20200205 Village Council Public Work Session

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 5, 2020 AT 7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

Councilwoman Knudsen 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, Voigt, and Walsh.  Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney; and Donna Jackson, Deputy Village Clerk.  Mayor Hache was absent.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen 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.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she wanted to apologize for last week’s meeting, as unbeknownst to all of them, she was sick, Councilman Sedon was sick, and Councilman Voigt was out of town, and there was no quorum.  She apologized to anyone who arrived at Village Hall expecting a meeting.

 

2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Walter Rothaug, 558 Hillcrest Road, stated that he was there to express his concern about an item which was on last week’s agenda which was the partial closing of the Ho-Ho-Kus hill link between Upper Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus.  This is an important link between Upper Ridgewood and the businesses of Ho-Ho-Kus.  Upper Ridgewood would be considerably more isolated without it, and it is heavily used.  The link is more than 100 years old.  He added that he is questioning the credibility of New Jersey Transit as they don’t have a good record.  Mr. Rothaug stated that Ridgewood seems to have just found about this now, but Ho-Ho-Kus knew about it in May.  He added that he would like to know the results of a traffic study that they supposedly did.

 

Mr. Rothaug stated that they could make better signage, as it seems their concern is about trucks being on the crossing and the signs are rather small.  He added that painting could be done on the crossing itself to try to funnel the traffic across that.  They could do a lot to enhance the safety without closing or partially closing it.  He asked the Village Council to support Upper Ridgewood in this matter.

 

Bob Upton, 172 West Glen Avenue, Green Ridgewood Chair, stated that at the January 8^th Village Council meeting a group of young ladies addressed them with a request to fully fund the Shade Tree Commission with $100,000 for the replacement of trees that have been lost over previous years.  They very well described the importance of trees to the environment and the community.  At the last meeting of Green Ridgewood, they voted to support the Shade Tree Commission and speak in support of them and ask that the Village Council allocate those funds and that they are used for the trees.

 

Mr. Upton stated that in a personal matter, he notices that there was a discussion about accidents at the intersection of Monroe and West Glen Avenue which is just up the road from his house and a number of measures were introduced.  Sergeant Chuck mentioned that a number of those accidents that happened westbound on West Glen, heading up the hill, were rear end collisions Mr. Upton is not entirely confident that the changes that were suggested would do anything for rear end collisions.  He suspected that a lot of those are due to excessive speed.  A flasher was installed on North Walnut and he wondered if that may also be a solution for West Glen to bring to people’s attention the speed that they are traveling.

 

Ron Rosenzweig, was there on behalf of his client Woodfield Realty Property Owners on the corner of West Ridgewood Avenue off of Wilsey Square, of which he is also the President of.  He understands there is a question which was addressed several months ago and he has been waiting for some additional answers regarding the parking spaces there.  He was there on behalf of his tenants West Side Bagel, Davis Surgical, and Puzo’s Pizza, who are all very dependent on those parking spaces for people to come into their stores for five or ten minutes to pick up.  Many senior citizens use the spots at Davis Surgical to come in and pick up surgical supplies.  The removal of those spots would greatly impact all of those businesses, which would impact his business as a landlord. 

 

Mr. Rosenzweig stated that he believes there have been studies done by the Police and aside from two small periods of time that there really isn’t a traffic problem there.  It seems to him that if those parking spots are going to be taken away, it has a great impact for what is two twenty minute periods of congestion, at best.  Those parking spots are the lifeblood of those businesses as they all depend on those spaces. 

 

Neil Sullivan, 335 East Ridgewood Avenue, stated that he has become an avid player of Pickleball and he learned taking lessons through the Ridgewood Recreation Department, and he wanted to thank the town for putting in a first class Pickleball court at Glen School.  One thing he noticed is that there are so many senior citizens playing, which he thinks is great.  He understands that it may have been discussed before, and he is sympathetic about the noise.  He wished the Village Council could compromise as there is going to be noise, but if that can be reduced to an acceptable level he would make that as a suggestion.

 

Doug Rhoten, 120 Melrose Place, stated that he is an avid Pickleball player and he pulled the noise resolution verbiage today and when he thinks of noise he thinks of it in a very objective way, but the ordinance explains it in a very subjective way.  A growing number of towns are making their resolutions very objective with decibel meters and there is a lot of material about this online.  They make alarms that shine a light when people are being too loud, and you can also limit the number of people on the Pickleball court.  When he listens outside of gyms where they play, he can’t hear the Pickleball, but he can hear the yelling.  He added that if there was a notice posted that talked about the noise and limited the number of people he thinks they would be doing themselves a favor.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen asked if Mr. Rhoten was willing to share his research.  He stated that he sent it to the Parks Department today, but he would be happy to send it to anyone else.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if he would send it to the Village Clerk.

 

Anne Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated she was there to talk about the update on Graydon Pool hours of operation.  There was nothing in the yellow binder about it so she can only go on what has been said in previous meetings and the information she got from the Parks Department.  It was stated that they were going to reduce the weeks of Graydon because it was difficult to get guards.  This is completely wrong to do this, as she just saw an advertisement for a Parking Enforcement Officer in the newspaper, and there are no lives at stake when they are giving out tickets.  The Graydon guards have to go through extremely rigorous training, and they start at $9.50 an hour.  She thought that was below the minimum wage, but found that is the State minimum for part time.  She stated that was a low wage to pay people who hold the lives of all of the people of the pool. 

 

Ms. Lowry stated that her grandchildren take lessons at the Y and the instructors are adults.  She imagined that if they were paying the guards up to $18 an hour they might be able to get adults who don’t have to go back to school.  She added that Graydon actually makes money, and we need to spend a little more money to get guards so that the hours won’t be cut, as you can’t put the rates up and then cut the season by weeks.

 

Carolyn Jacoby, 160 Godwin Avenue, stated that she was there to thank the Village Council for the consideration and support for our critically important tree inventory.  She hoped that it could begin in a month or so, and they could have information regarding what our tree canopy is, and have information to be able to sustain it, grow it, and increase it.  As a member of the Shade Tree Commission, she thanked Bob Upton and the Green Team for their support.  She added that trees are a tremendous noise abatement vehicle around the Pickleball courts.  

 

Ian Keller, 140 Cottage Place, stated that he wanted to second Ms. Jacoby’s comments as he is on the Shade Tree Commission and they have done quite a bit of work to take all the steps necessary to have the tree inventory completed.

 

Joe Ferrante, 610 Hillcrest Road, stated that he was here about three years ago, and in five days the Willard community put together over 400 signatures of families who were opposed to disrupting the status quo of the Glenwood Road.  Many of those same families authored letters to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, which characterized the bulk of those letters as “expressions of inconvenience.” He feels this is not an inconvenience, but rather a significant disruption of an historic pattern between neighborhoods, and it is a cavalier attitude that the NJDOT has exhibited in the report he read.  Mr. Ferrante stated that this hill is a mode of transportation between neighborhoods almost predated by the railroad.  He added that you have to maintain that two way pattern to maintain the relationship.

 

Mr. Ferrante stated that he was concerned several years ago when this started that it was a bad starting point to settle on one-way.  He added that the starting point should be what would it take to preserve this very vital link between neighborhoods, and he wondered if the Village Council was willing to ask that question.

 

Mary Meekham, 630 Morningside Road, stated that Glenwood Road is part of her normal routine, she uses it daily and has been concerned about the traffic that is now going down and up that hill is now going to be diverted to Glen or Wyckoff Avenue.  A lot of traffic comes from the Ridgewood residents in her area getting off the train at night and having people pick them up.  There are so many different issues here, and there are going to be lines of cars standing and waiting to pick people up from the train.  She added that there are a lot of other intersections that she would consider more dangerous.

 

There were no additional comments from the public, and Councilwoman Knudsen closed public comments.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that they are certainly looking at all options with the NJDOT and she is confident that everyone has read the documents quite thoroughly.  She added that at the outset when they started down this road three years ago, the Village Council’s expectation was that they were working to keep it open both ways and weren’t looking to negotiate anything on it.  She requested the Village Manager and Village Engineer OPRA any documents from the NJDOT any documents that substantiated the report.  They are doing anything possible.  Councilman Voigt added that he was really concerned, as this suddenly came out of the blue and they didn’t hear about it until a few weeks ago.  He sees it as a major disruption for that area and has concerns about where the traffic is going to go, especially for West Glen.  He is hoping they can do anything and everything to stop this and that includes more enforcement, and working with Ho-Ho-Kus to make that road safer and then work with NJDOT to stop this.

 

Councilwoman Walsh echoed the comments, adding that the bad behavior of some causes an effect on others.  Unfortunately, bad drivers caused some pretty severe issues in this situation.  She is hoping they can come to some sort of a resolution.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that in terms of the 15 minute parking spaces, she was under the impression that was just housekeeping issues.  Regarding Pickleball, they are just working with the acoustics. 

 

3. MANAGERS REPORT

 

Hudson Street Garage – Ms. Mailander stated that the crane is there at Hudson Street, and they are moving the precast panels into place.  This part of the process is approximately seven weeks, intermittent, weather permitting.  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. 

 

Parking Rate Increase – Ms. Mailander stated that a parking rate increase went into effect on February 1^st, which is $1.25 per hour on the streets and $1.00 per hour in the lots.

 

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 9^th 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. on June 2^nd or November 3^rd.  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.  You could most likely work in Ridgewood, and perhaps even in your own neighborhood.

 

Parking Kiosks – Ms. Mailander stated that parking kiosks are being installed throughout the CBD, and should be completed by the end of February.  At 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.

 

Village Office Closure – Ms. Mailander stated that Village Offices will be closed on February 12^th in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday and February 17^th in observance of President’s Day.  There will be no garbage or recycling pickup on these days and the Recycling Center will also be closed.

 

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 at Graydon Pool.  For more information, contact Ridgewood Recreation at The Stable.

 

Single Use Plastic Bags – Ms. Mailander stated that single use plastic bags are banned in Ridgewood.  This includes supermarkets, restaurants, street fairs, and farmers markets.  Certain plastic bags are exempt, and she thanked residents for helping preserve our environment.  

 

Village Council Upcoming Meetings – February 19^th is the Public Meeting, February 26^th is the Village Council Work Session, and March 4^th is a Village Council Work Session.

 

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

 

Ridgewood Library – Councilwoman Walsh stated that there was a Reorganization Meeting and the new slate is President, Gail Campbell; Vice President, Vic Aurora; Treasurer, Dan Cumming; and Secretary, Janis Fuhrman.  There was a lengthy discussion about the application for the library grant that has been offered by the State.  They are endeavoring to get all of the materials together as quickly as possible, including updated architect’s drawings to be able to bring back to the Village Council.

 

Citizen Safety Advisory Committee – Councilman Voigt stated that CSAC had its meeting on the 16^th.  West Glen and Monroe residents attended and expressed concern about that intersection.  There is one opening on the committee that needs to be filled and several residents have expressed interest.  Interest continues to remain on the Franklin Avenue corridor upgrade and Chris Rutishauser provided them with an update on that. Councilman Voigt stated that Starbucks continues to be an issue with the driveway entrance and exits and he is hoping they can get that resolved fairly soon.

 

Community Center Advisory Board – Councilman Voigt stated that they met on the 23^rd of January and a number of events are coming up.  The Taub Foundation will fund Age Friendly Ridgewood for two more years based on the good work they are doing.  Upcoming presentations and events include March 2^nd, Soups On at Healthbarn from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., $10 for residents, $20 for non-residents; March 3^rd at 6:30 P.M. the Library auditorium they have an elder attorney presenting on elder issues; March 5^th at 10:00 A.M. at the Community Center “From Suffrage to the ERA”, $5 per resident; April 22^nd at 6:30 P.M. in the Library auditorium Medicare 101 with Sheila Brogan; May 6^th at 7:00 P.M. Mary Creegan will present on her book.  Upcoming student mixers at the Community Center, April 17^th 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. sixth grade mixer, music, and pizza; May 1^st 7^th and 8^th grade silent disco; and May 29^th 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.  There is Step Up for the 5^th graders to meet future classmates at BF and GW.

 

Planning Board – Councilwoman Knudsen stated that the Planning Board meeting last night was canceled, however, the Master Plan Subcommittee did meet and went over a draft of the Visioning and Master Plan documents and right now they are in the process of making sure all of the data points are correct and the information is accurate.  They anticipate that will go to the Planning Board for review and the Committee will be doing a presentation before the Village Council in early March.

 

Arts Council – Councilwoman Knudsen stated that the Arts Council will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. in the caucus room.  They are working on a sculptor exhibit in the off season at Graydon, and a project on the Parking Garage.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the next item is to convene the Special Public Meeting. 

 

At 8:11 P.M., Councilwoman Walsh made a motion to suspend the Work Session and convene the Special Public Meeting.  Councilman Sedon seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

 

AYES:             Councilmembers Knudsen, Sedon, Voigt, and Walsh

NAYS:            None

ABSENT:        Mayor Hache

ABSTAIN:      None

 

At 8:17 P.M., the Regular Work Session was reconvened.

 

5. PRESENTATION

             

1. NJ Future

 

Tonya Warbeck, Community Planning Manager at New Jersey Future, stated that she wanted to speak about the work that Ridgewood is doing in terms of age friendly community building.  She stated that NJ Future is a non-profit, non-government organization.  They are mission driven and their main concern is the responsible sustainable use of land, so they work to promote smart sustainable land use policies and practices.  Research into age friendly started a few years ago with funding from the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation where the question was how people can stay in their communities and be engaged and afford to be in the kinds of communities that New Jersey has being of a sprawling development type pattern in many places.  She stated that Ridgewood is in a good position because it is a rather compact kind of community form.  Ms. Warbeck stated that a research project was done and two reports were produced.  One called “Creating Places to Age in New Jersey” and another one about housing affordability regarding some towns in Northern New Jersey. 

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that the reason they are looking at the aging population specifically is because we are in the middle of a demographic shift right now, and there is an increase in the demographic of age 50 and older and in the next ten years we will see an increase in the demographic for 65 and older.  This is a result of the baby boomers aging into that older age group.  About 30% of the population in most communities in the state is now age 55 and older.  The question is how to meet the needs of this population.  Most surveys indicate that people would like to stay in their communities, preferably in their current home, or to have options to downsize in their community, and also to have opportunities to work or engage in their community. 

 

NJ Future has set out to evaluate communities in terms of meeting the needs in relation to land use patterns. Ms. Warbeck stated that they have developed a methodology to assess communities based on housing, transportation, mixed use center, and public spaces and amenities that are available.  The form of a community can determine whether it is harder or easier for a person to be able to stay in a community as they age and be able to stay engaged in a community as they age. 

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that types of the things that can be a barrier are housing, which is an issue for many people in the State in terms of mobility issues  and affordability, especially as our aging population moves into fixed incomes.  Auto dependency is an issue, as people tend to drive less as they age.  Having public spaces and gathering spaces for recreation, exercise, and community engagement is important.  These are the kinds of barriers that exist for people in communities.  New Jersey is a home rule state, so it is the municipal decision makers that set the vision for the community and the form it will take.  Ms. Warbeck stated that happens through master planning, visioning, zoning boards, planning, regulations, and capital budget, which are the things that a town can address or look at to help the aging population.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that the NJ Future Aging Friendly Program has two components, one is doing land use assessments at the local level with municipalities, and the other is implementation planning.  Ridgewood has had an assessment done and now they are in the implementation planning phase with Ridgewood.  The assessment process is an engagement process.  They inform and engage the community through information sessions, and then through a project committee they prepare demographic profiles.  Then they engage the stakeholders both from the municipality as well as community stakeholders.  Ms. Warbeck stated that they get feedback through that engagement process to then go on and perform that aging friendly assessment which indicates recommendations.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that with mixed use centers, they are looking for whether a town has a mixed use center, which is a downtown environment with retail and residential that would allow people to live closer to destinations and improves vibrancy of the downtown.  Their recommendations would be town specific for ways that the town could create that downtown environment with walkability being a priority, pedestrian oriented and a mix of uses.  Ms. Warbeck stated that with housing over 40% of New Jersey’s households are housing cost burdened meaning that they are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.  For older residents that is more than 50%.  Ridgewood is a little less than the State, but about 45% with the 65 and older population.  They are looking for options that are affordable, such as apartments and smaller units.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that with transportation, they are looking to see if everyone needs a car to get around town.  They are looking for connectivity and whether other modes of transportation exist.  They also look at safety in terms of the number of lanes of traffic, speed of the road, and Complete Streets recommendations, as well.  Regarding public spaces and amenities, they are looking for an interconnected network so that people have a way to get out in the community easily.  The recommendations they make would be to enhance the existing facilities or fill the gaps for that network.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that they created an assessment for the Village that was shared with the Village Council.  The next phase is the implementation planning.  It is important because it sets the blueprint for the steps that need to get done to meet the goals.  They identify specific things that could be done to achieve a specific goal.  It lays out who is responsible, the timeline, funding sources, and estimated costs.  This helps build support for the initiative and the projects, as well.  They are looking to have a well thought out plan for action to move forward.  With Ridgewood, they are doing public engagement tonight and will continue to do that, and then begin to identify the very specific action steps.  Then they want to continue to get that feedback from the municipality.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that another part of this process is to lead this into the everyday municipal decision making, to think about these other aspects with this consideration of aging friendliness.  With implementation planning, they want to act on the strategies, engage the community, integrate these concepts, and promote the work.  They have the recommended strategies from the assessment, which are fairly general, and they want to bring those down to an actionable item.  They want to come up with smart objectives and then assess or prioritize that based on how much impact it will have and also how feasible it is.  They held a workshop and the project committee from Ridgewood, Teaneck, and Westwood were there.  Each of the recommendations from the assessment were written out and they got to come up with the top five priorities.

 

Ms. Warbeck stated that based on the discussion at this workshop, she developed a priorities matrix ranking the recommendations.  The project committee will present the resulting priority chart to the Village Council next month, and it is from that they will work to develop the implementation plan that has the action steps to get them closer to implementation for the high priority items on the list.  In terms of their timeline, they have formed the project committee, had the workshop, developed actions, and had a couple of follow-up meetings to finalize that implementation matrix.  She added that they are engaging the Village Council and she will be talking to the Planning Board.  She will work with the project committee to draft the implementation plan.  There are no obligations to implement, but these are things that have been determined as important for the aging population in the town.

 

Councilman Voigt stated that of the four top priorities, three have to do with walking and outdoors which says a lot about the Village in that people want to be outdoors and to exercise.  Ms. Warbeck stated that it is great the enthusiasm that the project team is showing.  Councilman Voigt added that with the new developments that are going to be opening, there are going to be a lot of people downtown and they are going to need to address the walkability.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that in addition to the walkability, she works with a lot of contractors who retired and then came back after realizing that they were too idle, so that is another thing that keeps coming up. 

 

Councilman Sedon stated that he was interested to know if they talked about taxes and if there were any creative solutions to lowering taxes as that seems to directly impact affordability.  Ms. Warbeck stated that is a great question as that is the crux of the problem, but she is in the process of compiling examples of innovative things that towns have done, including public-private partnerships.  As far as taxes, other than the State assistance, it is tricky.  They are compiling those kinds of resources and she will be sharing that when complete.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she had the same observations and they are facing some potential referendums in Ridgewood, and these are things that really need to be looked at and considered.  She added that people are living longer and are more capable, so they do look for employment opportunities in their community which gives an opportunity to socialize.

 

6. DISCUSSION

             

1. Ridgewood Water

 

1. Award Sole Source Contract – Exchange of GAC Vessels at Carr Well

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Carr Treatment Plant came on-line after the installation of granular activated carbon treatment for the removal of PFAS compounds.  This filter media consists of carbon based product that is manufactured by Calgon Carbon Corporation of Pennsylvania.  That filter media will require replacement annually.  Therefore, Mr. Calbi’s recommendation is to award a sole source contract to Calgon Carbon in an amount not to exceed $128,000 for the year 2020.  Funding for the purchase is budgeted in the 2020 operating account. 

 

2. Award Three Year Contract – Customer Billing Portal, Communications and Consumption Analytics Software

 

Ms. Mailander stated that they went out to bid for this.  One bid was picked up and one was received.  The sole bidder was Rio Supply of Sicklerville, New Jersey, who is a reseller of WaterSmart.  The recommendation is to award a three year contract to Rio Supply in the amount of $66,450 for year one, $43,800 for year two, and $45,060 for year three.  Funding is in the Water Utility Operating Budget of each year.  The first year is so high because there is a one-time setup fee of $23,700.

 

3. Award Contract – National Co-Op Purchasing Agreement – Materials and Supplies

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this was a resolution for the purchase of materials and supplies under the National Joint Powers Alliance Cooperative Purchasing Contract and for facilities, maintenance, repair and operating related supplies for safety related equipment and supplies, accessories, and services.  Ridgewood Water anticipates exceeding the statutory limit of $17,500 for these materials and therefore is in need of a Village Council resolution to purchase these items for 2020.  The award is to Granger, of Plainfield in an amount not to exceed $85,000.  This is in the water operating budget.

 

4. Award Sole Source Contract – Furnish Corrosion Inhibitor

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Lead and Copper rule from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection mandates that Ridgewood Water maintain a Corrosion Control Program.  Corrosion control is the treatment process in which small amounts of phosphate inhibitors are added to the water in order to prevent corrosion.  They create a thin coating inside the plumbing materials and therefore prevents the erosion of lead and copper into the water.  In 2013, Ridgewood Water implemented a pilot program, utilizing poly-orthophosphate to control corrosion in the system.  Based on its success, Ridgewood Water installed the inhibitor ESC 532 at all of the active treatment facilities.  The installation was completed in April of 2016 and it is used at all points of entry for Ridgewood Water.

 

ESC Environmental uses a unique blend of polyphosphates and orthophosphate that is developed and distributed solely through their company.  Therefore, the recommendation is a sole source contract to ESC Environmental of Glenville, NY in the amount of $175,000 for the year 2020.  The funding is in the water operating account. 

 

2. Parking

 

1. Discuss Saturday Parking of Permit Holders in All Lots

 

Ms. Mailander stated that is has always been the policy that residents who purchase the Ridgewood Parking Permits can use them not only for commuting, but can also use the RPP at any time on the parking lots, whether it is in the evening or on a Saturday.  It has also been the policy that if they are parking with the RPP in the lots, that they can stay for as long as they wish, and not just for three hours.  The ordinance is not clear on these policies. The recommendation is to amend the ordinance to indicate that the RP may be used at any time, to park in the lots, without a time limit.  In addition, the amendment to the ordinance will indicate that the resident parking with the RPP in the lots cannot park in the shopper/diners or the CBD Employee parking spaces, except after 6:00 P.M. in the North Walnut lot.  This has been the policy since the RPPs were established.

 

Councilman Voigt asked if this is for the people who buy the permit for the Train Station. Ms. Mailander stated that it applies to everyone that has a permit.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if someone has the Chestnut Lot sticker can they park in the Train Station lot.  Ms. Mailander stated that on Saturdays and in the evenings they haven’t limited it, but they could.  Councilman Sedon stated that he wouldn’t limit it, as he can see the Train Station being a premium on a weekday, but on a Saturday a lot of people don’t commute.  Councilwoman Walsh agreed with Councilman Sedon. 

 

2. West Ridgewood Avenue – 15-Minute Parking Spaces

 

Ms. Mailander stated that there are four parking spaces in front of the Wine Seller.  All four spaces have been memorialized in the Village Code, so they are all legal spaces.  There was a request from a resident who felt that there was a backup there.  It usually happens in the morning for around 20 minutes and around 3:30 P.M. for about 20 minutes according to the study done by the Police Department.  They went to the local businesses who said that they would be very concerned if these spaces were removed due to the fact that people use them to go into the stores quickly. 

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she was having a problem seeing where the four spaces were.  Ms. Mailander stated they were between Washington Place and Wilsey Square.  Councilman Sedon stated that he would be in favor of keeping it as it is.  Councilman Voigt stated that he was okay keeping the spaces.  Councilwoman Knudsen and Councilwoman Walsh discussed the exact location of the spaces.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that there needed to be a better explanation of the location of the spaces.  Ms. Mailander stated that could be amended to make it more clear.

 

3. Budget

 

1. Award State Contract – Portable Radios – Police Department

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this is a resolution for the purchase of ten portable radios under State Contract and the vendor is Motorola Solutions, Inc. of Paramus.  It is an amount not to exceed $31,660.50 and is being paid for through the Police Department’s capital budget.  These new radios will better interface with the radio system, and have better fidelity of transmissions in higher noise environments.  It is part of a multi-year replacement program and after this purchase, a little over half of the officers will have upgraded portable radios.

 

Councilwoman Walsh asked if when mechanicals like this are purchased, there is a warranty, but is there a life expectancy.  Ms. Mailander stated that she would find out.

 

2. Award Professional Services Contract – 2020 Tax Assessment Map

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this is an annual contract for professional land surveying services for the certification, survey work supervision, and assistance with preparation of the Village of Ridgewood Tax Assessment Map for 2020.  The vendor is Daniel Dunn of Waldwick, and the amount is not to exceed $1,700, which has remained the same amount for the last ten years.  The retainer provides the Village with a New Jersey Professional Land Surveyor to endorse our tax maps and provide the license coverage for the survey work the staff of the Engineering Division prepares for various construction projects and regulatory submittals.  It will be paid out of the operating budget.

 

3. Award Contract – Coach Bus Transportation Services – 2020 Senior Day Trips

 

Ms. Mailander stated that there was a bid in January accepted for Coach Bus Transportation Services for Senior Day Trips.  Five packets were emailed to vendors for their consideration and two were received.  Of the two bids, one of the bids was received late, and mailed back unopened.  It ended up being one sole bid from Panorama Tours, Inc. of Wallington.  It is an amount not to exceed $11,080 for the 2020 trips.  They have worked with Panorama Tours in the past, and were consistently on time with professional and courteous drivers.

 

4. Award Contract – Diesel Exhaust Removal System – Fleet Garages

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Fleet Services Division received three informal written quotes for that project.  They are recommending the award of the work to Clean Air Company, Inc. of Fords, New Jersey, in the amount of $20,586.03 as the lowest responsible quote.  It will be paid for through the capital budget.

 

5. Award Contract – New Jersey Co-Op Purchasing Program – GIS Mapping – Parks Department

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this is the Shade Tree Inventory, and Ridgewood Parks and Recreation and the Shade Tree Commission have partnered together.  This will help us better understand the composition, structure, and maintenance needs of what we have, allocate resources, and qualify for financial grant assistance developed with management strategies.  Using a GIS mapping unit in the field collection to identify various characteristics of each street tree.  The anticipated visual assessment of approximately 12,000 shade trees will be conducted through state contract holder, Civil Solutions of Hammonton, and their partner Davey Resource Group.  It is an amount not to exceed $56,215.  A recent grant that the Village received in the amount of $10,000 will be put towards this as well as $50,000 funding which has been verified in the capital budget account.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that it was important to point out that these are Village owned street trees.  Councilman Sedon added that we don’t even know exactly how many street trees we have; it is just anecdotal evidence from people who have worked in the Village and drove around.

 

6. Declare Property Surplus – 2011 Ford Crown Victoria – Police Department

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this vehicle is in constant need of repair and the cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle.  The Fleet Department has inspected it and agrees that it cannot be repaired or rehabilitated.  It went from the Police Department to the Building Department and now it is in a condition where it really can’t be used by any of the other Departments.  It will be declared surplus and turned over to Enterprise LLC and sold at public auction according to State law.  Proceeds from the sale will be credited to the Ridgewood Police Department account with Enterprise.  Councilwoman Walsh asked if this was the last Crown Victoria.  Ms. Mailander stated that they may have another one.

 

7. Award Contract – Installation, Service and Repair of Police Vehicle Equipment and Radios

 

Ms. Mailander stated this is Police, Fire, and Emergency Services and is for the maintenance of emergency radios, equipment, vehicle computer systems for those three Divisions.  This is the second optional year of a contract and it will be awarded to the original sole bidder, Regional Communications of Paramus, not to exceed $30,000.

 

8. 2019 Appropriation Reserve Transfer Resolution

 

Ms. Mailander stated this is an annual resolution which transfers money from those Departments which have extra money to those that do not have enough money to pay the 2019 bills.

 

9. Capital Ordinance – Paving of South Broad Street

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this will be a bond ordinance for a total of $216,000.  The Village received a $210,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for this, but we have to appropriate the full amount and then get reimbursed. We will take $6,000 from the general capital fund balance account.

 

10. Capital Ordinance – Paving of Spring Avenue

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this is a total of $180,000 and the Village received an NJDOT grant in the amount of $175,000.  We will take $5,000 from the general capital fund balance account.

 

11. Deferred School Tax

 

Ms. Mailander stated this is an annual resolution and it allows for the maximum deferral which is the most favorable position to take since it increases the Village’s fund balance account and will help offset any restrictions from reserve accounts which may arise from 2018 financial operations.

 

12. Resolutions to Amend Capital Budget

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this is for the two paving projects, South Broad Street and Spring Avenue.  They have to amend the temporary capital budget because we haven’t adopted our final capital budgets yet.

 

13. Award Contract – State Co-Op Purchasing Program – 2019 Ford F250 – Water Pollution Control

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Water Pollution Control Division has residual capital funds budgeted for vehicles.  The pickup to be replaced is a 2009 Ford F-250 identified as truck WP-53, which has significant underbody corrosion due to the environment at the plant.  The purchase is through the New Jersey State Cooperative Purchasing Program through the Route 23 Automall of Butler, in an amount not to exceed $36,846.

 

14. Award Contract – Drainage System at 220 Chestnut Street – Fleet Garages

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Streets/Fleet Services Division solicited and received three informal written quotes to make corrections to our drainage system at 220 Chestnut Street.  They recommend the award of work to ConQuest Construction, Inc. of Westwood in the amount of $26,430.

 

15. Award Contract – Printing for Municipal Election

 

Ms. Mailander stated that because this is a Municipal Election, the Village pays for all printing, which includes the election materials, ballots, and labels for the sample ballots.  They deliver to the Post Office, and print the sample mail-in ballots in English, Spanish, and Korean.  Election expenses are exempt from the public bidding law.  The Village used Royal Printing Service for the 2016 and 2018 Municipal Elections and the referendum election held in 2016.  Ms. Mailander stated that they have been very pleased with their work and they have also been used by Bergen County for the printing of the Primary and General elections for several years.  The quote is $19,800 for the printing, which is the same amount they charged in 2018.  She recommended the award to Royal Printing Service of West New York, NJ.

 

16. Declare Surplus – Various Equipment – Parks and Recreation

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this was for various equipment to be declared surplus, and is being sold through municibid.com which is approved under the State purchasing system.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if they knew how old all of this equipment is.  Ms. Mailander stated they could find out.

 

17. Update on Status of Bathrooms at Graydon Pool

 

Ms. Mailander stated that Connolly and Hickey worked on the overall scheme for the Graydon Pool bathrooms which are getting upgraded, painted, and will have new fixtures.  The partitions between each of the changing areas and bathroom stalls started to disintegrate when the contractor removed them as part of their work.  Connolly and Hickey had thought they would be fine to put back in, but they have realized they can’t do that.  It is $30,000 for the new partitions so that everything is going to look upgraded.  They have to do a change order for $30,000 and the contractor said they could try to use the old ones but they may not stay up.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that her opinion is they are doing the work and in the long run it might cost us more, so while they are doing the work right now let’s get it done correctly.  Ms. Mailander added that it should last decades after this, and there is a May 1^st deadline.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if they could get an update on the historic designation of Graydon Pool.  Ms. Mailander stated that she would get that update.

             

4. Policy

 

1. Revisit Winter Door Enclosure Ordinance – Extend Time Period

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Village Council proposed an ordinance to permit winter door enclosures in the CBD with dates of January 1^st to February 28^th or 29^th.  The Planning Board had recommended December 1^st because it is the restaurant industries’ busy holiday season, and it is cold enough to warrant the use during that time.  In speaking with the restaurant owners, the enclosures are expensive and the additional month would allow them to get more use from them.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she gets what they are saying and they are expensive, but she asked what the dates are on the outdoor café.  Ms. Mailander stated that right now it is March 1^st to November 30^th.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she still thinks it’s good to have a little time where they see the sidewalk and that was the basis for even amending the outdoor café ordinance.  She added that they find that the sidewalks really do need to be inspected and have some attention.  Ms. Mailander suggested December 10^th. Councilwoman Walsh stated that the way she looks at it, the whole reason that they are doing this is to keep inclement weather out when doing a transition and opening the door.  If the intent is to have this up in the coldest part of the year, it would make sense to have December, January, February.  Councilman Sedon suggested December 10^th to give some time to look at the sidewalk.

 

Mr. Rogers suggested that as part of the process for doing the permitting either for the outdoor cafes or for the winter door enclosures they could make sure that since the responsibility and the liability for the sidewalks in the commercial area are with the property owner, you could make sure that they get inspected when they apply for the permit and to make it part of the administrative process.  The Village Council agreed with that recommendation.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that they would make it December 1^st and then add that there will be an inspection and repair as part of the application process.  Councilwoman Walsh agreed.  Ms. Mailander stated that it probably should be done when they get their outdoor café permit, as they can do the repairs then.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that the inspection should then be part of every outdoor café permit.  Ms. Mailander agreed.

 

2. Occupancy Ordinance

 

Councilwoman Walsh stated that she included in everyone’s packet information about occupancy ordinances in other municipalities.  The fire code for residences was included, as well as an article that showed what happens when planning isn’t done before.  We have a downtown that is going to be full, so she wanted to get a jump on this before that point.  Most towns do an occupancy ordinance to ensure that developments adhere to existing guidelines.  It talks about square footage of units and the HUD guidelines.  She met with Mr. Rutishauser and they spoke about the sewage lines that go down Franklin Avenue and he assured her that they have capacity to handle all of the proposed units that are under construction at this time.  In terms of fire safety and what was proposed, they follow these guidelines and there wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary proposed in their ordinance.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen stated that it was a complicated process when they expanded the sewer line, and there had been some discussion about the occupancy ordinance and she thinks they should definitely have one.  Councilman Voigt stated that he agreed and there was agreement among the rest of the Village Council.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that this would have to go to the Planner and then discuss the process involved.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that out of all of them, she liked the way Allendale did it because they set it up in a way that was very understandable.  When the applications came to the Planning Board, they proposed the different unit sizes based on these other Uniformed Construction Codes and the HUD.  Councilwoman Knudsen agreed. 

 

Mr. Rogers stated that they should contact the Planner and have them look at it and how it fits into our scheme of things.  Ms. Mailander asked if it would go to the Planning Board.  Mr. Rogers stated that it wasn’t necessarily land use, but was more construction.  Ms. Mailander stated that she would give the Planner the packet and then look at something similar to Allendale’s.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that Ramsey wasn’t much different, but the grid that Allendale provided was easy to understand.

 

3. Accept Donation to Community Center – North Jersey Masters

 

Ms. Mailander stated that each year volunteers that are made up of Parks and Recreation staff and family members host a water table on Fairfield Avenue for the runners of the 10k during the run.  As a thank you, North Jersey Masters donates some of the proceeds to the Community Center to help fund programs, as needed.  They are donating $1,000 and North Jersey Masters does not have any applications before any Ridgewood Board or Committee at this time.

 

4. Update on Pickleball Courts – Acoustiblok

 

Ms. Mailander stated that she sent the Village Council additional information on the Acoustiblok fence that is being proposed for the Pickleball courts at Glen School regarding sound studies that were done with and without acoustic fences and showing the reduction in the noise levels achieved.  Noise was reduced ten to twelve decibels in a sound meter test conducted by the US Pickleball Association and this is more than a 50% reduction in sound.  Councilman Voigt had asked about a trial period to rent them, but they don’t do that.  However, if we are not happy with their product, they will refund the Village’s money less the cost of shipping the product back to them which is approximately $1,100.  They are convinced that this is going to be something that is going to benefit along with the muted balls, so they are hoping to award the contract and get this installed before the courts open.

 

Councilman Voigt asked what the warranty is on this.  Ms. Bigos stated that she would have to get back to them on that.  Ms. Mailander shared samples with the Village Council.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if they could use the black color.  Councilwoman Walsh was worried about impacting the view into the courts in terms of safety.  Ms. Bigos stated that was already happening because there are windscreens on all courts right now, which are only two feet shorter than the panels coming in.  She added that it is opaque, but you would be able to see people’s legs at the bottom.  It has been designed to have the parking lot visible so that you will see the courts from the parking lot and the wall would be on the three sides adjacent to the homeowners’ properties.

 

Councilman Sedon asked if there was room to plant additional trees there.  Ms. Bigos stated that was something that she and Ms. Mailander discussed earlier today when they reviewed the Department budget.  Additional shrubs by municipal courts is something that she and the new Parks Supervisor are looking into. Councilwoman Knudsen stated that it appears from the photos that there is a tremendous amount of obstruction that already exists from the shrubbery that is there.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that was another location.

 

5. Update on Graydon Pool Hours of Operation

 

Ms. Mailander stated that they have sent out to area high schools as well as to area colleges the help wanted advertisement for lifeguards.  The hourly rate varies depending on if they have worked here previously.  The rate of $10.43 is the low end and we are proposing $11 for the low end, and the salary goes up for those who have been here longer.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that to Ms. Loving’s point, if they were to increase the amount slightly, would they attract older applicants and is that something they should look at.  Ms. Mailander stated that increasing the pay, increases the budget, and ultimately taxes.  Councilwoman Knudsen added that she doesn’t believe in age discrimination.

 

Councilwoman Walsh stated that if they were going to limit the season by a week they would have to discount the amount.  Ms. Mailander stated that this was a proposal and the reason is safety due to the lack of lifeguards.  They are hoping increasing the pay will gather lifeguards, and are doing an aggressive campaign to get more lifeguards.  There has also been contact with one of the swim teams at a local high school.  The minimum age is 16.  She added that there is training, and they have to be able to get up into the lifeguard chair.

 

Ms. Bigos stated that there is a prerequisite in order for them to start the lifeguarding course.  They have to be able to swim a mile and then other physical endurance tests.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that there are older adults that can meet those expectations, to which Ms. Mailander agreed.  Councilman Sedon asked if there was a thought to go out to a temporary employment agency.  Ms. Bigos stated that she wasn’t sure about that but they have gone out to Montclair, William Paterson, Ramapo, Bergen Community, Ridgewood High School, Franklin Lakes, Midland Park, Northern Highlands, Paramus, Waldwick, Ramsey, Mahwah, Glen Rock, Elmwood Park, the New Jersey Pool Manager’s Association, and various other contacts.  She added that they always start accepting applications for returning staff on March 1^st and are ready to accept them.  Training is set and she has been in contact with the YMCA that does a waterfront program, but Graydon is black water and they offer to lifeguards the opportunity to take a bridge course to be certified in our facility with our staff and rescue procedures.

 

Councilman Sedon stated that that sounds like they went out extensively, and he agreed with Councilwoman Walsh that if they do have to limit the season there should be some type of reimbursement.  Ms. Bigos stated that they have been creative in the past, where there have been times where they have closed the section along Maple Avenue and maybe have people in the kiddie area, or sunbathe at the deep end without going in the water.  At the end of the season she sits with her management staff and they critique the summer.  One of the concerns that comes up every year is the three preseason weeks where college staff are in but work a double shift.  The Department of Health licenses Graydon and performs inspections, so they abide by those rules and regulations.  Councilwoman Knudsen encouraged using social media.

 

6. Vehicle Anti-Idling Policy

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Village Council adopted a resolution in 2009 to put into place a policy that prohibits vehicles from idling, which is part of Sustainable Jersey.  It requires renewal every ten years.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that there are signs in certain places in town where she was told there are cars idling and she noticed in those areas there were no signs.  She asked if residents could recommend if they see people idling.  Ms. Mailander stated she would like to know the locations.  Councilman Sedon stated that he heard the same thing.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked how that impacts people who have the remote start.  Ms. Mailander stated that it is a resolution because it is a policy.

 

7. Amendment to Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance

 

Ms. Mailander stated that although the ordinance is very comprehensive, so far they have found a couple of issues that have arisen.  The current ordinance does not specify if the plastic bags that can be used 125 times must have that printed on the bag itself.  The recommendation is that as long as they can get a distributor’s letter that it can be used 125 times, that would be okay, and that it wouldn’t have to be printed on the bag itself.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that she was so proud of our Village because she sees everybody with their bags going into different shops throughout town, and it definitely is something that many are embracing.

 

Ms. Mailander added that there is no section of the ordinance that states the enforcement officers regulations and the recommendation is that it be modeled somewhat after Paramus who says that the Health Officer has the authority to enforce the ordinance.  She added that they also recommend that the Health Department be able to check the bags during twice a year.  Restaurant inspections and stores that are not food establishments would not be inspected, per se, however if there were a complaint filed they would do it on a complaint.  The thought is there would be some kind of flyer handed out to all of the establishments so they would be aware of it.  Ms. Mailander added they need to define the fine, and leave it up to the Judge, or specify an amount.

 

Councilman Sedon asked if there have been many cases in front of the Judge.  Ms. Mailander stated that there haven’t been any cases yet, and there was just one situation where they weren’t sure if the bag was complaint, but then they did accept a distributor’s letter.  Mr. Rogers stated that he thinks from a fine standpoint, it is usually best to give direction to the court and also state as a matter of law the type of exposure.  He recommended taking a look at other towns in terms of what their findings are and what their schedules may be on fines, and see if they find those appropriate for what they want to project here in Ridgewood.  The other side is that once they do that, they can also take a look and say a fine is no less than a certain amount for this offence and still leave it to the discretion of the court as far as where to go with that.  Councilman Sedon agreed with that.  Ms. Mailander stated that they would probably bring it back at the end of February or beginning of March.  

 

8. Multi-Family Housing Informational Banners

 

Ms. Mailander stated that Mr. Rutishauser was approached about the possibility of temporarily waiving the sign limitation, as each of the construction sites would like to be able to provide people driving by with information about the project and who to contact for more information.  In addition, Mayor Hache had said that he was interested in having banners put up by the development so that people knew what was going to be built there.  Mr. Rutishauser indicated that perhaps they should suspend the enforcement of sign regulations for the banners and they would still have to pay a fee for the real estate sign.  Councilman Sedon stated that it seems that the banner would just be a real estate sign.  Ms. Mailander stated that they have received a lot of calls about who people should contact if they are interested in renting, and the Village really doesn’t have that information, at all. This would help if someone were passing by.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that this would add to confusion as people would have to slow down to read it.  Councilman Voigt stated that he was concerned with how long the signs would stay up.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that it said 210 days.

 

Mr. Rogers stated that he would be concerned about allowing banners for certain apartments or units that are being developed and not others that are not the same type of development.  Providing advertising for these developments is a stretch sometimes in terms of municipal assistance.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that in Morristown they have a simple sign, and when you go to that company’s website it takes you to the realtor’s site, and then it is their responsibility to provide the information on the website.  She added that she didn’t know if the Village rules were specific for a real estate sign in terms of what it could say.  Ms. Mailander stated that she knows it is for 30 days and then they could renew it for additional periods of 30 days.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she would imagine the developers would put up a small sign that has a website and social media details.  Ms. Mailander asked if they would allow a sign on each one.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that whatever out current code is, applies to those sites, as well. 

 

5. Operations

 

1. Appoint Clean Communities Coordinator and Recycling Coordinator

 

Ms. Mailander stated that these will be Sean Hamlin, retroactive to November 1, 2019.

 

2. Approve Joining Somerset County Co-Op Pricing System

 

Ms. Mailander stated that this offers pricing for heavy truck repairs for work outside the scope of our Fleet Division mechanics, and has several vendors they customarily do business with.  Mr. Rutishauser has recommended that the Village join this cooperative because it will be the fastest way to obtain truck repair services that Fleet Services needs and have been competitively bid in the past.  The Village needs a resolution to join and also allow the execution of the agreement by the Mayor and Village Manager.

 

3. Update on NJDOT Decision – Warren Avenue/Glenwood Road

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the report goes through what happened, which is that they proposed recommendations, had comments from Ridgewood residents, the Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber of Commerce, and the Village Council adopted a resolution.  Therefore, it was sent to the Exception Review Committee at NJ Transit comprised of various high level people, and they evaluated and decided to create an enforcement/non-enforcement trial period.  They then received an evaluated follow-up report from the enforcement/non-enforcement trial period in April 2019 in which they rendered a decision to establish Warren Avenue as one way.  Therefore, the Commissioner of the DOT based upon that Memorandum of Record says that they adopt the recommendations of that team.  According to the Administrator in Ho-Ho-Kus, they have never wavered from closing or one-way.  They started out saying they were going to close it completely and then because of the comments they decided that one-way would be a compromise.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Administrator believes they are planning to put shovels in the ground early summer.  There are going to be times when it is closed anyway because they are going to be doing improvements to the track area, as well as the Village having to eventually create Glenwood Road as a one-way in the eastbound direction.  It is about 2.5 to 3 years of construction to the track bed, drainage, and there are quite a few other things they are going to have to do.  She added that Village residents are still very concerned, and she understands.

 

Councilman Voigt asked how they could have better communication with Ho-Ho-Kus as it seems to be they are the ones talking with NJDOT.  Ms. Mailander stated that they have been good in telling us, and got the Village invited to the meeting when it was initially discussed.  NJDOT, in her mind, mistakenly thinks this is a Ho-Ho-Kus issue only.  Councilman Voigt stated that he was having a hard time understanding how the Ho-Ho-Kus person was rendering opinions and decisions on the people that live up in the Willard School District.  Ms. Mailander stated that he wasn’t rendering decisions. Councilman Voigt stated that he was making recommendations on changes that are going to effect a lot of people.  Ms. Mailander stated that he wasn’t making a decision, it is NJDOT and NJ Transit.  Councilman Voigt asked how do they get the Village inserted into the discussions.  He finds it incomprehensible that these huge tractor trailers go up this hill.  A few months ago he stopped a huge bus trying to go up the hill.  There is an issue with GPS that needs to be fixed and could help immensely.  He added that the enforcement by the Village and Ho-Ho-Kus could help immensely, and they need to figure a way to fix this with NJDOT. 

 

Councilwoman Walsh stated that her concern is that it says “further directs” so she asked if the Village continued the conversation, would they consider punitive damages to close the road and put the Village in a bind.  Ms. Mailander stated that they still have that option.  Councilman Voigt stated that he talked with a representative who said that they didn’t know the ramifications that it would have on the surrounding streets.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she knows that at one point they talked about putting up a height restriction gate.  Maybe they could compile a list of additional measures that they could implement to help them understand that the Village recognizes their concerns, but that by taking this type of an action they may be fixing a perceived safety hazard but may actually be creating other safety hazards.  Ms. Mailander stated that she would talk to Mr. Rutishauser about that.

 

Councilwoman Walsh asked if there was a way they could count the cars that come back and forth every day this week as that would be helpful.  Councilwoman Knudsen asked if they dispatched the portable signage.  Councilwoman Walsh stated that goes back to bad behavior as people do that all over the Village.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that we need to see more of their reports and observations.  Councilman Voigt added that he thinks they need to get themselves more involved in this process.  Councilwoman Knudsen stated that she was stunned when she saw this, as if they implemented certain safeguards and they never heard from the NJDOT.  The point was to keep it open both ways, and this came out of left field for her.  Ms. Mailander stated that she contacted the Administrator in Ho-Ho-Kus and he stated that this was the only report that he received in May.  Councilwoman Knudsen agreed with Councilwoman Walsh’s point to do the counter and put up signage.  Councilman Voigt added they should also count the trucks that go up and down the hill, as that is a major problem that needs to be resolved.

 

7. REVIEW OF FEBRUARY 19, 2020 PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

 

The following is a review of the February 19, 2020 Public Meeting Agenda.

 

Proclamations include: Dad’s Night Days – Hawes School and Somerville School; Read Across America Day; and Super Science Saturday.

 

Resolutions: Authorize Temporary Capital Budget – Maple Park Field Lighting; and Authorize Temporary Capital Budget – Paving.

 

Resolutions for Ridgewood Water: Award Sole Source Contract – Corrosion Inhibitor; Award Sole Source Contract – Exchange of GAC Vessels at Carr Well; Title 59 Approval – Customer Billing Portal, Communications and Consumption Analytics Software; Award Contract – Customer Billing Portal, Communications and Consumption Analytics Software; and Award Contract Under National Cooperative Purchasing Contract – Materials and Supplies.

 

Ordinances for Introduction: 3781 – Bond Ordinance – Maple Park Field Lighting; 3782 – Bond Ordinance – Paving of South Broad Street; and 3783 – Bond Ordinance – Paving of Spring Avenue.

 

Ordinances for Public Hearing include: 3775 – Bond Ordinance – Street Paving and Streetscape, Security for Village-Owned Facilities and Buildings; 3776 – Parking Utility Bond Ordinance – Environmental Cleanup for Hudson Street Parking Lot; 3777 – Amend Chapter 212 – Parks and Recreation Areas – Rules and Regulations for Tennis Courts – Pickleball; 3778 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Requirements for Lettering on Signs; 3779 – Amend Chapter 165 – Garbage, Refuse and Recycling – Bulk Refuse Definitions; 3780 – Amend Chapter 165 – Garbage, Refuse and Recycling – Container Specifications & Setout Requirements.

 

Resolutions include: Approve 2019 Budget Reserve Transfers; Award Contract – Diesel Exhaust Removal System – Fleet Services Garages; Award Contract – Printing for Municipal Election; Award Contract – Sound Panels for Glen Pickleball Courts; Title 59 Approval – Coach Bus Transportation Services – 2020 Senior Day Trips; Award Contract – Coach Bus Transportation Services; Title 59 Approval – Installation, Service and Repair of Police, Fire and EMS Equipment and Radios; Award Contract Under State Contract – Portable Radios; Award Contract Under State Contract – GIS Mapping Services for Tree Inventory; Award Contract Under State Contract – 2019 Ford F250 – Water Pollution Control Facility; Award Contract – Drainage System at 220 Chestnut Street – Fleet Services Garage; Award Professional Services Contract – 2020 Land Surveying Services Retainer for Preparation of Tax Assessment Map; Authorize Membership in Somerset County Cooperative Pricing System; Deferred School Tax; Accept Donation for Community Center for North Jersey Masters; Confirm Commitment to Anti-Idling of Village Vehicles; Accept and Authorize Execution of Bergen County Grant for Lighting at Maple Park Field; Appoint Clean Communities Coordinator; Appoint Recycling Coordinator; and Declare Property Surplus – Police Department Vehicle.

 

8. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he just wanted to make a couple of comments about Graydon Pool regarding the bathroom renovation project.  Perhaps their inspection process could be better with the roof and some underlying defects.  Regarding the modesty panels, at first sight it is clear that the panels are made of what the contractor cited.  So, this $30,000 they are spending and he takes issue with these contractors that always find something later on.  He asked if they could negotiate it to be a better price because in his opinion they are partly at fault for not seeing this.

 

Mr. Loving added that he echoed the thoughts of Councilwoman Knudsen that social media is key when attempting to get young people to come to anything.  He understands the Director’s concern that sometimes the advertisement isn’t accurate, but if the Parks Department is making it themselves and posting it themselves, why not do that.  He is a regular user of social media and he has seen not one advertisement for lifeguards at Graydon. 

 

Mr. Loving stated that he was driving eastbound on Robinson Lane one day and he noticed that every time you come to a corner there are three stop signs on every corner.  He asked Mr. Rutishauser if that is in compliance with the universal traffic code, and if it isn’t is the Village opening itself up to some type of liability.  He asked the Village Manager to follow up and for Mr. Rogers to, as well.  He added that at Kenilworth and Spring there are also three stop signs.

 

Bob Upton, 172 West Glen Avenue, stated that as far as the plastic bag ban and requiring merchants to have a letter confirming that their bags meet the 125 uses, he can see that it would be unreasonable for them to get the certification printed on the bag but he would encourage them to ensure with a product number that the bag and letter are tied together.

 

There were no additional comments from the public, and Councilwoman Knudsen closed public comment.

 

Councilwoman Knudsen asked if the bids were all based on the same information from Connolly and Hickey, and all of the bid specifications that were responded to were all on the exact same information.  Regarding the signage, the Kenilworth issue was after a number of really bad accidents, but her recollection is because they wanted to do a four way stop but that wasn’t consistent with the Uniform Traffic Code, and from her observation it has been a significant improvement with the three signs, but they will double check the compliance.

 

9. RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

 

Deputy Village Clerk, Donna Jackson read Resolution #20-27 to go into Closed Session as follows:

 

 

10. ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilman Sedon, seconded by Councilman Voigt, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Work Session was adjourned at 10:33 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

                                                                                                      Susan Knudsen                            

                                                                                                                   Deputy Mayor                   

 

 

 

______________________________

              Donna M. Jackson

           Deputy Village Clerk