City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held March 16, 2023, 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 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 Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Absent: Art Bruhn Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Wagner updated on interview scheduling with Paul Bassante from Silk City Films. Councilmember Verga reported that Autodidact Brewery will have a soft opening this weekend, Mayor and Council are invited, and the official opening will be on March 24th. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 7:36 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-49 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 7:57 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. CONFERENCE MEETING RE OPENED Councilmember Wagner reported on an LDO ordinance regarding boarders, roomers and Airbnb. The ordinance from 2016 will be repealed and the recommendation from the Zoning Officer is to institute a limited time frame on boarders in residential zones. Cross discussion regarding rental registration process and applications. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:09 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 March 16, 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 Meeting of March 2, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Budget Meeting Workshop and Executive of March 3, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Grant Writer, February 2023 Animal Control, February 2023 Municipal Court February 2023 Borough Clerk, February 2023 Animal Licensing February 2023 Sanitarian, February 2023 Police Department, February 2023 Treasurer, February 2023 Tax Collector, February 2023 Resolution 2023-50 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR JOHNSON ROAD SEWER PUMPING STATION REPLACEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,205,000.00.” Resolution 2023-51 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO FEDERAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING TO REPLACE SEWER FORCE MAINS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,975,050.00” Resolution 2023-52 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FY24 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING PROGRAM SPONSORED BY SENATOR CORY BOOKER FOR JOHNSON ROAD SEWER PUMPING STATION REPLACEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,205,000.” Resolution 2023-53 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FY24 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING PROGRAM SPONSORED BY SENATOR CORY BOOKER TO REPLACE SEWER FORCE MAINS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,975,050.” Resolution 2023-54 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FY24 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING PROGRAM SPONSORED BY SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ FOR JOHNSON ROAD SEWER PUMPING STATION REPLACEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,205,000.” Resolution 2023-55 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FY24 CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING PROGRAM SPONSORED BY  SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ TO REPLACE SEWER FORCE MAINS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,975,050.” Resolution 2023-56 entitled, “REFUND OF OVERPAYMENT” Resolution 2023-57 entitled, “REDEMPTION RESOLUTION” Resolution 2023-58 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT FOR WEBSITE SERVICES TO AGILE WEBSITES FOR APRIL 1, 2023 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2024 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN SAME.” Resolution 2023-59 entitled, “REDEMPTION RESOLUTION” Permission be granted for the Morris Plains Farmers Market to be conducted Saturdays, June 10th 2023 through October 7th 2023 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a Holiday Market scheduled for December 2, 2023 in the Merchant Block and that the Department of Public Works will supply the necessary barricades. Chris Mason, be appointed as acting Sub-Code Official in the Building Department effective April 1, 2023. The Warner Lambert Retirees/Morris Plains Seniors, be granted permission to park approximately twelve (12) cars at Simons Park beginning Monday, June 19, 2023 through Thursday, June 29, 2023, while on a trip to California. Philip Wilk be hired as Fire Sub-Code Official, in the Construction Office at an annual salary of $9,550.00, effective March 1, 2023. Philip Wilk Fire Sub-Code Official, Construction Office be approved for fire inspections under Weekend and Off-Hour Inspections at a rate of $45.90 per hour. William O’Connor be hired as Construction Official at an annual salary of $39,000.00 effective April 1, 2023. The Borough Clerk be authorized to advertise for the position of Part Time Facilities Coordinator in the Community Center. Having received quotes for installing electrical service from Jaqui Avenue to Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot from the following: Horan Electric Inc. $7,200.00 Hyland Electric $7,900.00 Crotty Electric, LLC $8,300.00 A purchase order be issued to Horan Electric Inc., 9 Kathleen Place, Morris Plains, NJ in the amount of $7,200.00. The following employees to donate sick time to an eligible “Leave Recipient”: Michael Koroski, Chief, PD 40 Hours Ryan McKay, Lieutenant, PD 36 Hours Joseph Heinz, Detective, PD 36 Hours Bruce Rapp, Detective Sergeant, PD 33 Hours David Kosakowski, Police Officer, PD 24 Hours Alfred Mulligan, DPW 40 Hours Ana Thomas, Finance 70 Hours Sarah Thornberry, Municipal Court 28 Hours RoseMarie Leyhan, Clerk’s Office 14 Hours Tracy Rooney, Finance 35 Hours Rosanne Denman, Clerk’s Office 21 Hours Borough Council authorize the release and return of replacement fee in the amount of $8,500.00 to Independence Constructors, Inc., 1200 Route 22, Suite 2000, Bridgewater, NJ for Road Opening #972 per the Borough Engineer’s correspondence dated February 8, 2023. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga 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 Councilmember Cortese reported the final budget meeting will be March 24 th, and commented on employee donation of sick time to another employee. He also commented on the retirement of Construction Official Ed Easse. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported that Autodidact Brewery will be opening on March 24th. She also reported on website updates from 2022 which included addition of online forms, registration and online tax payments; and that there will be more additions in 2023. Ms. Verga reported on a radio malfunction with the Fire Department that is being fixed and that Fire Department members participated in the Morristown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski congratulated the Guild Family on the birth of their new baby boy. He also reported that two officers attended the Morristown parade to provide traffic and crowd control updated on February calls. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on DPW Spring cleanup in parks, pot hole repair, flower tubs and salting earlier in the week. She also gave an update on the Deer Cull and reported on the Farmers Market, Outdoor Dining to begin April 1st. and the Business Development Committee. Engineer Report Mr. Hall reported on City MD construction, JMF on American Road and Route 53. Mr. Hall reported on Glenbrook Road application with NJ DOT. Public Buildings & Grounds In the absence of Councilmember Bruhn, no report was given Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the Teen Center Dance and openings on the Board. She also reported on Municipal Alliance Stage Fun performance, Clean Communities and LEAD graduation. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on the new construction official and thanked all involved in the process. He also reported on a meeting with the Verizon liaison to discuss ways the Borough can save money. 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. 6- 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 18-2022 CREATING A BUILDING SUB-CODE OFFICIAL POSITION Councilmember Verga seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Wagner offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on March 16, 2023 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on April 6, 2023 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 Goddard seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. Councilmember Wagner introduced the following ordinance and read the same by title and moved that it be passed on First Reading. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE 5-2023 CALENDAR YEAR 2023 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14) which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on March 2, 2023. 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 Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for March 16, 2023 in the amount of $2,321,792.63 seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:01 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk