City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held April 4th, 2024, at 7:32 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 Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Kelly stated members from Girl Scout Troop 39 earned the Silver Award and will present their project to the Council in the future. She also discussed the TREP$ event at Borough School and gave an overview of the event and encourages all to attend on May 23rd. Mayor Karr gave an overview of the new affordable housing bill signed by the Governor and stated if all were ok with the Affordable Housing Committee members he will distribute paperwork for review. Cross discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Verga at 7:39 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2024-72 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:35 P.M. Councilmember Cortese 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 8:35 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 April 4, 2024 at 8:38 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 Verga moved: THAT the minutes of the Budget Meeting of March 19, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Councilmember Verga moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference, Executive and Regular Meetings of March 21, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Verga moved: REPORTS Grant Writer, March 2024 Resolution 2024-73 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 342-24.” Resolution 2024-74 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF CONTRACT NO. B.2021, FIREWORKS DISPLAY.” The Borough Council approve the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring April 26 th 2024, Arbor Day in the Borough of Morris Plains. Sheryl McNichol, 7 Juniper Drive, be granted permission to hold a block party on Juniper Drive, Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 2:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Elizabeth Fenech, 1 Sanford Court, be granted permission to hold a block party on Sanford Court, Saturday, June 15, 2024 with a rain date of Sunday, June 16, 2024 from 2:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. Having received quotes for temporary cleaning of 3 Borough Municipal buildings from the following: Eastern Janitorial $500.00/week A&L Services $750.00/week A purchase order be issued to Eastern Janitorial, Route 46 East, Parsippany, NJ in the amount of $500.00 a week. The Borough Treasurer be authorized to advertise for the receipt of bids for Improvements to Lealand Road, Cedar Avenue, Laurel Street, Hillside Court East, Allen Place, Wyckoff Way, Jaqui Avenue, Sun Valley Way and Freight Station Ramp, Contract No. 2024.02 with bids to be received on May 15, 2024, up to 10:00 A.M., Council Chambers Borough Hall. The Morris Plains Rotary be granted permission to hold “Uncle Frank’s Fishing Contest” on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 7:00am to 10:30am at the Community Park Pond. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Frank Mangravite, 35 Janeway Place, stated the sewer system has never been televised. The lines are reaching end of useful life and preventive maintenance should be completed. Mr. Mangravite asked if the budget included televising the lines? Mayor Karr stated a camera was budgeted for the Road Department to use televised lines. Mr. Mangravite stated this is not something DPW can do because of the constant flow of the main line. Mayor Karr stated 2 grants were applied for through Congress which included upgrades and replacement of lines. Mr. Mangravite asked for the generator on Johnson Road to be upgraded to a natural gas generator. The generator was installed in 1970s and is at the end of its useful like and parts for the current generator are hard to find and diesel has to be brought constantly during storms to keep it running. Mayor Karr said this was looked into, but went by the wayside and he will have this revisited and upgrades are being made to the pumping station. Sydney Demezzo, 123 Mountain Way, gave an update on the feral cat problem in her neighborhood. Kittens were caught that will be adopted and to date 15 cats have been TNR’d. TNR over euthanizing the animals is a better solution; TNR takes care of cats having 3 to 4 liters a year which will double the population in a month, cats are vaccinated and they roam less once they are spay/neutered. Euthanizing is more expensive. Ms. Demezzo stated she will be attending the next Board of Health meeting and encourages the town to change the ordinance and put a program in place to TNR. Mayor Karr stated Board of Health will be handling this problem going forward and working with Animal Control due to the size of the problem. He stated he did not know the problem was so extensive and they are working on it. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Wagner reported the Clerk’s Office is issuing food truck licenses, farmers market applications and elections. He also reported the budget will be introduced tonight and adopted on May 2 nd and gave a brief overview of the budget numbers. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese reported there will be a meeting with the architect on Monday regarding the police department expansion. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported drug take back is April 27th and the medicine drop box is available all year in our lobby. He also reported that Coffee with a Cop at The Venue on American Road was a success and in early May they will be at The Collection on Tabor Road. Lastly, Chief Koroski reported Officer Ferris completed crisis intervention training, 9 officers have now been trained on this. Mayor Karr reported the broken traffic camera at American Road and Hanover Avenue will be replaced and half the cost is being paid for by the County. Councilmember Bruhn asked Chief Koroski if the sign can be removed from the island at Glenbrook Road extension for the Beautification Committee. Cross discussion regarding work being done by SMCMUA and sign placement. Public Works Councilmember Bruhn reported the DPW serviced vehicles, cleaned and repaired basins, did pothole repair, made preparations for Spring/Summer seasons and installed a water line at the Community Garden. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Goddard reported summer camp registration opens April 17th and many summer enhancement programs will be available. Ms. Goddard reported on the Beautification Committee Fairy Trail project being created on one of the trails in town. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Verga reported the Morris County Public Health Nurse will be attending the Farmers Market again this year. The next Board of Health meeting is on April 10th and letters were sent to residents regarding feeding and licensing cats. Ms. Verga reported on upcoming Municipal Alliance events. She also reported Earth Week is April 21-27th and James Merendino, Clean Communities Coordinator, is planning cleanups during this week with education and promotions highlighting earth friendly activities. Ms. Verga reported walk or bike to school will take place on April 26th. She also reported Teen Center 5th grade parent orientation will be on April 17th, the code of conduct will be available soon, and the Teen Center is exploring new events including a murder mystery sponsored with the Municipal Alliance. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Kelly reported on a Board of Adjustment meeting and JCP&L storm restoration and gave an overview of the procedures JCP&L takes during and after storms. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Introduction of 2024 Municipal Budget Councilmember Wagner moved the approval of the 2024 municipal budget, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for April 4, 2024 in the amount of $3,993,297.37, seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilmember Goddard EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Verga at 9:10 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2024-75 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 9:45 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk