HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-02-27 Special Meeting Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council
February 27, 2023
A special meeting of the Mayor and Council was held on February 27, 2023, at 9:00 AM, 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 (via teleconferencing),
Councilmember Cardenas, Councilmember Kelly (via teleconferencing), Councilmember
Lambrix, Councilmember Sheppard, Borough Administrator Hart, and Borough Attorney Smith.
Borough Planner Beth McManus, Affordable Housing Attorney Michael Edwards, and Borough
Clerk Rulli were also present.
Sunshine Law Statement
The Borough Clerk read the Sunshine Law Statement.
Flat Salute
Moment of Silent Appreciation to Our Veterans
Time for Public Comment
Motion to open the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by
Councilmember Cardenas. On voice vote, all in favor.
Laurie Burnette, 746 Lawlins Road, spoke about traffic, and how difficult it is to make a left turn
from Lawlins Road onto Old Mill Road. She asked if any action will be taken regarding the Cigna
Development at this meeting. She discussed Wyckoff's weight limit on Lawlins Road, and asked
that Franklin Lakes consider looking into limits as well.
Mayor Kahwaty responded that he has asked for a committee to study downtown and traffic
patterns after the Parsons Pond project. He stated that any action would likely be done in public at
a large venue. He stated he would have enforcement of the weight limit checked by
Sergeant Knubel.
Ari Donio, 501 Kings Point Trail, inquired about Friday's eBlast message, discussed the Park
Ridge school study, and asked the Mayor and Council to get past developer forecasts and compare
results. He talked about the Cigna property breakdown of apartments, the PILOT program and
asked for transparency. He stated he hopes no action will be taken today.
Mayor Kahwaty thanked Mr. Donio for his comments and stated that he made good points.
Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by
Councilmember Cardenas. On voice vote, all in favor.
Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 2
February 27, 2023 Minutes
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 Monday, February 27, 2023
which begins at 9:00 AM, in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building to discuss the
following:
• Anticipated Litigation—Proposed Cigna Development
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.
Motion to go into Closed Session was made at 9:10 AM by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by
Councilmember Bonagura. On voice vote, all in favor.
The Mayor and Council returned to open session at 11:06 AM.
Adiournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 11:06 AM by Councilmember Kelly, seconded by
Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
ai M. Rulli, Borough Clerk