City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held June 2nd 2022, at 7:31 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 Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Wagner gave an update regarding the banners for Speedwell Avenue. Councilmember Verga discussed a Police vehicle being retired that she would like transferred to the Fire Official. The vehicle will have Fire Department decals which they will pay for at no cost to the Borough and have regular fleet maintenance that is already established by the Borough of all vehicles. Cross discussion. The Council unanimously decided the vehicle can be transferred and Mr. Horan will draft a resolution. Councilmember Verga discussed the ordinance that was tabled to change the requirements for hiring of patrol officers. Chief Koroski and Councilmembers discussed staffing on squads and staffing minimums. The decision to hire up to three officers was unanimously decided without changing the requirements for the next round of hiring and changing the hiring requirements will be revisited if needed. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:28 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held June 2, 2022 at 8:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER APPROVAL OF MINUTES None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Goddard moved: REPORTS Fire Department, April 2022 Grant Writer Report May 2022 Resolution 2022-74 entitled, “ANNUAL REPORT OF AUDIT FOR THE YEAR 2021” Resolution 2022-75 entitled, “DORE ART CORPORATION A.B.C. LICENSE, State License NO. 1423-33-001-003.” Resolution 2022-76 entitled, “JO-LYN LIQUORS, INC. A.B.C. LICENSE, STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-44-003-003.” Resolution 2022-77 entitled, “WATNONG POST NO. 3401, V.F.W. A.B.C. LICENSE, STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-31-006-002.” Resolution 2022-78 entitled, “REDEMPTION RESOLUTION BLOCK NO. 81.01 LOT NO. 17 REDEEM 3RD PARTY TAX LIEN #2-18” Resolution 2022-79 entitled, “REFUND OF OVERPAYMENT.” Resolution 2022-80 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS 1, LLC A.B.C. LICENSE STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-33-005-009 (IN POCKET)” Resolution 2022-81 entitled, “KRIS INVESTMENTS, LLC A.B.C. LICENSE STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-44-002-007” Resolution 2022-82 entitled, “NOFITO, LLC A.B.C. LICENSE STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-33-004-003 (IN POCKET)” Carl Laskiewicz, 80 Maple Avenue, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a picnic to be held Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 10:30 am to dusk at the Community Park Pavilion. The residents of Lindstrom Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 3:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. with a rain date of Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 3:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Edward Duffy, be promoted to the position of Laborer in Department of Public Works and granted the appropriate hourly increase, retroactive to May 30, 2022. The Morris Plains Co-Op Play School be granted permission to use Simons Park for preschool end of school year celebrations Wednesday, June 8 th 2022 and Friday June 10th 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Finance office be authorized to purchase (4) Four I-pads for Borough Council use not to exceed $2,500.00. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. 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 and seeing no one, he closed this public portion of the meeting. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese reported on the annual audit and at this time there are only two tax liens. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the Memorial Day Parade and thanked the Fire Department, Police Department and Phil Wilk, the Grand Marshal for their participation. Councilmember Verga reported on the Police Department hiring process, a PD vehicle being transferred to the Fire Official and Fire Department training and Coffee with a Cop at Davenport Village. She also reported on the L.E.A.D. 5th grade graduation and thanked Officer Joseph Heinz for his participation in the program. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on the L.E.A.D. program and that the 4th reaccreditation of the Police Department inspection and review will be held June 6 th. Chief Koroski reported on the success of Coffee with a Cop and stated the next event will be held at Chic Fil A. Chief Koroski reported on the torch run for Special Olympics that he will also be participating in that will run through the Borough June 10th. He also reported that Officer Ann Marie Ferris is the senior citizen liaison and attends their monthly meetings. He is hoping to have the mobile DMV van come to Morris Plains in the next few months to help senior citizens with renewing licenses and registrations and is hoping to have the mobile unit come back to Morris Plains to help all residents that register in advance at a later date. Chief Koroski reported on calls for the month of May. Public Works Councilmember Goddard thanked John Signorelli and Leo Mulligan of the DPW for their leadership and support for making the town look great for the Memorial Day Parade. Councilmember Goddard reported on Pride month and flags that were placed by students and families at Borough Hall and entrances to parks. Councilmember Goddard reported on all the many ways to vote for the upcoming Primary Election. Councilmember Goddard reported the All Seasons Garden Club planted flower tubs on Speedwell Avenue and the money used to purchase the flowers are through fund raising. The DPW created “Water Wednesdays” where they will help the Garden Club with watering the tubs every Wednesday. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn thanked the parade committee, V.F.W., Police Department and Fire Department for participation in the Memorial Day Parade. Councilmember Bruhn gave an update on Summer Camp registration and stated that summer staffing is complete. Councilmember Bruhn reported on Family Day vendors and background checks. He also reported on the Shade Tree meeting, a grant received to plant trees in the Borough and a plaque that is going to be purchased for the “Pearl Law Tree” which is one of the largest trees in Morris Plains. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the registration for the food handlers class at the Community Center and on the Clean Community’s report that was submitted to the State and the crews for cleanup. Councilmember Kelly reported that reusable bags are being distributed at the Community Center. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported the grand opening of Crumbl Cookie will be on June 10th in Briarcliff Commons, which will now only have 2 vacancies. Councilmember Wagner reported on a meeting with engineer Leon Hall regarding Open Space and that Mr. Hall will be supplying updated color coded maps. Mayor Karr reported Woodham Korean BBQ will be operating with a winery license in their establishment. Ms. Denman explained Villa Milagro Vineyards applied for a winery privilege license with the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control that would authorize them to have an Outlet/Showroom at Woodham Korean BBQ and to offer samples for on premises consumption and to sell its products in original packages at retail to consumers for on or off premises consumption. The premise remains a BYOB establishment where customers may bring their own wine as well. Mayor Karr reported the SMCMUA will be at the July 7th conference meeting to update on their infrastructure. Mayor Karr reported on Silk City Films creating a short documentary for the Borough which would showcase schools and small businesses and that the cost would be covered by donations. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for June 2, 2022 in the amount of $1,980,914.89 seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Goddard at 9:05 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2022-74 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. So ordered. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 10:25 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 10:26 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk