Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Borough of Point Pleasant Beach
Council Meeting Minutes
July 2, 2019
The Governing Body reserves its right to amend and supplement the purposes of executive session by motion at the public meeting.
Mayor Reid called the meeting to order at 7:36PM. Present were Councilmen Cortes, Migut and Santanello. Councilmen Vogel, Kanitra and Toohey 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.”
Flag Salute, Invocation
Motion by Councilman Migut to approve the June 18, 2019 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Cortes, Migut, Santanello….YEA
Councilmen Vogel, Kanitra, Toohey….ABSENT
DISCUSSION:
BA/CFO Riehl: spoke about the NJDOT Municipal Aid, Bikeway & Safe Streets to Transit Program Application – must choose street for next funding project – there are 2 suggestions from Engineer Savacool – Central Avenue (Ocean-Chicago) or Boston Avenue (Trenton to Ocean) – consensus to apply for the Central Avenue option (Councilman Cortes: it’s a thoroughfare; Mayor Reid: would like the stop signs that Councilman Vogel has been pushing at the intersections) added as item ICC (Councilman Cortes: would like to revisit the Boston Avenue intersection, which looks bad – had to double-up the handicap ramps there and no one can plant anything).
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Cortes: recognized June employee anniversaries – Terry O’Conner 14 years, Brian Patton 5; looking for DPW summer help – Road Department Monday-Friday, 7AM-4PM, Sanitation Monday-Friday, 6AM-2PM – $12/hour – typically hire 3 – haven’t been able to get anyone and several are out – have only one on the truck – he volunteered to work on the back of the garbage truck for the next 4 Mondays – already worked this past Monday and was the only one in District 4 – was his third trip on the truck – eye-opening – recycling is put out on the wrong day and sits until pick-up, the cans with wheels were over 100lbs each and rentals/summer homes are putting out what should be bulk pick up items – will get input from DPW Super. Trout on whether ordinance needs to be adjusted and policies changed; new Police storage building is up – will extend the life of vehicles and equipment kept out of the elements; started pumping sand at the dunes – pipe was dropped at Bradshaw’s Beach and will go south; NJNG will suspend Rte. 35 work on July 4th and on weekends; County surveyors finally acknowledged the flooding problem at the Washington/St. Louis intersection – will try to put in a sump inlet/dry well – don’t know how well it will work – will be paving St. Louis (Atlantic-Newark) and will try to correct the problem maybe by pitching the gutters or tying the pipe into Blodgett Avenue; County also responded to Randall Avenue – still working on pipe and valve – an ongoing problem; locks on the railing at Inlet/Boardwalk have gotten heavy – railing needs to be fixed and the new one will not allow for locks; on Sunday night, found a vandalized/broken rocking chair – sent a picture to BA/CFO Riehl (Mayor Reid: asked BA/CFO Riehl to tell Community Endowment Fund Secretary Mills); been trying to get Ocean County to open the access underneath the Cooks Creek bridge over Broadway (Mayor Reid: directed him to talk to the Freeholder Director); Beautification is a great bunch of volunteers – noted the Ocean Star article about them – volunteers get all the credit – they work year-round and are hard to come by – asked BA/CFO Riehl to frame the article – noted the award winning garden (BA/CFO Riehl: will put the plaque they were awarded with the framed article).
Councilman Migut: reiterated that a water meter project is going on – all need to call the contractor to set up an appointment to have meters replaced (BA/CFO Riehl: over 1,000 done to date) hope to be done by October – should look for letter in the mail; Planning Board had an application for Daniels Bistro on agenda – decided it would be better heard by Board of Adjustment, so there will be no Planning Board meeting tomorrow night; asked if Beach Band parents were in attendance – asked that item 1o be considered separately (application is from Boro, not PPB) – moved to Resolution 3.
Councilman Santanello: Summer camp is in full swing and going well – thanked Saint Peter’s for the keys to the gym to be used on rainy days; Best Day program at the beach for handicapped kids is the 13th & 14th – parking will be at Borough Hall lot, if New Jersey Avenue is still closed – trolley has been contacted; gave Police report – reminded residents, due to recent rash of car thefts and burglaries, to lock vehicles and not leave keys inside and to report suspicious activity immediately – on June 20th, detectives charged Albert Tilton from Belmar, with burglary and theft for breaking into the Beach Diner – on behalf of the Department, gave thanks to Brick and Belmar Police for their assistance and kudos to PPB detectives – criminal arrests in June included 37 for marijuana, more than all the others combined – promoting positive interactions between Officers and the public on the Department’s Facebook page – participating in 7-Eleven Operation Chill which rewards youth observed in positive behavior – 30 children will attend the upcoming Police Youth Academy – Detective O'Neill is in charge – asked Council to look into ordinance addressing acceptable delivery times, as many complaints are received about delivery trucks in the early morning hours and the old noise ordinance is no longer enforceable (Chief Michigan: noise ordinance was changed 2-3 years ago – lot of complaints from residents around 7-Eleven south; Mayor Reid: should go back to the old ordinance) can re-pass it – looking for some teeth) asked Attorney Zabarksy to work with Chief on this this – 6PM–7AM – to address deliveries to businesses – added as item 1DD – Department will be assisted over the weekend by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, NJ Department of Homeland Security and the NJ State Police – wished all a Safe and Happy 4th of July; pointed out item 2g and Ordinance 2019-10/crossing guard raise – this Governing Body has been the most fiscally conservative ever – has always been against this but, come January 1st, the days of fiscal responsibility in this town are over – would like to approve things for people who deserve it before ending up bankrupt with the next administration (Mayor Reid: he and Councilman Toohey have really been on the issue of the crossing guard raise – was never voted on last year, but was in the budget – the money is there and it just makes sense).
Mayor Reid: plastic bag ordinance was put into effect last May or June – lot of stores bought into it – gave bags to residents – want to keep it going – a lot of bigger stores haven't been good partners – asked Attorney Zabarksy to look into the ordinance in terms of strengthening the fines – sent out letters, but then heard there was no teeth in the ordinance (Attorney Zabarksy: will speak to ZO Petrillo – thinks it wasn’t codified right – will get on top of it – added as item 1EE); wants to ban plastic straws – they are on the beaches and in the lakes – has talked to Chamber and others – businesses can use compost or paper straws – surrounded by water – should take the lead (added as item 1GG); spoke about increasing LOSAP for Fire and First Aid volunteers from $1K to $1,250 and adding bonus steps – they work very hard and it’s a way to attract and keep volunteers – would cost about an additional $11K – would have to be in next year’s budget (Attorney Zabarksy: will speak with BA/CFO Riehl about an ordinance); have spoken about the playground basketball courts for a couple of years – asked Council to move forward with his proposal for backboards and nets (BA/CFO Riehl: received the proposal in 2018, so costs received would be the minimum) asked BA/CFO Riehl if there is money in Open Space (BA/CFO Riehl: yes) – Order Approval to Liberty Parks & Playgrounds ($16,355) was added as item 1FF.
BA/CFO Riehl: Municipal Court is back – Monday was the first session – it was crowded, but otherwise fine – no issues – went smoothly; letters for the water metering project went out with the last bill – there won’t be additional letters going out; are incredibly short staffed in DPW, with a couple out on Workman’s Comp, others on selective surgery and others calling out sick – in an effort to read and get out one last round of water bills, employees Kathy Beno, Ita Brown and Christie Glass put on DPW shirts and went door to door reading meters this past week (Councilman Santanello: just shows how dedicated our staff is – great people work in town) there was a lag with the last billing because of the metering software installation, so everyone got a 4-month bill, which upset a lot of people – trying to have this one encompass just 2 months – this is the last time will have to physically read (Councilman Santanello: asked what will be done if people don’t respond, don’t make an appointment and show no interest) they have to get the meter changed or there will be some kind of a penalty – supposes the water could be shut off – can be one last round of letters (Mayor Reid: put it in the next water bill); there are 3,000-3,200 that need to be done (Councilman Santanello: so, people are ignoring us) some people may not be here until the summer months (Councilman Santanello: so, might get an uptick during the summer months); gave an update on the dune and dune project – was a partnering meeting this morning – a leak in the dredge pipe caused operations had to be shut down for the last 2 days – were on site today to fix it and recommence pumping this afternoon – 18,000 cubic yards to be pumped to the south, to the north side of the outfall, then 146,000 cubic yards to be pumped to the north – Makin to Morrison Avenue is now complete – estimated completion date is July 16th – plan is to flip and head back north on July 14th – are maintaining a corridor at the street ends, so none are blocked for access – County is still monitoring the situation with the outfall pipe – it was not functioning properly and the spillage was coming onto the beach instead of into the water – trying to determine a plan of action with the Corps – all the sand fencing in PPB will be completed this week – Maryland Avenue ramp should be done tomorrow – they have about 2 weeks to finish in PPB, then will demobilize and head out of the New Jersey Avenue lot, so 2 weeks from the 16th – during the initial pump, they lost 4 piles (large pipes) somewhere in the water – they need to locate them and bring them back on shore – they are having difficulty finding them and can't demobilize and leave until they do (Mayor Reid: need to meet with her, Engineer Savacool and Jay at Maryland Avenue this week or next – did a fundraiser for handicap mats – was planning from the end of the ramp, heading out toward the beach and maybe an L – need measurements, so he can tell the people how many mats are needed) Mr. Savacool is on vacation tomorrow and then for the next 2 weeks; Shore Top did the St. Louis and Curtis Ave. construction – they did a fantastic job and came in under budget by about $20K (Councilman Santanello: phenomenal – so rare to see – they were honest and said they were done early – hopes they can do all future roadwork; Councilman Cortes: integrity and honesty; Mayor Reid: Kiley is doing a lot of work on local roads for NJNG – infrared is not being done and the paving is horrible – asked BA/CFO Riehl to have Kiley come back; Councilman Cortes: asked if restriping would be done on Richmond Avenue – turn arrows were covered) received that complaint and asked for additional/clearer signage on left-hand turn and restriping of the markings there.
The Municipal Clerk announced additions and revision to the agenda.
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:19PM
David Cavagnaro, PPB: asked about items 1c, 1j, 1q, 1dd.
Vince Castin, PPB: asked about potholes on Boston Avenue and about item 1c.
Kevin Riordan, PPB: noted what he believed is a typo involving his name in the 6/18 minutes.
Kitty Stillufsen, PPB: PPB should come together as a united front against the Airbnb tax – does not pay for Animal House prosecutions, as there have been none in 3 years, as well as against pesticides.
Christopher Porzio, PPB: thanked Council for trash cans at Little Silver Lake.
Joan Cohen, PPB: asked about item 1r.
Councilman Migut: regarding Resolution 3, good cause – wouldn't need more than a card table and 2 chairs – asked about businesses offering them table space (Chief Michigan: spoke to the organizer, his friend – get applications all the time for this – Boardwalk is extremely crowded – it impedes the flow of traffic – already allow St. Peters to bring up a Jeep, the Fire Department a trailer with motorcycle, Disabled Veterans – a lot of great organizations – if all were approved would have no space for people (Attorney Zabarksy: need a permit to sell raffle tickets, but certain businesses allow people to come onto their property and sell) asked Chief Michigan to get back to his friend with that.
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:43PM
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 3 W/S relief requests
1b Approval of payment of Payroll #13 ($285,135.47)
1c Authorization to accept NJ Bureau of Housing Insp funds to inspect hotels & multiple dwellings
1d Approval of revised Council workshop meeting dates, as necessary, to accommodate Court sessions
1e Approval of salary adjustment for C. Glass for passage of course leading to certification
1f Approval of payments from Planning Board & developer escrow accounts
1g Approval of payment to USPS for prepaid postage ($4K)
1h Approval of payment to OC Landfill to replenish landfill escrow ($50K)
1i Approval of salary adjustments for P. Kile for passage of courses leading to certification
1j Approval of pymt to Stavitsky & Assoc for 2017-18 McDonald’s State tax appeal ($13,710.05)
1k Approval of pymt to All Points Printing & Graphics for 2019 water Quality Report ($2,883.42)
1l Memorialization of approval of partial pymt to B. Callander to replace/upgrade heat at WTP ($12K)
1m Approval of payment to C. Cochran for web site design ($2,750)
1n Approval of payment to the State of NJ for employee & retiree health benefits ($123,071.17)
1o CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AS RESOLUTION 3 PER COMMITTEE REPORTS
1p Approval of VFW ABC Social Affair Permit application for Fishing Tournament event on 8/17
1q Approval of pymt to Jersey Shore Lawn Sprinkler for NJ Ave. & Rte. 35N irrigation ($6,480)
1r Authorization for Engineer to proceed with Maryland & Delaware Ave. improvements
1s Approval of payment to Riggins for DPW diesel fuel ($5,774.68)
1t Approval of payment to Petroleum Traders Corp for DPW gasoline $13,757.04
1u Approval of payment to RIO Supply for water meters ($7,778)
1v Approval of PO to Cherry Valley Tractor Sales for DPW refuse scooter ($28,024.83)
1w Approval of PO to Liberty Parks and Playgrounds for 6 bike racks ($3,173.50)
1x Approval of salary adjustment for M. Schwarz for passage of courses leading to certification
1y Approval of Change Order/Final to Shore Top Const. for St. Louis Ave. imp. (-$19,949.74)
1z Approval of pymt of Pay Cert 2/Final to Shore Top Const. for St. Louis Ave. imp. ($12,086.66)
1aa Approval of Change Order/Final to Shore Top Const. for Curtis Ave. drainage imp. (-$16,478)
1bb Approval of pymt of Pay Cert 2/Final to Shore Top Const. for Curtis Ave. drainage imp. ($7,221.50)
1cc Authorization for Engineer to submit NJDOT Municipal Aid, Bikeway & Safe Streets to Transit
Program Application for Central Ave. – PER DISCUSSION
1dd Authorization for Attorney to work on the noise ordinance – PER MAYOR’S REPORT
1ee Auth for Atty to research if plastic bag ordinance needs strengthening – PER MAYOR’S REPORT
1ff PO to Liberty Parks & Playgrounds for basketball backboards/rims ($16,355) – PER MAYOR’S RPT
1gg Auth for Atty to draft an ordinance banning plastic straws – PER MAYOR’S REPORT
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($98,774.53)
2b Approval of PO to Firefighter One for 5 SCBA Air Pak sets for Fire Co No 1 ($55,762)
2c Approval of PO to Emerg. Accessories & Install. for Police Interceptor accessories ($14,081.16)
2d Approval of PO to Winner Ford for 2020 Police Interceptor ($32,889)
2e Approval of payment to Action Uniform for Police bike pants, belt, radio holder ($3,860.91)
2f Approval of pymt to McNamara Screenprint & Embroidery for PD shirts & shorts ($2,647)
2g Approval of crossing guard salary resolution
2h Approval of PO to Fire & Safety Svcs. for yearly truck maintenance for the Fire Dept. ($10K)
RESOLUTION 3:
Denial of Pt. Pleasant Band Boosters S/E app to sell raffles tickets on Boardwalk, 7/1-9/2
VOTE: Councilmen Cortes, Migut (except 2a, 2b, 2h), Santanello….YEA
Councilman Migut (2a, 2b, 2h)….ABSTAIN
Councilman Vogel, Kanitra, Toohey….ABSENT
ORDINANCE:
Ordinance 2019-10 (Amend Chapter 2-23 Personnel) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Cortes to approve Ordinance 2019-10 on first reading was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by roll call vote. The public hearing will be July 16, 2019.
VOTE: Councilmen Cortes, Migut, Santanello….YEA
Councilmen Vogel, Kanitra, Toohey….ABSENT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:44PM.
Dave D’Amico, PPB: spoke about failing conditions at Lake of the Lillies, which he has discussed with Mayor Reid, BA/CFO Riehl and Engineer Savacool for past 3 years – an ongoing problem since Sandy – asked if it’s in the budget and if something would be done.
Mona Waivada, PPB: asked if Engineer Savacool can be contacted tomorrow about the lake –were never informed about his options – just asking for higher level during summer – asked that she be informed when he is contacted – hasn't heard from anyone about the pictures she sent out – things were promised and discussed in May.
Tony Andretta, PPB: asked if town is being compensated for parking lot revenue lost during replenishment; asked Mayor Reid about negotiating the dune height in front of the Food Shack.
Christopher Porzio, PPB: thanked Mayor Reid for all he is doing for the town; read a letter he wrote about plastic and future generations.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: Arnold, Central and Boston Avenues have flooded for years during minor or flash rains – have not flooded since the Silver Lake valve project was completed – appreciates that it’s annoying for someone who lives on the lake that the water level has been reduced but it’s more annoying not be able to walk out of your house because of flooding – asked that it not be changed; commended and thanked Councilman Cortes for his work with the Beautification Committee; there are still lights out in the Silver Lake lot and on Arnold Avenue.
Vince Castin, PPB: agreed with Mr. Cavagnaro on the lake; requested Inlet bathroom open 8AM.
Mona Waivada, PPB: asked that Council try to raise the lake.
Joan Cohen, PPB: 3 weeks ago, full-growth trees (some in PPB right of way) that lined the walkway by her house on Maryland Avenue were bulldozed for the ADA ramp – they protected her house from Sandy – new dune is eroding into the walkway – Kelley Staffieri (Div. of Coastal Engineering) and Joe from ACOE will do nothing – would like a retaining wall – she'll plant something.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 9:16PM.
Motion by Councilman Migut to close public participation and adjourn was seconded by Councilman Santanello and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 9:16PM.
ATTEST:__________________________________
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
