MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
BOROUGH OF SADDLE RIVER – November 30, 2017
PRESENT:Mayor Kurpis, Council President Jensen, Council Members Acaster,Gray (via teleconference) Salazer & YatesBorough Administrator Giaimis, Borough Clerk Convertini, Attorney Lafferty
ABSENT:Council Member: Schulstad
PRESIDING: Mayor Kurpis called the meeting to order at 7:00pm; Borough ClerkConvertini readthe following statement:
PUBLIC NOTICE:"Notice of this meeting in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231 of the laws of 1975, has been given by posting a notice of the Work Session Meetings of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Saddle River on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building and in the office of the Borough Clerk and by emailing notice thereof to the Herald News and The Record onMarch 1, 2017, also on the Borough website and Q-notify.”
NOTIFICATION OF FIRE EXITS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
WORK SESSION AGENDA
MAYOR KURPIS:
Board of Health Fee Revisions: Mayor Kurpis stated the Council is in receipt of some minor additional fee changes. Administrator Giaimis stated that this ordinance was introduced in November and these changes should be considered at a later date and adopt the ordinance as introduced.
Review of 2018 Meeting Dates: Mayor Kurpis stated that these dates should be reviewed to ensure that all Council Members are in attendance. It was decided that the Reorganization Meeting will be moved to Monday, January 1, 2018 at 3:00 pm. Additionally, Mayor and Council meeting date of January 15, 2018 will be moved to January 22, 2018 and August 20, 2018 will be moved to August 22, 2018.
Independent Art Council Resolution: Mayor Kurpis stated that this initiative is very important as it can create a philanthropic footprint for Saddle River which is an important component of an affluent community. An Art Council will be formed as a 501C (3), independent of the Borough. A draft resolution was distributed to the Council for their review. Mayor Kurpis explained that the grant funding parameters used to procure the Marker House may be able to be amended in order to repurpose this property as an art center and this is currently being researched.
Wildlife Management: Mayor Kurpis reiterated that the Mayors of neighboring municipalities are waiting for Saddle River to take the lead on this initiative.
BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR:
Ordinance Prohibiting the Feeding of Wildlife: Administrator Giaimis stated that this ordinance has been significantly amended and will be introduced at this meeting. The ordinance of the same name, introduced on November 13, 2017 has been withdrawn. The Mayor and Council are in receipt of the most recent version.
2016 Open Space Grant Resolution/Rindlaub Irrigation: Administrator Giaimis stated that this resolution will be adopted at the regular meeting of the Mayor and Council on December 18, 2017 and briefly explained same at this time.
Employee Health Benefits Program 2018 Waiver of Coverage Offer and Agreement: Administrator Giaimis stated that this resolution will be adopted at the regular meeting of the Mayor and Council on December 18, 2017 and briefly explained same at this time.
Codification of Borough Code: Administrator Giaimis stated that the Borough will beretaining a firm to update the codification process. A full review of the code will be executed as this process has not been done for some time in Saddle River.
Historic Grant for the Saddle River Museum: This grant application is in the amount of $2000 and is a matching grant. Administrator Giaimis stated that he worked with Borough Historian Jonathan Kurpis on this in the hope of obtaining funds to complete interior renovations to the Saddle River Museum.
North West Bergen Administrators Meeting: Administrator Giaimis stated that this meeting will be held in Saddle River on December 7, 2017 and the Mayor and Council are welcome to attend.
Finance Committee: Administrator Giaimis stated that he has done preliminary reviews of the 2018 budget requests and the Finance Committee will meet on December 1, 2017 to further address this matter.
COUNCIL MEMBER UPDATES:
Council President Jensen gave an update on the status of the Quint fire truck, stating that it has been returned from the manufacturer; new hydraulic cylinders have been ordered and will be installed when available. The Quint was in a minor accident in Wallington, NJ and there was a small amount of damage to the rear bumber of the truck. He further stated that he attended drill night and the SRFD Reorganization Meeting will be held on January 6, 2018. Mayor Kurpis asked about the proposed fire house expansion project and Council President Jensen stated that a more practical, cost effective proposalshould be presented.
Council President Jensen gave Council Member Schulstad’s report regarding the Ordinance Review Committee, stating that the meeting scheduled for December 1, 2017 has been cancelled. He further addressed the ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife and addressed the changes in the new ordinance being introduced.
Council Member Yates gave a report regarding the Environmental Commission, stating that Scott Levy, Borough Landscape Architect will start to evaluate Borough trees. The Commission would like to plant a minimum of 10 new trees throughout the Borough in the upcoming year and invasive species were also discussed.
Council Member Acaster gave the report for the Saddle River Police Department, discussing the apprehension of three burglary suspects.
Council Member Salazer stated that the Landmarks Commission held an emergency meeting on November 29, 2017 in order to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Marigold Boutique.
Council Member Gray gave the report for EMS and stated that the Board of Education is actively pursuing the recruitment of a new Superintendent. Council Member Gray addressed specific language in the Prohibiting of Wildlife ordinance. This was discussed in detail and it was agreed it would remain as written.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
Council President Jensen stated that Ordinance No. 17-940-C has been formally withdrawn.
ORDINANCE NO. 17-943-C
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SADDLE RIVER, NEW JERSEY
PROVIDING FOR PROHIBITION OF THE FEEDING OF WILDLIFE ON LANDS
IN THE BOROUGH, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
Resolution # 209-17Offered by Council President Jensen
Seconded by Council Member Acaster
Roll Call Vote: AYES, Unanimous
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Corinne Kerner, 229 West Saddle River Road asked for an update on the Deer Management Plan. Administrator Giaimis stated that the Division of Fish and Wildlife has responded to the report submitted by the Borough with a series of additional questions for clarification. Dr. Cerf is currently working on these questions. Additionally, a mailer will be sent out to all residents seeking permission for this plan to be executed on their property, if need be. The Borough Attorney will be reviewing this mailer and it will be sent by Dr. Cerf as a Borough designee. Council President Jensen stated that this process will take some time in order to receive results, have them collated and evaluated, possibly more than six weeks. Mayor Kurpis stated that a time line must be established for this process in order to move forward as this is a serious public safety risk.
Ms. Kerner stated that this mailer to residents should be sent out from and received back to the Borough.She further stated that the entire process needs to have a timeline as it is a very serious issue that must have an end date.
Amy Atkinson, 19 Westerly Road stated that hunting is very dangerous and the Borough should consider this fact. She addressed Ordinance 17-943-C and stated that residents should not be restricted from feeding wildlife.
Marilyn Goldfischer, 224 West Saddle River Road stated that the amount of deer/car collisions have increased exponentially and something must be with the excessive deer population. Mayor Kurpis was in agreement and stated that Lyme Disease must also be considered as this is another serious problem associated with the deer population. A logical time frame must be instituted in order to move forward.
Council Member Acaster stated that another deadline should be proposed and Mayor Kurpis stated that he would like the Borough Administrator to look into this to seek a realistic time line for this process.
Ms. Kerner stated that the Mayor and Council should consider dual tracking this matter in the event that the non-lethal plan is not acceptable to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Administrator Giaimis stated that this process could be underway in a short period of time.
Ms. Atkinson stated that the residents voted for non-lethal and the delays in the process were imposed by the governing body.
Ms. Goldfischer responded by adding that, since the referendum, the deer problem has grown significantly.
Ms. Kerner stated that there has always been a difference of opinion regarding this matter and action must be taken.
Ms. Atkinson stated that Council Members who want the hunt have dragged their feet and thwarted non-lethal measures being proposed.
Ms. Goldfischer stated that there is bald eagle living near Tricker Pond and can often be seen taking fish out of the pond. Mayor Kurpis suggested that the Borough stock the pond with small bass as a food source in order to attract eagles to Saddle River.
RESOLUTION FOR CLOSED SESSION
At this time, a resolution was read to go into Closed Session.
Resolution # 210-17Offered by Council President Jensen
Second by Council Member Yates
Roll Call Vote: AYES: Unanimous
At this time the Mayor and Council returned to the Regular Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Joy C. Convertini Municipal Clerk
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING NOVEMBER 30, 2017