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 HTTV at http://www.hometownetv.org/content/watch-httv. Please contact me at mmcternan@cityofsummit.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Reports, Presentations, and Proclamations
The Mayor recapped the snowflake event and Santa’s welcome the previous weekend, urged shoppers to think local, announced the middle school’s civic problem-solving presentation on 12/16 and the free ice skating event with hot chocolate and a bonfire on the Village Green on 12/11. City Administrator Michael Rogers described the free holiday parking initiative in the downtown from the city, publicized the Police Department’s Toys for Tots drive, gave an overview of the city’s potential investigation on exposure to the turf installation, and announced that the city’s planner would be presenting the Affordable Housing Settlement to the Planning Board on 12/19. Council President McTernan’s report highlighted an agreement between Calvary Church and Keller Williams Realty to utilize Calvary’s spare parking. In addition, McTernan introduced Ben Schachter, who described the history of the Vanderpoele Mansion for the Summit Historical Minute.
Mayor Radest swore in six Police Officers. Michael Byrne and Charles Daly were promoted to Sergeant, while Sean Thompson, Ruddy Garita, Leonard Franchino, and Mark DeMetro took the oath as new officers in Summit.
Tom Hurley, from Spatial Data Logic, gave a presentation on their software that streamlines communication and workflow for Department of Community Services operations. The software has the potential to improve citizen interaction around the permitting and construction process and boost efficiency among City Hall staff.
Public Comments
There were no public comments at this week’s Council Meeting.
Ordinances
Three ordinances had hearings and were voted on:
- A law changing the structure of the SDI board, allowing an alternate trustee in the event that one or more of the specific trustee categories go unfilled.
- An ordinance that limits parking on Bedford Road to two hours during school days (which had two residents speak in support of).
- An ordinance on parking that added the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving as permanent parking holidays, changed some meter rates and renumbered meters with the addition of 14 extra parking spaces due to re-striping in the downtown
An ordinance was also introduced that would establish a temporary municipal court judge position.
Resolutions
26 resolutions were passed at this week’s Council Meeting. Highlights were the resolution accepting the final parking assessment, which had suggestions for improving the Parking Services Agency including new rates and procedures, re striping and a recommendation to build a new parking garage on the corner of Deforest Ave and Summit Ave. In addition, Council voted to pursue a grant for electric charging stations, pay our legal counsel for the work to complete the Affordable Housing Settlement, execute a revised agreement between the city and Union County for the proposed Parkline land, and authorize the purchase of new communication equipment for our emergency response personnel and refilling apparatus for our fire department’s air tanks.
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.