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Home My Public Portal About05-19-09c A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret was called to order by Mayor Daniel 1. Reiman at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 19, 2009, Council Chambers, Memorial Municipal Building, 61 Cooke Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. Upon individual roll call vote the following were noted present: Councilmember Vincent Bellino " Iris Colon " Jorge Diaz " Randy Krum " Susan Naples " Joseph W. Sitarz Also noted present was Kathleen M. Barney, Municipal Clerk and Robert Bergen, Borough Attorney. The meeting was opened with a minute of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Daniel J. Reiman. The Clerk stated that on January 5, 2009 the 2009 Annual Notice was mailed to The Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the Bulletin Board and published on January 8, 2009. The notice of the Rescheduled Meeting was posted on the Bulletin Board on May II, 2009 and published on May 13, 2009. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Sitarz and Naples and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the MAY 19, 2009 REGULAR MEETING May 19, 2009 ROLL CALL SILENT PRAYER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE STATEMENT OF MEETING NanCE MINUTES FOR APPROVAL 1 MAY 19, 2009 SHEARING IN ORDINANCE #09-05 Public Hearing "ea' 1 p~ta Improvement Appropriating $328,139.73, Re: Park Improvements" Public Hearing Minutes of May 7, 2009 were approved and transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk. Daniel Beasley - OEM Coordinator. Mayor Reiman said he just recently reappointed Daniel Beasley as the OEM Chief for a three (3) year term and then asked Mr. Beasley to come forward to be sworn in. Mayor Reiman then swore in Mr. Beasley and the officers of OEM. The Clerk stated that Ordinance #09-05 was introduced and adopted on First Reading at an Agenda Meeting of the Borough Council of the Borough of Carteret held on May 7, 2009 with notice it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on May 19, 2009 at approximately 6:00 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Sitarz and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be opened. Mayor Reiman then publicly acknowledged the Board of Education Members that were present. He explained that Ordinance #09-05 was part of the joint settlement undertaken by the Borough of Carteret and the Board of Education against New York and New Jersey Port Authority and said the proceeds of the settlement will be put into our Shared Service Agreement for improvements to our basketball and tennis courts owned by the Borough and predominantly utilized by the Board of Education. 2 There were no comments from the public. There being no further comments or objections to the Ordinance the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Sitarz and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Naples and Diaz ORDINANCE #09-05 "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS PARK IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $328,139.73 FROM THE GRANTS, DONATIONS AND ENDOWMENTS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND RESERVE ACCOUNTS OF THE BOROUGH FOR THE COST THEREFOR" was finally Adopted. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Bellino, Colon, Diaz, Krum, Naples and Sitarz voted in the Affirmative. APPROVED AND ADOPTED: Mav 19. 2009 INTRODUCED: Mav 7. 2009 Advertised as Adopted on First Reading with Notice of Public Hearing: Mav 13.2009 Hearing Held: Mav 19.2009 Approved By: MAYOR DANIEL J. REIMAN Advertised as Finally Adopted: Mav 25. 2009 Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Naples and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Public 3 MAY 19, 2009 ORDINANCE #09-05 Cont HearingLClosed Adopted Public Portion on Resolutions/Agenda Items and New Busines MAY 19, 2009 Portion on Resolutions/Agenda Items and New Business was opened to the public. There were no comments from the public. Public Portion Closed Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Sitarz and unanimous affirmative vote of the fhll Council present, the public portion of the meeting was closed. Agenda Amended to include Resolution #09-122 Attorney Bergen said he wanted to Amend the Agenda to include Resolution #09-122; for T&M Associates for the work needed to be done with the sewer line that nms underneath the Turnpike Bridge. Mayor Reiman Mayor Reiman commented that this is a Professional Services Resolution for T &M Associates , which has to do with the NJE1T Grant that we have applied for, explaining Carteret was approved for ten (10) million dollars in funding, up to five (5) million dollars as a grant, for sewer improvements for our main pump station, the Roosevelt Avenue Pump Station and our sanitary sewer line which runs under the Turnpike. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Sitarz and Naples and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Agenda was Amended to include Resolution #09-122. Mayor Reiman, Re: Resolution #09-109 Mayor Reiman said they would be voting on Resolution # 09-109; "Board of Education 2009-2110 School Budget" separately and then referred to Mr. Gardner, from Hodulik & Morrison, who would explain the defeated school budget. Ron Garnder, Re: Explanation of Schqol Budget Mr. Garnder explained they were engaged to assist the Mayor and Council in review of the defeated budget and subsequent to meetings with the school board they have put together a resolution for tax levy reduction with an appendix detailing the various 4 revlSlOns to the budget document. He went on to explain "Appendix A" which details the tax levy reductions for the 2009- 20 I 0 budget that was defeated on the April 21, 2009 election. It read as follows: "Revenues - Additional Unrestricted miscellaneous revenues $50,000.00 appropriation of additional miscellaneous revenues for the fiscal SY 2009-20 I 0 budget based on actual and projected miscellaneous revenues for the 2008/2009 fiscal year. The appropriation of additional miscellaneous revenue does not adversely affect the district's ability to provide a thorough & efficient education and maintains stability for the futme financial planning and budgeting of the district. Appropriation(s) - Decrease: Grades 1-5 Salaries of Teachers: $85,000.00. "Reduction in appropriation based upon 2008/2009 revised budget amounts at projected 2009/20 I 0 increase. Reduction in salary - substitutes & salary - extra compensation based on projected 2008/2009 expenditures at 2009/2010 increase. The above reduction of grades 1-5 salaries of teachers does not adversely affect the districts ability to provide a thorough & efficient education and maintains stability for the future financial planning and budgeting of the district. Grades 6-8 Salaries of Teachers - $85,000.00 Reduction in appropriation based upon 2008/2009. Revised budget amounts at projected 2009/2010 increase. Reduction in salary - substitutes & salary - extra compensation based on projected 2008/2009 expenditures at 2009/2010 increase. 5 MAY 19, 2009 Ron Gardner, Explanation of Budget Cont: MAY 19, 2009 Explanation of School Budget Cont: The above reduction of grades 6-8 salaries of teachers does not adversely affect the districts ability to provide a through & efficient education and maintains stability for the future financial planning and budgeting of the district. Grades 9-12 Salaries of Teachers - $125,000.00. Reduction in appropriations based upon 2008/2009 revised budget amounts at projected 2008/2009 expenditures at 2009/2010 mcrease. Reduction in salary - substitutes & salary - extra compensation based on projected 2008/2009 expenditures at 2009/2010 increase. Savings on notification of retirement in the amount of$37,000.00. Unemployment Compensation - 105,000 Reduction based on projected fiduciary fund net assets as at June 30,2009 in excess of estimated 09/10 expenditures. The reduction of the unemployment compensation appropriation does not adversely affect the districts ability to provide a through & efficient education and maintains stability for the future financial planning and budgeting of the district. Health Benefits -$1,200,000 Savings on conversion to the New Jersey State Health Benefits Plan. The reduction of the health benefits appropriation does not adversely affect the district's ability to provide a thorough & efficient education and maintains stability for the future financial planning and budgeting of the district." Ron Gamder then said the grand total of the reduction of the general fund levy is $1,650.00 and explained that the number is incorporated in the attached resolution and that by statute the 6 Governing Body has to certify it this evening, May 19th and it would lower the General Fund Tax Levy of this defeated amount of$23,840,278.00 to the revised amount of $22,190,278.00. Mayor Reiman said this represents a $196.00 reduction in the proposed budget and a $114.00 net reduction over the 2008/2009 fiscal year school budget. He then commented that he obviously met with the professional staff at the Board of Education and asked lVIr. Gardne, if relative to box for thorough and efficient education the proposed reduction in the tax levy does not come into play with that. Ron Gardner told the Mayor they believe it does not. Mayor Reiman commented, " relative to the minimum tax levy as set forth by the Department of Education" and then asked if we have a minimum tax levy. Ron Gardner told the Mayor we believe we do not have a minimum tax levy issue with this and spoke shortly on this. Dennis Cherepski said he wished the budget would be passed by the voters. Mayor Reiman thanked Mr. Cherepski and the board for providing all the necessary information to come to this reduction and said in dealing with them they were very professional. He also asked that they might consider moving over to the New Jersey State Health Benefits Plan, explaining last year the city moved over to this for a savings of about $600,000.00 and $800,000.00 this year and said that nearly 50% if all Boards of Educations in the state are in this plan and went on to speak briefly on this. Mayor Reiman then asked for a motion on Resolution #09-109 to approve the revised Board of Education 2009-2010 School Budget and to set the Tax Levy. 'lAy 19, 2009 School Budget Cont: Mayor R<?iman 7 MAY 19, 2009 School Budget Cont: Attorney Bergen Councilmember Krum RESOLUTION #09-109 "Board of Education 2009~2010 Sohool Budget" Adopted Councilmember Bellino Attorney Bergen informed the Mayor, for the record, that this document would allow numbered Councilmembers to vote this evening and for him to adivse the Clerk. Councilmember Krum asked, if with the numbers heard tonight, is there a plus or minus figure on the household and where their taxes are going to go with this. Mayor Reiman said the proposed budget has an $82.00 increase and this reduces it $196.00 over the proposed budget and is a net tax cut of$124.14. Councilmember Krum then asked if the number is about $200.00 savings per household. Mayor Reiman said that was correct and then again asked for a motion on the resolution. RESOLUTION #09-109 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Sitarz and Krum RESOLUTION #09-109 "BOARD OF EDUCATION 2009-2010 SCHOOL BUDGET" was Adopted. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Bellino,Colon, Diaz, Krum and Sitarz voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Naples Abstained. Upon voting, yes, Councilmember Bellino remarked a lot of voters in Carteret are concerned about the bench marking of the districts, such as Woodbridge, when they did some drastic cuts and did some hard labor at their budgets and went on to say the Mayor mentioned N.J. Healthcare and commented that is the lump sum , almost 90% of what they are looking at and that is something they will have to negotiate and went on to speak about the grants, when they are there and when they expire, what happens. He said when they expire sometimes we can place with a great grant and get in 8 there and take care of it and other times you cannot and those are things that money comes out of the actual budget, so you must look hard at them and went on to say at this point in time you have to do things for the yourselves, the children and for Carteret . Councilmember Krum commented before voting yes, that he agreed with Councilmember Bellino. Mayor Reiman then thanked the members of the Board of Education and the professional staff and he wished them luck with their negotiations and their budget. Resolutions #09-110 thrn #09-121 were introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. RESOLUTION #09-110 "AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AMUSEMENT GAME DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSE TO ASSOCIATED AMUSEMENTS" RESOLUTION #09-111 "AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSES" RESOLUTION #09-112 "AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MCIA FOR THE PROVISION OF YARD WASTE AND MARKETING SERVICES" RESOLUTION #09-113 "AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT SHARING SYSTEM" MAY 19, 2009 Counoilmember Bellino Cont: Counoilmember KLum Mayor Reiman CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION #09-110 "AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AMUSEl.'1ENT GAME DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSE TO ASSOCIATED AMUSEMENTS" RESOLUTION #09-11 "AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS AMUSEMENT DEVICE LICENSES" RESOLUTION #92-112 "AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR ! TO EXECUTE AN i AGREEMENT WIlli MCIA m THE PROVISION OF YARD \,ASTE MARKETING SERVIC: RESOLUTION #09-113 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR . EXECUTE AN AGREEMEi'IT WIlli MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR THE..MIDDLESEX COUN' lAW ENFORCEMENT SHARIN SYSTEM" 9 MAY 19, 2009 RESOLUTION #09-114 "APPROVING THE 2008 AMER: RECOVERY AND REINVES'I'MEN: ACT, HOD'S ECONONIC STIMULUS PACKAGE (CDBG-R MIDDLESEX URBAN COUNTY CDBG PROGRAM" RESOLUTION #09-115 "APPROVING FIREWORKS FOR 3rd OF JULY FESTIVAL" RESOLUTION #09-116 "AlJTIlORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A NEH TAXICAB_.DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR THE 2009-201 TERM TO VANESSA NEGRON" RESOLUTION #09-117 "AUTHORIZING BIDS FOR VARIOUS MUNICIPAL~PROJE( RESOLUTION #09-118 "AlJTIlORIZING SUBMISSION, ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPLICATION TO NEI, JERSJ URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE" RESOLUTION #09-119 "REFUND OF TAX AND/0R SE\oIER FEE OVERPAYMENTS" RESOLUTION #09-120 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES- DECOTIIS, FITZPATRICK COLE & HISLER, RE: TAX APPEALS AND SPECIAL LIT MATTERS" RESOLUTION #09-121 "APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR COOKE AVENUE DEVELOPER, LLC" RESOLUTION #09-122 "RESOLUTION AlJTIlORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES" RESOLUTION 09-114 "APPROVING THE 2008 AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT, BUD'S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE (CDBG-R) MIDDLESEX 'URBAN COUNTY' CDBG PROGRAM" RESOLUTION #09-115 "APPROVING FIREWORKS FOR 3RD OF JULY FESTIVAL" RESOLUTION #09-116 "AUTHORIZING THE ISSUACE OF A NEW TAXICAB DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR THE 2009-2010 LICENSE TERM TO VANESSA NEGRON" RESOLUTION #09-117 "AUTHORIZING BIDS FOR VARIOUS MUNICIPAL PROJECTS" RESOLUTION #09-118 "AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION/ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPLICATION TO NEW JERSEY URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE' RESOLUTION #09-119 "REFUND OF TAX AND/OR SEWER FEE OVERPAYMENTS" RESOLUTION #09-120 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES-DECOTIIS, FITZPATRICK, COLE & WISLER, RE: TAX APPEALS AND SPECIAL LITIGATION MATTERS" RESOLUTION #09-121 "APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR COOKE AVENUE DEVELOPER, LLC" RESOLUTION #09-122 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES 10 WITH T&M ASSOCIATES-NEW JERSEY EVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRUST PROJECTS SCOPE AND FEE ESTIMATE" were Adopted. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Bellino, Colon, Diaz, Krum, Naples and Sitarz voted in the Affirmative. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Sitarz , all bills appearing on the prepared list, properly audited and signed, were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Bellino, Colon, Diaz, Krum, Naples and Sitarz voted in the Affirmative. Board of Health/Office on Aging. Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Naples and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, all Reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Naples reported they are getting ready for the Memorial Day Parade and under Mr. Neibeli's direction, a leak was found coming from the Volunteer Fire Hall down into the small Community Center and the problem was corrected. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Diaz reported the Finance Depmiment completed a tax collection period, ending on May 10th and over the next few weeks Delinquent Notices will be sent out to homeowners. He said we are still awaiting numbers on our Extra-Ordinary Aid Application explaining that our budget generally will not be adopted until they are received and went on to explain that in the last few years the II MAY 19, 2009 ADOPTED PAYMENT OF BILLS REPORTS COMMITTEES MAY 19, 2009 COMMITTEES CCNT: State Budget had not been adopted until the late summer months and in anticipation of that, we are considering sending out estimated tax bills. He went on to say we are preparing our Audit Schedules for the 2008 Fiscal Year and anticipate that process to be completed by the end of the summer months with a recommendation report submitted to the Mayor and Council. Continued. Progress. FIRE & DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS: Committee Chairperson Krum reported on the 25th of April the Parks Department participated in the Middlesex and Union County Special Olympics Competition at the High School. He went on to explain that the Fire Depatlment also assisted the Mayor's Office in a Bicycle Safety Program and helped distribute bicycle helmets. He explained that the program will be held again Saturday, May 30th, from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. at the Library/Community Center. He reported on May 6th the Fire Department participated in Career Day at the High School where the students were shown firefighting and emergency medical equipment and had the opp011unity to utilize the equipment. He said in recognition of Emergency Medical Service Week the EMT's are visiting every grade school, instructing children about 911 and what to do with medical emergencies. Progress. Mayor Reiman said he had recently met with the Volunteer First Aid Squad and they requested that they would like to be part of one of the Liaison Committees and said it appropriately falls under Fire and Domestic Preparedness, so he told Councilmember Bellino, on a monthly basis, he would like him to have his meetings with them and make them part of Chief O'Connor's monthly Chiefs Meeting where he meets with the various professional and volunteer organizations and asked him to inform the Fire Chief of this. PARKS, RECREATION & PUBLIC PROPERTY - Committee Chairperson Bellino repolled the parks are in full swing with all 12 the leagues and said Sunday they are having a Memorial Day Service and thanked Mr. Goddess for his tenacity and for just getting involved in this. Progress. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Sitarz reported that the Police Officers are at the shooting range in Sayreville so they can qualify to carry their weapons. Progress. PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Colon reported Continued Progress. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Naples reported May 28th is Senior Awards Night and it is a great oPPOliunity for community members to come out and see a lot of the positives that are going on in our schools and the amount of money that our seniors received from our local business and organizations. She said June 21 st is is the Middle School Promotional Exercise and June 22nd is the Carteret High Commencement Exercise and June 23rd to the 25th, professional development for the staff, where during some portion of that the staff will have the opportunity to share their best practices with their colleges. Mayor Reiman said he would like to add that the reduction of the budget does not eliminate any instructional positions and he then complimented the Board on including in their budget the fully funded pension obligation, which is something many towns and boards in the state have not done. He explained the State is considering, a pension deferral, and commented it could only tum around and bite you years down the road with an inordinate amount on interest. 13 MAY 19, 2009 COMMITTEES CONT: Mayor Reiman MAY 19, 2009 ADJOURNED At approximately 6:26 P.M., after no further discussion, upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Diaz and Sitarz and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was Adjourned. ~tted' ,~ --- KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, M Municipal Clerk KMB/lr 14