Tenafly Council Faces Sticker Shock Over Skate Park Costs

During the recent Tenafly Borough Council meeting, the council grappled with the escalating costs of the proposed skate park, which has now reached an estimated $1,151,283, a jump from the previously appropriated $398,000. This development sparked a debate among council members, who expressed concern over the 250% increase and deliberated on potential redesigns to align costs with original estimates. The meeting also addressed diverse topics including the introduction of town murals, an ongoing bamboo buffer zone dispute, public safety measures like speed bumps on Leroy Street, and a variety of funding allocations and municipal improvements.

The skate park’s cost overrun was a focal point of the discussion, with council members considering various solutions to mitigate the financial impact. The possibility of scaling down the project or extending the bid submission deadline was debated, as well as the qualifications of the contractor. The council emphasized the need for a contractor experienced in skate park construction and discussed obtaining estimates for a more modest design.

The council also turned its attention to the beautification and cultural enrichment of the town through the creation of murals. A local art studio proposed the project, aiming to feature themes of culture, diversity, history, and community pride. The council debated the potential locations for these murals, including a wall in the municipal area and an alleyway near a local store. The involvement of art students in the project was considered, as was the long-term maintenance of the murals. The council proposed using ARP funding for the project and expressed interest in using durable paint like epoxy to ensure the longevity of the artwork.

Public safety concerns were addressed with discussions on the need for speed bumps on Leroy Street to curb excessive speeding, despite most vehicles complying with the speed limit according to data presented by the police chief. The council considered the use of portable speed bumps as a temporary measure and the installation of speed limit signs as part of a larger traffic calming initiative. The impact of these measures on snow plowing and emergency vehicle access was also taken into account.

The issue of bamboo regulation was revisited, with residents voicing their experiences of property encroachment and the effectiveness of the current 10-foot buffer zone ordinance. The council weighed the need for expert input on the matter and discussed the challenges of enforcing the ordinance while respecting the rights of property owners.

Residents also raised concerns about pedestrian safety, specifically the risks posed to children walking to school due to discontinuous sidewalks. The council discussed solutions, such as extending the sidewalk into the street and consulting with a traffic engineer to evaluate feasibility and associated costs.

Administrative matters were also handled during the meeting, with the council approving resolutions for various initiatives. These ranged from the donation of an old ladder truck to the Bergen County Fire Academy, the selection of a financial management software company, to the purchase of roll-off containers for the Department of Public Works. Furthermore, the council addressed ordinances pertaining to salary adjustments for police officers, bus stop amendments, and the removal of taxi spots.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Mark Zinna
City Council Officials:
Jamie Corsair, Venugopal Menon, Adam Michaels, Julie O’Connor, Daniel Park, John Roglieri

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