Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 12:03PM. Present were Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut and Santanello. 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.”
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Invocation by Father Pedro deOliveira
OATHS OF OFFICE:
Oaths were administered by the Municipal Clerk to re-elected Councilmen Cortes and Santanello, as well as to Fire Department Chief Robert Gronau, Assistant Fire Chief Michael Ryan, 1st Deputy Fire Chief William Wackowski and 2nd Deputy Fire Chief Michael Brodeur.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
Mayor Stephen D. Reid: wished all a Happy New Year – thanked the newly-sworn in volunteer Fire Chiefs, as well as the Police, Fire, and First Aid Depts. – among the best in the State – thanked Council for their hard work – welcomed new Borough Attorney, Steven Zabarsky – spoke about how PPB leads other towns on things like marijuana dispensaries, plastic bag ban, opposition to off-shore drilling, no smoking on the Boardwalk – very proud of that – suggested an “ask for a straw” campaign – all should be proud of their downtown – have a nice relationship with Chamber – restaurants and shops are doing great – will continue relationship with employees, volunteers, Chamber, school and residents – his door is always open, as are the Councilmembers’ – 2018 was a great year – 2019 will be as well – keeps getting better.
RE-ELECTED COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
Councilman Robert A. Santanello: wished all Happy New Year – will be a great year for PPB – thanked his wife, sons, daughter and daughter-in-law for their support – so proud of them all – thanked Father Pedro for coming and for his blessing – acknowledged and thanked Borough employees who do an amazing job with limited resources – they serve the taxpayers and work with little thanks – have his deepest appreciation – as Chair of the Police Committee, extended personal thanks to Chief Michigan, Capt. Duffy, Lt. Quaglia and the Police Department for having safety as their primary goal – do a fantastic job all year and an amazing job in summer when the population increases ten-fold or more – impressed by continued community policing initiatives and placement of armed officers in all the schools – congratulated newly elected Fire officials – is thankful for their time, dedication and service – grateful to volunteers who serve on committees and commissions – service to community is alive and well in PPB – welcomed Attorney Zabarsky – thanked the great professionals who serve PPB – quoted Winston Churchill that it’s good to have enemies, as it means you’ve stood up for something in your life – is humbled by his and Councilman Cortes’ re-elections – had their share of controversies and dishonest negative press but the electorate pays attention – respects opinions of those who did not vote for them – may not agree but, if approached with respect, will treat them with respect in return – Mayor Reid continues to be an inspiration – his vision is what makes PPB great – proud of Council’s their hard work, concern and untiring efforts – specific goals this year include watching every penny, keeping tax rate comparatively low and increases to a minimum, hiring and keeping the best possible workforce, supporting first responders, getting new building for EMS and DPW storage, training and meeting space and gaining possession and use of the old Coast Guard Station – thanked voters for their faith and confidence, which will he strive every day to repay.
Councilman George “Andy” Cortes: reiterated Councilman Santanello’s comments – wished all Happy New Year – thanked his girlfriend, daughters, grandchildren and step daughter, for their support – congratulated the newly-sworn Fire officers – department does a fantastic job – appreciates all they do – really appreciates the fantastic job that BA/CFO Riehl does, keeping the town running behind the scenes – this is his town – will make what he feels are the right decisions.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT:
Motion by Councilman Toohey to nominate Councilman Vogel as Council President was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AND ENDED AT 8:28PM
WITH NO MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO BE HEARD
Motion by Councilman Vogel to close public participation and approve the items listed below was seconded by Councilman Migut and approved by roll call vote.
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
1a Appt. of Borough Attorney: S. Zabarsky & Firm – Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky, Toms River
1b Appointment of Special Project Attorney: S. Gertner & Firm – Gertner & Gertner, Jackson
1c Appointment of Bond Counsel: W. Mayer & Firm – Decotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole, Giblin, LLP, Teaneck
and S. Rogut & Firm – Rogut McCarthy LLC, Cranford / Little Silver Lk Proj.
1d Appointment of Municipal Prosecutor: G. McGuckin & Firm – Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ukay,
Koutsouris, Connors, Forked River
1e Appt. of Conf. Prosecutor: B. Peterson & Firm – Bonnie R. Peterson Attorney At Law, Seaside Park
1f Appt. of Animal House Pros.: B. Peterson & Firm – Bonnie R. Peterson Attorney At Law, Seaside Pk
1g Appointment of Public Defender: M. Schaller & Firm – King, Kitrick, Jackson, McWeeney, Brick
1h Appt. of Conflict Public Defender: B. DiStefano & Firm – Brian J. DiStefano, Esq., Bayville
1i Appointment of COAH Planner: K. Lelie & Firm – Clarke Caton Hintz, Trenton
1j Appointment of Animal House Judge: D. Rumpf & Firm – Rumpf Law, Tuckerton
1k Appointment of Borough Auditor: W. Korecky & Firm – Suplee, Clooney & Co, Westfield
1l Appointment of Borough Engineer/Planner: R. Savacool & Firm – T&M Assoc., Toms River
1m Appointment of Special Project Engineer: J. Priolo & Firm – Maser Consulting, Red Bank
1n Appointment of Labor Counsel: R. Greitz & Firm – Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky, Toms River
1o Appointment of Tax Appeal Attorney: C. Dasti & Firm – Christopher J. Dasti, PC, Forked River
1p Appointment of Emerg. Electrical Svcs: G. Brown & Firm – Turbo Electric, Point Pleasant
1q Appointment of Financial Advisors: A. Inverso & Firm – Phoenix Advisors, Bordentown
1r Appointment of Borough Physician: Meridian Health Occupational Health, Eatontown
1s Appointment of Police Psychologists: M. White & Firm, Mark White, Ph.D., ABPP, Manasquan
and R. Hanbury & Firm, Raymond F. Hanbury, Ph.D., ABPP, Neptune
1t Appointment of COAH Counsel: J. Surenian & Firm – Jeffrey R. Surenian & Assoc., LLC, Brielle
1u Appt. of Emp. Benefits Consult.: S. Davenport & Firm – Conner Strong & Buckelew, Toms River
1v Appt. of Insurance Consultant: M. Avalone & Firm – Conner Strong & Buckelew, Toms River
1w Appointment of Fee Accountant: J. Conaty & Firm – Holman, Frenia & Allison PC, Toms River
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Approval of temporary budget for 2019
2b Appointment of standing Council committees for 2019
2c Establish Personnel Committee for 2019
2d Establish Council meeting dates for 2019
2e Establish interest to be charged on delinquent taxes and water-sewer utility bills
2f Establish 6% penalty for tax delinquencies over $10,000.00
2g Authorization for Council to administer ABC licenses & enforce state statutes
2h Designation of newspapers to be used for legal ads during 2019
2i Appointment of Christine Riehl as Tax Search Officer for 2019
2j Appointment of Eileen Farrell as Assessment Search Officer for 2019
2k Appointment of Kathryn Beno as Deputy Finance Officer for 2019
2l Appointment of Janet Mutter as Deputy Municipal Clerk for 2019
2m Appointment of John Trout as Certified Principal Public Works Manager for 2019
2n Appointment of Janet Mutter as Deputy Registrar for 2019
2o Appointment of Karen Mills as Alternate Deputy Registrar for 2019
2p Approval of bulk pick-up dates for 2019
2q Appointment of municipal representative (Christine Riehl) & alternate (Borough Engineer) to
Ocean County Community Development Block Grant Committee for 2019
2r Appointment of Christine Riehl as Public Agency Compliance Officer for 2019
2s Appointment of Council liaisons (2) to the Board of Education
2t Appointment of Council liaison to the Chamber of Commerce
2u Appointment of Class I & Class II Special Police Officers, School Crossing Guards, Police Matrons,
P/T Data Entry Clerk & P/T Communications Operators for 2019
2v Appointment of Tax Assessor to act as agent on Tax Appeals and execute settlements
2w Appt. of K.Beno as Qualified Purchasing Agent & reaffirmation of increase in bid threshold for 2019
2x Auth. to draft app. for Safe & Secure Communities Prog. 2019 & appt. of Lt. Quaglia as grant coord.
2y Establishment of fees for special DWI sessions
2z Re-establishment of petty cash and change funds for 2019
CONSENT RESOLUTION 3:
3a Designation of CFO to act as Governing Body Secretary during budget workshop sessions
3b Establishment of $10 late fee for late payment of dog license fees
3c Establishment of annual Halloween curfew
3d Establishment of mileage reimbursement rate for 2019
3e Pymt of annual lease fee to State of NJ for Rickover Park and open space at junction of Rts 35 & 88
3f Establishment of Clerk/BA stipends for Council meetings & special Bd. of Adj. meetings
3g Appointment of Christine Riehl as PERMA Fund Commissioner
3h Appointment of Christine Riehl as Insurance Fund Commissioner and Eileen Farrell as Insurance
Fund Deputy Commissioner and Insurance Fund Personnel Administrator
3i Appointment of Eileen Farrell as NJ Civil Service System Administrator
3j Appointment of Karen Mills as Board of Health Officer
3k Re-establishment of OPRA copy and administrative fees for 2019
3l Re-establishment of property tax exemption policy for disabled veterans
3m Re-authorization for CFO to issue hand written checks prior to Governing Body approval
3n Appointment of Karen Mills as Dog Warden for 2019
3o Re-establishment of Parking Machine Refund Policy RE: No Refunds
3p Appointment of Peter Ritchings as Dune Inspector for 2019
3q Designation of records custodians for each department
3r Re-establishment of part-time personnel and salaries for certain employees
3s Re-establishment of Condo Conversion Fee Schedule for 2019
3t Designation of financial institution & auth. for Mayor & CFO to act as signatories on Borough accts.
3u Re-establishment of miscellaneous water/sewer rates
3v Establishment of annual League of Municipalities policy
3w Authorization for Recreation Committee to accept applications for Summer Program from the
parents of children who attend Antrim School, as well as from Borough employees
3x Establishment of Notary fee at $2.50/document
3y Requirement of Purchasing Agent to serve on Finance Committee
3z Requirement of elected officials to take one instructional course each year
CONSENT RESOLUTION 4:
4a Requirement of additional CFO duties in compliance with DLGS ‘Best Practices’
4b Appointment of J. Gluck as Alternate Municipal Magistrate
4c Appointments to Local Emergency Planning Council
4d Establishment of Local Emergency Planning Council meeting dates
4e Approval of 2019 Salary Resolution
4f Reaffirmation of Borough’s Civil Rights Policy
4g Re-instatement of litter patrol during summer season
4h Re-establishment of W/S ready-to-use charge waiver
4i Approval of amended Transfer Resolution retroactive to 12/18/18
4j Re-adoption of Meeting Protocol Policy, with revised Organization Meeting time
4k Designation of depositories for municipal funds during 2019
4l Establishment of NJ Paid Sick Leave blackout dates for 2019
4m Appointment of J. Bragen-Edly to the P/T position of Recycling Coordinator
4n Establishment of policy regarding Pleasure Park use during Recreation Summer Park Program
CONSENT RESOLUTION 5:
5a Approval of exemption from municipal dog/cat license fees for volunteer fire/first aid personnel
5b Approval of exemption for one bulk pick-up fee/annum for volunteer fire/first aid personnel
5c Approval of exemption from water shut-off/turn-on fees for volunteer fire/first aid personnel
5d Designation of Fire Chief to sign documents and act as liaison for Firefighter Certification
5e Authorization for participation in the Volunteer Tuition Credit Program
5f Authorization for emergency services personnel to participate in AFLAC insurance programs
5g Authorization for Municipal Clerk to sign Fire Dept applications before placing on agenda
CONSENT RESOLUTION 6:
6a Appointments to Board of Adjustment
6b Appointments to Environmental Commission and Council Liaison
6c Appointments to Recreation Committee and Council Liaison
6d Appointments to Beautification Committee and Council Liaison
6e Appointments to Animal Welfare Committee and Council Liaison
6f Appointments to Shade Tree Advisory Commission and Council Liaison
6g Appointments to the Green Team
6h Appointments to the Cultural Arts Committee
6i Appointment to the Parking Authority and Council Liaison
CONSENT RESOLUTION 7: MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS:
7a Appointments to Tourism Committee and Liaison
7b Appointments to Planning Board
7c Appointments to Non-Resident Taxpayers Advisory Committee and Council Liaison
7d Appointments to Historic Preservation Commission
7e Appointment to the Open Space Advisory Committee
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel (except 5), Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut (except 5),
Santanello (except 2h, 6d, 6f-2)….YEA
Councilmen Vogel (5), Migut (5)….ABSTAIN
Councilman Santanello (2h, 6d, 6f-2)….NAY
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
Councilman Vogel: Happy New Year – acknowledged the Mayor's initiatives/ little things, projects that get done without taxpayer dollars – it’s because of volunteer leadership and willingness to give back, employees who always go over and above – this Governing Body is a great group who has grown and learned and come into its own to accomplish great things – will get even more done in 2019 – fantastic result of everyone’s hard work – his motto is striving to make the best better – complimented Councilman Cortes' suit.
Councilman Kanitra: wished all Happy New Year – end of his first year on Council – incredibly rewarding experience to work in the town he grew up in – has learned a tremendous amount about the local level and things that matter to residents – there is a common thread among voters – all have moved to PPB because it is and has been a great town – falls on the Governing Body to keep safety and services going in the right direction, making PPB the type of place all continue to be proud of – must continue to listen to all constituent concerns and take them into consideration – echoed others' sentiments – have incredible volunteers – has been lucky to work with the Environmental Commission and see the recycling rates go up this year and all the great work they are doing, raising awareness – the new Arts Committee has done wonderful things with 20+ volunteers who are indicative of the backbone of this town – people who get involved to make a difference for all and for the greater good – that is the spirit of a town – all the great town employees who provide vitally important knowledge – they are the best in the world.
Councilman Toohey: apologized for arriving a bit late (right after roll call) – loves PPB – thanked all – important to recognize what the Fire Department does – looking forward to another great year – big things to come – thanked all for coming out.
Councilman Migut: wished all Happy New Year – congratulated new Fire officers – many hours are necessary to obtain the necessary certificates – takes a lot of time and dedication – acknowledged all committee, commission and board volunteers – referenced Coal House Pizza as an example of how Mayor Reid’s little touches make a difference – they came before the Planning Board for expansion, which was possible because they didn’t need extra parking, as customers take the trolley from motels – lucky to have him – looks forward to his re-election this year.
Motion to adjourn by Councilman Vogel was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 12:37PM.
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
