Mayor Francis allowed each member of the Council, to present their respective committee reports.

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1 MINUTES OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING, BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, HELD AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 111 RIVER STYX ROAD HOPATCONG, NEW JERSEY FEBRUARY 7, 2018 OPEN PUBLIC MEETING 7:30 PM CALL TO ORDER: Announce Quorum OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT: Mayor Francis stated This meeting is held in accordance with the 1975 Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-6 et seq., annual notice having been forwarded to the New Jersey Herald/New Jersey Sunday Herald, and posted on the bulletin board maintained in the Municipal Building for public announcements. (Mayor noted fire exits) ROLL CALL: The Clerk called the role and the following members were present: Councilman Bunce, Councilwoman Galate, Councilman Hoferkamp, Councilman Padula, Councilman Schindelar, Councilman Young and Mayor Francis. MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Francis invited all present to salute the flag and to remain standing for a moment of silence. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Francis allowed each member of the Council, to present their respective committee reports. Councilwoman Galate reported that they had a very productive Farmer s Market meeting. They discussed the kick off date and new events. Councilman Hoferkamp reported that due to the weather, the Senior Center was closed today. Councilman Schindelar reported that he attended the Land Use Board meeting last night and that the new Hopatcong.org s were discussed. He also stated that he hopes that the Council supports the sale of the property auctions that are on for consideration this evening. Councilman Young stated that the Environmental Commission held their reorganization meeting and that Jule Girman was appointed the Chairperson. He stated that they discussed single use bags. He reported that the tree giveaway is scheduled for 5/5, the Earth Day hike which is 4/21, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation Block Party is 5/12 and Hopatcong Days is scheduled for 7/15 and 7/16. He also reported that some of the trail signs on Camp Trail needed to be replaced because someone took them. Councilman Young also reported that the Municipal Alliance held their first movie night on January 19 th and that it was very well attended. He also reported that the Range Committee is consulting with the NRA and applied for a Soil Conservation Permit. Councilman Bunce reported that the Finance Committee is working on the budget and that the DPW Committee met and discussed the environmental issues at the DPW garage property. He stated that the Water/Sewer Committee discussed potential upgrades to the system. Councilman Padula reported that the Ambulance Squad Installation Dinner will be held this Saturday. He also reported that he, along with the Mayor, Borough Engineer and Administrator met with representatives from Seton Hall University to discuss a market research program that will be conducted by graduate students. During the Fall 2018 semester they offered, for a cost of $3,000 to work hand in hand with the Borough on marketing the Redevelopment area. He stated that he will discuss with the Redevelopment Committee and they will then make a recommendation to the Council for approval. Mayor Francis stated that it looks like a great program and that the cost is so reasonable compared to the $20,000 to $45,000 that a typical research program would cost. 1

2 ADMINISTRATOR S REPORT: At this time, Borough Administrator, Ron Tappan, presented his report for the meeting of February 7, He stated that the Police Chief and his staff conducted the first of three active shooter drills with the Borough employees. He stated that safety of our staff is very important to him and that he wants to make sure that they are all prepared if an event should happen. PUBLIC COMMENT: Councilman Young made a motion to open the meeting to the public for any questions or comments concerning items on the agenda for which no public discussion is provided. (Comments limited to 5 minutes). Seconded by Councilman Bunce. All were in favor. Sue Gorglione, Loyola Court, asked the Council regarding the personnel records resolution on for consideration this evening and stated how disappointed she is that the records were released to the paper and that Cathy Millian s reputation has been ruined. She asked if there were any policies in place to prevent it from happening. Mr. Ursin stated that there are criminal laws regulating the distribution of personnel records but that this policy will regulate who in the Borough can view personnel records of the employees. Mayor Francis stated that he takes responsibility because it happened on his watch and that from this point forward the Borough will have a clear policy with regards to its personnel records. David Harris asked about the resolution appointing Skylands Risk Management and Mr. Ursin stated that they are the Borough s Risk Managers and among other things they provide insurance related programs to the employees, such as ethics, workman s comp etc. Mr. Tappan stated that they also help us with such things as building safety guidance and PEOSH matters. Mr. Harris asked about the Newton/Hopatcong ACO agreement and Mr. Tappan responded that the Borough s ACO will be providing services to Newton. Mr. Harris asked about the Hopatcong Pound. Mr. Ursin stated that the Board of Health at its meeting earlier in the evening temporarily closed the shelter as of Monday, February 12, He stated that in an interim basis, until a decision is made regarding the future of the pound and its services, all animals will be taken care of and sent to local shelters. Mr. Harris asked about the sidebar PBA agreement and Mr. Tappan explained that there was an arbitration done with the PBA and now that arbitration decision will be included in the PBA contract. Mara Modes asked about the personnel policy and asked if it was more or less stringent then State statute. Mr. Ursin stated that State statute enforces criminal penalties and that with this policy the Borough will have more control over personnel records. He stated that along with the Clerk, the CFO and Department Heads could have access to personnel records. After giving all persons present an opportunity to address the Governing Body, Councilman Bunce made a motion to close the meeting to the public and return to the regular order of business. Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilman Bunce made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 17, Seconded by Councilman Young. Ayes: Bunce, Galate, Padula, Schindelar, Young Nays: None Absent: None Abstentions: Hoferkamp, CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Francis requested that all persons present review the consent agenda. If any member of the Council or public wishes an item on the consent agenda to be discussed and considered separately, a motion to this effect shall so be made at this time. CORRESPONDENCE (ACCEPTANCE FOR FILING ONLY OF THE FOLLOWING): 2

3 REPORTS (ACCEPTANCE FOR FILING OF THE FOLLOWING): APPLICATIONS (APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING): RESOLUTIONS (APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING): 1. Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Refund of payment, Sunrun Installation. 3. Resolution # : Cancellation of Tax and Utility Overpayment for Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: 42, Blk: Lt: 8, Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: 3, Blk: Lt: 11, Blk: Lt: 3, Blk: Lt: Resolution # : Outside Lien Redemption Blk: Lt: 15. After all persons have had an opportunity to review the consent agenda and offer requests for changes, Councilman Young made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by Councilman Bunce. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES: Adoption Ordinance # Vacating a Portion of Purdue Trail Right-of-Way Councilman Young made a motion to adopt an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE PARTIALLY VACATING A PORTION OF PURDUE TRAIL RIGHT-OF-WAY IN THE BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY. Seconded by Councilman Bunce. Before final roll call, Councilman Bunce made a motion to open the meeting to the public for any questions or comments regarding Ordinance # Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. There being no one from the public who wished to address the Governing Body regarding Ordinance # , Councilman Bunce made a motion to close the meeting to the public and return to the regular order of business. Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES: Introduction Ordinance # Sale of Municipal Property Block 40320, Lot 1 Councilman Young made a motion to introduce an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY THE BOROUGH AND NOT REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 8 UPSALA TRAIL, BLOCK 40320, LOT 1. Seconded by Councilman Bunce. Ayes: Bunce, Hoferkamp, Padula, Schindelar, Young Nays: None Absent: None Abstentions: Galate FINAL READING: FEBRUARY 21,

4 Introduction Ordinance # Sale of Municipal Property Block 40320, Lots 3 and 5 Councilman Bunce made a motion to introduce an ordinance entitled AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNED BY THE BOROUGH AND NOT REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 4 UPSALA TRAIL (BLOCK 40320, Lot 3) and 11 SWATHMORE TRAIL (BLOCK 40320, LOT 5). Seconded by Councilman Young. Ayes: Bunce, Hoferkamp, Padula, Schindelar, Young Nays: None Absent: None Abstentions: Galate FINAL READING: FEBRUARY 21, 2018 RESOLUTIONS: Resolution Policy with Respect to Personnel Records A motion is in order to adopt a resolution establishing a policy with respect to personnel records. Seconded by Councilman Young. A discussion took place regarding whether or not the Mayor should be included in the resolution not allowing him to take copies of personnel records. Mr. Ursin stated that he would not recommend that as the Mayor is the appointing authority and may at times have to access and make copies of personnel records in matters of discipline, etc. He doesn t believe that it would be proper to put obstacles in front of the Mayor with regards to personnel. Councilman Padula stated that he would like to add a section to the resolution which would require that when someone accesses a personnel file that a log is kept of the time, date and reason. Councilman Bunce made a motion to amend the resolution to add a section requiring that a log be kept of who accesses the records. Seconded by Councilman Young. Resolution # Award of Contract Skylands Risk Management Councilman Bunce made a motion to adopt a resolution awarding a contract and entering into a Producers Agreement with Skylands Risk Management to perform Risk Management Services. Seconded by Councilman Young. Resolution # Municipal Alliance Grant Councilman Young made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a strategic plan or the Hopatcong Municipal Alliance Grant for fiscal year Seconded by Councilman Bunce. Resolution # Payment of Bills Councilman Bunce made a motion is in order to adopt a resolution authorizing the payment of bills for the meeting of February 7, Seconded by Councilman Young. 4

5 Resolution # Shared Service with Township of Newton Animal Control Services Councilman Bunce made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor and Borough Clerk to execute an agreement with the Township of Newton for Animal Control Services for a period of 1 year from February 7, 2018 through January 31, Seconded by Councilman Schindelar. Resolution # Discharge of Mortgage 9 Williams Trail, Block 40106, Lot 23 (Adelsky) Councilman Bunce made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the discharge of mortgage related to 9 Williams Trail, Block 40106, Lot 23 (Adelsky). Seconded by Councilman Young. Resolution # EEO Compliance Enforcement Councilman Young made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing Compliance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission s Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of Seconded by Councilman Bunce. Resolution # Entering into a Side Bar Agreement with PBA Local 149 Councilman Bunce made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Borough of Hopatcong to enter into a side bar agreement with the PBA Local 149. Seconded by Councilman Young. OLD BUSINESS: Councilman Young stated that on the Reorganization Minutes it states that he is on the Parade Committee and that he is not on the committee. Mayor Francis stated that the Parade Committee has been taken off the list. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC COMMENT: Councilman Bunce made a motion to open the meeting to the public for any questions or comments concerning the good and welfare of the Borough. (Comments limited to 5 minutes). Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. David Harris asked about the CLEAR program and Councilman Young responded that there are many towns in Sussex that are designated sites and that our officers are trained on the procedures. Mr. Harris asked about the bus stop being constructed on Hopatchung Road, the snowmobiles on the lake, the ice skating rink and the break-in that occurred in town. 5

6 After giving all persons present an opportunity to address the Governing Body, Councilman Bunce made a motion to close the meeting to the public and return to the regular order of business. Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. COUNCIL COMMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Bunce made a motion to adjourn the meeting of February 7, Seconded by Councilman Young. All were in favor. 6