City Council

MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 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, the Morris County Daily Record, and The Star Ledger on January 9, 2025 and posted in the municipal building. Mayor Barnett called the meeting to order at 7p.m. ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE Roll Call Present Absent Present Absent Cannon Tsai Howley Muilenburg Menard Barnett Sheikh Councilmember Sheikh left the meeting at 7:45pm. FLAG SALUTE Mayor Barnett led the salute to the flag. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no executive session. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Barnett recognized September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS There were no presentations. REPORTS OF BOROUGH ESTABLISHED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES Public Safety Subcommittee – E-Bike Safety Deputy Mayor Muilenburg reported that the Public Safety Subcommittee discussed concerns regarding e-bike safety. The Committee reviewed current State regulations, which classify e-bikes as Class 1 and Class 2 and treat them similarly to traditional bicycles. As such, e-bikes are not subject to registration, insurance requirements, or mandatory safety training. Currently, several State legislators are drafting a bill that would require riders of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes to complete a mandatory safety course and register their vehicles. The Public Safety Subcommittee recommended that the Borough Council adopt a resolution urging support for the proposed legislation from our local Assembly representatives and State Senator. The Council discussed the subcommittee’s recommendation and decided that the Borough do the following: Continue educating the public about e-bike safety. The Police Chief will contact Madison Borough and Caldwell Borough to assess the impact of their e-bike ordinances on safety outcomes. Borough Attorney Oostdyk will review the e-bike ordinances adopted by Madison Borough and Caldwell Borough. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councilmember Howley will research and make a recommendation for the best strategy to enhance e-bike safety and compliance for the Borough. Borough Manager Stern and Police Chief Bennett will meet with the Mountain Lakes School Superintendent to discuss e- bike safety. BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS There were no discussion items. 1  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES SEPTMEBER 8, 2025 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Barnett opened the meeting to the public. There was no one from the public wishing to speak. ATTORNEY’S REPORT Borough Attorney Oostdyk reported the following: The Borough received one objection to its Fair Share Plan and Housing Element from the Fair Share Housing Center, challenging the Borough Planner's utilization of the Highlands buildout update analysis to determine vacant land available in the Borough for housing development. The Borough’s decision to use the analysis was based upon the legislation itself. Fair Share Housing disagrees that the Highland’s buildout was appropriately used and interprets the legislation as requiring municipalities to identify and plan for the redevelopment of currently utilized sites. Fair Share Housing believes that the Borough must identify sites that can be redeveloped to meet 25% of its fair share obligation. Under the established procedures for addressing objections, “the Program” must facilitate mediation between the Borough and Fair Share Housing. The Borough is required by December 31, 2025, to either reach an agreement to modify its Plan or formally justify why no changes are necessary. Borough Attorney Oostdyk and the Borough Planner will review the matter and consult with other municipal professionals to determine the Borough’s path forward. A closed session discussion will be scheduled during one of the October Council meetings to present recommendations regarding mediation strategy and next steps. MANAGER’S REPORT Borough Manager Stern provided his report (attached). The Council asked Mr. Stern questions, and he answered them. RESOLUTIONS There were no resolutions. ORDINANCES TO INTRODUCE 14-25, Amending Chapter 26 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Mountain Lakes and Establishing a Procedure for Appeals During the Police Department Promotional Process Introduced: 9/8/25 Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Howley Menard Sheikh Tsai Muilenburg Barnett ORDINANCES TO ADOPT There were no ordinances to adopt. *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. R145-25, Authorizing the Payment of Bills b. R146-25, Renewal of Membership in the Morris County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund c. R147-25, Creating and Implementing a Long-Range Plan to Address Drainage Issues 2  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES SEPTMEBER 8, 2025 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ d. R148-25, Authorizing the Use of a Procurement Card e. R149-25, Authorizing Contract With Approved National Cooperative Contract Vendor Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:34- 6.2 and P.L.2011, c.139 f. R150-25, Memorializing the Design and Construction of the Sunset Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project *APPROVAL OF MINUTES 8/25/25 (Regular) *BOARD, COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS a. Charlotte Caggiano and Samantha Hirschfeld to the Environmental Commission as student members *Approval of the Consent Agenda Council member M 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Cannon Howley Menard Sheikh Tsai Muilenburg Barnett Deputy Mayor Muilenburg and Councilmember Menard were absent at the 8/25/25 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 Health Commission – Councilmember Tsai reported the following: The Borough flu vaccination clinic will be held on September 23rd from 9:30-10:30am at Borough Hall. Nine cases of measles have been reported in New Jersey. Morris County has had an increase in food borne illnesses including salmonella, E. coli and vibrio. Attendance at Mount Olive’s child health clinics has increased due to cuts in Medicaid. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Barnett opened the meeting to the public. There was no one from the public wishing to speak. 3  MEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES SEPTMEBER 8, 2025 HELD AT BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ NEXT STEPS AND PRIORITIES Mayor Barnett reviewed the following next steps and priorities: Next Step Completed by Completion date Contact Madison Borough & Police Chief Caldwell Borough to Assess the Impact of their E-bike Ordinances on Safety Outcomes. Review Madison Borough and Borough Attorney Caldwell Borough Ordinances Regarding E-Bikes Research & Determine Best Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Strategy to Enhance E-Bike Safety Councilmember Howley and Compliance Meet with ML School Borough Manger & Police Chief Superintendent Regarding E-Bike Safety ADJOURNMENT at 8:01P.M. Motion made by Councilmember Howley, second by Councilmember Menard to adjourn the meeting at 8:01p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”. Respectfully Submitted, __________________________________ Cara Fox, Borough Clerk 4