City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held September 21, 2023, at 5:12 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 September 7, 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 discussed pulling a resolution on the agenda regarding Downtown Morris Plains as an additional insured. Mayor Karr would like to discuss later in the meeting. Mayor Karr stated Police Department interviews for Lieutenant promotion will be conducted during Executive Session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 5:13 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-118 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:35 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:35 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 September 21, 2023 at 8:37 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 None. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Animal Control, August 2023 Borough Clerk, August 2023 Animal Licensing, August 2023 Sanitarian, August 2023 Building Inspector, August 2023 Tax Collector, August 2023 Treasurer, August 2023 Resolution 2023-119 entitled, “A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF FEDERAL AID HIGHWAY PROJECTS.” The Borough Council authorize the release and return of the Cash Performance Guarantee in the amount of $14,600.00 to Morris Plains Holding UE LLC., 210 Route 4 East, Paramus NJ, pursuant to the Borough Engineer’s correspondence dated September 11, 2023. Christina Schepart, CS Photography be granted permission to take family photographs at Watnong Park on Saturday October 21, 2023 between the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm. Anthony Lagalante, 57 Burch Drive, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at family birthday party to be held Friday, September 22, 2023 from 4:00pm to Dusk at the Community Park Pavilion. The residents of Wyndwood Road and Greenwood Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The Morris Plains Fire Association and Morris Plains P.B.A. be granted permission to hold a Corn Hole Tournament fundraiser at Community Park on Saturday, October 21 2023, from 2:30pm to 10:00pm and that permission be granted to serve alcoholic beverages. The residents of Walsh Way (West of Oregon Trail) be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. with a rain date of Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Having received quotes to install a new 5x150 asphalt walking path at Watnong Brook Greenway from the following: Greik Bros. Paving Inc. $3,900.00 Cuneo Paving No Quote Cifelli Paving No Quote That a purchase order be issued to Greik Bros. Paving Inc, PO Box 106, Morris Plains NJ 07950 in the amount of $3,900.00. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. 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 and seeing no one, he closed this public portion of the meeting. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese reported the Clerk’s Office is working on parking permit renewals, NJLOM conference preparations, OPRA and mailing for Ordinance 14-2023, around 1,300 mailings to residents/businesses in 200 feet of nonresidential zones. Public Safety Councilmember Verga report on the MCLOM meeting and gave an overview on Sheriff Gannon’s speech. She also reported September is National Preparedness Month and gave an overview on weather emergencies, special needs assistance and how to make an emergency plan. Ms. Verga reported the Court Administrator is working on a report for cases transferred to family division or prosecutor’s office from 1971 that were left open. Ms. Verga reported Engine 3 has been repaired/updated and will be going for paint which will all be covered under the American Rescue Plan and Chief Rongo is looking to update the recovery ordinance. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported all officers must be licensed by 1/1/2024 and be recertified every three years with training and oversight from law enforcement. He also reported all officers will attend crisis intervention training, Book with a Cop has started, both he and Sergeant Guild will be attending a community engagement on LBGTQIA+ and gave an update on deer culling. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported DPW closed Community Pool for the season and continues with cleanup of Idlewild Pool. She also reported DPW cleared branches from road signs and grinded stumps, leaf season is coming up and gave an update on the spotted lantern fly grant. Engineer Report Mr. Hall updated on Route 53 construction, paving and outstanding site work. He also reported that the M&M affordable housing apartment building is open and gave an update on M&M apartments and landscaping and reported on the 1515 Route 10 traffic study. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported that Recreation Garage Sale Days will take place October 7th and 8th with online registration only. He also reported on senior exercise and pickle ball at the Community Center and that the Halloween Parade sponsored by the Fire Department and Recreation will be held on October 31st. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the upcoming Teen Center 8th grade event, the fall recycling meeting and that Wellness Day will be held on October 14th which will include a Municipal Alliance table. Mayor Karr reported Halloween Window Painting has been scheduled. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner thanked the Clerk’s Office for all of their hard work mailing notices for Ordinance 14-2023. Mr. Wagner reported on a Planning Board application for 1625 LLC and 225 Littleton Road LLC which was moved to the October meeting. Mr. Wagner reported the Planning Board voted Ordinance 14-2023 is not inconsistent with the Master Plan. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Karr discussed the resolution on the agenda for Downtown Morris Plains to be an added insured for the Borough. Attorney Horan discussed the process and that the resolution has to be pulled because Downtown Morris Plains does not qualify as a Class III nonprofit organization which does not allow the Borough to add as an additional insured entity. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for September 21, 2023 in the amount of $1,253,490.68 seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Goddard EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 9:10 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-120 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 9:20 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. REGULAR MEETING RE OPENED Councilmember Verga discussed shared services for municipal court. This process was completed in 2013 and was not financially beneficial at the time. Mayor Karr asked for this process to be completed again after the county consolidation fell through. Ms. Verga will be meeting with public safety committees from Parsippany Township, Randolph Township, Town of Morristown and Hanover Township to see if this will benefit the Borough with significant cost savings. Cross discussion. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:32 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk