Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Borough of Point Pleasant Beach
Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 6:32PM. 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: union negotiations. 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 Cortes 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 6:34PM AND ENDED AT 7:12PM.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:31PM. 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 Migut to approve the December 18, 2018 and January 1, 2019 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Vogel and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello ….YEA
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEMO:
Councilman Cortes: discussed ZO Petrillo’s memo regarding a curb cut request at 128 Ocean Ave. – house is being raised with a garage/car port underneath (garage and curb cut request for 126 Ocean was denied by the Board of Adjustment – 124 Ocean Ave. has a garage and curb cut) thinks it should be approved, along with the request for 126 Ocean (Councilman Kanitra: need to be fair if it’s an apples to apples comparison; Attorney Zabarksy: 126 Ocean Ave. is 2-family – others are 1-family – maybe that's why BOA did what they did – doesn’t know what was presented to them; Mayor Reid: curb cuts get approved here; Councilman Vogel: Council approves the curb cut – BOA would approve any work to be done) – ADDED AS ITEM 1Y (later changed to RESOLUTION 3).
David Barra, 126 Ocean Ave: explained his experience with BOA – his 2-family house was being raised – request was denied for various reasons (Councilman Toohey: asked if he feels curb cut at 128 Ocean should be approved) not if they don't get theirs (Councilman Vogel: Governing Body has authority to grant a curb cut, not zoning relief – have not heard testimony before the BOA – don’t know all the implications with the application) applied 6 years ago – one of the first applications – different world then (Attorney Zabarksy: can appeal the decision of the Zoning Officer to the BOA, under the statute)
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Vogel: spoke about an app to rent driveway space – reminded all that this is prohibited in PPB, unless an approved commercial parking lot – would like to speak to ZO Petrillo about information given to new businesses, ensuring that they advertise that they are located in PPB, not some other town, and informing them of PPB’s regulations – plastic bag ordinance, importance of recycling, etc. – asked for Governing Body suggestions; Shade Tree Commission submitted the Community Forestry Management Plan – working to get designation under Tree City USA status – got 5 trees donated through the County – will get them planted in March – partnering with PPBHS on a senior class tree planting with Shade Tree plaques, as the high school has an engraver – planning a speaker program in March/April on landscaping in a shore town – have identified potential guest speakers.
Councilman Cortes: announced January employee anniversaries – Derek O’Neill 20 years, Eileen Farrell 15 years; Parking Authority discussed retirement of Tom Curcio from Ocean County, which requires him to resign from volunteer/paid services for 180 days – gave temporary resignation.
Councilman Kanitra: Arts Committee is having PPB’s first art show – information is on their committee web site and Facebook page – taking applications January 15-March 15 – winners will be announced and displayed at the gala at the White Sands at the end of March – looking for pop up space downtown to display all the contestants – February 2nd is the Halfway to Summer showing of Jaws at Fire Company No. 2 at 7PM – Surf Taco is sponsoring $5 dinners – movie is free; Environmental Commission is discussing Ocean County’s notice about recycling – no longer being purchased by China – looking for municipalities to do more to raise recycling rates – asked BA/CFO Riehl if she received private carting information (BA/CFO Riehl: yes – it’s due annually by October).
Councilman Toohey: looking at having Department Head meetings soon and choosing a date for the budget workshop.
Councilman Migut: spoke to Engineer Savacool, who met with the Department of Transportation about street paving grants – has a schedule of streets to be done, but asked for Council's advice; went out to bid for water meter replacement project – 2 bids received – 1 rejected as non-compliant with specifications – award is on the agenda as Resolution 1x – contractor has 9 months from award to complete project – will eliminate water meter readings – will transmit directly to Borough Hall – will have an alarm for constant use to indicate a water leak, so homeowner can be alerted; Planning Board reorganized with Mr. Ammirata elected Chairman and Mr. Russell Vice Chairman – 1 application will be heard in February for a 2-lot subdivision on River Rd.
Councilman Santanello: asked Councilman Migut about meter replacement (Councilman Migut: there will be new meters and retrofits (BA/CFO Riehl: will have to go in every house) asked how residents will be notified (BA/CFO Riehl: contractor’s responsibility); no Recreation Committee meeting yet this year; gave Police Report since last meeting – Officer Drew received his Canine Training certificate – there has been training in Method of Instruction, OPRA for Practitioners and Spillman Records Management, which will go live on February 5, 2019 – congratulations and great job to BA/CFO Riehl – there were 7 arrests for possession of CDS, 2 for hindering apprehension, 3 for DWI and other motor vehicle offenses, 3 for simple assault and 2 for disorderly conduct – reminded all that the Police Department will conduct daily house checks for residents who are away on extended vacations – just need to fill out a form at the Police Department – Department is committed to all residents, including those who are up in age and living alone – through Operation Outreach, they can contact the agency daily to advise that they are ok – residents, dispatchers and officers benefit from this program – Department is committed to keeping PPB a quiet, safe community – encouraged residents and visitors to call immediately if something is suspicious or needs a response – requested that information on Operation Outreach and house checks be put on Facebook.
Mayor Reid: got emails from Councilmen Vogel and Santanello about Coast Guard members who are not getting paid – called 10 businesses in town – spoke to the Coast Guard – they are overwhelmed with help – was approached about running a food drive – will speak with Coast Guard again tomorrow – Ocean First will freeze their loan payments and donate through their foundation – Coast Guard has rules on what they can receive – that's why he backed out to let business owners do their thing; just got back from Washington, DC with Congressman Smith – met with representatives from the Coast Guard – talked about old Coast Guard Station – 4 years ago, started discussing how town can take it over – are only ones looking to do that – they'd like to give it to PPB – environmental issues must be addressed (that will take until around October), then it will go to the GSA (like a real estate broker) to try to work a deal – told them about the boating museum – they are excited about it – looking good – were told it would take 7-10 years – will be 5 by the time it gets done – nearing the end of the process – Historical Society could go in there as well – meetings can be held there with each committee having its own room – museum boats can be outside – was a really great meeting.
BA/CFO Riehl: gas company is doing a project in town – received one day’s notice – asked them to put it off until fall – they said it couldn't be – project is expected to last 7-8 months – will work from Exxon south to Wessie & Marcia – will be shutting homes off and doing reconnects – then north back to Exxon – one lane closures on southbound side – northbound work in shoulders; bridge project is delayed until fall – will restore to 4 adequate lanes by early May – will now be 30-year bridge instead of 10 – will try to meet about this and drainage issues – they will get back to us (Mayor Reid: received a lot of calls from Borough and businesses) hopes to have up to Arnold done (Councilman Santanello: asked if gas company is responsible to fix roads when done) need to replace water mains – maybe can coordinate (Mayor Reid: asked for follow up meeting).
Clerk announced revisions to agenda. Councilman Kanitra asked that item 1y be considered separately (changed to Resolution 3).
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:12PM
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked about Caucus discussion (there was none).
Kelly Romanowski, PPB/Green Team Member: spoke about helping the Coast Guard.
Vince Castin, PPB: asked why Coast Guard station is taking so long, about item 1x, about recycling and about 2k.
Christopher Porzio, PPB: spoke about recycling/responsibility – lives across from lake and parking lot – straightens out garbage cans when they fall over and picks up plastic when he can – a lot of plastic has built up in the reeds the town planted – new mechanism is needed (Mayor Reid: asked that he, BA/CFO Riehl and DPW Super. Trout meet on this tomorrow).
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:23PM
Motion by Councilman Toohey 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 retroactive transfer resolution
1b Approval of S/E app for ACS Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, 10/20
1c Approval of W/S relief request
1d Approval of payment of Payroll #26 ($257,941.19) and Payroll #1 ($273,470.06)
1e Approval of payment to BTMUA for December bulk water usage ($52,119)
1f Approval of LOA for Employee #000047654
1g Approval of payment to T&M Assoc. from Planning Bd & BOA escrow accounts
1h Approval of pymt to the State of NJ for Jan. employee & retiree health benefits ($120,584.74)
1i Approval of payment to NJ DCA for 3rd quarter State training fees ($3,648)
1j Approval of payment to DEML&P from BOA escrow accounts
1k Approval of payment to D. Sweet from BOA & Planning Bd escrow accounts
1l Amendment to Resolution 2018-1204/2E (typo on VIN #)
1m Approval of ABC Social Affair Permit app for Chamber’s Beers on the Board event, 3/23
1n Re-approval of 13 Adopt-A-Spots
1o Approval of payment to Service Tire Truck Ctr for DPW vehicle repair & service ($3,766.22)
1p Approval of payment to Riggins for DPW diesel fuel ($3,731.60)
1q Approval of payment to Petroleum Traders Corp for DPW gasoline ($10,193.80)
1r Approval of PO to Johnny on the Spot for 2 standard port a johns ($260)
1s Authorization to auction surplus parking kiosks, parts and housings on Municibid
1t Approval of Arts Committee photography lessons at Borough Hall on 4/19, 4/26, 5/3
1u Approval of PO to Downs Ford for replacement engine for Police vehicle ($3,700)
1v Approval of payment to Park Builder for installation of swing unit & play unit ($7,800)
1w Approval of Temporary Capital Budget for 2019
1x Award of contract to Lenegan Plumbing & Heating for Water Meter Project ($1,310,633.50)
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($145,954.72)
2b Establishment of Police Department Rules & Regulations
2c Approval of payment to Brick Cardiovascular for Police candidate stress tests ($5K)
2d Approval of payment to The Fire Store for helmets & hoods for Fire Company No. 1 ($1,519)
2e Approval of pymt to The Fire Store for structural/extrication gloves for Fire Co No. 1 ($1,614)
2f Approval of pymt to Fire & Safety Svcs for preventative maint/svc for Fire Co No. 2 ($4,475)
2g Approval of pymt to Fire & Safety Svcs for preventative maint/svc for Fire Co No. 2 ($2,732.63)
2h Approval of participation in NJ Safe & Secure Comm Grant Prog/Auth for Mayor to execute app
2i Approval of pymt to Blue Line Emerg Lighting for Police patrol rifle mounts/installation ($2,916)
2j Approval of payment to Institute for Forensic Psych for 27 Police psychological exams ($8,775)
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel (except 1b & 2), Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut (except 2),
Santanello….YEA
Councilmen Vogel (1b & 2) and Migut (2)….ABSTAIN
Councilman Kanitra: asked Attorney Zabarksy if Council can consider a curb cut request for which there is no application (Attorney Zabarsky: no – explained appeal process; Councilman Cortes: also need Ocean County approval, as it's a County road).
Motion by Councilman Vogel to approved RESOLUTION 3: Approval of 10’-12’curb cut request at 128 Ocean Ave., per ZO Petrillo’s recommendation and contingent on Ocean County approval, was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Toohey, Migut, Santanello….YEA
Councilman Kanitra….NAY
ORDINANCE:
Ordinance 2019-01 (Bond Ordinance for Acquisition of Pay Station Parking Machine System) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Santanello to approve Ordinance 2019-01 on first reading was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by roll call vote. The public hearing will be held on February 5, 2019.
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut, Santanello
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:32PM.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked if seafood festival location has changed and if Broadway could be considered; asked where boat parade boats would be parked; asked about JCPL update on lights out – suggested a stop payment (Councilman Kanitra: asked for another accounting of lights out).
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:34PM.
Motion to adjourn by Councilman Migut was seconded by Councilman Kanitra and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM.
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
