Anthony Neggers

The meeting involved the swearing-in and appointment of Joseph Blewett as a patrolman, following a motion and roll call vote. A proclamation was read in memoriam for Mr. Lawrence 'Larry' Colby, a former member of the Land Use Board and Highlands Housing Authority. Key agenda items included setting public hearing dates for Ordinance O 20-17 (amending borough code concerning fees) and Ordinance 20-18 (revising general ordinances regarding fee schedules), both set for August 19, 2020. A public hearing was held for Ordinance 20-15 concerning a lease agreement for borough-owned property to the Highlands Business Partnership, which received significant public commentary regarding the proposed terms (10 years for $1). The council then approved the lease for Ordinance 20-16 with the Highlands Garden Club. Resolutions were passed authorizing the payment of bills (R2159), accepting the resignation and appointing a new member to the Open Space Committee (R2161), confirming mayoral appointments to the Land Use Board (R2162), amending a resolution for the purchase of a police vehicle (R2163), and appointing temporary summer seasonal employees (R2164).

The meeting commenced following confirmation that proper public notice requirements under the Open Public Meetings Law had been met, including transmission to local newspapers and posting on the borough website. Due to the declared public health emergency related to COVID-19, the general public was excluded from attending in person, with participation available via Zoom videoconferencing. The council conducted roll call, established a quorum, and subsequently moved into an executive session at 7:06 p.m. to discuss a financial matter, with the intention to rejoin the public portion at 8:00 p.m. The start of the meeting included brief administrative discussions regarding the immediate posting of meeting packets online.

The meeting commenced with a statement regarding public meeting law compliance and notification procedures, noting that the public was excluded from the meeting due to the public health emergency and that proceedings would be live-streamed and accessible by telephone bridge. The main discussion revolved around the budget hearing for the Borough of Highlands' 2020 budget, which included discussions on projected tax rate decreases due to increased assessed valuation and the subsequent tabling of the budget adoption pending state approval and guidance on estimated taxes for the August period. Key resolutions passed included the appointment of Matthew Colum as Registrar, authorizing an emergency contract for a sewer main break at 78 Navesink Avenue, authorizing the release of a community center rental security deposit, approving a cooperative agreement with Monmouth County for the Community Development Program, authorizing the submission of a strategic plan grant for alcohol and drug abuse, and approving a temporary street closure of a portion of Washington Avenue and Marine, with amendments related to the effective dates and repair requirements for road damage. Approvals were also granted for three new members to join the First Aid Squad roster.

The workshop focused heavily on proposed renovations and improvements for Gertrude Ederle Park. Key discussion points included replacing existing asphalt surfacing due to cracking and unevenness, installing a safer black aluminum fence with concrete footings instead of the current chain link, and addressing soil erosion and sinking conditions on the downslope. There was also mention of potential cleanup and landscaping improvements at Franklin Park, with the Lions Club expressing interest in fundraising for that project. Additionally, the environmental commission's ongoing plan regarding Siameseburg was briefly discussed.

The meeting included the recognition of Irene Campbell as Monmouth County's Volunteer of the Year for her extensive service to the borough, including roles on the Elementary School Board of Education and Municipal Alliance. Key legislative actions involved the introduction of ordinances for the sale of municipal property (Block 47 Lot 10) via auction, amending the code regarding the Borough Administrator's term to align with the Mayor's term, and granting renewal of the municipal consent to Comcast for cable services. Public hearings were held for proposed ordinances concerning snow removal parking restrictions (specifically at Oak and Chestnut Streets) and the amendment of traffic code related to snow removal. Consent agenda items included authorizations for bill payments, execution of a shared services agreement with Atlantic Highlands for emergency support, awards for professional estimating validation and engineering services (Jones Creek dredging), approval for grant applications to NJDOT for roadway and drainage improvements, authorization for tax overpayment refunds, submission of strategic plans for municipal grants related to substance abuse prevention, and the award of a contract for purchasing a tax system and professional Emergency Medical Services from JFK Medical Center. Reports covered progress on multiple capital projects, including the municipal building enclosure, roadwork completion, gabion installation, park upgrades (Smoke Harbor Park, Gertrude Elderly Park, Frank Hall Park, Overlook Park), the Jones Creek dredging permit submission, EV charging station installation, and the Portland Road guard rail dependency on the county. Updates were also provided on a major sanitary sewer project timeline, resiliency plan grant funding, regionalization mediation status, and receipt of $37,000 in American Rescue Funds for fire department scuba equipment. Finally, the need for new volunteers for various committees due to flagging attendance was noted, and a discussion occurred regarding enforcing the ordinance against open and overflowing waste disposal bins.