City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held September 7, 2023, at 5:02 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 August 21, 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 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr stated the Morris School District Superintendent, Dr. Ann Mucci, will be attending the October 5th council meeting to give an update on the district. Cub Scouts will be attending the October 19th council meeting and Weichert Realtors dropped off a large set of plans to be reviewed at the next Planning Board meeting. Mayor Karr stated Police Department interviews for Sergeant promotion will be conducted during Executive Session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 5:03 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-114 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:16 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:16 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 September 7, 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. Mayor Karr asked for a moment of silence for Phil Romano, a longtime resident and 69 year volunteer with the Morris Plains Fire Department. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meeting of August 17, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Verga APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Treasurer, July 2023 Grant Writer, August 2023 Municipal Court, August 2023 Police Department, August 2023 Resolution 2023-115 entitled, “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE 2023-2024 CONTROLLED DEER CULLING PROGRAM.” Resolution 2023-116 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE T-MOBILE HOMETOWN GRANT PROGRAM FOR UP TO $50,000.00 TOWARDS COMMUNITY PARK TENNIS COURT RESURFACING.” The Borough Council approve the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring the month of September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the Borough of Morris Plains. Having received quotes for purchase and installation of a Case Cracker interview recording system for the Police Department from the following: Mack Camera & Video Service $17,026.00 Hunts Photo & Video $18,910.00 Case Cracker Onyx $18,734.00 That a purchase order be issued to Mack Camera & Video Service, 200 Morris Avenue Springfield, NJ 07081 in the amount of $17,026.00. The residents of Glenbrook Road extension be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 3:00P.M. to 11:00P.M. with a rain date of Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 2:00P.M. to 11:00P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The residents of Coursen Way, Mountain Way, Tower Hill Road, Holiday Drive and Stony Brook Drive be granted permission to hold a Block Party at the Coursen Way cul-de-sac on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and that further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted; and that the Road Department provide 3 barricades at the corner of Coursen Way and Mountain Way. Having polled the Council on August 24, 2023, Abby Rosenstein, 7 Dogwood Road, Morris Plains was granted permission to serve wine at a Tennis Players Picnic held Sunday, August 27, 2023, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., at the Community Park Pavilion. The Borough Council approve the excused absence of Kevin Rongo, Chief Delegate for the Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department, to attend the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association annual convention in Wildwood on September 14 & 15, 2023, as per the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. The residents of Burch Drive be granted permission to hold a Block Party on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 4:00pm to midnight, with a rain date of Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and that further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Andrew Lake, Laborer, be granted the $1.00 per hour increase for receiving his Class B, CDL License, effective September 11, 2023. The residents of Dogwood Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Having received quotes for fitness equipment for the Police Department from the following: Johnson Fitness & Wellness $4,834.49 Fitness Superstore $5,276.88  Gym Source $7,968.09 That a purchase order be issued to Johnson Fitness & Wellness, 231 Executive Drive Suite 15, Newark DE 19702 in the amount of $4,834.49. The Borough Council approve the membership application of Liam Houston, 80 Glenbrook Road, Morris Plains as a member of the Morris Plains Junior Fire Auxiliary. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak to step forward. Portia LaVassuer, 17 Diana Road, gave an update on Downtown Morris Plains and their first event, Pumpkin Illumination, that will take place on October 27th. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese updated on tax collection and the Community Center grant. Mr. Cortese reported the Clerk’s Office is working on parking permit renewals, 9/11 Ceremony, NJLOM convention preparations and OPRA’s. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported she met with Mayor Karr and Chief Rongo to discuss the Fire Department 5-year plan. She also reported that the Fire Department Engine 4 and members participated in the Boonton Parade and received first place for band and 2nd place for engine. Ms. Verga reported on department training and gave an update on fire prevention inspections. She also reported on the Police Departments involvement with the annual Block Dance, back to school, Class III Officer and department Officers present at schools. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on the Department of Corrections inspection, bike patrol training and Officer Shaw will be completing field training mid-September. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on maintaining Idlewild Pool, new stop signs and painting of crosswalks for back to school. She also reported on the Block Dance set up and participation and that pickle ball nets were installed at Watnong Park. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported the next Shade Tree meeting will be September 11 th and Recreation will be September 28th. He also gave a volunteer Fire Department member update. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on blood drives and that Wellness Day will be October 14th, Block Dance. She also reported there will be a fall recycling meeting and gave an update on the upcoming Teen Center event at the Community Center. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner welcomed new employee Alyson Vander Ploeg to the Building Department. He also reported on a meeting with the JCP&L liaison regarding the addition of 3 lights on the path from the train station to the new Lennar development. Mr. Wagner gave an update of the August 21st Planning Board meeting and the plans for a billboard above Harley Davidson will be heard at the October Board of Adjustment meeting. Mayor Karr introduced Eagle Scout, Alex Kalfoglou, 37 Janeway Place and the Mayor, Councilmembers and Borough Officials introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their duties. Mayor Karr asked Councilmembers if they had any questions for Planner, Liz Leheny and Engineer Leon Hall, regarding the ordinance being introduced tonight. Councilmember Verga thanked everyone for their hard work and asked questions related to the warehouse definition, limited manufacturing, how, “downtown: zones are differentiated and parking requirements. Cross discussion with Borough Officials, Mayor and Councilmembers regarding warehouses. The ordinance on introduction was discussed further by Borough Officials, Mayor and Councilmembers. 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. 14-2023 AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION AND REVISION OF “CHAPTER 13, 2000 BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE” SECTION 13-2.1, “DEFINITIONS OF TERMS;” SECTION 13-5.1(C), “SCHEDULE C: PERMITTED USES;” SECTION 13-5.7(A), “SCHEDULE E OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE REQUIREMENTS;” “AND SECTION 13-5.2A(12) “PROHIBITED USES;” SECTION 13-5.2(B)(5), “ADULT CARE CENTERS;” “SECTION 13-5.4(B), “PUBLIC GARAGES AND MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE STATIONS;” SECTION 13-5.4(C), “PUBLIC UTILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL USES;” AND SECTION 13-5.5(A), “PERMITTED USES” IN THE HOTEL AND SPECIFIED USE OVERLAY ZONE APPLICABLE TO PORTIONS OF B-3 BUSINESS ZONE. Councilmember Cortese seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: Nancy Verga Absent: None Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Wagner offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on September 7, 2023 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on October 5, 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 Kelly seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for September 7, 2023 in the amount of $2,200,056.89 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 10:00 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-117 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 1:32 A.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 1:32 A.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk