Heat. Heat. All right. Uh, good evening. Uh, this meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey. Notice of time and place of the original date of this meeting, May 26th, 2026,
was published in the annual meeting calendar, which was posted on the bulletin board by the city clerk. The 2026 meeting calendar was published in a legal advertisement in the Bergen record in December 2025.
Notice of tonight's meeting with the revised date of May 20th, 2026 was posted by the city clerk on the bulletin board on May 7th. Notice of the revised date of this meeting was posted in the public notice
section of the Bayon municipal website on May 11th, 2026. Additional notice of the revised meeting date was faxed to the Bergen record, the Trenton Times, and the Star Ledger on May 7th, 2026.
All right. So, we'll get started now. We can all stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Thank you, Commissioner Fee. If I could also impose on you to do the roll call. >> Okay. Uh, Commissioner Wiki is absent. He's on the phone, I believe. >> He's online. >> Uh, Commissioner McGee
>> present. >> Commissioner Driscoll, >> present. >> Commissioner Pivac is absent. Commissioner Lac is absent and Commissioner Peterson >> here and >> Commissioner W M W M W M W M W M W M W M W M W M W M Won
>> here. >> Commissioner Forus >> here. >> Staff Secretary Dave Rasheski >> present >> and Staff Secretary Joe Ryan, we do have a quorum. Okay, >> just want to add that um Chairman Nikki
is on the on the phone and he is on in on the meeting. Okay. Um, so we'll read over the minutes from the last meeting and uh so we can adopt them. So give everyone a chance to look them over. They're in that packet that uh um Secretary
um Ryan sent to us. motion to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. >> I second it. >> All in favor? >> I the minutes are adopted. Thank you very much. All right. So, we'll review
correspondence. Um >> yes, there are a few items of correspondence. Um the first one is a letter from uh Mayor Kubert um pointing Jesse Wolon to uh commissioner position
moving up from being alternate one. Um, Michael Furros moved uh up to alternate one from having been alternate 2 and finally appointing Stephanie Peterson as a new alternate alternate 2. So, welcome aboard. >> Yes.
>> Thank you, >> Jesse. Congratulations. And of course, welcome Michael and Stephanie. Welcome. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, >> and then the other bits of correspondence were two uh comment sheets. Uh the commissioners either had
no objection or no comment about uh proposed developments at 14 O'Brien Court and 75-87 East 31st Street. And that was it in terms of correspondence. >> All right. Very good.
All right. So, um Okay, moving on. Do we have any requests for comments from the zoning board of adjustment or the planning board? >> Nothing current. >> Okay. Any updates on historic properties? >> Yes. Um I understand that First
Federated Church uh has been sold. I do not know who the buyer is, but just to make the uh commissioners aware of that. And I know that 100 Broadway is up for sale. Um I do not believe it has been
sold yet. Uh I've been receiving various phone calls concerning uh both properties. Um so just to make the commissioners aware of that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh hopefully whoever buys the first f >> I do have one question.
>> Paint. >> Um >> Secretary Ryan, have we heard anything further on St. Andrew's situation? >> I've heard nothing new. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Do we have
do we have any further updates on any other properties? Is that it? Anyone? Okay. So, um moving on to the plaque program. That seems to be next on our agenda. >> So, um I did get quotes from several
different uh bronze plaque companies. uh the appendix uh it well it would have been in the meeting appendix but it um we had some file errors so I'm uh going
to read off what I found um just bear with me okay so initially uh I reached out to American cast bronze plaques uh actually sorry Sorry, sorry, that's not true.
Initially, I reached out to the uh Franklin who we have used before. So, Franklin uh Bronze Plaques is a company that the city has used before for plaque programs and so I reached out to them and they do have a very detailed
pricing sheet. So, I'll make sure to forward it to all the commissioners after the meeting. Um, but for each size, you have a certain amount of lines and letters that you're able to print on that sign, and there's a very clear dollar amount associated. Uh, the other two companies I received quotes from do
not have as in-depth of a pricing sheet. So, not knowing what plaque size we were interested in, and with the interest of comparing apples to apples, I just selected arbitrarily an 18 by 12 and asked them to quote it. Um, and so at
the Franklin based on their pricing sheet, that would be uh $675 plus an additional 200 for a post per plaque. And then um kind of complementing that,
American Cast Bronze Plaques quoted $1,700 for the same size. and the American monument company would also be about $1,700. So the Frank uh so Franklin who the city has used in in the
past is in fact the most competitive in terms of pricing and I do recommend that's who we should move forward with if we proceed with the program. Uh another note I got as I was going through the pricing inquiries is that it does take about 6 weeks to um there's
about a six week lead time to actually get and install the plaques. And so if we do want them up in time for uh the semi-quincentennial, we would need to really validate this decision and move forward pretty quickly. I would I would say it's in our best interest to move forward this week
and begin working with one of these companies if we choose to proceed. >> Okay. Thank you, Jessica. Um how do we go about doing that now? Just Secretary Ryan. Well, we would have to um come up with
whatever the size or sizes would be and would also have to um pick a set of uh historic properties and historic sites to to go with and then make it fit into
uh the budget. We have something under $6,000 uh for the year. Um and we would therefore have to do the math and figure out um given the price range that um we
have now and uh the sizes that we might be interested in uh how many of them we could afford and then which places should be chosen. >> Okay. >> I see chairman wiki is speaking. Yes.
Yes. Chair. Commissioner and Commissioner Cornutus, we went through a process where we came up with three different sizes that we liked to use. So, I'm wondering if we can leverage some of what we've already done. Uh it would be nice to have the
rest of the plaques match the the ones that are already out there. I thought that might be a goal. So, if we can get that information from the orders that existed already uh to the comm to the new commissioners, maybe they can work from that. That would help a little bit
too, I think, because they did come up with three standard sizes they wanted to use going forwards. Unless I don't feel comfortable with just throwing that away. Do you? >> I don't think anyone feels comfortable
with undoing what's worked in the past. >> Yeah. And I'm sure we can um we can get that information. I think it's in the orders that Priscilla made and I think there are copies of that around andor from the vendor and you know I I I like
to hear that we tried at least to do that and if we can't that's okay but if we can I think it makes sense to have a little bit of continuity so that people aren't going to say well why does this plaque look different from the other one you know like we should have kind of a a standard
can we do that going forwards guys >> yeah I I think I need to know what um what's been used in the past. If we can look up that order reference, then we can easily order the exact same. Uh but we would just need the reference of of what that is.
>> Yeah, as I as I recall, there were a couple different sizes and I think there were a couple different shapes that were used and it was all from the same uh company. And I think it's very useful that um Commissioner Driscoll found that
the company used before does still have the the best pricing of the the three companies that uh she uh looked into for quotes. >> Well, I have to say that Commissioner Ey did an excellent job in trying to select, you know, a good company and in
trying to make decisions that made sense. So, if we can continue that, I think we'll be very successful. >> Okay. And if you need if you need any help in trying to pin down, there was like a size for a house and a size for a business and it was like three different
sizes that I think we came up with. >> All right. I will see if I can find anything in um my records and if need be we can reach out to um former commissioner uh Egy and consult with her
as well on this. Yeah, Commissioner Cornutus might also I think she was a bit involved. There is a sample in the library right now. The library plaque has not gone up. So, you may want to take a picture of that or measure that
and whatever members do. >> Yeah, I have a sample uh plaque on my desk actually. So, uh we could we could use that as another possible um measuring device. >> Yeah. rather than let's not reinvent the
wheel >> if we already have the wheel. Yes. >> Right. Thank you guys for listening. >> Thank you. >> So um I should point out this is our last scheduled meeting until >> September.
>> Uh September. So, um it may do to have some kind of um enabling uh resolution passed this evening. Uh perhaps designating a uh subcommittee to
carry the work between now and September. See if we can get it um accomplished. And uh council, a subcommittee could have up to but not more than three members. Right. this being a seven member board.
>> Okay. So, um that would be my suggestion that um someone propose a resolution on uh taking action on this and that a subcommittee of um not more than three people be uh nominated to uh move this
forward over the uh spring and summer. >> Okay. Would you like to make the uh nomination? Oh, all right. How do we say this again? Um, I'd like nominate a committee, a subcommittee
of not more than three members to work on moving this plaque formulation forward uh during the summer. Is that correct? All right. >> I just have a quick question if if you
will. Um what's our time frame for this? Like regardless of who's on the subcommittee or not, like are we are we are we shooting for September? Are we shooting for the semi-quincentennial? I think we should decide that first before like if that makes sense what our
time frame is when we want the plaques to be up at like as Jessica said there's what a six week, right? So like if we know our time frame, I think then we'll have a better idea of of who can uh accommodate being on the committee in
that time. >> All right. >> And that you can't it's not so easy that you know just because we give them to them, we present them to them where in the past what we did is we actually had the um we actually had the um council
persons for the wards give them to the owners but then they choose not to put them up for months. So, don't think of it like they will go up all at once. They don't. Like I said, there are some that still haven't gone up yet from the last run we made of these.
>> The speakers are here. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, so we're not we're not hanging them or we're not we're just handing them over to whomever might be the owner of that property. >> Relax. You won't have to hang them personally. I >> I I will. It's okay. I'll do it.
probably maybe a day in October. October and April are usually months where things for history and things for historical landmarks where they get recognized and they get done. Maybe we can focus it around the October meeting
to have the plaques ready for them to be given out and invite the councilman um to come and do it. Well, we'll have a new city council coming in. Uh council council men and council women coming in.
So, um that's something we would have to introduce them to. Be a whole new group. >> Sorry. Sorry for having caught up with everything since I've been away. >> Understood. >> I've been kind of isolated for a while. >> Understood. >> But I should be I should hopefully be coming back to you all
>> very soon. I I have good news that I have been walking >> very good >> for a change which is ever so nice. >> Very good. >> Maybe that would be a good thing and it would be also a way of making the council persons aware of us aware of our
role and what we do and how we help them um show the good things in their awards. >> Very good. >> Does that make sense? Well, I do want to point out just one thing that a lot of
these plaques aren't related to specific businesses or homes. So, it's a little bit of a different circumstance. Some of them are it's more of a monument trail uh related to America's history and and sort of related to the semi-quincent centennial in a way was the initial concept. So, I I think we do have the
agency to uh put up the plaques as the city um in most of the locations if not all. Have the locations been selected already? >> Uh we had a list that I can recirculate of it was like February maybe.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> I think all of us would be interested in knowing what they are and why they've been selected. >> Yes. Chairman Noiki is asking about um redistributing the list to the whole group particularly since we have a new
member of the board now. So, yeah. >> Yeah, I have I have everyone's email. Yes. So, um so uh if Commissioner Driscoll gets gets
uh uh >> I'll get the uh full list from you, Dr. Ryan, of everyone's emails to make sure I don't miss anyone. and I'll send the quotes to the group as well as the full list of potential properties and sites. >> Very good. And assuming that there's a
resolution tonight designating a subcommittee, the subcommittee could then help move it forward over the summer. Um, and I I agree with you that um if there are uh public properties, for example, um that's something the
city of Bayon could do. It would be different in the case of say a private homeowner. They would have to be um involved in putting the plaque up. So it it would vary from one to another. Uh location.
>> I I do have an idea. If everyone is imminent, >> you would have to identify who's going to put it up. Is the city going to put it up? >> Well, that's exactly it would have to be identified who is going to put it up. team. I hate to do this to you, but I have some medical things I have to
attend to with the nurse right now, so I have to go. But, uh, thank you for carrying on without me. I appreciate it very much. Bye. >> Thank you, Jerry. Thank you. >> Bye. >> Okay. Well, I'm glad we had our
chairman's participation there and uh he was able to refresh recollections from when we've done this before. So, yeah. So, uh >> we say it correctly. >> Let's see. Um you nominate you you move
that we um >> create a subcommittee of not more than three members to work on moving the plaque program forward over the summer. Um like your advice uh council, should this same resolution name the three people or
would that be a separate >> separate one? Okay. >> Okay. So there's been a a resolution made. Um is there a second to the resolution? >> I second it. I >> I
>> I >> turned it off when I was talking to you. >> All right. So, um, now we have to decide who wants to be on the committee. I mean, obviously Jessica should be, you know, obviously. Um, anyone would like to be it? I volunteer
to help her >> and I will too if and unless anyone else would like to. It's summertime. I'm being a teacher. I'm a lot freer. So, um >> Okay. Uh should that be in the form of a
motion? Okay. So, uh someone should make a motion that the subcommittee members would be uh Jessica Driscoll, Lee Fairley, and Frank McGee. Is there such a motion on the floor? >> I make a motion to join such
subcommittee uh with Lee Fee and uh Frank McGee. >> All right. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. All I got back. The microphone's back on. All in favor? >> I >> I >> All right. Good. Okay. So, it's set.
>> And do we need to um propose a person to head the committee? like Jessica being, you know, someone to coordinate. >> I I think the comm the commission certainly has the authority to do that. If someone would like to do that in form of a motion
propos that >> favor I Okay, good. Okay. >> All right. So, that would conclude the uh plaque business per the program, correct? All right. So, we'll move on to any other business.
So, I I did have an idea. I I mean, I guess this is plaque business related, but let me move my microphone a little bit. Oh. Um, so when when we do do this, um, something to keep in mind if we're shooting for say like October, um, like
instead of just either hanging the the plaques, I don't know when they'd be ready or like when we'd have them available, but kind of coordinating an event around this and, you know, I don't know if we have like if we can have photographs or like I was thinking even if you know, if they're if they happen
to be on somebody's private property, like they can have like a photograph of their with the plaque or like a kind of like Bayon if we have photographs of that same historical monument years ago like Bayon then and now kind of thing or like just photographs of either city
hall officials if they'd like some form of PR for us if we'd like some form of of PR as well like to have on I don't know if we're on social media at all um but like to have some sort of like something in circulation that can you
know have a little bit of uh I uh I'm looking for the word um this is substance to it so that this way the plaque isn't just hung and then somebody's like well we hung this right like you know there's you know city council officials say the ward council
members that are new or us right hanging that the subcommittee hanging that that plaque city of Bowen I think has social accounts right so like October if as um as chairman Nikki was saying if October is generally the month our historic
properties are recognized, that would be a great opportunity, I think, for us. So, just something to keep in mind. I know we're not in October yet, but like if we need like somebody to take photographs or we'd need somebody to do something specific like that, >> you did that last I'll have a talk with
the city's public information officer and I think we can arrange that. >> Okay. That Yeah, just just an idea. I'm not saying we have to adopt this by any means, but >> if I remember last time when we had the plaques, didn't we bring the people in and have pictures taken with them and some of the council members came in and yeah, we did do that. We had the plaques
lined up and they did take photographs. I think maybe it was a was a city personnel doing the photographs. I'm not I don't remember. >> Well, in the age of the cell phone, we can all >> I know. Yeah, that's always true that and and I do have a camera. I'm pretty decent at photography. So, um yeah, we
can definitely arrange that. We did that last time and um if I remember we had the plaques all set up and um we took pictures with the um homeowners and the people there and uh some of the I think if I remember um council president La Palooa was there um a few others and
they took pictures with them and it was a nice event. >> Yeah, we can we can certainly do that with the the incoming city. >> I'm sure they would love to do it. >> Sure. >> Being that they're new at this so >> Okay. So that's very good. That's a and and Jesse, that was a great suggestion,
too. Thank you very much. All right. Any other business? >> It's 7:32. Are we actually done? >> Before we adjourn, uh, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make it aware that our next meeting is Tuesday, September 22nd here
at the council chambers. Tuesday. >> With that, I make a motion we adjourn. >> Second. >> And I have it down on my calendar. September 22nd. Already there. There we go. >> Okay. All right. Do we have a second to adjurnn?
>> All right. Council um Councilwoman Trriscoll has seconded it. Um >> all in favor? >> All in favor? I I Okay.