##VIDEO ID:ADIAOqzOgzI## [Music] off [Music] [Music] evening please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance please remain standing for the invocation by Deacon Ken carpanelli FL un States the stands God indivisible andice for [Music] [Music] all good evening even let us pray Almighty father we thank you for all those who are present here tonight may you be with them provide them with the strength they need in this day and in the days to come I ask Lord that you would also watch over the members of the government here in Gloucester Township grant them wisdom knowledge and compassion the skills to be able to look for the needs of the people of this community guide also all of our First Responders into safety as they also help to protect and care for those here may we also learn how we can care for each other other by recognizing that each one of us is a gift from you and may we make sure that we share the gift of your love I ask for all these things in your holy name amen [Music] am thank you Deacon this regular meeting of the township council is being held in accordance with the schedule the meetings of the township Council established and adopted by the township Council which schedule does need the time and date and place of this meeting adequate public notice of this meeting has been provided pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings act we're using electronic amplifying of record advice in order to obtain a clear and audible record and we request all those wish and speak we recognize and state your name address directly to the microphone the corn device will be Sly utilized by the township clerk's office for the preparation of the minutes and shall be the official record of the township Council meetings mad cler have a roll call please Mr here Mrs Al Mrs here Mr Nash here Mrs Walters here Mrs wers here Mr Mar pres Mr here Mr ctis here Chief arkins here Mr Migel here this evening we're having a public hearing on a proposed inclusive playground at the Valley Brook Sports Complex Mr Zino from TR and Mr Kar uh from pet Associates will provide a presentation of approximately 10 minutes and that'll be followed by any public comment for 15minute period Mr Zino thank you Mr President um as you noted the public hearing is to receive provide information uh about the application that we are submitting to the township would like to submit to Green Acres for uh development cost to build and construct a jake law playground just by way of background Jake law was passed in 2018 with the intent of providing uh guidelines to exceed the the very basic Ada Americans with Disabilities Act requirements to include uh Provisions that reflect on disabilities physical emotional social sensory for children uh ages 5 to 12 two to 12 to to 12 years subsequent to the law being adopted uh in 2023 Acres a program through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection which the township has participated in on many programs successfully last year Taylor Avenue is one of the many projects that have been approved Green Acres came out with guidelines inviting applications first from counties and then second uh last year from municipalities uh it allows funding to as I said construct with equipment and other improvements that are reflect Ive of the Sens sensitivities of of children with emotional and physical disabilities shading quiet areas special restroom facilities Etc so uh part of the application requirements include a public engagement process and Greenacres wanted to be sure that it was thought out sufficiently over a period of time before the February 5th application deadline submission so in addition to this public hearing Green Acres was very interested to see what else the township would do and would do and glester Township was very embraced the principal we had a detailed Community survey that was conducted from December 27th through uh January 17th we had 272 responses from that survey uh it was online and of the that number eight 68% of the well 81% responded that we would welcome additional Recreation opportunities and 68% of those referenced and all inclusive which is inclusive in terms of facilities for children of all ages and with all disabilities so with that in mind we also held an open Community Forum on January 7th once again to to invite questions and comments U about the program and actually some interesting comments one was for if we're putting benches out there for family and friends watch with the children that they be shaded and that was incorporated into the plan another comment had come from the soccer association about the need for additional restroom facilities and we were able to incorporate a special what called a family assisted Ed restroom as part of the overall plan and in the budget um at this point in time the public hearing uh is tonight and that's following the community survey the open Community forum and when that notice was published I believe it was on January 5th uh we also had it posted online and through social media and during that time of the posting uh copies of the concepts that were planning the budget and what the required environmental assessment were all in place at that time so right now the hearing tonight is to invite PR comment and as certainly answer any questions uh we will incorporate that those minutes into the application which has to be submitted by January F excuse me February 5th um of 2025 um Mr President the next part of the presentation I will defer to the engineer who will just speak to the plan the budget and the assessment at which are integral parts of the application and documents that the public have had online but also we want to make sure that we can at least address some of the details of those plans thank you Mr zampo Mr [Music] curan good evening James curan with the Pedic group um there are nine requirements to meet meet Jake's law I'll go through them one by one um one is accessible parking so our playground is adjacent to an existing parking lot with 198a accessible parking spaces there needs number two there needs to be accessible roots to playground related facilities we're providing accessible routs from the parking lot to the playground the playground to the bathroom facilities and snack bar area and from the playground to the adjacent field the dreams accessible Sports Fields number three unitary safety surfacing we're going to provide a rubber surface that's proposed it's safer than traditional playground surfaces and fully accessible number four accessible bathroom facilities we're converting an existing storage room on the south side of the building to A Accessible family U toilet room we're not going to touch the existing facility so it'll be three bathrooms there one will be the assisted use facility required um shade number five is shade a minimum 20% of the square footage for the surface and equipment is shaded by natural other means unfortunately at this park there's no existing shade trees any shade of any kind um so we have to ride all manmade shade providing uh canopies umbrellas and Sals um took the justtin the comments from the public instead of 20% we're going to increase it to 30% K all the benches a lot of the play equipment will all be under shade fencing uh we're providing a fence with a double gate 10t wide around the proposed playground seven and eight seven is inclusive play equipment eight ramps and transfer points of f r equipment components that address physical sensory cognitive social emotional imaginative communication needs of those who visit the playground are being provided equipment meets ADA requirements providing wheelchair accessible root and ramps and transfer points on the equipment customize equipment such as special swings allow kids allow all kids to enjoy the playground as is meant to be enjoyed and nine quiet areas quiet zones provide Sanctuary where children can take a break from the sensory Rich environment of a typical playground and self-regulate these Zs are typically designed with elements that promote calmness and relaxation they may features such as shaded areas soft surfaces gental sensory activities or even natural elements like plants and water features the aim is to create an environment that feels safe and inviting all the nine requirements are met by our proposal um we did have a environmental impact assessment prepared by Acer Associates consultant their summary was that there were no areas no condition read exactly says there are no adverse impacts that require mitigation so we're nothing nothing wor about environmentally budget we prepared a cost estimate that will beud with the application total construction cost is estimated to be 7 74984 eligible Grant is 75% of that $562,500 and we'll be requesting a loan of $187 $187,500 that's A2 year no interest loan no additional money will be needed for this like [Music] that's all I have thank you Mr ker so I would ask that if there was any questions there's any questions from the public you Mr ker you and Mr sanino can feel them will anyone like to speak on this subject matter yes sir and followed by you and the back question could you could you please come up and state your name and address please and also anyone and you have up you have three minutes sir okay yes sir uh Matthew Peterson 440 North black course Pike in Black U my question for you was when we went to the zoom meeting you had originally made an estimate of $1 million uh with $750,000 and then the $250,000 loan now that the numbers you're telling me are less can we possibly still get a million dollar total since we already approved for $750,000 and then use that for maintenance money in future years that is my question the answer is u Green Acre set a maximum of $750,000 original way the guideline was written we had had to get clarification as to other municipalities originally The Way It Was Written 75% would be a grant up to 750 750,000 and then 25% alone if you had a million doll project because they the rule as interpreted and clarified uh came back and said 750 Max Grant and loan you could so that what we had to do was kind of re the project scope within that $750,000 threshold 25% of which Jim mentioned was the $562,500 Grant and then the balance is a 0% the 20 years 187 so the reason was originally we thought we had a million 750 but we didn't no no it's 750 that's the cap that's the max okay and then I still have a minute and a half so if I just wanted to uh testify as a member of the community that has disabled members a disabled family member um I think it's a wonderful idea especially now with the lower cost I was going to say at 12,500 that's what I came in to say 12,500 a year is nothing but now I don't know the quick math I might had but has a cost of the township to me it's a no-brainer I know some people online have been because they're worried about spending more money when we have a little bit of a debt but to me that's less than a half of a percent of our overall Deb and totally worth it so that not just the uh children with disabilities can play but also their siblings and their friends it's truly a playground for all so I urge you strongly to support this project us your name sure Matthew Peterson oh on there too thank you Miss hiany Kelly New Jersey um yes I ask for a figure on the phone call what was our yearly maintenance to maintain this part if you told me that fig was available the council had those figures we don't have we don't have a number that we don't have so we're gonna build something that we don't have much it's cost well actually I think the nature of this is all the surfaces in there are the peral rubber material so there's no um maintenance in terms of cutting the grass or adding fill various places with wood chips Etc so it's Min the minimal maintenance department we haven't had to includ the when we write the application EXC finish will include evidence that the township has personel and resources to maintain this so when Delan Hill Washington Township cons did you ever those other towns a possible okay um so you said in the 272 responses um I also did one line and I posted it to PTA sites FSA sites and local school sites and on the meeting I asked all know to reach out to the that community of children who would utilize this where we and also there was no portion on the um questionnaire for comments or additional input it was strictly yes or no and that's it I I part of that I said to circumvent that when it said other put your comment in other so do you have a list what the possible answers were when it came to other I I don't know that there were many comments other than the direct L responses but I do think it was directed we don't have the survey right here right now but that if there were any questions that would be directed to the recation department my knowledge working with department but certainly doen you have comments the forum tonight is please let us know what they are and we will that was my biggest question was what was going to be and then um so really someone mentioned 187 2000 $187,000 would be our cost and figuring out that 12,000 is not a large amount it is a large amount so I want to know from Council are we cutting anything to maintain I mean to have a loan of $12,000 a year maybe $10,000 a year you g to add that additional that hasn't been discussed we have a an annual budget that for a recreation department for all our parks and uh this will be included to it so it hasn't been discussed okay right now we have 54 parks and playgrounds I printed out three page list thank you you can provide that to us Miss Kelly you're it's your website you you have access to it I just want to make sure that what we currently have is going to be maintained in addition to a new playground we will maintain our parts thank you very much Mr X9 good evening Ira sign Glen basically I think it's some this park is something that we don't need not that we don't need it I like the idea of it I don't think we can afford it three months ago you guys were saying V yes to sell the sewer system pay the debt now the sudden we money it doesn't make sense that's not being fiscally responsible in my opinion other than that the only thing I want to say is I know there's people here that going to say oh this guy doesn't like people with disabilities has no heart that's not the case the debt that you guys created that you wanted to pay off was all developed by you guys so anybody if anybody if they're going to get mad at anybody you guys all of you're the reason we have this St thank you Mr xon anyone else would like to speak Miss coin followed by uh Mr [Music] [Music] Jared I'd like to clarify can we have your name please you're and where you reside thank you I'd like to clarify discuss final aspects in the budget as far as this is any other type of Park that we would adhere we have a park that's going in Catalina Hills we have a park that's going in Taylor Avenue those are things that are part of uh the recreation budget we have Green Acres money that we dedicate to taking care of our Parks so this particular project and as far as the maintenance of it no it's not been discussed by Council that's something that our uh our administrator would do with the public works department did I clarify for you yes that is correct public hearing there'll be a resolution yes um I wanted to ask one is the county also making applications for these Mr Zino I do not know is it possible for example any well I think if there were I can't I can't answer that question except to say I think Mr car as a business Minister are you aware of it the County Planning any park I am not thank you okay so something that the county would have done didn't do is that no I think that's an opinion Mr cars that's an opinion do you know that the county would that's something they said let Aon do it or Washing Township or not aware count okay correct so but you you you made a statement that the county said I we'll leave it to the towns to do it I said Mr saying he's not aware that the county asked for one of these playgrounds but the county could not so the fact that they didn't up for thect the counting has 37 municipalities um Mr car says he's not aware of them putting a project like this in our Township lost so there's not chance that one's buil lately bu I can determine the future that we're aware what I'm asking okay and my other question was um there's an a park being built on tail ravening that also has the same surface and um is ADA Compliant so I'm wondering why uh this park is being considered a mile away and not in aerial which would better service our 24 square mile Community instead of having two pars with each Mr Zano can you explain to Taylor Avenue is because it's not just for children or adults of disabled it is for the whole Community can you please expand upon that thank definitely for the whole community and that part actually was approved I think the highest scoring application of all the GRE AG because it's a multigenerational project it's not certainly it will have Ada considerations uh as all public facilities must but this is not that is not a j La playground it is for children youth adults with fitness equipment and Recreation all forms of recreation was multigenerational was designed that way was approv U by Green aors as a very very high priority project because of its unique um ability to address many needs of of a larger Community not just children with disabilities are not excluding them saying this part will have kind of features that or can be integrated into the overall uh facility thank you Mr Sano thank you Miss coin for your time Mr Jared good evening Jared Thomas from Blackwood um I just had a a couple things I wanted to confirm so this park is going to be located uh the Valley Sports Complex which is I believe and my understanding is like the park is also to be replacing existing softball so is it fair to say then like whatever maintenance cost for associated with that softball field can now be rolled into Main St M think you could that yes um with I appreciate I have a comment about the you know the shading one of my biggest concerns as a parent um right now is there are some parks like especially the middle of July I can't take against to because I will buy a because it's not just like how hot it is but it's just a direct sunlight um feel you're G get bur within two minutes I did uh want to inquire because like this was the question I had was like um I don't know uh if the scope of the park is is fixed at this point but one of my thoughts was can this be a splash pad similar to they have at solo Park um that looked like an extremely Ada accessible amenity to my knowledge there is no splash pads in ler Township anywhere so it's like be AIT aable the DCA actually prepar to set of standards for jigs playgrounds and in our reading I don't we don't see that the spash mark As among those that could be designed to accommodate that it could be something it can be I'm saying for this design they set specific standards some of which didn't talked about there are other types not seeing as part of that and it is added we want to try to get as much active or passive equipment both active and passive to address that okay I thought of it because I know like there's already existing features there that have water connected to a lot simp um and then so I I was kind of looking at the cost as well my understanding is it's $187,500 would be the amount of the loan it's 0% interest that spread out over 20 years right so then if my math is right then in bler to I assume has about 25,000 households for the census that would be 37 and a half cents per household per year so I I think that's worthwhile to create a park that is absolutely for a wide variety of children and I think we should do it thank you Mr Thomas we have time for one more speaker Mr Davis r Davis West I'm here tonight to express my very strong support with proposed inclusive playground and Val as the treasur of GT the dreams I've been amazed at the pure joy that our program brings to the guys and gals that plenty playing our games many of you guys have probably been out there as buddies and have experienced the same joy that the players feel watch them put their arms around each other as they wait to bed or to help each other in the field F your heart and I with those mind one of the best things to do on a Saturday have as a 25 year resident of louer Township and a business owner myself I've seen our community our community grow and prosper I'm a full proponent of our branding of glester Township as we noticed from all the signs and the pride it brings to be a resident the new businesses that have opened over the years and the continued efforts of our local government to make things better and serve the various residents in our townships veterans the disabled seniors all serve to make this a great place to live and work the recreation center provides so many wonderful programs for our residents as well as a resident I believe we have a responsibility found a duty to provide for those in our Township that need additional care sometimes that means volunteering and sometimes as in this case it means mon the proposed playground does just that the space where individuals with disabilities can play and into the outdoors as Mr Jud spoke it's located next to an unutilized field and it will serve our community well our board met previously and the GT Field of Dreams nonprofit has agreed to donate $25,000 to the blr on behalf of our players to all s some of the costs I believe the check was dropped off this morning reive the check today some of you guys know me I'm a pretty big sports fan so and I have a business here in the township so I'll agree to donate $2500 bucks a year to help offset the costs of playground and I will give for either we'll have GT field dreams or you do something through the township I have six tickets to the Eagles seeon tickets I have two seats eight rows off the field and four row and four seats up in section 241 and I will agree to donate them to the township or to GT Field of Dreams PR us to raffle to provide additional funds to help offset the cost of maintaining or to pay that 85 mon thank you very much Mr Davis and with that we'll conclude our hearing um we're going to segue into our public portion if there's anyone that wanted to speak on this it is a resolution uh and we do have a uh public comment period uh so those who are unfamiliar with our rules of order for Council meetings uh they are posted on the bulletin board but I just remind everyone please limit your comments to three minutes for the first public comment portion that is only for agenda items only so does anyone like to speak on any agenda items only has not spoken yes ma'am you can request that but we're in a public forum Mr car the procedur individuals are allowed to so long as they're not interfering or videoing the public speaker in a sense and you kindly ask and I do appreciate okay my name is Kath I live in tville I have a question about the licensing fees I feel like by making such a small margin between what you're charging for an altered pet versus an unaltered pet is promoting residents to breed and not stay in m not asking for you to provide me any insight but just consider maybe making it a more drastic difference because we have a widespread problem in this area with animals breeding whether wanted or unwanted and it's going to result in us having to deal with thank you is there anyone else Miss [Music] coin question on resolution 25151 would you please clarify what other necessary actions you're speaking of in connection with the fourth round obligations and are these actions related to Z funding or other specific measures and um given that the council went into executive session at the last meeting discuss this matter I'm wondering why being ton discussion you explain reason behind thank you we answer afterwards Mr car is there anyone else like to speak during public for first public comment seeing public comment I'll respond to this point uh so what other necessary actions what actions are there any zoning uh or or funding and why did we go to Executive session U why was discussing exective session I'll start off with that part uh this was a legal matter that we had discussed so round four uh which were required by the state of New Jersey to comply with affordable housing this happens every 10 years where there's a certain amount of affordable housing that we have to provide in our community and this is throughout the state of New Jersey a figure was provided to us uh and that discussion was whether we're comfortable with that whether we want to appeal that and those discussions had to take place in executive session with our legal councel and our affordable house consult Mr no that that's correct it's basically what I was going to report uh that that it was basically addressing legal issues uh and Court proceedings there was nothing that dealt with as far as the Housing Development so it was just Our obligation and legal issues of the upcoming application and filing that has to be done which has to be done very quickly and we're in process put our thank you W the reading accept me of the workshop session December 924 and regular session December 9th 2024 and December 23 question roll call please Mr yes this yes think yes to [Music] December Mr Nash yes Mrs Walters yes Mrs wers for both Mr yes bid report 2025 animal intervention service motion second on the question call please Mr yes Mrs yes Mrs Grace love yes Mr Nash yes M wter yes Mrs W yes Mr M yes next is ordinance the second reading there'll be public hearing for adoption it's ordinance amending chapter 47 of the code of Township uh gler entitled pent animal abuse of the code book of the township of gler County of C in state New Jersey uh this uh amends chapter 47 pen anual abuse of the code of chanc of bler to amend as follows a person applying for a license and registration tax should pay a fee of $21 for registering each altered dog or cat and $24 for registering each unaltered dog or cat before Jan jary 31st each calendar year there will be a senior discount for residents age 65 or older for veterans uh they can apply for a fee of $8 for registering for altered dog or cat $11 for registering each unaltered dog or cat before January 31st and it has a late fee of $15 we charge for each license that's not applied by March 31st of each calendar year we will now open up the public car on this matter anyone wish to speak on this matter see none caring have a motion make that motion there a second second on the question roll call please Mr yes Mrs Albert Trel yes Grace love yes Mr Nash yes M Walters yes Mrs wers yes Mr MC yes next is ordinance 0-25 d02 calendar year 2025 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap Bank uh this provides municipality to limit any increase in the said budget to 2.5% unless authorized by ordance to increase it to 35% over the previous year's final Appropriations Mr car is there anything you want to add to that this is commonly known as the col ordinance uh you have pass it every year that I business that I'm aware of also pass allows us to go as you just stated from 2.5 3.5 on the appropriation side more importantly from my perspective it allows you to bank any money that you are under that thank you Mr cartis I have a motion make that motion is there a second second on the question roll call please Mr yes Mrs Al Trel yes Mrs Grace love Mr Nash yes M Walters yes Mrs wiers yes Mr M yes next is our consent agenda any member would like to have any item removed or amended please speak up hearing on Iain a motion to accept the consent agenda as present move second on the question roll call please Mr yes m al yes Mrs Grace yes Mr Nash yes Mrs Walters yes Mrs wers yes Mr Mar yes we now have our GTE access emails we have a few of them this evening uh first one's from Mr Dave leader from 1105 Huntington Avenue glendor how long is the paid week of the employees of ler Township Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 5:45 p.m. equals 9.7 hours equals 39 hours a week uh there are various shifts that are worked by Township employees most administrative St staff work Monday through Thursday 8 8: a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and the paid work week is 35 hours Public Works recycling sewer they work 40 hour weeks and their shifts vary to cover Services their shift most work their shift work is mostly Monday through Thursday 7 to 5:30 or Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4: other shifts work are provided for evening and weekend coverage police officers work various shifts they have a a rotating 232 schedule consisting of 12 hour shifts dispatchers work various 12h hour shifts that cover blocks of time to ensure 24-hour coverage and depending on specific departmental needs or events there's a variation to some of the schedules the next question from Mr leader he is requesting a total loan value and last month's interest to be reported each council meeting the public re requires tracking of Gloucester Township spending and these loans and totals year to date are not in the public domain or in the budget Mr car I don't have that could you address that I'm sorry I not understand do not documents that are required to be kept by the municipality state of New Jersey that would adere to request what I little we'll ask for clarification Mr leader uh next question from Mr leader how can I petition the government for a redress of grievances if I don't have a public form to do so reference the amendment one of the Bill of Rights having time limits and only being able to speak once is living the Public's ability to redress the Township's government repeated requests for 30 minutes of Mayor mayor's time have gone un responsive what other methods exist to redress our government repeated requests for 30 minutes of Mayor mayor's time have gone unresponsive and not even recognized as having been received uh in regards to the time period in public portion uh law currently allows requires mun Municipal bodies to set a portion of each meeting for public comments uh public bodies have uh allow public comments um but they can also adopt written policies that require speakers to sign up in advance or limit the time of each speaker uh so public comment Mr leader you have been at our meetings at many meetings and have addressed uh your comments and concerns with the municipality in regards to Mayor mayor and his schedule I would suggest contacting the mayor's office uh they're open from 8 to 5:45 Monday through Thursday you can speak to any of his staff people and try to get in contact with the mayor our next question from Mr leader is is it possible to create the gtmua from the sewer division leaving the recycling within Township or also move it to the MUA uh the response uh the administration speaking to Administration no it is not their objective to uh go back to the GTM create that and my personal opinion uh no to remain it as a sewer division uh Mr Leader's next question or statement working meeting agenda to allow public comment after more details of items is presented or provide a more detailed description initially short descriptions of items are insufficient for public to comment upon more details are provided public portion just just ends up asking for those details either provide more information or allow questions before and after details of items are presented that was a statement uh our last no we got two more we got four more oh okay all right okay from Michael male of 54 Steven Drive Lindor loster Township and more spefic specifically glendor has a major feral cap problem I understand there are teenage programs but the real issue is people feeding them on their property and that they can wreck havoc on the rest of the town and the neighbors I was even fine once because they got into my trash if we wanted cats we would buy one we all pay a lot of taxes and it's a big problem that needs to be dealt with the township needs to address this issue and not put it back on the residents who aren't feeding them to begin with please advise the taxpayers on how Council will address this issue please add it to the action items list until it's resolved thank you uh we had reached out to Kathy Fuski okay Kathy lusi works with our feral cat community in in the township and she provided information about facts and fallacies about free roaming cats what are feral cats and it was Mr cars asked for something brief we got something more than that so I'm going to provide that uh um to Mr uh Mel for that to his email but thank you for briide in that I appreciate it our next email is from rxin of Cedar Creek Drive at the last meeting discussion about affordable housing obligations was held in a closed session can you explain why that decision was made this seems like an issue that impacts the whole community so I'm wondering why it wasn't discussed in public I understand a Township solicitor was involved in the meeting but was discussing purely about legal advice or did it include broader decision about housing obligations if it was more General should it have been made open public of made open to the public uh this was addressed in resolution 250-5124 Lane in Summerdale I would like to know why the Township's looking to spend $250,000 for a new playground while there are others in the township that are in need or repair the playground in Timber burst development has not been maintained properly especially the entrances the black top walkways going to the playground are cracked and lift due to tree roots my grandson was so excited to go to the playground but didn't get to it because he tripped on the uneven black top and fell so we turned around and went home please consider maintaining and making the playgrounds and Parks we already have safe for people to enjoy um at the community Forum that was held on January 7th Triad stated that the township was prosing proposing a completely inclusive playground uh it had the total project cost a million dollars with a G Acres 250 that has been theend as we discussed earlier uh has now been reduced at $750,000 with a $187,500 loan uh at no 0% interest over 20 years Mr cars this was supported to Mr cartis Mr cars is having uh direct department and Public Works take a look at this playground in the timber burst development Miss ban thank you and last from DEA hria 89 Lamp Post Lane good evening being I can't be in two places at once I have some questions that you can kindly answer has the 60 unit Supportive Housing project on block 12302 lot one 420 turnerville Selena Road been approved by the Gloucester Township Council acting as the re Redevelopment entity no this is the cam County project that'll be constructed and owned by kenam county and the Canam County did not and the county did not request redeveloper status therefore there was no action that was required by the council or the Redevelopment entity if yes when it was approved when was it approved and under what resolution to ordinances it was not it was a County uh activity project does the project contribute towards Gloucester Township's affordable housing obligations under the fair share housing plan yes this is the Canam County project that's anticipated count as a credit worthy affordable housing units under the Township's fourth round housing element and fair share plan if yes how many units will be CED towards those obligations it's anticipated 60 affordable housing credits from this County project what population does this Supportive Housing aim to serve veterans elderly individuals with disabilities it's our understanding that the county project is for those that are in transitional housing homeless supportable housing will these units be classified as affordable housing under New Jersey law that is the Township's understanding that yes it will be if the project does not count towards uh affordable housing obligations why not and how does it fit into the broader housing goals of the township uh that was responded thus count towards it uh what is the expected impact of this project on Lost attachment residents and resources particularly giving it's a tax exempt status this will contribute to our housing obligations this is located uh past hom word bound on the right hand side as you're heading to Washington Township on Selena Road uh it is a trans itional housing project that is a holistic approach by the county just not helping those that are in need but also uh with their health and physical and a a public facility or a recreation center for them um but it is not a long-term solution for any individuals that are staying in that particular property so that concludes our eovs We Now open up our second public portion the second public portion is 30 minutes please limit your comments to 5 minutes for the second public portion once you've completed your comments or questions and the public comment perod has uh concluded uh the council president will then ask any member of the governor body or design if they wish to address the comments or questions asked by the persons who just spoke would anyone like to speak during this public portion Miss lus followed by Miss coin and Miss smithman yeah we need get yes so I work at the township in support of tanr it is a Humane method to control the cat population we do not have a cat problem we have a people problem these cats didn't just get in the car and drive here inide it's just like a good place to live with people who are having cats that are not fix they're moving from apartments and houses and they're leaving them outside and cats are going to do what cats do and they start repopulating over the last four or five years I've trapped and fixed over 500 FAL cats in gler Township I've had over 200 pregnant cats feed preventing probably over 600 kittens from being born and probably another three or 4,000 from being conceived in addition I tracked over 500 kittens and had them removed from our community and adopted into good homes because they were at a stage where they were not feral so I could socialize them this is not a problem I can solve by myself these residents that are out here feeding these cats are asking for help and me and other volunteers are going out and helping them get them fixed but there's nowhere for them to go they're not adoptable animals but what I can say is that our program has worked and Tom can attest to this we've reduced our shelter intake over the past few years by 325 animals per year which last year resulted in a $75,000 savings prior or two years ago the prior year $100,000 and this year it'll be $150,000 savings for a TNR program that you guys are not paying for we're doing this all from donations and grants and the occasional help from residents so this isn't cing the township anything I actually did respond to that person who sent the email because he was spewing hate on Facebook and he did not take me up on my offer to assist him I offered to assist him TNR is a Humane method as my daughter when she speaks we'll tell you a trapping and killing these cats is not going to work and if we trapped and killed these cats it would still cost the township $50,000 to trap and kill 300 cats in one year because of the astronomical rate that the shelter charges for an animal so this is the Humane solution it will take some time there are a lot of locations in the township and when people ask for help we help as soon as we can we're obviously limited with appointments and things of that nature I can think of 10 locations that I've done over the years that has not had another show off Onix because the caretakers have been diligent about making sure they stay on top of it there are locations that I just can't finish because people aren't cooperating if I'm on a street and there's four people feeding and three of them say okay we're going to stop feeding so you can trap and one of them isn't doesn't stop feeding you can't trap a cat if it's not hungry so again this is not a cat problem this is a people problem and if anybody wants to help with the problem I am happy to take on more volunteers but if not I will continue to help any Resident that is willing to cooperate and follow the process I'm not about trapping and killing cats and I'm not about trapping and removing cats unless there is a really good reason and when there is a really good reason I will do it but it has to be really good because track and relocate is 50% of the time a Deb sentence especially if you don't do it correctly so again my services are available for free to any Resident that needs help but you have to do it the way I want to do it or I will not know because I will not I'm not in the business of put to that because they existed it's not their fault existed thank you thank you very much Miss coin she lady um I'd like some clarity on block 1232 one um that property is plan Redevelopment area and so under the local Redevelopment and Housing law I believe u the Redevelopment which is Council needs to approve the selection of the developer and negotiate development agreement is that not true we answer at the end of your comments okay and um so with that in mind I'm wondering what Authority can county has to issue bids to get work the project located within cler Township in a Redevelopment area without any oversight from the Redevelopment entity and I'm wondering if there's a formal agreement um between the township and the county regarding this project Township Redevelopment plan for that area and I also um like to know if there was ever a public meeting on this project all thank you Miss smithman followed by lady in the back thank you s to point good evening [Music] [Music] [Music] in some possibly invol this Township in your police officers says for more than two years I have been desperately trying to [Music] assist excuse me I'm fine I'm good thank you thanks Monday of the month of January 2025 while leaving this meeting trying to gather information from [Music] theal in the [Music] we'll respond after your comments that Council woman right [Music] there my name is she sto holding it if you're to come from the United States Postal Service interrupted me trying to get informational Bo ask if I place that in her mailbox I had no idea where that at all I have no [Music] idea you misheard me you misheard she held an envelope and she had several times if I plac that in her mailbox now councilman Carolyn Grace knows where I live she was at my apartment accompanied by the president of w Township Council M and previous council member Dan Hinson she knows exactly where my apartment is I have not been able to get any assistance in my identity and then several years later I'm being questioned whether or not I approached the household of a councilman while trying to regain my own information my father God rest up in this he got may I ask why being interrupted going through the only means that I'm permitted to to try to follow the procedures that are constantly changing in this boster Township Jour municipality why am I being asked or accused of any anyone in this council's private housing area that's a question answer at the end of your comments we will respond when the public comment is ended yes do you want to wait do you want to wait after we we'll wrap it up and then we respond okay Miss and followed by you okay sorry the point my name is Lis Thomas from and in reference to this woman have the TNR um I think we should do the TNR it is I've had a problem with cats I've lived here going for 30 years when I first moved in here there was no cat problem all of a sudden it just showed up I had no idea what to do I reach people I've gone to Homebound and they um for me on to a woman named Kelly who I in contact with all the time now I have no cat no kittens I do have cats that come to my house and I feed to be honest and I don't ask anybody for money or anything I do it myself it's a it's a very good thing population will dwindle I mean I have noticed that in my little area I have less cats to show my cats and I just think that we should continue with the te and as Bob Barker would always say at the end person is Right control the pet population pet or okay thank yes can you say your name again she didn't hear okay hi bro I am a PhD CTIC speak public health I'm going to reference Bo TV and bger and this is appable to what I'm going to talk about for the vacuum effect for our so there was a clinical trial run in the UK about Badger calling to see what the effects were on mine TV cows get B TV from Badgers you did not know so what was done was they were given colored pellets in their food and then those badg would then decate those pellets and that's how they were able to track their location um one site is randomized to Badger calling one that it was randomized to allow the Badgers to continue to live in that population unless they were to test positive for Line TV it was not called unless it was tested positive in the site that was randomized to calling the bers they found that there was actually an increase in area because those baders have like a a space that's their space that's their C when they were removed new Badgers came into that area and then infected the house when we had the Badgers who kept in their space we did not remove them unless they had tested positive for Mo TB the rates actually went down and I'm will provide you Don at all with paper that talks about this princial trial for your reference in terms of our feral C population the TNR coordinance that we have within this Township allows us to track and vaccin your vaccin against grees and other diseases that throughout our animal population in our What could to turn into a public health risk we're not vaccinating against greedies we all know how that goes it's on Facebook CL fire and everyone's freaks out so if we do this appropriately we return the animals we will see the population diminish but if we remove those animals what do you think happen more cats are flood that area just like I saw in this trial for would you like me to provide this to you yes you give it to the cler and Nancy if you could provide a copy to all of us put it in a mailbox our mailbox located here in the municipal Hall thank you is there anyone else like to speak we'll close our portion uh Mr lki thank you for your comments um Brooke it went over my head I was trying to understand I was a marketing major in undergrad in grad school but I was following you I was right notes but thank you very much for your comments and we'll read that we'll pass that around uh Miss coin in regards to uh the Lakeland Redevelopment plan and what Authority does the county have to not seek a Redevelopment agreement or a formal agreement Mr Carl is that something can follow up I can follow up if she can be a little more specific or someone can give a little more specific as to the location it's it's located in there okay so um so I'll give you that information as well um and also find out there's any public meetings that took place I I'm not aware of any public meetings that took place uh Miss smithman in regards to uh your identity uh we have talked on many occasions that uh that is out of the perview of lost Township Council and that's something that you should work with appropriate authorities me glost Township Police Department or maybe in the Pro 's office or something but that is not something that I can lead you in a proper direction uh in regards our address is 1261 1262 it this 1261 here um And in regards to I just want to clarify when you said I had been to your apartment yes I was campaigning with Miss Winters uh Mr Hutchinson and Miss Grace in 2021 and we knocked on your door okay uh we did not know that you were the actual in the occupant of that place so we did not enter into your apartment so I just want to clarify that we were knocking on doors that's what people do when they campaign uh in regards to uh Miss Grace you want to address I would just like to address it was just a piece of M that fell on the ground from my my pocket it was just a bill it wasn't even my address it was actually my rental address on it and Mr shaa picked it up and gave it to me my name is sha T Smith shaa t smithman I miss smithman please don't shout out Miss smithman Miss smithman please don't shout out I thank her for picking up the mail and I asked her where she found that's it please so we'll chalk it up to a misunderstanding yes thank you very much okay calling the direct Mr Mr ctis report chief just to address Miss smithman again accusation all the evidence that she produced to us was fully investigated our criminal investigations unit was found to be no criminal nature uh it was asked by me to be reviewed by the Cy County prosecutor's office Major Crimes unit they reviewed it they concurred with our investigation we again referred Miss smithman to the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services so that they could there's agencies of a civil nature that could review her accounts with the agency that's involved in this and that was all referred again to miss smithman it's been given to her many times um I have no idea whether follows of the SM please do not shout out we have rules of order Miss smithman please do not shout out or or we have to ask you to leave so the it's been investigated to the ability of a criminal Nature by the GL Township Police Department concurred by the Camy County prosecutor's office we have no jurisdiction if it's a civil matter and so that's why the referral was made thank you have a good night thank you Mr thank you all for coming out tonight I want to say a big thank you to the Mr Davis for extremely generous donation to make [Music] Jak Mrs albrey Trel I was very happy to vote in support of Jake's Place I think it's much needed in our community I think all communities should have at least one Jake's Place in their Community because not everyone is the same we all have different needs I also enjoy the Field of Dreams I've actually volunteered there a few times and that's a place that's much needed in manys not just PS and Davis wonderful really touch my heart and Taylor Park Taylor Park is going to be a park that's going to be for senior citizens like me so I don't get left out all the time I'll be able to go there and maybe enjoy a few things for my seniors plus I can also bring my grandchildren there and they Cano it so it's a park for all ages and we need those in all towns too because we can't just sit our own little section and do nothing we need to start communicating with each other and being together in a joyful atmosphere and part so thank you all for coming thank you everyone for coming out a great night Mr Nash thanks for coming Mrs wers um I want to thank everybody for coming um yes and I do support Jake's law and I'm glad that it's going to be in our neighborhood um the kids and the parents and their family memb members will truly enjoy it um for for all um different disabilities whether it's emotional social physical um these children do need a safe place to go to and their families um and I think it's wonderful so and I appreciate the um Mr Davis your efforts to give so I appreciate it and thank you Mrs rers I want to say thank you everyone for coming out and the comments of my other council members and Mr M thank you for coming out this evening thank you for the comments those that participated during of the public hearing and also the public portion uh of thank you to Field of Dreams organization those that are involved with it um for your work uh and your advocacy of that particular uh project here in our Township uh during the month of January and February uh our fire districts celebrate uh the year that has pass and look forward to their new year they have installation dinners and uh a few of us have been able to attend uh installation dinners and and and provide a heartful thank you to our First Responders and our fire our fire men and women uh in our fire district so if you see see one of them thank them very much but that's our opportunity as a tent to break bread with them uh uh council members and also thank them for the work that they've done for this past year and continue to provide uh to our community uh we are celebrating Black History Month at the second meeting in February we are accepting nominations for individuals that are outstanding African-Americans that made contributions to our community that deadline is next week so if you want to nominate somebody please go to our Township's website and please uh nominate an individual that you believe uh this honor is this honor is worthy of so honor t a motion to adjourn is there a second all those in favor have a great evening one than