Village Council Work Session Meeting Minutes 20200226

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 FEBRUARY 26, 2020 AT 7:30 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Hache called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call the following were present: Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Hache. Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney; and Donna Jackson, Deputy Village Clerk. Councilman Voigt was absent.

Mayor Hache led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag as well as in a Moment of Silence to honor the brave men and women serving in our nation’s armed forces and all our first responders.

2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Richard Brooks, 777 East Ridgewood Avenue, stated that he wanted to express support of bonding on behalf of Maple Park East lighting project. This is an evolutionary next step for Maple Park, one of the most heavily used recreation facilities in the Village. Two years ago they replaced the turf surface, and the lighting system will increase opportunities for Village residents to use the facilities. They currently use diesel powered construction lighting after dark, which are antiquated, environmentally dirty, and energy inefficient. They were not designed for athletic field lighting, whereas the proposed lighting was designed for field illumination and is state of the art in terms of design, energy usage, and lighting efficiency.

Mr. Brooks stated that the investment in this Village facility is unique. The Village, the County, and a consortium of Village sports organizations will utilize the field. This is a continued investment by the sports organizations towards the facilities that they play on and in. He added that more and more adults are starting to play recreational team sports, like soccer, flag football, baseball, and softball. In addition, the recent closure of the Orchard School field will lead to a juggling of the Spring schedule. He urged the Village Council to support this investment in our community.

Hans Jorgen Lehman, 234 Union Street, stated that an incident occurred at the Village Council meeting on February 19, 2020 when a resident spoke about an article which appeared in The Record the following day. The article makes reference to an event that took place in Elmwood Park between a Borough Councilmember and an employee of the Borough. The resident in question then made reference to what he deemed to be a similar situation in the Village and made a request that the Village Council launch an investigation into the situation. Mr. Lehman stated that he strenuously objected to the comments made by the resident who seems to have appointed himself as a member of some sort of local moral police. Anyone in that room on that day, knew what he was referring to, and he finds this behavior to be beyond deplorable and inappropriate for a Village Council meeting. He added that he found the Village Council’s behavior to be equally deplorable for entertaining those comments.

Mr. Lehman stated that he has been to plenty of Village Council meetings where comments were shut down by the Councilmembers. However, that wasn’t the case in this situation. He would even venture to say that the Village Attorney could have objected to what was being said because it was reprehensible. As long as they are asking for investigations into unnamed parties, he asked that the resident who spoke might be investigated. On what basis is he asking for an investigation, is he stalking the unnamed parties or are other enabling him. He asked if there was a conspiracy to do harm to unnamed individuals. Mr. Lehman asked if this individual was given access to information that a normal individual might not have. He stated that the Village Council is in the position to put a stop to this type of behavior at Village Council meetings, and asked them to do so for the sake of civility and fair and just government.

There were no additional comments from the public, and Mayor Hache closed public comments.

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that the hypocrisy in the last comment should not be lost on anyone at all.

3. MANAGERS REPORT

Hudson Street Garage – Ms. Mailander stated that the crane is there at Hudson Street, and they are moving the precast into place. The corner area is now standing. There will be closures during the day on Hudson Street, and South Broad Street will be closed intermittently during the day. Both roads will be open to traffic during the evening.

Village Council Candidate Packets – Village Council candidate packets are available in the Village Clerk’s Office. The completed forms are due back to the Village Clerk’s Office by March 9th at 4:00 P.M. There are three Village Council seats up for election.

Poll Worker on Election Day – Ms. Mailander stated that there is an opportunity to be a poll worker in the Village in Election Day. It is $200 for the day, from 5:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. You must be at least 18 years old, a Bergen County resident, registered to vote, and must attend a two hour training class. If interested, contact the Bergen County Board of Elections.

Parking Kiosks – Ms. Mailander stated that parking kiosks are being installed throughout the CBD, and should be completed in the next couple of weeks. When using the kiosks, you enter a license plate and pay using coins or credit card. There is a 3% convenience fee for using a credit card. You do not have to display the receipt. The 15 minute parking spaces at the end of each side street will remain in effect with meters.

Carfax – Ms. Mailander stated that the Police Department has started using Carfax which will allow accident reports to be available online 24/7. This allows people who were involved in accidents and not available during the Records Department hours to get their reports. Carfax charges customers for the service and donates $5 per hour to the Ridgewood Police Department.

Life Guards at Graydon Pool – In preparation for the summer, there is a need for certified Life Guards at Graydon Pool. The American Red Cross is advertising a waterfront lifeguard training at a sand bottom facility in May or June.

Age Friendly Ridgewood – Ms. Mailander stated that there were several Age Friendly Ridgewood presentations being scheduled at the Library. There will be an Elder Law presentation, including Estate Planning and Elder Law issues, Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Medicare 101 will be presented by Sheila Brogan on April 22nd at 6:30 P.M. Mary Creegan will speak about her book, ‘The Scar: A Personal History of Depression and Recovery’ on May 6th at 7:00 P.M.

Weight Loss Challenge Kickoff – Ms. Mailander stated that the Weight Loss Challenger Kickoff, sponsored by the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, the Ridgewood Health Department, Fitness Academy, Healthbarn USA, and Valley Hospital will be held on Monday, March 9th at Village Hall. To register for the challenge please call.

U.S. Census Bureau – Ms. Mailander stated that the U.S. Census Bureau is currently hiring for the 2020 Census. The positions are temporary with varying pay. The pay starts at $19 per hour, and if you are interested in a job, please visit the Census Bureau website to apply.

Recreation Programs – Ms. Mailander stated that the recreation program, “Time to Tone It Up”, fitness class is on Wednesday evenings starting March 18th from 4:45 P.M. to 5:45 P.M. in the Community Center. The Introduction to Beekeeping, will be taught by Frank Mortimer, Adjunct Instructor at Cornell University Master Beekeeping program. The seminar is designed for people who have never kept bees before. Students will gain a basic understanding of what is needed to safely, productively, and enjoyably begin keeping bees. It is being held Sunday, March 8th from 11:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Upcoming Events in April – Ms. Mailander stated that Sunday, April 19th is the Earth Day and the Daffodil Festival at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. This year’s theme is ‘2020 Act Now For A Green Ridgewood,’ which highlights the importance of sustainability and showcases how Green Ridgewood assists the Village in going green. There are many eco-themed activities.

There is a Mobile Shredding Event on Saturday, April 25th from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. in the Graydon parking lot, rain or shine. It is free to Ridgewood residents and businesses, and you can watch as your documents are destroyed.

Village Council Upcoming Meetings – Monday, March 2nd is the final Budget Meeting with the Village Council at 5:00 P.M. March 4th is a Work Session at 7:30 P.M. and there will be a presentation by NV5 on the Master Plan Visioning, and then the Ridgewood Library project will present an updated plan. March 11th is the Village Council Public Meeting and the presentation of the 2020 budget will take place at that meeting. March 25th is a Village Council Public Work Session.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Planning Board – Councilwoman Knudsen stated the Planning Board will be meeting Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. New Jersey Futures, NV5, and the Master Plan Committee will be doing presentations. There is an opportunity for questions.

Ridgewood Library – Councilwoman Walsh stated that there were only about 50 tickets left for the Authors Luncheon. She added that the Library would come back next week with the updated plans for the Library. The application is very cumbersome and they have been working hard to get the application done by the deadline.

Maple Field Lighting Project– Mayor Hache stated that the Maple Field Lighting Project will be brought in for a vote by the Village Council at the next Public Meeting on March 11th.

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she didn’t think about the number of teams that are playing, including kids and adults. She wondered if there was an inventory of the teams that are playing. Mayor Hache stated that there was list in the Fields Committees schedule. Councilwoman Knudsen asked for the list as she would be interested to see it.

Glenwood Road – Mayor Hache stated that last week they discussed Glenwood Road, and there was a discussion in Closed Session, and he wanted to give an update. They just sent out a letter to NJDOT with the position that there has to be a more collaborative approach to discussion regarding Glenwood Road. From a safety standpoint, the plan is an improvement to the intersection, but it is lacking with the impact to the community. The 2,400 cars that travel that road everyday are now going to sprawl out onto 5 county roads, and the County was never brought into the discussion. He added that the Village was asking for a more robust discussion, and when you look at the safety measures, widening the road was never considered. There are plans from the late 1970’s for the improvement to the road, and it needs to be a part of the discussion.

Ms. Mailander added that they are discussing the Maple Park Lighting Project later in this meeting, as well.

5. PRESENTATION

a. NJ Future

Ms. Mailander stated that the group is comprised of Richard Joel, Maryanne Bucci-Carter, Sheila Brogan, and Beth Abbott. They went to a presentation by Tonya Rohrbach of NJ Future, and this presentation is what was decided was important for Ridgewood.

Sheila Brogan stated they were there as a follow-up as two weeks ago Tonya from NJ Future made the presentation to the Village Council, and this is what they have come up with NJ Future, the Village of Ridgewood, and Age Friendly Ridgewood. The project has been funded for NJ Future through the Taub Foundation that has funded the Age Friendly Ridgewood Initiative.

In September and December, a group of people from the Village were involved in looking at the report that came from NJ Future with a number of recommendations. They prioritized the recommendations and formalized some action ideas in an effort to look at improving Ridgewood’s Age Friendliness.

Ms. Abbott stated that they looked at land use in Ridgewood, and the challenges it presents for older residents. Two main things kept coming up: the pedestrian safety, and housing choices. They concluded that Age Friendly Ridgewood has done two large community surveys. There have been a lot of focus groups and they have recommendations from the two professional studies. With the professional guidance of NJ Future, the project committee identified goals that involved pedestrian safety, housing diversity, mixed use downtown, engaging residents, and supporting community design goals.

Ms. Abbott added that the group dug deeper into these broad goals and identified specific actions that they could pursue such as problematic intersections, complete street strategies, pop-up traffic calming, strategies to diversify housing options, looking at street furniture and bus stops, and establishing a phased sidewalk and crosswalk improvement plan.

Mr. Joel stated that Age Friendly is seeking to promote certain priorities as they effect older individuals. The Ridgewood Planning Board has a visioning project going on right now to create a new Master Plan which will set forth the priorities in the Village. There is certain work that will cross over into the work that was done by NV5 and the Master Plan that will eventually be prepared. There is an aging population, and seniors, as a group, have different needs.

Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that most Master Plan documents are from a broader view and one of the goals is to enhance the comfort, safety, and mobility for residents and of the downtown. One of the outcomes of the work that was done with the NJ Future committees was that, and the goal for this team is to try to take that to the next step and identify some actionable improvements that can take those grand Master Plan goals and implement them, or at least start to. They will need to identify who is responsible for what and get things moving so that these types of improvements always take place and are a continual part of the community. One of the first things to come along was the priority to evaluate problematic intersections, and the discussion that came out of this was ways to do that which may be inexpensive, and to try to approach this in a way that is easy and simple. Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that one of the tools that came out of that was to demonstrate projects where you can try a temporary improvement that is in place for about a week and see if it works. She displayed some examples.

Ms. Brogan stated that another idea that came out was to survey the street furniture and bus stops. There are a lot of bus stops in the town, and some are busy and have no cover or seating. Whether a sheltered bus stop would fit is something to be evaluated, but there may be some spots where it would be helpful. Second, is to evaluate what we have in street furniture right now and then does it need to be replaced or is there a need for more. Age Friendly donated three benches to the Village last year, one is by Stop and Shop, and there is someone sitting on that bench on a regular basis. They want to evaluate where the good spots are and where people may need a rest. The other idea was to have planned expenditures on improving sidewalks. The idea is to put that into the Capital Budget each year and to phase in the sidewalk improvements that are happening. We need to have some tracking mechanism on the website to list improvements that have been done and are upcoming.

Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that the result of this effort is going to be implementation plans that are thoughtfully prepared. The advantage to all of the work that has been happening over the past few years, including the senior bus and improved sidewalks, are that elder residents are feeling more considered, and this is an effort to keep that going. She added that they welcomed the feedback of the Village Council.

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that as much as this is age friendly, it is also just human friendly. Ms. Brogan stated that as they improve the community for the older citizens, they improve the walkability and safety, which makes a difference for the whole community for everyone. Councilwoman Knudsen agreed that the walkability came up in every age group. Mayor Hache added that it was beneficial from a general operating sense for the Village, it helps as a planning tool to stay on top of this. Councilman Sedon thanked everyone for their efforts as anything to make the downtown safer. Some work was already done with the tree wells, and there is a lot more work to be done which will provide canopy and shade to compliment the benches around town. Councilwoman Walsh stated that the benches were interesting because a lot of elderly people she knows can walk a distance and then they need a place to sit. They plan their route based on where they are going to be or end up so that they can get picked up at a bench or someplace where they can be seated.

Ms. Brogan stated that she didn’t know all the improvements that would happen on Franklin Avenue, but that may be a good spot to do a demonstration before it is actually built. Another area that comes up in conversation is the Broad Street, Ridgewood Avenue area. There might be opportunities to bring students in and do some design work. It is paint and it can be painted over if it doesn’t work, but it is just a thought as they move forward. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that Franklin is a County road, and they would have to go through the County to do anything, even if it is temporary. She loved the idea of students taking Ridgewood as a test project.

6. DISCUSSION

b. Ridgewood Water

1. Award Contract – Trolley Gate Repair at Wortendyke Facility

Ms. Mailander stated that the trolley gate at Wortendyke Facility in Midland Park is in disrepair and requires replacement. The Water Department went out for three quotes and are recommending the replacement by A.A.A., Inc./Anzalone Fence of South Hackensack in the amount of $20,012.00 which can be found in the Water Capital Budget.

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that one of the other bidders stated that they are reusing the existing Doorking system, but on the other one they have the Doorking entry system as a replacement, and they integrated that into the price. The other bidder is saying that 1812 is incompatible. Ms. Mailander stated that she would get more information.

2. Water Utility Interest Rates for Delinquent Accounts

Ms. Mailander stated that these are annual resolutions which set the interest rates for delinquent accounts or for delinquent accounts similar to non-payment of taxes. It sets a 30-day grace period. Regarding the administrative fees, Ridgewood Water pays the Village of Ridgewood based on the total property tax indicated by the assessed value of the land, excluding the improvement. This is paid quarterly on the same due date as property taxes.

3. Water Administrative Maintenance Fees

c. Parking

1. West Ridgewood Avenue – 15-Minute Parking Spaces

Ms. Mailander stated that this ordinance codifies all four 15-minute parking spaces along East Ridgewood Avenue into the same section of the code. There was clarification on location, and the description of the 15-minute parking space along Van Neste Square. Mr. Rutishauser had also suggested replacing one 15-minute space on Library Place with a 3-hour space because it is closer to the kiosk, which is actually around the corner.

Councilwoman Knudsen asked if they were still missing two spaces. They should be adding all of those parking spaces on the south side of West Ridgewood Avenue, between Washington and Wilsey. There are four spaces, but this only refers to two. Ms. Mailander stated that she would get more information from Mr. Rutishauser.

2. Amend Time for General Parking in Lots

Ms. Mailander stated that this is a proposal to allow parking in all lots from 12:00 P.M. on without a permit. There would be a three-hour limit. The exceptions would be Cottage Place and the Train Station. The person would have to pay by Parkmobile or the kiosk, and they cannot park in the employee spaces on North Walnut. They are looking to free up the spots if there are any. Mayor Hache stated that this is a follow up to rolling back to 3:00 P.M. in a commuter spot, and subject to observation even up to noon there were still a lot of spaces that were unused.

Councilwoman Walsh asked if they would still have to have the resident permit. Ms. Mailander stated that they wouldn’t at that point, after noon. They would just have to pay the kiosk or through Parkmobile. Councilwoman Knudsen asked if there were any problems when they had changed the hours previously. Ms. Mailander stated that they didn’t have any problems.

d. Budget

1. Award Contract Under State Contract – Purchase of Fuel – Fleet Services Division

Ms. Mailander stated that this is awarded to Allied Oil Company of Hillsborough, not to exceed $370,000. This is in the 2020 operating budget for Fleet Services.

2. Award Contract Under State Contract – Purchase of Manholes and Catch Basin Frames and Grates – Street Services Division

Ms. Mailander stated that this award is to Campbell Foundry of Harrison, in an amount not to exceed $38,690.20. This is in the capital budget funds.

3. Permanent Lighting – Maple Park Field

Ms. Mailander stated that this was discussed and surrounding neighbors were notified. The proposal is to award the contract to Musco Sports Lighting of Farmingdale. It is under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing, and funding is $145,000 from Village capital budget, $145,00 from Bergen County Open Space Grant, and $140,000 from the Ridgewood Youth Sports Groups. A bond ordinance would be introduced for the full amount and then the Village is reimbursed by the grant and the contribution from the sports groups.

Councilwoman Knudsen asked why they needed to bond for the whole amount. Ms. Mailander stated that they always do, whenever the Village gets a grant they have to do the whole amount and then get reimbursed. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that when they get a grant they have to make the purchase to get reimbursed, but asked why can’t they take the $140,000 from the youth sports group and then just bond the $300,000 and then make the purchase. Ms. Mailander stated that she would ask Mr. Rooney and the Bond Council. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that they shouldn’t add the debt if they didn’t have to.

Councilwoman Walsh asked how it was broken out across the Ridgewood Sports Groups. Ms. Mailander stated that she could find out. Councilwoman Knudsen added that it would be good to itemize it on the resolution.

4. Interest Rate for Delinquent Taxes

Ms. Mailander stated that these interest rate resolutions are annual resolutions that set the interest rates on the non-payment of these various liens, payments, or bills. It is the same interest rate as delinquent taxes, and sets grace periods for delinquent taxes with a 10-day grace period. With the other liens its 25 days, and for the sewer discharger fees it’s a 30-day grace period.

5. Interest Rate for Non-Payment of Other Municipal Liens

6. Interest Rate for Delinquent Significant Sewer Discharger Fees

7. Extend Sublease Agreement of 43-45 Hudson Street – Epic Management

Ms. Mailander stated that Epic is renting 43-45 Hudson Street, and this will expire at the end of April and an extension will have to be renewed until June. P&D Partners, the landlord, has agreed to the extension of the lease to the end of June 2020, and the resolution has to be done before it expires.

8. Bond Ords. – Schedler Fields and House

Ms. Mailander stated that one bond ordinance is for the improvements to Schedler Field, which was discussed when Mr. Rutishauser came in and discussed his budgets. The thought was to appropriate $1 million for that this year, which would be Phase I. He mentioned he would like to put in the parking lot, curbing, and if possible, some of the walking paths to get people to start using the park. The second is a bond ordinance providing for various improvements to Zabriskie-Schedler House in the amount of $865,500. Ms. Mailander stated that this is the final amount for that, and the Village will be applying for Historic Preservation Funding through Bergen County. In addition, Connolly and Hickey has recommending that they also apply for funding with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Trust. This is the full amount, as they don’t know what kind of grant they would get, but she is hopeful they can get grants from both of them, which would reduce this amount.

Mayor Hache asked if Millennium ever said that this project was coming up and there was a grant there, or was this solely from Connolly and Hickey. Ms. Mailander stated that it was solely from Connolly and Hickey, but as far as the Bergen County grant, that is something that the Village itself also applies for. Councilwoman Knudsen added that Friends of Schedler would also be applying for a grant. Ms. Mailander added that the amount would then be reduced by whatever grants came through.

e. Policy

1. Amend Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance

Ms. Mailander stated that as discussed, they have put together the things that both the Code Enforcement and Health Department requested. It indicates that any reusable bag has to indicate on it that it has a lifetime of 125 uses or the store must have available for inspection a written document from the distributor indicating that the bag has a lifetime minimum of 125 uses. The enforcement would be through the Village Health Department employees, Building Department employees, and/or any other Village employee so designated by the Village Manager. They can do this by investigating complaints or violations, completing unannounced inspections, or as part of regularly scheduled inspections by the registered environmental health specialist. This will address the concerns for those who enforce it, the fines are the same from originally, but this gives them the ability to enforce. It also allows the Village Manager to designate someone else to enforce it.

Councilwoman Walsh asked if it was 125 uses or 25 uses, as she had seen bags in stores that said 25 uses. Ms. Mailander stated that it was 125 uses. Councilwoman Knudsen asked Mr. Rogers what you can do by ordinance. Can you state that they can’t give the plastic bags to carry the groceries home, but she thought that if it was something for sale in the store they didn’t have the option to impose an ordinance dictating what could be sold. Mr. Rogers stated that was a different issue, as they are talking about whatever they are going to sell here to be able to be viably used to transport goods from a retail store. It doesn’t keep them from selling anything, it keeps them from selling a particular item that isn’t in conformance with this ordinance. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that they have the authority to say they can’t give the plastic bags, but do they have the jurisdiction or authority to condition their sales on these parameters. Mr. Rogers stated that they do have the ability to regulate for health and safety, and if they have to do with recycling they can put some parameters with regard to that.

Ms. Mailander stated that in the original ordinance that was adopted, it says 125 uses, as well. This new ordinance just incorporates it in a better way.

2. Update on Glenwood Road

Ms. Mailander stated that the Mayor gave the update on Glenwood Road previously in the meeting.

f. Operations – NONE

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he had sent a note to some members of the Council regarding the Park and Ride as he learned that the Air Brook Limousine Service vacated the space, and the Avis Rental Car that was also at that location is gone. There is a tremendous amount of space that is available at that location, and it doesn’t seem that this has been discussed. He didn’t know if NJDOT notified the Village about this vacancy, and there also seems to be a number of spaces in the Village-managed portion of the lot. He asked if the Park and Ride was going to be increased in size, and would the NJDOT try to negotiate with Coach to begin more bus service from that area, or was there a private business that would take up that space. Mr. Loving added that there might be some opportunity for revenue generation if they let the Village manage the area.

There were no additional comments from the public, and Mayor Hache closed public comment.

Mayor Hache asked if there was an update on the Park and Ride. Ms. Mailander stated that they have not heard back from NJDOT yet, as this all happened recently, and it was recently that the Village boarded up the previous trailer that Air Brook was using. She agrees there are a lot of spaces available, and it may be possible that the Village could take up some of that space. Mr. Rogers stated that Mr. Rutishauser has been involved with NJDOT on a number of instances, and recently they were able to get Avis to leave that area. Avis is out of there now, and it is freeing everything up and now is a great time to deal with that issue.

7. RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

Deputy Village Clerk Donna Jackson read Resolution #20-59 to go into Closed Session as follows:

8. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilman Sedon, seconded by Councilwoman Knudsen, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Work Session was adjourned at 8:36 P.M.

 

 

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Ramon M. Hache, Sr.
Mayor

 

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Donna M. Jackson
Deputy Village Clerk