April 7, 2009

CAUCUS:

Review of regular agenda – Mayor Alexander

Mayor Alexander and Chief Kinkler presented an Honorable Service Medal to Sgt. Joseph Sack and Ptl. Jason Volpe.

Mayor Alexander presented a power point presentation on “Project Garnet”, a copy of which is on our website.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Scott M. Alexander opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

He then stated, “In accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board designed for that purpose and notice was mailed to the official newspaper provided by Resolution adopted January 3, 2009”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Daniel Haggerty, Lee Wentz, Councilwomen Trish Sheilds, Rosemary Fitzgerald, Kathy Lange and Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner, Esq. Council President Tad Fetter was absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from 3/17/09 with amendments was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All present were in favor with the exception of Councilwoman Fitzgerald and Councilman Wentz who abstained due to their absence at the 3/17/09 meeting.

The following Committee reports were presented:

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported for Construction and Zoning. A full copy of this report is on file with the Borough Clerk. Green Initiatives meetings have been very active; minutes will be available on the bulletin board. Councilwoman Fitzgerald explained the process for an energy audit and discussed the resolution on the agenda for tonight. May 9th is “Down by the Station Day”.

Councilwoman Lange reported for Parks & Recreation and the Historic Commission. A full copy of this report is on file with the Borough Clerk. Councilwoman Lange thanked DPW for the great job they did cleaning up along Devon Avenue; their work is greatly appreciated. Tickets are on sale for the Riversharks game to be held on May 30th at 5:30 p.m., $8.00 each. Hopefully Dr. Hacker will give permission to allow flyers to be sent home with students.

Councilman Wentz reported that the Board of Health will meet this Thursday. The Drug Commission is working on getting sponsors for the 4th of July 5K run.

Councilman Haggerty reported for the Shade Tree Commission. The first half of spring planting is scheduled for this Saturday. DPW and volunteers will meet by DPW at 7:30 a.m.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported that the Easter egg hunt will take place this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Hoff’s Park. If anyone would like to help set up, they will be setting up at 8:00 a.m. Councilwoman Sheilds attended the School Board meeting and reminded all that the School Board elections will take place April 21st.

Mayor Alexander thanked DPW for their clean up at Devon Avenue and for the additional 30-40 parking spots.

With no further reports to be presented Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street questioned the Operations Manager position. Mayor Alexander explained the position and the re-structuring of the Finance Department.

Rickie Roberts, 127 Third Avenue questioned how many hours for the Operations Manager position. Mayor Alexander responded it is a full time position.

Stephen Gable, 612 Sycamore Terrace asked for clarification of Resolution 2009:92, if the amounts have been changed. Mayor Alexander explained that the deduction amounts have not changed.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinances 2009:1296 and 1298.

Ordinance 2009:1296 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 393 Section 11 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2009:1296 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1298 – COLA Ordinance.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2009:1298 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under a roll call vote, all present were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Alexander explained the changes reflected in the following Ordinances.

Introduction of Ordinances 2009: 1299, 1300, 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305 and 1306. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on April 21, 2009, 7:00pm in the Municipal Building.

Ordinance 2009:1299 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 175 of the Code Entitled Construction Codes, Uniform

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1299 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1300 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 205 of the Code Entitled Dumpsters

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1300 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1301 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 213 of the Code Entitled Fees

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1301 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1302 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 326 of the Code Entitled Parks & Recreation Areas

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1302 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1303 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 59 of the Code Entitled Officers and Employees (Adding Operations Manager position)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1303 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2009:1304 – An Ordinance Establishing the Salary for the Position of Operations Manager ($45,500)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1304 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2009:1305 – An Ordinance Amending Article III, Chapter 400 of the Code Entitled Sidewalk Construction and Repair

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1305 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2009:1306 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 450 of the Code Entitled Zoning and Land Development

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1306 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:92 – Resolution Granting Veteran Deduction for 2008.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:92 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:93 – Resolution Appointing Parker McCay to the Position of Bond Counsel for 2009.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:93 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:94 – Resolution Appointing Sharon Smith to the Position of CFO/Treasurer.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:94 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:95 – Emergency Temporary Appropriations.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:95 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:96 – Resolution Awarding a Professional Contract to Frank Librizzi for

Appraisal Services for Block 27, Lot 1.

Councilwoman Sheilds and Councilman Haggerty questioned the $2000 charge. Solicitor Robert Gleaner stated that he received several quotes and this was the lowest.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:96 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no.

Resolution 2009:97 – Resolution Supporting the Click It or Ticket Mobilization of May 18 – May 31, 2009

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:97 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:98 – Resolution Approving Payment of Bills & Claims for 1st Half of April.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:98 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members of council present voted yes; Councilwoman Sheilds voted yes with the exception of payment to Scott Alexander, Create a Scape and Shire Interactive; Councilman Wentz voted no.

Resolution 2009:99 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Lyon & Son Tree Service, LLC in the

Amount of $16,990 for the Take Down of Trees Per Specifications.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:99 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:100 – Temporary Budget Appropriation Increase for 2009

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:100 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:101 – Authorizing Borough Solicitor to Perform Duties Which are Not Covered in His Professional Services Contract

Councilman Wentz questioned if this is related to the “Project Garnet” work. Solicitor advised it is.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:101 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:102 – Resolution Supporting Participation in the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program.

Mayor Alexander explained the program, a copy of which can be found on our website.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:102 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:103 – Resolution Authorizing the Fire Chief to Make a Purchase Utilizing a State Contract. (5 Scott face masks for the SCBA – $1,111.50)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:103 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:104 – Resolution Providing for a Meeting Not Open to the Public in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-12. (Matters relating to the purchase, lease or acquisition of real property or the investment of public funds and matters relating to litigation, negotiations and the attorney-client privilege).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:104 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting for comments and concerns.

Several residents spoke regarding the basketball net Ordinance. This Ordinance will be amended and no tickets will be written in the meantime. Mayor Alexander advised anyone who would like to submit suggestions to email Councilwoman Fitzgerald.

Stephen Gable, 612 Sycamore Terrace, commented on the basketball nets and stated that the “Project Garnet” plan looks wonderful.

Janice Bergbauer, 1413 Prospect Ridge Blvd., asked the Borough Clerk to please add explanations to the agenda. The Clerk, Joan Moreland, said she would do so.

Judy Reiss, 710 Kings Highway, questioned if there was money in the budget for Haddon Heights Ambulance, as she did not see a line item for them. She was told that if there was no line item in the budget that that they would not be eligible for JIF. Solicitor Robert Gleaner advised Mrs. Reiss that they have already checked with JIF and JIF will cover them.

Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue, thanked DPW for their work at Devon Avenue and commented on the basketball nets. Mr. Troutman asked Council to please consider banning u-turns on Station Avenue from White Horse Pike to Ninth Avenue. Chief Kinkler advised Mr. Troutman that u-turns are allowed except where posted. He also asked if we can add something in the newspaper emphasizing drivers to stop for pedestrians.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street, thanked DPW for their work at Devon Avenue and for the additional parking spaces that have been created from it. Mayor Alexander advised that DPW will also be painting lines. Mr. Rayser was informed by the Baptist High School, 7th-12th gr. that they would like to participate in adopt-a-spot.

With no further comments from the public, motion to go into closed session for legal matters was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Closed session: Present were Councilpersons Fitzgerald, Lange, Haggerty, Sheilds and Wentz, Mayor Alexander, Clerk Joan Moreland, Deputy Clerk Holcombe and Solicitor Gleaner. Council President Fetter was absent. Discussion ensued concerning litigation. No formal action was taken.

Motion to adjourn the closed session and open the meeting to the public was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 2009:105 Authorizing Mayor and Solicitor to Enter into Negotiations to Explore the Purchase of Block 50, Lots 8 & 9 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members present were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 2009:106, Authorizing Solicitor to lift stay of bankruptcy for a flat fee of $500 and $150/per hour up to four (4) hours for answer and counter claim of tax appeals as required by Tax Assessor was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

_________________________________ 7:27PM

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk