City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held March 7th 2024, 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 2024; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 4th 2024, 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: Nancy Verga, Council President Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: Art Bruhn Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Kelly questioned why the Farmers Market will be closing on holiday weekends and stated vendors look forward to having the event each weekend. Councilmember Goddard stated there is a new market manager and in the past holiday weekends have had low foot traffic. Mayor Karr stated during the summer and on holiday weekends any foot traffic is welcome for all business. Councilmember Goddard requested to have the item removed from the agenda for further discussion. Councilmember Kelly stated at the end of April students from Borough School will be placing signs of kindness in the tubs along Speedwell Avenue with the help of the Garden Club. Councilmember Verga reported the Teen Center Code of Conduct is being updated with the Borough attorney and hopes the update will apply to all Borough programs for consistency. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Verga at 7:38 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2024-54 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:25 P.M. Councilmember Kelly 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 8:26 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 March 7, 2024 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 congratulated Morris Plains resident Jack Haren for being parade marshal for this weekend’s Morristown Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Verga moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of February 1, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None Councilmember Verga moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of February 15, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Verga moved: REPORTS Grant Writer February 2024 Municipal Court February 2024 Resolution 2024-55 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MORRIS PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY’S LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT OFFICE 1033 PROGRAM TO ENABLE THE MORRIS PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REQUEST AND ACQUIRE EXCESS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EQUIPMENT.” Resolution 2024-56 entitled, “RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACONS (RRFB’S).” Resolution 2024-57 entitled, “TRANSFER OF FUNDS.” Resolution 2024-58 entitled, “RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LIEN BLOCK 67 LOT 7.01” Resolution 2024-59 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF A SOIL DISTURBANCE PERMIT.” Resolution 2024-60 entitled, “AWARD OF CONTRACT 2024.A ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND CONCEPT PLANS FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND POLICE HEADQUARTERS.” Resolution 2024-61 entitled, “AUTHORIZING DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY.” Having received quotes for bleacher upgrades for Community Parks from the following: Park Warehouse $8,278.94 Gopher $10,394.02 Ben Shaffer Recreation $9,624.71 A purchase order be issued to Park Warehouse, 7495 W. Atlantic Ave., Suite #200-294, Delray Beach, FL in the amount of $8,278.94. Having polled the Council on February 22, 2024, Stephanie Osborne, 38 Washington Ave, Morris Plains, was hired as Substitute Crossing Guard at a daily rate of $89.30 effective February 15, 2024. Having polled the Council on February 22, 2024, Lauren Koch, 39 Sun Valley Way, Morris Plains, was hired as Substitute Crossing Guard at a daily rate of $89.30 effective February 15, 2024.  The Recreation Department be authorized to advertise for the position of Summer Counselor for the summer Teen Camp Program. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watnong Post 3401, be granted permission to conduct the annual Field of Flags display at the corner of Tabor Road and Littleton Road from Thursday May 23rd through Thursday June 6th 2024. The Borough Council approve the membership application of Andrew Lake, 5 Cross Road, Morris Plains, as a member of the Morris Plains Fire Department. The Borough Clerk publish the proper notice of date change for the regularly scheduled budget workshop from March 22, 2024 to March 19, 2024. The Mayor and Borough Council are hereby authorized to employ the services of an outside third-party company to perform a personnel investigation. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Frank Marasco, 17 Franklin Place, voiced his concerns regarding the former Morris Plains T-Shirt factory building becoming an eyesore and questioned future permitted uses. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Wagner reported the Clerk’s Office is working on parking permits, OPRAs, food truck licensing, animal licensing and marriage applications, and conducted the quarterly safety meeting. He gave an update on Colonial Life Insurance being offered to employees to purchase supplemental life insurance. Mr. Wagner reported on the first budget meeting and said the date of the next budget meeting is being changed to March 19th. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese reported on a meeting with the Fire Chief regarding the budget and the application for a FEMA grant. He also reported on a meeting with the Police Chief regarding the expansion of the Police Department. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on February calls and foot patrols at the train station. He gave an overview of some of the resolutions approved this evening concerning the Police Department and stated the deer cull ended in February. Public Works In the absence of Councilmember Bruhn, Ms. Goddard reported DPW has collected brush, cleanup up parks, power washed, painted and fixed windows at the Teen Center. She also reported new drainage has been installed on Field 2. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Goddard reported on an upcoming walkthrough of the town pool to assess repairs for the upcoming season. She also reported the soccer club seeded Simon Park, and that Recreation summer employment is posted until April 22nd. She also reported the Easter Bunny will be coming to town on the fire truck March 23rd and stops include Borough School, Mountain Way and Community Center. Ms. Goddard gave an update on Downtown Morris Plains including recruiting volunteers, fund raising, business directory, upcoming Spring event and the bike park grant project and contest. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Verga reported the new CDC guidance regarding Covid19 will be discussed at an upcoming Board of Health meeting. She also reported on Municipal Alliance and Teen Center activities and that Earth week will be April 21-April 27. Ms. Verga reported the energy grant was submitted and she took part in a meeting with the green team via zoom. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Kelly reported on the upcoming Storm Water Control ordinance which will be introduced at the next meeting. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Councilmember Kelly introduced the following ordinance and read the same by title and moved that it be passed on First Reading. ORDINANCE 2-2024 CALENDAR YEAR 2024 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14) Councilmember Cortese seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Kelly offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on March 7, 2024 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on March 21, 2024 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 Verga seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for March 7, 2024 in the amount of $2,451,651.39, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk