City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held June 15, 2023, at 5:04 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY THE CLERK OF THIS BOROUGH BY PREPARING A NOTICE DATED June 1st 2023 SPECIFYING THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF THIS MEETING; POSTING SUCH NOTICE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND FORWARDING THE NOTICE TO MORRIS COUNTY’S DAILY RECORD AND THE MORRIS NEWS BEE; AND I HEREBY HAND A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE TO THE CLERK OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS FOR INCLUSION IN THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING, 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 Mayor Karr stated that the Council will immediately be going into Executive Session to conduct Police Department interviews. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 5:05 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-91 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:01 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. CONFERENCE MEETING RE OPENED ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr discussed the Storm water Compliance Grant and the Spotted Lantern Fly Grant, both for $15,000.00, the Borough received. Mayor Karr said we will be notified of a new regional manager from N.J. Transit for our area. Mayor Karr asked Councilmember Verga for an update on the fire truck being updated and painted. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 8:07 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-91A titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:22 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 8:22 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held June 15, 2023 at 8:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER Notice to members of the Governing Body and Borough Staff: Any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purposes of Borough business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meeting of May 18, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Councilmember Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meeting of June 1, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Grant Writer, May 2023 Municipal Court, May 2023 Police Department, May 2023 Building Inspector, May 2023 Sanitarian, May 2023 Animal Control, May 2023 Borough Clerk, May 2023 Animal Licensing, May 2023 Tax Collector, May 2023 Treasurer, May 2023 Resolution entitled 2023-92, “KRIS INVESTMENTS, LLC A.B.C. LICENSE, STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-44-002-007” Resolution entitled 2023-93, “JO-LYN LIQUORS, INC. A.B.C. LICENSE, STATE LICENSE NO. 1423-44-0003-003.” Resolution entitled 2023-94, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY SPOTTED LANTERNFLY PROGRAM.” Resolution entitled 2023-95, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $966,840.00 BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY.” Resolution entitled 2023-96, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMNT FOR EXTRAORDINARY UNSPECIFIABLE SERVICES.” The Borough Council approve the membership application of Christopher J. Bonczak, P.O. Box 843, Morris Plains, as a member of the Morris Plains Fire Department.  Carl Laskiewicz be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a private picnic to be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9:00am to 6:00pm at Community Park Pavilion. Brittany Daniel 8 Madison Avenue, Morris Plains replace Gail Devine and be appointed as Treasurer for the Teen Center Board for 2023-2024. Ana Thomas, CFO be authorized to sign the Community Challenge Grant Agreement Memorandum of Understanding. Having polled the Council on June 5, 2023 Michelle Diamond, 84 Watnong Drive was hired as Part Time Help Clerical Plains Talk Editor effective June 5, 2023 at the hourly rate of $20.00. Having polled the Council on June 8, 2023, approval of the Recreation Summer Camp Counselors from the June 1, 2023 meeting was rescinded, and the revised Recreation Summer Camp Counselors rate and date stated for the 2023 Summer Camp program was approved. The highlighted Recreation Summer Camp Counselors attached be hired at the position, rate and date stated for the 2023 Summer Camp. The Mayor be authorized to sign the 2023 revision to the Borough’s Emergency Operations Plan. Having received quotes to sealcoat, color paint and stripe the pickle ball courts at Watnong Park from the following: Greik Brothers Paving Inc. $12,500.00 A Plus Striping, Inc. $13,850.00 My Backyard Sports $21,545.83 That a purchase order be issued to Greik Brothers Paving, P.O. Box 106, Morris Plains, NJ in the amount of $12,500.00. The highlighted Community Park Pool Employees attached be hired for the Pool Season at the position, salary and date stated for the 2023 season. Justin Pittaro, Laborer, be granted the $1.00 per hour increase for receiving his Class B, CDL License, effective June 14, 2023. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Verga 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 tax collection rate and fire truck bond anticipation note. Mr. Cortese reported story time will be held on the library lawn on Saturdays. He also reported the Clerk’s Office is working on ABC liquor license renewals, food establishment license renewals, elections, block dance preparations and many marriage licenses. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the Fire Department and Fire Preventions Official training and inspections that were completed. Ms. Verga reported on the Court Administrators efforts when interacting with non-English speaking individuals. She also reported on LEAD graduation and an upcoming Traffic Committee meeting. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on the LEAD graduation. He also reported on Morris Plains 1st National Night Out to be held on August 1st, at Community Park and all the agencies that will be involved. Chief Koroski reported on Ms. Carroll’s retirement and that many applications were received to fill the positon. Chief Koroski reported on the Emergency Operations Plan that needs to be completed every 2 years. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on the spotted lantern fly grant and how the DPW will proceed with treatment. Ms. Goddard reported on the successful opening day of the Farmer’s Market including new and returning vendors and the sponsor, Provident Bank, attending and updated on the coming weeks vendors. She also reported on the fund raiser for All Seasons Garden Club in conjunction with Monrroys Florist that will be continuing. Engineer’s Report Mr. Hall reported on the locating of underground utilities on Speedwell and Franklin Avenues for signal upgrades. He also gave updates on City MD and Lennar on Route 53. He also reported on a meeting with Hanover and Parsippany Township Mayors regarding the 1515 Route 10 East development and the concern of increased traffic on Johnson Road to Malapardis Road. Mayor Karr stated the next meeting will be in September and there should be a formal agreement made to restrict cut thru traffic. Cross discussion. Mr. Hall stated the three towns involved will decide when to go to mitigation with the developer. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported Family Day and Fireworks will be June 24th with a rain date of June 25th. Mr. Bruhn reported camp and pool registration is ongoing and pickle ball courts will be opening soon. Mr. Bruhn reported the summer concerts will be in July on Sunday nights and updated on the Shade Tree Commission. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on a clarification in the Board of Health minutes and that the return of presentations from nursing students will be announced soon. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported the same street parking exemption ordinance that will include 8 new streets should be introduced at the next meeting. Mr. Wagner reported the next Planning Board meeting will be June 19th and two applications will be for completeness will be presented. He also reported carpets and baseboard will be cleaned at the Annex. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS The members of Downtown Morris Plains introduced themselves, Allison White, Marianne Steckert, Amanda Cocheo and Portia Levasseur, who gave an overview of their future plans and creating of a non-profit organization. Councilmember Verga gave an overview of how this committee was organized and is an extension of the Business Development Committee. Mayor Karr and Councilmembers thanked the committee for all of their hard work. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for June 15, 2023 in the amount of $2,031,540.80 seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 9:21 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-97 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 9:36 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. RESOLUTIONS Attorney Horan introduced and read the following resolution by title: Resolution 2023-98 entitled, “Resolution Appointing Nyquan Shaw to the Morris Plains Police Department.” Moved by Councilmember Cortese Seconded by Councilmember Wagner Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk