The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Business owners, members of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and Ridgewood Guild met Wednesday morning in an effort to unlock the key to jump start the central business district .
Continue reading The Village of Ridgewood Central Business District Revitalization
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Village Council is looking for a Ridgewood business owner, in the Central Business District, to serve on the Central Business District Advisory Committee. The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) will work with the Village Council, business owners and residents to evaluate and initiate enhancements to improve the viability of the CBD, including traffic flow and patterns, parking, pedestrian safety and the balance of commercial uses; while maintaining and refining the historic and aesthetic elements to create a more desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors.
September 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, looks to be a very full plate for the Village Council for tonight’s meeting .The agenda features some changes in public comment at Village council meetings, the repeal of the requirement of notification of audio/video recordings , amending the Valet Parking Ordinance for Chestnut Street, amending the 2016 Capital Budget for Northwest Bergen County Central Dispatch, authorizing the Application for Historic Preservation Grant for Zabriskie-Schedler House, and authorizing the Application for Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant for Kings Pond Park. There are also a host of appointments to the Financial Advisory Committee, Central Business District Advisory Committee and the Ridgewood Arts Council.
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Fire Prevention Week
B. Gold Star Mother’s Day
C. National Breast Cancer Awareness Week
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 5 minutes per person – 30 minutes in total)
9. Village Manager’s Report
10. Village Council Reports
11. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
12. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
16-285 Award Contract under State Contract – Two Jeep Patriot Vehicles (NTE $42,793) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc., 1427 Bay Road, Milford, DE
14. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3548 – Amend Chapter 265 Vehicles and Traffic – Parking Regulations – Brookside Avenue – Amends this chapter to provide for three hour parking, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from September 1 through June 30, on both sides of Brookside Avenue from Spring Avenue southward
3549 – Repeal Ordinance 3532 – Audio/Video Recording of Public Meetings – Repeals Ordinance 3532 which requires notification of audio/video recordings of public meetings of Village Boards/Committees which are not usually recorded
3550 – Amend Chapter 275 – Yard Waste Regulations – Amends this chapter to provide new regulations concerning putting leaves out into the street and leaf pick-up as well as new regulations regarding the separation of grass clippings and other types of yard waste
3551 – Amend Chapter 3 – Administration of Government Section 3-13(A) – Order of Business Relating to Public Comment – Amends this chapter to allow for Public Comment at the beginning of the meeting for no longer than 40 minutes; and changing the time for speakers to three minutes each; and allowing speakers to only speak once,
3552 – Various Capital Improvements at Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch ($26,000) – Appropriates $26,000 from the Capital Fund Balance for improvement at NWBCD including cameras, doors, computers, air conditioners, emergency generators and alarm panel
3553 – Amend Ordinance #3547 – Sale of Dogs and Cats – Amends Ordinance #3547 to disallow hobby breeders to sell their dogs and cats in pet stores in Ridgewood
3554 – Amend Valet Parking Ordinance – Chestnut Street
15. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3542 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Violations and Penalties – Increase Parking Ticket Fines
3543 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Overnight Parking Restrictions
3544 – Amend Valet Parking Ordinance
3545 – Amend Chapter 249 – Streets and Sidewalks – Increase Fines for Paving Moratorium Violations 3546 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage Disposal Fees – Increase Annual Service Charge for Out of Village Dischargers
3547 – Regulate/Ban the Sale of “Dog and Cat Mill” Animals in Pet Shops
16. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 16-259 THROUGH
16-284 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
16-259 Title 59 Approval – Laboratory Analysis Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing Laboratory Analysis Services Beginning January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, Inclusive, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-260 Award Contract Laboratory Analysis Services – Graydon Pool & Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $14,316.50) – Awards a one-year extension of the 2016 contract to Garden State Laboratories, Inc., 410 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, NJ, at the same price as 2016
16-261 Title 59 Approval – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Approve the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Bisulfite Solution and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution Beginning January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, Inclusive, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-262 Award Contract – Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Hypochlorite Solutions – Water Pollution Control Facility – Awards a one-year extension of the 2016 contract to Miracle Chemical Company, 1151 B Highway No. 33, Farmingdale, NJ, at the same price as 2016
16-263 Title 59 Approval – Property Maintenance Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Rebid Property Maintenance Services (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017, inclusive) prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
16-264 Award Contract – Property Maintenance Services – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, ConQuest Construction, 20 Carver Avenue, Westwood, NJ at various prices based on the tasks performed
16-265 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal (NTE $57,416) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Cherry Hill Winner Ford, 250 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
16-266 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal (NTE $47,284) – Awards a contract under State Contract to Cherry Hill Winner Ford, 250 Berlin Road, Cherry NJ
16-267 Award Under State Contract – Electronic Equipment, Software, and Computer Upgrades (NTE $223,248.77) – Awards a contract under State Contract to SHI International Corporation, 290 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ
16-268 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Brush Chipper – Parks Department (NTE $119,738.36) – Awards a contract under the National Joint Powers Alliance to Northeastern Arborist Supply, 50 Notch Road, Woodland Park, NJ
16-269 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Street Sweeper – Streets Department (NTE $206,896.45) – Awards a contract under the National Joint Powers Alliance to Timmerman Equipment Company, P.O. Box 71, Whitehouse, NJ
16-270 Award Contract Under The Education Services Commission of New Jersey Contract – Two Stump Grinders – Parks Department (NTE $67,504) – Awards a contract under The Education Services Commission of New Jersey Contract to Cherry Valley Tractor Sales, 35 Route 70 West, Marlton, NJ
16-271 Award Extraordinary, Unspecifiable Services Contract – Blower Motor – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $30,000) – Awards an Extraordinary, Unspecifiable Services Contract to various vendors: Spencer Turbine Co., 600 Day Hill Road, Windsor, CT; Carfi Electric, 124 Emeline Drive, Hawthorne, NJ; and Keystone Engineering Group, 590 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200, Fazer,
16-272 Authorize Extension of Contract – Leasing and Maintenance Program for Police Cars (NTE $30,000) – Authorizes the extension of a contract for the third year of a three-year contract to Enterprise Fleet Management, 1550 Route 23 North, Suite 101, Wayne, NJ
16-273 Declare Property Surplus – Parks Department Dump Truck – Declares a Parks Department dump truck surplus property and authorizes the Village Manager to dispose of said property
16-274 Amend 2016 Capital Budget for Northwest Bergen County Central Dispatch Capital Improvements – Amends the 2016 Capital Budget to indicate that $26,000 from the Capital Fund Balance be appropriated to pay for the Village’s share of capital improvements at Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch
16-275 Approve Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic (Glen Rock and Fair Lawn) – Authorizes a Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Glen Rock and the Borough of Fair Lawn to have their residents participate in the Child Health Clinic in the Village of Ridgewood. Each municipality will pay one- third of the cost for the remainder of 2016, which is $1,266.
16-276 Reject Bid – Janitorial Services – Rejects the sole bid for this service due to the fact that its benefits were outweighed by its detriments
16-277 Authorize Application for Historic Preservation Grant for Zabriskie-Schedler House – Authorizes that an application for a Historic Preservation Grant for the Zabriskie-Schedler House be submitted
16-278 Authorize Application for Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant – Kings Pond Park – Authorizes that an application for a Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant be submitted for various improvements at Kings Pond Park
16-279 Authorize Cleaning of Gypsy Pond/Kings Pond Park by the Ridgewood Wildscape Association and Partners – Authorizes several volunteer groups to clean the Gypsy Pond/Kings Pond Park, along with a Public Awareness Campaign, on October 15, 2016. The Village Engineer has reviewed the proposal, the group has agreed to certain safety precautions, and the resolution is adopted pursuant to Title 59.
16-280 Establish Annual Service Charge and Payment for Guarantee Bond for Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation and Guaranty of Payment of Revenue Bonds – Authorizes the Village Manager to execute an agreement reflecting the annual service charge, in lieu of taxes, for Village services provided to the Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation’s housing development. In addition, it requires the payment of $25,000 from the Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation for guaranty of the timely payment of principal and interest of 2005 Revenue Bonds.
16-281 Authorize Letter be Sent to the Planning Board for the Review of Ordinances 3489, 3490, 3491, and 3492 – Authorizes that a letter be sent from the Village Council to the Ridgewood Planning Board requesting that the Planning Board openly discuss and
re-evaluate the zoning criteria which was the basis for regulations found in Ordinances 3489, 3490, 3491 and 3492, specifically the appropriate densities of development compared to floor area ratios and on-site parking in the Central Business District
16-282 Appointments to Financial Advisory Committee – Appoints members to the Financial Advisory Committee
16-283 Appointments to Central Business District Advisory Committee – Appoints representatives of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, the Ridgewood Guild, resident members, business owners, Village Council liaison, the Police Chief or designee and the Village Engineer for staggered two-year terms
16-284 Appointments to Ridgewood Arts Council – Appoints members to the Ridgewood Arts Council to terms expiring 6/30/17. Also appoints Audrey Fink as the Chair and Rosemary Gunther McCooe as the Vice-Chair for terms expiring 6/30/17.
17. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
18. Resolution to go into Closed Session
19. Closed Session
A. Legal – RCRD Lawsuit, Town Garage Property
B. Personnel – Village Manager Search
20. Adjournment
In the past shade tree and project pride were committees that performed a real service. HSA work with the schools and offer support.
Now we invent committees that invite input and look for solutions to self-interests and perceived problems.
We know that the CBD wants development of parking and high density housing (and turfing of Schindler, from the softball days). A 6 person committee with 3 business owners will undoubtedly find a list of demands from business owners. Now the village will be expected to come up with solutions for their business problems. I would love it if the committee questioned the sidewalk encroachment of some restaurants and requested that the brick wall at GTM be removed. And no signs in planters in the CBD. Those planters are maintained by the Project Pride Committee – a group of selfless volunteers working to make the town look better for all of us.
How about a Green Village committee. 6 residents who want to maintain the character of the village while evolving over time. Invite Artists, Architects, parents, commuters, over 55 and others to join. Let’s see what they propose.
file photo by ArtChick
July 26,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Many readers have voiced concern and suspicions over Village committees, sighting the fact that several namely the Historic Preservation Commission and the Financial Advisory Committees have acted more like promoters of former Mayor Aronsohn’s special interest agenda than looking out for whats best for Ridgewood .
“I don’t like it and believe we already have too many advisory groups. They have too much clout and are not necessarily to be trusted. REAC’s first pronouncement was that turf is great. FAC said we need the biggest parking garage–and the chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission concurred, no doubt helping the first garage referendum to pass last November. I’d rather see them all disbanded and let the council do its own research. Appropriate people could still help.”
“A real concern is that the new council falls prey to this nonsense. Aronson was a disaster for Ridgewood. Continuing his policies is a mistake. Yes, there is a lot on their plate, but this council really needs to get moving fast to undo the damage he did. Fidgeting isn’t going to carry the day. And if they are not up to the task they said they were capable of performing, then they need to take a good hard look at themselves. Now is the time to appeal the Valley Hospital debacle and undo the Village massive family housing ordinances.”
Councilman Ramon Hache told the Ridgewood blog yesterday that the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will fill three positions on the Central Business District Advisory Committee . Ramon went on to say the point of the committee is to create a more inclusive dialogue unlike the previous administration that ignored residents wishes ,and only listened to a small group of people or packed committees with developers and or friends of developers creating a situation where Central Business Development plans were “out of whack” with what residents wanted giving Ridgewood residents no voice in the decision making process.
At the end of the day its a leadership issue ,although the new council is green they do appear to have all the necessary ingredients ;an open-mindedness,willing to listen ,independent thinking and a concern for the Village to lead Ridgewood into the future.
SEEKING RESIDENTS AND OTHER PERSONS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Financial Advisory Committee and the Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC).
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) will work with the Village Council, business owners and residents to evaluate and initiate enhancements to improve the viability of the CBD, including traffic flow and patterns, parking, pedestrian safety and the balance of commercial uses; while maintaining and refining the historic and aesthetic elements to create a more desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors. The CBDAC is made up of one representative from the Chamber of Commerce; one representative from the Ridgewood Guild; five Ridgewood residents (one of whom shall be a member of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee); and three business owners, one of whom is a property owner in the CBD.
All interested residents and others wishing to serve on these committees should send the following:
A cover letter indicating on which committee(s)the person wishes to serve
A Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under forms)
A biography or resume
to: Heather Mailander, Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Deadline for submissions is August 5, 2016.
