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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2023
7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order - Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call - Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
a. Honor Robert Paoli on His Retirement as Commander of American Legion Post 53
b. Honor Co-Historians Peggy Norris and Joseph Suplicki for Their Years of Service
c. Proclaim January Radon Action Month
8. Presentation of Awards
a. CPR Save
Ridgewood Fire Department:
Firefighter Matthew Bombace
Firefighter Gregory Corcoran
Firefighter David Kelly
Firefighter Christopher Santucci
Ridgewood Police Department:
Police Officer Christopher Schumann
Police Officer Joseph Youngberg
Central Dispatch:
Dispatcher Carly Tarczynski
b. Childbirth Award/Baby Delivery
Ridgewood Fire Department:
Lieutenant Matthew Ramge
Firefighter Jason Jacoby
Firefighter Daniel Steen
Firefighter Henry VanWageningen
Ridgewood Police:
Police Officer Douglas Busche
Police Officer Michael Karcher
Police Officer Rosario Vaccarella
Police Officer Peter Youngberg
3-20, Decorum, the Village Council meetings shall be conducted in the following manner:
Manner of Addressing Council
Persons other than Councilmembers may be permitted to address the Council in the proper order of business. A person present may, upon recognition by the Chair, be heard either upon ordinances upon second reading or at the time of petitions and oral communications from the public and at such other times as the Council may, by majority vote of those present, specifically permit. No person shall address any remark or question to any specific Councilmember, nor shall any person be permitted to address the Chair while a motion is pending. A Councilmember may, through the Chair, respond to any communication or address received pursuant to this section.
Decorum
Any person who shall disturb the peace of the Council, make impertinent or slanderous remarks or conduct himself in a boisterous manner while addressing the Council shall be forthwith barred by the presiding officer from further audience before the Council, except that if the speaker shall submit to proper order under these rules, permission for him to continue may be granted by a majority vote of the Council.
9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person - 40 minutes in total)
10. Village Manager's Report
11. Village Council Reports
12. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. ORDINANCES - PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
14. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 23-391 THROUGH
23-403 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
23-391Award Contract – Various Infrastructure Improvements – Installation and Replacement of Water Mains, Fire Hydrants, Valves, Service Connections, and Appurtenances
(NTE $4,529,980) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Shauger Property Services, Inc., 429 Dodd Street, East Orange, NJ
23-392 Title 59 Approval – Infrared Asphalt Surface Repair – Approves the plans and specifications for Infrared Asphalt Surface Repair, Asphalt Trench Patching, and Miscellaneous Curb and Sidewalk Repair, Various Locations, July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, prepared by Ridgewood Engineering, pursuant to Title 59
23-393 Award Contract – Infrared Asphalt Surface Repair (NTE $125,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, J. Fletcher Creamer and Son, Inc., 101 East Broadway, Hackensack, NJ
23-394 Title 59 Approval – HVAC Maintenance and Repair – Various Locations – Approves the plans and specifications for HVAC Maintenance and Repair prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
23-395Award Contract – HVAC Maintenance and Repair – Various Locations (NTE $55,000) – Awards a contract to the sole responsible bidder, Unitemp Mechanical Degrees, LLC, 26 Worlds Fair Drive, Unit D, Somerset, NJ
23-396Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services for Ridgewood Water – Approves the plans and specifications for Landscaping Services for Ridgewood Water, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
23-397Award Contract – Landscaping Services
(NTE $149,950) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, LTI, Inc., 122 Main Road, Montville, NJ
23-398 Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
23-399Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Hypochlorite (NTE $124,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, PVS Minibulk, Inc., 10900 Harper Avenue, Detroit, MI
23-400 Title 59 Approval – Pipe and Appurtenances – Approves the plans and specifications for Pipe & Appurtenances, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
23-401 Award Contract – Pipe and Appurtenances
(NTE $415,000) – Awards a contract to the low bidder for pipe, valves, fittings, clamps/sleeves, hydrants, boxes and brass, Capitol Supply Construction, LLC, 149 Old Turnpike Road, Wayne, NJ; and awards a contract to the low bidder for hydrants and copper tubing to Ferguson Waterworks, 190 Oberlin Avenue, North, Lakewood, NJ
23-402 Authorize Change Order – Professional Engineering Services for 2023 Various Transmission and Distribution Improvements (NTE $8,942) – Authorizes a change order to the original lowest responsible bidder, Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc., 96 U.S. Highway 206, Suite 101, Flanders, NJ. This change order is necessary due to the addition of a sanitary sewer main, addition of fiber optic conduits, and a change in the size of the raw water main.
23-403 Accept Name Change of Vendor for Watersmart Customer Portal Software Package – The Village Council adopted Resolution #23-289 to award a contract for the Watersmart Customer Portal to Vertexone, 1321 Upland Drive, Suite 8389, Houston, TX. The Village has been notified that Vertexone is the parent company, which will provide the software service and the vendor name should be Watersmart Software, Inc., 1321 Upland Drive, Suite 8389, Houston, TX.
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3978 - Amend Chapter 212 – Parks and Recreation Areas – Regulations on Electric Bicycles, Electric Scooters, Electric Skateboards, and Non-Human Powered Vehicles - Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle, e-bike, e-scooter, motorized bicycle, non-human powered vehicle or similar vehicle in or upon any Village of Ridgewood parkland, Ridgewood Water Company property or other public places in the Village of Ridgewood. This prohibition excludes Mobility Assistance Devices, which are mechanically or electrically or manually powered devices utilized by an individual with qualified disabilities, necessitating such mobility.
3979 – Establish Position of Village of Ridgewood Historian – Establishes the position of Village of Ridgewood Historian, including the term of office, powers and responsibilities of this position.
3980 – Amend Chapter 190, Section 190-106 - R-3
Single-Family Residence District - Bulk and Lot Regulations – Amends the bulk and lot regulations for the R-3 Single-Family Residence District to correct a typographical error in Ordinance No. 3973, which was previously adopted. The maximum coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line was incorrectly stated in Ordinance No. 3973, as 20% of the lot area within 140 feet of the front lot line. This ordinance corrects Ordinance No. 3973 to state that the maximum coverage is 25% of the lot area within 140 feet of the front lot line.
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3974 – Amend Chapter 105 – Cats – Expiration of 3-Year Cat Licenses
3975 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Emergency Medical Services Third-Party Billing Plan Fees
3976 - Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Permit Microbreweries and Brew Pubs
3977 – Firefighters and Fire Superior Officers Salary Ordinance
17. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 23-404 THROUGH
23-457, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RESOLUTIONS 23-447, WHICH HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA, AND 23-458, WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL, ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
23-404 Approve 2024 Village Cash Management Plan - Annual resolution which approves the Cash Management Plan and Policy. This Cash Management Plan is to be used as a guide for Village officials when depositing and investing the Village’s funds.
23-405 Designate Official Newspapers for 2024 - Annual resolution which designates The Record and the Ridgewood News, and the Gannett Co., Inc. (the parent company of both newspapers) as the official newspapers of the Village of Ridgewood
23-406 Approve 2024 Annual Meetings Statement - Annual resolution which sets the schedule for the Village Council Meetings for 2024
23-407 Award Contract – Preparation of 2024 Village Council Meeting Minutes (NTE $8.00/page, $15,000 total) - Awards a contract for preparation of the 2024 Village Council Meeting minutes to Prestige EVAs, LLC, 898 Hammond Road, Ridgewood, NJ as the lowest responsible quote
23-408 Award Contract – Demolition of Barn and Removal of Existing Structural Materials at Habernickel Park (NTE $42,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible quote from Adamo Brothers Construction, Inc., 1033 Alexander Avenue, Ridgefield, NJ
23-409 Award Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services Contract – Improvements and Upgrades to Public Safety Communication Bandwidth – Various Locations – Awards an Extraordinary, Unspecifiable Services contract to Verizon, Scherer Design Group, 100 Corporate Drive, Suite 202, Lebanon, NJ
23-410 Title 59 Approval – Concession Refreshment Service – Graydon Pool – Water’s Edge Café – Approves the plans and specifications for Concession Refreshment Services – 2023, 2024 The Water’s Edge Café, Graydon Pool, prepared by the Parks and Recreation Department, pursuant to Title 59
23-411 Award Contract – Concession Refreshment Service – Graydon Pool – Water’s Edge Café – Awards a contract for the second optional year, to the sole proposal from Michael Sims, Mellsworth Foods, Inc., 102 East Main Street, Ramsey, NJ
23-412 Title 59 Approval – 2024 Recreation Programs – Approves the plans and specifications Recreational Program Instruction with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Contract Year 2024, prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation, pursuant to Title 59
23-413 Award Contracts – 2024 Recreation Program Instruction – Awards contracts to various vendors for various recreational program instruction for the year 2024
23-414 Award Contract Under Bergen County Contract – Untreated Rock Salt ($78.75/ton,
NTE $80,000) – Awards a contract under Bergen County Contract to Atlantic Salt, Inc., 134 Middle Street, Suite 210, Lowell, MA
23-415 Award Contract Under State Contract – 2023 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 Mason Dump Truck – Parks Department (NTE $99,375) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Route 23 Automall, 1301 Route 23 South, Butler, NJ
23-416 Award Contract Under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program – Lease of Ford Explorer – Health Department (NTE $7,500) – Awards the fourth year of a five-year contract for the lease of a Ford Explorer to Enterprise Fleet Management, 1550 Route 23 North, Suite 101, Wayne, NJ
23-417 Award Professional Services Contract - EMS Claims Procedures and Billing/Revenue Generation (NTE $17,400) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Keavney & Streger, LLC, 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 300, Princeton, NJ. The Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-418 Award Professional Services Contract – Pediatrician for Child Health Clinics
(NTE $1,950 per municipality/$5,850 total) - Awards a Professional Services Contract to Dr. Wayne Narucki, 33 Lincoln Avenue, Rutherford, NJ, as the sole quote received. The Borough of Fair Lawn, the Borough of Glen Rock, and the Village of Ridgewood will each pay one-third of the cost of this contract.
23-419 Award Professional Services Contract – Animal Control and Waterfowl Management
(NTE $32,400) – Awards the second year of a Professional Services Contract to TYCO Animal Control Services, 140 Greenwood Avenue, Midland Park, NJ
23-420 Award Professional Services Contract - Elevator Subcode Inspection/Inspector – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Top Floor Elevated Solutions, LLC, Ridge Avenue, P.O. Box 246, Park Ridge, NJ. The Village will be charged for 85% of the fees collected for elevator subcode duties, and the Village will receive 15% of the fees as an administrative fee.
23-421 Award Professional Services Contract – Risk Management Consultant (NTE $60,000) – Awards a Professional Services contract under a
non-fair and open contract to Brown and Brown Metro, LLC, 56 Livingston Avenue, Suite 230, Roseland, NJ. The hiring of a Risk Management Consultant is required under the Joint Insurance Fund’s bylaws, and the required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
23-422 Appoint Village Attorney (NTE $199,000) - Appoints Matthew Rogers as the Village Attorney under a non-fair and open contract for a term of 1/1/2024-12/31/2024. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-423 Appoint Village Bond Attorney (NTE $125,000) - Appoints McManimon, Scotland, and Baumann, L.L.C., 75 Livingston Avenue, 2nd Floor, Roseland, NJ as the Village Bond Attorney from 1/1/2024-12/31/2024 under a non-fair and open contract. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-424 Appoint Village Labor Attorney (NTE $75,000) - Appoints Dominick Bratti and Bratti Greenan, LLC, 1040 Broad Street, Suite 104, Shrewsbury, NJ as the Village Labor Attorney under a non-fair and open contract from 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-425 Appoint Village Auditor (NTE $60,000) – Appoints Nisivoccia, LLP, 200 Valley Road, Suite 300, Mount Arlington, NJ, under a
fair and open contract. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-426 Appoint Village Budget Auditor (NTE $3,000) - Appoints Steven Wielkotz and Wielkotz & Company, 401 Wanaque Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ as the Auditor for the 2024 budget from 1/1/24 – 12/31/24
23-427 Appoint Professional Planner (NTE $35,000) -
Awards a non-fair and open contract to John Barree, M. McKinley Mertz, and Heyer, Gruel & Associates, 236 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been submitted to the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-428 Appoint Professional Planning Consultant for Affordable Housing and Related Matters
(NTE $25,000) – Appoints Elizabeth McManus, LEED, AP, PP, AICP and Kyle + McManus Associates, LLC, 2 East Broad Street Hopewell, NJ as the Village Professional Planning Consultant for Affordable Housing and Related Matters under a non-fair and open contract, from 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office, as required by law.
23-429 Appoint Village Prosecutor (NTE $550/session, NTE $30,000 total) – Appoints Mark P. Fierro, 1086 Teaneck Road, Suite 3A, Teaneck, NJ as the Village Prosecutor from 1/1/2024- 12/31/2024, under a non-fair and open contract. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
23-430 Appoint Public Defender (NTE $200/case, NTE $3,000 total) - Appoints Susan Cassell as the Public Defender from 1/1/2024-12/31/2024
23-431 Authorize Shared Services Agreement – 2024 Child Health Clinic (Fair Lawn & Glen Rock) (NTE Maximum of $1,950 per municipality) - Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Fair Lawn and the Borough of Glen Rock for a Child Health Clinic. Each municipality will pay one-third of the cost for the program.
23-432 Acknowledge Receipt of No Bids and Authorize Rebid – Train Station Coffee Bar at the Ridgewood Train Station Building - January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, Inclusive – Acknowledges that no bids were received for this service and authorizes it to be rebid, at a lower price
23-433 Rescind Resolution #23-205 and Resolution #23-262 – Award Contract – Chassis and Mason Dump – Parks Department – Rescinds Resolutions #23-205 and #23-262 awarding a contract for a chassis and mason dump for the Parks Department, due to the fact that the vehicle is no longer available
23-434 Reject Proposal – Billing of Basic Life Support Services – Ambulance Billing – Rejects the sole proposal for this service, and authorizes the re-issuing and
re-advertising, in the interest of greater competition
23-435 Reject Bids – Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste – Rejects the bids received, due to the fact that both bids were approximately 10% above the estimated annual cost for this service, and the low bidder’s truck haul route was not practical in a reasonable business timeframe
23-436 Rescind and Replace Resolution #23-371 – Award Contract Under State Contract – Computer Equipment (NTE $65,695.90) – Rescinds and replaces Resolution #23-371, as it awarded the contract under a cooperative contract which the Village does not belong to at this time. In addition, Awards a Contract under State Contract to Dell, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX
23-437 Confirm Endorsement of Community Development Block Grant – West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Inc. – Installation of ADA Approved Automatic Doors – 120 & 140 Chestnut Street - Confirms the endorsement of a $40,000 Community Development Block grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
23-438 Confirm Endorsement of Community Development Block Grant – Children’s Aid and Family Services – Replacement of one HVAC Unit at Group Home – 29 Washington Place - Confirms the endorsement of a $15,000 Community Development Block grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
23-439 Confirm Endorsement of Community Development Block Grant – Children’s Aid and Family Services – Two Air Purification Units at Group Home – 29 Washington Place - Confirms the endorsement of a $4,000 Community Development Block grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
23-440 Approve 2023 Budget Transfer - Annual resolution which transfers money from departments which have excess funds to those departments which do not have adequate funds
23-441 Authorize Refund and Cancellation of Property Taxes for Disabled Veteran (Block 3210,
Lot 3) - Authorizes refund and cancellation of taxes for a disabled Veteran, in accordance with State statutes
23-442 Appoint Members to the Planning Board - Appoints John Young as a Class II member for a term that expires 12/31/24; Councilmember Pamela Perron as a Class III member for a term that expires 12/31/24; James Van Goor as a Class IV member for a term that expires 12/31/27; and David Refkin as Alternate #2, for a term that expires 12/31/25
23-443 Appoint Members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment - Appoints John Papietro and Jason Curreri as full members for terms that expire 12/31/27
23-444 Appoint Members to Library Board of Trustees – Appoints Janis Fuhrman, Rei Shinozuka, and Rocco Orlando for terms that expire on 12/31/28
23-445 Appoint Members to Citizens Safety Advisory Committee – Appoints Anastasia Bamberg, Charles DiMarco, Jane Remis, and Barbara Sacks to terms that expire on 12/31/25. Also appoints Sheila Brogan as the Ridgewood Board of Education Member, Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, or his designee, and Chief Forest Lyons or his designee for terms that expire 12/31/24.
23-446 Appoint Members to Central Business District Advisory Committee – Appoints Trish Manzo – Ridgewood Guild Member; Anastasia Bamberg – Citizens Safety Advisory Committee; Stephen Aspero – Resident Member to terms that expire on 12/31/25. Also appoints Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer or his designee and Chief Forest Lyons or his designee to terms that expire on 12/31/24.
23-448 Appoint Members to Historic Preservation Commission – Appoints Barbara Ferrante as a Class A member to a term that expires on 12/31/27; Joseph Suplicki as a Class B member to a term that expires on 12/31/27; Jeff Summerville as a Class C member to fill the unexpired term of Lisa Conde that expires on 12/31/25, and Janis Fuhrman as a Class C Alternate member to a term that expires on 12/31/25
23-449 Appoint Members to the Pride Day Committee – Appoints Christine Driscoll and Marc Cantor as Resident Members to terms that expire on 12/31/25 and Larisa Shlahet to fill the unexpired term of Christian Reinhardt, as a Resident Member, for a term that expires on 12/31/24
23-450 Appoint Member to Green Team Advisory Committee – Appoints Lourdes (Luly) Melarti for a term that expires 12/31/26; and Manpreet Tyagi to fill the unexpired term of Tony Maurielo for a term that expires on 12/31/24
23-451 Appoint Members to Shade Tree Commission – Appoints Cavan Sieczkowski and Deborah Steinbaum as regular members for terms that expire on 12/31/26
23-452 Appoint Member to Kasschau Memorial Shell Committee – Appoints Jenny Coates for a term that expires on 12/31/25
23-453 Appoint Member to Project Pride Committee – Appoints Jenny Coates as a Resident Member
23-454 Appoint Member to Ridgewood Arts Council – Appoints Jenny Coates as a member for a term that expires on 6/30/24
23-455 Appointment Members to Special Improvement District Steering Committee – Appoints Bill Gilsenan, Gary Kolesaire, Nina Milanos, Ron Rosensweig (Trustee), John Saraceno, Stacey Tsapatsaris, and Paul Vagianos as Property Owners; Glenn Carlough (Steel Wheel Tavern), Angela Cautillo (Duxiana Bedding), Jake Lindsay, (Jenny Banta Building), Laura French Spada (Jenny Banta Building), and Izzy Yanay (Sook Pastry) as Business Owners; and Deputy Mayor Pamela Perron from the Village Council; Philip Davis (Kilwins) from the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce; Trish Manzo from the Ridgewood Guild; and William Palumbo, Tax Assessor and Neil Gallone, GIS Specialist 1, from the Village of Ridgewood Staff
23-456 Appoint Village Councilmembers as Liaisons to Various Boards and Committees - Appoints Village Councilmembers as Liaisons to various boards and committees through December 31, 2024
23-457 Award Professional Services Contract – Phase II Work Plan and Archaeological Study – Schedler Property (NTE $53,778) – Awards a non-fair and open Professional Services Contract to Richard Grubb and Associates, 259 Prospect Plains Road, Building D, Cranbury, NJ for this work at the Schedler Property, and authorizes the Village Manager to sign the proposal. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 23-447 AND 23-458, WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:
23-447 REMOVED FROM AGENDA
23-458 Appoint Harold Maxwell as Alternate #1 to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for Duration of Outfront Media Application
18. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 3 minutes per person)
19. Resolution to go into Closed Session
20. Closed Session
Personnel – Appointments to Boards and Committees, Annual Review of Village Clerk
21. Adjournment
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