City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held June 20th, 2024, at 7:31 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: Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: Councilmember Verga Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney PRESENTATION Sophia Viola and Elle Goyeneche, Girl Scout Cadets, presented their Silver Project of construction which is a 9 Square Court at Simon’s Park. Cross discussion with Mayor and Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 7:49 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2024-104 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:23 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. PRESENTATION Thomas Ecker, Michael Fanelli, Hudson Osborne and Briggs McGowan of Tech Titans presented the problem at Community Park Pond regarding algae. Certain plants will be planted to help reduce phosphorus to keep the pond and surrounding flora free of algae. Cross discussion with Mayor and Council. Attorney Horan stated that in addition to items discussed on the resolution for the executive session, contract negotiations also were discussed and no formal action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wagner moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:33 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 June 20, 2024 at 8:34 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 Wagner moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference, Executive and Regular Meetings of June 6, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Verga Abstain: Councilmember Wagner APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Animal Control, May 2024 Building Inspector, May 2024 Grant Writer, May 2024 Borough Clerk, May 2024 Animal Licensing, May 2024 Sanitarian, May 2024 Tax Collector, May 2024 Treasurer, May 2024 Resolution 2024-105 entitled, “RESOLUTION REGARDING PERMANENT APPOINTMENT OF POLICE OFFICER NYQUAN SHAW.” Resolution 2024-106 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $592,320. BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY.” Resolution 2024-107 entitled, “ANNUAL REPORT OF AUDIT FOR THE YEAR 2023.” Resolution 2024-108 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THE COPS HIRING PROGRAM.” Resolution 2024-109 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE WILLIAM J. PORTER COMMUNITY TREE PROJECT AWARD TO PURCHASE AND PLANT SHADE TREES AT MOUNTAIN WAY AND SYLVAN DRIVE WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS.” Resolution 2024-110 entitled, “RESOLUTION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF ITEMS OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION NJSA 40A:4-87 CLICK IT OR TICKET.” Having polled the council on June 10, 2024 Zachary Thomas Annuik, 45 Dogwood Rd, Morris Plains, be hired for seasonal help in the Department of Public Works at an hourly rate of $15.13 effective June 11, 2024. The Borough Council authorize the release and return of Soil Disturbance Performance Guarantee No. FGAC-20104 in the amount of $15,000.00 to U.S. Home Corporation D/B/A Lennar, pursuant to the Borough Engineer’s correspondence dated June 14, 2024. The Education Foundation of Morris Plains be granted permission to hold a 5K Race in the Borough along the designated route on Sunday, November 3 rd 2024 beginning at 8:00 A.M. with the Police Department to provide traffic control and notification through Rave Alert and Police Department Social Media to the affected residents, they will also provide any necessary barricades. Having received public bids for Contract A-2024, bids for demolition of three structures located at 1 Jim Fear Drive, that a contract be awarded to Tomco Construction Inc. for their low bid of $26,400.00, subject to the Borough Attorney’s review of the bid documents. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Verga Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Ellie Falco, 20 Jaqui Avenue, thanked the Council and Joan Goddard for allowing her to participate in the weekly Farmers Market and complimented the market is wonderful and brings patrons from all over. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Wagner reported the Clerk’s Office worked on annual Alcohol Beverage Control licensing, OPRA and primary elections. He also reported on the annual audit and gave an overview. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese reported the interviews for the Records Clerk position will be taking place and the Police Department received a grant from AAA for crosswalk enforcement. Fire Department In the absence of Chief Rongo, Assistant Fire Chief Mark Belles gave the report. He updated on calls, including shared service calls to surrounding towns and also reported on a recent rope rescue drill. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on the LEAD graduation and thanked all Officers involved with the program. He also reported the Junior Police Academy will be starting July 8th and National Night Out will be on August 6th. Public Works Councilmember Bruhn congratulated Office Shaw on his permanent appointment and Chief Koroski on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also reported the DPW cut grass, serviced vehicles, watered plants, spread woodchips at the community garden, cleaned the bridge area on Hanover Avenue, took a tree down on Laurel Street and put out flags for Flag Day and Juneteenth. Mr. Bruhn reported the goats at Community Park ate a lot of invasive species. Engineer Bill Ryden reported there will be a pre-con meeting for capital road improvements next week. Mayor Karr reported new trigger sensors for the traffic light on American Road were installed and a new flashing light was installed for the merge on Hanover Avenue from American Road and thanked the County for their help with these matters. He also reported the overgrowth on the crosswalk at American Road and Malapardis Road has been cleaned up. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Goddard reported the Community Park Pool opened on June 15th and membership was thriving. She also reported Family Day is June 29th and Produce Pete will be at the Farmers Market on August 3rd, which is National Watermelon Day. Lastly, Councilmember Goddard reported on the Lifetime Achievement Awards dinner honoring Chief Koroski. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers No Report. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Kelly also reported on the Lifetime Achievement Dinner. She stated the water drinking quality report will be out soon and reported on the Borough School graduation and the Family Health Day that was sponsored by Morris County. Ms. Kelly reported the Planning Board subdivision on Hawthorne Avenue was approved and McDonald’s application was not ready for completeness and will be on the July 15th Planning Board agenda. 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 NO: 5 - 2024 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AMENDING CHAPTER 23A "TREES" OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS Councilmember Wagner seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Verga Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Kelly offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on June 20, 2024 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on July 18, 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 Bruhn seconded the resolution. Voice vote. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Verga Abstain: None ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for June 20, 2024 in the amount of $547,475.66, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Verga Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:10 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk