City Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough Council held December 30th 2021 at 7:08 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. “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: Cathie Kelly, Council President Art Bruhn via phone Joan Goddard Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: Sal Cortese Present: Jonathan Frodella, Esq. representing Borough Attorney Ursula Leo PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER Mayor Karr welcomed all members of the public attending this meeting and provided informational guidance relating to the meeting, including how to participate during all public portions of the meeting. APPOINTMENTS OF THE MAYOR Community Development Representative Robert Martin One Year Community Development Alternate Michael Bozza One Year APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Kelly moved: Resolution 2021-174 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVENUE SHARING COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE.” Resolution 2021-175 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF NON-FAIR AND OPEN CONTRACTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022.” Resolution 2021-176 entitled, “REDEMPTION RESOLUTION BLOCK NO. 194 LOT NO. 9 REDEEM 3RD PARTY TAX LIEN#7-19.” Resolution 2021-177 entitled, “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SALARIES.” Tracy Scanlon, 8 Carlyle Avenue, Morris Plains, be hired as a Substitute Crossing Guard for the Police Department at the appropriate daily rate, effective January 1, 2022. Borough Council authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Beaver Ridge Road, Coursen Way, Holiday Drive, Lakeview Drive, Oregon Trail, Rudden Lane, Schoolview Drive, Walsh Way & Freight Station Walkway improvement project. Ana Thomas, CFO, Treasurer, be granted permission to carry 28 hours (4 days) of vacation from 2021 to 2022, which shall be used by March 31 st 2022. Permission for David Kosakowski, Police Officer, to carry 18 hours of vacation from 2021 to 2022, be rescinded. Permission for Michael Koroski, Police Dept. Chief, to carry 36 hours of vacation from 2021 to 2022, be rescinded, and that he be granted  permission to carry over 28 hours of vacation which shall be used by March 31st 2022. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Goddard, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Cortese Abstain: None GREETINGS OF PUBLIC AND 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 None. Public Safety None. Police Department’s Report None. Public Works None. Borough Engineer’s Report None. Public Buildings & Grounds None. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Goddard reported the 2022 rabies clinic has been postponed and each registrant was personally contacted regarding the cancelation. Late fees will be waived to allow residents time to get their pets vaccinated. Mayor Karr thanked Councilmember Goddard for all the work she has done on the Community Park Trail Grant application. The Borough has received $34,081.08. Congratulations. Councilmember Goddard thanked all who were involved, Borough Engineer, Leon Hall, Gerry Sittman and Denise Beckman. Mayor Karr also thanked the Morris County Commissioners. Ordinance & Public Utilities None. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, ETC. None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Verga read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 18 - 2021 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION AND REPEAL OF CERTAIN FEES SET FORTH IN THE FEE SCHEDULE OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-46, IN THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on December 16, 2021. The Mayor announced that the meeting was open for a public hearing on the ordinance. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the public hearing. Councilmember Verga stated that the above ordinance as read by title on Second Reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Goddard, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Cortese Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Kelly at 7:18 P.M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2020-178 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. So ordered. Voice Vote. All in favor. RESOLUTIONS A & E Salary Councilmember Bruhn moved that Resolution No. 2021-179 entitled “SALARIES FOR REGULAR FULL TIME AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Kelly, Bruhn, Goddard, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Cortese Abstain: None RESOLUTIONS Salaries Moved by Councilmember Bruhn: ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 7:52 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk