Village Council Public Meeting Minutes 20160113
A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR., COURTROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016, AT 8:00 P.M.
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CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE- MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Aronsohn called the meeting to order at 8:01 P.M., and read the State 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; Donna Jackson, Deputy Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.
Mayor Aronsohn led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Mayor Aronsohn then asked for the moment of silence to honor the men and women in the United State Armed Forces who protect and defend our freedom every day, as well as those serving as first responders.
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ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS
Mayor Aronsohn moved that the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on hand as of December 31, 2015, be accepted as submitted. Councilwoman Hauck seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon, and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Aronsohn moved that the Village Council minutes of August 5, 2015 having been reviewed by the Village Council and now available in the Village Clerk’s Office be approved as submitted. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon, and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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PROCLAMATIONS
Councilwoman Knudsen read a proclamation celebrating “Jamboree Days” in the Village of Ridgewood. Councilman Pucciarelli read a proclamation acknowledging the tradition of the Ridgewood Arts Council. Mayor Aronsohn read a proclamation recognizing Monday, January 18, 2016 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER RYAN McALISTER
Mayor Aronsohn administered the Oath of Office to Officer Ryan McAlister.
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SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER KYLE MONTON
Mayor Aronsohn administered the Oath of Office to Officer Kyle Monton.
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SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER PETER TUCHOL, JR.
Mayor Aronsohn administered the Oath of Office to Officer Peter Tuchol, Jr.
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PRESENTATION
Dave Scheibner of the Ridgewood Water Department presented the Village Council and the public with an Update on Lead in Drinking Water. He mentioned three important topics: lead in drinking water due to corroded pipes; sodium levels rising due to salting of streets in winter; and a change in the chlorine level for disinfection purposes.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Richard Urbridge of Brooklyn, New York, spoke on TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) and the impact on white-collar jobs in America.
Lorraine Reynolds, 550 Wyndemere Avenue, commented the previous evening’s meeting went very well and agreed that we had hired an expert traffic consultant. She was informed that Bob Rooney, Parking Utility Director, will be the recipient of all suggestions.
Brian Conn, 67 N. Hillside Place, has experience in project financing and it is his opinion that the Walker Study is flawed. He wants Walker to justify their analysis and address the residents’ questions.
Angie Stoehr, 139 N. Walnut Street, is confused by the cantilever out 12’ onto Hudson Street which was not shown on the September floor plan. She feels the vote may have been very different if the Council had shared that information with the public.
Jacqueline Hone, 30 Carriage Lane, had numerous concerns regarding the residents’ questions not being answered, that they are being bullied at meetings and stand to be removed from meetings. She hopes we can move forward in a more respectful manner.
Jim Griffith, 159 South Pleasant Avenue, thanked the Council for having the courage to take on the parking and housing problems and asks them to move forward.
Mayor Aronsohn responds to Public Comment by mentioning that financial information is available through Bob Rooney. Regarding questions the public had regarding design prior to the vote, he responded that Village held many forums.
There were no other comments from the public at this time, and Mayor Aronsohn closed the time for public comment.
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MANAGER’S REPORT
Roberta Sonenfeld presented us with the highlights of the year 2015: Fire contract settled on-time for the first time; redesigned budget discussions; new audit firm; new budget newsletter format; parking deck location/financing/design; parking utility director; Parkmobile; valet parking; spacial data logic; e-ticketing; new Village website; extended office hours in Building Department; 5.9 miles of street paving; $45,000 transportation grant; Ridgewood Water regains residents’ confidence; near completion of meter change-outs; building assessments; new ramps for Lester Stable and Graydon Pool; new Director at North West Bergen Central Dispatch. Mayor Aronsohn thanked all Roberta’s teams for their extraordinary work.
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COUNCIL REPORTS
Planning Board – Councilwoman Knudsen stated that the next meetings would be held on January 19 and February 2. The housing plan is a work in progress and the board will be looking at different, creative solutions.
Historic Preservation Committee – The Committee will meet tomorrow evening in the Garden Room at 8:00 P.M. according to Councilwoman Knudsen.
Fourth of July Committee – Councilwoman Knudsen explained that their meeting on Monday evening was brief as most members were ill. However, the Committee is considering incorporating ideas related to the National Parks Service for the floats and mascot themes. Smokey the Bear and Yogi Bear have been some suggestions.
Ridgewood Library Board of Trustees – Councilman Pucciarelli informed everyone that the architectural plans for the future Ridgewood Library expansion are very exciting.
Ridgewood Arts Council – A reception will be held in Village Hall on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 3-5 p.m. Councilman Pucciarelli encouraged everyone to attend.
Financial Advisory Committee – Councilwoman Hauck thanked founding member Mac Highet for the four years he has served on the committee.
HILT - Councilwoman Hauck was organizing a cookie-eating competition between Ridgewood High School students and Ridgewood Seniors. She had already received over 500 responses to her Senior Needs Assessment Survey and was hoping to reach her goal of 1,000.
Environmental Advisory Committee – Councilman Sedon met with the representatives of the Shade Tree Committee and Green Team. They will have a meet-and-greet for “Sustainable Ridgewood” on January 21, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. with a brief presentation. He encouraged all interested residents to attend.
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ORDINANCES
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Public Hearing - #3516 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs – California Street/Fairmount Road and Highland Avenue/Gardner Road
Mayor Aronsohn moved the second reading of Ordinance 3516 and that the Public hearing be opened. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Deputy Clerk read Ordinance 3516 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-29, SCHEDULE IX “STOP INTERSECTIONS”
Mayor Aronsohn announced that the Public Hearing was open. There were no comments from the public, and Mayor Aronsohn moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilwoman Hauck moved that Ordinance 3516 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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Public Hearing - #3517 Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking Restrictions – Hillcrest Road
Mayor Aronsohn moved the second reading of Ordinance 3517 and that the Public Hearing be opened. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance 3517 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC AT SECTION 265-27, SCHEDULE XVII “PARKING PROHIBITED CERTAIN HOURS”
Mayor Aronsohn announced that the Public Hearing was open. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Aronsohn moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilman Pucciarelli moved that Ordinance 3517 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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Public Hearing - #3518 – Water Bond Ordinance – Rehabilitation of Water Tanks ($1,312,500)
Mayor Aronsohn moved the second reading of Ordinance 3518 and that the Public Hearing be opened. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance 3518 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR REHABILITATION OF WATER TANKS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $1,312,500 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,312,500 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF.
Mayor Aronsohn announced that the Public Hearing was open. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Aronsohn moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilman Pucciarelli moved that Ordinance 3518 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Hauck, Knudsen, Pucciarelli, Sedon and Mayor Aronsohn
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 16-2 THROUGH 16-25 WAS ADOPTED BY CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY:
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COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Rurik Halaby, 374 Evergreen Place, thanked Roberta Sonenfeld for the work she has done and thanked the Village Council for listening to all the residents have to say.
Bill McCandless, 72 Ridge Road, mentioned that issues were very heated at last week’s meeting. He hopes things can be resolved by January 6, 2016
Rick Boesch, 64 Park Slope, wants to have a discussion with the Village Council about a 20 or 30 year bond but cannot because of the archaic public comment system. He believes Councilwoman Knudsen and the public did not know the garage went into Hudson Street and would have changed the votes of a lot of people. He believes the parking problem is perceived differently by a lot of people.
Anne Loving, 342 S. Irving Street, was thankful for the studies that will take place and hopes they can go on for as many days as possible. She thinks it is a good idea to ask questions and within their rights.
Claude Bienstok, 39-11B Broadway, Fairlawn, asked if there were any updates on Schedler property.
Boyd Loving, 342 S. Irving Street, asked why there would be a resolution for a professional services for a physician that does not practice or reside in Ridgewood.
Roberta Sonenfeld, answered that the benefits of the BCIA negotiated deal were more control over rates and non-conforming amortization rates. Schedler would be discussed at the next work session with two presentations. The physician has been used by Dawn Cetrulo in the past and he costs less.
Ms. Sonenfeld stated that we have professionals on staff to question the experts that we have hired. It would not be for the Council to know all the details that are involved in the RFPs and the resolutions.
Councilman Pucciarelli understands Mr.Boesch would like to have a dialogue with the governing body, but it does not work in this setting as it can be time prohibitive. He also wanted to comment on his own action last week when he became upset over an accusation. It is not always easy not to react and to remain stoic. Being under attack tests your abilities, especially in the hours after midnight.
Councilwoman Knudsen mentioned that she finds it hard to listen and remain non-emotional. She tried to process what someone is saying when they are speaking. It was a regrettable incident.
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RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION
The following resolution, numbered 16-26, to go into Closed Session, was read in full by the Deputy Village Clerk as follows:
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion made by Councilman Pucciarelli, seconded by Councilman Sedon, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 P.M.
Paul S. Aronsohn, Mayor
Donna M. Jackson, Deputy Village Clerk
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