BOROUGH
OF
M I N U T E S
1. CALL TO ORDER; OPENING STATEMENT: This meeting is being held in
compliance with Public Law 1975,
Chapter 231, Sections 4 and 13, as notice of
this meeting
and the agenda thereof had been reported to The Citizen and the
Morris County Daily Record on
building.
Mayor
2.
ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council members were
present except for Councilmen Gormally and Urankar.
Also in attendance were Borough
Manager
and Borough Clerk
Christina Whitaker.
3.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution
WHEREAS, the
Morris, State of
· Police Contract Negotiations
· Shared Services
· Anticipated Litigation
WHEREAS, the
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the
Dated:
_____________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker,
R.M.C. George B. Jackson, Mayor
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye” to
enter Executive Session at
Councilman
Gormally arrived at
Motion
by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman Gormally to return to the public
portion
of the meeting.
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATION/MIDVALE REDEVELOPMENT
Chris
Palazzi /Harry Russell
The
Chris
Palazzi provided a visual presentation, which provided the Council and public
with a glimpse of the area in the 1930’s and 1960’s. The proposed development
would attempt to imitate the aesthetics of the original buildings in the area.
He
asked the Council to consider allowing them to use a band of land owned by the
Borough so underground parking could be implemented and above ground parking
could be expanded.
The
proposed project would require the Borough to consider building height
flexibility due to the design of the buildings.
Mr.
Palazzi said that at this point in the project only covers the property he owns
and the Borough’s property had been included in the design.
The
proposal would include 15 residential units instead of the five units that
already exist.
An
additional 65 parking spaces were proposed which would bring the total to 137
spaces. The 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space would remain the same.
If
the Borough disallowed the use of Borough-owned property, Mr. Russell said the
parking area would have to be reduced and 2-4 living units would be
eliminated.
Councilwoman
Emr expressed her concern that the existing buildings might be demolished. Mr.
Palazzi said he would be willing to work with the Historic Preservation
Committee to try and preserve the buildings, but thought it would be difficult
to accomplish.
The
Council agreed to review the height ordinance and bulk requirements associated
with the project and recommended that the property owner proceed to the
Planning Board for review.
.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Before opening the meeting
to public comment, Mayor Jackson explained the Council’s policy of limiting
each speaker to 5 minutes and no yielding of time to another person.
Sandy Batty - Lockley Court
Ms. Batty expressed her concern about stormwater runoff in the Midvale area.
She suggested the Council establish a
committee to review the newly released Highlands Plan. The deadline for
comments from municipalities is
Richard Broome -
Mr. Broome said he would
like the Council to review Mr. Palazzi’s plan in a broader context. He
expressed concern as to whether additional parking and residential units in
that area would produce a negative impact on the neighborhood.
Deputy Mayor Davis said that
his concerns would be addressed during the Planning Board process. Councilman
Shaw noted that the proposed project was smaller in scope then the one first
presented in 2003.
6. ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE 01-07
Following introduction, the above ordinance
will be published in accordance with the law
and a public hearing
will be held on
Introduced:
Council
Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Shaw |
X |
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X |
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X |
X |
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X |
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Urankar |
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X |
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X |
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ORDINANCE 02-07
Following introduction, the above ordinance
will be published in accordance with the law
and a public hearing
will be held on
Introduced:
Council
Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Shaw |
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X |
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X |
X |
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X |
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X |
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Urankar |
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X |
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X |
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7. DISCUSSION
A. Recreation Director’s Bonus
Mr. Webb explained that the Recreation Commission has
recommended a $1500 bonus
for the “exemplary work” of Recreation Director Denise
Brennan in 2006.
The
bonus would be paid from the Summer Recreation Program fund. This program was transferred from the current
budget to the recreation trust account in 2005.
The summer recreation trust account has a positive balance of $8,353.50.
Councilman
Shaw said it was not a function of the Council to issue bonuses. However,
the Manager should be allowed to use his discretion in
personnel matters.
Mr. Webb noted that he has
not encouraged this type of action in the past.
We
certainly do not have a municipal budget that would support such a program.”
Councilwoman Wilson said the
Council should adhere to its present policy of not issuing bonuses.
Mayor Jackson noted that the
Board of Education does have a policy of giving bonuses.
Councilman Gormally supported the use of employee bonuses as an affective
management tool.
The general consensus was
not to support bonuses.
B. Development Fee
Ordinance/Growth Share Ordinance
Mr. Murphy explained that it
would be prudent to send the changes made to the Development Fee Ordinance to
COAH first before spending money to advertise its introduction.
The
Council was not totally in agreement with section (3) “Exemptions” to
development
fees for existing homes being improved.
Councilwoman
Wilson said that other municipalities she has worked with, have attached
a fee on improvements made. Councilman Shaw agreed.
Mayor Jackson said the
burden should be placed on those creating a COAH
obligation.
The Council agreed to
eliminate letter (a) under section 3 “Exceptions” in the draft Development Fees
ordinance and include fees for home improvements. The revised ordinance will be
sent back to COAH for review.
Following a brief discussion on the Growth
Share Ordinance, the Council decided to ask Borough Planner Susan Kimball to
attend the next regular meeting to discuss the ordinance and not forward it to
COAH for review.
C.
Key to Borough
Mayor
Jackson explained that Duke Smith and
Mayor
Jackson explained that the Council previously presented a key to Bill and Ruth
Harrison. In other situations, such as
the birthdays of Ralph Wells and Charles Hyson, the Borough has issued resolutions
and/or proclaimed a day in their honor. When Mr. Breslin was Mayor he presented
an engraved key to Charles Eades with the consent of the Council.
Following
the discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to present the Wenks with a
special resolution for their years of service to the community and proclaim a
day in their honor.
8. *RESOLUTIONS
R41-07
–
R42-07
– Lakes Management Bid
R43-07
– Committee/Commission/Board Appointments
R44-07
– Bill List
9 *MINUTES
10. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A.
Animal
B.
Health Officer
C.
Public Health Nurse
D.
Construction Official
E.
Fire Department
F.
Police
G.
DPW
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
Gormally |
|
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x |
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Emr |
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x |
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Shaw |
x |
|
x |
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x |
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x |
x |
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Urankar |
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x |
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x |
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11.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Murphy explained the
Municipal Vacancy Law. Under the law, a
seat is deemed vacant if an elected official or commissioner has missed 3
consecutive meetings. However, the governing body has the authorization to
excuse the official, preventing the loss of the seat.
Mr. Murphy will send a
memo of explanation of the law to Councilman Urankar who was
absent
from the meeting.
12. MANAGER’S REPORT
Annual Report (hereto
attached).
Monthly Report (hereto
attached)
Mr. Webb explained that
the 2007 Capital Budget would contain the redevelopment of well # 3 in order to
meet the Borough’s firm capacity needs under the State DEP regulations.
The Manager offered
suggestions on water conservation efforts for 2007. An ordinance would need to
be adopted if any of the suggestions were to be acted upon.
The Family & Friends
for Freedom Fund 5/10K Run/Walk
The request came from
the Borough’s Public Health Nurse
who would help organize the
Memorial
Day weekend event.
It was the consensus of
the Council to allow the event. Mr. Webb will inform the nurse.
13. COUNCIL
REPORTS
Mayor Jackson provided
an update on the Council’s 2007 Objectives (hereto attached)
Councilman Gormally told the Council that the Finance Committee
discussed some budget issues at its last meeting.
Councilwoman Emr said
the Historic Preservation Committee would like to change its meeting times to
the a.m. The Committee wants signs erected to indicate the Borough has a
historic designation. The Council will discuss the matter during its budget
discussions.
Eileen Dunn will serve
on the 55 Plus Advisory Committee.
The Traffic and Safety
Committee will be chaired by Jim Bailey. The Committee will continue to work on
traffic and parking issues at the High School. Councilwoman Wilson said there
have been some complaints by parents regarding students, mostly juniors,
receiving parking tickets and the lack of no parking signs in the areas.
Motion
by Councilman Gormally, second by Councilman Shaw, to reenter Executive
Session, with all Council members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
Motion by Council Shaw, second by Councilman Gormally, to close the
Executive Session and return to the public portion of the meeting, with all
Council members in favor signifying by “Aye” at
14. ADJOURNMENT
On
motion by Councilman Gormally, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, with all members
in favor signifying “Aye” the meeting was adjourned at
*Consent Agenda
Attest:
___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, Borough
Clerk