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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-01-03 Work Session Special/Work Session of the Mayor and Council January 3, 2023 A regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held on January 3, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Building. Meeting Called to Order Roll Call The following Council Members and Professional Staff responded to the roll call: Mayor Kahwaty, Councilmember Ansh, Council President Bonagura, Councilmember Cardenas, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Lambrix, and Councilmember Sheppard. Also present were Borough Administrator Hart, Borough Attorney Smith and Borough Clerk Rulli. Sunshine Law Statement: The Borough Clerk read the Sunshine Law Statement. Time for Public Comment Motion to open the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. On voice vote, all in favor. Donna Robinson, 896 Franklin Avenue, offered congratulations to the newly appointed Mayor and Councilmembers. Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor. Engineers Report Ms. Boland reported the Borough received funds from FEMA and recommend adding a guiderail at Mountain Avenue/Schneider Lane. She stated Sergeant Knubel agrees it is a safety issue and recommends installing a guardrail. Ms. Boland passed out aerial views, and indicated where the guardrail is needed. One of the three affected homeowners has been advised, the remaining two homeowners will need to be notified. Mr. Smith asked if this is a unique safety concern. Discussion ensued on the cost, statistics of accidents, the slope and whether options can include wood guardrails versus metal. Ms. Boland stated the cost is approximately $20,000 for the guardrail; 90% of the remaining costs are funded by FEMA. Ms. Boland stated wood guardrails would not meet required standards. Councilmember Kelly requested that more information be obtained and discussion be continued at the next meeting. Mr. Hart to obtain additional information and request that Sergeant Knubel attend the next meeting. Residents will be notified once the Mayor and Council have reached a decision. Consent Agenda Resolution 57-23 BE IT RESOLVED that the following resolutions, placed on this agenda by consent, require no discussion and the same having been previously reviewed by each Governing Body member, be Special/Work Session of the Mayor and Council Page 2 January 3, 2023 and are hereby adopted in their entirety by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes. Full text of all consent agenda resolutions can be found after the Adjournment. Resolution 58-23 Accept Report of Finance Committee Resolution read and introduced by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Roll Call: Ayes: Ansh, Bonagura, Cardenas, Kelly, Lambrix, Sheppard Nays: Abstain: Sheppard Absent: Motion Approved Mayor's Report Mayor Kahwaty had no report. Committee/Liaison Reports Parks and Recreation Council President Bonagura stated that the Fall sports are going great, attendance is amazing, things are looking good going into Spring. Environmental & Community Affairs/Library Councilmember Cardenas had no report. Councilmember Kelly stated the Library just put out 2023 schedules, and have a lot of afterschool activities planned. Public Safety Councilmember Kelly had nothing new to report. Planning and Development Mayor Kahwaty had nothing to report at this time. He stated more meetings will be held in the near future. Administration and Finance Councilmember Lambrix suggested a committee meeting be held to get sense of the capital budget. Mr. Hart stated he plans to start reviewing operating budgets tomorrow and meetings will be scheduled soon. Special/Work Session of the Mayor and Council Page 3 January 3, 2023 Public Works Councilmember Kelly had nothing to report. Borough Administrator's Report Mr. Hart reported there is a grant opportunity for the Local Recreation Improvements grant in the amount of$50,000. He met with Dina Robinson and they feel a good use for the grant would be to match it with the Bergen County Open Space grant for the Municipal field playground behind the library. To meet the January 201h deadline, a resolution would be on the January 171h agenda authorizing the application of$120,000 to match the playground grant. No objections. Mr. Hart stated the Council will need to meet regarding the Cigna property to determine what information is needed and how to proceed. Annual budget meetings usually begin in February and are held at 8AM in the morning. Following discussion on times, Mr. Hart to schedule both meetings. Old Business None New Business None Adiournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 8:02 PM by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. On voice vote, all in favor. Resolution 58-23 Accept Report of Finance Committee BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes that the report of the Finance Committee be accepted and recommendations adopted;that the report be made part of the record of this meeting; and the proper Borough Officials are hereby authorized and directed to issue warrants in the amount of$4,550,359.40 as shown on the Supplemental Bills List. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this is hereby ratified and approved. Respectfully submitted, it M. Rulli, Borough Clerk