City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held January 19th 2023, at 7:32 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 2023; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 5th 2023, AND PUBLISHED IN THE MORRIS NEWS BEE AND THE DAILY RECORD; AND BY 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: Dennis Wagner, Council President Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr stated Liz Leheny and Leon Hall will be at the February 16, 2023 meeting to discuss zoning changes. Mayor Karr referred to the Consent Agenda regarding plans and specifications being prepared for improvement projects by the Borough Engineer. Mayor Karr stated to Councilmember Kelly we approved a three-month extension on the Animal Control contract and will need to work on a permanent contract. Mayor Karr reported the receipt of a grant for $250,000.00 for Glenbrook Road improvements. Mayor Karr asked Councilmember Wagner to speak with Ed Easse regarding a replacement for the Construction Official position. Councilmember Wagner stated he forwarded everyone’s contact information to Paul Bastante who will be conducting interviews for the upcoming Morris Plains movie. Councilmember Goddard referred to the resignation/retirements of DPW employees on the consent agenda and granting permission to hire replacements. Councilmember Verga discussed live streaming Council meetings. Cross discussion Councilmember Verga discussed the budget process and suggested to have department heads to come to a meeting to present their budget proposals. Cross discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 8:15 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-28 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:26 P.M. Councilmember Wagner moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:26 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 January 19, 2023 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 Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of December 29, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the annual Re-Organization Meeting, January 5, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Police Department, December 2022 Municipal Court December 2022 Borough Clerk, December 2022 Animal Licensing, December 2022 Sanitarian, December 2022 Animal Control, December 2022, Annual Report 2022 Grant Writer, December 2022 Resolution 2023-29 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, MORRIS COUNTY ADAPTIVE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM.” Resolution 2023-30 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED FIRST LIMO CAR SERVICE, LLC LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE NO. L02-9383-2023.” Resolution 2023-31 entitled, “HSA MORRIS PLAINS RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 335- 23.” Resolution 2023-32 entitled. “RESOLUTION APPROVING CORRESPONDENCE FROM DEVELOPER REGARDING TITLE 39 ENFORCEMENT FOR BLOCK 11 LOT 3.” Resolution 2023-33 entitled, “CANCEL UNEXPENDED AND DEDICATED BALANCES OF GENERAL CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS.” Resolution 2023-34 entitled, “RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE NEW JERSEY SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM” The Mayor be authorized to execute the NJDOT Highway Occupancy for sidewalk improvements to Tabor Rd/Rt53 project. The resignation of Jacob Kiener, Assistant Diesel Mechanic, Department of Public Works, be accepted, effective February 1, 2023. The retirement of Thomas Silk, Master Senior Operator, Department of Public Works, be accepted, effective April 1, 2023. The retirement of Sherwood Stevens, Master Senior Operator, Department of Public Works, be accepted, effective May 1, 2023. The retirement of Lieutenant Michael Rolph, Police Department, be accepted, effective May 1, 2023. The Borough Council approve the membership application of Colin Williams, 22 Stonybrook Road, Morris Plains as a member of the Morris Plains Junior Fire Auxiliary. The Department of Public Works be authorized to advertise for the positions of Laborer, Assistant Mechanic, Laborer with Class B CDL required. Lieutenant Ryan McKay receive the appropriate stipend for having earned his Bachelor’s Degree as of December 2019, retroactive to January 1, 2020.  Borough Council authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Greenwood Road, Briarcliff Road, Stony Brook Road, Simons Drive, Homer Avenue, Crestview Court East, Brook Drive South, Cutler Road & Concrete sidewalk & stairs at Freight Station improvement project. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None POLICE DEPARTMENT – ACCREDITATION PRESENTATION Chief Harry Delgado, Accreditation Program Manager gave a brief overview of the accreditation process. Morris Plains Police Department has been accredited since 2007, their 5th accreditation which puts them in an exclusive group of only 3.7% of departments that have been reaccredited more than 3 times. Chief Koroski thanked Chief Delgado and Sergeant Rolph, the accreditation manager, Sergeant Guild and Lieutenant McKay who put in so much time to work on this reaccreditation. Chief Koroski also thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued guidance and support. Mayor Karr thanked everyone for all of their work and the professionalism of all Officers and congratulated them on their great achievement. 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 the 1st budget meeting is in 45 days and encouraged councilmembers to meet with their committees. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on Fire Department calls and training. She also reported on a FEMA grant Chief Rongo is applying for to receive funds for air cylinders. Ms. Verga reported on Police Department training and congratulated Mike Rolph on his retirement. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on receipt of the AAA Gold Standard Award for pedestrian crash enforcement efforts. Chief Koroski reported Officer Zarrillo attended crisis intervention training, the Junior Police Academy starts in July and that there has been an uptick in firearms applications. Chief Koroski offered best wishes and congratulations to Mike Rolph on his retirement. Public Works Councilmember Goddard wished DPW employees Tom Silk, Sherwood Stevens and Jacob Kiener best of luck in their retirement and resignation respectively. She also referred to the consent agenda granting permission to hire replacements. Ms. Goddard reported the DPW has been removing holiday decorations, picking up Christmas trees, preparing salters, preparing the ice skating rink, fixing potholes and displayed the flags for Martin Luther King Day. Engineer Report Mr. Hall reported on design plan and permit approval from the DOT for the Route 53 sidewalk. He also reported on plans and specifications for Glenbrook Road DOT grant and that Central Avenue will be closed for a day to connect water and sewer at the new construction. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported on the Shade Tree reorganization meeting and that they will be planting new trees in the Spring. He also reported on Pickle ball at the Community Center and that the Memorial Day Parade kick off meeting will be next week. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the Teen Center meeting and skating at Mennen Arena for 6, 7 and 8th graders. She also reported on the Board of Health reorganization meeting; animal licensing and retail food establishment inspections. Ms. Kelly reported on various Municipal Alliance programs and the LEAD program and that over 300 rabies vaccines were administered at the free clinic. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on the Planning Board Tabor Road Owner approval for two warehouses on east side of Route 53. He also reported that a new street light was installed at the crosswalk at Watnong Park. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for January 19th, 2023 in the amount of $2,261,728.92 seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 9:05 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-35 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. So ordered. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 9:47 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:47 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk