August 15, 2006 Minutes

August 15, 2006

Mayor Susan R. Griffith opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

She then states, “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, 2006”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Beth Ann Haven, Barbara Cortese and Trish Sheilds, Councilmen Gordon Shopp and Thomas Ottoson and Solicitor John B. Kearney. Councilman Donald Witzig was absent.

Motion to approve minutes from the July 18^th and 26^th’, and August 7^th meetings was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present were in favor.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Haven reporting for the Construction Department noted that there were 37 permits issued in July. Reporting for Public Safety, she announced that the monthly police activity report is available for anyone to review.

Council President Sheilds reporting for Finance said the Borough received $200,000 in aid and that the Municipal Budget was finally adopted. Report for Recreation Sheilds announced that the soccer fields were now open.

Councilwoman Cortese reporting for DPW thanked the Superintendent Gary Geserick for his efforts of weeding and cleaning out the flowerbeds on both sides of the railroad.

Mayor Griffith called for remarks from the public on agenda items. David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace, in regards to Ordinance 2006:1121, asked where the “2 hours came from”? Solicitor Kearney said he used 2 hours based on his experience in other towns.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2006:1219,1220, 1221, 1222 and 1223. The Mayor announced that public hearings and final adoptions are scheduled for September 5th at 8:00pm.

Ordinance 2006:1219 – An Ordinance to Amend Section 450-76 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Related to Permitted and Conditional Uses in the Central Business Zoning District.

Ordinance 2006:1220 – An Ordinance Concerning Seasonal Temporary Commercial Uses.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1220 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1121 – An Ordinance Establishing a Public Records Request System. (Adding Chapter 78 to the Code entitled Records, Public. Establishes criteria to follow and allows extra fee when it takes someone more than 2 hours to gather and/or copy items requested).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1121 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1222 – An Ordinance Amending the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights to Include Chapter 368 Entitled Sex Offender. (Establishes residency requirements in accordance with NJSA 2C:7-1 et. seq. cannot reside, inhabit, occupy, dwell and/or live within 2500’ of any school, park playground or day care center in the Borough).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1122 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. All members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1223 – Salary Ordinance for Non-Contracted Personnel for 2006. (3.5% increase in most cases).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1223 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:124 – Resolution Amending Interlocal Services Agreement By and Between the County of Camden and the Borough of Haddon Heights. (Month to month basis until a contract is awarded by the County for animal control services).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:124 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:125 – Interlocal Services Agreement By and Between the County of Camden and the Borough of Haddon Heights. (For animal control services).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:125 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:126 – Resolution in Support of New Jersey Legislative Bills S-1199 and A-2589. (Deals with licensing tree experts, setting up a system for licensing and a registration system for tree experts and tree care operators).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:126 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:127 – Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Purchase of Copy Paper, Computer Paper and Envelopes to Office Basics, as Part of the Camden County Cooperative pricing System Identifier #57-CCCPS.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:127 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:128 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayments. (Due to refinancing, the sale of a property or duplicate payment made by a title company, refunds have to be made on 5 properties).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:128 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:130 – Resolution Authorizing the Cancellation of General capital Contract Payable and Encumbrance Balances. (Some capital projects are complete and a small balance remains. This is simply a bookkeeping adjustment. The balances totaling $2,569.64 will be transferred into the Capital Improvement Fund or Capital Surplus).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:130 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:131 – Resolution Authorizing the Cancellation of General Capital Improvement Authorization Balances. (Various Capital projects are complete and small balances remain. The balances totaling $1,312.68 will be transferred to the Capital Improvement Fund or Capital Surplus).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:131 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:132 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Remington & Vernick for Work Related to the Mansfield Avenue Project. ($13,000 for survey and design and inspections).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:132 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:133 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Interlocal Agreement Between the Borough of Haddon Heights and the Borough of Haddonfield for Reconstruction of Mansfield Avenue. (Since Mansfield Avenue is located in both towns, officials of both towns are in agreement to join together for this project with Haddonfield being the lead agency).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:133 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:134 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for August. Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:134 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:135 – Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application for the Haddon Heights Municipal Alliance Grant for Calendar Year 2007 in the Amount of $10,574.00. Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:135 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public. David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace told council he thought the Economic Development Committee was a good idea, but noted the problem is spending $10,000 of taxpayer’s and the unwillingness to open the meetings to the public. Discussion ensued between, Councilman Shopp, Councilwoman Haven, Mayor Griffith and Mr. Ragonese. Councilman Ottoson asked Councilman Shopp when the meetings would be opened to the public. Shopp said in the near future, noting he is only 1 member of the committee.

With no further comments from the public, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese.

_________________________________________ 8:25pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk