We'll catch up. Frank, you good? >> Hi, Frank. >> Hello, Frank. >> No hoss yet. We're not open. Okay. Now, [laughter and gasps] okay. and calling this meeting to order of the Hackit City Council. It is Tuesday, July 14th, 2026. It is 5:31
p.m. If you can call the meeting to order, please. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 10:4-6 at SEC, notice of which was posted on the municipal website pursuant to public law 2025, chapter 72. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mayor Gaines,
>> here. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi, >> here. >> Councilman Carol, >> here. Councilwoman Clark Collins >> here. >> Councilman Diaz. We have a quorum. >> Thank you. If everyone can please rise to the flag salute. [clears throat] >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Thank you. All right. I'm going to ask for a motion to approve the minutes of the June 30th,
2026 council meeting. >> I'll offer. I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. I'm going to ask for a motion for a resolution to go into executive session to discuss ongoing litigation, matters
involving attorney client privilege, matters involving the purchase, lease or acquisition of real property and or any pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations. Can I have a motion for a resolution, please? >> All over. >> A second.
>> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we are going to go into executive session. We will aim to be back at 6:30 at or around. Thank you. >> [music] >> Coming soon to Hackinack.
>> We will be perfect. Can't do it. >> I'm not good enough. >> I'm a baseball player now. >> You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, you will run a mile. Perfection. This summer, [music] champions rise under the stars. Let's go
to work. >> From the slam [music] dunk action of Space Jam to the emotional journey of Inside [music] Out 2, the inspiring story of Remember the Titans and the [music] ultimate underdog story, Rocky.
Don't miss Movies Under the Stars at Atlantic Street Park. Join us for sunset yoga. >> Have you signed up [music] for our NIXL alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant [music] updates from our office of emergency
management so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, [music] emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and
[music] easy. Text 0761 to 888777. That's 0761 [music] to888777. Don't [music] wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to
what's happening in [music] Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack [music] by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week, you'll get the latest updates on city services, [music] events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox.
[music] Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin [music] for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.
>> [music] >> Coming soon to Hackinack. >> We will be perfect. I >> can't do it. [music] >> I'm not good enough. >> I'm a baseball player now. >> You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, you will
run a mile. Perfection. This summer, [music] champions rise under the stars. Let's go to work. >> From the slam dunk action of Space Jam to the emotional journey of Inside Out 2, the inspiring [music] story of
Remember the Titans and the ultimate underdog story, Rocky. Don't miss Movies Under the Stars at Atlantic [music] Street Park. Join us for sunset yoga. Have you signed up for our NIXL alerts
[music] yet? Nixel keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our office of emergency management so you can get important [music] information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, [music] road closures, severe traffic, criminal
activity, and local events. Signing up is quick [music] and easy. Text 0761 to888777. [music] That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl [music]
alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay [music] informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, [music]
important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. [music] And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your [music] submissions to
news@hackansack.org. >> [music] >> coming soon to Hackinack. >> We will be perfect. I >> can't do it. >> I'm not good enough. >> I'm a baseball player now. >> You drop a pass, you run a mind. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a
mile. You fumble the football, you will run a mile. Perfection. >> This summer, champions rise under the stars. Let's go to work. >> From the slam dunk action [music] of Space Jam to the emotional journey of Inside Out 2, the inspiring story of
Remember [music] the Titans, and the ultimate underdog story, Rocky. Don't miss Movies Under the Stars at Atlantic [music] Street Park. Join us for sunset yoga. Have you signed up for our NIXL [music]
alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates [music] from our office of emergency management so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, [music]
road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. [music] Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to88877. [music] That's 07612888777. [music]
Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl [music] alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack [music] by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week, you'll get the
latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, [music] and more, delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local
announcements and events. Send your submissions [music] to news@hackansack.org. All right. Thank you everyone for your patience. We are out of executive session. We have no proclamations or presentations today. However, we do have
the triumphant return of Ryan Wester for Ryan time to give us an update on our property management. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh first up we have the Kennedy Street
pump station. Uh work has begun this week on the pump replacement. Um, in the photos there, those are the two smaller pumps with the associated control panel. Um, I believe tomorrow they're going to start pulling the larger pumps. Uh, I
think I have a picture of what those look like on the next page. Yeah. So, the bottom bottom right there, that's the axial pumps. There's three in there. We're going to replace two fully and then um rewind one of the motors so that
we still have three functioning pumps at that station. Uh the other improvements included in this work are in the the middle picture there is the rake assembly for the bar screen. Uh those teeth are worn out. Uh so we are replacing that. Those are expected to be
delivered um end of September, beginning of October. Uh just a list of some recent uh grant applications the city has submitted via uh Bruno Associates. Um and then the top part is applications
in progress. If anybody has any questions on those, I can answer them. >> Can you just I'm sorry. Can you just um >> just make clear for everyone >> the difference between pending and in progress? So the in progress is we're
currently working on application to be submitted um for the dates. So the first one it's due at the end of the month. This the middle one is August 4th and then the last one it has a rolling so there's no date you know submission date. It's just whenever you get your application in you submit and then the
application submitted pending were ones that were submitted on the dates in the left column and we're just waiting on award if if we do receive it. I think most of these we're anticipating late summer fall um award notices.
The next slide is the city hall. We will be performing some resurfacing work in the parking lot. Um along with that we uh I know it's kind of hard to see in that that photo but we have a recirculation plan
um that also connects the adjacent genre building building department property. Um with this layout we are removing the islands doing you know 90°ree head-on parking. Um we're going to have some bike racks and then this this layout
gives the city an additional approximate 40 spots. I think the exact number is 37 additional spots than what is out there now. Uh Fini Park is substantially complete. Um it looks good. I hope everybody had a chance to to go out there and take a
look. Um PSEG still needs to set uh a pole out on Salem Street and then a transformer and then run the cabling uh to power up the field lights and the site lighting. Uh we anticipate that hopefully uh within the next two weeks. They were supposed to come, you know,
last week, but I think with the storms they've been having, they've dedicated crews to to those efforts. Um in addition, there's just some punch list items, uh a final plumbing inspection, and then uh some decorative trash receptacles. We're just waiting for them
to arrive, but other than that, uh all the turf work is complete. Uh Baldwin Park, the work was uh completed yesterday. And then we had some chain link fencing that was actually installed today. Um, so that came out nice. We just to recap, we did
the concrete walkway, a new ADA ramp around the park, some asphalt walkways within the park, and then the new mulch and curbing around the existing play set. Uh the mini pitch uh we're still working
with uh US Soccer Federation and Hackinac Meridian for the installation of the soccer uh mini pitch at Palaski Park. Due to some uh public comments, we shifted it to the western half of the
asphalt area at Palaski. Um, we will be having a contractor do some asphalt work on the existing uh area ahead of the installation. So, we expect that probably early fall to be
installed. Uh, Grand Avenue pedestrian improvements have started uh this week, actually last week. Uh, the drainage was completed yesterday and some of the concrete work has begun today. Again, that includes the bumpouts uh at the Fairmont School
to assist in pedestrians crossing all four ways of each intersection. It brings them closer together. Uh rapid beacons, uh thermoplastic line striping, and then these intersections will get resurfaced. Uh Spring Valley pedestrian safety
improvements. This includes uh milling and paving uh ADA rampants ramps and detectable warnings at uh the necessary intersections, thermoplastic line striping for the crosswalks, and also uh along Spring Valley itself. It's called
a road diet. It makes the road seem narrower than it is to slow traffic. And um that is going to be to begin uh beginning of August. the contractor will start uh get ready for another round of Bergen
County reservicing on River Street. Um this is going to be from where they left off at Kansas Street south to the uh little ferry line. Uh the concrete work was supposed to start this week, but I haven't seen anybody out there yet. Uh they'll just be doing some ramps, so
that'll, you know, result in some lane closures, but the milling and paving is scheduled to begin on July 27th that week. Uh in in addition to the county paving or as a result of the county paving uh the county identified some city
infrastructure that needed some work um that we are going to undertake. The contractor is going to start next week. We got to realign some storm pipe uh fill in a damaged pipe that runs across River Street at Kennedy and then uh run
a pipe along across Kennedy. Uh the contractor has been selected and they're going to start this work next week ahead of the uh paving. [snorts] The city paving work has begun. Um three streets have been completed other than
some punch list items. West Lookout, West Anderson and Coolage have been uh concrete work milled and paved. Uh McKinley will be uh milled and paved this week and then Davis towards the end of the month. Uh and then uh PSCG their gas
reservicing they did uh they completed uh May and June of this year. Just to recap, all their work is done. Um help maintain a healthy sewer. Any questions?
>> Just one thing. Um it may Councilman Carol and I were there for the um Fourth of July uh inaugural game on on the field and it was uh quite quite impressive. I mean really impressive. It came out nice.
>> The the photos are impressive, but >> just for our folks that maybe haven't been down to Fini in a while, um and I'm sure you have pictures in progress. Maybe when when something is completed or coming to the point of completion, it might be nice to see a little bit of a before and after because it's it's night
and day and I don't know we we fully get to appreciate it like this. But but thank you for for this update. >> Yeah, no problem. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Hey, our city manager. >> Okay, good evening. Just a couple
follow-ups from last meeting. Um, we had a report that the scoreboard on field five was was not working. Uh, happy to say that we replaced the part that was bad. So, the scoreboard is working as of today. There are a couple of small LED
lights out here and there in the scoreboard. So, we're going to be addressing them, but the scoreboard itself is operational. um resident uh I believe it was Anne Piconia um was concerned wanted to know if the paving and curb work that we were doing
over on Anderson West Anderson area was going to extend to Brook and Burn and I will report that project management advisory that it will not extend at Brook and Burn into those roadways. Um uh Mr. Lennox from West Anderson um had
some concerns about Maywood residents parking in front of his house. Also mentioned during snowstorms, he had some issues. Uh I forwarded this to traffic. Uh West Anderson Street, it's currently designated as a resident permit parking area between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. So
parking enforcement will be uh on top of that uh to ensure that we don't have out of town people parking there. We can only enforce it between two and six, but if they're there overnight, they'll get issued a summons. Um, West and also, uh, traffic reported that West Anderson
Street is included in the city's no parking when snow covered road ordinance. So, uh, during the next snowstorm, if we ever get one, we will ensure that enforcement of the snow emergency parking restrictions is conducted more thoroughly. Um, Mr. Smith
um to address your concern about the uh you reported that the flashing pedestrian crossing sign on East Salem by Fashini was out of service. Um and he also you requested uh three flashing stop signs at Atlantic and Prospect. The
the uh traffic division went down and uh to East Salem. They found that that the traffic signals on East Salem were inspected and found to be operating properly. But the issue that they found involved a pedestrian crossing signal on Midtown Bridge by Bowler City. U one
side of the crossing is functioning correctly. However, it's not activating the corresponding pedestrian sign on the other side of the street. Um, and as previously reported, our our sign shop maintenance people, uh, he was on vacation at the time of the inspection,
but he since returned and he will be coordinating the necessary repairs and also finding out whose responsibility that sign is, but we're on top of it and we're getting that repaired. regarding the request to change requested changes at Atlantic Street and Prospect. Um, traffic division reported
that the current traffic control configuration was designed by the city engineer as the safest option for that intersection, taking into consideration proximity to Essex Street and other engineering factors. I know that doesn't make you happy, but you are more than happy to follow up with the traffic
division if you'd like to add some additional information to for them. on community notes. Uh just some community reminders. Um we have extended we've extended summer hours here in in in the city offices to make life a
little easier for our residents. We're staying open late. Customerf facing departments will remain open every Tuesday until 6 p.m. throughout July and August. Stop by after work to get what you need done. We're here for you. Extreme heat is forecasted. So, due to the extreme heat forecast for tomorrow,
all the recreation camps will be relocated to the Eminem building at 116 Holt Street. Uh, parents have been notified via email, flyers, social media, and direct outreach. I believe the theater camp at the high school and the Carver Park camper will be remaining in place since they have air conditioned
buildings, but please refer to the notifications that we sent out for the uh changes in your child's camp location. Uh cooling centers have also opened at one Bergen County Plaza and the Hackinack Johnson Public Library. Additional details are available on the
city website at hackinasack.org and on all of our social media channels. Uh 4th of July, despite the rain, we managed to pull it all together. Have an incredible Fourth of July celebration. It was a massive success and we couldn't have done it without our amazing community partners. A huge shout out to our city
departments for keeping things safe, clean, and running smoothly, rain or shine. DPW, police, fire, health, recreation, and all those involved. It was a great success. We also extend our thanks to our generous sponsors whose support makes these traditions possible. Thank you to everyone who braved the weather and came out to celebrate with
us. The Tuesday summer concert's on the green tonight. The concert's been moved inside to the Hackpack due to the extreme heat as well. And you can check the Hackpack website for July programming. Keep in mind sunset yoga every Monday in July and August at 6 p.m. and the summer concert series is
every Friday night in July at 7 p.m. That's my report. Thank you. Okay, we are moving on to public comment on agenda items only. Any member of the public who would like to speak, please state your name, your municipality, what item on the agenda
you are commenting on, um please direct your comments to me and please limit your comments to three minutes. I will keep time for you. Okay. Um, can I have a motion to open to the public on agenda items? >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public on agenda items. >> Oh, >> second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Moving on to new business. Ordinance for second
reading. This does require a hearing. Um, resolution 200-26. >> Resolution 200-26 is the adoption of ordinance 12-2026, a capital ordinance of the city of Hackinac authorizing certain capital acquisitions and appropriating 400,000 and being provided
that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from the fund balance in the general capital fund of the city of Hackinac. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing. Okay. >> Thank you. Um I need a motion to open to the public on
resolution 200-26. >> Hello offer. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Any member of the public wishing to speak on resolution 200-26? Seeing none. Motion to close to the
public on resolution 200-26. Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. I need a motion to adopt resolution 200-26. >> I offer. >> Second. >> A roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Clark Collins. >> Yes. >> Councilman Carol, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gaines, >> yes. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac, county of Bergen, and state of New Jersey that ordinance number 12-2026
has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. >> Thank you. Okay, we have our resolutions for first read or for introduction. Resolution 2011-26. >> Resolution 2011-2026, introduction of ordinance 13-2026,
an ordinance to amend chapter 36 for recreation department of >> Thank you. Can I have um a motion to adopt resolution 2011-26 introduced? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> yes. >> Councilman Carol, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gates, >> yes. Be it resolved that the above ordinance being ordinance 13-2026 as introduced does now pass on its first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered
for final passage at a meeting to be held on July 28th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter could be reached at the regular meeting place of the city council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said
ordinance and that the clerk be and he is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. >> Thank you. Resolution 202-26.
Resolution 202-26, introduc introduction of ordinance 14-2026, an ordinance to amend chapter 109, littering, article 1, general provisions. >> Thank you. Can I have um a motion to adopt resolution 202-26?
>> I'll second. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> abstain. >> Councilman Carol, >> yes. Councilman Diaz. >> Yes. >> Mayor Gaines. >> Yes. Be it resolved that the above
ordinance being ordinance 14-2026 as introduced does now pass on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on July 28th, 2026th at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular
meeting place of the city council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and that the clerk be and he is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first
reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. >> Thank you. Consent agenda, please. The following items are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by
certification of availability of funds. Any item requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda and consent agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes including any exceptions and/or additions. The consent agenda includes resolution 203-2026,
resolution authorizing payment of bills. Resolution 204-2026, resolution authorizing tax refunds. Resolution 205-26, resolution authorizing recreation refunds for park permits. Resolution 206-26,
resolution authorizing the tax collector to convert charges to property lean as per NJSA48-2.14. Resolution 207-26, resolution requesting approval of items of revenue and appropriation for the community energy plan grant. Resolution
208-26, resolution requesting approval of items and re of revenue and appropriation for the local public health infrastructure grant program 2027. Resolution 209-26, resolution authorizing the purchase of 43 tactical armored vests for the
Hackinack Police Department through a Bergen County co-op approved vendor. Resolution 210-26, resolution authorizing extending a bid contract for the 2026 summer food grant program. Resolution 211-26, resolution authorizing the release of a
maintenance bond for 22 West Camden Street. Resolution 212-26, resolution authorizing the release of a maintenance bond and escrow funds for 103 Johnson Avenue. Resolution 213-26, resolution authorizing the release of a
performance bond and escrow funds for 20 to 30 Diet Place. >> Thank you. I missed something. Can you read that whole thing again for me? [laughter] >> Thank you. Um, can I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda? >> I'll offer second. Uh, roll call,
please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> yes. >> Councilman Carol, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gaines, >> yes. >> Consent agenda passes. >> Thank you. Okay. Mayor, may I uh interrupt for a moment, please, on the
non-consent agenda resolution 214-26. I have a conflict on that matter. So, I'll respectfully request that you allow me to step down from the DAS and ask special counsel Steven Maniker to take my place. >> I will allow it. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you, Steve.
>> How are you, Mcker? >> Okay, moving on to the non-consent agenda. Resolution 214-26. Resolution 214-26 is a resolution authorizing a global litigation settlement of Charles K. Ziza versus the city of Hackinac at all docket number
2.17-CV-055 with all Hackinack defendants funded by selective insurance company with the city of Hackinack. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion to adopt resolution 214-26?
>> Not offered. Second >> roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi. >> Uh, yes. >> Councilman Clark Collins, >> yes. >> Councilman Carol, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gaines, >> yes. >> The motion passes. >> Thank you.
>> Believe you are dismissed. Unless you have to continue to sit there. It's up to you. >> I have a settlement agreement for the city to sign. I'll leave it with the clerk. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> You're very welcome. And while we have the changing of the guard here, um, we are going to move on to public comment.
I'll just orient everyone once again to the rules of engagement. Frank, if you can put up the slide with the rules of engagement, please. So, okay. Please clearly state your name and municipality. Please clearly state uh
please direct your comments to me. And please limit your comments to three minutes. These can be on any appropriate item. You are welcome to um to speak to. I will keep time for you and just ask for you. Sorry. I'll keep time for you
and um as your time is coming to a close, I'll respectfully ask for you to make your point and um or to bring your point to a close. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. Can I have a motion to open to the public? >> Second. >> Second.
>> All in favor? I >> I >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening. Marty Smith, Prospect Avenue. >> Good evening. [clears throat] >> Member of the Con Hackinac
condo co-op advisory board. Want to thank the council for saying to it that our mysterious mis disappearance of the golf play sign has been replaced.
And uh it was good to see that was done. Uh the flashing pedestrian crossing sign at Prospect and G place for southbound traffic is not working. It's out of commission as of yesterday. When I saw
it last, it was not in operation. So maybe we should check that out. Um Mr. Freeman, could you tell us if your office has been in contact with Bergen County traffic in regard to
eliminating the merge points on Summit Avenue at Essex Street for northbound traffic and that Polyfly Road and Essex Street for northbound traffic? And if so, have you had any feedback from them
concerning this issue? >> Okay, Mr. Mr. Smith, I'm going to ask you just to direct your comments to me. Mr. But Mr. Freeman's listening and they'll there's usually some time at the end where he'll respond to whatever he wants to respond to. But thank you. >> At the last council meeting, we brought up the issue concerning the
pedestrian crossing uh at uh at uh Atlantic and Prospect. And uh currently the situation is this
that traffic from Beach Street to Essex Street and from Essex Street to Beach Street can flow uninterrupted between those two points. We currently have that traffic safety device that overhangs
Prospect Avenue. That was very expensive, I'm sure, but it did not belong at that location. is that we said at the last meeting, it should have been installed on Prospect at Thompson where we have many
pedestrians crossing that crosswalk on a daily basis. So, we suggested at the last meeting that that device be moved to Prospect and Thompson and that flashing stop signs be installed at
Atlantic and Prospect. These are the advantages to having that change done. The first thing is that with those stop signs in place, traffic will be moving from
Beach Street to Atlantic and slowing down for the stop signs and then starting more slowly between Atlantic and Essex. That goes for both north and southbound traffic. no more uninterrupted
travel from those two points from Beach and uh Essex Street. The second thing is that with stop signs in place, pedestrians will not have to push any buttons to activate any traffic safety devices. >> Sorry, Mr. Smith, I'm just going to ask
for you just to bring your point to a close because we're out of time. >> You can you can wrap up. I'm just going to ask you to wrap up, please. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Uh the the last thing is that currently traffic exiting from Atlantic Street onto Prospect have a difficult
time with constantly flowing traffic between Beach Street and Essex Street. And by having stop signs there, they will be able to make their exit from Atlantic much more easily and more safely than currently exists.
>> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> I'm Richard Serbo uh Spring Valley Avenue and um you know I' I've tried to say uh many things here in the last few
weeks and and we've been stifled here and I think it's partially Robert's rules that needs to be I don't know looked at again it it's stifling Robert's rules here with the
with the uh meeting itself. Okay. And um so that's that's first. So I'm going to just say what I want and then sit down instead of waiting for a response uh which I used to do. And uh so I'm just going to say what I want and go and then
you could comment on it if you want. Okay? It's uh it's up to you. First is I mentioned the nonpartisan status of Hackinack and is it going to be challenged? Are we going to change it? Is it
intact? Uh it just seems that you know outright we have a a democratic u policy from this from this council. Okay. Uh, next is uh
uh I I brought up uh I don't know if I brought it up last time. Union dues for the schools is supporting lots of things [music] and we just like to know if if we can find out what those dues which is a lot of
money is supporting. That's number two. Okay. Uh so another couple things that you mentioned affordable housing a lot and that's part of your uh uh your your focus here affordable housing and uh but
I thought affordable housing was it needed to be uh uh part of the u the development. I I thought each each place or each uh developed building had to have at least something put aside for
affordable housing. I don't know. And um isn't section 8 similar to affordable housing? Uh there's lots of section 8 apartments in Hackinack. Okay. And so how does that, you know, coincide with
each other? The affordable housing that you're talking about and section 8 blah blah blah. Okay. A couple other things and I'm sitting down. That's it. What about the tax cap? I thought we had a tax cap. I did it just uh expire. It was
years ago. Maybe there was a cap on taxes and obviously there's no more cap on taxes. I don't know if that goes back a while. Maybe it does. Okay. Um so
that's that. And uh what else was I going to say? Oh uh the Robert's rules uh uh I think should be looked at or at least discussed because discussion has a format you know there should be a format when we have uh a meeting and this
meeting is kind of just a uh sit down shut up don't say anything and the meeting's over. So I I think there needs to be a format to the meeting and discussion uh sort of ensuing instead of you know hey you just say what you want
and go ahead get out of here which is what I'm doing this time. So thank you very much and um you know there was a couple of rumors years ago about uh Hackinack being a private club and I don't know maybe you could address that
too. Is it still a private club here? Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Serbo. >> Good evening, everybody. >> Uh Bridget, uh thank you for our meeting, Tom. It was I'm hopeful
productive with you and Lisa. Um and I'm hoping that you look back into the certification thing again. Okay, with that being said, the litigation, how much are we, the taxpayers, responsible for
on the litigation for Mr. Ziza? The next thing is, is he even deserving of it? I think he got 3.2 million out of us uh the last time he sued. But when the wizard sits behind the
curtain and can pull the puppets to do his job, that becomes a problem for the city. That that's a big problem. That's not even transparency. So you guys can't sit up here and say that you're doing better than the last five
that were sitting here because you're almost just like the last five that were sitting here. So, with that being said, um also you had uh what was it? Recreation ordinance. Uh will we get the actual uh what is it?
Um clarification on duties for the superintendent of recreation. Will that be posted so people can see what those actual um job duties are for that person? And uh what else? and the
penalty for the trash and the litter around the city. Thank you. It needs to happen because there are some areas of Hackinack that I drive through that look horrible. And that goes for homeowners and businesses as well. It is a shame that Hackinack would even look like
this. So hopefully the businesses will get in tune to pick up the trash in front of their businesses and cut down their weeds along the way because I I believe that you would want the city of Hackinack to look better than what it's looking right now. So hopefully that can
be done. Um but when you get a chance I'm hoping that you will answer me on the litigation part and what we the taxpayers will be responsible for for this um this case here. Thank you. >> With pleasure. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else from the public
wishing to speak? >> My name is Margot Cooper. I'm a resident here in Hackinack. >> Hello. Homeowners have been hearing rumors pertaining to the fact
that millions of dollars will be paid to Mr. Ziza. If that is the case, as homeowners, we would like to know why will this be done? Has the decision
be made? Why has it not Why hasn't it not been presented to homeowners? We have problems here in Hackinack financially. Several more million dollars going to
Mr. Ziza. Number one, the question is why is it justified? Has that decision already been put through?
Do we have any power as far as homeowners are concerned? Is it going to be part of our quote unquote new taxes? We would just like to know what will
these million dollars I don't know the number but when you talk millions that's anything over 1 million I don't know how far how many for what purpose
is it justified we are suffering here in Hackinack especially seniors I'm a senior And there are a lot of seniors that are not able to keep up with their taxes.
And if this is an instance where it's not justified, don't do it to us. People are losing their homes and it's not fair. You're not going to have another generation living here in
Hackinet. There's a generation that grew up here. They can't afford hackin sack at this point and it is not getting better. Is escalating. So I think the council needs to look
into this situation and let us know hopefully or just say null and void. I don't know the facts, but we have heard. So have some compassion
pertaining to the homeowners, especially the elderly people. They want to live here. I want to live here. But if the taxes get too high, properties will be sold and Hackin Sack
will be a completely different program. We're trying to take care of it, but we can't do everything by ourselves. So, just kind of stay out of our pockets.
That's all I have to say at this meeting. Thank you. >> Of course. You're welcome. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public. Second.
>> Okay. [laughter] Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> I Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Before we get on to to council comments, I'm going to um I'm going to toss it to Mr. Freeman in just a second, but I I
will not talk twice. I'm going to use my opportunity to talk once. I'm just going to move my comments ahead here just for a moment. So um first the 4th of July everyone thank you. We had a for those who were there there were lots of people there. Unfortunately
we got rained out but I really have to commend um PD especially in moving everyone to a shelter in place location because it was quite orderly. It was a lot of people and everything was very smooth and and I was very impressed. So, thank you to PD Direct, to uh DPW,
manager's office, everyone who who had a hand in that. Um, so I'm going to try and be brief, but I I want to certainly I don't want to give Miss Cooper any uh further concern, especially with the things that have been heard. So, to give
a direct answer because I want to be sure that everything is clear. Um, also just for folks who are home who may be looking online or when you get home or if you want to pull it up right now on your phone, the docket is there. It's posted every Friday before the Tuesday
meeting. And with the docket, there is also the language of the resolution. So, some of the questions that have been answer that have been asked are in the resolution that has already been per uh already been posted. So, I don't want misinformation to spread. It's there and
it's very clear, but I'll I'll give you a little bit of an overview because I presume people have not seen it. Um, the settlement agreement today was not for millions of taxpayer money. The settlement
agreement today was for $450,000 of taxpayer funds. The bulk of the settlement is being paid by selective insurance. Selective insurance is paying $850,000
of the settlement which ends puts finality to a almost decadel long legal matter. So millions are not coming from Hackinack taxpayers. Not even a million
is coming from Hackinack taxpayers. Selective insurance is paying $850,000. Now, I also just want to point out that selective insurance is only paying this $850,000
because quite some time ago, almost a decade ago, I believe I believe 2018, don't quote me on the year, but almost a decade ago, Selective Insurance denied covering this case.
For all of that time, our predecessors, who we do differ from in this way very significantly, failed to litigate with the insurance to get them to actually cover the case.
Meaning that we as taxpayers meaning that we as taxpayers paid the premium on that insurance and then selective insurance said that they were not going to cover that case. Which means that that case
was hanging over the city for almost a decade completely uninsured. completely uninsured for almost a decade. This administration
filed a lawsuit which was written about in the record just about a month ago. Written about just about a month ago. I believe the lawsuit was filed in April to have selective insurance
bear cost for this case. And the settlement is not just a settlement with Mr. Ziza. The settlement was a courtordered came out of court-ordered mediation
between not only former Chief Ziza but also selective insurance. And that is how selective insurance to settle that lawsuit that the city filed is paying $850,000
to settle that which leaves the city of Hackinack on the hook for $450,000. But there's one more important component of this that I want to make sure is clear. In 2024, the prior administration
made a settlement offer of $400,000 to Mr. Ziza, which would have been 100% out of taxpayer money because Selective was not covering anything for that case
at that time. Meaning that in 2024, taxpayers would have been responsible for $400,000 and in 2026 taxpayers are responsible for $450,000.
And it is a dead issue. It is a dead issue. It was incredibly concerning to us and it should be concerning to everyone that there was a $29 million
lawsuit that the city had no insurance for that we were fighting for almost 10 years. And the last thing I'll say on this is this city council
did not exonerate [clears throat] Mr. Ziza. Mr. Ziza has had his day in court and Mr. has been before state courts which have
cleared him, a jury which has cleared him, the New Jersey appellet division which has cleared him. Multiple superior court judges in this state who have cleared him. We inherited this.
We inherited this and it's a done issue. So I just want to be very clear that is in the resolution. It is posted on the city's website. It has been there transparently since Friday. The lawsuit
that I have mentioned was written about in the record. It is all there. And so anyone who has further questions can look or they can exercise whatever rights they'd like to. But I just want to make sure there's clarity on that because we are
incredibly concerned about affordability. And so for $450,000 versus 29 million uninsured, good investment, I think. Good investment, I think. So, um, that's
going to be my time. I'm going to ask for the manager. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, just real quickly to recap a couple things. Mr. Mr. Smith, I several meetings ago, you did bring up the concern about the merge points at Polifly and Prospect. Um, and I forward
them to traffic division. Uh, I will have to go back to my notes, so and I'll get you an answer next meeting. I believe traffic did uh have a correspondence with the county, but I don't want to uh give you misinformation, so I will get more accurate information, but it was forwarded to our traffic division, and they did report back to me that they were going to follow up on it. I'm just
not 100% sure if they contacted the county or not, but I will find out. >> Um, As far as your frustration with the stop signs at Atlantic and Prospect, I can appreciate, you know, your concern. I can appreciate your um suggestion, but I
also have to say that our engineering department, our engineers on staff um have studied it and they they felt that that was not the appropriate use of the stop signs there. Um, Miss Rucker, uh, the new rec
ordinance does clarify all the roles and responsibilities of the superintendent. So, you'll be able to read that in the new ordinance, uh, when it's issued. And that was all I could report on now. Anything else? I'll get back to you next meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you. I've asked the deputy mayor's
permission for one last point, but I promise I'll be done. I promise. The last Now, the last thing is because I I just want to be clear on this other point, too. There are multiple defendants in the case. We only have Hackinack's portion,
but the state of New Jersey has also settled with Mr. Ziza for the exact same amount that the city of Hackinack has settled for. So, we are not out of line with what the state of
New Jersey has done. And so I know that people can make all sorts of suggestions and allegations, but unless there's wizardry and puppetry from Trenton all the way down, which is possible, you know, long strings,
[laughter] but um but I think at some point um accept the good news. It's done. Thank you. With that, I give it over to the deputy mayor. >> Good evening, everyone. I don't have much to say now. [laughter]
>> Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. >> Just kidding. Just kidding. Just a few a few words. Um, thanks to everyone for joining us this evening, whether you're here in council chambers or watching from home. Your participation is an
important part of our local government and we appreciate your continued engagement. Tonight's meeting reflects the work that goes into keeping our city moving forward. Every resolution, ordinance, and discussion before us represents an
opportunity to strengthen our community, improve city services, and make thoughtful decisions on behalf of our residents, which we we're doing that every every day that we're here. I also want to recognize the dedication of our
municipal employees, first responders, volunteers, board members, and community organizations. this their commitment helps make Hagenac a welcoming, vibrant, and resilient city. As we consider tonight's agenda, I
encourage residents to stay involved, ask questions, and continue sharing your ideas. We welcome that. With that, I'd like to just say thank you um to all the residents for coming out on the 4th of July, and we made the
best of it given given the weather. Um, but everything went off as as as best as as it could under the circumstances. Again, thank you. There's a lot of other things going on this summer and we welcome everyone to attend and and and
take part. Please have a good evening and stay cool and hydrated. Good evening. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Um, before I give my closing statement, um, I just want to say to Mr. Serbo about his comment about the nonpartisan
status. Is it intact? Um, I just want to make it clear that I don't know what each member is, who they're affiliate affiliated with, and they don't know who I'm affiliated with. We're up here to do a job. We do it together. Um, and if it
feels or seems like democratic, then so be it. Tonight, I want to take a moment to highlight the fatality of our Main Street corridor. This past Saturday, we celebrated the grand opening of Cousins Burgers, a new addition to our downtown
and a reminder of how important it is to support the small businesses that invest in Hackinack. It was very uplifting to see such a large turnout. Our local entrepreneurs strengthen our economy, create jobs, and help shape the character of our community.
I encourage all residents to stop by, show your support, and continue uplifting the businesses that call Hackinack home. And Cousins is another sign of Hackinack's continued growth. I want to also point out that we have a
momentous event approaching for our region. This Sunday, the 2026 Soccer World Cup final will be played at Metife Stadium, just minutes away from Hackinack. This is a global event and we are proud to be so close to the center
of the excitement. We hope the influx of visitors brings new customers to our businesses and shines a spotlight on all Hackinack has to offer. At the same time, with such a major event nearby, we do expect heavier traffic, more visitors
passing through, and increased in congestion on our roads. I encourage everyone to plan ahead, stay patient, stay alert, and please, if you see something, say something, and use extra caution when traveling
around the city so we can all enjoy this moment safely. Thank you for your continued commitment to Hackinack. Let's keep celebrating our progress, supporting our local businesses, and showing the world the strength of our community. have a wonderful evening and
get home safe. >> Thank you, Councilman Carol. >> I don't have a lot to say. They said it all, but uh I too was uh at Cousins Burgers. I wish them nothing but the best of luck. Uh they had some tremendous crowd there. Uh the food was
very good. I will be returning there. Um to uh the city manager, DPW, fire, police, sanitation, everybody. Fourth of July, unfortunately, we got a little rain, but it went off um I believe uh
with just the one hitch there and then the clouds uh went away and the rain stopped and uh we were able to get the fireworks off. So, thank you guys for working hard on that and um that's it. Um I appreciate everybody coming out tonight and we'll see you again next
month. >> Thank you. I forgot to shout out fire. Yes. Thank you, >> Councilman. >> All right. Thank you, mayor. Good evening. Uh, by the way, Councilwoman, uh, let me give you a heads up. Uh, Spain won today. >> So, they're just waiting for the next
one for the weekend. So, be prepared. All right. So, uh, thank you to all of you for being here today, whether you spoke or you just listen and, uh, and follow the discussions. Uh but we were very happy
uh to hear tonight from uh Ryan uh about the the finish of the renovation restoration in Foschini Park. Now uh I sincerely invite you to go there, you know, have a walk around and enjoy the park. It looks beautiful. It's a great
job. So we should enjoy uh that park as it is right now. Okay. Uh also uh take this moment uh to invite you to take a look at the uh website and check all the events that we have on agenda for you.
Okay. All this uh July, August, a part of September will be we'll be having different uh different events in different places. Uh and some of them will be you know pretty much to your liking. So please do so you know take a look, participate. uh let's uh get that
vibe of of community uh once again. All right. And before we leave, so just want to say thank you again for being here today, for participating uh for uh building up this uh good culture of uh discussing ideas and proposals and
looking forward to see you uh for the next meeting. Thank you and good night. >> Thank you. With that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> All over. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you.