I saw the incident being referred to on the Blog. It was Rurik once again who instigated the encounter and it was Ms.Gruber trying to defend herself against his wild rantings. She also tried to insert some common sense and he was not having it as usual. Others of us tried also. It is interesting to note that none of the Harwin and Willett supporters showed up on election night and no one came to the council meeting last night for the Gay Pride proclamation. This campaign on one side only was terrible and divisive. I’m not over it because now I see even more clearly the harm they have caused in order to win at all costs.
Ellie Gruber has more intelligence, class and dignity in one pinky finger than Rurik Halaby has in his enter body. She is an enormous asset to Ridgewood; Habably not so much. If you were in the room that night, you would have seen Rurik Halaby go after Ellie Gruber and you would have seen Mrs. Gruber stand her ground.
Ridgewooood NJ, Once again, much was accomplished with this new and improved council! Of course somethings never change ,Rurik Halaby came to the mic twice to insinuate that Ms. Knudsen( pronounced once correctly, second time with a hard k!) should be transparent about her raffle win and her sons becoming Ridgewood police officers. Thankfully Susan called for a point of order and Bernie Walsh made reference to Roberts Rules and that personal comments made to a council member from the floor are not allowed. It probably won’t stop future rants.
Richard Calbi from the Water Department gave a good report on the chromium 6 that has been in the news. According to Ridgewood Water Ridgewood is below the level considered dangerous even though the EPA has made no formal recommendations or issued guidelines.Currently Ridgewood Water is below the California guidelines and those issued by The World Health Organization.
Matt Rogers reported on the status of Affordable Housing, the water suit filed by Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff and the Valley Hospital appeal.
Affordable Housing: a status conference is scheduled for October, otherwise all is quiet on that front.
Ridgewood Water: a possible trial in November if a scheduled mediation in October is not successful.
Valley Hospital: Appeals Court Agrees to hear Ridgewood against Valley Hospital Expansion Case. It sounds too good to be true but after a long battle it another opportunity for the new council to make their mark. What happens next is any bodies guess.
The status of suit filed against the Planning Board was not mentioned.
A discussion about parking at the council level was very productive as they are looking at immediate remedies to improve parking before any construction is initiated.
Ramon Hache gave a Field’s Committee update and possible solutions to remediate Maple Field. One suggestion is to infuse the current field with millions of rubber pellets or replace the current field.Another idea was to build berm to protect the field better from floods . What was not mentioned is that these pellets will go into the drains, the brook and on the kids! As we all know Maple Field is in an active flood plain. Perhaps an analysis as to what would be the cost of replacing it with natural grass vs. new artificial turf and or its remediation? No easy solution for this one .
Discussion on the placement of art in the village. The Library might be making a presentation soon on their plans to build a performing arts center, approx. cost , 5 million dollars! They are seeking help from the Village to bond this amount .Not sure how that will be received. Love the library but other issues may be higher on the agenda.
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act
MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call
4. ORDINANCES – CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
3540 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Regulations for Political Signs and Temporary Signs
3541 – Repeal Ordinance 3066
5. Resolution #16-254 – Confirm Endorsement of Community Development Block Grant – SHARE, Inc. – 130 Prospect Street – Emergency Repair of Hot Water Heating Boiler – Confirms endorsement of a $15,000 CDB grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
6. Adjournment
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person – 30 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion
a. Community Development Block Grant – SHARE, INC.
7. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
9. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
10. Presentation
Update on Lead in Water
Friends of Schedler
11. Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Award Contract – Two Jeep Patriot Vehicles – Water Department
Award Contract – Feasibility Study for Removing PFCs at the Carr Treatment
Facility
Award Contract – Design and Construction Administrative Services for Various Improvements at Booster and Transfer Stations
b. Parking
Valet Parking – Chestnut Street
Traffic Calming Project Near Travell School
Sherman Place, Stanley Place and Pomander Walk Parking Issues
Amendment to Parking Regulations for Brookside Avenue
Regulations on Broken Meters
c. Budget
Award Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal Department
Award Contract – Ford F350 Pickup Truck – Traffic & Signal Department
Award Contract – Purchase of Brush Chipper – Parks Department
Award Contract – Two Stump Grinders – Parks Department
Award Contract – Second Year – Laboratory Analysis Services – Graydon Pool & Water Pollution Control Facility
Award Contract – Second Year – Sodium Bisulfite Solution and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution – Water Pollution Control Facility
Award Contract – Elgin Street Sweeper – Streets Department
Award Contract – Electronic Equipment, Software and Computer Upgrades
Award Contract – Property Maintenance Services for Derelict Properties
EUS – Blower Motor – Water Pollution Control Facility
Authorize Extension of Leasing Maintenance Program – Police Cars
Surplus of Dump Truck – Parks Department
Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation Pilot
Amend Capital Budget for Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch
Shared Service Agreement – Child Health Clinic to Include Fair Lawn
Reject Bid – Janitorial Services
d. Policy
Letter to Planning Board on Revisiting Master Plan for AH-2, B-3-R, and C-R Zones
General Lighting Policy at Village Parks and Lots
Amend Ordinance #3547 – Sale of Dogs and Cats
Ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Transportation Alternatives Program Grant
Amend Chapter 275 – Yard Waste
Discussion of Ord. 3532 – Regulations of Audio/Video Recordings at Public Meetings
Historic Preservation Grant – Schedler House
Discussion of Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant – Kings Pond Park
Policy on Public Comment
e. Operations
Authorize Property Maintenance Violation Service at 505 Fairway Road
Cleanup of Gypsy Pond/Kings Pond Area
12. Review of September 14, 2016 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
13. Manager’s Report
14. Council Reports
15. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
16. Resolution to go into Closed Session
17. Closed Session
a. Legal – Valley Hospital Litigation; HealthBarn
b. Personnel – Village Clerk’s Office, Village Manager’s Office
Ridgewood NJ, As you imagine there was a lot of talk about campaign signs in planters. According to Matt it is legal presently but there was talk of an ordinance prohibiting signs on public property or limiting the time they are permitted to be displayed.
The head of Project Pride proposed a basketball court at Vets as they are highly used and would add to the complex. A thought: Move the 60 foot baseball field to Schedler which would allow a basket ball court. However Jackie Hone brought up a great point: The Federal Migratory Act prohibits any removal,cleanup or trimming of trees during migratory season which means they can’t touch the Schedler woods until after July. By then the new council will be in place.
Probably the most important issue to many is the petition filed to rescind the bond ordinance for 11.5 million dollars to finance the Hudson Street Parking Garage. The vote was 4 to 1 in favor of moving forward. Under the Faulkner Act , the petitioners have 10 days to rescind their petition request that would result in no special election. It is not possible to postpone the election til November saving the estimated 45,000 dollars for a special election because of the timing. The vote has to occur in no less than 40 days and no more than 60 days after the 10 days allowed to the petitioners. The date of the vote in the special election will occur on June 21st.
The village engineer gave a report on contaminated sites in Ridgewood in relation to water safety which many felt was lacking full disclosure. According to Chris we’re in good shape and although we have all these underground sites cited for remediation on village owned property.
Gwenn had one”mean girl” moment when Susan asked that they postpone approving some minutes. until she could speak to Heather as Heather was unavailable( business reasons). There was some talk about why Susan needed to clarify something and then Gwenn suggested that why should one council member hold up the vote if the majority had no problem. Mike saw no reason not to allow for the postponement and Matt Rogers felt that it was a completely reasonable request and so thankfully Albert and Sir Paul didn’t object.
There were some nice moments regarding the Community Access Group and all the things they have accomplished and a future ordinance to make it a village sanctioned committee.
Mike obtained a grant for shade tree enhancement and Earth Day was a complete success. Anne Loving made a great comment regarding Gwenn’s comment about her dogs and Paul’s dog enjoying Van Neste Park on Earth Day. Anne reminded everyone that there is an ordinance banning dogs in that very park. Some thought it would be great if they had received tickets and then we changed the ordinance to allow dogs in the parks as we love dogs , but Paul and Gwenn not so much!
After the September 16th Village Council meeting, everyone I spoke with said, “Well, it’s a done deal with the High Density Housing.” But then September 30th proved us different.
The point is, as Rocky Balboa once said, “It ain’t ’til it’s over.” To add to that: It’s only over if we don’t show up.
Tonight is probably the most important Village Council meeting in the history of Ridgewood. It is the night when it’s decided whether we live in a Village or a City.
No one can foresee the future, but one thing is for sure: coming tonight will send a strong message – not only to this outgoing Village Council majority, but also as a mandate to those who are running for election. Perhaps even more important is that we can say that we showed up when our Village needed us the most and did what we could to stop this madness.
Lastly, if it’s absolutely impossible for you to come, The link to the broadcast can be found here: https://livestream.com/accounts/18208820/events/4985052
(NOTE: this is an unofficial broadcast and can ONLY be viewed at the above link.)
Please share this link and forward this note to as many residents as you can.
Thank you for helping protect our most wonderful village. Hope to see you tonight.
If Mayor Paul does not issue an emphatic statement about this then I think the citizens should upraise. It is ridiculous that he allowed this to happen in a meeting that he chairs, he said nothing, he did nothing, he did not speak to Dana on the way out, he is such an obnoxious self-serving jerk. It is increasingly apparent that this whole event may have been in some way planned in order to make Dana look bad. Well, Sir Paul and Sir Albert, this did not happen. Instead you and your blondie gal Friday wound up looking like complete and total insensitive, uncivil idiots. There are simply not enough horrible adjectives to describe the three of you.
photo by Boyd A. Loving Police summoned to disturbance at Council meeting
February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridhewood NJ, resident Dana Glazer had his cell phone knocked out of his hand by a meeting attendee. Police investigation underway. No charges pressed as of this writing.
Witnesses state that it happened when Jim Griffiths was being honored and was especially disturbing especially with so many small children in the room. But, it did happen, “and the choice of timing was fully in the hands of the person who hit the man with the camera. I saw the entire thing because it had caught my attention that one resident was inches from another,bothering him, so I was watching. When the “aggressor” hit the man with the cell phone and knocked the phone to the ground, that was when I ran to get the police.”
The witness went on , “By the time I got to the police desk, one flight down, an officer was already radioing in to get to the courtroom, so either someone else called the police or the police saw on closed circuit camera I counted four officers that came up. What was even more shocking was that at the end, was that Councilwoman Hauck had the audacity to suggest that “no one saw it happen” (you can watch the tape tomorrow, I don’t want to put words in her mouth) – so if she didn’t see it then does that mean it did not happen? And the suggestion that I could have handled it differently, really? So if I see one person hit another, but something nice is going on at the same time, I should just sit back and do nothing.”
A long time resident who did not witness the attack said ,” I think it a sad day for Ridgewood when members of the pubic are afraid to come to meeting for fear of possible assault or harassment by other members of the public.. This was all fueled by the council majority who berated this same member of the public in recent council meeting for video taping them, We have sunk to a new low here in Ridgewood. Never in all my years in town have I see such distrust, in fighting,berating of the public by council members and i’ve been here a long time. ”
The victim Dana Glazer is also someone who has been threatened repeatedly for recording public meetings. This has now opened up the gates for others to attack those who wish to record.
THIS Wednesday, December 9th at 8:00 pm at Village Hall
PLEASE try to attend the meeting. The Mayor and Council will be discussing TWO very important issues that could change the character of our village forever: Multi-Family Housing and the Hudson Street Parking Garage. It is crucial that as many residents as possible attend the meeting to show the Mayor and Council that residents remain vigilant and demand responsible decision-making. On September 30, more than 600 residents turned out and our voices were heard when the Council voted 4-1 to perform studies to understand the effects of adding high density housing to the CBD before voting. Let’s continue to have a voice!
Agenda:
At approximately 8:30 pm, after presentations, Village Manager and Council reports, and comments from the public, a $12.3 million bond ordinance will be introduced to fund the Hudson Street Parking Deck. The parking garage discussion is relevant to the high-density housing debate. If the largest of the 3 parking garage options is approved (which is likely, as it is favored 3-2 by a majority of the Council members), the new parking garage could set a precedent for the height, size and bulk of future buildings in the CBD, and could have implications for the size of any new apartment buildings. See attached for photos of the proposed garage, particularly the view on Hudson Street.
The Public Hearing on Land Use and Development (High Density Housing) will continue, and the Mayor and Council will discuss the next steps to be taken with regard to the four independent studies approved onSeptember 30, including financial impact, comprehensive traffic, school impact, and infrastructure studies. We must demand Village Council members honor their commitment and hire an independent firm to conduct all of the promised studies, taking into consideration the effects of adding four multi-family developments, a 98-unit assisted living facility and a large parking garage all at once.
Please come to the meeting at 8:00 pm on Wednesday. Let’s show the Mayor and Council that we did not forget what they voted for on September 30th!
If you can not attend the meeting, you can watch the meeting on Fios Channel 34 or Cablevision Channel 77.
3489 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish AH-2 Zone District
3490 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish B-3-R Zone District
3491 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish C-R Zone
3492 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish C Zone District
3493 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Amend Various Sections – Multiple Zone Districts and General Affordable Housing Regulation
RESOLUTIONS
15- Approve Village Cash Management Plan
15- Designate Official Newspapers for 2016
15- 2016 Annual Meetings Statement
15- Establish Interest Rate for Non-Payment of Taxes, Assessments or Other Municipal Liens for 2016 and Set Grace Period
15-Establish Interest Rates for Delinquent Payments to the Water Utility for 2016 and Set Grace Period for Payment of Water Utility Bills
15- Establish Interest Rates for Delinquent Payments for Significant Sewer Discharge Bills for 2016
15- Approve Budget Transfers
15- Approve 2016 Temporary Budget
15- Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of Electric Source
15- Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Electric Source
15- Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering Sludge Dewatering Polymer
15- Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Sludge Dewatering Polymer
15- Title 59 Approval – De-Silting and De-Snagging of Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and Saddle River
15- Award Contract – De-Silting and De-Snagging of
Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and Saddle River
15- Title 59 Approval – Laboratory Analysis Services – Ridgewood Water
15- Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services – Ridgewood Water
15- Title 59 Approval – Dewatered Sewer Sludge Hauling Services
15- Award Contract – Dewatered Sewer Sludge Hauling Services
15- Award Contract – Financial Computer Software
15- Award Contract – Preparation of 2016 Village Council Meeting Minutes
15- Award Contract – Valley Hospital, Department of Community Health – Public Health and Nursing Services
15- Award Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services Contract – Field Investigation Study and Purchase of Replacement Parts for Non-Potable Water System – Water Pollution Control Facility
Village Council Discusses Automated Parking Systems at March 25th Village Council Meeting
Ridgewood NJ, As a follow up to the March 25th Village Council Meeting and the Engineering Department’s presentation of automated parking systems. To view the systems discussed at the meeting, please click on the videos below.
Park Plus, Inc
Park Plus, Inc. is the leading provider of Mechanical and Automated Parking garage systems in North America. Originated in 1969 the Company continually provides State of the Art solutions to the parking industry. Our years of experience as Park Plus, Inc. and the professional service through our subsidiary and affiliated companies in Engineering, Material Handling, Construction, Installation and Service keep Park Plus, Inc. the first choice provider for the parking professional.
Park Plus, Inc ‘s Automated Vehicle Storage Systems are designed to store and retrieve vehicles with robotic devices that lift, lower and transfer vehicles from localized transfer stations to unoccupied storage vaults, without the need for human intervention. These systems can be retrofitted into existing buildings, or designed specifically for new building projects to maximize efficiency and space utilization in high density parking.
Boomerang Systems develops robotic valets that could spell the end of the human parking attendant. They market their parking technology as a cutting edge, space-saving approach to an antiquated system.
The RoboticValet has changed the development game by unlocking valuable air rights previously consumed by parking, and in some cases by making it feasible to develop sites previously thought to be unprofitable due to space required for parking.
Readers says Council Meetings run smother without the Mayor
Its just an observation. I have watched or attend all most every Council meeting and I have noticed that the few times that the mayor is not presiding over the meeting it run smooth .It is my opinion that the Mayor is the one that fuels the situations for his own agenda. What ever that is. I believe that Mr. PUCCIARELL just get caught up in these unfortunate incidents because of some kind of loyalty to our Mayor. Just a bit of advice. The Mayor has no friends, he will do what ever it take to further his cause. Ms Hauck the same goes for you.
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_riaIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 165
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_inhaIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 166
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_mastodonIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 177
