Free Holiday Parking, Grant Submissions: Summit Council Preview

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit's next Common Council meeting is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and there are quite a few items on the agenda.

For those looking to attend and participate in-person, masks are required, and extra seating will be available in the lobby to allow for social distancing. Members of the public may comment by email to cityclerk@cityofsummit.org. Comments must be received by noon on Wednesday. Those who submit written comments will have their comment read by the clerk or summarized if substantially like other comments and will not be permitted to speak on that same subject at the meeting.

The rules for public comments are posted on the city website. Every Common Council meeting is broadcast live on the City of Summit YouTube Channel, and HTTV Verizon channel 30 and Comcast channel 36 and 34.

Ordinances On The Agenda

Council will hold public hearings on three ordinances. The first ordinance will amend city code to provide for free holiday parking on the ground level of the Tier Garage, Bank Street lot, and in 90-minute on street spaces each year beginning on the second Saturday in December through Dec. 31.

Two ordinances are intended to increase pedestrian and motor vehicle safety and improve traffic flow during peak hours around Summit High School and Kent Place School. One will amend city code to prohibit left turns from Weaver Street and Norwood Avenue onto Morris Avenue between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days.

The other ordinance for introduction will prohibit stopping or standing on the north side of Sherman Avenue between Norwood Avenue and McGregor Road between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on school days.

Finance Committee Resolutions

Four Finance Committee resolutions are on the agenda. The first resolution will authorize the transfer of funds from 2021 operating accounts with a balance to those accounts with insufficient funds. The transfers are routine and are only allowed during the last two months of a fiscal year and the first three months of the following fiscal year.

The second resolution authorizes the schedule of monthly school levy payments to the Board of Education for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.

Another resolution authorizes the 2022 municipal, sewer, parking, and school debt service payments to cover principal and interest on bonds and notes. The final resolution appoints Wielkotz & Company, LLC as Auditor for the City of Summit and authorizes a contract for 2022 audit services in an amount not to exceed $68,600.

Safety and Health Resolution

Just one Safety and Health resolution is on Wednesday's agenda. The resolution seeks to authorize a two-year contract extension for animal control services with Animal Control Solutions in the amount of $48,000 per year.

Community Programs and Parking Services Committee Resolutions

Two resolutions are on the agenda for this committee. The first is to authorize the submission of a grant application to Union County for the 2022-23 Community Development Block Grant. The grant application seeks $5,000 for the Senior Connections Bus and $10,000 for the Share the Fun Club After School Program.

The other resolution authorizes the city to enter a reimbursement agreement with Summit Downtown, Inc. to offset a portion of lost revenue attributable to free holiday parking.

Capital Projects and Community Services Committee Resolutions

There are nine resolutions being introduced by the Capital Projects and Community Services Committee.

The first supports the installation by NJDOT of a guide rail along Hobart Avenue and Route 124 to improve safety for motorists and residents.

The next resolution authorizes the city to submit a permit application to NJDOT for the installation of a traffic island at the intersection of Fernwood Road and Route 124 to enhance traffic safety.

A third resolution authorizes 2022 Consultant Planning Services with Burgis Associates not to exceed $65,000 for planning services for the Planning and Zoning Boards, as well as the Department of Community Services.

Three resolutions authorize professional services contracts to assist with capital projects.

Law and Labor will present a single resolution to extend liquor license agreements for outdoor dining on Maple Street through January 2, 2022.

Read the full agenda here.