City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held August 17, 2023, at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER “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 Absent: Councilmember Nancy Verga Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Wagner discussed the ordinance which will add additional streets to certain street parking permits for January 2024 and that a street audit of signs will be conducted on these streets. Cross discussion. Councilmember Goddard gave an update on the spotted lantern fly grant guidance and different approaches to use the funds. Cross discussion. Councilmember Goddard gave an update on the 2021 trail grant stating that the trail will not be going thru the wetlands and costs have gone up. Cross discussion. Councilmember Kelly discussed camp, junior police academy graduation and blood banks. Mayor Karr stated the pickle ball nets were ordered, shipped and DPW will install as soon as possible. Mayor Karr discussed an upcoming grant for tennis court replacement. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 7:50 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-111 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:19 P.M. Councilmember Cortese 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 8:19 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 August 17, 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. Moment of Silence for Gale Gilabert, Nancy Verga’s mother and Rosemarie Warrick, Lysa Gagliardi’s mother. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meeting of July 20, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Verga Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Police Department, July 2023 Animal Control, July 2023 Grant Writer, July 2023 Municipal Court July 2023 Borough Clerk, July 2023 Animal Licensing, July 2023 Sanitarian, July 2023 Building Inspector, July 2023 Tax Collector, July 2023 Resolution 2023-112 entitled, “CANCELLATION OF TAXES BOROUGH OWNED PROPERTY.” Resolution 2023-113 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE MORRIS PLAINS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR CLASS 3 SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SERVICES.” The Morris Plains Republican Club be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at their Annual Picnic to be held Sunday, September 10, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Community Park Pavilion. The Knights of Columbus Council 3495 be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at their annual family picnic to be held Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at the Community Park Pavilion. The highlighted Community Park Pool Employees attached be hired for the Pool Season at the position, salary and date stated for the 2023 season. Having received quotes for Ready Rack Washer/Extractor, Dryer and Soap Dispenser for the Fire Department from the following: Fire-End $16,710.45 Fire Penny $17,607.90 New Jersey Fire Equipment Co. $22,405.00 That a purchase order be issued to Fire-End, 7 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, NY in the amount of $16,710.45. Having received quotes for pickle ball posts and nets from the following: Pro Sports Equip $2,872.00 Achillion Sports $3,149.94 That a purchase order be issued to Pro Sports Equip, 39899 Balentine Drive, Suite 200, Newark, CA in the amount of $2,872.00. Michael Rolph, 50 Malapardis Road, Morris Plains be hired as a Class III Special Law Enforcement Officer, in the Police Department at the hourly rate of $35.00, effective September 5, 2023. The Borough Clerk publish the proper notice of time change for the regularly scheduled conference meeting of the mayor and council of the Borough of Morris  Plains to be held Thursday September 7, 2023 from 7:30pm to 5:00pm to interview police Sergeant candidates. The Borough Clerk publish the proper notice of time change for the regularly scheduled conference meeting of the mayor and council of the Borough of Morris Plains to be held Thursday September 21, 2023 from 7:30pm to 5:00pm to interview police Lieutenant candidates. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: 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 summer story time at the library was successful and a fall story time will be announced soon and Panda Express will be hosting another fund raising night for the library. Mr. Cortese reported on the resolution to cancel taxes at Idlewild Pool and that only 5 properties defaulted on taxes in 2022. He also reported on a grant for Community Center upgrades and the Clerk’s Office is preparing for 9/11 ceremony, block dance, OPRA requests, Class III SELO agreement and marriage licenses. Public Safety No report in Councilmember Verga’s absence. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on July calls, National Night Out, Kona with a Cop and preparing for Back to School. He also reported the Police Department will be adding a rock to Speedy. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on Downtown Morris Plains Speedy, a “snake”, where painted rocks can be added in the center of town and updated on the Farmer’s Market. She also reported the DPW cleaned up Idlewild Pool, planted at the Train Station and rebuilt the brick path at Roberts Garden. Engineers Report Mr. Hall reported on paving projects, concrete steps, the walkway at the train station and concrete sidewalks on Mountain Way. He also reported the NJDOT submitted comments about the Route 53 sidewalk and gave an update on Lennar developments. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported recreation summer camp was successful and there were a lot of planned activities. He also reported on the senior luncheon, swim team, pool, baseball championship games and pickle ball nets. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on a senior group meeting where she discussed current events in the Borough with attendees. Ms. Kelly reported on an upcoming Teen Center meeting, clean up at the house, online registration and this year’s calendar. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on 3 street light outages on Hanover Avenue and 3 street light outages on American Road in which work orders have been placed for repair. He also reported that an update on the Community Energy grant will be discussed with Councilmember Verga at the September 7th meeting. Mr. Wagner reported on a pumpkin illumination night hosted by Downtown Morris Plains to be coordinated with the Halloween window painting that is sponsored by the Rotary. Councilmember Bruhn reported on an upcoming Corn Hole Tournament taking place in October that will be hosted by both the Morris Plains Fire and Police Departments to benefit a college scholarship fund. Councilmember Goddard thanked the new Plains Talk editor, Michelle Diamond, for her first successful Plains Talk issue. Mayor Karr reported on a meeting at Evernorth/Cigna with Congresswoman Sherrill where health care, prescription drugs and other issues were discussed along with a tour of the facility. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 13- 2023 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $40,000.00 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN’S LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on July 20, 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 Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Verga 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 August 17, 2023 in the amount of $2,988,999.23 seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Verga Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:05 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk