One moment. This meeting is called to order in accordance with the public open meeting act. Notice of this meeting was provided to the home news tribune, the Star Ledger and the Highland Park Planet on January 8, 2025 and was posted on Borrow
website at www.hpbar.com and on the bulletin board of Borrow 221 South Fifth Avenue in Highland Park, New Jersey, and has remained continuously posted as required by law. Fire exits are to the right, my right and left for
council chief. Can you lead us in the pledge of allegianceled 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.
Welcome. Mayor Foster, yes. Council member George. Council member Hail here. Council member Hirs here. Council President Ken Johan here. Council member Ponic here. Council member Vargas, Burough Attorney here,
and B minister here. Uh, honors and awards. Tonight, we'll have a a presentation that proclamation that's going to be given by council member Posick for National Diaper Needs Awareness Week.
Thank you, Mayor. Happy to read this proclamation. So tonight we have a proclamation in recognition of the week of September 5th 15 through the September 21st uh 2025 which is national diaper needed awareness week. Um and so
without further ado this proclamation whereas diaper need the commission of not being able to afford a sufficient supply of diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean dry and healthy can adversely affect the health and well-being of children and their families. And whereas national surveys and research studies report that nearly
one in two families struggle with diaper need and 48% of families delay changing a diaper to extend the available supply. And whereas a daily or week supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for babies and toddlers participate in child care programs and
quality early education programs that enable children to thrive and parents to work. And whereas many parents struggling with diaper need report missing an average of five days or of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers. And whereas without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk
infections and health problems that may require medical attention resulting in medical costs and parents may be prevented from accessing child care needed to go to work or school, thereby destabilizing the family's economic prospects and well-being. And whereas the governing body of Pilot Park
recognizes that diaper need is a public health issue and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the state's families and improve health for children. Thus ensuring all children families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential. And whereas
Highland Park is fortunate to be located near the IDA Kushner Central Jersey Diaper Program, an initiative of the Ediana Community Development Corporation in New Brunswick, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves all residents of Middle Sex County, regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.
The IDA Ida Kushner Central Jersey Diaper Program is the only dedicated diaper bank in Middle Sex County providing diapers, wipes, formula, and other VA essentials to children families. Now therefore I Jason S on behalf of Mayor Elsie Cluster mayor of Pil Park do hereby proclaim uh the week
of September 15 through September 21st 2025 as national diaper need awareness week in the burough pil park. I recognize and thank the ID concussion essential jersey background program, their staff, volunteers, and donors for their exemplary public service and encourage the citizens of Island Park to
donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and support those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper me so that all of our park children and families can thrive and reach their full potential. If witness thereof, I set my hand this second day of September, 2025.
Council member Jason Sull on behalf of Mayor. Thank you. To report that back to your board. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve minutes of August 12th, 2025 regular meeting as
distributed? So second. Roll call. Council member Hill. Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. Council President Kinchroan. Yes. Council member Pstone. Yes. Okay. And now it's time for council report. And I'm going to start off with
council member Hail. Thank you, Madam Mayor. My name is Matt Hail and I chair the economic development committee. Just a short report tonight. Um I first wanted to say thank you to all of our residents um who came out to our open house about the Third Avenue Plaza. Um as we had about
150 people show up over the course of the event. Uh it was incredibly well attended and um we had uh our our uh consultants, our chair there um and of course we had our economic development team, Terry and Muja um and set up a
variety of different um stations where people could come by and and see some of the initial ideas and thoughts and plans, learn a little bit about the history of of South Third. Um and uh it was a really really great event. But I I think from my perspective that the the
most important thing there was a lot of enthusiasm um and excitement about this. Um but there was also some really really thoughtful um and good questions that that we're working hard to address. Um and so the everybody who came out and and and
brought their concerns but also brought their excitement um uh we really really appreciate it. Um uh the next step is uh take all of this information, massive amounts of information and artio is going to coate, collect and sort through it all um to get sort of a a big sense
of of what came out of the town hall meeting. This follows a series of focus groups that we've done with key stakeholders about Third Avenue. Um and then uh they start putting um I used to say pen to paper, but I think it's CAD to computer is what they they do now.
Um, but they uh uh will come back as as fast as they can um with with some uh good ideas about uh how to move forward. I I I will say just again um uh thank you to Terry and Tuja and to all the council members who were there, the
mayor was there. Um uh but I think one of the things that that we all ought to be thinking about is um very very much one of the consistent things I heard is sooner rather than later. So, we're very much um uh heard the word that uh we'd like this to happen um sooner rather
than later. So, um thank you again to everybody who came to that. Um I'd also like to remind everybody that September 14th from 11:30 to 4:30 is the world actually univers. Um it's our our annual street fair and
and uh and art exhibits. Um, you know, this is a great opportunity to to pick up uh uh gifts for for upcoming holidays, birthdays, anniversaries. Um uh I'm sorry to your wife presents. It's a really fantastic place for for people
to be able to grab uh and and get some really really high quality art. And the other thing that I think is is interesting and important about Arts in the Park um is that there's a number of local artists um who come and and set up shop. And this, you know, this can range from people who are professional artists
um to uh you know, several years ago, my daughter and a friend of hers put their artwork out um in a in a one of the booths. And so there were just sort of local artists and and it's a great opportunity to see local artists um but also lots of other artists. And just
finally, just a reminder um that during Arts in the Park is uh another opportunity to visit local businesses. Um it's uh you know they have a huge amount of traffic that goes back and forth but we want to make sure that people go in um and actually support our
our um our local businesses um during Arts in the Park. And then the last thing uh I've mentioned this before um we're starting a a video project um uh where the idea is that we are are going to create um a a short Tik Tok and
Instagram and Facebook posts um very very short very very quick um videos um about um specific businesses in Highland Park. Um, I'll be very honest that I'm not really the expert on any of those platforms, but I have uh been working
very closely with a 12-year-old who really really I'm exactly 25 and a professional videographer. Um, uh, we've gone out and shot a couple videos uh, with various businesses. Um, and I'm really looking forward to that project uh, uh, coming through. Um, if there are
businesses out there that are interested in this, um, please reach out to me. Um, we'll schedule a time to come. Uh, it doesn't take a particular amount of time. Uh, what happens is we come in and we shoot videos, maybe ask some questions. We go back to the editing room, put them into to a a social media
format. Um, we'll show it to you, make sure you like it, make sure it's okay. Um, and then our idea is to to post it as widely as far as we can. So again, if you are a local business and you are interested in uh in in participating, um please don't hesitate to to reach out to
me at my my burough numbers or bur address. And that's all I have. Mayor, thank you, Council Member H. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councilman H. Uh I also had a great experience at the uh the open house. It was uh it was
really enlightening. It was a good great opportunity to provide feedback and uh it seemed like people were really enthusiastic which is great and and material did a great job. Thanks to you and Terry and Patusia and the mayor. Uh it's really exciting. It's just all
really exciting. Um and I know it's a contrast to everything else that's going on in the world right now. Um but we really do have that power here at home to make this the most livable, wonderful place in the world where we can all live in peace and dignity. Uh my name is
Matthew Hirs. I chair the uh bureau's uh department of public or war public works and public utilities committee, excuse me, not the not the department. Um and I just just just a couple reminders. Happy September. Um it's a long way from May to September and uh days grow short as
we reach September. Uh uh so uh here we go. Um, bulk pickup uh is is is is is going to be underway again uh in September and it's by appointment only. So, just a reminder that bulk waste collection um will be scheduled on
Wednesdays during the months of well now September and October. And to make an appointment, please call public works during regular business hours, 7 6:30 to 3 p.m. 73247 9379. And each household may request up to two
collections per year. Uh the week after the townwide garage sale, please mark your calendars with this if you're if you're listening. Uh that's Tuesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 23rd, there will be an additional bulk pickup that you do not have to schedule. uh no
appointment is necessary. Uh but recycling will not be collected that week. So just please make a note of it and uh you'll hear me say this uh every time at every meeting lead meeting leading up to uh to uh to the timeline. Um just a few notes about bulk materials may be placed at curbside no sooner than
one hour before sundown or the day prior to the scheduled pickup. Materials not properly secured, bundled, and unacceptable items which you can see at www.hpro.com hpbro.com will not be collected and materials put out for collection without a schedule
appointment on the wrong date will not be collected. This is really important. It's not draconian or heavy-handed. This is uh for for your own safety, for public safety, and to just make sure that our sidewalks are free and clear and that debris does not um uh you know take up the verge in between the
sidewalk and the curb uh for too long because it is a tripping hazard. Uh and of course, you know, it's uh um the longer that sits there, the more it looks like uh there's just garbage collecting. So, please make that appointment. And if you do see uh you know, piles of of of material,
particularly as as as as as people move, maybe um uh and they are not being collected, uh feel free to give us a call and report. Um the uh just a few um and I did want to mention just brush leaves and tree branches. Um, the burrow
uh does provide uh excuse me, I'm sorry. The bureau does provide beef bags which will be available for pickup after indigenous people's day this year. So, I just want uh to to to be mindful of that if you are doing some end of your gardening and you are collecting leaves and brush uh that the scheduled pickups
do not start until later this year. So, please keep a look at it and we will post accordingly. Um and as usual, bags will be provided um uh per property uh and um Uh uh so we we appreciate your participation
uh in this effort. During November and December, leaves are collected curbside weekly uh when DPW will pick them up and delivered to a compost facility. But leaves must be placed curbside in either one of the biodegradable paper bags that we issue or loosely in garbage cans. Leaves placed curbside in plastic bags
or cardboard boxes will not be collected. So please, please, please make a note of that. uh do not rake leaves in a street. It's considered littering. It causes parking issues uh and other potential hazards including clogged storm drains. It's also a violation of the burough ordinance as
well. And uh just for and and and this ordinance is important and as we talk about sustainable Hen Park, we'll see why how we can adopt a drain and make sure that those uh that that those drains do stay clear. Uh just a couple meetings to note coming up. Uh we have the environmental commission uh which
meets tomorrow uh uh September 3rd at 8 8:00 PM on Zoom. The Shades Advisory Committee meets next week, Wednesday the 10th at 7:30, also on Zoom. Uh Sustainable Highland Park met last week and they are busy as usual. And I just want to just raise a couple of upcoming
um items. Please keep a lookout at sustainable park.org for community cleanups usually on um uh Saturdays and Sundays. Uh the dates and times are always announced on the website. So please um please look up there. And um
it was it's been a real great opportunity also to include um my boards and commissions and I'm leaison to into the to provide feedback in the redevelopment process because it really is all hands- on deck and none of us exist in a silo. So you know every board and commission may have specific
interests like trees or heat island effect or um storm water runoff and um impervious surfaces. So, it's been a really great opportunity. We really do appreciate uh that that chance. And so, that's my report. Mayor, thank you. Thank you, Councilman Bolton.
Thank you, Mayor. Uh, good evening everyone. My name is Jason Stomick. I chair the um health and human services committee. Uh, have a very brief report for tonight. Um, first off, I just wanted to give a special thank you to the human relations commission as well as the arts commission on behalf of my
colleague Councilman Faris for the repainting of Black Lives Matter mural which happened on Sunday. So, wish I was I was out of town, wasn't able to be there, but uh looks like it went well. I saw freshly repainted and looking good outside. So, thank you to everyone for helping put that together, make it
happen. Um, next up, just a couple items on the agenda I wanted to point out. One of them is the ordinance regarding the human relations commission. Sort of a reorg of that body to make them a little bit more operational because as it stands they pretty much never be able to make a quorum. So this will enable them
to do good work that they do uh to rightsize it or get in line with human relations commissions and other channels. Um and then I just want to make a note about a couple of the appointments for tonight. A couple folks that I happen to know. Um so for the historical commission Chris Rasmus he's
been a um sort of a volunteer member worked for historical commission back when I was a leazison to that commission had been pitching and helping um for a long time so I'm glad to see that becoming a full member uh and then also uh Nick Dickerson and Willing who are appointing to the zone board adjustment
like know them both well except exceptional gentlemen uh timeful folk very happy and excited to have to see them appointed to the zoning board and would highly recommend uh have their approval tonight. Uh lastly, I would just note that the board of health will
have its first meeting after it short summer break on uh September 11 at 7 p.m. They meet on Google Meet and the link can be accessed on the bur website hpb.com. That is my entire report for tonight.
Thank you President Kim. [Music] Good evening, Nate neighbors. My name is Father Kim Choan and I chair finance. On tonight's agenda, we're um inserting $2,416
in um additional municipal alliance grant funds into the 2025 budget. That's the chapter 159 to match the final um award. Also, we have a shared uh service
authorizing payments under our um inter local with uh Middle Sex County for uh Woodward Jaff. That's from North 10th all the way up um to to Fox Road for improvements.
And then on the um on the state level um senior freeze checks um began uh July 15th. The anchor confirmation letters went out August 13th and payments for that will start September 15. uh seniors
now use one combined PSA-1 application for senior freeze anchor and stay NJ and the filing deadline is October 31st stay quarterly payments will start in 2026.
Also on the agenda, um I'd like to welcome um Elsie Atkins uh to the rec control board as the tenant member. Thank you for serving. And September is college savings month.
Highland Park families can open a NJB 529 with as little as $25 and set small automatic contributions. Um, and with grandparents day coming up on Sunday, you can invite those
grandparents to gift into that account. Um, so if you think you qualify for the $750 match or want details on the state tax deduction, V visit HSA
back slash NJ best and the New Jersey division of taxation or you can also talk to your tax advisor. And lastly, I want to wish all the children a safe school year. And that's my reporting.
Thank you. Um, for administrator, hi, mayor. Thank you. Uh, yes, I have a couple items. One, I wanted to reiterate everybody's appreciation for the turnout
at the open house for South Third. uh it was it exceeded our high expectations in terms of the number of people came out and participated and I really enjoyed all my conversations there and I really appreciate all of the governing body's
attendance at that meeting as well. Um and I also wanted to for those of you who may have missed the event, we will be having a small table, a a micro version of that at Arts in the Park on the 14th. So, just look for the Burrows table um with some fun looking uh
exhibits regarding plazas on South Third and come say hi and learn if what you missed and tell us what you think. So, uh you'll find us there on the street on Sunday. Um the other item I wanted to just call attention to on the consent
agenda item, we have a resolution 12E or 925207 uh regarding the designation of blocks 2201 lots 67910 46 47 and 48 otherwise known as the
Senoko and Aadjacent properties um as a condemnation area of redevelopment. I just wanted to remind everybody where we are in that process. Uh the there was a study that was conducted by the burough planner Chris Cassenza that was presented to the planning board. The
planning board reviewed the study found it to be meet the criteria basically concurred with his findings and so now this finding has been referred back to council for action tonight. Um um the findings are that it meets the criteria the area needed redevelopment with
condemnation. What this now means is we should probably think about a plan for that site. And so you'll probably hear me come back with a proposal uh from our planner to do just that. Um and we will come up with a plan that uh we think
will work and we'll get that through you and the public. Um at which point we'll hopefully have a plan we'd be ready to introduce and have the planning board review for us and then come back to the council for adoption. So, I just wanted to remind everybody where we are in the pipeline. Um, this is, you know, we know
this is a property, these set of properties, um, have a lot of potential and I'm just excited to see it here on the agenda tonight and I wanted to make sure everybody noticed that as well. So, thank you, Mayor attorney report. Thank you, mayor. I don't have the book at this time.
Okay. Thank you. Uh, now it's time for my report. And it feels weird to be here tonight because it feel like we had a long summer off. But it's good to be back and not because you didn't see us on camera. We were busy working and doing what we had to do as you heard from the rest of my council colleagues
about all the stuff that they've been doing over the summer and to make sure that our downtown is viable, to make sure that the programs that we have are working and just good to be back again and to roll up our sleeve and dig deeper into the hard work. But as we do that,
um, school opens on Thursday. And I'm going to ask each and every one of us to remember that the little ones are crossing the streets. They're go they're going back and forth to school. Just slow down as you go through these intersections. And ride with caution.
The speed limit is 25 miles an hour here in Highland Park. And especially in our in our neighborhoods that 25 miles an hour. And if we want to make sure that everyone go go to school, come home, go to work and come home and everyone is safe. So slow down in our town as you go
about your as you go about your day. And for those who are walking to school, pay attention to the road. Keep your eyes out of your cell phone until you cross the street and make sure that you cross the street safely. So please pay attention to that. I can't believe it
that next Thursday we're going to be it's going to be 911. 911 celebration. We're going to be having our memorial service here in Hyman Park and approximately about nine o'clock that we'll start that process. So, next Thursday in front of the police
department, anyone who's interested, please feel free to come out. Uh, on another serious note, I've noticed that there has been the lines at the food pantry and the use of the food pantry has been there's more need and more need and more need. So, how can you
contribute? If you're having a birthday party and you have an extra gift or you're having a bar mitzvah, bats mitzvah, a baby christening, anything like that, and you have extra money that you want to donate, please consider our food pantry to make that donation. Thank
you. And that's my report. And now it's time for public participation. Three minutes per speaker limited to items on the agenda. Comments from people attending in person will be heard first followed by those on Zoom. We have no one in in attending from the
public. Terry, what about Zoom? We have three attendees online but no hands up. Okay, seeing none, may I have a motion to close public participation? So move. Second. Council member Hail.
Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. Council President Kim Choan. Yes. Council member Ponic. Yes. Now we move to ordinance requiring second reading. Clerk, please report on ordinance number 25-2116. An ordinance amending chapter 9 warrants
committees and commission article one human relations commission by amending subsection 9-1 appointment of the code of the bureau of Highland Park Human Relations Commission has been duly advertised for consideration of passage on final reading by title and affidavit
of publication are on file. public hearing. Is there anyone on Zoom that um now it's time for public now it's time for public hearing on this ordinance. If you wish to speak on come to the microphone if it's anyone on Zoom please raise your hand.
Anyone on Zoom? Um no hands up. Mayor seeing none may I have a motion to close May I have a motion to close public participation on this ordinance 25-2160. May I have a motion to adopt? I need roll call.
Oh, roll call. Council member H. Yes. Council member Hir. Yes. Council President Kent. Yes. Council member Ponic. Yes. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 25-2116? I'd like to move it and thank the staff
for helping put this together. Second. Roll call. Council member Hail. Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. Council President Kim Johan. Yes. Council member Pona. Yes. And now we move to our consent agenda. May I ask May I answer the member of the
council if there's anything that they would like to separate from this agenda for a separate vote from the consent agenda? None. Okay. Well, seeing none, may I have a motion to adopt to adopt the following consent agenda items 12 A
through 12 I? Second. Roll call. Council member Hail. Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. And I just just to comment on SWE. Uh it's it's a it's a really amazing uh it's really amazing to it's a credit to
the economic development team, this council and the mayor for making sure that this effort moves forward. Um we've all had our eye on this site for a very very long time. That's as long as we've lived here. So it's really really great to see this moving forward. Yes.
Council President Kim Chan. Yes, Council Member Pon. Yes. And just to echo uh colleague Councilman Hersh's comments, uh tonight's actually my wife and I's anniversary and I think she's okay with me being here to vote in support of
her like along with the rest of us and many folks in in Highland Park want to see something done with that property. I vote yes. I thank you so much for your dedication. We appreciate you for being here for this. Yes. Oh, and thanks to my wife for watching the kids all here.
Yes. Thank you to her, too. Now we move to appointments. Historical commission. Chris Rasmusen, Zoning Board of Adjustment. Nicholas Dickerson, alternate number three. William Vin, alternate number four, rent control
board. Elsie Atkin, tenant member, crossing guard. Judy Dorvo. May I have a motion to confirm? Second. Council member Hail, yes. Council member Hirs, yes. Council President Kim Johan, yes.
Council member Pelnik, yes. Now it's time for the second public participation. And um there's no one in our audience. Is there someone on Zoom? Okay, I see three folks in the audience, but no hands up at this time.
Okay, seeing none, may I have a motion? [Music] May I have a motion to close public participation? Move. Roll call up. Roll call up. Council member Hail. Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. Council President Kim Johan.
Yes. Council member. Yes. Okay. We were going to go into executive session, but that's tabled for this time. We'll have our public we'll have a discussion next time.
Yeah. I don't need a motion to table. Okay. May I have a motion to table resol to to to table executive session and uh resolution 9-25-211 executive session litigation Cutskins
verse in Highland Park. So move council member Hails. Yes. Council member Hirs. Yes. Council President Kimchan. Yes. Council member Pelic. Yes. Uh may I have a motion to adjourn?
All in favor? All in favor? See you on the 16th, everyone. Have a safe safe week.