Call to order. Opening statement, please. >> The agenda is complete to the extent known at the time of posting is subject to change pursuant to NJSA 104-8D. Um, any inquiry should be directed to
the township clerk. This meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been advertised in the manner prescribed by law. This agenda is complete to the extent known and formal action will be taken.
Ball councilman Nato >> here. >> Councilman Rebel >> here. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell >> here. Councilwoman Fischer is absent tonight and Mayor Leio >> here.
>> Mr. Gross, is there a reason to go into executive session? >> Yes, there is. Motion >> second. out our fearless leader, our clerk tonight. So, you have to bear with me as I uh take us through the agenda. Um, as
well as uh for our public comment tonight, we don't have our clock, so I will be timing you. So, I'll give you warnings if you're approaching your time limit. Let's start with the pledge. Everyone will please rise of allegiance
and moment of silence, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. >> First up on the agenda is acceptance of minutes of previous meetings. We have the June 9th, 2026 regular meeting and executive session meeting minutes. >> I'll make a motion to approve. Second.
I >> I >> now uh reports from uh township officials. Nothing from legal. >> Mr. Ger, >> just a few just a few announcements. Um and make a
we we're have our Fourth of July celebration coming up on the July 2nd. Uh we're looking forward to a great turnout from the community. Um we are going on that night we're going to be dedicating the roadway at Soldierfield
as Sean Aker Boulevard uh in memory of who who passed away this year our resident um look hope that a lot of people will come out for that as well. On the 4th of July, the township of how will we'll have a
float in the Mammoth 250 in Middletown celebration in in Middletown. Um at our July 14th meeting, we will be recognizing township employee retirees uh that and certainly from in the last
year or so. Uh so we're looking forward to that as well. In August, the August meeting, we'll have police promotions. And on August 21st, we're going to have the naming of the football our football field as the Arthur Staten Football Field out on Old Tavern Road. So, we got
a lot of exciting things going on. Uh looking forward to uh the summer and looking and I I'll just mention we're township employees now. We we are now on summer hours and what that means to you the public is is that many of our
offices have expanded hours um either mo mostly in the morning. Uh there may be one that is a little bit later in the afternoon but uh we there'll be no reduced hours for the summer schedule and like I said many of the departments
have expanded hours. So that that's it. >> All right. Right. On to hearing of citizens and public comments on consent agenda items and general matters. >> Each person shall give their name and address to the clerk. The council should address be addressed as a collective
body and not as individual members. Each person shall have one turn to address the council and comments shall not exceed a total of 5 minutes. Speakers shall be notified when their time has run and no time extensions shall be permitted. >> Was there a sheet up there?
>> It was not a sheet. All right. So, that's no no big deal. Who? Ladies first. >> Who would like to start? >> I'm here on a positive note tonight. >> Name and address, please. >> American Side Apartments, Angela Moroni. Good evening, mayor, council members,
board of education members, residents. According to recent studies, nearly 60% of employers say young people lack the skills needed to succeed in today's workforce. It's a gap that communities like ours have the power to close. My name again is Angela Moroni and tonight
I would like to introduce a new community initiative called Teens Work Howl. Teens Work Howell was created with a simple goal, helping local teenagers connect with opportunities to learn, work, volunteer, shadow professionals, and explore future careers. As a parent
of three children who attended Howell Schools, I believe preparing young people for adulthood is one of the most important investments we can make as a community. Over the past several weeks, I have spoken with business owners, workforce development representatives, and community leaders throughout Howell and Mammoth County. The response has
been overwhelmingly positive. Earlier today, I attended a Howell Chamber of Commerce meeting where local business owners expressed interest in supporting young people through mentorship, career shadowing, workforce readiness, education, and employment opportunities. I spoke with professionals from
healthcare, law, retail, and the skilled trades. What I heard repeatedly was that businesses want to help young people succeed, and that many teens are looking for opportunities to gain experience and build confidence. Too often we hear about what teenagers are doing wrong. Teens work howl focuses on what they can
do right. It gives young people the opportunity to build responsibility, learn workplace skills, explore careers, and become active members of the community. I believe Howell's future depends on investing in our youth today. The questions we ask and opportunities we create will shape the howl our
children inherit tomorrow. I'm excited to continue building Teens Work Howell and working with local businesses, schools, community organizations, parents, and residents who want to support our youth. And thank you for your time supporting the future of how. I have started a Facebook page and I
have an email for Teens Work Howell. I also want to thank the township for fixing the pothole on West Farms Road. It was there for a very long time. It got very deep and I opened my eyes one day and it was gone. So, I want to thank the town for that as well. Thank you again. >> [applause]
>> Paula >> Paula Samaral Heritage Point. Good evening, Mayor, council, and professionals. I have a question about zoning that might not be anyone's forte here tonight, but I was not about to ask at last night's zoning meeting due to the way that one of our long upstanding citizens was treated by one of the
professionals at the meeting. I was there to hear about the change of use from a warehouse to a manufacturing facility for plastic bottles and containers. From what I have gathered, the warehouse was approved by was approved for construction by a different applicant slashowner than the owners
that are looking to build a manufacturing facility um for as I mentioned the the production of plastic bottles and containers. So, here's my question. Um, if if the the original owner was the one that got the approval
for the warehousing and you have a different owner um that is going to be doing the manufactur, you know, setting up the manufacturing of the plastic bottles and containers, do they piggyback off of the previous approved
variance? Um, not to mention that the warehouses has a totally different envir different environmental issues that need to be considered. Um, and should they do they need to be um, in fact reapplied. In addition, um, because there's an enormous amount of forest that will be
cleared, including the federally endangered northern long-eared bat. They're cute little things despite being a bat, but I called the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to see if permission was needed to destroy the habitat of an endangered species. They confirmed that it was and that there were restrictions
that the trees could not be cut down during the nesting season which is from October through April. So um that's the plan that I guess the manufacturer will be adhering to. Could you imagine going on vacation and coming home and your home is you know coming home and your
home is gone. Um I know they call that progress or I guess it should we could say it's eminent domain for wildlife. If anyone is concerned about the air quality, um our drinking water, which the Ardina Brook is close by and is already polluted, um that runs into the
Manisquan River Basin where we get a majority of our drinking water from, that's real comforting. Um also, if your children attend the Ardina Elementary School that is also close by, the next zoning meeting is scheduled, I believe, for July 13th. Hopefully, they'll let
the public speak. They were not going to last night, but our Joe B managed to get a word in or two edgewise. Thanks, Joe. And thank you, mayor and town council for listening to our concerns and your transparency. And I wanted to find out is there some way that I could get in
touch with the environmental commission. We still have an environmental commission, right, in Howell. um because I'd like to get their take on that. Um what they feel about this plastic um bottle manufacturer coming in to our uh
to our community. Um I spoke with them, some of them last night and said, "Why don't you just go up to Lynon or Elizabeth? You know, the air everything is polluted up there already. Why come here and and pollute our our our community?" So that's it. Thank you so
much. Good evening. Good evening, council. Um, Sharon Pressie, nine Willow Avenue. I would like to know who authorized the
removal of the geese from Lake Louise, which is illegal. What gives you or anyone the right to come to our lake? [clears throat] Yes, our lake. We pay taxes for the whole
town, which includes the lakes. We all know what happened to these geese. I have lived by the lake for 65 years and the geese were there before I was.
They never bothered anyone. Yes, they make a mess, but look around and at this town and this is a mess. It's this way. Excuse me. Is that the
way you operate? One person complains and the geese are gone. No one in my neighborhood complained. So if someone doesn't like what you are doing, you could go too.
Also, the timing was cruel. The geese were molting and they can't fly. really nice. Thank you. [applause] >> Anyone else from the public?
>> Hello, Mayor, Council, and Professionals. Joe Bzonos, Cold Sack Road. How's everybody doing? Why is it so dark? save money. >> Nice. Wasn't in the budget. Okay. Let's see.
All right. So, I wanted to follow up uh with a few items from the last uh meeting. I dropped a folder off to the town manager's office containing documents that I cited in the last council meeting. Uh many of the documents are ordinances passed by uh uh New Jersey towns in New Jersey that
successfully uh ban data centers. So, I just wanted to drop those off to to you and uh just want to know if those have been received and looked through. Um I know the township is hard at work implementing new budgets. Uh but I want to see if we can at least get like an
introduction of an ordinance for that going in the near future, maybe within the next couple meetings. I think it would uh be really valuable for the town to get ahead of that. Like I said, I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I think it's uh just a net positive for us. Um, I also propose the creation of
the landlord tenant advisory committee meant to absorb aspects of our mobile home rental control board uh with offering additional tools to our rental community. Uh, I'd like to know your thoughts on implementing that and if it's uh something that would be worth it for us as a town. Uh, over the last few
weeks, I've spent some time researching additional boards that might benefit the town. I'm very interested in the idea of forming a local ethics board. Each municipality of the state may by ordinance establish a municipal ethics board consisting of six members who are residents of the m municipality at least
two of whom shall be public members which I like. Uh the members shall be chosen by virtue of their known and consistent reputation for integrity and their knowledge of local government affairs. Uh no more than three members of the ethics board shall be of the same political party which I also like. Uh to summarize, this board will have the
responsibility of investigating uh ethical complaints and determining if a violation occurred. Uh I have the printout uh for the town manager detailing the rest of the powers and bylaws. Uh I believe citizens should have more active role in local government and boards like this one and
others I've proposed help to achieve this goal while decreasing the workload for elected officials and professionals. Uh, we also need to safeguard have some safeguards in place to discourage bad players from entering local office in the first place or seeking town employment. Which brings me to my last point. I
attended the zoning board meeting last night. Um, one of the cases involved a gentleman named Bernie. Uh, I got to speak with him today. He's a longtime How resident. He's a business owner and an active member of the community. Um, I encourage everyone to to watch the entire case which is on or will be on
the Howell Township YouTube channel. Um to summarize, Bernie purchased a property in town, inherited some problems due to the previous owner's actions. He went before the board to try to make it right. What in my opinion should have been a 20minute hearing, went on for an hour and a half. During this time, two of the town's
professionals acted in a manner that I deem completely unprofessional. Uh one of them more than the other. From my perspective, she spoke down to Bernie and the team he brought to defend him, spoke to the zoning board in a way a judge might call leading the witness. Uh, and her huffing, puffing, and eye
rolling is something I've noticed at multiple meetings. As I said, uh, last night to the zoning board, uh, with all the questionable product uh, projects we've seen approved in Howell, the fact that a valued member of the community was put through the ringer for trying to do the right thing, it was frankly infuriating, and I got up there and told
them so. I urge the council to look into this matter and exercise caution when hiring professionals in the future. Uh, I want to see this town grow. Uh, I love it here and I want people to stop moving out. I want generations to stay, raise their families here, and I still think you guys are the the ones to help us get
that started. Uh, I do appreciate you guys and uh, see you next time. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Betty Valled Gamble, 97 Victory Road. Good evening, everyone. Uh, I know that what I'm about to talk about tonight, I
mentioned uh briefly to Mr. Gross, uh, but I do want to begin um, moving forward on this. So, um, mayor and council, tonight I am asking you to take a practical but forwardthinking step. Direct our grant writer to
actively pursue funding for a state-of-the-art plash park for Howell Township and include this project as a priority priority in our master plan. Howell is one of the largest municipalities in Mammoth County by land
area with more than 54,000 residents across approximately 61 square miles. We have a growing need for accessible family focused recreation close to home. A splash park is a quality of life
investment. It provides safe recreation for children, encourages outdoor activity, offers relief during increasingly hot summers, and keeps recreation dollars local. We should first fully explore outside
funding sources. before even considering local tax dollars. Opportunities include New Jersey green acres grants, Mammoth County open space and recreation funding, community development block grants, state recreation programs,
federal infrastructure funding, and private foundations. That is why I'm asking that our grant writer begin immediately identifying and pursuing available grants. This project should also be included in the master plan so Howell is positioned
to act when funding becomes available. Just as importantly, this should be an inclusive and universally accessible facility. In Mammoth County, approximately one in 41 children is identified with autism spectrum disorder.
Along with many other living others living with physical, sensory, developmental, and cognitive disabilities, these residents deserve recreation spaces designed with accessibility in mind. A properly designed splash park can provide a
fenced supervised environment that supports safer recreation for all children. With ADA compliant features, sensory friendly areas, shaded, quiet zones, accessible surfaces, and adaptive equipment, it can become a facility that
serves the entire community. Nearby communities including Freehold Township, Manalapin Township, Tom's River, and Jackson Township have already made these investments because they are heavily used and successful public amenities. The question is not whether
Howell can benefit from a splash park. It is whether we choose to move forward and secure the funding to make it happen. Tonight, I ask council to take the first step, direct our grant writer to begin identifying funding opportunities,
include a splash park in the master plan, and begin a public planning process. Ideally, I would like to see Howell plan for two splash parks in the long term to serve different areas of our large township, but I fully recognize we should start with one and
build from there responsibly. Let's move forward with a project that strengthens quality of life, supports families, and invests in Howell's future. Our community deserves that vision. Thank you. [applause]
>> Anyone else from the public? Zachary Dorner, 25 Southport Drive. Uh, good evening, mayor, council, fellow residents. It's me again. I just want to come out and say I support Ordinance 02615. As a member of multiple environmental
committees on this town, I've researched how failing spectic systems can pollute our groundwater and lakes. Across the entire country, about 20% of septic systems fail, and when they do, harmful bacterial and chemicals leak out. This
is this causes green algae growth in lakes that hurt fish, wildlife, and our drinking water. This ordinance helps by requiring good soil testing and state rules for small lots under 40,000 uh square feet. It also drives sewer nine
so we can connect to public sewer sewers later. This protects our health and environment without big cost right now. This is smart planning for how future and I urge the council to adopt it tonight. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? I'm seeing none. Have a motion to close
public. Motion to close. >> Second. [clears throat] All in favor? >> Oh, sorry. >> You want to start? for um for Miss Samurel's comment. Um just
want to advise if uh council shouldn't comment on any pending applications in front of the zoning board, but just in general for some of your questions. Zoning approvals are typically tied to the property, not the the specific
applicant. You'll see it's pretty common where somebody will get approvals and then they wind up selling the rights to the development or something like that, but the approvals are typically tied to the actual piece of property and they run with the property. Um, we'll we'll get you information to
get you in touch with the environmental commission. >> I think I'll let you handle most of them. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um [clears throat] um in reference to Miss Pressy's comments, we're certainly um acutely
aware and concerned um about the issues surrounding the the the people that are having diff problems with geese in our parks as well as protection of geese within the parks. And it it is a an
issue that there's there are concerns on both sides and we're acutely aware of that. As far as who's responsible, I'm the town manager. As town manager, I'm responsible for every activity that goes on. I can tell you that it is not anticipated that that these this
contract will be renewed any further. Uh, and we are meeting with a representative from um the I'm sorry, I'll get you the the name of the organization. I'm sorry. wildlife man mitigation team,
Animal Protection League of New Jersey, who have volunteered, graciously volunteered to come and give us a hand with alternatives uh in order to help protect our our uh parks and the people enjoying the parks from some of the problems that come from having a lot of
of geese in the park. So we certainly understand the concerns uh and are sensitive to that and will certainly be keeping them in mind and and moving forward. Um in reference to um the
information that Mr. B I'm sorry I'm having trouble talking then I apologize. Um Joe Joe had took some folders off to to the council and to myself. We actually are going through those uh and I've had a couple
conversation with some members of the council um about how to um analyze what what to move forward on what we already have some components of it. So we we'll certainly be getting back to you on that. um in reference to
um the splash park that's that is we did have that conversation and it is certainly something I think the council can consider uh funding through its open space fund um there in in terms of is if
in in addition to whatever grants are available um so the usually with most grants there's a a a portion that we have to pay And so we would have funding through that if necessary. Uh the planning portion of that I think is
rather significant and that's something that we may want to consider moving forward sooner rather than later. Um I think that's it. >> Uh yeah, just one quick thing. I'm just going to touch on one of the topics Mr. Bonus brought up
the for the rent advocacy board. I think that's definitely something that we need especially for our mobile home parks. We saw a few months ago where mobile home park residents came out and just telling us all the troubles that they face with
you know some of the park owners not doing what they should be doing. So being that the state is going to be taking over the rent control, that was almost the place where they sought advocacy in order to get the rent, you know, the
rent increases. But being that that's not going to be under municipal control, they definitely need some kind of advocacy. So I would definitely be in favor of pivoting if we dissolve that mobile home rent control board, you know, create a rental advisory board.
Blake. >> Uh yeah, just to follow up on the uh data centers again, we we have a planner looking at this actively. They're going through all of our ordinances to interpret if there are any existing use classifications that for lack of a
better term could shoehorn a data center into so that we can ban them. If there isn't, then it's it's already banned there. If it's not an acceptable use there, it would have to go through the zoning board. There's no there's no action. But we're making sure that we
scrub through all of our ordinances and ensure that there's no classifications for it to fall. Evelyn, >> uh, just in terms of the, uh, rent stabilization, I'm still very happy to
serve on the mobile home park, um, stabilization committee. Um, I think it's important. I I do like the idea of keeping that in itself um sort of tight because
I think that if the people that serve on that committee are members of that specific town obviously you see things that may be um less global to uh to others but it's uh well needed absolutely um I was astonished at one of
the meetings what was served as proofs for the uh group to consider for a rate increase. Um, so I I see a definite need and um my personal opinion I'll just I'll keep out of it but there's
certainly a need is is absolute. Uh, and something else had come to my attention today. Somebody that uh lives close to one of the lakes and although I realize they're animals and I love animals too. Uh but I do want to say that this person
had said to me that um their family was concerned because people feed the geese which draw the the geese into their particular uh uh lake or pond and they're concerned because their children don't have the opportunity to go to that
pond or that lake and utilize it in the summertime like they used to do as it was told to me. So although some people enjoy the geese, some people are sympathetic toward the geese, there's a lot of facets and opinions on both, but
um feeding the geese will encourage them to stay, remain, and return uh year after year, actually month after month, because no longer do the geese leave us. You know, the environment is warmer. So Canadian geese just stay with us. We're
lucky they stay with us all year. So, you know, there's a lot of facets to uh the geese. So, um I just mentioned feeding the geese. So, if if the problem exists that you don't like the geese coming to your water, then um feeding
the geese will only uh help the geese to return continuously. So, it's just another facet to think of. Everyone has a different stand on it and a different thought process and it means something different to everybody depending on the age of probably your children, your grandchildren and what
they're doing outside you know what playground they use or uh what how they uh come across this particular program uh this scenario. So, um, working on the issue, trying to make everyone happy is going to be very, very difficult. But,
um, the geese are here to stay for sure because they no longer migrate. So, that's the way that's going to stay, I'm sure, because the environment, I'm sure, is not going to get seasonal as it used to be. So, there we are. Um, again,
invite everybody to come out to the Fourth of July uh event that we're having. As always, uh, Hal Township and Steve Fetcher goes, uh, 110% to make sure that the program is outstanding, everybody has a good time. The, uh, road
that's going or the boulevard or the way, the road, the drive that's going to be, um, offered to, um, Sean, I think, will be at 5:45. So, if you want to see that particular uh, part of the program, please be sure to be there. Um
>> 64 >> 6:45 I'm sorry 6:45. So if you wanted to see that particular program, you know, to be sure to be there. Um and plenty of time to see it. I'm sure it's going to be lovely. So as always, everyone's invited families. We even and typically
we get neighboring towns that come to our events um because we're pretty good. So that's something that we're all very proud of. Right. Thank you. And Angela, um, if you could maybe make contact with our township manager
and if there's something that the town could do to get involved with this with, you know, coordination with the chamber of commerce maybe, >> you know, they're willing to get started. I This was all the beginning process. I understand excited about it. I also talked to the labor board in
Trenton. I also talked to the onestop shop in Mama County. All everybody wants to get about want more about this initiative. I think this is a pilot program I want to do in how and then I'd like to offer it all in Mammoth County and all over New Jersey. I'd love to New
Jersey for the state. You know, we do have the best schools, but I'd like to turn around jobs or opportunities and I really have a lot of business plan and I think it's going to work for us. >> Well, like I said, we're concerned with Howell Township. That's all we control, >> right? >> So, >> yeah, I want to start it here.
>> Yeah, just reach out to Mr. gross and with an email and if there's a meeting that you need one one or two of us to sit in on with Mr. Gross, I'm sure uh we could we can make that happen. Um >> Joe B, Mr. Mr. Rebel answered your
question about the the data centers and you know with the advisory committee we're you know I'm in support of that for the for the Reynolds. Not sure how much teeth it's going to have with the state controlling ultimately what it what it does, but it's uh better for the
residents to have some kind of voice. Um, Betty Gimble, you know, master plan would definitely have to be updated for splash parks and, uh, the grant writing is sounds great, but, you know, ultimately the cost and also, you know,
getting our DPW on board with this because this is would trigger obviously uh, you know, more manpower and um, what's it called? Possible overtime and you know, when the parks will be open. when I know it's seasonal, be like a pool club kind of thing. Probably from
Memorial Day to Labor Day, I would say is probably the months it would be open. Uh, sounds like a, you know, great idea. And we do have some spots, I would think, in town that could support at least one of them, you know, one of our larger parks. So, we'll definitely look
into this. Betty, no problem. Zachary, thanks for coming to the meeting, buddy. Of course. And uh yeah, a couple other comments I'll keep to myself. Um I know we can't make everybody happy. I wish we could and it'
be a perfect world, but that's uh not where we live. So uh we're going to move on to cassette agenda items. Um all matters on the cassette agenda items are considered routine by the town of council and enacted by one motion. Therefore, you know, if there's anyone
would like to separate anything, please now. If not, >> I would. >> Oh, you would? >> Yeah. Could we pull out the recycling um motion? >> Pull it out. >> Yeah. I'd like to vote on that separately. >> Okay.
>> Which one is that? >> Just what I was looking >> uh 218. >> 218. >> 218. Yeah. >> All right. Ian, make a motion for the other ones, please. Motion to approve resolutions R26203 through and including R26 219 with the
exception of 218. >> Second. >> Councilman Nadell. >> Yes. >> Councilman Rebel. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell. >> Yes. >> Mayor Leio. >> Yes. >> Consent agenda passes.
>> And the other res. >> Uh yeah. Motion to adopt R2628. >> Second. >> Is there a discussion on the topic? >> Yes, there is for me. I'd like to table it because I'd just like to have some more information. Um I was introduced to
the process um on Monday and I just don't feel like I've had enough time to digest all of the information properly. I'll just mention the only thing I I'll mention in terms of um this process is that we we went
out for we went out for bid um and we we are past our our deadlines for that. We they have extended it. If we extend it any further there'll there'll be likely be an increase. I don't know what the increase will be. Um, so who's
>> for our current recycling program? >> For our current recycling program, >> are we we are past the contract? Uh, >> we already and they've they've agreed to date to extend. If we go further in if we go into July, um, they will they
they're they're going to come back to tell us, you know, that they they have to charge us more. >> I mean, we're past the contract that we presently are uh involved in. Correct. Our contract expire our contract expired 1231 uh of last year and we we negotiated an
a month-to-month extension um which they've informed me just this month that this is the last month they'll be able to honor that. >> I understand. Thank you. >> Well, listen, I I sat in on the meeting.
You we you know the professional and yourself Mr. Gross answered all the questions. I you know Ian was in on the same meeting as Evelyn and Mike and I sat together. >> Yeah. >> We asked all the questions. I I don't you know this should have been probably bought up before
>> tonight. I mean me personally I'm I'm clear and clear. >> I think the rewards outweigh the risks and I'm >> prepared to to vote on it. >> How about you? Y'all vote on Cool. I'm not I'm not making a motion to table it.
>> If there's no motion to table, then uh I need a motion to vote on it. >> I I think the motion's on the floor, right? >> Motion motion. I second it. Yeah. >> All right. So, Councilman Nadal, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> I abstain. Mayor Legio, >> yes. All right, on to unfinished business. Public hearing adoption of ordinance 0-26-15. An ordinance of the township of Howell,
amending chapter 188, land use article 4, standards of performance section 188-24 of the revised general ordinances of the township of Howell. This is our public hearing on the adoption of this ordinance. So, if there's any comments,
please come on up. >> Seeing none. >> Public uh public comment is closed now for the vote. Councilman Nadell. >> Um, get a motion. >> Motion for the vote. >> Motion to adopt ordinance 2515.
>> Second. Councilman Nato, >> yes. >> Councilman Reubel, >> yes. >> Councilwoman O'Donnell, >> yes. >> Mayor Leio, >> yes. >> Ordinance passes. >> On to O-26-16.
>> Yes. This is the the update to the agenda tonight. Uh, extra copies of the ordinance were provided. This is an ordinance amending numerous penalty provisions of the revised general ordinances of the township of Howell to authorize per day fines for continuing
ordinance violations. >> Motion for introduction. >> I'll make a motion to introduce that ordinance. John or Caitlyn, did you want to uh describe this one to everyone because there's been a lot of talk about uh code
infractions and and where does everything go and >> this moves towards adding teeth to the entire process that you know again we've been listening we hear you >> so so >> yeah yeah I I'll take away your thunder
so the previously uh code and municipal court were able to tack on daily violations for continuing ordinance violations. There was a case that came out a couple
of years ago that came down which curtailed code and municipal courts from either doing the per day violations or in essence increasing the fines to be
over $2,000 because the the general municipal law allows ordinance violations penalties to range anywhere from $100 up to $2,000. So, a court had viewed that provision as
any violations, continuing violations were also capped at that $2,000 threshold. Recently, a case went up to the appellet division where that was overturned and the court said that that doesn't
make sense if there's a continuing violation. Each day is a new violation. So, we are updating our codes to reflect that and to make clear that if there is a continuing violation after you've
received notices, after you've received summones, you are at risk to get daily penalties or daily violations for these ordinance provisions. >> And the uh in absentia as well, did you mention that? Uh and and throughout the
throughout our process in municipal court, it it has become abundantly clear that our hands have been a little bit shackled when it comes to terms of LLC's and appearances in court. Um lately, uh
you know, it's difficult to issue any sort of warrant to a company. So, we are now planning on moving forward with uh attempting trials in abstentia. So if LLC's are ignoring our court our
summones, our court notices, uh we will be trying cases in abstentia and looking for penalties and fines related to those infractions. And again, our our main goal in all of this is
compliance with our current uh goals and our ordinances. It's not to get monetary penalties, but to really enforce the rules that are on our books. [applause] Yeah. That this is also tied to
resolution 26 219 with the special special counsel for them to come in and they're going to handle this for us. And if it needs to go to the next level to superior which some of them may may not we are trying to do our best to uh keep
how a beautiful place and a well-managed place right that's the goal SO we vote on this please >> yep >> councilman Nel >> yes >> councilman >> yes >> councilwoman O'Donnell >> yes >> Mayor Leio >> yes
>> the ordinance is introduced. >> All right, seeing no further business, uh our next meeting will uh will take place on July 14th, I believe, right? Yep. >> Yes. >> July 14th, executive is at 6, regular
sessions at 7. Um, like uh we've said before, if you could attend our July 2nd 250th anniversary kickoff to the summer, you know, you and your families, you know, with the concert and the fireworks and the food trucks and everything else that goes
with it. It's something that should be, you know, very well, you know, um, attended and, uh, it's a the kickoff like we do every summer and we have the band coming and, uh, this dedication to our our Mr. uh our late our late friend
Sean Aker who's no longer with us. So um I'm seeing no further business. Motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Second.