EXECUTIVE SESSION – 7:30 P.M. RESOLUTION #42 -2011
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BOROUGH OF SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS
MINUTES
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R E G U L A R M E E T I N G
O F
February 14, 2011
SILENT REFLECTION AND SALUTE TO THE FLAG
1. ROLL CALL: 8:00 P.M.
Governing BodyMember / Present / Absent
Mayor Enright / X
Brennan / X
Cindea / X
Diver / X
King / X
Maccanico / X
Vorbach / X
2. THIS MEETING IS CALLED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETING LAW. NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS INCLUDED IN A LIST OF MEETINGS SENT TO THE COAST STAR AND ASBURY PARK PRESS, POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ON THE BOROUGH WEB-SITE.
3. MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
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N / COMMENTS:
MR. BRENNAN / X
MS. CINDEA / X / X
MR. DIVER / X
MS. KING / X
MR. MACCANICO / X
MR. VORBACH / X / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF
January 10, 2011 – REGULAR SESSION
MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
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N / COMMENTS:
MR. BRENNAN / X
MS. CINDEA / X
MR. DIVER / X / X
MS. KING / X / X
MR. MACCANICO / X
MR. VORBACH / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
5. SPECIAL ITEMS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS:
· Proclamation – “Read Across America” Mayor Enright read the proclamation aloud.
ORDINANCE #1-2011 An Ordinance requiring dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors or exposed to stormwater to be covered
· CLERK READ THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE
· MAYOR TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING –
MOTION TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING BY VORBACH & CINDEA
NONE PRESENTED
MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING BY CINDEA & KING
MOTION TO ADOPT AND ADVERTISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW
Ordinance 01-2011 / MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
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N / COMMENTS:
MR. BRENNAN / X
MS. CINDEA / X
MR. DIVER / X / X
MS. KING / X / X
MR. MACCANICO / X
MR. VORBACH / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
ORDINANCE #2 -2011 Private Storm Drain Inlet Retrofitting
· CLERK TO READ THE ORDINANCE BY TITLE
· MAYOR TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING
MOTION TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING BY KING & CINDEA
NONE PRESENTED
MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING BY DIVER / CINDEA
MOTION TO ADOPT AND ADVERTISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW
Ordinance 02-2011 / MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
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N / COMMENTS:
MR. BRENNAN / X
MS. CINDEA / X / X
MR. DIVER / X
MS. KING / X / X
MR. MACCANICO / X
MR. VORBACH / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
6. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mayor Enright
· 10th Annual Fathers Day British Car Display will be at Allaire Road Park on Father’s Day. Since we don’t have a Recreation Committee at the moment, I’m assuming that the Council doesn’t have a problem with that.
· Independent Fire Co. solicitations – The Fire Department will be distributing literature with regard to Fire Budget.
· Lake Como Tower - The Mayor was invited to a meeting with Lake Como, Wall and Spring Lake with regards to a tower the RAT radio station is looking to erect. They are proposing that they relocate their existing tower behind RASH Field. The new tower would be 540 ft. high and she is concerned because of the proximity to the Heights Apartments. Spring Lake is concerned due to the proximity to Soccer fields that they are installing in that area. Councilwoman Cindea expressed concern about Spring Lake Heights losing the income that is received from the cell antennas on the water plant. The Mayor was told that it would not affect us. Councilman Brennan stated that it would not impact our cell towers because of the way the networking works; they say they need antennas within certain distances of one another. He further stated the project is a long way away. Councilwoman Cindea wanted to express her concern because of the income that the Borough receives. The Mayor stated that there would be a public hearing.
· Town Shredder – The town will have a shredder from the county in April for residents; it will be set up in the schools parking lot. A definitive date will be forth coming.
7. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
· Councilman Brennan – Announced that he is still working with Cablevision and Verizon to reduce the costs of the Borough’s telephone costs. Both vendors were inventorying the lines and working out the final numbers. Based on the info, it looks like we will be able to save about $1,000.00 a month. There are certain lines that must be maintained with copper lines. Councilwoman King asked if the companies have come in and reviewed in person, that it’s a mess downstairs in basement, Mr. Brennan replied that’s all going to be cleared out. Councilmen Brennan stated that with the change, the Community Center will have a cable modem and TV service; the Borough would not supply a TV or computer but if any one of the groups brought one in, the wiring is there.
· Councilwoman Cindea – Announced that she’s working with Colleen on the budget numbers and along with John will put the budget together and we will have an open budget meeting. She stated that we’re in a bind with the surplus and revenue numbers are down. We were aware that we would be in this position, so we have to cut down on expenses.
· Councilman Diver – Announced that the DPW negotiations are starting this week, hopefully I’ll have something for the next meeting and that he’s also working on a Court Interlocal.
· Councilwoman King – Tonight I along with Co – Chair, Mr. Vorbach are introducing an ordinance to complete the last stage of the water meter project with the commercial buildings. It’s not costing as much as what we thought, the amount we need is $55,125.00, which is coming out of the Utility Capital Improvement Fund, and so it does not affect anything that the taxpayers have to worry about. She hoped that the council would vote in favor so that the project could move forward.
· Councilman Maccanico – None. Mayor Enright wanted to mention that someone has brought up about Police promotions; she asked Councilman Maccanico if he was doing that, he stated that he’s spoken to the Chief. The Mayor stated that it’s been a long time since we’ve had any.
· Councilman Vorbach – He’s completed a recreation ordinance which is before the council tonight.
8. FIRST VOICE OF THE PUBLIC – ANY BUSINESS
FIRST VOICE OF THE PUBLIC OPENED BY VORBACH / KING
John Lewis, 574 Prospect Ave. wanted to be sure that he could go out and solicit about the Fire Election, he wanted to make sure that he would be allowed. He stated that there is an ordinance that prohibits that. Mayor Enright stated that ordinances are being codified and knows that there are some that need to be taken off the books; she informed Mr. Lewis that he was certainly allowed to go out.
Jim Merriman, 744 Wall Road agreed that Mr. Lewis has every right to petition the residents but stated previously Mr. Lewis had young adolescences handing out flyers; he felt that they should have an adult with them at all times. He stated that if the Police department put up a flyer as to what to look for with a sexual predator, he feels that the young people should be protected. Mr. Brennan stated that it’s not fair to Mr. Lewis to associate him with predators.
Arthur Martone 719 Park Ave. wanted to inquire about the sponsorship of the British Car Show, and if recreation is sponsoring the event. Mayor Enright replied that normally yes but we presently do not have a Recreation Commission. Mr. Martone asked if there is money collected for this event; the Mayor replied no.
Casey Wilms Highway 71 Mr. Lewis has already advised everyone of the Fire District Election but that he wanted everyone to know that there is a zero percent tax increase in the fire budget. He pointed out that you can not compare the Fire Budget to the Municipal Budget. He stated that in previous meetings claims have been made comparing other town’s budgets to theirs, he further stated that the Spring Lake Heights Fire District Budget is one of the lowest in the county, and yet is a very busy department.
Mr. Brennan wanted to thank Casey for the time he spent with the Cub Scouts teaching them First Aid. Casey also asked about the resolution for Muscrat Mark, he stated that he spoke to the Chief about other possibilities. The Mayor explained that inquires were made to other sources but were very costly.
John Lewis 574 Prospect Ave read out loud from the Fire District budget, page 3, the amount to be raised by taxation will increase $8,019.00, this is the same game from year to year. He stated that the budget is padded, the excess lapses to fund balance. The Fire Budget then reflects the fund balance as a revenue in surplus anticipated. He states that the budget went from $200,000.00 to $400,000.00 over a period of time. Mr. Vorbach asked what the time period was; Mr. Lewis replied over probably the last 8 years. Mr. Lewis inquired why Mr. Wilms is covered for workman’s comp as a Fireman and then as a Policeman, Councilman Brennan replied that he works at both positions. Mr. Lewis made the comparison between the Spring Lake Heights and Bradley Beach Fire District budgets. Councilman Brennan stated to him that some of the Bradley Beach Fire Department expenses are paid from the town budget. Attorney Lane concurred.
FIRST VOICE OF THE PUBLIC CLOSED BY KING / CINDEA AT 8:34 PM
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE
10. NEW BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE #03 -2011 - RECREATION
AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER XVI OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION”
MOTION TO INTRODUCE AND ADVERTISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW
MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
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N / COMMENTS: Motion did not pass, discussion listed below.
MR. BRENNAN / X / X
MS. CINDEA / X
MR. DIVER / X
MS. KING / X
MR. MACCANICO / X
MR. VORBACH / X / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
Councilman Maccanico was concerned that it was giving a lot of the control over to this board. Councilman Vorbach replied that the idea was to give the people closest to it, some control; he felt that it was empowering the people, the residents who volunteered to do recreation. Councilman Vorbach stated that the Council would retain the purse strings. Councilwoman stated that when she was on the committee the volunteers didn’t show at meetings, she felt that their commitment wasn’t there. Councilman Vorbach asked if she wanted some on the council has a member in charge. Councilman Brennan offered that most of the boards in town are run by residents; he felt that we have civic minded residents and that we can’t rely on them is not well founded. Councilwoman Cindea asked if there were names of people for this committee, Mayor Enright replied that the first step was the ordinance. Councilwoman King was concerned, she expressed that recreation has come a long way and doesn’t want to see it go backwards. She felt that having a designated council person or two over seeing this, Mayor Enright pointed out that section 17-2.5 showed that a council person would be a liaison; she asked if it should be a member of the board. Councilwoman King thought that it shouldn’t be a liaison or a board. She felt that a council person should head it up. She’s inquired to other towns and what they have is a council person to oversee the various committees and they make sure that the people running them are doing a good job, we had Shawn Heeter, whose running basketball right now. Councilman Diver was involved with Recreation and over saw it. Mayor deferred to Councilman Diver, I’m very conscientious about the budget, and he stated that he doesn’t want to hire a secretary for the board. I agree with Sara, someone from here should run it, the Mayor pointed out that previously it was run without any volunteers. Councilman Brennan couldn’t understand why they would not want volunteers on the board. The Mayor asked Councilwoman King how she thought this should go, she replied that someone from the council should be on the committee or in charge of the whole thing. Mr. Brennan stated that previously, that had failed. There was discussion amongst council members as to previous history of recreation. The Mayor asked to move forward. Councilwoman King stated that if it was a board then you need to pay a secretary, the Mayor replied that that was not necessary. Councilwoman Cindea wanted to make sure Council members knew how healthy the fund was since Councilman Diver was on. The Mayor stated that this new ordinance shows that all monies would go through the CFO.
Councilman Diver asked to call the question, Attorney Lane clarified that it was the motion to introduce. Vote was taken.
ORDINANCE #04 -2011 - CAPITAL ORDINANCE TO PURCHASE COMMERCIAL WATER
METERS
MOTION TO INTRODUCE AND ADVERTISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW
MOVED / SECONDED / AYES / NAYS / ABSENT / ABSTA
I
N / COMMENTS: Motion passed; discussion listed below
MR. BRENNAN / X
MS. CINDEA / X / X
MR. DIVER / X
MS. KING / X
MR. MACCANICO / X / X
MR. VORBACH / X
MAYOR ENRIGHT
Councilmen Brennan asked Ms. King if she had conferred with her co-chair. Councilwoman King stated that she had spoken with him at the last meeting, provided that the Attorney was ok with it.
Councilman Vorbach didn’t recall that he only received it tonight. Councilwoman King stated that there were commercial accounts that we were not receiving accurate readings and need to be replaced. Councilman Brennan asked how they are checked; Councilwoman stated that some of these accounts are only paying the minimum. Councilman Brennan asked who we were dealing with, In-Line or Sensus, Councilwoman King relied that it was. He asked why would we deal with them, Councilwoman King stated prior to her getting involved it was an agreement that we would. They would be giving us a good rate. Why would we deal with them, last year we were suing them and now we have to buy from them. Councilman Maccanico asked if could review the agreement. Councilman Vorbach asked how many meters are involved; she replied that she didn’t know, Art Herner knew that number. Councilwoman King stated that we are not paying the full price on the replacement we are required to put in a 1 inch, if a commercial wants the larger meter they will have to pay the difference. There was discussion amongst council members as to the terms of the agreement. Councilwoman King explained the object of the project was to get all accounts read automatically. If we didn’t want to spend the money, it could go back to manually reading. The Mayor asked to get back to the motion.