are back from executive session. Thank you so much. We have a number of presentations this evening. Our first presentation is from the Hackinack Comprehensive Bicycle Plan. Yes, you can come on up. Thanks. Here
you go. Right here. Thank you. Think I got this right. Okay. Make sure your mic's on. Hello. There we go. Okay. I'll take it off.
All right. Thank you, Mayor. Um, welcome everyone. Um, so my name is Rajna Shett. Um I am the deputy director of planning at a firm called NV5 and we are uh consultant planners for the New Jersey
Department of Transportation working on this um bike comprehensive bicycle plan for the city of Hackinac. Um so just a quick round of introductions here. We have Bill River from NJ DOT
who's the project manager and he's with the Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestian Programs. I have James Cleavelli also from NV5 who is our um senior planner and um we have a subconsulting firm uh by the name of MBO
engineering. So just to give you a quick background um this project is um was is funded through NGO's local technical assistance assistance program which provides um technical assistance to municipalities
and counties in New Jersey mainly municipalities I'm sorry to um work on safety on bicycle plans on pedestrian plans on complete streets plans and you know over 20 years for over 20 years and this program has prepared read over 80
plans that focus on bicycle and pedestrian planning primarily. Um so the focus of this study is to kind of improve the bicycle safety in the city of Hackinac. Look you know examine the current um conditions of biking in the
city. look at some of the demand that um you know the city of Hackinac has for biking and then you know identify some potential solutions to uh improving the overall safety and also the inadequate bicycle infrastructure and the way this plan came around was the city of
Hackinac applied to NJ DOT to develop this plan. So just to give you a quick timeline um this plan started in February and we are uh aiming to uh complete it in December. Um the overall project is uh kind of
built on outreach. So our first task was really to set up a steering committee that is made up of representatives from the city of Hackinac. We developed a community engagement plan and um we um are we
uh presented our um outreach materials and our overall plan at um public engagement uh events. So um I am going to call James to kind of give you an overview of what we've done so far.
Good evening everybody. Um thank you very much for having me. So, um, I'm lucky enough to be leading the public outreach portion of our project, uh, as a planner at NV5. And to, to give you a sense of what we've done so far, we were at National Night Out a couple of weeks ago, which was a wonderful experience. I
got to meet a lot of the community. But what we're trying to prepare next is um, three stakeholder engagement groups and um, more public outreach for us to just connect with the community. So, um, for that we are, uh, tableabling at Iconic Coffee on Friday from 11:00 to 1:00. If
anybody would like to come by or if you have friends who are interested in cycling, please send them our way. Uh, we'll also be at Johnson Library from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday of next week. And after that, we will be doing focus groups with specific groups in the city. Um, we're working on uh working
with the PTA. Uh we are also um planning to meet with the county planners and engineers right that helps us to interact with the county roads and and things like that that run through the city. Um and we have uh I'm sorry on
September 25th we'll be at the multif family and condo board uh to meet with folks who represent uh the folks who live in multif family units which is really important for cycling um and for dense cities like this one. Um, and I look forward to to getting to know the city better and meeting with folks. So,
thank you all very much. Thank you, James. Um, and so part of our uh project development process, as James said, we have outreach and what we've done is, you know, we understand the data, we can look at the data, we can visit Hackinack, but we are not local
experts. All of you, all of the community members are the local experts. and the insights that you have on a day-to-day basis can, you know, is is something that will really make this plan more um, you know, it'll address your needs more closely. And so to to
help us with that, we've developed a project website. Um, there are some meeting materials there that you can grab flyers to get to access the website, we have an online survey. Um, we also have an interactive map and what that map allows the community to do is
you could put a you could put a point in there and let us know these are places where you think it's unsafe to bike or these are places where you want to bike to. Um, help us identify some key destinations, some you know areas that
need improvement when you think of it from a biking perspective. Um, we also developed a social media share kit. So if any of you are part of organizations that can help us um spread the word about this plan, about the development of this plan, um we are happy to share
that with you. Um as as James mentioned, we will be at these events and we would love to see um members of the community there. Um so outreach is a big component of the plan. Another component is our data analysis. So the way we do that is we
look at crash data in the city and we identify trends. Okay, these are places where there are more crashes. These are these are intersections. These are the roadways and what kinds of crashes, what types of crashes. We also develop like um a city profile. So that's looking at
land use, that's looking at demographics, that's looking at what are the key destinations. You know, again, whatever we can get from visiting the city and you know, doing our online research, but you guys are the local experts. So, uh please help us by going to the website and giving us input
there. Um once we collect our base data so that's outreach um crash analysis and also you know understanding of the local conditions we are working on a needs assessment and what the needs assessment is that we look at existing barriers
gaps and for to connect um different destination biking destination especially uh we look at what's called a bicycle level of stress that's based on the speed and cross-section of sort of all of the roadways in the city and we
develop what we call an existing conditions uh bicycle demand map. And what that tells you is based on where people live, where people work, where people go to school, these are the roads that should pro that should be prioritized when it comes to um
providing in a bicycle infra improving or providing bicycle infrastructure. Um and through that process um the next step would is to kind of um go go you know visit the city um and and you know look at some of the biking conditions on
the road. So that means we would you know walk some of the streets. We would maybe bike some of those streets and make observations on what the conditions are and develop um a recommended bicycle network for the city um to enhance um
biking in um overall Rajna I don't I don't want to interrupt you but I I just want to be mindful there are some more presentations I want to give you about like three more minutes. Yeah, I'm almost done. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Um t and then you know once we so once we look at all the those conditions we develop our uh bicycle
network map and recommendations of how you can improve biking in the city. Um and then our final report. Um one of the other tasks that we have is uh called a pilot pilot bike lane demonstration program and what that is identifying
streets in the city to um test out some of our recommendations. So, would a bicycle lane work here? And those are done through temporary measures. Um, and um that's it. Some of our next steps, as James mentioned, we have um pop-up events. Friday at iconic coffee,
Tuesday at the library. We will have some focus groups and we'll, you know, all of our data collection efforts will be posted on the project website, which uh is available at the city of Hackinac's website as well. That's it. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And you are welcome to stick around. There's public comment at the end of this this portion of the meeting if you'd like to stick around just in case anyone has anything. Feel free if you'd like to. It's up to. All right. Thank you. We uh now will have a presentation
by the Northeast New Jersey Legal Services. Thank you. Thank you. No problem. Hello. I'm gonna Oh, sorry. Oh, I'm sorry about that. I put all my
stuff on there. Thank you. Yep. Hi. Good evening, everyone. My name is Laura Ariasa. I am the community outreach and engagement manager at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services. Um, is anyone in the room familiar with
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services or Legal Aid in general? Anyone? A little bit. Okay, awesome. No problem at all. So, we are a nonprofit law firm and we provide free legal services to Bergen County residents as
well as Hudson and Payic in civil areas of law. So, I am the community outreach and engagement manager. And in my position, I manage all of our community um partnerships, outreach activities, and the community legal education program because, as you can see, uh we
have been around for about 55 years, but not too many people know about our services. And our services are 100% free to those who need it most. Um so, we specialize in civil areas of law. Um so that is housing, public benefits,
consumer law, family law, immigration, and also planning for the future um for senior citizens. I am not sure if there's a button for the presentation, but that's okay. I can do it by memory. Um so when it comes to
housing, we can assist mainly tenants against evictions, illegal lockouts, and if they are being sued for not being able to pay their rent. Um that also includes any other type of landlord tenant disputes if they have been taken off the section 8 waiting list or um
facing habitability issues. So if the landlord isn't making necessary repairs in their apartment um such as heat, the stove, the refrigerator, things like that. So we represent tenants for the most part, but we can also represent homeowners in issues of foreclosure or
tax issues. So that's housing. Those are the most common cases that we see. But we also have attorneys that specialize in public benefits. So if anyone has been denied, terminated, or they are say that they owe money to the government for any of the benefits such as
unemployment, SNAP, Medicaid, um temporary assistance for needy families, emergency assistance, all of those things um count. So, if anyone has been denied any of their benefits, um the one right before. Perfect. Um or if they're
being terminated, so they had them taken away. Or for example, unemployment. During the pandemic, a lot of people were receiving unemployment and then in 2022, they got a notice saying, "Actually, you didn't qualify, so now you owe us $6,000." So, that's an example of where our public benefits
attorneys can come in. they can do the appeal process for them and represent them through that process, making sure that they gain access to those benefits again. So that's housing, public benefits. We also have attorneys that specialize in consumer protection. So when I think about consumer law, it's
really anything that has to do with money and debt. So if people are facing a lot of crippling debt, they need to file for bankruptcy, we are able to do that for them. if they are having a lot of debt issues with their credit cards or student loans that have been
transferred to a private um debt collector, um we can also walk them through that process. Another big one that we see is identity theft. So, if their identity has been stolen and now they're in debt issues because of that, um, another case that we can handle. Um,
so people can come to us if they know for sure they want to file for bankruptcy or if they're just not sure what to do with their debt. And that falls under consumer protection. Um, the next area that I'll cover is family law. So, we have family law attorneys that really specialize in
helping survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault with different types of protection orders. um that could be the temporary uh restraining order, the final restraining order or um other um orders of protection um that can be given to them. Um in addition to that,
our family law attorneys can assist with general child custody um child support and divorce um motions as well if they need to make adjustments after a divorce has gone through. Um so those are our four main areas. Um but we also have
special projects such as immigration. Um so helping folks apply for citizenship, family petitions, U visas, um vowa self petitions, so the violence against women's act and um helping them apply for fee waiverss um through immigration.
So our services are free um but other um other applications that you have to through through immigration, they still have their fees. Um, but if they qualify for our services, it's likely likely that they can qualify for a fee waiver and we'll do that fee waiver for them. Other special projects that we have
include elder justice. So, anyone who is a victim of any type of abuse, which can be physical, mental, emotional, and they're over the age of 60, um, which can happen in a nursing home, in assisted care facility. Um, we can represent them through that. We have
special funding for that. And we can also help seniors and others create their wills. Um so the last will in testament the living will and then the two different powers of attorneys medical and financial. Um also known as a healthc care proxy or a durable
financial power of attorney. Um the last couple areas I'll mention are veterans. So for any veterans, we do have someone that is based right here in Hackinack to assist veterans gain access to their VA benefits, any healthc care benefits that
they already don't have access to, and if they need to do, excuse me, a discharge upgrade in order to gain access to those benefits. What else am I missing? Uh, we can also do expungements. So, anyone who has a
criminal record here in New Jersey, we can help expunge that record as long as it was here in New Jersey. Unfortunately, if they have criminal records in other states, they would have to go to an attorney that specializes with that state's process in order to expunge those records. And then the
second to last thing I'll mention is our education representation project. Um, so that is really for students with special needs. um making sure that they have their IEPs in place in school, if they are being registered for school, if
they've been displaced from school for any reason because of homelessness, a natural disaster, making sure that they're able to attend school in that district or of course if they need to go to a different district, kind of walking them through that whole process. That also includes cases of bullying, um if a
student is a victim of bullying or if they're being accused of bullying. Um, and also any other accommodations that need to be made for them because of disabilities or any other types of special needs. Um, and then the last thing I will mention is taxes. So, we
can assist folks with federal tax issues. So, if they are receiving notices from the IRS, if they're being audited by the IRS, um we have at two attorneys that can walk them through that process and make sure that they um if appropriate, they can owe less or
just making sure that they're not in trouble with the IRS anymore, basically. Um so, I'll go over to the next slide. That is a very quick overview of all the areas of law that we handle. We do handle a lot. Um, but an easy way to
remember is that we handle civil areas of law. We don't really handle any criminal cases, personal injury cases, none of that of the sort. And at the beginning, I did mention that you do have to qualify for our services. And when it comes to those to those qualifications, it is based off on
income. Um, it's based off of income for the household. So, depending on how many people are in the household, they have to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty line. Um, as an example, let's say, so there are maximum income guidelines for depending on how many
people are in the household. For one person living by themselves, they would have to be making around less than $47,000 a year in order to qualify for our services. Um, for two people in the household, that number does go up to
about $64,000 a year. A kid does count as a person in the household. Of course, the child is not working, so that doesn't affect the income, but just keep in mind that the more working members are in the household, we do ask for that information just to make sure that they qualify. Um, because we are a nonprofit
and we do work off of grants. That's how we're able to provide these services. So, we just have very um specific guidelines when it comes to our clients. Um, we have an office right here in Hackinack. It's located at 190 More Street. Um, so it's nearby. Um, we're
open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but the easiest way to get in contact with us to get an appointment or if you would like to refer someone over to our office, they can just call the number on the screen. Um, I also left some business
cards and brochures that look like this. Uh, has all of our contact information and our legal areas inside as well that I mentioned today. Um, they're going to be on that table over there as well. Um, and then you can also reach us at our email, our website, and our social media
channels that we have up there. I don't know if I'm taking questions at this moment or at the end. There's there's an opportunity for public comment. Um, there's one more presentation then public comment. So, if anyone has any problem that we can Sure. So, I know that was a lot of
information, so I'll stick around if you guys have any other questions later on. And thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Ryan, you're up. I'm scared. Thank you.
Good evening. Uh so just uh you know overview of the work that's going on. Um Anderson Street, that punch list was uh complete. The site utility work at Johnson Park. Uh there's a little bit of a break, but I'll go into that. Uh lot a improvements
run punch list. Uh engine 2 work is progressing. Fini fields 89 uh work is started. Kenny Pump Station, uh we're doing uh some middle reviews right now. And then last few uh were some uh bid awards that
we'll I'll get into next couple slides. Uh firehouse engine 2. Uh the concrete repairs at the appar apparatus floor have begun. Um the demo has been complete. The rebar has been coated and
extra rebar added and the contractor has scheduled a building department inspection for tomorrow morning. Uh Johnson Park Sports Complex. Uh the contractor will return uh towards the end of the month to continue with the utility work uh for the drainage structures that are being uh
manufactured. Uh site utilities are currently being redesigned to accommodate uh the future plans and we got the thanks to DPW, we got the temporary construction fence installed up around the community garden.
Uh Fini Park site demolition uh actually started today. um and yesterday uh and soil movement will begin towards the end of the week. Uh air monitoring uh is in place for that soil movement. Uh we're doing shop drawing and submitt review and the
completion date for that is uh spring of next year. Um this next is uh new to the uh presentation is the Grand Avenue pedestrian safety improvements uh with DOT. Uh the city received a local local
aid grant in the amount of $176,772. Uh DOT has reviewed the plans and gave us approval to bid. Uh this work includes intersection improvements at Grand and Popppler and Grand and Fairmont just at the school. Um, it
includes milling and paving of those intersections, uh, curb bumpouts, uh, ADA ramps with detectable warnings, uh, new thermal line striping, uh, flashing pedestrian crossing signs, and the next step is just to, uh, bid this
work. Uh, we're going to bid it to, you know, award it and coordinate the work probably for next summer just to avoid school just because it's right at the Fairmont School. So, Uh the city received a request from a
citizen uh in the area of Spring Valley to add uh transit bus stop on Spring Valley for Route 168. Uh I reached out to NJ Transit. Transit uh investigated uh the issue and they are proposing two
stops on Spring Valley. One in the area of Summit and one in the area of the intersection of Cone. Um, currently there are no stops in Hackinack on Spring Valley. The only the nearest one is just over the border in Maywood near Cole Street. Uh, so the next step would
if the city would like to approve those stops, it would be an ordinance and we'd probably have it on for the next meeting if the city wishes to go on with that. Uh, the 2020 paving program, there was three separate bids that will be on this evening at the council meeting for
award. um the local NJ DOT local aid for Kennedy Street, uh the city funded roads and CDBG. Uh with CDBG, we're only awarding the South Newman into Wolf. Uh with Union Street, we we hope to get the award letter from CDBG in time, but we
didn't. So, we had to not award that and we'll just rebid that once we get the award letter from the county uh at a later date. We expect it sometime in October. uh the Baldwin Park ADA sidewalk improvements that uh was bidded la a couple weeks ago and is on for award
tonight and that includes uh new sidewalk ADA sidewalks uh walkway some shade trees and we are able to award all the alternates with the cleaning of the playground equipment, new wood mulch underneath the playground equipment and
uh extended asphalt walkways. And that's all I have. Right. Yes. Just do you have a can you go back just one slide? Is there an estimated um timeline for completion on this this particular
uh I'll have to check the contract, but the duration it's probably a 60-day contract. It's pretty short on the on that project. Okay. Thank you. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have a question?
Okay. Okay. Can I have a motion to open to the public? Second. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Any member of the public who would like to speak?
You have three minutes. Thank you. Can I speak on three different three different times or only once? Um there's a public comment during sessions. There's a public comment during this session and then in the next session there's another public comment at the end of the next session. So the next
session starts at 8 and there's another public comment at that session. There's only two. Correct. All right. Good evening. My name is uh Sergey Toltoy and I'm talking tonight with uh heavy heart for the uh Cumberland County man who died on a
scooter in a crash with a car in a New Jersey intersection yesterday at 1:00 a.m. So it's very uh prolific that we talk about this today where we had the consultant come in for a bike
plan when I had said online that bikes are old. We got EVs, we got ebikes, we got all kinds of scooters and all kinds of you know vehicles out there. And where are the
audiences? That's number one. you need to have something in place, a framework to control them. So, let's define what these particular vehicles are because, you know, the MVC already defines what a motorcycle is. Uh, where are safety
requirements? How come Hackinack doesn't have a helmet requirement? We have all these people riding around, they have no helmets, maybe gloves, and identification. as in New York City, you could hit somebody
and just walk off. You know, we don't know who you are. We don't know whose bike it was. So, let's have some identification involved. And lastly, penalties. You got to have penalties. If people are not following the rules
after three times of being told, there should be some type of penalty. And that involves the police. So, as we come into the September 2025, I'm talking to the police of Hackinack. You got to step up, you know, cuz we
have safety patrols in Cedar Grove when school opens and people that driving in the cars in Cedar Grove, they know what to do because they'll get a ticket cuz there's no ghost cars out there. There's no fake
plates out there. There's no speeding on say like Polyifly Road, State Street, Summit Street, Essex Street, and there's nobody that you know is riding around with a lot of license or registration or insurance. You know, we need to have
this stepped up, especially at this time when there's kids out in the street. So, that's what I want to say because I just received a survey just two weeks ago. New Jersey Transit bicycle plan for Hackinack. Received it two weeks ago. All right. Thank you.
[Applause] Good evening. Uh, Bill Wasley, uh, 464 Kaplan Avenue, uh, 22 plus year resident. Um, real quick, uh, I, one of my main issues, I guess I'm not sure to speak about because I think it disappeared from the website. Um, for the last number of years, I've had kind
of a battle with uh the administration regarding airplane noise and stuff and it and the amount of resources that they've used to try to move the the airplane noise they say away from Hackinack, but really all it is is moving it from one side of Hackinack to another side of Hackinack basically from
I mean Canistrino's home over to my home. So, uh, and I the front yard, my front yard back, you know, so it's uh on there. Well, no. Uh Jerry Carol's on there, another councilman also knows about the airplane noise. Anyway, I just want to say it's
disappeared from the website on there. I don't know if it's coming back or not. And my comment is if you do it or don't do it, just be honest. Don't say you're moving it out of Hackinack. Just say you're moving it from one side to another side of it. That's all. Just that's my biggest complaint was is just the dishonesty on it. Well, also the
fact that she would said, "You don't know what the sound's like underneath it." I'm like, "Yeah, I sit out of my thing. I I can actually watch the lights underneath go directly over my house. Yeah, I mean I do. So, real quick, um on the other thing I wanted to mention was um notifications and things that the city does lots of stuff, but we don't
really know about it. In the past, I've made comments to the thing and I've always gotten the response back, check the website, check the website, check the website. Um I'm not I don't live in Tene. I guess some I got on their alerts at one point, but I got like seven emails for their vote day that they had the other day. Um, I get all sorts. I
know about their 911 ceremony. I mean, I know about it here because I checked the website, but I don't get a notification ever from the city. And I guess my comment is when the city spends money and resources on various things that they do. Maybe you should do a better job promoting it. I You got the weekly email. Excuse me. Good job. I mean, it's
a start, but I'm just saying there's other things, especially like the the October Fest thing that you do where you or the music nights where you spend probably considerable bit of money on some of these things. Just advertise it more. Get, you know, so you got the people out. The point is to get people out and using this this anymore and show
what you're doing for them. It's a win for you and it's a win for the people that may not know that there's more things out there. So, as I said, I get these notifications from Tene all the time and even Maywood and but I don't really get any anything from here and in the past I've made the request and I've
gotten basically told to shut up. So, anyway, thank you very much. Good luck. Congratulations on the win, guys. Congratulations. We're looking forward to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the feedback. Thank you. [Applause] Good evening. My name is Karine
Jacobson. I reside at 374 Dwolf Place. Um I'm here and um talking about the permit parking on Dwolf. Um I know the last mayor and um had brought that up, but we haven't heard anything in terms of the permit parking. Um we do have a
lot of people coming from Prospect and parking on Dwolf Place and there's a lot of houses on Dwolf Place that does not have driveways. So there's it's making it hard for us to park on there. I know they do have permit parking on Berry and Stanley, but in terms of Dwolf Place, we
haven't heard anything um back um in terms of the permit parking and then I know they just mentioned that they're going to do paving on Dwolf, but if they can probably look into getting some speed bumps because there is a lot of cars that fly from Berry coming down
Dwolf and vice versa. Um, so you know that's pretty much what I have. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Good evening. Uh, Brandon, lifelong Hackinack resident, Eden Church. Um, I really just had one quick
comment. One, I want to say thank you for putting together a bicycle plan. I'm a a frequent ebike user in Hackinack and so I'm excited about that. My one com comment I wanted to make regarding that is just to emphasize a focus on putting in
permanent biking solutions. I think like the green lanes they get real nasty in New York. I I've I lived in Harlem for several years as well. Yeah. Even though I love Hacking Sack more obviously that's why I'm back. And um I just the the green
lanes they they get ugly. It's nasty. They're not safe. And I I think to the first gentleman's point, they don't necessarily create in personal experience, they don't create an environment that really honors all the different types of mobile units that are being used. Regular bikes that are going
7 miles per hour and then ebikes that are going 47 miles per hour. But I think we can learn a lot from the West Coast who is way ahead of us in this. You know, I don't think we're going to be anywhere near where they are right now. But um even where Rad Powerbikes was created near Seattle, they have these
huge like genuine structures for bicycles and all sorts of units that create a separate space. Um again, in my isolated experience, what I found is that the especially the ebikes, it just we don't have a classification for it yet. And so I think people when they're
in vehicles don't necessarily understand when they see a bike coming, oh that might be going 45 miles per hour. just doesn't register to the human mind these days yet. And um I think that creates a lot of hazards. I've been in very hazardous situations, not just in Hackinack, anywhere that I've biked. I don't think it's a hackin sack unique
issue. Anyway, so my emphasis is just on permanent structures. One suggestion I have for that is River Street I think can really be used to create there's enough space there to create a robust permanent structure with a gate that would completely separate any type of
confusion from bicycles, ebikes, e- scooters, e hoverboards I see now um from vehicles and from pedestrians. And so that's my one comment but thanks for focusing on that. I think it's super important. I'm Greg Dobin. I live at 388 the Wolf
Place. Just to re-emphasize on what Mr. Jacobson was talking about, there's nothing on the website that talks about that street thing and on the wolf place and I've spoken to Lieutenant Capidana.
I get nothing back. So, uh, and the other thing that I'd like to address is, uh, rooming houses. I'm sorry. Can you speak a little bit? Rooming houses. Thank you. They're popping up everywhere. This is a community, you know, and I don't really
like to see strangers walking out of a house that I don't know. So, I brought this to the attention of the council before also. All right. And that that even adds to that parking dilemma that we have. They're walking
from other blocks and putting their cars in our block and not moving them. And sometimes they're ticketed and you know on the alternate side of the street days. We need a little more action. You know, if I park there after seven, I'm getting a
ticket. But I noticed there's others aren't getting the tickets at 7. So it need to be enforced a little better. Thank you. Hey, council Randy Glover Hackinack. Um, mine is a little more simplistic than what everybody else is asking. Um,
my first thing is of course to have Tony Jackson uh installed as the poet Lariat of Hackinack. I think uh he's an eloquent gen uh gentleman and I think a lot of people know that he he fits that
build. The second thing is I think everyone has great ideas but the council has only been in for two months and I think uh like all the things that you're asking them to address. You had
addressed the previous administration and it wasn't done. Uh these guys are in here. they just got in. You have to give them time to analyze everything that's being said and you know 60 days maybe 90
days might not be enough. So I would say just give them grace allow them the opportunity to get their feet wet and to really you know scrutinize what's going on. Um they're new in the position. The previous administration was here for 12
years. So to unwind uh 12 years worth of things in 2 months is a lot to be asking. So I just ask that everybody be patient and know that this council is here to work with you. That's it. Thank
you. Hello everyone. My name is Philip Broofphy. I'm a teacher at Hackinack High School for 16 years and I come here in support of the people who spoke about improving bicycle infrastructure in Hackinack. Uh I rode
my bicycle here tonight and had a little trouble finding even a place to lock it, which I think speaks a little bit to that issue. Um, and in this new school year, I actually had the opportunity to visit the students bike rack, which is
at the high school, and today counted 30 bicycles there, uh, that don't have any sort of protection for it, let alone infrastructure to support those students who ride from wherever they're coming in Hackinack to the high school. So um I
echo the previous my previous uh speakers sentiments that you all need time and you have just arrived but you have the full support of not only uh me and the students who I am close with but also many people in Hackinack who also
commute to work uh for one reason or another by bicycle and I am in full support of uh anything you do and any way that I can help I would be uh grateful to do So, thank you so much for your time. Hi. Uh, my name is Pat Doma. I'm
actually not a resident of Hackinack. I'm actually a resident of Woodridge and I'm a county level advocate for uh, complete streets and with a little bit of a focus on bike infrastructure. So, I'm here today in support of the bike master plan. I think it's a great
initiative. I really wish Hackinack the best with it. I'm actually involved with it a little bit myself. I'm in communication with the folks who are putting the plan together. Um, as a as an advocate at the county level, one of
the things is the county meetings actually take place here in Hackinack. And so, as a resident of Woodridge, my path to get over here involves crossing uh over I80. And so I have to go pat through Boulevard and which then becomes
Summit Avenue. And I have to drive right now when I do it. Even though distance-wise it's really not that big of a deal for me to cut over here with a bike. Um I would gladly bike that distance if it were safe. And so, uh, I mean, that's just one example, but I'm
I'm looking forward to what Hackinack can do as far as improving bike infrastructure and allowing people like me who aren't necessarily residents of here, but regularly do visit, uh, to make it so that I don't have to drive and take up street parking spaces or
take up road space, contribute to traffic. I really would prefer not to. Um, so, thank you. [Applause] Hello, good evening. Uh, my name is Chris Null, N O WL, and uh, I live in Fort Lee, but I'm
also, uh, an advocate for, uh, you know, safe safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists, and I'm I've been involved with the, uh, the cycling plan uh, along with Pat and we are co-founders of Bergen County Complete Streets. Um, but you know, and obviously I'm a cyclist.
Uh, and I I you know, I don't live in Hackinack, but I pass through Hackinack very often. I I work in Woodridge, so I I pass through Hackinack on my way to work, on my way home when I cycle. And I also love to just come and hang out in Hackinack, of course. Um, and I work for
Easy Ride. So, we are the transportation management association for this part of New Jersey. And um, you know, but as I said, I'm also an advocate. And so the the comprehensive bike plan is a plan. I want to really see it get implemented.
So that's going to be after the plan comes out. And you know, as um I'm a assistant manager of bike and pedestrian programs at Easy Ride. And so um I I know that Hackinac has um a safe routes to school silver recognition status. And
so with Easy Ride, you know, everything we do is free and it doesn't like I don't get commission or anything for, you know, I'm not being paid to say this now, but we would love to help you get to gold status to take the steps to get to the gold SRTS status. I know that you have a complete uh a complete streets
policy from 2012. I would love to help you update that to the the newest complete and green streets policy. And having these things will help you in in the application for grants. So like sustainable Jersey, safe routes to school grants, safe streets
for all that could help to pay for things to get implemented the bicycle infrastructure. And really I think the timing is perfect uh for this uh plan right now and implementation because at the county level they're developing a local safety action plan and a couple of
the priority locations are here in Hackinack and so they they will be giving some attention to Hackinack and also there's the New Jersey target zero law um that was went into effect and there's the committee and they're developing a a plan that will come out later this year. So, it's like the
timing fits in very nicely that Hackinack will be ready when this plan comes out, ready with the county, ready with the state to start implementing. And really, um, it Hackinack could be an example for other towns in Bergen County for developing like an awesome, you
know, bicycle network. There's not a single bike lane on a county road in Bergen County. And it would just be awesome if Hackinack were to get one that could set a precedent for other municipalities. So, um, anyway, I will definitely reach out to you from my Okay. Yeah, right there. Okay. Thank you
very much. Thanks, Chris. Yeah. Yeah. Please just give your contact information to the clerk. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. I'm Helen from High Street in Hackinack. I'm here for followup for the parking situation.
Um, I don't know. Have you started to sift out all these other cars that don't belong in that neighborhood or not? Like this past weekend, my husband is handicapped. Everybody is parking there. He had to park so far down on another
street and walk back. So, I'm asking y'all please, please. I know it's going to take time, but please, please work with that street. And I thank you very much. Good evening. My name is Darling Bod. I
reside on 154 Clinton Place. And I want to start quickly by showing you uh I know I have three minutes. Have you ever seen your street like this to the public?
to you council mayor. Have you seen our street looking like this after PSNG comes in and do repairs? Okay. So, okay. So, here's my thing for tonight. I do want to make sure that if
we can work with something in in our ordinance because I have looked into our local ordinance and it doesn't show anything in regards to these issues that we're having on Clinton Place on 2018 or 2019. The city paved this the entire
city the entire road. Beautiful, nice and smooth, right? That individuals were using that to speed up. Okay. Nonetheless, PSCNG has a restoration program. One they call it temporarily.
The second one is um permanent restoration and this can be 45 to 90 uh days depends on the the condition of the weather and so on and so but because Hackinack doesn't have anything on the local ordinance and the state just
passed a legislation bill 2232 section 1E says that they have that uh is mandatory for them to um repave
and repair to the previous condition how they found it. So meaning that if they came into repair something whether it's gas or the electricity
um and um and they just patching that that's not acceptable anymore. And according to the state legislation, the municipality have the power to find the utility for failing to properly restore
the street surfaces. And um it is daily from $100 to $1,000. It used to be $100, now it's $1,000 daily. So um the municipalities have the
right to find PSCG or other um identities that coming into our um city and as us as a taxpayers, right? I'm a taxpayer. Um I am sick and tired of
riding my little hook car. don't have a luxury car, but once I get my Audi, I promise you that I want to make sure that my road is really nice and smooth. Thank you. [Applause] Anyone else from the public?
We were waiting for you. It's right there. There you go. All right. Just state your name for the clerk, please. Thank you. Oh, my name is Eric. You can pull the you can pull the microphone now so we can Thank you. Uh my name is Erica Solis. Uh sorry I was um I have a business
located at 84 Anderson Street in Hackinack. I've been hack all my life. I raised my family here. I went to high school here. I went to my Chinese school here. Everything all my life. So I know
Hackinto from top to bottom. But I have a a big concern as a business owner. You know, the last superintendent from Hackinack, uh the sorry, the ne um the last mayor of Hackinto, I was talking to him. He
mentioned a few things that that now I'm going to see I'm seeing a big impact in my business. So, I've been a business owner for the last uh almost six years. I'm licensed. my
cosmetology license. I have three kids. I have a family to support and I do everything legally. Uh some sense permits, everything legally. But um there is something going on with
Hackinack business, especially beauty salon and barber shops. There is so many people unlicensed. I have a barber shop in front of my store. They have a room that even they do tattoo.
They have around 10 people with no license at all in front of my business. And not just that, every day, I don't know if this called bullying or something, but when you're a woman and you have to support your
family, they always come to you. They always crush my business, look me back to my eyes like you're gonna get off this place. They've been trying to pull me out from the place many ways.
Um, bowling phone calls make a false appointments because I'm tell them like you cannot have so many people on license there. It's it's got to the point that the service are undercharge
you know it's I cannot I cannot it's still I for me it's very hard to open a business like ministry you see go to every store they like 10 15 people without license I've been calling the health department for multiple business
that they even put a buttox in the lips put a botox in the chin without a a a a right license. And for me, I went to school, the first thing that I learned is you got a license, you cannot put the
health of the people put a risk. I have people with fungus. They they say they don't clean the the tools. I've been contact health department. I've been calling the health department. They went couple times. They say we
cannot do nothing about it. But this the people is still there like there is I'm strongly to do the monthly rent for the business because I choose the to the right thing and it's not fair because I'm a business I'm I
own homes here in Hackinack. And listen the taxes raise every year for my house for45,000 more every year. So I'm like close my business, move to another state,
you know, I'm in love with Hackinack because this is my childhood. I know like the store who who who do the the shoes for my graduation. I know the neighbor from the size. I have couple neighbors that I do his hair that like they are seniors, you know, that that
kind of I don't know what to do. What I'm gonna ask Miss Solis, Miss Solis, I'm gonna ask you um if you can just I'm going to ask the city manager to share his email address with
you. Um, if there are specific neighbors, neighbors, places that that you want to have the city look into, please just share that information in a more specific way offline with him. If you if you have
that information, um, but we we thank you for being here in Hackinack and staying here. We want to make sure that you have the opportunity to to have your business. Um, and we thank you for doing everything the right way. So, thank you for that. And um we'll we'll make sure that I'm sure we won't have to follow up with
him. He'll follow. So, sorry. It's just questions. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Anyone else from the public? Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion to close to the public?
All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we also need a motion to close executive session which we were in before this. Can I have a motion? Second. Okay. All in favor?
Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. We are going to adjourn this meeting. We're going to take about five minutes and we'll come right back out for the regular Oh, wait. No, I need a motion to adjourn this. I was just so itching to adjurnn and come
right back out. Uh, can I get a motion to adjurnn? Motion. All in favor? Any opposed? Don't oppose it. Any abstensions? We're going to take five minutes. We'll be right back. Thank you.
Okay, we are calling this meeting to order. It is Tuesday, September 9th, 2025. De um sorry, uh city clerk, sorry, sorry, got you comfortable. If you could please uh read. Thank you. This meeting is being held in accordance
with the open public meeting act NJSA10 col4-6 notice of which was sent to the record in the star ledger and was posted on the municipal bulletin board. Thank you. Please call the role. Deputy Mayor Jum here. Council member Clark Collins
here. Council member Carol here. Council member Diaz here. Mayor Gaines here. Please rise with a flag salute. 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, we have no proclamations or presentations tonight. We're going to move on to the approval of minutes from August 11th, 2025, the committee of the whole meeting, the executive session,
and regular meeting minutes. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes? I'll offer second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. We'll now have the city
manager's report. Good evening, everyone. Just a couple updates. the uh veteran banner program that the city's uh running. Uh spots are still available for the next round of banners uh that are going on Main Street. That will not be until installed
until next year, but there are still spots for the next round of the veteran banners on Main Street. Um visit our uh city of Hackinack website to sign up for the free weekly newsletter. The newsletter is emailed out every Friday. Provides important updates, event information, exclusive content, and
community news. On August 15th, the city of Hackinac held a street naming ceremony to rename a portion of Clay Street to James JT Taylor Way. The street was renamed in honor of Hackinack native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer of Cooling the Gang, James JT Taylor. The event was
well attended and celebrated by the community. It was wonderful to see so many people come out to honor Hackinack's own James JT Taylor. Please check our website and social media for upcoming events. Some of our events in September, we have a 911 memorial ceremony scheduled on September 11th,
10:00 a.m. in front of fire headquarters. Townwide garage sale, September 13th and 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. The registration deadline for the garage townwide garage sale is September 10th. You can contact the city manager's
office for application information. At the Hackpack, we have a couple of events going on this month. Um, Hope and Freedom. It's a gallery reception and exhibit on September 11th at 6 PM. We have a Howdy Stranger improv comedy show
September 13th at 8:00 p.m. Visit the city website under arts and wreck performing arts for more information. Also, be on a lookout. We have the Hackinactoberfest October 4th, 2025 from 12 to 8:00 PM.
That's uh uh breweries will be there, music and food trucks. That's a nice event, very well attended. It's the Hackinacktoberfest October 4th. That's all I have. Thank you. No reports from special committees, no
special orders, no unfinished business, and general order. Moving on to new business. Resolution number 387-25. This is a resolution for final adoption of ordinance number 41-2025,
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 on Pine Street. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for public hearing. Thank you. Can I have a uh can I have a
motion? Wait, I'm sorry. Open to the public. Open to the public. Thank you. Uh, anyone wanting to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Need a motion to open. Thank you. I have a motion to open to the public on this uh ordinance and this ordinance only.
All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone wishing to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Seeing none, can I have a motion to close to the public on this ordinance? Second. All in favor?
I I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion on the ordinance. Can I get a motion? A motion. Second. All in favor? I I.
Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. be resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac County of Bergen and the state of New Jersey that ordinance number 41-2025 has passed the second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Thank you. Resolution number 388-25.
This is a resolution for final adoption of ordinance number 42-2025 an ordinance to amend chapter 170 vehicles and traffic to clarify zones in which commercial vehicles can park. This ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a public hearing. Thank you. Can I get a motion to open to
the public on this ordinance? Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Seeing none, can I have a motion to close to the public on this ordinance?
Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Can I have a motion to adopt? All in favor? Any opposed? I oppose.
Any abstensions? Thank you. Be resolved by the city council of the city of Hackinac County of Bergen State of New Jersey that ordinance number 42-2025 has passed the second and final reading and is hereby adopted.
Resolution number 389-25. This is a resolution for the introduction 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 handicapped. We're adding on West Anderson and removing on Clay Street. Thank you. Can I have a motion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Be it resolved that the above ordinance
being ordinance 43-2025 as introduced is now passed on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on September 30th, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached as the regular meeting place of the city of the
city of Hackinack and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and the city clerk be and she is hereby authorized. Excuse me. And directed to publish said ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first
reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. Thank you. Resolution number 390-25. This is a resolution for the introduction of ordinance number 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. Thank you. Can I have a motion? I'll make a motion. Thank you. All in favor?
I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Be resolved that the above ordinance being ordinance 44-2025 as introduced is now passed on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on September 30th,
2025 at 8:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as a matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the city council and as such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and that the city clerk be and she is hereby authorized and directed to publish set ordinance according to law
with a notice of its introduction or passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. Okay. Before we move on to the consent agenda, does anything need to be separated out from the consent agenda?
Well, as of right now, we have 396, 397, and 398. Mr. Meler, that's correct. Those need to be uh respectfully, mayor, those need to be removed because I have a conflict. So, they need to be voted on separately, and I need to remove myself from the desk. Can you repeat those numbers, please?
396-25, 396-25, uh 397-25, 398-25, respectively. Items 10, 11, and 12 on the consent agenda. Thank you. has anything else? Any I had those, but does anybody have anything else?
I don't believe so. Nothing else. Okay. No. So, um should we do those first? Um that's up to you. Do you want to do them first, Mr. or do you want to We'll do them second, may I respectfully, if I may, just so we could
just do the consent agenda and I'll step down. Sure. All right. So, uh please. The following items are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one expenditure or 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. Resolution 391-25 is a resolution authorizing payment of bills. Resolution 392-25 is a resolution authorizing tax refunds
for state board judgments, county board judgments, and duplicate payments. Resolution 393-25 is a resolution appointing fund commissioner to the South Bergen Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. Resolution 394-25 is a resolution of intent to utilize a national co-op
contract for the purchase of two E1 Typhoon pumper fire engines. Resolution 395-25 is a resolution authorizing award of bid contract for ADA improvements to Baldwin Park. Resolution 399-25
is a resolution authorizing the award of state contract for body police bodywn camera storage and licensing. Resolution 400-25 is a resolution authorizing release of escrow funds for various properties. Resolution 401-25 is a resolution authorizing change order
number one to suburban engineering for engineering services for Johnson Park Sports Complex air monitoring. Resolution 402-25 is resolution qualifying professional service providers and authorizing the mayor to execute contracts with such
qualified professionals for the city planner. Resolution 403-25 is a resolution awarding contract to Boswell Engineering for Fini Park Construction Phase Engineering Services. Resolution 404-25 is a resolution awarding contract
to Boswell Engineering for Fini Park LSRP Engineering Services. Resolution 405-25 is a resolution awarding contract to Boswell Engineering for Johnson Park Construction Phase Engineering Services. Resolution 406-25 is a resolution
awarding contract to Boswell Engineering for Johnson Park LSRP Engineering Services. And resolution 407-25 is a resolution awarding contract to Boswell Engineering for development of a Johnson Park conceptual master plan. And then with that, we would need a motion for
the agenda. Thank you. Can I have a motion? Motion. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? So the first one was that we pulled was
396-25 which was a resolution authorizing award of bid contract for the 2025 city funded road road improvement project to new prince concrete construction. Can I have a motion? Motion second.
All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Next one is 397-25. Resolution authorizing award of bid contract for NJ DOT partially funded road improvement project to New Prince
Concrete Construction. Can I have a motion, please? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? And the last one is 398-25, which is a resolution authorizing award of bid
contract for CDBG partially funded road improvement project to New Prince Concrete Construction. Can I have a motion, please? Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions?
Okay, I need a motion to open to the public. I'll second. All in favor? I Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Any member of the public like wishing to speak? Please come forward. State your
name, a municipality. Thank you. Evening and second time, Sergey Toltoy. uh like to commend Ryan Wester Wester for his work in Hackinack since I've been here in 2013. The work done on Hobart Street which is
a manu light manufacturing and a residential area. Uh in terms of uh pavement like to see I'm sorry I don't want to interrupt you. Do you mind just moving the microphone up just a little bit? In terms of paving, I'd just like to see
this uh animosis osity in hacking sight go away in terms of uh the past and previous administrations. When you walk when you ride down from Kansas Street from River all the
way down to Green Street, you find that only one side of the street is paved, especially in front of the senior citizens federally funded um housing. And then when you get to maybe the section that has Hispanic population.
There is no paving on both sides of the street all the way down to Green Street. So whatever animosity and previous feelings, I feel that should be put all in a basket and thrown away because
whatever your enemy was is now your friend. We all live in the same boat. Number two, when it comes to walking out this building and going down into this parking lot, I don't think I'm in a
county seat in this county of Bergen County. I look at the parking lot and I look at it and I say, "What's going on here?" And this has been going on too long. and as a county seat and as a new administration where you're going to rei
unite the people, we need to need to have a home that looks like it's been uh taken care of. So, this parking lot area and this uh area behind the civic center needs to be looking like it's a real
town hall place of meetings. And that's what I'd like to say tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? Good evening, mayor and council. Um, Kevin Boswell. I first want to thank you
for your uh uh for your confidence in allowing us to serve the interest of you and the residents of the city. Uh the projects that you just approved this evening uh two of them for Fini Park,
two for uh Johnson Park uh relate to the construction inspection as well as the LSRP uh work that was uh previously being done by uh another consultant and we're taking over uh those roles here
with the the last uh uh project is the master plan for the uh uh for Johnson Park and the old master plan was developed before you had the two parking
lots, the old Sears lot down by Anderson as well as the overflow park uh for the university uh office complex. So what we're doing is we're uh and now you have effectively three separate parking areas with three
separate access points with no uh uh relationship on-site circulation between those three. U in addition as as you know you canceled the contract on the building. Uh and while that presents
some challenges, it also presents a very nice opportunity uh where now from the current contract that is still continuing the new parking lot uh you now have unobstructed access out to the river. So, we've already been
working on several uh different concepts uh for you to consider. We will have it to you uh within the next 10 days. U and we're also doing a uh a thorough review of the NJD
uh permitting uh for the projects as originally uh envisioned and how new storm water regulations, flood hazard area regulations may affect it to again press protect the interests of the city
uh because the new regulations are more restrictive. So, we're we're very cognizant of this and we just want you to know that we're very committed. Again, we thank you for this opportunity and we're very committed to protecting the interest of all of the residents.
Thank you. I'm Rich Serbo, U Spring Valley Avenue. Uh I uh I wanted to mention that roads need to be started up, right? When are they going to start paving roads? There are some shabby roads. The shabby areas
of this town and the roads are not great. So that's first. Okay. Uh second is I've been reading the um I know you're only in in uh council here only what is it a few weeks or so? 10. But who's counting? 10.
It's 10 weeks. Okay. That's July 1st. Okay. 10 weeks. Okay. So, um there's been some articles I've been reading and it's about rescending things uh uh from uh past deals that the uh previous
council made. Now, I don't know. Maybe we could ask Mr. Malagir about this to that sounds like retaliation to me. Now, I think that's tolerated in politics. uh if you sort of, you know, trash
something that went before and say, "Oh, no, we're not doing that and we're out." That in that's illegal in some areas of the law, retaliation against things. And but in politics, it's tolerated. I'm wondering how far you're going to go
with that. And I don't know. I thought some of the deals they had were pretty good. Okay. So, that that's those that's my second point. Uh, but the roads are important. I thought the weather was so perfect that I'd see roads being paved.
Nothing. I don't see anything. And uh, so that's it. I'm brief. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon. Good evening, Reverend Carolyn Davis Hackasac. I just want to say congratulations to this board to
what you are doing. Uh, as far as I can see, this city of Hackinac voted for this council because they did want to see the changes that are going on. So, it's not a surprise to most people. And the things that you are rescending are the things that the community said they
wanted you to look at and resend. So, personally, I thank you. I thank you for what I've seen you doing, getting out in the community, meeting with the community, talking to the people, and I think there's a a great sense of relief in the community. So, I just want to say congratulations.
Good evening, Dora May Davis, Hasbro Heights, New Jersey, hometown Hackinack. I just want to say once again, congratulations to you all. You're for the for the people and I'm so proud of you and I look forward to to working
with you. You're my people. Thank you. Hi darling once again. Um just have a question in regards do you have anything in the plan in a future planning about a dog park as a childless 37 year old
woman. I have gathered a huge uh group of my other uh friends here in the city in those new multi- dwellings. So would like to know if you have anything in place for dog park. you know, we're in
need in for one or at least put some stations that we can get dog uh doggy bags so can people can collect their uh feces. Uh I live in Clinton Place and I see I have to clean up a lot. I don't
mind doing that but uh as a health inspector that is not okay. So thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Yeah, you can go. It's a new session. You got another
crack of the microphone there. Thank uh my name is EA Solis. Thank you. I I've been therapy all my clients now. I feel like you are my therapist. Congratulations because um you're here here to help us. One of the big concern that I have since the public hack high
school, middle school, elementary school. We've been seeing that there is so many buildings uh but there is not enough schools. I had to put my kids in a charter school
because there been complaining that uh the food first the food are not great. Um I remember when I was in high school the food was so delicious, fresh, you know, healthy. And I think the food from high school and middle school and
the other is like is to make the kids uh overweight and not healthy. I think we had to put a little more uh pay attention and a little more budget into the kids meal and also expanding the schools even though my kids they are in
a charter took me like almost two years so they came into the schools but what about the other residents you know there is more than I don't know so many kids in one classroom and I need to see that the the teacher are also um maybe like a
little more salary because uh most of the teacher they're not doing well you know they're retiring so yeah as a mom is my big concern for other parents and for the kids also thank you so much
thank you thank you anyone else from the public wishing to Seeing none motion to close to the public. All in favor? Any opposed? Any abstensions? Deputy
Mayor Tumi. Yes. Hello everyone and thank you to everyone who came out tonight to attend our council meeting. And a special thanks to our presenters for sharing their time and expertise. We look
forward to the development of the comprehensive bicycle plan. Uh I know a lot of people asked about that and and again we look forward to working with that and and and seeing how it all pans
out. Um, having dealt with legal services in the past when I worked in the human services department, I know that they're highly effective in supporting low-income individuals who need legal assistance and guidance. So,
that's a good group to um to refer people to that that need the that assistance. Uh, thank you to everyone for bringing various issues to our attention. We welcome that because we want to make sure that um we look into things and we
and we'll try our best to to do the right thing and fix it. Um Miss Solis, um especially to what you said about doing things the right way. Um I hear
you and we we take it seriously and we look into that definitely. Um there was a gentleman that came up uh who said uh we and I appreciate that he said you know we've only been in um what is it
10 weeks and and uh we appreciate that you want to give us the time to get our feet wet and and and uh and get things uh squared away. And also there was a I don't think he's here anymore, but there was someone
that came up um who who said um something about rooming houses. They're popping up everywhere. So that's a concern and um I'd like to look into that because rooming houses really have to is something that needs to be
approved by the town. And um I know from past experience and having again having dealt with um rooming houses um they um there were a lot more rooming houses in town way back when. Um they're
not so many now, but I I don't think there's um that anyone could could um no more new ones, right? Whatever there is, there is. But there's so if there's like this gentleman said, if there's
rooming houses popping up that we don't know about, we need to find out a little bit more. I know that there's been people saying that there's B&Bs popping up. Um, so that's something else that we need to look into because I don't know what the code is for Hackinack. So, um,
and people renting out, uh, rooms in their homes there. There's codes for everything. So, um, so we'll we'll definitely look into that, too. So, again, thank you and have a good evening. Thank you, Councilwoman Clark Holland.
Good evening, everyone. I attended two events last week. The first one was a health fair given by the India Christian Assembly Church on State Street. I had my blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index checked by
Hackinack University Medical Center. A lunch was provided, things to do for the kids, and it was all free. So, I hope you guys uh those of you who came out for that, you enjoyed that as much as I did. And I want to give a special thank
you to Pastor Finny for hosting the event. Uh he said that they had a turnout of over 300 people. So that was great. Um I also supported the soccer car wash fundraiser at the high school. The kids did a great job of washing the
cars under the supervision of Coach Shawn. So I want to thank Coach Shawn for that fundraiser for the kids and um with the kids and um I think a lot of people came out for that too. We had they had a lot of cars lined up. So,
thank you for hosting um thank you for supporting that event. Uh just want to say please continue to come out and support these events. I'm sure the more you show support, the more events you will see in the future. And um as Tom has said, our next big event is our
citywide yard sale on this Saturday and Sunday. This is the first time we're doing this, so hopefully it'll be a success and we can continue to do it as well. Um, I also wanted to thank Darlene. Is I
I think that's her name. Is it I'm sorry. What was your name? Darling. Darling, I want to thank you for bringing that um uh state um bill to our attention. Um that's very important and
we definitely will look into that. Um cuz I agree uh they should be held responsible uh PSCG as well as the um water company for what they're doing to the streets.
Um and finally, I wanted to mention that I lost my cell phone uh walking on Prospect Avenue last Friday. Uh, luckily I had the Find Me location app and traced it back to an apartment on Pose Street. I called the
police department. Uh, and to make a long story short, it was found by a woman who was walking that same path. She returned it to me. So, if you're watching, and I hope I get your name right, I want to say a special thank you
to Jen Dian. Thank you so much for returning my phone. I also want to give a special thanks to officers Miller, Sarroa, and Bedallion for their assistance in helping me with that. So, thank you and thank you all for coming
out and get home safe. Thank you, Councilman Carol. Good evening. How are you all? Uh, I know that uh Mr. Glover has left, but he did get up and uh
say, "Please uh bear with us. It's been since July 1st." Uh I think somebody else did mention it. So, yes, we're trying to do the best for our residents, uh our employees, and uh for the community. So, bear with us. We're
getting there. Um Mr. Boswell, great presentation. I hope that within the next 10 days we have that rendering of Johnson Park so we can uh take the um eyesore that was going to be there
out of our heads and see a new rendering of something nice for the community everyone to uh enjoy. Um, uh, that young lady with PSCG and the repaving. Uh, I've dealt with them a
lot. The It's hard, but yes. Uh, I hate to see a block that's just been paved and then all of a sudden they decide to do a waterline on it. They are supposed to keep it according to that what you said you said. Uh, but it's never the
same. They they're not going to play pave the whole block. They're only going to pave that section that they take out and this section that goes to your house. So, I wish that there was something different where they pave half the block, but then sometimes someone
else said it before with the bikes, half the block looks beautiful, the other half doesn't. That's not because of us. That's because they paved or did something. So, that's that. And then the last thing uh last Friday uh I attended
with uh Congressman Joshu Gothimer. We did a uh press conference at the high school and somebody brought up these ebikes. So the ebikes uh was the topic of conversation with uh the the congressman. You want to look it up,
it's there. Uh, and it's about ebike safety, uh, storage, and more importantly about things that we can make our children safer. I don't know if you knew that the DOT runs the or tells
us what we should do and don't do with the ebikes. So, it's not law. It's a Department of Transportation. The ages are between 13 and 17 that should wear a helmet. Anybody after that is supposed to wear a helmet. They don't. Um
7 7 m an hour to 18 miles an hour is supposed to be the top speed. They don't. Uh we're we're trying. Uh it's crazy out there. It's a cheaper form of transportation and more and more people
are doing it. So, uh, when we talk about the ebike lanes for I'm sorry, the bicycle lanes, maybe it's a possibility to combine that. I don't know, but that's another issue that we're going to bring up. So, uh, thank you for your support and thank you for coming out
tonight. Thank you, Councilman Diaz. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Uh excuse me if my comments tonight will be a little general because uh rather than
present a report for the first 100 days today I want to make a reflection about our first 70 days because we have 70 days today to be exact. All right. Uh because when I woke up this morning the first thought that came to my mind was
what a summer we've been having in Hackinack. It's been it's been different. I think it's been very positive. Uh since our sweating on July 1st, uh we share some great moments together
like the spectacular uh Fourth of July celebration uh that drew such a massive crowd uh followed by so many shows and events that brought our community together. you know, we getting back that community sense that we wanted. Um,
none of us or none of it would be possible without the hard and smart work of our city employees and volunteers and above all the collaboration and positive energy of our residents.
On the other hand, and I'm talking on behalf of the council in general, my city manager, and my city attorney, uh the decisions we had made so far have been guided and supported by most of you
and your constant presence at these meetings, sharing opinions and ideas makes all the difference. Believe me. Now, let's continue doing it one day at a time, one season at a time. So, let's get ready for a full season with new
ideas, with new commitments, okay? But always thinking on the best interest of the residents of Arkansas, but let's make sure that we put in the same enthusiasm and commitment that we have shown so far. Hackinach is on the
rise and the best is still ahead of us. So, thank you for attendance tonight meeting. God bless you and good night. Thank you. Um, so many great things have been said, so I'm not going to repeat. Um, I just want to thank everyone again
for coming out and um, really hope that from these meetings you gain some insight into, as the council woman said, things that are happening in Hackinack. Um, we try our best to better
communicate or to best communicate. Um, and I agree. Someone made a comment before. I get emails all the time from Tene and Maywood about what they're doing. Um, and I think that we can probably step that up as well, but um,
you know, we've we've we speak a lot about how new we are, but I I do want to say I am incredibly proud of what we have done in 70 days. And um while while
we're not there yet um boy just wait till we get there. It's only been 70 days, right? So just you just wait. Um but I I want to point out just um two quick things. One of the things that we had the opportunity to go to a couple
weeks ago was the police youth academy um graduation which was an amazing program um sponsored by our police department. our fire department supported. It was a great uh 90 kids participated in this. Um kids
of all races, backgrounds from every neighborhood in Hackinack and also from our sending districts or rather our receiving districts. Um and it was it was fantastic. The graduation um I I wish there was video of it. The graduation was there is video of it. Oh,
great. Then then we'll find a way to give a little give a little piece of it for you. Um, but it was to watch these kids um, not just go through a week-long experience that maybe for some of them
they see it as a camp sort of thing, but they're learning about public service. They're learning about responsibility. They're learning about um, how to listen and respond to people. And I had the opportunity to pop in a couple of days
and see them. and um just to see them on that graduation was really fantastic. So um hopefully we have the opportunity to share a little bit of that footage. Um the only other thing that I want to comment on is
you know we are looking to provide better service in a way that is also fiscally responsible and I don't want there to be any misconception
um about the way that we are approaching this. A comment was made about road paving. A couple comments. If you look about look at the roads that are being paved, we're looking at South Newman. We're looking at DeWolf. We're looking at Union. We're looking at Lookout, West
Anderson, Coolage, Davis, Kennedy to Hudson. That's the entire city. That's the entire city. That's across, I think, all five wards are having their streets, some streets in there redone. So, um,
we're cognizant of that. Um, yes, there have been changes from the previous administration. One I want to highlight tonight. There was a change order that we were able to take $80,000
plus off of a contract by moving it from one vendor to another vendor who can provide the same service, maybe even better service for less. And so I just want to be um
very clear What we won't do is rubber stamp things that we inherited just because we inherited them. We're going to look at things. We're going to make good decisions, the best decisions that we can make in our judgment. Um, but
certainly no one is sitting here looking to be spiteful. Everyone is looking to figure out how we can do a little bit better. We ran because we believed we could do better. That's what we're looking to do. So, I just want to be clear about where we're coming from. And with that, I'd like to have a motion to adjurnn. I'll
second. All in favor? Any opposed?