Mayor, we need to look good. My family's in the I see [Laughter] I told I think it's going to be a flawless procedure. We'll see. Did you just say we'll see?
That was for me. Okay, we are out of executive session. First item up on our committee of the whole agenda, a presentation by the Hackinack Environmental Commission and Green Team, environmental resource inventory. Thank
you. Thank you. Hi. Good evening everyone. Good evening, Mayor Council. Um my name is Marlene Somerville. I chair the Hackinack Environmental Commission and the Hackinack um green team. This is my commissioner here, Miss Vicky Cohen, and
we're here with a proposal for funding the environmental resource inventory for the s city of Hackinack. So, um, who we are? The environmental commission was established in 1989. It is composed of citizen volunteers. Our job as part of
the commission is to advise the zoning and the planning board on open space and land use. Um we maintain an updated index of public and private open lands um within the city and the mun municipality and we recommend to the mayor and the council the planning board
on the master plan open space water air waste noise soil and biodiversity. Part of our job is also to review the environmental impact statement. So whenever a builder or anyone within the city is doing construction work, an
environmental impact statement is needed, they send it to the environmental resource. We technically, you know, don't do anything with it, but our job is to review it and if we have any questions or concerns, we can go back to the planning board, the zoning board, or come to the council to ask and, you know, have those questions
answered. And then um we're just going to say the primary focus of the environmental commission is to advise the local government on environmental issues to act as a watchdog for environmental problems and opportunities. And Hackinack environmental commission has identified
that creating an environmental resource inventory is one of our primary focus that we're on for 2025 and 2026 season. Then I'm going to let um Vicki continue. Hi, thank you for having us. Um uh when I joined the environmental
commission about a year ago, there was a lot of talk about an environmental resource inventory, which I had no idea what it was about, but uh there were members uh on the on the uh environmental commission who insisted that it was extremely important. In
addition, my son Joshua Conn, who is the chair of the Shade Tree Committee, was also very interested in having an environmental resource inventory developed. Um, so what we Josh and I did was we started an initiative to try to
get an environmental resource inventory developed. So what is it? it it is the foundational document for municipal environmental review and is a core component of the municipal land law and
e it's called an erri or um yeah and it describes displays and compares an area's natural resources characteristics and environmental features. It includes three things, a narrative, maps, and an appendix.
And it is adopted into the city master plan. Um things like soil, wildlife, um contaminated areas, um number of trees, number of forests, all of those are included. Um that's why
it's called an inventory. Okay. Why do we need one? Well, smarter development decisions are made. Um, what you get is a baseline data on what your wetlands are, your flood zones, soils,
trees, and water. It helps planning and zoning boards guide sustainable development. Two, it unlocks funding opportunities, which is really important. There are um grants out there which ask for the specifics and this would be really
helpful. Uh it's the foundation for grants um like there's one coming up from sustainable Jersey. It supports the master plan, open space plan, climate resilience plan, and the storm water management plan. The third reason it's
important is transparency and and community engagement. public resource that educates residents and builds trust is very important. It empowers the community to take part in tree planting, flood mitigation and habitat restoration.
Uh the ERRI is Hackinac's environmental road map. Without it, planning becomes guesswork. Okay. So an example of why it's important. So, you know, I go to the environmental uh the environmental justice hackinac
environmental justice meeting or the alliance and they have been talking about perhaps Hackinack having an urban forest somewhere within Hackinack, a small little forest which would increase the green. If you want to undertake a
reforestation project, you first need to determine where are the forests, where are they located, who owns them, are they public, private, are they along a river walkway? Okay. An ERRI will assist in stabilizing streams and wetlands,
reducing urban heat islands, which I know Hackinac has right now. It provides habitats for wildlife and offers green spaces for the community's health, which again, if you're talking about public health, you can't um dismiss the uh
environmental commission and the impact. Okay. Um so where are we? What is what are we up to? Um so we especially at one point contacted many different agencies
that have completed er in New Jersey and they included um engineering firms, Monontlair University, Ruters University and the um New Jersey the land conservancy of New Jersey. We chose the land conservancy of New Jersey for many
reasons. Number one is that they completed over 217 ERI. Um they have won many very prestigious awards. They came in with a very reasonable bid and we thought that that was important and they were very cooperative and eager
to partner with us. At that point um I applied for an ANJ grant. And for those who don't know what ANJack, it's the Association of New Jersey um um environmental commissions. It should be. Yeah.
Um so what we're asking for at this point is a request for funding. Uh the um the environmental commission is requesting $40,000 to conduct a comprehensive and current inventory of Hackinac's environmental resources.
The estimated price for completed ERRI as determined by the land conserancy was between was about 20,000 uh if you wanted extra like for community engagement you would get $30,000. Now with that ANJAC grant that was a
very small one but it it acted as a seed for more. They gave us $3,000. Um $1,500 is going toward community engagement and outreach where we will be having workshops. So, we'll be working with different um other agencies and
events to promote not only the environment but the environmental re uh resource inventory. Um Viola, the uh water company kicked in another 1,500 for us and said we could put that directly toward the um
environmental resource inventory. Okay. So one of the things that um what we consider is that the ERRI will showcase Hackinac by investigating environmental and conservation policies and
strategies. Oh, integrating it's investigating and integrating them into local development plans and projects which will really showcase us as being environmentally um uh conscious and doing things. Um we will be
collaborating with other agencies, committees, groups, the school board to address local and state environmental concerns and the impact on economics on public health. Also, um with the grant that I have, we're going to be doing a lot of
community outreach, engagement, and open communication with the with the community so that they can have input into what their concerns are environmentally and public healthwise as well. So, um I don't know if anybody has any
questions or comments that they would like to make. We'll follow up with two things. One is that um Viola is a partner with us, right, on other things. So, that's part of the impetus for them giving us the extra 1500. They're the ones that donated $2,500 to the triangles that you
see on Prospect Avenue. So, we used the funding from that to do the the two triangle um projects that we did on there. And I think Josh and Vicki working with the new team that we have that are doing grant writing, we are trying to figure out, you know, if we
can get monies from other grants. So the ask for the $40,000 just to make sure that one, if we don't get the grant, we do have the resources to be able to pay for the ERRI and that we don't have to keep coming back to you guys coming back to the well every single time. Right? We do understand in this economy things
fluctuate. So, an approximation of the $30,000 is just an approximation. We won't know until we get the final bill. And if there's any hiccups, if there is any problems, if they find anything while they're doing the ERRI study, there may be some additional cost. Well, and the other thing is that
there's a sustainable Jersey grant coming up. It opens up in mid November and the deadline for um applications is February and um I'm interested in applying to that as well. We get it, we give the money back. So but but we no we don't know if we're going to get it or not
but but it's again it's a seed it's an initiative to facilitate. The other thing that I need to mention is that the last time we did an ERRI it's from 1979 we do not have one right now. It was not
built into the master plan. It is old. We as as it is under regulation that the environmental commi uh the environmental commission needs to have an ERRI and we do not have one at this point in time. So we're really outdated with it. That's
another really important um thing to know. So thank you. If there's no question I have a question. So are there other towns that have the ERRI in place and how is it working out for them? Yeah. Well, I I have a list of about
what the land conservancy did. They they have a lot, but T-neck, Rididgewood, Montlair, Montlair, Clifton, you can go on and most of the towns in a lot of the towns in Bergen County uh have an ERRI.
On the presentation, there is a link to the new um the city of Newark's ERRI. So if you look down at the bottom, you'll see the link and if you click on you can go through the pages, it'll walk you through the whole entire um page. Yeah, it's just a standard thing for environmental commissions to have.
Okay. Thank you. Yes. Um sorry. Uh so Bogs Woods is not included in this at all because Oh, yes it would be because it's part of Hackinack. No, I know. That's what I'm saying. Yes, absolutely. Now the other thing
that you should know is that they don't come and do fieldwork here. They do it through existing resources and data that's online. Okay. Okay. Now I like I said I that was one of my questions and the second one was um any
of our river walks that we created is that also part of this? So we have been I think a little bit at a time uh well not in our time. Okay. But in the city's time trying to do some of that stuff.
The other there's another facet to this. Um the North Jersey Community um was it the North Jersey Community Foundation runs the environmental justice alliance meeting. They enlisted Rutgers and Rutgers is developing and I think
they're finalizing uh a green infrastructure plan for Hackin Sack. Okay. And this would go hand inhand with that because they might have a plan to say well you need let's say a rain
garden. Well where should the rain garden go? What's the soil? What's the topography? And that so they go hand inand with each other. So there are other agencies who are working on this as well. Okay. Good. And like I said there's certain things that we do do and I'm
glad you're bringing most of that up. But same thing we have the greenhouse over in Johnson Park which is a family garden. Correct. So we are we are progressing and programs. Keep us keep us going with that. But this is an I got you entire map in
its entirety. So you will know everything from soup to nuts versus the process that we have currently. It's kind of peace meal right we do it as we need it and as we're doing something we're going along. This will be comprehensive from, you know, start to finish and the document probably I think we'll try to see I I don't know Vicki
and I will still be here but probably try to update it every 10 years or so to look at it and give it a refresh just to make sure it stays you know current with the trends and it gives us points for sustainable change. That's another thing. Congratulations to the Hackinack Environmental Commission the green team
for getting the bronze certification in sustainability. We just received the email. Yes. With this we can go with this we can go for silver. Yes. I um I my question actually um Jim Mangan loves when I put him on the spot so I'm gonna put him on the spot
for a second. Um don't disappear but Jim if you don't mind. Um can you talk a little bit about the open space fund? Is would the open space fund be able to would we be able to pay for an ERRI out of open space? Would this be something
that qualifies? I'm not sure if you have a hard answer on that, but yeah, it was a good I was thinking about that when they when they said it because the open space trust fund is for the acquisition of property for open space and it's for the maintenance of existing
property and for recreation facilities. I'd have to go and look at the language of the referendum because the from the presentation I got the feeling that it could, but from what I'm thinking about the referendum, the wording that's in my
head, I can't remember it. So, you have it. Oh. Oh, look at that. Um, no, I think you sent that to us because um I I have that in my 2026 budget folder, but um I I was thinking the same thing, Mayor. It it may well
be. Okay. But I'd have to check into it. You have to be careful with the open space uh trust because the um because it's since it's public um it could be challenged by anybody. No, completely understand and I and I certainly don't want to do anything on tour with it. I just want to if if this
is something that qualifies, it seems like this is part of the intent. Mhm. It perhaps maybe not the exact wording, but we'll look into that for us. Well, like like it seems like exactly the intent, right? That's what I have to find out. Right. Okay.
While I there's one question. If the open space grant can pay for cleaning up of opening space or maintenance, is it possible to while you're doing your to take a look and see whether or not it could be used to maintain the triangles? Like right now, it's a volunteer effort, right? The people who planted the
gardens are the ones that are out there doing the clean up and the work of the garden. I can tell you it could definitely be used to maintain the triangles. The triangles are open space. I'll be reaching out to you on that one. Thank you. All right. So, we all have questions for Jim.
Thank you everyone. Thank you. Thank you. All right. And up next, Ryan Westerro with a project manager update. Good evening. Uh just an excuse me, an overview of the
ongoing projects. Um towards the end, towards the bottom of the list, the uh most updated um paving the contracts were awarded um last meeting. And then on the council meeting tonight, the construction admin
proposals, excuse me, will be awarded to RVE. And then that's once they're awarded, we could progress with scheduling, notice to proceed, um things like that. Uh Firehouse Engine 2, the repairs are still ongoing. Um, as you can see, the
the photo on the right was the plan, and you can see how it's like small boxes. And then on the left is the actual opening that had to get made due to the when the contractor was chipping out, the repair became a little bit larger than anticipated. So, they're
still working on that. Um, adding more rebar to the existing. Uh, so that work is progressing. uh Johnson's Park Sports Complex. Um the site contractor should be returning shortly. It's uh we're just waiting on some redesign of
the utility plan that's uh getting changed. Uh drainage structures have been delivered and the site utilities are uh being redesigned to accommodate future plans. Um I think we'll have the uh some concepts probably at the next
meeting for uh what will be going in the area of the former building uh fishinis 8 9 and 10. The uh site has been cleared. Uh most of the soil has been removed. There's still some stock piles that h has to get taken off site.
Uh the contractor is getting the subgrade at the right elevation and in the next week or two you'll see some you know importation of the clean stone for the drainage underneath the uh turf fields. Uh last week uh the city along with the
Michael Baker project team Bergen County officials Tene and Bota had a locals officials meeting regarding the Anderson Street Cedar Lane bridge replacement. Uh they're currently in the final design phase of the project. Uh that's going to anticipate to take approximately 18 to
24 months to have the final design and then after which they'll go out to bid and the construction is slated to begin late 2027, early 2028. Uh there's also going to be a community stakeholder meeting scheduled by the uh project team. So
that'll be posted um at the website, the East Anderson Bridge. There's information on there. Um the the current design for the bridge uh allows for a sidewalk area uh a shoulder on each side and two travel lanes with a a center
median. So it's going to improve uh the current traffic flow. Um, and also the contractor will be using a portion of the southern section of Johnson Park as a staging area for for the construction,
the duration of the construction. Uh, portion of the grass area in between the old Sears lot and the and the bridge will be utilized, will be fenced off, and they'll reroute the riverwalk and also approximately half of that old
Sears lot will be taken up during construction. Uh just some utility coordination. Uh Violia is in the midst of upgrading their meters. So I've been coordinating with them to get some locations changed
with the their new meters. One uh Memorial Park, Atlantic Street Parking Garage, Hackpack, and I got two additional location. One would be uh City Hall and then at Johnson Park. And then with PSENG uh we worked with uh DPW
and a PSENG contractor. They came and did a lighting and uh utility audit at the DPW garage uh to improve uh energy efficiency and upgrade some lighting in the building. The gas infrared heaters in the garage area are, you know, not
functioning well. So we're looking at, you know, a cost-effective way of replacing that equipment. and carryover from last meeting, there was some uh questions regarding uh utility companies and resurfacing. So I just want to give some excerpts from our
uh excavation ordinance which is uh chapter 148 article 8 um which we updated in 2020. So the standards for city rights of way uh roads resurfaced you know um more than 5 years because we have a 5-year moratorum in the city of
Hackinack. So any road that was paved longer than five years ago, any one opening or small opening would get infrared technology where it's a seamless repair for one small spot. Uh anything over 50 square feet, whether it
be one area or several areas added up from the center line to curb will get resurfaced full full width of the road from the center line to the curb. Unless they cross over the center line, then it would be full width. Um, and just two other points, we have a
winter moratorum. There will be uh no openings unless approved by the city from November to April. And with PSCG, uh there's a lot of gas activity in in the city. So this year they're going to be reservicing approximately 25 roads
which should be starting in the next few weeks. And then for the excavation ordinance for any roads resurfaced within the last five years, uh any single opening 50 square feet or less will also be treated
with infrared. And then anything over that, it's a full curb to curb, city block to city block millave. And then um we had emergency repair that we did in front of firehouse headquarters
on last Friday. Uh there was a dip that was I don't know you might have noticed it at the 9/11 ceremony because the tent was right over it. That's how we discovered it. Uh there was a depression in the roadway. Uh so after it was discovered, city put a steel plate over the road for protection and we hired a
contractor to come out and do a excavation to see what caused it. So, the contractor saw cut the road. Um, in that middle picture, you can see where they lifted the asphalt. There was a a void underneath the roadway and they excavated down to the combined sewer
that's in the center of State Street. Uh, we we dug around. We didn't see any obvious breaks in the line. Uh, that cover is brick and a lot of the laterals leading into it are clay pipe. So, there's a lot of voids and joints in those. And we have very sandy soil. So
over time the soil works its way into the pipe and uh we compacted with DGA refilled it and uh paved it over. So and uh one other thing before questions
uh yesterday the CDBG announced their funding uh rounds for grants. Um, the city typically does the comm CDBG community development block grant for resurfacing, but there are options that we could pursue if you know the city
wants to go that way um with other projects. And we have until end of December to submit an application. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. And with that, can I have a motion to open to the public?
Motion. Second. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone from the public who'd like to come up? Please feel free. Just state your name when you come up.
Thank you, folks. How you doing? Uh, my name is Mike. Last name is M like Mike. A SS O N I. I live at the Sherbrook.
Uh, I just building on this presentation these two ladies made. I just wanted to uh mention a thought I've had for a while. But if you're all I'm sure you're all familiar with the property at 329
Prospect in Hackinack that there was a lot of heavy community involvement with the zoning board meetings uh that we didn't want that 19tory whatever you want to call it to
go up but and I know that property's been vacant for over 10 years. And uh as I was listening to these ladies, I'm thinking, yeah, well, is there any way,
I don't know, eminent domain perhaps, but the city could get a hold of that property and either turn it into a a pocket park for all the thousands of residents that live there or build on what they said as far as
foresting and all of that. But it's a it's a nice piece of property and you know it runs right through the summit and uh anyhow that's my thought. Thank you sir. You bet.
Thank you. Hi. Good evening again. Um Marlene Summerville, resident of Hackinac. Just wanted to take a moment to Deborah to say congratulations on your retirement. Um, in all the time that I have been here, been on the comm um committees and
working in the city, I've always had to reach out to Deborah and Allison for any and everything to do with the city, right? And she's always been such a phenomenal person to get back to you, you know, ASAP and making sure that everything is in order. So, for me, you know, thank you. I hope I wish you the
best and I hope this is, you know, what you wanted. you get to spend time with your friends and your family, relax and enjoy because I know this job is not is not an easy job. There's a lot of personalities to deal with, mine included, right? So again, just wanted to say congratulations and happy
retirement. [Applause] Hi, good evening. I'm Josh Cohen, uh president of Clinton Place. Uh I just want to speak in favor of the uh ERRI
that they were working on. Um to me it's it's really important to build capacity in our volunteer boards. That's one of the biggest ways of uh um effective community engagement is using these volunteers. It's something I think has
been uh lacking of in over the the past few years. Um you know uh Councilman Carol you had mentioned the Riverwalk. Um, I think like that that's a great call out. What what the is is an inventory. And so what what you would see I think in it is
something highlighting the importance of for instance um Hackinac River County Park which is the 30some acres near um Riverside Square Mall and it doesn't connect to any of the Riverwalk right now. Um
you would see uh that that is called out in the open space plan. It's something that the open space plan is something I've referenced quite a bit in my own grant writing. And so having additional materials like an ERRI that calls attention to this, puts it all in one place, it makes grant writing much
easier and more effective. Um I I could go on. You know, you mentioned the forested uh or um vacant lot on Summit, but there's probably some others. Um I've he I've seen slides presented at meetings that Hackinack has more um
pavement and imperous service uh um imperous surface by percentage than Newark. Um you know and so something like that would again be called out and you start to see the importance of these open spaces of these green space and it gives you something
to uh prioritize when when you're making decisions. So, um, yeah, just, you know, building capacity, community engagement strengthens your grant writing. Um, I think it's something there that there there's a lot to learn on. There's a lot of good stuff that can come out of
something like this. And I I think the environmental commission deserves a lot of um uh um a big a big commendation for going after this. It's it's a lot of effort and they've been putting a lot of thought into this over the last few
months. So, um, nice work. Um, also Deborah, congratulations. Best best of luck. Um, I've appreciated working with you over over the last few years, so thank you for everything. Um, that's it. Thank you.
Anyone else from the public? Yes. Um it was brought to my attention with the construction sites when I was driving home um from Fairley Dickinson yesterday. I went over the bridge and there was a young it looked like a
college student on a bike riding the bike and I could I have a small car and I could barely get past him and there was a bus right behind me who had to stop because if he went he was going to hit this biker.
I would really appreciate if perhaps bike lanes were thought about as part of repaving and rebuilding because as a a walker I walk all the time and my partner over here walked a lot as well.
The one sitting next to me um there there's bikers and and I can't blame them along Summit Avenue. They're on the sidewalk. They're not on the street and they don't like to stop. They'll just whiz right past you. So, it's is just really something that I think is would
improve the quality, especially if you're redoing the bridge. Uh, bike lanes, I think, would be really important. They're going to have like 8 foot shoulder on each. Okay, that's good. I have that question. So, thank you just for considering that. I think it's important.
Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Seeing none, motion to close to the public. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Okay, we need a motion to close executive session. Motion. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion to adjourn the committee of the whole meeting.
Motion. Second. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we will be back at 8. Thank you. Okay, I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is the Hackinack City Council meeting of Tuesday, September
30th, 2025. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA104-6 EDSE, notice of which was sent to the record in the Star ledger and was posted on the municipal bulletin board. Thank you. Roll call, please. Deputy Mayor Tumi,
here. Council member Clark Collins here. Council member Carol here. Council member Diaz is absent. Mayor Gain here. Everyone, please rise to the flag seat. 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. Okay. Okay, we have a few proclamations and presentations today.
Okay, so we have one proclamation. Whereas New Jersey is in the midst of a life-threatening opioid abuse epidemic and the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has designated October 6th, 2025 as Knockout Opioid Abuse Day, an
initiative with a multiple with multiple purposes. to raise awareness of the potential for dependency of prescribed pain medicine and its link to heroin and fentinyl use in our state. to reduce stigma of addiction and shine a light on the need for recovery support and to
communicate to physicians information on safer prescribing messages found in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for prescribing opioids, which includes considering other therapies, setting realistic treatment goals with patients, and
discussing with patients the positives and negatives of opioids. And whereas the state senate and general assembly jointly resolved that October 6th shall be permanently designated as knockout opioid abuse day in New Jersey in order
to raise awareness about the dangers of and the link between prescription opioid misuse and heroin addiction and to educate health care providers, community leaders, state lawmakers, and members of the public about the opioid abuse epidemic and its effects throughout the
state of New Jersey and across the country. And whereas Children's Aid and Family Services, the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, and the Bergen County Prevention Coalition support initiatives designed to raise awareness about opioid abuse in New Jersey, and
take steps to prevent addiction. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Cassin Gaines, mayor of the city of Hackinack, along with the members of the city council, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2025, be recognized as Knockout Opioid
Abuse Day in the city of Hackinack. Next, we have a swearing in for Sergeant Wanda Rivera. Come on down, please. [Music] Yes. Okay. All right. If you can raise your right hand, please.
I, Wander Rivera, I, Wander Rivera, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey
that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance that I will bear truth, faith, and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established in the United States and to the governments established in the United States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people.
under the authority of the people. And that I will faithfully And that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform all the duties and justly perform all the duties of police sergeant of police sergeant according to the best of my ability
according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. [Applause]
I'm so excited. [Applause] If if any of uh Wanda's family wants to come before we get settled in for a picture, if people want to come and take a picture, that might be a good
opportunity now to come and do that. There you go. Please come on up. There we go. All right, I'm [Laughter] Okay, here you go. Thank you. Congratulations again. You got it. Thank you.
Sorry. They want to grab us picture. Oh, sure. Yeah, please. One more picture. Pork shoes are great. Yeah, please. Yeah. Come on up. Here. Can we come? Yeah. I know for you guys. Once Good. Great. Thank you.
Okay. So, we have um one more order of business before we get back to the order of business here. Um we have new beginnings. We also have new beginnings of a different sort today. Uh our city clerk, Deborah Carlson, today is her
retirement day. It is also her final meeting day. And uh we wanted to honor you with a special proclamation today as well. If you can come on down. [Applause] [Music] Whereas Deborah Carlson was born in
Hackinack and has lived in Hackinack for the past 46 years where she has raised her two daughters, Jennifer and Erica. And whereas Deborah grew up in Hazburg Heights and went on to attend college in Dover, Delaware with a degree in business
administration. And whereas in 1997, Deborah became one of the first Hackinac H cops and eventually made the rank of sergeant. And whereas Deborah started her career with the city of Hackinack in 2002 where she was the secretary of the
investigative divisions in the Hackinack Police Department. She became the police chief secretary before becoming the deputy city clerk in the clerk's office until 2009. And whereas in 2009, Deborah worked as the deputy city clerk for the
city of Edgewater until 2012. She was deputy clerk and city clerk for the city of Hillside until eventually returning to the great city of Hackinack in 2014 as city clerk, a position she held until
her retirement today. And whereas aside from her career in government, Deborah was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Hazbrook Heights and an active member of the Hackinack PTA during her daughter's school years where she was president of the Hiller School
PTA and president of the PTA president's council. Deborah also spent years as a volunteer EMT with the Hazburg Heights Fire Department ambulance where she held positions of lieutenant and captain. Whereas Deborah's retirement plan is to
enjoy her new home in Delaware where she will spend plenty of time out of the office and on the beach. Now therefore, I, Cassim Gaines, mayor of the city of Hackinack, along with the members of the Hackinack City Council, do hereby
congratulate Deborah Carlson on her retirement and thank her for her dedicated service to the city of Hackinack. Congratulations.
[Applause] So not very good public speaking yet. Look at the job that I do. So, I would like just I would just like
to say thank you to the past and present mayors and councils for the opportunity I've worked with all of you. I also want to say thank you to all of the employees that I have worked with over the years both at city hall and in the police department. Those who have retired and those still here. To those here, I will
think of you when I'm sitting on the beach with my pine colada. Most of all, I would like to thank my staff, Allison, Dela, Taylor, and Caitlyn. If it wasn't for all of you, the clerk's office wouldn't function as professionally it has during my tenure
here in Hackinack. Thank you. [Applause] So, to celebrate, we have some cake. We have some goodies. So, please don't be
shy. Get up and partake. We're going to take a five minute recess. If you'd like to come up and I know families here, if you'd like to come up and take some pictures, you're welcome to do that. Um, but we'll we'll save you some pieces of cake. Don't worry about it. All right, we'll take a fiveminute recess. Thank you.
Okay. Where's Phil? He had to go. He had to go. We're up to minutes. Okay. All right, we are moving on. Thank you everyone and congratulations once again. Uh we are moving on to our approval of
minutes for September 9th, 2025, the cow executive and regular meeting. Do I have a motion? Motion second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we move on to the city manager's
report. Okay, good evening. Uh, once again, veteran banners on Main Street banner spots are still available. You can contact the city manager's office to register or register online through Reces. Uh, please note that banners submitted from this point on
will not be installed until Veterans Day 2026, but there are plenty of spots left. Uh, city newsletter reminder, visit the city of Hackintock website to sign up for the new weekly newsletter. Newsletters emailed out every Friday. provides important updates, event information, exclusive content, and
community news. We had our 9/11 memorial ceremony uh in front of fire headquarters. It was very well attended and very wellreceived. Thanks to everyone who showed up for supporting that. We had the townwide garage sale uh last weekend. Uh it took
place September 13th and 14th from 9 to 4. The registration was a little light, but we understand it was the first year. Next year's garage sale registration will be sent out in June and put on all media outlets hopefully for a little bit of a better turnout next year. Some upcoming events we have the Hackin
October Fest is back Saturday October 4th from 1 to 8:00 p.m. The premier community event in Bergen County is back and better than ever. Hackinack Octoberfest has grown into one of the best community events in New Jersey. Organized by the Main Street Business Alliance, the event is attended by
thousands of people. We had 4,500 people in attendance last year and we're estimating 5,000 plus this year. Enjoy the beer garden, live music, artisan shopping, food trucks, and more. On October 15th, the Bergen County 200 Club will be hosting their Valor Awards
dinner. A I have numerous names here, but suffice to say, we have over 32 members of the police department and fire department receiving Valor Awards that night. So, that's an outstanding representation from the city of Hackinack. Congratulations to all those recipients.
Hackpack Events. Roots of Light. It's a gallery reception and exhibit on October 9th at 6 PM. Howdy Strangers Improv Zombie Apocalypse on October 18th at 8:00 p.m.
David Mako's Electrifying Tribute to Liberace, October 24th, 7:30 p.m. Swinging with the Rat Pack, October 26th at 8:00 PM. Visit the city website under Arts and Recreation Performing Arts Center for more information. And last but not least, actually there's
two events left that I want to recognize here. Hackinac Recreation Department is hosting a pickle ball tournament on November 1st and 2nd. You can find all the information on their website and fresh off the press today is the city of Hackinacks pumpkin carving
contest. For all the Halloween followers out there, it's on the website. It's a contest for anyone who wants to enter and will be graded on the quality of the pumpkin you carve. That is all of the updates I can provide at this point. Thank you.
Thank you, city manager. Okay. There are no reports of special committees, no special orders, no unfinished business or general orders. So, we are moving on to new business resolution number 408-25.
This is a resolution for final adoption of ordinance number 43-2025, an ordinance to amend chapter 170 of the code of the city of Hackinack, vehicles and traffic to remove and add a new handicap parking space in section 49.2 parking for the handicap. This ordinance
has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing. Thank you. Motion to open to the public on this ordinance and this ordinance only. Motion to open to the public. Oh, motion second. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Any abstensions? Any member of the public who would like to come forward on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Seeing none, motion to close to the public? Motion. Second. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Motion to adopt. A motion. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. Be resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac County of Bergen and the state of New Jersey that ordinance
number 43-2025 has passed a second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Thank you. Resolution number 409-25. This is a resolution for final adoption of ordinance 44-2025, an ordinance amending chapter 90 of the
code of the city of Hackinac, food and drink to update certain fees and regulations in article one retail food establishments. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing. Thank you. Motion to open to the public. A motion second.
Any opposed? I'm sorry. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any absent? I corrected it. I think I'm okay. Uh, anyone from the public wishing to come forward on this ordinance? Seeing none, motion to close to the
public. I have a motion. Second. All in favor? I I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion to adopt. I have a motion. Second. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion carries. Be resolved by the city council. of the city of Hackinac County of Bergen and state of New Jersey. That ordinance number 44-2025 has passed the second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Thank you. Moving on to the consent
agenda. Okay. The consent agenda consists of resolutions 410-25 through 431-25. Does anybody need anything pulled for separate vote? No. Nope. Okay. Okay. The following items
are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by a certification of availability of funds and any item requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda. The consent agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes including any exceptions
and/or additions. Resolution 410-25 is a resolution authorizing payment of bills. Resolution 411-25 is a resolution authorizing tax refunds for duplicate payments and state board judgments. Resolution 412-25 is a resolution awarding contract for
engineering service for NJ DOT funded Spring Valley Avenue pedestrian safety project. Resolution 413-25 is a resolution awarding contract for engineering construction management services 2025 road resurfacing program city funded streets. Resolution 414-25
is a resolution awarding contracts for engineering construction management services NJ DOT funded pedestrian safety improvement grand avenue project resolution 415-25 is a resolution awarding contract for engineering construction management services 2025
road resurfacing program NJ do DOT funded for Kennedy street project resolution 416-25 is a resolution authorizing the submitt of award extension request for LA2 2024 MA Hackinack City, Spring Valley Avenue pedestrian safety and traffic calming
improvements to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Resolution 417-25 is a resolution awarding contract for engineering construction management services 2025 road resurfacing program CDBG funded streets. Resolution 418-25
is a resolution awarding co-op contract for the municipal court complex security upgrade project. Resolution 419-25. Resolution correcting contract award in resolution 404-25 for Johnson Park
LSRP Engineering Services. Resolution 420-25 is a resolution authorizing release of escrow funds for 61 Lynen Street. Resolution 421-25 is a resolution awarding change order number one to suburban engineering for court street
drainage area anderson street drainage area west of rail combined sewer overflow separation construction phase services resolution 422-25 is a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a state of New Jersey F SFY safe and
secure communities grant resolution 423-25 is a resolution authorizing extension of leave of absence for Mattie Candela, clerk 1, police department. Resolution 424-25 is a resolution approving appointment of school crossing guards for the 2025 2026
school year. Resolution 425-25 is a resolution authorizing disposal of surplus surplus property by auction on gov deals for the IT department. Resolution 426-25 is a resolution authorizing disposable of surplus
property by auction on gov deals for the police department. 427-25 is a resolution authorizing memorandum of understanding between Bergen County Department of Health Services, the city of Hackinack for a period of July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026.
Resolution 428-25 is a resolution authorizing memorandum of understanding for childhood lead exposure prevention project between Bergen County Department of Health Services and the city of Hackinac. Resolution 429-25 is a resolution authorizing appointment of a
deputy emergency management coordinator. Resolution 430-25 is a resolution authorizing leave of absence without pay for Jabari Brown sanitation worker. Resolution 431-25, which is now my last ever resolution,
[Laughter] which is a resolution authorizing raffle licenses. All right, I need a motion. I have a motion. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? The motion
carries. Okay, I need a motion to open to the public. Motion second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Any member of the public who would like to speak? There's the microphone. Just announce
your name, the municipality, when you come on up. Thank you. Good evening, Reverend Davis Hackinac. I just have a question about the um which is a great idea. It's very proud to look at them on Main Street. Um how do we find out uh and mayor I have to address
this question if you have permission to the city manager? How do we find out what process uh if you put an application in it is uh I have one in since like July. I know you have to wait till you get a certain amount before you put the flags up. So,
are the ones that are already in going to be in before 2026 up? I mean, they they I know that they needed a certain amount before they could place an order for them. So, the second phase, there was a cut off already for the second phase, which I believe you were within the cutoff, but if if you want to
just email me with which particular one you're looking for, I could certainly look into it and get you an exact answer. Okay. All right. Thank you. And they'll send you I think they send you a picture because it's an old picture. They send you something to see what it looks like first before it goes up. Yes, I believe they give you a proof. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. Hello. I'm Taylor O'Brien. I don't live here, but I do work in the clerk's office and I've worked with Debbie for 5 years. And oh, I'm not going to cry. I just wanted
to wish you congratulations on your retirement. And there's no one more deserving of the relaxation time you're going to get. And we really love you and we're going to miss you here. So, I just wanted to say congratulations. Love you.
Thank you, Taylor. I'm Rich Serbo. Uh, Spring Valley Avenue where the traffic continues. Okay. I just And you should know that you're the mayor. You live there. Okay. Um, thanks. Uh, congratulations to Deborah. Have a
great time. And you're an efficient person. You're very good. And you have a sense of humor. And that's what made it such a a joy to have you around. You know what I'm saying? All right. A couple things I just wanted to uh mention. I mentioned something here last
time uh the meeting. When was it? Two weeks ago, I guess three weeks ago. That the legality of the rescending of things. Uh obviously other people don't think it's
legal also because they're suing the city now or uh so I want to know I asked to get a response from it on retaliation which is illegal in some areas of the law. I guess in politics it's hey
whatever you want to do any any u new candidate or new uh person sitting in a uh a position of power can you know go after the uh people that ran before them or they do it all on all levels of
government. So maybe it is okay but I never got a response. Maybe if you want to ignore me that's okay. Uh other things too. Uh this the streets uh um the paving of streets. I never got any
response. I think people just uh mentioned that it's going to happen. Yeah. Uh but isn't there a list? Wasn't there a list of streets as they uh lay it out to do pro u paving of streets? They kind of
tell you which ones are going to be paved. Okay. that and and other than that is the uh I was surprised to get my tax bill which was very high. It went way up. Okay. But but the letter inside
I just it didn't sort of gel with that and and it was you explaining that it's not your fault somehow in the letter. I I I've I just was shocked by that that a letter came in my tax bill. Uh and you
explaining, "Oh boy, it's not our fault. It's the county's fault. It's the previous administration. It's blah blah blah." It's I don't know. I thought it was in bad taste. Uh you're the mayor. You're in charge now. And it was kind of
kind of a cheap shot. Uh so the taxes are high. Let's get them down. that would be a better uh thing to talk about or maybe that should be the response. So, let's lower taxes instead of uh putting a letter in the tax bill saying
it's everybody else's fault. So, that's it. Thank you. Right on time, Mr. Serbo. Thank you. All right. Anyone else from the public? Yeah, it's my turn. Uh Jim Mangan, 245 Prospect Hackinack.
Just wanted to add my congratulations to our clerk, uh, Debbie Carlson, on her retirement. Um, I've had the the good fortune of starting to work here about a month after Debbie and uh
thankfully uh there's a lot of interaction between the finance office and the clerk's office and uh and Debbie is the finest clerk that I've ever worked with. And among all of her achievements, Mayor, the one that you uh
didn't mention in her proclamation is that uh she's also an excellent teacher. Um her staff is excellent and that's because uh Debbie is an excellent teacher among everything else. So for
all the help that you've given me over the years, um in case I never said it, and who's kidding who? I know I never said it. I want to thank you for all of that. Good luck and uh you are you will be
missed. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Anyone else from the public? Okay, seeing none, motion to close to the public. A motion. Second. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, Deputy Mayor Tumi. Yes. Okay. Yes. All righty. Um, thank you everyone for
coming out tonight and, uh, I would like to first thank our presenters tonight. Um, the Hackin Sack Environmental Commission and Green Team, Marlene and Vicki. Thank you for your presentation.
Um, little by little, uh, we're losing a lot of open space and we need to do everything we can do to preserve whatever we have left. And, um, the idea of urban forest sounded really nice.
Thank you for your uh, ideas. Thank you for anyone that came up regarding the ERRI and um and um being uh positive about it. Uh also congratulations to
Sergeant uh Wanda Rivera on her promotion. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication and we wish her all the best as she takes on her new role and its responsibilities.
And finally, I would like to uh wish Debbie um a very happy and relaxing u retirement. I I retired 14 years ago and I never
retired. So, but you you you do that. Please take care. go to the beach, get your cup of coffee in the morning, and just, you know, if you have a view, just enjoy it. And um your commitment and integrity and tireless work will leave a
lasting uh impact on our community. We wish you all the best on a well-earned retirement. Congratulations, Debbie. Thank you, Councilwoman Cler Collins. Um, first and foremost, Debbie, congratulations on your retirement and
best of luck to you. I just want to thank everybody for coming out tonight. And um, I want to say that we attended a ribbon cutting ceremony uh, last week for a new restaurant on Main Street
called Blaze on Fire, and the food was excellent. So, um, as I always say, please support your local businesses. Um, it makes a difference. And, um, other than that, everyone get home safe.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. All right. So, um, I wanted to, uh, start by singing to sir with love to Debbie. Um, no, no, Deb. Deb, congratulations. In all
seriousness, um, no, it's it's been a a true joy to be able to work with you, um, over the course of the summer and and September. And, um, I just want to echo the sentiments of everyone here and say we wish you all the best. Uh, enjoy retirement. Um, we brought the view to
you today. Um, but I know that you're going to be enjoying the the real one very soon. So, congratulations. Welld deserved. Um, some folks asked at uh the last council meeting and and a number of previous ones about uh
resident parking issues in the area of Dwolf Place, but not just Dwolf Place, Haynes and kind of all over Hackinac. Um, one of the things that's going to be done as a result of some of these concerns is that there'll be an independent parking study and it's going to be citywide. So, uh, that's something
that will be implemented so that we can sort of figure out where these problem areas are. We certainly don't want to implement a solution in one part of Hackinack that then pushes more cars into the next street. Um, so we'll look at this in a holistic way and so if you
have been asking, um, please just sit tight. We are we are getting started on that. Um, but but know that a a plan will be put in place. Um, again, congratulations to Sergeant Wanda Rivera.
Um, we went to a number of uh, great events over the course of the last couple weeks and I really just want to highlight them because number one, they highlight the diversity of our programming um, in Hackinack, but also they were just really kind of uh, exciting and if you weren't there uh,
you missed it, so don't miss it next time because it was really spectacular. Um just this last week there was a book signing um an event uh at the Hackpack and we were visited by Dr. Leonel Fernandez um who was the former
president three-term president of the Dominican Republic. Um it was quite significant and that is something that uh Councilman Roberto Diaz helped to facilitate. Um he's not here tonight. He senses regrets, but uh he deserves all sorts of commendations for bringing in
this great event. And the programming was geared towards supporting individuals that have folks in their lives on the autism spectrum, particularly geared towards um the Latino community. Um there is a great
need uh particular in the particularly in the Dominican Republic where this was sort of um emanating from for just more support and and more awareness and um destigmat dstigmatizing and so um it was
a wonderful event packed and uh and it was great. They we also um just this past weekend I had the opportunity to see um a boat dedication to our crew team. Um a boat was donated by Hope on Water, a nonprofit. Um for those who
don't know, there is a Hackinack High School crew team and they are fantastic. They are amazing. Um you're looking confused out in the audience, but we have one. But we have one. Uh and they are really, really great. and um they practice over at Overpek Park. Uh please
follow them on social media, look them up. The kids are amazing. The boat is amazing. Um I went out on the water actually not in a crew boat, but I did go out on the water and um it was just a great event and it was the brainchild of
MNA and Kira Gatrell who are two Hackinack residents. Um MNA is a teacher at Hackinack High School. Uh Kira is a alumnist, former student of mine actually and um just amazing motheraughter story of getting this crew
team up and running and bringing new opportunities to our students. Um additionally, the community yard sale was fantastic. I know that um we the registration was a little bit light um but I zoomed around and we we tried to get to as many as
possible. I went to every single one actually. So, I was thankful for for light um registration this time around, but it was great. And you know, one of the things that I heard from people as I was making my way around was that it was nice to see other people also on the
circuit. So, even if you weren't selling, um, just to have other people that were also kind of going along the route and, um, big thanks to whoever put together that map, there were so many positive things that were said about having an actual route that people could follow instead of just pins on a map,
but an actual drawing. So, I think is that Frank? Is that you? All right, Frank. Congratulations. Good job on that. Lots of I'm telling you, yard sale folks, they they do this as like a sport, you know, and I had many people say this is the best map for a community
yard sale that they'd seen. Um, so so great. Um, salsa night on Bant Place was fantastic. Um, my wife is Ecuadorian and so I couldn't just go. I had to dance for an hour and a half. Um, and it was
wonderful and I did and there's probably video somewhere. Um, and also the deputy might said Mhm. there is. Um, and the the 911 memorial um was was of course a a wonderful uh wonderfully somber and
and significant um event. And um it it just reminds me every year of how close we all are to that day. Um for those who don't know and for the I don't know what the camera can see at this moment, but in council
chambers we have um that sort of iconic photograph of the three firefighters raising the flag at ground zero on 911. And what folks may not realize is that that photograph was taken for the record
um by a Hackinack resident at the time, Thomas E. Franklin, um who as people were making their way out of New York, he was making his way in to capture that photograph that has um touched so many people around the world. So um I just
wanted to to touch on those things. Um definitely check my No, I'm all good. Yeah, definitely. Um just want to uh again thank everyone for coming out. Um
before I conclude, I do just want to address um one aspect of Mr. Sherbo's comments and I do appreciate um all of our residents that come forward and speak. Um I think it's really important that we communicate as a council that we
are honest and that we are forthcoming about what is before us. We have tried to do that in terms of cow presentations when things are coming up making the public aware having some deliberation um and some conversation and all of that.
Um the reality is and Mr. Mangan has explained this on multiple occasions in this very room. Uh that budget is a budget that was set prior to our sitting here. And so that is not our budget. The budget that we're operating
on is not our budget. Um so we wanted to just make that clear. And certainly as taxpayers um we share your concern that my taxes went up by $700. Um, so I I completely understand it and share your
frustration and it's something that we will look into. It's something that we will try to get a handle on. Um, but certainly I did not want there to be any misconception that um that we were happy with that tax bill either. We weren't
happy with that tax bill. And so um I don't see it as passing the buck. I see it about as being about accountability and honesty and transparency because it's just the reality of what it is. Um, but as I said before,
uh, thank you everyone for coming out. We wish everyone the best. And with that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjurnn. A motion. Second. All in favor? I