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
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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
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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:
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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,
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qaij M. Rulli, Borough Clerk