So, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. The February 3rd >> Oh, I'm sorry. I do that all the time. [snorts] >> 2026 uh council meeting of the Long City Council will now come to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Here,
>> Mr. Be >> here. >> Mrs. W >> here. >> Mr. Dameler, >> here. >> Dr. >> here. All please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> And I [clears throat] will now read the mission statement for the city council. The Long [snorts] 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 January 14th, 2026 meeting. >> So move second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed.
>> Thank you. Consideration of ordinance, public hearing and final consideration. There are none. Ordinances for introduction. There are none. Public participation for resolutions and all general comments. I need a motion to
open the public portion of the meeting for all comments. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. 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. After you have spoken, any member of the deis authorized to speak on the administration's behalf may address your comments, answer your questions, and
correct any misleading or erroneous information. If there's anyone in the audience who has a comment to make, please step forward to the podium, state your name and address clearly for the record. You'll have five minutes to speak and may only speak once.
>> Good evening, Madame Clerk. Requesting one minute notification. Vincent Laapour, 33 Ocean Terrace, Long Branch Corruption. Synonymous with Long Branch. corruption synonymous with Long Branch Government.
Long Branch First Aid and Safety Squad Corporation, the 501c3 nonprofit filing federal form 990 claiming federal tax exempt status.
The year 2024 filing revenue expenses revenue 715,000 expenses 715,406 [sighs] reporting a net income loss of 57,627 compensation for officials of the Long
Branch first aid and safety squad director and president the director of former Long Branch Police Department officer retired out of state for many years, receiving
an annual salary of $80,220. The president, former member of the Long Branch Fire Department, what else is new? Receiving a $50,374 salary, total compensation of both
130,594. From the filings of 2023 to the filings of 2024, a one-year period, the retired police officer living out of state got an increase in salary of $42,212
as director of the Long Branch First Aid and Safety Squad Corporation. Again, from 2023 to 2024 filings, the retired Long Branch Fire
Department individual receiving as president an increase of $17,75. And the increases in the filings in the years prior to 2023 are abusive.
be reminded a loss of $57,627 for the tax filing year of 2024 with a combined salary of the director and president of 130,594. And these self-serving officials have the nerve to take this money from
donations and contributions and are repeatedly asking for more donations and contributions. During the city budget hearing approximately 7 months ago, I raised questions on a line item on page 15D of
the budget. Upon questioning, CFO Martin responded that the appropriated $140,000 was indeed city contribution to the volunteer first aid squads.
So, the city contributes to the director and president of the Long Branch First Aid and Safety Squad while both enrich themselves with salary increases off of city contributions and general donations. and at the same time in 2024
losing $57,627 for the organization. Another example of the city CFO, the city auditor, and the city council along with the mayor and others having a catastrophic financial
government. This government failed to prove the need of city contributions and accountability of such and to think once again the council >> one minute notification. Thank you,
Madame Clerk. And to think once again, the council just recently appointed the same city auditor that I objected to. And in addition to that, not only did you appoint the auditor, you gave the
auditor a raise. And he completely missed this. And the auditor completely missed the contributions, proofing them out for need with the firehouses. This council has a signature of junk government. And for those of you after
July 1st who aren't going to be here, three of you, don't think the criminality of this, you're escaping. This is only the beginning. The next five months are going to be one hell of a ride. Junk government.
>> Anyone else? Uh, anyone from the public who wants to further discuss any other comments or concerns, please call the city clerk's office at 732571-5686 to schedule a time at the public council hours that are held the first Wednesday
of every month. I now need a motion to close the public participation portion of the meeting. >> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. I'll now ask the city 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. I need a motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed.
>> Thank you. Applications, there are none. And so we're moving to miscellaneous business for the good of the order. and we will start as usual with Councilman Ras. >> Okay. I'd like to thank you, uh, Council President. I'd like to thank everyone for coming out this evening. Um, also
would like to thank, um, all the departments involved over the past week, um, after the snowstorm we had, um, public works, police department, um, fire department. Very challenging week and, um, usual week we've had, um,
especially with the city hall being without heat. And uh thanks for want to thank everyone for their patience. Uh the residents as well for their patience uh with the uh clearing of the snow um over the past week with the cold temperatures. It just hampers the uh the
um job. So again, you know, we appreciate your uh patience. Um as a lifelong resident, um I'm really happy tonight that uh we have awarded a contract for the boardwalk.
um pier um that's been a you know something that we've missed for many years and looking forward to something that the public will enjoy dearly and look forward to seeing everyone in uh a week. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Ras and now Councilman Vieira.
>> Thank you Tracy. Thanks for coming out tonight. And I also want to echo what Council Raza says about the public works and the first responders. a great job out there with frigid temperatures and they're out there with uh this kind of
weather and the snow plowing and uh for the first responders special big shout out to them. Thank you. And with that, I want to say good night. >> Thank you, Councilman Vieiraa and Councilwoman Wittis. >> Hi, good evening. Um, I too would like
to uh say that I'm very excited about the uh approval of the pier and um can't wait for it to be completed and uh I think it'll be a great asset to our community. And I also I I too would like to thank the um police department, the
fire department, the um DPW did an amazing job in keeping our community safe and you know it was extremely cold and we truly appreciate all you do every day. Thank you and have a good evening. >> Thank you Councilwoman with us and Vice
President Bless. >> Thank you. Um as everyone else, this was obviously a snowstorm that we hadn't seen in several years. So, we have been blessed not to um have to deal with it. So, I want to
congratulate uh public works even though it looks like uh they didn't do as as good as we would like them to do. On the other hand, u riding through several nearby towns as as I've done over the
years when I was working, Long Branch still does the best out of all the other towns possible. So, um I want to congratulate them and um I can say that I would be asking or discussing how we could even improve when we have our next
um meeting and executive session because this is um um I was driving this morning and I was sort of on a hill on a one on a two-way street just trying to get by while the other car is going the other opposite way. um if how we can have cars
you know at certain time whatever it is just when we have this type of snowstorm because once it's frozen as we all know there's nothing we can do but again I want to congratulate department of public works and yes I was frustrated too when I got plowed in my driveway but
that's nature of the beast they can't just stop cuz you're shoveling and and you know the snow keeps coming down we got to keep the street safe so um I want to congratulate them and um Thank everyone and please be safe and
just be careful when you're out there shoveling. No matter how uh young you are, you just never know. Don't don't overdo it. Take your time. Take a break when you have this type of snowstorm. It's going to keep coming. So, if you go out two or three times versus trying to
get it all at one time, unless you have an industrial snowblower, it's not going to make a difference. So, just take your time and uh everyone please be be blessed and continue to try and stay warm and keep an eye on our signs with the cold blue or where you
can go. Thank you very much and God bless you. >> Good advice. Thank you, Councilman uh Dangler. And now, Mayor Palone. >> Thanks, Council President. Um, just to pick up where my other uh council members uh mentioned, uh, I'd like to
say thank you to all our staff, DPW, police, fire, OEM, first aid. Uh, thank you for all you do. Uh, residents, thank you for your uh, patience. Please stay safe. And I just want to let everyone know if there's any issue, please um,
give uh, give us a call. Call administration. Um and uh thank you uh again for uh your patience and please stay safe. There's a couple of announcements I wanted to make. Uh the city council uh this evening as
councilman Rasus referred to and and uh uh with us uh the council awarded the construction contract for the new Long Branch Pier tonight uh which marks a major milestone in the city's ongoing efforts to restore uh for many of us
this iconic waterfront landmark. The bid was awarded to New Jersey based company JT Clearary. They're a premier marine contractor with extensive experience of large high-profile projects all along the east coast. Mobilization and
construction will start um within 60 days and an estimated with an estimated 12 to 18month completion timetable. For many residents and visitors alike, the pier, as I mentioned, is an iconic symbol of Long Branch. And the new pier will include historic design elements
that give a nod to the original structure structures while incorporating modern standards for safety, durability, and maximum resiliency. I'd also like to say this is a fully accessible pier and um I believe it's the first along the
Jersey Shore. Uh also the Branchport galleries at the Arts and Cultural Center are now open. We had a huge opening reception two weeks ago and we want to thank all the artists and community members that attended. Now, next Thursday on February 12th from
[clears throat] 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., we'll have the opening reception for our annual Black History Month art exhibit. This exhibit will fill both galleries with some great art, good food, and live music. It's a free event uh open to everyone. So, uh, please, uh, if you
have the opportunity, come next Thursday between 6:00 and 8 at the corner of Branchport and Broadway. And again, please everyone stay safe. Thank you for being here tonight and for watching and have a great week. >> Thank you, Mayor Poll. And of course, I
join the sentiments that have been expressed from everyone with tremendous thanks for all the staff uh members who keep us safe in storms like this and keep us safe every day. Tremendous appreciation for uh all that you do. A
whole lot of excitement as you've heard with the pier. It's just beginning. Um it will not be that long before it's a reality for us all to uh to enjoy. So, it's an exciting night. uh for for Long Branch to be passing that um that
resolution. And um I just join in uh what the mayor had mentioned. This is the start of Black History Month. We certainly certainly will be doing more of an acknowledgement at each of our meetings throughout February, but it's a wonderful time to recognize and
celebrate the diversity of our wonderful city and uh all the accomplishments of all all of our residents. Um but to recognize in particular that's Black History Month in February. And with
that, I will uh I ask for a motion to please adjourn. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed. >> Thank you and good night everyone. Thank you for coming out.