Mayor & Council Meeting

MINUTES Mayor and Council Regular Meeting Monday, October 25, 2021 6:00 P.m. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Papaleo called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the courtyard in front of Borough Hall. SILENT PRAYER – FLAG SALUTE – Mayor Papaleo called for a moment of silent prayer 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 October 15th 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 Gautier, Councilwoman Kaufman, Councilwoman Kinsella and Mayor Papaleo were present; Councilman Chinigo and Councilwoman Montisano- Koen were absent. On motion by Councilwoman Busteed, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella, resolution #21-296 and #21-297 were unanimously approved. #21-296 Appoint Patrol Officer Ryan P. Reilly WHEREAS, vacancies exist in the rank of Patrol Officer in the River Edge Police Department; and WHEREAS, the River Edge Police Department received 23 applications and conducted 12 screening interviews; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council interviewed 5 candidates on June 22, 2021; and WHEREAS, an eligibility list has been established ranking 4 of the aforementioned candidates. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, that Ryan P. Reilly is hereby appointed as Patrol Officer for the River Edge Police Department effective October 25, 2021 at an annual salary of $42,653. October 25, 2021 ******** #21-297 Appoint Patrol Officer Jason S. Hall WHEREAS, vacancies exist in the rank of Patrol Officer in the River Edge Police Department; and WHEREAS, the River Edge Police Department received 23 applications and conducted 12 screening interviews; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council interviewed 5 candidates on June 22, 2021; and WHEREAS, an eligibility list has been established ranking 4 of the aforementioned candidates. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, that Jason S. Hall is hereby appointed as Patrol Officer for the River Edge Police Department effective October 25, 2021 at an annual salary of $42,653. October 25, 2021 OATHS OF OFFICE - The Mayor administered the Oaths of Office to Patrol Officer Ryan Reilly and Jason Hall. RECESS – 6:15 P.M. RE-OPEN REGULAR SESSION – 6:25 P.M. FOR DISCUSSION – Tabled Resolution #21-282 -Waive Police Outside Duty – On motion by Councilwoman Busteed, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella to take resolution #21-282 off the table for discussion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Busteed-said that after reading comments from Chief Walker regarding this request, he said that they get less than a handful of requests in a year and had no objection to waiving this fee. He also said that it often ends up making improvements to the residents home so she agrees with waiving this request. On motion by Councilwoman Busteed, seconded by Councilman Gautier to approve resolution #21-282 was unanimously approved. #21-282 Approval to Waive the Police Outside Duty Fee for Sylvia Conlin, 894 Bogert Road WHEREAS, resident Sylvia Conlin of 894 Bogert Road had her driveway repaved on Thursday, September 30, 2021; and WHEREAS, at the request of the paving company, a police officer was requested for traffic duty due to the location; and WHEREAS, Sylvia Conlin has made an appeal to the Mayor and Council to waive the administrative fee portion of the $135.00 per hour rate and be billed for the officers overtime rate; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have indicated that the outside duty rate of $135.00 be waived and that the actual overtime rate of the police officer assigned to that duty be charged. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Police Department and the Chief Financial Officer are instructed to adjust their billing accordingly and to notify Sylvia Conlin of the fee to be paid for the services provided. October 25, 2021 ********** Request for Exception – Resident Parking on Grove Street – Lissette Aportela, Borough Administrator – explained that the property owners of 809 Park Avenue contacted her requesting parking for their tenants on Grove Street as their property only has a two car garage. The property owner said that the prior owner was able to obtain parking permits. She researched to see if there had been a similar request that had come before the governing body and found that there was discussion in late 2019 but nothing was brought forward. Chief Walker conducted a site inspection of the area and can provide further information. Chief Walker-said that he doesn’t recall making any exceptions except if it was for a day or two type of thing. He has concerns about offering the lot to residents because there will probably be overnight parking and the lot is very dark and very uneven. He explained that everyone who lives in that area has had to deal with the “No Parking 9 to 11” and they will be setting a precedent by making an exception. Chief Walker doesn’t know how you can make an exception for one particular house. Mayor Papaleo-stated that there was a discussion about parking on Manning Avenue, where he lives, and the Police Chief at the time felt that this would not stand up in court and would not solve any problems. The Mayor feels that this will open up a whole can of worms because requests will start to happen from residents who live on streets with parking restrictions. The Mayor cautioned the Council from moving forward on this because it will set a precedent and create more chaos that good. The consensus of the Council was not to move forward with this request. MEL-JIF Employment Practices Liability Compliance Program – Lissette Aportela-explained that all municipalities were required by November 1st to meet requirements for the Municipal Employment Liability Joint Insurance Fund. She reported that we’ve met the criteria for compliance ahead of the deadline. 2021 Best Practices Inventory – Lissette Aportela – explained that the Best Practices Inventory is a department of the State which was started about 10 years ago. Based on the scoring and results, if municipalities don’t meet certain thresholds, they start reducing the last payment of state aid. State aid is funding that all municipalities receive from the State and is included as a line item of revenue in the budget. Based on our score, we will keep all of our funding and no State aid is being withheld. She said that to have no aid withheld, you need to have at least 15 points and we scored 21 points. She said the deadline to file is November 3rd and again we are ahead of the deadline. Fee Schedule Revisions – Lissette Aportela-explained that our Code is evaluated by a codification company which is more to look at legislation to see what is out of date or inconsistent. She asked the departments to review the Borough’s fee schedule and in reviewing the current fees, many of them were out of date. She explained some of the proposed fee changes as well as new fees which she would like to implement. She said that many of the components on the fee schedule have not been touched in at least a decade. If the governing body agrees with the recommendations, she will put this in ordinance format and introduce and adopt before the end of this year. There were no objections by the Council. Vehicle Replacement – Lissette Aportela-explained that there was a police vehicle that was completely damaged by Tropical Storm Ida and our insurance did provide a partial amount to cover the cost of the loss of the vehicle. She researched old capital balances that would make up the difference in the cost of the vehicle and upfitting. The borough does not need to incur any additional debt because we have balances that we are required to clean-up anyway. Chief Walker-explained that they lost a radio car due to flooding on Valley Road during Tropical Storm Ida. He said that when they lose a car, it has a tremendous effect on them especially with the amount of traffic going on right now, his people are out every day on traffic detail. Initially he was concerned that he would have to come to the Council for money, but was very happy that Lissette was able to find money in capital funds that already exist to cover the cost of a car. Lissette Aportela-stated that for an expenditure to take place, you have to adopt a resolution and if the governing body is on board, she and Chief Walker will finalize the information. Councilwoman Kaufman-asked how much are we moving over for this? Chief Walker-said that it will be covered from the insurance money they received and money in existing capital balances. Lissette Aportela-explained that once a resolution is prepared, the CFO will certify the funds which would outline all of the old accounts going back to 2016. Councilman Gautier-asked how much is the cost of the vehicle and how much did insurance cover? Chief Walker –replied that the insurance paid approximately $17,000 and vehicle totally equipped is between $45,000 – $50,000. Mayor Papaleo-explained that we are redirecting funding that has been approved in prior years by ordinance at a public meeting. Lissette Aportela-said that is correct. She said that our auditors prefer that they clean up old balances. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier, the minutes of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting of October 12, 2021 were unanimously approved  On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier, the minutes of the Mayor and Council Closed Session of October 12, 2021 were unanimously approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY ITEM ON THIS AGENDA – On motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilwoman Busteed 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 Busteed, seconded by Councilman Gautier to close public comments on any item on the agenda was unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS & PERSONNEL CHANGES – On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilwoman Kinsella, the appointments and personnel changes were approved unanimously as follows: The salary increase of Brenton Prisendorf, Patrol Officer from an annual salary of $97,495.00 to Patrol Officer 12th Grade - $106,635.00, effective November 3, 2021; The appointment of Andrew Capuano as a Junior Firefighter effective October 25, 2021; The salary change of Joseph LaRosa, Laborer in the Department of Public Works from an annual Laborer II, Step 1 salary of $37,142.00 to Laborer II, Step II - $39,022.00 effective November 9, 2021; The salary change of Kenneth Morse, Tree Trimmer in the Department of Public Works from an annual Tree Trimmer I, Step IV salary of $78,974.00 to Tree Trimmer I, Step V - $80,027.00 effective November 5, 2021. MONTHLY REPORTS – Environmental Commission/Green Team - September 2021 Fire Department - September 2021 Board of Health - September 2021 Fire Prevention - July-September 2021 Historic Commission - September 2021 FIRST READING – ORDINANCES - None RESOLUTIONS - By Consent On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier, resolution #21-298 through #21-299 were unanimously approved. #21-298 Authorize Submission of Strategic Plan for the River Edge Municipal Alliance Grant – FY 2023 WHEREAS, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse established the Municipal Alliances for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in 1989 to educate and engage residents, local government and law enforcement officials, schools, nonprofit organizations, the faith community, parents, youth and other allies in efforts to prevent alcoholism and drug abuse in communities throughout New Jersey; and WHEREAS, The Borough Council of the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey recognizes that the abuse of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem in our society amongst persons of all ages; and therefore has an established Municipal Alliance Committee; and, WHEREAS, the Borough Council further recognizes that it is incumbent upon not only public officials but upon the entire community to take action to prevent such abuses in our community; and, WHEREAS, the Borough Council has applied for funding to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the County of Bergen; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey hereby recognizes the following: 1. The Borough Council does hereby authorize submission of a strategic plan for the River Edge Municipal Alliance grant for fiscal year 2023 in the amount of: DEDR $ 4507.18 Cash Match $ 1126.80 In-Kind $ 3380.39 2. The Borough Council acknowledges the terms and conditions for administering the Municipal Alliance grant, including the administrative compliance and audit requirements. APPROVED: ____________________________________ Thomas Papaleo, Mayor October 25, 2021 ******** #21-299 Authorize Purchase of Roadway Rock Salt via the Bergen County Registered Cooperative Pricing System #11-BeCCP WHEREAS, the County of Bergen administers a cooperative purchasing program known as the Registered County Cooperative Pricing System #11-BeCCP and had solicited for the furnishing and delivery of treated and untreated roadway rock salt for a 12-month period, between October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022; and WHEREAS, the County of Bergen awarded the contract to Atlantic Salt Inc. of 134 Middle Street, Suite 210 in Lowell, MA 01852-11883 at a price of $75.00 per ton for untreated rock salt and $95.00 per ton for treated rock salt; and WHEREAS, the Borough of River Edge is a member of said cooperative. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge that the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works is hereby authorized to purchase roadway rock salt from Atlantic Salt, Inc,. under the pricing obtained through the Registered County Cooperative Pricing System #11-BeCCP. October 25, 2021 ******** Councilwoman Kaufman read resolution #21-300 into the record. On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier, resolution #21- 300 was unanimously approved. #21-300 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 October 25, 2021. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of River Edge approve the following expenditures. CURRENT FUND $556,629.77 CAPITAL FUND $ 60,138.00 GRANT FUND $ 17,317.87 TRUST OTHER FUND $ 7,701.92 DEVELOPER’S ESCROW FUND $ 645.00 SELF INSURANCE TRUST FUND $ 35.73  RECREATION TRUST FUND $ 1,062.21 October 25, 2021 ******** NEW BUSINESS – Councilwoman Kaufman-informed everyone that when they do start meeting again in the council chambers, they will be using the new camera system and Verizon does not have any HD channel for sending out our meetings for everyone to view. Cablevision does have the ability to use the HD feed but it would mean that anyone that does not have an HD TV would need to upgrade their television. She recommends that we leave the Cablevision as is so that everyone can view it. The Council was in agreement. OLD BUSINESS – None PUBLIC COMMENTS – On motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, second by Councilwoman Busteed to open for public comments was unanimously approved. Doreen Frega – 123 Dana Way, Saddle Brook, NJ-stated that she is from Animal Protection League of New Jersey and wanted to reach out to Bergen County towns regarding geese. She asked if River Edge has a geese problem, or if they have a goose a management plan in place that they need help with. Mayor Papaleo-asked if she was a for-profit organization. Doreen Frega-replied that they are a non-profit organization. Mayor Papaleo-said that he doesn’t think that we have a geese problem. Doreen Frega-said that she does a lot of outreach throughout the state and a resident did approach her and asked that she attend a Mayor and Council meetings because there was a geese problem. Chief Walker-said that we certainly do have them on the fields at Kenneth B. George Park and knows that there have been concerns about contamination to the soil there. Mayor Papaleo-suggested that she forward information to our Recreation Director, Carolyn Baldanza and the Borough Administrator, Lissette Aportela. Doreen Frega-thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing her to speak this evening. On motion by Councilwoman Kinsella, seconded by Councilwoman Kaufman to close public comments was unanimously approved. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Councilman Gautier-reminded everyone that leaf season has begun and with all of the rain that is predicted, he encouraged residents to try and keep the leaves away from the storm basins. Councilwoman Kaufman-said that the Historic Commission is looking for a Class I member and if anyone knows of someone who has classes in architecture and would be interested to let her know. Councilwoman Busteed-reminded everyone that the Environmental Protection Commission and Green Team are asking people to consider leaving leaves on the grass for composting. A Nixle message went out saying rather than bagging up your leaves and putting them at the curb, consider leaving them and mulching them back into the grass for composting in the spring. Councilwoman Busteed welcomed our new Police Officers, Ryan Reilly and Jason Hall and wished them a long and safe tenure with the borough. ADJOURNMENT – 7:05 P.M On motion by Councilwoman Kaufman, seconded by Councilman Gautier to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. was unanimously approved. _____________________________________ Mayor Thomas Papaleo Attest: ______________________________ Judy O’Connell, Deputy Clerk