18:40The most notable discussion centered around the amendments to the 2025 municipal budget. The council presented a resolution to amend the budget, with particular focus on reallocating funds related to employee group health insurance. An explanation clarified that this amendment would not alter the total tax burden or overall budget amount. Changes involved reallocating health insurance funding from out of caps to within caps while keeping the total expenditure unchanged. The amendment was approved unanimously after a public hearing where no objections were raised. The final budget resolution for 2025 was introduced, confirming total appropriations of $30,377,946.68, anticipated revenues of $7,522,278, and a local tax amount of $22,855,738, which also passed unanimously.

09:15Public comments during the session highlighted concerns from residents about police department expenditures. Howard Shriber questioned the budget allocation for police services. The discussion revealed that while mutual aid agreements exist, merging departments had not been explored due to complexity. Shriber also raised questions on police dispatch services, advocating for maintaining local dispatch to ensure service quality. The council acknowledged these concerns and agreed to consider further discussions on potential collaborations.

13:22In other financial discussions, Patricia Shriber inquired about specific budget line items, particularly the noticeable decrease in capital improvement allocations for 2025. She sought clarification on grants offset by revenues, which was explained as a standard accounting practice where grant funds are recognized as both revenue and expense, thus not directly impacting taxes. The council noted fluctuations in grant amounts due to timing and assured that funding adjustments would be considered as needed.

27:54The council introduced several new ordinances, including one amending the borough code to regulate the distribution of unsolicited advertising circulars and newspapers. This ordinance mandates contact information be included in unsolicited materials, allowing residents to request delivery cancellations. A member of the public expressed approval of the ordinance for its potential to reduce litter. The ordinance was adopted unanimously following a public hearing.

51:03Another ordinance introduced establishes liability insurance and registration requirements for rental unit owners, aligning with state law. This includes codifying insurance requirements and imposing fees for non-compliance, with final adoption scheduled for April 9.

26:05Community planning and development were also topics. Updates on the Ramsey Emergency Services Complex project were provided, noting ongoing assessments to meet future needs despite rising costs. The council discussed ordinance 04-2025, which was tabled for discussion in April, and approved ordinance 05-2025 authorizing capital improvements for road resurfacing and vehicle acquisition.

31:42Council reports highlighted various community activities and initiatives. Updates from the library included recent renovations and a new digital content format for comics and manga. The Shade Tree Commission plans to plant over 40 new trees, and the Board of Education’s high school presentation resolution was approved. Upcoming community events such as the Stigma-Free Walk and Talk-a-thon, Ramsey Cleanup Day, and an EV car show were announced.

46:14The meeting concluded with plans for the Independence Day celebration, approving a contract with Cliff Baron Productions to provide entertainment for the July 3 event. The council also addressed affordable housing obligations, detailing a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center, which protects the borough from developer lawsuits and ensures compliance with new state housing requirements.