Village Council Meeting

Village Council meetings are now available with participants at remote locations, connecting to conferencing software provided by zoom.us or by telephone. Members of the public are invited to view meetings live using Zoom, which also allows them to “raise a hand” and contribute with voice and video when they are invited to do so, during Public Comments as well as during Public Hearings, during the meeting. Please click the link below to join the virtual meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82592799142?pwd=aUlFVTBiditwbEsyRXJFcUFnd3ovdz09 Webinar ID: 825 9279 9142 Passcode: 07450 or Telephone, Dial: 1-646-558-8656, 1-646-931-3860, 1-309-205-3325, or 1-312-626-6799 VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 9, 2025 7:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order - Mayor 2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act 3. Roll Call - Village Clerk 4. Flag Salute 5. Acceptance of Financial Reports 6. Approval of Minutes 7. Proclamations A. HealthBarn 10th Anniversary B. Proclaim April as Tree Planting Month and April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day C. Proclaim May 4-10, 2025 National Drinking Water Week D. Proclaim May as Building Safety Month E. Proclaim May as Older Americans Month F. Proclaim May Mental Health Awareness Month 8. Swearing-in of Police Sergeant Douglas Busche 9. Swearing-in of Police Sergeant Joseph DiBenedetto 10. Police Department Awards A. Honorable Service Awards – Ptl. William Malone and Ptl. Isaiah Walters  B. Unit Citation Awards – Detective Captain William Amoruso, Lt. John Chuck, Sgt. John Ward, Sgt. Douglas Busche, Ptl. Peter Youngberg, Detective Christopher Mormino, Detective Keith Killion, Detective Kyle Monton Pursuant to Chapter 3-19 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood, Manner of Addressing Council, and Chapter 3-20, Decorum, the Village Council meetings shall be conducted in the following manner: Manner of Addressing Council Persons other than Councilmembers may be permitted to address the Council in the proper order of business. A person present may, upon recognition by the Chair, be heard either upon ordinances upon second reading or at the time of petitions and oral communications from the public and at such other times as the Council may, by majority vote of those present, specifically permit. No person shall address any remark or question to any specific Councilmember, nor shall any person be permitted to address the Chair while a motion is pending. A Councilmember may, through the Chair, respond to any communication or address received pursuant to this section. Decorum Any person who shall disturb the peace of the Council, make impertinent or slanderous remarks or conduct himself in a boisterous manner while addressing the Council shall be forthwith barred by the presiding officer from further audience before the Council, except that if the speaker shall submit to proper order under these rules, permission for him to continue may be granted by a majority vote of the Council. 11. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total) 12. Village Manager's Report 13. Village Council Reports 14. 2025 BUDGET INTRODUCTION A. Budget Message B. Introduction - Ordinance #4046 – Establish a CAP Bank - Establishes that the final appropriations in the CY 2025 budget will be increased by 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations, amounting to $1,708,809.95 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted. This is done in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14, and is advisable in order to establish a CAP Bank. C. RESOLUTIONS  THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 25-185, WILL BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE THE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY: 25-185 Increase Deferred School Taxes - Increases deferred school taxes from $52,424,177 to $53,918,607 an increase of $1,494,430 from 12/31/2023 to 12/31/2024 THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 25-186, WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL: 25-186 Approve 2025 Municipal Budget and Set May 14, 2025 as the Date for the Public Hearing Thereon 15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER NONE 16. ORDINANCES - PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER 4037 – Amend Chapter 145 - Fees - Establish 2025 Ridgewood Water Rates, Facilities Charge, and PFAS Treatment Charge 4038 – Amend Chapter 269 – Water – Proof of Lead or Galvanized Service Line Replacement 4039 – Bond Ordinance - Water Utility Capital (NTE $4,992,000) 17. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 25-187 THROUGH 25-188 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY: 25-187 Award Emergency Contract – Repacking and Restoration of Air Stripping Tower – Wortendyke Water Treatment Facility (NTE $113,818) – Awards an emergency contract to Pact Two, LLC, 554 Route 31, Ringoes, NJ 25-188 Authorize Change Order – Asphalt Trench Patching (NTE $150,000) – Authorizes a change order to the original contractor, Conquest Construction, Inc., 450 South River Street, Hackensack, NJ. The change order is necessary due to the high volume of water main breaks in the winter of 2025. 18. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION 4047 – Authorize Acquisition of Certain Real Property Easement Interest – 535 East Ridgewood Avenue – Authorizes the Village Attorney to obtain the easement interest in this property, which is necessary to connect the Irving Well/Treatment Plant to the Prospect Treatment Plant, in Glen Rock, by November 30, 2025 for treatment for the removal of PFAS. This use is for a public purpose, is mandated by the NJDEP, and will promote the general health and welfare of the community and all persons who drink and/or use Ridgewood Water. 19. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING 4040 - Amend Chapter 156 – Food and Food Handling Establishments – Establish Definition of Temporary Events 4041 - Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Health Department Annual Fees for Temporary Events 4042 – Amend Chapter 105 – Animals - Prohibit Wildlife Feeding Ordinance 4043 - Amend Chapter 260 – Tree Protection, Removal, and Replacement 4044 - Amend Chapter 241 – Regulating Skateboards, Scooters and Micromobility Vehicles or Devices in the Central Business District 4045 – Bond Ordinance - General Capital (NTE $4,092,190) 20. ORDINANCES – CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING 4034 - Bond Ordinance – Paving of Various Roads and Purchase of Packer Sanitation Trucks (NTE $2,765,550) 21. RESOLUTIONS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 25-189 THROUGH 25-216 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY: 25-189 Title 59 Approval – Tree Irrigation – Approves the plans and specifications for Department of Parks Proposal for Tree Irrigation Services Throughout the Village of Ridgewood for 2025, prepared by Ridgewood Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59 25-190 Award Contract – Tree Irrigation (NTE $79,295) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Bill’s Landscaping and Design, Inc., 654 Maple Avenue, Ridgefield, NJ 25-191 Award Contract – Insecticide Injection for Emerald Ash Borer (NTE $13,446) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible quote from Bartlett Tree Experts, 33 Zazzetti Street, Waldwick, NJ 25-192 Award Contract – Disposal of Ground Yardwaste and Grass Clippings (NTE $85,000) – Awards a contract to a NJDEP qualified “end user” of recyclable materials to RVH Mulch Supply, LLC, 455 West Main Street, Wyckoff, NJ 25-193 Award Contract – Billing of Basic Life Support Services (7% of the billing collected) – Awards the second year of a three-year contract to Coronis Health, RCM,LLC, 50 U.S. Highway 9, Building B, Morganville, NJ 25-194 Award Sole Source Contract – Programming Updates to SCADA System – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $11,271.48) – Awards a sole source contract to Emerson Process Management Power and Water Solutions, Inc., 200 Beta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 25-195 Award Sole Source Contract – Software Support for SCADA System – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $44,352.96) – Awards a sole source three-year contract to Emerson Process Management Power and Water Solutions, 200 Beta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 25-196 Award Contract Under State Contract – Camera System for Police Detective Bureau Interview Room (NTE $26,026.80) - Awards a contract under State Contract to Axon Enterprise, Inc., 17800 North 85th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 25-197 Award Contract Under State Contract – Spatial Data Logic Software (NTE $58,500) – Awards a Contract under State contract to SHI, 290 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 25-198 Award Contract Under County Contract – Untreated Rock Salt (NTE $100,000) – Awards a Contract under Bergen County contract to Atlantic Salt, Inc., 134 Middle Street, Suite 210, Lowell, MA 25-199 Award Contract Under County Contract – 2024 Ford F-350 Super Cab – Parks Department (NTE $56,863.40) – Awards a contract under County Contract to Route 23 Auto Mall, LLC, 1301 Route 23, Butler, NJ 25-200 Award Contract Under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System – Vehicle Tracking Subscription – Various Village Departments (NTE $28,652.40) - Awards a contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System to Verizon Connect, 100 Southgate Parkway, Morristown, NJ 25-201 Award Contract Under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System – Liftgate for Ford F-350 SD Super Cab – Parks Department (NTE $4,650) – Awards a contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System to FDR Hitches, 1173 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 25-202 Award Contract Under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System – 2 Freightliner Rear Loader Packer Trucks – Sanitation Department (NTE $523,600 for 2 trucks) – Awards a contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System to Premier Truck Sales & Rental, Inc. 7700 Wall Street, Cleveland, OH 25-203 Award Contract Under Educational Services Commission of NJ Cooperative Pricing System – Purchase of Equipment, Service, and Licenses for Access Control, and CCTV – Office of Emergency Management Headquarters - 33 Douglas Place (NTE $90,000) – Awards a contract under Educational Services Commission of NJ Cooperative Pricing System to Open Systems Integrators, Inc., 211 Yardville Hamilton Square Road, Hamilton, NJ 25-204 Award Contract Under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System Through Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract – 4-inch Submersible Trash Pump – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $63,125) – Awards a contract under the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract, as the Lead Agency, to Rapid Pump and Meter Service Company, Inc., 285 Straight Street, Paterson, NJ 25-205 Award Contract Under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System Through Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract – Purchase and Installation of Digester Gas Safety Equipment – Supply and Installation of 2 Gas Sediment Traps – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $109,635) - Awards a contract under the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract, as the Lead Agency, to Rapid Pump and Meter Service Company, Inc., 285 Straight Street, Paterson, NJ 25-206 Award Contract Under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System Through Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract – Purchase and  Installation of Two Digester Roof Gas Swivel Connections – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $45,530) - Awards a contract under the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract, as the Lead Agency, to Rapid Pump and Meter Service Company, Inc., 285 Straight Street, Paterson, NJ 25-207 Award Contract Under North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System Through Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract – 3 Penn Valley Sludge Pumps – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $224,442) - Awards a contract under the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Contract, as the Lead Agency, to Rapid Pump and Meter Service Company, Inc., 285 Straight Street, Paterson, NJ 25-208 Award Professional Services Contract – Third Party Engineering Inspection Services – Structural Repair of Kingsbridge Lane Pedestrian Bridge (NTE $20,910) – Awards a non-fair and open Professional Services Contract to Lahita Engineering, 50 Harrison Street, Suite 317, Hoboken, NJ. The Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law. 25-209 Award Professional Services Contract – Historic Architectural Services – Grant Writing Assistance and Restoration of Brick Work at Entrance to Pedestrian Tunnel at Train Station (NTE $4,000) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Barton Ross and Partners, LLC, 184 South Livingston Avenue, Suite 9-140, Livingston, NJ 07039 25-210 Authorize Cancellation of Real Estate Property Taxes on Tax Exempt Property – Block 1411, Lot 13 – Cancels the 2024 4th quarter and the 2025 preliminary 1st and 2nd quarters of property taxes on this property, due to the fact that the church on this property has been granted a tax exemption, effective August 1, 2024 25-211 Authorize Refund of Real Estate Property Taxes Paid on Tax Exempt Property – Block 1411, Lot 13 – Refunds the 2024 4th quarter, the 2025 1st quarter, and a portion of the 2025 2nd quarter property taxes, which resulted in a tax overpayment, due to the fact that the church on this property has been granted a tax exemption, effective August 1, 2024 25-212 Authorize Community Energy Planning Grant through Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program – Technical Assistance for Energy Consumption in Village Facilities – Authorizes Millennium Strategies, the Village’s Grant Writer, to apply for a $2,500 Start-up Grant for Technical Assistance for Energy Efficiency in Municipal Facilities through Sustainable Jersey- PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership 25-213 Endorse Submission of Recycling Tonnage Grant - Annual resolution which endorses the submission of the Municipal Recycling Tonnage Grant Application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and designates Sean Hamlin, Certified Recycling Coordinator, to ensure that the application is properly filed 25-214 Authorize Application to NJ Historic Trust for a Grant for Restoration of Pedestrian Tunnel at Train Station – Authorizes an application for a $572,435 matching grant from the NJ Historic Trust for restoration of the train station pedestrian tunnel and its entrances 25-215 Endorse RevolutionNJ’s Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of The United States of America – Commemorates the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States in 2026 and encourages Ridgewood residents to recognize the role that the State of New Jersey played in the development of our nation 25-216 Appoint Member to Community Center Advisory Board – Appoints Gwenn Hauck as an Adult Resident to the Community Center Advisory Board to a term that expires on 6/30/2025 22. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 3 minutes per person) 23. Adjournment