So, good evening, everyone. It is good to see you. Um the June 24th, 2026 council meeting of the Long Branch City Council will now come to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rasses. >> Here. >> Mr. Vieira. >> Here. >> Mrs. Widdis. >> Here.
>> Mr. Danglers absent. Dr. Vohra. >> Here. >> Please all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. >> And I will now read the mission statement for the City Council. The Long Branch Mayor, City Council, and administration are committed to cultivating an environment of mutual trust and respect that values the
diversity of our community. We will strive to enhance the quality of life for all who live here by making Long Branch a desirable place in which to live and prosper. We will treat all members of the public with respect and expect the same in return.
Certification, please. >> I hereby certify that this meeting has been published in the newspaper in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act and posted as required by law. >> Okay, thank you. Reading and approval of previous minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes from the June 10th, 2026
meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rasses. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Widdis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Danglers absent. Dr. Vohra. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Consideration of ordinance, public hearing, and final consideration.
Ordinance 0-14-26. An ordinance of the City of Long Branch amending section 103-3 of chapter 103 alcoholic beverages. This ordinance was introduced on June 10th, 2026 and authorizes an increase in the
liquor license fees as permitted by state statute N.J.S.A. 33:1-12, 1-3. Further, a municipality may issue a license to a nonprofit corporation that
regularly operates public entertainment events for which admission is charged pursuant to N.J.S.A. 33:1-19-7 and 19-8. This ordinance adds a theater license
fee and increases the annual liquor license fees to the local liquor license establishments. I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance only. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.
>> Aye. >> If any members of the of the public has any comments to make on this ordinance only, please come to the podium, state your name and address clearly for the record. You will have 5 minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-14-26.
And seeing no one come forward, I need a motion to close. >> So, moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Uh this is the second reading of ordinance 14-26. I need a motion to adopt on second and final reading and advertise according to
law. >> So, moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rasses? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vierra? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Wittes? >> Yes. >> Mr. D'Andrea is absent. Dr. [clears throat] Vo? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Ordinance 0-15-26.
>> Council President, if if I can, um this ordinance is an ordinance that we've as you know we've worked on for a long time and we continue to work on. There are technical changes that we have to make to it and I'm going to ask that there be a motion to table it and we will be reintroducing
it at the July 8th meeting and there'll be new notices of of a public hearing which will be at the second meeting in July [clears throat] if the council does uh uh agrees to table it today. >> Okay, I need
a motion and a second to table ordinance 0-15-26 as just mentioned by our attorney Mr. Rainone. >> So moved. >> Second that. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Opposed? Uh Okay, then moving forward we are moving on to ordinances ordinances for introduction of which there are none. And now we're moving on to the public hearing for the 2026 Long Branch
municipal budget. And we're having a slight reversal in our agenda item and we're going to start off with some information about the budget amendment so that everyone has all the information about the budget for
for the vote and I'm going to turn it over to again to our attorney Mr. Rainone. >> Council president as those who have come here and over the years and watched municipal budgets be adopted they know that there
are periodic reviews of the budgets as introduced by the state of New Jersey division of local government services. Um this year there is a a number of new personnel in the division of local government services. Um they're I think they're being thoughtful and and
and efficient in trying to get these reviews out but they've been kind of late in their reviews. So at 3:10 this afternoon, we received from the state a final review where they made one amendment that they required us to make a technical amendment to make in the budget. And that amendment is will be after the
public hearing, we'll vote on the amendment, which is it's been it's in resolution 132-26. And the res the the amendment is kind of straightforward. It doesn't change the total amount of the budget.
It doesn't change the amount of money that'd be raised by taxation. What it technically does is take the cost in the budget, the appropriation in the budget for employee health insurance, >> Mhm. >> some of which is is under the appropriations cap under
the law, and some of which isn't. The state has redone the calculation as to how much of it can be under the cap and how much it isn't. So, it's the same the total amount is the same. It's just that where it's categorized in the budget is has been changed. So, because it doesn't
change any of the numbers in the budget, we can adopt tonight, but we will have to adopt the amendment after the public hearing. We'll adopt the amendment before we adopt the budget, but that's the only change from the budget that was introduced more than 28 days ago. >> Okay.
Okay, thank you. And we did that just again so that you have all the information about the budget when we get up to the vote. But, let me move back now. Do I need a motion to open the public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? If any member of the public has any comments to make regarding the 2026 municipal budget, please come to the podium and state your name and address clearly for the record. You'll have 5
minutes and may only speak once. >> Vincent Moore, 33 Ocean Terrace, Long Branch, requesting 1-minute notification. Where's the budget presentation this evening? >> Mr. LaPorte, Mr. Martin's here. Any questions you have, I'll answer you. We just got it at 3:10 this afternoon.
>> But there's still a budget presentation. >> We didn't know what the final was going to be until 3:10 this afternoon. >> So there's still a budget presentation There's still a budget aside from that amended resolution there. >> We didn't know what the amendments were going to be. >> So then why don't you just carry the budget until the next meeting so that
the presentation can be made? >> Any questions you have, I'll answer. >> Mr. Martin will answer them. >> Yes. >> You're out of order. Let's vote. Two meetings ago, Mr. Reynolds stated resolutions are not taken separately. Tonight, you're taking a resolution
separately. He was supposed to be dismissed at the last council meeting for malpractice. By you having him here, >> you are now malpracticing. >> You are incompetent to be the council president to need a vote. Mr. Martin.
General revenue surplus anticipated 2026, 7,550,000. From 2025, 8,898,869. How is that 7,550,000 being applied in this government, Mr. Martin?
>> How is it being applied? >> How is it being applied? >> Um it it's Yeah, Mr. LaPorte, if if you could please um ask all of your questions at the end of your 5 minutes, um the your questions will be answered.
>> The pilot payments Mr. Palumbo stated they're small compared to a bus stop, but that's the level of his mentality. 2026 3,800,000 Because of the development of abatements, the taxing authorities of the Board of Education County require
larger levies from the city. And the city taxpayers to balance their respective budgets. So, it's an increase. It's a hidden increase. So, office of the chief administrator special events 173,000
under miscellaneous expenses should be privately sponsored. Not publicly sponsored. Miscellaneous other expenses special events. Office of emergency management other expenses
we went from 194 8 to 947. Why the drop? Sheet 13 office of the city council $500,000 miscellaneous expenses what are they? And I'd like to know where in the budget
the line item is for the payout of litigation that the taxpayers have to be burdened with after the joint insurance fund has been exhausted on the matter. Department of finance salary and wages
jumped 30,000. Why? Division of parks and salaries $90,000 increase salaries and wages. Why? Sheet 15 division of police $1,500,000
increase salaries and wages. Why? Volunteer first aid squads last year 140 this year 70,000. Who is the first aid squad getting the 70,000 and why? As if the scandals on both of
them this past year didn't have something to do with it. Chief 15D, uniform fire safety, miscellaneous other expenses. >> 1-minute notification. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Up 75,000. Why?
Long Branch Arts Council, 21,000. It should be eliminated, privately sponsored. Office of Construction Official, up 120,000. Why? Arts and Cultural Center,
63,000 this year from 56 last year. Other expenses, 28.5 for food paid by the taxpayers. This also should be eliminated, privately funded. Support of patronage position.
Mr. Martin, on the last page, 39, please explain these figures, surplus balance. 13,889,424. Current surplus anticipated in the budget, 7,550,000.
Surplus balance remaining, >> 5 minutes. >> 3,394,24. Explain that, Mr. Martin. This is under protest. I do not like the format that just occurred here without a presentation to the public. >> Thank >> I'll await my answers.
>> I'll follow up with your last question for surplus. The three numbers that you listed were the beginning balance of surplus for January 1st. The $7 million is being used in the budget as a general revenue, which I think also reverts back to your first question on what is being applied
to. It's not being applied to anything specific. It just comes in as a general revenue like everything else. And the balance of 6.3 or 6.4 million, whatever you uh quoted, is the ending balance after the use of the surplus of the budget for
the current year. Um you indicated increases in fire and construction office, and those are due to health benefit costs increasing tremendously upon
all city employees. Your first aid squad question, Elbron first aid is the first aid squad receiving the $70,000 because Long Branch first aid is no longer functioning.
The police increase of $1.5 million is because last year we were able to put police money outside of cap. This year we had to bring it inside of cap, so it made the inside cap number look bigger, but there really wasn't that tremendous of an increase in police salary and
wages. Uh park salary and wage budget, I don't know you asked me kind of fast, I kind of screwed them down. Park salary and wage budget is just due to salary and wage increases. Finance is the same. Uh
sheet 13, council for the city attorney, that's attorney bills that we come for for the year. That's our city attorneys, our bond council, labor attorneys, they all come out of that one line.
>> And I don't think that there's anything in that line that has anything to do with the payment of any judgments that are in excess of our of our joint insurance fund. I don't think there's anything in the budget at all on that, is there? >> No, that goes through our insurance >> fund, yeah. Yes, so there was nothing
above our joint insurance. I think the question was what about the payment of all of those quote-unquote judgments that were above the joint insurance fund. The answer is we don't really we don't have any. >> Uh we have some deductibles that we pay >> Oh oh well, there's our deductibles. They're just our deductibles that are
paid out of self-insurance, correct? But they're not as a result of judgments, they're just deductibles. >> Uh dropping O&M, in prior years they had bought a they needed to upgrade some of their vehicles and this year that wasn't a requirement, so we lowered the O&M amount.
I think I got all your questions. But then you said anything. >> Thank you, Mr. Martin. >> It's the first year since 2005 I've never seen a budget presentation. Should be ashamed of yourselves. Junk government.
>> Anyone else? Hello, I'm Julie Ann Berg. I live at 623 Wall Street. Um have you guys discussed AID to centers at all yet? Amongst yourselves? You you wanted to go through all of your comments? Um
>> Well, I I'd like to read something >> Okay. >> for everyone to maybe get >> She thinks this is general. >> This isn't budget night. >> the public hearing on the budget. >> I'm sorry. It's not the general yet? >> Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, next. You'll you'll be up in a in a minute. >> [laughter]
>> There you go. There you go. >> Good evening. My name is Marsha Brown. I'm at 111 Jolene Avenue. I have a few questions about the budget. Just uh to be clear, this is the only opportunity citizens will have really to discuss the budget with you guys before you vote. Just just
want to make that clear. Um I'll ask the questions and then if you want, you know, you can answer them when I sit down. Uh this for this budget year, are taxes being uh raised as part of the budget? Uh first question. Second question, what
is the current reserve balance? Third question, um are current revenue streams adequate to address the services that the city needs to provide a city that's growing so fast? Um so, I wanted to get your opinion on that.
Fourth question, does the budget reflect any new programs or any new operational efficiencies? And then the last question, um did you end the fiscal year with any unspent funds? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh to answer the question, yes, this
budget does result in an increase in taxes. Uh it'll change for every household depending on their assessment. But, um both the school and the municipality will be increasing in taxes this year.
>> Do you know what the percentage is or anything? >> I'm not It depends on the residential assessment, to be honest, what the exact percentage is. Um as far as the reserve, uh part of my explanation to Mr. Lepore was
we started with a $13 million surplus. We're using seven and change in the budget. We're winding up with 6.3 uh fund balance. So, that is our ending reserve after
the 2. 2026 budget usage. >> I wonder if you can rephrase your question on the current revenue stream and if you think it's adequate >> Can you say that again? >> Mhm. Are the current revenue streams that are being produced adequate to address the services that the city
provides given its growth? I mean, it's a it's probably not a straightforward answer, but because there's still a lot of levels to that. I'm sure the attorney understands that, but >> Sure. >> Uh the short answer is I think the expenditures are outpacing the amount of
revenue streams that are coming in. Um so, the deficiency difference makeup is in taxes. So, um I'd love to see new revenue streams every year. We just try to identify them and
make it reasonable for the residents. >> But, right now you're saying that raising taxes is your your go-to when handling >> Uh not our go-to, it's our last resort. >> Last resort. Because there are other ways in which to produce
new revenue streams. >> We're always exploring new ways, yes. Um and the fiscal year balance from last year, if there was anything left over, there is always left over, it's called the reserve year that we use. And at the end of the reserve year,
like the 2025 budget, lasts another year through 2026 for any old expenditures or things that haven't been paid yet. At the end of 2026, whatever's left in the 25 budget, lapses in the surplus, so
that goes into our fund balance. So, every year we do have an amount that lapses in. It's minimal compared to the total budget, but it's something. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you. >> Hello, hello, my name is JP. Uh just two questions. Um number one, like this is just I'm not well versed in the operations of the budget. Um so, just who decides the budget? And um number two is like
why like isn't there a presentation that's more accessible for us who might not be experts in numbers to be able to understand like the budget allocation, the reasoning why certain budget allocations are changing? I just think that would be easier for a populace to know and understand. Thank
you. >> Thank you. >> We do post a user-friendly budget online after the budget is adopted. >> After it's adopted? >> It's after, yeah. The state um mandates us to
fill out the form that's called the user-friendly budget because they determine that it makes the regular budget document easier to read. I don't feel that way, but that's what the state requires us to do. Uh the regular budget is posted online
to review and you can always call my office with questions. >> And And the budget is adopted by the uh the city council. That's what we're about to do. >> And JP, I would just repeat, you know, pretty much what we say at every
meeting. You're You're welcome to schedule a session with Mr. Martin and he can review ev- you know, everything with you. Um because you know, what you're saying probably applies to a lot of people that want to have a better
understanding of how the budget is put together and what all those numbers mean. So, you're you're welcome to schedule that anytime. Is there anyone else? >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Patty Perello, 70 North Bath Avenue.
Um I just had one question. Does anybody know what's happening with the pool? >> Okay. >> I have two little baby kids. >> there This right now is just for the budget, okay? If this is for uh general >> related. >> Okay.
>> However, we do pay taxes and we expect that the pool is going to be open. >> That Th- Th- If you could just wait a few minutes, come up for the general um uh >> Uh Patty, this is the hearing uh just on the budget. Where you normally speak is
coming up. >> Got it. Good. I'll wait. >> You just came in a little late. >> Okay. Anybody else on the budget? Okay, seeing none. I need a motion to close public hearing on the budget.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion carries. I now need a motion to adopt a resolution R-132-26 entitled a resolution amending the 2026
City of Long Branch municipal budget. I need a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. [snorts] >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Razzano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Widas? >> Yes. >> Mr. Danglers absent. Dr. Vote? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you.
And now I need a motion to adopt resolution 133-26 entitled a resolution adopting the 2026 City of Long Branch municipal budget. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Razzano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera?
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Widas? >> Yes. >> Mr. Danglers absent. Dr. Vote? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. And now we're moving to the public participation for resolutions and all general [clears throat] comments. Betty, I'm looking at you back
there and and here, let me just read Nope, give me just give me just a minute first. The public portion of the meeting is to allow you the public to state your comments directly to the administration and have a voice in the proceedings of your governing body.
There will be no cross dialogue during the public portion of the meeting. If there's anyone in the audience who has a comment to make, please step forward to the podium and state your name and address clearly for the record. You'll have 5 minutes to speak and may only speak once.
Uh after all of the public comments are finished, anyone from the public who wants to further discuss any other comments or concerns, please call the city clerk's office at 732-571-5686 to schedule a time uh at the public council hours that are held the first
Wednesday of every month. And if anyone has some comments, please step forward. >> Dr. I just need a motion to open up the public portion. I didn't get a motion or a second. >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Okay.
>> I'm waiting to do it again. >> You can do it again. >> Patty Ferraro, 70 North Bath Avenue in Man Bridge. Yeah, just um I called yesterday to find out when they were going to open up enrolling. Um and the girl that answered the phone said
the pool was broken, something wrong with pipes, and they didn't know if it was even going to open this year at all. So, I feel like I want to know why and that's why I came here. >> Okay. >> Is that your only question? >> Uh I'm sorry. >> your only question?
>> Um yeah, I just >> I just I was going to let you finish. >> No, no, no, I don't have a big long thing. I just I'm feeling a little heartbroken right now because I look forward to the pool. I >> It's opening. So, we had a catastrophic pump failure and the parts were back
ordered. It was installed today and they're just waiting for testing. So, we're hoping for tomorrow, if not no later than Friday. >> So, keep an eye on the website. >> on on startup, it literally had the failure. We didn't know before and when we closed it, it was fine. >> It had to be the the weather this year, right? >> I'm sure. >> So cold. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Well, see. >> It will be open. And by the way, if you have an annual pass, you can use it on the beach until it does open. >> I can't. >> Okay. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Julieanne Burke, 623 Wall Street, Long
Branch. So, again, I'm here to talk about AI data centers. I don't know if you guys have talked about this at all amongst yourselves yet. Um but I want to read uh this is from the Long Branch
Eatontown Patch uh this article to better familiar so everyone can kind of understand. And this is an easy win for you guys, by the way, I feel. Um all right. The Asbury Park City
Council unanimously passed a resolution banning data centers within city limits and calling on Governor Mikey Sherrill to enact a statewide moratorium on a new data center construction on new data center construction. With the move,
Asbury Park joins about seven other towns across New Jersey that banned data centers, including Red Bank, which just passed its ban this week. Other large towns, such as Sayreville, Union, Warren, Phillipsburg, and Summit have introduced measures banning data
centers, but they haven't passed yet. There is also a grassroots movement underway in Old Bridge to ban data centers. "Quote, every town in the state needs time to get this right before it's too late." end quote, warned Asbury Park
Mayor John Moore. The Asbury Park City Council said it has concerns about data centers' impacts on the regional electrical grid, local water resources resources used for cooling, continuous noise, air quality, and diesel emissions from their backup generators. Their
resolutions Their resolution urged urges Governor Mikey Sherrill and the state legislature to put an immediate pause on allowing new data center construction, particularly data centers serving artificial intelligence.
Data centers are one reason why New Jersey electric bills have gone up so much. Data centers use tremendous amounts of electricity and the current supply on New Jersey's electric grid is not enough for how much electricity data centers demand. Compounding the problem is that
New Jersey does not produce enough electricity in state to power its needs. Utility companies such as PSE&G are forced to buy more energy from out of state, which is very expensive. In the past 2 years, PM PJM, which manages New
Jersey's electrical grid, has increased the supply charge for electric companies and in turn utility companies increased the transmission charges to customers. In May, Governor Sherrill proposed a plan that will require data centers start paying tariffs to offset how much
electricity they suck up. They will also have to start reporting to the state and the towns where they are located their electricity and water consumption. But Matt Smith, director of Food & Water Watch New Jersey, said Sherrill's plan is not aggressive enough. Similar to
what Asbury Park just passed, Food & Water Watch wants the governor to put an immediate moratorium on any new bit data center construction in New Jersey. "This issue goes well beyond Asbury Park," said Asbury Park Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn.
"Communities across New Jersey are grappling with the same questions about water, energy, and quality of life, and the state needs to step in with real standards before this kind of development outpaces what any town can manage." Asbury Park's data center ban was passed
at the June 10th City Council meeting. Asbury Park Mayor Moore will retire this year and not seek re-election and Quinn is is running to succeed him. So, my question is and I know that we're pretty landlocked here, but there are open spaces.
Um can you guys maybe get on this and ban it so we don't have to worry about this? Okay. >> We'll just We'll We'll answer your question. >> So, two two things. First, Asbury Park
didn't pass an ordinance banning them. They passed a resolution calling for the state to ban them. So, that's the first thing. The second thing is data centers aren't a permitted use in Long Branch right now. So, people talk about new towns that are passing
ordinances that to ban data centers. There's hundreds of municipalities that never permitted data centers and and Long Branch is one of those. So, we don't we don't have anything in our ordinance right now. If you wanted to build a data center, you would need a variance. So, it's it's so the towns that are like Old
Bridge, for instance, >> Mhm. >> that are talking about moving an ordinance, they're talking about taking it out of their ordinance because it's in their ordinance. It's not in our ordinance now. So, Asbury Park did a resolution um in support of a statewide ban. They didn't They didn't change an ordinance
cuz I suspect that Asbury Park is the same as Long Branch that they don't permit them now. >> Okay. >> So, that's all that So, just technically that's all that happened. So, you asked if Long Branch has thought about it or done it. Somebody in Long Branch thought about it a long time ago because it's not a permitted use in Long Branch.
>> Okay. And would And do you think that it would ever see up on the agenda? Or do you think it's just like >> no There's no need There's We've We've never had anybody come in and say I want to build a data center, would you would you like would you amend your
ordinances? But it's not permitted in So, right now if you showed up and said I want to build a data center, you'd be told it's not permitted by the zoning. >> Okay. >> So, we already that So, what you're asking for already exists. And And as a practical matter, I know that there's You say that there's a there's a
lot of big parcels in town, but there are not the kind of parcels that would support that kind of development. Just like there's not that kind of parcels that would support warehouse development. And you know, they're kind of the same size parcels. There's not 10-acre parcels of land zoned industrial in Long Branch. So,
we're pretty comfortable with the existence of our current ordinance and the fact that that, you know, as a practical matter, there isn't >> Okay. >> So, I I assume Asbury Asbury would just sent similar to us probably had did the same thing. >> Then I ask that we stop the cross
dialogue. >> Oh, I thought you was done. I apologize. I was answering her question. >> Okay. Um and certainly you're welcome to chat af- after the meeting for anything further. Thank you. >> Okay. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Good point to bring up for us. Thank
you. >> [clears throat] >> Vincent LaPorte, 33 Ocean Terrace, Long Branch, requesting 1-minute notification. Since in 21 years, Mr. Martin, this is the first time we've never had a budget presentation
in the outright communist government of Long Branch rifled the residents with a budget without a presentation. Can you please explain, Mr. Martin, the new rate?
>> Continue, Mr. LaPorte. We'll address everything at the end. >> I want to know what the increase in taxes is going to be on the average assessed house in Long Branch, and what is that assessed figure? It's disgusting government. Dangler, what is Viera,
you recently held a victory party. I haven't got a clue what the hell the victory was for. Junk government like tonight. No transparency. Property taxes two and a half times what they were when you took office eight years ago.
For many rent two and a half times what they were when you took office eight years ago. What they just do? Took care of your own pet peeves, your fuzzy-wuzzy touchy-feely Pollyanna garbage.
You are the council known for forced gentrification in this city. You're also known as the council for more developer tax abatements. I recall years ago standing in this room with the head of the Elberon Homeowners
and Taxpayers Association, Lila Park, who stated the way this city was going, particularly with its redevelopments and the tax abatements, it's essentially on the other taxpayers throughout this city
a version of eminent domain. She was right. We've seen it happen. What was particularly sickening about that victory party was State Senator Gopal thanking you, Viera,
quote, "As a Republican, quote, for helping the Democrats win in Long Branch." End quote. And Mayor Palone stating, "You, Viera, begged to be part of the Palone team."
Viera, there isn't a real Republican worth their salt that would have anything to do with Palone or his policies. No man or woman of decent fiber would have anything to do with Palone. But then again, with the county chair of
the Republican Shawn Golden, Republican in name only, a rhino, who has never been to a city council meeting fighting for the fiscal causes that Republicans fight for, you Vieira,
were allowed to exist here. Non-partisan in Long Branch is a joke. In the last 8 years, this council proved that. The only party in this town is the government of green,
the money. The town was put up for sale to the developers. Looking at Ocean Boulevard, any council member that's happy with what they see on Ocean Boulevard is sick in the head. It's blight, pure blight, urban sprawl, poor
planning. All up and down the coast, people are stating in their municipal governments and the governments themselves, they're not going to be like Long Branch. Seaside Mayor Vaz stated, "We will never
do to our people what Long Branch did to their people." >> 1-minute notification. >> Harming the coast and hitting them with tax abatements for the developers. We're coming up on the 4th of July. If George Washington and his army walked
into this room, he would be remaining, you people would be out. You're the antithesis of everything this 4th of July was about. 8 years I made every meeting. More meeting than any council member.
And I will continue to fight for THE PUBLIC WHERE THIS COUNCIL FAILED. I will continue being here. Fighting the car corruption that this council allowed. This council far exceeded prior councils
under Schneider. A JUNK GOVERNMENT. >> [clears throat] >> FOR anyone else? Okay, now need a >> Um what's the answer to the question? >> I thought you left. Uh the average assessment on a home in Long Branch for
2026 is $896,000. And the average municipal property tax at a rate of 54 cents is $4,929. >> So, what's the increase?
>> Uh increase is $564 over last prior year average residential tax. >> $564 increase in taxes. >> Okay. >> For the year. >> Miss Council President, can I say something to answer his questions?
>> Yes, you may. >> Mr. LaPorte comes out and he criticizes all of us and he walks out cuz he doesn't want to hear us. But we have more guts than him any old day cuz at least we came up here and sat up here. And we did our duty. And he comes in and he could criticize all of us. He's all good. He's all talk.
That's all he is. All talk. That's all he talk. When you when you when you decide to come up and do what we did up here, try to fix it when we didn't work or we did work. We we were up here and we did we did what we we could for the people of Long Branch. You don't agree with that? That's your problem.
>> We got 564 hours >> Mr. No problem. I waited >> Mr. La Porte, we are not having a conversation. >> a phony. That's all. Thank you. >> Um again, Marsha Brown, 101 Joline. >> [clears throat] >> Um
Hm. I want to say like um many other citizens who come up here including Mr. La Porte, um young man, JP, I think they come with sincere concerns to have a more effective engagement with you all, right?
Um you are elected officials and this is a place where we can come and really find the greatest level of democracy. Right now, there's not a whole lot of democracy going on in our country. But here we can come. You can hear us out. Now, I have to say
that in many times I've been to this council, you do listen. You're attentive, you're polite. Um you often talk to people afterwards. I remember when I first moved to Long Branch, I reached out to the mayor. He didn't know who I was from a can of paint. And yet he met with me and had coffee
with me and I shared with him some of the things that I was concerned about um as a new resident in this city, which included even some of the concerns that um Mr. La Porte has raised. But over time, people still get angry, they still get frustrated, they still
feel like they're not being heard. And as I kept thinking about this and pondering about why we see there seems to be this push and pull, why people are feeling frustrated, I think one of the problems is we don't explain well enough why it is that this
council cannot address issues that are brought before them at a particular meeting. There is the the uh Open Public Meetings Act known as the sunshine law which prevents you all from dealing with issues that have not been previously
published and put on the agenda so that everybody else knows. Maybe some people know that. They can check this out. Uh and one of the key convention key provisions of that act is advanced notice. If I want to come up and talk to you about overdevelopment in this city and
expect you to engage on that issue with me, you can't do it at that meeting because there's not been advanced notice to the public about that issue. But now here's where I think there's an opportunity for more effective engagement.
There's nothing in the OMPA that prevents this council from taking issues that they hear in this meeting, going back in their working meetings or whatever and talking about it and then coming back and reporting out, if you will, to the
public on what you decided or what you thought. I remember having a conversation with Madam President uh and about bike bike paths in the city. You know, really being concerned about that, but we never followed up on that. There's no follow-up. And so I think
people need to know that not only that you hear them and we know that you do because they come up here and they talk and you hear and and you hear them. But it's the follow-up. It's the follow-through. It's the tracking. It's the that really shows us that there's engagement going on. That there's impact
going on. So I am asking that and there are other towns who do this, not a lot. Um but I am asking tonight that when you go back to your working meetings that you consider adopting this practice that when people come up, they ask about certain things, especially those things
that have wider applicability like ICE and what's happening to citizens who are being hunted in our city, like bike paths or parking or traffic. These things have wider applicability than when people come up and ask, you know, important questions like the pool and,
you know, recreational. That's important, too. And we all want to know about that. Or we all should want to know about that. But this is about um proactive ways to promote democratic engagement and and an understanding of
why democracy is so important even if there's only five of us here at this meeting. It's so important to create that record that people that you are here to do your job and we are here to do ours as citizens to bring these issues before you. So, I hope that you will consider
that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Uh good evening. My name is JP. And you know, I have something written out, but before that, I just really want to say like we're all Long Branch residents and we're all individuals, humans living on this world. And I know sometimes like,
you know, temperatures can flare, but let's remember sometimes to take a deep breath. All right, guys? And like let's just lower the temperatures because it's already hot in the world temperature-wise and even like like anger-wise. So, let's always remember take that deep breath and like slow down, okay? That's number one. Last week
I was not able to finish what I wanted to say about our local Monmouth Medical Center. But the main thing I want to say is we have to make it better. We did We did a good thing, y'all. We saved it. But was that the end goal? Did we just save it just to save it? Or
did we advocate for its continuation because of the importance it serves as a health hub in such a large city such as Long Branch? Monmouth Medical needs work. It needs stronger community relations and partnerships with it. Recently, I saw that Brookdale created a
free dental clinic. That's awesome. Why Why we replicate those services at Monmouth Medical? Why can we build on the ground that already has a solid foundation on it? The hospital's infrastructure needs to be improved, and we need to find ways to
help channel resources to the hospital and ensure those resources are being spent in the best ways to promote the health in the community. Monmouth Medical might not be the most state-of-the-art facility, although that doesn't mean we should try to get to that level. But we can make it one of the most
innovative community-centered health hubs that support residents. We can promote a center for diabetes health that provides free diabetes screenings, community meetings, and nutritionists to support those people with diabetes. We can expand the mental health center to support the mental health of local
residents. We can figure out way to even help children and adults with autism through monthly meetings and infrastructures and resources that allow for distribution of information. We have the location, and there is always resources. We just have to find the energy and the desire in order to make
it happen. And with that being said, that is why this public forum and this public comment section is so important it needs to change. How can we ensure that we are making progress on issues such as bettering the hospital besides this public meeting
space? This space can become something so special. It can serve as a space for the ventilation of issues where ideas are exchanged and people, along with the council, can problem-solve these issues together.
Out in the open where we can all hold each other accountable. I understand the importance of efficiency in these meetings, but we cannot let the pursuit of efficiency make us lose the purpose of why we're even in this space in the first place.
If we accept this experiment of our representative government that we currently are living in, it is based on the assumption that these elected individuals are here to represent us. How can you represent us without a dialogue? It has to be a two-way street.
The people's voices should not just end when they vote. They should continuously be part of the process, and this should not happen in private. The people crave transparency, and the public forum {slash} public records help build that. I propose and sorry, wait, my time's up?
>> No, no, you're fine. >> Okay, okay. Sorry. I propose a balance that although it's not a perfect solution, I believe is a step forward. 5-3-2. 5 minutes where we speak, 3 minutes where you all respond, and the 2 minutes for us to respond and correct anything that was said.
That is not going to be the endless back and forth in meetings until 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. That might be a motivating factor of the reluctance in changing the public comment section. The people are just getting 2 minutes more to respond to your comments and answer to your questions, while you will have 3 minutes
to res- to address our questions. Currently, you all address our questions at the end. Sometimes people's questions and comments get mischaracterized and get lost in the translations. I want to help prevent that. I want us to work together, and dialogue is important for that. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, JP. >> Anyone [clears throat] else? A lot of thoughtful comments tonight. Thank you very much. And with that, I need a motion to close the public participation portion of the meeting. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? I now uh will ask Madam Clerk if there were any changes to the list of resolutions. >> No changes have been made. >> Okay, thank you. We can take the listed resolutions as a consent agenda.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Vote call, please. >> Mr. Rasses? >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Wittis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Danglers absent. Dr. Vote? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay, thank you. And moving on to applications, there are none.
So the last agenda item is miscellaneous business for the good of the order and Councilman Razzano is going to start us off. >> Hey, thank you Council President. First I'd like to thank everyone for coming out this evening. I appreciate hearing all your concerns. And then on that note,
this is my last meeting serving with my fellow council people, Rose and Mario. It's been a real pleasure, a real honor. I knew when I came aboard 18 months ago I was working with some great people, but to serve side by side with you
I found it even more how special you were. And just you welcomed me like family and I can't say enough about that. And just want to wish you all health and happiness and success in any endeavors you pursue and
all the best, stay in touch. And on that note, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Razzano. And then Councilman Vieira. >> Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Razzano. Thank you, Council President. First I want to thank the mayor for 8 years ago that come in
invited me to be a part of this team. What a blessing that was and I was so happy when he invited me because I really had a few thoughts and came through and it was a whole new world out here that I never knew of. Now
I have a little experience in it. With that I want to thank the voters that that put us here that trusted us to be to lead them and to vote for us. So thank you. And my second family,
Bill, Rose, Glenn, Anita, thank you because it was a pleasure working with you all these 8 years and nothing I would do change it because we were the very diversity and what we did
it's unbelievable. And the mayor with us alongside of us. And after that, I want to thank one special person that was a role model for me. That's I miss very much. Um she's up there looking at us, Mary Jane Sally. She was a role model to me. And we started with
her and um I miss her very much. I still do. So, thanks Mary Jane. And with that, I want to thank one more person, Amanda. Thank you for doing a great job with us and putting up with us, our city clerk there. And with that, I want to say goodnight. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilman Viera. And Councilwoman Waters. >> Hi. Thank you everyone who attended tonight's meeting. Since this is my last meeting, I would like to thank the voters in Long Branch who have supported me throughout the years that I served on
the Board of Education and the City Council. I would also like to thank Congressman Frank Pallone, Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman LuAnn Peterpaul, and Marjorie Donohue. You've always supported Long Branch and have made a difference in the lives of people who
live here. To my husband Sevi and family who've been there with me every step of the way. Thank you and my sisters are here this evening and my son. Thank you for coming. Means a lot. >> [laughter] >> Um I would like to extend my continued
support for Mayor John and council members Anita, Billy, Mary, and Glenn. This has been truly an honor to serve with you. And lastly, to the administration and staff, you're truly remarkable and thank you for going above
and beyond every day. Lastly, Long Branch is a very unique city. No matter what part of town you live in, we are all one community. And it is my hope we continue to live our lives together in harmony. Thank you and
have a good night. >> With that I wanted to get some flowers to present to our council president over here. >> [laughter] >> That's why I've been choking all night. >> Thank you so much and that's from >> [laughter] >> from the council.
>> Oh, they're in the council. Thank you for everything. >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> I thought they were going to you thought you were going to give them to Rose. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um
and Councilman Dengler, you know, isn't with us tonight. We kind of had a a last meeting with with him when he was here at the last at our last meeting. So this is kind of an emotional night for us tonight. And Mayor Pelone,
you're next. >> So it's all been said that but to Mario, Rose, and Bill who's not here to say, I just want to say thank you above all for your friendship, for your for your goodness, for being great people, and you know, I think we've done
a lot in the last eight years together and we would not have been able to do without you for sure. You've always been so supportive and and I just admire all that you've done
for the community and for all of us and and uh thank you guys. You know, I'm going to miss you miss you but I know you'll still be around with us and we'll be calling on you. So thank you. >> Anything else? >> Yes, thank you. >> [laughter]
>> I'm sorry, there are four just upcoming events I'd like to mention. So Ocean Fest is on July 4th. That's not this Saturday, but next Saturday from 1 to 10 at the Great Lawn and Promenade. As we all know, this is a family-friendly event with activities
and fireworks after dark. Bands will also begin playing at the Great Lawn starting at 3:00. Our next art exhibit at the at the Arts and Cultural Center is titled The Gilded Age. It's done in conjunction with the 250th anniversary
of our country. But, you know, Long Branch became very prominent in the Gilded Age and it's exhibition celebrating Long Branch as the nation's summer capital, which it was for several years. That opening reception is on July 20th
of 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Our next fun day is at the community pool on Wednesday, July 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and is free to all Long Branch residents. Use the pool, have fun. It's family-friendly with food, games, and
live music. And finally, Art in the Park, which was rained out on Memorial Day, it's a 50-somewhat anniversary of that has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 6th. That's Labor Day weekend from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. Artist vendor applications has been
reopened. Please visit longbranch.org if you're interested in participating. And we took that over from the Arts Council this year and so we doubled the size and the number of crafters and artists and so forth. So, hopefully we'll have some
good weather on that Sunday and please attend if you can. Thank you all for being here this evening for your comments. Rose, thank you. Rose's family for being here. Guys are great and uh everyone have a great week. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mayor Pallone. And I don't I do not want to let the evening end without also thanking everyone for their comments tonight. Uh Some very thoughtful and sincere comments
were made and you know, we do take them we do take them to heart. So, please please know that. And of course, it's I I can't believe that we're not going to be together you know, on on the
council anymore. We obviously we started 8 years ago. I was the newbie and you know, Rose and and Mario just like Glenn you were saying helped me along the way in terms of learning
the ropes and having wonderful friendship during that time and and getting some really good work done. But I know where both of you live. >> [laughter] >> So, you're not getting away. You're not
getting away. And our friendship will continue. All all of the best. >> Thank you. >> You've been great. You've been great. And um with that why don't I ask for a motion
to adjourn the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And thank you very much everyone for coming tonight.