This meeting is called to order in accordance with the open public meeting act. Notice of this meeting was provided to the home news tribune, the Star Ledger, and the Highland Park Planet on January 7, 2026 and was posted on borrow
website at www.hpbro.com at hpbro.com and on the bulletin board of borrow 221 South Fifth Avenue Park, New Jersey and has remained continuously posted as required by law. Fire exit are to my right and left of council chambers.
Chief, can you lead us in the pledge of >> 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.
>> Roll call. >> Mayor Foster, >> yes. >> Council member George. Council member Hail >> here. >> Council member Hirs >> here. >> Council President Kimber. Council member Pastani >> here. >> Council member Vargas >> here. >> Turno >> here. >> Administrator Ha
>> here. >> May I have a motion to approve the minutes of April 14th, 2026 regular session as distributed? >> So move. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council President Kencho. Yes. >> Council member Ponic. >> Yes. >> Council member War. >> Yes. >> Council report. And I'm going to start
off with Council Member Vargas. >> Good evening everybody. >> Um okay. Today's um today's report is brought to you by St. Peters University Hospital um and their hardworking staff
over at the emergency room where um I spent another day of my yesterday and today um fighting a case of vertigo and when you were given the choice between having a test and an MRI and you get all that stuff done and the doctor tells you
I don't want to see the vertigo or stroke. Suddenly you start praying for Virgo. Um where does that leave me? Well, the 5K is coming this week and I will not be running the 5K. Um, I will be walking maybe perhaps, but everybody
should go out and register and join the Boris 5K this coming Sunday. It's going to start at 9:00 a.m. And we encourage all the residents to please sign up, participate. Um, whether you walk, run, or maybe crawl, um, please be there to cheers
out. It's always a great event. Um, it brings our community together. We're also still seeking volunteers for the um for the 5K. So, if you're free, we'd love to have your help. So, please check out um the borrowers website or the social media page for registration information.
After the 5K, be sure to stop by the Highland Park Arts Commission, the historical commission, and the community centers booths at the spring fair is a wonderful opportunity to learn about local programs, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events. Also, our townwide
porchfest will take place on Sunday, May 17th, starting around 12:00 p.m. This year, um with the exception of one north um one north address, north side address, most of the um musical acts will be on the south side and in the
pavilion. North people, where are you? I want my uh people that live on the north side to sign up. Um I couldn't sign mines up this year because there weren't enough um people that were interested. perhaps next talk. If you're interested in signing up for next year, please speak to me so that we can coordinate
and bring it bring more artists to town. Um, and I would like to um say thank you to the art division for co-sponsoring the event and also the organizers um Gary Kaplan and Sue Winter. It's going to be a lot of fun. Also, we will be holding the Memorial
Day parade on Monday, May 25th at 11 a.m. Please come out. Um we encourage everybody to come out and attend a meaningful community tradition um where they're promoting the the uh community center will be having a wellness screening coming up on
May 26 between 3 3 and 6 p.m. And we again encourage um residents to take advantage of this free resource. The Highland Park Arts Commission will continue the learn and create series on May 9th between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Highland Park Environmental
Center. The theme is going to be relax and connect sound featuring a sound bath experience, which I had to look up. Um, I wasn't sure what that was, but it sounds really cool because it's a combination of soothing sounds intended to support the nervous system and promote relaxation, which I finally need
after my vertigo episode. Um, and finally, the Highland Park Historical Commission invites residents to celebrate history day at East Jersey Oldtown Village on May 16th. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect with local history and please stop by their
booth at the his at the during the spring fair because they will be um announcing a lot of the events that are coming up and they are also seeking volunteers. Um, and again, thank you all for the volunteers, the boards and commissions. We're really looking forward to all these upcoming events.
And take care of yourself, folks. Make sure you drink water, you rest, you sleep. And um if you have vertigo, make sure you avoid constructors um because I certainly did not. But I thank everybody um at St. Peters St. Peter's
Hospital. They do a wonderful job there. So, it's um we're very fortunate that we have two hospitals nearby that we can choose from since we're very uniquely positioned. So, I would like to thank them. And lastly, just a reminder, um I said this at one of my previous um
reports, I live on Wind Street. Again, please slow down. I would like to beg people to slow down. We've had some really close calls there and there's really no reason to rush through town. You you need to slow down because we are
waiting for um unfortunately. Let's try to avoid a tragedy down the road. So, um I would appreciate if everybody feeds the residents of Wayne Street who I know are organizing and have been reaching out. Um we need to slow down. That's my report.
>> Thank you, Council Member Hail. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. My name is Matt Hail. I chair the economic development committee. Um, I was going to have the report sponsored by the spring fair and the 5K, but since Council Vargas um has has done such a great job of explaining
all the wonderful things that are happening at the 5K, um I would just add that that in addition to all of the vendors that come in. Um there's a lot of vendors um and a lot of the businesses um on on Main Street, um they're all going to be open. And so, you know, don't forget to go into the
businesses as you're shopping through the vendors um and support our local businesses while we're we're at the street fair. Um I I just think that the street fair is is a great day to go out and see people. Um you can walk down the street and just have conversations with people you might not have seen for a
while. So, it's a a really great opportunity to sort of um come together in a in a fun setting. So, um again, that's May 3rd, so come on out. Um, I just wanted to give a heads up that there are two items on the agenda tonight in various places. Uh, moving
ahead with our Third Avenue plaza. Um, this is exciting. Um, you got to take steps before you can take leaps. Um, we are, uh, just authorizing um, a future easement between Bright and Third. This has been part of the plan for a long time. We've worked really hard on on
some possibilities of it. Um, tonight is just the authorization to do it as we develop that um, over time. um with all of the different stakeholders, but it's a important first reading for that tonight. Um and then also um in the consent agenda, we're going to be hiring
um an operational manager for the actual development construction of Third Avenue. This is someone who's sort of the day-to-day person to make sure that um what the plans say is actually what's gets built to deal with the various uh contractors that will be out there. Again, this is sort of just teeing
things up for as we move along, but it's a important step to have to take um before we uh get shelves in the ground. So, um exciting stuff about that. Um and then I'd just like to to give a shout out uh to sort of Highland Park's newest
Eagle Scout. Um Ben Israel is actually a a young man who lives in East Brunswick, but he is a member of the Highland Park Boy Scout troop. Um Troop 55. Um, and last night I was privileged to be on his court of uh, review um, and he passed.
And so he is our newest Eagle Scout um, in that troop. Um, just to to let people know the the leader of that troop is a man named Sheldon Frieden. This is his 28th Eagle Scout. Given the size of our troop in Highland Park, that is an
amazing accomplishment. Uh so um 28 Eagle Scouts coming out of of Highland Park um through their own hard work, their own efforts um including my son. Just got to put a picture in for Zach because he was one of those. But um but it is amazing for Ben. He did a
fantastic project of helping to paint a synagogue um for his Eagle Scout project. Um and as always, Sheldon Fred Reich has been um amazing in in leading the show and leading the way um and leading Ben to this accomplishment. So, I just wanted to give a shout out for that. That's all I have.
>> Thank you, Council Member Hersh. >> Thank you, Mayor. Let me just get my notes in front of me. Excuse me. Um, good evening everyone. My name is Matthew Hirs. I chair the public works and public utilities committee and uh this is my report. Uh, just a few things to note uh that have passed. Um, we the
Sustainable Highland Park. Uh, we we we hosted our a very successful repair cafe um this past Sunday or two Sundays ago actually. Um uh and this was uh and this was a long an event that required significant amount of planning where we had vendors
who would come and repair volunteer vendors who would come and repair. Uh over a hundred people from the community brought uh uh items there to to be fixed. I spoke to some folks who were fixing an old guitar. Actually one one gentleman was fixing his grandfather's acoustic guitar. Um but um uh and I
think council president Kim Chan got some items repaired as well. Um but there were sewing experts, there were electrical experts, bike repair, uh instrument repair. It was so cool. And I think I think all of us would appreciate kind of outside of the substance of the
of of of the day was that sometimes things click, right? And sometimes things really resonate with community. And I think for us that really charges us up because you can really see what really excites people. And this event was just so cool. We are working on another one. No date to to to be
announced yet, but uh it's coming up again and it'll be uh even better than better than ever. So really thanks to the team um at Sustainable Palark uh and um uh we really look forward to the uh to the next uh to the next event. Um
tree plantings uh are ongoing. And I'm Terry may may may mention something about this, but I just wanted to mention that, you know, we have we have 103 planting sites. You might have seen these trees going in all around town. Um, our vendor down this tree service uh has been doing an incredible job and we
are working with the advent team, Terry Hair and Jake Callahan uh as well as the shade advisory committee just to keep tabs on uh on on on the progress. But we're really pleased uh so far with how things are going. uh Earth Day. Uh just
uh Councilman Hail mentioned the um uh and Councilman mentioned the uh uh the 5K the 5K and um uh street fair. Uh uh that is also that also coincides with Sustainable Highland Park's annual Earth
Day um celebration on North 3rd um on on May 3rd between 11:30 and 3:30 p.m. Uh this is North Third Avenue in Ren, right at the corner where Mr. Pi is. Um this is an opportunity to connect with local
climate leaders and discover easy ways uh for your family to help save the planet. uh enjoyed live musical performances from local artists including Alexis Moon and Ray Kubian. They're awesome. I'm looking forward to them. Uh Anthony Walker, Amandala, and the Magnolia Street String Band. Uh plus
exhibits from Ruckers, Burough Schools, and Highland Park and Middle Sex Countyy's Eco Groups. Uh you can also participate in native plant giveaways, vermma, verma composting, uh demos and raffles, and arts and crafts activities. If you're interested in helping, uh,
please email shpbro.com. That's shpbro.com or visit sustainablehandpark.org to learn more. Uh, the environmental commission u meets uh tomorrow, Wednesday, May, I'm sorry, what next? Next Wednesday, May 6 at 8:00m uh
virtually. Uh, please find the link at www.hqbro.com. And because it's been Earth Day and Earth week, uh, I did just want to give a shout out to Hiasis Cultural Center. Uh, I spent some time, you know, we had Rucker's day this weekend. It was a wash out, unfortunately. Uh, and so a lot of
those activities were moved in I know it's such a shame. It's it's Rucker Day really is an amazing day and it's April, so it does rain. Um, so a lot of those activities were moved indoors. I hope folks were still able to attend some. But what it did do though was make more time for uh to to attend a really
terrific program at the environmental center hosted by Hisus Cultural Center. Uh and they had their Vasitas family cultural arts workshop at the HB environmental center. It was an Earth Day program and it focused on the fores forces of nature and song, music and storytelling. Uh and so it was a and we
got to make music, you know, on a Sunday morning. It's really nice to make music with your neighbors or Saturday morning. Um, and right afterward and I and I and this was a little less intentional but speaks to the kind of beauty of Highland Park. As soon as I left the environmental center, I saw our beautiful volunteers at the Native Plant
Sanctuary um uh taking advantage of the cool rainy day and doing their work out there. So, I was able to stop by and talk with Andy Warren over there uh at the Native Plant Sanctuary. you know, environmental stewardship and respect for nature is policy and it's Earth Day
to April 22nd and every day and I think Highland Park really illustrates that. So, thank you again to amazing volunteers and the folks who really keep time buzzing. Uh just wanted to mention that uh bulk pickup is happening now. It's by appointment only. uh bulk wast
bulk waste collection uh will be scheduled on Wednesdays during the months of April now May, June, September and October. To make an appointment, please call public works at 732247-9379. Each residents may request up to two collections per year. I do just want to
note that the week of the townwide garage sale, that's Tuesday, October 20th and Thursday, October 22nd, there will be a bulk pickup where you do not need to make a reservation. Uh recycling, however, will not be collected during that week in October. And believe us, you will receive many,
many, many more notices of that as we as we get closer to the date. Uh materials can be placed curbside no sooner than one hour before sundown the day prior to scheduled pickup. And that's really important because you know there are real safety hazards when uh you know a
considerable amount of debris is is left on the curb uh um you know further in advance of the schedule pickup. So please try your hardest to make sure that uh your items go out uh the evening before uh the pickup is scheduled. And
um I did just want to mention that uh tonight's report is brought to you by uh grit, moral fortitude, and the people of Highland Park if that's that's what we're doing now. Uh and uh thank you, mayor. That is my report. >> You got a new thing going
here last. >> That's what happens when you go away. There you go. Thanks, Mayor. My report tonight is not sponsored by anyone, so sorry to break the machine on that, but um so my name is Jason Melnik. I chair the Health and Human Services Committee. Uh have a
relatively short report for tonight. Uh first up, I just wanted to highlight an item on tonight's agenda, which is the ordinance that's up for second reading. Spoke about this last meeting. Just make a quick plug again tonight that this ordinance would prohibit the display of tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia
and electronic smoking devices in the windows of retail establishments in town. So really just kind of like a minor uh public health regulation that could have a significant impact that's positive for health uh for public health. So I just wanted to ask my colleagues to support this again and hopefully we get it over the finish line
today. Um, and then also on tonight's agenda, I just wanted to echo my good friend Councilman Hail's uh points about the uh or just to say that I'm very excited about the ordinance resolutions forward with various action items for the South Third Avenue Plaza. As my council colleagues and BR staff can
attest, I've been pushing very hard on this, i.e. nagging them a lot. Um, so it's really good to see these uh up for a vote tonight. I'm very excited to vote for them. Um, next I wanted to mention that on Sunday, May 17th, the Human Relations Commission will be co-hosting
the Highland Park DEI cookie exchange. It will be from 1 p.m. to 3 PM at the Highland Park Community Center. Uh, and it aims to show support for DEI in a sweet way by bringing and exchanging cookies from all different cultures. There'll be a moderator like conversation about the community's
feelings about DEI and feel like it needs repeating, but there will be lots of cookies. I hope to see you all there. If you want more information on this event, you can email hpdeiccookiesgmail.com. And lastly, on the topic of human relations commission, uh they currently have a number of vacancies. So if
anyone's interested in working on events and programs like this that help to bring our community together, please submit volunteer application available at hpr.com. Uh and mayor, that was my report for tonight. >> Thank you, Council President Kim Chan. >> Um good evening everyone. My name is
Stephanie Kim Choan and I chair finance. So from a finance standpoint, um tonight's agenda includes several um items worth highlighting. We have um the temporary budget. We have a resolution to amend the 2026 municipal temporary
budget to maintain operations until the regular budget is certified. We have um garbage truck repairs for around 12 12K. And then the purchase of a EV vehicle for code enforcement which
is uh long awaited and much needed for 36K. And at the state level, Governor Charl has launched the New Jersey report card which is intended to make it easier for residents to see where state tax dollars
go and to connect spending to programs and outcomes. The site is live at reportcard.nj.gov. This is a helpful resource to share during budget season and I encourage residents who are interested to review
it and stay engaged. And finally, I hope to see everyone at the street fair this weekend as well. It's a great opportunity to support our local businesses, see neighbors, and enjoy everything Highland Park um has to
offer. And that's my report. I do want to give one shout out to Wreck as well. My son finished his last uh jumping jelly beans. is one of the youngest programs that they offer for um two year
olds and he did his like he took part of the winter session which was rescheduled a few times. So I highly encourage um not a lot of recreation departments and this area has um activities for children as young as two years old. So, um I
highly encourage everyone when they do I think they have a spring or another they have two sessions twice a year to sign up. Um and it's it's it's a great deal compared to all the other programs as well too. So, and that's my report.
>> Thank you. B administrator report. >> Uh just a quick one, mayor. And it's not even a report. It's more of an add-on. In addition to all the other exciting, fun uh events that have been described for our street fair this uh May 3rd,
there's also one kind of new add-on. Um you're all familiar with the park partners grant program. Um and the applications have already been submitted and were due, but usually we have a meeting where we uh at the community center where we vote to pick the winners. And we're still doing that this
year, but we're going to be doing it at a table at the street fair on May 3rd. I don't know the booth number, but I I'm anticipating it will be near where all the other burrow wreck and other departmental booths are, but you should make sure you walk up and down till you
find it. And uh take a moment to uh vote on your favorite projects. Um and I want to thank Harry Blazer for running the program and for making sure the vote happens. So just in addition to Earth Day, food, entertainment,
um you name it, you can also uh check out the partner voting booth. So I will be there and I look forward to seeing you all and I will be not running but holding a stop sign on uh during the podcast. So I look forward to cheering everybody on. Uh so I'll see you guys
there on >> Every little bit helps. Every little bit helps. you all come together to make it happen. Um, good evening everyone. As you are aware, I have been missing for two meetings this month and the reason for that is I was on a mission trip
twice. Um, if you remember in October um my home island of Jamaica was hit with a category called hurricane. It devastated many areas of the tiny island. And so I went down earlier this month on a
medical mission trip to give out food and medical supplies and I went back two weeks ago because the need is insurmountable and another much much needed food and medical supply trip. So I want to thank all the persons in Highland Park who
donated items and everything else to make this trip possible. I thank each and every one of you for being kind and generous to an area that was in much need of help. Okay. I am proud to recognize I should say we
are proud to recognize one of our team member Hadasa Esther Rich a Bora resident a high school junior and an officer on the mayor teen advisor council. She placed fourth in the in in the
international Shidan Tahad Tanahash, which is a Bible quiz in Jerusalem on April 22nd. Notably, she was only one of three students from the United State to be selected.
So, big kudos to Hadassa. Speaking of the mayor's teen advisory council, please join me in congratulating the newly elected leaders for 2026 and 2027 school year.
co-presidents Ardan Lee and Malik Kosa, Secretary Cedar Boyd. And I would like to thank our outgoing leaders, Alisa Foger, Hadassa Esther
Rich, and Emma Shannon for their exemplary service on the mayor's teen council. Thank you all so so very much. We're also plea we were also pleased to host Grace Smileley a fifth grade
student from Bardau school as mayor for the day on April 22nd. This program was a part of the local government week an initiative of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities
which advocate for municipalities across the state. During her day, Grace met with leaders about borrow initiative. She met with me to talk about what are my responsibilities and how do I handle a
typical day and get to see some of the things that I do. She also visited the community team center, reviewed and signed proclamation. She also participated a hand lead in a hand leadership
exercise working through simulated budgets and later she joined the fellow students serving as counsel for the day and her fellow students were the public for the day and she was just awesome teacher
leader in the making definitely we were also grateful we are also grateful to the staff at the barber school, Jennifer Knap and Lindley Salary for helping making this innovative and meaningful meaningful civics exercise
possible. Thank you. Thank you all for being a part of engaging our students in their civic duties and letting them know what the responsibility of leadership is. And with that, that ends my report.
Now it's time for public participation. 21 minutes total. Three minutes per speaker limit to limited to items on this agenda. Comments from members of the public attending in person will be heard first followed by those attending
on Zoom. Public participation items on this that will be on this agenda. Hi, Mary Baution, Madison Avenue. Uh, for the record, please do not renew the license for the recreational THC marijuana pot shop on the agenda
tonight. Resolution 426114. Uh, for starters, 13 recreational marijuana samples were tested from this pot shop and eight of them failed. I'm going to give you copies of everything I referred to. Secondly, council members have been advised repeatedly that when
you bring in recreational marijuana, such as on the agenda tonight, uh there's a real likelihood a criminal element tends to follow. This is what happens in many other places. No reason to think Highland Park would be any different. Two very concerning examples of this type of criminal activity making
its way into Highland Park, a town filled with kids. Bear in mind, these are only two that I'm personally aware of. There may be many, many more. a vendor on North Fourth Avenue selling THC and LSD at their booth during a
vintage clothing sale. Completely illegal and dangerous in every way. The copies are here for you, including a picture of a little girl standing uh just down a couple of feet away from one of the booths. For almost two years, one block from Irving School, a marijuana
vending machine. Not only was this vending machine in a store that kids swarm to every day, but it was placed right next to the ice creams. Finally, six days ago, an article appeared verifying that this machine was completely illegal, that the store that
leased it was operating as an unlicensed marijuana business, and the machine has now presumably been confiscated by authorities that initiated warrants and surveillance out of Monmouth County and made an arrest there. The fact that these things are happening
in Highland Park is disgraceful and dangerous. It's easy for six members of council to make resolutions and ordinances bringing in recreational marijuana, but you need to start following up on what you've done. Not only stop this criminality, but also you
need to start following your own codes. Example, Ordinance 1691906 2022 24730. Any establishment selling electronic smoking devices is supposed to pay a $600 licensing fee. And post that
electronic smoking device license in a conspicuous place of the store. It does not appear that any of these four recreational marijuana pot shops who sell these devices, none of them have paid their $600 fee. And there is nothing in the cannabis ordinance saying
that this fee is already included in their other fees. More on code violations. Several times there have been signage problems. Flutter signs, signs on New Jersey DOT traffic signs, telephone poles, and a lot of this you folks claim
to know the rules, but it just doesn't seem to be that way. Our last 5k run street fair, you printed t-shirts for all ages, including the kids. recreational marijuana pot shop listed right on the back. Um, you also are not allowed to have these ads within 200
feet of K to 12 school grounds. Again, the kids races with all these t-shirts on them right on the middle school and high school property. Please stop giving out these renewals. It does not appear as if any of you are watching very closely. And now a general a genuine
criminal element has already been making its way into our town filled with kids. Thank you. I'm going to uh give our attorney a copy of everything I referred to. If you please make sure that every council member and business administrator gets a
copy. >> Anyone else from the public wishes to speak? >> I'll second everything Maria said. Calling Tyler 142 North 6. Um, I'm opposed to
the passing of uh 426114 resolution authorizing renewal of business license for publicity to operate an adult personal use cannabis business within the grow park. Um, like Mary said, um, once rules are
in place, there's enforcement of the rules that what one would assume would happen. And, um, I don't I'm just wondering to what degree is the council on board with, um,
following up uh, to make sure these businesses um, are doing what they should be doing. Um, especially bothered by this barbwire dispensary that was in Krowers. I didn't personally see it. I saw photographs of
it, but I found this really shocking to have a dispensary with marijuana products easily attempt to anyone who wants to buy buy those products. I don't know the whole story. I'm wondering if there's been a fine imposed on Krowers or what's
the followup? and do they just get to put these things in here and then they just disappear if somebody um you know if there's any uh inquiry over them. Um it just it's just a kind of crazy thing that you would
have a dispensary um in a in a in a convenience store with marijuana products. It's really shocking. So I'd like to know if there's any followup if first of all if you all are aware of that and second of all is there any followup? They should be fined
as a very minimum for having that. How'd that even happen? I'm not going to speak for three minutes. Melissa Gord, uh, Lewis Street, um, over by Blackburn. Um,
it's still happening. Um, please do not renew the the license for Herbalosity. We don't need four um pot shops. Um, uh, the criminal element is coming in. Um, we kept cigarettes away from our
children in Han Park. I don't understand why we're giving them access to this. Um, there's speeding on Crow Road. A boy. Um, I gestured to a boy to slow down and he stuck his whole body out the side of
the car and um told me to suck it. And um I saw an argument in the parking lot of the bar because there's one employee from the from Blackburn that came over
and then everybody from the bar came out to speak to them and I saw shoving. So, I don't know if they're trying to keep the person away from the girl or um they were showing each other. And um
oh um Blackburn gives out stickers. They're putting the stickers on the tree outside on the other the neighbor's property. The gentleman next door just got a grant from MPPP to make his front yard beautiful with the stones and the
and the Belgian block. And now they're walking right across his yard to get to the party. Um, the reason I have several bags is one of these bags is across the street from me on the left. Um, there's a a dorm of boys that are well, they're
not boys, they're men. They work in medical field and they're all unmarried. Um they I found all these bags from Blackburn on their front lawn and um coming out of church Saturday night um
when the party was going on for 9 for 4:20 um people were standing out in the street on Fox Road not by Anja um around their car smoking in public and oh also it's starting to turn into
like a our area. Um the >> 30 seconds. >> Okay. The 20-year-olds are leaving their clothes on the street because I guess they lose them on the way home. And also um ear earbuds, the the ones that are
cheap that you buy so you can listen to the music. They're all over the place. And those little those little liquor bottles. But um that's all I had to say. But could we have sustainable go back out to Cary Park? Not for Carson Park,
but for around Cary Park. They're not hitting Cary Park. Um, so do a clean up because I'm tired of picking up after them and it's just getting worse. I'm finished. Okay. Is it possible to speak again at
this time on the same >> I'm gonna go to those on Zoom and then if there's this is just a picture of the clothes outside >> I'm trying. >> I know. Thank you. >> I talked to them. I talked to the >> Is there anyone on Zoom? >> Uh we do have four attendees on Zoom but
I don't have any hands up at this time. >> Oh yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mary Baut on Madison, I was just going to follow up on um this resident's concerns about this ongoing marijuana litter and if I could make a suggestion
um you know you folks brought in these recreational marijuana stores. Maybe, you know, you and your families could come out on the weekends and go into Carsey Park around these marijuana stores with your friends, your family, your children, and pick up this
marijuana packaging litter. Don't leave it to me to keep doing it. And Sustainable Highland Park shouldn't be doing it. Matt Hail, you were a huge proponent of bringing these stores in. Maybe you and your family and your kids could go out to the park and pick up all
the marijuana litter. Thank you so much. >> Anyone on Zoom? >> I do have a hand up now, mayor. Sure. Um, my last, excuse me. >> Um, I'm calling on Diane. You could just
state your name for record. >> Hi, it's Diane Ray. Uh, Donaldson Street. I I have two questions. I think they're on this part. Well, one of them is on this part of the agenda. The um
proposed budget when it was introduced initially, there was a position called planning board coordinator and I never was clear on what that position was. I wonder if somebody could tell me. Thanks.
>> Anyone else? I'm sorry. I thought you were talking to the audience. Uh, no. Mayor, no other hands up. >> See if there's not. May I have a motion to close public participation? >> Move. Second. >> Roll.
>> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hurst. >> Yes. >> Council President Kent. >> Yes. >> Council member Piston. Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. Uh we acknowledge all the comments that was made and um
the budget planning coordinator >> please. >> I'm not exactly sure that that isn't a line item in our budget document. However, we do have said I don't think that's the exact title, but that would be none other than Jennifer Santiago who
handles the planning board applications as kind of an additional uh responsibility. Um, and then we also have our I believe the title was secretary, but don't quote me on that. Moren, who also works in the clerk's office, who uh is present for the meetings and takes notes and helps
coordinate the planning and zoning board meetings. So, I believe that's the position um Miss Ray was referring to. Um, but it's a a part-time sniping position. >> Thank you. Okay. Ordinance requiring second
reading. Clerk, please report on ordinance number 26-2128. An ordinance amending section 165-5 of article 2 outdoor smoking under property and amending and supplementing article 3 retail sale of tobacco and electronic
smoking devices of chapter 165 disorderly conduct of the code of the bureau of Highland Park to regulate the sale and display of tobacco and electronic smoking devices has been duly advertised and considered for consideration of passage on final reading by title and affidavit of
publication are on file. Thank you. And now it's time for public hearing. Anyone on the audience that wishes to speak on this? >> Anyone on Zoom? >> No hands up. >> See none. May I have a motion to close
public participation on ordinance number 2621-28? >> So roll call. >> I mean a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. Council member Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council president. >> Yes. >> Council member Person.
>> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 26-2128? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes.
>> Council President Kimchan. >> Yes. >> Council member Ponic. >> Yes. And a special thank you, sorry, real quick to burrow staff and burough attorney and help with this. Appreciate all your efforts. Just to reiterate, yes. >> Council member, >> yes.
>> Ordinance require first reading. Clerk, please report an ordinance on on introduction of ordinance number 26, 2129. An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a portion of certain real property. Block 30001 lot 171 181 19 and 33 332
Rton Avenue has been introduced by the economic development and planning committee for consideration of passage on first reading by title. >> May I have a motion to approve ordinance number 26-2129 on introduction? >> Second.
>> Okay. >> Okay. set up for public hearing on May 19th, 2026. And we are eager and we got a second roll call. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> 2008 Matt Hirs. Can we open up this
parking lot so so can go through? 2026 Matt Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council Brad and Kim Choan. >> Yes. Council member. Good >> for council member Vargas. >> Yes.
Okay. Now we move to the consent agenda. Okay. May I ask any council member if there's anything that they would like to move from the following consent agenda to be pulled for separate vote? Anything? Anyone?
I need a verbal. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. >> Seeing none. >> Okay. May I have a motion to adopt the following consent agenda items 12 A through 12 J >> I
move >> second >> roll council member Hail >> yes >> council member Hirs >> yes and the same issues were raised and and and we hear them and we look forward to continue to work with you on but yes >> council president Kim Johan
>> yes >> council member Pistani >> yes >> council member Vargas Yes. >> Okay. Resolution required a separate reading. May I have a motion? Resolution 4-26-1236
resolution authorizing amendment of the 2026 municipal temporary budget. >> Second. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hurst. >> Yes. Council President Ken, >> yes. >> Council member Panic, >> yes. >> Council member,
>> yes. >> And now it's time for the second public participation. 3 minutes per speaker on any subject to conclude by 9:00 p.m. Comments from members of the public attending in person will be heard first, followed by those on Zoom.
>> Anyone on Zoom? Terry? >> Four attendees, but no hands up. everyone 6th Avenue. Um I'd like to make comment again about the procedure of um burying in the consent agendum
um the renewal of these um marijuana licenses, marijuana business licenses. Um I think given that there is public opposition to it, it's certainly worthy of pulling it out and having a
discussion at some point um in terms of how are businesses um following the rules of the town. Um how is the burrow and the police force enforcing rules? um maybe having a
public um opportunity for people to have actual dialogue about this as opposed to talking to a wall which this feels like. Um so uh I would suggest that you consider for future
um efforts. I would consider I wish you could would consider taking out of the consent agenda this um issue of marijuana business their licensing your wholehearted support of them. um the town's
opposition to them, even if it's only week three, that's still opposition and um enforcement of the codes and how that's being done. I think that would be do the public a really big service if you would do that.
>> Yeah. Um just Mary Bauti and Madison AB just to follow up on uh what this resident mentioned. Um one it's not just the three of us. Uh you're certainly well aware of that over 150 people signed a petition um objecting to all of these actions on your part. Um secondly,
um to her point about renewing these licenses, um what exactly have you done to assure yourselves that this particular license on the agenda tonight deserves to be
renewed? Can you please elaborate on what steps did you take to confirm you feel confident that they deserve another year? Thank you so much. Anyone else on Zoom? >> I see four hand four attendees on Zoom,
but at the moment there are no hands up. >> Okay. All right. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close public participation? >> So, second roll call. >> Council member H. >> Yes. >> Council member Her. >> Yes.
>> Council President Ken Johan. >> Yes. >> Council member Pony. Yes, >> council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> Um Terry, our burough attorneys, >> um a lot has come up about the renewal or extension of hericity's license. Is
there anything that you would care to you would like to add about this particular one? >> Um I I >> because this is the one that's up now. >> Yes. Um, with this one, we we have an internal process where we have several folks review um the renewal, but I
myself included, our CFO, our police department, and our code enforcement department all um to try to find out if there are any substantial issues that causing concern before we sign off internally. Um but probably most
important first and foremost is that they get their state license renewal because the state has a very um comprehensive uh licensing process that we rely heavily on in terms of our decision-m um and we we treat them like
there are any other business in town trying to get a renewal. Um I would defer to the burough attorney on any particulars around the CRC. It's not my area of expertise. Yeah, and without going into too much detail, but the businesses are required
to go through two different processes to keep their license uh active. One of which, as uh uh Terry just pointed out, is to go through the state. The state has to approve it first. Uh and then we go through a secondary process to ensure that they remain in compliance. Um I haven't seen anything from this or any
of the other renewals that would indicate that they have operated in a manner outside of the scope of their licensing. uh the state has approved all of it and the resolution here is just the continued support that we're required to grant these licenses for the state level. But these are really it's
kind of an odd process but these are really state licenses that that are operating here and that we're we're adding our support to it but the state has indicated to us that they are in compliance. >> Thank you. >> Okay.
May I have a motion executive session? May I have a motion to adopt resolution 4-26 124 resolution authorizing executive session number one litigation Battle Reality Classic Cleaners. Number two,
litigation Highland Park Properties LLC. Number three, redevelopment negotiations on 308 Rarity. >> Second. Pro. >> Council member H. >> Yes. >> Council member Herd. >> Yes. >> Council President Kim Johans.
>> Yes. >> Council member Tonic. >> Yes. >> Council member V. >> Yes. >> Motion to adjourn to executive session. We will not be coming back out into the public. Our next schedule meeting is scheduled for May 19th. Thank you and have a good night and see you all at the
street fair.