20220907 - Village Council Special Public Meeting Minutes

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 SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 AT 7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

Mayor Knudsen called the Special Public Meeting to order at 8:01 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   

 

A.        INTRODUCTION ORDINANCE #3921 - AMEND CHAPTER 265 – VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – LOADING ZONES AND PARKING METER ZONES IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

 

Councilman Vagianos recused himself from the discussion on Ordinance #3921.  Mayor Knudsen moved that the Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3921 by title on first reading, 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 #3921 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-29, “PARKING METER ZONES DESIGNATED” AND AT SECTION 265-72, “SCHEDULE XXII ‘LOADING ZONES’”

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that Ordinance #3921 be adopted on first reading and that September 28, 2022 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.  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.        PUBLIC HEARING - #3916 – AMEND CHAPTER 265 – VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – PARKING RESTRICTIONS – MORNINGSIDE ROAD

 

Mayor Knudsen moved that the Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3916 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 #3916 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-66, SCHEDULE XVI, “NO STOPPING OR STANDING”

 

Mayor Knudsen opened the public hearing on Ordinance #3916.  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, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

Councilwoman Perron moved that Ordinance #3916 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

 

C.        PUBLIC HEARING - #3917 – AMEND CHAPTER 265 – VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – PARKING REGULATIONS IN MUNICIPAL COMPLEX PARKING LOT

 

Mayor Knudsen moved that the Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3917 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened, seconded by Councilwoman Perron.

 

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 #3917 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-36, “PARKING PROHIBITED CERTAIN HOURS”

 

Mayor Knudsen opened the public hearing on Ordinance #3917. 

 

Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, said that in the past, when ordinances were introduced at Village Council meetings, whoever was reading the proposed ordinance used to give a brief overview of the purpose and intent of the ordinance.  He asked whether such an overview could be given for Ordinance #3917, for the benefit of those attending the meeting in person and for those who are viewing the meeting at home.

 

Mayor Knudsen explained that the intent of Ordinance #3917 is to stop drivers from parking their vehicles in the municipal parking complex early in the morning and then leaving their cars there all day.  Parking is allowed for persons conducting business or working at Village Hall, visiting or working at the Ridgewood Public Library, or utilizing the fields, playground or walking path.

 

Mr. Loving asked whether he would be correct in saying that the main purpose of this ordinance was to prevent high school students from parking in the municipal parking complex.  Mayor Knudsen replied that that was how the discussion started, but there have been other instances where people have parked their cars in the municipal lot all day, mostly people who work in other buildings near Village Hall.  This has caused an issue where there are sometimes not enough parking spaces for people who want to park there for legitimate reasons.

 

Councilwoman Reynolds remarked that the ordinance makes no mention of high school students. Mr. Loving replied that he was present at the Village Council meeting where there was a discussion about how to prevent high school students from parking in the municipal complex lot. He mentioned that, to his knowledge, there has not been a drastic increase in student enrollments at the high school.  He wondered why all of a sudden high school students have decided to park in the municipal lot.  At the Work Session where this was discussed, Mr. Loving had mentioned that perhaps they are parking there for safety reasons or perhaps there are not enough parking spaces available where the students are allowed to park.  He asked whether an investigation has been undertaken to discover the reasons why students are now parking in the municipal lot.

 

Ms. Mailander replied that this has been a problem for several years and Village employees are forced to spend valuable time to put notices on the cars which should not be parked there, whether they be students or commuters.  She questioned what type of safety issue could possibly arise either early in the morning, when students are going to the high school, or in the afternoon, when students return back to their cars.  The Ridgewood Police Department requested that an ordinance be adopted so that they would be able to issue summonses for repeat offenders. Summonses will not be issued immediately.  Ms. Mailander mentioned that parking offenses usually occur more frequently later in the school year, when both junior and senior students have their licenses.  She remarked either high school students or other people were occupying that on any given day, between 12 and 15 spaces.  This prevents people who want to conduct business at Village Hall or visit the Library from finding a parking spot. 

 

Matt Rogers, Village Attorney, added that there may be an added volume of cars in the municipal lot now that the new Ridgewood Water headquarters is completed.  He was not sure, but he indicated that this may become an issue.

 

Mr. Loving asked whether there is sufficient parking in the Graydon South parking lot during April and May to accommodate the high school students.  Ms. Mailander added that the students are also allowed to park at the regular Graydon lot (Graydon North) during that time.  Mr. Loving stated that students have to cross Linwood Avenue if they park at the Graydon North lot, which is a very busy and dangerous street.  Ms. Mailander acknowledged that Mr. Loving was correct, but she added that a flashing pedestrian sign is located at the lot which students can use to cross Linwood Avenue.

 

Mayor Knudsen suggested that she could raise these issues (safety concerns and adequate parking) at a joint meeting with the Board of Education which she and Councilman Vagianos will be attending on Friday morning.  She mentioned that perhaps they could come up with ways to facilitate additional parking for students and implement additional safety precautions.  A similar issue was raised several years ago by the Ridgewood Library, where the staff noted that employees of adjacent office buildings were parking in the municipal complex parking lot all day long, preventing Library patrons from finding a parking spot.

 

Mr. Loving reiterated that he was not against the proposed ordinance, but was just voicing his concerns that there may be a safety issue or there may not be adequate parking available for the high school students.  He suggested that perhaps the Graydon South lot could be restriped or reconfigured to create additional parking spaces. 

 

Mr. Loving said that he was also concerned about enforcement.  Ms. Mailander replied that warnings would first be given, then summonses would be issued for repeat offenders.  Mr. Loving asked how it would be determined whether or not someone was legitimately parking in the lot.  Ms. Mailander replied that when the same cars are parked in the lot early in the morning into the late afternoon, on multiple days, it is usually either commuters, high school students, or office workers.  These cars are not difficult to identify since staff in the Library and Village Hall usually witness the people who park there all day.

 

Councilman Vagianos confirmed that both he and Mayor Knudsen would bring up these issues at the Friday meeting.  He described the municipal complex parking lot as a “transient lot,” where cars are usually only parked for an hour or two in any one spot.  When cars are parked there for 6 to 10 hours, then the drivers are usually either commuters, office workers or high school students, which he called “weighted parking.”

 

There were no further 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, Vagianos, and Mayor Knudsen

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

Councilwoman Reynolds moved that Ordinance #3917 be adopted on second reading and final publication as required by law.  Councilwoman Perron seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call Vote

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

NAYS:         None

ABSENT:    Deputy Mayor Sedon

ABSTAIN:   None

 

D.        PUBLIC HEARING - #3918 – AMEND CHAPTER 265 – VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – PARKING AT 111 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE – RIDGEWOOD WATER HEADQUARTERS

 

Mayor Knudsen moved that the Deputy Village Clerk read Ordinance #3918 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 #3918 by title only:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 265 OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, AT SECTION 265-42, “RESERVED PARKING SPACES” AND SECTION 265-54, “SCHEDULE 265-54, “SCHEDULE IV:  ONE WAY STREETS” AND SECTION 265-69, “TIME LIMIT PARKING”

 

Mayor Knudsen opened the public hearing on Ordinance #3918. 

 

Boyd A. Loving, 342 South Irving Street, said that he has been against these parking spaces from the beginning.  He stated that the building at 111 North Maple Avenue (the location of the new Ridgewood Water headquarters) has existed for years and parking was never permitted in front of that building.  He said that, all of a sudden, parking is allowed there since Ridgewood Water moved into the building. 

 

Mr. Loving acknowledged the need for one handicapped parking space, but does not see the need for the other two spaces.  He stated that these spaces will create a safety issue since cars parked in those spaces will create a visual obstruction for drivers when pedestrians are using the adjacent crosswalk.  While there is a flashing pedestrian sign there, Mr. Loving stated that if there is a large SUV parked in one of those spots, oncoming traffic will not be able to see the flashing lights or pedestrians.  He stated that if a doctor or other business had moved into that building, parking would not have been allowed in front of the building.  Customers to Ridgewood Water could always have parked in the lot behind the building.  Parking was never permitted in front of the building when the Elks Club or other businesses owned the building.  He has noticed that parking on Maple Avenue, from the border of Glen Rock to the border of Ho-Ho-Kus, is only permitted in front of buildings owned and operated by the Village of Ridgewood.

 

Mr. Loving stated that, for the record, the parking spaces in front of the new Ridgewood Water headquarters were constructed and operational prior to the Village Council even introducing an ordinance permitting them to be there.  The public hearing is being held this evening to memorialize those spaces, even though they have existed for weeks, against the law.  He said that Ms. Mailander had previously indicated that the spaces were constructed by accident and would be blocked off until the appropriate ordinance was adopted.  However, the spaces were never blocked off and they became operational as soon as they were constructed.  Mr. Loving asserted that any private business or entity would have been denied a request to construct parking spaces in front of 111 North Maple Avenue.

 

Mayor Knudsen asked whether the Elks Club ever applied to the Village Council to have parking spaces designated in front of their building when they occupied it.  Ms. Mailander replied that, since she has been working for the Village, she was not aware of any such application.  Mayor Knudsen stated that she was also unaware of any private business requesting parking spaces in front of the building and being denied same.  She did acknowledge the mix-up of the ordinance not being adopted before the parking spaces were constructed.

 

Councilman Vagianos added that Mr. Loving always raises valid safety concerns.  He stated that it was his understanding that the legal distance requirement between parking spaces and crosswalks is 25 feet, and he believes that the required 25 feet exists in this case.  However, he will research this and furnish the information to Mr. Loving.

 

Mayor Knudsen stated that the required distance should be confirmed.  Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, stated that the requirement is usually a 25-foot setback between crosswalks and parking spaces.  He stated that, at 111 North Maple Avenue, there are ample sight lines and the speed limit is 25 M.P.H.  In addition, there exists the pedestrian-activated flashing warning signal, which alerts motorists of the presence of a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

 

Mayor Knudsen said that she is satisfied that the requirements for the 25-foot setback have been met.  She suggested that Police Sergeant Chuck visit the site once again to confirm that all legal requirements have been met.

 

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 #3918 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

 

Mayor Knudsen added that the site plan for construction of the parking spaces was thoroughly reviewed by the Planning Board before granting approval.

 

3.         ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Village Council, on a motion by Councilwoman Reynolds, seconded by Councilman Vagianos, and carried unanimously by voice vote, the Village Council’s Special Public Meeting was adjourned at 8:24 P.M. and the Public Work Session was reconvened.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                Susan Knudsen

                                                                                                                     Mayor

 

 

 

                                                                       

Eileen Young

Deputy Village Clerk