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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999/11/23 An Agenda Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret preceding the Regular Meeting of December 2, 1999, was held on November 23, 1999, 7:00 P.M., Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. The following were noted present: Mayor James A. Failace Councilmember Crilley Gutowski Mancuso O'Brien Quinones " " .. .. Also noted present was Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack and Borough Engineer Albert Beninato. Noted absent was Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin and Councilmember Jack Fazekas. At approximately 7:05 P.M. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin was noted present. At approximately 7:10 P.M. Councilmember Jack Fazekas was noted present. Statement of Meeting Notice was mailed to the Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board on November 18, 1999. To Address Governing Body: Albert Beninato, Killam and Associates: Engineering - MUNICIPAL PROJECTS: Libraryl Senior Community Center Killam and Associates has been assisting the Architect and Contractor in an effort to expedite the completion of the Library Project. They have been involved in the following areas: 1. Provided assistance to the Contractor and required corrective measures to be employed for improperly constructed storm inlets on Blanchard Street. 2. Provided coordination regarding the connection to the storm sewer chamber. 3. Coordinated with PSE&G, Bell Atlantic, Elizabethown Gas, Comcast Cable & Middlesex Water Company. 4. Coordinated the installation of the conduit for the fiber link between the Borough Hall, Library and future Health Department. 5. Provided survey control for curbing, sidewalk and grade control along Cooke Avenue fronting the Library. NOVEMBER 23, 1999 AGENDA MEETING ROLL CALL NOTED PRESENT STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE ALBERT BENINATO ENGINEERING REPORT 1 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 ENGINEERING REPORT - CONTINUED COMMENTS SEWER FACILITIES 6. Provided survey control information to assist with the implementation of the remaining site work. 7. Provided proposed curb survey and stakeout for Cardinal Common's project and general coordination between both projects. Locations were staked out several times since the contractors for both projects were damaging or moving the stakes during construction operations. 8. Requested proposals to address completion ofthe elevator pit. 9. We have been requested to perform a complete site inspection of all site related work and prepare a Punch List for the Contractor. Killam has provided these services in a cooperative effort to help the progression of the Borough's Library Project. We request the Borough approve compensation for the professional services rendered including the remaining coordination and inspections required. We suggest a budget of $26,000 be established for the services outlined above. Councilmember Mancuso asked Business Administrator Nicholas Go1dsack if he was aware of (inaudible). Business Administrator Nick Goldsack said he was not aware of the reimbursement he was just aware of the fact that it was being done. Councilmember Mancuso said they were supposed to reimburse us for the work that (inaudible) did. Borough Engineer Albert Beninato said he will process a separate (inaudible) for the survey. We did it once with the coordination with the two projects and apparently as a result of (inaudible) construction (inaudible) for the inspection of the project. SEWER FACILITIES: Dorothy Street and Roosevelt Avenue Pump Stations Killam conducted an investigation with Al Beil, Sr. of the Sewer Department on November 16, 1999 to investigate both the Dorothy Street and Roosevelt Avenue pump stations since many electrical and mechanical components are currently in disrepair. We have determined that the Roosevelt Avenue Pump Station requires some electrical, control and HV AC repairs as well as two new comminutors. The Dorothy Street Pump Station is in poor condition. A majority of the control, electrical system and ventilation system requires upgrading and orl replacement. The pumps are currently being operated by a temporary control system that was installed following the control system failure last month. Due to the deteriorated condition of the Dorothy Street Pump Station Killam will expedite the report and request authorization to proceed with an Upgrade Contract at the next Agenda Meeting. If the pumps or motors fail an emergency by-pass system may be required. Bergen Street and Hayward Avenue Pump Stations 2 Two contracts are currently in progress which include upgrades to the Bergen and Hayward Pump Stations. The contract includes electrical and control improvements and Contract #99-6 includes two new raw sewage pumps. During the servicing of the two sewage pumps it was determined that additional components are badly deteriorated and require replacement in order to maintain the warranty. The labor and materials required an additional $8,865.78 as outlined on a letter dated November 1, 1999 from Longo to P&H Construction. It is our recommendation that the Borough authorize the contractor via change order (Contract #98-14) to proceed with the necessary pump repairs, which will keep the pumps under the warranty. The Sewer Department reported a pump failure at Hayward Avenue Pump Station. The existing pump was in failure and created an emergency situation. P&H Construction was contacted to investigate the problem and provide a temporary bypass pump. The problem was not evident so the existing pump was removed and transported to Longo for inspection. A temporary pump has been installed and have been rented from P&H Construction while the other two pumps are repaired. The maintenance and labor required to remove the existing pump is included under Contract #99-6. Councilmember Mancuso said when he spoke to Eric Betz on this we didn't have to put that little pump that was on reserve (inaudible). Borough Engineer Albert Beninato said it was less for the Borough to rent a submersible pump from P&H. We should hold off on using that pump and use it only when it is absolutely necessary. The contractor indicated that the two existing plug valves are seized in the open position and do not operate and check valves are being impeded by debris or grease buildup and that does not let them fully open. These valves require immediate attention. The Hayward and Bergen Pump Stations are not equipped with any bypass piping in the event of a failure or emergency which would allow for a convenient connection to the station and reduce the costs associated with a submersible bypass system. Illegal Connection Identification & III Reduction Program (ICI&III Program) They have identified the appropriate locations for installing flow meters in the Borough's sanitary sewer system in an effort to begin to isolate specific service areas that may contribute to the inflow/infiltration problem in the Borough. Killam and Associates has completed the installation of fifteen meters in various sections of the Borough. They anticipate the installation of four more to isolate the remaining sections in the Bergen Street Pump Station service area. After witnessing the conditions on some sanitary manholes they have determined that four additional meters are required to isolate the sub- areas for the first phase of metering. The office is moving forward with Phase IB which includes further internal investigation of the sewers within the identified suspect areas. They have been coordinating with the LBD Contracting for the repair of the damaged storm sewer and installation of the two new storm inlets on Hermann Avenue between Linden and Whittier Streets. For this they request that 3 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 ENGINEERING'S REPORT - (CON'T) COMMENTS NOVEMBER 23, 1999 ENGINEERING REPORT - CONTINUED COMMENTS COMMENTS the Borough allocate $30,000.00 of the monies appropriated under Ordinance #99-25 for the additional metering and sewer investigation. Councilmember Mancuso asked when did they expect to have Hermann Avenue paved. He said he had several calls fÌ'om residents. Borough Engineer Albert Beninato's reply was inaudible. Town Center Area - Sewer Cleaning and Internal Investigation, Contract #99-16 On November nnd the inspection of the sewers within the Town Center began and is anticipated to be completed during the week of November 29th Killam will review the TV inspection reports and view the videotapes to identify if there is any repair or rehabilitation work required. A report of the findings shall be presented to the Borough during an Agenda Meeting. ROADS PROJECTS: Improvements to Industrial Road (Phase I) - Contract #98-12 and Improvements to Louis Street and Fillmore Avenue - Contract #99-11 The contractor for the above referenced contract, Tarheel Enterprises, has completed some of the corrective work along Louis Street to eliminate pond water conditions. They are scheduled to complete the work and the pavement improvements along Fillmore Avenue, Barlik Street and State Street next week. The Industrial Road project is underway and is anticipated to be substantially complete by the first week in December. An unforeseen condition is a failure of the traffic signal at the corner of Industrial Road and Roosevelt Avenue. The signal repair must be performed prior to the contractor removing and replacing the loop detector in the intersection as part ofthe improvement work. Mayor Failace asked what the deal was with the $50,000.00 fine. He said he knows they have not heard anything else and he was just cunous. Borough Engineer Albert Beninato said they were moving slowly with that. There was the administrative order with the $50,000.00 fine. The Borough's position is entering into an administrative (inaudible). Back in the summer there were meetings with regards to the (inaudible). Many of the things that are outlined are already underway. At the time we were negotiating a consent order (inaudible) which was not finalized with the State. The DEP has indicated that the $50,000.00 fine maybe reduced to $25,000.00 but not (inaudible). About two weeks ago we provided a time schedule for completion of any work that may be necessary to eliminate all the legal connections identified by the Borough. (Inaudible) what that might involve. It is very difficult for the Borough to agree to a time schedule that has (inaudible). Councilmember Mancuso said we are being fined for things that have supposedly been done. What was the State obligation after we said it was corrected? Aren't they obligated since they were the ones to have 4 this corrected to come in and inspect (inaudible). He then asked if they have any obligation whatsoever.. if they tell us to correct something (inaudible). What was their response? Borough Engineer Albert Beninato replied that the State is not taking any responsibility. Councilmember Mancuso said he knew they did not want to take any responsibility but by law what is their responsibility. Councilmember Quinones said they might have to ask the lawyer. Councilmember Mancuso said he knew that he had been doing research on it. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin replied that he thought the answer is that the State.... one of the issues we raised in one of our initial meetings. You guys signed off on this and you guys gave us a grant. We did the work that was supposedly approved by you and now you are coming back and saying it is not done. Their response to that is they gave us the grant and we reviewed the plans to see if they are satisfactory and we maintain oversight over all the systems in the State. We have never been able to identify a document where they have said or the State has said that they had inspected it and they were approving the work that was done. Councilmember Mancuso said he understood that part but again we are talking about a ten year period. If they have an oversight of a proj ect .. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said they did not have an oversight of the project. They gave the grant money... Councilmember Mancuso said they had to see that it was done with the grant money. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said no, that is the point. They did not oversee the grant. What they do is like the road project we have a grant for the roads. We get the grant and they get the grant and you send them plans and they approve the plan... Councilmember Mancuso asked if they check to see if the job is done. Councilmember Quinones said the State relies on Peter Sica's representation that it was done. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said yes. In other words, the Borough is saying it was done correctly. When there is a certification from the Borough Engineer or the Consulting Engineer. . . Councilmember Mancuso said criminals have limitations. Ten years later they are going to fine me for something that wasn't done.. Mayor Failace said it is our fault because we told them. Borough Engineer Albert Beninato said the Borough identified the problem and (inaudible). At that time we anticipated five connections but that became forty connections. So, it was very significant and as a NOVEMBER 23, 1999 COMMENTS 5 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 COMMENTS RE: METRICOM result of the significance of it he felt it was only proper to identify the Borough as a violator of the laws and regulations. While this Mayor and Council were very proactive with their approach to correcting the problem. Councilmember Mancuso said he thought it would be to our advantage to fight it in court. To give them $50,000.00 for something that they never checked into. Mayor Failace said God willing they will look at it in a different light. As they see the work we are doing and possibly reduce it quite a bit or have it go away. Since we dropped at dime on ourselves.. Councilmember Mancuso said what they are telling you is don't tell the truth which is exactly what was done in the past. Mayor Failace asked the Borough Engineer if they won anything in their raffle. Borough Engineer Albert Beninato replied that he didn't know. Mayor Failace said he puts his business card in everything. He said he would even put it into a slot machine. (ha ha). METRIC OM Florence Lotrowski, Esq.- said she wanted to thank the Mayor and Council for allowing her to appear here tonight. The purpose of her visit is to ask permission to utilize some of Carteret's "Right of Way" to hang these radios. The purpose of these radios is so that we can bring in Mobil Wireless Internet access into the Borough. Carteret is in the New York area and what they are trying to do is get seamless coverage. The advantage to this is that anybody in the area including Public Officials, Police Department, Fire Department, businesses and citizens will be able to access the Internet without wires and while they are in the car. People won't need a telephone line to access the Internet. The way this works is that these radios are hung fÌ'om poles and they have to comply with FCC regulations which means they are only permitted to admit less than one lot of energy which is the same as baby monitors. The other part to this is these modems that attach to the back of your laptop computer. They also attach to the MDT which are mobile terminals in police cars. They are also mobile up to seventy miles an hour and the police will be able to download finger prints, photographs and other data that they need. She said the advantage to this over cell phones is that this is on 24-7 and there is one monthly charge. Of course Carteret gets several subscriptions for free. Any private citizens who want this service will be paying a monthly charge of $30.00 per month and that is because the service is no faster than a cell phone. What Metricom is bringing into the New York are is a hundred and twenty eight (inaudible) and that is going to be compatible with the software that the Police Department is going to be using in order to be compatible with NCIC 2000. NCIC 2000 we expect to be deployed next year. While it is more efficient for Municipalities they will not be permitted to access it unless they can (inaudible). That means that the Municipal Police Force is going to be forced to upgrade their communications system. There is special money available for this and it is usually by matching funds and it 6 turns out that this system is compatible with the most commonly used software used by the Police Department. If anyone has any questions please feel free to interrupt. This also has advantages for businesses and private citizens. People in stores some times have to wait three to four minutes for their credit card to be authorized. This system does not go through the telephone line it goes through the Internet. The Municipality is going to be reimbursed for any administrative cost. She then asked ifCarteret owned the poles. Councilmember Crilley replied no. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said they have an agreement with PSE&G and GPU giving us permission to use the poles. They will be paying for the electricity at an un-metered rate and what they need from Carteret is permission to access the rights of way to get to these poles. Councilmember Crilley asked how they would pay for the electricity. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that it was un-metered because they have an agreement with PSE&G. Councilmember Crilley said they will be hooking up to the lights and we pay for the electricity on the lights. How will they separate that from the lights. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that Carteret doesn't pay because they pay an un-metered rate so we come in under that. For the privilege of doing that we pay PSE&G an extra fee so it does not cost Carteret anything. We are not asking to come onto all your poles we are asking to come onto six to eight per square mile depending upon (inaudible). It is not very much. In those Municipalities where there is a star district there is no problem with us keeping off the poles. Weare not asking for an exclusive agreement, anybody else that wants to come in is free to do so. Competition is the name of the game. We are asking for an agreement for a duration of ten years with the option of three five year renewals. There is also a "shorty bond" that was supplied to the Borough ofCarteret in case the company goes bankrupt and you have these radios hanging fTom your poles. There is also a liability bond in the amount of one million dollars. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin asked what she would do with the Borough's right of way. You want access to them for what purpose. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied because the installers need about fifteen to thirty minutes to hang the radios from the light poles. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said they would need it for a short period of time. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said it is also a high traffic area and if Carteret feels it needs to post a Police Officer during that time we will reimburse the Borough for that. The Attorney fees are also reimbursed. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said the contract also permits the installation on Borough facilities. He asked if she knew what facilities they were talking about. NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION 7 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION CONTINUED Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said no, not at this point and if the Borough says we don't want it in place A or place B then we will work around the Borough. We just need these things every quarter mile. Councilmember Fazekas asked what they will provide the Borough with. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said it is access to high speed wireless mobile Internet and to provide (inaudible). There are no wires to worry about and no telephones to worry about. Councilmember Fazekas asked about the monthly charges. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said the Borough would get six for free. Councilmember Fazekas said we only get six? Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said the contract said three. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said in the future that changes with other towns and Carteret will get the benefit of that. If something changes later, on Carteret does not get left behind. Unfortunately, in the State of New Jersey last year they prohibited franchise fees which we are doing in New York. We did put that into the contract that if the legislature does change the statute again then no body has to come to Metricom and say hey, change the contract. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin asked if there was any chance that it would interfere with other systems or telecommunications. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said if you don't have that information she will get it to the Borough Attorney. The whole thing with having to comply with the FCC regulations is that you are not allowed to interfere with anything else. Also if there is some chance (inaudible) these radios speak to a site in Houston and would notify Harrison to immediately come out and repair it. Councilmember Quinones asked if they have had any problems in any other towns. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said no. Right now we are still with the old system. Seattle, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Wall Street are wired up. Councilmember Fazekas asked if they are operating at 28.8 right now. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said yes but next June they will be deploying at 128. Councilmember Fazekas asked if they would be using the same devices. He also wanted to know if they were giving the Borough the same number of free units. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied yes to both questions. Councilmember Fazekas asked if the Borough wanted to buy them would they be priced at the same amount. 8 Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said she wanted to make one thing clear, the Borough would have to purchase the modems because this company does not manufacture the modems. They cost between $150.00 to $300.00. Once you pay for them that would be it. Councilmember Crilley asked if that included the six free ones. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that they would get six fÌ'ee subscriptions. That would be $600.00 a year per subscription. For the six that you are getting that would be $3,000.00 a year. Councilmember Fazekas said he would like to look into this some more and report back to the Council. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. said she just wanted to emphasize one thing. This is totally non competitive and if other companies are coming in than .. . She said she thinks competion is great and she would recommend that Carteret look over (inaudible) carefully. Right now nobody has this technology at this speed. It should be about two years before anyone else comes in. She said somebody is going to come in at a faster speed and then Metricom is going to upgrade its system. It is the same thing you see with computers right now. Councilmember Crilley said they would be stuck with a ten year agreement at that point. Councilmember Fazekas said he did not think they wanted to be (inaudible) to a ten year agreement. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that it is not costing Carteret anything. In other words Carteret would be getting money every year. Councilmember Crilley said he does not believe that is a non fee for electricity. They send a rate to us based on usage. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that she could get documentation on this. Councilmember Crilley said the Electric Company sets a rate for the Borough based on the usage. Whether it is a direct metered fee or not but it is based on usage. If they come out and see eighteen to twenty five ofthese units out on the poles they are going to raise the rates. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that Councilmember Crilley was correct but Metricom is paying for it. She said that is a non issue and she could document that. She asked if she should send that information to Business Administrator Mr. Goldsack or directly to Councilmember Crilley. Councilmember Crilley replied that she should send that information to the Business Administrator. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. then asked if the Council had any concerns that the Council would like addressed. NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION RE: METRICOM 9 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION CONTINUED JOSEPH BAUMANN RE: McMANIMUM AND SCOTLAND Councilmember Fazekas said that he had her card and the Council would like to look at this and any other communications. Florence Lotrowski, Esq. replied that they would find that other wireless communications are cellular based and they are a lot slower than this. The other thing is that with cellular based communications when you speak you own that fTequency as long as you speak and you are the only one on that frequency. This is a very different technology and you are sharing these spread spectrums with a lot of other people. If our conversation was being broadcast on spread spectrums it would be sent out in little packets and that is why you are able to share this technology and that is why it is just one monthly rate because (inaudible). The military used this because it was (inaudible) technology and basically what it is that her words are a little circle in a much larger circle protected by a (inaudible) and she thought this was important for the Police Department because if anyone tried to decode this conservation they would have to be able to capture the packet and put them in order. She said the Mayor and Council have something in their folders on security. ~ Joe Baumann - McManimon and Scotland - said this is a follow up on the (inaudible) about the possibility of privatizing the Borough Sewer System and going through the Public Private Contracting Act and the benefits and detriments (inaudible) of that process. He said he gathered that subsequent to the presentation there has been a decision (inaudible) some of the Council. This is an idea that works for (inaudible). He said what they put together for them for tonight and for your upcoming meeting is #1, an Ordinance that appropriates an initial $75,000.00 out of your reserve for the sewers. The Ordinance would have to be introduced and adopted just like any other Ordinance. Also in the package for your consideration is a Resolution that sets the budget for the four primary professionals that would engage in the first stage of this process and that would be your Borough Attorney, Special Council, McManimon & Scotland, the Borough Auditor and the Borough Engineer. He said their job would be to put together a package of information that they could use to distribute to possible vendors. That would also then take that packet and send it out to the various vendors that might be interested. You could then make your decision if you want to go to the next step, which would (inaudible). He said they feel pretty confident that this budget will get through the first stage (inaudible). They also, in the Resolution, direct the working group to seek reimbursement from the successful vendor for any expenses that he may incur. If you go through the privatization you will get the $75,000.00 from the vendors. It is anticipated, and he found that one time they went through the process, they had a very good plan to make their own operation more efficient. The City of Bayonne pursued (inaudible) private contractor and they received proposals. They concluded that they could do it themselves if some of the recommendations they got (inaudible). They went through a fair sum of money to go through the process and they did not actually complete the privatization. They achieved efficiency "in house". Ifthe Borough goes through the process and they decide they don't want to privatize they would have spent some funds but those funds were well spent in learning to be (inaudible). The process will take six months to put together a package, get the information out and then get the 10 packages back. He asked if they wanted him to go through the process again or ifthere were any questions he could answer. Mayor Failace said he didn't think it was necessary for Mr. Baumann to go through the whole process again. He asked if it has been Mr. Baumann's experience that he gets a number once the process is done and ready to go and you get a number of vendors that are bidding on.. Mr. Baumann replied that it was four to six vendors. The most recent one is WAWA. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said they awarded one to (inaudible). Mayor Failace said there was one thing he would like to say is when this happened last time the next day many people were laid off. Ifwas all over town that we were doing this and so forth and he tried to explain. The Mayor said he went to the Sewer Department and he explained to them what he had said and the Mayor thinks it is worthwhile to repeat what happens. Mr. Baumann said the employee is the most critical element and the proper treatment of the employee is something that we spend a lot of time with. There are a number of ways in which the employees are treated fairly and some of the examples are The City of Perth Amboy (inaudible). In most of these cases the employees don't take the job with private water companies. It depends on where you are in the system but if you are a younger person you might feel if you go to a private water company there is more room for advancement. Whereas, there are people more advanced into their career that want to continue to stay. In the various towns that we have undertaken we require that those employees are treated fairly and we try to give them the opportunity to stay with the Borough or ask the private water company to pick them up. Mayor Failace said that was a valid concern because we know what happens when rumors get around. Mr. Baumann said he would recommend that they speak to the employees in Perth Amboy, for example. Generally they find out that it is not as bad .. Mayor Failace said the other question that came up was that we pay a sewer fee now and a lot of people want to know what happens over twenty years. That is going to be a concern. Mr. Baumann said typically what they do with these transactions is lock in the rate increases over a twenty year period and they would be by contract so on the day of the contract they would know what the rate increase would be. If they found the increase unacceptable they would not sign the contract. Generally what you would do is lock in the rates and that sort of benefit of the process is rate stability. You would know for twenty years what your rate structure would be because you would have contracted for it. If the rate is not enough the vendor is the person that is on the hook for not collecting enough (inaudible). The vendor has a right to charge X rate and if he does not NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION CONTINUED 11 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION RE: SEWER SYSTEM and it turns out not to be enough money it would be on his nickel not the Borough's. One of the benefits of this process is rate stability. Mayor Failace said the other thing is once we do the contract for twenty or thirty years at the end of that period the sewers are the Borough's again. Is that correct? Mr. Baumann replied they would never loose title to the sewer system and we try not to get back a sewer that has been beaten down or not kept up. One of the risks is that you return something after thirty years and what you will get back in the end you want to get it back better than when you sent there in the first place. He said one of the things that they are going to work hopefully is to receive a concession key payment from the vendor. Under the statute the successful bidder is allowed to pay a (inaudible) payment. We are required to pay a (inaudible) payment to offset taxes. That is a number that we negotiate, we set a minimum (inaudible). Once you pick a successful vendor you say yes this is the proposal I like and then you sit down and negotiate. You then have the ability to take parts of the proposal that you don't like and change them to your liking. You are allowed to work your way through the vendors to get the best deal. Councilmember Mancuso said he spoke to the Business Administrator and if the Mayor and Council wants to they could look at the one in Hoboken that has been there for the last 12 to 14 years. You could see just what is going on and what they did down there. Mayor Failace said it might be worthwhile to take a look. (Inaudible) said Hoboken was the first to do this. Mayor Failace said he thought it would be a benefit to Carteret depending on the deal we would work out. Any fees that we can get to put towards taxes or our sewers being repaired because we certainly have problems with them. He then asked if anyone had questions for Mr. Baumann. Councilmember Crilley said they are working now to reduce the flow fees and he thinks that should run its course and go into the next phase. We gain a benefit from that and we already spent a substantial amount of money towards this project. Mayor Failace said he didn't think that meant that now until nine months or a year that we are not going to do anything else with our sewers. He said to be honest he is very pessimistic that something is going to come in through this and save us a lot of money. Based on the needs that we all know the sewers need .. Councilmember Crilley said his point is that we have invested funds to reduce the flow fees, which would give us something to sell later on. Maybe this process will not be complete by the time these bids come m. Mr. Baumann said one of the ways to handle that is to speak with the Engineer (inaudible). We would take them out and we'll be responsible for the Sewer Department to the extent that the number comes in lower. 12 Mayor Failace said he thinks the number that Councilmember Crilley is talking about is the dollar amount we pay to MCUA. That number has doubled every year for the last few years. What he is saying is that it is not to say that we are still not continuing and we are going to do the exact same thing and continue the same as we have been. We don't have any other course to take except to continue working on the sewers. Councilmember Mancuso said we are running this course now and we except this plan, would it then continue from where we left off? We could have written in the contract that when this process is completely finished and that is when they would base the rates.. Mr. Baumann said typically we would continue to have them completed (inaudible). If there is a particular cost we believe we'll make them go lower (inaudible). In Perth Amboy for example the MCUA said that if we are going to put in a scale we expect it to (inaudible). If the MCUA fees turn out to be lower or higher then (inaudible) we'll pay it back. We believe that there are future benefits we should put into the contract that if ten years from now (inaudible) less than we thought they were going to be we want the vendor to kick some money back to us. Councilmember Mancuso said another aspect is that we are investigating all these things and as we go along we are finding more and more. He said within a year or two we are finding over the next year and a half is not going to be corrected (inaudible). Mayor Failace said he understands what Councilmember Crilley is saying and it is a home run and it looks too good to be true and why isn't everybody doing it. The Mayor said he thinks it is something that we have to look into because we do have a gigantic expense down the road and we are going to have to get the money somewhere. To me this is a small price to pay for what could be a home run for the Borough. Both in the money up front, and what can happen to the sewers. Councilmember Crilley asked if this would come out of this year's budget or next years. Mayor Failace replied that it comes out now, it is out of the sewer reserve. Business Administrator Nick Goldsack said they already have the money set aside. Mayor Failace asked if they had any other questions for Joe Baumann. Minutes for approval- November 16,1999. NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION MINUTES FOR APPROVAL - NOVEMBER 16, 1999 13 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 ORDINANCES COMMENTS RESOLUTIONS APPLICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCES: 1. #99-33 Amending Salary Ordinance # 71-9 re: Supervisors. 2. #99-34 Renaming Industrial Road in Honor of Peter J. Sica. Mayor Failace said on the renaming of the Industrial Road he wants to have something for next week but he wants to check with Barbara Sica first. He would like to be able to give them something. A Proclamation or whatever it is changing the name ofthe Industrial Road. Councilmember Crilley said he would tell Gloria Goodrich. She will get it done. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney asked if the Mayor was referring to a plaque. Mayor Failace said he wants to have something that he can give to the family and a Proclamation renaming the Industrial Road. Then whatever we want to do after that point is fine but he would like that for the meeting. RESOLUTIONS: 1. Directing the Issuance of Various Bingo Licenses. 2. Directing the Issuance of Various Raffle Licenses. 3. Refund of Tax and/or Sewer Fee Overpayments. 4. Providing for the Transfer of Surplus Funds. 5. Amending Resolution #99-325, Authorizing Payments to Various Contractors Performing Rehabilitation of Homes Pursuant to COAH. APPLICATIONS: 1. Volunteer Fire Company #1 - Approval of new membership, Joseph Moulton. 2. Columbus School PTO - Amend RL #1552 by changing date. COMMUNICATIONS: I. MC Board of Freeholders - a) Resolution urging coordination and cooperation in land development projects among five counties in Central Jersey. b) Resolution authorizing County to establish a cooperative pricing system to add the purchase of electric generation service, gas supply service, electric related service and gas related services; Authorize execution of cooperative pricing agreements with all interested local units. 2. Gerald Griffin - Requesting adoption of Resolution to urge NJ Legislature to revise statute(s) regulating the timing of various school elections. 3. NUl Elizabethtown Gas Company - Notice of Public Hearings, 14 December 8&9, 1999, Rahway & Flemington NJ - Re: Rate Increase. 4. Borough of Spotswood- a) Resolution opposing Senate Bill No. 1726, Re: Increase in Official Advertising Rates. b) Resolution supporting Assembly Bill No. 2728, Re: Indemnification of Volunteers Operating Municipally Owned or Leased Vehicles. 5. City of Perth Amboy - Resolution opposing Increasing Newspaper Advertising Costs. Councilmember Crilley asked if any if these going on as Resolutions. Mayor Failace said that the Municipal Clerk is not reading them and he advises her to do so. Councilmember Crilley said he understood that but are any of them being proposed as Resolutions? Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said there was one if you want to look at the second one. There is a gentleman that sent in a (inaudible) asking for Resolution to revise the timing of the school election. The other ones we already did. REPORTS: 1. Board of Health - October 1999. 2. Clerk's Office - November 1999. 3. Treasurer - November 1999. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. NJ Department of Personnel- Certification of Eligibles for Appointment, Police Officer. Date of Disposition 5-16-00. 2. Bid - Stump Cutter. One (1) bid received. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney asked if they wanted to reject the Resolution and Councilmember Crilley replied yes. 3. Salary Ordinance - School Guards - First Reading. Mayor Failace said he would like to go over that in Closed Session. He said he would just like to inform the whole Council so they know exactly what is going on. 4. AFSCME Local #2291 - Requesting appointment of employee to the position of Street Sweeper. Mayor Fai1ace said that is not an appointment they are saying to just give a title. 15 """ ¡'MR ¡'l)?~ 1QQQ COMMUNICATIONS CONTINUED COMMENTS REPORTS MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION NOVEMBER 23, 1999 MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION - CONTINUED BUSINESS TO BE ADDED 5. Barry Albin, Esq. - Requesting final additional appropriation, $486.26, Re: Mariano vs. Connolly. Mayor Failace asked the Borough Attorney if he reviewed the bill. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin replied no. Mayor Failace asked the Borough Attorney to please do so. 6. Purchasing Agent - Borough Hall Heating System, Re: Emergency Replacement. Mayor Failace said the furnace blew up and unfortunately the building stayed up. Councilmember O'Brien said right now there is a crack in the back of it and Jason Abello is getting close to replacing everything. We are getting two sets of (inaudible). One for an Oil Burner and one for dual system. Councilmember Quinones asked what they were using now. Councilmember O'Brien said we are lucky right now that it is nice out but it has to be done A.S.A.P. So we do have to do a Resolution. He then asked if we should do the Resolution that night because we have to get the work done. Mayor Failace said they have an emergency here. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin asked what Resolution would we pass if we don't have any quotes. 7. EKA Associates - Request for new Zoning Map approval. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney said they had to do that by Ordinance because it is land use. Mayor Failace asked if that has to go through us and then the Planning Board. Municipal Clerk Kathleen Barney replied that the Planning Board recommended it. They revised the one he gave me. BUSINESS TO BE ADDED: Councilmember Fazekas said he just wanted the Council to know in the next few weeks they are going through with the upgrade of the Police System with new software! hardware. Mayor Failace said in reference to that and what he was asking Councilmember Fazekas when Ms. Lotrowski was speaking, would our system be compatible with this. The Mayor asked if they had to do something further. 16 Councilmember Fazekas said they were talking about the NCIC 2000 but that is not going to be ready until the middle of next year. Mayor Failace said that was in their plan in what they are doing now, the upgrading of the computer. Councilmember Fazekas said we could lower the cost but they are only giving us six units and he thought they needed twelve so we would like to talk to her about that. The Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary are having a Toy Drive on December 3rd. There are two numbers if you want a contact, Beverly is 541-1307 and Linda is 541-2152. He said he would mention this again at the Council Meeting on December 2nd Mayor Failace said it would only give them one day. Councilmember Fazekas asked the newspaper reporter Arch to speak to Beverly Hedesh for the December 3rd Toy Drive. He then asked him ifhe could put something in the paper. Councilmember Mancuso said he knew Ted Surick took over the stop signs and things like that. We received a call today to get the stop light fixed. Mayor Failace said that is his too. Councilmember Mancuso said Ted Surick has no keys for these lights, he has nothing at all. Mayor Failace said he spoke to Ted Surick today about it. Councilmember Mancuso said it would have been nice if somebody would have let us know. Mayor Failace said he might be wrong but he thought that was done along time ago. Councilmember Mancuso said he spoke to the Business Administrator and Councilmember Gutowski and he knows that (inaudible) is coming back to the Zoning Board to let Sprint on their antenna. They were supposed to do ten thousand dollars worth of work over there so the Fire Department and the Police Departments antenna can be put up there. Mayor Failace said that Councilmember Mancuso was correct, they did say they were going to do that. Councilmember Gutowski said they already spoke about the (inaudible) thing with the equipment. Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin said we should also make sure that the Zoning Board is aware ofthe (inaudible) so that (inaudible). Councilmember Mancuso said that was in the agreement. Mayor Failace said they should speak to Jim Clarkin. NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION RE: SPRINT 17 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 DISCUSSION CONTINUED RE: FIRST AID SQUAD Councilmember Mancuso said that gentleman keeps on calling us about Conrail and he wants to know why since Woodbridge sued Conrail and went to Federal Court with them and won the case. Why can't we sue Conrail and go to Court with them? Mayor Failace replied that we can and we should go to Court. Councilmember Mancuso said Brian O'Connor has been doing a daily report on the trains being there and now he is sending them to the Federal Transportation Board and he would like to see a letter from them asking them what they are going to do about it. Councilmember Gutowski said he has a problem that they discussed before and that is Ambulance Service. Just this past Sunday and Monday we had some major problems that he would like to bring to the Council's attention. Sunday at 9:15 A.M. there was a call that went out to the Police Department to the First Aid for a traffic accident on the Turnpike. They got to the building seventeen minutes after the call came through, at 9:53 AM. they were on the scene. At the same time they were getting dispatched to the Turnpike a second call goes out for a second rig and at 9:35 AM. that was cancelled. At 9:48 A.M. the second rig is dispatched out to a 911 call at Holy Family School. At 9:50 A.M. the first Police Car arrives on the scene and at 9:52 AM. they call a working code. He said he guessed they all knew that the Priest at Holy Family suffered a heart attack and passed away. At 9:53 AM. a third alarm goes in to the First Aid Squad, a Code 9 which means there has been no response. At 9:59 we are eleven minutes after the first alarm goes in for the second alarm. The Port Reading Fire Department said no one responded to Holy Family. At 9:59 AM. a call comes from headquarters that EMT's are needed at the building. At 10:02 AM. our First Aid Squad #2 is on the scene with no EMT just a driver in the back of the rig. Meanwhile we have two police officers and three members of Holy Family were performing CPR. At 10: 18 A.M. they finally transport this person who subsequently dies at Rahway Hospital. That is totally unacceptable especially for a group that has told us that they have the capability of manning the First Aid Squad at night and on weekends. You have from 9:32 AM. until 10:02 AM. there was a thirty minute gap where there wasn't an ambulance available anywhere. God only knows if this man could have survived. They did get his heart started again there was no defibrillator in either police car. This was just totally unacceptable; something has to be done. The next day, Monday, was the same thing. Someone called a 911 and at nine minutes there was no response at all from the First Aid so they call and say they are not waiting they go to the Hospital themselves. On the same day at 4:34 P.M. there was a Signal One down at White Rose and there was another fifteen to twenty minutes before the First Aid arrives. Mayor Failace asked if anyone spoke to the First Aid Squad to find out what happened. Councilmember Gutowski replied that no one spoke to them yet because he just got this today. The reason he is bringing this up is because he does not know who wants to handle it or how we are going to handle it. Somebody has to talk to the First Aid Squad before it is a relative of yours or mine or someone sitting here in the audience. 18 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 Waiting 15 to 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive is not acceptable. He said he did not know if you hire the second fireman or we mandate that the First Aid Squad gives us an ambulance during the day parked by the Police Station and or Fire Department so we have people to get to these calls. Something has to be done. DISCUSSION CONTINUED Councilmember Fazekas asked if they wanted him to look into that. Mayor Failace said they would have to. Counci1member Gutowski said the First Aid Squad told him that they could do nights and weekends. Business Administrator Nicholas Goldsack asked Councilmember Gutowski ifhe could have a copy. Councilmember Gutowski told him he could have his copy. Councilmember Fazekas asked if the Fire Department was getting that extra person to ensure that we get the person there in three to six minutes provides the first response. Brian O'Connor said he would talk to the Business Administrator about this. Mayor Fai1ace said he thought he should too. Councilmember Fazekas said the Business Administrator is going to speak to the First Aid Squad too. Councilmember Crilley said the tree lighting in the Park is on the fourth at 6:00 P.M. and the annual House Lighting Contest is going to be December 13th and 14th. Registration forms can be picked up at Borough Hall in the Clerk's Office. Mayor Failace said he had one thing that he wanted to speak about. A Fire Truck was sent to the Manasquan game. The Board of Education requested that they be there. He said he did not have a problem with them using one of our Fire Trucks. The Mayor said Brian O'Connor took care of it and he had no problem with it. He said his gripe is that the Board of Education did not come to him or the Council to ask us. The Mayor said he wanted them to know that he is writing a letter and he is going to be a little nasty about it. We did not break open Minue School to use it on Monday night. He said there was a protocol that they should have followed and they did not. If there is a cost they may be charged for it. RESOLUTION #99-367 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. RESOLUTION #99-367 CLOSED SESSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and O'Brien RESOLUTION #99-367 "RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION" 19 NOVEMBER 23, 1999 ADOPTED OPEND TO THE PUBLIC ADJOURNED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. At approximately 8:20 P.M. a Closed Session was held. At approximately 9:20 P.M, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened to the public. At approximately 9:21 P.M., upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Crilley and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, this meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, L/ . .!z./<.-¿'-<. KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, RM Municipal Clerk KMB!apm 20