Public Work Session 20160106
A REGULAR WORK SESSION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR. COURT ROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 6, 2016 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Aronsohn called the meeting to order at 7:34 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call, the following were present: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn. Also present were Roberta Sonenfeld, Village Manager; Heather Mailander, Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney. Mayor Aronsohn led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and asked for a moment of silence in honor of the American men and women serving in our Armed Forces, as well as those serving as first responders.
2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mayor Aronsohn asked if there were any comments or questions from the public.
Anne Loving, 342 South Irving Street, noted that Councilwoman Hauck and Councilwoman Knudsen were both serving as Village representatives on the Valley Hospital mediation team. She wondered if this was a conflict of interest for Councilwoman Hauck, since in a 2014 Philanthropy Report from Valley Hospital, Mr. and Mrs. Hauck were recognized as giving between $10,000 and $24,999 to Valley Hospital. It also stated that they had given to Valley Hospital for eight years. Ms. Loving wondered how Councilwoman Hauck can help defend the Village of Ridgewood’s interest in the Valley Hospital mediation when she donated money to the hospital. She stated that Councilwoman Hauck should be removed from the mediation team.
Councilwoman Hauck indicated that the Valley Hospital Foundation has confirmed to her that she has not contributed to them for several years. She noted for the record that she and her husband also contribute to the Ridgewood Library Foundation and The YMCA. She called the Valley Hospital Foundation a second time, and they again said that they have not received any contributions from Councilwoman Hauck since 2011, which is prior to the time she was elected to the Village Council.
Russell Forenza, 228 Emmett Place, said that he read an article in Governing magazine about technology cars which park themselves, and cause traffic. He said he has been a resident since 1951, said that parking spots in Ridgewood are hard to come by. He said that parking garages help to solve parking problems, but they are expensive, and taxpayers pay for them. Mr. Forenza indicated that Franklin Avenue, Broad Street and Hudson Street are not good places for parking garages because of the traffic congestion in those areas.
Mr. Forenza said that the Village does not need a parking garage. Instead, the merchants and CBD employees should park in the Graydon Pool parking lot and then walk or use the senior bus or a trolley to get them to their places of business. This would alleviate much of the parking problem for customers in the CBD. Mr. Forenza concluded by stating that the location of the proposed parking garage at Broad Street and Hudson Street is a questionable location, and it should be reviewed.
3. MOTION TO SUSPEND REGULAR WORK SESSION AND CONVENE SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING #1
At 7:49 P.M., upon motion by Councilwoman Hauck, seconded by Councilman Pucciarelli and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Village Council suspended the Work Session.
At 1:53 A.M. on January 7, 2016 upon motion by Councilwoman Hauck, seconded by Councilwoman Knudsen and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Work Session was reconvened.
4. DISCUSSION
a. Parking
1.) Ordinance to Participate in Leasing Agreement with Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA)
2.) Authorize Application to Local Finance Board – Hudson Street Deck
Mayor Aronsohn said that now that the Work Session has been reconvened, there is a full meeting ahead of the Village Council, and it will have to be determined what items can be bumped forward to another meeting. Councilwoman Knudsen asked if Mayor Aronsohn is indicating that the BCIA ordinance would be moved to another meeting, and if so, in the interim she wondered why the Village could not look at other designs for the Hudson Street parking deck. Mayor Aronsohn said that this would mean having new designs by next Wednesday, for the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting. Councilwoman Knudsen said she guesses it could not be done that quickly. Mayor Aronsohn said that there is always another opportunity to discuss matters further.
Ms. Sonenfeld pointed out that this discussion is about the ordinance to participate in a Leasing Agreement with the BCIA. She explained that it is not about the resolution to authorize an application to the Local Finance Board for the Hudson Street Deck, because that is not part of this second Special Public Meeting, it would have been considered with the first Special Public Meeting, if the bond ordinance to finance the Hudson Street parking deck had been adopted. She further explained that this ordinance allows the Village to have formal negotiations with the BCIA. She indicated that there have been informal discussions with the BCIA, including potential scheduling; how the process would work; and what the BCIA would need from the Village. The ordinance to be considered will allow the Village to start formal discussions with the BCIA. The advantages of going with the BCIA financing is that they do negotiated contracts with vendors, instead of competitive bidding, which can result in more favorable interest rates. In addition, there would be the Village’s AAA bond rating and the BCIA’s AAA bond rating to take to market for a better interest rate. In addition, it is more likely to have a non-conforming, rather than a conforming, maturity schedule with the BCIA, which means that there would be equal payments for the life of the bond. The Village can also take advantage of the BCIA going to the market more often. Ms. Sonenfeld that she does not have precise fees of funding nor the covenants which may apply through the BCIA, since formal discussions have not yet taken place; however, once this ordinance is adopted, the Village will work these through with the BCIA.
Mayor Aronsohn stated that he is fine with moving forward with the ordinance for funding the Hudson Street parking deck through the BCIA, although he would have preferred to fund it through a Village bond ordinance. He said that he would like to move forward, as a team, with the BCIA funding and the design of the parking deck can be looked at again, as far as the cantilever over a portion of Hudson Street. He explained that working with the County is an opportunity for the County as well as for the Village, and he is looking forward to moving forward together as a Village Council regarding the size and design of the parking deck.
Councilman Pucciarelli indicated that he is favorable in working with the BCIA, as long as they are reasonable. He said that if there are capital improvements to be made down the line, perhaps they could be shared. He stated that he does not see a down side to working with the County. He noted that is it totally appropriate for the County to have a stake in this, since there are commuters, shoppers, and diners who come to Ridgewood from out of town.
Councilwoman Knudsen said that the Village Council is now 20 days away from the consideration for adoption of the BCIA ordinance, so she urged that the Village have the architect work aggressively to come up with another design for the Hudson Street parking deck that would be amenable for the Village Council as well as the public within that timeframe.
Mayor Aronsohn agreed with Councilwoman Knudsen that the architect should come back with a new design that does not include the cantilever, although he personally likes that design. Councilwoman Knudsen said that a design that does not encroach ten feet into Hudson Street might allow an agreement by the Village Councilmembers.
Mayor Aronsohn explained that the reason for the cantilever was that 120 feet is necessary to have a parking garage with two rows of parked cars and then two cars being able to drive between them. There is only 100 feet available at the Hudson Street location, so the cantilever created the additional space to allow for that type of layout. He said that a new design, without the cantilever may require the garage to be a little higher, but perhaps it will address more people’s concerns. Councilman Pucciarelli said that he would like to stay on both tracks, both pursuing the funding the parking deck within the Village, as well as moving forward with the BCIA funding.
Ms. Sonenfeld said that she would like to pursue, with Bob Rooney, the Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Parking Utility, what the costs are to go with the BCIA. Councilman Pucciarelli agreed, and reiterated that both tracks should be pursued. Mayor Aronsohn agreed, and stated that even if the Village bond ordinance is adopted, the Village might still decide to go with the BCIA funding if there are added benefits for the Village.
Mayor Aronsohn said that at this time, the Village Council should move forward with introducing the ordinance to allow for the BCIA funding. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she is optimistic that there may even be a fifth vote for funding it within the Village, with a new design of the parking deck.
5. MOTION TO SUSPEND REGULAR WORK SESSION AND CONVENE SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING #2
At 2:02 A.M. on January 7, 2016, upon motion by Mayor Aronsohn, seconded by Councilman Pucciarelli and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Village Council suspended the Work Session.
At 2:06 A.M. on January 7, 2016, upon motion by Councilman Pucciarelli, seconded by Councilman Sedon and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Work Session was reconvened.
6. PRESENTATION – RIDGEWOOD WATER STATUS UPDATE ON LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this presentation is meant to be educational, and due to the late hour, it will be rescheduled for next week’s meeting.
At this time, Councilman Pucciarelli left the meeting, due to an early morning appointment.
7. DISCUSSION (CONTINUED)
b. Budget
1.) Award Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection/Processing Services
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this is an award for the first year of a two-year contract to the sole bidder, Computil, Inc., at the cost of $1.69 per bill, which is four cents more than last year because auditing security has been added. Approximately 100,000 bills per year are sent out, so it is approximately a $4,000 increase over last year’s bills.
2.) Award Contract – Recreational Program Instruction
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this is an award for the various recreational programs offered throughout the year.
3.) Award Contract – Chevrolet Tahoe – Police Department
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that this is an award of a contract for a Tahoe for the Police Department. There were bid flaws on both bids that were received, and the Village is choosing the bid with fewer bid flaws, once Mr. Rogers has given his opinion on this matter.
4.) Award Contract – Physician for Child Health Conference
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this is an award of an annual contract to Dr. Narucki for the Child Health services, which is a Shared Services with Glen Rock.
5.) Award Contract – Tree Maintenance
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that this is an award of the second year of a two-year contract to Downes Tree Service for Ridgewood Water.
6.) Authorize Submission of Municipal Alliance Grant and Accept Grant Funds
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that this is an annual resolution to allow the submission of the Municipal Alliance Grant, and to accept the funds from the grant.
7.) Authorize Change Order – Emergency Repair to Mountain Well
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this is a change order to HD Waterworks Supply to repair the Mountain Well. This will allow for the purchase of large diameter piping in order to achieve 4-log treatment by having raw groundwater be in contact with the chlorine for at least five minutes. This will also keep Ridgewood Water in compliance with the Administrative Order from the USEPA.
8.) Authorize Purchase of Supplies – Emergency Repair to Mountain Well
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that this is also for the purchase of additional appurtenances for the Mountain Well so that Ridgewood Water can be in compliance with the USEPA’s Administrative Order.
9.) Authorize Change Order – Chlorine Analyzers
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that this is a change order to Hach Company for additional chlorine analyzers for Ridgewood Water, which includes more testing media and other supplies needed.
10.) Deferred School Tax Resolution for 2016
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this is an annual resolution which puts the Village in the most favorable position, since it increases fund balances.
11.) Settlement of Claim – De Lucia
Mr. Rogers explained that this was a situation where Ridgewood EMTs were taking an elderly woman to the hospital, and they unfortunately dropped her as they were taking her out of the ambulance, which she was still on the stretcher which caused her to sustain some serious injuries. This was negotiated for some time as there were several surgeries involved, and a settlement offer has been reached for $100,000.
12.) Settlement of Claim – Patire
Mr. Rogers explained that Ms. Patire fell at the train station parking lot and sustained injuries. This settlement is for $15,000.
Mr. Rogers said that there will be resolutions to authorize both of these settlement payments, which were previously discussed with the Village Council in Closed Session, at next week’s Public Meeting. This is a 2016 budget appropriation item.
13.) Award Contract for Professional Services – Installation of Backup Power at Critical Facilities – Ridgewood Water Department
Ms. Sonenfeld pointed out that this will award a Professional Services contract to Arcadis, U.S., Inc. for a study to implement backup power at eleven critical water facilities for Ridgewood Water.
c. Operations
1.) Declare Stretchers Surplus Property
Ms. Sonenfeld said that this resolution will declare stretchers no longer needed by the Village, as surplus property.
8. REVIEW OF JANUARY 13, 2016 REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Ms. Mailander stated that next week there would be three proclamations including Jamboree Days; Recognize Ridgewood Arts Council; and Recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
There will be a swearing-in of three new Police Officers, Ryan McAlister, Kyle Monton, and Peter Tuchol, Jr. There will also be a Presentation by Ridgewood Water about a status update on lead in the drinking water.
There are no ordinances for introduction.
The scheduled Public Hearings on ordinances include: Amend Chapter 265, Establishing Stop Signs on California Street/Fairmount Road and Highland Avenue/Gardner Road; Amend Chapter 265, Establishing Parking Restrictions on Hillcrest Road; and Water Bond Ordinance for Rehabilitation of Water Tanks.
Resolutions include: Authorize Tax Assessor/Tax Collector to File Appeals and/or Settlement Stipulations; Award Contract – Purchase of Supplies for Emergency Repair to Mountain Well; Award Contract – Recreational Program Instruction; Title 59 Approval and Award of Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection/Processing Services; Title 59 Approval and Award of Contract – Tree Maintenance Services for Ridgewood Water; Title 59 Approval and Award of Contract for a Chevrolet Tahoe for the Police Department; Award Professional Services Contract for Physician for the Child Health Conference; Award of a Professional Services Contract for Installation of Backup Power at Critical Facilities – Ridgewood Water; Approve Shard Services Agreement – Bergen County Police Chiefs Association Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force; Authorize Change Order – Emergency Repair to Mountain Well; Authorize Change Order – Chlorine Analyzers; Increase 2016 Deferred School Taxes; Authorize Claim Settlement – De Lucia; Authorize Claim Settlement – Patire; Declare Stretchers Surplus Property; Authorize Application and Approve Acceptance of Municipal Alliance Grant Funds; Approve Hillcrest Road Traffic Improvements; and Approve 2016 Emergency Temporary Budget Appropriations.
9. VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms. Sonenfeld said Village calendars went out to Village residents.
The new website went live on January 1, 2016 and is considered a work in progress. There are several upgrades, including a new search engine, new calendar, centralization of forms, easier and quicker access to Village staff, professionals, and board/committee contact information. Mayor Aronsohn asked for a presentation by Dylan Hansen, System Administrator, about the new website at a future meeting.
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that on January 12, 2016 there will be a Village Council Special Public Meeting held at Benjamin Franklin Middle School from the consultants who wish to be awarded a contract for the multi-family impact studies. She explained that she, Bob Rooney, the Parking Utility Director, and Blais Brancheau, the Village Planner have all met with the consultants, and they are all qualified.
At the January 27, 2016 Village Council Work Session, there will be a presentation on the Schedler Park property which will include an evaluation if there is really a need for a 90-foot baseball field and the work done by the Engineering Division to determine if a 90-foot baseball field would work at any other existing field in the Village.
Ms. Sonenfeld explained that she and the team feel that the first thing to be done at the Schedler property is to hire a sound consultant to come in and look at the current sound situation and then recommend whether a berm or a wall is needed to mitigate the noise in that area. The sound consultant will also evaluate whether taking down the shed or trees on the ground or trees that are dead and standing on the Schedler property will increase the noise levels. Nothing will be done on the Schedler property until the sound issues are understood. Mayor Aronsohn said that is a great first step, because above all, the priority is to mitigate the sound in that area. This will be paid for by Village funds. Ms. Sonenfeld opined that it may be that sound barriers are put in before anything else is done.
Ms. Sonenfeld pointed out that at the February 3, 2016 Work Session, there will be a resolution to approve the change in use of the Gate House at the Irene Habernickel Family Park from residential to educational/recreational programming which will allow HealthBarn to open up at that location. She said that they have been working with Mr. Rogers on the HealthBarn lease, which will have operational requirements and the FAQs by category, based on residents’ issues. This will be presented to the Village Council at the January 27th Work Session and the FAQs will also hopefully be on the website by the end of January. Ms. Sonenfeld noted that the traffic safety improvements on Hillcrest Road, in the vicinity of HealthBarn, will be voted on next week. The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee has also discussed the traffic and safety issues that may arise because of HealthBarn, and they approved all of the recommendations, including additional crosswalks; a double yellow line down a portion of Hillcrest Road; the installation of sidewalks near the park; the painting of tick marks by residents’ driveways; and the ordinance to allow parking only on the side of the park. Ms. Sonenfeld said that the installation of sidewalks will need further discussion.
Ms. Sonenfeld reported that the first hydrant flushing program in two decades, has been completed, and was a success.
On staff matters, Ms. Sonenfeld reported that Tony Lillo will be sworn-in as the Director of Emergency Services this Saturday night; Yagnesh Vyas, of the Water Pollution Control Facility, received an award from the New Jersey Water and Environmental Association for his high standards and operating a laboratory of high excellence. Jose Martinez, of the Water Department, was awarded the Operator of the Year Award in the NJ Water Industry. Stephen Sanzari has become the Village’s first Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA), and there will be more information forthcoming on what this means for the
Village. Maria Doerr, the Municipal Court Administrator, has been appointed to the Municipal Court Administrator’s Certification Board, Supreme Court Committee, which oversees education and testing.
Ms. Sonenfeld concluded her Village Manager’s Report with mention of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on January 18th, and two restaurant weeks that are coming up.
10. VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilwoman Hauck reported that her “Let’s Stay Acquainted” lunch will be held tomorrow, with a presentation by various institutions in the Village and what they offer senior citizens. There will also be a focus group to decide what other services the senior citizens would like offered to them.
Councilwoman Knudsen reported that the Planning Board continued their discussion of the Re-Examination of the Master Plan and development regulations for non-residential land use and commercial zones; and identifying major problems and objectives relating to land development.
Mayor Aronsohn said that Senator Cory Booker will be present at Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration this year.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that the current water billing contractor charges a fee if one wishes to pay them electronically through a bank transfer of funds. Mr. Loving asked if the vendor being awarded a contract next week is the same vendor, and if so, whether the charges for electronic funds transfer could be eliminated. Ms. Sonenfeld explained that it is the same vendor and was the sole bidder for this service, and that she would check into this further. Mr. Loving said that this is the only company that he knows of that charges for an electronic bank transfer fee. Mr. Rooney indicated that this may have been addressed in the RFP for this service, and he will check into it.
Ms. Mailander asked if the Closed Session items listed on the agenda could be discussed in Closed Session next week, and Mr. Rogers agreed that they would be discussed at next week’s Closed Session meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Hauck, seconded by Councilman Sedon, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 2:35 A.M. on January 7, 2016.
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Paul S. Aronsohn Mayor
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Heather A. Mailander Village Clerk
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