Open the Door and Take a CLOSE LOOK at the Metuchen Downtown Alliance...

Here is the proposed ordinance to create the Metuchen Downtown Alliance. Take a CLOSE LOOK at the corrupt system in action. It's rigged. IS THE METUCHEN DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE JUST ABOUT POLITICAL JOBS? We all have to fight harder to stop this tax increase on small businesses. The only way to "veto" this proposed ordinance is to attend the April 18, 2016 7:30 PM Borough Council Meeting and speak up during the PUBLIC COMMENT time and attend the May 2nd, 2016 7:30 PM PUBLIC HEARING at Metuchen Borough Hall. If you are shy, just showing up to the PUBLIC HEARING will make a difference. Politicians do have eyes and ears. They listen to squeaky wheels! BOROUGH OF METUCHEN COUNCIL AGENDA REGULAR MEETING APRIL 18, 2016 AT 7:30 PM Announcement of Meeting, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call. … ORDINANCE – INTRODUCTION Ordinance 2016-10 Ordinance Creating a Special Improvement District within the Borough of Metuchen … ORDINANCE 2016-10 Borough of Metuchen County of Middlesex State of New Jersey ORDINANCE CREATING A SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN WHEREAS, an advisory committee (the "Committee") was duly formed to investigate the feasibility and structure of a special improvement district (“SID”) and to meet with the members of the public and owners and occupants of the property included in the proposed district and furnish their recommendations or comments; and WHEREAS, the Committee has, since early April of 2015, intensively studied the efficacy of a SID, met with other municipal SIDs and conferred with stakeholders; and WHEREAS, the Committee had several small group meetings with real estate owners and businesses to solicit input in the Fourth Quarter of 2015; and WHEREAS, the Committee has presented its findings to the public at meetings on January 19 and January 26, 2016, and to property owners in the proposed district on February 24, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Committee made a presentation to the Metuchen Borough Council (the “Council”) on March 21, 2016 at which it presented detailed findings and recommendations (the “Report”); and WHEREAS, the Committee has found that Metuchen would benefit from the creation of a SID in four (4) substantial respects, to wit: 1. Beautification, Cleanliness, Maintenance and Design Standards 2. Integration of new development with existing business district 3. Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations and Events 4. Business Recruitment and Retention; and WHEREAS, the Committee has recommended the creation of a SID, the limits of which are described by lot and block on Exhibit A attached, and the designation of a District Management Corporation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of Metuchen Borough, in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56-65 et seq., as follows: Section 1. Findings Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56-68b the Council makes the following findings with respect to the area described in attached Exhibit A (“District”): A. The Area, will benefit from being designated as a special improvement district; B. A district management corporation will provide administrative and other services to benefit the businesses, employees, residents and consumers should the Area be declared a SID pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56-65 et seq. (the “Act”); C. That a special assessment shall be imposed and collected by the municipality with the regular property tax payment or payment in lieu of taxes or otherwise, and that all or a portion of these payments shall be transferred to the district management corporation to effectuate the purposes of the Act and to exercise the powers given to it by this ordinance; and D. That it is in the best interests of the Borough of Metuchen (the “Borough”) and the public to create a SID and to designate a district management corporation. Section 2. Creation of a Special Improvement District Pursuant to the Act, a SID is hereby created and designated within the Borough. A. The goals of the SID are as follows: (1) Beautification, Cleanliness, Maintenance and Design Standards (2) Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations and Events (3) Business Recruitment and Retention; (4) Coordination of downtown activities and clearinghouse for information; and (5) Integration of new developments with existing business district. B. Except as noted in subsection C of this section, the SID shall consist of the properties designed and listed on Schedule B by tax block and lot numbers and by street addresses. The District shall be subject to special assessments on all affected properties within the District, which assessment shall be imposed by the Borough for the purposes authorized by the Act. C. All commercial properties and mixed use properties within the District are deemed included in the assessing and taxing provisions of this ordinance and are expressly subject to assessment and payment of taxes for SID purposes, including properties making payments in lieu of taxes. Specifically exempted from such assessment and payment are all properties which are only improved with less than four (4) residential units and no commercial space, plus properties otherwise exempt from the payment of taxes on real property. Section 3. Creation of Business Improvement District There is hereby created and designated with the Borough of Metuchen a Special Business Improvement Zone that shall be described as the same area as the SID Area established by this Ordinance. The Corporation, as hereinafter defined, shall NOT have the power of eminent domain. Section 4. Composition of District Management Corporation A. General Powers. The business and affairs of the District Management Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Trustees which may exercise all powers of the Corporation and perform all lawful acts for a corporation pursuant to the laws of the state of New Jersey governing “not for profit” corporations. B. Number, Selection and Tenure of Trustees. The Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of thirteen (13) voting members and two (2) non-voting members. The thirteen (13) voting members shall consist of: (1) four (4) representatives of District Owners; (2) four (4) representatives of District Businesses; (3) one member of the Borough Council of Metuchen appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council, (4) one member of the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to be appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; (5) one Metuchen resident who does not own commercial real estate and/or operate a business in the District and who is not on the Borough Council nor employed by the Borough; (6) one member of the Metuchen Arts Council to be appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Metuchen Arts Council; and (7) one board member of the Metuchen Parking Authority to be appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Metuchen Parking Authority. The two (2) non-voting members shall consist of: (1) the Metuchen Borough Administrator; and (2) the Executive Director of the Corporation. In the event that any category(ies) of a voting Board member cannot be filled for any reason whatsoever, the District Management Corporation shall set forth in its bylaws, the terms and methods to fill all seats on the Board of Trustees. C. Terms and Appointment of Board of Trustees. The District Management Corporation shall provide for, in its bylaws, the terms and appointment or election of the four (4) District Owners, (4) District Businesses and the Metuchen resident voting members of the Board of Trustees The initial appointments and terms thereof to the Board of Trustees shall be as set forth in Exhibit C hereto. It shall not necessary for the initial composition of the Board of Trustees to be in full compliance with Section 4(B) above. However, after the initial appointments and expiration of terms, the composition of the Board shall be comprised as set forth in Section 4(B) above. Section 5. Designation of a District Management Corporation Metuchen Downtown Alliance, a NJ Non-Profit Corporation is hereby designated as the District Management Corporation as defined in N.J.S.A. 40:56-66c (the “Corporation”). The Corporation shall have all powers necessary and requisite to effectuate its purposes, including, but not limited to, the power to: (1) Adopt and amend bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and to prescribe rules, regulations, and policies in connection with the performance of its functions and duties; (2) Employ such persons as may be required, and fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the Corporation; (3) Apply for, accept, administer and comply with the requirements respecting an appropriation of funds or a gift, grants, loans, or donation of property or money, however any application for a grant requiring matching funds or loan from the Borough of Metuchen or from the Metuchen Parking Authority, including but not limited to those set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56-71.3, et seq., must be approved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Metuchen; (4) Make and execute agreements which may be necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers and functions of the Corporation, including contracts with any person, firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity; (5) Administer and manage its own funds and accounts and pay its own obligations; (6) Borrow money from private lenders and from governmental entities, but only as may be specifically approved by the Council in a plan and budget pursuant to N.J.S.A. 56:65-80 and 84; (7) Fund the improvement of the exterior appearance of properties in the district through grants or loans; (8) Fund the rehabilitation of properties in the District; (9) Accept, purchase, rehabilitate, sell, lease or manage property in the District; (10) Enforce the conditions of any loan, grant, sale or lease made by the Corporation; (11) Provide security, sanitation and other services to the District, supplemental to those provided normally by the municipality; (12) Undertake improvements designed to increase the safety or attractiveness of the District to businesses which may wish to locate there or to visitors to the District, including, but not limited to, litter cleanup and control, landscaping, recreational and rest area facilities and artistic endeavors; (13) Publicize the District and the businesses included within the District boundaries; (14) Recruit new businesses to fill vacancies in, and to balance the business mix of, the District; (15) Organize special events in the District; (16) Provide special parking arrangements for the District, on a temporary basis and with the approval of the Metuchen Parking Authority. Properties operated by the Metuchen Parking authority are exempt from all regulatory authority of the Corporation; and/or (17) Provide temporary decorative lighting in the District. Section 6. Assessments A. All of the monies collected by assessment pursuant to this ordinance shall be spent solely to benefit the District consistent with the goals and objectives set forth herein. B. The Borough shall transfer assessed payments to the Corporation, quarterly on the fifteenth day of February, May, August and November, as collected. C. Failure of any property owner to pay annual assessments shall be treated in the same manner as a failure to pay property taxes, as provided for in Title 54 of the New Jersey Statutes. D. The SID assessment shall be a percentage of the quarterly real estate taxes due on each District block and lot calculated as follows: (i) 3.2% of 2017 real estate taxes; (ii) 3.8% of 2018 real estate taxes; (iii) 4.4% of 2019 real estate taxes; and (iv) 5% of 2020 and each subsequent year real estate taxes. There shall be no 2016 SID assessments. Section 7. Municipal Services The municipal services currently provided to the District and paid for through the general fund of the Borough shall continue to be provided by the Borough, and the cost of such services shall not be transferred to the budget of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such services may, in whole or in part, be provided by the Corporation at municipal expense, in which event the services shall be detailed in a plan of coordination which shall be developed by the Corporation in consultation with the Council and approved annually by the Corporation and the Council. The plan of coordination shall specify how the services are to be provided and how the cost thereof shall be reimbursed. Section 8. Annual Budget Hearing and Assessments The initial and subsequent annual budgets shall be established as provided for in this section. A. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be January 1 to December 31. B. The 2016 estimate of initial operating expenses of the Corporation required by N.J.S.A. 40:56-80 is set forth on Exhibit B. The Council hereby approves of the following transfers from the Metuchen Parking Authority to the Corporation: (i) $150,000 to fund the 2016 expenses; (ii) $150,000 to contribute to funding the 2017 expenses; (iii) $125,000 to contribute to funding the 2018 expenses; (iv) $100,000 to contribute to funding the 2019 expenses; and (v) $75,000 per annum to contribute to funding the 2020 and subsequent years’ expenses. C. In years subsequent to 2016, the Corporation shall submit its annual budget for approval no later than September 1 of the year preceding the year for which budget approval is sought. In all subsequent years the budget shall be processed and adopted by the Council in accordance with procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56-84 and concurrently with the procedures established in N.J.S.A. 40:56-80 respecting annual estimates of cost and the preparation of the assessment roll. D. The Borough and Corporation shall strictly follow the procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 56-80 and 84 with respect to the adoption of budgets, amendments thereof and the issuance of the assessment roll, including public advertising, public hearing and adoption by resolution. E. The Corporation shall be responsible to refund the share of any refund, resulting from a tax appeal and attributable to an assessment made pursuant to this Ordinance. Section 9. Annual Audit of the Corporation The Corporation shall cause an annual audit of its books, accounts and financial transactions to be made and filed with the Council together with an annual financial statement, and for that purpose the Corporation shall employ a certified public accountant of New Jersey. The annual audit shall be prepared in accordance with accepted accounting standards for nonprofit corporations and completed and filed with the Council within four months after the close of the fiscal year of the Corporation. A certified duplicate copy of the audit shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs within five days of the filing of the audit with the Council. Copies of forms CRI-200, CRI-200R and IRS 990, as necessary, shall be filed with the Council no later than six months after the closing of the Corporation’s fiscal year-end. Section 10. Annual Report The Corporation shall, within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year, prepare an annual report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to be submitted to the Borough Mayor and Council. Section 11. Municipal Powers Retained Notwithstanding the creation of the District and the designation of the Corporation, the Borough and Council shall retain police powers relating to the District. The Council may at any time hereafter by ordinance amend this Ordinance. Section 12. Severability If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such holding shall not affect other provisions or application of this Ordinance and to that end the provisions of this Ordinance are severable. Section 13. Effective Date This ordinance shall take effect upon passage. ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A - District designation Exhibit B - Estimate of 2016 expenses Exhibit C – Initial Board of Trustees Introduction: Date of Publication of Introduction: COUNCILMEMBER YES NO NV AB COUNCILMEMBER YES NO NV AB LEIBFRIED MULDOON GRAYZEL RASMUSSEN INSERRO WALLACE MOTION SECOND X – INDICATES VOTE AB- ABSENT NV- NOT VOTING I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of an ordinance introduced by the Borough Council of the Borough of Metuchen, Middlesex County, New Jersey at a regular meeting held on April 4, 2016 Susan D. Jackson, RMC Borough Clerk Adopted: Date of Publication of Adoption: COUNCILMEMBER YES NO NV AB COUNCILMEMBER YES NO NV AB LEIBFRIED MULDOON GRAYZEL RASMUSSEN INSERRO WALLACE MOTION SECOND X – INDICATES VOTE AB- ABSENT NV- NOT VOTING I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of an ordinance adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Metuchen, Middlesex County, New Jersey at a regular meeting held on April 18, 2016 Susan D. Jackson, RMC Borough Clerk ATTEST: BOROUGH OF METUCHEN By: _ Susan D. Jackson, RMC Peter Cammarano Borough Clerk Mayor EXHIBIT A DISTRICT DESIGNATION (To see the list of proposed properties in the Metuchen Downtown Alliance and their tax increase amounts go to www.Metuchennj.org. Click on "Government," click on "Council Agendas & Minutes," and click on "April 18, 2016" in the Agendas section. EXHIBIT B ESTIMATE OF 2016 EXPENSES (PARTIAL YEAR) Personnel/Administration $ 75,000 Maintenance/Cleaning $ 7,500 Recruitment/Marketing Materials $ 3,750 Holiday Decorations $ 2,250 Plantings/Greenery $ 3,750 Capital Items $ 40,500 Total $150,000 Personnel/Administration includes staffing, office rental, utilities, administrative supplies, accounting/bookkeeping professionals, etc. Capital Items includes both improvements to the District as well as initial expenses of setting up office such as furniture, computers, phones, etc. EXHIBIT C INITIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAME TERM ENDS Category Eric Berger December 31, 2018 District Owner Margaret Inglese December 31, 2018 District Owner Ruchir Mewawala December 31, 2018 District Business Chris Flynn December 31, 2018 District Business Barry Montalto December 31, 2016 District Business Deborah Zupan December 31, 2016 District Business Grace Shackney December 31, 2017 Metuchen Arts Council Allison Inserro December 31, 2016 Borough Council Jay Muldoon December 31, 2016 Borough Council Nelson Li December 31, 2016 Resident Bobbie Theivakumaran December 31, 2016 Resident Jan Margolis December 31, 2016 Chamber of Commerce Chris Crane December 31, 2016 Chamber of Commerce Joe Cascio December 31, 2016 Chamber of Commerce Dottie Winhold December 31, 2016 Chamber of Commerce