Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Council Meeting Minutes
PROCLAMATION – To Girl Scout Troop 50383 for Donation of K9 Bullet-Proof Vests (moved prior to Executive Session per Mayor’s request). Mayor Reid read a proclamation and Chief Michigan recognized and thanked the troop.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:10PM. Present were Councilmen Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey and Migut. Councilmen Vogel and Santanello were absent. 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 Governing Body reserves its right to amend and supplement the purposes of executive session by motion at the public meeting.
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: one personnel matter (Clerk announced that one personnel matter was being removed). It is anticipated that the subject matter discussed may be made public upon its conclusion or final disposition.”
Motion by Councilman Migut to enter Executive Session was seconded by Councilman Toohey and carried by consent of Council.
CLOSED SESSION BEGAN AT 7:10PM AND ENDED AT 7:32PM
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:36PM. Present were Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey and Migut. Councilman Santanello was absent. 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 Migut to approve the February 6, 2018 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Toohey and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey and Migut ….YEA
Councilman Santanello….ABSTAIN
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEMOS:
Councilman Cortes discussed curb cuts at 605 Atlantic & 207 Forman – recommends approval with ZO’s conditions, including removal of temporary structure at 605 Atlantic – ADDED AS 1AA
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Vogel: Junie Caruso, Parking Authority and Fire Department member, passed away – will be missed – attended a meeting about the flood insurance program – a bill that passed the House restricts how much policies can increase, etc. – contains good provisions; discussed ideas to enhance downtown with the Chamber and Councilman Kanitra; thanked DPW for Reserved Parking signs for Veterans and Service members; lights at the main basketball court at Pleasure Park are out.
Councilman Cortes: barrels by Hoffman’s, maintained by the Hennessy’s, are falling apart – asked that a letter be sent; took swags down last Friday – thanked the Mayor for helping (Mayor Reid: thanked Councilman Cortes, who did this in a bucket tuck in the rain – swags are heavy) saves the town money; Inlet is being finished – are removing the crane and backfilling sand – wall looks good from Manasquan; Lake is moving along after weather problems – per Engineer Savacool, there will be new flood gates in Lake Louise; NJ Transit is doing an upgrade/passive train control project – putting a 60-ft utility pole south of The Ark, for communications and safety; looking for DPW Laborers – BA/CRO Riehl and DPW Super. Trout selected 7 candidates for interviews next week; spoke with Engineer Savacool about the roof – contractor performed everything in scope of work that inspector said needed repair (BA/CFO Riehl: satisfied with job – payment is back on agenda); gave police report on Councilman Santanello’s behalf – Chief provided a thorough year-end report – since last meeting, there have been arrests for DWI and aggravated assault – will be a community policing program on active shooters and security measures at St. Peter School on the 21st – was a low-speed pursuit this morning.
Councilman Kanitra: Environmental Commission could not meet this month due to scheduling conflicts – has been a lot of movement – two Green Team appointments are on the agenda – will get members together at the next meeting to assign tasks – earning certification points and starting to submit for grants; attended the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management meeting in Hamilton this week – PPB’s offshore drilling resolution was widely received – they appreciated Mayor and Council support; met with a representative from Congressman Smith’s office – working to resolve the issue of dune replenishment in mid-summer (BA/CFO Riehl: was a partnership meeting today – estimated start in PPB is now late August); met with the Fire Chief regarding the Fire & Lighting Committee – very productive – they are excited about the town bonfire – got a handle on the Department’s needs; thanked BA/CFO Riehl, DWP Super. Trout and Chief Michigan for attending meetings on a new app to create more communication in town – used for code enforcement violations, non-emergency police issues and DPW; exploring the idea of an Arts Committee with a goal to make downtown more lively for foot traffic for businesses after 5PM, like in Westfield, Asbury Park and Red Bank – will be exploring more with Arts Pride NJ.
Councilman Toohey: it’s budget season – met with BA/CFO Riehl prior to the Council meeting – have a lot of big ticket items queued up to get done – will look carefully at the operating side to get the needed $100K – have Open Space plan for the Inlet and money is in the Capital Budget (BA/CFO Riehl: can do a bond ordinance just for the Inlet on its own and 2018 Capital Ordinance later – have the 5% down payment) asked that it be put on the next agenda; requested that inmates paint at the Inlet – will ask for paint to be donated (Mayor Reid: has a group that can do that); referenced an Ocean Start article about stripers in Lake Little Silver – legend is that Joe Spader put them there – should put a catch and release ordinance together and do some signage, as there are bass in there (BA/CFO Riehl: US Fish & Wildlife paid a visit) they were brought to Lake Louise.
Councilman Migut: gave a building department summary – more than 260 buildings have been lifted since Sandy – permits continue – currently 85% compliance of substantially-damaged properties – PPB now enjoys 20% savings in flood insurance premiums – renewing mercantile licenses – business district is booming with many business looking to move in – rentals start renewing in the next couple of months – active and strict animal house ordinance has proven to be very effective – more than 115 houses were sold in 2017 – housing market is very healthy.
Mayor Reid: toured the town with the bike share company, who will send some renderings for approval; the boat race group had dinner at Martell’s 2 weeks ago – excited about coming back – have a couple meetings coming up; A.J. Meerwald is coming to Shrimp Box; still looking into dog park location
BA/CFO Riehl: RFP for the bath house operation went out – receiving bids on March 15th – open house is Thursday, 10AM-12PM; having a public budget meeting on the 27th; closed on the EIT loan last Friday for Little Silver Lake financing; opening bids tomorrow for Parkway repairs (Councilman Kanitra: asked if that includes lights) no – just paving; there is a preconstruction meting this Friday for the repaving of Seymour – hope to start in 30-60 days (Councilman Toohey returned after stepping out briefly); there will be memorial service at the Inlet on Saturday at 10AM for the two fishermen lost at sea – family thinks there will be a lot of people (Councilman Toohey: looking into plaque).
The Clerk announced revisions/additions to the agenda.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:07PM.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked about items 1g, 1p and 1y.
Marilyn Burke, PPB: asked about item 1c.
Vince Castin, PPB: spoke about the fish in the lake, a continual flow of water on Chicago Avenue, the Coast Guard building, the bike program and the Veterans tax exemption.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:18PM.
Motion by Councilman Cortes to close public participation and approve the items listed below was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
1a Approval of payment to BTMUA for January bulk water usage ($58,639.05)
1b Certification of submission of expenditures for 2017 recycling taxes paid ($10,115.37)
1c Approval of title changes & salary adjustments per Civil Service reclassifications
1d Approval of 4 W/S relief requests
1e Approval of release of dumpster bond for St Peter Church
1f Approval of payment of Payroll #4 ($248,582.68)
1g Auth for Mayor to execute continuation-renewal agmt w/FSD Enterprises, Telecom Consultant
1h Authorization for Mayor and Borough Administrator to execute Safety Contract w/OC JIF
1i Authorization to auction surplus vehicles on Municibid
1j Approval of PO to Hudson County Motors for DPW truck parts ($2500)
1k Approval of payment to Riggins for DPW gas and diesel fuel ($18,601.75)
1l Approval of payment to State of NJ for annual pension contribution ($1,083,437.37)
1m Approval of taxi vehicle licenses for Mantoloking Taxi (8) and Briggs Transportation (13)
1n Approval of payment to OCUA for 1stQ sewerage ($200,223.09)
1o Approval of Chamber’s request to change date of Beers on Boards from 3/24/18 to 4/7/18
1p DENIAL of S/E application for Your First Mud Run on Boardwalk, 9/15
1q Approval of payment to T&M Associates from Pl Bd & BOA escrow accounts
1r Approval of payment to D. Sweet from BOA escrow accounts
1s REMOVED BY BA/CFO PRIOR TO MEETING
1t Approval of CO #’s 2 & 3 and Pay Certs #’s 4 & 5 to Journey Contracting for roof repairs
1u Approval of payment to State of NJ for employee & retiree health benefits ($137,223.83)
1v Approval of PO to Specialty Graphics for DPW uniforms (5,800)
1w Approval of payment to Devo & Assoc. for 2018 parking meter parts ($15K)
1x Approval of PO to All Covered for 2018 monthly IT maintenance & support ($17,472)
1y Appointment of K. Romanowski, Point Pleasant Beach, to Green Team Advisory Cmte – TYPO
1z Appoint of D. Russell, PPB to Green Team Adv Cmte – ADDED BY BA/CFO PRIOR TO MTG
1aa Approval of 13’ curb cut requests at 605 Atlantic w/conditions set by ZO Petrillo, incl removal of temp structure, and at 207 Forman w/conditions set by ZO Petrillo – ADDED PER DH MEMOS
2a Approval of pymt to Firefighter One for Scott sight upgrade kits for Ocean Fire Co No 1 ($2700)
2b Approval of payment to Firefighter One for hoses for Ocean Fire Co No 1 ($756.80)
2c Approval of payment to Firefighter One for gloves & hoods for Ocean Fire Co No 1 ($1,636.80)
2d Approval of payment to Fire & Safety Svcs for firetruck repair for PPB Fire Co No 2 ($4,489.50)
2e Approval of pymt to Continental Fire & Safety for boots & coats for PPB Fire Co No 2 ($5500)
2f Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($339,488.86)
2g Approval of Ocean Fire Co No. 1 Ladies Aux request to charge for parking in adjacent lot on Sundays 5/27-9/2, Memorial Day, July 4th & Labor Day
2h Approval of payment to Airpower Int’l for 5th-year service contracts for the Fire Dept ($3,813)
2i Approval of PO to Planit Police for yearly scheduling subscription for PD ($2,627)
2j Approval of payment to Guardian Tracking for annual software subscription for PD ($3,024)
2k Approval of participation in NJ Safe & Secure Comm Grant Prog/auth for Mayor to execute appl
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel (1), Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut (1)….YEA
Councilmen Vogel (2), Migut (2)….ABSTAIN
Councilman Santanello….ABSENT
Per Borough Attorney, assume usual abstentions on item 2f with which Council has conflicts.
ORDINANCE:
Attorney Riordan: recommended name change per Comcast’s comments on Ordinance 2018-01.
Ordinance 2018-01 (Cable System Franchise Renewal) 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 public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2018-01 on second reading (with correct name of Comcast of Ocean County, LLC) was seconded by Councilman Cortes and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Migut….YEA
Councilman Toohey….NAY
Councilman Santanello….ABSENT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:21PM
Vincent Barrella, PPB: congratulated Councilman Kanitra; referenced Florida school shooting – suggested a resolution asking Congressman Smith and Senator Booker or Menendez for joint legislation requiring Federal licensing and registration of firearms and banning weapons of mass murder – to be sent to President Trump, Speaker Ryan, Senator McConnell and Senate and House Minority leaders.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: thanked Councilman Cortes and Mayor Reid for taking down lights; asked about Parkway lighting and front lawn parking restrictions; spoke about flooding solutions in Districts 3 & 4; wished Ocean Star Reporter Nunes luck as he moves on to cover Brick.
Marilyn Burke, PPB: asked for a traffic light at Baltimore & Central – lot of near misses.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:32PM
Motion to adjourn by Councilman Migut was seconded by Councilman Kanitra and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 8:32PM.
ATTEST:__________________________________
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
