Written on 10 March 2022.

20210714 - Village Council Regular Public Meeting Minutes

A REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD HELD IN THE SYDNEY V. STOLDT, JR. COURT ROOM OF THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY ON JULY 14, 2021 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 for our men and women serving our nation, and all of our First Responders.

ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS

Mayor Knudsen moved that the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on Hand as of June 30, 2021, 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 February 24 and April 28, 2021 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

RECOGNIZE RETIREMENT OF DONNA M. JACKSON, DEPUTY VILLAGE CLERK

Mayor Knudsen and Councilwoman Walsh read the following proclamation:

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY VILLAGE CLERK

RESOLUTION 21-206 APPOINT EILEEN YOUNG AS DEPUTY VILLAGE CLERK

Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk, read Resolution 21-206 in full, as follows:

SWEARING-IN OF EILEEN YOUNG AS DEPUTY VILLAGE CLERK

Mayor Knudsen praised Donna Jackson, adding she sets the bar for how people should treat one another and she will miss her terribly. Councilwoman Reynolds praised Donna Jackson both as a resident and Councilmember, adding she hopes Donna enjoys her retirement. Councilwoman Walsh stated she remembers the day that Donna was hired, adding that everything was run smoothly and there was such camaraderie in the Village Clerk’s Office, which is invaluable. Councilwoman Perron stated that residents have Donna to thank for how smoothly the election districts are run. Deputy Mayor Sedon thanked Donna for her help and service. Ms. Mailander thanked Donna for all her work in the Village Clerk’s Office and for taking on the responsibility of running that office so she could be the Village Manager, which she really appreciates. She wished her the best in her retirement. Mr. Rogers stated that he appreciated every moment that they had to work together, and he wished Donna and Walter, her husband, happiness in retirement. There was a round of applause.

Mayor Knudsen presented Ms. Jackson with gifts from Ridgewood establishments, a pin, which is shaped like a key to the Village, her nameplate, and the Proclamation.

Mayor Knudsen swore in Eileen Young as the Deputy Village Clerk effective August 1, 2021. Ms. Young’s daughter, Hazel, held the Bible as her other children, Henry and Fiona, and husband, John, looked on.

SWEARING-IN OF POLICE OFFICER ANDREW VAN DYKE

Mayor Knudsen swore in Police Officer Andrew Van Dyke. His mother held the Bible.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Rurik Halaby, 1 Franklin Avenue, extended a short thank you to Donna Jackson and said she truly represents the best and the brightest of what Village Hall is all about.

Anne Burton Walsh, 112 South Irving Street, stated that on behalf of the Executive Committee of the League of Women Voters of Ridgewood, she wanted to express their strong support for reinstating remote access and ability to comment at Village Council meetings, while in person meetings are taking place. When the Village launched remote access in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, League members noted an increase in government participation in Ridgewood. Although the health crisis has subsided, the reasons for maintaining remote access remain the same. She highlighted the benefits of hybrid access.

Glen Carlough, 200 Dayton Street, and owner of Steel Wheel Tavern, stated that he was there to advocate for the renewal of the HealthBarn lease. He stated that HealthBarn is here for the community, and has been there for the restaurant community. Therefore, he is now supporting HealthBarn. During the pandemic, restaurants in the Village teamed up with HealthBarn to serve healthy meals to those in need, and it is something that the restauranteurs are extremely proud of. He added it was hard to see an argument against renewing the lease.

Mr. Carlough also wished Donna Jackson well in her retirement, and noted that Donna is the kind of Village employee who makes him wish he had moved to Ridgewood sooner.

Ellie Gruber, 229 South Irving Street, stated that she would like to find out if they know about the awarding of the Schedler grant. She added that she echoed what Anne Walsh and the League of Women Voters said, stating there has to be a way to set up a phone line for those who do not attend Village Council meetings.

Ms. Gruber stated that she wanted to comment on the real tragedy of the many dozens of trees that were taken down on Route 17 North, near the Carriage Lane Condos, asking how a developer could do this. This is precisely the reason the Village desperately needs a tree protection ordinance. She hoped that the Village would require the developer to replace trees, to protect those homes from the traffic, exhaust, and noise of the highway. This is important and she thinks something has to be done about it.

William Woods, owner of Chestnut Deli and Catering, stated that he was interested in seeing HealthBarn’s lease renewed. Not only has HealthBarn helped his business as well as 20 other businesses downtown, HealthBarn also educates members of the community as well.

Dr. Janice Shickey, 25 Wilsey Square, stated that she did not know that their property taxes were going to be increased and there should be some communication with the residents if taxes are going to be increased. She asked for transparency.

Ansi Boudin, 936 Glenview Road, stated that she was there to advocate for the children of the Village and HealthBarn. She added that she has enjoyed walks and programs at Habernickel Park. The Village parks are for the children and their needs, not hers, which are the priority. The Village cannot and should not deny any of the children, as it takes a Village to raise a child, and we are that Village. She asked that the Village Council not continue to state their individual grievances about HealthBarn, and extend the lease.

Hans-Jurgen Lehmann, 234 Union Street, stated that last week, the agenda included the lease for HealthBarn and in the first time in his memory the Village Council failed to reach a quorum. This week, the lease for HealthBarn was not on the agenda until late in the day. He is encouraged to see it on the agenda now, and hopes the Village will grant a new lease to HealthBarn.

Mr. Lehmann stated that his second concern has to do with the policy on Zoom participation. He thinks it is a mistake to just do away with it. Many more people have been willing and able to participate in Council meetings through Zoom. He thinks it is a worthy goal for this Village Council to allow the most number of people to participate in the democratic process.

Gus Torez, representing Sombrero Tacoria, stated that he and his family are a new business in Ridgewood, and he was thankful for HealthBarn as without the grant awarded to HealthBarn to provide meals to those in need through Ridgewood restaurants, his business probably wouldn’t be here. It is helping all of the businesses, and everyone gets a piece of the action.

Frank De Luca, representing Best of Everything, stated that the HealthBarn really helped them and many of the restaurants in the Village, and in turn, the restaurants helped with 100,000 meals to those in need. He hopes the Village Council will renew HealthBarn’s lease because it will continue to spread goodwill throughout the Village and in the Central Business District.

Kelly Gioia, 447 Fairway Road, stated that there are some middle-aged people that play pickleball and she was representing her group. She thinks pickleball should have the same days and times to play as tennis, and if the Village Council thinks they made a mistake with the location of the pickleball courts at Glen, then they need to fix that, because the players need the same access as tennis. She added that they should get the Zoom meetings back for Village Council meetings.

Brian Duddy, General Manager of Tito’s Burritos, stated that HealthBarn was very instrumental in helping the restaurants this year by purchasing meals for local Frontline Workers. Without their support, his business would have had a hard time surviving this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He hopes that HealthBarn will be able to renew their lease and stay in Ridgewood.

Nico Gentile, representing Bare Burger, stated that he doesn’t think enough can be said about the HealthBarn. During the pandemic, which was such a dismal time, the ability to be paid to make food for feeding those in need, through the HealthBarn Foundation grant, offered a piece of humanity that was lacking. Cooking and putting the order together for Feed the Frontlines impacted his life, and he knows it impacted others positively, as well.

Elaine Peneno, 719 Maxwell Place, stated that because of the HealthBarn Foundation’s grant, a lot of the restaurants that she thinks would have gone under, during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been able to sustain themselves. The sustenance of Ridgewood’s restaurants was also the sustenance of the people who really needed the food. She is a volunteer for Healing Meals and she can’t say enough about the benefit to the community and hoped that the Village Council would renew the lease for the HealthBarn, as long as they can.

Eileen Smith, MacMurphy’s Restaurant, stated that the Feed the Frontlines Initiative helped the Village and the residents, as well as the town because the restaurants were all able to pay their rent. Regarding the grant awarded to the HealthBarn Foundation, to be able to participate in this initiative and make those meals in the kitchen, was humbling, and to listen to the people appreciate the effort, was beyond unbelievable. Due to everything that HealthBarn does for this community, the Village Council shouldn’t even question renewing the lease.

Izzy, Sook Pastry, stated that what HealthBarn did was amazing and worked like clockwork. She urged, the Village Council to renew the lease.

Deidre Feuerstein, owner of Smoked Restaurant, stated that they have been here for five years, and without HealthBarn’s infusion of grant funds, and the community of restauranteurs that they are so blessed to have, she can’t imagine what would have happened to most of the restaurants. They are vibrant as restauranteurs and show themselves off and are a reason that people come to Ridgewood. HealthBarn has fabulous programs and staff, and the Village of Ridgewood is unique as a town, to share a space with HealthBarn.

A representative of Green Fusion, stated that he was there to support the cause for HealthBarn to have their lease renewed. HealthBarn has been very helpful to the restaurants, and Feed the Frontlines was really an amazing effort.

Rubin Topolay, representing Raymond’s Restaurant, stated that HealthBarn pumped thousands of dollars into the restaurant community when they needed it the most, and he strongly urged the Village Council to renew the lease for HealthBarn.

Paul Vagianos, 280 Rivera Court, and owner of It’s Greek to Me, stated that he has never seen any business, person, or entity, have an impact on the Central Business District as much as HealthBarn, at a time when the restaurants needed it the most. HealthBarn infused $1 million in capital into Ridgewood’s CBD. HealthBarn has applied for an additional grant, based upon the work that was done, and the Government and Legislature has renewed the program and it will begin again in September, with another $1 million potentially coming in. He urged the Village Council to not let HealthBarn leave the Village, as everyone is so fortunate to have HealthBarn here and HealthBarn infused every dollar of the $1 million grant into the Village’s downtown.

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

Councilwoman Perron thanked the restauranteurs for coming and giving their experience. She is glad there is a new application for another grant, because she looked forward to another opportunity to drive the food for those in need.

On another topic, Councilwoman Perron explains that she and Deputy Mayor Sedon are working on a tree protection ordinance.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Pedestrian Plaza – Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk, stated that the Pedestrian Plaza opened this past weekend and it was very successful. Touch a Truck was a highlight, and there will be another on August 21^st.

Summer Recreational Opportunities – Ms. Mailander stated that there are movies in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, Kasschau Shell Performances every Tuesday and Thursday evening, various summer camps, and Graydon Pool Memberships.

Upcoming Meetings – Ms. Mailander stated that the next meetings are August 4^th for a Village Council Public Work Session at 7:30 P.M., August 11^th is a Village Council Public Meeting, September 1^st for a Village Council Public Work Session, and September 8^th for a Village Council Public Meeting.

VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS

Chamber of Commerce – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Chamber of Commerce met this morning, and the topic of most discussion was the Hudson Street garage. They noted that there was a nice photograph of the parking garage that they put in their flyer and she asked for the photograph in a JPEG format so the members can put it out to their customers on social media. They suggested that the Village Council should advertise this asset, because people don’t know where it is. She suggested the portable electronic sign be used to direct people to the Hudson Street Garage. Another suggestion was to consider closing the fourth floor of the garage so that they can temporarily deal with the young people who are throwing items off of the fourth floor of the garage, onto those dining outside of Pearl Restaurant.

Open Space – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Open Space Committee had a park walk of Twinney Pond and they came up with suggestions to improve the park. On Saturday, July 17^th, they are conducting a park walk of Grove Park at 9:00 A.M.

Recycling and Waste Presentation – Councilwoman Perron stated that the presentation that was discussed at the July 12^th Work Session about disposing of bulk waste, the cost of that has gone up consistently over the past five years. Therefore, she suggested that residents think about donating items, instead of putting it out on bulk waste pickup day, so that the Village’s costs will be reduced.

Arts Council – Deputy Mayor Sedon stated that the Arts Council is going to meet tomorrow and they will discuss a possible Art Fair in the fall.

Planning Board – Councilwoman Reynolds stated that the Planning Board met on July 6^th and had their reorganization. She reviewed the appointments and new members. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed sign applications, which were both approved. The application for Tasco Enterprises was held. They discussed a five to six foot fence ordinance, for rear or side yards, which they will revisit on July 20^th.

Mayor Knudsen stated that several years ago, the Planning Board worked on identifying almost every type of property configuration, and they are hoping they can create a template. She added that the Historic Preservation Commission was restructured, and they are going to be back in session in September.

Congressman Gottheimer – Mayor Knudsen stated that last week, Congressman Gottheimer conducted his Hometown Hero Event which is an opportunity to recognize individuals who exemplify community service and who go above and beyond what is typically seen in our community. Feed the Frontlines was recognized as a Hometown Hero. Dawn Cetrulo, the Director of the Ridgewood Health Department, was also recognized as a Hometown Hero for going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Mayor Knudsen stated that the Zoning Board of Adjustment had a reorganization last night and she congratulated the new appointees.

ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER

INTRODUCTION – NONE

PUBLIC HEARING - NONE

RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 21-207 THROUGH 21-213, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 21-214, WAS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:

Before voting on Resolution 21-214, Councilwoman Perron stated that in this instance the Water Department is asking to purchase a Ford Escape, they did not consider a hybrid version or any electric similar vehicle. The State has mandated all municipalities to address the causes of climate change, and the Village also has a moral obligation to the children. She asked that the Water Department be asked to look into a hybrid or electric vehicle, so she was voting no.

Mayor Knudsen stated that while it is an obligation, she doesn’t think they aren’t looking at options but there is also a practical purchase for the Village’s needs. It is possible that an electric vehicle may not satisfy the Village’s needs for its fleet.

ORDINANCES

INTRODUCTION - #3868 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs – Hanks Avenue and Gordon Road at Brookside Avenue

Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3868. 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 3868 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”

Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3868 be adopted on first reading and that August 11, 2021 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

PUBLIC HEARING - #3863 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Daily Parking Permit Fee

Mayor Knudsen moved the reading of ordinance 3863 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. 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 3863 by title:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, FEES, AT SECTION 145-6, “ENUMERATION OF FEES RELATING TO CODE CHAPTERS”

Mayor Knudsen stated that the Public Hearing was opened. There were no comments from the public and Mayor Knudsen moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

Deputy Mayor Sedon moved that ordinance 3863 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 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 - #3864 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs – Highland Avenue and Grandview Circle at McKinley Place

Mayor Knudsen moved the reading of ordinance 3864 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. 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 3864 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”

Mayor Knudsen stated that the Public Hearing was opened. There were no comments from the public and Mayor Knudsen moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3864 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. 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 - #3865 – Repeal Chapter 154 Flood Damage Prevention and Adopt New Chapter 154 Flood Management Regulations

Mayor Knudsen moved the reading of ordinance 3865 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. 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 3865 by title:

AN ORDINANCE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE TO REPEAL CHAPTER 154 FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION IN ITS ENTIRETY; AND TO ADOPT A NEW CHAPTER 154 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS; TO ADOPT FLOOD HAZARD MAPS; TO DESIGNATE A FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Mayor Knudsen stated that the Public Hearing was opened. There were no comments from the public and Mayor Knudsen moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3865 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Councilwoman Walsh seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

PUBLIC HEARING - #3867 – Amend Non-Union Salary Ordinances

Mayor Knudsen moved the reading of ordinance 3867 by title on second reading and that the Public Hearing thereon be opened. 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 3867 by title:

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SALARY ORDINANCE 3619, ORDINANCE 3680, ORDINANCE 3772, ORDINANCE 3827, AND ORDINANCE 3829 FIXING THE SALARIES, WAGES AND OTHER COMPENSATION OF NON-UNION EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, COUNTY OF BERGEN, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Mayor Knudsen stated that the Public Hearing was opened. There were no comments from the public and Mayor Knudsen moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3867 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law. Deputy Mayor Sedon seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

AYES: Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Sedon, Walsh, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 21-215 THROUGH 21-240, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RESOLUTION 21-238, WHICH WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 21-238, AND 21-241 THROUGH

21-242, WERE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:

Before voting on Resolution 21-238, Councilwoman Perron stated that they have now had 60 days of experiment with these hours for pickleball, and it is not working. The current setup deprives players of time in the beginning and end of the day. She added that these rules impact older residents in an unfair way and they have heard from many of them during Public Comment. She added that she would like to see the Glen pickleball courts to be opened the same hours as the tennis courts.

Mayor Knudsen stated that when the Village Council was presented with a plan to put pickleball courts at the Glen location, she doesn’t believe there was enough research done. There was general information widely available that pickleball courts should be no closer than 300 to 400 feet to a residential area. The courts are affecting residents in that area, and it is a noise issue, that isn’t easily remedied. She thinks that this Village Council is doing its best to strike a balance between the pickleball players and the residents who live nearby.

Before voting on Resolution 21-242, Deputy Mayor Sedon stated that the first time the HealthBarn lease was considered in 2015, there was a lot going on in the Village. Stacey Antine, the owner of HealthBarn, she improved the Gate House, worked with the Feed the Frontlines initiative, and has incredible programming for all ages. Ms. Antine proved that she wanted to become a big part of the community, and it benefited so many of us and made Ridgewood a better place.

Councilwoman Walsh agreed with Deputy Mayor Sedon.

Mayor Knudsen stated that the HealthBarn Foundation is not the tenant at the Gate House; instead, HealthBarn USA is the tenant, which is a business that is being conducted in a residential zone, on a public property. She agreed that the HealthBarn Foundation has done amazing things and is worthy of acknowledgement and thanks, but the Foundation is not leasing the property. On Monday evening at the Work Session, there seemed to be some concern about a Green Acres issue, which was a surprise to her, but she asked for any documents which establish that all encumbrances had been released or waived, and she has not yet seen those documents. This property is encumbered by a Bergen County Deed of Conservation Easement which does not allow for this use. As such, she is going to abstain, as she did not have the information she requested. Ms. Mailander stated that she reached out to the County to get those documents.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Rurik Halaby, 1 Franklin Avenue, thanked the four Village Councilmembers for doing the right thing in voting to renew the lease for HealthBarn USA at the Gate House in Habernickel Park. He said that to separate HealthBarn Foundation from HealthBarn USA, can’t be done. If Stacey Antine were to move out of town, the HealthBarn Foundation would no longer serve Ridgewood. Mr. Halaby emphasized that Stacey Antine defines grace under pressure.

Stacey Antine, 1057 Hillcrest Road, thanked the Village Council as COVID has been tough for everyone and she really appreciated today and that vote of confidence. She feels very connected to the Village and feels that is reciprocated. She is really proud of the high quality, healthy lifestyle programs that HealthBarn has offered, developed, and grown, especially with Parks and Recreation, as it has never been more important than today. She has been welcomed by an amazing community and they have worked together, side by side, to make a difference and ease the pain of food insecurity by so many. She is so moved and proud of the restauranteurs and drivers, and everyone involved.

Ms. Antine stated that she was one person with two entities, HealthBarn Foundation and HealthBarn USA. She thanked the Village Council and administrative staff for their support. By supporting HealthBarn USA, believing in their mission, and voting to renew the lease, will allow them to continue to build a healthier and kinder community for the Village of Ridgewood.

There were no additional comments from the Public and Mayor Knudsen closed public comment.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Deputy Mayor Sedon, seconded by Councilwoman Perron, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 9:43 P.M.

______________________________

Susan Knudsen

Mayor

_________________________________

Heather A. Mailander

Village Manager/Village Clerk

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20210714 - Village Council Regular Public Meeting Minutes

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