Special Public Meeting Minutes 20200401
A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD VIA ZOOM, DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ON APRIL 1, 2020 AT 7:30 P.M.
1.CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL
Mayor Hache called the meeting to order at 8:14 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; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.
2.ORDINANCES
a.INTRODUCTION – #3795 – Bond Ordinance – Water Utility Capital
Mayor Hache moved the first reading of ordinance 3795. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3795 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS WATER UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $6,780,800 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $6,442,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF
Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3795 be adopted on first reading and that April 15, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: Councilmembers Voigt and Walsh
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: Councilmembers Voigt and Walsh
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Before placing his vote, Councilman Voigt stated that the ordinance includes the Elks Club and he is not in favor of the Village moving forward with that. It was supposed to cost $900,000 and it is costing in excess of $2 million. He thinks they haven’t managed the costs very well and he is not in favor of it.
b.INTRODUCTION – #3796 – Bond Ordinance – Permanent Lighting for Maple Park Field
Mayor Hache moved the first reading of ordinance 3796. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Ms. Mailander stated that this ordinance incorporates both the grant and the contribution from the sports groups, which was not in the original ordinance.
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3796 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF FIELD LIGHTING AT MAPLE PARK AND RELATED PERMITS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $447,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $153,500 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF
Councilman Voigt moved that ordinance 3796 be adopted on first reading and that April 15, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
c.PUBLIC HEARING - #3785 – Bond Ordinance – Water Utility Capital
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3785 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3785 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS WATER UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $6,780,800 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $6,780,800 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF
Mayor Hache stated that this ordinance was written as a self-liquidating ordinance, which was incorrect; therefore, ordinance 3785 will be defeated this evening. The revised version of this ordinance, with the down payment included, was introduced this evening as ordinance 3795. The Public Hearing on ordinance 3785 was advertised for this evening, so anyone wishing to comment may do so at this time. The Public Hearing was opened. There were no 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Councilwoman Knudsen moved that ordinance 3785 be defeated. Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
A favorable vote is to defeat the ordinance.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
d.PUBLIC HEARING - #3789 – Bond Ordinance – Lighting for Maple Park Field
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3789 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3789 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF FIELD LIGHTING AT MAPLE PARK AND RELATED PERMITS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $447,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $424,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF
Mayor Hache stated that the amount of the grant and the amount of the donation from the sports groups was not included in this ordinance; therefore, it will be defeated this evening. The revised version of this ordinance, with the grant amount and the donation amount included, was introduced this evening as ordinance 3796. The Public Hearing on ordinance 3789 was advertised for this evening, so anyone wishing to comment may do so at this time. The Public Hearing was opened.
Walter Cox, 279 Bellair Road, stated that he has been a Ridgewood resident for almost 20 years and has kids in elementary, middle, and high school and they are all participating in a variety of sports. He is on the Board of the Maroons Soccer Club and the Ridgewood Soccer Association, and would like to voice his support and the support of both soccer organizations of the lighting at Maple Field.
There were no additional 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3789 be defeated. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
A favorable vote is to defeat the ordinance.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
e.PUBLIC HEARING - #3790 – Bond Ordinance – General Capital
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3790 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3790 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $4,303,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $4,087,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE VILLAGE TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF
Mayor Hache stated that the Village Bond Counsel has advised us that an amendment is required for ordinance 3790, which in Section 6b should state, “The average period of usefulness, computed on the basis of the respective amounts of obligations authorized for each purpose and the reasonable life thereof within the limitations of the Local Bond Law, is 9.03 years. This is a revision from the original ordinance, which stated 11.55 years. The Village Bond Counsel has indicated that this is not a substantive change and may be amended on the floor. At this time, he will take a motion to amend Ordinance 3790 as he just stated. Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3790 be amended as stated by Mayor Hache. Councilman Voigt seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Mayor Hache stated that the Public Hearing on ordinance 3790, as amended, was now open. There were no comments from the public, and Mayor Hache moved that the Public Hearing was closed. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3790, as amended, be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
f.PUBLIC HEARING - #3791 – Bond Ordinance – Improvements to Zabriskie-Schedler House
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3791 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3791 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ZABRISKIE-SCHEDLER HOUSE IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $865,500 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $821,500 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
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Councilwoman Knudsen moved that ordinance 3791 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Before placing his vote, Councilman Voigt stated that he was for preserving the history of our town but not on the backs of its residents. There is no plan either, so his vote is no.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: Councilman Voigt
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: Councilman Voigt
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The meeting was suspended at 8:30 P.M. due to the Zoom Meeting being hacked. Mayor Hache made a motion to suspend, Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The meeting was reconvened at 8:47 P.M. Councilwoman Walsh made a motion to reconvene the Special Public Meeting. Councilwoman Knudsen seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
The following were present: Councilmembers Knudsen, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache. Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney. Councilman Sedon was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting.
g. PUBLIC HEARING - #3792 – Bond Ordinance – Improvements to Schedler Park
Mayor Hache moved the reading of ordinance 3792 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3792 by title:
BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHEDLER FIELD IN AND BY THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $1,000,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $950,000 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, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
Councilwoman Knudsen moved that ordinance 3792 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Knudsen, Voigt, Walsh, and Mayor Hache
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Councilman Sedon, as he was unable to connect his audio to the Zoom Meeting
ABSTAIN:None
3.RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-92 THROUGH 20-97, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
4.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Knudsen, seconded by Councilwoman Walsh, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Special Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:57 P.M.
______________________________
Ramon M. Hache, Sr.
Mayor
Ramon M. Hache, Sr.
Mayor
______________________________
Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager/Village Clerk
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