Monroe Council Minutes | 4/27/2015
COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE MINUTES
AGENDA MEETING - APRIL 27, 2015
The Council of the Township of Monroe met in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, for an Agenda Meeting.
The Agenda Meeting was Called to Order at 7:00 p.m. by Council President Gerald W. Tamburro with a Salute to the Flag.
UPON ROLL CALL by Township Clerk, Sharon Doerfler, the following members of Council were present: Councilman Stephen Dalina, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, Council Vice-President Leslie Koppel and Council President Gerald W. Tamburro.
ABSENT: Councilman Michael Leibowitz
ALSO PRESENT for Council was Mayor Richard Pucci, Business Administrator Wayne R. Hamilton, Township Attorney Joel L. Shain and Township Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
There were approximately twenty (20) members of the Public present in the audience.
Council President Tamburro requested the Township Clerk to read the following SUNSHINE LAW into the record:
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the Minutes of this meeting that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following:
1.Posted on January 2, 2015 on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza and remains posted at that location for public inspection;
2.Printed in the HOME NEWS TRIBUNE and CRANBURY PRESS on January 2, 2015;
3.Posted on January 2, 2015 on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;
4.Posted on the Monroe Township website; and
5.Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.
In accordance with Chapter 3, Section 17 of the Monroe Township Code, Public Comment shall be limited to five (5) minutes unless further time is granted by the Council President.
Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCES for SECOND READING at the MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015 Regular Council Meeting:
a.ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK.
b.ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 108 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ENTITLED, “LAND DEVELOPMENT”, SPECIFICALLY ARTICLE VII, SECTION 7.3. ENTITLED, “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES”.
c.ORDINANCE ENTERING INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE (LANDLORD) AND FRIENDS OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY GARDEN, INC. (TENANT) FOR PREMISES KNOWN AS THE MONROE COMMUNITY GARDEN SITUATED ON A PORTION OF LAND SHOWN ON THE MONROE TOWNSHIP TAX MAP AS BLOCK 4, LOT 6.02.
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Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCE for INTRODUCTION at the MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015 Regular Council Meeting:
a.ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 39 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ENTITLED “FEES”.
Council President Tamburro requested the following entitled RESOLUTIONS for CONSIDERATION at the MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015 Regular Council Meeting be reviewed and any questions will be addressed:
a.RESOLUTION REFUNDING THIRD PARTY TAX LIEN PREMIUM PAYMENT.
b.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 SUBMITTED BY DE MAIO ELECTRICAL COMPANY, INC. FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) CONTRACT 402, ASHMALL AVENUE PUMP STATION #7 IMPROVEMENTS.
c.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REDUCTION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES POSTED WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR REGENCY @ MONROE, SECTION 8F, G, & J (W&S 684.8).
d.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT 439 – “UTILITY SERVICE BODY” TO DEJANA TRUCK & UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO. OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”).
e.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR TO PREPARE AND ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (“RFQ’S”) FOR PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”).
f.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH SUBURBAN CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. FOR GENERAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”).
g.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND GRANTING PERMISSION TO THE MONROE TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.
h.RESOLUTION REFUNDING A DUPLICATE WELL PERMIT FEE.
- RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION TO CONDUCT A DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.
j.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BRENNER DRAINAGE EXCAVATING, INC. FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK IN CONNECTION WITH PHASE I OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY GARDEN.
k.RESOLUTION GRANTING PERMISSION TO ROCKY BROOK, LLC TO IMPORT SOIL TO THE “ROCKY BROOK ESTATES” SITE.
l.RESOLUTION REFUNDING TAX OVERPAYMENTS.
m.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF INACTIVE LIQUOR LICENSE HELD BY JSM INVESTMENTS AT MONROE, LLC FOR THE 2014 – 2015 LICENSE TERM.
n.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF INACTIVE LIQUOR LICENSE HELD BY MONROE 33 RESTAURANT, LLC FOR THE 2014 – 2015 LICENSE TERM.
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o.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A SUB-GRANT AGREEMENT - HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (CFDA #97.039) FEMA DR-DR-4086-NJ-0188-R BETWEEN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE FOR EMERGENCY GENERATORS AT THE MONROE TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER AND COMMUNITY CENTER.
p.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF THE MONROE COMMUNITY ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO P.L. 2003, c. 24 AND N.J.A.C. 14:4-6.
q.RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-11-2014-296 AWARDING A BID TO MECO ELECTRIC, INC. FOR A GENERATOR AT THE MONROE TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER AND AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP ENGINEER TO RE-ADVERTISE AND RE-BID.
r.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBORDINATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIEN.
s.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN SHARED PROPERTIES, LLC AND THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS.
t.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF THE SERVICE CONTRACT WITH GABEL ASSOCIATES, INC., AN ENERGY CONSULTANT, TO ADMINISTER THE MUNICIPAL ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE.
Councilman Dalina asked the number of active liquor licenses in the Township.
The Township Clerk, Sharon Doerfler, responded sixteen active and two inactive.
Mayor Pucci – No Report
Administrator Hamilton – reminded everyone that the Budget Hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2015 at 7pm.
Engineer Rasimowicz – No Report
Council Reports:
Councilman Dalina – congratulated the Monroe Township Baseball Association and the Monroe Township Girls Softball Association on their opening day ceremonies. He wished them a good season.
Councilwoman Schneider – attended the Library Leadership breakfast in honor of National Library week, the opening girls’ softball ceremony, Arbor Day at Mill Lake School, the Holocaust Memorial Service, which was very moving, the Stonebridge Women’s Fashion Show, the proceeds of which go to Mikey’s family, and an Awards & Scholarship Brunch where Freeholder Rios was honored.
Council Vice-President Koppel – attended the Doo Wop Review at the Senior Center and it was a huge hit. She announced that the Monroe Twp. High School has won a Mock Trial Championship and will be at an Awards ceremony at the Middlesex County Court House on May 14th. There are two events that the Cultural Arts are hosting; one on May 19th - Romantic Heartthrobs of the 19th Century and the second on May 26th - Swash Buckling Musical Adventures. Finally, on Saturday, May 23rd - a Moody Blues Tribute Band will appear at the Marasco Performing Arts Center at 7pm.
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Council President Tamburro – mentioned he was also at the Girl’s Opening Day Softball ceremony, attended the Doo Wop Review at the Senior Center and the Arbor Day at Mill Lake School. He stated he had also attended a Freeholders meeting on Thursday in which they honored Monroe’s three Cheer Programs that won National Awards in Florida. They were also honored at the Recreation Center. The Mock Trial was very interesting and will be honored at our June Meeting along with the Human Relations Award winners.
He reminded everyone that on Memorial Day there will be ceremonies at the Municipal Building at 9am and at Veterans Park at 9:30am. May 18th there will be a musical tribute honoring all Veterans at the Senior Center.
PUBLIC:
Charles DiPierro, 404 Spotswood-Gravel Hill Rd. – stated he had submitted an OPRA request for the Township Attorneys Invoices and was informed that the fee would be $182.50 an hour to redact some information. He does not understand what needs to be redacted from an Invoice.
Attorney Shain stated he will submit a letter in response, through the Clerk’s office by tomorrow.
Mr. DiPierro advised he also has a large amount of information, which he has requested, and that he is waiting for a response.
He next asked the approved amount for the Senior Center and Administrator Hamilton responded that he does not have that information with him but will have the amount by the next meeting.
Mr. DiPierro further mentioned that he requested the cost to date. He noted that $15,000 was spent to fix a floor in a brand new building and asked what happened to the bond from the contractor. He next noted that $10,000 was spent fixing the HVAC in a new building. He would like to know those costs.
He stated he would also like the cost of the Recreation Center – the approved bond amount and what was spent to date. He also inquired if there is a Certificate of Occupancy and Council President Tamburro confirmed that we do.
Mr. DiPierro asked why it took 5 years and was told it will be looked into.
He next pointed out that the Senior Center does have a Certificate of Occupancy, but it took 18 months. A temporary C of O is only good for 30 days.
Mike Costello, 22 Garvey Drive – advised that while attending the opening day at the baseball fields, there was a medical emergency. The person was attended to and was fine. He next went to the Soccer fields where an ambulance was in attendance. He asked about the protocol.
Administrator Hamilton responded that when an organization asks for an ambulance to be on stand-by for specific events, the Township does provide the ambulance at no charge to the organization, if it is a local organization in town. The most likely answer is that they did not request the service of an ambulance on-site.
Mr. Costello next stated that the organization was being charged up to $250 an hour and Administrator Hamilton responded that he did not believe this to be true.
Next he mentioned that when he previously sat on the Zoning Board there had been a Board of Education liaison – not a voting member.
Mayor Pucci responded that he makes appointments to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board Members are made by the Council. The Board of Education certainly knows that they are welcome to send a liaison to the meetings to be part of the process. He is not aware that the request has come forth in years.
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Council President Tamburro added that there was previously a Board of Education member but they resigned. Currently on the Zoning Board, there is a past member of the Board of Education.
UPON MOTION made by Councilman Dalina and seconded by Council Vice-President Koppel, the meeting was adjourned at 7:17pm.
ROLL CALL:Councilman Stephen DalinaAye
Councilwoman Elizabeth SchneiderAye
Council Vice-President Leslie KoppelAye
Council President Gerald W. TamburroAye
Sharon Doerfler
SHARON DOERFLER, Township Clerk
Gerald W. Tamburro
GERALD W. TAMBURRO, Council Vice-President
Minutes were adopted on June 3, 2015