20201014 - Village Council Regular Public Meeting Minutes
A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD VIA ZOOM, DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ON OCTOBER 14, 2020 AT 8:00 P.M.
- CALL TO ORDER – OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT – ROLL CALL – FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Knudsen called the meeting to order at 8:00 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. At roll call the following were present: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen. Also present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.
Mayor 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 our nation, our first responders, our Blue and Gold Star Families, and especially our Ridgewood Police Department.
- ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS
Mayor Knudsen moved the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on Hand as of September 30, 2020, be accepted as submitted. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Knudsen moved that the Village Council minutes of September 2 and September 9, 2020 having been reviewed by the Village Council and now available in the Village Clerk’s Office, be approved as submitted. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PROCLAMATIONS
- NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
Councilwoman Walsh read the following proclamation:
- DECLARE OCTOBER NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
Councilwoman Reynolds read the following proclamation:
- COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
- MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms. Mailander stated that the leaf placement dates were mailed on a yellow postcard to each household. Leaf collection is done in four areas and will begin this coming Monday, October 19th. Please remember that the dates on the postcards are leaf placement dates and crews come out after those placement dates to pick up the leaves. Once your leaf placement dates have passed, you may not place leaves in the street again until your next leaf placement dates or you may receive a summons. Biodegradable leaf bags are available to Ridgewood residents at the Recycling Center, while supplies last. Further details are posted on the Village website.
Ms. Mailander stated that the General Election will be primarily Vote by Mail. If you haven’t received a Mail-In Ballot yet, please call the County at (201) 336-7020. Please do not throw out your Mail-In Ballot, as you need to mark them, seal, and sign them, and then voters may: mail back their ballot to the County; put it into the ballot box outside the Village Hall lobby by the main parking lot; or bring it to their polling location. There are only three polling locations. A postcard will be sent to voters to indicate where they will be voting. There are smaller ballot boxes at the polling locations, which requires a voter to sign the book, and then put the ballot into the ballot box. If a voter comes to the polling location without a Mail-In ballot, the voter will be given a provisional ballot paper ballot to mark up at the polling location, there will be an envelope to put the ballot into, and then the sealed envelope will be handed to the poll worker. Ms. Mailander encouraged everyone to vote early, as the County will start to count the ballots ten days prior to the election.
Ms. Mailander stated that election signs may not be placed in the planting strip between the curb and the sidewalk. The only place they may be placed is on one’s own property.
Ms. Mailander stated that the Welcome Back to Ridgewood, New Jersey event continues every Saturday and Sunday on East Ridgewood Avenue from Broad Street to Walnut Street, and the side streets of Oak, Chestnut, and Prospect are closed to cars to make a pedestrian plaza. The West Village, over by the Train Station, has wonderful shops and eateries as well as live free music to enjoy. Octoberfest events will be this Saturday and Sunday on the west side which includes hayrides, music, food, and shops and eateries so please come to this event.
Ms. Mailander stated that on Saturday, October 31st, from noon until 2:00 P.M., the Chamber of Commerce will hold a Halloween Parade for children and pets in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, weather permitting. A Good Witch will be in charge and will help judge the decorated masks in the parade. There will be prizes for the silliest, funniest, and most creative masks.
Pre-wrapped candy will be shared, using a prong tool for social distancing. Reservations are required, by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (201) 445-2600.
Ms. Mailander stated that a Ridgewood Mobile Shredding Event will take place on Saturday, November 14th from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. in the Graydon Pool parking lot. Residents can watch as their paperwork is securely shredded. This is free to Ridgewood residents and businesses, there is a limit of five cardboard boxes, and no plastic bags will be accepted.
Ms. Mailander stated that the Farmers Market which is open Sunday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Ridgewood Train Station will be extended this season until November 22nd.
The Bergen County Utilities Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection is this Saturday, October 18th from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Bergen Community College, which is located at 400 Paramus Road in Paramus. It is free to Bergen County residents, and an ID will be required to prove residency.
Ms. Mailander stated that the Village Council upcoming meetings are televised live and also on Zoom, October 28th is a Village Council Public Work Session, November 4th is also a Public Work Session, and then the Public Meeting is November 9th, which is a Monday.
Ms. Mailander stated that there will be mobile testing tomorrow at the Graydon Pool parking lot from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. for COVID-19, and they are going to give out flu shots as well. There will be no antibody testing. The testing is covered by insurance so there is no charge.
- VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS
Open Space Committee – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Open Space Committee meets tomorrow night and they will be looking at the recreational open space inventory to update that from 2012. This is necessary in order to apply for certain grants.
Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) – Councilwoman Perron stated that CBDAC meets tomorrow and they are going to have speakers from Downtown, New Jersey.
Mayor Knudsen asked if this meeting was via Zoom. Councilwoman Perron stated that it was. Mayor Knudsen asked that since these are all public meetings, where would the link be available. Councilwoman Perron stated that she has just been telling people to email her and she will forward the link to them. Mayor Knudsen stated that maybe they could get those meetings posted to the website, to which Ms. Mailander agreed.
Chamber of Commerce – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Chamber of Commerce met this morning. The Sidewalk Sales went well. Businesses employees are asking when the parking garage will be open, and they were asking if they could use the second or third floor of the garage, if they don’t use the elevator. She added that one merchant asked when they close the streets for the weekend, are they going to extend that for a holiday like Columbus Day and to please give advance notice to all the businesses in the closed off area. One business did not know it was coming and they couldn’t open on Monday.
Councilwoman Perron stated that the Executive Director at the YMCA reported that they are now going to be able to have basketball indoors because of the recent Executive Order. Felina Restaurant is now doing weddings indoors. They talked a lot about the Grab and Go parking spaces, which are for 15 minutes. This month, they only had one sign up for one particular spot. She added that the Chamber of Commerce and Central Business District Advisory Committee have all kinds of ideas as to how they could implement Grab and Go parking spaces, such as having all the kiosks programmed for the first 15-minutes to be free at all parking spaces.
Stigma Free Committee – Councilwoman Walsh stated that she had her first Stigma Free meeting this afternoon and the focus was checking in on your neighbors to ensure that they have your contact information. They also talked about Telehealth, and they are encouraging individuals who have the ability through their healthcare to get back to doing preventative dentistry, mammograms, and going to the eye doctor. They are trying to encourage people to get back to normal, and all of these preventative measures are to keep us healthy.
Councilwoman Walsh stated that the Library is going to be doing some virtual parenting programs, coping with stress associated with COVID. The schedule and topics are on the Library’s website. She added that the Stigma Free Committee is going to try to put together a bingo game which will remind the public to restore their healthy habits.
Councilwoman Walsh stated that the YMCA is doing programs for seniors in the mornings via Zoom, so those resources may be used to stay healthy. Valley Hospital also does their Tuesday walking group on the track around Veterans Field.
Board of Education – Councilwoman Walsh stated that it was a quick meeting, they talked about the voting sites and Halloween. They are going to be trimming some branches along the right of way. There was also a brief conversation about the multi-family dwellings and what schools children living in these dwellings would be attending.
Citizens Safety Advisory Committee – Councilwoman Reynolds stated that tomorrow night they have a Citizens Safety Advisory Committee meeting at 7:30 P.M. in the Youth Center. The public is welcome, and will be socially distanced.
Shade Tree Commission – Deputy Mayor Sedon stated that the Shade Tree Commission met yesterday via Zoom at 7:30 P.M. and there was a discussion about the next five years. They did have a five year plan that was put together with a consultant via a grant, that they received and they are entering the fourth year of that plan. He congratulated Somerville School for their successful bronze certification through the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Program.
Chamber of Commerce – Mayor Knudsen announced the Chamber of Commerce Halloween Event and added that everyone should go and celebrate.
ACCESS – Mayor Knudsen stated that ACCESS weekend was a highly unusual event this year, as it was entirely virtual. It was a great event, and she encouraged people to visit the Ridgewood Library website and see what they did for ACCESS weekend. It is also posted on the ACCESS Ridgewood Facebook page, her Facebook Mayor page, the Ridgewood Public Library page, and they may add a link on the Village website. She thanked everyone involved.
- ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER - NONE
- RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-294 THROUGH 20-299, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
- ORDINANCES
- INTRODUCTION - #3815 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Placement of Stop Signs in Various Locations
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3815. Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3815 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-59, SCHEDULE IX: “STOP INTERSECTIONS” AND AT SECTION 265-60, SCHEDULE X: “YIELD INTERSECTIONS”
Deputy Mayor Sedon moved that ordinance 3815 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3816 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Affordable Housing – Require an Affordable Housing Set-Aside
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3816. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3816 by title:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND USE ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD TO AMEND CHAPTER 190, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TO REQUIRE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING SET-ASIDE CONSISTENT WITH THE VILLAGE’S ADOPTED 2020 THIRD ROUND HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN
Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3816 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3817 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Affordable Housing – Create the AH-3 Affordable Housing Zone District
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3817. Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3817 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAND USE ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD TO AMEND CHAPTER 190, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TO CREATE THE AH-3 ZONE DISTRICT CONSISTENT WITH AND DESIGNED TO EFFECTUATE THE VILLAGE’S ADOPTED 2020 THIRD ROUND HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN
Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3817 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3818 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Affordable Housing – Amend B-1 and B-2 Districts
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3818. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3818 by title:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND USE ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD TO AMEND CHAPTER 190, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TO AMEND THE B-1 AND B-2 DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH AND DESIGNED TO EFFECTUATE THE VILLAGE’S ADOPTED 2020 THIRD ROUND HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN
Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3818 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3819 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Affordable Housing – Create the B-3 Zone District
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3819. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3819 by title:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND USE ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD TO AMEND CHAPTER 190, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT, TO CREATE THE B-3 DISTRICT CONSISTENT WITH AND DESIGNED TO EFFECTUATE THE VILLAGE’S ADOPTED 2020 THIRD ROUND HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR SHARE PLAN
Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3819 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3820 – Affordable Housing Administration Ordinance Development Fees
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3820. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3820 by title:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PROVISIONS ARTICLE XIII “GROWTH SHARE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING”
Deputy Mayor Sedon moved that ordinance 3820 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Knudsen asked if Mr. Rogers wanted to say anything about the Fair Share Housing Agreement, as these ordinances were part of the Settlement Agreement. Mr. Rogers stated that they discussed it again last week, but these ordinances put into effect the different provisions of the Settlement Agreement that was reached between Fair Share Housing Center and the Village, that was approved by the courts and also encompasses all of the aspects of what the Village’s Fair Share Housing Element is, which was just recently reviewed by the Planning Board and endorsed by the Village Council. These ordinances were required and as much as the Village’s Housing Element is a policy, these ordinances actually make the development potential a reality in the sense that they put into effect all those policy issues which were decided through the Village’s Settlement Agreement and Fair Share Housing Element.
Mr. Rogers stated that they are all designed to set up the different zones that were set up for overlay zones and deals with Valley Hospital and a number of other aspects of the Village’s Settlement Agreement. They put into place the ability for future affordable housing to be developed in the Village and sets the Village up for meeting the next round in 2025 of Affordable Review. Mayor Knudsen stated that she thought it was important to restate and refresh everyone’s memory, because it is something they have worked on since 2017, so it has been a process.
Mr. Rogers stated that it was a very long process and the lawsuit for Declaratory Judgement indicated that the Village met its obligation to provide affordable housing, and the court found that the Village met it and acted in good faith all throughout the earlier rounds of affordable housing, as well as into this round. In terms of the developments that are going on in the Village, they are actually moving along quickly and some are beginning to accept potential renters in their different projects. The Village has adhered to the guidelines that have been set up by the State and the Supreme Court for affordable housing, and the court has reviewed it and approved it. Because of that, the Village has avoided a number of pitfalls that many other towns have hit, which are developer suits, paying legal fees for the Fair Share Housing Center, and there are a number of towns that are still battling their way through the affordable housing approval process. We have been able to work at it and meet the criteria, along with the developers and the Fair Share Housing Center.
Mr. Rogers stated that the Settlement Agreement is a public document and gives the outline of what is included in the Village’s Affordable Housing Element for the community and also sets forth what is going to be happening in the future, with the overlay zones and with Valley Hospital. Mayor Knudsen thanked Mr. Rogers and Beth McManus, Special Planner for Affordable Housing, for all of their work.
Councilwoman Perron added that The Dayton multi-family housing complex is now accepting applications for affordable housing. Mr. Rogers stated that Piazza and Associates is the Village’s Affordable Housing Administrator.
- INTRODUCTION - #3821 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Membership Fees and Other Graydon Pool Fees
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3821. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3821 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 FEES OF THE VILLAGE CODE FOR GRAYDON POOL MEMBERSHIP FEES
Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3821 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3822 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Tennis Badge Fees
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3822. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3822 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 FEES OF THE VILLAGE CODE FOR TENNIS MEMBERSHIP FEES
Councilwoman Walsh moved that ordinance 3822 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- INTRODUCTION - #3823 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Day Camp
Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3823. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
The Village Clerk read ordinance 3823 by title:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 FEES OF THE VILLAGE CODE FOR DAY CAMP FEES
Deputy Mayor Sedon moved that ordinance 3823 be adopted on first reading and that November 9, 2020 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
- PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
- RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-300 THROUGH 20-328, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-329 THROUGH 20-330, WERE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:
As she cast her vote on Resolution 20-329, Mayor Knudsen stated that she was really excited about this project and the opportunity to provide educational programming about water conservation. Councilwoman Perron stated that an opportunity like this doesn’t come along every ten years or even every twenty years. Mayor Knudsen agreed and stated that it was really just so exciting.
- COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
- RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION
Ms. Mailander read Resolution #20-331 to go into Closed Session as follows:
- ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Walsh, seconded by Deputy Mayor Sedon, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
______________________________
Susan Knudsen
Mayor
______________________________
Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager/Village Clerk
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