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.hpar at hpbar.com and on the bulletin board of borrow 221 South Fifth Avenue Park, New Jersey and remain continuously as required by law. Fire exit are to my right and left of council chambers.
You want to lead us in the pledge of allegiance? >> I alian 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 >> here. >> Council member George >> here. >> Council member Hail >> here. >> Council member Hir here. >> Council President Kim Choan. Council member Pris here. >> Council member Vargas here. BH
>> here. Burough administrator here. >> Approval of minutes. Uh may I have a motion to approve minutes for May 19th, 2026, June 9th, 2026, June 23rd, 2026 regular session meetings as distributed.
>> So move second. >> Roll call. >> Council member George. >> Yes. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes. Council member Priscilla, >> yes. >> Council member Vargas, >> yes. >> Mayor Foster,
>> yes. >> Okay, now we're going to move on to council report. I'm going to mix it up. Council member Hurst. >> All right. Thanks, ma'am. Wait a minute. Here we go. Coming up. Keeping us on the toes.
Thank you, mayor. Good. Good evening, everybody. My name is Matthew Hers. chair the public works and public utilities committee. Um it's great to be here. Uh I wanted to start by wishing everybody a happy uh uhh fourth happy holiday weekend. I hope everybody uh was able to enjoy you know the best of
Highland Park really um uh you know over the fourth. It's really all hands on deck. Uh and it was so great to spend that time in community in community u and I think we all really need it you know. I mean I think that's I've been talking about that you know a little bit more recently. you know, we really need
uh to, you know, really savor those moments that we can spend time with each other. Um, I did want to also just give a uh a special shout out to the Hen Park Police Department. Um, Lieutenant Stoen, uh, you and your team were were were
just phenomenal. Uh, you know, it was, uh, you know, your your your supervisory support and public safety role, you know, is is is essential particularly on you know, those very hot days. Um, I, you know, got got to see
our officers interact with the public in real time, which was really great. Um, the probably the most impressive thing that I noticed though all night was the, uh, you know, walking home, uh, because I because, you know, it's best if you do not drive anywhere near there. Uh but
walking home and just seeing the the the very coordinated uh and sophisticated traffic calming and traffic ruting apparatus uh you know with officers stationed at the intersections on the avenue. Uh it really was uh it really was wonderful. One of the officers actually uh volunteered you know when I
thanked him as I was walking home he said this is the child of a lifetime. And he was and I stopped. I was like I wasn't sure you know sometimes sometimes he might joke after a long hot day. Um but he was but it was earnest and he was honest and it was really really wonderful to hear. So thanks to you
Chief Abrams uh you know the whole team. Uh it really is inspiring you know to to see all these pieces come together. Um and and I'd be remiss with that. Um and the Holland Park volunteer fire department the fire department who's uh who whose truck we just heard outside.
um the community emergency response team, department of public works, uh the recck department, Kim Kim McGra, uh this event, you know, really has gotten just better and better and better every year. Uh it was always wonderful, but now it's really a full day event. Uh you know,
with food trucks and activities, and it's really a great time to spend in the park. Uh and Mayor Foster, obviously, thank you uh for prioritizing uh you know, all these all these initiatives and making sure that the town has the investments that it needs in order to put on a really wonderful show. So,
thank you. It was also a really busy weekend. Um uh you know, the bureau has a voluntary code red um uh uh um uh response. uh we are not required to do so. But as somebody who spends a lot of time at the state level advocating for
code red um uh enforcement and and and implementation, it's really great that we live in a town that provides its public spaces as cooling centers uh when when when the temperatures are very hot. Uh so I think it's really great that we uh that that we do that and that Burough
staff, you know, kind of inherit inherits that that that responsibility, those who are here. So, thank you to to Terry and your team. Um, uh, let's see, and thank you to the Reformed Church of Highland Park for making their quilt room available to residents that day as
well. Uh, just a reminder that anybody needing shelter or other social services is an encouraged to call 211 uh, for assistance or obviously you can reach out to any of us as well. Um, I do want to just actually mention because I think it's important to note that code red,
you know, was a state priority for many, many years. uh uh these things are not automatic. So when it gets excessively hot or if air quality falls to you know excessively low it can be really dangerous not only for pets, not only for elderly people, not only for kids
but for everybody. Um there are vulnerable populations who are obviously more at risk than others. But uh you know um uh if if anybody who is uh um experiencing housing instability or homelessness uh during times of excessive heat, please reach out to 211
uh just and also just a general reminder to check on your neighbors. Um I just wanted to identify item uh 13G on the on the agenda. This resolution authorizes the bureau to apply for funding through the New Jersey Department of Transportation's FY27 municipal aid
program to improve Carcy Street, North 9th Avenue, and South 11th Avenue. Um, applying for these competitive grants is an important part of how we leverage state dollars to make needed investments in our infrastructure, reducing the burden on local taxpayers while addressing streets that have been
identified by our Department of Public Works as priorities. and it's really been an honor to work with them and you know just kind of map out the big picture of the bureau. Approval of this resolution does not commit the bureau to spending local funds or guarantee that the grant will be awarded. Rather, it
authorizes our staff to submit the application and is and if successful execute the grant agreement so we can move forward with these roadway improvements. Seeking outside funding whenever possible is a fiscally responsible way to maintain our streets and improve safety and accessibility for
residents. Um I am uh and just generally speaking I'm really looking forward to moving I'm really looking forward to moving forward with this redevelopment plan on the superfresh site. Uh that is I I'm sorry I didn't I didn't write that down but that is uh uh second reading of
uh on our on our agenda uh ordinance um 26-2133. Um it's an enormous long-term opportunity for the bureau. uh you know I and I don't think anybody else up here will ever take uh having a grocery store in town for granted ever. Uh we
certainly didn't take it for granted when we moved here and we continue to make sure that this that this property has the tools and the investment that is needed uh for success in the long term. However, I have a lot of expectations from any retailer or developer who receives financial support from the
burrow. And I would like to see the frontage along Ronan Avenue prioritized with vegetative barriers like the planters uh between the sidewalk and and parking. And just generally speaking, I'd like to see more involvement um with Main Street and the food pantry. But uh it is a really wonderful thing that we
are doing tonight. And again, this will I'm going to address some of the long view items uh coming up. Um because onto a recurring theme, I've been reflecting a lot over the past several months about change. And I've been thinking about housing, institutions, power, about the environment, about artificial
intelligence, and about ways government can either strengthen or weaken our communities over generations. After years of focusing on the next budget cycle or the next legislative session at the state level, I found myself asking much bigger questions. If we truly believe that housing is a human right,
what does that actually require of us? How do we build institutions that endure? How do we make decisions that people will thank us for decades from now? And the older I get, and this is, you know, certainly a hallmark of middle age really hitting its stride, the more I appreciate taking the long view. Um,
I've lived through enough election cycles, enough state budgets, and enough political swings to know that meaningful progress rarely happens overnight. The work that matters most is often laying foundations that someone else will build upon years later. I was reminded recently of an interview that I did about 20 years ago with historian James
McFersonson. I felt that this was uh uh you know relevant to the to the to our 250th anniversary. Uh James McFersonson who wrote Battlecry Freedom and you know is the authoritative voice on uh on Civil War maybe next to Kevin Burns. Um but he spoke at Princeton University's
commencement address in 2006. And one idea from that conversation has stayed with me ever since. Take the long view. understand that every decision becomes part of a much longer story and a much greater legacy. And I think that's especially true in local government. The decisions we make here are remarkably
durable. We are a stable functioning government unlike other tiers of government right now. Uh our decisions shape where homes are built, where people gather, how children experience their neighborhoods, uh what our downtown looks like, how we respond to climate change, and what kind of
community exists long after we're gone. Highland Park is only 121 years old, and that's pretty young by New Jersey's standards. Uh much of what we think of as Highland Park today was the result of decisions made generations ago by people who could have never imagined the community we are now. They were
responding to the needs of their time, and in doing so, they created the physical community that we inherited. But now, it's our turn. That responsibility reminds me that our work should never be driven solely by the urgency of the moment. Although we should certainly strive to respond nimly and in real time to today's challenges.
But we should also ask ourselves what Highland Park should look like 25, 50 years from now, 100 years from now. I don't think any one person has the answer to that question. Maybe Foster does. Uh but that's why community engagement matters so much. When neighbors come together to imagine the
future, politics tend to melt away. the conversation shifts from winning an argument to building something together. And that's the work that I hope we continue not just solving today's problems but creating community that future generations will be proud to inherit. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you. >> Council member H. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. My name is Matt Hail. I chair economic development. Um, I just wanted to echo um the the shout out about uh July 4th, but add a a fun
story when um before the fireworks started um we went up on the stage um with mayor and she said some words and there was this beautiful little girl who was probably five or six years old and she just walked up on the stage and and
I I bent down to have a talk with her to tell her and I pointed to the mayor and I said that's the mayor. mayor. That's the one in charge of all of this. And she looked at Elsie. She looked at her dad. She looked at Elsie and she said, "Daddy, that one's the mayor."
And she was so excited and so happy to see someone uh who looked like her, but they're at the mayor. And I just it was one of the heartwarming stories um that that nobody else saw, but it was just uh it was pretty special to see this little girl look up at the mayor and say, "I
could do that someday." So, I thought that was pretty cool. Representation matters. >> It does. Absolutely. And it was it was wonderful to see. So, um unfortunately, moving on, uh the US is not going to be representing us in the World Cup finals.
Um but that does not mean that all of you can't make our community watch party on July 19th, um which will take place at the Farmers Market Live. We had well over a hundred people come and watch the match between Canada and South Africa on January 28th. They're not making it
either. Um, but uh, thank you very much to Terry Ratuja and also to Spencer Rockman and the fans of Spencer Rockman who came out to uh, support the event. It was a lot of fun. It was a great community event and I'm really looking forward um, uh, to this again on July
19th for the finals um, starts about 2 o'clock. The game until the game time is over. Kickoff is about 3 o'clock. Um, uh, and the game is just up the street right here in New Jersey, not New York. Um, it was a lot of fun last time. Uh, and I think the finals are going to be
uh, more amazing. Um, as someone who unexpectedly watches pretty much every single World Cup match, um, despite the fact that I don't know anything about soccer, it really is a beautiful game. So, um, come on and watch on July 19th. Bring a lawn chair and then don't forget
to shop beforehand at any of our local restaurants to fill up with a late lunch or an early dinner. Speaking of restaurants, restaurant week kicks off this Thursday, July 9th, and runs all the way up through July 19th for the World Cup finals. You can find details at mainstreet.org, but there's lots of
great deals happening at all our local restaurants and eeries. Um, and it's really important that we show uh support for those restaurants um and support for our downtown. Um uh just wanted to mention that on tonight's agenda is a public hearing about the bond ordinance for um our Boro
Square at South Third Avenue. um the park project. It's really an exciting time and I'm very excited that that this is moving forward. Um I just wanted to to clarify ahead of time that we are asking to authorize for the cost of the the project. Um and we're author
authorizing bonding for about $4 million. Um but that doesn't mean that we are expending those bonds. We are actively and continually seeking additional funds. We've already received um several of those um from state and federal sources. We're seeking county
funds. So, our goal is that we will um bond for at least amount as we can. The the point of authorizing it this is that we want to get this project started. We've been talking about it for a very very long time. It's an exciting project. There's a lot of support for
it, but we need to get get moving. Um so, uh again, it's an exciting project. is going to revitalize downtown to Councilman Hirsch's um uh uh idea about the future um about planning for the future. This is certainly a big part
about how we were planning for the future in downtown H Park. So that's all I have. Council member Hill is being very generous. He has a lot more about for the downtown because he's in charge of economic development. So he'll share more than later days. Council member
Vargas. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um good evening. My name is I'm Vargas and I am the council leazison for arts and recreation. Um I'd like to first begin by congratulating the Highland Park Historical Commission on launching its new community history open series which
took place on June 25th at the Highland Park Public Library. Uh the inaugural program featured a fascinating fire chat with Highland Park Fire Department Chief Norman Shammy and retired firefighter Carl March who shared stories from their decades of service and their lifelong
friendship. It was really engaging and informative. Um, and it was recorded to preserve Highland Park's history for future generations. Um, we'll let everybody know when that is going to be uploaded to our YouTube channel. Again, thank you again for everyone who helped to
organize the wonderful program and we look forward to future open mic events. Um, also want to mention that on tonight's agenda, we will be voting for the appointment of Christo Espinosa to the historical commission. He has been such an integral part of the commission
for quite some time now time now. Um he was our moderator that evening for the open mic and he was an essential part of the planning process. So I hope my fellow council members will vote yes and welcome him officially. Um on July 2nd um just like everybody
mentioned our community came together for another successful fireworks in the park celebration. Despite this unheard, we had an incredible turnout of families and neighbors enjoying a wonderful evening together. So, thank you to our community services department for organizing this annual tradition as well
as our police department, fire department, for squad, serve volunteers, department of public works, um county, milex county, and our partners over in um New Brunswick for helping make the evening safe, enjoyable, and memorable. It was a really it was a really fun
time. Um on July 4th, many Highland Park residents took advantage of the free shuttle service to Noex County Celebration at East Jersey Oldtown Village in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Despite the extreme heat,
and it was really hot, um the event was filled with engaging and educational programs, living history demonstrations, and family activities. Thank you to Middle Sex County, um the Highland Park Historical Commission, Community Services, the Burough staff, and all of the volunteers who helped coordinate,
promote, and operate this successful partnership. A special thank you to co-chairs Regina, Andrea Han, who personally took the shuttle to greet everyone. Andrea was in full historical costume in that theme, so I give her a lot of credit. Christoal also was
provided Spanish translation over at the village. It was a really great time. Um, I also want to highlight an exciting opportunity being offered through the zone 16 center. It's going to be the summer vocational prep scholarship program and it will take place July 13
through July 24. It is open to students entering grades 9 through 12 including recent graduates. Participants will receive career readiness training, apprenticeship opportunities, and a siphon based on participation. This is an excellent opportunity for young
people to gain valuable work seeking a workplace experience and prepare for future careers. I encourage eligible students and families to learn more and apply. I myself will be there um one of the days to speak to the teams. Um if anybody's interested, please
contact the zone 6 director Asha urell at a urlhbar.com. That's a burr rellhor.com. The Arts Commission will be holding its small meeting this Thursday, July 9th at 6:30 in the downstairs meeting room at
War Hall. As always, members of the public are welcome to attend. The next historical commission meeting will be held on Thursday, July 16th at 700 p.m. They meet via Google Meets and the link can be found in the Bora's calendar at www.hporo.com.
Um, I also want to remind everyone that Park is returning this month. Donaldson Park one. We have a very nice pavilion. Um, so these free classrooms are going to take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. There are plenty of picnic tables. The
playground is just steps away, so it's very convenient for families. Come enjoy the live music and also there will be select food vendors. This year's lineup includes uh for Thursday, July 15th, Roadside Grapes, which is folk rock
Americana. On July 30th will be era Latin fusion. August 13th is going to be Ryan Greg Trio Blues and Rock Rapid Soul. And August 27 there will be Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, which is blue grass. There will be a rain dates.
You can look for that information on the borrow website or at our social media pages. So, we hope that everybody comes out and enjoys another great summer of music in the parks. Um, lastly, this is not bor related, but it is an event coming up in Highland Park. So, I wanted
to shout to give a shout out to two young women, Sierra and Leah of 22 Marketing. They will be hosting a bodega popup party here in Highland Park at the Greenhouse Loft on August 22nd. And of course you say bodega and I'm right
there. I'm very excited. Um there's going to be local vendors foods um local vendor booth food music and they will be offering marketing and networking opportunities for our local and small businesses. Their tagline is Akito
Familia um which translates to here with all family. So they're very excited to come to Hannah Park. I'm very excited to um support a Beyond Latina Women's event and anything that highlight Thailand Park and small businesses, I'm going to
be right there. So, um this was an event that council president Kim Jan actually brought to my attention from a Tik Tok that she saw and so um I'll be speaking to these young women and see how we can um support them and how they can support the community. And thank you. That is
all that I have for tonight. >> Thank you, Council Members. George. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. I'm Phil George and I serve as a leazison for the public safety agencies in our town. Um, the
Independence Day events everybody's been speaking with uh did compete with the weather over the long weekend, but luckily they waited until our fireworks display kept a great evening at Thomas Park, which everyone else has told you. Our police and fire departments were present uh during uh the events to be
available for any emergencies. Uh we actually had coverage from East Brunswick Independence Fire Company who stood by here at the firehouse. So we had coverage about our engines and crew were down at the park and our police officers were throughout the neighborhood controlling the pedestrian
pedestrian traffic. Um our career staff were covering the burrow. We also handled two service calls during the fireworks which went very seamlessly. Unfortunately, nothing nature, no one harmed. And the River Road Fire Department uh fire company stood by with us in Donaldson Park. We had zero
incidents. One of the things that's interesting is Highland Park expanding its fire presence throughout the county finally after many many years where we were were unable to do it unfortunately. Uh but the reorganization and expansion of the department, excuse me, has been
very successful. The fire department wants to thank the administration for allowing our fire crew to take the ladder truck to Mil to the Miltown Fourth of July parade. That used to be an institution since we got it. They're always very pleased about it. Thank you for the administration. Miltown actually
really liked it. They were applauding. If you know the ladder truck, it's a big giant fire truck. It's really cool. Um so it's expanding our presence in the county is very nice. Uh past uh Friday night, as you know, a severe storm wre havoc in Highland Park. Our our
department was dispatched to eight calls for service in less than two hours. Uh police and fire were both out handling uh traffic while fire department was dealing with fires and so on as well. Uh the team was coordinated uh through Sergeant Katana Colomo did a great job
with coordinating the team effort. Um and the bur should rest assured all of the shows were in really good hands. Uh finally yesterday at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the morning, South Planefield Fire Department requested an engine for house coverage. They had a scene they
had a three alarm fire. Uh so our department dispatched over there and again we reciprocated because they did come over to give us some coverage during the uh the park event. Uh so that we were able to reciprocate coverage and help firefighters and another Middle Sex
County town putting us back on the map. Just as a matter of uh reports on the last quarter, fire department responded to 159 calls for service including carbon monoxide incidents, down power lines, and fire alarm activations.
The fire department also participated in community events such as the high school job fair where they were engaged with the students. They had the library discussion in and the about the history of the fire department and firefighting. There was a demonstration on becoming a
volunteer firefighter. They attended the annual 5K street fair answering questions about apparatus, handing out plastic fire hat helmets, which we always give out. Uh there was no Memorial Day parade, but the fire department still had held its annual Memorial Day services.
Uh again we completed training a very serious training which is the self-contained breathing apparatus which is critical uh not only for firefighters uh involved in flat smoky fires and we've had some lately but it also would be able to safe safely operate the
self-contained breathing apparatus. Uh, finally, the library, um, talking about the soccer competitions is hosting its own viewing of of the competitions today at 4:00. They, it was Switzerland versus Colombia at 6:30. It was 000, but I a
quick check, I think Switzerland just topped out at 1 Z. >> Uh, they have another another game is coming up on Tuesday, July 14th in the semifinals. We don't know who will be there, but again, we have another another game to watch at the library at
4:00. And that's all I have. Thank you, D. >> Thank you, Council Member Jason. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. My name is Jason. I chair the Health and Human Services Committee. Uh, just a very brief report for tonight. Uh, as my colleagues talked about, with
the extreme heat of last week in mind, I just want to encourage folks to be safe if we happen to get hit by extreme heat again during the remainder of the summer. Hopefully, it won't get that bad. Um, but just in case if it does, uh, please exercise caution, stay hydrated, and stay indoors when possible. Uh, I also just to echo some
of my colleagues, wanted to do a special shout out to, uh, all the burough staff that turned out for a Fourth of July party on 22nd. Um, to make it a really successful event despite that blistering heat. I I think it was the first time in 10 years that I hadn't been there u but
was out of town and but thank you for uh you know stepping up and making sure that folks had a good safe and good time. Um getting back to the regular scheduled programming uh if you're in need of a place to cool off during any uh extreme heat you're welcome to stop in at the community center burough hall
and the library during the regular business hours. We're also grateful to our community partner the reformed church park for making their quilt room available to residents daily. Uh, and as what colleague Councilman Hers mentioned before, if anyone needs help with shelter or other social services,
they're encouraged to call 211 to ask for assistance. Um, and I'll just close out by saying hope everyone has a fun and safe rest of the summer. Thank you. >> Thanks very ad. >> Good evening, Mayor. Thank you. Just a couple items on my list to cover. Uh the
first is related to an item on the agenda, the introduction of the amendment to the I address wrong uh 400 I don't want to say-440 where uh redevelopment plan just to
clarify that's the block essentially between on Rton between South Fifth and South 4th Avenue. The first version of that plan basically applied only to the properties which we now know as own by occupied by the super fresh. This plan I
just wanted to kind of highlight a couple of things that it does is amended to include um standards and um zoning for the full frontage along Ren. That's probably the most significant change between the two is just the additional
properties that are included. um so that we're establishing setbacks and other types of bulk requirements for the properties on Ritton. Um I also wanted to it does speak to some of the items that uh council member Hers mentioned
regarding the frontage along Ritin as well as the potential for a monument sign in conjunction with some of those uh improvements uh for the benefit of in this case it would be super fresh if they were to avail themselves of that. So we're excited. This is something
we've actually been working on for too long and we we actually have two work sessions on it, but it just took us a little time to get it over the hump. Um, and it'll be going over to the planning board uh if uh council agrees to introduce tonight. Um, so I believe it
will be scheduled for the August meeting if anybody's interested in in attending that meeting. Um, and I just want to reiterate uh the thanks also to Main Street Island Park uh as well as uh Matuja and Council Member Hirs and the
mayor for the fun uh watch party that we had uh for the I guess I don't remember which game it was now. Seems like I've watched so many but I do want to remind everybody about the watch party on uh July 19th. It's the final game. It should be pretty fun. No matter who's in
there, you know, it's going to be a great game. Um, and one thing I wanted to clarify is we did rent an LED mobile screen. Uh, some people didn't realize that. So, I wanted to use this opportunity if you didn't go. Um, so it's it's a little different watch party
uh than you might expect. So, uh, we encourage everybody to come out. It'll be fun. Uh, hopefully it won't be a sweatshirt, but even if it is, we figured out where the shade is and we'll hopefully adapt uh accordingly. Um, thanks. That's all I have here. >> Thank you. Uh the returning report.
>> Uh nothing for me, Mary. >> Okay. >> Um I'm going to say all protocol observed. You guys have covered everything that needed to be covered and thank everyone that needed to be thanked and um kudos to you all. Great job, all
the departments and each and every one of you council members. But there is one thing that um we heard today. Both Jason and Norman and I heard this and it's the long long long long long awaited community service senior bus. It's going
to be delivered um this week I believe and um we're going to have some conversations, some open conversations and some Q&A questions that will be available for all those people who are wondering what is the usage of the bus? How do we access bus? What is it used
for? All of that will be available at the community center. We are more than pleased because this has taken us about three years to get this bus that we thought was going to be a very very simple process and with the cost of everything and waiting for a customized bus that can be ADA accessible for our
seniors, it has taken on a life of its own. But happy to say the bus is going to be delivered this week. the driver is going to get his um he's going to get his training on how to operate the bus and most importantly we're going to have a conversation with the senior community
and anyone who's interested to learning more about the bus and the usage for the bus. So stay tuned uh for more information regarding the bus. I am overjoyed with this. Uh last but not least, I just want to encourage everyone to stay safe. This heat, this weather is
insane because um we went from 118 to 60 degrees and I'm having this like really really wacky headache that I'm having and it might not be a headache. I was told it might be allergies but it's just it's just odd. But everyone please stay safe, stay
hydrated. Thank you. That's my report. Okay, and it's time for public participation. 21 minutes total. Three minutes per speaker limited to items on this agenda. Comments from members of the public appearing in person will be
heard first followed by those on Zoom. Anyone wish to speak and and topic on this agenda on the agenda we have in front of us? Please go ahead and do so. Ma'am, >> hi. Uh, Mary Bon Medicine Act regarding resolution 726167.
We do not need a fifth recreational drug facility in Highland Park. Uh, we have you've not been doing a very good job of the ones we already have. Um, in particular the one you brought in Carsey Park neighborhood. Uh, regarding the last meeting on June 9th, Elsie,
regarding this hot shop, you were asked exactly what do you plan to do about the ongoing problems at this shop and the apparent escalation of drug use there. You did not answer this question at all. You deferred to the police chief saying, "Chief, can you come up about the music
after 10?" Uh, mayor, you said, quote, "Also, there are ordinances. Uh, you have to let us know. You can't come to a council meeting four days later say this is what's going on." Elsie, you have been advised of these problems for over a year, not just four days after each
incident. For example, July 2nd, 2025, you told a resident regarding the Blackburn property concerns, noise and behavior. We have our code enforcement team and police department reaching out to the business regarding loud gatherings and complaints about employee behavior. We'll also remind them
neighboring properties and trees are not for public use and must be respected. The property's upkeep will be reviewed by our code enforcement officer. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken and maintained. You finished your communication with quote. We're
here to listen and act. So again, you're being asked outright now as mayor, what actions do you plan to take about all this? You've been advised about this for over a year and have received as of tonight will be a dozen petitions from
residents living in this neighborhood affected by this. Matt Hail, at the last meeting, you did not answer two of the three questions posed to you about this pot shop, and I don't expect you to do so now. But what I would like to address is your comment that residents are bringing these issues to your attention
because quote that the difficulty is that this particular business is one that you don't like. You don't like what they sell. You don't like what they do. That is not the problem. The problem is um what you folks are not doing about
it. And yes, we do not like what they sell and we certainly do not like what they are doing. That has been made clear for over a year. But what appears to us is that you seem to be giving this business a big pass on their behavior. Exactly. Because it is something that you do like and because of the
connection of this business to Gail Mitler, even though there are what appeared to be fraudulent sections of the application and that it was passed without a quarum. By all appearances, it seems you're going out of your way to protect the business. Thank you.
Few minutes so that wouldn't bother anybody. Okay. Um, we're having an increase in criminal speaker. >> I'm Melissa. >> I'm Melissa. I really don't want to give them too much information about where I
live because I'm still getting um, Narcan left outside. Melissa, you have to speak in the >> I'm coming. That's what this is. >> Okay. I'm still getting narcan outside my my bedroom window on the second on
the first floor. Um and this is what I'm really concerned about. Um there was a gentleman came to Cary Park. These are not Blackburn,
but he had a bag of this stuff. this and he continued all day in the heat on Wednesday and Thursday and he got high and sat there and he was right near the he was on the car seaside near the swings and I took a picture of that. I
took a picture of where this was and then he left these for me even though I already picked up the garbage around him. I I don't understand why we have to live this way. Um, we have two more
people that signed the petition on Crow Road. Crow Road is really a corner. Um, >> use the microphone, please. >> Okay. >> Crow Road is really a corner on Hilton and Hilton used to be a dirt road. It's
right there. Okay. Um, this is the Narcan. I double bagged it so that no one would have to touch it. There's somebody buying brownies to every day and leaving them in AlkaZar. And that's
from Blackburn. This is from Blackburn. Um this took a swim down from Blackburn onto the neighbor's property onto the driveway. Um there's still parking for Blackburn on
on the um at the bar and he had to put these stickers on his window and he pulled them off next to my house. This blue one, the green one is from across the street from Irving School.
That's also Blackburn. Um, one was in the planting there. These are rolling papers. >> But what's most important is I have bronchio histicis and I can't breathe and I use
these so that I don't cough in front of you and I wake up I'm spitting and that's not fair. And this is this is um that's blackburn. Okay. I just
also when it was so hot, >> okay, when it was so hot, the kids were coming down the street and when I would open up the door, I would be hit in the face with it because it wouldn't dissipate because it was so hot for two days.
Just want to give >> Hi, I'm Terry Rosenberg, 32 Sky Terrace. I am concerned with the amount of money that is going to be bonded that the
taxpayers may have the responsibility in Highland Park for this plaza and I have already I'm aware that the taxpayers have already had to pay for a lot of purchases for parts of the redevelopment
in town with taking over different properties and I'm concerned with a bond of size, how are the taxpayers, what will their be responsibility be? Um, I do understand what um Matt was talking about about the vision in the future and
revitalization of the town and I understand all that and I'm in favor of revitalizing the town. I'm in favor of redevelopment, but I would like to know what other alternatives to the taxpayers there can be. We have three to four
pending developments, redevelopments in town where we have plans for developments and I'm wondering why we can't make some of these developers more responsible for funding
this plaza. If that's really what people would really like to see, why couldn't that be part of the responsibility rather than bonding? Maybe I don't know all the parts about bonds and how what
the loans and the taxpayer will be. I am also concerned with that I you are I know that the burough council has been working on this project for redeveloping and moving the farmers market for quite
a long time. But I know that there are many, many people in town who do not know that there is a plan to close a large portion of South Third Avenue. I just spoke with someone today about that
and they had no idea. So, I'm concerned about that. I'm concerned about taxpayer load. I would like to see taxpayer money. I would like to see developer money being or maybe some of these other developments
happening already. I see some plans, but I understand that the burrow is still trying to work with different parts of the businesses to help relocate them. I would like to see maybe some money from
the taxpayers to help do that so we can get some of these developments begun like the one on uh Ritton between South Third South second. Why can't we have
some of these developmental plans really these development plans started before we disrupt Southird 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days out of the year.
So for 142 North 6th Avenue. Um I would like to express my opposition to consent agenda item 7-267 authorizing extension of local support of the class 5 retail license for
Florida Park. I think we should not be renewing these licenses. I want to talk about something that is on my mind and it's quality of life. Uh when you just heard from Melissa about
her quality of life and how it has diminished by having a pot shop right up the street from her. These are very real concerns. She's brought in concrete examples of how it's ruining her quality of life. The the
cars park is another issue. If you were a parent of a young child and wanted to bring them into that park for recreation and there was someone there getting high um would you want to stay there with your child or would you feel it was an unsafe environment? I think that's
something really important to consider and we the mayor and the council should consider quality of life issues when it comes to renewing all these pot shop applications. Um they are not adding quality of life to Highland Park.
They're um the purpose is only for um adult use and it's not serving the entire community. Certainly not. >> Good evening, Robert Sledge of Magnolia Street in Highland Park. And I wanted to address the bond ordinance. uh reading
through it and one of the things that came clear in section one, it says $1 million from Department of Community Affairs expected to be received or received and it doesn't seem was very clear whether or not those funds were actually received yet or we're still
waiting for some of those. Now Matt was very clear that you know if more funds are received that the amount of the actual bond would be decreased and it was very clear that we were looking to get more money from the state from the county or from federal sources. But
there's nothing in there about counterbalancing the amount of the bond with any sort of input from the developer who is taking the property that is town property. the farmers market lot a lot of people
call it taking that area and then we need have to redevelop it put it somewhere else that became the south third parcel but are they not chipping in anything towards that or are they not putting anything towards that improvement they're getting some
property from the town they're building out but then there's nothing on their end to help us to develop that portion of that park also So there's nothing we can do about the island. Obviously, they're going to have a reduction in
their taxes for 30 some years. But one of the things that you guys have all done is you said, you know what, we're okay with it just being a residential property. It could be a mixeduse property, which has a much higher tax rate, much higher increase to what the
town has, much easier then for the town to pay off this bond, but it's a residential property. it's not going to be developing the same sort of tax income that the town could use to pay off this bond much more quickly. So, it seems like a triple windfall to them.
They get a pilot from the state. They have a much lower tax burden by being a residential property. And then they're not contributing at all to the development of South Third, as far as I can tell from the bond ordinance. And until this bonds ordinance straightens out whether or not the funds are from
the state from the DCA grant in section one, you know what? Just be truthful about it. put in that you received whatever amount you received in section one and then leave the rest of it as the undetermined. But then also
can we write something in there and get some >> contributions from the developer towards this >> community improvement? Thank you. My name is
living in 23 Street and first of all I'm very sorry my image is not good. So I will try to explain. My main concern is the pharmacy
that is right behind my house is behind the pharmacy and every week weekend they have the parties and very loud music different kind of people illegal party
in the street in the Lakan place and everywhere. here and I called to police three time of your music. My son also email to everybody
on the your email address. So my only concern is this because I have a kids my grandchildrens and the pharmacy the people smoking over there and these are the efforts
and this is our concern. Thank you very much. Good evening. My name is Rita Pollos 4 in Park. Um I would like to oppose the fifth pot shop. Um we're 1.3 square
miles. I think we're the only town who has the most Maryland shops. I I'm not opposed to the one, you know, maybe two that are really profitable, but a fifth one, please. And I feel very sorry for this gentleman for what he has to
endure. I know because one of my tenants says that they're constantly picking up those little cellophane wrappers and debris and easy wider things, you know, in the downtown. I mean, I think everybody should get together and
realize we don't need another one. I don't even know how they all stay in business. But I think that if you can all get together and realize that the residents, there's a lot more people here that don't come. I have some friends that can come with a wedding. They're on vacation. My one girlfriend
lives over by Anja. And when they host that big event on in April, there were four tickets that were given out because I was with her when we called the police repeatedly because they were parked. And it's on record. You can go back and look. There was garbage everywhere,
Snapple bottles, people walking back and forth. They parked in front of her driveway. Another person parked opposite. My recommendation is the ones that are here. I know that in Neptune, uh, Lake Cuomo, Belmore, they enforce
certain um, ordinances and it for the quality of life for people. There should be a litter squad. If these places are going to be in business, they should be responsible to pick up their garbage. If they're making profit, they should be the ones to hire someone to go out and
pick up so the neighbors don't have to endure them. There should also be somebody that when they host these events that's directing traffic, a security guard, somebody that says you can't park in front of somebody's driveway, you can't just dump your car on the street. There has to be something
where all of you, you know, direct the police departments to enforce the laws for the residents, the people who are paying taxes. It has to be people over profit. And, you know, I just want to add that I I think that the marijuana
shops in the downtown are not a good idea. I don't think it's the best use for, you know, a walking district. And if there are shops that are not producing, >> 30 seconds, >> maybe they maybe you should revisit their license. And if there are shops that are not abiding by the litter
ordinances or parking or quiet enjoyment, then maybe you should revisit not giving them their license as well. Thank you. >> Anyone on Zoom? May I have one hand up on Zoom? It's Asher, if you could just uh state
your name for the record, please. Asher, you'd like to speak? You may have to unmute yourself. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> No, we can. >> Okay. Sorry, I never usually do this on my iPad. Um, this is actually Andrew
Alexander. I didn't realize it was under my son's name. um 116 North Thirdrd Avenue and I was just calling to speak in support. >> You can hear me? >> Yes. Yes. One second. Andrea, um could
you please put the garbage in the garbage recept? >> No, Elsie, you guys do it. You guys should do it. >> Uh please put the garbage in the garbage. >> Elsie, don't ask the resident. She's bad now. She had to pick it up. You folks deal with it. Bring it into Blackburn. She
should not acquire the garbage and put it on the deas. Please remove it. Thank you. >> Put it on the table. >> Thank you. Uh continue, Andrea. >> Okay. Sorry about that. Um I am here um to speak in support of the bond ordinance for the South Third Plaza. Um
I'm so thrilled to see that this is moving forward. I think this is such a great opportunity for the town to do something that um we can be proud of for generations that's going to improve the town for generations. It's going to be this great amenity. This is a, you know, a rare opportunity right now. I understand we're getting federal funding
to do this. We're getting state funding to do this. Um, this is a great investment that's going to improve the town. I'm very much looking forward to spending time there. I'm sure my kids are going to be spending a lot of time there, getting their bubble tea at Kihei. Um, like I said, just I'm I just
want you to hear uh words of support because I just think this is such a great thing for the town. Um, and I can't wait to see it done. Also wanted to say I'm on North Third, so granted I might not be as impacted by somebody on South Third, but um you know, I I'm
still going to hit that traffic light. I'm still not be able to drive across um town when I'm trying to get to see everybody I know on the south side, but I feel like that is such a small inconvenience for all the benefits this is going to bring. And I'm just cannot wait until, you know, I see shovels in the ground and this and the plaza's
opened. So, thank you very much. Anyone else? Terry? >> Um, mayor, I have one other hand up. However, I I did note that 21 whatever 21 minutes is up, but you just take it. I have one more.
>> Just one more. We'll do the last one. >> Okay. >> Uh, next up, Abby Stern Cardinal. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Hi. Um, I also want to speak in favor of the bond ordinance and the south third
public plaza. Uh, just tonight I was out with my kids and looking for it was really nice out and we had packed up dinner and went over to the library to watch the World Cup game and then we're looking for a place to eat and I was just thinking earlier today how
wonderful it will be when we have a public plaza and can sit and hopefully run into people in the community. I think it's going to be a great amenity for the community. Um, it'll have accessible event space. It'll boost local businesses. And I also want to say
that I've seen a ton of public input throughout this um, and a lot of enthusiasm. Everyone I talk with um, is just extremely excited um, to to have this space. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later. It's been quite a long time that we've been talking about
this and people have been giving this input. So, um please do move forward uh as soon as possible and um thank you for continuing to uh work on this. >> Anyone else?
>> Okay, we've already passed our 21 minutes. I see that there's no one. Can I have a a motion to close public participation? >> Council member George. Yes. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirsh. >> Yes. >> Council member Valic. >> Yes.
>> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> Um there has been a number of questions that have been asked. Um first we want to go back to the question that was asked regarding black brown and I know that our attorney has been looking into some of the concerns regarding music and
everything else like that. Code enforcement has been looking into some of the the concerns that was brought to us. And I think we're still continue to look into those matter because we have a lot of work to do to get to the bottom bottom of everything. So, we're continuing to work on the issues that
was brought up regarding the carcy park and uh litter and possibly violations or enforcement that needs to be done. So, we will continue to look into that. We will have a report that we will report out to everyone as it
pertains to uh the bond. um heard quite a bit of concern regarding our our bonding. I'm going to ask Terry because I know I've brought in a different I've gotten funding from different sources from the state to for the bond project and why is it that minus the monies that
we have received for the south third plaza. Why is it that we're doing the bonding? You want to just explain a little bit more about that? >> I'll do my best. Um >> you might not have all the dollar figure in front of you that we have for the bonding but it's the premise of why we bond. So, um I did take some notes
during the the discussion period. Um we have secured a million dollars toward this project through the state. >> Yes. Um we actually had we've gotten uh 75% of it in cash and that's partly
what's being used to fund this ordinance because each bond ordinance has to be you know you have to seed it either through your own funds or through grant funds or other mechanisms. So that's committed the full amount couldn't be utilized. It's a little confusing because we had already started spending
some of that grant on Arterial who did the design work on other items related to the design of the plaza up to and including the specifications we're doing for demolition of the two properties we own on either side. So that the math is
confusing. I I I I give you that. We also have outstanding a $ 1.5 million ask to Middle Sex County. I can't report on whether or not yes or no, but I can say the conversations have been very good. Um, and I believe we just got word
in our state budget $625,000 towards this project as well. So, we have to do the bond ordinance. We've got to get council's approval before the CFO can go out and issue debt in any kind.
So, that's what is being asked to do. The hope is we can we we will likely have to issue notes which is temporary financing so that we have the cash to pay for the construction. Then once all these different grants get settled out
before we fully finance permanently finance through an actual issuance of the bond we will know exactly how much is left. I know the question came up about how does the track C project fit into all this. We are still negotiating
our redevelopment agreement and our financial agreement and those terms hopefully will be coming out very soon. Um however um we will be paid for any of the municipal properties in that deal as part of that deal. So those are going to be funds that may be available to help
either offset the cost of the plaza or put towards the debt. We're going to take advice from our bond council and our uh financial adviserss as to the best way to handle that once that shakes out. Again, none of these mechanisms are cash up front. The other thing we're
trying to do is get this plaza built so that we we have some continuity of operation for what we currently use in the farmers market area. And so I that was one of the reasons we couldn't totally tie the two projects together. Um so I think that's kind of a high
level. I'd be happy to talk a little bit more about it with anybody who's interested um in understanding the mechanisms because there there is a lot going on. But at the end of the day, we're hope we expect the amount that of the burrow share to be much lower than that for and change that's being
authorized, but we need the full authorization to get the cash we need to build the project sooner than later. So, I hope that at least kind of clarifies and that all of these options are on the table. And the last thing I'd say, I guess Roger Terry's comments were, you
know, we're pursuing all of those redevelopment options. Um, and in those financial agreements that will be forthcoming, please remember that even though if they get a pilot, we'll still be the amount of revenue we'll be getting from those properties regardless
if it's a pilot or uh or taxes um will vastly be much bigger than what we've been getting currently. and that will also be additional revenue we can put towards paying down debt or other things. So, there's a lot of play, but those are kind of the the factors we're
playing with. So, I hope that at least helps clarify a little bit. Okay. Um, ordinance required second reading. Cler, please report on ordinance number 26-2131. Ordinance providing for South 3rd Avenue plaza project by and in the burrow of
Highland Park in the county of Middle Sex state of New Jersey appropriating $4,500,000 therefore inclusive of a 676,000 portion of a New Jersey Department of
Community Affairs grant in the amount of $1 million and authorizing the issuance of 4 million 74,000 bonds for notes of the bureau of finance. Part of the cost thereof has
been duly advertised for consideration of passage on final reading by title and affidavit of publications. There too are on file. The ordinance has also been posted and made available for public
inspection. >> Public hearing. Now it's time for public hearing on this ordinance. If you have any questions, please come up to the microphone, announce yourself. And those who want to may do so by the raising of their hands. Any raise on Zoom.
>> Mayor when the public is uh I just have a a question for the administrators. >> Uh to answer your first question, no hands up on Zoom. And I forgot to mention we have 10 attendees. >> Oh, thank you. Uh, council member George, >> that's very it's a a very technical
question though, but um the burough administrator and had mentioned the cost of arterial for design work. I had a question with regard because recently we approved the survey work for a potential easement to access that area and also for police and fire uh and and
infrastructure improvements if we have to do for signage for police or fire uh along Magnolia or South Third or Maritan signaling and would could those potentially although they might be offsite they're related to would that
roll into the redevelopment? So, uh, the the easement work is not included in this fund authorization. Anything related to the plaza, signage for sure, intersection improvements,
it's soups and nuts in terms of construction. Um, I hope that answers your question. >> Yeah, because uh, when we were looking at plans, they were, you know, we knew we had to do some subsurface work and as you know, I'm always concerned about what's under the ground more importantly than anything else. >> Yeah. and and what's not in here which
is already underway and actually we open the bins uh next week I believe are the water and sewer repairs to South Third from Raritan to Magnolia. We got a separate state allocation for that work which is not included in here. It's
related although it's work we would have done eventually anyway but we thought better to do it before we put >> $4 million in investment. But that's another example of how we're looking to all you find other other funds for that as well. So I'm satisfied. Thank you.
>> Okay. No one else on it. Right. >> See no further. See may I have a motion to close public participation on ordinance number 262131. >> So moved. Second. >> Roll call. >> Council member George.
>> Yes. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. Yes. >> Council member Pis. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 262131? >> So moved. >> Second. Roll.
>> Council member George. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Council member Hail. >> 100%. Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Very excited to say yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> Please report on ordinance number
262132. Ordinance amending chapters 135 and 303 of the burough code to adjust fees has been duly advertised for consideration of passage on the final reading by title
and affidavit of publication. There too are on file. The ordinance has also been posted and made available for public inspection. >> Now it's time for public hearing on this ordinance. If you have any questions, please come to the microphone, announce
yourself and speak. Those attending in person will be heard first, followed by those on Zoom. Anyone on Zoom raising hands? >> Uh, mayor, no raised hands on. >> Okay. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close public hearing on ordinance
number 26 2132? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council member George. >> Yes. >> Council member H. >> Yes. Council member Hirs. >> Absolutely. Um I think it would have benefited us to you know provide some
work session discussion of this ordinance but uh but I thank you to Terry O and Matt Hail understand these uh these are necessary. Yes. >> Council member Vonic. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes.
>> May I have a motion to adopt the for the ordinance number 262132? move. Second roll. >> Council member George. >> Yes. >> Council member H. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council member Gustoick. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas.
>> Yes. >> Ordinance required first reading. Clerk, please report on introduction of ordinance number 26 2133. An ordinance of the Burrow of Highland Park, County of Middle Sex, State of New Jersey,
adopting the 400-440 Rarin Avenue Amended Redevelopment Plan, which expands, amends, and supersedes the 420-424 Rarin Avenue redevelopment plan has been introduced by the Economic Development
and Planning Committee for consideration of passage on the first reading by title. May I have a motion to approve ordinance number 26 2133 on introduction authorizing public author public
publication as required by law and set a public hearing for August 11, 2026. >> So second roll. >> Council member George. >> Yes. >> Council member Hail. >> Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> Yes. >> Council member Christophan.
>> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. Yes. >> Now it's time for the consent agenda. May I ask any council member if there's anything that they would like to pull from the consent agenda for a separate vote? >> Mayor, I'd like to pull 13A for a
separate vote. >> All right, we're going to pull 13A for a separate vote. Um, with the exception of 13A, may I have a motion to adopt the following consent agend agenda 13B to 13J? >> So move.
>> Second. >> Council member George. >> Yes. >> Councilman H. >> Yes. >> Council member H. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. Okay.
Um, now we're going to move to 13A, ordinance uh 26, I mean 7-26-176, resolution authorizing the extension of local support for five re five retail license on Florio
Highland Park LLC. Council member Hers for discussion. Oh, I'm sorry. What? >> You said you wanted us to pull it for a separate vote. >> Am I first to vote or anyone? >> Yes. >> I I thought you had a concern that you
wanted us to >> I think his question is is a council comment now or is he are you asking for his vote on the >> Oh, okay. Council council is open to comment now. >> Sorry. Open to comment. Oh, no. Thank you, mayor. I really appreciate that. Um uh and I appreciate the the concerns
raised raised by the public. I am going to um you know because I don't fit into a box uh and um so this is not going to satisfy anybody uh out there except for a real constituency that I think exists when it comes to good government and
transparency and addressing you know concerns in the community. Um I um mayor I'm not and I'm not comfortable supporting uh the extension of this uh of this of this license uh but not for the necessarily for the reasons stated and certainly not a repudiation of the
council or the work of the economic development committee or of Terry Ober. Uh it's because of this this um this license was first you know the our endorsement of of of this location was first granted back in 203. uh and this would uh you know supersede
the extension the extensions that we've granted uh to other locations. Um I have a I have a you know particular I you know I am more interested in filling vacancies and having a fully functioning downtown than I am in what's being sold
there. And and that's and that's true. I you know I don't come to the council thinking that we should have more of this store and less of this store. We have too many nail salons. we have too many patch that that's not if they pay their taxes, if they clear their sidewalks, if they are well lit, if they
keep a nice storefront. Those are the things that are most important to me. Things like trash and other and and and and other concerns that are raised that that that that could, you know, stem from from from retailers, whether it's food waste, uh you know, which is an issue that we run into sometimes, or
other or other concerns, those need to be really nipped in the bud. Um, and I use that phrase intentionally um, uh, because that is unacceptable. You know, I I I I think that anybody who lives near a public park, uh, you know,
is is is is, you know, often more aware of the activity going around in, you know, the community. And I think that it is, you know, an obligation of the bureau to really, you know, address those concerns. separately and specifically on this application. Uh, you know, this property has been vacant
for three and a half years, even longer. Um, and you know, the bureau doesn't have a whole lot of agency, you know, when it comes to these approvals. We don't get a say in what opens in town, you know, if there's a new uh restaurant or there's a permanent process, but the
council does not vote explicitly. This is an instance where we do. Um, and again, this my my my concern is is not a repudiation. I have nothing but the most professional trust of of of my colleagues and uh and the
administration. Uh, but this really is an objection to um the continued involvement that municipalities are are are are asked to, you know, are asked to to to to participate in uh with the
opening of these stores. we voted three and a half years ago to endorse uh this applicant. Um we shouldn't have to keep voting on it. And I've said I've made that point clear, you know, multiple times that I don't want, you know, I join I rejoin this council in 2021.
Um and I feel that we have been voting on cannabis and redevelopment the entire time. They are very very important goals. Um but when it comes to just you know continuing these license this this licensing process I think we really do need to send a message to the state um
and really just you know and and in and in in the rare opportunity that we can take agency you know over over these outcomes that we have to just stand firm and say look you know you don't get to operate a vacant storefront for three and a half years in Highland Park and so
I'm thank you >> any other comments from council colleagues Council member George. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um I there's been discussion in the last year for these renewals. Uh
and um I share the same sentiment. Um I am not opposed to cannabis although I try to speak um courteously and professionally with uh those who do oppose it. Um, there are many, many reasons why I support it, including
going to college in West Virginia and watching guys do five years in prison for a joint in 1968 in West West Virginia. Family members with cancer who would have been ailarated if not cured uh by the use of cannabis as a
palotative. Um, and I also don't oppose it on a business. We need to grow up. We need to deal with our neighbors as neighbors and what they want to do and what they like to do with it and the old saying if it it doesn't it doesn't bother me then I'm not going to bother
them. Um I have the same concern that we this is going on another renewal. Um I know that it's a women's minority business. I certainly support those. they need a little more support and a little more assistance at times, but um
the fact of the matter is uh there's just it's just gone on too long. Uh if they can come back and show some progress and get it done immediately, that would be another thing. Um but I'm concerned that uh they've been unable to meet our criteria
and also appear apparently from the warehouses in the resolution with the state as well. So I would like to call vote no. Uh, Council Member Vargas. >> Hi. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to say, um, that I kind of echo what,
um, Councilman H and Councilman um, George said regarding this particular location. Um, I do support retail counties businesses in town. Um, however, this this has been going on since 2023.
Um, and I agree that it's just If you're going to apply for a license, um, then you should have your ducks in a row and not take up this space on the time where another businesses could have opened in that place by now. So, um, I recently help.
>> Any other comments from council colleagues? Council member Hail. Um, well, I can count so I can see the vote. Um, but I would like to say that this is a business that has not this is a womanowned business um that is going through the process that has not opened
or had a chance um to be the one that cleans the streets, has a nice storefront um and does all of the things that um that we hope and expect businesses to do. Um I do understand and we have heard the difficulties and the
problems that are are at um at Blackboard. Um the mayor has repeatedly said there are processes by which we're following to go and attempt those. I think those are moving along. Um but I do think that this business um should
have the opportunity to be the good neighbor to be the uh contribution to the community um uh through another extension. And I realize that it's been a long time. I realize that um there have been problems with the CRC. there problems with um
ownership structures that they have, to my understanding, they have worked through those problems and believe that this is a final six-month extension that can get them up and running at the time that they need. They've invested in in the property, they've invested in the building, that they've proved it. Um,
and I think to take away um uh the the the ability to do this is taking it away before they have an opportunity to show us that they can be a good neighbor. Um, so I wasn't going to vote in favor of this. Um, I think that this is a an extension that um given our discussions
with them, we believe this can be the last extension that they um uh uh uh that they need. Um, and at the same time, we do have a role. when we do have a process for all of our businesses to make sure that they're being good um uh
citizens and when the time comes up for other businesses that are not meeting that criteria, we can and should um take away our local control. I just don't think that at this time for a business that has not opened, that has been
working very hard to open um that we should take away the right of that um uh before they even have a chance to start. So, I'm going to vote yes. >> Any further discussion on this topic? >> Not
So, um, just to just to confirm, we're hearing, uh, I think we need to have a vote on it now. >> Yeah, you would still call for a motion to adopt. And at that time, everyone would choose to either move to adopt or or decline. May I have a motion to adopt 13A
resolution ex extend the support of a class 5 retail license for Florio Florio Highland Park LLC to operate a retail cannabis business at 85 Rton Avenue. >> So move second.
>> Now you do a roll call. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Council member George. >> No. >> Council member H. Yes. >> Council member Hirs. >> No. >> Council member Priscol. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> No.
>> So, uh, one second. Making my own notes. >> Okay. So, um, motion carries with the the >> motion fails. >> Oh, the motion at this time. The motion fail on on 13A7-26-167. >> Yeah. So, yeah. So, that that closes
that. >> Okay. That closes that for the consent agenda. Now, we're going to move on to resolution requiring a separate reading. May I have a motion to adopt 7-26-177
chapter 185 resolution to request change in title of the amount appropriation pursuant on the JSA? >> So move second. >> Council member George. >> Yes. Readjustment to our municipal which
is a very important function in the town. Yes. >> Council member H. >> Yes. Council member Her, >> I agree with Phil. Yes. >> Council member Pollen. >> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. >> Now we move on to appointment historical
commission Christo Espinosa Wallock. May I have a motion to confirm? >> Second. >> Council member George. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Council member H. >> Yes. >> Council member Hir. >> Yes. >> Council member Bonic.
>> Yes. >> Council member Vargas. >> Yes. Appointment to human relation commission Carla Daza. No, no confirmation needed. Now it's time for the second public participation. 3 minutes for speaker on
any topic subject to conclude at 9:00 p.m. Comments from members attending in person will be heard first, followed by those on Zoom. >> Hi, Colleen Tyler. Um, North 6th Avenue. Um, I noticed there's a lot of excitement in
the HDS and for the uh the plaza project that's coming up and I'd like to look forward into the future a little bit and think about what's going to happen once it opens and um potentially the two pot
shops that are literally feet away from the plaza. patrons that are in there coming out to the plaza to enjoy the plaza lighting up Detroit sitting there or are there people smoking regular cigarettes? Is that going to happen? If it does happen,
what's the response to it? Do we have ordinances in place that prevent prevent anyone from smoking in the plaza? I think that's really important to keep the air clean for all people who are are going to be using it so everyone can
enjoy it and that would exclude anyone who wants to use um any smoking products of any type. So I strongly urge the council to think about that if the ordinances are not already in place. Um
please think about that and also the re the enforcement of the ordinances. What will happen is someone who sits there and smokes pot on the plaza. Is this going to be normalized and accepted as a normal thing that people can expect to
put up with or are we going to be um retroactive and protect public right to breathe clean air? Well, I would like to just say thank you very much for those council people who
voted against marijuana shop. And I just want to go on record that a lot of us are not opposed to what they sell and we're not opposed to having, you know, storefronts, uh, hair salons, nail salons, but um I I
don't I don't want five. And I think a lot of people have a problem with the quantity. It's not that it's a marijuana shop because it's approved. It's all over. Every town has one or two. But five in a small town like Highland Park that's struggling to have a downtown that's vibrant I think is not a good
idea. Secondly, um if you have marijuana shops in every single storefront downtown, why would a person want to come in and open an ice cream store for people to sit out there? Why would someone want to come in and open something for children? Whether it's the
make me take me or the paint. So, you have to at some point say enough is enough. I get it. I totally understand. Nobody wants a vacant storefront. I think part of the reason is because the rents are enormous and everybody should look at Well, you could shake your head. No,
>> it's not true. >> Okay. >> Excuse me. >> Sorry, ma'am. >> I a lot. >> Some of the people Thank you, Mayor. Some of the people that I've spoken to who wanted to open up business said, "I just can't afford the rent. It's too high." Some landlords don't want to be
as lenient as others. Also, there needs to be more of a walking district. There has to be more people, businesses that bring in people to walk. I'm no economic development expert. It's just my opinion. I just
want it to be known that it's not like we're, you know, attacking marijuana. It that's not it. We're just saying that too many in the downtown we don't believe gives to the quality of life of Highland Park. It has nothing to do with
what they sell or whatever. It's just the amount. We're a small town. We're small and I and like I said, I don't know how they stay in business. Um but if they are great, they should follow the rules. They should pick up the trash. I wanted to say thank you for not
approving another one. Thank you. Not at this time. It's public participation. >> Evening, Robert. Terry, thank you so much for your explanation on the bond ordinance. It really helped clear a lot of different things up for me. And it
really is encouraging to know that you're still in negotiations with the developer and looking at funding towards that. I I wish that portion was also written into the bond ordinance, but I understand if there's reasons why you can't be that that it might not be. Uh
the one item from your comments that I take issue with is you had said at some point that this development will bring in a lot more money than the current uh properties currently are bringing in. And I think there is a very strong
argument to say that a mixeduse development would be much more advantageous for the town on a tax revenue basis than just saying a residential large development would increase because any new development on that block, whether it was just a single
house that was brought up and improved, would increase the tax revenue. So, I think you guys are ignoring the benefit of having a mixeduse development in terms of how it could bring people to the town who are more than just the residents that are people who are
looking for businesses, looking for uh offices, etc. that could come to this to Highland Park. And I think the Highland Park would also benefit by having mixeduse development there. And I think right now we're just giving too much to
the developer that hopefully this is part of your negotiations that the developer understands that in perpetuity he's got a much lower tax burden than he might have if you guys had pushed for mixed use development. Thank you. >> Anyone on Zoom?
>> Uh there's still some folks on Zoom but no hands up. >> Okay. All right. Seeing none, may I have a motion to close this part of public participation? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman George, >> yes. >> Councilman Hail, >> yes. >> Councilman Hirs, >> yes.
>> Councilman, sorry, Council Member Ponic. >> Yes. >> Council member Burks. >> Yes. >> Uh, Council Member uh Hirs, you had a comment. >> Thank you, Mayor, and my apologies for for uh my before uh to Miss Wis and to
you, Mayor. Um uh I just wanted to um allow us to consider if we're not opposed to the item being sold in the store,
then what do we feel is degrading to the quality of life in town? Because is it chemicals from a nail salon? Is it food waste? No, I understand. I understand that. But that's not happening at the stores. That's a byproduct of a
recreational endeavor that is taking place all over America right now. Miss Gord, >> I know >> uh you know, so I I I I disagree that it's not about the item being sold in
the store. I I believe it very much is for for for a considerable portion or or for this element of our constituency that it is the fact that cannabis is being sold in Highland Park. I know.
>> And I will say also, you know, regarding the rents, you know, if you look at any comparable downtown in Middle Sex County, I've been paying a lot of I pay a lot of attention to rent and I know about I know what a scourge vacant properties
are and unrened and unused properties are not only in Highland Park, but everywhere. they that is degrading to a community that brings down the quality of life that reduces property values, >> right?
>> That reduces lighting and creates, you know, potential for for for more crime. There is nothing about the cannabis shops that have opened in town that I'm aware of that have resulted in any in in in any concern to safety to major code
violations. They take Mary, you can keep looking as exasperated as exasperated because you misheard what I said when I voted no against this resolution. >> I'm not talking about floor opportunity. >> It's important not to misunderstand what
I said. So I appreciate the thanks, but the words that came after that indicated a complete misunderstanding of why I oppose this this this this renewal. I oppose it because as long as the burrow
has agency, nobody gets to create a vacant property anywhere in Highland Park. If we have a say in it, I'm a no. That was why I got in the council in the first place because we have land owners in town who have sat on property for
decades. That is what reduces the quality of life. That's what lowers the value of your investments. That is what proper and and and and the more demand there is in retail spaces downtown, the higher the prices go. So
the more opportunities we have for, you know, I mean, the the more opportunities that we have for good storefronts, for a good business community in town, the better it is for our whole retail landscape. You know, regarding what it means for kids. Do you pretend that none
of us has kids in town? I have three public school kids under the age of 18. I I am very You've caught me at a moment in life where I am so in it right now, you know, that I understand the dynamics of the school children, how they interact with the
downtown, which crossing guards they say hi to, what what what obstacles they face on their way to school, when they're in school, where they shop. You know what they're really upset about? Not cannabis. They're upset that Write aid is gone. WHERE'S YOUR OUTRAGE ABOUT THAT? And the
community was rightfully outraged when when when when when when Stop and Shop closed. We got the blame for it. We let it happen. No, we didn't let it happen. The mayor got a supermarket back in town. What happened was that we had an absentee l we had an absentee property
owner who wasn't engaged in in in the in the vitality of that store. We had a 20-year lease situation where Stop and Shop was closing stores and that's what happened. But, you know, you don't and and and the whole point was that we could not it was the last thing
in the world for the burrow to have a vacant property sitting right in the center of our downtown where the grocery store used to be. The thing that brought us to that that brought so many of us to Highland Park. Look, we have we have a school in town on the north side that
doesn't get used. We have gas stations currently that are not being used. I know that these are all, you know, involved in future plans, but we have to look at the landscape in town. We have um
we have underused properties. you know, when we get closer to when when when when we get closer to uh to to the bridge where Papa John's and Dunkin Donuts is, you know, these are the thing, you know, we we want to see our downtown properties filled and vibrant
with people who are who are who want to participate in the community and that is the most important thing to me, whether it's cannabis or not. Yeah, I I am a strong supporter of cannabis legalization, but particularly decriminalization. That's why I'm a supporter of can of cannabis
legalization. >> So we would have 10 shops. >> No, we have No, we have we are our our our ordinance is five >> and that's the ordinance is six. Sorry there
could just just project and say don't get engaged. It's not time for public engagement. Just say what you have >> because I know I I I I know these folks may think I appreciate that. I won't but I know these folks. I know exactly where your heads are, I feel, and because it's been many years of advocacy, which is
appreciated that you come and show up and express your concerns. I am sensitive to that. I respond to advocacy. I'm not afraid of of of differences of opinion. You know, that's not a concern to me and and advocacy is really important. But when it comes to
things like you know when for for somebody to to come up and say that we are okay with the use that's happening but this is too many of them. Well I mean are there too many of other things? Are there too many restaurants? >> Are there too many nail salons? Are
there too many barber shops? Are there too many gas stations? Gas stations are are gas stations represent a real environmental justice issue over >> a real environmental justice issue. Are there too many liquor stores? You know, I have a lot of personal opinions about
alcohol. Personal, but I do not govern through those through through that lens. I you can I I have a I and I and and I do not govern through my personal opinions of cannabis. Again, my opinion
about cannabis is that I support decriminalization and if it benefits the downtown, you know, if if legal can if the legal cannabis market can somehow benefit the downtown and create vibrant storefronts and tax and tax and and expand our tax base, then that's great.
If they are violating local code that degrades the quality of life, then we address it. But first and foremost, the empty storefronts and the and the and and the low qu and the and the and and the frankly often low quality of of of of retailers that sometimes come in and
last six months. Turns out they don't know how to run a business and leave. These folks have their act together. They know what they're doing and they are invested in the community. So, you know, I I'm just going to have to, you know, disagree with that. And you need to understand that my no vote is because
it is one of the few areas where we have agency over vacant properties in in our downtown. If I get a yes or no to support or oppose a property that has been intentionally vacant for years, then I am a no. And I am a no to any
vacant properties that sit unrened with no tenants, no lighting, where the grass just kind of grows out, you know, as long as as as long as they wanted to because it's some it's a part of their, you know, investment portfolio. That's what I'm opposed to. So, I just I wanted
to really clarify that, mayor. Um, and I and I and I want to just, you know, I I hope retailers are hearing that, you know, that we have standards for how we want town to be presented downtown. And it has nothing to do with the product that you sell. It has to do with the
quality of business, your commitment to Highland Park and the improvement of our downtown and and um, you know, and just, you know, always engaging your community and creating opportunities to be part of this community. So, thank you, Mayor. >> Council member Hail.
>> Um, so I wanted to to just address the mixed use issue um on on track seat and and sort of explain some of the the background which we've talked about for five years and we've talked about this
again and again. >> One of the things that gets rid of vacant businesses is people shopping. One of the things that creates new businesses is people willing to go to them on a regular basis during the week.
And the the track C is not entirely void of retail, but it does not have as much ret. It's not it's not an exclusive housing development. The plans for track A, for track D, for others have a
significantly greater retail component. The thought process that we're going through is to not look at them as individual entities but to look at them as the entire downtown over time. So the goal of having a primarily housing in
track C is to bring people to downtown which will encourage businesses which will encourage people to start new businesses because they have a greater captured market. The people who walk out the front door will want to be able to go to various places and that will be
enticing to people to come hopefully to entice people who may be better at the business, who may be more um better um producers of business. That has worked in town after town after town up and down New Jersey. If you build the
housing, the the the retail follows. So I think that the mixed use is I think that that the process is to not look at track C by itself but to look at track C and then track A and track D to see how
those go. So I I understand the idea to think about that we need more tax revenue from a retail standpoint and yes that would be fantastic but I think we're looking at the entire downtown totally to try and integrate these parts together. And so that's that's the
thought process. That's what we've articulated from day one is that the idea is that if you bring more people to downtown, you will bring more businesses to downtown. And I think the evidence is that that has worked in many places throughout New Jersey. So I just wanted to address that um as we move forward.
So thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member. Um, as it regards to economic development and council member Hill portfolio, I believe if you go on our website, you can see some of the plans that we have for the downtown area and particular track see
what's will be in there and some of the retail components that we're looking at to go into that. And as we move on with the other continuous projects, there will be mixed use. So, we want to keep a vibrant downtown. That is important for us for longevity. So all of that is
available on the website and you can take a look and see what we have planned. With that said, may we close? Did people participation? >> Yes, we did. >> Okay. Public participation is closed. Any other comments?
Council members. Oh, I see none. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Second meeting. Our next schedule meeting will be August 11th at 7 p.m. Thank you all. Have a
good summer.