Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Borough of Point Pleasant Beach
Council Meeting Minutes
October 15, 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 regular meeting to order at 7:34PM. Present were Councilmen Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey and Migut. Councilman Vogel arrived at 7:51PM. Councilman Santanello was 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 Toohey to approve the October 1, 2019 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Kanitra and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey….YEA
Councilman Migut….ABSTAIN
Councilmen Vogel, Santanello….ABSENT
PROCLAMATIONS:
Mayor Reid presented proclamations to Matt Willbergh, Ocean County Library Point Pleasant Beach Branch Manager, in recognition of National Friends of Libraries Week, and to Deiann Franklin, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Chair, Woman’s Club Pt. Pleasant, in recognition of National Adoption Month.
DISCUSSION: Dog Park
Mayor Reid: things are going well and moving smoothly with DOT – talking about a cut-in for parking at the property that was discussed in the past – they are awaiting approval – hopes to provide an update and more good news at next the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Cortes: flower barrel on the northwest corner of Arnold and Richmond was destroyed; Arnold Ave. sidewalk is completed – paving today – great idea to have concrete right up to the curb – couldn’t grow grass there – guys were measuring to get the grade right; sea wall at Jenkinson’s has been started – pressure treated wood is on top – it’s Jenkinson’s project but a lot of people around town have asked about it – Boardwalk is still blocked off by Broadway; since the guardrail was removed at the end of Broadway, suggested discussing functional and decorative bollards that can also act as bike racks (Councilman Kanitra: Bay Head has built-in bike loops that are aesthetically pleasing – if these would have a dual function, that would be good idea; Mayor Reid: Bay Head’s are nice, but still need bike racks in that area); fence at the Inlet T was repaired – was a flurry of displeasure on social media about removing the fence because of all the locks on it – it needed to be replaced – there is already a new lock on it – doesn’t like the locks – they detract from the view (Councilman Kanitra: combined weight will eventually break the next fence too) can handle the locks more than the over-decorated benches (Mayor Reid: he thinks the locks are great – could have left them and fixed the one area); NJ Transit has pretty much completed the Washington Ave. crossing – will then shift to New Jersey Ave.; gave Police report for Councilman Santanello – training included Canine In Service for Patrol & Scent Work, SWAT, Internal Affairs Investigator School, Resiliency Training – activity includes the Breast Cancer Walk on October 20th – Lt. Kowalewski is handling the planning for the expected crowds and 20K+ participants – expect heavy traffic congestion due to NJ DOT construction on Rte. 35 bridge – community policing includes daily house checks while people are away, upon completion of a form; he and Councilman Kanitra were on same Tug-of-War team – kudos to the Police Department for keeping traffic flowing around Inlet Dr. and DPW was superb – beat Manasquan 6-4 – Mayor’s trophy came home – good day and night at Duke's.
Councilman Kanitra: regarding item 1l – Rob Earle. the owner, contacted him and Councilman Cortes as a result of the discussion on prior negative experience – very encouraging – trying to make sure contractors do the work they are being paid for – seemed to be genuine concern on his end to meet with them about getting better value on PPB projects – in the essence of moving things forward on St. Louis Ave., it's on agenda – have good indication from Mr. Earle that they will be looking at projects more closely going forward – meeting with Councilman Cortes, Engineer Savacool, BA/CFO Riehl and Earle next week; he and Councilman Cortes met with Ira Waldman, Tom Curcio and two drivers at Fire Company No. 2 – talked about their current truck which is nearing the end of its usefulness at 20 years old – appraised Councilman Toohey of the situation – looking for a $775K new firetruck and $37K in additional supplies – current truck is in need of $25K-35K of repairs – could forego that by getting a new truck – current one is only valued at $20K-30K and is lacking basic safety components; Arts Committee is having a Dinner & Movie Night at B2Bistro on October 30th, showing Scream – $5 to register on pointbeacharts.com/pay for dinner at B2Bistro (Councilman Vogel arrived at 7:51PM) Environmental Commission asked him to express their concerns about the yellow line painting on Arnold Ave. by the lake – suggested, per their meeting with the Fire Marshall, that it be extended to the telephone pole, so a truck can turn around, if necessary – will cost one parking spot – asked BA/CFO Riehl if that's possible (BA/CFO Riehl: if that's what all want – has always been a parking spot – was a request this year to yellow the curb in front of it – parking on Randall is at a premium; Councilman Vogel: was in the Fire Lane ordinance that was updated).
Mayor Reid: asked Councilman Cortes if he spoke to Capt. Fioretti about the First Aid truck (Councilman Cortes: did not have a chance – call her tomorrow).
Councilman Toohey: thanked BA/CFO Riehl for year-to-date revenues – last year, were looking at a $300K revenue deficit – the revenue side of a budget is important – impressed with PPB’s ability to regenerate surplus because there are revenue streams – but it is one part – are currently up, year-to-date, $288,773.00 in revenue – not a one to one corollary to the tax rate – nice to have a cushion, but it isn’t the driver of what the overall tax rate is – parking is a big winner – people are using the meters and not getting as many tickets, so Court is down – cell tower leases are up – asked about PBA receipts (BA/CFO Riehl: that’s the contract with Pete Andreyev – they reimburse for his salary and benefits) building permits and interest on investment are up (Mayor Reid: asked why cell tower is up; BA/CFO Riehl: get a percentage in each contract every year; Mayor Reid: sees $375K in delinquent taxes; BA/CFO Riehl: recoup 100% of prior year’s delinquent tax at tax sale each year – it is scheduled for late November – the later it is scheduled, the more interest is made; Councilman Kanitra: asked why there is nothing in the grants category (BA/CFO Riehl: didn't include grants because there is revenue and appropriate offset – each year it is different, but it is a wash; Councilman Kanitra: asked where Airbnb taxes went; BA/CFO Riehl: it is coming in grouped with hotel/motel tax, which is only up a small amount – State's monthly distribution rate is not broken down – is only one new individual on the list, which seems unreasonable; Councilman Kanitra: need to get to the bottom; BA/CFO Riehl: been consistently anticipating $275K and it’s been over in the last few years) BA/CFO Riehl has done a good job of being conservative with anticipated revenue and it puts PPB in a good situation – in pretty good shape for 2020, but cautioned that it can very easily be eaten up.
Councilman Migut: over the past few months, been asking people to contact the plumber to get their water meter changed – on the agenda is a penalty if it hasn’t been done by October 10th (BA/CFO Riehl: over 400 delinquent – been robo-calls, mailings, etc. – Lenegan continues to contact people; Councilman Kanitra: asked about a one-time reprieve (Councilman Migut: asked if there will be any more water bills mailed; BA/CFO Riehl: one more in November; Councilman Kanitra: if they haven’t done it now, they won’t do it from a mailing in the water bill – a $250 fine will get their attention, but asked about leniency when they do get it; Councilman Vogel: will require effort because their meters will have to be manually read – might want to make exceptions for hardship; Councilman Toohey: agreed – everyone else has played by the rules and they need to supplement the extra expense – not equitable; Councilman Vogel: this is standard for what other municipalities do; BA/CFO Riehl: Manasquan charges $500/quarter); Animal Welfare Committee Fall Fundraiser is October 30th at Last Wave Brewery – ticket sales are high – silent auction and pizza; 3-lot subdivision on Trenton Ave. was carried by the Planning Board until November due to a notice error – Atlantic Lobster Company applied for removable aluminum windows instead of canvas, in order to stay open later into the winter – that business has thrived and has parking meters spinning in that area – shows what one successful business can do for the town.
Councilman Toohey (continued): requested authorizing the attorney to an draft an age restriction for Kratom sales or putting both ordinances on at once (Councilman Kanitra: asked about putting the ordinance back on first and going from there; Councilman Cortes: at the last meeting, the vote was stopped because Councilman Migut wasn’t here – now, Councilman Santanello isn’t here) should have a full Council – rescinded his motion (Councilman Vogel: has also asked Attorney Zabarsky to look into a possible conflict and who can vote; Councilman Kanitra: there was crazy stuff on the internet that he owns a stake in an opioid company, which couldn’t be further from the truth – he represented a company that makes little pouches so older individuals do not forget their medication or vitamins and they get them pre-portioned – has nothing to do with opioids; Attorney Zabarsky: it’s a personal question under local government ethics and the Local Finance Board which controls it – if Councilman Kanitra is satisfied he doesn’t have a conflict – doesn’t even have him has a client now, so that makes the issue fairly moot) will wait for full complement of Council – some people might appreciate having both options on the agenda at once (Councilman Kanitra: will be a de-facto vote.
Mayor Reid: thanked all for work on Tug-of-War – Recreation, Police, DPW, volunteers – was double the size of last year – great day, wonderful weather and PPB won; sidewalk on Arnold looks great – smart design to go out to the road – good job by BA/CFO Riehl – asked Councilman Cortes to meet with First Aid for next meeting; last year, made $13K+ on the Tug of War – $3K went toward park swings and $10K toward the Recreation Committee – was asked to look at the Newark Ave. pocket park – it is disgusting – would like to sit with BA/CFO Riehl and come back with a cost – needs a facelift – wants to put some of this year's Tug-of-War money toward it – neighbor down the street wants to chip in as well – need to grind stumps, remove trees and old equipment (Councilman Cortes; has to be addressed; Councilman Toohey: stepped out 8:13PM-8:15PM) – should be tailored to really young kids; T&M received an amazing award from Alliance for Action for Loughran's Point Park/Inlet – people were impressed – Engineer Savacool did a great job (Councilman Kanitra: new basketball hoops look really nice – have to get rid of the stumps, as well as those in the little park and those by the lake, as someone fell) courts have been up for years – new ones look fantastic.
BA/CFO Riehl: no report.
Councilman Vogel: the administrator from the water committee will be reaching out to schedule a meeting on follow-up testing; holding a follow up critique meeting on Seafood Festival operations – invited feedback and comments to be passed on to the Administrator and Chief; with the work on the Boardwalk, dog signage and direction signage came down (BA/CFO Riehl: contractor will affix to temporary barrier); was discussion about fencing and locks and an alternate way for people to display their love – maybe something sturdier can be made at the Inlet (Mayor Reid: locks are coming back – have seen 5 or 6 already; BA/CFO Riehl: asked what should be done when they do come back; Councilman Kanitra: they are emotional but it's town property and it's causing damage – not realistic to have DPW remove them and have them stored at Borough Hall for pickup – suggested signage stating that things cannot be put on town property and anything left will be removed – then, if they are clipped off, they were told – or maybe the Arts Committee do an installation at the Inlet for the locks – has to be a solution that isn't damaging town property – can't see the water when sitting with the locks there – if it has to be done, it can at least be aesthetically pleasing; Councilman Vogel: suggested coming up with something for the end of the Inlet parking lot); went by the skateboard parks in Point Pleasant and Manasquan on Saturday – were filled with kids and families – there is concern about parking, yet a week before, fall baseball cars were parked illegally along the fence and in the firefighter’s reserved spots – should not be hypocritical moving forward.
PULIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:26PM
Marilyn Burke, PPB: asked what it cost to replace the fence – should bear in mind what the locks had to do with its ruination.
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked about 1l – if there was another option, about 1n – if there were changes, about 1j – if people can be asked not to paint sidewalks, and about 1k – if it is a new event.
Vincent Castin, PPB: asked about 1t – how notices would be worded, about 1s – what Fibar is and about the dirt at the east end, thinks the locks on the fence look cool and are not damaging.
Tom Fastuca, PPB: suggested selling locks to make a profit to pay for upkeep of the fence – it’s going to happen no matter what – doesn’t think it looks bad.
Lucille Buonocore, PPB: spoke against locks on the fence and decorated benches – looks like a honkytonk – their fence was damaged by bikes during the Tug-of-War; when hydrants were flushed, sand came through the pipes at Harborhead (BA/CFO Riehl: had similar complaint at Lincoln Ave.).
PULIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:40PM
Motion by Councilman Toohey to close Public Participation and approve the items listed below was seconded by Councilman Vogel and carried by roll call vote.
1a Approval of payment of Payroll #21 ($269,055.73)
1b Approval of 4 W/S relief requests
1c Approval of payment to the OC Treasurer for 4thQ County tax levy ($2,173,214.02)
1d Approval of payment to Neopost for prepaid postage ($4K)
1e Approval of PO to Nat’l Auto Fleet Grp for 2020 Ford F550 for DPW ($106,964)
1f Approval of payment to OCUA for 4thQ sewerage payments ($318,071.25)
1g Approval of payment to NJDCA for 3rdQ State training fees ($2,968)
1h Approval of payment to BTMUA for September bulk water usage ($102,631.50)
1i Approval of St. Peter PTA Banner Permit App for Craft Fair banner on Arnold Ave, 10/27-11/10
1j Approval of S/E App/fee waiver for St. Peter PTA Fisherman’s 5K through town, 4/25/20
1k Approval of S/E app for Kuhlwein’s Stroll the Shore for a Cure Walk on Boardwalk, 4/19/20
1l Award of contract to Earle Asphalt Co. for Improvements to St. Louis Ave/Phase II ($485,913.13)
1m Auth. to sell 2013 Kubota RTV 1100 w/2YD refuse body & 4,302 hrs to BOE, as is, for $1K
1n Amendment to Resolution 2018-1120-1B – Borough Holidays/Sanitation & Recycling Service
1o Approval of payment to Safe-T-Tank for DPW oil-gasoline storage tank ($7,144.73)
1p Approval of payment to Liberty Parks and Playgrounds for 6 bike racks ($3,173.50)
1q Approval of PO to Riggins for DPW diesel fuel ($4,500)
1r Approval of payment to Riggins for DPW diesel fuel ($4,590.57)
1s Approval of PO to Game Time for Pleasure Park Fibar ($2,906)
1t Resolution of the Governing Body to impose a first time fine of $250.00, and a subsequent fine of $500.00 to the accounts of PPB Taxpayers who have not made an appointment to have their water meter replaced, as of October 10th, 2019.
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($3,800,674.58)
2b Approval of pymt to Fire & Safety Services for chassis/pump/generator for Fire Co 2 ($7,789.72)
2c Authorization for Police Department to auction surplus vehicle on Municibid
2d Amendment to Resolution 2019-0702/2G – Crossing Guard Salaries
2e Approval of PO to Fire & Safety Services for fire truck repairs & maintenance ($6K)
2f Approval of PO to Atlas Flasher & Supply for WANCO WCTS-MINI trailer ($28,990)
VOTE: Councilmen Vogel (except 2), Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut (except 2)….YEA
Councilmen Vogel (2), Migut (2)….ABSTAIN
Councilman Santanello….ABSENT
ORDINANCES:
Ordinance 2019-16 (Amend Ch. XXVIII/Transient Accommodation Tax) was considered on second reading. Mayor Reid opened the public hearing with no member of the public wishing to be heard. Motion by Councilman Migut to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2019-16 was seconded by Councilman Kanitra and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmen, Cortes, Kanitra, Toohey, Migut….YEA
Councilmen Vogel….RECUSED
Councilman Santanello….ABSENT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:42PM
Dave Cavagnaro, PPB: asked about dune grass on new dunes.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:42PM.
Motion by Councilman Toohey to close public participation and adjourn was seconded by Councilman Migut and carried by consent of Council. Meeting was adjourned at 8:42PM.
ATTEST: _______________________________
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
