Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:05PM. Present were Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut and Santanello. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: “Adequate notice of the time and place of this meeting was given under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and was posted and sent to the officially designated newspapers in compliance with the law.”
The Municipal Clerk read the Resolution for Executive Session: “Whereas, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and whereas, this governing body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist, now, therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach, County of Ocean and State of NJ, as follows: the public shall be excluded from discussions concerning the hereinafter specified subject matter; the general nature of the subject matter discussed is as follows: two contract negotiations matters and one pending litigation matter. It is anticipated that the subject matter discussed may be made public upon its conclusion or final disposition.” Motion by Councilman Santanello to enter Executive Session was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by roll call vote. The Governing Body reserves its right to amend and supplement the purposes of executive session by motion at the public meeting.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
CLOSED SESSION BEGAN AT 7:05PM AND ENDED AT 7:41PM.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:43PM. Present were Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut and Santanello. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: “Adequate notice of the time and place of this meeting was given under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and was posted and sent to the officially designated newspapers in compliance with the law.”
Flag Salute & Invocation
Motion by Councilman Vogel to approve the February 5, 2019 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Toohey and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Vogel: had a meeting with the Fire Inspector – new in his position – is updating records, streamlining the process, working with businesses, working on rental property inspection requirements and getting information out to rental properties; Shade Tree is having a licensed expert conduct a town-wide tree inventory with grant funds – will require matching volunteer hours to receive the grant – will send out letters identifying trees in need of maintenance – there will be a speaker program on April 10th about gardening at the shore – information to come.
Councilman Cortes: no report.
Councilman Kanitra: due to a flight being moved up a day early, he missed the last Council meeting; a shame PPB was not involved with the process for the Risden’s deal – could have gotten Green Acres money – a lot of revenue could have been realized from the parking lot and the structure; trying to work on some abandoned properties for the last year or so – big eyesore on Sanborn Avenue – relayed some information from Chris Sherry, who live on Sanborn and is dealing with properties at 56 Sanborn and 115 Sanborn – has complied 38 signatures from residents to take advantage of the unfit buildings ordinance, adopted at the end of last year – asked BA/CFO Riehl to follow up on emails and Mr. Sherry’s letter and work with ZO Petrillo to try and get them on the roster and take action (BA/CFO Riehl: per the ordinance, those complaints need to come to her); Pete Ritchings, Environmental Commission Chair, sent an email to Council a week or two ago – has received no response – deals with lack of recycling money – County is looking at the possibility of landfilling some recycling because there is no longer a market for it – asked all to look at the email with suggestions for raising recycling rates in town and contributing to the situation in Ocean County; Point Beach Arts Day is item 2f – it coincides with the gala at the White Sands – a wonderful showcase for arts in all different forms, including a world-famous cellist, art displays and good food donated by the White Sands – encouraged all to vote for it, buy tickets and support the arts; Little Silver Lake lot looks horrendous – stubs all around, pooling water, abandoned light polls, sign down and a host of other issues – working on it – glad trash can holders were approved – has spoken with the Borough Engineer and Borough Attorney about looking at prior negative experience and tightening details in contracts – a large majority of projects have delays, cost overruns and problems; he would recommend, based on Councilman Migut’s idea, that when a complaint is received it should be relayed to the appropriate committee chair for follow-up; former Mayor Dan Hennessy is battling esophageal cancer – asked all to keep him in their thoughts and prayers – fantastic mayor who always carried himself with dignity and represented the town incredibly well.
Councilman Toohey: Finance Committee had a productive budget committee meeting prior to the Council meeting – looked at projected budget – one of the biggest issues is that the prior administration took out a community disaster loan immediately after Sandy that wasn't really necessary – looking at a $200K repayment over the next 5 years, which equals about a penny for every $100 evaluation – have to deal with it – spent a good amount of time prioritizing capital side, making sure there is enough to bond for needed infrastructure improvements – looking at operating side – wants to communicate with department chairs the vision for the budget in its entirety and let them tell us what they can cut – just started the process – confident they can get it to a good place.
Councilman Migut: the Planning Board meeting was cancelled this month – applicant withdrew application for 2-lot subdivision on River Ave. – will resubmit at April meeting; thanked the local newspaper for nice story on the meter replacement project – everyone is getting a new water meter this year – every resident will get a letter asking them to set up appointment with the contractor to have their meter changed – contractor is waiting for Borough Engineer to receive a letter of authorization from the DEP, so the project can commence; resident emailed him, asking him to look at Holly Ave. – Engineer agreed it can use a repaving – will put together a project to repave Holly Ave., 200 feet of Harvard Ave. off Ocean Ave., and another small street.
Councilman Santanello: displayed a survey plan from 1903 that a friend found in his attic – shows where the original canal was supposed to go – through Lake Louise, along Boston Ave. into Little Silver Lake, through Lake of the Lillies and then through Bay Head; Best Day is scheduled for July 13th and 14th – asked Mayor Reid if he got a chance to speak to the new owners of Risden’s about that (Mayor Reid: he will) – Easter Egg Hunt is April 13th – have $2,800 deficit on basketball, not $5K, as originally thought – will reduce the number of referees, from 2 to 1 in most events, which should make up the difference; Personnel Committee interviewed 7 people for 3 DPW spots – hiring 3; police training since last meeting includes – Canine in Service for Patrol and Scent, SWAT, Search & Seizure for Proactive Policing – activity includes arrests for possession of CDS and drug paraphernalia, hindering apprehension, DWI and other motor vehicle offenses and simple assault after a domestic violence related incident – in process of hiring additional seasonal Special and Parking Enforcement Officers for summer – will need less with the new parking meters – receive applications throughout the year and take great pride in selecting the best candidates – undergoing networking upgrades and learning the new Spillman computer system – experiencing only minor problems with the system and the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department has been very helpful in assisting with training and working out problems – department participated in a shooting competition hosted by the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association – Chief Michigan, Detective Meany and Officer Gippetti took awards for top scores in handgun course.
Mayor Reid: agrees with Councilman Kanitra that PPB has a problem with recycling, as do other towns – spoke to other mayors – Long Hill sent out a letter about it – would like to send a similar letter to residents explaining what's happening – can include rules of recycling – maybe Environmental Commission Chair Ritchings can help (BA/CFO Riehl: can go in water bills in May) or it can go separately.
BA/CFO Riehl: no report.
Clerk announced revisions/additions to agenda.
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:04PM
Ann Marie O'Hare, Point Pleasant/Elks Treasurer: asked about Seafood Festival expansion if putting people in parking lot is more secure and about Seafood Festival special event fees.
Vince Castin, PPB: asked if Seafood Festival would include the Elks; asked about earlier recycling center hours, as fishermen are there at 7AM and using merchants’ restrooms.
Vincent Barrella, PPB: asked who worked on the Seafood Festival plan, about the expansion and how police can cover a larger area when the department was not adequate to cover the smaller area last year.
Councilman Kanitra asked that item 2c be considered separately, as there may be middle ground – NOW RESOLUTION 4.
Bob Maloney, PPB: asked about 1r.
Councilman Toohey: asked about item 2h (BA/CFO Riehl: it’s to replace the Christmas decorations – they are half price in February).
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:20PM
Motion by Councilman Cortes to close public participation and approve the items listed below was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by roll call vote.
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
1a Approval of PO to Wells Fargo for Bldg Dept copier lease, Jan-Dec ($2,977.08)
1b Approval of payment of Payroll #4 ($271,653.58)
1c Approval of payment to Petroleum Traders Corp for DPW gasoline ($9,939.79)
1d Approval of payment to Riggins, Inc for DPW diesel fuel ($5,280.86)
1e Approval of payment to Ocean County Landfill to replenish landfill escrow ($50K)
1f Approval of 7 Taxi Vehicle Licenses for Mantoloking Taxi LLC through 2/21/20
1g Approval of S/E app The Arc of NJ/Self-Advocacy Project table on Bdwk, 7/12 (rain 7/19)
1h Approval of S/E app for MS Society Coast the Coast bike ride through town, 5/18 & 5/19
1i Approval of S/E app & fee waiver for Chamber Ladies Night Out downtown, 7/11 & 11/14
1j Approval of S/E app for Kidney & Urology Fdn walkathon at the Inlet/Bdwlk area, 5/5
1k Approval of S/E app & fee waiver for Chamber Downtown Sidewalk Sale, 5/16-18 & 8/8-10
1l Award of contract for web design to C. Cochran, PPB (NTE $10,500)
1m Approval of S/E app & fee waiver for Chamber Christmas Tree Lighting, 11/29 (rain 11/30)
1n Approval of S/E app for Chamber information table on the Bdwlk, Memorial Day-Labor Day
1o Denial of S/E app for the Children’s Tumor Fdn Walk in the Dark on the Bdwlk, 10/5
1p Approval of amended S/E date for Cystic Fibrosis Fdn walk on the Bdwlk, from 5/11 to 5/19
1q Approval of payment to DEML&P from BOA & Pl Bd escrow accounts
1r Approval of pymt to M. Woszczak for replacement galvanized water svc at 204 Ocean ($6,397.27)
1s Approval of payment to OCUA for 1st quarter sewerage ($347,810.85)
1t Approval of payment to APP from BOA escrow accounts
1u Approval of 2019 Conflict Public Defender contract, as drafted
1v Approval of payment to the State of NJ for employee and retiree health benefits ($121,094.17)
1w Approval of payment to BTMUA for January bulk water usage ($53,257.50)
1x Approval of payment to Muskrat Jack for animal control svcs, Feb-Dec ($9,900)
1y Approval of amendment to Borough Holiday Resolution, per TWU contract
1z Approval of payment to C&M Door Controls, for replacement DPW garage doors ($14,350)
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Award of contract to Shore Top Const for Curtis Ave Drainage Improvement project ($109,670)
2b Approval of payment to Mitchell Humphrey for annual Fast Track fees for 2019 ($4,970)
2c CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AS RESOLUTION 4
2d Appointment of K. Arnone, R. Berg and S. Bomenblit to the position of DPW Laborer
2e Approval of payment to PPB Parking Authority for 2019 contribution ($15K)
2f Designation of March 30, 2019 as Point Beach Arts Day
2g Appointment of D. Smith as 1st Alt Member of the Shade Tree Commission
2h Approval of PO to Rileighs Outdoor Décor for 40 3’ snowflakes (NTE $14K) – ADDED PER BA/CFO
CONSENT RESOLUTION 3:
3a Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($1,640,588.08)
3b Approval of payment to Atlantic Tactical for 20 police handgun holsters, light ATT ($4,410)
3c Approval of pymt to Ragnasoft Inc for PlainIt Police scheduling subscription/licenses ($2,627.50)
3d Approval of pymt to Guardian Tracking for police software & support ($3,024)
3e Approval of PO to Action Uniform Co for 6 police vests and tactical gear ($7,242)
3f Approval of pymt to Downs Ford for replacement police vehicle engine ($3,700)
3g Approval of pymt to Winner Ford for 2019 police interceptor ($36,882)
3h Approval of pymt to Downs Ford for police car parts ($10K)
3i Approval of PO to Absolute Fire Protection for repairs to Fire Co No 1 truck ($3,100)
3j Approval of pymt to Firefighter One for thermal imaging cameras for Fire Co No 1 ($9,596)
3k Approval of PO to Hewlett Packard for police cabling & network service upgrade ($8,127.03)
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel (except 3), Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut (except 3a, 3i & 3j),
Santanello….YEA
Councilman Kanitra: would like to find some middle ground – current and prior Chiefs have expressed security concerns about the Seafood Festival layout for years – was discussion about moving the whole festival to Little Silver Lake, which he was not in favor of – is in favor of this current layout – consolidating the food into an open space with lots more points of egress, and getting the propane tanks out of a narrow area, is making it safer, in general (Chief Michigan: a lot safer there than in the current location) – are expanding the footprint but making it much safer – won’t be as crowded, or as much condensed into tight little areas – asked Council to consider if there might be an opening for the Elks to have their event again (Councilman Toohey: from year to year, nothing is off the table – but would like to give the PPB Police, State Police, Department of Homeland Security, NJ SWAT and Ocean County Sherriff’s Department an opportunity to get comfortable with this new layout before considering adding another festival back onto it; Councilman Santanello: spoke to a lot of people who attended the Elks festival in the park and it was overwhelmingly positive – they liked that it was in a park, not a parking lot, that they didn’t have to go through the Seafood Festival to get to it – understands they signed up 50 new members – thinks it worked out pretty well – not sure why to bring it back; Councilman Kanitra: they might not want to come back – he is just a sucker for traditions – they were in this town for a long period of time; Councilman Cortes: there has been no application submitted by the Elks for Council to review; Councilman Vogel: there are not only policing and security concerns, but insurance regulations as well – need to continue to look at the special event approval process – there is a whole committee, not just the Police Chief and Council – the Fire Official, Code Enforcement, DPW and Administrator review and there is input from insurance – municipalities are facing liability – there is use of municipal space and services and there is an onus to get it right and take all the necessary precautions – an event in Red Bank became no-longer insurable, due to the risks involved – there are some that cannot be mitigated – this is good step, good change, addressing a lot of concerns – will continue to be edits and tweaks – there is a new division within the insurance company who will come out and witness the event first-hand – this event will continue to be modified to be made as safe as possible – need to look out for the best interests of PPB.
Motion by Councilman Vogel to close public participation and approve RESOLUTION 4: Approval of S/E app & fee waiver for Chamber Festival of the Sea, 9/21 (rain: 9/22, 9/28 or 9/29) was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
ORDINANCES:
Ordinance 2019-02 (Salary Ordinance) was considered on second reading. Mayor Reid opened the public hearing with no member of the public wishing to be heard. Motion by Councilman Migut to close the hearing and adopt Ordinance 2019-02 was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
Ordinance 2019-03 (15-Minute Parking on Broadway) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Migut to approve Ordinance 2019-03 on first reading was seconded by Councilman Toohey and carried by roll call vote. Public hearing will be held on March 5, 2109.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:28PM.
Vince Castin, PPB: thinks Elks moving might be a blessing in disguise – good discussion; asked about Coast Guard Station; asked about USS Pueblo.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked for update on JCP&L compensation on lights that are out – suggested stopping payment; spoke about quality of light.
Christopher Sherry, PPB: has complained about abandoned properties on Sanborn for years – is meeting with BA/CFO Riehl on Thursday with letters – is encouraged by this – curious if town anticipates legal action if houses are demolished; asked what happened to 56 Sanborn's scheduled demolition last fall – thanked the Governing Body for the ordinance.
PJ Geiger, PPB: agrees that lights are better in Little Silver Lake lot; asked about controlling Canada Geese and about bench upkeep at band shell – bands there are really good.
Vincent Barrella, PPB: asked Councilmen Kanitra and Migut about the BnB tax that was put off and if it would be reconsidered – opportunity to reduce tax rate in PPB; welcomed Attorney Zabarsky.
Ms. O’Hare: thanked the Governing Body for due diligence on the Seafood Festival and redeployment of resources to comply with insurance – appreciates that – neither Elks revenue nor a possible secondary location should not be a factor in considering an Elks application – guiding factor should be that the Elks had, for years, participated side-by-side with the Seafood Festival.
George Loder, former Republican Councilman and Municipal Chairman in PPB: asked Mayor Reid if he is running for Assembly – troubled by things going on in town – he and a lot of like-minded Republicans believe Mayor Reid uses his office of Mayor to benefit his lobbying businesses – questions his leadership, managerial abilities and lack of transparency with disclosure issues – as a Republican, Mayor Reid does not represent his views.
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:48PM.
Motion to adjourn by Councilman Vogel was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 8:48PM.
ATTEST:__________________________________
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
