Borough of Point Pleasant Beach MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:33 PM with Mayor Vogel and Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon and DiCorcia present. Councilman Mercun was absent due to illness. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Department Head Memos and correspondence were discussed with many items being moved to the agenda for action; decision on Lake Consultant appointment was held; Autism Speaks walk was added to addenda, from waiting list, as Polar Bear Plunge event moved to Seaside Heights; Councilman DiCicco announced a public hearing in early May regarding application for Open Space acquisition through Green Acres – Open Space tax will result in $317,000 this year, as opposed to $67,000 in the past – would like Governing Body to think about whether to leave it as is or to put it on the ballot to change – suggested sliding scale, from 1/2 cent to 1 cent (Attorney Starkey will see if permissible).
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, to enter closed session to discuss personnel (3) and contractual (3) matters, was seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia…YEA
Closed session started at 7:02 P.M. and ended at 7:36 P.M.
Mayor Vogel called the regular meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. Present were Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon and DiCorcia. Councilman Mercun was absent due to illness. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Robert “Buck” Mickle, a 65-year volunteer of the fire company and the Borough’s former Water Plant Superintendent.
Mayor Vogel recognized the youth of the community for their academic achievement and along with Councilmen Loughran and DiCorcia presented Certificates of Achievement to Geography Bee Winner Rodrigo Jordy and 1st runner-up Marielle Ravally, and to Spelling Bee Champion Victoria Schleip and 1st runner-up Dan West; Victoria Schleip could not attend because she was at Monmouth University competing in next round of competition.
Mayor Vogel opened discussion on proposed Ordinance 2007-06 (Residential/ Owner Parking Permits) to public for input.
Councilman Corbally: approximately 43% of taxpayers do not reside here all year but pay approximately $8.6 million in taxes – would like to see them get a parking pass.
Councilman DiCicco: during first year of program, one parking pass per home was made available to full-time residents – had concerns on how program would affect budget and taxes – effect was negligible – last December, was expanded to two per household – not sure that will be negligible – concerned about how it will affect revenues and about public comments made at last meeting – should take a slow approach, watch December amendment play out and see what the effect will be before moving ahead.
Councilman Corbally: would you be willing to cut back to one per household if it affects revenue (will keep an open mind).
Mayor Vogel: asked what if owner and renter wanted pass.
Attorney Starkey: only two residential passes per property – would have to be worked out between owner and residential tenants.
Mayor Vogel: puts our staff in position of mediating situation.
Joe Lemma, 203 St. Louis Avenue: live in town, pay taxes and didn’t send kids to school – have problem giving non-resident owners free parking – like to know how many municipalities give free parking in pay spots and how many parking tickets were given last year.
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: did cost workup last year for 100 cars, 200, etc – wound up with 185 – now talking about doubling and going to all property owners – with that kind of potential, suggest Council scrap plan – biggest income is from parking – why give that up?
Marilyn Burke, 118 Central Avenue: extending hours of operation in lots could cover revenue lost on resident passes – how can we make a judgment if we don’t know the official effect? (Councilman Loughran: police are seeing passes – understand Councilman Corbally’s intent, but agree with Councilman DiCicco in terms of taking it slow, as number of passes per family was recently increased from one to two) should review limiting it to street parking.
Louise Stillufsen, 301 River Avenue: not in favor of plan last year when it was passed – it’s discriminatory – extending it to every taxpayer will cause a serious detriment to commercial property holders – need to keep parking rotating, with meters generating revenue for town.
Vincent Barrella, 116 Niblick Street: last meeting, was told permits would not apply to seasonal renters – asked if property owner who does not use it can transfer to college kids (no – full time tenants only) – if going to try to rectify discrimination against one class of property owner, should look at the other class also.
Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: not in favor of parking permits when passed, but found it useful – if you’re going to expand, should not be to commercial property owners, but to residential homeowners only.
Frank Carey, 806 Briarcliff Avenue: Councilman Corbally was against it last year because of unfairness and loss of revenue – Councilman DiCicco was against it in Silver Lake lot – a lot of people don’t even know about this program – when they do, program will expand exponentially – asked how conflict would be resolved between resident tenant and property owner (between the two – would be property owner’s decision).
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: always disturbs me how people rationalize why it’s okay to discriminate – cost of this program is going to be shouldered by all taxpayers – if going to share the burden, should share the advantages – commend Councilman Corbally for doing something – although unpopular, morally right.
John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue: own several properties and rent year-round (2 for each property – either tenants or you).
Mr. Landers, 820 Oak Terrace: agree that all should be treated fairly and revert to one pass per household – agree with Councilman DiCicco’s concern about going too fast and seeing a significant loss of revenue.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, to table proposed ordinance 2007-06 before first reading, was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, DiCicco*, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Councilman Corbally….NAY
*Councilman DiCicco: don’t think it’s ready and needs more investigation
Ordinance 2007-03 (Civil Union Certificate Fees) was introduced on first reading.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-03 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on March 20, 2007.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2007-04 (Dog/Cat License Fees) was introduced on first reading.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-04 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on March 20, 2007.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2007-05 (Railroad Lot Parking Fees) was introduced on first reading. Attorney Starkey: couple of versions – other version included commuter parking which will be addressed in a separate ordinance next meeting.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-05 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on March 20, 2007.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2007-02 (Establish SF-2 Zone) was introduced on first reading.
Responding to questions from Council, Attorney Starkey stated that minor changes to square footage, side-yard, rear-yard setbacks would be minimal and would be moved on to Planning Board for their review. Councilman DiCicco will touch base with Elaine Petrillo about her memo.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2007-02 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on March 20, 2007.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Clerk Ellsworth added several items to Consent Resolution 2; Vince Barrella, 116 Niblick Street: asked about change in water/sewer rates (Councilman DiCicco explained) – when put in place, idea was to set up different structure for water and sewer – I&I was 40% more output than input – asked if this changed – haven’t done anything to alleviate through sealing of manholes (did that last year); Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: asked about promotional exam for position of sanitation driver; John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue: asked about ordinance to regulate Boardwalk repair.
Motion by Councilman Corbally, seconded by Councilman DiCicco, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Person to Person transfer of ABC License from Bezerra to Europa South, LLC
b) Designate the month of March as ‘Women’s History Month’
c) Appointments to Local Emergency Planning Commission
d) Permission for Chamber of Commerce to use public meeting room during 2007
e) Approval of Payroll #5 ($255,514.28)
f) Appointment of seasonal Class I (8) and Class 2 (1) Special Officers
g) Payment to Schulman, Wiegmann from Board of Adjustment escrow accts ($225)
h) Approval of February hand checks ($819,738.28)
i) Raffles License Application for Pt Pleasant Borough Rotary Club on 9/15/07
j) Award contract to Earle Asphalt for roadway improvement to Newark Ave ($157,613.13)
k) Approve quarterly installment payments to Parking Authority for 2007
l) Raffles License Application for Ocean Fire Company #1 on 9/16/07
m) Approval of membership in Ocean Fire Company #1
n) Authorize promotional exam for position of sanitation driver
o) Award of contract to A C Shultes, Inc. for decommissioning of potable water wells ($86,900)
p) Payment to JWT Excavating for work performed on Trenton Ave culvert ($20,456.09)
q) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($47,609.17)
r) Payments to Schoor Depalma from escrow accounts ($3769.50)
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) Oppose detailed printing associated with storm water regulations
b) Oppose ‘Tax Levy Cap Bill’
c) Support State Administrator’s position on affordable housing
d) Support S2269/S2289 rescinding state sales tax on municipal parking revenues
e) Support of Assembly and Senate bills on Autism measures
f) Emergency Appropriation to 2007 Temporary Budget
g) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($39,880.22)
h) Payments to Pt Pleasant Bicycle for police patrol bicycles ($2252.86)
i) Payment to Riggins for diesel fuel purchased thru coop pricing system ($5365.50)
j) Payment to Sungard/HTE for police computer systems maintenance ($19,540)
k) Payment to Hutchins, Farrell, Meyer & Allison for professional services ($6050)
l) Water/sewer bill adjustments (6 accts)
m) P O to Four Points Heating & Cooling for AC/Heat pump ($3950)
n) Authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance increasing w/s rate between 5% and 7.5% as per memo from CFO
o) Approve Arthritis Foundation special event application for walk on 4/29/07
p) Approve PPB Little League special event app for opening day parade on 4/21/07 and Ocean County road use application
q) Approve Autism Speaks special event application for walk on 09/30/07
r) Authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance regulating Boardwalk construction as per recommendations from Borough Engineer
s) P O to Robert “Buck” Mickle Memorial Scholarship Fund ($250)
t) Authorize Borough Attorney to change time restriction on handicap space in front of St. Mary’s By The Sea Church
u) Authorize increase to 35-hour workweek for w/s billing clerk
v) Appoint Sandra Petersen to the part-time position of clerk in the Municipal Clerk and Finance offices
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Mayor Vogel: several consent resolution items came from Mayors Association – one opposes legislation that requires that the entire State storm water management regulations, instead of just a reference to it, be included in new ordinances; thanked Bill Dressel and League of Municipalities for backing town by taking strong stance against tax on municipal parking revenues; appointed Holly Harris, Barbara Molner, Susan and Frank Carey, and Stephanie Prezioso to the Municipal Alliance Committee; fire department has been applying for grants and has received over $105,000, which will cover 95% of the cost of exhaust apparatus and an emergency generator for the firehouse; appointed Mary Mossa, Sonya Lopez and Cornelia Calderone to the Planning Board and Daniel Hennessy as Mayor’s Representative; town received great feedback on improving eye sores – Municipal Clerk looking to see if we can get feedback online regarding improving properties; have two openings on Shade Tree Committee and one on Environmental Commission – contact Mayor with interest; showed sample calendar printed in local newspaper – gives events and openings on committees and refers back to town web-site – asked that Council look into same.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Loughran: summer is bearing down on us – exhausted our contract for Maryland Avenue Beach (made changes to technical requirements – advertised with bid opening on March 22nd); asked if, once potable wells decommissioned, will follow up with removing building on Board of Education property (yes); ornamental light on Bay Avenue, in front of Valentine House, needs repair (trying to order parts from company in Canada).
Councilman Corbally: thanked Ben Dispoto, CME and Bob Meany for working on expansion project at public works and a better way to handle recyclables; waiting for installation of DSL line at Inlet parking area; had meeting here last night with T&M and stakeholder to look at Broadway corridor – got a lot of suggestions.
Mayor Vogel: received letter from McDonalds commending police officers for their actions regarding burglary on February 19th.
Councilman DiCicco: Finance Committee met with Parking Authority – front and center will be improvement of ‘Bordens’ lot – waiting for revised plan from Schoor DePalma – Parking Authority will give $50,000 – only black-out period will be during Seafood Festival – authorized payment of $110,000 yearly revenue to Parking Authority for 2007; regarding FEMA program, Frank Little will finalize flood management plan – finalizing brochure – require real estate agents to tell buyers where they are in flood zone and that they must have flood insurance to get a federally insured mortgage.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, to authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance requiring real estate agents to notify buyers that they are in a flood zone and must have flood insurance to get a federally insured mortgage, was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon, DiCorcia….YEA
Councilman DiCicco: spoke about Green Acres in caucus session and about Open Space tax – 1cent with new valuation will be about $310,000 instead of $67,000 – beginning to think about whether it should go back on ballot and asked Borough Attorney to research – asked if Shade Tree Committee could meet on the first Monday of each month; need to post bond for subdivision improvements and commercial improvements – troubled and have received calls from residents regarding damage done by those doing over 50% value construction – asked Council to consider having Borough Attorney draft ordinance to expand bonding to include this.
Councilman Dixon: last meeting, mentioned about Garden State Seafood property and Code Enforcement Officer Petrillo sent them letter – they already cleaned up; magazines and news racks starting to pop-up – Code Enforcement Officer Petrillo sent letters to existing ones and will send to new ones popping up in the spring – if not compliant with town regulations, will put red sticker on and town will remove; discussed Police Department and Special Officers to help with code enforcement – Building Department met with Chief and appears there will be two to three Special Officers, monitored by Chief, and assigned to look for code enforcement problems and building violations – will be trained by Code Enforcement Officer Petrillo and Construction Officer Gardner – will put in CAD system and that record will be forwarded to Code Enforcement – need public to continue to call in violations; MAC going to have town-wide garage sale on May 5th – talked about having town pick-up the week after at no charge to residents – big help to those doing spring clean-up – pick-up will be on regular garbage day – just residential properties (Councilman Loughran asked if there would be a limit to number of items; Councilman DiCorcia suggested a flat fee; Councilman DiCicco asked if going to be further formulation on number of pieces).
Councilman DiCorcia: have request from St Mary’s for relief on their handicap space from just Sundays to 24/7; will meet with Board of Education to try and improve attendance at meetings; it’s Women’s History Month – need more of you to get involved in political process.
Councilman Loughran: asked Clerk Ellsworth to inform Planning Board Clerk about new appointees and to inform new appointees of next meeting on Monday at 6:30 PM.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 9:09 P.M.
Marian Latendorf, 804 Oak Terrace: just found out that there was an approval of a three story, 12 condo building with retail use – was only advertised in “Asbury Park Press” – asked if location is one permitted in the new Master Plan – don’t know where they are going to park – Methodist Church is across the street – asked if Council was in favor of three stories in new Master Plan (Mayor Vogel: in the core downtown and Marine Commercial area – new urbanization embraces this concept in the core business area – report published by Rutgers actually talks about this putting less strain on infrastructure than single family homes; Councilman DiCicco: sat on review committee and was in favor of third stories in certain areas – will be sent to Planner and Planning Board; Councilman Loughran: open to debate on that – some of our businesses have third floors – if you look at business area from years ago they had three stories).
Patty McAndrew, 117 Randall Street: thanked Administrator Riehl for help with broken water meters; asked about hand checks; asked who is in charge of NPP – missed meeting (missed Broadway corridor grant meeting) asked about how you know if a meeting is public (was told to speak with Clerk Ellsworth, who will post meetings on town web-site).
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: thanked Administrator Riehl, on behalf of Beautification Committee, for getting water pits installed in two garden spots and Councilman Corbally for invitation to join sprinkler installer and provide feedback; asked if any thought of putting signs up at the five or ten areas that flood quickly (will look into); asked if any projects on drawing board for 2007; asked to look at flapper valves on Lake Louise – at Baltimore Avenue, around Harvard, water goes into street during wind event and not necessarily rain; complimented Mayor for getting more information to the public – asked that they get more information to public about how public meeting functions.
Administrator Riehl: had pre-construction meeting on Phase III – will start on or about April 1st; Newark Avenue improvements scheduled to commence this spring; Board of Education structure moved and will get necessary permits from Building Department; letter sent to Medi-Gap and talking to Building Department; solicited quotes for hydro-seeding and for pruning trees downtown; contacted Manasquan on ATM machines in parking area – they are bank machines and Manasquan does not derive any revenue from them – scrapped doing on their Boardwalk; interviewing on Thursday for NPP Coordinator position; followed up on Meet the Mayor session: Code Enforcement still looking for additional information on Briggs bus stop – sign on ‘Surf Chevy’ building will be changed to correct location – parked cars at Branning, outside the fenced in area, not to exceed 15 day parking limit.
Joe Lemma, 203 St. Louis Avenue: hair was a lot darker when recommended putting meters in railroad lot – talked about putting meters on Cooks Lane; asked about what money ATM machines were taking in (bank property, not Manasquan’s).
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: checked on Boardwalk repair/replacement – nowhere in ordinance does it say the Boardwalk is not included in other building regulations – permit was required – they never checked underground piping or wiring – should have posted a $300,000 bond – see you’re on your way to rectifying – asked where is your Code and Building Official – they should have hopped on it, if they knew their own ordinance.
Vincent Barrella, 116 Niblick Street: asked if owner of property in SF2 zone, who now has variance, but looses litigation, can come back and get without variance (Attorney Starkey: recommend against giving an opinion as judge is deciding) asked what is general rule (can change during pendancy); asked if it is okay to discriminate against seasonal renters over permanent renters (within power of Governing Body to make that distinction); asked if someone can buy a commuter pass and park in railroad lot from Thursday night through Monday morning – cheap way for seasonal residents to park – if they can push out the commuters, that’s a real problem.
John Szafranski, 319 Yale Ave: would like to see list of items, that are brought up at meetings, with items removed only when they are concluded – such as pay-to-play situation (working on) and tourist money (Tourism expense study being worked on – impossible to go over every piece of business Borough is working on – getting money from hotel/motel tax).
Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: Officer Gunning should get a commendation because of the food drive he ran and got students involved with; requested that people be asked not to put out recyclable items at special pick-up after MAC garage sale; asked what is going on with property near ‘Putt Putt’ – burned out building (went before Planning Board, but had no quorum)
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD CLOSED AT 9:48 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 p.m.
Transcribed By:
Sandra Petersen
Attest: Maryann Ellsworth, Municipal Clerk
