So, good evening everyone and welcome. The December 23rd, 2025 council meeting of the Long Branch City Council will now come to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> here. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> I'm here. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> here. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote
>> here. Um, please all stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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. >> 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 to 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. >> Thank you. And now we have a very special event. We're going to have the swearing in for our city clerk, Amanda
Caldwell. >> I just want to say congratulations to Manda. You are a great asset to the city here and I know I speak for all of us. Thank you. >> So, we're going to do the other. Amanda, if you could repeat after me. I state your name. I Andra
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear truth >> that I will bear truth
>> faith >> faith >> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people
>> and that I will faithfully >> and >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> and partially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties as a city clerk >> all the duties of a city clerk >> for the city of Long Branch >> for the city of Long Branch >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. >> Y Good job, buddy. >> Good job. >> Wonderful. Amanda, we are so proud of you and we are so happy for you. >> Thank you so much. Yes.
>> Thrilled to have you as a continuing member of the team, Amanda. >> I'm excited. >> Good, good, good. Okay. So, we were are now we will now continue with the reading and approval of previous minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the December 10th, 2025
meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Consideration of ordinance public hearing and final consideration of
ordinance 0-20-25 an ordinance amending chapter 345 of the code of the city of Long Branch and more specifically the zoning regulation pertur pertaining to the transit village district medical village subd district.
This ordinance was introduced on November 25th, 2025 and amends section 345-39 and the table of bulk uses for the transit village district medical village
subdist all residential uses. The ordinance also repeals the M medical hospital zone district given that a given that as of the creation of the transit village
district no property in the city was included in an M medical hospital district uh zone district. I'm now going to ask attorney Raiden known if he would make a statement for us about this ordinance. Council President, as I
indicated to you uh earlier in the week, there have been very positive um discussions going on between the city and the hospital that will we hope will result in the hospital staying open. So, what I'm going to ask um tonight is that we conduct a public hearing because we
did send out public notices for it, but at the conclusion of the public hearing that um a motion to table the ordinance for until now effectively until next year. Um uh and that no action be taken tonight to to adopt it.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um so um I need a motion now to open the public hearing on this ordinance only. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. If any member 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'll have five minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-20-25. >> Vincent Leapor 33 Ocean Terrace Long Branch. I had a series of questions
here. Attorney Rainon made a statement. I want the confirmation of that statement that there are talks going on with the hospital. >> There are Mr. Leapur very positive
discussions. Yes. to maintain long-term operating facilities here. >> Yes, sir. >> Why did this ordinance come about in the first place? Why was it the timing of this ordinance a month ago as introduced?
>> Because at the at the time we thought it was the prudent thing to do um just to make you know the hospital was making representations and we we just thought that you know it was necessary to protect the city's interest. But our the conversations have been very positive with uh with the hospital system and um
that's why we're asking for it be held today and may the ordinance may have to be changed um and there's not a necessity to adopt it tonight. >> All right. So since the date of the adoption, the city's had positive talks. >> We we have medical. >> Yeah, we have Mr. Leaporn and you know
we have a starting to get a confidence level that maybe we'll we'll see that the hospital will continue its operations here. I have no further questions. No. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. I need a motion um to close public hearing.
>> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> So based on the advice from our city attorney, I'd like to motion to table this ordinance and I need a motion to do that. >> So moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Graases.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Vera, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler's absent. Dr. Vogue, >> yes. Motion passed. Thank you. >> Moving on to ordinance 0-21-25. This is an ordinance amending an
ordinance establishing titles and setting salaries for certain employees of the city of Longbridge for the year of 2025. This ordinance was introduced on December 10th, 2025 and amends titles
and setting salaries for certain city employees for the year 2025. I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance only. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Uh if any member 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'll have five minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-21-25. >> Vincent Leapour, 33, Ocean Terrace, Long
Branch on the bracket concerning the salaries for the council and the mayor. The mayor being $8,000 per year, the council $3,500 a year.
No, this council is not deserving of anything the way this city is being run. The taxes, the corruption, the crime, etc.
I'm requesting a no vote. The mayor does not deserve a salary, nor does this council. Requesting no vote on ordinance 2125. Is there anyone else who would like to speak?
Seeing none, I need a motion to close. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> This is the second reading of ordinance 21-25. I need a motion to adopt on second and final reading and advertise according to
law. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Rases. Yes, >> Mr. Vieiraa. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Whittis. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Ordinance for introduction.
Ordinance 0-22-25. This is the first reading reading of ordinance 22-25 and ordinance authorizing the purchase of 14 Sloum Place block 234 lot 6 in the
city of Long Branch. A summary of this ordinance is as follows. This ordinance is to approve the execution of the contract for the purchase of 14 Sloum place on behalf of the free public library of the city of Long Branch. The
library has already appropriated the phone funds for this purp for this purchase. I need a motion to introduce on first reading, advertise, and post according to law and set the public hearing for January 14th, 2026.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Razis, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieira, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. This is the first reading of ordinance
0-23-25, a capital ordinance providing for the purchase of 14 Sloum place block 234 lot uh six by and in the city of Long Branch in the county of Mammoth State of New
Jersey appropriating $400,000 therefore to pay for the cost thereof. A summary of this ordinance is as follows. The fully funded capital ordinance authorizes the purchase of the per of
the property located at 14 Sloum Place, also known as block 234, lot 6 from 25 uh00 Oak Street Enterprises LLC from the Library Fund. I need a motion to
introduce on first reading advertised and post according to law and set the public hearing for January 14th, 2026. >> So move second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes.
>> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. Thank you. 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 >> I >> I opposed. 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 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 will have five minutes and may only speak once.
Vincent Leapor 33 Ocean Terrorist Long Branch requesting one minute notification. Good evening, Madame Clerk. Often times I'm here in an adversarial position to this government. I much don't like what's taking place in this
government or this city. Tonight, resolution 247 is a resolution approving Amanda Caldwell for the clerk. Congratulations, Madame Clerk. >> Thank you. >> You are deserving of this. You're doing an excellent job.
>> Thank you very much. >> I have a major announcement to make this evening, everybody out there, this entire council, five seats, and the mayor, we have an election coming May
12th, 2026. On January 5th, the petitions will be available at the clerk's office. Petitions being applications to run for council and mayor. Again, they will be available January
5th. They're due back with signatures on February 26th for the May 12th election. The clerk will fill you in on details to anybody wishing to run for council or
mayor. Resolution 26725, the resolution appointing the city auditor simply Robert Swisser. Not a chance. You're giving him a raise, too. It's unbelievable. So much for pay
to play. Corrupt as it is. He couldn't verify the tax abatements on Pier Village two years ago. He went and stated on a budget that
it would not do well to have the surplus returned to the taxpayers. An idiot statement if ever there was one. And most recently with the scandal and the Elberon Fire Company of the Long Branch Fire Department,
checks are cut. Where was the auditor in proofing how that money was being spent? He failed. There was junk government all around. No on resolution 267. No on the auditor.
Another announcement yesterday, December 22nd. United States Department of Interior paused all offshore wind projects off of New Jersey for national security
concerns for risks identified by the US Department of War that includes the Empire Wind project directly east of Long Branch.
I want to publicly thank Congressman Christopher Smith as well as the state leader in fighting offshore wind farms, Long Branches Own Clean Ocean Action, Cindy Zip, and staff for working diligently on maintaining
the national security and the environment of the Long Branch Coast. Congratulations, Congressman Christopher Smith. Recently a bill's been introduced for the Senate Budget and Appropriations
Committee A-1107 in the Assembly Senate is S-3915. It requires municipalities to share certain payments in lie of taxes. pilots, also known as tax abatements,
with school districts and inform counties and inform school districts. >> One minute notification. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk, and the Department of Community Affairs of certain information related to
property tax exemption and abatements. This tax abatement legislation requires the mayor to notify the head of the board of education within 5 days of the tax abatement filing. The head of the board of ed shall do the negotiations and approve or deny the tax abatement
application within 90 days. I've been working on this for three years. Long branch being the most abusive of these tax abatements, residential tax abatements. But finally bringing it about. We're still working on retroactivity to apply
it to current tax abatements. The bill currently stands for future, but we're trying to get it to apply for current tax abatements that affect the school budgets. >> Five minutes. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Good evening everyone. My name is Marcia
Brown. I reside at 111 Joline Avenue in Long Branch. And um I just want to start off saying um thank you to the mayor and to Congressman Palone and to other members of the council that were involved in the
struggle to uh liberate Mammoth Medical Center. one might say um at least to bring the issue out in the public and it was just extraordinary the level of unity um that surrounded that campaign.
People from all different backgrounds um came together because they believe that the right thing to do was to um challenge the hospital's uh decision to reorganize or to relocate the plant.
And a few weeks ago that that sense of unity was also manifested in an event that was held by the Martin Luther King organization a few weeks ago called unity in the community. I think uh members of the council were invited, members of the community, Long Branch
community were invited. Um it was a um a very uh fundamentally profound um gathering. people from all backgrounds came together to say yes, we think it's a great thing to partner and to
collaborate in this city. We need that. Um, and what's brought me here tonight is this question in my mind about how people unite around issues that really challenge their sense of being caring
and compassionate. And I'm talking about the question of our immigration policies um in this country, but particularly how they manifest themselves in the city of Long Ranch. I know personally that somewhere in this city, there's a child
who is crying for his father. A father who was taken at 6:00 a.m. in the morning in front of his children, taken to Delaney Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey. A man who has worked in Long Branch for
30 years, built a business, raised a family, paid taxes that he will likely never receive back, sent his children to Long Branch schools, and is now in a detention center where
2,000 men lay on CS without proper heat, suffering mental health issues. Why? Because of a parking ticket. because he failed to pay a t parking ticket. And I think there may be many stories like that in our city. We
certainly know that those stories are going on around the country. But it's going on in Long Branch as well. And I don't know if we are a sanctuary city. Um, I don't know if we've uh written any symbolic statements
like for example the city of Princeton did and there are about 15 or 17 cities throughout New Jersey that have made statements or created ordinances that talk about what they will and will not do with respect to supporting the ICLE
detention arrest. But there's something wrong when someone who's simply failed to pay a parking ticket but has otherwise been a good citizen is taken like that and placed in a detention center and now
in danger of being deported because the other thing that happens is that the family is, you know, torn apart, ripped apart. In this case, the family is probably going to lose their house because the bread winner is no longer
there. And um just recently, this person is now um in the crosshairs of the federal immigration courts where they are going to be deported most likely. So tonight,
I wanted to just not advocate that we defy the federal government and make ourselves a target because these are serious times. that we're living in and we don't need to be a target of this administration. But there are some things that we have to be committed to do, I think, as a
city, a city that says that they are supportive of the interest, the best interests of its city. And the best interest of its city has to be that we act with a sense of care and compassion about our fellow citizens. And so I wanted to just indicate several
things that hopefully you can tell me whether we're doing or whether you can you will consider this. But one of the things that we should that some cities are doing is insisting on judicial warrants before they give out information about residents.
Um some cities are also providing additional resources to nonprofit organizations. We know they exist in our city um who are helpful in this population or with this population because many people are being targeted. >> 5 minutes.
>> Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. That should be our motto. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Marsha. We can address some of your questions after uh we close the public comment part. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else?
>> Thank you. Good evening all. Nick Deagle Yelmo, 580 Patton Avenue. Um, thanks for those words of unity. I think in u maintaining that unity and wanting to have a quality of life
here in Long Branch. I'm here. Uh my perpetual uh rant about um the tax issues more so than not um it's mostly the inaction that's being taken by our
elected representatives. You know, I I I I hate to use the old cliche uh taxation with represent without representation, but I truly feel that that's the case. You know, every time I mention this, it seems like the the
issue is mostly regarding about that 40% of the pie that all of you can wind up attesting to. However, that 60% that's the biggest blunt is is accounted by um
this untouchable uh arrogant uh board that uh has a cart blanch uh lassair effect in terms of spending all the money in the world and I know that you
don't have any direct control but in my prior uh rant I asked, "Let's have some dialogue with this untenable board of education. They're untouchable. Who in God's name is untouchable, you
know, and I I don't understand. Why can't we have a liaison? Why can't we create something to be able to account for that?" I mean, in Montlair, there was a huge multi-million dollar difference for the board of education. And it wasn't slammed down our throats
as was done here in Long Branch, but they had a referendum in Tom's River. The new incoming um governor has has a plan in terms of what to do with the mess there. I implore we have a mess
here at the board of education and it defies all logic and no one has the audacity to speak up. It's absolutely unacceptable and it can't be. So rather than me continuing to get crickets, no
answers on this, I'm going to forward the the remainder of my minutes to the council president, Dr. Vote, who I would love to hear what what what possible plans do you have? any tangible
ideas as to what you might be able to implement in 2026 to be able to make Long Branch affordable. She's interested in in in in helping out immigrants. I'm interested
in helping the entire town because frankly, ladies and gentlemen, Long Branch is no longer affordable. Please convince me why I should continue to live in this city that doesn't give a damn about taxes and wants everybody to
live. You are more interested in the gentrification of this city than maintaining the core. I am a core person that's been here. I too am an immigrant and I made it. I graduated Long Branch High School and through the grace of
God, I studied my ass off and was able to go to college. I have a master's degree. I have an MD degree and I did it entirely on my own. And now you've got this situation where I want to come back to Longranch. Well, I'm not convinced.
If I can't afford it, how in God's name is someone else? Dr. vote. Please give me some tangible ideas what you can do. I seed my minutes to you. >> Uh Nikki, let me do this just in terms
of keeping with our our order. When I when we close the public portion, um I will respond to you. >> But I've come here for the past year and a half and it's always been crickets. There have been no ideas. Everyone winds
up stating, "Oh, well, look at the other towns. Their taxes are high, but garbage. They have some say. If we only have 40% of the budget that all of you can account for, and we have this
arrogant 60% that goes to the board of education, what makes them so untouchable? What gives them that American Express card that they can spend as they want? Let's let's give it to the teachers that really need it and
not the upper administration. >> Five minutes. >> Thank you. >> Patty Pillllo, 70 North Bath Avenue. Um, I've never spoken before, so I'm not sure how this is going to go. I got my tax notice and my taxes went up $1,300
this year. Um, I >> Patty, could you I'm sorry, Patty, could you speak a little closer to the mic, please? >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Soft voice. Um, yeah. So, my taxes went up $1,300 and um I not sure why, but
somebody keeps saying it's because of the school board. They need more money to fund the school. I can't even send my grandchildren into these schools because their rating on this school, the state rank is abysmal. It's in the lower 2/3.
So, we're going to be paying to send my kids to a Catholic school because they can't go to these schools and get a good education. Now, my kids were born and raised here. I'm not from New Jersey, from New York. My kids were born and raised here and they went to Long Branch
School system. The school was a little bit more balanced. The population within the school district was more balanced. Right now, it's really not. There's uh I don't know. I'm not sure if I want my kids to be friends with some of the people that they'll be going to school
with. Maybe I'm I don't know. Um but the other thing too is that my kids in order to send their kids to any school near me, their grandmother, my grandkids have to um my my kids have to stay in my house. So they're they're in my house. And the reason for that is
because they need me as a babysitter. If they move somewhere else, they can afford to buy a house. You can't afford to buy a house in Long Branch. I just saw a three-bedroom bath and a half house a block from mine, which is up near the water. pretty house. $780,000.
That's just crazy. There should be opportunities for people to be able to buy a house and have it affordable. So, the other thing, so now I I can't live with my kids. They're all looking at moving somewhere out of Long Branch, even just leaving the house and moving
somewhere else. Um, and I I really I really don't want to do that, but I can't they can't afford to live here. Um, there was something else I was going to say. Um, so regarding the taxes, I don't know why they keep going up when we keep
building more town houses and people move into them and they're populated by people with much more money because they start at like 2 million a piece. Um I I don't understand why my taxes keep going up. Except I do know about tax abatements where people are gifted 30
years of not paying taxes, something like that. And I'm not sure because I'm this is all kind of new to me. But um I am now single. I was widowed. So a lot of this is now falling on my shoulders to understand. Um but I I think that um
my taxes shouldn't be going up when we keep increasing the population of the city. I don't understand it. And again, like I said, I can't send my kids to the schools that I'm paying for. Problems. I'm having problems with Long Branch right now. And I like this town. I like
all about it, except it's starting to get a little strange around here. Um, I think that's all I have to say. I'm sure that if I think of something else, I'll come back. But I don't know if there's anything you can do to fix it
except I think you had to I I had to be heard. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> So P the I mean let's look at the reality about what Nick said and what you're saying. I mean you know the b the bottom line is that
of your overall tax bill right that you pay 38% is a municipal portion of um uh of the tax bill. 38%. So Nick is right. You're talking about 62% uh is between the county, the board of
ed, and the um and the library. Um so the reality is this particular year, and again it's not going to be every year, but this particular year we had uh actually we reduced the municipal portion of it just a little bit and
there were significant increases. um you know elsewhere. Um so again I think we've done our job on the municipal level this year and if you compare the last four years for example
we were um on average a little less than 3% overall tax increase. So two years we had no increase. One year we had 5 point something. Another year it was another 5 point something. So I mean in the big picture uh I think I speak for all the
councils we're doing a great a good job that's been pretty good. I mean we don't know year to year but remember health costs costs of goods se you know everything else and then a lot of the services that we've been able to offer us obviously you come to the senior
center arts and cultural center new library museum I mean so there's a lot of things going on in the city and we've been able >> you know we've been able to keep the tax flat um this this year I mean I I can't
really address, you know, and then again, a gentleman likes to talk about uh, you know, tax abatements and so forth. I mean, he he doesn't mention that we removed a 30-year tax abatement from
Lower Broadway. And yes, we're responsible for one tax abatement this administration, and that was the Ocean Gate project. But again, we got a $3.1 million community pool, which the city has never had. And if you're familiar
with Long Branch Avenue, you couldn't go down there even the slightest rain. So, that was paid for uh through that abatement as well. So, um you know, again, and then finally, we talk a lot about new development.
new new development, believe it or not, represents I mean we have a the value of the city is about nine billion dollars I think for 25. Is that right, Mike? >> Yeah. >> And and uh really 1% of that
uh or I think it's about 100 somewhere between 100 and $120 million is new development um last year. So, so people always think, well, okay, you know, there's so much development. The reality is it's is
it significant? $100 million is $und00 million. But if you think of like a, you know, a container ship with, you know, it it's like maybe one container falling off. Is it significant? Of course it is. But to say that tax abatements or to say
that uh uh you know with so much new new development like I said it represents you know 1 39% of the overall budget of that $9 million. Is that fair to say? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, so, uh, you know, I I I I hope that explains something, Pat, here. >> It it does. Um, I guess the the main problem is that >> I like all of the things you brought up
about Long Branch. I'm as a as a senior citizen, I can I'm old enough to say that I take advantage of the senior center, the pool. I love this. I love the pool. I take advantage of all that I can take advantage of. I want to retire here. I can't because I have to be near my
kids because they need a babysitter because they can't afford not to have free help to watch the babies, which I have three kids. They all plan on having kids. I only have two babies right now, but um they can't afford to buy a house here. I don't know. I'm going to end up
getting pulled out of here. >> One more last and I I don't want to be just for the record. >> Yeah. >> One more last comment. um that tax freeze for senior citizens. I missed it. You know, the one that you can they they
they freeze you at like 10,000 or something like that. I missed that. And and then I see my taxes go up. I missed it by like I don't even know. You have to be a certain age by whatever it was. I missed it by like a year, year and a half. Council President, do you want I mean you want
me to respond or I >> you you know um if we could your your time is is up. Okay. >> Okay. Um which doesn't mean that the conversation you know won't continue just not right now. Let me just ask if there's anybody
else who would like to speak then we can close the public uh portion and anyone that wants to respond further um can can do that. But is there Yeah. >> Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is JPR.
Um, 2342 Second Avenue. Um, I just want to like comment real quick on what the mayor said regarding just the new developments. Um, I understand numerically you're saying that it might be a small, you know, part of like the bigger long branch aspect of it. However, I don't want to erase the
voices of many individuals like myself, my mother, and everyone who's here today who really feel that um individuals in Long Branch, it's uh where we might not be able to live here anymore. And I think that's just a reality we just can't erase as much as um we can we kind of see it. I think that was a big argument we kind of uh were talking
about when we really were um talking about keeping the hospital in the hometown of Long Branch was that the population here and is dramatically increasing with all the new developments and uh we can't just say that the that reality doesn't ex doesn't really exist when especially when you walk across
Broadway when you walk across the Second Avenue. Um, so I think we have to like really figure out a way that a lot of people are here talking about is how can we make people Long Branch feel safe? Not in the aspect of criminality, not in that aspect, but more in just feeling safe that they can still live here. Because I think that's a fear I always
have of like Long Branch is that we have a history of pushing people out, you know, eminent domain abuses. That's something that I'm always even scared about to this day. And I'm not saying there's any potential aspect of it happening now or like thinkings of it, but like there's a lot of uh pressure coming into Long Branch with new
developments and more money coming into the community because when although money might seem as like a good aspect always because it's increasing the the profit or the GDP of the community, where is that money actually going to? A lot of the money doesn't actually go to a lot of low-inccome communities. A lot of them they get pushed out. They get
pushed out to Edentown, but now Edentown is changing. Now they're getting pushed out somewhere else. So I think we really need to actually address um like when we talk about these benefits like we have to think about the individual's actual livelihoods here and I think that's something maybe the community can do more here is actually like create a community survey maybe you have done
that before or maybe but a more fuller outreach where people's voices can actually really be heard and talk about their lived experiences. I think that can also happen with the tax bills as well. I know we have a flat rate if that's what you all said or that's what I heard. I'm not I'm not an expert in taxes. Um but what one thing we can do
is maybe do more specialized you know tax understandings of individual situations for individuals who've gotten widowed for individuals who might um lost like their job individuals who are retired property taxes are going to increase dramatically and that's going to happen in conjunction with the increase of new developments because
that's going to raise the property value of the of the town in general. So like as much as new developments it is going to increase like maybe not this year but in the aggreate of 5 to 10 years it's going to automatically increase like people's like ability to pay. So I think there has to be like a you know um we
can't not like take into account people's live realities. So I I just think um we need to have more specialization when it comes to tax situations. We need to really talk to people, ask them why do they feel like, you know, not safe with like their living situations in Long Branch of the
stability. People don't feel stable here, especially with the hospital leaving, y'all. Like, come on. I think like that's not that's something that's out of your hands, of course, you know, but like not necessarily out of your hands because you all can have power to do what uh to like push as well, but uh that's that's like an example of like
our community actively changing and with individuals who feel that they're they're not even welcomed here anymore. Um, this is a this is like these are people's lives. These people's voices and uh they need to really really take consideration because this is not just this room. I've heard this from
thousands, excuse me, like hundreds of other people. Haven't talked to thousands yet. Um, but uh yeah, thank you all for your time. >> So, let me um if I may, let me u comment a little. First off, I want to thank you because >> yeah, let me close let me see if anybody
else wants to speak and then just I can close the public portion then we can open it up for for comment. >> Um, anyone else want to make a comment. >> Okay, one hold on one second. dog wedding. Um, anyone from the public who wants to further discuss any other
comments um or uh 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 need a motion to close the public participation portion of the
meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed. Now that the that the u public portion comment portion is closed we can have any comments from the day anyone to
respond to questions and uh some of your concerns. So let's open it up for >> sure well I just want to respond first off I wanted to thank you because uh many of us had commented on your comments that you made at the uh you know on behalf of keeping the hospital here in Long Branch. So thank you for
that. I don't know that we have actually met before that day. But again, I do want to thank you. >> Continue working on it, too. I think that's something that we need to keep fighting for 100%. >> So, I want to thank you for that. But I mean, let's talk about the development a little bit. And look, I don't have all the answers for you. All I can say is
you went like this. You said a b a balance. That's what I that's what we try to do. We I I like to use a a term called managed development. But let me just give you example of some of the things that we have done. And I'm not trying to, you know, do this in any like
back and forth sort of way, but I do think it's important that, you know, you hear both sides of it. So, let me let me just start with Lower Broadway, for example. And another thing I don't like to do, and I'm never going to do, and so please don't take it the wrong way, but a lot of the projects that were, believe
it, that that you see right now were actually had their approval prior to this administration coming in, but there has been some new development as well. So I you know I want you to understand that but what I will tell you is some of the things that we have done. So if you look at lower Broadway that's a good
example that was approved for 600 units. It's in half. It's 299 and we took away the 30-year abatement that that had attached to it. So that's one thing. We introduced an ordinance in the beginning in the beginning of uh our
administration here whereby any large developer and I don't remember the figures maybe you do. any large developer has to um has to provide a certain number or 10% I think of it as of affordable units of a large project
or pay a significant fee for that as well. A good example was again lower Broadway which was approved for 600 units in four phases and of course the affordable units would come in in phase 4 which was scheduled for 2028. So, this
is going to come online in the spring or summer. Half half the half of it uh and the 30 or 10% units will be right up front when they open the door. That's one example. Another example is we talk
about development. Look at almost if you remember all the abandoned and vacant buildings in the city of Long Ranch. Let's start with the uh C view towers, right? That had been that way for 20 years. Okay, let's look at Westwood and Bath where you have that development
there. Let's look in West End, the mobile station and across the street. Look at almost every abandoned and vacant building that you can think of with the exception primarily of the one as you enter Mammoth Beach, which is a whole story that I won't get into. We've
eliminated that. Now, if you look at Westwood and Bath where you have a I Charlie, I don't know what is it 30 or whatever the condos are there. People are not going to build a single family home or two or three single family homes
there. They're just they're just not that's just not the way it is. So, we tried to balance that. And how are we doing that as well? So, transit village, we were designated in 2015 as a transit village designation, but one of the things we changed when we came into
office, instead of what's allowed in a transit villa designation is 40 units per acre, we made it 30 units per acre. Another example in that area is is the hospital. So, the hospital we worked and
thank you to them, right? Thank you to them. the hospital. We worked so hard to get them to donate that land. They could have on that 4acre spot built 300 units there. So, I mean, you know, we're
actively doing that. If you look at the Third Avenue corridor there between Bath Avenue and Chelsea Avenue, you have uh sure you have a couple of buildings there that are I guess they're about 30 units a piece, but again that entire
stretch of land was vacant abandoned uh buildings where you had home, you know, you had people living in the basement there. So I mean let me start stop with that. I agree with you. You know, it's a balance. Um and we try, you know, we're
trying our best to do that. And you know, a lot of people talk about the beach front and you know, this administration or all administrations are just worried about the ocean front. I mean, we have all worked so hard to
put so many things off the ocean front. Again, I don't want to be repetitious, but whether it's the senior center, the arts and cultural center, the fire museum in North Branch, parks, how we've increased the number of parks in the city. It's a balance, as you say. I'm
going to stop there, but I just always, you know, want to give you the other side or our side, which isn't perfect. I mean, we can always do better, but uh that's my response. And again, I want to thank you for being here tonight and thank you for what you did a few weeks ago.
You want to make sure stay in jail. >> Stay in jail. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, Patty, to to your question. Yes. I don't know. It It's It's over. The deadline was October 31st for its PAS1,
I think, was was the title of the program, which which included um uh Stay New Jersey, where you could get up to $6,500, the senior freeze, and the anchor program. We had um actually it was Senator Gopal
um uh had brought something to the senior center. Were you there on that? >> I did it. I filled the forms out. So I I put all my paperwork in and I qualified for only one of those. So, you know, Patty, I'm sorry I'm hardly hearing, but can I can I just say for any seniors
that is a that is a great program because it's a combination of if you don't qualify for one then you qualify for the other or if you qualify for all three there's a maximum I believe of $6500. Uh and then one is not seniors, right?
One of the programs is senior free stay New Stay New Jersey and then anchor program is not is not a senior >> seniors, right? >> So um that's out there. I just wanted to throw that out. >> It was only the one where I missed it by like a year and a
half. >> Okay. >> And isn't it going to renew? >> I I can't. >> Yeah, it's every year. >> Yeah. It it's every year. And the thing is I I just got two calls last week from people who wonder, you know, sometimes
the state extends these programs and things like that. So far, they have not >> have not as of yet. >> Uh I don't know if they will. You Lou probably knows better than I do. >> Yeah. And it um if we could move on because Nick, I want to um address your
question and um let me start off by saying I wish I had all the um answers for you and I and >> I'm not requesting the answers but just some initiative it seems right for the past year and a half and despite what you wound up taxes did not only go up
one year. This is my third year and perhaps maybe my third year my last year in the city. I wanted to just know why what kind of measures are being respect to to jump those issues, you know, those
are separate. >> I I agree. >> What can we do now? >> I I volunteered, you know, to even voice even even that impenetrable board of education and I know I had asked you, John, how can I reach them? But they
have no emails. They're >> quash. And and I'm going to be honest with all of you, they are candidates to be reported to the board of ethics. >> That's the kind of thing that we're dealing with. But please help me out how we can have some dialogue so that way
they don't continue to get away with murder. It's like giving your kid an American Express card and say what the hell you want because we'll just attack we'll just we'll just go the taxpayers to death. can't even send her kids there.
>> Yeah. And and I and I have to tell you personally, I am always an advocate of let's get the conversation started and have a meaningful dialogue. And I wish I wish I could tell you more of
the conversations that I know the mayor um has, you know, as a council member. Wait, wait, wait. I know we're not, you know, we're not involved, so I can't tell you them, but I know what I know that conversations are happening, but I
think one thing that would change the the framework. We can say, you know, what do we control? We control the the municipal part of the of of the budget. >> That's a given, >> right? But that's not the whole life for
our citizens. our citizens uh have to ex live with the whole budget. And so, how do we have that conversation across those lines of what are we responsible for and
how do we work with the school board to look at what our citizens as a whole are experiencing and, you know, get out of our silos and start that working working together.
Um, I don't know how else it starts other than very honest and straightforward conversations working within the authority that we have. You you know what I'm saying? >> No. No. And that's why you have legal
counsel to be able to do that. But yeah, but you can have some kind of committees and I even volunteer to give my time. I'm 71 years old. I've got tons of experience. I used to run a multi-million dollar six office
practice. I know how to do that and I have people that I can wind up speaking to to wind up helping me out. Mr. Ryan knows. He checked me out on LinkedIn. He knows I'm legit. >> I'm legit. I want to volunteer my time.
But I'm asking >> next year there's going to be health care is going to be higher. This is going to be higher. And then all of a sudden that 38% is going to tweak up. But then in the meantime, the board of education is just going to do a lateral
and put in a $7 million. As I repeat, how in God's name can they get away with that? >> That's all I'm asking. And you as our elected representatives have half have the responsibility of saying, "Hey Nick,
you want to continue to stay in Long Ranch?" Well, guess what? We have a committee and I don't give a damn if it's covert. If John Palone's meeting with with with anybody else, I don't care. But tell me that there's something that's implemented as opposed to just
crickets. You guys just come there and say have a safe trip, drive home safe. You know, that's great. >> Give me something concrete. >> Um >> that's all I'm asking. >> Yeah. What I would like to do with the
permission and support of the rest of the council and the mayor is to have it on our workshop agenda for our next meeting. Um, obviously there's one con there's a consistent message being brought forward and um if it's for more
information for all of us and for whatever um action can be taken and to um talk about what the outcome of that conversation is. That's appreciated. Over a year ago, I had asked about some transparency and this August and I gave
you all credit that we did get a letter that showed us some of these details and contractor popular belief. The vast majority of people want to know that and just in nice little bullet things. You know, I'm not a finance person, but I
know for a fact if I've got to pay an extra $2,000 a year, that's going to hurt me like no avail. >> Council President, if I can that the public portion is close. I just I just thought that we because this is not a time where we go back and forth here
though feel free to stay after and and and catch up with everybody. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I that's why I'm we're kind of trying to put an end to it. Can I just say a couple of things? Sure. There's there's a there's a couple of parts to this and and I appreciate because I hear the comments all the time and and I say this in response all the
time. Um the first is is that part of that discussion should be the um annual assessment program because that is that exacerbates some of these things. As the mayor says, the the municipal budget is
flat but the people see a tax increase. Even if the even if the board of education budget was flat, people would some people would see a tax increase because their assessments would change in a different percentage than other people. That should be part of your discussion, too. >> The other part of it, which is sometimes
I like to state kind of what is the obvious, is the board of education is a separately elected body. >> Yeah. >> And they hold public meetings. >> Yeah. So, and I'm not saying that everybody should come here and and and and spread their
voice, but coming here and asking us to go to the board of education to tell them these things, I I wonder I don't I've never been to a board of education meeting. I wonder you can go to those meetings, too, and that's that's where you get the
information as to what their budgets are are like. So, and I don't, you know, I have a pretty good idea as to the the the dynamic as to what's facing board of educations and the education formula and all of those things that are going on in in New Jersey. I have a pretty good
bird's eye view of it. But the the obvious point is this is that while your questions here are are good and it's going to be on our workshop agenda and we'll kind of workshop some of it, but all of our workshop is about how we can go talk to the people who will actually
make those decisions. when you everybody here is of course free to go to those board of education meetings and express that that information to them and and perhaps as you know as we saw with the with the Mammoth Medical um the voice of
the people sometimes you know carries a lot of weight. >> So I just just say I I I oh ma'am I I'll speak to you afterwards ma'am but this is not the this Yeah but this is this is not the public portion of it and you're you're free to speak
It's not the public portion is closed. >> I'm sorry. I apologize. >> Yes. >> You know after >> can we have the can we have the discussion afterwards? Um and we you know
>> that's um >> right. >> Okay. So we are going to move on but you know how you know the conversation will be continued in the workshop and will be continued um shared um here as uh as it
moves forward. With that um I will now ask madame clerk if there are any changes to the list of resolutions. >> No changes have been made. >> So we can take the listed resolutions as a consent agenda. >> So I need a motion. So move second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. Thank you. And now in terms of applications, I need a
motion to approve the listed application. It is for the renewal of various taxi cab owner license for the year 2026. >> So move second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Wittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler is absent. Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Miscellaneous business for the good of the order. And we're going to start off with Councilman Ras. >> Thank you, Council President. I'd like to congratulate Amanda, our new clerk, Amanda Cowwell. also extend a
congratulations to your family. Uh I'm proud of you and very hap so happy for you. You are a tremendous asset to the city of Long Branch. Also like to thank everyone for coming out this evening. It's always nice to hear your concerns. Um
these are things that we you know we do take to heart and uh you know we want to find a way to resolve these issues. Um also I want to extend a happy holiday season to everyone. Uh wish everyone a happy and healthy new year and um please
stay safe and look forward to seeing everyone next year. >> Thank you Councilman. Thank you Councilman Ras. And now Councilman Vie. >> Thank you council president. I also want to Amanda echo what Councilman Raza
says. You are totally asset for this and know me for a while. You're going to make us proud. I'm proud of that. >> Thank you. >> Thank to the family. Same thing. And to the concerned citizens that about our taxes and our school board, Nick, I know
you say I know our lawyer touched up a little bit that uh we can't give the the school a green light. They are elected officials just like we are. They make their decisions over there. You know what I mean? So I know attorney Von >> dialogue. >> I know. But we just can't go over there
and tell them what to do. They're elected officials just like we are. You know, we control our portion. They control their portion. You know what I mean? >> You're misunderstanding. >> Yeah, I know. So, anyways, to touch up on that a little bit. And another thing is to come and hear and say that uh you
can't afford to live in the city of Long Branch anymore. I'm with you 100% on that one. But you got to take it as a whole pie. It's not just the city of Long Branch. I have relatives that lived around the surrounding towns and our
taxes are still the most affordable that compared to the surrounding town by us that I can tell you almost I can't prove it but I can tell you was for what I hear. So this is like a Mammoth County thing. It's not just the city of Long Branch. You know it's fair to come in I can't afford to live in the city of Long
Branch. Well said, well understood, but it's not just the city of Long Branch. You know what I mean? You go to the surrounding town by us, it's all the same exact thing. I think it's more to come Mammoth County now. It's changing to Ocean County, it's everything up north. The taxes I know you're shaking
your head, Noah. Yes. You know what I mean? But um it's true. It's not a long branch thing. You know what I mean? And Nick, you know that. You know that's not just a long bench thing. You know your experience. You know what's going on. It's the taxes. We have to, you know, we
make our budget and I know it's it's going on, but it's it's a little not fair just to say I can't afford to live in Long Branch. You know what I mean? It's it's a little out. I know you live in Long Branch. Listen, your taxes go up, my taxes go up, too. And you don't think that the us sitting up here, the
administration and the and the mayor and the council here, we don't do anything in our power to keep these taxes down? We do. So it's the it's nice and easy to say that we sound like crickets and whatever it is, but it's not the way it is and that's not the way we operate. You know what I mean? For what the city
of Long Branch offers, as the mayor mentioned, all those things, the fun days, the pool, everything that we offer to the kids, the art center, the your garbage picked up three days a week, all the city, all the police offers that we have, all the
fire department that we have. It's not fair to say we can't live in the city of Long Branch. We offer a lot for what you get. A lot more than a lot of cities offer you. A lot more. And your taxes, I think, are high as are mine. Believe me,
I'm I live here and I'm proud to live here. And you're right at a point. We went over a point that we can't live here anymore. But it's just not a long bench problem. It's a mom of county problem. Okay. With that, I want to wish everybody a happy holidays. Thanks for coming and stay safe. Like you said,
thank you. Good night. >> Thank you, Councilman Vieiraa and Councilwoman Whittis. >> Um, I too would like to thank you all for coming out this evening and u Amanda, congratulations and >> thank you. >> We're excited to work with you and continue to work with you. Um, and I,
you know, I look forward to, I think, Nick, your your goal is to have a committee to talk with board of education and, you know, I know most of the members and I I hopefully they would be receptive to that. So, you know, and
I think that something we can discuss in workshop. >> So, um, see what happens. But yeah, >> thank you. >> So, any with that, I'd like to say merry Christmas to everyone. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Whittis and Mayor Palone.
>> Thank you, Council President. I just want to wish everybody a merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, and all the best to you and your families for a healthy and happy 2026. Um, I just have two uh events here. The
holiday decorating contest is still going on. Winners can win $150 gift card at uh Acedardware. To apply, please go to our website, www.lombranch.org. And finally, uh, we have many fun events. I didn't write this. We have
many we have many funny fun events planned for 2026. Please visit our website for a sneak peek at our summer concert list dates and bands that we already have booked. So, uh, again, thank you all for being here this evening.
>> Thank you, Mayor Palone. uh and as >> sneak peek >> as >> sneak peek >> uh some final comments for 2025 that I would I would like to make these conversations these discussions are so
important um the Nick the dialogue that's it from you know I think uh I think we all uh are on the same same page with that and um so a commitment
for us and you know in in terms of continuing that conversation in our workshop and um you know dialogue is wonderful action is even
better. Um so that maybe that should be our our motto for for 2026. Thank you everyone. Marcia, thank you for your your comments for I don't know your name. Oh, and Patty um
>> uh thank you for um all of your very thoughtful and heartfelt uh comments. Uh Amanda, I'm certainly not going to miss um congratulating you one more time and your lovely family. Thank you for coming out and I hope all of you and all of you
and um all all of our residents have a wonderful wonderful holiday season. So enjoy. And with that I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. So move second. >> All in favor? Five.