At its meeting on Wednesday, November 6, Common Council will be voting on two ordinances—one to change the distance between liquor stores from 1500 feet to 300 feet with Council having the ability to waive or amend the distance requirement, and another to make Summit’s towing fees regulations consistent with the Predatory Towing Prevention Act. There are six ordinances for introduction, relating to (a) removing the fees charged to residents for sidewalk installation; (b) imposing restrictions on use of plastic bags provided at the point-of-purchase; (c) imposing restrictions on use of polystyrene food containers; (d) requiring food establishments to provide a straw to customers by request only with certain exceptions; (e) authorizing the sale of 71 Summit Avenue; and (f) adopting the revised Development Regulations and Ordinances.
There are a number of resolutions to be voted on, including those that relate to: rescinding a contract to resurface the community pool, re-advertising the projected work and authorizing interim work on the pool; authorizing a contract with JCP&L for installation of 12 LEDs lights at the Summit Free Public Library parking lot; authorizing the placement of a deed-restricted affordable housing unit at 412 Morris Avenue and the payment of monies to satisfy the affordable housing obligation for the New England Avenue project; installing a rapid flashing beacon on Springfield Avenue near Briant Park; awarding a contract for camera services to inspect sewer lines in the southwest section of the city; awarding a bid for New Providence Avenue paving and sewer infrastructure project; replacing analog radios with digital radios for the Department of Public Works; approval of a consultant contract for the Parkline project that is paid for by the Parkline Foundation; and accepting donations for the Police Department and Fire Department.
To view the complete Common Council agenda go to: http://summitcitynj.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=1558&Inline=True
Ordinances
There will be two ordinances for consideration and vote on changing the distance between liquor stores from 1500 feet to 300 feet with council having the ability to waive or amend the distance requirement. Many stores are already closer than 1500 feet and the intent of the ordinance is to make the rules consistent with actual practice. The second ordinance changes towing fees to be consistent with requirements of the Predatory Towing Prevention Act.
There are a number of ordinances for introduction. Specifically, there are three ordinances related to plastics—one that places restrictions use of plastic bags provided at the point-of-purchase by retail establishments, a second one that places restrictions on the use of polystyrene containers; and a third requiring businesses to provide plastic straws by request only with some exceptions. Members of Common Council have held a number of meetings over the past two years with residents requesting restrictions on plastics. The use of plastic bags and polystyrene increases recycling and litter collection costs, and has public health implications. Summit’s actions are consistent with neighboring communities taking similar action.
An ordinance will be introduced to eliminate a charge to property owners for one-half of the cost of sidewalk installation; the city will cover the full cost of sidewalk installation. At its last meeting, council approved a Sidewalk Master Plan allowing that as roads are paved, if a sidewalk is indicated in the plan, it will be installed.
An ordinance will be introduced for approval of revised Development Resolutions and Ordinances (DRO). As discussed at the last Council meeting, at the completion of the Master Plan process, the Planning Board decided that, in order to effectuate the changes recommended in the Master Plan, it would be necessary for the DRO to be reviewed and amended. A comprehensive review of the DRO had not occurred for more than a decade with only piecemeal changes being made. The new DRO will include design standards and sustainability principles.
Resolutions for Consideration
First, there is a resolution to rescind the contract to resurface the community pool. Council had approved the budget to resurface the pool late last year. However, upon further inspection, it turns out that the damage is more extensive than originally reported, and as such, it is necessary to re-advertise the projected work. It is likely that the ultimate budget for this work will be significantly increased. Until a new bidder is authorized, interim work must be performed in order to keep the pool usable.
Second, there is a resolution to authorize a contract with JCP&L for installation of 12 LEDs lights at the Summit Free Public Library parking lot. The contract will allow the city to change the location of LEDs at a later date.
Third, there is a resolution to authorize the placement of a deed-restricted affordable housing unit at 412 Morris Avenue and the payment of monies to satisfy the affordable housing obligation for the New England Avenue project. The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed and approved the project subject to Common Council addressing the affordable housing component.
Fourth, there is a resolution to approve a consulting contract with Mott McDonald to perform a number of different tasks related to the Parkline project. During public meetings to discuss the project, members of the community and council raised questions about the design and construction of the project. The purpose of this proposal is to answer those questions.
Finally, there are resolutions relating to the installation of a rapid flashing beacon on Springfield Avenue near Briant Park; awarding a contract for camera services to inspect sewer lines in the southwest section of the city; awarding a bid for New Providence Avenue paving and sewer infrastructure project; replacing analog radios with digital radios for the Department of Public Works; and accepting of donations for the Police Department and Fire Department.
Next Council Meeting: The next meeting will be on November 18 at 7:30PM.