Mayor & Council Meeting

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting July 12, 2021 6:30 P.M CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Papaleo called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Borough Hall. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE Mayor Papaleo called for a moment of silent reflection and led the salute to the flag. STATEMENT – Mayor Papaleo read the statement of compliance into the record as follows: Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act: This meeting complies with the Open Public Meeting Act by notification on January 8th of this location, date and time to the Ridgewood News and the Record and by posting of same on the municipal bulletin board and Borough Web Site and filing a notice of the same with the Municipal Clerk. ROLL CALL – Councilwoman Busteed, Councilman Chinigo, Councilman Gautier, Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella, Councilwoman Montisano-Koen and Mayor Papaleo were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Busteed, the minutes of the Mayor and Council Closed Session June 14, 2021 and the minutes of the Mayor and Council Closed Session of June 22, 2021were approved unanimously On motion by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Busteed, the minutes of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting of June 28, 2021 were approved on the following roll call: Councilman Chinigo, Councilman Gautier, Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella and Councilwoman Montisano-Koen voted yes; Councilwoman Busteed abstained. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilman Gautier, seconded by Councilwoman Kaufman to open for public comments on any item on the agenda was unanimously approved. There being no comments by the public, the motion by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella to close public comments on any item on the agenda was unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On motion by Councilwoman Busteed, seconded by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, the appointments and personnel changes were approved unanimously as follows: The retirement of Sergeant Curt Wilhelm from the River Edge Police Department effective August 1, 2021; The appointment of Garrett Stucke to the River Edge Junior Firefighter Program effective July 12, 2021; The appointment of Alexis Zaken to the River Edge Junior Firefighter Program effective July 12, 2021. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT – The Mayor appoints Neal Carroll as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator effective July 12, 2021. Mayor Papaleo administered the oath of office to Alexis Zaken, Garrett Stucke and Neal Carroll. MONTHLY REPORTS – Library Board of Trustees - July 2021 Tax Collector - June 2021 SECOND READING & HEARING ON ORDINANCES Mayor Papaleo read the title of Ordinance #21-22 into the record. Ordinance #21-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, CHAPTER 192, “DRUG FREE ZONES” Ordinance #21-22 was introduced by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella and unanimously approved at the June 28, 2021 meeting as follows: BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE ORDINANCE #21-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE, CHAPTER 192, “DRUG-FREE ZONES” BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: Section 1. Section 192-1, entitled “Designation of school crossing”, shall amended with the following: Add: Howland Avenue and Kinderkamack Road Section 2. Any and all other ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with any of the terms hereof are hereby repealed to such extent as they are so in conflict or inconsistent. Section 3. In case any article, section or provision of this ordinance shall be held invalid in any court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall not affect any other article, section or provision of this ordinance except insofar as the article, section or provision so declared invalid shall be inseparable from the remainder or any portion thereof. Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law. ___________________________________ Thomas Papaleo, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Stephanie Evans, Borough Clerk Lissette Aportela, Borough Administrator-explained that this ordinance establishes a designation of a school crossing at the intersection of Howland and Kinderkamack Road . Once the ordinance is in effect, the Police Department will be able to place a crossing guard at that location. OPEN HEARING OF THE PUBLIC – Ordinance #21-22 On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier to open the hearing of the public on Ordinance #21-22 was unanimously approved. CLOSE HEARING OF THE PUBLIC - Ordinance #21-22 There being no comments by the public, the motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilman Chinigo to close the hearing of the public on Ordinance #21-22 was unanimously approved. ADOPTION – Ordinance #21-22 On motion by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilman Chinigo to adopt Ordinance #21-22 was unanimously approved. ******** RESOLUTIONS - By Consent On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella, resolution #21- 209 through #21-215 were unanimously approved. #21-209 Form of Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation NJS 40A:4-87 WHEREAS, NJS 40A:4-87 provides that the Director of the Division of Local Government Services may approve the insertion of any special item of revenue in the budget of any county or municipality when such item shall have been made available by law and the amount was not determined at the time of the adoption of the budget; and WHEREAS, the Director may also approve the insertion of an item of appropriation for equal amount, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough of River Edge in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an item of revenue in the budget of the year 2021 in the sum of $55,026.00, which is now available from “Body Worn Cameras - 2021” in the amount of $55,026.00. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the like sum of $55,026.00 is hereby appropriated under the caption “Body Worn Cameras - 2021”; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above is the result of funds from State of NJ in the amount of $55,026.00. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-210 Authorize Issuance of Purchase Order – Phase I of the Borough Documents Management Project WHEREAS, Phase I of the Borough Documents Management Project was authorized in the 2021 capital budget; and WHEREAS, the Borough of River Edge is a member of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) since July 11, 2019; and WHEREAS, the Borough Administrator, Lissette Aportela obtained quote from AccuScan for the records management project via ESCNJ Contract #ESCNJ 16/17-48 for the scanning and digital storage of records from the Building Department and has recommended at a purchase order be issued to AccuScan; and WHEREAS, Chief Financial Officer Chris Battaglia has advised that funding is available for this project. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge that the Borough Administrator, Lissette Aportela is authorized to issue a purchase order for continuation of Phase I of the Borough Documents Management Project for the scanning and digital storage of records from the Building Department to AccuScan, having its principal office at 950 Mt. Holly Road, Building 3 in Edgewater Park, NJ 08010 based on the quote submitted on June 25, 2021 in the amount of $9,000.00. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-211 Authorize the Borough of River Edge to Participate in the National Cooperative Contract with OMNIA Partners WHEREAS, P.L. 2011, c.139, and N.J.S.A. 52:34-6.2 authorize contracting units to make purchases through the use of national cooperative purchasing agreements; and WHEREAS, OMNIA Partners, offers free voluntary membership for interested local government entities; and WHEREAS, the OMNIA Partners offers a variety of goods and services through cooperative purchasing agreements available to its members; and WHEREAS, the Borough of River Edge is desirous of entering into an agreement with the OMNIA Partners that will permit the Borough to purchase certain goods and/or services, as may be set forth in subsequent resolutions. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge that the Borough Administrator/Qualified Purchasing Agent is hereby authorized and empowered to execute an appropriate agreement with the OMNIA Partners and to take all other steps necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this resolution. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-212 Approve Severance Payment to Curt Wilhelm WHEREAS, Curt Wilhelm will retire on August 1, 2021 after over 32 years of employment with the River Edge Police Department; and WHEREAS, said employee had accumulated unused vacation days and is due a severance payment as per Borough Ordinance #585, which provides for severance pay when an employee serves the Borough after twenty (20) years or more of continuous service; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that Curt Wilhelm is entitled to a severance payment in the amount of $53,764.70. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, that the aforementioned severance payment in the amount of $53,764.70 is hereby approved. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-213 Resolution Permitting the Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at a Block Party on The Fenway WHEREAS, on or about July 12, 2021, the Borough of River Edge granted permission to Colleen Kiely, 489 The Fenway, River Edge, New Jersey, to hold a block party on The Fenway between Wayne Avenue and Kensington Road on Saturday, September 4th with a rain date of September 5th starting at 3:00 p.m. in accordance with Borough Ordinance #1678; and WHEREAS, Colleen Kiely has requested that the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages be permitted in connection with said block party; and WHEREAS, Borough Code Section 114-15 allows the Governing Body to permit the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on a public street or sidewalk in connection with an authorized block party. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge that persons age 21 and over be and hereby are permitted to possess and consume alcoholic beverages at the block party described above, on the date and time specified herein. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-214 Award Contract – Fire Company #2 HVAC Replacement WHEREAS, the Borough of River Edge had requested quotations from three (3) contractors for the Fire Company #2 HVAC Replacement Project; and WHEREAS, the lowest quotation was received from R & R Heating and Air conditioning LLC in the amount of $16,900.00; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Public Works has reviewed the three (3) quotations and has recommended that the contract be awarded to R & R Heating and Air Conditioning LLC; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available for this project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge that a contract for the Fire Company #2 HVAC Replacement shall be awarded to R & R Heating and Air Conditioning LLC having it’s principal office at 422 Mercer Avenue, River Edge, New Jersey 07661 in the amount of $16,900.00. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Borough Administrator are hereby authorized to sign said contract on behalf of the Borough of River Edge. July 12, 2021 ******** #21-215 Resolution for Renewal of Membership in the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance WHEREAS, the Borough of River Edge is a member of the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund; and WHEREAS, said renewed membership terminates as of December 31, 2021 unless earlier renewed by agreement between the Municipality and the Fund; and WHEREAS, the Municipality desires to renew said membership; NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: 1. The Borough of River Edge agrees to renew its membership in the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and to be subject to the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, coverages, and operating procedures thereof as presently existing or as modified from time to time by lawful act of the Fund. 2. The Mayor and Clerk shall be and hereby are authorized to execute the agreement to renew membership annexed hereto and made a part hereof and to deliver same to the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund evidencing the Municipality's intention to renew its membership. July 12, 2021 ******** Councilwoman Kaufman read resolution #21-216 into the record. On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Chinigo, resolution #21-216 was unanimously approved. #21-216 Payment of Bills At a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, held on July 12, 2021. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $673,135.79 CAPITAL FUND $ 29,334.95 GRANT FUND $ 1,672.75  ANIMAL CONTROL FUND $ 11.40 TRUST OTHER FUND $ 4,443.88 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW FUND $ 6,087.50 RECREATION TRUST FUND $ 12,762.39 July 12, 2021 FOR DISCUSSION – River Edge Police Department Table of Organization - Chief Walker explained in detail the changes that the Police Department would like to make the table of organization. He also explained why he feels that reinstating the Captain position would be beneficial to the department on a day to day basis as well as the financial savings. Council President Chinigo-said that if the Chief feels that his department will run more effective and stream lined then they should go along with it as long as our CFO, Chris Battaglia confirms the numbers. He suggested that we ask our CFO to give an analysis from a financial prospective before the next meeting and this way they will have all pieces of the puzzle before making a decision. Councilwoman Kinsella-asked if a reduction of a police officer position would result in more overtime? Chief Walker- said that with better evaluations and better supervision, they can address that. Chief Walker also explained that they won’t have to go through another testing process because there would be an elevation of Craig Casey from Lieutenant to Captain. Tom Sarlo, Esq.-agrees that the Captain’s position should be reinstated because it’s vital to have a second in command. He also explained that they will need to have a promotional policy in place down the line. If the Council choses to elevate Lt. Casey to the Captain’s position with an agreement with the PBA, the Labor Attorney, Matt Giacobbe would have to get involved. Mr. Sarlo said that the Council was considering reducing the officers in the current table of organization from 17 to 16. He explained that they don’t need to fill all of the positions just because they’re included in the table of organization. It’s just there for flexibility in case things change. The Mayor and Council were in agreement to task the Borough Administrator, Lissette Aportela to ask our CFO, Chris Battaglia to provide them with a report one week before the next meeting so they have time to review it. The Council was also in agreement to have Mr. Sarlo draft a revised ordinance before the next meeting for the council to review. NEW BUSINESS – River Edge Fire Department Purchase of New Fire Truck- Lissette Aportela-explained in this years capital budget, enough money has been accumulated to purchase a new fire truck which would be purchased through a national cooperative. She stated that purchasing through a nation cooperative requires additional steps that need to be taken before putting a resolution on. The vendor is offering a discount of approximately $18,085 if the Borough prepays 75% of the total cost up front, which would be $484,000. Lissette said that this was reviewed by the CFO who deferred to the Borough Attorney. Mr. Sarlo referenced that the governing body had a similar situation in 2014. Based on his research, in 2014 he recommended that governing body err on the side of caution and not enter into the prepayment and that recommendation still stands today. In order to move forward with the purchase, she needs consensus from the Council on how to proceed. Michelle Kaufman-said that she believes that they did do the 75% prepay last time despite the attorney’s recommendation. She said that the vendor has been vetted by the co-op which should provide some sense of security. She said that she is in favor of the 75% prepay. Council President Chinigo-asked Mr. Sarlo what his reasons were for that recommendation? Tom Sarlo-said that at the time he did extensive research and there was nothing saying you should or shouldn’t prepay. He said that the benefit is the savings but the potential downside is if the company goes into bankruptcy you’ve just lost a large chunk of money. In 2014, American LaFrance went into bankruptcy and other fire truck companies were not on steady financial footing which was one of the things he considered. At that time, he wanted the Council to know the pros and cons before making the decision and they decided to prepay. Council President Chinigo-asked Chief Sanders and Deputy Chief Cariddi if they should be concerned that this company will go bankrupt. Chief Sanders-said no there is no worry about them going bankrupt. Councilwoman Montisano-Koen-asked Mr. Sarlo if a penalty of some sort was included in the agreement would that be something out of the ordinary or a common issue? Tom Sarlo-doesn’t think Pierce would agree to that. Councilwoman Kinsella-asked if milestones would be considered the same thing as a penalty just saying these things should be done by a certain date or is that something that they definitely would not agree too? Tom Sarlo-explained that usually there is a timeline for delivery and the vendor will send some of the truck committee members out to inspect it. He said he could look at the last contract that we did in 2014 which will probably be similar to this one. Deputy Chief Cariddi-said that he was pretty sure that national co-ops do not allow penalty clauses. In 2014 there was no penalty clause with that purchase. Mayor Papaleo-asked if there’s a possibility to negotiate 60% instead of 75% down with the same discount? Deputy Chief Cariddi-doesn’t believe that’s possible. Chief Sanders-agreed. Mayor Papaleo-asked Chief Sanders and Deputy Chief Cariddi for the record, to make the recommendation to go with the 75% down and receive a credit of approximately $18,000. Chief Sanders and Deputy Chief Cariddi-both made that recommendation. On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier to direct the CFO, Borough Administrator in concert with our Chief’s to move forward with the offer of 75% down with a discount of approximately $18,000 was unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS – Cannabis Committee – no report. Fire Department Alcohol Policy – discussion will be tabled until the next meeting in August. PUBLIC COMMENTS – On motion by Councilman Gautier, seconded by Councilwoman Busteed to open for public comments was unanimously approved. There being no comments by the public, then motion by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen, seconded by Councilman Gautier to close public comments was unanimously approved. COUNCIL COMMENTS - Councilwoman Kaufman-extended her congratulations to Garrett and Alexis and is happy to see that our Fire Department is growing. Councilwoman Busteed-thanked everyone involved for putting the fabulous 4th of July festivities together and said that it was great to see so many residents and guests lining Bogert Road and Continental Avenue to bring back a wonderful Independence Day celebration. She thanked all of the participants especially the Grand Marshall, Ed McDermott who gave a great speech and hoped everyone enjoyed listening to his heartfelt words. Councilwoman Busteed thanked Carolyn Baldanza, our Recreation Director, all the volunteers on the July 4th committee, DPW, Fire Department, Police Department and everyone who helped bring the celebration back to River Edge and looks forward to many years of celebrations. Councilman Gautier- thanked Chief Walker for his presentation and echoed Councilwoman Busteed’s comments on the July 4th festivities. He also thanked DPW for continuing to do great work and reported that the 2021 road repaving and striping will be completed this week. He stated that we’ve had several storms recently which brought several trees down in our parks and on our streets and commended the DPW for doing a tremendous cleanup. Councilwoman Kinsella-congratulated our Public Health Nurse, Arlene Faustini on receiving the Hometown Hero Award. Mayor Papaleo-echoed what everyone has said and is happy to honor Arlene and Ed in different ways for what they have done for the town and the residents of River Edge. He welcomed our new firefighters and new OEM Deputy. The Mayor attended the Annual Car Show which was held in Oradell at the Regional High School. He felt that it was a great location and was a very successful event. The Mayor congratulated the Cultural Center for putting together another great car show. Mayor Papaleo congratulated Chief Walker and his officers for getting a grant and for doing public safety pedestrian enforcement. He asked the Chief to speak about how they got the grant, how successful it was and how many residents came up and thanked him for it. Chief Walker-said he had spoken with the Chief of New Milford who was watching his own officers participate in a pedestrian crosswalk detail. He mentioned it to Officer Diamond who obtained training and then applied for a grant with AAA which they received. He explained that AAA observed 6 officers who were spread out along Kinderkamack at different locations calling in license place of violators. Officer Sanches acted as a pedestrian and wore the required bright shirt and continued to cross back and forth at a crosswalk. He said that they made 50 stops, wrote 40 tickets and gave out several warnings. He said residents stopped, spoke with them, thanking them because they felt good about it as their kids cross Kinderkamack on their bicycles. The Chief feels that it’s a quality of life thing and it’s something that they can expand on. ADJOURNMENT - 7:35 P.M. On motion by Councilman Chinigo, seconded by Councilwoman Montisano-Koen to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m was unanimously approved. _____________________________________ Thomas Papaleo, Mayor Attest: _________________________ Stephanie Evans, Borough Clerk Dated: