City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held June 16th 2022, at 7:30 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 PRESENTATIONS Shiven Joshi, 12 Forest Drive, presented an Eagle Scout project, “Thonus Pond Trail Beautification.” This project will work off of a previous Eagle Scout trail project at Thonus Pond to include benches and Poison Ivy signs along the trails. Cross discussion with Mayor and Council. Thomas Schnipp, 87 Maple Avenue, presented an Eagle Scout project, “Historical Trail of Davenport Ruins.” This project will consist of a trail from Sun Valley Way and Davenport Road through the woods to the Davenport Ruins with an informational sign. Cross discussion with Mayor and Council. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Kelly inquired about 2 resolutions on the consent agenda and wanted a further discussion on these items. Mayor Karr requested for the items to be moved from the consent agenda to the heading “Resolutions.” EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Goddard at 8:05 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2022-83 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:15 P.M. Councilmember Cortese moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:15 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held June 16, 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 Councilmember Goddard moved: That the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of May 19, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered Councilmember Goddard moved: That the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of June 2, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Goddard moved: REPORTS Municipal Court, May 2022 Police Department, May 2022 Sanitarian, May 2022 Animal Control, May 2022 Borough Clerk, May 2022 Animal Licensing, May 2022 Building Inspector, May 2022 Tax Collector, May 2022 Treasurer, May 2022 Resolution 2022-84 entitled, “ANNUAL AUDIT CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN.” Borough Council approves patrol vehicle 5 to be transported to NJ Police Security Expo in Atlantic City from June 27, 2022 thru June 30, 2022. Max Kamper be hired for summer help in the Department of Public Works at an hourly rate of $13.00, retroactive to June 13, 2022. The Mayor be authorized to execute the Shared Services Agreement for Public Health Services between the County of Morris, Department of Law & Public Safety, Division of Public Health and the Borough of Morris Plains. The Borough Treasurer be authorized to advertise for the receipt of bids for Improvements to the HVAC system at the municipal building with bids to be received on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, up to 10:00 A.M., Council Chambers Borough Hall. The highlighted Recreation Summer Camp Counselors attached be hired at the position, rate and date stated for the 2022 Summer Camp. The highlighted Community Park Pool Employees attached be hired for the Pool Season at the position, salary and date stated for the 2022 season. The Department of Public Works be authorized to advertise for the position of Laborer Mirela Alvarez, 250 Johnson Rd. be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a birthday party to be held Sunday, June 26, 2022 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm at the Community Park Pavilion. The Mayor be authorized to execute Contract 2022.02, for Improvements to Beaver Ridge Road, Coursen Way, Holiday Drive, Lakeview Drive, Oregon Trail, Rudden Lane, Schoolview Drive, Walsh Way and Freight Station Walkway between the Borough of Morris Plains and D.L.S. Contracting Inc. The Mayor be authorized to execute Contract 2022.01, Improvements to Sunrise Drive between the Borough of Morris Plains and 4 Clean-Up, Inc. 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 an upcoming Library events. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the receipt of the Community Energy Grant. Councilmember Verga reported on the Business Development Committee progress for 2022 goals set. Councilmember Verga gave updates on the Fire Prevention Bureau and Fire Department Training. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on the accreditation assessment and review process that was held on June 6th. Chief Koroski reported that Officer Grawehr has been trained on the Bike Patrol for community policing and any officer that would like to complete training can do so as well. Fire Department’s Report Chief Rongo reported on calls for May and June. Chief Rongo thanked volunteers for continuing to attend calls and training with gas prices so high and expressed the need for new members. Chief Rongo thanked the Council for considering the resolution for a Police Department vehicle to be moved to Fire Prevention for inspections. Chief Rongo will speak to the Finance Office in regards to an upcoming Fire Department grant in which they would receive funds for protective gear, cleaning equipment and virus protection materials. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on the recent Primary Election and thanked the Clerk’s Office and DPW for all of their work in setting and cleaning up. Councilmember Goddard reported on the pool opening, Flag Day and shared services with a pesticide expert to help with weeds, etc. around the Borough. Engineer’s Report Mr. Hall updated on the following construction sites, Lennar, City MD and Tabor Road parking lot. Mr. Hall reported on the request to the NJDOT for municipal aid for Glenbrook Road and Northview Drive repaving. He also reported on a preconstruction meeting for various roads repaving project and on the American Road cul-de-sac. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported that pool membership and camp membership has increased and stated the dates of the upcoming Shade Tree and Recreation meetings. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported that new recycling containers will be delivered soon. She also reported on Board of Health inspections for pools and health education activities. She also reported on the 20th anniversary of the Farmer’s Market and the upcoming Morris Plains Garden Tour. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on permit issuance from the Building Department. He also reported that a fitness center will be opening on Route 10 and a florist on Speedwell Avenue. Councilmember Wagner reported on SMCMUA hydrant flushing and the 2021 drinking water quality report that was published. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, ETC. Mayor Karr read a letter received by the Arbor Day Foundation naming Morris Plains a Tree City USA for 2021. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Councilmember Wagner introduced the following ordinance and read the same by title and moved that it be passed on First Reading . ORDINANCE NO. 7 - 2022 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $75,000.00 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN’S LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY Councilmember Goddard seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Wagner offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on June 16, 2022 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on July 7, 2022 at 8:30 P.M. prevailing time in the Municipal Building in the said Borough, this Council will further consider for Second Reading and final passage of said ordinance. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of this Borough be and she is hereby directed to publish and mail the proper notice therefor, including the ordinance, post the ordinance on the Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building and make copies available to members of the general public. Councilmember Verga seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Goddard introduced and read the following resolution by title: Resolution 2022-85 entitled, “A Resolution of Mayor and Borough Council Authorizing the Use of a Specific Vehicle by the Borough Fire Prevention Bureau” Cross discussion by Councilmember Kelly, Mr. Horan and Councilmembers Seconded by Councilmember Verga Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: Kelly Absent: None Abstain: None Councilmember Goddard introduced and read the following resolution by title: Resolution 2022-86 entitled, “A Resolution Authorizing the Hiring Process and Testing for Appointment of up to Three Police Officer to the Morris Plains Police Department” Cross discussion by Councilmember Kelly, Chief Koroski and Councilmembers Seconded by Councilmember Verga Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for June 16, 2022 in the amount of $453,154.83 seconded by Councilmember Kelly. 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 9:25 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk