Village Council Meeting

Village Council meetings are 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 JANUARY 14, 2026 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. Recognize Retirement of Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer and Director of Department of Public Works b. Recognize Ridgewood Lunar New Year Festival c. Jamboree Days 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. 8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total) 9. Village Manager's Report 10. Village Council Reports 11. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER NONE 12. ORDINANCES - PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER NONE 13. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 26-03 THROUGH 26-17 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: 26-03 Award Sole Source Contract – Furnish Corrosion Control Inhibitor (NTE $300,918.20) – Awards a sole source contract to ESC Environmental, Inc., 6 Redwood Drive, Glenville, NY 26-04 Award Sole Source Contract – Removal and Replacement of Existing Granular Activated Carbon Vessels at Carr, Twinney, Ravine and Prospect PFAS Treatment Facilities (NTE $363,600) – Awards a sole source contract to Calgon Carbon Corporation, 300 GSK Drive, Moon Township, PA 26-05 Award Sole Source Contract – Customer Portal and Invoice Cloud for Ridgewood Water Customers (NTE $48,106.70) – Awards the third year of a three-year contract to Watersmart Software, Inc., 1321 Upland Drive, Suite 8389, Houston, TX 26-06 Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Wells & Pumping Facilities – Approves the plans and specifications for Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Wells & Pumping Facilities, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59 26-07 Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Wells and Pumping Facilities (NTE $500,000) – Awards the first year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, A.C. Schultes, Inc., 664 South Evergreen Avenue, Woodbury Heights, NJ 26-08 Title 59 Approval – HVAC Maintenance and Repair – Approves the plans and specifications for HVAC Maintenance and Repair prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59 26-09 Award Contract – HVAC Maintenance and Repair – Ridgewood Water Headquarters, Well Facilities and PFAS Treatment Facilities (NTE $48,000) – Awards the first year of a two-year contract to the sole responsible bidder, KCG Energy Management, 70 Pine Brook Road, Towaco, NJ 26-10 Award Contract Under State Contract – Mass Notification System (NTE $49,769.67) – Awards the first year of a three-year contract to Everbridge, under State Contract through SHI International Corporation, 290 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 26-11 Award Professional Services Contract – Engineering Services for Water Main Replacements – West Glen Booster Station to Glen Water Tank (NTE $177,200) – Awards a non-fair and open Professional Services Contract to Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc., 96 U.S. Highway 206, Suite 101, Flanders, NJ. They Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law. 26-12 Award Professional Services Contract – Asset Management Plan Development for PFAS Treatment Facilities (NTE $350,000) – Awards a non-fair and open Professional Services Contract to Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South, Suite 300, Iselin, NJ. The Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law. 26-13 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Testing of Water Samples for Coliform and E. Coli Bacteria (Hawthorne) – Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Hawthorne, for a period not to exceed ten years, whereby Hawthorne will deliver water samples to Ridgewood, and will pay Ridgewood $20.30 per sample for testing for total Coliform and E. Coli Bacteria, in 2026. Ridgewood will submit the required reports to the State of NJ, and copy the Borough of Hawthorne. The price charged per sample will increase by 3% each subsequent year of the contract. 26-14 Authorize Change Order – Professional Engineering Services - Construction Administration and Observation of the Ravine PFAS Treatment Facility (NTE $39,000) – Authorizes a change order to the original vendor, Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South, Suite 300, Iselin, NJ. This change order is necessary due to the fact that Mott MacDonald has already expended more effort than anticipated on shop drawing a coordination time for a pre-engineered metal building; correspondence and meetings with the contractor; and developing a plan to have contractors bid on disinfection, inspection, and testing of the existing main between the Marr and Ravine wells. 26-15 Authorize Refund of Water Overpayment – 500 Route 17, Ridgewood (NTE $7,425.41) – Authorizes a refund check be issued to Kevin Cirello, 500 Route 17, Ridgewood, NJ due to the fact he was making payments on an incorrect water account, resulting in an overpayment on the account 26-16 Accept Ridgewood Water Annual Maintenance Fee - Accepts an operating and administrative maintenance fee from Ridgewood Water based on the amount of total tax indicated by the assessed value of the land owned by Ridgewood Water 26-17 Establish Interest Rates for Delinquent Payments to the Water Utility for 2026 and Set Grace Period for Payment of Water Utility Bills - Sets an interest rate of 8% per annum on the first $1,500 and 18% per annum on a balance over $1,500 for the non-payment of water utility bills in excess of $50. Also sets a 30-day grace period for the payment of all water bills. In addition, a 6% per annum penalty may be charged on any fiscal year delinquency in excess of $10,000 in paying a water bill, as is imposed on taxpayers for the non-payment of taxes. 14. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION 4076 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Sign at Recycling Center – Establishes a Stop Sign at the entrance to the parking lot at the Recycling Center, on the westbound side 4077 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Various Recreation Fees - Establishes 2026 fees for Graydon Pool Membership, Summer Day Camp, Tennis Membership, and Pickleball Membership 4078 – Rescind Chapter 210 – Park and Ride Facility – Chapter 210 for the Park and Ride Facility will be repealed and rescinded in its entirety, since the Village of Ridgewood no longer has any involvement with this commuter parking area 4079 – Amend Non-Union Salary Ordinance – Amends the Non-Union Salary Ordinance to add titles and modify salary ranges 4080 – Amend Management Salary Ordinance – Amends the Management Salary Ordinance to add titles to ranges and modify salary ranges 4081 – Vacate a Portion of Grandview Circle – Vacates a landlocked portion of Grandview Road, which is no longer needed for public use, and transfers the ownership of it to the adjacent property owners 4082 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Rental of Mobile Concession Unit – Amends the fees for rental of the mobile concession unit 4083 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Rental of The Pavilion at the Irene Habernickel Family Park – Establishes fees for rental of The Pavilion at the Irene Habernickel Family Park 15. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING 4069 - Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Install Midblock Crosswalk East Ridgewood Ave and Cottage Place Parking Lot 4070 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic - Commuter Parking at Ridgewood Train Station Parking Lot 4071 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development - Establish S-1 Senior Overlay Zone District 4072 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish TO-1 Townhouse Overlay District 4073 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development - Modify Zoning Standards to Create the C-R-1 Commercial- Residential District 4074 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development - Modify Zoning Standards for the B-1 and B-2 Districts 4075 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Modify the Mandatory Affordable Housing Set-Aside Standards 16. RESOLUTIONS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 26-18 THROUGH 26-44 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: 26-18 Authorize 2026 Temporary Budget Appropriations – General Budget, Water Utility Budget and Parking Utility Budget - Approves the 2026 Temporary Budgets for the General budget, the Water Utility budget, and the Parking Utility budget, which will fund Village operations prior to the adoption of the 2026 Budget 26-19 Authorize Tax Assessor/Tax Collector to File Appeals and/or Settlement Stipulations - Authorizes the Tax Assessor and/or Tax Collector to file tax appeals and/or settlement stipulations with the Bergen County Board of Taxation for the purpose of correcting assessment errors for the year 2026. This resolution also authorizes the Tax Assessor, in conjunction with the Village Attorney, to conduct settlement negotiations in matters pending before the Tax Court of New Jersey in 2026. 26-20 Award Contract – Grant Writer (NTE $39,600) - Awards a Professional Services contract to Millennium Strategies, LLC, 60 Columbia Road, Suite 230, Morristown, NJ 26-21 Award Contract – Annual Maintenance for Software for Finance Department (NTE $25,000) - Awards a contract to Edmunds & Associates, 301 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 26-22 Award Contract Under State Contract – Purchase and Installation of Additional Shade Systems and Replacement Cable Systems and Hardware (NTE $53,737) – Awards a contract under State Contract to General Recreation, Inc., P.O. Box 440, Newtown, PA 26-23 Award Contract Under Bergen County Contract – Untreated Rock Salt (NTE $78.48/ton, $120,000 in total) – Awards a contract under Bergen County Contract to Atlantic Salt, Inc., 134 Middle Street, Suite 210, Lowell, MA 26-24 Award Professional Services Contract - Elevator Subcode Inspection/Inspector – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Top Floor Elevated Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 246, Ridge Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ. The Village will be charged for 85% of the fees collected for elevator subcode duties, and the Village will receive 15% of the fees as an administrative fee. 26-25 Award Professional Services Contract - Professional Planner (NTE $150,000) – Appoints John Barree, of MJ Planning, LLP, P.O. Box 45, Atlantic Highlands, NJ as the Village Professional Planner, under a non-fair and open contract from 1/1/2026-12/31/2026. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law. 26-26 Authorize Execution of Agreement – Re-Assessment of All Real Property for Tax Equalization Purposes (NTE $1,055,080) – Authorizes the Mayor and Village Clerk to execute an Agreement with Appraisal Systems, Inc., 264 South Street, Building 2, Suite 1B, Morristown, NJ for a re-assessment, to be effective for the tax year 2027. This has been approved by the Bergen County Board of Taxation and the Director of the NJ Division of Taxation. 26-27 Reject All Bids – Impacted Soil Removal at the Schedler- Zabriskie Property – Rejects all bids received for this project due to the fact that the lowest responsible bid exceeded the budgeted funds available 26-28 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic (Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, and Mahwah)(NTE $8,000 - Maximum of $2,000 per municipality) - Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Fair Lawn, the Borough of Glen Rock, and the Township of Mahwah for a Child Health Clinic. Ridgewood and the other three municipalities will pay one-quarter of the cost for the program. In addition, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, and Mahwah will pay $500 each to the Village, as an administrative fee. 26-29 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Health Officer (Mahwah) – Authorizes the Village of Ridgewood to provide the Township of Mahwah with Health Officer Services for the year 2026, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Shared Services Agreement 26-30 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Removal of Trees on County Roads (Bergen County) – Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with Bergen County whereby Bergen County will remove trees in the public right of way of County roads if they are able to provide staffing to do so 26-31 Authorize 2025 Budget Reserve Transfers - Transfers money in the 2025 budget from departments that have excess funds to those departments that do not have adequate funds 26-32 Establish Interest Rate for Delinquent Taxes and Non-Payment of Assessments and Other Municipal Liens for 2026 and Set Grace Period and Due Date - Authorizes the Tax Collector to charge 8% per annum on the first $1,500 of the delinquency and 18% per annum on any amount in excess of $1,500 becoming delinquent after the due date. Also allows for a ten-day grace period for quarterly tax payments and a due date at 25 days from the date of Village Council certification of costs for other municipal liens. In addition, the Tax Collector is authorized to charge a 6% per annum penalty on any fiscal year delinquency in excess of $10,000. 26-33 Establish Interest Rates for Delinquent Payments for Significant Sewer Discharger Bills for 2026 - Sets an interest rate of 8% per annum on the first $1,500 and 18% per annum on a balance over $1,500 for the non-payment of significant sewer discharge bills. Also sets a 30-day grace period for all bills. In addition, a 6% per annum penalty may be charged on any fiscal year delinquency in excess of $10,000 in paying a significant sewer discharger bill, as is imposed on taxpayers for the non-payment of taxes. 26-34 Authorize Electronic Tax Sales – Authorizes the Tax Collector to continue to conduct electronic tax sales through New Jersey Tax Lien Investors/RealAuction.com, as allowed by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services 26-35 Authorize Cancellation of Tax Overpayments and Delinquent Amounts - Authorizes the Tax Collector to cancel delinquent property taxes and refund property tax overpayments in amounts of less than $10 26-36 Authorize Tax Collector to Charge for Mailing of Tax Sale Notices - Authorizes the Tax Collector to charge $25 per mailing of the tax sale notice and add it to the cost of the tax sale, in lieu of any two publications of the tax sale notice 26-37 Authorize Partial 2025 Tax Refund – Block 3612, Lot 2 – Authorizes the Tax Collector to partially refund 2025 property taxes paid, without interest, and to cancel the preliminary 2026 property taxes, as the property owner has qualified as a tax exempt Veteran 26-38 Authorize Tax Overpayment – Block 4502, Lot 46 – Authorizes the Tax Collector to refund the 2025 4th Quarter property taxes to Corelogic, since they submitted this payment on a tax exempt property 26-39 Authorize Bergen County Police Chiefs Association Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force – Authorizes the Ridgewood Police Department to participate in a County-wide Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force to be used in times of emergency 26-40 Adopt Form for Notice of Tort Claims – Adopts a form for Notice of Tort Claims to be used by the Village of Ridgewood, upon the recommendation of the Bergen County Joint Insurance Fund 26-41 Certify Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements - Certifies that the Village of Ridgewood’s hiring practices comply with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964”, as amended, pertaining to the consideration of an individual’s criminal history. This is required under P.L. 2017, c. 183, which requires that this be certified prior to the Village submitting its approved annual budget to the NJ Division of Local Government Services. 26-42 Accept Donation – Purchase and Installation of Plaque for Irene Habernickel Family Park Pavilion – Accepts the donation from an anonymous donor for the purchase and installation of a bronze dedication plaque for the Pavilion at the Irene Habernickel Family Park 26-43 Appoint Alternate Member to Planning Board – Appoints Sammy Thomas as the Alternate #2 Member to a term that expires on 12/31/2027 26-44 Confirm Endorsement of Community Development Block Grant – Family Promise of Bergen County – “Finding A Way Home: Moving Families to Stable Housing” Program - Confirms the endorsement of a $20,000 Community Development Block grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds. 17. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 3 minutes per person) 18. Adjournment