MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF STONE HARBOR HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, November 17, 2014
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The meeting was called to order by Mayor Walters at 4:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL PRESENT
Councilmembers
Suzanne M. Walters, Mayor Barry D. Mastrangelo, Council President
Judith Davies-Dunhour
Suzanne C. Stanford, Borough Clerk Joselyn Rich
Michael Donohue, Esquire Joan Kramar
Jim Craft, CFO, Absent Karen Lane
Jill Gougher, Administrator Albert Carusi
Mayor Walters announced that the meeting was now open. Adequate notice of the meeting was provided by posting a copy of the time and place on the Municipal Clerk’s bulletin board and mailing a copy of same to the Press and the Cape May County Herald on January 8, 2014.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
MOTION CONCERNING THE MINUTES
Upon motion of Councilmember Barry D. Mastrangelo
Seconded by Councilmember Joan Kramar
Since all members of Council have been provided with a copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 21, 2014 and the Work Session of November 4,2014, if there are no additions or corrections, I move we dispense with the reading of the minutes and that they be approved.
Vote 6 Councilmembers AYE
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety met on November 7, 2014.
COURTS - Debbie Scott reported she has 5 applicants for the part time position for Violations Court Recorder. Interviews were conducted and the goal is to select the approved applicant this week. FYI, the term for our Municipal Judge will be up next August 2015. The Video Conference shared services with Middle Township ends this year and will be renewed with Avalon and Sea Isle.
OEM Installation of the emergency generator at the Recreation Building is in progress.
FIRE/EMS Chief Stanford monthly report
Fire Department Report – for the month of October, 13 fire calls, 4 drills, 1 meeting, 1 work details, 420 man-hours provided, 4 mutual aid and 20 ems calls. Total for the year for fire calls, 194, EMS 372 calls included 2 water rescues, 2 natural gas leaks, 2 elevator rescues, 6 fire alarms and 1 carbon monoxide alarm.
POLICE – Captain Schutta report
October, 2014 1,008 incidents logged, 10,870 miles patrolled, 120 motor vehicle stops, 29 moving violations, 7 suspicious motor vehicle investigated, 1 motor vehicle accident handled, 22 alarm response calls, 2 fire calls, 7 medical calls and 5 ordinance violations. 9 Adults were arrested, 1 DWI. Various members of the department received training in police supervision, stress management, leadership, firearms and swat training. Detective Division, on October 11, 2014, SHPD responded to the Reeds Hotel for a report of felony shoplifting. 2 suspects were involved and quickly apprehended, a 19 year old male from Soulsbury Mills, NY. Investigation by the Detective Division led to the second suspect being identified and charged with shoplifting. Total theft amounted to $347.00 and all items were recovered. Chief Paul Reynolds reports that he and the accreditation manager, Sgt. Steve Shuck attended a week-end leadership staff meeting on October 10, 2014.
Regular Meeting, November 17, 2014
Roof repairs completed at Police Building, comprehensive meeting between a committee from the Police Department, PS Representatives, Borough Administrator, Borough Engineer and Architect will be after Thanksgiving, on December 3rd. Things are starting to line up pretty well, the funding is in place, we have taken a different look at the approach, previously we were looking at tearing down the existing building and we looked at cost, etc. and we are looking at something less than that now, after this meeting we will have a better direction . Public Safety Committee has been looking at streamlining reports, try to make them more effective and pertinent. The object is to reduce the size of the reports so maybe in January we will have a new format.
Next PS Meeting will be December 11, 2014 at 9:30 am
On behalf of the PS Committee wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving !
NATURAL RESOURCES - Councilmember Rich reported that the NRC rescheduled meeting for December 5, 11:00 am
BEACH – Beach Sweep October 25th very successful – 38 attendees helped pick up 827 trash items from our beaches, thanks to PW for all their help. Next sweep will be April and October, 2015.
BIRD SANCTUARY – Have on file Annual Report for the Bird Sanctuary, will be put on line and a copy to each Councilmember. Will report in December meeting about the latest PW project in the Sanctuary.
DREDGING – We were all here for the presentation from Ocean Coastal, we will keep you informed of any progress.
PLANNING BOARD – Did not attend the meeting so can’t report and have heard nothing from the Library.
RECREATION
Beach, Recreation & Tourism
Monthly Report
November 17,
The regular meeting of the Recreation Advisory Committee was held today, Monday, November 3rd.
The regular meeting of the Beach Recreation & Tourism Committee was held this morning, November 17th. On November 6th there was a meeting of myself, Administrator, Adm. Assistant and Recreation Director to discuss several issues.
Beach
Holiday Tags now available for sale in Borough Hall, Chamber of Commerce Building and select stores. 2000 Holiday Tags were purchased, same as last year. The centennial Christmas ornaments are available for sale at Borough Hall and at the Chamber Office.
Recreation
Halloween, sign up trick or treat seemed to be a success. Next year we will get that out earlier. Recreation Department took 5-8 grade to Screaming Acres on October 24th and it was well attended. The afterschool actives continue to be well attended. We discussed this morning for Stone Harbor to become involved in the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge. The program is a National Program, PHIT Personal Health Investment Today. The 10 week program is regimented. We should challenge Avalon for this 10 week program and have a prize. More will come later.
Tourism – Activities for Island Holiday are all planned. Full list on our Web Site. New things include scavenger hunt, selfie with an elfie, ice skating rink, gingerbread house making, trackless train for kids, sand sculpter in front of harbor square mall, Friday November 28th 6 pm. official lighting of the display. Parade kicks off at 6 pm Saturday, November 29th.
Regular Meeting, November 17, 2014
UTILITIES
UTILITIES COMMITTEE
November was difficult month to gather everyone for a meeting, so we did not have a formal meeting. Grant & I spent quite some time reviewing the budget for 2015 and forward. Since I had questions as to what year some of these expenses should occur, we will be meeting with Jim Craft, Jill and our auditor to determine what is the best way to schedule some of our Capital Expenses. Our water usage for Nov 2014 was 2.75 mg less than Nov 2013.
Go Green –with many thanks to Kim Stevenson, is close to attaining our Bronze Certification with Sustainable New Jersey. That is why you see on the agenda tonight a resolution reaffirming the Borough’s support of Go Green Community. That was a requirement of the application. We had to prove that the Borough supports the Go Green efforts on a continuing basis.
PUBLIC WORKS - Councilmember Kramar reported her committee met on November 3, 2014. Reviewed O & E budget, discussed purchase of new trash truck, trading in existing one. Kayaks – No additional kayak spaces will be built, spaces available to Stone Harbor residents from March 1 to May 1, limited 2 spaces per owner, then open to public. Kayaks stored April 15 until November 15.
Reviewed Chelsea Park renovations. In house, refurbishing small game tables, picnic benches and tables. Water damage to the base of pergola needs attention.
Suggestion for having 15 minute parking at the metered spaces beside WaWa. Will be presented to A & F. Also to be presented to Safety Committee, “no u turn” on 94th Street. Recommending 2nd Avenue parking lot remain “Free” and kiosk not be installed. Landscaping will begin in the Spring. Artifact from 911 to be sealed, grates around trees on 96th Street need to be wider to prevent tripping, trees between 101st and 104th will be trimmed, cedar trees have been returned to urns for Christmas.
Normal maintenance of marina, street, beach and autos.
Firehouse game room reconstructed due to ac unit breaking.
Working on Christmas Holiday weekend
PW employees taking snowplow safety classes and heavy equipment classes.
2014 Monthly Report
Administration and Finance
Barry Mastrangelo, Chairman/Al Carusi/Joan Kramar
October 2014
· Monthly Meeting – Held our monthly meeting on November 3rd.
· Budget – Met this morning to review all department capital requests. Recommendations will be sent to each department for possible revisions. Will have final recommendation for Council at second meeting in December. We will also discuss Other Expenses requests at that time. Committees should meet with their department heads one last time if needed and submit final recommendations to Borough Administrator and CFO no later than November 24th.
· Waterfront Business District – Met with the Planning Board Waterfront Business District on November 7th. Planning Board will be sending a final recommendation to the Borough Council by next month for our consideration.
· Meeting with Mark Senior, Marsh & McLennan Agency: Met with Mark Senior on November 13th to review status of changes requested to the State RX program. According to Mark, he anticipates approval from the State in order to implement cost savings to the Borough by the beginning of the New Year. According to Mark, our renewal with the NJ State Health Benefits Plan will result in a 8.5% increase, however, our strategy to have an intergraded Rx benefit will reduce the increase to 4.1%.
· Chief Financial Officer – Chief Financial Officer is unable to attend Council meeting
· Borough Engineer – The Borough Engineer will provide his report at this time.
· Borough Administrator – The Administrator will provide her report at this time.
· Chief Financial Officer – Chief Financial Officer is unable to attend Council meeting due to attending a review class in order to obtain certification as a Qualified Purchasing Agent.
· Borough Engineer – The Borough Engineer will provide his report at this time.
· Borough Administrator – The Administrator will provide her report at this time.
Regular Meeting, November 17, 2014
ENGINEERING REPORT
BOROUGH OF STONE HARBOR
November 17, 2014
NJDEP Flood Hazard Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program
· Grant Program that funds the following categories:
1. Beneficial Reuse of Dredge Material
2. Coastal Lake Surge Reduction and Increased Discharge
3. Stormwater Management
4. Flood Risk Reduction Infrastructure
· Applications are due by December 15, 2014.
FY2015 NJDOT Local Aid Program
· The Borough has submitted the following grant application:
o Municipal Aid – Roadway: Reconstruction of 95th Street from First Avenue to Second Avenue.
FY 2015 NJDCA Small Cities Grant Application
· The Borough submitted an ADA application for accessible playgrounds at 82nd Street recreation facility, beach handicap ramps and access walkways.
Cape May County Open Space Application
· The Borough is submitting a park improvement application for the 82nd Street recreation area.
· The application was submitted for the deadline of August 15, 2014 and we are scheduled to present the application on September 23, 2014.
Sanitary Sewer, Water Main, Storm Sewer, Beach Outfall Improvement Project– Phase 3
· All permits are in place
· Awaiting NJEIT authorization to bid.
· The public bid advertising date is November 29, 2014.
2014 Utility and Road Program
· The bid was awarded to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 530, Hammonton, NJ 08037, in the amount of $1,465,300.00.
· Contractor has remobilized to the Borough and is installing underground utilities.
· Water main and sanitary are 100% complete.
· Curb, gutter and aprons are 30% complete.
FY2014 NJDCA Small Cities Program
· The Borough was awarded a $400,000.00 grant to provide ADA improvements to the Borough Hall, Fire House and Public Works Department.
· The improvements consist of:
1. Fire House – Elevator, restroom, meeting room.
2. Municipal Complex – Restroom counters, signage and striping.
3. Public Works – Bathrooms.
· Design documents are 60% complete.
2015 Utility and Road Program
· Survey and base mapping are completed. The design phase has started.
· We will be notifying the utility companies regarding the project and coordinating underground utility connections.
111th Street Outfall Elimination
· Survey is complete and base mapping is in progress..
NJDEP Water Allocation Permit
· RVW submitted a water allocation permit modification application on behalf of the Borough to request additional water supply to meet summer and annual peak demands and supply water for plan projects for the next five to ten years. The application has been approved and the final water allocation permit has been published. As a condition of the permit, the water allocation amounts will not be increased for the first year of the newly approved permit. During this “interim” phase, Stone Harbor must comply with the conditions of the permit in order to reach the “final” phase of the water allocation permit where water allocation amounts will be increased to the full requested amount.
One of the permit conditions involves the installation and operation of a new observation well at the Cape May Airport in the 800-foot sands aquifer. It has been proposed that Stone Harbor share the cost and responsibility of the installation and operation of the new well with another water purveyor in the area. At this time, New Jersey American Water is the only other water purveyor in the area that will be required to install and operate an observation well. The NJDEP sent a letter dated October 22, 2014 to NJAW informing them that NJAW is required to install an observation well in the 800-foot sands aquifer. The letter specifically mentions that they should work with the Borough of Stone Harbor to share the cost of installation, maintenance, and operation of the mandatory observation well. At this time, RVW will contact NJAW to begin a discussion about working together to meet the observation well requirement mandated by the NJDEP.