Green Team Committee Final Agenda - Dec. 29, 2018

BOROUGH OF SOUTH RIVER
GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE
AGENDA
December 29, 2018 -- Meeting at 48 Washington Street, 12:45 p.m.

GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE MISSION
The general purpose for the Green Team shall include but not be limited to:  Managing South River's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program; Encouraging the borough staff to pursue sustainable practices where possible and implement the Borough Council's environmental goals; At the recommendation of the Borough Council, work with the existing groups within the borough whose actions affect environmental issues so as to eliminate duplication and assure that important tasks are covered; Provide suggestions for further research and action by the Borough Council; At the direction of the Borough Council, provide advice and suggestions to the Borough Board of Adjustment and the Borough Historic Preservation Commission to assure that environmental issues are considered in their deliberations and action;  Manage and organize various ad-hoc environmental groups within the borough; Solicit and evaluate environmental ideas and suggestions from the community; and Promote the causes of sustainability within the Borough.

MEETING STATEMENT
Under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of the time and place of this meeting has been filed with the Borough Clerk, posted and sent to the officially designated newspaper, the Home News Tribune, and forwarded to the East Brunswick Sentinel.  

CALL TO ORDER  _______ p.m.

ROLL CALL
____Councilwoman Sandra Adelino (Council Liaison)*
____Sergio Labrego  ____Denise Batista ____Joseph Hyland   ____Richard Alai*
____Mark Barry   ____Ruell Brown*  ____William Solnosky
____Ronaldo Rosales (Junior Member)   ____Brook Matthews (Junior Member)

*Term expires Dec. 31, 2018.  Regular and junior members wishing to be reappointed should send a letter to the Borough Clerk.

PUBLIC COMMENT
The Green Team Committee values and welcomes public comment.  We request that speakers limit themselves to five minutes, to give an opportunity for all to be heard.  Written comments may be submitted to the Green Team Committee at the Borough Clerk’s Office during normal business hours, or e-mailed to southrivergreenteam@gmail.com

SUSTAINABLE JERSEY CERTIFICATION

75 points completed, 30 points verified of the 75.  Some items may need to be resubmitted in 2019 because actions within them expire at year end.

REPORT
■ Chairman's Report

■ Council Liaison Sandra Adelino

■ Councilman Jack Alai

■ Creative South River

NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
■ New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau

■ 2019 Meeting Calendar -- deferred to 2019 Green Team Committee

■ Code Blue
■ Developing and encouraging green infrastructure
■ Resolutions for Council:  Plastics pledge, OPRA/OPMA
■ Recycling
■ Future Presentations -- cancelled due to zero 2019 budget.  This was to be mainly grant funded.
■ Non-profit organization
■ 2019 Budget -- See Attachment A.

OLD BUSINESS
■ Ordinances on Water Conservation, Soil/Fill Importation, Grease Trap Requirement, Unsolicited Newspaper/Advertisements  -- to be referred to Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board and Board of Health.
■ Ordinance updating Green Team membership and terms -- Mayor vetoed the ordinance on the grounds that volunteers working with children should have background checks.  The mayor’s letter was not provided to the Green Team Committee. See attachments B, C
■ Community service from municipal court -- memorandum to be sent to council via council liaison.

■ Public Spaces Maintenance -- See attachment D.

RESOLUTIONS

2018-5. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY LEADER AWARDS AND NAMING SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS OF 2018

WHEREAS, the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River wishes to recognize persons that are good stewards of our environment and sustainability; and

WHEREAS, the Green Team acknowledges that without leadership from within the municipal government and local community, the Borough could not progress toward becoming a Sustainable Jersey certified municipality.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River hereby establishes annual Sustainability Leader Awards to recognize those individuals who are true champions of sustainability and true stewards of the environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following have contributed greatly to supporting sustainability within the Borough and being conscious movers of change within the community, in consort with the Green Team’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification as a municipality, and are hereby recognized as Sustainabllity Leaders of 2018:   _______________________, _______________________, ________________________, and _______________________.

Motion__________ Second_________ Favor__________ Opposed________

2018-6. RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING REUSABLE CLOTH TYPE SHOPPING BAGS OR BIODEGRADABLE BAGS AS OPPOSED TO SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS
   

WHEREAS, non‐biodegradable, single use plastic bags are often discarded into the environment and end up polluting our waterways, clogging sewers, endangering wildlife and causing unsightly litter; and   
       

WHEREAS, plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they do photodegrade, meaning that when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, plastic bags break down into smaller and smaller pieces making them easily ingestible by marine mammals and birds; and       
       

WHEREAS, in the ocean, rivers and lakes plastic debris injures and kills fish, birds and mammals; and

WHEREAS, marine plastic pollution is estimated to impact at least two hundred and sixty seven (267) species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species. The impacts include fatalities as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning, and entanglement.  Each year, one (1) trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, nearly two (2) million plastic bags used per minute. In addition, plastic bags are among the twelve (12) items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups, according to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation.   
       

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River that:   

1. We strongly encourage the residents of the Borough of South River to use re‐usable, cloth type shopping bags or biodegradable bags as opposed to single use, plastic bags and further; and   

2. We encourage our residents to educate others about how detrimental plastic bags are to our marine life in an effort to increase compliance through awareness;

3. We encourage business owners in the borough, to offer re‐usable, cloth type shopping bags or biodegradable bags as opposed to single use, plastic bags;

4. We encourage the governing body of the municipality to adopt a resolution in support of these efforts.

Motion__________ Second_________ Favor__________ Opposed________

2018-7.  RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River recognizes the need to pursue Natural Resources and Environmental action items as part of its Sustainable Jersey certification effort; and

WHEREAS, the Green Team acknowledges the Borough needs to tackle environmental, sustainability, and “green matters” with deliberate, timely vetting and advocacy -- and to do so requires the creation of a subcommittee to assist in performing these actions.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River establishes a Natural Resources subcommittee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following persons be appointed as initial members of the subcommittee:   _____________________, _____________________, and ______________________.

Motion__________ Second_________ Favor__________ Opposed________

2018-8. RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION MODERNIZING THE STATE’S OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT (OPMA) AND OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (OPRA)

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) was passed in 1975, more than 42 years ago, and has remained substantially unchanged, and neither OPMA or the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) has been updated for technological advances since their passage;

WHEREAS, Senate bills S106 and S107, which amend OPMA and OPRA, respectively, seek to modernize the statutes for widespread adoption of the internet and email communication, simplifying the sharing of information and improving the public’s access to it;

WHEREAS, S106 and S107 codify existing case law, thereby clarifying requirements and responsibilities under the Acts and better delineating what information is public versus private;

WHEREAS, S106 and S107 do not significantly alter the duties of records custodians, public officials, or public agencies; and, by way of this resolution, this governing body seeks to correct inaccuracies put forth with regard to the legislative amendments;

WHEREAS, by specifying what information is public in nature and by offering modern ways to provide it, S106 and S107 will help records custodians and public agencies to better, and more easily, comply with OPMA and OPRA requirements;

WHEREAS, making more public records available online will reduce the number of requests, and whereas the municipal clerk may fill a request by directing a requestor to the agency’s website, the work of clerks will be reduced and fewer public agency resources will be used, with a corresponding cost savings to the municipality and residents;

WHEREAS, S107 makes available state resources for website development and online document sharing, such that there is no extra cost associated with these activities for local governments;

WHEREAS, timely posting of public records on the Internet is in keeping with the transparency goals of OPMA and OPRA;

WHEREAS, the vast majority of requestors are seeking public information for a legitimate purpose, in exceptional circumstances a public agency may avail itself of the existing legal remedy set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4 to protect itself from an individual who submits voluminous requests solely to harass;

WHEREAS, OPRA allows for certain fees to be collected by public agencies, including a per-page fee for paper copies, the actual cost of materials such as a compact disc, and a special service charge for requests that take an extraordinary amount of time and effort to fulfill;

WHEREAS, S107 provides for additional sources of revenue, including an administrative fee for requests submitted by commercial entities and a fee to cover direct costs when records that are available online are requested in a different format;

WHEREAS, the public will benefit by having greater, more timely access to government records, including agendas and supplementary materials for meetings of the municipal governing body so that members of the public can more meaningfully participate;

WHEREAS, the deliberation of issues is routinely handled by subcommittees of a governing body, and to improve transparency, S106 provides that a subcommittee report quarterly to the governing body, orally or in writing, summarizing who sits on the subcommittee, how many times the subcommittee met, and the general issues discussed;

WHEREAS, S106 gives a governing body the option to allow the public to attend a subcommittee meeting;

WHEREAS, providing access to public records and meetings is an integral responsibility of government that serves to ensure the good stewardship of public monies;

WHEREAS, the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey endeavors to be transparent and in full compliance with the Acts;

WHEREAS, S106 and S107 propose amendments that mutually benefit both public agencies and members of the public,

WHEREAS, S106 and S107 were passed by the New Jersey State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee on June 14, 2018 with referral to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Green Team Committee of the Borough of South River, that the Legislature is urged to support Senate Bill Nos. 106 and 107, and as may be reasonably improved through ongoing collaboration and advocacy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be filed with the legislative sponsors of Senate Bill Nos. 106 (OPMA) and 107 (OPRA) and Assembly Bill Nos. 1019 (OPMA) and A4241 (OPRA), the Speaker of the General Assembly, the President of the Senate, and the Governor.  All parties are urged to support the reform legislation, to encourage the modernization of processes and removal of unnecessary barriers to access, and to pass Senate Bill Nos. 106 and 107 into law.

Motion__________ Second_________ Favor__________ Opposed________

PUBLIC COMMENT

COMMITTEE COMMENT

NEXT MEETING DATE   To be determined

ADJOURNMENT  at ________ p.m.   
Motion__________ Second_________ Favor__________ Opposed________

Attachment A

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MEMORANDUM

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To: Borough Administrator Jack Layne
Chief Financial Officer Joseph Zanga
Budget Committee
Finance Committee

From: Mark Barry, Chairman (2018), Green Team Committee

Re: ​2019 Budget Request

Dated: 12/17/2018

The Green Team Committee was established in 2017 to lead and coordinate sustainability activities for the Borough.

In 2017, no budget allocation was made for the Green Team. In 2018, a budget request of $5,000 resulted in a budget of $1,000 for the year for miscellaneous expenses. For 2019, we are requesting $4,000 in Borough funding, plus an additional $4,500 from grant funds the Borough generally receives.

This memorandum will explain some of what we do and what we plan to do with an increased budget allocation.

The Green Team leverages the skills and expertise of team members to develop plans, implement programs, and assist with educational opportunities that support the creation of a sustainable community. Obtaining Sustainable Jersey certification for the Borough is a goal of the Green Team with pursuing a greener and more sustainable community as the main goal.

In 2019, the Green Team will be working on a number of initiatives. They are listed here, by subcommittee:

Community Garden​-- creation of pollinator garden, bee keeping, bat houses, nursery for street tree replacement, flower nursery for community beautification projects, Adopt-a-Spot (or street) for clean-ups and beautification.

River Advocacy​-- floodplain restoration and tree planting, recommending creation of a local river advocacy community group and/or permanent inter-municipal advisory board, study riparian land use zoning, Blue Acres property reactivation, Brownfields inventory and land use, flood resiliency.

Natural Resources​-- green infrastructure planning and implementation, assist in Environmental Resources Inventory (Natural Resources Inventory) research, review processes in Community Forestry Plan and tree planting/inventory, plastics/recycling education and reusable bag distribution.

Transparency and Open Government Task Force​-- study and issue report of recommendations on improving access to government and records, produce a guide to preparing public body minutes, review public information and publicity efforts of the borough and school district.

Creative South River​-- encourage creative arts respecting inclusiveness and diversity, pursue arts funding and grants, mural installations to combat graffiti.

The main Green Team Committee will, of course, continue to take a role in advocating for the environment and sustainability by pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification, making recommendations to the South River governing body and undertaking public education efforts on all matters green.

In 2018, both the Green Team and the Borough Council passed resolutions entering into a partnership with Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership to collaborate on matters of mutual interest. In 2019, the Green Team hopes to expand partnerships with other organizations in the interest of a better and more sustainable community. In addition to sharing information and combining talent resources, these partnerships are looked upon favorably when we apply for grant funding.

Much of what the Green Team does is funded through grants, donated goods and services, volunteer work, and pro bono work of professionals. A complete account of 2017-2018 activities will appear in the Green Team’s Annual Report, scheduled for acceptance at the end of this year.

However, not everything is free or donated in this world. For 2019, we are carefully requesting the following:

● Green Team membership in ANJEC -- ​This is an add-on to Environmental/Shade Tree membership that allows Green Team members to participate in training and have access to ANJEC resources.  $260.00

● ​Conferences, training and general supplies​-- In 2018, approximately $75.00 was spent to launch a reusable shopping bag program. We declined member requests for seminars and workshops since our budget was so limited. $1,000.00

● ​Creative South River​-- Training and grant writing workshops, supplies for events, licensing and program fees. In 2018, approximately $55.00 was spent to purchase four folding tables for use by Creative South River programming. Licensing and program fees in 2018 of approximately $1,200 were funded by donors, however we do not expect the same entities to provide funds year after year.  $1,500.00

●​ Supplies and equipment for volunteer tree planting and community clean-ups​-- In 2018, approximately $400.00 was spent on hand tools and supplies for this purpose. We need an auger, either rented or purchased for tree planting. In addition, we need additional hand tools. It is utterly embarrassing to assemble volunteers from outside and from within the Borough for clean-ups and require them to bring their own tools and gloves. We encouraged the Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board to allocate some of their remaining 2018 budget toward these supplies and purchase on their own for use in clean-ups; they declined.  $1,240.00

In addition to the above, we are requesting allocation of certain grant funds for Green Team managed initiatives.

●​Murals to combat graffiti​-- Under the direction of Creative South River, Borough students will participate in the creation of murals within the downtown and waterfront areas. Funds requested out of Clean Communities Grant. $2,500.00

● ​Reusable Bag Distribution and Recycling Brochure --​Reusable shopping bags cut down plastics pollution in the environment. We are proposing expanding a reusable bag distribution already in place. In addition, a recycling education has been a challenge since notice was given by the Borough’s recycling provider that many pick-ups are contaminated. We are proposing a simple brochure to be distributed in public places and by mail that educates the public. Multiple efforts need to be made with social media, Borough media, and face to face education. Funds requested out of Recycling Tonnage Grant.

Attachment B

BOROUGH OF SOUTH RIVER

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF AN ORDINANCE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE was introduced at a meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of South River in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, and was passed on First Reading By Title only on November 19, 2018 and the same was then ordered to be published as is required by Law. The said Ordinance will be further considered for Final Passage on its Second Reading and Public Hearing at a meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council in the Council Chambers in the Criminal Justice Building at 61 Main Street in South River, New Jersey, on December 10, 2018 after conclusion of the 7:00 p.m. Business Meeting or soon thereafter as the same may be called, at which time and place all interested persons and/or parties will be given ample opportunity to be heard on the said proposed Ordinance. A copy of this ordinance has been posted on the bulletin board upon which public notices are customarily posted in the Municipal Complex of the Borough during the week prior to and up to and including the date of such meeting; copies of the ordinance are available to the general public of the Borough who shall request such copies at the office of the Borough Clerk in said Borough of South River, in the County of Middlesex, New Jersey.

ORDINANCE 2018-33 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 22 ARTICLE XVIII - GREEN TEAM - SECTION 22-92 WHEREAS, the Borough Council of the Borough of South River has determined to amend and supplement "Chapter 22 Article XVII - Green Team - Section 22-92, Membership; term of office"; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of South River, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey that "Chapter 22 Article XVII - Green Team - Section 22-92, Membership; term of office" is hereby amended and supplemented in order to add the following (additions are shown with underline, deletions are shown with strikethrough):

SECTION ONE. § 22-92 Membership; term of office; volunteers; reports.

A. The Borough of South River Council shall appoint seven Borough residents as regular members; and two four non-voting junior members chosen from South River High School attending a local public, private or parochial school, or being homeschooled, and who are resident in the borough during the school year to serve as the Green Team. The Green Team shall elect from among its members a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. Initially, two three members shall be appointed to a three-year term, two three members to a two-year term and three one member to a one-year term. Thereafter, all terms shall be for three years. The junior members shall serve one-year terms concurrent to their school year, with terms beginning September 1 and ending August 30. Additionally, a member of the Borough Council shall serve as an ex officio member of the Green Team. Ex officio members shall not vote. Further, in addition to regular members, the Borough Council shall appoint two Borough residents as alternate members. Alternate members shall be designated, at the time of appointment, as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the alternate members shall be two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be, commencing January 1 of the year of appointment, two years for Alternate No. 1, and one year for Alternate No. 2. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by the expiration of a term shall be filled by the appointment of the Borough Council for the unexpired term only. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. No vote shall be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.

B. The Green Team shall select Township volunteers to work on Green Team projects. The names of the Green Team volunteers shall periodically be submitted to the Borough Administrator and the Green Team Committee reports, minutes, etc., shall also be submitted to the Borough Committee Administrator, Mayor and Borough Council. An Annual Report of the Green Team shall be made to the Borough Administrator, Mayor and Borough Council and filed with the Borough Clerk no than January 30 for the preceding year.

SECTION TWO. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable and if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof for any reason be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance, but shall remaining in effect; it being the legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part.

SECTION THREE. REPEALER. All Ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, but only however, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, it being the legislative intent that all Ordinances or part of ordinances now existing or in effect unless the same being conflict or inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance shall remain in effect.

SECTION FOUR. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication as required by law. William Bray, RMC Borough Clerk ($84.48)

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Attachment C

Green Team Amendments

From: Mark Barry

To: Sandra Adelino, Shawn Haussermann, Ryan Jones, John Alai, Julie Meira, John Krenzel, Jack Layne, Jgurchensky

Date:  December 10, 2018, 3:12 PM

There have been a number of comments in public and on social media regarding changes to the structure of the Green Team Committee in tonight's proposed ordinance.

We thought we would take the time to explain the rationale behind these changes.

Two regular member seats added to the committee this year did not include the correct initial term in the ordinance.  We are unsure how this error occurred. Former Borough Clerk Pat O'Connor should have alerted the Borough Council to this issue.  She did, however, place onto the agenda the resolution appointing these members to the intended initial terms. These are in conflict with the existing ordinance and are intended to be corrected in the amendments up for vote at tonight's meeting.

We are seeking to add two alternate members, similar to the positions in place on the Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board.  The intent is to include, as members, a person from borough administration who lives in town and/or a planning or zoning board member and/or a Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board member, etc.

We are seeking to add an additional two Junior Members, bringing the total to four.  In addition, we are removing the requirement that all Junior Members be a South River High School student.  The intent is to be inclusive and not exclusionary with youth who may be attending another public high school, parochial school, home school or private school.  The terms would be concurrent to the school year.

We are seeking to make an annual report a requirement by ordinance, submitted to the clerk by January 30 for the preceding year.  Clarity of where volunteer rosters, minutes and other reports get submitted is also made.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of these ordinance amendments.

If there are any questions about Green Team matters, I can be reached by email at xxxx@xxxx.com or by phone at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Kind regards,

Mark Barry
Chairman, Green Team Committee

Attachment D

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MEMORANDUM

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To:           Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
               Borough Administrator Jack Layne
               Mayor John Krenzel
               Borough Council
               Councilman-elect Raymond Eppinger
               Councilman-elect Peter Guindi

From:      Mark Barry, Chairman (2018), Green Team Committee

Re:          Public Spaces Maintenance

Dated:     12/29/2018

Over the course of 2018, myself and predecessor on the Green Team Committee, Chuck Basner, had taken part in discussions with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and municipal staff regarding maintenance of public grounds, parks and playground equipment.

We on the Green Team acknowledge that given the conditions observed at various times this year by members and the public at-large, it is vital and necessary to make improvements on how public grounds, parks and playground equipment are maintained.

I personally suggested to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board several times the need to develop the following plans to ensure attractive public spaces and amenities the community will want to continue to use and be proud of:

■ Parks Maintenance Plan
■ Playground Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Plan

It was surprising for me to learn that no such formal plans exist.  As part of Public Works Managers Certification courses, these types of things are generally referenced, so the notion of “I don't have to” or “It's unnecessary, we know what we are doing” or “We’ll get to it when we get to it” comments made by a Department of Public Works employee are wholly contrary to public opinion that demands improvement in maintenance.

Green Team members believe that development and execution of these plans will be a benefit to the community and lead to more efficient operations in the areas that are covered by the Department of Public Works.  

Therefore, we are suggesting the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board develop these plans collaboratively with the Borough Administrator and Department of Public Works staff.