BOROUGH OF WOODCLIFF LAKE
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MINUTES
February 1, 2010
8:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER.
This meeting, in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Law, P. L. l975, C. 23l, was announced at the Reorganization Meeting held on January 4, 2010 in the Municipal Building. Notice of this meeting has been posted, and two newspapers, The Record and The Ridgewood News, have been notified.
ROLL CALL.
Mayor LaPaglia was present. Council members Bader, Camella, Glaser, Hoffman, Howley and Rosenblatt.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Howley.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of an executive closed session meeting of the Mayor and Council on January 4, 2010 copies of which have been received by all Councilpersons, are hereby approved but not yet ready for release to the public.
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Camella
Second: Mr. Bader
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mrs. Howley, Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of a regular Mayor and Council meeting on Janaury 20, 2010 copies of which have been received by all Councilpersons, are hereby approved as presented.
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Camella
Second: Mr. Bader
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mrs. Howley
RESOLVED, that the Minutes of an executive closed session meeting of the Mayor and Council on January 20, 2010 copies of which have been received by all Councilpersons, are hereby approved as presented and the topics deemed complete by the Borough Attorney, Borough Clerk and Borough Administrator will be released to the public.
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Bader
Second: Mr. Camella
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Mrs. Howley
PASCACK VALLEY COALITION
Presentation to the Mayor and Council
Mrs. Gale Mangold, a teacher at Pascack Valley Hills and a co-chair of the Pascack Valley Coalition, gave a brief presentation of the goals and achievements of the Coalition. The Pascack Valley Coalition comprises the towns of Woodcliff Lake, Montvale, Hillsdale and River Vale. Their goal is to provide education on substance and alcohol abuse and the warning signs parents should be aware of. Mrs. Mangold stated that their main objective is to reduce the number of chronic drug abusers, support at risk teens and promote safe environments. Mrs. Mangold stated that former Mayor Josephine Higgins and Sgt Frank Ryan have been involved with this program for over 16 years. In the past, the four communities have each donated $2,500.00 to the Coalition.
Motion to approve $2,500.00 be given to the Pascack Valley Coalition on behalf of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake made by Mr. Rosenblatt. Mr. Rosenblatt was told that this contribution would be included as a line item in the 2010 budget; therefore, no motion is necessary for this expenditure.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Intersection Improvements at Woodcliff Avenue and Werimus Road
A plan containing the County’s comments of the July 8, 2009 meeting was redrafted by Boswell Engineering and submitted to the Borough’s Traffic consultant and Borough Administrator for comment and distribution to the Mayor and Council (on August 3, 2009). The Traffic Consultant’s comments were transmitted to the County for review/comment. Boswell is awaiting comments from the County. The Borough Administrator and Boswell will be scheduling a meeting with the resident at the intersection of Werimus Road and Woodcliff Avenue to discuss possible driveway modifications in order to accommodate this project.
Intersection Improvements at Kinderkamack Road and Prospect Avenue
The County Engineer’s Office is still reviewing the concept plan based on the reduced traffic counts on record with the County to determine if dedicated left turn lanes are really required. Last discussion with the County is that they have performed another site visit and are in the process of drafting another concept plan.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
2010 Municipal Budget Deadlines
Administrator Sandve stated that the deadline for the 2010 municipal budget has been extended to March 31, 2010 due to the uncertainty of the State budget.
Recycling contract
The Borough has received quotes for its annual recycling services. The recommended contractor provides the Borough with better prices on recycling products, provides a 40 c.y. container for electronic disposal, which had been a difficult product to recycle in the past and will provide one shredding day per year at the Ecology Center. Mayor LaPaglia asked the Administrator to get a quote from the company for the price of additional shredding days.
Donation Request
Temple Emanual has requested that the Borough donate a Pool and Tennis Membership to their annual fundraiser. This Council had previously passed a Resolution (R09-74) stating that the Woodcliff Lake Parent Faculty Association, Woodcliff Lake Education Foundation and the Pascack Hills Parent Faculty Association would be given a pool and tennis membership donation annually. Any other organizations who may request donations will be handled on an individual basis.
After lengthy discussion, motion made by Mr. Bader, second by Mr. Rosenblatt to approve the request by Temple Emanual for a donation of one (1) pool and tennis membership as defined by the regulations outlined for residency requirements for their fundraiser.
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Bader
Second: Mr. Rosenblatt
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mrs. Howley, Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mr. Rosenblatt wants to cap the number of donations the Borough gives away each year. Mayor LaPaglia agrees with Mr. Rosenblatt that the Council has to try to reign in expenses.
Motion to limit the number of pool memberships given away each year to six (6) and to have the Finance Committee draft a policy memorializing this decision made by Mr. Rosenblatt, second by Mr. Hoffman
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Rosenblatt
Second: Mr. Hoffman
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mrs. Howley, Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Werimus Lane Resurfacing
The Borough has been contacted by the Hillsdale Borough Engineer to discuss the resurfacing of Werimus Lane. They are repaving the street under their 2010 resurfacing program and since half the street is in Woodcliff Lake they have inquired as to the Borough’s interest in paving our half of the street.
NJSLOM Expense Report Summary
Mr. Hoffman went through Administrator Sandve’s summary previously given to all Councilmembers. Mr. Hoffman brought up several mistakes in his summary. He asked for Administrator Sandve to send a corrected memo to the Council. Mr. Hoffman stated that Borough Clerk Sciara stayed at that Sheraton rather than the Council’s choice of the Tropicana. Mr. Glaser stated that although not a written policy, he remembers that there was a clear understanding that anyone staying at a hotel other than the Trump must pay the difference. There seems to be a loophole.
Administrator Sandve stated that the policy adopted by this Council in September clearly states that only elected officials must pay the difference in hotel prices, not employees who are mandated by the State of NJ to attain continuing education credits to maintain their certifications. Mr. Camella stated that a policy was adopted and must be adhered to. Mayor LaPaglia stated that in the case of the Borough Clerk, he was informed she shared a room with her husband, John Sciara a councilman of Westwood and the Borough of Westwood contributed to ½ of a night’s stay. The difference that the Council is requesting is $79.00.
Mayor LaPaglia we are talking nickels and dimes here. Mayor LaPaglia stated that the Borough Clerk is taking umbrage over this. Attorney Madaio stated that the Borough Clerk crams all her certification classes for two licenses into one extra night at the League of Municipalities instead of taking classes one day at a time all year long.
Mayor LaPaglia stated that these little fishing expeditions do not always have all of the facts. At the end of the day, this will be costing more money.
Administrator Sandve stated that at the next Finance meeting, they should revisit the policy as to attendance at the League so that this will not happen again.
Mayor LaPaglia stated that the policy was a legitimate attempt to limit expenses at the League. It was the first year in effect and now there little anomalies that have surfaced. In the scheme of things, to ask the Clerk and Administrator to reimburse a differential is penny wise and pound foolish
Mr. Rosenblatt stated that is offensive. For a council which wastes over $50,000 a year on things they really don’t need it seems ridiculous to seek reimbursement.
Mr. Hoffman stated he wants to review the minutes of the September 21, 2009 meeting to ascertain the spirit of the Council’s intention on the revision to the Personnel Manual.
Borough E-Mail
The Mayor and Council are aware several issues regarding the handling of Borough e-mail procedures was provided to the Mayor and Council. There is still a problem with hand held devices and the forwarding process. Although the only sure way to have e-mails forwarded and retained properly is to only use the borough logon, .
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Intersection Improvements at Woodcliff Avenue and Werimus Road
A plan containing the County’s comments of the July 8, 2009 meeting was redrafted by Boswell Engineering and submitted to the Borough’s Traffic Consultant and Borough Administrator for comment and distribution to the Mayor and Council on August 3, 2009. The Traffic Consultant’s comments were transmitted to the County for review/comment. Boswell is awaiting comments from the County. The Borough Administrator and Boswell will be scheduling a meeting with the resident at the intersection of Werimus Road and Woodcliff Avenue to discuss possible driveway modifications in order to accommodate this project.
Intersection Improvements at Kinderkamack Road and Prospect Avenue
The County Engineer’s Office is still reviewing the concept plan based on the reduced traffic counts on record with the County to determine if dedicated left turn lanes are really required. Last discussion with the county is that they have performed another site visit and are in the process of drafting another concept plan.
OLD BUSINESS.
Court Consolidation Study
Mr. Hoffman gave a brief synopsis of the Court Consolidation Feasibility Study prepared for Woodcliff Lake, Montvale and Park Ridge. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Hoffman for his diligence in working on this project. Montvale would be the lead agency. The report gave three alternatives for court consolidation. Mr. Hoffman was given the authorization to proceed with this cost saving intitiative.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor LaPaglia stated that he would like to see a new police officer hired right away. Due to the untimely death of Sgt. Ryan and the retirement of Lt. Conway, the Police Department is down two officers.
Mr. Bader stated that the overtime at the Police Department because of the shortage of one officer is over $5,000. Being down two officers could cost over $10,000 in overtime costs. Mr. Rosenblatt and Mr. Bader stated that we have a right to carve out this one issue during the PBA negotiations. Mayor LaPaglia stated that for purposes of this meeting, there should be a motion to hire one new police officer at a starting salary of $36,000 with the agreement that if the PBA settles on a starting salary higher than the $36,000, retroactive pay will be given to date of higher; if the PBA settles on a starting salary lower than the $36,000 the Council will not seek reimbursement for the difference, to be initiated by the Police within 45 days was made by Mr. Rosenblatt, second by Mr. Camella.
ROLL CALL:
Introduce: Mr. Rosenblatt
Second: Mr. Camella
Ayes: Mr. Bader, Mr. Camella, Mr. Glaser, Mr. Hoffman,
Mrs. Howley, Mr. Rosenblatt
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
A memorial service will be held for Ed Levy, a long time resident and the Chairman of the Shade Tree Committee, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 6, 2010 at the First Congregational Church, 131 Pascack Road.
Mayor LaPaglia stated that he has received a letter from the County in regards to the control of the Canadian Geese Population in Northern NJ. Mrs. Howley volunteered to attend a meeting at the County on this subject.
Mayor LaPaglia informed the Council that he had a request from the SPCA of New Jersey for a donation of any unused borough vehicles. The Council agreed to look into this request.
NEW BUSINESS.
A donation was received from Valley Chabad in the amount of $300.00 for the use of the Tice/Senior Center during the holidays.
Mr. Glaser asked for a status on the survey results. Administrator Sandve stated that comments need to be reviewed from each survey and put in some kind of spreadsheet. Administrator Sandve
Mr. Hoffman reported that the Community Hospice has reached their goal of $300,000 to establish this program. However, the State has recently ruled that they will no longer be giving accreditation for new hospices. Community Hospice must now partner with a 3rd provider in order to commence operating.
PUBLIC FORUM.
Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Mr. Glaser, second by Mr. Bader and approved unanimously by voice call vote.
Kevin O’Brien, 227 Pascack Road stated that after reading over 120 sets of recently released closed session minutes he noted that on 12/21/09 his name is mentioned in a section is redacted. Mr. O’Brien also commented that on 5/19/93, Mr. Vogel stated that a copy of a letter written by him and a response by Chief Jannicelli was forwarded to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. O’Brien was assured that the Borough Clerk would investigate this matter. At the meeting on 2/2/08, it was reported that the auditor recommended that monies be collected by a bonded borough employee only. Mr. O’Brien asked why a non-bonded employee continues to collect Park and Recreation money against the auditor’s recommendations. Mr. Bader asked that Mr. O’Brien submit his questions to the Borough Clerk and she would answer them as best she could.
Josephine Higgins, 10 Pond Road stated that PSE&G should contribute to the damage done by them on Werimus Lane. Mrs. Higgins stated that she supports the Borough Clerk in regards to staying at a hotel closer to the convention. The Borough Clerk should not have to pay the $79.00 difference. It is cheaper than to have the Borough Clerk stay at the League for one extra night rather than go out on one day seminars several times per year.