No fooling around here. Okay, calling this special meeting of the Hackinex City Council to order. It is Friday, November 14th. It is 5:34 p.m. If we can have a reading of the notice, please. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public
meetings act NJSA104-66 at SEC notice having been published according to law with a copy on file in the clerk's office and a copy posted on the bulletin board in city hall. >> Thank you. Roll call please. >> Mayor Gaines >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Tumi >> here. >> Councilman Carol >> here. >> Councilwoman Clark Collins >> here.
>> Councilman Diaz >> here. >> Thank you. If everyone can please rise to the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. So, just for a quick moment, for those of you um that are unaware, we've changed the format of the council meetings to absorb a cow meeting and a regular council meeting or what was formerly a regular council meeting into
one. And as a result, the agenda or the docket might look a little bit different. Um so there are no resolutions for executive session, no proclamations or presentations, no reports and presentations from professionals and department heads. Um,
the next item on the agenda is public comment on agenda items only. So, if you would like to speak on an agenda item, we have one agenda item for today. Uh, if you would like to speak on that agenda item, uh, now is your opportunity if you'd like to come up to the
microphone. >> Oh, wait. No. I need a motion to open to the public. >> I'll offer. >> That's why no one got up. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone from the public would like to come and speak on agenda
items only? Seeing none, motion to close to the public. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. New business. Resolution 479-25.
And if you don't mind, I'm going to read the resolution if that's okay. Resolution number 475-25, resolution appointing Timothy Hoffman as acting municipal clerk for the city of Hackinack. Whereas the municipal clerk retired effective October 1st, 2025,
creating a vacancy in the position of municipal clerk in the city of Hackinack. And whereas NJSA4A 9-133 C requires that the governing body shall within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy appoint a municipal clerk or an
acting municipal clerk to fill said vacancy. And whereas the mayor and council have thought thoughtfully reviewed the qualifications and experience of lifelong Hackinack resident Timothy J. Hoffman who has spent several decades in public service
both within the city and throughout the state of New Jersey as a qualified individual to serve in the capacity of acting municipal clerk. And whereas the mayor and council are particularly impressed with his excellence in key leadership roles within the
administrative department in Milbour, where he oversees municipal expenditures, served on the board of their business improvement district, assists with the daily operations of their municipal government, including the supervision of all of the township's departments, and liazing with over 20 of
their municipal boards and committees, as well as positively interfacing with the public and working collaboratively with multiple teams for the well-being of the municipality's residents. And whereas the mayor and council value his
extensive and noteworthy educational and professional background in public administration, including his time serving as the director for the center of the community research and engagement at Satan Hall University and the president of the New Jersey chapter of
the American Society for Public Administration. And whereas Timothy J. Hoffman's professionalism, intelligence, humility, compassion, and deep commitment to serving the residents of this city has been evident for decades.
From his time on the Hackinack Board of Education, where he was the youngest trustee and vice president to serve that body, to his time spent on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Bergen County, to his continued
community advocacy. And now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and council of the city of Hackinac hereby appoint Timothy J. Hoffman to serve as acting municipal clerk of the city of Hackinac for a term of 364 days
commencing on December 11th, 2025 through December 10th, 2026 pursuant to NJSA 40A 9-13C and be it further resolved by the council of the city of Hackinack that it
hereby authorizes the mayor and other city officials and employees to take all actions necessary to effectuate this resolution. Can I have a motion, please? >> Follow up with that. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? >> Any abstensions? The motion carries. And with that, um, before we get to public comment, I would like to invite our, uh, newly appointed acting municipal clerk up if you would like to
say a few words. >> Thank you, mayor. Good evening. I am truly humbled and honored to step into the role of acting city clerk for the city of Hackinac. I want to thank Mayor Gaines, Deputy Mayor Tumi, Councilman Diaz,
Councilman Carol, Councilwoman Clark Collins for their trust and confidence in me. The chance to serve the only place that I've ever called home is an amazing opportunity and I look forward to the challenge. I want to thank my wife Casey for her loving support as I
know she is thrilled I am coming home to Hackinack, especially before we add one more to Hackinack's population in 2026. I also want to thank my parents for their love and support, but especially my mom who dedicated 30 years of service
to this city. It's because of her. It's because of her that I grew up walking through these halls and found my passion for public service. I know I have big shoes to fill in the line of clerks that I've known in my lifetime, Doris Dukes, Debbie Hec, and of course, Debbie Carlson. I look forward to that
challenge and to working with Allison and the great team in the clerk's office to serve the residents of Hackinack. We as residents are very fortunate to have so many great public servants in this city, including our city manager and everyone else who off who works throughout this city. Just as a quick
aside, I saw some of our police and firefighters spring into action on Tuesday night when I had a medical episode and their care and professionalism shows what this place is all about. I'm excited to join with everyone here and serve the city. I look forward to working closely with our
dedicated team and the city mayor and city council and to provide exceptional service for our community. Thank you to everyone who has offered encouragement and and come out this evening. I deeply appreciate it and look forward to the opportunity to serve. Thank you.
>> With that, I need a motion to open to the public. >> I'll offer. >> I'll second. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Any member of the public who would like to speak, please come forward, state your name, municipality, and um I'll keep time for
you. >> And Tim, >> name and municipality for the record. >> Okay. All right. So, seeing none, uh, motion to close to the public. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Uh, Deputy Mayor Tumi, please. >> Okay. I'd like to uh welcome everyone here tonight and thank you for coming
out. And I'd like to congratulate Timothy on his appointment as acting city clerk. A proud Hackinack born resident, he has always shown deep dedication to the community he grew up in. His continued commitment to serving the city is truly admirable and we wish
you great success in your new role. Congratulations and welcome. Councilwoman Clark Collins, >> just want to say congratulations. Uh, welcome to City Hall and, uh, best of
luck to you and your new position. Thank you, >> Councilman Carol. >> Uh, thank you all for coming out and showing the support uh, for our new acting city clerk, Timothy.
Uh you grew up with us. My son is your age. Uh we went to grammar school, high school, middle school. Uh congratulations uh to you and your family. Uh to your wife, best of luck for the new baby in
March. And um I look forward to uh having a nice relationship with you and u your family. and let's work hard to make city the city of Hackinack continue to keep on its path. Welcome aboard.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Diaz, good evening. Um it's really a special tonight. I think that's why we call it a special uh meeting today, right? Uh so Timmy, um congratulations.
I'm really proud even though I only know you for about a year or so but I already know all the things that you have done uh when I see uh when I see your resume is really impressive. Okay. And to be a
lifelong resident uh and involved the way that you've been involved with this city speak volumes about you. So we're happy to have you. So congratulations and good luck. I am so incredibly excited that uh you are coming home to serve the community
that you have never stopped serving. Uh I think since you were born. I think quite literally actually. Um, and you know, to me, this is um, such a perfect example of what we want all of our residents to do, to fall in
love with public service here in Hackinack, to develop skills, to help people, to be in the service of others, um, and to contribute to their community in whatever way they can, in the best way
possible. And most importantly for the city to say we recognize you, we see you. We see your value, not only to us, but to everyone who lives here. That's what Hackinack is about. That's what
city government is about. And I don't have to tell you because you teach this and you live this. Um but uh truly uh our our responsibility is to assemble the best team and the strongest team
possible and we know that with you on the team that will be a reality. So thank you so much. Um congratulations. Thank you to everyone who is here. Um I'd be remiss if I didn't say have a nice Thanksgiving. It is that season. Um and with that I'm going to ask for a
motion to adjurnn. I'll >> second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?