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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-01-17 Regular Meeting Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council January 17, 2023 A regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held on January 17, 2023, at 7:30 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, Councilmember Bonagura (via teleconferencing), 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. Flat Salute Moment of Silent Appreciation to Our Veterans Appointment • Maya Shah—Junior Member Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Motion to make the above-mentioned appointment was made by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by Councilmember Ansh. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Ansh, Bonagura, Cardenas, Kelly, Lambrix, Sheppard Nays: Abstain: Absent: Motion Approved. 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. Laurie Burnette, 746 Lawlins Road, spoke about previous discussions by the Mayor and Council regarding the new ambulance and asked for a status. Mr. Hart responded that it should be placed on the February work session so that it can be introduced in February and adopted in March. Discussion ensued on the operational status of Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 2 January 17, 2023 Minutes current ambulances and the timing of ordering new one, features, cost, and other details. The Mayor and Council were in favor of moving forward. Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor. Presentation • Presentation by Kerri Wallace, Library Director-Library Future Renovation Plan • Library Strategic Plan • Library Presentation The Mayor introduced Kerri Wallace, Library Director and Joseph Leone,President of the Library Board, and Nishan Vartabedian, Library Board. Mr. Leone presented the current state of the Library and renovation plans. He outlined ideas to make the Library more efficient and welcoming. The Library Board is asking the Borough for $500,000 this year, in addition to private fundraising that totals $100,000. Discussion held on Library statistics including recent growth in membership, the number of programs offered, rooms for classes, technology, resources shared with neighboring libraries, timing, costs, grants, and plans for the requested changes. Mayor Kahwaty thanked Ms. Wallace, Mr. Leone, and Mr. Vartabedian for an excellent presentation. Consent Agenda Resolution 59-23 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 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 60-23 Accept Report of Finance Committee Resolution 61-23 Award Contract—Employee Assistance Program Services Resolution 62-23 Budget Transfers Resolution 63-23 Emergency Temporary Appropriations Resolution 64-23 Local Recreation Improvements Grant Application Resolution 65-23 Tax Exemption—928 Franklin Avenue Resolution read and introduced by Council President Bonagura, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Ansh, Bonagura, Cardenas, Kelly, Lambrix, Sheppard Nays: Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 3 January 17, 2023 Minutes Abstain: Absent: Motion Approved. Old Business • Easement Vacation Request—769 Comanche Lane Mr. Hart stated the Mayor and Council invited Sergeant Knubel to attend to answer any questions concerning traffic patterns at the schools during drop off and pick up times. Ms. Urbaniak, 769 Comanche Lane, stated that she has major concerns as her child was involved in what could have been a very bad accident due to the parking of the cars on her street. Ms. Urbniak stated more needs to be done to limit the easements use and subsequent safety hazards. Mr. Hart stated the schools maintain this is a public road and a Borough easement. He has discussed this with them and they are not getting engaged in the dispute. When questioned on usage, Mr. Smith stated that he would have to review the easement's allowed uses, which are understood to be `used to emergencies only'. Discussion ensued on signage. It was agreed the Police will monitor more closely and review next month. • Mountain Avenue/Sneider Lane Guiderail Sergeant Knubel stated that due to storm Ida, funds were received for these projects. There is now a requirement to have a guiderail or the Borough can lose $88,000 in FEMA funding. Discussion ensued on the guiderail. Councilmember Sheppard spoke about the culvert and asked if it needs be replaced if there may be a way to combine the projects and mentioned that new information also shows the need to relocate a telephone pole. Ms. Boland stated she will address these additional concerns at the next work session. Sergeant Knubel reminded the Mayor and Council of the time limitation, and the need to apply for extensions. All agreed. New Business Council President Bonagura stated concerns about incorrect information being posted on the Franklin Lakes Development Facebook site and asked if the Borough can do something to get correct information out. Mayor Kahwaty stated the Borough issues E-blasts, and feels it would be more appropriate to state the correct information there. Mr. Hart and Mr. Smith agreed that the Borough cannot engage on an online website. Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 4 January 17, 2023 Minutes Donna Robinson, 896 Franklin Avenue, suggested addressing some items during the public meetings. Mr. Hart stated that he is prepared to proactively address inaccuracies at those meetings. Resolution For Closed Session BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that a Closed Meeting be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 which begins at 7:30 PM, in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building to discuss the following: • Anticipated Litigation—Hekemian Property Collective Bargaining—AFSCME Contractual—Health Services Contract BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the discussion conducted in closed session shall be disclosed to the public once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes can be made public. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the public be excluded from this meeting. Resolution read by Mayor Kahwaty. Motion to go into Closed Session was made at 9:02 PM by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by Councilmember Bonagura. On voice vote, all in favor. The Mayor and Council returned to open session at 10:17 PM. Resolutions Resolution 69-23 Approve Agreement with AFSCME Local 2274B WHEREAS,the Borough of Franklin Lakes and American Federation of State,County,Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Local 2274B ("AFSCME")have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025; and, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey that Agreement between the Borough of Franklin Lakes and AFSCME is hereby approved; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to AFSCME. Resolution read and introduced by Councilmember Bonagura, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Motion made by Councilmember Kelly to provide 120 day notice to BCBOH for discontinuation of services; seconded by Councilmember Sheppard. Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page S January 17, 2023 Minutes Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Ansh, Bonagura, Cardenas, Kelly, Lambrix, Sheppard Nays: Abstain: Absent: Motion Approved. Adiournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 10:19 PM by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor. Resolution 60-23 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 $257,691.69 as shown on the Claims Bill List; $7,029.50 as shown on the Soil Account Bill List; and $1,155.00 as shown on the Developers Escrow List. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the payroll of January 5,2023 in the amount of$248,440.22 be hereby ratified and approved. Resolution 61-23 Award Contract—Employee Assistance Program Services BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that the Shared Services Agreement between the County of Bergen and Borough of Franklin Lakes for the provision of Employee Assistance Program(EAP) services for the year 2023, in the amount of$22.25 per employee, be and is hereby approved. Resolution 62-23 Budget Transfers BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes that the following 2022 Budget Transfers be made for the following accounts: From From To Road Repair & Maintenance S&W 600 To Ambulance OE 500 Board of Health OE 100 600 600 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 6 January 17, 2023 Minutes Resolution 63-23 Authorize Emergency Temporary Appropriations for CY 2023 WHEREAS, the CY 2023 budget has not been adopted, and adequate provisions could not be made in the CY 2023 temporary budget to provide necessary funding for certain ongoing operations of the Borough of Franklin Lakes; and, WHEREAS,N.J.S.A. 40AA-20 provides for the creation of emergency temporary appropriations for the aforementioned purpose; and, WHEREAS, the total emergency temporary resolutions adopted in CY 2023 pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40AA-20 including this resolution totals $26,840.00; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen, New Jersey, that in accordance with provisions of N.J.S.A. 40AA-20: 1. That emergency temporary appropriations be and the same are hereby made for: Other Expenses: Assessment of Taxes OE 1,300.00 Workers Comp. Insurance 22,000.00 911 System 3,540.00 2. That said emergency temporary appropriations be provided for in the CY 2023 adopted budget. 3. That one certified copy of this resolution be filed with the Director of Local Government Services. Resolution 64-23 Local Recreation Improvements Grant Application WHEREAS, the Borough of Franklin Lakes desires to apply for an obtain a grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for $120,200 to carry out a project to replace the playground at the Muni Field behind Borough Hall; NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that the Borough of Franklin Lakes does hereby authorize the application for such a grant; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED that the Borough recognizes that the Department may offer a lesser or greater amount and therefore, upon receipt of the grant agreement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, does further authorize the execution of any such grant agreement; and also, upon receipt of the fully executed agreement from the Department, does further authorize the expenditure of funds pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the Borough of Franklin Lakes and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the persons whose names,titles and signatures appear below are authorized to sign the application, and that they or their successors in said titles are authorized to sign the agreement, and any other documents in connection therewith: Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 7 January 17, 2023 Minutes Resolution 65-23 Tax Exemption—928 Franklin Avenue WHEREAS, who resides at Franklin Lakes,New Jersey, also known as was granted a 100%permanent disability resulting from service- connected injuries as declared by the United States Veteran's Administration pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:04-03.30, which grants total exemption from local property taxes; and, WHEREAS, Tax Collector Meena Sivakumar received notification of permanent disability from the Tax Assessor to be retroactive to February 1, 2022; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that the Tax Collector is hereby authorized and directed to refund the eleven month pro-rated property taxes paid for the year 2022 in the amount of$6,027.45 to and to cancel all future tax bills to this property. Resolution 66-23 Approve Memorandum of Agreement with AFSCME Council#63 WHEREAS,the Borough of Franklin Lakes and American Federation of State,County,Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO Council 463 ("AFSCME Council 463") have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025; and, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey that the Memorandum of Agreement between the Borough of Franklin Lakes and AFSCME Council 463 is hereby approved; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to AFSCME Council 463. Respectfully submitted, -(47�. . _)� . qaij M. Rulli, Borough Clerk