Borough of Point Pleasant Beach MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:30 PM with Mayor Vogel and Councilmen Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer and DiCorcia present. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Gary Yedman, Hydroscience Environmental: retained by former owners of 1506 Richmond Avenue to address heating and underground gas storage tanks – here to discuss contamination that encroached onto state and town properties – previous owners need letter of closure from DEP. Governing Body expressed concern about allowing water, stripped of contaminants, back into stormwater system, since it would flow into Lake of the Lillies – asked Mr. Yedman to secure authorization to send water through the sanitary sewer system to OCUA – Hydroscience should present plan to Engineer, who can advise Governing Body before any action is taken. Attorney Gertner added that Hydroscience be required to execute hold harmless agreement.
Department Head Memos and Correspondence were discussed – items moved to Agenda. Administrator Riehl gave list of items to be bonded – Mayor Vogel asked that monies be added for exchange server and e-mail software – Councilman Liotta suggested adding funds for Boardwalk repairs (Engineer working on survey – about $120,000 ear-marked for emergency repairs).
Motion by Councilman Dyer, to enter closed session to discuss litigation matter, was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Closed session started at 7:07 P.M. and ended at 7:21 P.M.
Mayor Vogel called the regular meeting to order at 7:33 P.M. Present were Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer and DiCorcia. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Mayor Vogel: presented proclamation to Community Services, Inc. of Ocean County, for providing nutrition and support to Ocean County’s elderly – local program provides elderly residents with lunch, recreation, entertainment and community spirit plus delivers meals to homebound.
James Sigurdson: privileged to be Director for last eight years – CSI has served Ocean County for 33 years – serves 70-80 Point Pleasant Beach seniors daily – about 40 homebound deliveries –kudos to Al Barriale, Point Pleasant Beach program manager, for providing camaraderie to elderly – program costs about $500,000/year but recipients are not required to pay the $2 donation/meal – Ocean County is very generous and Freeholders make sure no senior goes without a meal.
Ordinance 2006-33 (Amend Teamster Union Salaries) was considered on second reading. John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue, asked about the title change from Public Works foreman to supervisor (Public Works Supervisor is the correct civil service title).
Motion by Councilman Corbally, seconded by Councilman DiCicco and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-33 was adopted on second reading.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2006-34 (Establish Part-Time Administrator) was considered on second reading. Public hearing was opened, held and closed with no member of the public wishing to be heard.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-34 was adopted on second reading.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2006-35 (Establish OPRA Fees for Extraordinary Services) was introduced on first reading.
Motion by Councilman Dyer, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-35 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on October 17, 2006.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Ordinance 2006-36 (Municipal Stormwater Control) was introduced on first reading.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-36 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on October 17, 2006.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Clerk Ellsworth added items to Consent Resolutions; Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: asked about Consent Resolution 2 items ‘a’ and ‘b’ (Mayor Vogel: New Jersey is imposing sales tax on municipal meter revenues raised through pay and display machines – outrageous – taking 7% of our – second item is resolution asking State for ability to tax parking fees from private lots); John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue: asked about sanitation truck repairs – suggested only open back trucks be used for cardboard collection.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, seconded by Councilman Loughran, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Raffles License Application for Pt Pleasant Woman’s Club on 05/11/07
b) Raffles License Application for PPB HS Booster Assoc on 11/07/06
c) Raffles License Application for PPB HS Booster Assoc for Calendar raffle
d) Raffles License Application for St Mary’s Church on 11/03/06
e) Approval of Payroll #20 ($233,892.88)
f) Change Order #1 to United Computer for computer network cabling charges ($2550)
g) Payment to Pedroni Fuel for gasoline purchased thru O C Co-Op ($18,039.20)
h) Deny request for reimbursement of sewer line cleaning costs
i) Progress Payment #4 to Certified Valuations for work completed on reval ($33,335.81)
j) Payments to Schoor DePalma from escrow accounts ($6948.96)
k) P O to ICOP Digital for ICOP in-car systems ($19,791.40)
l) P O to Quality Communications for Police computer equipment ($4295)
m) Payment to VALIC AIG for 2005 LOSAP awards ($38,000)
n) Payment to All Time Auto Body for dump truck repairs ($4,906.55)
o) Award of contract for fixed asset accounting services to Industrial Appraisal ($7450)
p) Authorization for CFO to issue hand written checks prior to Governing Body approval
q) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($153,717.83)
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) Opposition to collection of state sales tax on municipal parking revenues
b) Petition State Legislature to enable Borough to impose municipal tax on parking fees
c) Payment to State of NJ of Public Water Tax ($883.35)
d) Raffles License Application for American Assoc of University Women
e) Payment to Horizon BCBS for employee benefits ($277,125.18)
f) Approval of Chapter 159 – Neighborhood Preservation Program Grant
g) Approval of curb cut at 718 McLean Ave with conditions
h) Approval of curb cut at 1112 Marcia Ave
i) Approval of curb cut at 1114 Marcia Ave
j) Approval of 16’ curb cut at 101 New Jersey Ave with conditions
k) Appointment of Owen Little Assoc to prepare Flood Plain Management Plan
l) Waiver of noise ordinance on Manasquan River Bridge deck replacement project
m) Authorization for Detcon to repair sanitation truck
n) Authorized Bond Attorney to prepare multi-purpose bond ordinance
o) Authorize Borough Engineer to proceed with Waterspheroid rehab project
p) Authorize Geller, Sive to re-bid Trenton Avenue Culvert replacement project due to low bidder submitting deficient bid and all other bidders bidding over the amount allocated for the project
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….Yea.
Mayor Vogel: received $5,291.48 for recycling efforts for first 6 months of 2006 – thanked Recycling Task force for enthusiasm and ideas to encourage recycling; on October 9th, Planner will update Planning Board on Master and Affordable Housing Plans and outline necessary actions; leased space to a cell phone carrier on water tower – can accommodate up to 3 more carriers – hope to re-bid and gain added revenue in New Year; great amount of synergy from communities involved in Inlet Celebration – hope to add Bay Head and find commonalities in promoting our areas – looking to make boat parade an annual event; read Chamber of Commerce letter thanking Governing Body, Police and Public Works for their help and support with Seafood Festival; congratulated Elks Lodge on 60th Anniversary – thanked them for community service; asked Council to consent to appointment of Jay Reynolds to Board of Adjustment.
Motion by Councilman Corbally, to appoint Jay Reynolds to the Board of Adjustment, was seconded by Councilman DiCicco and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Liotta: thanked Administrator Riehl, Governing Body and County – had meetings with County addressing remedial issues in town – did work on River Avenue and just installed ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ Sign (blinking light) on Broadway; Chief and SRO officers will reach out to pre-schools on safety and security measures; Inlet Celebration was an overwhelming success – kudos to Mayor of Manasquan, Ray Summers and everyone involved – thanked Administrator Riehl, DPW, Dotti Daly and Judy Todd at the Chamber and Chief DePolo; parking meter revenues are up $173,752 over last year, court fees are $129,722 over and hotel motel tax is $11,244 over; looking to generate revenues through cell carriers on water tower and expansion of meters, thereby easing burden on taxpayers.
Councilman Loughran: Point Pleasant Beach is hosting Ocean County hazardous drop-off at Silver Lake lot next Tuesday – call 367-0802 to pre-register; fall leaf pick up will commence October 16th – rake leaves to curb – try to keep storm drains clear; County installed plastic grates over storm drains, in revitalization area, to keep large items out (Administrator Riehl has literature); Environmental Committee will be installing osprey nesting platforms on Lake of the Lillies and Little Silver Lake – will be of great educational value for young people.
Councilman Corbally: meeting next Wednesday with Engineer Savacool, NJ Transit and DOT regarding gridlock on Arnold Avenue caused by trains; Borough computers being networked over weekend – should be up and running by next Thursday.
Councilman DiCicco: one of only five shore municipalities to get ‘Neighborhood Preservation’ grant – $125,000 for 1st 18 months and $100,000/year for next four years – targeted Broadway corridor for 1st year; Borough Engineer requested quotes for sediment testing of Lake of Lillies – 1st step in formulating dredging plan; residents within 200 feet of Lake Louise were notified that town applied for Lake Louise dredging permit; received dune maintenance permit to take care of dunes along oceanfront and limit sand on Boardwalk; in keeping with FEMA Committee goal to get back into Community Rating System, Council appointed Owen Little to prepare a flood plain management plan – FEMA’s Pat Griggs will meet with Mike Gardener on November 1st through 3rd to go over where we’re at in the process of getting back into the system – working to get our first 5% discount by May 2007.
Councilman Dyer: thanked Open Space Committee for its work – public hearings on October 26th and November 30th – moving quickly in establishing open space plan; Building Department revenue is up $18,000 over last year; discussed in Open Space Committee and proposed that Council consider extending Boardwalk from end of Inlet to the Inlet Recreation Area bathrooms.
Councilman DiCorcia: Safety Council’s concern is bike safety – would like Police to step up helmet enforcement; still waiting for Engineer’s report on Cramer Avenue (working on it); newspaper dispensers make us look sloppy (Code Enforcement surveyed boxes – will pick-up those not paid for during licenses renewal in spring); street lights on Arnold Avenue still out – getting another survey with pole numbers – thanked Lynn Aber for her work on lighting problem.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 8:11 P.M.
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: Beautification has completed and provided list of locations for additional sprinkler installations; deterioration in certain areas most stop – restaurant still under construction on Arnold Avenue one year later; lights out on Arnold Avenue so Holiday lights won’t work; suggested working with Chamber of Commerce to pick a coordinated look for the town, encourage property owners to improve storefronts and institute a town-wide spruce-up in the spring; asked that bond include monies for bubble ups on Niblick Street and Randall Avenue, since County did not address – don’t mind redirection of traffic to Parkway in summer, but Parkway residents should not have to put up with flooding from other streets; thanked Councilman Corbally for suggestion to curtail geese population – droppings pollute lakes and oceans and will reach critical proportions.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to have Borough Engineer draft a plan to alleviate flooding and ponding of water on Niblick Street, Parkway and Central Avenues along Baltimore Avenue, was seconded by Councilman Liotta and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
John Szafranski, 319 Yale Avenue: should list open items on agenda; looking for closure on items – parking again at Southern House Lot – no finalization of Wildwood fee – told by County that we could do if we had a proactive group – heard nothing on pay to play – Boardwalk repair should have been designed and approved by engineer – these things are still up in the air.
Dominic Fuimano, 210 New Jersey Avenue: 207 New Jersey Avenue burned on June 15th – owner had 3 months to apply for permit to knock down or rehabilitate – grass not cut in weeks – wasn’t fined (Borough Clerk sent letter informing him he has 30 days to take action) asked if owner got registered letter (had received Clerk’s letter when Administrator spoke with him on Friday – waiting for insurance check – on notice that town will cut grass this week if he doesn’t) (Attorney Gertner: issue of whether to demolish will come before Governing Body, then lien would go on property) thought he’d be fined if he did not do anything within 90 days (goal is remedies not penalties – will double check on penalties).
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: asked about status of I&I (waiting for last study– mass balancing report should be issued soon – construction contract will go out in early 2007) asked about Seacoast Oil status (waiting to hear from DEP on additional testing results they required).
Joanne Chiefa, 311 River Avenue: asked if Council discussed River Avenue changes (Mayor was going to bring up with DOT but meeting cancelled – mentioned to Freeholder Kelly who oversees County Engineering); asked if County report touched on River Avenue (Administrator Riehl will research; Councilman Loughran asked for residents’ concerns – Councilman Corbally meeting with DOT next week); two houses down, storm drain is very large (River Avenue is County road; Councilman Loughran: would like guards over all town drains).
Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: thanked Mayor Vogel, Councilmen DiCicco and Dyer for supporting Recycling Task Force and “Ocean Star” for article; bike ran into side of his car at intersection of Arnold and St. Louis Avenues (trying to get monies to make town more pedestrian and bike friendly – Chief put out directive to officers – have literature in English and Spanish).
Jim Wisniewski, 1403 St. Louis Avenue: per September 19th “Asbury Park Press” article, phragmites are being removed at Edwin Forsythe National Wildlife refuge – Lake of the Lillies tax map shows Borough owns property behind some Washington Avenue homes – concerned that residents there are cutting phragmites – some are those against removing vegetation – wants to ensure uniform enforcement (passed to Borough Engineer and Counsel – tax maps may not be 100% accurate – area may require resurveying – should check legal descriptions).
Peggy Buccino, 319 Newark Avenue: hired engineering firm to render plan of what they want the lake to look like (Lake sub-committee met with DEP and Army Corps of Engineers – discussed lake’s overall health and well being, dredging and shorelines – focused on sampling for dredging – deals with soil in the shorelines as well – looking at vegetation – several trees have been cut, due to storm) asked if engineering firm was paid in full.
Marilyn Burke, 118 Central Avenue: thanked Councilman Corbally for informing public that town can get rid of geese – spreading disease, dissuading public from walking on streets – disgusting mess on playgrounds – asked what steps were taken to get rid of them (egg addling, silhouettes, plantings; in next year or two, will force municipalities to round them up); bagel shop awning at corner of Arnold and Richmond Avenues looks like it belongs in Coney Island – (up to code – don’t currently have anything regulating colors).
Chief DePolo: officers revived 62-year-old female resident through use of defibrillator this afternoon – she’s doing well
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD CLOSED AT 8:45 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Attest: ________________________________ Maryann Ellsworth, Municipal Clerk
