Borough Council

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD PUBLIC MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL OCTOBER 20, 2020 MINUTES 7:00 PM CLOSED SESSION/8:00 PM PUBLIC MEETING ZOOM REMOTE MEETING https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85144827562?pwd=ZzZiM25YUTZCSmtnc3B1azNXdG91QT09 Meeting ID: 851 4482 7562 Passcode: 111284 By phone: (646) 558-8656 1. Opening of the Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arroyo at 7:00 pm. Mayor Arroyo then read the Open Public Meetings Law Statement: “This meeting which conforms with the Open Public Meetings law, Chapter 231, Public Laws of 1975, is a regularly scheduled remote Borough Council meeting. A revised Annual Schedule of meetings was published in the Record on October 5, 2020, posted on the Borough website and on the door of the Borough Hall in conformance with N.J.A.C. 5:39-1 et seq.” 2. Roll Call: Committee Assignments: Mayor Arroyo – Present Councilmember Bicocchi – Present Land Use Councilmember Collins – Present Public Properties Councilmember Dell – Present Finance, Administration & Capital Projects; Shared Services Councilmember Hodges – Present Health & Recreation Councilmember Murphy – Present Fire & Ambulance Council President Montana - Present Police & Emergency Management Borough Attorney Huntington – Present Borough Administrator Kezmarsky - Present Borough Clerk Hughes – Present 3. Resolution #20 - 215: Executive Closed Session Motion to Approve Resolution #20-215: Councilmember Murphy Second: Councilmember Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes 4. Motion to reopen the meeting: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 8:07 pm. 5. Roll Call II: Mayor Arroyo – Present / Councilmember Bicocchi – Present / Councilmember Collins – Present / Councilmember Dell - Present / Councilmember Hodges – Present / Councilmember Murphy - Present / Council President Montana - Present / Borough Administrator Kezmarsky - Present / Borough Attorney Huntington – Present / Borough Engineer Boswell – Present / Borough Clerk Hughes – Present 6. Flag Salute Mayor Arroyo led those present in the salute to the flag. 7. Approval of Minutes: July 21 and August 18, 2020 Motion to Approve Minutes: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Minutes Page 2 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes 8. Proclamations Rick Woods - 40 Years 9. Engineer’s Report 1) Biweekly Report Dr. Boswell reviewed the biweekly report, a copy of which is attached. 2) Fourth Avenue Drainage Dr. Boswell outlined potential solutions to the Fourth Avenue drainage issue. Mayor Arroyo asked him to research the dates and severity of flooding in the area. Council President Montana asked if there might be grants available. Dr. Boswell is not aware of any. 10. Public Forum Mayor Arroyo asked for a motion to suspend the regular order of business in order to let the public speak at this time. He and Council President Montana waived their respective reports in order to allow for more time for the public. Motion: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Council President Montana Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The following individuals spoke about the suspension of recreation and school sports: Tom Smith, 242 Center Ave Kelly Omelia, 98 Goodwin Terrace Erica Galligher, 459 Fairview Ave Kirk Galligher, 459 Fairview Ave Mayor Arroyo explained that the Borough was apprised of the school decision at the same time as everyone else. A 48 hour pause was enacted on recreation activities to give the Borough time to perform its due diligence. A decision should be announced on Wednesday. Lisa Bontemps, 136 Lafayette Ave – Westwood For All Ages is looking for seniors who need their leaves raked or snow shoveled. There are student volunteers available to do the work. Motion to close Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Murphy Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. 11. Reports of Committees and Officials, As Needed: A) Mayor’s Report Waived. B) Council President’s Report Waived. C) Council Liaison & Committee Reports 1) Finance, Administration and Capital Projects: BD Minutes Page 3 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 a) Historic Preservation Commission Councilmember Dell reported that the HPC is hoping to hold the train station dedication on November 14th at 10:00 am now that the County blue marker is in. This will coincide with a Shop the Hub event. b) Downtown Holiday Lighting and Music Councilmember Dell reviewed the details of the request by Celebrate Westwood to expand the holiday lights in the CBD and add music. All were in favor. Councilmember Dell noted that October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month. Councilmember Dell wished all the local candidates well in the upcoming election. 2) Fire and Ambulance: JM a) Shade Tree Committee Councilmember Murphy pointed out that even with the Shade Tree Committee appointment resolution on the Consent Agenda there are still openings on the committee. b) Emergency Services Councilmember Murphy reported that the Ambulance Corps parking spaces have been repainted. The Fire Department will not be hosting the inspection dinner this year due to Covid. They are meeting tomorrow night to discuss holiday event plans. Their elections will still be held in November. 3) Health and Recreation: CH a) Recreation Councilmember Hodges advised that the light installation has begun at Brookside Park. Recreation Director Gary Buchheister is considering the options for indoor sports based on the Executive Order and the school directive. b) Parking Authority The ParkMobile app has been used over 600 times to date. Councilmember Hodges said there will be additional training on the program for the Parking Enforcement Officers. c) Covid Update Councilmember Hodges read a letter from Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission regarding the recent surge in cases, and reviewed the numbers for Westwood, Washington Township and the schools. She noted that surges are primarily linked to indoor gatherings. Mayor Arroyo said the letter and statistics would be taken into consideration when deciding on whether to reopen the recreation facilities and programs. There is concern about asymptomatic spread. 4) Land Use: RB Councilmember Bicocchi thanked Councilmember Hodges for her detailed report. a) Planning Board Councilmember Bicocchi said he will be reporting on the Master Plan at the November work Minutes Page 4 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 session. b) Library Councilmember Bicocchi reviewed the fall library programs, which are remote. The library is performing 200 curbside deliveries a day. He thanked Librarian Martha Urbiel for doing a great job keeping the library safe and active. 5) Police and OEM; Shared Services: CM Council President Montana thanked Councilmember Hodges and everyone else for making the best decisions possible considering there is no playbook for a pandemic. Council President Montana congratulated DPW Superintendent Rick Woods for 40 years with the Borough. a) Police Department Council President Montana reported that with school closed the PD is monitoring pedestrian traffic in the CBD and around parks to determine if crossing guards should be deployed. He offered his condolences to the family of retired 25-year veteran Officer Jeffrey Emmett, who passed away earlier in the day. 6) Public Properties: EC a) DPW Councilmember Collins stated that yard waste pickup has ended and leaf pickup has begun. Branches should not be put out with leaves but brought to the DPW yard on Wednesday and Saturdays. b) Local Assistance Councilmember Collins reported that Local Assistance is distributing the Thanksgiving baskets. They are working on a plan for the annual holiday gift distribution and are open to suggestions. There is a food distribution next Tuesday at Parkside Community Church and every Thursday at St. Andrews Church. Councilmember Collins advised that sidewalks qualify for a loan under the County HIP program and gave details. c) Halloween Door Hangars Councilmember Collins announced that Halloween door hangars will be distributed by volunteers. One side says ‘participating’ and the other says ‘not participating.’ Some businesses will make them available for shoppers as well. D) Attorney’s Report No report. E) Administrator’s / Clerk’s Report Mr. Kezmarsky congratulated Rick Woods and said it is an honor to work with him every day. 1) Best Practices Mr. Kezmarsky reviewed the Best Practices worksheet. Minutes Page 5 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 2) Covid Mr. Kezmarsky said he will have more discussion with the school district tomorrow before announcing the decision on the recreation programs and facilities. He noted that as a Board of Education member in Mahwah, he knows that every district handles things differently. There seems to be a significant uptick in cases, and while the issue is how many primary contacts there are per case, we may never get that information and need to accept there’s things we won’t get to know no matter how disconcerting. As a father of three he appreciates everyone’s comments and knows the toll it takes. 12. Agenda/Public Forum: Motion to open Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Murphy Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the Affirmative. Tom Smith, 242 Center Ave – noted that many sidewalks are in disrepair and asked if they could be tied into future road repair projects to save residents money. Mayor Arroyo said it’s something the Governing Body has been talking about. Mr. Smith asked if exceptions could be made when a Borough tree affects the sidewalk. Motion to close Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Hodges Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. 12. Ordinances for Introduction/Adoption Ordinances for Introduction 20-13 An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 358, Towing BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #20-13 entitled “An Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 358, Towing” is hereby introduced by title; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Clerk is hereby directed to advertise said ordinance with a November 24, 2020 hearing date in the official newspaper according to law. Motion to pass the ordinance on First Reading: Council President Montana Second: Councilmember Bicocchi Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes _____ 20-14 An Ordinance Establishing Chapter 79, Aircraft, Small Unmanned BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #20-14 entitled “An Ordinance Establishing Chapter 79, Aircraft, Small Unmanned” is hereby introduced by title; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Clerk is hereby directed to advertise said ordinance with a November 24, 2020 hearing date in the official newspaper according to law. Motion to pass the ordinance on First Reading: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Murphy Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes Minutes Page 6 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 20-15 An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 330 Streets and Sidewalks Article V Street Openings BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #20-15 entitled “An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 330 Streets and Sidewalks Article V Street Openings” is hereby introduced by title; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Clerk is hereby directed to advertise said ordinance with a November 24, 2020 hearing date in the official newspaper according to law. Motion to pass the ordinance on First Reading: Councilmember Collins Second: Council President Montana Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes Ordinances for Adoption 13. Presentation of Bills, Financial Reports and Resolutions: Councilmember Dell asked if there were any resolutions to add to the Consent Agenda. She stated that any Councilmembers who wished to remove any Resolution(s) to be voted upon separately could do so at this time, otherwise the Consent Agenda would be enacted in one motion. Resolutions l, m and n were added at this time. Resolutions as Consent Agenda: a) Resolution #20 - 216: Bill List & Statement of Cash b) Resolution #20 - 217: Rescinding Resolution #20-211 Tax Sale Certificate #19-00006 c) Resolution #20 - 218: Authorizing Refund of Taxes Due To Corelogic For Various Properties d) Resolution #20 - 219: Authorizing Agreement With Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority For Pump Station Inspections e) Resolution #20 - 220: Authorize Release of Performance Bond & Street Opening Bonds – Dadak LLC, Hopper Ave f) Resolution #20 - 221: Authorizing Construction Work For The Hegeman Park Project g) Resolution #20 - 222: Authorizing Advertisement For Municipal Court Judge h) Resolution #20 - 223: Appointment To Shade Tree Advisory Committee i) Resolution #20 - 224: Authorizing The Auction Of Certain Surplus Property No Longer Needed For The Public Use By Westwood Borough Utilizing The Services of GovDeals, Inc. j) Resolution #20 - 225: Authorizing Agreement For Elevator Inspection k) Resolution #20 - 226: Hiring of Full Time Dispatcher l) Resolution #20 - 227: Authorizing Payment for Old Hook Road Sidewalk Improvements m) Resolution #20 - 228: Authorizing Offer of Employment for Building Maintenance n) Resolution #20 - 229: Authorizing Advertisement for Tax Assessor Motion to Approve Resolutions #20-216 through #20-229: Councilmember Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Murphy - Yes Councilmember Dell – Yes Council President Montana – Yes Mayor Arroyo noted that it was refreshing to have the public weigh in as they did this evening. Minutes Page 7 Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council October 20, 2020 14. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Councilmember Dell Voice Vote: Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 9:18 pm. Attest: Karen Hughes, RMC, Borough Clerk Proofed by: Jean-Marie Vadovic, Deputy Clerk