Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on July 12 2022
Note: Transcripts are generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Please listen to the recording (below) if you feel any text is inaccurate.
Speaker 0 00:00:04 I'd like to call this meeting to order adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 2 31, PL 1975, specifying the time date, location login, or dial in information. And to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court and the two municipal library, bulletin boards, municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the Township. And by filing a copy in the office of the Township clerk in accordance with the certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes, the Township continues to use a remote meeting format in an effort to mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID 19 as a part of the township's ongoing effort to slow their rate of transmission and avoid overwhelming our treatment centers in order to make sure a clear record of the message can be made and that all parties are heard in an organized fashion. Speaker 0 00:00:58 All members of the public will be muted during the meeting. If a member of the public wishes to speak during any public comic portion, please raise your hand. This can be done either through zoom app or by pressing star nine on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive a prompt or request to unmute. Please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute upon being unmuted. You should begin to ask any and all questions you may have. You will have three minutes to speak at the conclusion of which you will be muted again, and the council or administration will respond as necessary. Should you have any further comments or questions? The town council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours. Each member of the public should have one opportunity to speak during each public portion. Speaker 0 00:01:49 As the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user account, we ask that you, if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in separately so that we can recognize you as a separate individual, individuals may also submit written comments to the town clerk up to 48 hours prior to the meeting to be read by the Township clerk. During the public comment portion of the meeting said, comments shall be limited to three minutes of reading. Thank you in advantage for your patience as we continue to move the Township forward during the south emergency. Mrs. Cedar, could you please call the role? Councilman Bullard, Councilwoman Cahill here. Councilman Cahn. Councilman Rouse here. Councilman Chaill. Yeah, Councilman Uhrin here. Council, president Lombardi here. Mayor Brian Wahler present Business Administrator, Tim DC here. Township attorney Raj Goomer Speaker 1 00:03:01 Here Speaker 0 00:03:03 And I'm here. Melissa Cedar, the Township clerk. Thank you. Would everyone please join me in the flag salute Speaker 2 00:03:21 And to the Republic, which it stands nation indivisible with Liberty justice. Speaker 0 00:03:34 Number five are comments from administration and counsel. Do we have any comments from the administration regarding adjournment of any matters on the agenda this evening? Speaker 1 00:03:45 No, no comments counsel present Speaker 0 00:03:50 Seeing none will move to number six, which is open to the public. And these are comments regarding the consent agenda items only. Please be advised. These are for the consent agenda items. Only if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself. Please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you will have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. So if anyone wishes to speak during this open public portion, we are now open to the public for the questions only on the consent agenda. And please make sure you state your questions and then we will answer them after you're done stating them all Speaker 0 00:05:01 Council president. There are no individuals with their hand raised at this time. We've now closed the public portion and we'll move to number seven, which is an ordinance. Second reading authorizing the acquisition of block 99 0 3 lot 4.09 16 Davidson road. This is open to the public. It's a resolution adopting ordinance, Mrs. Cedar, can you please read the ordinance be resolved by the Township council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain property identified as block block 9 9 0 3 lot 4.09 16 Davidson road or block 9 9 0 3 lot 4 1 1 12 Davidson road in the Township of Piscataway county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey for public purpose pursuant to NJ SA 23. One sec was introduced on the 28th day of June, 2022 and it passed the first reading I was published on the first, first day of July, 2022. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance having had a second reading on July 12th, 2022, the adopted pass and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be it further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2022 dash one six. Speaker 0 00:06:17 Thank you Mrs. Cedar. This is a second reading. We'll now be opening this to the public regarding this ordinance. Only if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When is your turn to speak? You will receive or hear a request, unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you'll have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comments or questions, we're now open to the public council president. The first individual hand raised to oh five, seven. Oh, I've asked you unmute yourself. Go ahead please. Speaker 3 00:07:37 David Akins, post valley lane evening council. Speaker 0 00:07:42 Good evening, David Speaker 3 00:07:44 On item number E for golf. I know. How long will that service be? Speaker 0 00:07:52 Mr. Akins, Mr. Akins were open to the public regarding the ordinance that second reading for the acquisition of block 99, 0 3. We're not open to the public on all the other items at this time. Speaker 3 00:08:08 Well, this was part of the consent agenda. I had fresh star nine happened. It just happened to speak now and I didn't press anything other than that first time. So anyway, I'm gonna pass Speaker 0 00:08:23 Right now. Can, can we have you, can we get through this ordinance and then we will have you come back at the last public portion and we can answer that question for you, Mr. Akins. Speaker 3 00:08:33 Yes. Speaker 0 00:08:38 Okay. We're gonna open to the public again at the end of the consent agenda. You can ask the question at that time council president. There are no other individuals with their hand raised regarding this agenda item. Can I have a motion? Speaker 1 00:09:01 Councilman are on motion Speaker 4 00:09:03 Second. Speaker 0 00:09:05 Thank you, Ms. The, can you please call the role Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Councilman Rouse. Speaker 5 00:09:12 Yes. Speaker 0 00:09:13 Councilman Shaw. Speaker 4 00:09:15 Yes. Speaker 0 00:09:16 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 1 00:09:17 Yes. Speaker 0 00:09:18 Council president Lombardi. Yes. And the ordinance passes. We're now moving to the consent agenda for efficiency items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. The materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? Portland seeing none. Can I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? Speaker 1 00:10:00 Motion. Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 0 00:10:04 Thank you. Can I have a second, Speaker 5 00:10:06 Second Rouse? Speaker 0 00:10:08 Thank you, miss Cedar. Can you please call the role Councilwoman Cahill? Speaker 1 00:10:14 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:16 Councilman Rouse. Speaker 5 00:10:17 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:18 Councilman Shaw. Speaker 4 00:10:20 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:21 Councilman Uhrin. Speaker 1 00:10:23 Yes. Speaker 0 00:10:24 Council president Lombardi. Yes. And the consent agenda items pass number nine is a proclamation. It's the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with disabilities act. And I believe the Mayor is gonna read that proclamation for us. Speaker 6 00:10:42 Thank you, council president. And whereas July 26th marks the 32nd anniversary of the enactment of the American with disabilities act. And whereas this legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. And whereas the ADA has expanded opportunities for individuals with disabilities, by reducing barriers, changing perceptions, and increasing participation in community life. And whereas the Mayor council are committed to keeping Piscataway inclusive and welcoming community for all. And whereas BASCA reaffirms the commitment to the ADA and supports the pursuit of programs to ensure that in spirit and founding provisions are maintained and implemented and enforced. Now, therefore I, Brian Wahler Mayor Piscataway Township county middle six in the state of New Jersey, recognized the university American with disabilities act and encourage all Township residents to continue to advance the principles of equity and inclusivity for all. And as an aside note, as the council members know for the general public, we are very proud of the fact that all of our playgrounds are now compliant with federal standards. Speaker 6 00:11:51 One of the few towns in a state that has, and also we're in the process of building more inclusive facilities for folks that who may be wheelchair bound, especially in our parks. I don't know if everybody's been down to new market pond within the last couple of years, that all the enhancements that have been done. So nobody should miss out on the enjoyment nearby the lake and other amenities. So as well as our new community center meets fits the criteria for that. So we're very happy of all the work that we've done as officials to bring the spirit of into play for the American disabilities act. Thank you, council president. Speaker 0 00:12:35 Thank you, Mayor. We'll now move to number 10, which are announcements and comments from officials, Mrs. Kale. Do you have any comments? Speaker 7 00:12:48 I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to walk in the lake Nelson 4th of July parade this year, a lot of kiddies were decked out. Folks were reminded about the meaning of 4th of July and it was just a great event and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I wanna remind folks about the bike rodeo coming up this Saturday, that'll be at the community center. There'll be experts there to check your bike out, I guess, do some fine tuning. Maybe even blow up some wheels. So it was a great event last year. Looking forward to seeing folks out there again this Saturday. Speaker 0 00:13:38 Thank you. Lynnwood Rouse, no Speaker 6 00:13:48 Comments. Speaker 0 00:13:50 Frank. Uhrin Speaker 8 00:13:51 No comments. Council, president Speaker 0 00:13:54 Mayor, Speaker 6 00:13:55 Just a reminder national night outs August 2nd, over at the community center. So everybody looks looking forward to it. Speaker 0 00:14:06 Tim Dacey Speaker 9 00:14:07 Mayor just got it. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:14:11 Township Pater, Raj Kumar. No comments. Thank you. I guess the only add on that, I will add to the events that we have going on. We had one successful concert, a country band last Thursday, and the next upcoming concert over in Columbus park will be July 21st. And that is Julian and Dominique. And I must say I'm a big advocate of those. They're extremely good singing everything from Louis Armstrong to Andre, a Belli. So anybody looking for a fun night of music Thursday, July 21st at Columbus park will be for sure a good one. We'll now move to 11, which is our agenda session for the August 9th, 2022 meeting. We have an ordinance second reading repealing chapter 21 zoning section eight, a flood damage prevention and adoption of a new flood plant management regulations. And it will be open to the public. Do we have any questions or concerns from council members, Speaker 6 00:15:21 Council, president. This is being managed by the DEP for all towns in the state of New Jersey. Speaker 0 00:15:29 Thank you for that. Speaker 7 00:15:30 And I welcome it. Council president, we're definitely needing to be paying attention to that. Speaker 0 00:15:38 Agreed. Next will be a resolution authorizing liquor license renewals for 2022 and 2023 license term for Piscataway one LLC questions or concerns. Next will be a resolution authorizing acceptance of the physical year 23 municipal Alliance, youth leadership grant. That's pretty self-explanatory resolution authorizing refund of overpayment of fees at the police department. Speaker 0 00:16:14 And I'm sure there will be some added to that. So now we will move to number 12 and open to the public for the final time. So if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the zoom app or by phone by pressing star nine, when it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you will have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comments or questions. We are now open to the public Speaker 1 00:16:56 Council Speaker 0 00:16:57 President. I'm asking the first individual with our hand raised unmute themself. Speaker 10 00:17:04 Hi Brian rack till 47 Brookside road. I was wondering, are you doing anything to address the report from the New Jersey state comptroller that you're violating sick time payouts for town employees? I mean, they apparently contacted you before and you're violating a bunch of the existing laws. Thanks. That's it? Bye. Speaker 9 00:17:25 So Brian, we received a preliminary note from them in January. We responded in February, we had changed our, we notified the controller and the controller decided to ignore the letter that we sent them less than a month after they initially reached out to us. So, so unfortunately the controller was not truthful in the report that they put out because I've understood there other towns that did the same and he did not report that, that corrective actions were taken by many of the towns. So we are currently in full compliance Speaker 6 00:18:07 And, and Ms. Miss council, president, I wanna chime in on that. It doesn't surprise me with this comptroller. It did. Chaill just shame, shame on him on this one, you know, towns across the state, including Piscataway had caps in place long before the state law went into effect. As a matter of fact, some of our bargaining units are at capped at 7,500. We were at way ahead of the curve on a lot of these items that they've been talking about for the last 15 years, we did this back in the late nineties. And, you know, I think he was just groping for headlines, but that doesn't surprise me because in his prior career, that's what he did at bear share housing. So, so with that being said, I'm turning it back over to council president. Speaker 0 00:18:54 Thank you. Thank you. That clarification, Mr. Dacey council president, I'm you next next individual with our hand raise to unmute the Speaker 11 00:19:10 Good evening Mayor Wahler and council. My name is Dr. Jackie Jackson and I live at 3,400 Woodland avenue on South Plainfield, and I am a person with a physical disability. So I thank you. And the council for recognizing the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with disabilities act. And I thank you, Mayor Weiler for mentioning all the wonderful things you have done in Piscataway. And I look to come and visit your town one day and see all the wonderful things and just, just be so thankful and on behalf of the disability community, because this is really near and dear to me. And I just thank you because this is an important civil rights law, as we all know, and certainly it has been implemented, but you know, it's, it's not mandated and it, it can certainly be a lot more more to do and people in different towns. And I have ask mayors around surrounding towns who also recognize this Americans with disability anniversary. And certainly you have social media, you have your Piscataway TV. And I actually also to put it on your Facebook page, your web page, Facebook, Twitter, whatever you can so that this proclamation can be recognized in the Township of Piscataway. And I look forward to meeting you again. One day I met you before years ago, but I certainly will come back and, and assess other areas in Piscataway. If you should need my services, please let me know. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:20:41 Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Jackie Jackson, Speaker 11 00:20:44 You welcome Speaker 0 00:20:45 Council present. Speaker 7 00:20:46 I would like to say to Dr. Jackson, please come to Piscataway to live here. We would love have part Speaker 0 00:21:01 President I'm hand raise to the Mr. Akins. You have to unmute yourself so we can hear you, Speaker 7 00:21:53 Melissa. Is that star? What do they, what do they have to hit to unmute on the phone Speaker 0 00:22:02 Star? Six Speaker 7 00:22:03 Star six. Speaker 0 00:22:13 Okay, I'm gonna go to the next person. I'll come back to unmute yourself. Mr. Madison, go ahead, sir. Can you Speaker 12 00:22:30 Hear me? Speaker 0 00:22:31 Yes, we can. Speaker 12 00:22:32 Thank you. Sid Madison, 1 76 Blackford avenue Piscataway. I'm here to impress upon you the importance of sending a resolution to governor Murphy, asking him to immediately enact a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure in New Jersey in 2018, the climate science from re special report, 15 set, a goal of reducing or decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 since then greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing in 2021. Governor Murphy set the reduction goal of 50% by 2030, there are currently seven projects. If allowed to be completed would increase emissions increase, which is 180 degrees in the wrong direction. Not only would the goal not be reachable a crime in and of itself, but in increase. That's that word again, increase energy costs for New Jersey and, and the board of public utilities has found that these projects are not, I repeat, not necessary. This is a case of profit that can be made, causing more environmental pollution, and Worsey worsening our climate profit over people. That's what's happening. I stand ready to help you understand the background and to create a resolution. Thank you. Any questions? Speaker 0 00:24:25 Thank you, Mr. Madison, does anyone have any questions for Mr. Madison? No, but thank you for that concern council president, I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised under themselves. Mr. Akins, if you could please hit star six to unmute yourself so we can hear you, Mr. Akins, please hit star six. If you looking to unmute yourself, Speaker 3 00:25:23 David a and Dan both valley lane. Speaker 0 00:25:25 Okay. We have you Speaker 3 00:25:27 Reference to it. Golf G. I'm going to do that later on. So you may continue. Speaker 9 00:25:38 What was the question on that item, David, Speaker 3 00:25:41 That was author authorizing ward of contracts for the tree Stu removal. I know if this comes up quite often, is there a time limit on this? Is this something that's permanent? How does that work? Cause I constantly see that coming up, Speaker 9 00:26:01 This contract will be for one year. Speaker 3 00:26:08 Does that change every year? The amount, is there a cap on it every year? Or how does that work, Speaker 0 00:26:13 Mr. Akins? Could you ask all of your questions and then we'll follow up with the answer. So, so just list all the questions that you have. Okay. Speaker 3 00:26:22 Well that, that was the only question I had. The only reason why I'm responding now, I wouldn't respond prior to that. What I know the answer was, so I'm, I'm sorry, but that's just the way it, but right now let's move on. Speaker 0 00:26:39 So did that answer your question? That was for a one year contract for that tree removal. Okay. Okay. Speaker 7 00:26:46 I council president, I think he's, he's asking like, is it a cap? So every year I think, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Dacey, every year we would go out to bid, it's a yearly contract that we put out and we follow the same procedure as we do for all bids that go out, correct? Speaker 9 00:27:05 Yes. It would depend a lot on how much paving and curb work is being done. How much work out of shop is being done. So the amount could vary year by year, the amount of work changes year by year, Speaker 7 00:27:17 Right? So we would list the work that we wanna have done and then go out to bed, especially with the tree stops. Speaker 9 00:27:23 Correct? Speaker 6 00:27:24 Well, if I, if I may add into that, a lot of this also has to do storm damage related, which is tree it's under state contracts. So we don't have to go out to bid. It's already been prices already been prebi it under state contract. But most of this, my, my guess is money will be chewed up before the end of the year. And we'll be back at this again in November, cuz the amount of dead trees, we have a very infestation of the beetle bark disease throughout the town where you had whole neighborhoods where you have almost every street tree has been, is dead that needed to be take down and stump, grinded. And then Mr. Interesting waits till he gets the grant and then we'll replant new trees after that. But there's been whole swaths of developments that where we've had to take, take down the trees cuz the trees were dead. Speaker 0 00:28:16 Thank you for that. Anyone else? Council, president, there are no other individuals with their hands raised. Thank you, Mr. Cedar will now close the public portion. Item number 13 is an adjournment. Can I have a motion to adjourn Speaker 13 00:28:34 Motion? Speaker 0 00:28:36 Can I second, second, all those in favor please say aye. Aye. Have a good evening everyone. Right. Speaker 7 00:28:44 Thank you everyone. Bye.