City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held September 15th 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 Salvatore Cortese Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: Art Bruhn Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISSSSION Councilmember Bruhn is absent tonight due to his attendance at the Volunteer Fire Fighter’s Convention. Councilmember Kelly spoke about the upcoming Strides for Education event and thanked Mayor Karr and Councilmember Verga for their help. Councilmember Wagner discussed an email from Dan Callas at Avenues in Motion, formerly Trans Options, regarding a transportation forum that will be held in early 2023 and municipalities are asked to complete an assessment. Councilmember Wagner will email the clerk with the information to be distributed to Mayor and Council. Councilmember Verga spoke about the cleaning services for municipal buildings and the possibility of doing an RFP for cleaning services. Cross discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Goddard at 7:44 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2022-108 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:04 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. Mayor Karr spoke about the court regionalization survey that was sent a few weeks ago. Cross discussion. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:09 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 September 15, 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. PRESENTATIONS Proclamation-Ripley Politi Chief Koroski read a proclamation for Ripley Politi, who was injured in his home on September 5, 2022. The Police Department will be visiting Ripley in the future to present him with the proclamation and a motorized police car. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Goddard moved: REPORTS Municipal Court August 2022 Animal Control, August 2022 Borough Clerk, August 2022 Animal Licensing, August 2022 Police Department, August 2022 Building Inspector, August 2022 Resolution 2022-109 entitled, “RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID PROPOSAL OF AIR GROUP, LLC. TO PERFORM HEATING AND COOLING WORK AT BOROUGH HALL AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH AIR GROUP, LLC. FOR THIS SERVICE.” The residents of Dogwood Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The residents of Wyndwood Road and Greenwood Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M with a rain date of Sunday, September 25th. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The Department of Public Works be authorized to advertise for the position of Laborer. The residents of Maple Ave and Florin Lane be granted permission to hold a Block Party on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 2:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M., with a rain date of Sunday, September 25, 2022. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn 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 No report at this time. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the 9/11 ceremony and thanked retired FDNY firefighter Greg Manning, Police Department, Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary and DPW for their involvement in the ceremony. She also reported that some of the Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department members are attending the NJ State Firemen’s Convention in Wildwood and will be attending seminars and training. Councilmember Verga reported there will be a new app to download for fire calls. Councilmember Verga reported on the public safety meeting held September 7th. and that the next level of Police Department interviews will be October 6th. She also reported on Police Department training for emotionally disturbed individuals. Councilmember Verga reported it is Hispanic Heritage month and Suicide Prevention month. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on preliminary approval for reaccreditation and will sit with the review panel on October 13th for final approval. Chief Koroski reported on the upcoming Coffee with a Cop will take place on October 5th at Dunkin Donuts, and October 29th will be drug take back at Stop and Shop. Chief Koroski reported sidewalk, guardrail and concrete work will begin on Route 202 on Monday and will not interrupt traffic. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on the Beautification meeting and plans discussed for fall clean up, fall plantings in the pots and Watnong Park. Councilmember Goddard reported that the Community Garden donated 1,500 pounds of produce for the Food Pantry and 550 pounds to Table of Hope. Councilmember Goddard reported that the DPW completed line painting, maintenance on vehicles, sewer maintenance and that leaf pick up will begin October 17th. Councilmember Goddard gave an update on the deer cull. Engineer Mr. Hall reported paving on Sunrise Drive has been completed. Mr. Hall gave an update on various projects in the Borough including Route 53, American Road developments and City MD construction. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the and Clean Committees booth at the Block Dance and that fall clean ups are being scheduled. She also reported there will be a Household Hazardous Waste drop off on September 24th. Councilmember Kelly reported on Teen Center activities, Wellness Day and Garage Sale Days. Councilmember Kelly reported that September 26th is National Eat Dinner with Your Family Day which reduces substance abuse in teens and that families can submit a picture to enter into a contest to win a gift certificate for a Morris Plains restaurant. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on Building Department permits. He also reported that the Board of Adjustment meeting will be held on September 26 and that the Diner will be reopening soon. Councilmember Wagner reported on the Business Development Committee meeting, best practices and the hope to become a nonprofit, 5013C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 14-2022 AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION, AND REVISION OF “CHAPTER 13, 2000 BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE” TO PROVIDE MILITARY VETERANS WHO QUALIFY WITH PREFERENCE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASSISTANCE. which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on September 1, 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 Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. RESOLUTIONS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for September 15, 2022 in the amount of $2,088,104.83 seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 8:53 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk