After a break during the month of August, Common Council returns for its next meeting on Tuesday, September 4. There are two public presentations scheduled. The first presentation is on the history of the Summit beacon and the second is on the activities of the New Jersey Visual Arts Center. There is one ordinance for introduction that amends an ordinance authorizing the sale of property adjacent to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad building on 1000 Summit Ave. There are a few resolutions for review, including: (a) entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Parkline Foundation that outlines responsibilities and obligations for the city and the foundation for the project; (b) an application for a grant to fund the Hometown Heroes banner program for 2019; (c) entering into an agreement with NJ Transit that would allow construction of a new bike shelter near the train station; (d) an application for a grant to conduct an energy audit on various city-owned properties; and (e) an application for a grant to continue funding the Department of Community Programs Special Needs coordinator position and special needs youth programming. The Mayor will issue a proclamation marking September as Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad month.
To view the complete Common Council agenda, go to: file:///C:/Users/acairns/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/6Z0S5K82/09-04-18%20agenda%20CP%20approved%201489.pdf
Presentations
There will be two presentations. The first presentation will be by John Kieser, Summit resident and Planning Board member, on the historical significance of the Summit beacon emblem. The second presentation by Melanie Cohn, director of the NJ Visual Arts Center, will provide a presentation on the recent and ongoing activities of the NJVAC. On September 16, the NJVAC will team up with Summit PAL and Summit Downtown, Inc. to host an ARTS + CARS festival in downtown Summit. The festival will include juried arts and crafts along with classic cars and musical performances.
Ordinance to Amend a Previously Approved Ordinance
In May, ordinance #18-3164 authorized the private sale of a portion of property at 1000 Summit Ave. adjacent to the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad building. As required by state statute, the ordinance must include the minimum price of the property of $40K, which was determined by appraisal. The proposed amended ordinance will include the minimum price of the property.
Resolutions for Consideration
Parkline Foundation Memorandum of Understanding. Council will consider a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the responsibilities and obligations of both the city and the Parkline Foundation as this project is considered. To date, work on the parkline has been performed without a specific agreement between the foundation and the city. Under this memorandum, the city will obtain safety plans from the fire and police departments, and will hold a community workshop to answer questions and obtain feedback from residents on the proposed project. In addition, the memorandum outlines the fiscal obligations for the project, including the foundation’s funding obligation.
Bike Locker at the Train Station. Council will vote on a license agreement whereby the existing 14-bike locker will be replaced with a modern 36-bike locker. This license would be for five years with a minimal payment by the city as a license fee to the State of New Jersey. The city would also enter into an agreement with the New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition to construct and maintain the new bike structure. In 2006, representatives of the New Jersey Bike Walk Coalition made a presentation on the recently constructed and well-maintained modern and attractive bike shelters in Bloomfield and Montclair. This project has been put on hold until an arrangement can be reached with the state. Having a safe and secure location for the placement of bicycles should encourage use and could reduce commuter-parking needs.
Hometown Heroes Grant Application. The city is seeking a grant from the Summit Area Public Foundation to partially fund the expansion of the Hometown Heroes program. This year the city, for the first time, honored 100 veterans by placing banners on Deforest Avenue from Memorial Day to July 4. Due to a positive response and a waiting list of veterans that would like to participate in the program, the number of banner locations will be expanded in 2019 to satisfy the demand. This expansion will require public donations and grant monies.
Energy Audit. The State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has a grant program that allows municipalities to participate in a no-cost energy audit of municipal buildings to determine if there is any energy cost savings that could be achieved. The energy audit would be conducted at City Hall, the Summit Free Public Library, Cornog Field House, and the Public Works facility on Chatham Road.
Recreational Grant Application. The city will apply for a grant to continue to provide special needs youth programs and to continue to fund a special needs coordinator at the Department of Community Programs.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, September 17 at 7:30PM. (Please note: Common Council meetings are usually on Tuesdays. This is a Monday meeting). The next Council on the Road event will be on September 26 at 7PM in the library at Summit High School.