HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-03-01 Special Budget Special/Work Session of the Mayor and Council
March 1, 2023
A special meeting of the Mayor and Council was held on March 1, 2023, at 8:30 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, Councilman Ansh, Council President Bonagura (via teleconferencing), Councilwoman
Cardenas, Councilman Lambrix, Borough Administrator Hart, Borough Attorney Smith and
Borough Clerk Rulli. Councilman Sheppard arrived at 9:03 AM. Councilmember Kelly joined the
meeting via teleconference at 10:16 AM.
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 Lambrix,
seconded by Councilmember Ansh. On voice vote, all in favor.
No one from the public came forward at this time.
Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Ansh, seconded by
Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor.
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 Wednesday, March 1, 2023
which begins at 8:30 AM, in the Conference Room 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 8:31 AM by Council President Bonagura, seconded
by Councilmember Ansh. On voice vote, all in favor.
The Mayor and Council returned to open session at 9:51 AM and had a brief recess. At 10:03 AM
the meeting resumed and Chief Financial Officer William Pike joined the meeting.
Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 2
March 1, 2023 Minutes
Discussion
• 2023 Budget
Mr. Hart reported on the budget meeting process and the Budget Committee meetings. He stated
there is a $1,350,000 budget deficit and that does not include personnel increases. Garbage and
recycling costs, pension, and AFSCME raises comprised most of the deficit. The budget will be
introduced at March 21, 2023 meeting.
Mr. Pike reviewed the summary projection and then reviewed the Fund Balance/Surplus Analysis.
Discussion was held on tax assessments, revaluation, and the need to have a discussion with the
Tax Assessor on the tax rate impact of the Reserve. Councilmember Lambrix noted the amount
to be raised by taxation is twice the amount residents are used to, mostly due to the items pointed
out earlier by Mr. Hart. Mr. Pike stated it is 3% but usually 2%.
Mr. Hart outlined the appropriations on the Preliminary Budget and Levy CAP Worksheet. He
provided explanations on salaries, health insurance,pensions, and departmental budgets, which he
stated, have generally been flat over time. There is a one-time expense for a street sweeper.
Mr. Pike discussed tax appeals, planning for snow storms and the inability to ask for emergency
funds for snow events. Mr. Hart stated the unexpended money from snowplowing can be put in
reserve for next year. He stated it costs approximately $250,000 for snow removal per storm.
Mr. Pike stated there is no reserve right now, if it is decided to drop the surplus number down, it
may be risky. He spoke about use of capital expenditures and ways to refinance bonds for a lower
rate.
Discussion ensued on discretionary expenditures, non-capital expenses, personnel, cost of
ammunition, body worn cameras, vehicle requests, and security cameras. It was agreed that a
more comprehensive security camera plan is required.
Councilmember Cardenas left the meeting at 11:37 AM.
Discussion held on line striping, the Parsons Pond Project, and Fire Department and Ambulance
Corps stipends.
Mr. Hart to send an email to schedule a second budget meeting and to request Mr. Lerch to join
for the second half of the meeting.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 11:57 AM by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by
Councilmember Ansh. On voice vote, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
a M. Rulli, Borough Clerk