City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held December 15, 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 Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: Cathie Kelly Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION There were no items for discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Goddard at 7:36 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2022-138 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:09 P.M. Councilmember Verga moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:10 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 December 15, 2022 at 8:31 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 December 1, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Goddard moved: Police Department, November 2022 Municipal Court November 2022 Borough Clerk, November 2022 Animal Licensing, November 2022 Animal Control, November 2022 Building Inspector, November 2022 Tipping Fees, April-November 2022 Sanitarian, November 2022 Resolution 2022-140 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF NON-FAIR AND OPEN CONTRACTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023.” Resolution 2022-141 entitled, “TRANSFER OF FUNDS.” Resolution 2022-142 entitled, “CANCEL UNEXPENDED 2022 BUDGET APPROPRIATION BALANCES.” Resolution 2022-143 entitled, “FORM OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF ITEMS OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION NJS 40A:4-87 NJ CLEAN ENERGY-COMMUNITY ENERGY GRANT.” Resolution 2022-144 entitled, “RESOLTUION AUTHORIZING A THREE MONTH EXTENSION OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH ANIMAL CONTROL SOLUTIONS, LLC.” David Kosakowski, Police Officer, be granted permission to carry 12 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Bruce Rapp, Detective Sergeant, be granted permission to carry 16 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Joseph Heinz, Detective, be granted permission to carry 11 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Jeffrey Hochman, Sergeant, be granted permission to carry 40 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Sarah Thornberry, Court Administrator, be granted permission to carry 14 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Karen Coffey, Administrative Assistant, be granted permission to carry 17 1/2 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31 st 2023. Susan Collopy, Construction Office Clerk, be granted permission to carry 17 1/2 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31 st 2023. RoseMarie Leyhan, Deputy Clerk, be granted permission to carry 14 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023. Robert Guild, Sergeant, be granted permission to carry 12 hours of vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023.  The resignation of Jack Cox, Board of Adjustment, be accepted, effective December 31, 2022. The resignation of Lucia Galdi, Shade Tree Commission, be accepted, effective December 31, 2022. Christian Votapek, Laborer, be granted the $1.00 per hour increase for receiving his Class B, CDL License, effective December 12, 2022. Thomas Silk, DPW to receive donated sick time from the following: Ana Thomas 32 Hours Thomas Silk, DPW to receive donated vacation time from the following: Ana Thomas 16 Hours The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute NJDOT Change Order No. 1 as per the Borough Engineer correspondence for Sunrise Drive. Having received quotes to pave Watnong Park for Pickle Ball Court from the following: Greik Brothers Paving $17,000.00 Bruin & Sons $18,500.00 Luigi Opipari Landscaping & Masonry $19,000.00 That a purchase order be issued to Greik Brothers Paving, P.O. Box 106, Morris Plains, NJ in the amount of $17,000.00. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly 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 Finance Office year end, tax sale and that the Clerk’s Office is working on reorganization meeting for 2023. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the new recording equipment for Court and that the first in person court session will take place theend of January. Ms. Verga reported we were awarded the American Rescue Plan Firefighter grant for turn out gear, cleaning and drying machines and air cylinders. She also reported on mutual aid calls, and that the Fire Department took part in the VFW tree sale, Santa Tour, Menorah Lighting and Gelt drop. Ms. Verga reported on the Fire Prevention end of year and life hazard inspections. Ms. Verga asked for support for the Fire Department annual fund drive and that volunteers are needed. Ms. Verga thanked Chief Koroski and the Police for their apprehension of suspects from two incidents that took place in Morris Plains. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on November calls and that two of the new officers will be on the road starting tomorrow. Chief Koroski reported on the Detective Bureau and the great job they are doing on cases. Public Works Councilmember Goddard congratulated Christian Votapek on achieving his CDL License. She also reported on website updates for 2023 which will include a new translation feature with 10 different languages on our page, online payments, accessibility for individuals with disabilities and the privacy statement and that social media posts will be updated with a social share button. Councilmember Goddard gave an update on deer culling. Engineer’s Report Mr. Hall reported on the Glenbrook Road D.O.T. grant and that field work will be starting soon. He also gave an update on the M&M Affordable Housing building, Lennar at American Road and Route 53 Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported that the Volunteer of the Year, Cavan Markt raised over $2,000.00 for Ukrainian children. Mr. Bruhn reported on Shade Tree members, Santa Claus coming to town and thanked all the businesses in town for their support on the event. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers None. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported that JCP&L will be cleaning up vegetation and overgrowth in January he also reported on the Planning Board hearing for the development of 2 warehouses and office space on Tabor Road. Councilmember Verga thanked Suzanne McCluskey for all of her work on the winter farmer’s market. PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS PETITIONS, ETC. 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. 20 - 2022 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, NEW JERSEY, 1972”. Councilmember Goddard seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Wagner offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on December 15, 2022 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on December 29, 2022 at 7:00 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 Bruhn seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 18 - 2022 AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING SALARIES AND LONGEVITY PAY which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on December 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, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 19-2022 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22, TRAFFIC AND PARKING, SECTIONS 22-2 ENTITLED PENALTY AND 22-33 ENTITLED HANDICAPPED PARKING OF THE "REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, NEW JERSEY, 1972” TO ESTABLISH $250.00 AS THE PENALTY FOR IMPROPER HANDICAPPED PARKING. which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on December 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 Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for December 15, 2022 in the amount of $1,606,022.33 seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Kelly Abstain: Goddard EXECUTIVE SESSION None. Mayor Karr announced the passing of Walter Ness from VFW, 102 years old, WWII Veteran. RESOLUTIONS None. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:04 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk