Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002/03/14 AGENDA MEETING MARCH 14, 2002 An Agenda Meeting of the Mayor and Cotmcil of the Borough of AGENDA MEETING Carteret preceding the Regular Meeting of March 21, 2002 was held on March 14, 2002, 7:00 P.M., Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. The following were noted present: NOTED PRESENT Mayor James A. Failace Councilmember Parisi Reiman Rios " Sosnowski Noted absent were Councilmember Santoro and Councilmember NOTED ABSENT Sohayda. Also noted present was Borough Attorney Robert Bergen, At approximately 7:05 P.M, Councilmember Sohayda was noted NOTED PRESENT - present, COUNCILMEMBER SOHAYDA At approximately 7:07 P.M. Councilmember Santoro was noted NOTED PRESENT present. COUNCILMEMBER SANTORO Statement of Meeting Notice was mailed to the Home News Tribune, STATEMENT OF MEETING The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board on March 8, 2002. NOTICE Minutes for approval: February 7, March7&13, 2002. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL ORDiNANCES: ORDINANCES 1. #02-07 Capital Improvement, Appropriating $1,451,800.00 - CSO GRANT. RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTIONS 1. Directing the Issuance of Various Bingo Licenses. 2. Directing the Issuance of Various Raffle Licenses. 3. Refund of Tax and/or Sewer User Fees. 4. Amendment to 2002 Temporary Budget. 5. Authorizing Various Contractors to Perform Rehabilitation of Pursuant to COAH Regulations. 6. Designating Official Depositories. APPLICATIONS: APPLICATIONS 1 .Carter~ Volunteer Fire Company #1 - Applications for membership, Bobbi Jo Carpenter and Ami Grabowski. 2. St Joseph HSA - Amend RL 1662 by correcting date. MARCH 14, 2002 COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Office of County Counsel - Notice of Public Hearing, April 11, 2002, 11:00 A.M., Re: Proposed Tranfer of Property in North Brunswick to Township of North Brunswick for the purpose of storing vehicles and equipment. 2. PSE&G - Notice of Statewide General Permit #2 Application to NJ DEP to disturb wetlands within roadway Right-of Way throughout entire PSE&G service territory. Comments Accepted. REPORTS REPORTS: 1. Board of Health - February 2002. 2. Inspection of Buildings - February 2002 3. Social Services - January & February 2002. COMMENTS Councilmember Rios said this Public Hearing for Property Transfer from North Brunswick to North Brtmswick, was this for County vehicles. Mayor Failace replied that he didn't think it was. He said they got it in their mail and he thinks it has to do with making us aware... Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said it is to store impounded vehicles and equipment by their Township. Mayor Failace said it has nothing to do with the Borough. Municipal Clerk said they had to notify us by law. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said maybe they are using Open Space. MATTERS FOR MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION: DISCUSSION 1. NJ DOP - Public Safety Telecommunicator Trainees. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said we still have three that are still provisional and Civil Service wants us to make them permanent. 2. John Riggio Employee Desk Audit. COMMENTS 3. Carteret PBA - Requesting permission to hold Annual Fishing Derby in Carteret Park on June 29, 2002, 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said assuming that is okay she will give it to Bobby Kately. 4. Middlesex County Joint Insurance Fund - Asking for the appointment of a Commissioner. Mayor Failace wanted to know why they were asking us to appoint a Commissioner. 2 ~ARCH 14~ 2002 Councilmember Reiman said that was separate. He said he attended a I~I~,TTERS FOR DISClJS$IOI~I few meetings with them. There is usually one representative from each (CONTINUED) Township that attends of the 26 participating Towns and School Boards. Councilmember Parisi said they did send them a letter. Councilmember Reiman said some towns send a Borough Administrator, a Mayor or a Councilmember. Councilmember Santoro said since they don't maybe it is a good idea to send Patrick DeBalsio. 5. Ethnic Board - Vacancy. Mayor Failace recommended A1 Walsh. He could not be on both the Housing Authority and the Ethnic Board. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said for the Commissioner for the Joint Insurance Fund, you can do a resolution appointing them and you may want to appoint an alternate if Patrick can't go on a particular day, they don't mind doing that. A lot of times they do appoint a alternate, COMr. IENTS so if you think of someone else...He said he can do that when he does the resolution. Councilmember Santoro asked if anyone wanted to recommend any names for the Ethnic Board. We can take the names and compile a list and see what we want to do. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said they should hold off until the next Agenda. Mayor Failace asked if the position was specific and asked if could be a Borough Employee. Councilmember Reiman said it can be a Borough Employee but it has to be a Republican. 6. Planning Board - Requesting Ordinance amending code, Re: Fences. Councilmember Reiman said the standard they are talking about now is a five- foot fence and he thinks the old Ordinance says 14 (inaudible). Councilmember Sosnowski said it is actually 36 inches. Councilmember Santoro asked if Tony Neibert reviewed this. Councilm~mber Sosnowski said it has to be an open site, there can't be any blockage. It can be chain link fence but it can't be a hedge. Councilmember Sohayda asked if they ever saw the property on the comer of Markowitz Street and Jackson Avenue. 3 MARCH 14, 2002 7. Patrick DeBlasio Bond Ordinance for Municipal Ambulance. Councilmember Reiman said they went through the numbers. He then asked Councilmember Rios to touch base with that. Councilmember Rios said they should discuss it in Closed Session. 8. UEZ Board - Vacancy. Mayor Failace asked who left the UEZ Board. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said Judy Leshko, but she is not a voting member. 9. Library Board - Vacancy. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said Cindy DeCamp left the Library Board. Councilmember Reiman asked if there were any other vacancies? The Municipal Clerk said the Recreation Commission has ,a vacancy too. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked if they received: letter of resignation .. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said that she did not receive anything from Cindy DeCamp but she got one from Judy Leshko. MAYOR ACCEPTED Mayor Failace made motion to accept the resignation of A1 Walsh RESIGNATION OF from the Ethnic Board and Judy Leshko from the UEZ Board. AL r//ALSH & JUDY LESHKO Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios and upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative to accept the resignation of A1 Walsh and Judy Leshko. ENGINEER STATUS Borough Engineer Don Norbut - Engineer's Status Report REPORT I. Road Improvement Projects a). Milik Street Rehabilitation - The work is approximately 75% complete. The project has been winterized and has been shut down until April 15, 2002. b). Washington Avenue Streetscape - the contracted work is complete. Diamond Construction has agreed to install concrete pavers between the curb and sidewalk in a similar type pattern as around Borough Hall. We requested that the contractor complete all work by the end of March. Councilmember Reiman said he saw the conceptual drawing that the Borough Engineer made for some trees and additional lighting. He said he gave his copy to John Riggio. He had not seen it prior to (inaudible) so that is something that they can bring up at the next meeting. MARCH 14, 2002 Councilmember Sohayda asked if they ever spoke to somebody about moving that down a little farther. Councilmember Reiman said they spoke about moving down (inaudible). Borough Engineer said there was a funding issue that they want to add EMCINEER ' $ REPORT to the application for the lights. Councilmember Santoro said no, she thought they were going to get an estimate to bring to the UEZ so we can complete everything. Councilmember Rios said they put the estimate together and that is going to already have the electricity down there, correct? Borough Engineer said spoke and was inaudible. CONTINUED Councilmember Rios said his concern is that they don't do it twice and (inaudible). Councilmember Sosnowski said they should set it up with a conduit with a junction box there. Borough Engineer said they had to look (inaudible) has to be done now or later. He said if they wanted him to modify the contract he thinks he can do that. Councilmember Rios said that was his opinion. He said he didn't know how the Council felt. Mayor Failace said they want to run the conduit now. Borough Engineer said the question was do they put in the wiring and the light bases in now and the junction boxes and things like that. Councilmember Reiman asked if the Borough Engineer had that in his estimate. Borough Engineer replied no. Councilmember Reiman said he didn't know if they could even get the funding but hopefully we get the UEZ funds because we are paying for the conduit. Mayor Failace said why don't they see if they can do it through the UEZ before we go any further. Councilmember Santoro said if this is what UEZ can spend money on ... If we vote on it next week then it has to go down to the State to be approved and she did not see how... Councilmember Reiman asked the Borough Attorney if they do lay out the money through Capital, can we get reimbursed? Borough Engineer said that serves the same purpose.. 5 MARCH 14, 2002 Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said this is a relatively small contract. We can put bases and lights and electric and it won't increase it by more than 20%. ENGINEER'S REPORT Carteret Avenue Pedestrian Improvements the contract work is CONTINUED almost complete. The deficiency work is weather dependent and will be completed by April 2002. He said he is waiting for a response from T. Grosso & Sons regarding this matter. d). 2002 Road Improvement Program they are proceeding with the field survey and design phase work for the 2002 Road Program. He said he requested permission from the from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to reallocate funds from the Industrial Road culvert grant to the Hagaman Street and Terminal Avenue improvements. They anticipate completing the design plans and specifications on or about May, 2002. Councilmember Santoro asked the Borough Engineer to include Barlik Street. Councilmember Reiman said either we add it in and increase the amount by $20 thousand or $30 thousand or take (inaudible) out. Councilmember Rios said they should take out one with less priority. Borough Engineer said he will include Barlik Street and some other roads of equal value out. COMMENTS Councilmember Santoro said that Barlik Street isn't even a toad and it should not have a priority over one of the other roads that are being redone. She said she is not even going to name some of the other roads but she (inaudible) all the other roads that they have. She said she didn't know why Barlick was never done when the new houses went up over there. Borough Engineer said she made a good point so we either take something out or we have to fired another twenty or thirty thousand dollars (inaudible). Because it is a local road what we are trying to do is maximize the savings so we would have a contractor to repair the roads, do the curbs and sidewalks .. Councilmember Sohayda asked a question and was inaudible. Councilmember Reiman said if they use that all then we don't have anything for future purchases. Borough Engineer said he had done an estimate on what it would cost. There are probably a couple of small spaces that just need an overlay. Councilmember Santoro said she did not know why that road was left like that but if we are going to start doing roads in order of priority... Councilmember Rios said it makes more sense to keep our cost the same and cut ones with less priority or add the extra money. Let's do it. II. Sanitary Sewer Projects - 6 MARCH 14, 2002 a). Suspect Area Sewer Separation - work is proceeding on the Suspect Area Sewer Separation Project. Final paving and concrete ENGINEER'S REPORT work for this project is scheduled for April 2002. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked if they had seen the end of the Borough Engineer's letter. He said at the end of the contract he put in bold letters ...(inaudible). b). Harrison Avenue Pump Station contract work is complete. Diamond Construction has agreed to install pavers between the curb and sidewalk in a similar type as around Borough Hall. We request that the contractor complete all work by the end of March. Councilmember Rios said he hoped he moved in a timely manner, it won't take him a long time to do it. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said they received a request from a (inaudible) take a look at his wage reports. Councilmember Rios asked if he was required to get prevailing wage? COMMENTS & DISCUSSION Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said one of the contractors didn't like loosing out on the bids. c). Carteret Avenue Pedestrian Improvements contract work is almost complete. The work is weather dependent and will be completed in April 2002. d). 2002 Road Improvement Program - with Council authorization we are proceeding with the field survey and design phase work for the 2002 Road Program. He reported that with the permission of the NJDOT, he reallocated funds from Industrial Road culvert grant to the Hagaman Street and Terminal Avenue improvements. They anticipate completing the design plans on or about May 2002. They will be advertising for bids after the NJDOT design approval in June 2002. II. Sanitmy Sewer Projects ENGINEER ' S REPORT CONTINUED a). Suspect Area Sewer Separation - work is 90% complete and to date, approximately 50 sanitary connections have been replaced. Final work is scheduled for completion April 2002. b). Harrison Avenue Pump Station - it is anticipated that construction will begin in mid April 2002. c). Roosevelt Avenue Pump Station - construction will begin in mid April 2002. d). Sewage Plant Demolition - all asbestos abatement is complete at the site and the contractor has initiated test pits to investigate underground site piping where sinkholes were found. Demolition is anticipated within the next several weeks. e). 2002 Sanitary Sewer Improvement Program as part of the 2002 capital budget recommendations, a list of recommended sanitary sewer improvements which include a variety of projects that would be 7 MARCH 14, 2002 completed or initiated with the 2002 Year. Some improvements are partially funded under the Borough's USEPA Grant. III. Waterfront Park ENGINEER' $ REPORT a) Phase I, Fishing Pier the contracts have been advertised and bids CONTINUED are scheduled to be received by March 26, 2002. Approximately fifteen bidders have purchased the plans and specificatio~q and the estimate for the project is two million dollars. At Council's request, a series of deduct alternates have been added to the contract so the Council will have the ability to remove items from the contract, if necessary, before the award. Borough Engineer said he received an odd letter from the New York/ New Jersey Harbor Pilot Association. They are concerned about a boat ramp at that location because of the large vessels that move through there. They want to make sure it doesn't impact their operation. He said he thinks the waterway is big enough that it should not be an issue. Councilmember Reiman asked if there was any way they could hold up the project. Borough Engineer said yes, without the Army Corp Permit tl~ey really can't do anything. Councilmember Reiman said this was the New York/New Jersey Harbor Pilot Association? Borough Engineer said the public comment period prior to issuing the permit is done by Army Corp and this came in during that period. The one good thing in their favor was (inaudible). b). Temporary Construction Easement - they are working with the Borough Attorney to obtain a temporary construction easement across Block 4, Lot 1, so that large construction equipment can access the pier for demolition and construction of the new pier. This task may prove to be a long one due to the fact that it is in bankruptcy. ~. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said they might want to look at the money they are getting from the County. Borough Engineer asked what money was that. Councilmember Santoro said the Freeholders have their Open Space Fund and it will be paying for feasibility and planning specs for the properties joining that. She said she will put the Borough Engineer in contact with them. Councilmember Reiman asked what the presentation was last week. Was this to support, because when they spoke last year with them it was about financing the Waterfront Marina Project. Is this to acquire the adjacent property? Councilmember Santoro replied that this is to look into the possibility of that position. Like everything else the first thing you have to do is to 8 MARCH 14, 2002 do a study. They have the money available and they (inaudible) that ENGINEER REPORT they would be willing to do that. c). Parking Lot Acquisition - there is an existing parking lot at the fishing pier site and historically the Borough had planned to acquire this lot from the property owner to provide vehicle and boat trailer parking for the Waterfront Park. d). Permanent Access Easement - the Borough Engineer said he has begun to research the status of the permanent site access easement. It is thought to exist across adjacent Block 5.02, Lots 1.01 & 103. IV. General Items a). Roosevelt Avenue Bypass, W. Carteret on March 6, 2002 a meeting was held with the Woodbridge Township Engineer and Traffic Safety Officer to discuss the truck diversion plan for West Carteret. The representatives from Woodbridge had some concerns about the re-routing of traffic. They requested that the Borough study and traffic counts be forwarded to their office for review. The Borough Engineer said he put together a report and will be sending it over Monday or Tuesday. If the Council would like to read the report first.. Mayor Failace said he would like to see a copy of the report. Councilmember Rios said Councilmember Santoro and himself attended a meeting and we seemed to have a pretty good response initially until their Police Sergeant had some concerns about our traffic dumping onto their roads (inaudible) heavy traffic road. In any event he thinks they should continue to pursue this. When we get indications that we might get or request .. We have to try to convince them in any COMMENTS way we can. We really don't want to get into an unfriendly "neighbor situation" here but we have to be concerned about Carteret too. Mayor Failace said they were not the ones being unfriendly. Councilmember Rios said next time we're going to have to bring our Police Force in and twist some arms. Borough Engineer said the other thing that goes along with that because of the re-routing of the truck traffic it would impact some of the levels of service and the efficiency of (inaudible). We may be in a position where as part of this the County wants us to upgrade the older traffic signal equipment and make some physical improvements to the intersection by adding an additional lane and widening some of the intersections. There might be some improvement costs that go along with the implementation of.. Mayor Failace asked if they would like it done prior to the implementation (inaudible). Borough Engineer replied possibly. We haven't discussed with the County when they would require the improvements but we'll have to (inaudible). 9 MARCH 14, 2002 Councilmember Rios said the County has more or less left it to us because the gave us the impression that if we can come to an agreement they would not have a problem. Mayor Failace said if they come to an agreement with Woodbridge and the County wants us to make some changes to their road... Borough Engineer said it would be cost sharing like we do with other counties. Councilmember Santoro asked about Blair Road. She said she thought it was part ours and part theirs. Every time that gets knocked down ... Mayor Failace said he didn't think it was all theirs. ENGINEER'S b). Hill District Storm Sewer Project Planning Document - we are REPORT proceeding with the preparation of the environmental information CONTINUED document as required by the USEPA grant for the Hill District Storm Sewer Improvement Project. c). Washington Avenue Decorative Street Lighting - they prepared a concept plan and project cost estimate for the installation of decorative street lighting along Washington and Cooke Avenue. The total project cost will be approximately $98,000.This sketch and cost estimate will be presented to the Borough UEZ Board for consideration for funding in 2002. Councilmcmber Reiman asked the Borough Attorney where they were with the parking lot acquisition. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he feels they may have the authority to sign rather than an actual easement. There is a thing called access agreement and he thinks that under law they may have the authority to sign (inaudible). Councilmember Reiman said they still need to acquire that parking lot. Have we made any progress with that? Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said that was the point that he was trying to raise with the County. The County is going to study these properties and there are clearly properties that you want to include in that study and figure out where the money is going to con% from. If you are interested in acquiring the parking lot the first thing you need to do is contact them and get an appraiser out there to take a look and see what the value is. Councilmember Reiman said he thought they need to move ahead with this regardless of whether we acquire it or the County. Councilmember Santoro said they are not looking to see who would acquire it we are looking at the County picking up the cost to find out pricing for the acquisition. If there is anything that we would go to the County to pay for out of that fund... First, let's see if ti~ey could reimburse our cost or at least pay our cost. 10 M~RCH ~4~ 2002 Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he wanted to discuss this in Closed Session. Councilmember Santoro asked if the price for decorating Washington Avenue was $98,000.00. She asked if the amount was broken down so they could give it to them. Borough Engineer said yes and he had a small sketch too. Councilmember Rios said they had residents going to the Recycling Center.. Councilmember Reiman said he had something for Closed Session, potential litigation. Councilmember Santoro said she wanted to ask for a meeting with the Police Committee. When we did the Police Chief we never did a contract so he doesn't fall under any union. We really should put together a contract for him and bring it up at the next Agenda Meeting. Councilmember Sosnowski said he had a few things he wanted to discuss. He said a few of the Council had mentioned to him about some cleaning in the buildings, which are very understaffed. He said he had some quotes requested for (inaudible) for the Seniors said he would like to buy it for next year. There is one for the roof of the Library. As everyone knows, the Library roof is leaking pretty badly COMMENTS and they reached out to the contractor who did the work . The contractor he reached out to is certified to do this type of roof. The other quote is for the cleaning of the buildings. Right now that is broken down to one week per building. He said if they combine and clean all the buildings it would come down to nine hundred nine-eight dollars per week and the total for the year would be (inaudible). We don't have the manpower to clean the buildings. We can look at this and if it is the Mayor and Council's pleasure he would like to break it down and do a few of the buildings. The quotes may be higher and this may come in at a higher price. This was based on a package deal (inaudible). Councilmember Sohayda asked if he was referring to Jackie Donavan. Mayor Failace asked if this was the service for a number of people coming in ... Councilmember Sosnowski said yes, basically by the looks of it there will be one person here eight hours a day. There is a possibility that she may need more people in so we may end up with two people at eight hours a day. This also includes the supplies necessary to do the job. The only add in .. Councilmember Reiman said he was talking $900.00 a week then we have to go out to bid on it. Councilmember Sosnowski said the biggest concern was the Borough Annex. The manpower isn't there. Our building service workers do maintenance and custodian work. Mayor Failace asked if they could hire part time employees to do that. 11 ~ARCH 14~ 2002 Councilmember Sosnowski said that is something for the Mayor and Council to look at. He said he had one more thing for open and that was doing the test for the generator in the Library. The only day the Library is closed is on Sunday. This test that we are going to do is going to take four hours minimum. He said it is not going to be a cost effective thing for him to .. Mayor Failace said they should close the Library for four hg'~,rs during the week. Councilmember Sosnowski said he just wanted to let them know that is what they are looking at. Close the Library for half a day and this way we can get this test done. It has been brought to his attention that the mail should be dropped off by the mailman. We can't have the Borough workers picking up the mail. He said he would also like to blend the Building Department with the Planning and Zoning and bring them under the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Tony Neibert has all the building service workers and he is working with him and doing some research with (inaudible). COMMENTS & DISCUSSION Councilmember Reiman said what you want to do is have the Construction Department and the Zoning and Planning Department, which has nothing to do with building maintenance, to be taken away from the Finance Committee and put under the Building & Grounds Committee? Councilmember Sosnowski replied yes because he feels that it falls under Buildings & Grounds. Councilmember Reiman asked how it could possibly fall under Buildings & Grounds? Councilmember Sosnowski said with everything .. Councilmember Reiman said the Building Committee has to do with the Borough owned buildings and the Building Department is the Construction Department and has nothing to do with the Finance Committee. Councilmember Sosnowski said with the extra work he is tacking up for the Building Department .. He said he spoke about this before.. Councilmember Reiman said he never spoke about switching departments. The reason that the building maintenance people report to Tony Neibert now is because you directed them as Buildings and Grounds. As the chairman of the finance committee he would object to having the Construction Department, the Zoning and Planning Offices taken away from the Finance Committee and report to the Building Maintenance Committee. He said he didn't see how it could possibly connects. Councilmember Santoro asked the Borough Attorney what happens with something like that. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked if it was done by Ordinance? Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said it has to be done by the Rules of Council. 12 MARCH 14, 2002 Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said they would have to do it by Resolution to change it. If it is under the Rules of Council then it is up to the Council to change it. Councilmember Rios said it would be better served if he (inaudible) Finance being that he is the Construction Code Official. He said he thought it would make more sense to stay in the Finance Building .. He said it makes more sense to leave Buildings and Grounds with Tony Neibert then with Patrick DeBlasio. He said to him it makes more sense.. Councilmember Sosnowski said (inaudible). Councilmember Reiman said they should do a straw poll since it will come to a vote by Resolution anyway. He said he would ask that it stay under the Finance Department where is has been and he doesn't understand why it should be moved. Councilmember Rios asked if this was something that they were kicking around or ... Councilmember Sosnowski said he thought it would be easier .. Councilmember Reiman said they should have discussed it in the Committee and it should not have been brought up at an Agenda Meeting as a Resolution. COMMENTS Councilmember Sosnowski said the Committee Meetings didn't go well and .,'de didn't get a chance to speak. Councilmember Rios said they should discuss it in Committee again and bring it back to the Council at the next Agenda Meeting. Councilmember Reiman said they should check by Ordinance to see how or what it falls under. Under the Rules of Council it is adopted every January but see if there is any specific Ordinance that allows for that. Councilmember Sosnowski said that isn't possible. Mayor Failace said it seems that anything is possible. Whether there is a need for it or not anything is possible. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked if they were doing this for Thursday ~ght. Mayor Failace said no. He then asked the Borough Attorney to look at it and we'll talk about it at the next Agenda Meeting. Councilmember Sosnowski said he had to discuss something in Closed Session, personnel issues. Councilmember Rios said that he mentioned at the last Council meeting about a Borough Hall Committee. The condition of Borough Hall is no secret. He said he was hoping that they could come up with a Committee to discuss what we want to do with Borough Hall. Either we renovate or build. He said he doesn't expect them to discuss it that night, obviously that will be a long decision and study that they have to do but he hoped that the Council could make a committee on 13 MARCH 14, 2002 reviewing the possibility or the future of Borough Hall. He said it was something that has to be done. Councilmember Santoro said how about when we have Buildings and Grounds Meetings? We should discuss it first because plenty of reports have been done. We she first came on there was work that had been done. We need to dig up those old reports and give everyone a copy. Maybe after the next Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting. Councilmember Reiman said he agreed with Councilmember Rios and we should have not only a Committee but a Task Force.. Mayor Failace said that was already done but never got off the ground. He said he did agree that it was not a horrible idea. The worst that could happen is they come back with recommendations and to have it done well with the Council and himself. They should put together a real task force and sit down and discuss it. Councilmember Rios said Borough Hall is an embarrassment where meetings and professional business is held everyday. That we have fencing around the steps so people don't walk up there and get injured. It is time we addressed this issue one way or the other. You want to have your Committee Meeting and make recommendations as far as who should sit on it. He said he is not looking to be on the committee. Councilmember Santoro said since he brought it up (at that point DISCUSSION everyone started laughing). Councilmember Rios said Open Spaces, we have a problem utilizing the money for what we would like to use it for. He said he thinks they have to address that where we could do something to correct it. If in the future we don't have this money keep going into an account and we can only use it for acquisition of land. He said he thought that everyone at the meeting felt that the money could be used for acquisition maintenance and so forth and so on. Mayor Failace said that was the intent from the beginning. Councilmember Rios said unfortunately this year the Parks Committee had some ideas about what they wanted to do and we couldn't. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said it has to go out to the voters to amend what you did before and when the question came up .. the Municipal Clerk forwarded him the Ordinance and maybe where the confusion is that the Ordinance calls for acquisition of property and development rights. Development Rights is the right to develop property. There are times in which, particularly with Farm Lands in which you can pay a farmer the rights that he would recover until he chose to develop the land. The Municipal Clerk didn't give him a copy of what actually was approved by the voters . We just need a valid question to be put on by August. Councilmember Rios said his interpretation, when you develop something you enhance it and by enhancing it is a multitude of things. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said that is why if you look at the State Statute there are five different provisions under the statute, four of which you can use the money. There are others that create what you 14 MARCH 14, 2002 would like .. The argument that you would like to put forth and the one that he thinks the one that you passed doesn't allow for that argument cause it only allows for one option, "to acquire property and development fights" and that is all it allows you to do. Councilmember Rios said the Borough Attorney interpretation is that we are locked in and we can only use it for acquisition and development. Mayor Failace said and development of what we acquire. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he would throw that in there but he isn't even clear that you included that adequately, the right to develop that property. Councilmember Rios said to assume that they want to go forward and put another question on the ballot this November, what happens with the money that was already put in to that fund? Let's say it is two hundred thousand dollars, and let's hope it gets passed in November, and the effect date is January 1st can you use the money already built up into that ftmd after January lSt? Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he tried everything to get someone to give a different opinion than what he gave them so he asked Patrick DeBlasio to ask the Auditor if he would look at it. He didn't render a different opinion but what they came up with is making DISCUSSION the language to the Ordinance retroactive so you have one pot of money and not two. Councilmember Rios said so this year we can't (inaudible) nothing but acquisition and that stinks. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said last night they took a look at the Amendment to the County to the language of their Open Space and they did the same thing. Councilmember Santoro asked if that was brought up someplace else. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said yes at the Budget Meeting. We were discussing the Parks Budget. When the Auditor was there he mentioned that .. Councilmember Reiman said the County tax rate is going up 5%, three cents for the County and two cents for Open Space. In the Caucus Meeting that we had since the meeting was canceled .. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked where they got the language for the O~'dinance. Councilmember Rios said he also had something for Closed Session, personnel. Councilmember Sohayda said he viewed a car accident and the car was under a truck. He said he believed that someone did get hurt. He then passed the pictures around. He said he had one thing for Open Session and that is the Volunteer and Ladies Auxiliary is requesting a $5000.00 increase in their budget for tmiforms. The reason being is that there is a higher body count in terms of membership. The Ladies Auxiliary is looking to be equipped with uniforms. He then said for 15 MARCH 14, 2002 Closed Session it is personnel. He said he didn't know what any body feels yet. Councilmember Reiman asked if the Fire Committee met yet to find out if they have the money in the Budget. Councilmember Sohayda said they had not. Mayor Failace said to Councilmember Sohayda that he thought it was simple to recommend that you agree with it. Councilmember Reiman asked if this would be one time. Councilmember Sohayda said yes and it is just for uniforms. Councilmember Parisi said he had nothing for Open Session and one thing for closed, personnel. Councilmember Santoro said she is adding one for Closed Session for the Police Department. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he had a few Professional Service Resolutions and he thinks they should be discussed in Closed Session. Councilmember Rios asked the Borough Attorney to correct him if he was wrong but the process for the Cheerleaders that was done in the past but will be done before the next Council Meeting, he was concerned about not taking a Straw Poll .. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he received some proposals for Buses to send over to Gloria and she needs authorization for the buses for the Central Jersey Cheerleaders. He said they needed to authorize it if they wanted to do it. RE: HEAD START The Mayor then introduced Carroll Thomas from the Head Start PROGRAM Center. Mr. Thomas said he wanted to thank everyone for their support of the Head Start Center here in Carteret. He said he thinks it is something that they are all going to be very proud of. He said they have done some work on it and please keep them in mind as they build the center here in Carteret. We have spoke to the Mayor and Council and we are talking about a long term commitment in terms of issues (inaudible) in particular the Chrome Area and other parts of Carteret. One of the things they need to do is to have a place for the kids to play. It is going to be a full day and full year program. He said one of the reasons for wanting to be in the Borough is to be a part of a new direction. He then said he would hold color copies and (inaudible). He said he is giving the Mayor and Council a proposal for the use of park space in the Carteret Area. It is a Green Acres Park so it is therefore considered part of the usage for the Head Start Center. We wanted to make an investment in the Park for approximately $20,000.00 to make (inaudible) a grant to improvement the park and add some benches and so forth. In that consideration we would like the Borough Employees to maintain the park equipment Councilmember Rios asked if the property that Mr. Thomas is speaking of is adjacent to 46 Roosevelt Avenue. 16 MARCH 14, 2002 Mr. Thorhas said it was not adjacent it is between the Housing Authority and the playground. Councilmember Santoro said that park is not Green Acres Property. Mayor Failace said the park is not Green Acres. MR. THOMAS - HEAD Councilmembcr Reiman said part of Chrome Park is Green Acres. START Mayor Failace said what they are asking to do is to put playground equipment in Chrome Park. They want to give us $20,000.00 to put into Chrome Park. Councilmember Santoro said they have to put it in our section more so than (inaudible). Mayor Failace said that was what they were talking about. They are talking about where we already put (inaudible). He said he thought it was a win / win situation. Mr. Thomas said he already looked at the plans from two years ago when you did some improvements. We want to invest $20,000.00 in the park to match up what we think the community needs. Mayor Failace said what Mr. Thomas is asking from us is if we can get our Borough Workers to help them install the equipment. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked when they would be able to move on this. Mr. Thomas said that he and the Mayor spoke about the original plan and what we want to look at and what the agency wants to do in the area. Obviously he wants his people to talk to the your people (inaudible) and the design of the playground .. PARK EQUIPMENT Mayor Failace said to the Borough Attorney that this was not just for the Head Start, it is for all the kids in Carteret. What would be best, if MCEOC bought the equipment or inaudible. Mr. Thomas said they would buy the equipment and give it to the Borough and therefor no one has to have additional liability insurance and equipment and that is why the technicians have to get together .. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen asked why he didn't give them a list of the equipment and we'll (inaudible) resolution accepting the gift from Head Start. Mr. Thomas replied that there was a master plan of the park and you all have some designs. He said he was not a park person and he would like his people to sit down with the park people. Mayor Failace said they could meet with Bob Kately. Mr. Thomas said it will be Borough equipment so we would like some cooperation to select the equipment. We did this for presentation purposes but maybe the Mayor and Council have a better idea. We have to fit the needs of what we intended it to be used for. Once we pickout the equipment he will submit (inaudible) and that is the equipment he'll give. 17 MARCH 14, 2002 Councilmember Rios said they should set up a Park Committee Meeting with the Park's Supervisor ... Mayor Failace said that would be fine and he thought it a good idea to get this thing rolling. He said he thinks they are going to find that this partnership with MCEOC is going to be very rewarding for the Borough of Carteret. Councilmember Parisi asked Mr. Thomas if everything with an asterisk is what they are looking to acquire. Mr. Thomas replied yes. He then said there are two parts to this. One is that we need to acquire the appropriate equipment for two years and up. The other wish is to improve your raw conditions for the general use of the community and one of the things we looked at is to get under the Head Start Budget and (inaudible) and where the kids can go and have a picnic. The other thing that we wanted to look at is to improve the overall cleanliness of the Park and to get the appropriate COMMENTS receptacles. What he is also saying is $20,000.00 is what we can do but if you want to put in another piece of equipment that is fine because it is open to the public. The only thing he is going to hang on to is he has to justify under the use of two to five year old. Councilmember Rios asked Mr. Thomas if they could set up a meeting with the Parks Committee and you or someone else on your team. We could do it within the next few weeks. He then asked Mr. Thomas if that would be a problem. Mr. Thomas replied no. He said the Mayor and he spoke about it and he didn't know how to proceed with this. He said he does need to proceed but he also needs to be able to go before thc variance committee that is reviewing this. One of the questions was.what park are we going to use, and we know it is under Green Acres. We want to make an investment and we are talking about a long-term relationship so he didn't want to go to the Planning Board without coming here first. The Mayor insisted that he come to the meeting and he then thanked them for taking his evening away. Councilmember Rios asked if they were under any kind of time restrains. Mr. Thomas said the only restrain is what we put on ourselves. The grant that he is allocating has a life expectancy of one year and the time frame could be (inaudible). He said he has the money set aside in the budget to do it. Councilmember Santoro said that park is so large and the equipment that is in there is lost so this is a way to make that park .. Mayor Failace said this is such a win for the Borough. Mr. Thomas said that is exactly why they came to Carteret and also maybe to some kind of Neighborhood Watch to protect the property. This is in concert with some other strategies that are going on. If we say this is tied to the Head Start Program a lot of families will suppO?t and protect it for their kids. 18 MARCH 14, 2002 Councilmember Santoro said it was great and then thanked Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas said the lead person that is going to be on this is Pastor Dickerson but he is going to have technical people and park people who are going to acquire the company from (inaudible). Where the equipment is going to be stored the ground has to be resurfaced.. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said that Bob Kately is going to be okay with (inaudible). Councilmember Rios said that Bob Kately is the one that is going to physically take care of the equipment. He is sure that he can give us some input as far as (inaudible). Mayor F:filace said that the relationship between Carteret and the MCEOC and the Head Start Program can go a lot further. Councilmember Reiman said everytime they see him he has something for the Borough so they should see him more often. COMMEIqTS Mr. Thomas said this has been one of the most exciting places to do work in and you talk about all the things that don't go right with the Borough. He said Carteret is one of the most exciting places that he has been and (inaudible). He then thanked them all for their leadership. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said he received a letter from the Rahway YMCA about using Medwick Park for basketball. He said he advised them that it was a County park. To advise the Mayor and Council to the fact that the County charges $25.00 every time they use the park so they called him and said the Borough had approved it in the past. Mayor Failace said the County allowed us to allow the YMCA to use the park for soccer and some other things. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said we can't give them permission to do it and he sent them to the County and they are concerned that the County will charge them $25.00. He told them to look around .. Mayor Failace said when they first brought the YMCA in we ran the programs in Medwick Park. The County allowed them to do it with no problem. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said that Nick had always got it done before ard he didn't know if the Mayor and Council wanted to get involved. Councilmember Reiman asked Councilmember Rios who would schedule something like that. Would Bob Kately do the scheduling for the Parks? Councilmember Santoro said no, the County would do that. You have to call the County. 19 MARCH 14, 2002 Mayor Failace said they went through the County and found out that the use was for soccer, at the time, and they had no problems. They scheduled everything and they took care of it. Borough Attorney Robert Bergen said the problem is that they charge $25.00 everytime they use the park so even if it is for practice they charge $25.00. Mayor Failace said they did not charge them in the past. At approximately 7:20 P.M., a Closed Session was held. RESOLUTION #02-110 Resolution #02-110 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the CLOSED SESSION Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Rios RESOLUTION #02-110 "RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Rios, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. OPENED TO THE At approximately 9:00 P.M. upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers PUBLIC Reiman and Santoro and the unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened to the Public. ADJOURNED At approximately 9:58 P.M. upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sohayda and Rios and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Municipal Clerk KMB/apm 2O