20200715 - 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 JULY 15, 2020 AT 8:00 P.M.

 

1. 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 in our armed forces, all our first responders, and all those who have been impacted and are fighting on the frontlines of COVID-19.

 

2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Mahmoud Hamza, 528 Amsterdam Avenue, congratulated the new Village Council and wished them the best, adding that the Village and Country are going through an unprecedented time and everyone must work together.  He had a wonderful experience at Graydon Pool, and the crowd was controlled.  Under the current circumstances, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience.  He added that he and his family would like to donate two memorial trees to the Village, one for First Responders and the other for essential and support workers.

 

Chief Jacqueline Luthcke, Ridgewood Police Department, stated that she wanted to speak about the work that she has been doing with the Central Business District Advisory Committee.  She shared proposed locations for the “Grab and Go” parking spaces, adding that it was convenient to explain the locations as the same across each side street.  She added that she was highly concerned that the “Grab and Go” parking spaces mean that someone has to stay in the car, because that would exclude someone like her from using the spots if somebody had to stay in the car.  She thinks they should be normal parking spots that are monitored, to ensure that people stay within that 30 minute time frame, but she thinks it is important that people should be able to park in those spots and not just stand in those spots with someone still in the car.  She has spent an immense amount of time working out what is best for the businesses and the Village.

 

There were no additional comments from the public.

 

Councilwoman Perron stated that Chief Luthcke has done a great job and has worked very well with the CBD and she and Sergeant Chuck found the spaces that could be used for “Grab and Go” parking spaces parking and she really appreciated her input.

 

 

 

 

3. ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

Mayor Knudsen moved the Bills, Claims, and Vouchers, and Statement of Funds on Hand as of June 30, 2020, be accepted as submitted.  Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

 

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

NAYS:            None

ABSENT:       None

ABSTAIN:      None

 

4. MANAGER’S REPORT

 

Ms. Mailander stated that “Welcome Back to Ridgewood, New Jersey” is an event held every day where retailers can put tables outside of their stores, and all food places are permitted to have outdoor dining.  Beginning Saturday at 10:00 A.M. through Sunday at 10:00 P.M., the Central Business District from North Walnut Street to Broad Street is closed to vehicular traffic along East Ridgewood Avenue and the side streets, which creates a pedestrian mall.  There will be live music at various locations, including Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.  The retail businesses and outdoor dining in this area will be moved onto the streets on Saturdays and Sundays.  Pedestrians will walk in the direction of vehicular traffic on the sidewalks.  There are arrow painted on the sidewalks and dots six feet apart so people can social distance.  All of the Ridgewood businesses and restaurants have signed a pledge to adhere to the CDC Guidelines.  Masks are strongly encouraged and required by the Governor’s Executive Order if social distancing is not possible.  Masks are also required to enter any business.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that Graydon Pool is open, and encouraged people to join.  Seasonal memberships are available for sale on CommunityPass, and there are also day passes that can be purchased.  The Water’s Edge Café is also open.  She shared an update that the early bird report from April 1 to April 30, 2019, there were 32 early birds sold and this year there were two sold which is a loss of $6,250.  The resident early bird was 852 in 2019 and in 2020 it was 65, which is a decrease of $90,160.  Graydon Pool non-resident for the regular season from May 1 to July 14 in 2019 was 180 sold, and in 2020 is 162 sold, which is a reduction of $3,155.  For residents it was 1,334 in 2019 and 974 in 2020 which is a $36,345 reduction.  For the day passes, in 2019 from June 29 to July 14 they sold 1,338 and in 2020 it is 1,094, which is a reduction of $4,470.  Right now, the reduction in revenue is $140,480.   Ms. Mailander added that they have had a capacity of 250 and have increased that by 25 people. Those going to Graydon Pool had an issue with not wanting to go sit in the Maple Avenue grassy area, which has created an issue with social distancing in the other areas of the pool.  Graydon Pool has hit capacity July 4^th, 5^th, 9^th, and 12^th.  Going forward, if people come and Graydon Pool has reached capacity, people can have a choice to sit over by the Maple Avenue grassy area or wait until the capacity is reduced.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that all Village Offices are open, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and they respectfully request that visitors only enter the buildings for official Village business.  Loitering in Village Hall is prohibited.  Masks are required, and if a person comes in without a mask, he/she will have to stop in the lobby area and wait outside for a representative from that Department to meet the person outside, in order to assist him/her.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Ridgewood Public Library opened to the public on July 14^th and Ridgewood residents are invited to place an advance registration for a limited number of 45 minute time slots for adult services, and 30 minute time slots for families with young children.  The first hour of each day is reserved for senior citizens and vulnerable populations.  They will continue to implement virtual programs, and have a hand sanitizer station and quarantine returned books for 72 hours.  Most chairs and tables have been removed from the public areas, computers have been spread out, Plexiglas barriers installed at collection desks, and new HVAC filters installed throughout the Library.  During the nice weather, patrons can enjoy outdoor services.  They will continue with outdoor reserved book pickup under the white canopy, and they have installed a larger canopy outside by the auditorium, to replace the indoor seating.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Kasschau Memorial Shell on Veterans Field offers free music programs on Tuesday and Thursday nights in July and August starting at 8:30 P.M.  Please bring a chair or blanket, wear a mask and practice social distancing.  If the weather is in question, call 201-444-1776 after 6:00 P.M. and a recording will state whether or not the performance will be held that evening.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that rear yard garbage pickup resumed this week.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Recycling Center is open and all recyclables should be put into the vehicle’s trunk, the resident should pull up, open the trunk, and then crews will take out the recycling, and the residents can be on their way.  This will ensure that social distancing is maintained and it is a more fluid process.  Yard waste has to be in cans or biodegradable paper bags.  Brush and twigs, must be bundled and tied.  No commercial landscapers will be accepted.  The Recycling Center is also accepting cardboard from the Central Business District.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Farmers Market is every Sunday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Train Station parking lot.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days will take place August 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th.

 

The Ridgewood Guild is showing drive-in movies at the Graydon Pool parking lot on various Wednesdays.  The next one will be July 22^nd and the movie is Beetlejuice.  Its $20 admission for each car, reservations are required by calling 201-493-9911.  The movie starts at approximately 8:30 P.M.

 

Music in the Night is a free music program sponsored by the Ridgewood Guild on Friday nights in July and August.  Talented local musicians perform for free and enhance the outdoor dining experience.  On Saturday and Sunday nights, there will be musical performances outside Stella, and in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that the Village Council’s upcoming meetings which are televised, held via Zoom, are on Swagit, and YouTube live, are: August 5^th is a Village Council Work Session, August 12^th is a Village Council Public Meeting, and September 2^nd is a Village Council Work Session. 

 

Mayor Knudsen asked Ms. Mailander to distribute the Village Manager’s report to the Village Council via email.

 

5. VILLAGE COUNCIL REPORTS

 

Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) – Councilwoman Perron stated that CBDAC had a subcommittee meeting on Monday regarding the curbside pickup issues and she had to miss that meeting, but they spoke about perhaps having two maps, one for when the pedestrian mall exists on the weekends, and one for during the week when there is no pedestrian mall.  They also stressed that half day is better than full day for most of the people who wanted the “Grab and Go” parking spaces.  They also invited the community to support this endeavor, and asked that the Village Council stay flexible.

 

Green Ridgewood – Councilwoman Perron stated that the next meeting of Green Ridgewood is July 21^st.

 

Open Space Committee – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Open Space Committee would meet tomorrow at Habernickel Park, in the Gate House.

 

Chamber of Commerce – Councilwoman Perron stated that the Chamber of Commerce doesn’t meet until August.

 

Shade Tree Commission – Councilman Sedon stated that the Shade Tree Commission met yesterday, and the tree inventory has been completed.  The data is still very raw, so it is being converted and put in a usable format for staff and employees.  The tree inventory will be presented at one of the September Village Council meetings.

 

Mayor Knudsen stated that while they are working on the “Grab and Go” parking spaces, she has some confusion about the intention of these spaces.  She thought they were out of a concern for exposure to Coronavirus, hence the idea that the customers wouldn’t be getting out of their vehicles because that was really the bigger piece of it.  She added that placement of the “Grab and Go” parking spaces would play a critical role in that.  If it remains structured the way it is being proposed, then placement of the “Grab and Go” parking spaces may not work the way they are thinking. 

 

6. ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER - NONE

 

7. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

 

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-207 THROUGH 20-212, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

8. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

 

1.  #3804 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Significant Sewer Discharger Fees

 

Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3804.  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 3804 by title:

 

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

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3804 be adopted on first reading and that August 12, 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

 

2.  #3805 – Amend Chapter 265 Vehicles and Traffic – Establish “Grab and Go” Parking Spaces in the Central Business District

 

Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3805.  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 3805 by title:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-1, “DEFINITIONS” AND SECTION 265-23, “TIME LIMIT PARKING” AND SECTION 265-26, “LOADING ZONES” AND SECTION 265-34, “UNLAWFUL ACTS”

 

Councilman Sedon moved that ordinance 3805 be adopted on first reading and that August 5, 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

 

3. #3806 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Fees for “Grab and Go” Parking Spaces in Central Business District

 

Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3806.  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 3806 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”

 

Councilwoman Reynolds moved that ordinance 3806 be adopted on first reading and that August 5, 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

 

 

4.  #3807 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Fees for “Grab and Go” Parking Spaces in Central Business District

 

Mayor Knudsen moved the first reading of ordinance 3807.  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 3807 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”

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that ordinance 3807 be adopted on first reading and that August 5, 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

 

9. PUBLIC HEARING – NONE

 

10. RESOLUTIONS

 

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 20-213 THROUGH 20-222, WERE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL, AND WERE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he took issue with the report that the Village Manager issued regarding Graydon Pool.  He was very disappointed that her report was so negative in nature.  They are having a wonderful experience at Graydon this year, which is different than what happened in 2019 with respect to revenue, but that should have been expected.  Obviously no one wanted to make purchases in April or May 2020, because no decision had been made regarding whether the pool would open or not.  To insert those figures was unfair and uncalled for.  There are several municipalities in the area that did not open up their pools this year, but thankfully the Village Council worked to get the pool open this year.

 

Kathryn Schmidt, 123 South Irving Street, stated that she spoke at the earlier meeting, but asked if it was important for her to do so at this meeting as well.  Mayor Knudsen stated that she was welcome to do so, but they did have her comments and email.  Ms. Schmidt added that speaking for herself, she wanted to comment about Mayor Knudsen’s concerns regarding what are they doing with the “Grab and Go” parking spaces, and whether it is about curbside pickup or something else.  From her perspective as a resident, it is first and foremost about curbside pickup, and in doing the curbside pickup, the requirement is helping people who are compromised.  However, she asked why not broaden it a bit, if nothing is being lost.  If having people in the cars is just a formality, she would not want them to get hung up on that specificity, as it is first and foremost about people bringing business to the Central Business District.  If the ordinance for “Grab and Go” parking spaces is put in place, maybe it could have a greater benefit as well.

 

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

 

Mayor Knudsen spoke to Ms. Schmidt’s comments, adding that she agrees and heard what everyone was saying but they have to work out the details to get this right and hopefully they will be able to accommodate everyone’s needs.  Regarding Mr. Loving’s comments, it was a big decision of the former Village Council to open Graydon Pool because they understood that there would be some funding and revenue issues.  However, for the community, it was one of the best decisions that they have made.  This is a time in history where everyone is grappling with so much, but opening Graydon Pool was one of the best decisions they made, because everyone has been so appreciative and are enjoying it.

 

Councilwoman Walsh added that a lot of people have been going stir crazy in their homes and Graydon Pool is definitely giving them a respite, and it is a perfect way for people to get outdoors.  They don’t talk about it enough, but for mental health, to get out of the house and be in a nice calm, quiet environment, is what we all need right now.

 

Councilwoman Perron added that she appreciated the Village Manager’s report as a new Councilmember because the facts and figures that are provided help her as a fiduciary to the Village, to do her due diligence and she appreciated the perspective.

 

Ms. Mailander stated that she wasn’t trying to paint a negative picture, as they all knew there was going to be a loss in revenue at Graydon Pool, and if she gave numbers with no basis they wouldn’t know what the revenues normally are in a summer.  She agrees with everyone that it was the right decision to open the pool, and the recommendation not to open the pool was in April when she and others didn’t know where the COVID-19 numbers were going.  She applauded the Councilmembers who decided to open the pool and added that she wasn’t opposed to it by any means and agreed that it is a great place to go and brings some normalcy back to people’s lives.  She was just reporting facts and figures, and didn’t mean to paint it in a negative light at all.

 

12. RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

 

Ms. Mailander read Resolution #20-223 to go into Closed Session as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.         ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilman Sedon, seconded by Councilwoman Walsh, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Regular Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

                                                                                                    Susan Knudsen                        

Mayor                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

              Heather A. Mailander

      Village Manager/Village Clerk