City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held May 5th 2022, at 7:33 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 2022; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 6th 2022, 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: Joan Goddard, Council President Salvatore Cortese Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Councilmember Bruhn arrived late at 7:37 PM Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr introduced and invited Mr. Robert Flynn, JCP&L to share an update with the Council. Mr. Flynn gave a presentation on the new Smart Meter program that was approved by the BPU. Installation of Smart Meters will begin in 2023. The new meters will be digital and work on radio frequencies that will submit electric usage readings on accounts for more accurate customer billing. Mr. Flynn said customers will be notified one month before their meter is changed. He also noted there is less radio frequency on the new meters than a cell phone or garage door opener. Cross discussion. Mayor Karr asked Mr. Flynn to explain the actions taken during a major storm. Mr. Flynn described each step that is taken during a major storm. Cross discussion. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:28 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held May 5, 2022 at 8:32 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Goddard moved: That the minutes of the Executive and Regular Meetings of April 21, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Goddard moved: REPORTS Treasurer, March 2022 Tax Collector, March 2022 Sanitarian, March 2022 Police Department, April 2022 Grant Report, April 2022 Animal Control, April 2022 Resolution 2022-65 entitled, “RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CHANGE IN CUSTODIAN OF A PETTY CASH FUND-JOHN SIGNORELLI” Resolution 2022-66 entitled, “RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CHANGE IN CUSTODIAN OF PETTY CASH FUND-JOSEPH CECALA” Resolution 2022-67 entitled, “AUTHORIZING TO SET UP A RESERVE FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND PERMITTING OF COMMUNITY PARK TRAILS FOR THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS” Resolution 2022-68 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE DMHAS YOUTH LEADERSHIP GRANT.” Anthony Lagalante, 57 Burch Drive, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at first year birthday party to be held Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 12:30 pm to 4:000 pm at the Community Park Pavilion. Having polled the Borough Council on April 22, 2022, the Mayor was authorized to sign the Click-it or Tick-it grant application. Award of Contract 2022.01, Improvements to Sunrise Drive to 4 Clean-Up, Inc. for their low bid of $222,518.10, subject to the Borough Attorney’s review of the bid documents and concurrence from the NJDOT. The Borough Council authorize the release and return of Soil Disturbance Bond #S316896 in the amount of $75,000.00 to M&M at Morris Plains, LLC per the Borough Engineer’s correspondence dated April 22, 2022. The Education Foundation of Morris Plains be granted permission to hold a 5K Race in the Borough along the designated route on Sunday, November 6th 2022 beginning at 8:00 A.M. with the Police Department to provide traffic control and notification through Rave Alert and Police Department Social Media to the affected residents, they will also provide any necessary barricades. The Department of Public Works be authorized to advertise for the position of Temporary Summer Help. The Program Instructors attached be hired for the Recreation Summer Enhancement program at the position, rate and session date stated for the 2022 Summer programs. Ross and Allison Malpere, 3 Mayfair Road, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a birthday party to be held Saturday, June 18, 2022 from noon to sundown at the Community Park Pavilion. Having polled the Council on May 4, 2022, that a Filming Permit will be issued to Lone Wolf Media for use of the Council Chambers and lobby 531 Speedwell Avenue on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak. Jennifer Meehan, 40 Sylvan Drive, introduced herself and stated she is running for Council. Ms. Meehan spoke about small business week and asked the Council what steps they were taking to help promote small businesses. Cross discussion from the Business Development Committee and the process small businesses had to do to receive a $15,000.00 from Morris County. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese thanked Ms. Ana Thomas, CFO and auditor Valerie Dolan who were present for the 2022 Budget adoption. Councilmember Cortese reported on the trail grant resolution on tonight’s agenda and that PBA contract negotiations were postponed. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported that our Volunteer Fire Department has recently responded to multiple fires both in town and out of town and thanked them for their hard work. Councilmember Verga reported on upcoming Fire Department training. Councilmember Verga reported on a weekly meeting with Chief Koroski and the ongoing training for officers. Councilmember Verga reported on electric bikes, scooters, etc. that can be used on sidewalks or paved paths in town. Police Department’s Report Lieutenant McKay reported on recent statistics for the Police Department which included 2,592 calls. Lieutenant McKay reported on the back Drug Take Back that took place at Stop and Shop on April 30th. He also reported the new hybrid police car has been delivered and should be in service at the end of the month. Lieutenant McKay reported on the “Leave Behind Law” a Narcan kit will be left behind if a person does not want to go to the hospital for overdose treatment. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported the DPW is getting ready for spring including spreading mulch, setting up for the rabies clinic, updating batting cages and the hiring of summer help and that two DPW employees completed classes to become certified pool operators as fill ins for an emergency if needed. Councilmember Goddard reported the Beautification Committee has been busy mulching and planting around town and gave updates on the Community Garden. Councilmember Goddard reported on a Trail Grant meeting with the County which included map plans, she will update with further information when available. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported on the last Memorial Day Parade Committee meeting stating this year’s parade looks to be very successful. Councilmember Bruhn reported on a Recreation Commission meeting and online registration for camp and pool membership. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported the plastic bag ban is in effect and the Recycling Center can no longer accept plastic bags for recycling and that the Recycling Center will be closed May 28th(Memorial Day weekend) Councilmember Kelly reported on Teen Center events and the upcoming parent orientation for 5th grade students and stressed the need for parent volunteers and chaperones for the Teen Center. Councilmember Kelly reported on Municipal Alliance FAST programs and the resolution for DMHAS grant resolution that was approved at tonight’s meeting. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on a meeting with Chief Koroski with continued discussion regarding parking permits for 15 streets that have a 1, 2, 3 or 6-hour restriction. He will present the final outcome to the council for approval once all the details are finalized. Councilmember Wagner reported on the small business grant applications and that many businesses in town have applied. He also reported on completeness for an application with the Planning Board of the multi-family building on Tabor Road. Mayor Karr reported May 4th was International Fire Fighter’s Day and recognized and thanked all of the Volunteer Fire Fighters in the Borough. Councilmember Goddard spoke on the passing of longtime resident, Paul Sambrowski who was a true hero and noted flags were displayed on Speedwell Avenue for his funeral. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Adoption of 2022 Budget Mayor Karr gave a brief overview of the 2022 Budget. Ms. Ana Thomas, CFO, thanked the Council and Boards for their input on the budget and all of their hard work. Ms. Thomas said she reviewed other towns budgets and Morris Plains does a wonderful job with the help of this Council to keep the costs down for their residents. Ms. Valerie Dolan, auditor Nisovaccia, reiterated Ms. Thomas’ statements and said the Borough was under review that the State requires every 3 years and the process was smooth due to the hard work of all involved. The Mayor announced that the meeting was open for a public hearing on the budget. Seeing no one, Mayor Karr closed this public hearing on the budget. Councilmember Cortese moved the adoption of 2022 municipal budget in the amount of $11,537,588.13 Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 5 -2022 AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION, AND REVISION OF “CHAPTER 13, 2000 BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE” TO RENAME A PORTION OF THE EXISTING B-1 BUSINESS DISTRICT CURRENTLY ENCOMPASSING BLOCK 34, LOT 13; AND BLOCK 33 LOTS 9 AND 10 TO THE NEW B-5 BUSINESS DISTRICT. ALL EXISTING REGULATIONS AND PROVISIONS FOR THE B-1 BUSINESS DISTRICT SHALL APPLY TO THE NEW RENAMED B-5 BUSINESS DISTRICT. SPECIFIC SECTIONS AMENDED INCLUDE: SECTION 13-4.14(C)(VIII); SECTION 13-4.14C(2.2)(D)(II); SECTION 13-5.1(A)(1); SECTION 13-5.1B; SECTION 13-5.1(C); SECTION 13-5.1(D); SECTION 13-5.2(A)(9); SECTION 13-5.2(A)(10)(10.7); SECTION 13-5.2(A)(12)(12.1); SECTION 13-5.2(16)(16.1); SECTION 13-5.2(B)(1)(1.3); SECTION 13-5.7(D)(4); SECTION 13-5.8(C); SECTION 5.8(C)(1)(1.1); SECTION 5.8(C)(1)(1.1)(e); SECTION 13-5.8(C)(3)(3.1); SECTION 13-5.8(C)(4); AND SECTION 13- 5.8(C)(7). which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on April 7, 2022. 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 Wagner stated that the above ordinance as read by title on Second Reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Attorney John Horan commented on a typographical error on this ordinance that did not change the substance of the ordinance. All agreed to this amendment. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 6- 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $410,000.00 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS in and BY THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on April 21, 2022. 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 Wagner 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 Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. RESOLUTIONS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for May 5, 2022 in the amount of $1,769,966.97 seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:33 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk