20190904 Village Council Special Public Meeting
A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING 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 SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 AT 7:30 P.M.
- CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL
Mayor Hache called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call the following were present: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache. Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney; and Donna Jackson, Deputy Village Clerk.
- ORDINANCES
- PUBLIC HEARING - #3729 – Bond Ordinance – Acquisition of Vehicles for Parking Utility
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3729 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3729 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH ACCESSORIES FOR THE PARKING UTILITY IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $57,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $57,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing was opened.
Russell Forenza, 228 Emmett Place, stated that they used to purchase vehicles for employees, instead of buying brand new vehicles for different authorities in town, they would get hand me down vehicles. He finds it unnecessary to spend money on brand new vehicles for the Parking Authority that doesn’t know how to account for $700,000 of money that is always missing, or seems to be missing.
There were no additional comments from the public, and Mayor Hache moved that the Public Hearing was closed. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilwoman Knudsen moved that ordinance 3729 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PUBLIC HEARING - #3732 – Bond Ordinance – Acquisition of Vehicles – Parks Department and Traffic & Signal Department
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3732 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3732 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF VEHICLES IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $79,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $75,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing was opened. There were no comments from the public, and Mayor Hache moved that the Public Hearing was closed. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilwoman Knudsen asked for an updated inventory of all of the Village vehicles, she added that to Mr. Forenza’s point they do use as many vehicles as they can and do the hand me downs, but having an updated list of the inventory would be helpful.
Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3732 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PUBLIC HEARING - #3733 – Bond Ordinance – Reappropriate Funds for Scarab Windrow Turner
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3733 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3733 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE REAPPROPRIATING $611,081.95, INCLUDING $593,892.95 OF PROCEEDS OF OBLIGATIONS NOT NEEDED FOR THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSES AND $17,189 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A SCARAB WINDROW TURNER IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing was opened.
Russell Forenza, 228 Emmett Place, stated that he sees they are trying to appropriate money and awhile he suggested that they also have a shredder in town and to locate it at the Recycling Center. He was wondering if that was given any thought since they appropriated such a large amount of money here. He asked specifically what type of equipment they were buying with this ordinance as he wasn’t familiar with it.
Councilman Sedon stated that it was a big machine that they use at the composting facility that helps to turn the leaves and make the compost. This will help the Village to better create more compost which it sells, and then they don’t have to pay to get rid of the leaves. Mr. Forenza stated that they used to dump the leaves behind Orchard School at one point, and he was wondering if there were any other spots in town to dump leaves. He added that was a lot of money and that he hoped they were going to get their money back on that. He added that he hopes they are still also considering the shredder.
There were no additional comments from the public, and Mayor Hache moved that the Public Hearing was closed. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3733 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PUBLIC HEARING - #3734 – Establish Reserved Parking Spaces at Train Station Parking Lot – NJ Transit and Concession Stand/Social Service Association
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3734 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3734 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-42, “RESERVED PARKING SPACES”
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing was opened.
Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he was at the Work Session when this was discussed and he was unclear as to what this was all about. His recollection is that the NJ Transit Ticket Agent received a summons and as a result they are now putting in a reserved parking space which boggles his mind. For years there has been an agent at that station who puts a placard in their window stating that they are an agent of NJ Transit and are left alone. Why all of a sudden as a result of one summons are the taxpayers being forced to spend money to create a reserved parking space. Mr. Loving asked for further explanation as to why there is a need for a reserved parking space now when they have expanded the lot, made more spaces available, and this person arrives at 5:00 A.M. in the morning so why are they taking out a machine gun to solve a problem that could be dealt with a fly swatter.
Mayor Hache stated that contractually, the Village is required to provide a space for NJ Transit. He added that it makes enforcement easier if there is one designated spot for this person to be able to park. Mr. Loving stated that he is opposed to the creation of a parking spot when he doesn’t think one is necessary. For years the parking arrives and puts a placard in their vehicle and isn’t bothered, but as a result of one summons all of a sudden they are standing on their heads.
Mr. Loving added that the way that he is reading the ordinance, the time on the ordinance is 6:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday. He sees that the ticket agent hours are 5:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. The time that the Village has marked on the ordinance for when the space is going to be in effect doesn’t coincide with the time that the ticket agent is working. He encouraged the Village Council to change the ordinance so that it coincides with the hours of the ticket agent.
Mayor Hache stated that he agreed, that if the hours didn’t coincide with the hours of operation then they should carry the ordinance. Ms. Mailander stated that they could continue the ordinance to September 11th and then find out that information between now and then.
Councilwoman Knudsen made a motion to continue the Public Hearing on ordinance 3734 to September 11th. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PUBLIC HEARING - #3744 – Designate Parking Spaces in Train Station Lot for Hudson Street Lot Permit Holders
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3744 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3744 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-29, “PARKING METER ZONE DESIGNATED”
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing was opened.
Russell Forenza, 228 Emmett Place, stated that he was against saving all types of parking spaces. Here they were taking people from the Hudson Street Lot at putting them at the Train Station. He asked how many people they were talking about for permits, and asked how many extra spots there were at the Train Station lot. He asked how this permit situation works.
Councilwoman Knudsen stated that this is a temporary solution because there were residents who purchased passes to park at the Hudson Street Lot which is now closed for the next nine months, and they needed to put those parkers somewhere. Because of the recent expansion at the Train Station, it was an opportunity to not inconvenience anyone who had paid for those passes. They are accommodating folks who paid for a pass. Mr. Forenza asked how many spaces were necessary. Mayor Hache stated that there were 12 spaces from Hudson Street that moved over to the Train Station, and they added 35 spaces with the recent expansion. Mr. Forenza mentioned all of the trees that were cut down. Councilman Sedon stated that he believes the plan is to replace all of the 14 to 15 trees that were cut down.
There were no additional comments from the public, and Mayor Hache moved that the Public Hearing was closed. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Councilwoman Knudsen moved that ordinance 3744 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 19-280 THROUGH 19-283, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
- ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, Mayor Hache made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Walsh, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Special Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
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Ramon M. Hache, Sr.
Mayor
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Donna M. Jackson
Deputy Village Clerk
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