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://hometownetv.org/content/watch-httv. Please contact me at mmcternan@cityofsummit.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Reports
Mayor Nora Radest mentioned the meeting happening concurrently to the Council meeting concerning the Watchung Reservation Master Plan that included new bike trails, announced the Police Youth Academy dates over the summer that interested students could sign up for at the Middle School office, thanked Atlantic Health for their upcoming donation to the fire department, and recapped a successful Read Across America event at Franklin and Washington elementary schools. City Administrator Michael Rogers shared he would present the proposed Municipal Budget to the public at the 3/21 Council meeting, pointed out the new presentation equipment for Council meetings, praised Firefighter Joe Moschello on receiving the NJESA 2017 Award for Public Safety, gave a heads up on the removal of diseased Ash trees beginning on 3/13, and announced the Muni Golf Course would open on 4/1. Council President McTernan recapped the Summit Taxpayer’s Night of Action where two dozen Summit residents spoke to the Freeholders about limiting their budget increase and complimented all involved with the incredibly entertaining Summit High School Musical, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. For the Summit Historical Minute, Elina Turner spoke about Summit painter Worthington Whittredge.
Presentations and Proclamations
Mayor Radest honored the Red Cross’s Christine Hodde and her organization during American Red Cross Month. Lilly Sasson from Uber gave an update on Summit’s innovative pilot program of providing residents with subsidized rides to and from the train station to alleviate parking pressures. Topology gave the latest update on the Master Plan initiative, focusing on its main objectives, as the Planning Board reviews codes to ensure consistency with the plan’s goals. Fire Chief Eric Evers thanked senior Overlook Hospital officials for their generous donation of $48,000 to the fire department for training and equipment associated with responding to potential emergencies with the helipad.
Public Comments
There were no public comments at this week’s Council Meeting.
Ordinances
A hearing date of 3/21 was agreed upon for an ordinance to establish an appropriation “Cap Bank” as part of the municipal budgeting process.
Resolutions
35 resolutions were passed at this week’s Council meeting. Highlights include accepting a $5,000 Emergency Management grant donation, authorizing roughly $24.6 mm in note sales for the city, designating a Qualified Purchasing Agent who will streamline the procurement process at City Hall, agreeing to purchase $37,000 in software to allow much of the permitting process to go online, donating $1.2 mm to Habitat for Humanity from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help build 12 new units at the site of the Italian-American Club, and accepting the bid for private landscapers to maintain part of the city’s properties. A resolution authorizing the purchase of a $278,000 street sweeper was pulled pending further consideration.
Council Comments
Councilman Naidu proposed a process before final authorization of the previously approved decorative pavement project for Beechwood Road.
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.