20220622 - Village Council Special Public Meeting Minutes

A SPECIAL 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 JUNE 22, 2022 AT 7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

Mayor Knudsen called the meeting to order at 8:18 P.M. and read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.  At roll call the following were present:  Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen.  Deputy Mayor Sedon was absent.  Also, present were Heather Mailander, Village Manager/Village Clerk; Eileen Young, Deputy Village Clerk; and Matthew Rogers, Village Attorney.

 

2.         ORDINANCES - PUBLIC HEARING

 

A.        #3910 - AMEND ORDINANCE CHAPTER 145 – FEES – SIGNIFICANT DISCHARGER SEWER FEES

 

Councilman Vagianos recused himself from this discussion.  Mayor Knudsen moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3910 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened, seconded by Councilwoman Reynolds.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

RECUSE:     Councilman Vagianos

 

The Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3910 by title only:

 

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 opened the public hearing on Ordinance #3910.  There were no comments from the public, and Mayor Knudsen moved that the public hearing be closed.  Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

RECUSE:     Councilman Vagianos

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that Ordinance #3910 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law.  Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

RECUSE:     Councilman Vagianos

 

B.        #3911 - AMEND CHAPTER 145 – FEES – VEHICLE FEES FOR POLICE DETAILS

 

Mayor Knudsen moved that the Village Clerk read Ordinance #3911 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened, seconded by Councilwoman Reynolds.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

The Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3911 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 145-4 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, ENTITLED “DEPARTMENTAL FEES” TO AMEND THE FEES CHARGED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

Mayor Knudsen opened the public hearing on Ordinance #3911. 

 

Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, asked whether this ordinance was being passed as a result of increasing gas prices or for another reason.  Ms. Mailander replied that the ordinance was being passed due to rising gas prices and also due to the fact that fees for police details have not been increased since 2016.  The fees are being nominally raised by $5.00 per hour, per police car.  Mr. Loving said that he was concerned that if gas prices increase to $10.00 per gallon, the Village Council will have to meet again in order to raise the hourly cost once more.  He asked whether or not a provision could be incorporated into the ordinance that would allow for the hourly cost to be adjusted without a special Village Council meeting. 

 

Mayor Knudsen replied that the police cars used for police details, such as for Verizon or PSE&G work, are typically stagnant and not moving, and therefore not much gas is used.  However, Mr. Loving pointed out that while the cars may not be moving, they are still idling and using up gas.  He again asked why there could not be a provision incorporated into the ordinance to allow for an adjustment of the hourly fee in case gas prices go up.  Ms. Mailander replied that the Village Council has decided upon an increase of $5.00 per hour.  She said that she understood Mr. Loving’s concern, but that this ordinance needs to be adopted as soon as possible. 

 

Mr. Rogers added that he could not foresee whether or not gas prices would increase, and sometimes ordinances could be written with such a provision.  However, he stated that the ordinance as presently written takes care of the immediate problem.  It will be revisited in the event of further rising gas prices.  Mr. Loving reminded everyone that at this time last year, gas was $1.80 per gallon.

 

There were no further comments from the public, and Mayor Knudsen moved that the public hearing be closed.  Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that Ordinance #3911 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law.  Councilwoman Reynolds seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

AYES:          Councilmembers Perron, Reynolds, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

 

3.         RESOLUTIONS

 

Mayor Knudsen stated that the following resolutions, numbered 22-237 through 22-241, would be adopted by a consent agenda, with one vote by the Village Council.  Each resolution will be read by title only:

 

 

3.         ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Perron, seconded by Councilwoman Reynolds, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Special Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:25  P.M. and the Public Work Session was reconvened.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                Susan Knudsen

                                                                                                                     Mayor

 

 

 

                                                                       

Eileen Young

Deputy Village Clerk