24 November 2008 - Regular Meeting

Agenda at Meeting

(click here for the Agenda e-mailed to Council members - 9:45 am, Friday, November 7, 2008)

(Mark's Comments / Annotations are in Red)

  1. CALL TO ORDER - PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT (7:30 pm)

  2. PLEDGE - SILENT PRAYER

  3. ROLL CALL

Alloway Fields Volkert Waldron Perno Brunton North
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  1. PUBLIC PORTION

COAH Update by Ragan Design Group

Mike Wisnoski of Ragan Design Group discussed COAH Round 3. Question was "Does Merchantville wish to Participate?"

Facts:

Housing element of the 2007 Master Plan was based on Round 2

Latest new COAH rules are dated October 2008. They require a new affordable housing plan by December 31 2008.

Merchantville has a growth share of 0 (zero)

Merchantville has a rehab component of 15 (already exceeded)

Also required to project growth through 2018 for growth share, requiring one new affordable housing unit for each five new units built.

Discussion and questions continued for several minutes. Council to decide to adopt or pass on COAH participation during new  business portion of agenda.

PUBLIC

Mr. Bill Walker:

    1.    Does one COAH element deal with number of jobs created?

Answer from Mr. Wisnoski: Yes [Note: Any resident who is interested in knowing more about the COAH should e-mail me at Mark@MABrunton,com - MAB]

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.14.08 (Approved 5-0, Mr. Alloway abstaining as he was not present at that meeting)

  2. OLD BUSINESS (None)

  3. NEW BUSINESS

    Motion made to not participate in the Round 3 COAH. Passed unanimously.

ORDINANCE INTRODUCTIONS

  1. ORDINANCE 08-11 Determine positions eligible for defined contribution retirement Program.  This is the Ordinance Introduction. No guidelines have been made available for a decision on enacting this ordinance (see third "Whereas" in the ordinance) to this point.

  2. ORDINANCE 08-12 Ordinance for NJEIT Sewer Conveyance  This is a bond ordinance to to provide funds to install cure-in-place liners in nearly all the sewer mains in town. There was significant discussion on what the impact of the bond would be on sewer rates. Estimates are $80-$85 per year per household increase in rates to pay back the bond. This should be largely offset by substantially decreased emergency repair costs in the future, with their associated decrease in rates.

Both ordinance introductions unanimously approved on consent agenda.

RESOLUTIONS

  1. R08-125 Refund Sewer Overpayments

  2. R08-126 Amending the Capital Budget This resolution goes hand-in-hand with Ordinance 08-12, in that it amends the borough's capital budget to add a line item for the installation of the sewer main cure-in-place liners.

    Both resolutions vote by consent agenda:

Alloway Fields Volkert Waldron Perno Brunton North
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Parking Lot behind The Clip Joint - There was discussion of the property, which is being used as a parking lot by Clip Joint patrons, and perhaps others. A car recently crashed through the fence of the lot, into the back yard of the adjacent property. The lot was owned by an individual who died some years ago, and the property taxes are being paid by another individual. This lot is not being maintained in any way. After some discussion, Council decided to turn the matter over to Code Enforcement.

No Left Turn at Center from CVS / Church Parking Lot - This was raised again (it was discussed earlier this year) as a result of the car crashing through the fence from the lot behind The Clip Joint, discussed above. After discussion, it was decided that left turns will be allowed for specific hours only. Road signs will be procured/fabricated that prohibit left turns from 7:00-9:00 am and 2:30-6:00 pm. An ordinance will be introduced to make this change.

Shade Tree Funds Shortfall - About $13,000 was allocated for tree removal this year. $4,100 has been used, with about another $1,000 to be used by the end of the year. Shade Tree Commission would like to use about $2,300 of the remainder to order trees for next year. There was discussion led by Shawn Waldron.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

1.    Homestead Youth Association sent a thank you for the fields.

2.    Mr/Ms Angle recently left Merchantville, and had to pay $100 for removal of a borough tree stump in front of their house before their home sale closing, and would like to be reimbursed by the borough. After discussion by Council, the consensus was that no reimbursement be made, as the owner should have pointed out that the borough would handle the stump and it was should not have been an issue for closing. There was no discussion with the borough about this issue prior to the sale. A letter declining reimbursement will be sent to the Angles.

3.    Homeowner at 123 E Chestnut  sent a letter requesting that access be provided from Chestnut (currently there are two homes with  East Chestnut addresses which are accessible only from Park). The borough cannot provide access, as the property over which access would be made is owned by the successor to Conrail. The Council proposed a couple of alternatives that the homeowner may wish to consider.

  1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.    Personnel Evaluations are due December 8.

2.    Personnel Manual, updated version provided this meeting, should be reviewed by December 8..

3.    T-Mobile wants to install a fiber-optic cable and box on the roof of the police department. Mr. Lammey will be asked to look at the installation plans.

  1. PRIVATE SESSION-(Resolution) 08-127 Regarding matters of personal and possible litigation (Passed unanimously - Council into private session)

  2. ADJOURNMENT (9:45 pm)

AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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