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Monroe Council Minutes | 4/25/2016

COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE MINUTES 

AGENDA MEETING  -  APRIL 25, 2016

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 Leslie Koppel with a Salute to the Flag. 

UPON ROLL CALL by the Township Clerk, Sharon Doerfler, the following members of Council were present: Councilman Blaise Dipierro, Councilman Michael Leibowitz, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, Council Vice-President Stephen Dalina and Council President Leslie Koppel. 

ALSO PRESENT:  Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro, Business Administrator Wayne R. Hamilton, Township Attorney Greg Pasquale, Engineer Mark Rasimowicz and Deputy Township Clerk Tanya Pannucci. 

ABSENT: Township Attorney Joel L. Shain 

There were approximately seven (7) members of the Public present in the audience. 

Council President Koppel 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 5, 2016 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 STAR LEDGER on January 8, 2016;   

3.Posted 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 Koppel read the following entitled ORDINANCES for SECOND READING at 

the MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 Regular Council Meeting: 

O-4-2016-013ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMIT AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK. 

Council President Koppel read the following entitled ORDINANCES for INTRODUCTION at the MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 Regular Council Meeting: 

O-5-2016-014ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015-2018 SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL SALARY AND WAGE ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES AND WAGES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. 

Council   President   Koppel   requested   the   following entitled RESOLUTIONS for CONSIDERATION at the MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 Regular Council meeting be reviewed and any questions will be addressed: 

R-5-2016-157RESOLUTION 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.”). 

R-5-2016-158RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES UPON THE POSTING OF MAINTENANCE GUARANTEES WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR LAFAYETTE KNOLLS, INC. D/B/A PRIMROSE ACRES, W&S 729, 729.1, 29.2 & 729.3 PB 718-00, PB-732-01, PB 744.01, PB 768-01, PB 772-2 & PB 812-02. 

R-5-2016-159RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES UPON THE POSTING OF A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEES WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR STONEBRIDGE AT MONROE, SECTION 4A, (ADDITIONAL PHASE I LOOP) W&S 818.4A, PB-1079-10.  

R-5-2016-160RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES UPON THE POSTING OF A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEES WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR STONEBRIDGE AT MONROE, SECTION 4B, W&S 818 818.4B, PB-1093-10. 

R-5-2016-161RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REDUCTION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES POSTED WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR W&S 818.10, STONEBRIDGE @ MONROE, SECTION 10, PB-1125-12. 

R-5-2016-162RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES UPON THE POSTING OF A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEES WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR SOUTHFIELD ESTATES, W&S 872, PB-879-03. 

R-5-2016-163RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES  CONTRACT  TO  WESTON & SAMPSON ENGINEERS  FOR  THE  MONROE  TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT “M.T.U.D”). 

R-5-2016-164RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PAVING FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D”). 

R-5-2016-165RESOLUTION REFUNDING CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES. 

R-5-2016-166RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REDUCTION OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR ROCKY BROOK ESTATES (PB-1041-07). 

R-5-2016-167RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RYSZARD NAWRACAJ (BA-563-02). 

R-5-2016-168RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE LOAN REPAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT LOCATED AT BLOCK 1, LOT 10.02. 

R-5-2016-169RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE LOAN REPAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT LOCATED AT BLOCK 1.14, LOT 6.51, C1148. 

R-5-2016-170RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE LOAN REPAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT LOCATED AT BLOCK 14, LOT 2.51. 

R-5-2016-171RESOLUTION REFUNDING THIRD PARTY TAX LIEN PREMIUM PAYMENT. 

R-5-2016-172RESOLUTION REFUNDING TAX OVERPAYMENTS. 

R-5-2016-173RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER NO.1 SUBMITTED BY FAI-GON ELECTRIC, INC. IN CONNECTION WITH THE EMERGENCY GENERATOR FOR THE SENIOR CENTER. 

R-5-2016-174RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR TO PREPARE QUALIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR RECEIPT FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES INVENTORY. 

R-5-2016-175RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL 90 DAYS OF EXTENDED SICK LEAVE.  

R-5-2016-176RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND SUPPORTING THE SUBMISSION OF A MUNICIPAL APPLICATION FOR A 2016 RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. 

R-5-2016-177RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ENERGY GENERATION SERVICES FOR PUBLIC USE ON AN ONLINE AUCTION WEBSITE FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE. 

R-5-2016-178RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ENERGY GENERATION SERVICES FOR PUBLIC USE ON AN ONLINE AUCTION WEBSITE FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

R-5-2016-179RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL FEES RELATED TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE TOWNSHIP IN CONNECTION WITH A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ACTION REGARDING THE TOWNSHIP’S COAH COMPLIANCE. 

 

REPORTS: 

Mayor Tamburro –  

  • Wished all those who celebrate a Happy Passover.  
  • Attended a celebration of the Indian communities New Year, which was held Saturday at the Senior Center.  

 

Administrator Hamilton– 

  • Reminded everyone that the budget hearing will be on Monday, May 2nd. It has been posted on the website and he is available for any questions the Public may have.  
  • Two Ordinances will be added to the Agenda for May 2nd; one of which is a Bond Ordinance that deals with the intersection improvement, and the other is amending the Open Space Ordinance.  

Engineer Rasimowicz– 

  • No Report  

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

Councilwoman Schneider –  

  • The Human Relations Commission held its first annual multi-cultural Festival on Sunday, April 17th.  More details will come at Monday’s meeting.  
  • Plans to attend the Arbor Day tree planting event at both Barclay Brook and Brookside Schools on April 29th.  

Councilman Dipierro –  

  • No Report  

Councilman Leibowitz –  

  • No Report  

Council Vice-President Dalina –  

  • The Youth Advisory Committee will have their service project this weekend, which entails cleaning up parts of the Township with help from our DPW.  Afterwards they will head back to the Senior Center for a picnic.  

Council President Koppel –  

  • Tonight John Riggs is accepting an Award for Environmental Stewardship.  

PUBLIC: 

Lucille DiPasquale, 70 Avenue K - Questioned if there is a time limit for when political signs can be put up, as she has seen some signs for November’s election already popping up. Administrator Hamilton answered that the Township does have an Ordinance in place which states that no signs are allowed up 45 days before an election and they must be taken down within 10 days after.  

Michele Arminio, 9 Nathaniel Street  -  Ms. Arminio asked if the two Bond Ordinances that are going to be added to the Agenda for May 2nd’s meeting are 1st readings; Administrator Hamilton answered “yes”, they will be introduced.  Our CFO has been on vacation and he will get them to us by the end of the week to add to the Agenda.  

Next, she asked for an explanation on Resolution R-5-2016-158; Mayor Tamburro explained that it is a release of the performance bonds upon the posting of a maintenance bond. 

 Next, she asked if R-5-2016-164 is for paving in general, as she thought the DPW is responsible for paving.  MTUD Director Mike Barnes explained that it is for paving patches throughout town.  Administrator Hamilton added that it is a unit-pricing contract.  

 Next, she asked why a specific person was needed and what the qualifications were for R-5-2016-174, which is seeking consulting services in connection with the preparation of an environmental resources inventory; Administrator Hamilton explained that in accordance with Local Public Contracts Law he is seeking proposals from vendors for the services mentioned. This is in conjunction with a $20,000 Grant that we’ve received.  

Ms. Arminio asked how much the additional fees are for the professionals involved in the Affordable Housing litigation; Administrator Hamilton explained that each of the primary professionals involved need an additional $25,000 each.  She asked if any of the services have been rendered yet, to which Administrator Hamilton answered that the monies are needed to complete the work involved in the litigation and he believes that at least one of the three professionals have already eaten into the cost.  

Lastly, Ms. Arminio made a plea to have the Agenda and Minutes from the Planning & Zoning Board on the website, because currently there is non-compliance with the regulation of having to have the Agenda’s posted 48 hours prior to the meeting.  She stated she sent an email to the Zoning Officer and asked Council to make sure that the Department heads are submitting the information in a timely fashion for it to be put on the website. Township Clerk Sharon Doerfler responded that she will look into it and has posted everything that she is given from the departments when it is submitted to her.   

Audrey Cornish, Schoolhouse Road - Ms. Cornish brought up her concerns with Parker pursuing planning and zoning expansions in the area of Schoolhouse Road, as she and her neighbors do not want any more building because it is a wetlands area and it will affect everyone in the area. She is upset because it is a residential area and is not happy with having businesses in the area, as it has disturbed the animals and brought more traffic.  Council President Koppel asked if Parker has put in a planning and zoning application to which Engineer Rasimowicz answered “yes”, plans have been submitted and they are available to view anytime during normal business hours downstairs in the Planning & Zoning office.  

UPON MOTION made by Council Vice-President Dalina and seconded by Councilwoman Schneider, the Regular Meeting was Adjourned at 7:15pm. 

ROLL CALL:   Councilman Blaise DipierroAye 

Councilman Michael Leibowitz  Aye 

Councilwoman Elizabeth SchneiderAye 

Council Vice-President Stephen DalinaAye 

Council President Leslie Koppel                                Aye 

 

Sharon Doerfler 

SHARON DOERFLER, Township Clerk 

Leslie Koppel 

LESLIE KOPPEL, Council President 

Minutes were adopted on July 5, 2016