October 18, 2016
While members of Common Council always appreciate when citizens are able to attend our meetings, we understand that often our constituents are unable to do so. Following is my summary with some highlights from the meeting on Tuesday night. The Council meetings are also available to watch on Hometowne TV. Please contact me at mmcternan@cityofsummit.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Reports, Presentations and Proclamations
Mayor Radest read the Governor’s order lifting the suspension of work on the Morris Ave. Bridge, thanked the Planning Board for their marathon session going over the Master Plan draft from Topology, announced the last Free Market for this weekend and touted the upcoming Halloween festivities in town beginning with the PAL’s Halloween parade on Saturday, 10/22, the Scream on the Green on 10/28 and the PAL Pumpkin Launch at the Transfer Station on 11/6. City Administrator Michael Rogers publicized 2 grants Summit received from Union County; a $50k Recreation Trust grant for Tatlock Bleacher replacement, and $7k for planting trees in Summit. He also announced the Family Aquatic Center Award for best promotion, described the 35th Annual National Fallen Firefighter event attended by members of the Summit Fire Department, reminded residents about curbside leaf pickup and to replace their smoke alarms with the end of daylight saving time approaching, and lauded students who participated in a voting exercise at City Hall. Council President McTernan introduced Christina Gao who spoke about the history of Tatlock Park for the Summit Historical Minute.
Gerard Giosa of Level G Associates presented the draft findings of the parking assessment the city commissioned them to undertake earlier in the year. While they stated the Parking Services Department was very professionally run, there were a current deficit in our downtown of about 225 spaces and a projected deficit given future growth and development of 457 spaces, consistent with past studies. They recommended a variety of improvements to the system, highlights being a new garage at DeForest and Summit Ave., changing parking on Elm and Maple Street to head in parking, and removing the gates on Deforest and replacing them with a pay by plate system.
Public Comments Steve Errz questioned why there was a two hour parking restriction on Hobart Avenue, which residents were only made aware of during the PGA event.
Ordinances
There were no ordinances introduced or approved at this meeting.
Resolutions14 resolutions were passed unanimously at this week’s Council Meeting. Standouts were the resolution approving the Best Practice Inventory Program, which looks to address the handful of issues the Division of Local Government Services highlights as part of their oversight procedure, and the authorization of a grant application for $25k grant for the Senior Focus Initiative.
Please note: This summary document is for informational purposes only and is not a record of the official action taken by Common Council. Approved meeting minutes constitute the only record of official City of Summit Common Council action. The minutes of the meetings will be available after they are approved by the Common Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting.