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Council Minutes Nov. 2, 2011

January 09, 2012 by Clerk

Minutes for Council Meeting November 2, 2011

CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Roach called the Council Meeting of November 2, 2011 to order.

SUNSHINE LAW
Notice of this meeting has been provided in a legal notice published in the Courier Post and Record Breeze; and posted in accordance with Title 10 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated, specifying 7:00 pm meeting time; and that formal action may or may not be taken at all Special, Caucus and Council Meetings. Also please be advised that this meeting will be audio recorded for possible later playback.

FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was held.

ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmen Balmer, Dougherty, Hans, Jackson, Strippoli, and Mayor Roach.
Excused absence: President Randolph-Sharpe

RESOLUTION #2011:203
WHEREAS, the FY2012 New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Safe Routes to School Program Grant Applications are available and the deadline to complete is on December 30, 2011.
WHEREAS, there is a need for the Borough of Lindenwold to have the application for the NJDOT Safe Routes to School Program Grant completed; and
WHEREAS, Remington & Vernick have submitted a proposal for $1,800.00 to complete the annual application; and
WHEARAS, under the Fair and Open process, the Borough of Lindenwold received and awarded an Engineering Services contract for the year 2011 to Remington and Vernick which includes completion of NJDOT applications in their scope of work;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the Borough Council, County of Camden, State of New Jersey to authorize Remington & Vernick Engineers to prepare this application for the FY2012 New Jersey Department of Transportation Grant.

Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilman Balmer that Resolution #2011:203 be adopted as read. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #2011:204
WHEREAS, the Borough of Lindenwold has a need to purchase various emergency signal products, and
WHEREAS, the Federal Supply Service has awarded the Emergency Signal System under contract #GS-07F6045R to Emergency Accessories and Installation, 250 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the following federal contract be awarded:
COMPANY PRODUCT CONTRACT #
Emergency Accessories Emergency Signal Sys. GS-07F6045R
And Installation

Business Administrator explained the need in the police department for these lights and the funding.

Motion was made by Councilman Dougherty, second by Councilman Hans that Resolution #2011:204 be adopted as read. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

MATTERS OF DISCUSSION
Borough Solicitor explained that the governor signed a new law regarding taxi owners. This will require the municipality to amend the ordinance. Solicitor will advise on how to proceed. Taxi owner James Gillespie asked to address council. Borough solicitor recommended during public session.

Business Administrator updated council on the bond ordinance for capital projects which will be effective November 5, 2011 to allow Public Works to purchase vehicles under state contract.

Borough solicitor reviewed the changes to Ordinance #1294 for Rental Registration and Ordinance #1298 for Property Maintenance as recommended by the Construction Official. Changes were highlighted in red for council to review.

Borough Administrator updated council on the request for specifications to be prepared by Remington and Vernick that are required by the Sewer Department in order to request bids for sewer chemical and Capital equipment. Councilman Balmer asked if specifications can be prepared by sewer department to save on engineering cost. Sewer Supervisor will be contacted.

Borough Clerk presented the request by the new owner, Viscount Martin, of a Lindenwold Auto Dealer/Repair to approve his state application. This is an existing business and with no changes in use. Councilman Hans is familiar with this property and has no reservations regarding approval. Resolution to be prepared for the next meeting for council approval.

Borough Administrator informed council of a new program for online payment for Tax and Sewer bills. Borough Tax Collector attended seminar regarding the update to our current program. Residents have inquired when this service will be available. Edmunds will offer the borough a reduce fee for the first year. Councilman Strippoli questioned the charge to the tax payer. It was explained that there is a fee for online payments. Administrator also explained how this would help with the collection rate. The cost of this program was discussed with the recommendation to further research additional companies. Court office is the only department that currently accepts credit card payments.

OPEN TO PUBLIC
Mayor Roach opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments.

James Gillespie, taxi owner in Lindenwold, researched the new taxi law. He feels this only addresses new and additional taxi owners and provided copies of the bill to council. He also mentioned the different components including insurance and criminal background. Borough solicitor will be advising council. Mr. Gillespie would like to be able to also address any changes which the solicitor stated would be welcomed. He also requested that the current ordinance be changed for the taxi driver to have drug testing and not the burden on the taxi owner to provide.

John Magill, resident, inquired about the update on the new borough hall. Mayor informed resident that specifications were being prepared in order to obtain bids. Resident asked if people approve. Bond has already been approved. No time frame has been set. Resident again asked if presented to people to approve. No referendum is required and the procedure for the bond ordinance was followed with the public being able to address at a prior council meeting. He also inquired about the dismantling of the building across the street. The Planning Board has addressed the issue and approval was granted. Mr. Magill asked if minutes were available on the website which the mayor responded that they were.

Vijesh Darji, property owner, addressed council regarding rental inspections. He stated he did not receive the letter for the original inspection and is requesting a waiver of additional fees. He spoke with borough employees that he was not aware of inspection but did not receive any satisfaction regarding the situation. Borough clerk did provide Mr. Darji with his opra request for the original letter of inspection and explained the confusion at the time of his request to the construction office. Council discussed the situation and suggested that Councilman Jackson investigate.

Walter Leavey, resident, questioned the additional charge for trash pick up. The Borough Solicitor explained that it was not an additional charge. The form is being changed from being in the actual tax bill to a separate bill.

There being no one else from the public desiring the floor the meeting was closed to the public.

RESOLUTION #2011:205
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the Borough Council are now going into closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters of the Borough.

Motion was made by Councilman Balmer, second by Councilman Hans that Resolution #2011:205 be adopted as read. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilman Balmer to go out of executive session. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #2011:206
WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2012 municipal budget, Mayor and Council has decided to review of all interlocal agreements to determine the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and
WHEREAS, several interlocal agreements state provisions for advanced written notification to the other party,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign individual letters for each interlocal agreement notifying of the intent to review and/or terminate said agreement.

Motion was made by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilman Strippoli that Resolution #2011:206 be adopted as read. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilman Strippoli that the meeting be adjourned. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried.

DATED: December 28, 2011

__________________________________
DEBORAH JACKSON, RMC
Borough Clerk