City Council

AGENDA FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES HELD AT THE BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ 07046 MAY 13, 2024 PUBLIC SESSION – BEGINS AT 7PM 1) CALL TO ORDER AND OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT – Mayor This meeting is being held in compliance with Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 and 13, as notice of this meeting has been reported to The Citizen and the Morris County Daily Record and The Star Ledger on January 4, 2024 and posted in the municipal building. 2) ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE - Clerk 3) FLAG SALUTE – Mayor 4) EXECUTIVE SESSION 5) COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS 6) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Swearing In of New Police Officer 7) REPORTS OF BOROUGH ESTABLISHED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES 8) BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS a. First Quarter 2024 Current Budget Report b. First Quarter 2024 Water Budget Report & First Quarter 2024 Sewer Budget Report c. Trust Balances d. Capital Account Balances 9) PUBLIC COMMENT Please state your name for the record. Each speaker is limited to one (1) comment of no more than five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person. 10) ATTORNEY’S REPORT 11) MANAGER’S REPORT 12) RESOLUTIONS 13) ORDINANCES TO INTRODUCE 14) ORDINANCES TO ADOPT a. 5-24, Amending Chapters 40 and 245 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Mountain Lakes and Establishing Conditional Use Standards for Churches and Schools 15) *CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Matters listed as Consent Agenda Items are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the Council and one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests an item be removed for consideration. BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES MAY 13, 2024 PAGE 2 *RESOLUTIONS a. R105-24, Authorizing the Payment of Bills b. R106-24, Cancelling Remaining Balance of 2022 DOT Morris Ave. Section 4 Grant c. R107-24, Authorizing 2024 Municipal Employees’ Salary d. R108-24, Authorizing Membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association e. R109-24, Appointing Qualified Purchasing Agent f. R110-24, Authorizing the Discretionary Award of a Contract for Garage Doors for the Department of Public Works Building to Durable Door in an Amount that May Exceed $17,500 But Will Be Less than $44,000 *APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4/24/24 (Regular) *BOARD, COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS 16) DEPARTMENT REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR FILING Construction Department Department of Public Works Fire Department Health Department Police Department Recreation Department Code Enforcement/Property Maintenance Tax Collector 17) COUNCIL REPORTS 18) PUBLIC COMMENT Please state your name for the record. Each speaker is limited to one (1) comment of no more than five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person. 19) NEXT STEPS AND PRIORITIES 20) ADJOURNMENT  BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNTY OF MORRIS, NJ RESOLUTION 107-24 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2024 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES’ SALARY” WHEREAS, the Borough Council adopted Ordinance # 4-24 setting the salary ranges for various Borough positions; and WHEREAS, the Police Benevolent Association Contract sets the salary, wage and compensation for uniformed police officers; and WHEREAS, the Borough Council of the Borough of Mountain Lakes desires to set the specific salaries for full-time and permanent part-time non-contract Borough employees for the year 2024. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following salaries (see attachment) are retroactive to January 1, 2024, and are to be pro-rated where specific dates are indicated: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that eligible employees are entitled to longevity or service allowance payments in addition to the foregoing salaries in accordance with the Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Manager is authorized to set the salary level according to the salary ranges in Ordinance # 4-24 for all non-permanent part-time and seasonal employees.  CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Borough Council of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, at a meeting held on May 13, 2024. ____________________________ Cara Fox, Borough Clerk Name Motion Second Aye Nay Absent Abstain Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh  % 2023 2024 $ Change Change BOROUGH MANAGER $152,403 $155,451 $3,048 2.00% BOROUGH CLERK $82,000 $86,700 $4,700 5.73% ASSESSOR - P/T $23,524 $23,995 $471 2.00% COLLECTOR $63,925 $65,204 $1,279 2.00% FINANCE ASSISTANT - PART-TIME 1 $43,950 $44,829 $879 2.00% CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER $123,000 $125,460 $2,460 2.00% FINANCE ASSISTANT – PART TIME 2 $44,362 $45,249 $887 2.00% CHIEF OF POLICE $165,732 $169,047 $3,315 2.00% RECREATION DIRECTOR – PART TIME $31,285 $0 -$31,285 -100% RECREATION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE ASST. TO BOROUGH MGR. $60,000 $61,200 $1,200 2.00% DIRECTOR - PUBLIC WORKS $115,005 $117,305 $2,300 2.00% ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - PUBLIC WORKS $54,364 $51,000 -$3,364 -6.19% DPW OPERATIONS MANAGER/ASST DPW DIR. $76,782 $88,467 $11,685 15.22% RECEPTIONIST – PART TIME $28,315 $0 -$28,315 -100% PLANNING BOARD SCTY – PART TIME $12,793 $14,400 $1,607 12.56% ZONING BOARD SCTY – PART TIME $12,793 $14,400 $1,607 12.56% CONSTRUCTION CODE OFFICIAL - PT $35,829 $36,545 $716 2.00% PLUMBING SUB-CODE - PT/ BUILD TECH INSP - PT $30,000 $30,600 $600 2.00% ELECTRICAL SUB-CODE - PT $18,379 $18,746 $367 2.00% FIRE SUB-CODE - PT $8,526 $8,696 $170 2.00% BUILDING SUB-CODE OFFICIAL - PT $20,292 $20,698 $406 2.00% CONSTRUC. CODE ASSIST/BORO HALL RECEP. $48,501 $49,471 $970 2.00% PROPERTY MAINTENANCE OFFICIAL $35,140 $35,843 $703 2.00% ZONING OFFICER – PART TIME (2/17/22) $17,056 $17,397 $341 2.00% P.D.ADMIN. ASSISTANT/BOROUGH HALL RECEPTIONIST $38,220 $38,984 $764 2.00% EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR $3,000 $3,000 $0 0.00% EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPUTY CO-ORD $2,500 $2,500 $0 0.00% FIRE OFFICIAL – PT $11,485 $12,500 $1,015 8.84% FIRE SAFETY OFFICER – PT $4,500 $4,500 $0 0.00% FIRE DEPT. ADMIN OFFICER – PT $7,500 $7,500 $0 0.00% SECRETARY – BOARD of HEALTH $5,000 $5,000 $0 0.00% CUSTODIAN - PT $16,645 $18,866 $2,221 14.00% RECYCLING EMPLOYEE - PT $20,422 $20,831 $409 2.00% QUALIFIED PURCHASING AGENT $5,000 $5,000 $0 0.00% CERTIFIED RECYCLING CO-ORDINATOR $2,500 $2,500 $0 0.00% CROSSING GUARDS – P/T – HOURLY RATE $26.99 $27.53 $.54 2.00% POLICE CLASS II – P/T – HOURLY RATE $26.99 $27.53 $.54 2.00%  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ CALL TO ORDER AND OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT This meeting is being held in compliance with Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 and 13, as notice of this meeting has been reported to The Citizen and the Morris County Daily Record and The Star Ledger on January 4, 2024 and posted in the municipal building. Mayor Sheikh called the meeting to order at 7p.m. ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE Roll Call Present Absent Present Absent Cannon Richter Korman Barnett Menard Sheikh Muilenburg FLAG SALUTE Mayor Sheikh led the salute to the flag. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no executive session. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS The Council had a moment of silence for resident Chris Capodanno who is ill. Councilmember Korman announced the following: the Woods and Lakes Run will be held on April 27 th at 10am; the Town Club is holding a bike donation event on May 4th at Island Beach; Mountain Lakes Library will hold Poetry on the Patio event on May 8th; the Town Club is always looking for new children to attend their play groups. Mayor Sheikh announced that the Trout Derby was a success and thanked the Shade Tree Commission and Green Team for attending. Deputy Mayor Barnett announced that approximately 97 residents volunteered for Borough Clean-up Day and thanked the Environmental Commission for holding the well-organized event. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS There were no special presentations. REPORTS OF BOROUGH ESTABLISHED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES Shade Tree Commission – Trust Fund Proposal Shade Tree Commission Chair Sandy Batty and Commission member Lucas Stelling provided an overview of the commission and advised that the commission is recommending that the Borough use funds from the Shade Tree Trust to offer cash incentives to homeowners for tree maintenance. Offering residents a $250 cash rebate for pruning, dead wooding, and / or removing dead trees in the front yard setback area (40’ back from the road) would prevent trees from becoming public hazards and encourage homeowners to prune / maintain healthy trees instead of removing the tree. The commission is proposing the following program guidelines: set an annual cap on number of rebates; one reimbursement per homeowner per year; work must be completed and homeowner must receive an itemized invoice which separately lists the cost of pruning / dead wooding / dead tree removal work performed up to $250; submit application prior to work being performed and provide opportunity for Borough to inspect or review; rebates are on a first come, first serve basis. The Council asked questions of Ms. Batty and Mr. Stelling and they answered them. The Council requested that the commission investigate if regenerating the shade tree canopy in the pocket parks or addressing the underbrush issue in the Borough’s woodlands would benefit the Borough more than offering cash incentives to certain homeowners for tree maintenance. 1  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ Councilmember Muilenburg (liaison to the Woodlands Committee) agreed to obtain feedback from the Woodlands Committee about their view on the Shade Tree Commission focusing on regenerating the shade tree canopy in the pocket parks and the underbrush issue in the woodlands. BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS There were no discussion items. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Sheikh opened the meeting to the public. There was no one from the public wishing to speak. ATTORNEY’S REPORT Attorney James Bryce was filling in for Borough Attorney Oostdyk and had nothing to report. MANAGER’S REPORT Borough Manager Stern provided his report (attached). The Council asked questions of Mr. Stern and he answered them. RESOLUTIONS There were no resolutions. ORDINANCES TO INTRODUCE There were no ordinances to introduce. ORDINANCES TO ADOPT 6-24, Bond Ordinance Making a Supplemental Appropriation of $350,000 for the Improvement of the Sunset Lake Dam in And by the Borough Heretofore Authorized to be Undertaken by the Borough of Mountain Lakes, and Authorizing the Issuance of $333,000 Bonds or Notes of the Borough tor Financing Such Supplemental Appropriation Introduced: 4/8/24 Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh PUBLIC COMMENT/HEARING Mayor Sheikh opened the meeting to the public. There was no one from the public wishing to speak. 2  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ Adopted: 4/24/24 Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh 7-24, Bond Ordinance Providing for the Initial Costs Associated with the Construction of a PFOA/PFOS Treatment Plant by the Borough of Mountain Lakes, Appropriating $218,500 Therefor and Authorizing the Issuance of $208,000 Bonds or Notes of the Borough for Financing Such Appropriation Introduced: 4/8/24 Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh PUBLIC COMMENT/HEARING Mayor Sheikh opened the meeting to the public. There was no one from the public wishing to speak. Adopted: 4/24/24 Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh *CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS Matters listed as Consent Agenda Items are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the Council and one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests an item be removed for consideration. *RESOLUTIONS a. R100-24, Authorizing the Payment of Bills b. R101-24, Awarding a Contract to Durable Door for the Replacement of Firehouse Garage Bay Doors c. R102-24, Amending the Professional Services Agreement for Construction Phase of the Sunset Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project Between the Borough of Mountain Lakes and Ferriero Engineering, Inc. d. R103-24, Approving the Place-To-Place Transfer of Liquor License #1425-44-001-016 to 5 Romaine Road Suite 2 e. R104-24, Awarding a Contract for Hydro-Raking Services to Paragon Integrated Services Group, LLC 3  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ *APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4/8/24 (Regular) *BOARD, COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS *Approval of the Consent Agenda Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Korman Menard Muilenburg Richter Barnett Sheikh Councilmember Korman was absent at the 4/8/24 Council meeting and abstained from voting on the minutes. DEPARTMENT REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR FILING (reports are included only if checked) Construction Department Department of Public Works Fire Department Health Department Police Department Recreation Department Code Enforcement/Property maintenance report Tax Collector COUNCIL REPORTS Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) – Councilmember Cannon reported that the committee discussed updating their page on the Borough website and heard a proposal from a resident to open a cannabis dispensary at the former animal hospital on Route 46. Shade Tree Commission – Councilmember Cannon reported that the commission discussed the following: the Borough’s pruning schedule; the Trout Derby; the Shade Tree Trust Fund proposal presentation. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) – Councilmember Korman reported the following: the Highlands Council Special Planner attended the meeting to discuss the impact of joining the Highlands Council and determine what projects AHAC would want to include in the Highlands implementation plan; AHAC is working on requesting funding from the Highlands Council to hire the Borough Planner that will draft the plan for the fourth round of affordable housing obligations; AHAC discussed the timeline / deadlines for the fourth round of affordable housing obligations; there is a $100,000 accessory apartment grant program included in the State’s proposed budget. 4  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ Environmental Commission Councilmember Korman reported the following: the commission is analyzing polystyrene recycling; the commission discussed the Borough’s Clean-up Day; the commission sent a letter to the Planning Board regarding proposed Ordinance 5-24 and requested that impervious coverage be the same as residential properties to protect stormwater management. Borough Attorney Bryce advised that stormwater management is addressed by the Planning Board during the application process. Councilmember Richter advised that the Borough recently revised its stormwater management ordinance and it is compliant with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Mayor Sheikh suggested that the commission provide feedback as to why they think the NJDEP regulations are insufficient and advised that the Planning Board will only be reviewing proposed Ordinance 5-24 for conformance to the Borough’s master plan at their meeting on April 25th. Recreation Commission – Councilmember Muilenburg reported the following: the Recreation Director is conducting interviews for summer camp counselors; the commission discussed creating a program that allows residents that have not used their rack / ring by July 1st to sell back / donate it to the Borough; the commission discussed holding swim and boat races at Island Beach on July 13th. Woodlands Committee Councilmember Muilenberg reported the following: the Highlands Council Special Planner attended the meeting to discuss the impact of joining the Highlands Council and determine what projects the committee would want to include in the Highlands implementation plan; the West Shore Trail project will be completed by May 4 th; a boy scout is interested in constructing a bridge on the West Shore Trail and will be contacting the Borough Manager; the committee would like to attend the May 29th Council meeting to provide an update on the committee and discuss the Red Trail project; the committee will be inviting all Councilmembers to attend a tour of the Red Trail prior to their Council presentation; the committee is deciding which pocket park to clean up. Deputy Mayor Barnett requested that the Woodlands committee include their pocket park rating survey in their presentation to Council. Centennial Committee – Deputy Mayor Barnett reported the following: the Borough centennial logo will be displayed at the Memorial Day Parade; there will be a centennial concert event on June 20 th at Island Beach featuring the Jam Cats children’s music and the Denville String Band. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Sheikh opened the meeting to the public. Suzanne Atkin-Platt stated she was speaking on behalf of a Neighborhood Coalition of approximately 40 families who reside on Laurel Hill & Tower Hill Roads and requested that proposed Ordinance 5-24 have a maximum improved lot coverage lower than 40% and also require conditional use entities meet State stormwater regulations. Alex Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, expressed concern regarding proposed Ordinance 5-24 and the hardship / impact it would have on the YMCA to continue to evolve / grow to meet the community’s needs. Abram Kirshenbaum expressed support of Suzanne Atkin-Platt’s comment regarding proposed Ordinance 5-24 and requested that the Council consider the ordinance’s impact on stormwater runoff and the character of the Borough. Mayor Sheikh, Borough Attorney Bryce, and Councilmember Richter responded to the public’s comments. 5  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES APRIL 24, 2024 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ NEXT STEPS AND PRIORITIES There were no next steps. ADJOURNMENT at 9:12P.M. Motion made by Councilmember Muilenburg, second by Councilmember Richter to adjourn the meeting at 9:12p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”. Respectfully Submitted, __________________________________ Cara Fox, Borough Clerk 6