That's why I figured you were the hold up. >> Yeah, >> you know, retired cops. They're just like us. >> So, all right. Okay. Here we go. We're not rolling, right, Frank? All right. Great. All right. So, here we go.
>> All right, Frank. We're good. >> Calling this meeting of the Hackinack City Council to order. It is Tuesday, July 28th, 2026. It is 5:32 p.m. If you can read the notice, please. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meeting act
NJSA104-6 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.
Councilwoman Clark Collins >> here. >> Councilman Diaz >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you. If everyone can please rise to the flag salute. [clears throat] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. If I can have a motion to approve the minutes of the July 14th, 2026 council meeting. >> I'll offer. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? came asked 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, please? >> Second. >> Okay. Um, all in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. We will aim to return by 6:30. Thank you.
>> [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 mile. You miss a [music] blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble a football, you
will run a mile. Perfection. >> This [music] summer, champions rise under the stars. >> Let's go to work. >> From the slam dunk [music] 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 [music] Under the Stars at Atlantic Street Park. Join us for sunset yoga. Have you signed up for our NIXL alerts yet? [music] NIXL keeps you up to date by text and
email with instant updates from our office of emergency management so you can get important information [music] when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal [music] activity, and local events.
Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to [music] 88877. That's 07612888777. [music] [music] Don't wait. Sign up for NIXL alerts today and stay connected to what's [music] 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, and more, [music] delivered right to your inbox. Signing
up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to [music] join. 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. [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 [music] emotional journey of Inside Out 2, the inspiring story of Remember the Titans and the ultimate underdog story, [music]
Rocky. Don't miss Movies Under the Stars at Atlantic Street Park. Join us for sunset yoga. >> Have you signed up for our [music] Nixl alerts yet? Nixel 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, road closures, severe traffic, [music] criminal activity, and local events.
Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to888777. [music] That's 0761 to888777. [music] Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl 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, important announcements, [music] 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 submissions [music] to news@
hackansac.org. All right, thank you for your patience. We are out of executive session. We are going to start the public portion of today's meeting with some proclamations or some acknowledgements of our Fourth of July sponsors. So, let me go down and award
these. We would have done this at the 4th of July, but we were rained out a little bit. >> [clears throat] >> Great. All right. Okay. So, I don't know if anyone's here to receive these, but just in case, I will acknowledge. So, we
have a acknowledgement of Incera Supermarkets Incorporated with sincere appreciation for your generous support of our community and our Fourth of July celebration. Eastwick College with sincere appreciation for your generous support
of our community and our Fourth of July celebration. Remington and Vernick Engineers with sincere appreciation for your generous support of our community and our Fourth of July celebration. Hackinack Meridian, Hackinack University Medical Center with with sincere
appreciation for your generous support of our community and our Fourth of July celebration. And our gold sponsor for this year was Boswell Engineering with sincere appreciation for your generous support of our community and our Fourth of July
fireworks celebration. And we'll make sure they get these. Thank you. Okay, with that we're going to move on to our city manager report. >> Okay, good evening. Um, just a couple follow-ups from last meeting. Uh, these
were some resident concerns. Uh, excuse me. Second. Um, Marty Smith advised that the uh pedestrian crossing light at Prospect and Golf was out of service and I
followed up with traffic uh this afternoon and I didn't check my emails to see if the the final report was on that, but I hadn't gotten it back prior to the meeting, but I will check and get back to you on that, Mr. Smith. Um, Mr. Smith also asked for confirmation that
we contacted Bergen County about the merge pinpoints at Polifly and Essex and Prospect and Pay and I can report that the um police department police department said that they did uh
speak with Nancy Darvis from county engineering department. She was contacted shortly after Mr. Smith's complaints about Polifly Road. They followed up in April again in June. In our last followup, the county stated that we are seventh in line for a study.
Uh HPD reached back and asked if we could use our own new equipment that we have to do the study and provide them the information, but she said that the county needs to do the study. Um and it is slated for the fall. As far as Pak and Prospect, they're putting that on
their list as well to do a study. and some community updates. Bear with me. I'm sorry. [snorts] Uh once again, just a reminder, we have extended summer hours uh on Tuesday evenings. Um, customerf facing
departments stay open till 6 pm every Tuesday in July and August. Recreation special weather updates. Um, unfortunately due to heavy rain and thunderstorms expected tomorrow, all campsites, summer campsites except Carver and theater will be relocated to the rec center. Also, the splashdown
park trip for 7:29 has been rescheduled for 7:31. Parents have been notified via email, flyers, Nixl, social media, city website, and direct outreach. Tuesday's uh summer concerts on the green. Tonight's concert featuring Last Child has been relocated into the side
to the Hackpack and the uh Shakespeare in the Park for tomorrow night. Uh we're going to keep an eye on the weather and we'll let everyone know. It'll be posted whether we move that inside as well. That's all I have to report. >> Thank you. At this point, we're going to
I'm going to ask for a motion to open up to the public on agenda items only. Just to remind everyone, if you are commenting during this period, you have three minutes. Anything that's on the agenda, you can uh voice a comment on. Please just let us know your name, your
municipality, which agenda item you are referring to or you will be commenting on, direct your comments to me, and please limit your comments to three minutes. I will keep time for you, and as we get to the three minute mark, I will ask you to bring your point to a close, and I just ask that you do that.
um swiftly. >> Where are the agenda? >> The agenda is online as well. So if you >> agenda, >> there's a physical copy and there's also a second public comment as well. So if there's a public comment
on something that isn't on the agenda and you just want to raise a comment, that'll be uh I anticipate in about 15 minutes. >> Would one of those be on? >> You have to stand up and come to the microphone to be heard. Well, hold on one second. It's it's
actually it's taxes is not generally on the agenda. So that would be at the general public comment portion. >> Okay. So that's later on. >> Yes. Just a little bit. Just a little bit. Okay. So with that, can I have a motion to open
to the public? >> I'll offer. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on an agenda item only? Seeing none, motion to close to the
public. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. All right. So, we have two ordinances for second reading. Resolution 215-26. Resolution 215-26 is the final adoption
of ordinance 13-2026, an ordinance to amend chapter 36, recreation department of this publish. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion to open to the public on resolution 215-26?
>> I'll offer a second. >> All in favor? >> I. Anyone from the public wishing to speak on resolution 215-26 and 215-26 only? Seeing none, motion to close to the public. >> I'll offer second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt resolution 215-26? >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi. >> Yes.
>> Council member Clark Collins. Yes. >> Council member Diaz. >> Yes. >> Mayor Gaines. >> Yes. >> Be resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinack, County of Bergen, and state of New Jersey that ordinance number 13-2026 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted.
>> Thank you. Resolution 216-26. Resolution 216-26 is the final adoption of ordinance 14-2026 an ordinance to amend chapter 109 littering article 1 general provisions. This ordinance has been published
according to law and now calls for a public hearing. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion to open to the public on resolution 216-26? >> I'll author. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone from the public wishing to speak on resolution 216-26?
>> I'll offer. >> No, no, >> no. [laughter] >> Oh. >> Um, okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public on 216-26. >> I'll offer. >> Jumping ahead. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Okay. Motion to adopt resolution 216-26. >> I'll offer second. Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi, >> yes. >> Councilman Clark Collins, >> abstain. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gates,
>> yes. >> Be resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac, County of Bergen, and state of New Jersey that ordinance number 14-2026 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. >> Thank you. Okay. Resolution 217-26.
Resolution 217-20226 is the introduction of ordinance number 25-2026, an ordinance to amend chapter 170 of the code of the city of Hackinac vehicles and traffic to add a new handicap parking space in section 49.2 parking
for the handicapped. >> Thank you. Motion to adopt resolution 217-26. >> I'll offer. >> Second. >> All in favor? I'm sorry. Roll call, please. Thank you. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi. >> Yes. Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz,
>> yes. >> Mayor Gates, >> yes. Be it resolved by the that the above ordinance being ordinance 15-2026 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 August 11th,
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 a 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 218-26, resolution authorizing payment of bills. Resolution 219-26, resolution authorizing 100% veteran tax deduction for 19 Jefferson Street,
apartment C7. Resolution 220-26, resolution authorizing Lawoft Incorporated for annual maintenance and support for the police department computer system. Resolution 221-26, resolution requesting appro uh resolution requesting approval of items
of revenue and appropriation NJSA4A 4-87 recycling tonnage grant resolution 222-26 resolution correcting resolution 500-25 transfer of 2025 budget appropriations
resolution 2 20 223-26 resolution of intent to award contract under a National Cooperative Purchasing Agreement to purchased used pickup trucks with plows. Resolution 224-26, resolution authorizing the release of
escrow funds for 211 Essex Street. And resolution 225-26, resolution authorizing the release of escrow funds for 375 Route 17. And finally, resolution 226-26. Resolution authorizing award of contract
to TM T&M Associates for preparation of a community energy plan for the city of Hackinac. >> Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt the consent agenda? >> I'll offer. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> yes. >> Councilman Diaz, >> yes. >> Mayor Gaines, >> yes. >> The consent agenda passes. >> Thank you. All right. So, we are up to our second and final public comment.
This is the general orders public comment, if you will. So, once again, if you can state your name, your municipality, when you come up, please direct your comments to me. Please limit your comments to three minutes. As you start to come to a conclusion of three minutes, um, I will ask you to bring
your point to a close. And I just ask that you please do that. Oh, yes, I will. I just ask that you do that. Okay. Can I have a motion to open to the public? >> I'll offer. I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
>> Any abstensions? Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening, >> council members, deputy acting deputy city clerk. My name is Marlene Somerville. I am a resident of Hackinac
and I am here not as a resident but in my capacity as the chairperson for the environmental commission and green team and also the chairperson for tanek. So just to give a few updates on what has been going on with the different committees. So for TANK, we
had our meeting on April the 15th and the outcome of the meeting is as follows, right? We have our letter that we sent into the FAA for um updating in our quality of life issues to utilize the different runways. So on January the
1st, let me see this. I was not reading glasses. On January the uh 22nd of 2026, runway number one procedure was published. So runway number one is the runway that we use for arrivals. There was a procedure to get them to instead
of coming over Hackinac Hospital over the schools to take the route 17 come over water and then make a straight landing into TW airport. That was adopted. It was I think at 4% usage for the time being and again at this point
right nothing beats a failure but a try. So it's hopeful that they will continue with the effort of getting the pilots and the airlines to use the runway to come in. So that is in progress. As the data comes in from the usage, we'll communicate that back. But so far it is
there. Um it it is being utilized, you know, to the extent that it is. The second portion of that was to do some updates to policy and procedures. One of them was a gentleman's agreement that between 1000 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. they would not have flights that come in unless those flights were considered
emergency or necessary. Now, under FAA rules and regulations, you cannot forbid a flight from coming in at a specific time, right? There is no rules that any municipality or we can do to forbid that. But you can do ask them. So, one of the things that we had discussed with
them was to incentivize the pilots and the companies to not come in during that period, right? because everybody's complaining about the coming in every 60 seconds, you know, 4:00 a.m. in the morning, the vibrations keeping people up and not being able to sleep. So, we
created a points program along with Tito um airport authority and you get a loaded 15 points. You lose points if you're coming in if one of the company comes in and mass in those periods of time, but you can reduce and get those points back if you
follow the gentleman's agreement, right? And the hope is that more of them will utilize that and at the end there is some sort of incentive. You may get a decrease on your fees that you pay for parking the jets or you know whatever it is that Tabbor airport is going to work out. So that's what they did. There will
be some updates to the tower at Tabaro airport. They are looking to move to um Philadelphia for one of the towers. So there is some construction work going on. And then the last part of it was what I when I met with the city manager and the acting city clerk around them
wanting to do an expansion at TWR airport. So they were looking for a roughly about 20 to 22 acres to fill that in. There was a small advisory period where there was some conversation between the FAA asking the communities to come in and give their feedback on
it. Right. At the end of the day, we for TANK and the members of all the municipalities that sit on the board said that was not enough time. Just having one session for people to come in, one in mass and have that conversation didn't exactly give the breadth of what people were struggling
with on their day-to-day. So, we talked to Sher, the manager of Teter airport, and we're looking for them to see if they can have another advisory period for people to come in and make that comment. In the interim, the FAA did send out a general waiver asking for the
municipalities to select one of their chairs to join a secondary panel to go over their quality of life issues. So, I think I sent that letter over to you guys and to um Allison if we can kind of keep our eye because the drop dead date to get it to them is like by the 8th and
we would like for Hackin Sack to have a seat at the table, right? To be able to push those quality of of life um issues and be able to put our voice into it. One of the things we're worried about with them filling in is we have native species that are there. What happens to those native species when you actually
fill in, right? If there is we talk about um >> Sorry, Miss Summerville. I'm just I'm We're >> Oh, >> no. No. It's okay. If you can wrap up though, we're we're [laughter] >> I know. I know. I know. Go ahead. >> I I prefer this to give you guys a whole presentation. So, just to talk about
just that whole thing about when you fill it in, where does that go, right? Where does any native species, where do plant, pollinators, all of that stuff, where do they go? Where do they transfer to? And then you're extending the runway. there's heavier jets, more fuel in that small compressed area. What are
the risk and the consequences of that? And then for the environmental commission, really quickly, we just want to say congratulations to those guys on the Hackinack School on the certification that they got. Silver for the um safe streets program. So, we
attended the Bergen Hub last night and they handed over the certification. There is silver for the schools and the city. So, that's wonderful. It helps us with our sustainability efforts and it also allow us to apply for the New Jersey State Safe Roots grant funding.
And the last part is congratulations to the HC. They actually submitted for a grant from PSENG right for second stories about our rain gardens that we have done all over Hackinac. So we actually made it past the first part. we're into phase two where we may have
to reach out to the mayor and the council because they're asking us to get a small little video presentation from you guys about, you know, what are the benefits of the rain garden. So, again, congratulations to those guys on the certification and for submitting the getting to phase two of the award. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Reverend Carolyn Davis, Hackinack. I I just have a few things to say tonight. First of all, all I want to say is thank you. I want to thank this mayor and this council and all the
administrators for all the work you have been doing in this past year. You've created a climate where even those who may not agree with you can come up and speak their disagreements
without feeling um isolated, without feeling that their comments are not accepted. Um feeling free to even to speak when they do disagree. Uh, I want to thank you for being the one council,
one city that stepped up to help its school system when no other city did that. We were not not the only city that had problems with the budget with the school. So, I thank you for that. I want to thank you because because of you and the council and the environment you
have, you know, I can call and I think many people other can say the same thing. I spoke today with our city manager who is busy busy but he made sure he got back to me on a question that I had Captain Antista in the police department when I call him I have a
question I can get an answer and I'm very proud of seeing our police department I follow it I'm not always here where a young man um I think it was a young man that was in a mental crisis and they're able to talk down that young man that especially dear to my heart as
a minister as a nurse and as one of the people in the work group who fought years ago to make sure that our city and got tasers cuz I remember when those two young Hispanic men were killed. So I just want to thank you. I don't think you hear
that enough but thank you and thank you for getting money back from some of these developers who owe the city and the citizens in this in this community their taxes back. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> Uh my name is David Cfield. I'm a lifelong resident of Hackinack. I live on Fairmont Avenue and um to receive this tax bill I don't think was any uh anybody's uh
view of a beautiful summer gift. Uh 15% increase for this first bill in August versus last year. Uh appreciate the letter that was sent out. What it doesn't include though
is any talk about austerity within um the city, within the schools, within staffing. Um most times when you have a huge budget shortfall, um all things are being considered. I
didn't see anything about those types of things. Uh we have far too many in my opinion administrators and uh assistant principles, principles and others in our schools. Um and
quite frankly the taxes in Hackinack are becoming more and more unsustainable for most people and a 15% increase doesn't help. Um, so I'd like to hear from the council what other things are being
considered. Um, one of the worst things you can do and as a council uh I mean it's almost cliche that the former administration is blamed for all the the problems of the world so to speak and uh that doesn't solve the
problems of all of us as taxpayers. Um, so I'm wondering if all of these so-called corporate giveaways, etc., cannot be rescended, um, how else we can find the money as
opposed to just dragging it out of the pockets of regular taxpayers like myself. So that's really all I want to say. Uh but you know it's it's very difficult especially for people many people in in Hackinack
are nearing retirement and they'd like to stay here but with these types of tax increases uh it's going to be very difficult for people to stick around here. Thank you. >> Thank you. I think we have run out of public.
Anyone else from the public? Jim. Okay. [laughter] All right. Motion to close to the public. >> I'll offer. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. I'm going to give the city manager the ball if he wants it. Otherwise, we'll
get right into council comments. >> No, I have nothing to follow up with right now. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Deputy Mayor. >> Yes. Good evening to everyone. um don't have much uh to say, but uh before we adjourn, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what we've accomplished
tonight. Uh we recognize the community sponsors who helped make our Fourth of July celebration a success. Events like this uh like these remind us that Hackinac's greatest strength is the partnership between our residents, businesses, civic or organizations, and
local government. We appreciate everyone who contributes to making our city a vibrant place to live. Um I I would also like to thank uh at this time our city manager, acting city clerk, department heads, municipal
employees, professionals. Uh the work we do here, each meeting is made possible by the preparation and dedication of so many people behind the scenes. Uh finally, thank you to everyone who attended, not many tonight due to the
weather, I suppose. And um and who participated in public comment. Local government works best when residents stay engaged. So, um, at this point, I would like to say,
um, as we move forward, I hope we continue to approach every issue with respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to what is best for all who call Hackinack home. Thank you all. Have a safe evening, and we'll see you at our
next council meeting. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Um, I just want to uh share with you that I had brought forward the idea of bringing the NBC mobile unit to Hackinac so residents could convenient
conveniently obtain their real ID without having to travel to another location and I'm so happy to hear uh the feedback that it was a success. Um, I actually saw uh that information at the
library. I got the information from the library. A library is a great source of information and so I'm happy to see that uh we were able to do it in Hackinack and I want to thank the clerks for making it happen and making it happen so
quickly. And not only did they make it happen, but I we I just received um today from Allison that they're coming back uh because the slots had filled up so quickly. Um a lot of people didn't
get a chance uh to set an appointment. So, another slot uh another mobile unit is upcoming this Saturday. Correct. This Saturday. um and we will be posting it on social
media etc. And registration will open tomorrow at 100 p.m. So if you didn't get a chance to sign up before you got another chance. So thank you. Uh I also just want to um mention to Mr. Cfield
um Mr. Cfield my taxes went up too by about 15%. So, we're not exempt from what happened. Unfortunately,
what happened has to do with the past administration. So, like it or not, it has to be told. It has to be acknowledged that this just didn't happen overnight. We decided one day to wake up and, you know, raise the
taxes. there was a succession of things that took place uh that caused this issue to to and we've discussed this in the past. If you go back to some of our meetings which are available on YouTube, you'll see how
we got there. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you. Uh good evening. Um, not much to say uh tonight other than uh mention the fact that the weather hasn't been too kind for us uh you know I mean for
everybody uh in New Jersey and the tri-state area. Uh but still we uh we keep our positive energy, our positive uh thoughts about what's coming up for the rest of the summer. So hopefully we can have you know sunny 85 breezy days
ahead of us. Uh at least we had the uh the Latin salsa uh night last Saturday where uh our residents will had the opportunity uh to enjoy for four four to five hours. So, we'll continue uh to develop and uh those uh summer
activities and hopefully we can uh you can participate and at the same time I wanted to thank you for being here tonight even though uh the bad weather uh announcement uh your ideas your proposal are very important to us and we really appreciate that you made the time
to make it here tonight. So, thank you so much and have a good one. >> Thank you. Uh, first before I forget, because I will forget, I want to um we didn't bring out the cupcakes this time
because Frank isn't 100, but today is Frank's birthday. So, if you're watching this, if you're watching this at home, you're watching this because Frank is enabling you to watch this at home. So, happy birthday, Frank. Um, >> happy birthday. >> Roberto is going to sing, but after the
after the meeting, he'll do a whole thing. Um, so, um, Mr., thank you for the for the update. Thank you for that. Um, I'm going to keep it brief as well. First, just before I forget, summer concerts, they're happening throughout
the end of the summer. National Night Out is next week, I believe. Um, so just go on to the city's website, follow us on social media, sign up for the newsletter. We haven't said that in a little bit, but if you go to hackinack.org, a popup comes up right
away. And um a lot of the issues that come up at these meetings or online end up being shared through the newsletter um with some information. So with that um and and Reverend Davis, I want to
thank you as well for your for your comment. Um so Mr. Cfield. Yes, I do want to make sure that you get a response. And um I will start by saying,
of course, we agree with you about the taxes. Of course, we agree with you about the taxes. Um, we agree with you so much about the taxes that a year ago, year and a half ago, we all
ran for office because we said Hackinack is becoming unaffordable, that there are too many giveaways for developers, that people are running the risk of being priced out of their home. A number of things you just said I'd said at the
microphone a year and a half ago, two years ago. So I agree with you with all those things. Um I also believe in placing responsibility and I don't see it as blame. I see it as responsibility
where responsibility should be placed. We have not hired a single school administrator. We have not hired anyone in the Hackinson public schools. We have not given not one single pilot agreement to any luxury apartment developer. Not a
one. So if those are pieces of the puzzle that you agree helped to form the tax bill that you just received, we agree with you and we're not responsible for it. and saying that we're not responsible for it isn't about pointing
fingers at the past to save our necks. It's about accuracy. In the same way that we can't take credit for everything in the city of Hackinack because we've only been here for a year, we can't take blame for everything in the city of
Hackinack because we've only been here for a year. And so in terms of the tax bill when your tax bill, the reason why there was a jump in this quarter is because it's a little bit of
a makeup for the first two quarters. Taxes did not go up 15%. For this quarter, I understand what you're saying. For this quarter, I understand what you're saying. But when it's all averaged out, it's 9.8%.
That's not a number that any of us are happy about. I just want to be clear. We're not happy about 9.8%. But that 9.8% is inclusive of the schools, of the city, of the county, of the library, of a number of things make
up that 9.8% number. That's not just the city portion. Additionally, in terms of what we're doing, you mentioned developers We have conducted an audit. Not we, the
five of us, but we have had our professionals audit and all of those developer giveaways that you referenced, the city was owed $5.4 million at least
for that. That's money that goes all the way back to 2018 and we're trying to claim it and we've claimed almost $2 million of it already, which you will see
reflected in future tax bills. As the council woman said, we are not happy about the tax bill and we when we have come in, we ask our CFO for regular
updates on how are we tracking month by month. Can we figure out if we are overspending? Is there a way that we can sort of rein things in within our control? And to that point, one of the things
that we've been quite successful with is the cost of health care. The city is self-insured, which means that unlike most of the the municipalities throughout the state that are subject to these great increases in health care
costs, we have put in screening agents that have been more thoroughly vetting these claims before the city pays them out. And we have reduced our Jim, I hate to put you on the spot, but what would you would you say at this point are we
tracking at about it's close to about 4550%. Less than in terms of our health care claims over last year in terms of what the overage was. No, we're running well below last year and the state is saying right now that uh state health
benefits plan will be there'll be an increase of 14% next year. Right now we're running well below last year. >> Got that? So for those who can't hear that because they're at home and they weren't able to hear. So right now the state healthc care benefit plan which
Hackinack is not in is tracking at about 14% increase for next year. So far, we are tracking significantly below where we were last year because of things that we did. And I feel confident in saying
that we bear responsibility for that because that is post us being seated here. And so I completely get your frustration. sincerely. You came out in the middle of a rainstorm to voice your concern about
your tax bill. I hear it. I understand it. I agree with you. But we are doing everything we can. I mentioned two things, the audit and I mentioned healthcare. But we are looking
at departments budgets with our city manager, with our staff here, and we are looking at everything that we can to lower our taxes and yours as well. So, I hear the frustration. I get it.
But to me, it's a little bit like buying a house. When you, at least the way I feel about it, when you buy a house, you walk through it, you get the inspection, you think you know what you're getting, and then you live in it for a little bit, and you realize that doesn't work, and that doesn't
work, and that's a little jiggly, and I didn't realize that. And we're seeing a lot of that stuff now. We're working on the house. I promise you. I promise you. So, with that, I'm going to wish everyone safe travels
home. I'm going to wish everyone a good uh next couple of weeks until the next council meeting. I can talk to you after the meeting, though. Um >> Okay. So, there's no there's no opportunity >> the opportunity for public comment has passed, but I'll come down and I'll talk to you. >> All right. Okay. With that, I'm going to
ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll offer second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you.