Bloomfield Town Council meeting, December 14, 2020
3:55PM Dec 15, 2020
Speakers:
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Seek my
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for the agenda. Good evening, everyone.
time, date, location and agenda. This meeting to the extent that known was provided at least 48 hours prior to this meeting in the following manner pursuant to the provisions of chapter 231 of all 1975. by posting such notice on the bulletin board in the municipal building, and by email notification generated by IQ M to the offices of the independent press, Bluefield, life, Star ledger, patch person and Catholic that logo, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance
United States
and other nations under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for
all. Councilwoman Mondale here. Councilman Joanna.
Here.
Councilwoman Cruz here. Councilwoman Davis? Here, Councilman gamble. Here. Councilman Rockwell here. Mayor Vizio here present.
Do we have any public comment?
Is there anyone on the phone for comment?
No, Mayor. Okay. administrator.
Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. First item is selection discussion, selection of professional services proposals. You have that this is our annual appointment list. We provided you in your packet, the list of all the professionals all the bidding. And highlighted in bold are those that we're recommending. These are pretty much everybody that we've worked with this past year. There is a few that we have to predict as things either we didn't get proposals or the proposals that we got were inadequate. So which frankly is why we do this, have done this every year. We didn't meet with a committee to review these and point scores are shown on the side. So if if you have any discussion on discuss any part of this then we will know at this time otherwise They are on the agenda for for the next part of this meeting. I do want to point out the NACA t numbers, those are high numbers are just, there are cats that we put on, I think four does not mean that we spend that much back and don't spend that much. But these are just limits that we place nor control paste any of they are well, well considered and asked for your
does anybody have any questions? Comments? Okay. Moving on, number two. Number two is a
contract with northern New Jersey governmental Services, LLC. Treasury services, if you did not be we've been working as you know, with with a variety of companies, but this company knows Bloomfield township very well, with the changes that are occurring in finance department with our finance director after 38 years of working with us is now requiring, we felt that it was necessary to add a little extra help. It will be a very difficult year,
in the first quarter.
And with with this ticket pirates that are occurring, we felt that we could use this help and get this started now. We've capped it out at 20 hours a week. But this will give us a chance to work with the finance director retiring and myself as we work towards getting the budget done early in 2021. One of the things that we're very anxious to do is get the annual financial statement done very, very quickly earlier than we ever have done before. So everything is lining up. We just need this extra help and ask for your consideration.
Okay, somebody move this second arrow. Does anybody have any questions, comments? Louise, please call the roll.
Counselor, Mendell. Yeah. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilman Davis? Yes. Councilman gamble. Yes, Councilman rafo. Yes, they are even easier. Yeah.
Number three, along that very same line, we, you know, as I said, we're This is going to be a very tricky year for 21. What we want to do, we have a number of retirements this year over 28 retirements in 2020. And you know, that we had some more significant ones in 20.1. What we want to do is take advantage of the law that allows us to bundle this all together, and take it out on a very short term note, three to five years, and, and preserve the cash that we have that we set aside in these terminals. We do that every year. We're very good about taking care of our applications. But it is just us, to me and to our auditor, and finance staff, you think better hang on to our catch, take advantage of very, very low interest rates less than 1%. And spread these costs out over a few years, softening the blow, holding on to our cash to be needed in 2021. And this is here for your consideration. It does require a resolution. And it does require the ordinance and production with the second meeting they had contemplated at this special meeting on December 29. Your approval your discussion.
Does anybody have any questions, comments for Matt?
I have a general comment, which is I think this is a preview on we have. The one thing that 2020 has taught us is that there is an incredible amount of uncertainty. We really don't know how to how things you know how how our revenues will be continued to be ending their impact now, I will continue to be impacted. And I think taking some steps so that we
are
make sure that we keep maintain our sort of financial solvency isn't really smart. So I support this.
Thank you. And the other thing too, just for the education public, I mean, this is you know, we're trying to everything we can to hold taxes down any kind of tax increase this preserves that in saves us. You know we've, over the last five years we've been a steady, we've had increases, but they've been very small, very steady, which is the decision that this marriage governing body said place and that's what we're trying to preserve in a very uncertain time.
And can I get somebody to this moment? Join a second council woman please follow up the Councilman Davis says this is a good move for our finances going into 2021 when fill a lot is unknown with where we're going to be. So Louise, please call the roll.
Council on Monday. Yeah, Councilman Joanna? Yes, Councilwoman Cruz? Councilman Davis? Yes, Councilman gamble. Yes, Councilman Rothwell. Yes. Mayor vinnytsia. Yes.
Before?
Yes. So here for discussion. And you've had a lot of information in your packet is our health insurance for 2021. If you could fairly well, with with our health insurance, and especially in a year such as this. Yeah, lots of uncertainty and lots of medical expenses. We've been, we've watched this very, very carefully. I've given you reports during the year. But we are up for renewal. And with the prescription plan, doing better this year, this past year, and our renewal was very favorable to us, we see that the that the overall increase to our premiums are only 2.1%. And on the aggregate, again, we've done we were very careful to preserve our savings that we achieved, or that was recognized when a lot of people just stopped going to the doctor. So there was not a usage dropped off significantly during April May, and then started to pick back up. However, we had some large claims, as resolved COVID as well, all those COVID us, as you know from my reports are now trying we're working to recover those money. Since they have it is directly attributed to COVID-19. So other than that, though, that this is here or your discussion, as we have done, you really don't need any action. It's just renewing what we have there's no change. In our stop loss. There's no change our our our ministers and administrators or core stoploss carriers. So this is just a move on through. It's just I want to recognize for the record the increase in the premiums by 1.1%. On some of the aggregate.
Thanks, man. Does anybody have any questions comments for Matt? Okay, moving on.
Next is we were approached by not the counselor to enter into a special enter special interlocal agreement with the with Nutley and Belleville good that should there be a time when they they only have one firehouse and so should there be a time when they need to do COVID infections and corn is assistance that we would we would between us and Bellville, we would provide the manpower the firefighters and equipment to to add their fire station. This is only if needed. It's extraordinary time but we they asked us for this and i think i think this is just being good neighbors. This is no cost to the Bloomfield township it's all all reimbursable and it would be no last our manpower during during an event that snap and it's just a rider neighboring counties and additional agrees to approve there is something catastrophic happens. Okay,
can I get somebody to move this? Second, Moved by Councillor gamble. Second, Councilwoman Cruz any questions or comments? Yes, Councilwoman.
So the that you said that if there was a need I mean, I don't have a problem with being neighborly, right But I'm wondering if so if there was a need that there would be like, if there would be a reimbursement of a services or something. Is that is that what you meant by them?
Yes, they the cost, that if we were to incur any costs, salaries, obviously, all that would be reimbursable. Through through the, through the various COVID terrorist act funds or FEMA, and nothing would make it all. Or if it was not they or whomever it is, that would be spread out. There would be no direct costs, and forgive me for not knowing
who they are. Isn't that way smaller,
much than what
it is that they only have one firehouse so should for example, if if, if their entire crew for that day was was exposed in quarantine, and there then an effort spread, where they just couldn't man, their firehouse who would be able to live? Absolutely, we would step in wasn't the town's accommodation. Okay, thank you. That
sounds like a very good thing. I
just wanted to
make sure I understood. That's okay. That's
why it's here. That's why we do this.
Any other questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Number six,
and then we'll take the next one, Tim.
Good evening, mayor and council. This is just the mirror agreement that we made with the PBA. Regarding the health care and retirements, we also had an arbitration with the FMEA.
This was that if anyone retires with 20 years or more 25 years or more, rather, they'll get free
health care.
And if they retire within the next contract will be 1.5% of their salary. It's just tidying up those two arbitrations.
Can I get somebody to move in?
And the mayor will take a
second council? Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Number seven,
number seven, out there if it's okay, I'll take seven, eight of these are we done? These are yours for a couple of years. Now. This is premise. This is the large vehicle repairs as a shared service that we have with them. And this before CES renewal for 2021. Nothing fancy about it. And then the other is just establishing liens on properties. And we've cleaned up during class happens.
Okay. Does anybody have any questions, comments? Can I get somebody to move this? I'll go in there. Seven second count from the gamble. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Number nine and 10? I'm assuming director DeMaio.
Yes. Council number nine is our resolution supporting Dr. Silber get pulled over grant, which we read every year we use it for the holiday season.
Okay, can somebody move this?
motion?
Any questions, comments? All in favor?
Aye.
And directors report?
Yes, America. So we'll start with our complaints against personnel for the month of November. Apparently this year, we're at a total of 46 complaints against personnel as compared to 55 in the same year, in the year 2019. And overall 16% reduction in complaints against our personnel. And we are however up 2% last month, due to an insert two internal complaints that we filed. for the month of November, we had only one external complaint by a citizen. That incident was if you recall, the police involved shooting everyone's just had to hear your book Do they have anyone on our street obviously took the space around the corner to file a complaint relative to music. And that complaint was taking their photos in the standard across the books. We have one internal complaint for fitness for up against one of our police officers. It's an ongoing issue of this particular month or so. And just some incidents that took place actually during that police shooting incident. And in other activities here with the department are warning us descending for industry devaluation, which we're in the process of doing right now. We had a total of four early warning system alerts for the month, two of the forward automatics just as a result of firearm discharged fire police officers. Again that investigation has been sent to the SEC and the prosecutor's office and our internal affairs unit is working collect Within, all interviews are completed, and we're just waiting for a final determination. And they're finding some of the means. And the other two were for police pursuits, which were initiated and broken off. They were consistent with the attorney general guidelines, no injuries in the facility returning where the supervisor advised him to. So there was no further action on either of those. We had two uses of force for in the month of November. And both of them were in regards to firearms discharge. And then outside of that one incident, there were no other use, what was it that officers doing? Motor vehicle stops for the month of October, it was a total of 363 of those 263 112 work, okay, that's 13.85% 107, African American 29.47% 106, Hispanic is 29.2% and other races. 19 starts at 5.2%. We had a total of 42 arrests for the month of November 36. Of those 42 arrests were initiated by calls for service from the public. And six were initiated by our police officers. And that that I gave you It also has the breakdown of those arrests, and which was significant is that 36 from the calls for service. Overall crime in the township or at 535 as of this writing, compared to 562.1 incidents in 2019. That's a 5% reduction at this point, your date, consistently dropping again this year, hopefully, we may continue to say that where we are our only issue right now that we're dealing with today is package stats, and reallocating personnel within the police department, including detective Dena 73, in the areas where the package steps are taking place. And they're built to push back on that significantly, very quickly. Training updates, we're still in the process of dealing with rubbish we gave them in the past two weeks, their second full data that they're requesting, they're doing a really comprehensive look at the data we collect, and how we're analyzing the activities of opposition Street, I'm really looking forward to get to the point where they come back to us with with a final proposal on how to move forward in any analysis of what we're doing any other data that needs to be collected. We're also moving forward moving forward with advancement of data collection for the new year, as mayor suggested to council meetings ago, where we're going to dive deeper into our motor vehicle stops. And we're going to start doing an analysis of out of those what vehicle stuff? What were the results of? How did he end up in the summons. And then you may have ended in an arrest and how he ended you know, warning the machine to the motors and break that down briefly as we do motivate ourselves as okay. That's the report for the month. And I'm more than happy to take any questions.
Thanks, director. Does anyone have any questions or comments from the director?
Have a question there?
Yes. So, Michael, first of all, thank
you for continuing to provide all of this information. But I think it might be helpful to if you can tell me if you track this data or not, if you have information on when you involve various social service agencies. So I'm thinking that when people think about the police, and they express concerns about policing, sometimes they think they're expressing concerns about police and how they're handling situations as they proceed might not be might not, so please might not be making special treatment, mental health services. So track referrals to the Health and Human Services Department. And I think, a better conversation in the past about how do they interact with the youth division, you know, when they're connecting with, you know, the division of families? And so are you tracking that information? Is there a way for you to give us the pictures that data as well.
So I'll start with a short response. So control responded to an emotionally disturbed person call or something similar to add a new homeless person that seems distressed, they automatically call the health department most important by this they deal with, and I try to get them out there with to deal with that person and see what the best course of action is. There's other times when they call us and they're dealing with abvp in a town somewhere or at a house or they're trying to get somebody to a facility that they need to go to that they don't want to go. And then they cause like becomes a situation that they looks like it could get violent, probably nobody responded. And do it for now. Actually, we had a meeting just last week. out in front of town hall, one of the individuals in town that we deal with frequently. I guess wasn't take his medication according to his mother and without being violent in front of town hall with her At people in yellow. And I know the first calls were made to the health department, and clearly knowing that this is somebody that they dealt with before and has a propensity for violence. We went over there as soon as the police arrived, and you have one person calmed down immediately. And we've been actually from social services and waiting for them, and where they need to go for that night. As far as tracking something like that, I know, I know, the data has to be in our CAD system. Because our code system takes American time is an equal, it's easy. Just pull up that code number and see exactly how many days you don't work. And then we can look at the dispositions. And if something's referring to their health department, there's a distribution called that with referring to hospitals disposition code for that. So we can look at and see if it would be possible and how easy it would be to get that and so I will look at that. On the other end we talked about you think that's completely different like that, hey, interact afterwards, with social services, mostly disease, PCP and its consequences. We can get to where we want to put the missing juveniles for this year was a 12 year old female runaway wonder by boyfriend's house, and our officers are just out there tracking down their social media looking for her. And then they do it together with DCP. And they meet with the families, and then they fall in love with it with TCP IP, and the home visitor the key Are you baby Tiger to help you I've been involved in a bunch of police departments in Jersey ours is it has been second to none, include tremendous job not would ever even say a perk for continuing moving forward dealing with TCP IP, and students and children and things that distract by them. There's nothing in our tags as important as a detective who attacks information, children.
Thank you. I think that would be interesting information. For the report that you get up to it was a little bit more insight into collaborating with other departments. No problem.
I'll take a look at our tags more. And see how easy we do check it down here. And if not, I mean, the nine calls are not that everyone needs to do to manually for now to make a change and it doesn't have to be
perfect. Thank you. Anybody on that path? Does anybody else have anything for the director? Okay, thanks. Catch up a charity.
Thank you my opinion on everyone. My first item. In the next portion of the meeting, were signal resolution, authorizing the execution of transfer documents that will complete the sale and transfer of township owned property
for the Royal urban
renewal redevelopment project. So I wanted to briefly just update you on where we are and just review where we've been and, and why we're here at this point. With closing documents, just to remind you, Royal urban renewal is the name of the designated read developer for the former oil Fairmont back in October 2018. It's actually the green reads convey a portion of property that he owns to the developer for the construction of this cross of this project. That's block 227 and three blocks there. The project to be constructed by the developer will divide that development project into four unit. A four unit comes with any consisting of a parking garage that's most important to us, it's approximately 312 space parking garage, there will be approximately 210 residential rental units, there will be 15 for sale residential townhouse units, and then there will be I believe it's approximately 8000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. When this is completed, the township will own the parking garage unit condominium of this project, which will be available to the residents and patrons of the project, as well as other permit holders that parking permits issued by our own parking utilities. This is on the agenda today, because the lead developers ready to close on the purchase of potential property that we signed entered into a purchase and sale agreement for two years ago and move forward with constructing the process with the project. The way mechanically this will work is redeveloper will pay the township for the acquisition cost of the property. The township will then use that money that it gains from from the sale of this
property and the progress of
payment towards the total cost of the garage construction. So the developers will construct this garage, the balance, and that won't be held in escrow during this project, the balance of the total sum for the garage will be paid by the township upon substantial completion, and then we can take over the running and ownership of that garage. So I just wanted to give you that heads up, as we're asking you to authorize saying that these closing documents that should take place, probably the beginning
of the year. And then close on the property.
Does anyone have any questions for Michael? I just had one. And I know I've probably heard the answer for this. But how is it going to work with the for sale? units in regards to the pilot? Is that separate?
Oh, how are they going to calculate that?
Yeah. Are those separate from the pilot of the rest of the building?
Well, the calculation will be different. Right? Because that the ultimate owner won't take on the responsibility of the payment those.
I'll double check player, but
I think those go on to regular tax rolls.
Yeah, they're good. What happens is they're there for sales or for actually, as pilot, they're really excluded out functionally, they're excluded or included. But, but, but once they sell it in that the whoever buys it, I bought one of those townhouses, for example, then then I wouldn't be paying like every other taxpayer.
Now, because I know there were some issues with Jersey City years pay going back to the 90s, where they put all the condos under a pilot, and then when the rebounds came, it became this whole big earnings.
Yeah. Yeah. And that's when we construct that was that was a specific question, actually. Um, you asked that too. And yeah, we've made sure that
Okay, perfect.
Yeah. And it only goes to the right because only the redeveloper is the party.
Right? No.
Right party to the time.
Does anybody else have anything? Can I get somebody to move this? Move by Councilman down? Second. Councilman Davis? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. second item is confirming the sound of a
2019 tax appeal. This was a small mixed use building at 969 brunch Street. It's a minor increase in the 2019. assessed value total refund the $657. Okay.
Can I get somebody to move this? A little bit? And that can Councillor gamble. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye.
The three microbreweries, which I'm now going to craft for is when my back to the drawing board after the last meeting and a couple of subsequent discussions. And what we're proposing now is to expand the permitted uses within some of our redevelopment zones. So this is specifically what's known as block 228. Avalon block 243, which is the green and the heartbeat development zones to allow for craft brewery. That's what the technical name is limiting flow radius, and just have it subject to cycling in rather than it being conditional use. The idea would be the limit, at least as we roll it out limited to three sites throughout the entire Township. And then what we would do was a man's redevelopment plans refer that council meetings occur that to the planning board review, and for them to report the recommend back to us. Just wanted to one of the ideas of the redevelopment zone was that citing the breweries as we've all discussed, near existing restaurants, and
you really should really benefit all parties involved. So
Reason being the holder of this limited Murray license, which is what the state of New Jersey calls it. Those license holders are explicitly prohibited from selling food or operating the restaurant on their licensed premises. However, menus from local restaurants can place on the premises provided there's no exclusive business relationship so it couldn't be Anthony's cheesecake and grilling. You know they couldn't have just a subsidiary business. Food ordered by Adrian can also be delivered from brewery premises. What you get with this limited brewery license is the license you can sell its product at retail to consumers on the licensed product. premises of the brewery only in connection with a tour of the building. So it's different than a regular
liquor license that I had
bought the restaurant.
The licensee also has the privilege to sell its product product at retail consumers for them to consume off premises, but in limited quantities.
And
each municipality where a limited number is located can establish hours
for when their
sales can be made. And the licensing
is subject
and has to comply with all of our local ordinances. So we can,
by way of
the number of licenses by way of the zones that it's in, I think that will not that people are going to rush in and they'll do 20 of these, but I think that will keep a natural control over those as well as the
Hours of operation.
So that's what we've come up with. And what we would intend to do is bring a new ordinance in January
to update those redevelopments. Sounds too loud. Okay.
Does. Does anybody have any questions or comments for Michael, I know you've worked on this a lot. And I think I'm okay with this kind of this new way of doing things to allow microbreweries in. But let's hear from the rest of the council, if anybody has any comments or suggestions
in the comment area. So first, I would say thank you for being responsive to bus, going back to the drawing board and doing some research and listening to the residents who came
and talk
about craft crafting. We're calling it and so pretty good. I like the two. I think it is nice. Where we were asking. So I really do appreciate the time that you've taken to come up with us. It did have one question, and I just may have missed it. Did you say that? There can be consumption on premises? If there's a tour involved? Only
three are involved? Well,
yes, that's the state regulation on these.
So the reason just take a step back. The reason I called
craft breweries, is because there are subsets of them. A microbrewery means you make X number of 1000 a year, then there's something even below that a nano brewery, which has fewer. But yes, they do require for I, I think they have, the state has streamlined this. So this is not a
movie, I'm dating myself that
I like an old tour of Anheuser Busch, where you had to go around on this, you know, major event, they can give out pamphlets, you don't I think you're limited to if you're a repeat customer, once per year. So it's not like they like to go to the same brewery every Saturday night, you have to go through the tour every time. So they have made it more realistic. But yeah, you have to, they want to promote
the,
I guess the homemade and craft and manufactured nature of this. And that's why it's differentiated from
normally you see the prices?
I guess the person would just say, Excuse me for jumping in there. You're not problem. As a person who's come to visit, you'd say Oh, have you ever been here before? And if they say no, then you would say this is here's our here's our pamphlet on how we how we make our beer or you know, this is our stills in here or something like that. And if you have if you say yes, then you would be able to use you wouldn't have to do that. I'm just trying to make it a sense of how that would work. Because getting Yeah.
You know, I
I'll look at that to see exactly how it's done. But
I think there is a registration, and you can customer lists. But the idea is that it's not onerous.
But yeah, I think it's Yeah, that's that's, I hear, that's how it's worked
for us. Yeah. Yeah. I
don't know, who's enforcing that that, you know, by design, that Friday night, I'm going to the same place that they you know, they don't recognize you if you miss a month. And you say, Yeah, I was here last month. We were I don't know how they enforced that. But that's the way
and the reason I asked the question is that that just like a councilman, Councilman McDowell and the mayor mentioned, you know, this is like an opportunity to really draw create destinations within our within some some of our districts and within our Township. And I remember wanting to be something that would get in the way of the, the idea of them going out having this experience with friends and then it comes this out. You don't have to sit through a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation. So they do maybe that is something that people will, they can kind of blend into the experience of the evening because we wanted to draw to our town and our restaurants.
Absolutely. And I think it also gives some of the property owners with some vacancies, it gives them an additional commercial news to have in town. So, even worse for everybody.
And just from personal experience, going to some craft breweries and things like that in Brooklyn. You know, it's basically they give you a description of the beers that they offer and stuff like that. So it's more of an informational type of thing. And these, I guess, brewery tours, especially with these small ones gonna still have, you know, it's not a huge production, so there isn't that much to tour. And then they had similar scenarios where, you know, other local businesses even order food and things like that. So I definitely think it'll be a drop off for the community.
Yeah, literally, when you go to the Cape napery, you walk around for less than five minutes. And then you're able to purchase and hang out, and you know, do that. So that's kind of, I think, the meaning of four when they say that, so. Any more questions or comments for Michael? So what are our next steps? We wait till January to do first reading?
Yeah, well, the first reading of
January, okay.
We'll send it to the and then it'll be referred to them.
Perfect. And then if anybody else thinks of something in the next couple of weeks, just email, Michael, and we'll go from there. All right. Number four. Finally, I'd like to recommend
reappointment of Steve Martino, Assistant Director of War history. We're obviously a lot longer than I have. And I'm sure many people have dealt with him in one respect or another over the years. But Steve the biggest to really handle the bulk of our work negation and all of our
all of our workers comp cases, man and
move by Councilman Davis. Can I get a second? Second Councilman without any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. All right. Thank you, Michael.
Yes, me. Okay. Number one. They're all four of these actually, if you want to take and they're all just reading a special chapter one nine standing grants store budget. That's all they are.
Does anybody have any questions or comments for these? 455? I'm sorry. Can I get somebody to move it? and move it? Okay. Second, all in favor? Aye. Aye. All right, township engineer.
The mayor and council The first item I have is an award of a construction contract or lead
service line removals. This could be the removal of 24 that we found these are kind of outliers of just trying to catch up to some of these deployments by a larger program. JOHN Garcia construction was the low bidder at $109,600.50 on recommend we awarded them
okay, I get somebody removed this was Moved by Councillor Joanne one second counselor gamble. Any questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Okay, the next the next item is an award of professional service to tm for what will inevitably lead lead service line removal contract three, this
is the prepared design and bid documents. This will be a more substantial removal program or looking at like 200 to remove this part of this may be a little bit more in the prices $175,700 and I recommend work to Tina.
motion. Second. Move by Councilman through second. Councilman Joanna, any questions or comments? All in favor? Number three. Yes, this
is a ward of a contract for the purchase of asphalt materials to
work asphalt I recommend we award it for the coming year. Motion moved by Councilman Cruz second any questions or comments? All in favor. All right.
The last one is royal urban renewal, which we already talked about this is an authorizing resolution. And inevitably they'll need to submit a DDP application for sewer and for water. This just authorizes the appropriate officials to execute those applications.
Okay, can I get something and move this? A little bit?
Okay. Councillor Mondale? Second. Councilman Cruz. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Okay, thank you.
Good evening, mayor and council, you have before you consideration for our 2021 town council meeting schedule. So hopefully it means with your approval, we have checked the dates several times. And this will be in for a resolution.
Does anybody have any questions or comments on this? Or get somebody to move this? Over there? All in favor? Aye. Aye. All right. Okay, township council number one.
Okay, hi, everyone, I wanted to bring up researching or looking into new rules around parking. I know that obviously, people are working more at home. But I find that in some of the outlying neighborhoods, specifically, I'm talking more apartment buildings are multi family homes, parking is just increasingly more challenging. People have bigger cars, more cars per household, and our parking rules. If someone were to go to a traffic study and want to make adjustments to their parking, I think we're very limited to the options. So I want to see if we can look into what other times they're doing or some new ideas to take the pressure off of parking. That was just, that's it. And so from there.
I didn't disagree with Councilman Cruz, I think we need to kind of look into this a little more, just because you know, the average family is having more cars than they did 2030 years ago. I know if there's any way Paul or Matt, do you recommend getting our traffic engineer, maybe involved to see if he could come up with something?
Yeah, well, we'll talk more about that a little bit and see what we can figure out. I mean, this is a we, we've got all sorts of things in the past. And let's see what we find. Okay.
One more thing for something, just from what I noticed, like, landlords will have a house with parking in the back. And they, their residents, or tenants don't parking and they're parking on the street. So that's pretty frustrating to watch happen. I don't know if there's something that can be looked into or rules made around that.
But we'll start we'll start kind of brainstorming on that, then. And then, you know, probably have have looped in on it, just so you know, some but I know that director demand and I and and I have talked about in the past, and we've all struggled with the tissue, sort of creating a new parking lot. That's always been a big, big thing. So it's, it's a toughy is there's no simple solution. But we'll we'll take a look at again to bring in and talk to our traffic engineer.
I just want to add quickly to the discussions that you're everyone's asking, right, this has been an ongoing concern, parking in in all premise, many neighborhoods. But I want to make sure that whatever we come up with, we actually think about it in the context that we've talked about, trying to tackle it. And it is so large that we really do need to depart try think about the big picture instead of like small things, because what I've experienced in the last seven years so that we Tinker one area, we try to fix one area and then the externalities associated with the things that grow out of that create even, you know, create additional concerns, like if you if you block parking in this area,
then then what happens is that
it just rolls out to the next street. And so we really do you need to have a, you know, a holistic discussion of our thinking about, you know, parking in general and I don't know what kind of maybe we have to have some sort of campaign or Like being late, and using your driveway, you know, or something like that. But, but we, we definitely, you know, it's a concern. And I just don't know any place that where it has a magazine do something about it. It's a real concern just about every place I've been.
And I also think we need to get our zoning or attorney involved in our zoning law circus, just looking at the zoning board agenda for this month, there's two separate pieces of property that are looking to go from two to three, from two families to three families, you know, just that simple thing right there that could be added for more cars to that neighborhood, or something like that. And, you know, I think they need to be involved in this discussion as well.
Yeah, there You took the words out of my mouth, actually. I think when is there already an ordinance that requires when you go from, like a single family to multi family or you add apartments, is there some sort of ordinances that you have to have several
parking requirements, there, there's residential standards that have to be met. And, you know, this is, this is a huge battle. And in fact, something that we are looking at, as it relates to stormwater management, it's this couple months ago, we need to pass something by March. And, and, and attribute that to create the boundary issues. This is this is a, you know, the, in some cases, we've been victims of our own success. other cases, we, you know, we've been victims of decisions that were made Barbie, or we were even around, you know, wherever, wherever we're limited them, limit, limited what we can do and what our options, and I know that Davis was referencing the one issue that I know we had big to do when we put in permit parking in one area created a problem for people that were in apartments and use those streets. So it's it, it's a very tricky thing that you pop up, push down one year and pops up over here. And and it's it's very complex, and it's never hurts to look at this again, be what we do make it better.
Perfect. Okay, number two.
Number two is just a recommendation for a burning member.
Okay. Okay, so we buy counseling rooms. I get a second. Any questions or comments?
I just want to add her name is Rebecca Noah, and she is a gardener. Milbank. And I'm really excited to join. Teach us.
All in favor, aye. And number three,
thank you to the library for appointment for Miriam Jackman. her full name is actually Miriam Jackson here. You're looking really good. You can adjust that. Okay. Let me do the final thing, but I'm the fit to replace a with Mr. We've spent a lot of time on the board and she has stepped down from the return ended and really grateful for her service by the year and then doing wonderful job.
Moved by Councillor Mondale, Do I have a second? Okay. Second, Councilman crease. All in favor, aye. And number four
is our Farmers Market Committee appointments include Monique mark small Lauren havens and Brian Greco. And I just want to say for the public, that a small committee for dealing with the multiple applications that we had. We wanted to appoint everybody but there are only three spaces so we happen to be three but we look forward to others joining us in a volunteer capacity during this time.
Can I get a second? All Second. All in favor. And number five,
no counsel, I
have some some appointments to the Civil Rights Commission. I'd like to appoint Casey Dudley
to the committee.
In addition, I'd like to renew the terms for Dr. Jonah Hill Hall, Maurice McLaughlin, and Krystal Langford. Their terms expired. And they this will be as of January. And then there are two other positions. And we did. We got some input from the community. I'll be coming with that. We got some very, very interesting candidates to come forward. And I'll have those names for you to review in January for January.
Okay, perfect. Move by Councilman Davis, try get a second. Second. Second. Councilman mando. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Okay. Anybody with the liaison report?
I have one thing there. The beautification committee, along with the environmental commission and a couple other groups are trying to get signatures for green challenge plans. So we've been posting about that on Facebook and other various social media. And the purpose behind this is the one to have a greener community. But if we can have a case, the numbers around 500 households sign this pledge, then we can use it towards our sustainable journey and certification. So I encourage everybody who lives in blue fields to go on and seek this pledge. It's really simple things, you just agree to do things like turn off the lights when you leave the room. Don't leave your water running Chinese reusable bags, when you go to the grocery store. It's really just signing the pledge. You no kidding, thank you have steps and literally go a long way to helping her become a more sustainable Township.
Perfect, anybody else
just have a quick one related to eventual center Alliance, there's been a lot of initiatives. There was a Saturday after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday where they had an event at the six points, very nice. There was ice sculptures and carolers. And it was a very nice event to get people to draw, you know, come down and experience the global center. You know, this, as we know, this is a very, very difficult time. And then it's to the degree to which possible, we're where we were heading into a more even more difficult time in the sense that, at least when, when it first happened, copers happen. There were restrictions. And everybody we were able to, you know, MIT pivot pretty quickly with the support of the mayor Council and the township to create outside seating, and then provide heaters and things like that to try to cover when it started to get a little bit cooler, as we get into the colder months that that option
will have
will go away from for most, if not all of the restaurants. And so I just would like to, to underscore the importance for resonance. And people were just in neighboring communities to help make a make a commitment to our businesses or small businesses, by supporting them whenever possible. It is very important that at the other end of this moment, this community moment where they have to come together, that we have demonstrated how much we care about our businesses by having them still be viable, in in viable businesses. So we need to continue to support them. In this particular time, the winter is going to be the toughest. If we if they thought that you know many is the spring and summer was tough the fall, the winter is going to be even tougher. So we have to as a community, really make sure we double down on our efforts to support our local businesses.
Thank you, Councilman Davis. Does anybody else have anything? Okay. And Matt has let me know that we do not have to go into closed session. Do we need to do anything to go into the Can I get a motion to adjourn? And then we'll restart the meeting. Motion. All in favor? Aye. Okay.
There you can start it right into the next into the next agenda.
Does anybody need a quick break?
I'm waiting my computer's gonna die when I've had so I might want to charge it.
Charge
way from like 60 to 3%. So I
can email john key in the morning. And
he's right there your urgent. Thank you.
I'm wanting All right, perfect.
I john Ethan camera ready? Yes. Ready. All right, let's return back to open session. All right, welcome back, everyone. First up, we have minutes approval.
mayor and council. I have minutes for me Monday, November 9 2020. Conference meeting and Monday, November 23 20 22nd.
Second, Councilman Joanne. Oh, any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye.
Communication, Louise.
Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, mayor and council. The following are communications we received so far in the month of December since our last meeting njdep suspected hazardous substance discharge notifications at 147 Weaver 354 Hoover 230 ampere, 403 s 659 Linden and 82 yen to clock and Jdp no further action letters to 22 New York Avenue 81 North 13th Street 32 Whittier terrorists 110 Curtis Street. We received from njdep groundwater remedial action permit for 1079 Broad Street from njdep site remediation and waste management program receptor for DS auto service at 211 watchung and Jdp division of land use regulation permit for 113 Washington Street njdep remedial action for groundwater for 26 dash 48 Bloomfield Avenue. Another notice from nj d o t for the 21 Municipal aid program from for broten Avenue improvements in the amount of $739,499. Just to reiterate, we would selected to receive that funding a PSE and G application for an extension of freshwater wetlands permit transmission for PSE and G company electric overhead and underground transmission rights of way from maser consulting soil remediation and biennial update for 118 JFK drive, and Jdp letters requesting to conduct indoor air sampling for Chester Avenue and North 16th Street. Also remedial action protectiveness for groundwater at 26 dash 48 Bloomfield avenue for j and l consultants regarding response action remediation for the Bloomfield gas station at 711 Bloomfield Avenue public hearing by the township of Bloomfield planning board, just to let everyone know there is a hearing tomorrow night a planning board meeting at 7pm for two cases 45 jod Street and 108 Montgomery Street. And lastly our Bloomfield zoning board meeting on December 17th. Bond zoom 55 Laurens Street and 22 dash 24 Arch Street is one case 145 Washington Street is another and 59 dodge street is last. Thank you there.
Thanks.
We have First up we have introduction of proposed ordinance on first reading
retail type an ordinance authorizing an emergency appropriation and gs 14 in four dash 53 some
move by Councilman Cruz Can I get a second? Second, Councilwoman Davis? Are there any questions or comments?
Council have an ordinance to amend Chapter 254 vehicles and traffic article three, parking standing and stopping section 254 dash 20. Schedule 16 to 54 dash 56
parking prohibited certain hours. So the second council rockbox Are there any questions or comments from members of the audience? No, there are any questions or comments? We're going to counsel? Louise please come along.
sorry. There doesn't have an ordinance to amend and supplement chapter three. So there's How should code providing parking for physical human persons So
moved. Second decade Councillor Mendell? Any questions or comments from members of the audience? Anyone on the phone? No. Any questions or comments from members or members of the council?
Louis first on the roll. Councilman Mondale? Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yeah. Councilman Davis? Yes, Councilman gamble. Yes, Councilman Rafael? Yes.
Mayor vinnytsia.
Yes. Number four.
Aaron calculate an ordinance of the township of Bloomfield county of ethics state of New Jersey providing for a special emergency appropriation pursuant to nj s a 48. ports to board a 53 EMS to fund a deficit in operation some
Second. Second counselor join.
Oh, are there any questions or comments from the public?
Is anyone on the call?
Are there any questions or comments from members of the council? Louise please call
Yes. Consent resolutions, Councilman john. Oh, can you move numbers one through 77. You got it. Mayor, mayor and council so looking to move forward resolutions? One through 72nd. Second, Councilwoman Cruz. Are there any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye.
Aye, that was the longest consecutive
meeting by itself.
resolutions. Number one.
There comes a resolution recognizing the dedicated frontline health care workers at Claremont Medical Center emergency department during the COVID-19 Center, which I would like to read. Whereas the township of Bluefield would like to recognize all the frontline workers who've been battling the covid 19 pandemic since early March 2020. And whereas in particular, the township recognizes those who are working with Karima Medical Center emergency departments, who have been called upon to put their own lives on the line, as well as the health and safety of their loved ones to carry out their critical mission of protecting the health and safety of our community and minimizing the disruption COVID-19 has caused One, and we're at Claremont Medical Center emergency department and the township have entered into a partnership to provide testing for staff when needed. And whereas in an effort to keep operating and serving our community without delay, therma provided tests for all township employees following thanksgiving to proactively protect our employees and residents. And whereas, whereas the Claremont Medical Center serves as a primary local community hospital that continues to operate in spite of great challenges and stands ready to meet the needs of our community COVID-19 or otherwise. And whereas the township would like to recognize key members who've been instrumental throughout the partnership, I'm going to read through these quickly because I think it's really important to recognize everyone who has given their their time and their service during this very difficult time. So, Dr. Maryam Hi, Mr. President and Chief Executive Officer, Donna davita, Director for emergency services. Dr. Dawn funds Nadeau, medical director for emergency services, and Barbara podia. Bianca, Michelle Teresa do mo who's the chief nursing officer for the hospital. Christina Park, Dante mustachio should we miss Jacqueline monto? Eddie Garcia, Melissa gam Stephanie correctly. Marina Lopez, Deborah to tears shawanda Haynes Madonna Marine, Jackie loves her about her Lexi, April's son, Scott moss burger, healthy Bella Tina burrito Holly Spencer, senior Martinez and the entire registration team and their laboratories. Now therefore be it resolved that the mayor and council of the township of Brookfield hereby recognize the efforts of all doctors, nurses and staff to help combat the covid 19 pandemic. Furthermore, family and health care workers have nothing to lose the suffering caused by the pandemic and we offer our sincerest condolences to them.
So look,
I'll second Thank you. Councilwoman, I think you know, our our partnership with Claremont has been absolutely wonderful. They just the fact that we were able to do test, every employee after Thanksgiving break was huge. The partnership that we've been with them, since I believe may since we started bringing employees back has been very helpful for the township. And I just want to thank them for that. Mary Ellen has been wonderful to the township and we want to continue that partnership going forward. And I know our Director of personnel can do but is literally on the phone with them every day trying to figure out new things we can do better that they are helping out within the system. So again, you know or thank you to Claire moss for everything that they do. Does anybody else have any questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Number two, Councilwoman Cruz.
Yes, winning counts on a resolution for special emergency resolution. And JSA 40 a 44 dash 555.
second decade, Councilman Davis, are there any questions or comments? Louise please call the roll.
Councilman Rockwell? Yes, they are made easier. Yeah.
And before we adjourn, I just want to let the public know that we will be having our swearing in ceremony on January 4. At 630 it will be private it will be live fit, feed through zoom and Facebook Live for anybody that wants to watch. But January 4, and from my family to yours, I just want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. And wrap up I still need to be licensed. Oh, sorry, Phil, is that Councilman Davis
to make sure we put all our marks up. Very quickly if filming license don't tell mama and taxicab owners license for local taxi comm constantly. Constantly Dino Constantinos suckiness
gusta Daniels tequila.
Thank you very much. I found that out so so.
Okay. Second counselor gamble. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. And again, happy holidays to everyone. And I get a motion to adjourn.
