Red Light Program, Ironman Committee, ‘Universal Studio Way’ Highlight Executive Session

The Fort Lee Mayor and Council met Thursday to discuss—among other things—issuing an RFP for a “Red Light Program,” establishing an “Ironman USA Championship Committee” in preparation for the 2012 Ironman U.S. Championship on Aug. 11 and renaming a section of road at the corner of Main Street and Jones Road “Universal Studio Way” in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the studio in Fort Lee in 1912.

“I requested that our liaison, Councilman Jan Goldberg, place on the agenda of [Thursday] night's Mayor & Council work session a request to commemoratively change the name of the intersection of Main Street and Jones Road to Universal Studio Way, just like Theda Bara Way and John Barrymore Way in the past,” said Fort Lee Film Commission executive director Tom Meyers.

The governing body also discussed the situation of Fort Lee developer Angelo Nigro, who built what The Fort Lee Suburbanite has referred to as an “upscale mini-mall” near the and who has in the past appealed to the mayor and council to give him more parking spaces.

The Council informally agreed to give him four spaces on Center Avenue and four spaces on Anderson Avenue.

“Whether I agree with that or don’t agree with that, why don’t we say that that’s the minimum?” Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich said. “But at least there’s been a number that’s been established because I would like the applicant to now have the ability to address an amend these plans accordingly to reflect at a minimum the four and the four so that he can proceed before the Planning Board.”

Also on the agenda Thursday:

Engineering Discussion

• Lime Energy Audit – Direct Install Program

General Discussion

• Health Benefits – Michelle Kent from Brown & Brown Insurance to Attend
• Police Department Service Duty Weapons
• Police Department Accreditation
• Amending Rates for Ambulance Reimbursement Program Authorization to Issue an RFP for “Red Light” Program (MSOK)
• Establishment of an Ironman USA Championship Committee (MSOK)
• Angelo Nigro Family Trust at 1400 Anderson Avenue (MSOK)
• Commemorative Street Naming – Universal Studio Way – Corner of Main Street and Jones Road (JG)
• Endorsing Bergen County Community Development Grant for VFW Post #2343 for a New Roof

Resolution

(Action expected)

• Authorizing Re-Issuance of a RFQ for Special Conflict Counsel

For those interested in what the Fort Lee Mayor and Council will be discussing behind closed doors, here is a look at the “closed session” portion of Thursday’s agenda:

• Personnel: Emergency Telecommunicator; Police Department; Senior Citizens Director
• RFQ’S: Special Conflict Counsel; Borough Planner; Purchasing Consultant; Traffic Engineer
• Contracts: Port Authority Roadway Sweeping Agreement; Bergen County Employee Assistance Program; Special Improvement District; ADP (MSOK)
• Collective Bargaining: PBA Contract
• Tax Appeal Litigation: 459 Main Street LLC, Block 4551, Lots 3-5 2300 Route 4 West, Block 6451, Lot 1, (Best Western)

To download the complete agenda for Thursday’s meeting, click here, or visit the borough’s website.