Borough of Point Pleasant Beach COUNCIL MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:30 PM with Mayor Barrella and Council Members Loughran, Cervino, Dixon and DiCorcia present. Council Members Mercun and Tooker were attending the League of Municipalities Convention. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Alan Weinberg, New Jersey Transit informed Council about need and plans to widen two-track tunnels – once project is completed, N J Transit will be able to run more express trains.
Patty O’Connor, Beautification Committee: updated Council on current Beautification Committee projects and future plans; Dave Cavagnaro added that the “Welcome” sign is getting dry rot and needs replacement – smaller one was replaced for $1200 and anticipating $7500 to 10,000 to replace this one.
Curt Leach and Ben Dispoto, Recycling Task Force: explained Galaxy proposal for recycling – will provide compactor and give town published price per ton, as listed in “Wall Street Journal” or “New York Times” – need to purchase compactor, anyway, for recycling center roll-offs – will save us about $1500/year in bringing roll-offs to County and about $20,000 for compactor – due to global commodity market, County will be giving us less for mixed paper – recommendation of Recycling Task Force was to take part in Option 1 offered by Galaxy, the paper stream. Council asked Task Force to obtain proposals from other companies, if there are any, providing like services.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to enter closed session to discuss 2 possible litigation and 2 contractual matters, was seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
Closed session started at 7:12 P.M. and ended at 8:06 P.M.
Mayor Barrella called the regular meeting to order at 8:08 P.M. Present were Council Members Loughran, Cervino, Dixon and DiCorcia. Council Members Mercun and Tooker were attending the League of Municipalities Convention. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Department head memos and correspondence were discussed and several items were added to Consent Resolution 2 for action; action on dog licensing fees and Reorganization meeting was held.
Motion by Councilman Loughran to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2008 and October 21, 2008 Council Meetings, was seconded by Councilman Dixon and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-50 (Extend prohibition on first floor professional offices in GC zone to Bay and Trenton Avenues) was considered on second reading. Mayor Barrella opened hearing to the public.
Ray Bogan, Bay Avenue property owner: property has been used as professional business for 20+ years and has not caused any dimunition of that area to prosper as a commercial site – employees who work in the building shop in the area – concerned about marketing that property in the future due to change of use – will have a negative impact on property across the street where they have difficulty renting at all and will now be faced with fewer options – may be a perceived problem on Arnold Avenue but not on Bay Avenue – ordinance addresses a problem which is non-existent – asked Council to reject ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Cervino, to close public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2008-50, was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon and Loughran*; Mayor Barrella…..YEA
Council Members DiCorcia, Cervino….NAY
*Councilman Loughran: first floor of Bay and Arnold Avenues, in GC zone, should be used for strictly retail space – would hate to see a retail store close, using Bay Ave as example, and have a doctor, real estate, or attorney office go in on first floor – there is plenty of second floor space on both of those streets where those professional services can be utilized and on other streets in that area.
Ordinance 2008-52 (Pre-Existing Curb Cuts) was considered on second reading. Mayor Barrella opened hearing to the public.
Mr. Morris: questioned impact to his property.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to close public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2008-52, was seconded by Councilman Dixon and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran…..YEA
Council Members DiCorcia, Cervino….NAY
Ordinance 2008-53 (Regulations for Dogs on Maryland Ave Beach) was considered on second reading. Mayor Barrella opened hearing to the public – asked that vote be deferred until next meeting.
Vince Castin: expressed opposition as a beachgoer
Dave Cavagnaro: expressed concern, that if vote is deferred, missing Council members will not hear public discussion before voting.
Kristin Hennessy, Chair of Animal Welfare Committee: spoke in favor of ordinance and thanked Council for postponing vote.
Councilman DiCorcia: asked about number of dog summonses that were issued by police.
Anthony Lombardo: opposed due to picking up after dogs on beach, which is used by children.
Vince Castin: human welfare should take precedence over animal welfare.
Motion by Councilman Cervino, to close public hearing on Ordinance 2008-53, was seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
Motion by Councilman Cervino, to postpone vote on Ordinance 2008-53 to the December 2, 2008 Council meeting, was carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
Ordinance 2008-55 (Multi-Purpose Bond) was introduced on first reading.
Councilman Cervino: suggested Council consider people over products – asked if it was preferable to employ less people with new equipment or employ more people without it; Councilman Loughran: explained that Council had passed many bond ordinances over the years and much of the money has never been used – day will come when town will need an ambulance, dump truck, etc – bond ordinance puts the money in place to use for these purchases.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-55 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Tooker, Loughran….YEA
Ordinance 2008-56 (Phase I Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Bond) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-56 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Tooker, Loughran….YEA
Ordinance 2008-57 (Bicycles on Boardwalk) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-57 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
Ordinance 2008-58 (Resident Parking Pass Use in Train Lot) was introduced on first reading.
Councilman Cervino: only full time residents of Florida received their homestead checks, so not unreasonable to limit parking passes to full time residents; Councilman Dixon: agreed with moratorium on parking pass use – this ordinance should be amended to allow parking pass use by all homeowner taxpayers not just full time residents – vast majority of those on Parking Committee agree that full time residents and part/time resident homeowners should be treated equally.
Motion by Councilman Dixon, to amend ordinance to include taxpayers, was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and defeated by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon….YEA
Council Members Cervino, Loughran; Mayor Barrella….NAY
Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-58 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Cervino, Loughran.…YEA
Council Members Dixon….NAY
Clerk Ellsworth added items to consent resolutions; Dave Cavagnaro: should wait for protocol on special events to be passed before any events are approved; asked if moratorium on resident parking pass program is for this year (moratorium until Council decides to lift it – have until April 1st before meters are in effect); Jay Reynolds: many residents feel parking pass program is an important benefit – questioned $12,000 payment to Ray’s Sports Shop; Stewart Fischer: questioned payment, on voucher list, regarding ammunition; Ben Dispoto: questioned number of guns purchased and what is done with old weapons; Mayor Barrella: Glasson letter demonstrates what is wrong with arbitration system in this State; Councilman DiCorcia asked for explanation of item 1/c.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino, resolutions covering the items listed below were carried by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Moratorium on issuance of parking passes
b) Payments to McKeon Electric for miscellaneous supplies and electrical services at recycling center and borough yard ($4698.37)
c) Payments to Ray’s Sports Shop for arms and ammo ($12,258.52)
d) Approval of Payroll #22 ($235,627.98) and Payroll #23 ($222,828.40)
e) Payments to CMX from Board of Adjustment accts ($480)
f) Payment to Deptcor for 8’ X 12’ building ($3500)
g) Payment to Cyclone Air Power for air compressor ($2,737.00)
h) Salary adjustment for K Beno for passage of certification course
i) Scheduled Payment to PPB Board of Education ($774,463)
j) Payment of 3rd quarter 2008 allocation to Open Space Trust Fund ($63,888.30)
k) Payment to PPB to correct developer escrow interest ($12,670.81)
l) Cancel outstanding check from 2007 ($8.20)
m) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($927,916.90)
n) Change Order #3 to Ace Manzo for Sanitary Sewer improvement ($20,619.91)
o) Progress Pay’t #4 to Ace Manzo for Sanitary Sewer improvement ($88,766.84)
p) Approval of PPB Bicycle Plan for the N J DOT
q) Authorization to advertise RFPs for 2009 professional services
r) Release developer escrow account interest ($4825.98)
s) Reject bids and authorize re-bid on municipal building roof replacement project
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
c) P O to CDW-G for Symantec GSA ($253)
d) Payments to Galvin Law Firm from Planning Board accounts ($2119.20)
c) Payment to R Glasson for PBA contract arbitration ($5,250)
d) W/S bill adjustments (7 accts)
e) Approve amendment to Schedule ‘C’ agreement with County of Ocean
f) Payment of 4th Quarter installment to OCUA ($296,010)
g) Transfer of funds between 2008 budget accounts
h) Payments to Pedroni Fuel for diesel fuel and gasoline ($39,227.15)
i) P O to SPS VAR, LLC for police computer operating system upgrade ($5175)
j) Payment to Sensus Metering for meter reading equipment ($3000)
k) Payment to Nasce for work under NPP Grant ($2776.15)
l) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($478,066.96)
m) Transfer of Board of Adjustment, Planning Board and developer escrow accts. Interest ($10,574.84)
n) Approval of Payroll #24 ($250,941.67)
o) Award contract for municipal building rehab to Roof Diagnostics ($75,242) – Closed Session Item
p) Authorize draft of ordinance creation handicap space adjacent to 123 Griffiths
q) Authorization to amend ordinance regarding employee opt-out of health care benefits – Closed Session Item
r) Approval of Multiple Sclerosis Society S/E application for bike tour on 5/16/09
s) Approval of Jersey Shore Relay S/E application for Special Olympics relay on 4/18/09
t) Authorize draft of ordinance to address need for posting of performance bonds on road openings affecting state roads
u) Approval of Joe Leone’s request to use trailers on property during holiday season
v) Authorize O’Donnell Stanton to proceed with proposal for Sanitary Sewer Improvement Program to address sewer main lining on New Jersey Ave at Railroad crossing
w) Authorize O’Donnell Stanton to proceed with proposal for Sanitary Sewer Improvement Program to evaluate Phase I System
x) Permission for PPB Girl Scout Troops to clean-up inlet area
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
Request for curb-cut relief at 19 Niblick Street was considered.
Arthur Morris, owner of property: driveway curb cut is currently 23′ – going to 16′ would take away one space in driveway, due to setback of house from street and sidewalk – although eliminating space in driveway, additional curbing would not be enough to create another on-street parking space – will be putting one more car on an already congested street.
Councilman Dixon: gave relief to last one for aesthetics – this should be granted, as not granting will make it difficult to get in and out driveway
VOTE: Council Members DiCorcia, Dixon, Cervino, Loughran….YEA
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman DiCorcia: gave felicitations to Frank Rizzo and Sean Hennessey; asked who authorized signs by St. Peters Church, 10’ from tracks to highway (State); thanked Engineer Savacool and Building Code Department for immediate response on problem after repaving New York Avenue; congratulated Vinnie Capra for 67 years of marriage; attended Veteran service, November 9th at the VFW; wished all a Happy Thanksgiving; Historical Society’s “History Term Paper” lists seven of Point Pleasant Beach’s major fires – the Point Pleasant Beach volunteer Fire Department has always responded beyond the call of duty – thanked them for phenomenal job.
Councilman Dixon: reported on Building and Code Department activities – things have not slowed down; Construction Official Gardner was presented with an award for getting Point Pleasant Beach back into the FEMA community rating system – will give 5% reduction to Point Pleasant Beach residents who need flood insurance.
Councilman Cervino: wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving; all who worked on FEMA approval deserve our gratitude; recently saw Beautification member, Dave Cavagnaro, out in heavy wind putting up holiday decorations – hopes residents will thank Beautification members for all they do; Chamber of Commerce recently gave the Department of Public Works a pizza party, which demonstrates town camaraderie; plans for Blues & Jazz Fest are proceeding – will be held on either June 20th or 21st; Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) has been brainstorming on other events, with unique ideas coming forth – working on a database – TAC will be changing their twice a month meetings to once a month – the other meeting will be designed for sub-committees.
Councilman Loughran: last meeting, Mayor Barrella had asked Councilman DiCorcia and him to come up with updated rules and regulations for special events – there are over 90 special events from January through December, including walks, concerts, sports, etc. – major walks are: Alzheimer’s, Kidney & Urology, Autism, Cystic Fibrosis, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society; recommended the following: event organizers provide written notice of date/time/route to residents and publish in the “Ocean Star” at least seven days prior to event, information be available on town web-site, no amplified sound or bullhorn used before 9AM on Saturday or before 10AM on Sunday, no loud music, parking fees continue to be waived at Mayor and Council’s discretion, zero-tolerance policy for illegally-parked cars, residents must be permitted to exit and enter their properties during events.
Councilman DiCorcia: Governing Body should address next year, when events take place – thought notification on web-site and in “Ocean Star” was sufficient – frustrated that you can’t put fliers in people’s mailboxes, so notifying residents gets a little tough; Councilman Cervino: asked if feasible to require groups to put up monies in an escrow account and, if they fail to do what is required, would lose the revenue – questioned why we would want to waive parking fees – need to establish a uniform policy – recommended collecting fees (in parking lots) during events; Councilman Loughran: non-waiver of fees will impact neighboring properties, especially during early morning.
Councilman Loughran: south facing “No Dogs Allowed” signs on Boardwalk are faded and need replacement – telephone pole at corner of River Avenue and Grove Street was hit last year, with paver sidewalk destroyed, some pavers had to be removed – JCP&L installed a new pole and someone took those valuable pavers – old pole is still there a year later – have same situation near Frankie’s Restaurant, where pavers still need to be replaced.
Mayor Barrella: met with Councilmen-elect Hennessey & Rizzo, along with Councilman Mercun and Administrator Riehl; congratulated both newly-elected candidates and other candidates; received a letter from DOT Commissioner approving a $225,000 grant for road improvements to Channel Drive; met with Councilman Mercun and Administrator Riehl to review Councilman’s request that Borough financial information be on website – there are some conflicting issues – while certain things are matter of public record, some are fundamental issues of privacy – while they may not be applicable in a legal sense, they are applicable in a moral sense – decision Council will have to make and, until they do, nothing will go up.
Councilman DiCorcia: suggested the Governing Body consider instituting a policy permitting newly-elected Councilmen into executive session (Attorney Gertner: not sure if legal for closed session); Mayor Barrella: suggested bringing newly-elected councilmen to a Council meeting, to view from the Council perspective.
Mayor Barrella: no Administrative report today since Administrator Riehl is attending League of Municipalities meeting, as is Councilman Mercun and Councilwoman Tooker – noted that new Council people benefit greatly from being there – one of the things that was done away with was the stipend to defer expenses there – it is important – suggested Councilmen-elect Rizzo & Hennessy attend.
Councilman Cervino: reached out to several members of clergy regarding intent of ordinance on non-conforming uses and parsonages – those he spoke with were amenable – they have some concerns which he will discuss with Council – tax issue needs to be looked at; Mr. Hurler analyzed local occupancy tax numbers, indicating hotel/motel tax is down 19.2% in 2008 – one way to stimulate activity is to reduce taxes – suggested that Council consider doing something about the hotel/motel tax.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 9:54 P.M.
Stewart Fischer: suggested that, after the Pledge of Allegiance the Mayor or Clerk ask all, who wish to speak, to swear they are telling the truth; spoke on need to inform members of the audience when they are speaking into the wrong microphone – should be known that a private citizen is paying for recordings of every council meeting – should have nameplate letting public know who that transcription company represents; proposed property swapping program; complained that Mayor was speaking with Sean and Dan Hennessy, at 7:40 pm, at challenger table at polls (during the General Election), without having Challenger badge – suggested Mayor resign.
Kristen Hennessy: vouched for Mayor Barrella – at 7:40 pm on election night, she was sitting at District 1 & 2 beside her father, wearing her Challenger badge, and the Mayor was not present.
Max Gagnon: problem with time taking to solve the I&I problem – asked why we didn’t bond and bid the entire project in one year and complete the job.
Dave Cavagnaro: timer for first few speakers going at 4 minutes, not 5; thanked DPW for leaf removal and Councilman Dixon for standing up for more than 40% of the taxpayers not allowed to participate in current train lot proposal; spoke about taking over River Avenue; concerned about location and number of signs at train station.
Bill Knapp: spoke about saving money by reducing the number of off-season garbage and recycling pick-ups; suggested having full-time employees during the off season and having extra police offers and DPW guys during the summer time.
Anthony Lombardo: spoke about derelict buildings on Channel Drive, signs missing on Philadelphia and Chicago Avenues; asked about performance bonds on builders; some Point Pleasant Beach taxpayers are being laid off and can no longer afford to live in town; asked about status of DCA police staffing study.
Bernard Miles: spoke about his request for water bill relief, which was denied at last meeting – hurt when he heard inferences that he wasn’t taking responsibility as a taxpayer – asked why Water Department didn’t catch zero readings for five quarters.
Craig Jones: asked about cuttings at Lake of the Lillies.
Ben Dispoto: asked Mayor about posting financial information on web-site; asked Governing Body to consider additional summer meetings.
Councilman DiCorcia left the meeting at 10:30 pm.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD ENDED AT 10:42 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 P.M.
