Tuesday, July 31 is the last Common Council meeting before its August break. There are no public presentations scheduled or any ordinances for introduction or hearing. There are a few resolutions for consideration, including: (a) hiring a redevelopment attorney to advise the city on its response to eight developers that submitted proposals for the Broad Street west redevelopment project; (b) applying for grants to fund the creation of a bocce court and fitness area at the new Community Center, as well as grant applications for acquiring trees and installing sidewalks; (c) purchasing devices that will notify drivers on the availability of spaces at the Broad Street and Tier garages; and (d) addressing certain administrative and personnel matters such as individuals who are on sick leave, filling staff vacancies, and salary adjustments.
To view the complete Common Council agenda, go to:
https://www.cityofsummit.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07312018-574
Resolutions for Consideration
There are a number of resolutions for consideration.
Broad Street West Redevelopment: In June, the city issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Eight developers responded with proposals. To best evaluate the proposals and to establish a strategic vision for development, the city has been assembling its project team. At its last meeting, council unanimously approved Topology as our planner for this phase of the project. At this meeting, council will vote on whether or not to engage a redevelopment attorney to assist the city and the Planning Board with its response to eight developers that submitted proposals for the Broad Street West redevelopment project. A subcommittee consisting of Mayor Radest, Common Council and Planning Board members interviewed several legal counsel candidates that had responded to a separate RFQ for legal services. In the next few months, significant work will be completed to move this project forward, and the public will continue to be engaged as the process evolves.
Grant applications and monies. The city is seeking grants from different sources for a number of projects:
- A grant application to the Union County Kids Recreational Trust Fund for $100,000 toward a new bocce court and other amenities such as shuffleboard, table tennis, and a small putting green in an area adjacent to the new Community Center that is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2019.
- A matching grant application to Union County to obtain 80 trees to be planted on city property or the city’s right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb. As the Environmental Commission informed us earlier this year, Summit’s tree canopy has been diminished from multiple storms in the past few years.
- A grant application to NJDOT to complete the sidewalk network on Broad Street and Morris Avenue.
- A grant received from the Reeves Foundation to purchase a new motorcycle for the Police Department.
Parking Purchases: Parking Services is requesting two additional devices to monitor the number of spaces occupied in the Tier and Broad Street garages. When installed, the devices would provide accurate information for drivers on the number of remaining available spots.
Personnel and Administrative Issues: Council will vote on certifying the city’s audit and on recommendations to address any issues identified in it. Depending on closed session deliberations, council will vote on sick leave issues and on a plan to fill open staff positions.
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 3 at 7:30PM. The next Council on the Road event will be on September 26 at 7PM in the library at Summit High School.