisted with the 9-11 ceremony. Chief Koroski reported the FEMA OEM reimbursement amount of roughly $70,000 is being processed. Councilmember Cortese thanked him for his efforts regarding this reimbursement. Cross discussion about various storm-related reimbursement efforts. Public Works Councilmember Wagner thanked the DPW for their help in connection with the Block Dance. Councilmember Wagner thanked the Council for its approval of the two DPW promotions on the consent agenda and also reported on Go Morris Plains. Borough Engineer’s Report Mr. Hall reported on the various Borough development projects (American Road and M&M). Mr. Hall reported on the work done on Grove Avenue; the improvements were signed off on by the DOT Local Aid which means the construction phase is complete. Cross discussion about a depression in a parking lot and an infiltration basin and flooding on Route 53. Mr. Hall reported on the Uncle Giuseppe’s development project stating that the target opening is sometime before Christmas. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Kelly reported on Troop 39’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor event on Saturday, September 25th 2021. Councilmember Kelly reported that Mr. Kevin Soutar received his Eagle rank in June and will be recognized at another Court of Honor event on December 4th 2021. Councilmember Kelly reported that work started on the trail around the Community Park pond last Saturday. Councilmember Kelly thanked Mayor Karr, all who helped and all who attended the 9-11 ceremony. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Goddard reported on the upcoming Board of Health Wellness Day. Councilmember Goddard reported on Teen Center activities including an in-person event on Friday, September 17th 2021 and the need for volunteer board members. Councilmember Goddard shared news relating to the Municipal Alliance. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Verga reported on the Morris County League of Municipalities dinner held last night and shared some of the keynote speaker’s comments. Councilmember Verga reported on recent storms and FEMA assistance. Councilmember Verga reported on an ordinance published by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) relating to electric vehicle supply service equipment and make-ready parking spaces. Councilmember Verga reported on the job posting for the Construction Office part-time clerk position. She also reported that online payment continues to be worked on and that Edmunds will not be able to implement it until next year. Councilmember Verga reported on website issues and planning/zoning meetings. Councilmember Verga reminded all that September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, ETC. Mayor Karr advised there are none. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Bruhn moved the vouchers for September 16th 2021 in the amount of $2,090,044.46, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilmember Goddard EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wagner moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:15 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk