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[music] [music] >> I would like to advise all those present that notice of this regular meeting of June 17th, 2026 has been provided to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act of the state of New Jersey. Notice of time and place of

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this meeting has been included in the annual notice of meetings, which was posted and filed with the city clerk and with the Bergen Record and Asbury Press. An additional notice of time and place was posted and filed with the city clerk and was forwarded to the Bergen Record

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and Star Ledger on June 12th, 2026. The regular meeting of Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne is now in session. Ms. Medina, please call the roll. >> Mr. Booker. >> Here. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Here. >> Mr. Perez. >> Here. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Here. >> Mr. La Pelusa. >> Here. Please rise for the Pledge of

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Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, our first item is the amendments

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to the county year 2026 local municipal budget, which was introduced at the meeting held June 10th and was published on the Bayonne website and posted on the bulletin boards required by law and now before the council for its consideration and a public hearing.

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And would like to move it for a second reading. A resolution for second reading. >> Move it. >> Second. >> And on second reading, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye.

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>> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And it is read in full. Here we go. Whereas the local municipal budget for calendar year 2026 was approved on this day 10th on the 10th day of June 2026 and whereas the public hearing on the

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said budget has been advertised and whereas it is desired to amend the approved budget now. Therefore, be it resolved by the municipal council of the city of Bayonne that the following amendments to the approved budget of calendar year 2026 be made.

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And it's general revenue from surplus anticipated from $12,100,000 to $12,375,000. Miscellaneous revenue section D special items of revenue shared services agreement garbage renewal contract

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Bayonne Board of Education from 300 and $65,000 300 $355,453 and no cents to $362,384.64. Debt service Empire Golf

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from $425,000 to $450,000. Summary of revenue surplus anticipated $12,100,000 to $12,375,000. Section D special items of revenue shared services agreement 627,453,000

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dollars to 634,384.64. Section G, special items of revenue from 17,223,405.18 to 17,248,405.18. Total miscellaneous revenues 54,000,000 649,072.51 to 54,681,004.15.

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Subtotal general revenues 67,099,072.51 to 67,406,004.15. Amount to be raised by taxes to support the municipal budget local tax for municipal purposes including reserve for uncollected the taxes 100,365,530.37 to 100,364,865.25.

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Total amount to be raised by taxes for the support of municipal budget from 105,889,170.38 to 105,888,513.26. Total general revenue from 172,998,250.89 to 173,294,517.41. General appropriations

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operations within caps solid waste recycling collection from 3,284,375 to 2,849,991. Total operations item A within the caps $117,665,760 to $17,117,231,376. Total operating

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including contingent within the caps $17,117,666,760 to $17,117,302,232,376. Detailed other expenses include including contingent $48,6863,475 to $48,429,9191. Over expender off over expended office

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off-duty police trust and building fines from zero to $438,269. Total different charges and statutory expenditures $22,190,520.07 to $22,628,789.07. Total general appropriations for

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municipal purpose within caps $139,857,280.07 to $139,861,165,007. Operating excluded from operations excluded from caps garbage removal collection Board of Education from $60,000 to $362,384.84.

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Total interlocal municipal services agreement from to $634,384.64. Total operations excluded from caps, $9,245,077.76 to $9,547,462.40. Other expenses from $8,934,599.10 to $9,236,983.74. Total general appropriations for

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municipal purposes excluded from caps, $30,388, $326.56 to $30,610,711.20. Total general appropriations excluded from caps, $32,039,937.01 to $32,342,321.65. Reserve for uncollected taxes,

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$1,091,033.81 to $1,091,030. $91,030.69. Total general appropriations, $172,988,250.89 to $173,294,517.41. Total general appropriations for municipal purposes within the caps,

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$139,857,280.07 to $139,861,165.07. Operations excluded from cap, shared services agreement, $322,000 to $634, $384.64. Total operations excluded from caps, $9,245,000

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$77.76 to $9,547,462.40. Reserve uncollected taxes $1,091,033.81 to $1,091,030.69 Total general appropriations $172,998,250.89 to $173,294,517.41 Okay. The council is now ready to give all

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persons interested in this budget amendment an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The council president will recognize anyone who wishes to speak. Anyone on the amendments? Yes. >> Janice Maddis, 624 Avenue E.

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Perhaps the budget should be tabled until the new administration comes in because this is being pushed through. I don't understand all of these things that are going on. They might have a better understanding. >> It's not a bad suggestion at all.

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So, do you want to discuss it to my colleagues? >> We have to stop in the beginning then? You've already got the state approval? We're already in >> Well, speak on the mic if you're going to speak, Neil. Jackie, whatever you want to say.

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>> Well, my feeling on the budget is this. A year ago, almost to the day, I said at the council meeting I wouldn't vote on a budget, another budget, that contained a tax increase if we did not take some

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significant action to address the the working man's needs in this city. And another year had passed and we hadn't done it and so if it if we go to a vote, it is my intention to vote no, but I believe

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the future council uh has run on the promise that affordability is their key issue and if they if they believe, you know, I I I have hope and perhaps they can find cuts where we didn't. So, that's my feelings.

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>> I do think that there is it would be I I do also think that it would be tying the hands of a future administration to a budget that we are committing to [clears throat] basically on their behalf. I don't I did not take into consideration and I was not aware that

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we there would not have the ability to cover salaries, which is clearly an obligation of the city. >> Uh I'm prepared to vote either way. If you guys want this is democracy, if you guys want to table it, we'll table it.

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>> We we do have additional comments. Why don't we take in comments from the community? >> Okay. >> So, I agree that it should be tabled, but if there's an issue around salaries, that should be taken offline and figured out

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as an emergency part and then given to the new uh incoming uh people coming into the uh administration and then they can, you know, sign off on that as need be. We're talking a couple of weeks, right? That's

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what we're talking about. So, >> No, we'd have to start the whole process over. It'll be months. I have to redo the budget again, have a public hearing, go through state review and approval, and then have a second public hearing.

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So, we're doing estimated tax bills now, so we'll get at least the next quarter you will not be able to mail tax bills for the fourth quarter, which will mean no cash. And I I don't have I mean, I maybe you could change your administration, but you also you also have an obligation as

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a council. And if you do not adopt the budget on time, the state can also impose fines, personal fines. They can impose on me if I don't present the budget, and then if you don't adopt the budget, they can That's up to the local finance board there.

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But this budget is is based on salaries and contracts that were awarded. There's nothing >> Yeah. I I sat with with Ms. Mauer Right. I I sat with Ms. Mauer for about an hour and a half the other day, and we

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went through different things, different changes. Um and I did not see anything that I could trim, and I tried. I mean, we spoke back and forth about different things. Um So, I am prepared to vote because I don't want to see obviously salaries not

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paid. But at the same time, I do understand the thinking of going to the next uh the next council that comes in. So. I think at this point we need to hear from everybody. You heard from me,

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you heard from Neil, Jackie, Juan. >> [clears throat] >> I totally agree with Neil. Uh it should be the next council. Uh if there's any um situations in here that they can cut or improve, by all means go right ahead. Um

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so I totally agree with uh Neil and uh Jackie. >> Okay, Councilman Booker, going to chime in. Listen, I I agree with the fact that uh if they can find something uh that they deem necessary to cut, I I'm

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all for that. However, I'm also uh I'm torn between the fact that we don't want anyone uh not being paid. Okay? I mean, that is the whole idea. So, I uh I'm I'm a little twixed in between in terms of what what my vote is, and I'm still

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thinking on that aspect. >> Mr. President, >> you can come up and speak. >> And you couldn't sit table and we'd just have to vote against the budget. All right? There's no >> You have to vote against >> speaking. So, we just vote against it,

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and then the process would start in July. Uh August, they can introduce. You have to wait 28 days before you have >> Check. >> a public hearing. Maybe September have a public hearing. You know, I don't know if that'll be up to the

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state. >> Okay, this uh you Ma'am, I don't know your name. I'm >> Donna. >> Donna. You made the statement that it was already late. Why was it already late? Why was it not proposed before?

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>> Can you Can you speak closer into the >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Um >> In order to turn the mic down to me, ma'am. >> Okay. Okay. So, what we try to do is I can I have to certify what we

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collected up to that date. So, we try to get in as many as we can. The PILOT revenues, the municipal court revenues, and get it to the maximum amount before we actually introduce the budget and move forward. Closing of land sale, we have land sales

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on there and until I have a contract, that can't go into the budget. So, if we were to introduce on time, the tax rate would be much higher because I wouldn't have the amount of revenues. >> Okay. >> That's the only reason why I did it. I tried to get it on time, but

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>> Okay. Okay, thank you very much for the information. >> Yes. >> Um Michael O'Connor, 265 Evan Way. Uh I came to speak on another matter, um but I just was present obviously for this and um clearly this is your budget and

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you spent more than well, you spent at least 6 months of the budget year already. And so, if the new administration wants to make changes, they can do that even after you adopt that budget. So, uh

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quite frankly, it would appear to me, and I haven't been to a council meeting in 15 years maybe, all right? So, I know this is your last council meeting. It's your responsibility, that's why you were elected. Uh and uh you know, there's something I'm going to speak on next,

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which I don't think you should act on, but this obviously, you know, the the the the the horse is out of the barn here. Whatever you did to make this as reasonable as possible for the taxpayers of the city, you should uh buy it, own it, and move on, and if things need to

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be changed in the next administration, let the next administration do that, but not have to do what was just described to go through a budget process, to have to go down to the local finance board and the OSC and everybody else and try to redo this now. So, things can be undone after

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afterwards if it's decided to move forward and amend the budget or do something else. We might look Why don't you Why don't you do something and and and give the new administration a fresh slate at least for this? That's my thought. >> Council President.

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>> Wait 1 second. Please let Miss Weema. >> I do think I apologize. I do think if there are I do think if the new administration finds ways of cost-saving tactics and services that are not required, I guess that that simply would

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not necessarily change the approved budget but would rather effectuate a cost savings that could just be held in reserve for the next budget. So, that's not I don't disagree with with Mr. O'Connor stating that perhaps it's not necessarily Yes, the budget is being

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approved as stated. However, if there are um tax efficiencies and and different cost-saving methods that the new administration has, it would simply have an even greater effect. So, I I

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>> I'm okay with that too. So, you know, um Miss Desmond. >> In the 14 months that I've been here, >> We can't hear you. Hold the Hold the button. >> Sorry. In the 14 months that I've been here, we have every day spent

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I'm in our office every day looking for ways to save, to cut, and to improve. There are things that we have held back on that need to be done because we did not want to add to the budget.

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We took a great deal of both risk and responsibility in changing our health benefits plan and saving a huge multi-millions of dollars. I'm I am very confident that much not

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much more could have been done except to bring in new revenue. We are bare-bones. I think it's important I agree with Mr. O'Connor. It's important to be responsible and do this now.

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It is the only document that is going to allow us to keep paying bills and keep everything status quo. There's no There's no fat in here and there's no new spending. It's holding the line, which is the best we could do right now. It's a

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transition. It's a reset. And I do expect that the new administration's going to make every effort to improve and to make things better for the city. I've no doubt, but right now this is all you have to work with. It's all they

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will have to work with when they come in. You have to have continuity. >> Mr. Russo. >> Sure. On behalf of the the law department, Donna Russo, law director. Um council members, um postponing action in my opinion would transfer responsibility for a matter that has

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been already been reviewed and considered by the current governing body to officials who have not yet participated in that process. Where the current council has sufficient information on which to act, it is appropriate and responsible for the council to exercise its judgment and

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make a determination this evening. Absent a demonstrated emergency, a material change in circumstances, or a legal impediment, there is no compelling reason to defer action. The public interest is best served by providing certainty, maintaining the continuity of

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government, and allowing the duly constituted governing body to complete the business before it. Accordingly, adoption tonight is appropriate, lawful, and consistent with sound municipal governance. It's my opinion. >> Okay. >> And my opinion is I I spent a lot of time

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going through this budget. And I'm confident it does have an increase. It has a 2.3% increase, which is very low compared to many of the other um we have Board of Ed, we know they had a 12% increase. The county um

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you sent me the number, I can't remember, but it was higher than 5% was higher than ours. And for the amount of uh the atrocities, I'll call them, that we went through with increases between energy and gas, the health insurance,

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pensions, 2.3% not that I'm bragging about it, but I I'm proud that it's not 10, 12, or even 5% at that rate. I'm ready to vote on it if uh the council wants to do that. And um I think

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I think hearing about that and the possible uh you know, the possible problems we could have with salaries, I think we should vote on it. And uh that's something that we just found out now. Um so I'm going to say

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uh unless anybody has something different, I think we should vote on it. >> Mr. Speaker, are there any more questions on the amendment? >> Can I say something uh >> Yes. >> Listen, uh Donna, thank you for informing me. And Donna, thank you again.

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And the same thing Mary Jane, uh you have opened my eyes. Um I think uh I feel like with Gary right now that I think we should go for this. >> Okay. And with no other speakers, then may I have a motion to close the hearing? >> Move it.

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>> And on the motion to close, Mr. Booker. >> Okay, I want to make a brief statement. Uh my statement before was my concern is the salaries and people getting paid and a budget. The idea was if there was something that we did not see the new administration would would adjust that.

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The concern here is for the citizens. That's what we were elected for and having a responsibility and I I'm going to vote I on this budget. >> You're closing the hearing right now. >> Oh, my bad. >> Mhm. >> I apologize.

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>> Mr. Carroll. >> You voting I to I to close. >> Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPaglia. >> I. >> And the resolution ordering final adoption. >> Move it. >> Second. >> And on the resolution for final adoption, Mr. Booker.

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>> I've already read my statement. I. >> Mr. Carroll. >> At no point did I think any of the individuals didn't do their job. I know they did an excellent job and there were meetings held hours long and my objection was a moral one,

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but I understand the risks inherent in not doing this and the people that could be hurt by it. If I was granted four more years to crusade for what I've been crusading for for the last eight, I I might have

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stayed resolved to say no. But we have to put our faith in in the promises of the future and so I will vote I on this budget. >> Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPaglia. >> I.

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>> And the budget has passed. 01 is an ordinance of the city of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey adopting the redevelopment plan for the property located at 301 and 300 and 302 Constitution Avenue which is identified as block 803 lot one

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and block 815 lot one as shown on the official tax map of the city pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law. It was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held March the 18th. Was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin board as required by law with notice that it would be

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further considered for final passage at the following public meetings of April 15th and postponed was postponed to the meeting of May 13th and is now before the council for its consideration and the public hearing. And a resolution moved by Councilman Perez giving the ordinance second Mr. Booker, will you

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second? On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPaglia. >> Aye. >> Second reading is by title an ordinance of the city of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey adopting a redevelopment plan for the property

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located at 301 and 300-302 Constitution Avenue which is identified as block 803 lot one and block 815 lot one. The council is now ready to give all persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning and the council president will recognize anyone who wishes to speak.

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>> Mr. O'Connor. >> Thank you. Uh and this is by this is the matter I did come to speak tonight about. Uh I'm I'm confused or uh concerned and confused about this. First of all, I I noted on the agenda it

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said ordinance is scheduled for hearing and it was this was characterized as old cuz it's it's it's it's been I guess kicking around a while. But when I went and looked on the and I only knew about this this morning. It somebody talked to me about this and asked me questions about this in the in

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the bagel store. And I went and I looked online and I saw and they were talking about a 50-story building and I said I I don't I don't think that's that's that's accurate because the the redevelopment plan was actually scheduled for a hearing of the planning

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board and the planning board meeting was cancelled. So, the city council wouldn't be considering adopting a redevelopment plan that had not been subject to a public hearing of the planning board. So, if there's somebody that could

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explain that to me that's around why the city council's even considering this for second reading when the planning board had this on their agenda. >> Yeah. Mr. Skillender is the

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director of planning and zoning. He's going to explain it to >> Terrific. >> So, on this matter, this matter was introduced in January of this year. We have Mr. Bill Opal from McManimon and Scotland and Baumann that can go over the legal proceedings and procedures for

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this. Generally speaking, Mr. O'Connor, you are right that there should be a referral to the planning board. Given the fact of [clears throat] that there has not been a planning board meeting for the last, you know, 4 months on that. Under the law, any referral,

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you know, from the to the planning board, the planning board the city council isn't bound by a planning board hearing as that hearing, you know, hasn't occurred. There's a 45-day rule where the planning board has to take action. If not, then the

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planning board may take action, but the city council isn't bound by that. I'll let you know, Mr. Opal go into the procedure. >> you. Let me stop you there for a moment if you don't mind. And and if you give me I'm not I'm not trying to be rude here, but I I you know, I I

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I I understand what you're saying. I'm not necessarily sure that that that that's accurate, but I understand what you're saying. But, what you're saying here is, I think, what what your position is is that while the uh

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that that the city council can consider this for final adoption and adopt it even though the planning board of the city of Bayonne which scheduled a public hearing

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never had one for the public to voice its concerns about this. Right? But because the planning board didn't have a quorum and missed a couple of meetings. >> That was four months in a row. >> Okay, so four months. All right, but you know, let's face it. We have we have

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people you you know Councilman Councilman Booker is a member of the planning board, right? You know, it it it the the business of of of government is the business of government, right? So, I don't know why there wasn't a planning

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board quorum for four months. I mean, I'm presuming it had to do something. Let's face it. In fact, I'll call it out. The reason my view is the reason why because I had a matter of interest that was on the planning board site plan for site plan approval, the synagogue, right? So,

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that's why I I I I know that the planning board meetings were canceled. My view is the planning board meetings were canceled for potential political expediency, okay? There were a number of people on the planning board that were running for office

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during that period of time. That's that may be unfortunate and it may be unfortunate that the planning board didn't because people were busy, right? Because >> that same argument even though it's a bold statement about the last planning board meeting. >> Well, there you go. There you go. So, my

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point is though though though the public the public did not have an opportunity to review this plan. I didn't have an opportunity to review the plan. Right? The public did not have an opportunity to review the plan. And the public which

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the redevelopment law calls it out that the proper process for this and one that you followed probably I'd say at least 50 times since you all been here cuz you did a done a lot of redevelopment plans. Since dozens and dozens of them. I'd be I think it's

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fair to say there's very few if any redevelopment plans that you guys have adopted without having the planning board review them. All right. There may be examples of them, but I can't think of any. Okay. Well, that's unfortunate, too. But in this instance for a matter

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that is so important to the city of Bayonne, a 50-story building. Right? You're going to at the last meeting of this city council without a hearing of the planning board.

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Right? With a a redevelopment plan that basically allows a develop I don't know who the owner of that site is. It's First of all, it's my understanding is cuz I just looked at the redevelopment plan a couple of minutes ago. The This is for a location that exist that currently has

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how many units of housing on it? >> There's currently two buildings there roughly 550 units. >> All right. So, we're talking about a fully developed site with 550 units. That without without the the planning board having an a hearing which was

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scheduled with a redevelopment plan that wasn't vetted by the public in that circumstance. Right? That I don't have that you're going to have I'm sorry. You're going to finish and you're going to you're going to you're going to at your last meeting

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you're going to go and have a vote on this at a location that is, you know, very important critical location in the city of Bayonne for future development. The the the uh the peninsula. Right? We all know what the issues are with traffic. So,

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I'll ask you Was there a a traffic study related to this plan cuz I couldn't find it online? >> In the the plan again the parking standards are um 1.1 on this. I also think though that part of the process and the conversation

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occurring right now um A will be better, you know, left to Mr. Opoltus explain on the legal process of this, but also just to clarify the planning board's obligation at this point for is the master plan consistency review. Does this conform with the

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city's overall vision as to what you know, future redevelopment will look like. That is the planning board's role in reviewing this redevelopment plan. >> But there I'm sorry. I'm going to stop you for a moment. That's not the only That's not the only

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That That is a requirement, but that is not the only involvement that the planning board can take with a plan. All right, the plan I I mean you How many of you have been on You You You've been You've been members of the planning board, right? You've You've amended plans as they came to you because there

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were issues that you had concerns about. That's what that process is part It's part of a deliberative process, and it was short-circuited here. And it was short-circuited for some reason. Now, I don't know whether it's because of the

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developer and their interests, the the developers' professionals who have an interest in it. I don't know what that is. But this is not the way to go out. I mean, I think I admire and I respect you for what you just did with that budget. It would have been

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easy just to hand that off to to the next council, but you You took responsibility for it, and you did that. In this instance, to allow this to occur on a major site where there's a lot of issues. I mean, we all know what the issues are with the traffic down there,

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right? And those have not been resolved. Hopefully, I know you're taking a lot of steps to do that. Hopefully, they will be resolved. I notice we're sitting here today and the city planner's not here to answer questions about this. Is there you know, the city planner is not here?

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>> She She wasn't available. >> Well, but she's not here, you know? And and and and I'll note that I when I looked at the plan just a few minutes ago, I noticed that it's cuz it's it's not it's not attached to the ordinance, counselor, that's on this that's on the

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the website. It's I had to go back into one of the agendas for one of the canceled council meetings and find this plan. That's where I found it. I don't think you have it anywhere else on the website. >> I don't control the website on that. >> Okay, but and you and you may not control the

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website, but we're all responsible for making the public aware and having all this information available. Right? So, it's not readily available. And what I noted was on on And this is the this is the plan that's on the website now. So, just forgive me. Just

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let me pull up the page. So, on the second page of the 67-page document, it says, "Adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A." you know, blank right now. "Adopted as pursuant pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:

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uh of the New Jersey Local Redevelopment Housing Law ordinance by the Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne on second reading and public hearing on such and such date, which would be today, following adoption by the Planning Board of the City of Bayonne on blank day."

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All right? So, that's going to remain blank because the city planning board never got around to doing this for whatever reason, and the public never got an opportunity on something that is critical Let me ask you this. Let me go back to this.

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There's 580-something units on this site right now. They are not going anywhere, right? There is no reason for the City Council to take this action today on this plan on this redevelopment plan,

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uh uh when the planning board hasn't had an opportunity to see it or review it or the public. Let the next planning board and council, let them do it. There's There's it's not it's not of something of great imminent importance

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like the budget that you just passed. All right? And I'm here cuz I'm aggrieved. And I'm aggrieved because there was a matter on a planning board uh and that came before the council on a on a matter of personal interest to me,

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the the synagogue site on 48th Street, right? You all know that cuz you saw me at a community meeting, whatever. And my view is that that the concerns of the residents, the concerns of uh of of of my my partner who owns a condominium there, uh Ginger Kemp,

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the concerns of of of people who are property owners there, uh and the concerns that I expressed in, you know, pretty forceful way, maybe too forceful, were not addressed or concern or or addressed or or even considered.

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And I went to a planning board meeting when Council uh Councilman Booker uh uh wrote a and we had a back and forth, Councilman, and one of the things that stuck with me that you said was, "We rely on our professionals." Cuz

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there was a a plan amendment cuz the plan had been screwed up the first time. There was a mistake in that plan, and in February there was a planning board meeting to to change that uh redevelopment plan and then bring it back to the council. Now, that's how I got the opportunity as a member of the

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public to speak about this, about a redevelopment plan. All right? The public did not have the opportunity with this 01. And I don't see any reason why the city council today with no re- There's

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no important There's no Nothing pressing to me to have you vote on this. Uh to give somebody whatever it is they're looking for uh in this without going to the planning board first. It just does It's a big red flag and it's not necessary. So I urge you I mean I know

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I'm I'm not I'm I'm I'm I'm testifying here or whatever. Right? I don't really want to hear from anybody from McManimon & Scotland. You know, I'm familiar with the uh local land and buildings law and the redevelopment law. I understand that it is It is possible possibly legal to

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do this without the planning board, but it's not right. It's not right. >> But Mr. O'Connor, on the other hand several several things on this agenda had to be canceled because that last planning board meeting was canceled.

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Now, we as a council have the option. I can do this and I need 45-day window, so I can make a special council meeting before the end of the month if I want to pass some of these. Some of these are near and dear to everybody's heart. There's several people out in the audience that wanted to see something

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happen with St. Vincent's. That was one that was canceled. Several people wanted to see an assisted living that was canceled. So >> So so >> I'm just Wait wait wait. So we're not going to say what the reason was, but you and I can speculate what the reason was. >> Say Say that again. >> We're not going to say what the reason

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was why why the meeting was canceled. You and I can speculate if we want, but we're not going to say what the reason was. I brought this same uh issue up that you're making now with my colleagues >> Yeah. >> about whether this should be on the agenda or not. I try and do everything

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the democratic way. And several of them felt very strongly that they wanted to vote on this. >> Well, I I'd like to You know what? Okay. >> to you. You're I'm just I don't have to explain, but I want you to to explain. And you and I know each other for a long time. >> Absolutely. >> So I wanted to give you the courtesy of

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explaining to you why this is on now. >> Okay. >> And also the consequence of not having the planning board, and also I refused to have the special meeting before the end of the year because I don't think that's right. And I'm agreeing with you in that regard. But as for this because it's

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been tabled for 4 months, some of my colleagues were very strong about this. And that's the reason why this is on and several of the other ones are off. >> Well, I I I I I think it's fair to say whatever reasons are there those those are uh you know, those are probably misplaced because that I cannot fathom

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and nobody will be able to explain what the urgency doing this is. And I agree with you about the planning board, right? You you you you you volunteer to serve on a planning board, you make sure that you're there, right? And if you're an alternate, you make sure that you're there. >> that here and there everybody can miss

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one, but >> That's right. >> in a row >> That's right. But that's not a reason to to consider this today without the plan without the planning board hearing it. It is too big, important, impactful of a change in a redevelopment plan with

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nobody from the planning department here, nobody that can talk about what the rationale was, what the you know, other than you know, the council here who's not a licensed planner. So, there was no testimony about that at a public meeting. It's just not the place or time to do it now.

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So, I and there's other things about it, too, but I'll leave it at that and let it whoever else wants to speak about this speak. But I I appreciate your consideration. I appreciate the fact that you guys all uh you know, selflessly served for for 4 years and and many of you more and I I

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congratulate you on the work you did. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Director Skinder, while we're waiting for the gentleman to come up to the microphone, is is this plan in line with the master plan and and with the intended development of that base?

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>> So, as a requirement as a requirement in every redevelopment plan, there has to be a link to the master plan for the master plan consistency review. So, in section 5.1, it talk in section five talks about relationships to other plans. Specifically then for 5.1, talks

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about the Bayonne master plan. Um and again, it goes goals, objectives, principles, assumptions, policies, and standards of the 2000 master plan, and it includes um five enumerated uh goals. So, again, preserve and protect

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the establishment of residential character, provide for capable infill residential development in appropriate locations, and encourage a broad range of housing choices for residents. Two, promote the creation of a fully intermodal transportation system that

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enhances local circulation, increase regional access, and provide links and international destinations, coordinate land use with transportation investments to promote local connections, and encourage alternatives to driving such as mass transit, freight, and uh

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bike slash pedestrian facilities. Three, plan for and promote residential uh sorry. Plan and [clears throat] promote the redevelopment of underutilized or vacant commercial and or industrial properties including MAPI, the Texaco site, and portions of Broadway.

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Four, focus economic activity the city's major economic centers including Broadway, MAPI, the Route 440 corridor, and Constable Hook industrial areas. Recognize the unique characteristics of each area and promote development that

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will strengthen and reinforce market niches. Five, plan for and promote the mixed-use redevelopment of MAPI in order to create employment, generate tax ratables, and enhance the quality of life of residents and workers. So, while it goes for the 2000 plan, the

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2017 reexamination further, you know, states on this uh the military ocean terminal is pl is planned as a thriving mixed center for a deep water port, ferry, light industrial uses, commercial spaces, a waterfront residential enclave, and

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in extensive recreational amenities uh such as the Hudson River Walkway. Under the economic recommendations of 2017 re-examination recommends the continued support of the redevelopment MAPI and the Texaco site. Overall, the city's

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master plan in 2017 re-examination report seek to promote reinvestment into the and the redevelopment of the MAPI area as a way to revitalize this portion of the community and take advantage of public transportation. So,

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those are the listed master plan referrals. MAPI has always been a plan to allow for multi-family mixed use. The city has you know, again, has has been focusing on reoccurring

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revenue. That is why we have been very focused heavily on the residential redevelopment within Bayonne on that. We've re-examined our financial agreements to make sure that the land tax credit on the financial agreements for residential, we can exempt the land

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tax and get the full benefit of the pilot payment. Uh so, there's no land tax credit there. For this >> you something? So, we all know that I've I'm very, very big on community um

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contributions and how it will affect our community. I do believe the plan for this um comes with a million-dollar contribution to the community. In addition, couldn't this be considered [clears throat]

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with additional contingencies and restrictions that would allow for that traffic relief um and congestion as well as requirements to provide such things as shuttles to and from transit hubs and

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retail locations and things of that nature. I think we had that requirement placed in another redevelopment plan that we worked on. So >> So >> the site plan could the redevelopment plan, please forgive me, but couldn't

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couldn't it be made I I do know that this particular developer has worked with us for roundabout a year and you yourself have have gone back and forth with requirements communicated from the council with

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adjacent properties to coordinate with. And so I think that there has been a tremendous amount of time, effort, and funds spent here for it to simply fall by the wayside when that person did meet that developer did

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meet all of of our stated requirements as most as communicated by yourself. >> So again for the overall plan itself. Yes, well we've been working with the developer adjacent property owners to address some of the

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issues. I think O2 is better left for with a special improvement district on the overall needs for for MAPI. The shuttle service there, the traffic light the road improvements that have to go also planning and entertainment

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areas, but that would be up to the improvement district, special improvement district to help alleviate which is which is on the agenda for the next one again. Also listed as old as it was carried from a prior meeting for that here again. On this one

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from a legal perspective, I do think it's best for the record to also hear from McAdams and Skelton Trish, so it's not from a professional uh like myself. Yeah. >> Why don't we let this gentleman >> gentleman speak. >> When you're when you're done, we'll have the professional speak. >> So, if you could give us your name and

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address. >> My name is Damian Bavona. I'm on 9th Street, 152 9th Street. So, I've been in this city for 20 years. Came here cuz I married my wife, moved here, beautiful community. Our son went to Bailey's. And the community part is the part

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that's starting to lose its cachet, right? Two-fa- One-family houses, two-family houses, three-family houses. Then all of a sudden over the last 5 years, for good reasons and maybe not, these buildings started going up. Four stories, five stories,

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uh all rentals, right? Not many condominiums, rentals coming in, so those are transient people. Nobody's paying into the city school system. So, back to this gentleman's uh uh good uh intro into the big buildings. A 50-story

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building. I can't even get to Costco now. I can't even go past Costco now. I can't go around Costco. I'm trying every way. You're digging up streets here. You're digging up Your infrastructure's broken everywhere. I don't even know how you make a pattern out of things. I'm

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going around 100 blocks just to get out of the city sometimes. It's not working. That master plan has to be looked at all over again, right? I don't know what he was saying about it, but it's terrible. You don't need 50-story buildings here.

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Who you putting in there, right? Who's coming here? There's nothing for the kids around here to do. There's no movie theater. There's no You got the beautiful parks, which is great, but beyond that, you have nothing for adults to go to. There's no major entertainments. There's maybe five or

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six nice restaurants. That's about it. What are you What are you building? You look at Jersey City. You go to used to go to Jersey City within 10 minutes you went downtown Jersey City. If it takes you 45 minutes to get downtown, you're lucky. And that's because of everything

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they've done. One lane for cars, a bicycle lane, two bicycles on it, uh closing the street, a huge building here. We don't want to become that. Right? We don't. So, whatever we have to

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do as citizens to stop that building, the huge stories going up, just like the synagogue area, destroyed in the day. That was a beautiful building. Somebody could have done something with a community center, something. We did nothing with it. We destroyed it. Now,

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what's going to go up there? Another 10-story building? What? 20 stories? Why? Just to bring more people? We're at 80,000 people. It's more than this town has ever had, 80,000 people, in its whole history. Right? Why? Right? Why?

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There's no no reason for it. There's no reason to vote on these things now. We have to re-look at that whole plan. And we have to have a new planning board. And we have to look at every section. Why are we going down to the peninsula? Doesn't make sense. Had Do we have to do

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it all at once? Where are people coming in and going out of? Everything has to be reassessed. And this is not the day to do that. Definitely not. That's all I'm saying. Thank you. >> Well, [applause] just We're going to hear from the professional, and then

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I'll have you speak next. Okay? Uh Mr. Opal? >> William Opal, McManimon & Scotland Redevelopment Counsel for the City. So, Director Skillender basically went over the statutory requirements related to the adoption of a redevelopment plan, and

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the Council did introduce this um back in January and the planning board hasn't acted and they have 45 days to act. And subsection A of the redevelopment law relating to redevelopment plans provides that the failure of the planning board

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to transmit its report within 45 days of adoption relieves the city council of its requirement to receive that report. So, from a legal basis, the council can consider and vote on the ordinance tonight. Um also, as Director Skillender

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said, uh the redevelopment plan itself, the draft that's pending uh this vote, and section five of that does make reference to the city's master plan, the 2017 master plan re-examination, and how it is consistent. So, from a legal

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basis, that's that's how the council can proceed without that planning board master plan consistency review tonight. >> Any questions? >> Uh Ms. Mack is our city planner. She's not here. Did you want to I I This This lady would like to speak

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first. So, I'll have you come up and speak next. And then you can Mr. O'Connor, you can ask Ms. Mack the question you had. >> Okay. I'm Pat Hilliard. I live at 42 West 23rd Street.

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I am a tenant and I have lived at that address for 30 years. I'm a participant and resident of this community. I'm disappointed at the lack of transparency, again.

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And I'm also disappointed that the public has not had a right to participate in the decision-making on this building. And I think we as the public should demand a public hearing on this

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building. There needs to be a lot more thought that that into this. There's a lot of problems in that area. Everybody's aware of it. And we need to have the right to participate in this decision

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about this building and the problems the problems this building is going to bring to our community which is already very congested over there as people said. So I think we should demand a public hearing on this building. Thank you.

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>> Sue, do you want to come up to this microphone? >> Act- actually if I I just if if you don't mind then I apologize but Mr. Opal if if I could ask him a question. Please if you don't mind. Council. >> But this this is a not a new question pertaining to what you spoke about.

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>> Yeah, well really it's really it's because he just cited a section of the uh uh the redevelopment law. So you cited a section the section that was a section eight. >> Good seven e. >> Yes. >> Seven e of the redevelopment. >> Seven e. I apologize. So so could could you read it out cuz when you said I

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didn't wasn't clear about it. >> The relevant section with regard to your concern is the the failure of the planning board to transmit its report within 45 days shall relieve the city council of its of the requirement to consider that. >> Okay. It it's it says it it shall leave

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the >> Relieve. >> relieve the city council of the requirement that the planning board review uh the the uh the redevelopment plan. So in uh there is a requirement, right? There

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is a requirement that when a city council considers a redevelopment plan, there is a requirement under the redevelopment law that the city council refer it to the planning board and uh the planning board have a hearing. Is

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that correct? >> There's a requirement that they refer it, which they did. >> Okay. All right. Okay. And so uh so so that is what is prescribed by the law, right? And and and why do you do do you have a Can you Can you You're a really

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experienced redevelopment lawyer. Why is the statute set up that way? >> I I can't get into the reasons for that. >> as to why they directed it that way. >> Yeah, I I think I think I think it's pretty clear the reason is to allow the the the planning board, which has the

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expertise and is the venue for the public to review such a plan, to have the opportunity. Now, what you're saying is that because the planning board the law allows the city council to move forward without the

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planning board if the planning board doesn't act within 45 days. Is that right? >> I would I would submit that the 45-day requirement is also in there for a reason, and if there's no action by the planning board within that period, the council is within its right to act. >> It is within your

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I I'm not questioning whether the council is within its legal right to to to to do this. It's not That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that that there is no reason to to not do this without a appropriate

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and proper hearing of the public. That there is no emergent ma- There is no emergency related to this for a property that That's This property's not vacant. It's filled with 538 units. And I'm And and there's a There was a

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discussion of a million dollars. Is that referenced in the redevelopment plan, the million dollars? >> The million dollars wouldn't be part of the redevelopment. >> What would that be part of? >> That would be part of an agreement between the city and the redeveloper with regard to the ultimate improvements

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that the redevelopment plan allows. >> And where is that Where is that agreement? >> I believe it's on the agenda for tonight. >> Is that on the agenda? Is that Is that 02? >> No. >> Where is that? >> Mr. O'Connor, I'm sorry. Are you Are you

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speaking of the community contribution? >> I don't know what I'm speaking of because you mentioned the million dollars, not me. >> 014 on the agenda tonight. >> Yeah, Director Skilondor, why don't we explain how that would be effectuated? And And Director Skilondor, I think was I actually correct that it was a million

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dollars or I >> It It's in there um uh I believe it's written currently right now um that it's again, back to the 2,500 a door um >> Right. >> on there um the full plan on it as for the number of units there's a range um

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of a maximum up to it uh so it's between 1,500 to 1,700 units there. So that's more than over a million dollars on that. >> It's in excess of a million dollars. So it's 1,500 to 1,700 to be three. >> Um >> Right. >> Yes. >> So I'm I'm confused though. Is this a

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financial agreement? >> No, this is the the financial terms of the community benefit payment that we will discuss overall as the project has to be in the redevelopment agreement. It's not in the financial agreement even though it is dealing with an improvement on the terms of it. This

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is not a financial agreement. The redevelopment agreement discusses the projects as and the benefits to any improvements there. The community benefit payment specifies that it is for parks, infrastructure, roads as the

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city, you know, council uh and the city, you know, needs to expect allocate uh or expand on the on the projects. You know, the other ball you know, since we're discussing the redevelopment agreement, um one of the other benefits within the

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redevelopment agreement is any is a 5% workforce housing requirement of any of the new project any of the new units that are built. So >> So where where is the redevelopment agreement cuz is is that online cuz I didn't see it? >> Generally they're not online. They're doc 14.

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>> What what do you mean generally they're not online? >> They city they're not posted on the city's website. >> So so you're adopting a resolution for an agreement a form of agreement so so so this is for a form of agreement that's not available to the public?

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Is that >> It's available for the public to comment on you know for the review of it. >> How do I comment on an agreement there's no form of to review? >> Even for our the city's professional service agreements after the contracts are negotiated after and finalized after

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that. You know the approvals of it. >> Um um listen, I'm not talking about your retainer agreement or your professional services agreements. I'm talking about a you're talking about here a redevelopment agreement that

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the major benefit of this project was just referenced by a member of the council as a million dollars and the redevelopment agreement or a form thereof isn't available. The the this this is the kind of thing by the way that would have come out at a

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planning board meeting, all right? It would have been discussed and people would have said, "What are those approved What are those benefits, right?" And it would have been discussed. It's not being discussed here. >> I just kind of have to disagree with you that that would not have come >> everybody,

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all right? I understand there may be very good reasons why people think this is a good idea to do speculatively because it's going to take years and years and years to vacate 538 residents and demolish a building and build it if

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it ever happens, right? So so so you know all right I I I give everybody credit for trying to work through and and get things that that will they think will be beneficial in the future. But not like this and not tonight. All right? >> Look

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>> Uh that that I I and I don't I don't know I don't know how else to go through this, but I I quite frankly it just doesn't make any sense. All right? So so the benefit that the will the million dollars when will we the city get the million dollars? >> As with the other agreements, there is a

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half is due at the issuance of a building permit, half then a quarter uh is issued at the issuance of a TCO, and then the final quarter is issued at uh a full certificate of occupancy. >> Okay, let's let's stop there for a moment. So we're talking about uh

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issuance of a of a building permit for a 50-story building on a property you'll get your first money for this when a building permit is issued for a for a 50-story building on

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a property that currently is I presume pretty occupied with 500 residential units. We're talking years and years and years before any the city taxpayers or anybody else will see a penny of benefit from

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this. So maybe there is somebody that's getting a benefit out of this by this getting passed tonight, but I don't think it's any of you. I know that, right? I know you guys there's nothing in it for you all to do that. I get that, right? There's nothing

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in it for the taxpayers, right? And people are angry and disgruntled. I'm disgruntled, that's why I'm here. I didn't just pick this thing. I I picked it up. I told you why cuz it was on an agenda with Matt a matter that I did have an interest in, right? But this is just kind of galling to me. And I got to

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be honest with you Councilwoman Weimer, I went to your meeting, right? And that was a really nice meeting you had. It was at Post Post 19, right? And you talked about openness and transparency and engaging and people coming to

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meetings and all, and I agree with that. I took that to heart and I appreciate the fact that you gave me a forum and an opportunity to speak about the matter that I had a concern about, the synagogue matter, right? Um, but I'm going to submit to you right now, this is an example of of something

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that hasn't followed that path and I don't think it's in the best interest of the town and I don't think it's I I to me to me, for whatever reason it's on, it was a good shot. You took a shot at it. If you had had planning board a few months ago, if if they think that it

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this shouldn't this shouldn't be considered tonight. It should be it should just pass and if it's a good idea, it'll come back. In fact, if it's a good idea, I'll come back and support it. So, thank you. >> Just to clarify one of the points, the planning board does not consider any of

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the financial terms, it doesn't consider any of the economic benefits to that. It is therefore within the planning board to >> Mr. O'Connor, you got to wrap up. >> I know. I know. One more one thing. I didn't say they I first of all, they do consider it. You consider everything when you're doing this cuz it's a

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discussion. This would all these issues would have been brought out at a planning board and I think past possibly in a good way. I think if it was it was it was presented properly and in a timely way, it might have it might have been something, okay, you know, maybe for the future, but not

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this, not now, right? And whoever the developer is or the owner, they can wait a few months. If this is a good idea, they'll come back. >> Okay, thank you. Um, and now the attorney, you want to speak? >> Yes, I just uh just want to clarify a couple of things very quickly. >> Explain who you are to the

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>> Michael Miselli, I'm not uh here on behalf of the developer. Um, we have been working on this for maybe close to a year now. So, we've worked with the city professionals. That redevelopment plan that's in front of you that you introduced was vetted by your professional planners. Um, I challenge you to find a

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requirement in the municipal land use law or the redevelopment and housing law that requires a planning board hearing at all. They're required to transmit a report, not to hold a public hearing on it. There's no notice for that day. There's no public input required. We do it that way, but the law doesn't require it. And

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that's really what we're here to talk about tonight, right? What's legal? It's legally before you tonight. You are the redevelopment entity, not the planning board. They had the chance to weigh in on this, and they didn't weigh in on it. Let's just talk about the redevelopment agreement very quickly.

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It would be if the the building is the size that it is the maximum that's allowed here, it's going to be quite substantial. It's going to be 1,500 units or so. Um that would yield $3 to $4 million of of contribution for use

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to address the issues down there. And to address the issues as as we would be impacting them, right? And that's always what you're looking to do is to mitigate your impacts uh through through improvements, through contributions. So, okay, it might not happen in 10 years, but it might happen in five. It

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might not be 50 stories, it might be 20. The market will tell us what is available down there. And so, why not put it in the redevelopment agreement that we'll make that contribution when it comes time? Because when it comes time, we're going to need that money to make the park nicer, to make the roads better, to make sure the pipes can handle what's coming

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out of the building. So, I This wasn't rushed. This has been a deliberate I've done it a deliberate pace. It was introduced in January, then February came, and March came, and April came, and May came, and June came, and

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the planning board didn't act. So, here we are. It's a good project. It's a long-term planning project. It's an aspirational project, and I would ask that the council do what it's legally entitled to do tonight and to vote yes on this and the redevelopment agreement. Because again, you heard not only the monetary

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contribution, this will be the first project that I'm aware of anyway that will commit [snorts] to making a percentage of the units workforce housing, and I know that's been something near and dear to some most of your hearts, Councilman Carroll. I know that that you have mentioned that endlessly, and I always told you there

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would be opportunity at the right size project. This is the right size project. So, we're you know, incremental steps, right? We're we're getting there. We're getting to the to to where Bayonne is is going to be able to do all those things all under one project. You know, when when something's

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like this, you can do it. So, we did. It's the first one. I just would urge you to vote yes. Thank you. >> I am curious. >> Yeah. >> This allowance for that workforce housing is in the redevelopment plan. And it's stated regardless of the size

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of the structure. >> It's yes. >> So, if in the next administration they argue you down to five stories. >> Yeah. >> You are still legally bound to include what percentage of workforce housing? >> 5%. >> 5%. >> Doesn't matter what size the project is,

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we're going to do 5% across the board. >> It Councilman Carroll, it's the agreement, not the plan. >> Right. It Yeah. It right, so redevelopment agreement. And that's, you know, part of the redevelopment suite of tools, right? That that you get to to use to put together a financial package

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that works that works for the developer, that works for the community, and works for the the things that are important to us. You know, what's important to the city? Streets, infrastructure, pipes. Parks, all those things we've accounted for. We did do a traffic study. We did one. This is before you started to

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implement traffic the the uh the traffic signal, right? Before you before you started to do that. Uh so, we took that into consideration. There were recommendations that were made that that we could still make uh to improve traffic down there pretty

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inexpensively right now. But, if there's a light, it's going to make it better. And if we're going to contribute to the problem, we're going to pay to help for that problem. And so like I said, it's not this was thought of. This was planned out. This was vetted and it it deserves approval. It

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didn't It shouldn't have waited from January to now. Unfortunately, I have very little control over anything in life, including whether the planning board has a quorum. So we're here through no fault of mine, through no fault of uh I think anybody's. I think circumstances dictated some things and I

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I just would hate to see something that we took so much time and effort to get it right and to provide so much uh that it would die on the vine here. Thank you. >> Mr. Miselli, does does that plan >> [clears throat] >> I do know that there has a a previous building of a like magnitude has already been approved.

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>> Multiple previous buildings. >> Multiple, okay. >> Yeah, it's it's it's a new world down there. It's Yeah, it's a lot. >> However, does that include a requirement for the for the construction of new roads or entry and exit I mean

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anybody can see that, you know, the congestion there is already fairly significant. Does that plan include additional entry, exits, roads, bridges, something of that nature that would help to alleviate >> Our plan or the plan that was approved previously?

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>> Um your plan. >> Our plan is giving money so that the city can spend it on those connections. You know, if they want to connect to the 40th Street bridge, you know, when you come over the bridge, if they want to make that a connection that you can drive straight into into this area. Uh I think that's something that's on the long-term horizon. Uh you can use the

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money for what you want. You can use it for a park improvement. There's a park across the street. You can make that nicer. It's a significant amount of money for you to look at and say, "What impacts does this cause and where where do we want to put our allocate our resources?" So >> And speaking of impacts, was there a traffic study?

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>> Yes. >> And what did the traffic >> It said that all all the other intersections except for the infamous one at Goldsboro uh operated at acceptable levels of service and wouldn't go into non-acceptable levels of service because of our project. So, Goldsboro

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needed some help. We recommended, I think there are lanes where you can pull in and maybe park. I'm not sure, but we basically said if you get rid of those, that relieves that condition pretty inexpensively. Um it relieves it,

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it doesn't get rid of it, but a traffic light will fix the problem, I think. I mean nobody's really We didn't run that number because we didn't know if the traffic light was going to be real. But with the money we're giving, you can pay for two traffic lights. >> The study's been paid for already, so it's >> Okay, so it's on the it's on the way. So, like I said, all the other

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intersections checked out as it at acceptable levels of service pre-built, post-build. Um and and we we could have relieved the condition pretty inexpensively without a traffic signal. It's I'm glad to hear there'll be a traffic signal. And if if our project is built before that signal comes in, you

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can use that money towards that traffic signal. If not, you can use it for something else. Maybe we'll need a traffic signal somewhere else one day, but you'll have money to do that. Thank you. >> several people that want to speak. Yeah, Ms. Mack. >> Michael has some comments also. Do you want to have him first?

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>> Okay, that's fine. There's several people who had their hand raised, so I didn't know if you wanted to speak first because it might be pertinent to what they want to say. >> maybe you're the professional. >> I'm perplexed. Good evening, everybody. How are you? Um

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I actually I actually um okay, so let's start. Um I'd like to know how much money is in the agreement to pay for these things, who got the traffic study? Um I've never seen it. I've never been in a meeting on

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this project. It was it was done by another consultant and I expected that I would review it at planning board, which the meetings as you all know is no fault to Mr. Miss Sally, the meetings haven't happened, but I do have a few things to put on the record. >> The traffic report was provided to the city consulting planner who prepared the

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redevelopment plan that's in front of you. >> And and who was that? >> Uh Barbara Eelen, I believe. >> Eelen, did you share it with anybody in the city like the city planner? >> I don't know. I don't know who I know she I know Mr. Opal probably got a copy of it as the attorney, but I don't know if anyone else did. I was asked to share it with Miss Eelen and I did.

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>> Yes, and Miss Eelen who's an excellent planner did not share it with the city planner and I've gone through this with the planning board irregardless of the fact that we have four consulting planners, uh the planning board still thinks the city planner is responsible for the for the planning items and I don't complain

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about that. She's an excellent planner, but uh don't anybody sit there and say that your city planner was aware of some of the things in this, which is why I would have some comments tonight. I'm not saying it shouldn't go forward, but I do have some comments to make on the

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fact that it is going forward, which you can hear or not. >> Yeah, well give us your comments. >> And that's all I don't I that was the only question. You >> Uh you asked about the money, right? >> much money? >> It's going to be between three and four million dollars. >> Okay, thank you. All right, so to get to it, um about two

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years ago with the planning board did uh well, let's go back. I have been working with you, the council on Mot B for a very long time. Um I've been involved with Mot B for 26 years and you have I have an excellent respect for all of you for the great

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work that you've tried to do at Mot B as it's developed. You may know and this side of the aisle knows, uh we've had a even more problems recently with Royal Caribbean. There's been a lot of problems. I've been working with Chief Scruby and hit the police, Port Authority police and the New Jersey

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Department of Transportation um on trying to get solutions, you know, now that we have Pulaski Street and we have the traffic. So it's it's been a a problem. Been a problem for the residents. But, I have to say this this this council has been excellent in trying to come up with solutions there.

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But, 2 years ago when we had and you've heard this before, too. Uh we had our first 50-story building proposed by the Guptas at the base and um one of the Gupta brothers, respect them both, argued that they didn't need uh

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highway access permits. Uh the city provided them with information to contact DOT. It's been 2 years. They never came back and said they didn't need the permits and to the contrary, we've had to get permits for Costco and for us for the amendments to our plans

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so we can do more building down there. So, when we say that there's a traffic study that was done, um I just asked Mr. Opal, who also is an excellent attorney, uh because he's working on KRE, which you know, something that should have been before

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the planning board, also. And uh he went back and made sure that they put in that they have to have a requirement for the highway access permit. And I just turned around and said, is the highway access permit requirement, which kind of controls the world down there, in it and

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they don't know. I mean, it's not that he doesn't know, but he I I haven't seen the agreement. So, I would ask if you do if you adopt the redevelopment plan, um let that go forward or if if you adopt the redevelopment agreement, you at least

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condition it that they have to have a highway access permit. Because without that, we're totally going nowhere. The other thing that I really am concerned about is is that if it had gone not your fault, I have never seen us not have four planning board meetings.

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We always had one because of weather. Maybe we had snow in February. But, so to say that it everybody's right out here legally, if you don't get it within 45 days, it basically is approved, but that's really not the intent. The intent

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is if the planning board doesn't take action for whatever reason, not having four planning board meetings, I I I go back through the annals of history and say that that that hasn't occurred and for whatever reason. >> Well, that's why when we spoke about it, we could all speculate, but we'll

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leave it at that. >> But it goes back to legal and intent. This is the most responsible council I've ever seen. I It wasn't your fault that planning board didn't meet, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't care and you have a choice to

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move forward or not. And I'm not suggesting you not move forward. I'm just saying and I'd like to know, see, when a redevelopment plan comes before the planning board, you would get the professionals um did Andy Reichel from Waterman who is

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the Moby plant engineer for 25 years, did he say that it was okay? Did he even see the plan? Cuz as I said, I I I got it off the internet. Um but that's okay. But it Mr. Um Mr. Armstrong's here. Mr.

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Armstrong is the municipal engineer and he's also, I believe as of this week, the director of municipal services. Did he say that the water and sewer down there because that was brought up also. Not not picking on Mr. Gupta the Guptas,

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but those issues were raised as to whether there was capacity for water and sewer. And so you can say, okay, you're going to solve you're going to resolve it at site plan, you're going to look at it in the future, but I I'd feel very comfortable if if if John Armstrong's

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here and told me that, you know, yeah, somebody looked at it. I don't look at everything. I I'm I'm not I'm not, you know, I don't have to look at everything, but those questions were raised at planning board before and they

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think they were raised at the council when we were doing the former buildings down there. So again, I'm not saying I don't think this should be forward, but I'm hoping that somebody has some sort of asked Mr. Armstrong, I would feel comfortable if somebody said that. Uh because you're saying, "Okay, there's $3

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million to put in a traffic light or to do this, that, or the other thing." >> [laughter] >> Is that even going to be enough? I I don't know and maybe that's not And then my favorite, I am the municipal housing liaison. So, the affordable housing program is under my purview and I happen

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to know that this property is the former Trammell Crow property, which is was the first buildings that were made down on Mockingbird. Um before the market broke and they built the buildings, but it had an affordable housing obligation and that obligation was

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was reworked over time to say that those buildings those units that were supposed to be affordable housing only remain until the person moves out and then they no longer become affordable housing uh units. So, I would have thought that if

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somebody was doing this, they would have had whoever their administrative agent talk to the city about there's still units down there that are are quote unquote affordable and like what is the impact of that agreement on

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the fact that they're now going to sounds like they're going to replace the buildings and put up 50-story buildings. So, does that wipe out the obligation or has it been moved over? And uh as Councilman Councilman Carol knows, I'm

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all for workforce housing. I'm all for moving that, but is the workforce housing going to also fulfill the affordable housing obligation? So, I would say that I will not be here to discuss this issue with you in the

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future, but um I just hope that you put enough you put enough provisos in it to uh you know, move forward, but if you could do a real basic uh to be continued or to be looked at in the future, um I think that would that would protect

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you. Um not you, you don't need protection, but it would protect the project moving forward. And again, I really would like to hear Mr. uh Mr. Armstrong say just tell me that he looked at it and there is enough water and sewer capacity or

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that a a a line could be put in to also protect that because I was here I think if Mr. Nichols is in the Mr. Nichols is in the audience, too. And I think um I think it was when we were doing that other project at my beat that he said that we might be at capacity and we

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should make some provisions. So, I think with three provisions, figure out, you know, take protections for the affordable housing component, take protections for the water and sewer and the traffic by by meeting the hap, um

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I wouldn't have a problem, but right now I'm a little concerned. >> Okay. >> I guess I would I'd like to know that as well, John Mr. Armstrong. And um >> the attorney. >> You just got stuck cuz we didn't have planning board. >> [laughter] >> Right. Yeah, I feel bad. >> Mr. Nichols.

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Um and then are we aware do does this agreement include the highway access permit requirement? Are we do we know that or not? >> I will say this. There has been sorry. There has been Council President. Sorry. May may I speak? Thank you. May I speak?

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>> Yes. >> Thank you. This issue with the highway access permit has been percolating a long time and there are opinions all over the map. If it's legally required, we have to get it. It's an outside agency approval. And if our our building impacts the infrastructure in in that requires upgrades, we got to make them.

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>> Okay. let's hear from >> No, I'm just I I know, but we're >> If you want to come up and speak, I'll give you another turn. >> Thank you. We're just muddying the waters on things that are not part of this process. Those are part of a separate process. >> Okay, Mr. Misali, Mr. Nichols, can you

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come up, please, and explain? >> Hello, Joseph Nichols from McManimon Scotland & Baumann. I also have been retained by the utility authority and I work on utility matters. I'm sorry, you have to excuse my voice. I have a a medical condition that makes it difficult.

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Uh, but I can say that uh, a thousand new additional units at 300 gallons per day, that has not been looked at as to whether that can be supplied there.

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Uh, and remember, there are other developments there. I believe that up to 4,000 other units have been approved in the redevelop in the general redevelop plan. Okay, but they haven't been built yet.

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But, there's one water line that serves that premise. Now, there are there are new sewer lines that that pump the the sewage from that from that from the peninsula. But,

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I don't know if it's even been looked at as to whether the where those where the sewer line exits into, whether that can handle the capacity. So, any any approval and >> [snorts] >> you tell me as I spoke before me, I'm

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both correct, that you would need to you would need to condition, you know, any water and sewer connections on there being sufficient capacity in the system. And and that's a problem not only for this development, but but for the

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development of our town. Sorry. >> Ms. Velado. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank [clears throat] you, council. Um, I'm coming here as Maria Velado, 767 Avenue A, Bayonne, New Jersey. I'm coming here as a member of

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the planning board. I know we've had haven't had four meetings. I was available for the last for the previous three. This last one, I apologize, I had prior commitments since they changed the date from a normal Tuesday meeting to a Monday meeting. This project the reason I'm here is

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because these are the type of projects that really when they come before the planning board, all the professionals that the city hires ask poignant questions about the validity of the project to the city and how it fits into the into the main project, right? So, I should think

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I believe that this should be decided, go through the normal process, right? Go to the planning board first, listen to it through the planning board, all the questions that are asked, and then come to council and the great job that you guys do in answering and

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asking the questions that we didn't ask or reviewing what comments came from the planning board and saying, "Hey, we need to keep this or we need to This is fine. We don't need to do that." And it should go through the normal process. It's a big It's a big building. And this is one of the ones that we

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should really have the full process. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Mike. >> Mike Messina, 42 West 23rd, uh, Bayonne. >> [snorts] >> Uh, now if I'm correct, I've been at the planning board meetings

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and I've sat at a planning board meeting when they discussed and it was passed four 50-story towers across from Costco. I believe that was passed. >> In the past is This is a different property.

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>> I know, but I'm correct that there you have four 50-story towers already on the on the chart that can be built right across from Costco. That's been passed already. Now, I was at the meetings and it and it

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cleared. Now, I was also at the meeting when they discussed uh the construction tearing down new buildings at the market. And I even raised I said, "I What you're

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talking about tearing down buildings that are 10 years old?" I believe I was told. So, that's what they're doing. So, I guess these are the buildings that that they they did clear for the demolition out there. And and so >> And the buildings are still standing

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right now. >> Yes, they are, but they have to be taken down because I was at the meeting when they got clearance for them to be taken down. And I was like, "Why are they doing this? They've already taken things down when we we we keep building things there."

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But anyway, so yes, they're taking down buildings that are there and occupied to put up another 50-story that they've already cleared for 50 stories. And I'm just, you know, a little [snorts] bit confused, but obviously from listening to all this,

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it's in your power you can stop it, and it's interesting that if there's no planning board that the city can pass all these it's in your lap. So, it's interesting that, you know, it's very important you can see from

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tonight's discussion to have planning board meetings cuz now this has turned into a planning board meeting. So, thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Can I speak Can I get >> name and >> Oh, Joanne Budmayr. Do you need to know where I live? 34

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West 26th Street. Now, can I speak on another matter cuz I have to leave? >> Uh no, this is we have to do this at hand. I got several other people that want to speak about the same issue. So, if you want to say something about 01 >> No, I really want to say something on 08. >> No, I'm sorry.

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You cannot do that right now. You cannot go out of order. I'm very sorry. >> Okay. >> We have to keep the order. I apologize. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Yes, in the back. >> Um >> Please state your name and address. >> Uh my name is Jenna Reddick. I live on

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128 West 55th Street. Um also adding on to Bayonne having 80,000 residents and um the things about the water pipe and everything, there's only one and whatever. Um that's also a really big concern because um one of my friends told me the other

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day that but you know, Bayonne's only a 3-mile town. And God forbid something happened along the lines of Hurricane Sandy or Irene, there's only two ways out of Bayonne. If there's so many people here right now

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and like he said, it takes 45 minutes to get through Jersey City now. It used to be 10. All these people trying to evacuate cuz it's something very big, you can't stay here. We're surrounded by water. We're peninsula. And when I when I heard that, I was like

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shocked. Because that is a big concern. If something happens that's environmentally damaging and people's lives are at risk, that's another concern. There's so many buildings being built, but I know he's saying the money could be

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put through into um updating or anything with the infrastructure, but climate change is happening. Sea levels are rising all the time. We already see the weather being weird. There's a drought in New Jersey. These things have to be considered now,

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not 10, 20, or even five. There's too much going on in five years. That That's something that has to be considered, I think. Thank you. >> Mr. Perry. >> [applause] >> Good evening. Gene Perry, 77A Hobart Avenue, Bayonne. Uh a couple of things.

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I'm going to quick bullet points. Uh the Mappie is under the master plan from 2010 to be redeveloped. I think we redeveloped it enough for now. We've mentioned that there is none no efficient water. We have young lady spoke about getting out of town. The

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Newark Bay extension is now on hold again. How are we going to get out of town with another thousand residents living on this property? Next question is, is there any tax abatement on this property currently? And is it being carried over to the new buildings? Cuz I I didn't see the plan until an

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hour ago, so I didn't have time to read it. >> Of course, there is. >> Is Is there a pilot? >> Yes, sir. >> It ends in 2039. >> So, I believe there is there is a an agreement, but I don't think it could be brought over to new

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>> No, because the under the financial agreement that was approved for that project, it was for that one specific project of, you know, redevelopment. So, that for 500 units, that's or what um, you know, the those buildings can, you know, pay for on that for those 500 units on the

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original project. So. >> Any additional pilot >> Any additional pilot goes to would have to be a a new financial agreement considered by the council or conventional taxes. >> And Director Skillender, what about and I don't mean I apologize. Mr. Perry, are

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you are you through? Would you >> No, you're fine. >> Do you mind? Thank you. Uh what about the requirement, the existing requirement for the affordable housing that is there? I know I I wasn't aware of that and I I don't know if that

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what that if it does the existing requirement for affordable housing exceed what the new development is offering? >> The >> Is it a lesser requirement? >> On that, I don't know on the

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existing, you know, requirement for affordable housing, but I don't believe the election was counted in this um uh round of uh for the affordable housing uh plan. I don't believe that was mentioned in as one of the buildings on the fourth plan.

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>> So, do you want to >> This stuff is so old. Do you have Do you have a map? >> It was in the 50, the affordable housing plan. >> And way back when, you know, the >> Yeah. No, so this this this this is something only people who have been here would know.

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The Election legally requested 12 years ago, 15 years ago, that they be relieved of their affordable housing unit thing and there was a contract between the city and them on that. So, it wouldn't show up now, but the way the arrangement is is is that anybody who lives there

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now, people live there for $800. If that person leaves, that unit becomes market rate. >> So, it's like decontrolled like the rent control. >> Yeah. So, what I'm saying to you is is that two or three times a year, the city gets approached by somebody who lives there. They they go up 4%, you know, the

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rate increase and stuff like that and something will happen and then the city will get approached, I'll get approached and blah blah blah blah blah. So, I'm saying it's unexpected consequences that there are units there now. I Tomorrow I could tell you how many um 40, 50 left

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of it. It was larger in the in the in the beginning. And with this new redevelopment plan and this new agreement, well, I guess you would just build 50-story buildings. And so, then all the units would be gone and those affordable units would be gone that the city

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committed to before. And again, I'm not saying anything anybody's doing anything wrong, but somebody's doing Somebody doesn't know what's happening and therefore they're not considering it and therefore you might have handicapped people, veterans. I mean, I could tell you show

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you my file. You know, I would work with Jay as each case came in. Um you know, I'm just saying have these issues been been reviewed and since uh it's pretty clear I haven't been involved that I'm just saying I would like some I'm not

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opposed to the project. I'm just saying there are some other elements that and I will write a transition memo that includes this just so that somebody can consider it because we are not unkind people in town. >> Mr. Perry, you want to Let Let Mr. Perry finish his

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>> One of the comment uh we're being told is a three to four million-dollar community they give back that we're going to use for traffic lights. Why we paying for the development and their traffic studies or the traffic patterns? The three to four million dollars should go to a school or

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a park, not to traffic lights. Sorry. Uh we should I'm asking that we put this back before the planning board. It was mentioned earlier that the council can legally vote on this, but morally should use. Have a good evening. >> [applause] >> Okay, Mr. Miscelli, I'm going to let you

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speak one more time. >> Thank you. And I apologize for jumping up before. >> And please make it quick. >> Yeah, very quick. Just to go through. So, the capacity issue is looked at. Just so everyone's clear, before we can build a building, we have to have the city sign off and say there's water capacity. DEP needs to get that from the

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city and DEP signs off on that. So, the capacity issue, if it's an issue, we will have to address and it will we will not be able to build this building with a capacity issue. That I can guarantee you. All right? Um existing affordable units that will we're not knocking down all of

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these buildings. We're we might have to clip a corner of one building, but we're putting it where uh if you if you look at the redevelopment uh plan, it's got uh a graphic. It shows you where we're putting it at these buildings. They're not in areas that will

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appreciably change what's there today. Um the affordable agreement will continue to be the affordable agreement on the existing buildings. Uh it is a deregulation uh scheme, right? So, but then the new buildings, the towers, will have to have the 5% workforce set

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aside. Uh and that is regardless of size. Uh young lady mentioned that there was uh there were you know, some worry about rising storms, you know, and I and we all lived through Sandy, so we know. These buildings will be built in accordance with the new flood hazard

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regulations and to be storm resilient in a way that many of the buildings at the base right now are not. So, that was taken into consideration. We don't have a pilot. We would need another one for for uh if we were if we were to proceed uh in that manner. And if you want to use the

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money for schools, use the money for schools. I just said the traffic signals cuz I know that that's been something that for the past year or so we've been kicking around in the chambers here and you know, you can >> But the city that money has is earmarked for four or five different things. >> You can if you want to add schools

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>> Traffic improvements was one of them, but I understand >> If you want to >> the city would exercise its option on that. >> Absolutely. And the redevelopment agreement, as we said before, is on later on in the agenda. If you want to make us tax schools onto that list of things that you can spend the money on, by all means. I think that's great if that's something

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you want to do. If it's not, don't. Um we'd like to give back to the community and give it and allow the elected officials to choose where it should go cuz they're better they're in a better position to respond to local needs than we are as the as as developers, right? So, you know what you need. You tell us what you want in there. We're going to

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make a contribution and you spend it the way you see fit or the next council or the council after that or whoever is in charge. So, >> Okay, let's wrap this up. >> Yep, thank you. >> Okay. Omar, you're the last person to speak. >> Yeah, I'll keep it really brief. Omar

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Algorri, 100 Avenue G. Um so, he mentioned that they may be building it uh with the other existing units. Um was that the case because I forgive me, I didn't review the whole redevelopment plan. And the other thing is uh the school

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impact. Uh did we do a school um impact test just to cuz it may impact schools uh with an additional uh I don't know how many units, so that that's just my concern. Thank you. >> Yes or no, was there a study done? >> No, that's we we did have a financial

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review. >> What about parking? >> Yeah. >> What about that? >> that one question, please. >> What about parking? >> No, no, he's asking what I'm Okay, councilperson, what what's your question to me? >> The question that Mr. Algorri just asked about

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>> School impact, right. So, so because at this point it's still in the planning process, no, we did not do that. We do that as part of the site plan application when we submit an environmental environmental impact statement. That goes in that analysis. Um also, if we if we do come in for a

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pilot, N W Financial prepares a very in-depth analysis of school impacts. So, you you know, assuming N W Financial or some other firm uh does an application, you know, considers an application for a pilot, that information will be in front of the council before any financial relief is given or before a site plan approval is

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even given, so >> What about Thank you very much. >> Please do not yell out from your seat. >> We already talked about that. >> Okay, with no other speakers, no protest against, objections to, or statements >> I object. I object. >> Thank you.

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Or statements in favor of this ordinance towards passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close? >> So moved. >> And second? To close the hearing. And on the motion to close, Mr. Booker? Mr. Carroll? >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez?

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>> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Just to close. >> Mr. LaPalazzo? >> Aye. >> And a resolution ordering final passage. >> So we're done with that. >> Second? >> Yeah. I I think we should table it and let it go to the planning board. Let the

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next council decide what they want to do. There's been a lot of questions that cannot be answered right now that are very, very important. And um if anybody disagrees with me, [applause] please speak on the microphone if you disagree with me.

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>> So, >> I don't disagree. >> There's a motion on the table to withdraw this resolution for passage. Who seconds? >> I made the motion, right? So, >> Council President made the motion. >> I'll second.

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>> You're not tabling, you're withdrawing. And on that resolution, Mr. Booker? >> Before I cast my vote, listen, there's been a a lot of questions and concerns with this project. We worked very hard on this project. And I I think that someone made a statement a couple

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of times that this council has been one of the most responsible councils that they've ever worked with. And I'm going to agree with them on that. So, I mean, responding to the to the public and the concerns, I'm hoping Okay, we put a lot of work on this project.

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And I strongly I feel very strongly for this project. I'm hoping that the next administration takes in some of the same considerations of the work that we put into this project. Okay, and not just let it fall by the wayside. So, uh on my vote, um

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I vote I. >> Mr. Carroll. >> It pains me because there was a workforce housing inclusion in this, but there are too many questions. I'll I'll embarrass my future wife when it comes to

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kids and school systems, and I've seen plans come forward with a 10-story building that says it's only going to produce four kids for the classroom, you know, and I'm one guy living in a two-family house. I'm trying to have four. So, you know, it's I just you see, I I

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can't I can't bring myself to put it forward. The new council needs to look at this, but and I I make no qualms about it. We've acted as the planning board for years because the planning board is the board of yes. Uh every time they've

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okayed a plan I thought was lunacy. We've had to deal with it here and ask these questions, but there are simply too many questions tonight, and we need more time to go over it. So, I I again pray that the new council will keep an eye towards including including that

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workforce in set aside in every building, and and make my dream come true. I can tell you it's a hard battle to win, but it's worth fighting. So, I vote no. I'm sorry, I vote I to table it.

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>> Withdraw. >> Withdraw. >> Mr. Perez. >> It was explained here. I mean, this thing they worked very hard to get this uh There's four meetings that was supposed to be taken and they were not there. I

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mean, I don't blame the developer uh and it was explained by Mr. Miscelli very articulately. And I also heard other people say other negative but this is the first one that has the uh workforce opportunity 5%.

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That's 100 units for people. I mean, I was satisfied that it would be 75. Oh, okay. All right. I disregard 75. This would be the first 175 and this will be helping our community. I was

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satisfied with Mr. Miscelli what he said and then I was satisfied with a lot of things um that was said here. Um I don't look at this negative no positive but I'm hoping that the future uh council that's coming in has an open mind uh

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and because I was very disappointed that the the um planning board did not meet that all of a sudden they came in they got oh I had to go here I got to go there and before you know it this poor thing was just hanging there. They would have heard this, they would have heard everything, would have been there but

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they decided not to attend so they didn't have a quorum therefore there was no meeting and this this got bypassed. So I'm I'm voting uh uh no on it. >> No to table to withdraw.

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>> No to table. >> Okay. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I too am very torn on this because we did put in a tremendous amount of requests and restrictions um in working with Director Skillender and this developer um to make that project work.

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It was and has always been represented to me that the city's intent in the plan to develop that area was to do so in a way that would place those buildings that were meant to be of

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a greater magnitude um in that area, create something of a skyline. And to the best of my knowledge and and again as I've been told, it was the intent of the city and has been for prior administrations for several um to do

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that in that area. So, we did We placed an awful lot of restrictions and requirements on this developer that um has spent an awful lot of time and and um money in doing so to meet the requirements that this city put forth. So, I'm

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but I am concerned that the planning board has not reviewed it and that there are a tremendous amount of unknowns including the points that um our city planner has brought forth with

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regards to the highway access permits, um as well as the allocation of affordable housing to be inclusive of those that are there now in addition to the 5% that would be allocated in the future. I I

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don't know if that requirement will remain. I don't know if it's included in the plan. I don't know if the city if the zoning and planning board would review that anyway. Um nevertheless, [clears throat] I do think

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there are tremendous amount of unknowns and rather than simply deny the passing of this, I do think it the most reasonable and the fairest thing to all parties would be to table it and allow for it to take its process as um Ms.

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Velador said and have it properly vetted through the planning board. So, I vote I. >> Ms. Velador, lose. >> I I was really excited about the 5% workforce housing. It's something that myself and Mr. Carroll have been working on for a while.

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Um the project itself looked like a nice project, but when our professionals come up and pose questions, that's something that we have to take very serious, and I take it very serious, and that's why I'm in favor of withdrawing this.

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>> Okay. When it has been withdrawn, 02 is an ordinance of the City of Bayonne in the County of Hudson, New Jersey creating a special improvement district for the Peninsula at the Bayonne Harbor, which was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held April

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15th, was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law, with notice that it would be further considered for a final passage following a public hearing at the meeting of May 13th, and was postponed to this meeting of June 17th, is now before the Council for its consideration and the public hearing.

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And the resolution giving the ordinance second reading is moved by the Council President, Mr. Carroll. We have a second. >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> I. >> Mr. Carroll. Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> I. >> Second reading is by title, an ordinance of the City of Bayonne in the County of

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Hudson, New Jersey creating a special improvement district for the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The Council is now ready to give all persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The Council President will recognize anyone who wishes to speak. >> Yes. Uh good evening, Council. Joe Paparone

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from Porsio, Bromberg & Newman on behalf of Centerpoint Pulaski LLC, the owner of 30 Pulaski Street, Block 397 Lot 1. Um we are here again this evening. We appeared before you uh at the introduction or at the I'm sorry, at the

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originally scheduled date for this ordinance to be uh acted upon on was May 13th. Um and we expressed our concerns about the inclusion of this industrial property in the proposed special improvement district. We had a dialogue with council as to the reasons why

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we feel that this special improvement district will put an undue burden on the industrial property owner CenterPoint. Mr. Niner's here again to speak to that. The uh ordinance was tabled at your May 13th meeting so we could have an opportunity

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to share our data with um Mr. Opal and Director Skillender which we did. We supplied them with the tax data that we were referencing at your May meeting. We also supplied them with some reasoning by way of email as to our

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concern that an industrial property such as 30 Pulaski really won't receive any benefits from being included in a special improvement district in this area. Mr. Niner will will go into that in a second. Again, this

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additional assessment will provide a further impediment to CenterPoint to be competitive with its neighbors across the street in Jersey City for industrial space. They're already having diffi- Excuse me, difficult time attracting industrial tenants. So again, we

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supplied Director Skillender and Mr. Opal with some information regarding the tax disparity between the city of Bayonne and Jersey City for similarly situated industrial properties. We also noted that in our opinion this ordinance treats industrial properties

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differently. Uh an industrial corridor on Hook Road that was not included and to include this property with more residential mixed-use properties seems to be misplaced. So Mr. Niner.

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>> Thank you Joe. Good evening. My [clears throat] name is David Niner and I'm the senior vice president of asset management for CenterPoint Properties, owner of a 55-year-old vacant industrial building at 3100 Pulaski Street in Bayonne.

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I'm attending this evening to respectfully request that the city consider removing 30 Pulaski Street from the proposed special improvement district to be created by ordinance two. CenterPoint Properties greatly values our partnership with the city of

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Bayonne. We understand the intent behind the district to enhance the community. Our goal is to support Bayonne's growth while ensuring the continued viability of industrial property such as ours. During the May 13th May 26th Council

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meeting, I expressed concerns regarding the inclusion of our property in the proposed district, and I'd like to further clarify these concerns, which fall into three main categories as I see it. First, financial impact. Taxes in Bayonne have already placed us

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at a disadvantage relative to similar industrial properties located in Jersey City directly across the street. The additional fees and costs associated with the proposed district would exacerbate the dis- disparity and further reduce

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our competitiveness. We have provided the city with an analysis illustrating the tax differences and leasing rates showing that competing properties in Jersey City pay less in taxes while charging more in rent. I'll move on to practical

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considerations. CenterPoint will not realize the typical benefits associated with the special improvement districts due to the industrial nature of our property and its location. The targeted properties in the ordin- in the ordinance, according to the

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paragraph 3B, reference multi-tenant residential buildings, commercial establishments, offices, and four-family homes or greater. The purposes as outlined in paragraph four, such as increasing safety and attractiveness for visitors,

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organizing special events, and providing decorative lighting seem inconsistent with industrial uses for our property. Finally, I'll touch on legal and equity concerns. The proposed district does not include

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the Hook Road Industrial Corridor, raising concerns of disparate treatment and potential arbitrariness. This selective inclusion further subjects ordinance two to scrutiny. We appreciate the city's vision for the Peninsula and Bayonne Harbor and the

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broader community, and we hope our concerns can be considered as part of the ongoing process. I would personally welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters further in person, and I appreciate your consideration of our concerns. So,

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to summarize, we respectfully request that 3100 Pulaski Street be removed from the proposed district under ordinance two. I look forward to continuing our positive relationship and supporting Bayonne's future development. >> So, so there's no way for us to remove

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one property out of this? >> Uh we have to consult it with our legal team. We're willing to table this so you could discuss with the professionals, and there'll be a new council here to discuss that. And uh if they do propose that, it would be a whole new council at that point. So,

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I'll make a motion to table this. >> Second. >> Hold on, you have to close the hearing first. >> Okay, sorry. >> And you have another speaker. >> You have another speaker? >> So, um Michael Connor, 265 Avenue A, Bayonne, New Jersey. Now, CenterPoint is a multi-billion dollar

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um industrial uh uh industrial company with probably over a hundred hundred uh different warehouses around the country in all different types of locations. Some of them are adjacent to urban areas. And so I I think, you know,

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respectfully, quite frankly, I I understand what the concerns are for the for the It's It's a re- Is it a re- Is it a real estate investment trust or >> your What's your point? Can we stop? >> Okay, my point is My point is that there are benefits to including this property in in the um

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special improvement district, particularly since >> this warehouse >> But he doesn't want to be included in the district. >> I understand that, but but for the What I'm trying to say is for the larger whole, sometimes everybody doesn't want to be included for for for monetary

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reasons, but quite frankly, improvements to Pulaski Street, including pedestrian improvements for people that are working and walking back and forth to work there, that does occur. And it is not an unreasonable thing to ask the property owner to bear some of those costs. >> I agree.

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>> So, I'm not asking you guys to >> We're doing what you originally said we I I agree with you. >> I agree with you. All right. Thank you so much, guys. >> Mhm. >> And just finally, the CenterPoint pays significant amount of taxes, which actually go to take care of the very things that Mr. O'Connor identified.

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That's what the property taxes are for. >> Okay, that's what property taxes are >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? No protest against, objections to, or statements in favor of this ordinance or its passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close? >> Motion.

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>> Second. >> On the motion to close, Mr. Booker. Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalouse. >> Aye. >> And the Council President has made a

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motion to withdraw adoption. May I have a second? >> Second. >> On that motion and resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. Mr. Perez? >> Ms. Weemer? Mr. LaPalus? 03

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is an ordinance amending and supplementing the revised general ordinances chapter 24 water and sewer, which was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held May 13th, was published in the Bergen Record at at it published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law with notice that it

420
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would be further considered for final passage following a public hearing at this meeting of June 17th is now before the council for its consideration and a public hearing. And the resolution giving the ordinance second reading is moved by council member Booker. Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker?

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Mr. Carroll? Mr. Perez? Ms. Weemer? Mr. LaPalus? >> I. >> Second reading is by title an ordinance amending and supplementing the revised general ordinances chapter 24 water and sewer services. The council is now ready to give all persons interested in this

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ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The council president will recognize anyone who wishes to speak. >> Yes, sir. This is about the water and sewer? >> Yes, this is our long-term control plan. >> What was that? >> Yeah, it's about water and sewer, yes.

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>> Okay. Okay. I'm Steve McDonald, 179 West 31st Street. I have a problem with the water sewer um I uh live alone. Um

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I had uh last bill of about 300 cubic feet of water usage. The problem is that that water and that much water and sewer should be about say 50 60 dollars total.

425
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But Veolia has a minimum water uh charge fee and they have a minimum sewage charge fee. Those minimums are based on the size of your of the valve and of course I have

426
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the small I have the small residential. And what happens [clears throat] their minimum keeps rising rising rising. And now for where my bill should be around say $50,

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it's 180. Cuz I'm paying I'm paying for thousands of gallons of water that I didn't use. >> Right. But sir, I would call our municipal services department about your bill and see if they can be the liaison

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between you and Veolia because this is talking about a whole different plan right now. >> Okay. >> We're not We're I've addressed it. I've been doing it for 2 years with zero effect. Zero. >> Yeah. >> Excuse me, do not call out from your seat. Do not, sir.

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>> We talked about this. >> Sir, I would call I would not only Veolia but our municipal services who could who takes care of water and maybe they can advise you, maybe there's a way to change the pipe as well. >> No, it's a problem just basically I just

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the basic problem is they're charging me for thousands of gallons of water I didn't use and they're charging me sewage on that water that I didn't use. Now this is just wrong. Okay. >> But please call our municipal services and let them know. >> Thank you. >> They don't answer the call.

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>> Thank you. Please do not call out from your seat. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? No protest against objections to or statements in favor of this ordinance or its passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close?

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On the motion to close, Mr. Booker. >> He's out. Um >> motion to close on you, Lloyd. >> On 03. >> Yes. >> I. >> Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I.

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>> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I. >> And the resolution ordering final passage. >> Move it. >> Second. >> And on the resolution for final passage, Mr. Booker? >> I. >> Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I.

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>> 04, we have a motion to withdraw. It's moved by Council Member Carroll. Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker? >> I. >> Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I. >> 05, we have a motion moved by the

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Council President to withdraw consideration, seconded by Mr. Perez. On the motion to withdraw, Mr. Booker? >> I. >> Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? [clears throat] >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I. >> 06

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has a motion to withdraw. It's moved by the Council President. Mr. Booker, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker? >> I. >> Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I. >> 07 also has a motion for withdrawal.

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It's moved by the Council President. Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker? Mr. Carroll? >> I. >> Mr. Perez? >> I. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusca? >> I. >> 08 is an ordinance authorizing the

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encroachment agreement with J Par Realty LLC and PKD LLC for the property located at 29-29, 35 and 37 West 25th Street, which is identified as Block 183, Lots 5, 6, and 8.01 as shown on the official tax map.

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It was introduced and passed the first meeting reading at the meeting held May 13th was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law with notice that it would be further considered for final passage following a public hearing at this meeting of June 17th. Is now before the council for its consideration and a

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public hearing. And a resolution moved by Councilman Perez giving the ordinance second reading is Mr. Booker, will you second? On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> Second reading is by title, an ordinance

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authorizing the approachment agreement with J-Park Realty LLC PKD LLC for the property located at 29-29, 35 and 37 West 25th Street, which is identified as block 183, lots 5, 6, and

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8.01 as shown on official tax map. The council is now ready to give all persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The Council President will recognize anyone who wishes to speak. No protest against, objections to, or statements in favor of this ordinance or its passage has been filed with me. May

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have a motion to close. >> Second. >> And on the motion to close, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. [clears throat] Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And a resolution ordering final passage.

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>> Move it. >> Second. >> And on the resolution for final passage, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> 09 is an ordinance of the City of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey

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amending and supplementing Chapter 35, actually, that one is has a motion for withdrawal also. It's moved by Councilman Perez, Mr. LaPelusa, will you second? >> Second. >> 09. And on the resolution for withdrawal, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll?

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>> Aye. >> Mr. Perez? >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus? >> Aye. >> 010 has a motion for withdrawals moved by the Council President, Mr. Carroll, will you second? >> Second. >> And on motion for withdrawal, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Aye.

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>> Mr. Perez? >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus? >> Aye. >> 011 is [snorts] an ordinance of the City of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey amending and supplementing Chapter 7, Traffic, which was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held on

448
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May 13th, was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law with notice that it would be further considered for final passage following a public hearing at this meeting of June 17th, is now before the Council for its consideration and the public hearing. And a resolution giving the ordinance second reading is moved by

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the Council President, Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> And on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez? >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus? >> Aye. >> Okay. Uh my second reading is by title an

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ordinance of the City of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey amending and supplementing Chapter 7, Traffic. The Council is now ready to give all persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The Council President will recognize anyone who wishes to speak.

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No protest against uh against objections to or statements in favor of this ordinance or its passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close? >> Move it. >> Second. >> On the motion to close, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez? >> Aye.

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>> Ms. Weemer? >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus? >> Aye. >> And a resolution ordering final passage. >> Move it. >> Second. >> And on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye.

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>> 012 is also an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 7 traffic, which was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held May 13th. Was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law with notice that it would be further considered for final passage following public hearing at this meeting

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of June 17th. Is now before the council for its consideration and a public hearing. And a resolution giving the ordinance second reading is moved by council member Perez. Mr. Booker, will you second? And on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer.

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>> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And Second reading is by title an ordinance of the city of Bayonne, County of Hudson, New Jersey, amending and supplementing chapter 7 traffic. It's for one restricted parking zone. The council is now ready to give all

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persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The council president will recognize anyone who wishes to speak. No protest against, objections to, or statements in favor of this ordinance towards passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close? >> On the motion to close, Mr. Booker.

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>> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And a resolution ordering final passage. >> Move it. >> Second. >> And on the motion for final passage, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye.

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>> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> 013 is also an ordinance amending and supplementing the revised general ordinances of the city of Bayonne, chapter 7 traffic. And it's for a loading zone that should read East

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23rd Street, not 25th. And which was introduced and passed the first reading at the meeting held May 13th was published in the Bergen Record and posted on the bulletin boards required by law with notice that it would be considered for final passage following a public hearing at this meeting of June 17th.

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It's now before the council for its consideration and a public hearing. And a resolution moved by the council president give me ordinance second reading Mr. Booker will you second. >> Second. >> And on that resolution Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye.

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>> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> Second reading is by title and ordinance amending and supplementing the revised general ordinances of the city of Bayonne chapter 7 traffic. The council is now ready to give all persons interested in this ordinance an opportunity to be heard concerning it. The council president will recognize

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anyone who wishes to speak. No protests against, objections to, or statements in favor of this ordinance or its passage has been filed with me. May I have a motion to close? >> Move it. >> Second. >> On the motion to close Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye.

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>> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> And a resolution ordering final passage. >> Second. >> On the resolution Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> 014

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is a motion to withdraw and it's moved by the council president Mr. Carroll will you second? >> Second. >> On that motion to withdraw Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> Our first speaker is Ms. Maddis.

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Second speaker is Mr. Perry. >> Gene Perry, 77A Hobart Avenue. I just have a quick question for the council. I spoke to Ms. Russo on this matter about a week or two ago. Tried finding it online. Was there any amendment to the noise ordinance with the construction sites that are allowed

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to operate past 7:00 p.m. in the evening? Cuz recently there was a site operating 7:30 at night causing traffic jams. And I don't think it's fair to the residents that after 7:00 at night these sites are still working no matter what the case is.

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So I'm just curious what Cuz there were police there, so I'm guessing the city knew about it. >> If you want to answer, go ahead. Uh Ms. Russo is going to answer. >> Thank you. >> Yes, I Gene, yes. >> Ordinarily we don't answer, obviously. >> Uh Gene, I it's my recollection and I'm

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sorry that uh Director Scullion is not here today. Uh the council did pass a resolution and I think we it happened when the developer made an application and one of the considerations that I remember the council considered that

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that um in extending the um hours at in the evening, it would shorten the period of the overall disruption of the area and also with respect to the traffic pattern on 8th on Avenue Lane.

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Um I do recall and you you'll have to forgive me, but um I do recall that it was not that the resolution can be revisited. I will get If of that resolution. I apologize for not getting it to you yet, but I'll I'll get back

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>> Cuz I did pull a minutes or not the minutes, the agendas from December and I cannot find that resolution anywhere. It was the specific that was Monday night, June 2nd at 7:30 to be exact. But thank you, Donna. >> Mr. McDonald is left. Mr. Halpin. >> Oh,

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so and I I guess let's just let's just clarify. I apologize. Uh Jean, I think I I do just want to clarify because it the the overall ordinance in and of itself was not amended. We allowed that specific project

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to have an extended um hours of operation. I believe it's until 8:00 p.m. just to try to swiftly close up that project in and of itself. So, I apologize. >> All right. Normally, it's not a it's a

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statement period, not a question and answer. >> Good to go? Okay. Uh so, hi. Uh my name is Dan Halpin. I live at 291 Broadway. Uh just here today to speak out against any proposed data center development in Bayonne. You guys didn't think you were getting away with one more of these before you left, did

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you? So, uh this is my third council uh meeting. I started attending in April when, you know, the information about this was widely disseminated. Uh never been able to make it fast uh here fast enough to speak, but I was able to today. I left [snorts] my first meeting in

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April generally positive. At the time, it seemed like you were all pretty receptive to the concerns of the public. Um and there was productive talk about what would be done now and what would be done later based on feasibility, and that was something I was willing to accept. And then May rolled around and I sort of

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expected to hear some news. I understand that I might have gotten there a little bit late that day. I think I walked in at around 6:15 and maybe there was a statement made. There were a lot of angry people here, so I assume that something was said, but uh anyway, I ended up leaving very frustrated because really doesn't seem like anything's

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happened there and there's nothing that I can see on the agenda today that um you know, proposes any sort of ban or anything. And the reason that I'm particularly upset about this is because I grew up in Sussex County. So, I watched a similar situation play out in

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a town two towns over from where I grew up in Andover, where in a span of about 3 weeks uh their city council meetings got a little more raucous than ours do, but uh they got stuff done in about 3 weeks uh from when people started making a

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raucous about it until May 28th uh they were able to pass an amendment banning data centers and repeal some ordinances they had passed to allow for that use on several properties in Andover. Uh and I understand there was a gentleman here that uh last time that

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provided that information to the council. So, uh yeah. What I have heard here is that there's no current plans to develop a data center on that site. We don't know if we'll be liable for a lawsuit uh if we rescind the zoning, and we have to look at the pros and cons. All of this

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spreading kind of directly plays into the hands of big tech. Uh this is a strategy that companies like Uber and Airbnb have used to roll out and become indispensable to everyday life. Uh I can't really judge anyone for using an Uber at this point because they've run

483
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most of taxi services out of business uh by paying slave wages uh to lower prices. Uh Airbnb, same thing. Uh they're doing significant damage to the housing industry and also the hotel and services industry by offering low prices based on

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lack of regulation. They were able to get in before anyone was able to regulate them, and now uh only the most powerful cities seem to really be able to fight back against companies like that. They'll preach platitudes and mitigation for the downsides, but we see it happen again and again that these businesses

485
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are entirely reliant on us not being able to keep up with them. And so that's why they are kind of trying to rush in right now before we can sit [snorts] and think and consider and pros and cons and stuff like that. But by that point they will already be

486
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here. They will already be part of our daily lives and it will be extremely hard to remove them once they have gotten in. So I think that should be of equal consideration to any benefits that could happen. So I guess I have a couple minutes left. I guess I don't have to go so fast.

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Um What the harm here is is that we can't really afford to wait until they're rolling out the diesel generators into the parking lots to power the data centers. I'm sure when they built the one in Tennessee that is currently being powered by a fleet of diesel-powered generations generators in

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its parking lot. They made all the promises in the world that they would have been able to supply adequate power to that data center too. Much like any developer will make promises to get in and then worry about fixing the problem later. But I don't really think we should have to wait

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until that point. I don't want to wait until people in this area start developing diseases down the road as was the case with chemical developments earlier in this country's history. You can look at some of the studies that have been published locally here in New Jersey

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about places where chemical plants have operated or DuPont in West Virginia. Some of the dangers in allowing businesses like this to operate in communities like Bayonne don't really manifest themselves until very far after the fact. But what we do

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know is that there are a lot of people in the audience today and that have been in the audience for the last couple of months that are very strongly against this. The development is unsustainable and a lot of us have spoken out on it Uh and if this council wasn't able to act

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on it in the time that you guys had left the new one made a lot of promises and I want them to know that I will be here and I'm going to get louder every time. So, thanks. >> [applause] >> Mr. Reddick. >> Hi, Jenna Reddick, 128 West 50th Street.

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I'm I'm just coming here tonight to get answers and transparency from the council. I know that the council has listened to the community and sided with them on other past issues, which I thank you for. But there is still much to be done. We were told about an ordinance being passed in June before the council leaves

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office. But there hasn't been any updates on that at all. Gran even Ben who spoke, he's the Gran leader. He even provided an ordinance to you on the May 13th council meeting. That they have supplied to other towns to help ban data centers and

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help start the process for legal reasons. So, tonight's agenda not having any mention of Delta storage or data centers in general is a bit frustrating. The situation of the community not being aware of legislations that been that's being passed in Bayonne is concerning as

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well. These are decisions that will have major effects on our daily lives not just for today, but for decades to come. I'm also very concerned with Director Skillender telling us in the April 15th meeting saying, and I quote, "The property owner along with Bayonne Energy Center said that they had an arrangement

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in place that the power would be provided directly from BEC." End quote. When myself and others went to the BEC permit renewal meeting, they emphasized that they didn't know anything about this and that we were given misinformation. Someone claiming that there's an arrangement and talking about digging up

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city streets to build the power lines to provide power doesn't sound like it's just misinformation. We also learned that BEC is emitting so many harmful emissions and that Bayonne is the highest producer formaldehyde in Hudson County, which is already the highest in the state.

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Uh without without local newspapers and journalism, these things will continue to happen. We need more transparency because if the public had been informed, we wouldn't be at this point right now with people being upset. We constituents need to be informed properly so we're not going to council or planning board meetings and finding

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out it's canceled the day of. Without pivotal proposals not being talked about with the community, the city will reflect the developers, not the constituents who built this town. Um I also saw that the add-on eight has uh authorizing and improving a transfer in the controlling interest of

501
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redeveloper Bayonne Energy Center Urban Renewal Three LLC. And that also concerns me because um an environmental lawyer showed up to the permit renewal hearing um from Brooklyn, which PEC powers. And he told us that New York State will

502
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commit to using 100% clean energy by the year 2040 and that BEC needs to start planning on how they will transition for that um move and a data center couldn't easily fill that void. So seeing that proposed, it's making me speculate like what could that be for? Maybe it is for

503
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the permit renewal, but him saying that for 2040 and um BEC should start thinking about that transition is a little bit concerning as well. This is an opportunity for the council to the council to leave office on a positive note and have a lasting legacy

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in our community. This is your chance to be the champions to the constituents on such a harmful plan. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> MR. RESIGNA. >> MIKE RESIGNA. UH I'M HERE TO thank the council for the wonderful job it's done while it's

505
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been in office and uh to give a account because you did name the yellow-crowned night heron the city bird of Bayonne. And at this time there are 26

506
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active yellow-crowned night heron nests in Bayonne. 14 of them have chicks. And the count on the chicks is 40. 40 newborns just from the 14 nests. So, we

507
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have another 40 coming. And I want to thank the council for the work they've done and Mr. Calo for everything you've done with public works and everything and I hope to be working with you in these next years coming ahead cuz it's been a wonderful job working with you and doing the cleanups

508
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that we've done and with the help of public works and the city council helping us in that job getting it done. Uh we also we have a cleanup this Saturday at Rakowski Park and we hope to get to it. We've had two other cleanups

509
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but they were canceled due to rain. So, we're hoping that the public can come out and clean it up before it gets too overgrown. But uh again, there'll be a cleanup this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Rakowski Park. And thank you all for everything you've done and God bless in

510
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the your future endeavors. Thank you. >> [applause] >> That was our last speaker. We'll move on to communications which is a resolution moved by the council as a whole uh following ordering the following communications to be received and filed.

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It covers C1 through C18. Any questions on the communications? And on the communications, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. Mr. Perez. >> He stepped out. He stepped out. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I I. >> Mr. LaPalusa.

512
02:26:02.560 --> 02:26:20.080
>> I. >> And officers reports is a resolution also moved that by the council as a whole order ordering the following resolutions to be received and filed and any resolutions incorporated within to be adopted. And covers OR1 through OR5.

513
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And on the officers reports, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. Mr. Perez. He's not here. Mr. Weemer. Ms. Weemer. I'm sorry. >> [laughter] >> Mr. LaPalusa. >> I. >> And consent resolutions is ordinance

514
02:26:40.160 --> 02:26:59.680
moved by the council as a whole and it's ordering the following resolutions to be adopted. It covers CR1 through CR30. And on the consent resolutions, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer.

515
02:26:59.680 --> 02:27:18.760
>> I. >> Mr. LaPalusa. >> I. >> R1 is a resolution moved by council member Perez authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter into a contract with PrimePoint for the continued use of their proprietary human

516
02:27:18.760 --> 02:27:35.240
resources and payroll software for a period of 1 year commencing July 17th through July 17th of 2027 for an amount not to exceed $150,000. And it's seconded by council member LaPalusa. On the resolution, Mr. Booker.

517
02:27:35.240 --> 02:27:52.600
Mr. Carroll. >> I. >> Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPalusa. >> I. R2 is moved by the Council President authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with Edmunds GovTech for the continued use of its proprietary financial finance software

518
02:27:52.600 --> 02:28:08.320
for a period of 1 year commencing September 1, 2026 to August 31st, 2028 for an amount not to exceed $50,000. It's seconded by Mr. Perez. On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll,

519
02:28:08.320 --> 02:28:23.680
Mr. Perez, Ms. Weemer, Mr. LaPalus. R3 is moved by the Council Member Perez authorizing change order number 1 for the emergency generator contract with Fagan Fagan for the 63rd Street pump

520
02:28:23.680 --> 02:28:47.920
station in the amount of $53,713.99, making the total contract $533,713.99. Mr. Booker, will you second? On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll, Mr. Perez, Ms. Weemer, Mr. LaPalus. R4 is moved by the Council President

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02:28:47.920 --> 02:29:04.320
authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with Raymond James for investment advisory services for a period of 1 year commencing June 17, 2026 through June 16, 2027 for an amount not to exceed $50,000. Mr. Perez, will you second?

522
02:29:04.320 --> 02:29:20.440
On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll, Mr. Perez, Ms. Weemer, Mr. LaPalus. R5 is moved by the Council President authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with McCay MacKay

523
02:29:20.440 --> 02:29:37.880
meters pursuant to NJSA 40A:12-5 section DD to provide three 300 MK Beacon cell drawer assembly boxes for the Bayonne utility parking utility for an amount not to exceed $88,500. Mr. Perez, will you second?

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>> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. >> He stepped out. >> out. Just tell me you're leaving. Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> I.

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>> Our six is moved by Councilman Perez authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to award the citywide lead service line replacement phase two contract one to Pacific Construction in the amount not to exceed $9,207,500. Mr. LaPelusa, will you second? >> Second.

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>> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. Mr. Carroll. He's not here. Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> I. >> Our seven is awarding a contract for the improvements for the ferry terminal

527
02:30:28.640 --> 02:30:46.520
parking lot and walkway to Zenith Construction Services for a contract amount of $1,881,190. It's moved seconded by Councilman Booker. You have a question. >> Second. >> Okay. Mr. Resigno has a question.

528
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>> Yes. On this ferry terminal of the $1 million and everything and then over that issue we were talking about the money if they were going to build a building to for the community. And again on this ferry terminal,

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I'm trying to get access to the east side of Bayonne with a kayak launch. And I keep bringing it up and if this could be added into the walkway and the money that all the developments done out there and they talk about the recreation and the

530
02:31:20.360 --> 02:31:36.520
waterfront walkway, but actually with that waterfront walkway, it stopped access to the public going down into the water with boat or kayak. So, I just like to bring that up again and note it that if they're going to do the ferry terminal on the

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to keep in mind a kayak launch for the public for the thousands of people who live out there and being surrounded by water, we do have a wonderful one on the west side and to bring it up for the east side again to have that open up to keep in mind with the development to put

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money to the side for a kayak launch. Thank you. >> And on R7, Mr. Booker. >> Has Mr. Carroll returned? >> Yeah, he has. >> On R7. >> Hi. >> Ms. Perez? >> Hi. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Hi. >> Mr. LaPolusa? >> Hi.

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>> R8 is moved by the Council President authorizing the reimbursement agreement with Exxon Mobil Corporation and Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Hi. >> Mr. Perez? >> Hi. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Hi. >> Mr. LaPolusa?

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>> Hi. >> R9 is moved by the Council President authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Bayonne and Center Street Developers LLC to permit extension for the closing to September 30th, 2026.

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Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Hi. >> Mr. Perez? >> Hi. >> Ms. Weemer? >> Hi. >> Mr. LaPolusa? >> Hi. >> R10 is moved by Council Member Booker authorizing the Bayonne Council to

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02:33:00.240 --> 02:33:15.840
negotiate an amendment and modification to the concessionaire's agreement with Royal Caribbean. Mr. Perez, will you second? >> Second. >> Now, on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carroll? >> Hi. >> Mr. Perez? >> Hi. >> Ms. Weemer? >> I guess I would wonder, do we have

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information on what that amendment is? >> Yes, I I can I can answer that. Um as you know, there's a a user fee that the Port Authority is going to be between Port Authority, Royal Caribbean and the

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City of Bayonne. We requested both entities to entertain an increase in the city's user fee. And we received a positive feedback. >> Okay. All right, thank you very much. I appreciate that. I present one.

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>> And Mr. LaPaglia will you second? >> I. >> Our 11 is moved by Council Member Perez. It is a resolution of the City of Bayonne in the County of Hudson, New Jersey determining the form and other details of its note relating to the Transportation Bank short-term loan program of the New Jersey Infrastructure

540
02:34:05.920 --> 02:34:21.280
Bank to be >> [clears throat] >> issued in the principal amount of up to $900,000 and providing for the issuance and sale of such note to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and authorizing the execution and delivery of such note by the City of Bayonne in favor of the New

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Jersey Infrastructure Bank or pursuant to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank's Transportation Bank short-term loan program. Mr. Perez LaPaglia will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution [clears throat] Mr. Booker. >> I. >> Mr. Carroll.

542
02:34:36.920 --> 02:34:51.720
>> I. >> Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPaglia. >> I. >> Our 12 is authorizing a reimbursement agreement with IMTT. It's moved by Council Member the Council President

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LaPaglia. Mr. Perez will you second? >> Second. >> On the resolution Mr. Booker. >> I. >> Mr. Carroll. >> I. >> Mr. Perez. >> I. >> Ms. Weemer. >> I. >> Mr. LaPaglia. >> I. >> Our 13 is moved by the Council President. It's authorizing an amendment

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to the redevelopment by the city of between the city and 20 North Avenue Urban Renewal LLC for 26 North Street which is identified as Block 297 lot 3 as shown on the official tax map. Mr. Perez, will you second?

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>> Second. >> And on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> R 14 will be withdrawn

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since we didn't pass the ordinance. R 15 is a omnibus resolution to correct several scrivener's errors in the resolutions. Who'd like to move it? >> Move it. >> Second. >> 15. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll.

547
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>> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And we do have a couple of add-ons. Which the first one add one is authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute an access

548
02:36:14.600 --> 02:36:31.440
agreement with the Bayonne Housing Authority and the city of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department. >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer.

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>> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> Add two is authorizing the city clerk to administer and maintain said web's page and archive according in accordance with P.L. 25C:72. Who'd like to move it? >> Move it.

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>> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> Add three is authorizing the preparation and submission of an application for the New Jersey Department of Environmental

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02:37:10.240 --> 02:37:28.480
Protection Hazardous Discharge Site remediation funds for the investigation and environmental cleanup for the Holy Family property. >> Move. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus.

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>> Aye. >> At four is acknowledging the company title change from Montrose LLC to Travis Entreprise LLC and assigning all contractual obligations to the same. It's just a name change. And on that one, Mr. Booker.

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02:37:53.600 --> 02:38:09.680
Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> At five is authorizing the mayor and or his designees to execute an agreement and any amendments with the Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres

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program for the Newark Bay waterfront phase two. On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> At six is authorizing an agreement with P Segnal Giordano Construction LLC for

555
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the replacement of the rubber surfacing in Fitzpatrick Park in the amount of $15,051.97 through state contract bid 26080. >> Second. >> Six, on the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez.

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>> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPalus. >> Aye. >> Seven is also an agreement with P Segnal Giordano for the replacement of rubber surfacing in Clark Park in the amount of $44,252.81. On the resolution, Mr. Booker.

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>> Aye. Mr. Carroll. >> Mr. Perez. Ms. Weemer. Mr. LaPalus. 008 is authorizing and approving the transfer of the controlling interest of redeveloper Bayonne Energy Urban Renewal 3 LLC.

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>> Mike, you got a question. >> Um on this authorizing and approving the transfer. Now, what is this entail and what are the companies? Now, I'm bringing this up because this is in turn what we were

559
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told about the data center was going to use this energy center. So, who is approving and transferring the power and the ownership of this? It's That's my question.

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>> I thought maybe I could maybe shed some light for you. >> Okay. >> As as we understand that the Bayonne Energy Center is going through a corporate restructure or or a takeover from another company and this is we have to approve the transfer

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of the controlling interest. There's nothing It's the city's not involved. It's just we have to approve the controlling interest for the redeveloper. >> Controlling You have to approve the controlling interest, but how can you be not involved if you're the one that has

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to approve it? >> Yes. It's paperwork. It's not We don't have any interest in these companies. >> So >> It's part of the redevelopment anyway. >> Mhm. >> But but are we are we transferring are we transferring the controlling interest or are we changing the designated party

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of the controlling interest? I feel like that doesn't read properly. If they're if they're changing their name because of a corporate merger or takeover, then we're simply redesignating a name. We're not transferring an interest. And it And this doesn't

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state who it is that we're transferring it to. Oh, I'm sorry. >> We have somebody Are you from Bayonne Energy Center? >> Yes. >> Okay. Can you come up and state your name, please? >> Um Erica Antonia Parlavecchio from Chiesa Shahinian and John Tomassi here

565
02:41:24.680 --> 02:41:40.800
on behalf of Bayonne Energy Center. Um so I I guess I would just like to clarify because I think there are some questions that are happening. So, this is purely an administrative action. Bayonne Energy Center is going through as was stated a corporate restructuring. The redeveloper is not changing. Bayonne

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Energy Center is going to continue to operate at the property. It's just an administrative corporate restructuring at the parent level. That's all that's happening. >> [snorts] >> Mike, >> So, you're not redesignating an entity, essentially, is is the point. >> Mike, are you satisfied with that answer?

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>> Uh no, it's kind of fast. >> [laughter] >> In layman's terms, >> Sorry. >> Are we changing the name of the people we're sending mail to? >> No. >> It's still going to be called Bayonne Energy Center. >> Correct. >> I'll ask you.

568
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>> Just 1 second. >> Okay. All right, we're going to get another clarification. >> Yeah, I I just confirmed. It The name is not changing. It's It's a change in ownership at the So, there's a company here and at the parent level, there's some restructuring that's happening, but

569
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the name of Bayonne Energy Center is not changing. Bayonne Energy Center will continue to be the lessee of you know, they're continuing to operate at the property. That That's all that's happening. It's an administrative requirement under the redevelopment agreement that technically this type of

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restructuring triggers a transfer that is and so then we need the council's consent to do that. That's all that is happening. >> And that's simply because the beneficial owner >> Correct. It's just an ownership change. So technically the redevelopment agreement definition of a transfer is

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02:43:16.760 --> 02:43:32.280
triggered, but the redeveloper is not changing. >> And that's simply because that's just how our development agreement has been drafted. >> Most redevelopment agreements are drafted that way. Yes. >> Okay. So again, not nothing none of the terms are changing my none of the

572
02:43:32.280 --> 02:43:46.680
authorizers approvals anything of that nature. It's simply that the beneficial owner of that of the energy center is changing to a new one. So we we have to reflect that. >> That's the name I want to know.

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Is it D DeMonaco? >> No. >> Because I want to make sure with the Delta storage. And now who's buying this? >> No one's buying No one It's It's a corporate restructuring. >> Yeah, it's a it's a corporation. >> still would be sending juice to

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02:44:04.560 --> 02:44:20.040
>> I'm not going to speak to the project, but you know, Bayonne Energy Center's project was approved by the planning board. The scope of the project is not changing. What they're doing at the site is not changing. Their obligations under the redevelopment agreement are not changing. This is simply a corporate restructuring.

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>> Okay. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Who'd like to move it? >> Move it. >> I'll second. >> On at eight Mr. Booker. >> Hi. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Hi. >> Mr. Perez. >> Hi. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Hi. >> Mr. Lapalosa.

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>> Hi. >> At nine is amending resolution 25-12-17-074 to increase the contract with Train USA in the amount of $53,665 to purchase an eight HU air leaders and five additional VAV boxes making a total

577
02:44:55.400 --> 02:45:17.200
contract amount $1,555,040. >> Move it. >> Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> At 10 is awarding the contract for DPW

578
02:45:17.200 --> 02:45:34.520
uniforms to Herbert's Army and Navy LLC for 31 months commencing June 18th, 2026 through December 31st, 2028 with a mutually agreed 2-year extension through January 1st, 2029 to December 30th, 2030

579
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for contract amount not to exceed $40,000 annually. >> Move it. Second. >> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And the last one

580
02:45:50.440 --> 02:46:09.480
is the receipt of bids and awarding the contract for 24 cleanup of North Bergen for the 2025 roadway improvements IBank for a total bid amount price of $471,341.50. >> Move it. >> Second.

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>> On the resolution, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. LaPelusa. >> Aye. >> And is there anything else or >> There is nothing else. >> All right. I have a couple things uh orders of business. Um

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This is a mayoral proclamation. I feel like you should be reading this, but I'll I'll read it cuz I was asked to. Whereas Suzanne Mack is retiring as the city planner of the city of Bayonne on July 1st, 2026 after 28 years of outstanding

583
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service at the former Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority. She served as its chief planner. She has managed a variety of issues for Bayonne, such as redevelopment, affordable housing, transportation, and federal and state grants. Thanks to her, Bayonne received millions of dollars in federal and state

584
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funds. And whereas, Suzanne Mack has chaired the North Jersey Advisory Board of New Jersey Transit since 1989. She is a certified transportation planner and affordable housing professional. With the County of Hudson, she has served as executive director of the Hudson Transportation Management Association.

585
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She served as president of the Jersey City Board of Ed from 1996 to 2014, and oversaw education for the second largest school district in the state. And whereas, Suzanne Mack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies at

586
02:47:29.320 --> 02:47:46.155
Saint Peter's College in 1984. Now therefore, I, Robert Kubert, Mayor of the City of Bayonne, do hereby proclaim that Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, is to be observed as Suzanne Mack Day. Congratulations.

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>> [applause] >> You people are so sweet. Aw. >> [applause] >> If I might, [applause] Suzanne, before your comments. >> Yes. Yes, I don't have any comments. >> I thought it'd be appropriate that the council and the director of the law department, I was hoping Joe Skillender

588
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would still be here. Cuz they've interacted with you, and you >> dealt with them for many, many years. >> Okay. >> And I've only dealt with you for 6 months. So >> Well, I'm very fond of >> thought it'd be appropriate that they do

589
02:48:25.640 --> 02:48:41.840
it, but I do want to thank you for the 6 months you educated me. And she has made the city millions and millions and millions of dollars in grants and giveaways and everything else.

590
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All the parks that she got done over. She's amazing. She's known throughout the state as as being very efficient. She knows what she's doing. She uh Right? You do.

591
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And uh she's very persuasive. And I had a meeting with the the state commissioner Clougherty a couple of weeks ago over the turnpike. And the praise that he gave her was simply amazing. He deals with her all

592
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the time and he he said he has never ever dealt with anyone so dedicated and so persuasive and so kind and loving as you are. YEAH. SO, CONGRATULATIONS. >> [applause] >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

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>> WHO IS GROOMING TREASURE REPLACEMENT? Bring out the big guns now for you. Yeah. Woo. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> YEAH. YEAH. [applause] >> UH I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE. I THINK I think I come to council meetings more

594
02:50:27.160 --> 02:50:43.400
than maybe some of our staff over over the course of the year and I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to have worked with this council and this mayor and former mayors and former councils and I will tell Councilman Carol

595
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whatever I have to do to come back to get you your workforce housing that that's you know that's going to be one but but again you know I had a conversation the past couple of days my my son just did a coloring book on my my

596
02:50:58.680 --> 02:51:15.360
son is an international speaker I think you know that he says his job is to teach children to be kind and adults not to be something else. So I've been trying to as I walk out the door or crawl out the door with my

597
02:51:15.360 --> 02:51:40.160
little problem with my hip I've been trying to tell everybody that the people of Bayonne are the kindest and that you know a lot of us are moving on but be proud of how kind Bayonne is. Thank you. >> [applause] >> And I'd like to take a few more minutes

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of your time if you don't mind that one. >> [laughter] >> I know I know it's been a long night and somebody in the room oh this will be a quick one. >> [laughter] >> But I thought that the council should be recognized

599
02:51:55.000 --> 02:52:12.160
for what they've done for this city for their entire terms I know Gary you've been here through what three mayors? >> No five mayors. >> Five mayors all right. My math isn't that good. >> [laughter] >> But

600
02:52:12.160 --> 02:52:29.280
tonight was a perfect example of what you do. Sometimes you stick to your guns sometimes you change your minds like happened here tonight but no matter what it is whether you stick to your guns change your mind you

601
02:52:29.280 --> 02:52:44.600
always have the interest of those you serve, your constituents, the citizens of Bayonne. You always do what you think is right for them. You put your own personal feelings aside and uh

602
02:52:44.600 --> 02:53:01.680
you you really work hard uh to do I see you sitting here all day uh working on different things and uh you put a lot of time in and I don't think people realize it. You put a lot of dedication in, very professional and I want to thank you on behalf of the city of Bayonne for your

603
02:53:01.680 --> 02:53:17.590
service. >> to thank you for your service as well. >> Thank [applause] you. >> Thank you. >> And today's not only Susan Mack day, it's also recognized a council day. So I have proclamations for each of you. >> Thank you very much and thank you FOR YOUR SERVICE.

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>> [applause] >> I I THINK HE DESERVES to be honored as well because um he really held the city together for his for his time here and uh he should be commended on all his service as well. So we can give him a round of APPLAUSE AS WELL. >> [applause]

605
02:53:50.340 --> 02:54:32.720
[laughter] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. WITH NOTHING ELSE? >> Um couple things. I know I also have a statement to read. Would you guys like to Everybody like to say a couple words? It's our last council meeting.

606
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And um I would like to close the meeting out and then I'll let you know when we're all done, Madeline. Thank you. Yes, you go first. >> All right, real quick. Um I know someone told me to stop saying that when I started this council, and he

607
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happens to be in this room. I always say yeah yeah just quick minute. Uh I wrote out a statement for my last meeting, but I decided not to do that. I decided to speak from my heart. The fact of the matter is working with this council has been uh

608
02:55:04.840 --> 02:55:21.480
pretty special to me. And I I thank them. I know what I was going to do that. Um this is my best interest uh has always been the city of Bayonne. Uh listen, sometimes we got it wrong. Uh a lot of times we got it right, and uh we're not perfect, but again, I'm

609
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going to stand by the fact that I think we did a fantastic job, and I think we kept the best interest in the city of Bayonne uh on this dais. We did not always do it right. We did not make everybody happy, but I'm just saying it's been one of the proudest moments of my life serving the city of Bayonne.

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>> [applause] >> Thank you, Jackie. >> Mhm. So, I was the one that that spent um months telling him to stop saying real quick. You know, throughout our 4 years here, we have um made some everlasting friendships,

611
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have overcome some tremendous challenges, um and and had to pull together to uh work as a team, um which was probably one of those tremendous challenges. Um sometimes uh easier said than done,

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but I'm I must say that I I did meet some very influential people or or at least people that had a tremendous influence on my life and who helped me to realize uh what what our city really needed and

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things that my eyes were not open to previously, not because I didn't want to be, but because I wasn't aware. So, my time here did um my intent was to come in and to help and and perhaps make a difference. I hope that my efforts did

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do that. Um I have to say that those individuals and and there were um some of [clears throat] of our developers, some of the attorneys that work with them, uh certainly all of our advisors here in the city council, um

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people like Suzanne Suzanne Mack and Suzanne Cavanaugh, and certainly Donna and and Jake Coffey, who is um has since retired. But, um certainly Director Skillender as well, and I'm sure I'm I'm forgetting a tremendous amount of people. And Tommy, I'm sorry. You can kick me cuz I

616
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probably bothered Tommy 18 times a day. So, I didn't mean to forget you either. And and people like Pete Amadeo. But, but the people that help us each and every day make that difference here in the city because no one does it alone. So, and then

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certainly all of our constituents are really what matters most. So, thank you all for allowing me that time and to be here to make my contribution. I APPRECIATE IT. >> [applause] >> NEIL. >> I'M GOING TO GO LAST.

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>> ALL RIGHT. FIRST OF ALL, I GOT to say it's a privilege and an honor to serve the city of Bayonne. >> To serve the city of Bayonne for three terms. I was elected three times. When I ran, it was because we had a

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situation here in Bayonne in 2014. The city uh was at a structured deficit of $31 million uh from 2013. And everything that we had was being sold. The water department, the military

620
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ocean terminal, you name it, they sold it just to for a quick budget budget uh to uh fix the budget. Now, we saw that. I saw that. So, that's when I decided to run with the mayor uh Jim Jimmy Davis. He was a full-time mayor here.

621
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Um he didn't have a second job. He this was his job and he worked it. I I was here as a full-time councilman. Uh the other people had jobs, so they had to go to work. I was retired, so I I I took advantage of that. I stayed here. Had opportunities to go to work? No, I

622
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didn't. I stayed strictly for the people of Bayonne. I worked for the people of Bayonne. They helped them as much as I could. Uh was I perfect? No. Uh I made mistakes? Yes. But, I my intention was the people of

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Bayonne and to take care of the people of Bayonne. Uh I'm so proud. Look at the parks now. They're beautiful. Uh when we came here, that the parks were forgotten. They looked terrible. And you got to go down there by the uh um

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the uh uh the um turnpike, there's a beautiful park being built. Um we're spending over $5 million to make it a beautiful park for the kids, for the adults. And this is what we did, the administration did, all of us. We got together. We tried to make the city

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much better than what it was. When I came in, there was 65,000 people here in Bayonne. The house were being sold. Uh the the um the uh the the uh um, when when they people were losing money

626
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on their houses because they had to sell it at a like less. So, it as soon as we started getting here and we started investing, probably development, everything started moving up. Now we got 72,000 people here by the last census. So, it's it's gone

627
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up, it's good and the, uh, Oh, jeez, I can't find the damn words. Uh, the prices of the house has gone up, everything has gone the value of your property has gone up, everything's gone up before it was going down. So, I'm very proud to be here for the three

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terms. I was very proud that I was elected here for those three terms and I'm hoping that the new people that are coming in do just as good job as we did, even better. So, thank you, God bless you tonight. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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>> [applause] >> I I WAS ONE OF THOSE COUNCIL PEOPLE WITH A job that I reported to every day. Um, this city means so much uh, to to me and to my family and one of the things,

630
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one of the reasons I ran eight years ago was because that type of public service in one form or another has been, uh, in my family since the 1960s, whether it was a great grandfather serving as chief of police, a

631
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grandfather serving with the Congress and with the, um, Board of Freeholders, in the Board of Education and then on the council. We've I I just hope that I've I've done enough to keep my family

632
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proud when I look them in the eye and and my wife when I look her in the eye and I'm my first meeting ever in City Hall was actually with then director Kubert. And it was the first project I ever put

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forward. It was the stoplight illumination program. Every stop sign in the city has a red illuminating stripe. And I was nervous. I didn't know how to get it done. I didn't know how to pay for it, which is the name of the game in government. How you going to pay for the thing you want to do? And Red said,

634
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"Neil, we got it. Don't worry." And it was ever since then, um, you have been maybe one of the best people ever to work with. And I was so happy that you helped me that day and got me off on the right foot. But everyone up here has had the best

635
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interests of the city at heart. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve. It's been nourishing to the soul, even when the meetings go on for hours about things you may or may not have control over. And when the complaints come in about

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digging up the street or putting in the new light poles and all those things that tend to make people angry, I am proud that this council didn't kick the can to another administration, but did the work that needed doing. Uh, you

637
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know, sometimes it makes people so angry they vote you out. But that's no reason not to do the job before you. And so, you know, saying that, I'm very proud to share uh, this day with all of you. And and thank you so much for LETTING ME SERVE.

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>> [applause] >> I I HAVE TO TELL YOU I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED my time as an elected official. I'm in my 23rd year as an elected official in Bayonne. Four times as councilman. I want to thank each and every one of my supporters,

639
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my family and my friends. I can't thank you enough. Um, it's a real, real big show of confidence. And what I could say is that I got into this because I live uptown and uptown was always the

640
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uh red-headed step-sister that didn't get treated very well. Most of the politicians were from downtown. Everything happened downtown. And so I was happy to um get the tree lighting and uh we started uh one of the parades uptown. And um you know, we we

641
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do a lot of joking around, especially Neal and I and and we would joke about different things. Some of it's a little true and and some of it's just from me being a strong advocate for uptown. And uh I've lived my whole life uptown and and um I'm very proud of that and I'm very

642
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proud of the things that we've gotten done. Um as far as helping people, I've been able to help a tremendous amount of people in my time here. I think we've moved Bayonne forward. Joe Nichols is in the audience today. I take you back to about 2008,

643
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I believe it was. And Joe got the council and a few other people uh city officials into a Chevy Blazer and took us on in sand dunes, which is now um the military ocean terminal, the former military ocean terminal or

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peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. And to see what that's developed into now is is unbelievable. It's incredible. And I'm glad to have been a part of that. The parks are very near and dear to me. Most people know I work in the county parks. Um

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I was also instrumental with uh with uh Director Carter in doing some of the landscaping outside. You could see some of the flowers and the the plants. Um even though it fell a little short on our budgets, uh we weren't able to finish. Mr. Carter, I think you said

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we're going to finish at some point. So, I'm here if you want some, you know, some help in doing that. I'm I'm glad to help you. Um Yeah. >> [laughter] >> The uh the parks, very very near and

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dear to my heart. Russell Golding Park was a brand new park when I was 4 years old and um they had wooden blocks and stainless steel uh sliding ponds and things that they probably wouldn't be able to have today

648
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just by the law. But um that's going to be a state-of-the-art park and and I was really really happy to be involved in the in the process and the design in some capacity. Um I know it's not done yet, but it's going

649
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to have a roof over two basketball and pickleball courts and a 40-ft welcome to Bayonne sign right at our gateway. I can't ask for more than that advocating for uptown and um I want to wish the new council and mayor the best of luck.

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Um it's a challenge no matter what happens, no matter what times are going on, what what are the historical things going on around us. This is a challenge. The military always talks about the greatest job you'll ever love, the hardest job you'll ever love, excuse me.

651
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And I consider that the same challenge in the city council. It's the hardest job you'll ever love. Mayor Davis, I respect you a real lot. Thank you for all your service. You're the fifth mayor that I'm serving under, but you don't have a monthly meeting

652
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like I do and I have to see the public and even if they're mad at the city or you, I have to answer for that. So that's another reason why it was tough and yet I loved it at the same time and I love being able to try and help people if they come up with an with an issue or a problem. A lot of times we were able

653
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to help them or steer them in the right direction for the help. So I want to say congratulations to my colleagues because without you I I couldn't have had this 4 years as council president. To all the directors and the people I worked with throughout

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the years, I want to thank you because we can't do this by ourselves and it really really is such a huge team effort. My family, Mary, my friends, there's so much time away from your family and friends that we really have

655
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to thank you for letting us do this job because without your support, we'd be nothing. We'd be lost. We have um I believe around 40 parks in Bayonne. I don't know the exact number, Tommy. Do you know the the number, but we

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in Bayonne? Oh, 21? I thought it was All right, well, even 21, it's a lot. We've been able to refurbish We've been able to refurbish almost every single park. We're we're getting very close to the end of that.

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And um I think that was one of the goals that we had when we came in and I'm glad that we were able to stick to that as well. So, I want to wish everybody the best. Thank you for having us. And I'll see you around the neighborhood

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because I'm not going anywhere. SO, YEAH. >> [applause] >> ALL RIGHT. LLOYD LLOYD WANTS TO ADD SOMETHING. >> I just want to add one thing. As you sit around and listen to everybody, I was the one that kid in class that always listen everybody and had something to say at the end of what

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they said and I I just walked out of the classroom. I just want to say something to Tommy Cotter, Bonner, Mary Jane and first and foremost, Madeline. Listen, I don't know. I sit here every meeting listen to you reading that agenda and

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going over and over and sometimes keeping control of these meetings. I sit here and wonder I said, "How does she do it?" And I just want to say it's been a pleasure to work with you. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Mayor Copeland, I've worked with you before and it was a pleasure to work with you

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again. And forgive me for getting all my thoughts together after everybody has spoken. But thank you very much, Madeline, Donna, Tommy, and Mary Jane. Thank you. Oh, and Don, both Dons. >> [laughter] >> THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> I HAVE ONE MINUTE WHEN WE'RE DONE. WHAT

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[laughter] DO YOU HAVE, MADELINE? We'll take a picture over there, please. >> Sure. Sure. I want to wish everybody a happy 4th of July as well. >> The top job. Can you put the biographies that are in there proc- proclamations on the city website? >> Of course. >> All right. We'll we'll do that. It

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explains what they've been doing over the years and their positions. And if I read them, we'd still be going through it. So, just put them on the website, please, and let everybody know what a great day it was. >> [applause]

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>> Mayor Kuber, Mayor Kuber, I've nicknamed you the sage. We can have meetings and he'll sit there politely and not say anything, and at the very end say two or three words, and

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it's it's everything. It's a culmination of what occurred in the room. But I have to say I've worked with you a long time ago and recently. And this could have been a turbulent time, these last 6 months. You have held it together.

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And I on a personal note, you are the most kind and courteous and considerate and empathetic human being I've ever met. You are good to the city, and I hope we are all good to you.

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Thank you for everything you've done. >> Thank you. THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> YOU WANT TO MAKE A YOU WANT TO >> YEAH, MOTION. SO, FOR THE LAST time with this council, I'll take a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Oops.

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>> And on the motion, Mr. Booker. >> Aye. >> Mr. Carroll. >> Aye. >> Mr. Perez. >> Aye. >> Ms. Weemer. >> Aye. >> Mr. Lapalucci. >> Aye.