City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held April 6, 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 Absent: Art Bruhn Nancy Verga Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Wagner discussed the banners on our lamp posts can possibly be moved to telephone poles, however an application will need to be completed to obtain permission. Cross discussion. Mayor Karr stated there may be a problem because it is a State road and the brackets we have now may not work on telephone poles. Mr. Wagner discussed more banners for different seasons. Mayor Karr discussed trees being donated by JCP&L on The Buckley Way, a grant for 7 new electric vehicle charging stations and a meeting with Ana regarding HIF insurance which may cut costs. Mayor Karr discussed Bike Night on June 13th sponsored by Garden State Harley Davidson; barricading off Merchant Block and getting businesses involved. Cross discussion. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 7:40 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 April 6, 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 16, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga Abstain: None BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Budget Meeting Workshop and Executive of March 24, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Building Inspector, February 2023 Grant Writer, March 2023 Municipal Court March 2023 Police Department, March 2023 Resolution 2023-61 entitled, “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMNT OF A VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) CENTER IN NORTHWEST, NEW JERSEY.” Resolution 2023-62 entitled, “APPROVING SETTLEMENT ON APPEAL FROM ASSESSMENT WU/LH 500 AMERICAN, LLC v. MORRIS PLAINS BOROUGH BLOCK 111, LOT 1.05-500 AMERICAN ROAD DOCKET NOS. 006506-2016, 003577-2019, 002826-2020, 003924-2021, 002871-2022, 003445-2023 MORRIS COUNTY OUR FILE NO. 11,487.” Resolution 2023-63 entitled, “APPROVING SETTLEMENT ON APPEAL FROM ASSESSMENT 1775 & 1776 RT. 10 MORRIS PLAINS, LLC v. MORRIS PLAINS BOROUGH BLOCK 115, LOT 1.01-1767 RT. 10 DOCKET NOS: 008353-2021; 001088-2022; 001331-2023 MORRIS COUNTY OUR FILE NO: 11,487.” Resolution 2023-64 entitled, “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING PROCESS AND TESTING FOR APPOINTMENT OF A POLICE OFFICER TO THE MORRIS PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT.” The Borough Council approve the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring April 28th 2023, Arbor Day in the Borough of Morris Plains. The resignation of Edward Rice, crossing guard, be accepted, effective March 27, 2023. William Ellis, 4 Crestview Court West., Morris Plains, be hired as a Crossing Guard for the Police Department at a daily rate of $67.92, retroactive to March 27, 2023. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Morris Plains Fire Association be granted permission to hold their annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on the Fire House ramp, Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 8am to 2pm. The Memorial Day Parade Committee be granted permission to hold its 37thAnnual Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 27th 2023.  Friendly Sons of St. Patrick be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a picnic to be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10:00am to dusk at Community Park Pavilion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watnong Post 3401, be granted permission to distribute Little Red Buddy Poppies at various locations within the Borough of Morris Plains from May 1st through May 31st 2023. The Borough Treasurer be authorized to advertise for the receipt of bids for Improvements to Glenbrook Road, Contract No. 2023.01 with bids to be received on May 3, 2023, up to 10:00 A.M., Council Chambers Borough Hall. The Morris Plains Community Band be granted permission to hold five concerts at Roberts Garden on Wednesday August 2, August 9, August 16, August 23, and August 30 2023 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Having received quotes to Hydro-Rake Community Park Pond from the following: Lake Management Sciences-LMS. 48 hours over 4 days Equipment Transportation fee Total $9,881.00 Princeton Hydro, LLC NO QUOTE That a purchase order be issued to Lake Management Sciences-LMS, P.O. Box 2395, Branchville, NJ 07826 in the amount of $9,881.00. Having approval of Planning Board Resolution NO. 22-14 on November 21, 2022 authorizing the retention of Jessica Caldwell & Associates for the Tabor Road Owner, LLC matter that a payment be issued. The resignation of Nicholas Mossey, Probationary Police Officer, Police Department, be accepted, retroactive April 4, 2023. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga 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 Library was being picked as a historical site and a short film will be shot featuring the Library. Mr. Cortese also reported on the hydro raking at Community Park. Public Safety Councilmember Wagner reported the following in Councilmember Vergas absence: Members of the Traffic Committee attended the Municipal Transportation Forum. The theme of the forum was Vision Zero, which hopes to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries and the steps to be taken to create an action plan. A meeting with Fire Prevention discussing procedure changes and updating ordinances and lastly, recommendations for the Community Energy Plan. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on a legislation change regarding Emergency Operations Plan from a 5-year plan to 2-year plan. Chief Koroski reported on a scam involving an elderly resident in which surveillance was done and two parties were arrested. Officer Ferris will speak at the next senior meeting regarding scams. Chief Koroski updated on March calls, CPR Training for soccer coaches and Drug Take Back will be on April 22nd. Lastly, Chief Koroski reported April is Autism Awareness Month and gave an overview of the Blue Envelope Program. Mayor Karr thanked Mark Maire and the Morris County OEM for multi-agency training and reported on a meeting with a tour of Greystone Park with Chief Koroski and the new C.O.O. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on a meeting with the Beautification Committee and the 22 areas around the Borough that they are responsible for. Ms. Goddard reported the D.P.W. completed Spring cleanup, preparations for Little League Opening Day, brush pick and the start of opening the pool. Public Buildings & Grounds In the absence of Councilmember Bruhn, no report was given Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on Earth Day upcoming activities taking place at the schools and Community Center; Clean Communities will have a presentation at the April 20th council meeting. Ms. Kelly reported on a Boy Scouts camp out at Community Park and park cleanup, a walk to school event for 1st and 2nd graders and that the Teen Center dance was a success. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported that the reprinting of maps to be hung in Council Chambers will be completed soon, two ordinances are currently being revised one for short term rentals and an ordinance for construction equipment parked on Borough streets for an extended period of time. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 6- 2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 18-2022 CREATING A BUILDING SUB-CODE OFFICIAL POSITION which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on March 16, 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 Cortese. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Introduction of 2023 Municipal Budget Councilmember Cortese moved the approval of the 2023 municipal budget and provided specific details for General Appropriations Within Caps, Municipal Purposes ($11,208,617.45); Appropriations Excluded from Caps, Municipal Purposes ($5,700,587.06); Reserve for Uncollected Taxes ($1,724,918.94); Total General Appropriations ($18,634,123.45) less anticipated revenues other than current property tax ($6,587,353.81) and the difference – the amount to be raised by taxes for support of municipal budgeting including reserve for uncollected taxes ($12,046,769.64), seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga Abstain: None VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for April 6, 2023 in the amount of $1,095,051.65 seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Bruhn, Verga Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:02 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk