--------- Okay, >> we're on. >> Okay, >> call the meeting to order. >> Okay, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Uh July 8th, 2026, uh the workshop meeting for the city council.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Barero >> here. >> Dr. Mr. V >> here. >> Mr. Zelta >> here. >> Mr. Brown >> present. >> Mr. Rus >> here. >> 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. Uh we're going to start tonight's meeting with a presentation um by Michael Riser from Aron. Uh this is regarding Manhass Creek Park improvements and grant application. >> Thank you very much.
Thank you, mayor and council for having me and congrats to the newly elected officials. Um, so as uh council mentioned, this public hearing for the submission of a Mammoth County open space grant application on behalf of the city. Uh the purpose of the Mammoth
County open space program is to expand park and open space opportunities for residents by providing funding to assist municipalities to develop and redevelop land to expand recreational opportunities. Uh this year the city is specifically seeking funding to make
improvements to Manahass Creek Park. The park is located at 500 Long Branch Avenue. And this is specifically identified as block 484 lot 9, block 483, lot 1.01, block 482, lot one, block
481, lot one, and block 460 lot one, and block 458 lot 2. Uh the site in total is roughly 16.4 16.4 4 acres in size and contains uh newly renovated tennis and pickle ball
courts, newly renovated basketball courts, two baseball fields, three multi-purpose turf fields, a turf football field, an asphalt walking trail with new fitness stations, a playground, and a concession bathroom in the office building. Um this year's funding, uh
we're looking to improve the existing playground. Uh so the proposed project includes reconstruction of that existing playground including new equipment, new curve edging, uh new engineered wood fiber mulch surfacing and uh surrounding
landscaping. So that can be seen there on the plan. Here we have uh all landscaping along here to uh kind of shield the park from the roadway. Uh there is an existing fence uh along here to protect children from going out into
the roadway. And then we have all of our uh new equipment there. Uh it also includes repairs, renovations to the concession bathroom uh and office building to address an ongoing leaking roof issue there. Um so that would
include installation of plywood decking, ice shield, underllayment, felt, and miscellaneous improvements to uh ensure that that roof is uh shed up from from leaking. Uh the objective to the project is to provide much deeper improvement to the
park. The updated amenities will provide uh you know an active space for uh the community and uh the children uh can enjoy that nice new playground. The grant is limited to $500,000 per project. Since the city is a designated
urban aid community, the county will fund up to 75% of eligible project costs. Uh so for this project the estimated cost is $757,000. So we would be going for the full 500,000 and then the remaining 257,000
would be funded by the city. And uh with that I'm happy to answer any questions or hear any comments at this time on the uh proposed project. >> Mike, I had a couple questions. Is that pub correspond? >> No. No. So that would that would remain.
Our um our improvements are limited to the playground only and go right up against it. >> Okay. And then the new equipment is that um some of it accessible of all of it or >> Yes. Yes. We we didn't go into the the details of selecting specific equipment
pieces. I mean we put ones in there almost as placeholders uh and then based on the size of the playground we're able to estimate a cost. But uh once uh you know if we're awarded funds and proceed with design, we would then coordinate um specific playground pieces, but they
would be accessible and we can discuss um you know different themes and things like that. Um >> then the last question is that mulch is that the same thing we're getting at health and tech? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Right. And what is that the new thing instead of the um
>> it's surfaces? >> There there's different preferences. [clears throat] Um so you can either go like it needs to be ADA accessible. So uh per the regulations the wood fiber mulch is accessible. The other option would be like a rubber surfacing uh which is
there existing. Uh a lot of environmental groups have issues with that. Um there's some studies going on with the the material that's used in there. Uh I think it's widely up for debate, but the issue with that is more the cost. It's much more expensive to do
the rubber surfacing. >> Is there going to be new uh cooking equipment in there as far as a concession or no? >> Uh not proposed with this project, >> but could it be added? I mean, are we to a point where it's
>> what's in there is in there? >> Well, at this point, what this is what we'll be submitting for the application, but ultimately we're getting the maximum funding award. So, if we were awarded one to change the scope to add additional amenities that the city would
fund, then you know, the county would have no issue with that. >> Good. >> Could we see a breakdown at some point of how the 757,000 [snorts] like what comprises that or >> Yes. Yes. I uh I haven't asked Did you print that out, Charlie? Is that included in the pack?
>> This just that. Okay. >> You want copies of that? >> Yeah. Yeah. if you want to circulate that around. >> So Mike, what are our chances for this? How often does this grant come around? And >> uh so it's available every year. We have received um funding the past couple
years. Uh last year we received funding for Vancort Park. Okay. >> And the previous year was for city hall park improvements right outside between here and the library. And the year prior was funds for health and uh technology center.
>> Yeah. Jackson Woods was one too. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yep. Exactly. So the we usually do receive funding each year. Uh it's just a matter of the amount. >> Yeah. And if I could throw out to the council just so you know in the future is like at one point I don't know how
month many months in advance with the application if anybody has any particular ideas uh how to use that because we pretty much get it we pretty much get get it every year. >> Yeah. >> Uh so again when that time comes we
should have a little meeting to I know in Ocean Township they did that kids thing to the pool and it's like Incredible. >> Will there there be a time period if we if this grant is awarded that we have to have have it
done, you know, the work done because I last year with the tennis court, >> it was done, you know, apparently it had to be utilized by certain times otherwise we were going to lose it and it was right in the middle of summer and the tennis courts were not available to be used for portion of the summer. Yes,
I I believe that was uh a Green Acres uh funding for that and they're a little more strict. I I'd have to double check the exact timeline. I want to say two years is what Mammoth County says, but I I believe they have some leeway with that. All right. >> Um so, like I said, the uh you know,
previous funding, City Hall and Vanc Court improvements, we likely want to do those first because they're the older grants from from prior years. >> Yeah. If we could dictate, you know, the scheduling of it so that it's not, you know, in the middle of the crime season, people are going to be convened.
>> Yep. >> We asked the groups that, you know, all the groups we have, we asked them and they said, "No, do it now." They wanted us to do it. They didn't want to wait and run into other issues. >> Just following up on what the mayor asked, why not rubber? >> It's expensive. >> No, it's very expensive. It's not about
the expense. If you go and look at it, the maintenance of it is like impossible. And so, let's just say we pick a green and then something happens to it. And usually at the base of uh swings, at the base of the slides, whenever you hit it gets worn out, you have to replace it. And it's so many years later, it just you look go look at
it. We've got different colors all over the place, it just after three years, it just starts looking like we >> But is it I mean, what do you do to just make it safer around the swings? And >> we we we're doing the mulch, so it >> Oh, you are. That's what I was. >> The difference is the one mulch is excellent. >> The one goes down, we don't touch it.
The mulch we have to maintain. So Stanley will do it again. And if you don't spend the full 757 for some reason, what do you have that like how does that impact the grant amount? >> Um, I mean, likely if you know, say we bid this project and it was less, we
could probably have discussions with the county about adding additional park amenities to the contract um to to be able >> So that could potentially fund what Anita was talking about. >> Yep. Correct. Just just to expand on Charlie's thing with the rubber surfacing, you will see that wear after
a few years and then typically that whole system will have to be replaced every seven to 10 years. Um, so you're and it's I'd say like three and a half times the cost of the mulch. Whereas the mulch, you know, under the swings if that area picked up, you just you bring
in some more mulch and and >> I didn't realize that's where the mulch was going. I thought it was going around the the hedges. >> That's one of the And and the the mulch is handicap accessible. That's okay for wheelchairs. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That's in the AJ standards.
>> This is probably a Mike question. Mike, where's the 257,000 coming from? >> Oh, Charlie's desk. [laughter] and I'll probably have to be in the next capital [clears throat] >> and the timeline it all goes according
to plan. >> Uh I believe they announce um grant awards in the fall and then it would just be the terms of funding from there. >> Okay. >> Like they they uh make the announcement and they invite the mayors and council.
So we we try to go in >> good >> and give out the award. >> So this this um conceivably is ready for next summer >> if the funding is available. Yes. Like I said, I think the priority would be the prior year um grant applications that we
have at Fang Court and City Hall. But ultimately that's you know that's up to your discretion. >> Yeah. Anything additional >> we have to open it up for public comment formally or anything like that.
>> Okay, perfect. All right, thank you so much. Appreciate your time. Good job. >> Yes, you got you got this maximum. >> Well, what what happens with public is that we all right? So, we we have an
engineer we'll have an engineer's estimates what it is. Um and we'll see what the bids are. Sometimes the bids are less. Um we can reject if the bids are more than what what our estimate is. We can reject the bids and go out again. Maybe change the
st. You may recall we had to do that with the the bids came in a couple of times over our estimates. [clears throat] We would go back to the drawing board and reconfigure the bids, change what change
some of what we did and go out to again. Do we have to take low bid? >> Yes. Lowest responsible bidder. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. So, lowest responsible bidder means that somebody who obviously it meets a lot of criteria to to be.
>> So, that doesn't start until we actually get the grant, the bidding process. >> Right. So, we would we would get the grant. Um the Arthon would prepare the bid specs and we go out to bid and um that process. I don't know how long it'll take them to design it. Uh but
that the process the bidding process is probably I'm going to say a 45day to 60 day. Um and then construction will start usually 30 days after that. >> So everything there's something everything there's something to look for. So usually October is when this will come out and then we'll have a
grant agreement that'll come in front of you and that's how you'll know what we got. We'll talk about it then and then from that point that's when we're like okay we have it. Let's start designing. >> Right. Yeah. Once we know >> we don't want to design something we may not get. >> Correct. Of course. That's why this is preliminary at this point because we will design it to the budget that
[clears throat] and the budgets these budgets always contain a contingency. So that's >> right. >> Any old business new business? >> We do the regular meeting agenda.
>> All good. I need a motion. >> So I I just want to make sure so every everybody knows um talk about reviewing the meeting that everybody's gone through it understand where ordinance is first resolution second >> um and we'll the backup for all of these
are already the ordinances are things that some of them are things we've been working on for a while >> but all of the backup is in your pack. >> Right. >> Okay. I need a motion to close the public portion of the meeting. >> All in favor?
>> Opposed. Okay. Go to executive session. I need a motion to adopt the following resolution. Resolution number R-144-26. Be resolved that the city council will go into executive session to discuss the
following. Attorney client privilege. Administrator um Charlie's update. >> Some moved. >> Second. Second. >> All in favor? Part: 2
The city of Long Branch July 8th, 2026 council meeting uh council election. The floor is now open for nominations for position of council president. >> I can I get a nomination? >> I nominate Glenn Rasus. Council Glenn
Rasus. >> I second. Okay. I will now close the nominations. Uh, Council President Glenn, >> roll call. >> Uh, Mr. Baritero, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote,
>> yes. >> Mr. Zalta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Rases, >> abstain. >> Motion pass. >> Okay. I will now open the floor for nominations for position of council vice
president. I nominate uh Mr. Brown. >> Second [snorts] motion to close the nomination. >> Okay. Uh >> nomination. Need a motion to close the
nomination. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Somebody second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> opposed. You need a roll call. >> You need a roll. >> Okay. Roll call.
>> Mr. Baritero >> here. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zelta >> here. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rases. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay, we're all set.
>> Okay. Did July We're doing Okay. Uh please all stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Right. [snorts] >> Can you read the certification reading, 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. >> Was I supposed to read this? No, you had to read that first. Okay, go ahead. >> Okay. I will now read the mission statement of 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. Um I Okay, we did the clarification right? >> Okay. Um reading and approval of um previous minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the June 24th, 2026 meeting. >> I move.
>> Second. Roll call. >> Mr. Baritero, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Mr. Zalta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Consideration of ordinance, public hearing, and final consideration. There
are none. Ordinance. Ordinances for introduction. Uh 0-16-26. This is the first reading of ordinance 16-26 entitled an ordinance amending section 262-25 of the code of the city of Long Branch
regulating the issuance of certificates of occupancy for one to four family dwellings. This ordinance amends the code of the city of Long Branch to require that all rentals of one to four family dwellings be for a minimum duration of 60 days. I need a motion to
introduce on first reading, advertise and post according to law and set the [clears throat] public hearing for July 22nd, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. Roll call. >> Mr. Baritero? >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Brown? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ras? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. [clears throat] >> Okay. 0-17-26. This is the first reading of ordinance 17-26 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 297 streets and sidewalks by
amending subsection 297-35 restoration of the surface of the code of the city of Long Branch. This ordinance establishes the requirements for final ashful pavement for road services road surfaces as determined by the size of the trench originally made
in the roadway. I need a motion to introduce on first reading, advertise, and post according to law, and set the public hearing for July 22nd, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Baritero, >> yes.
>> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Mr. Zalta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. 0-18-26. This is the first reading of ordinance 1-18-26 entitled an ordinance of the city of
Long Branch amending chapter 125 of the city of Long Branch Code entitled brush grass weeds to include new article three entitled bamboo plants. This ordinance amends chapter 125 brush grass weeds to
include bamboo bl bamboo plants and prohibits subject to certain exemptions the planting, cultivation or growing of bamboo on any lot or parcel of land within the boundaries of the city. I need a motion to introduce on first
reading advertise and post according to law and set the public hearing for July 22nd, 2026. >> I move. >> Second. Roll call. >> Mr. Berero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ras?
>> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. The 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 >> opposed. Okay. 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. Uh after you you have spoken, any member of the deis authorized to speak on the administration's behalf may address your comments and answer your questions. 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 records. You will have five minutes to speak and may only speak once. 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 at the public council here council hours that are held the first Wednesday of every month. I need a motion to close the public part. Not that anyone who would like to come up. Uh,
>> you're welcome. [clears throat] >> Good evening. My name is Judith Brown. I am with Motion Center for Independent Living. Uh, Long Branch has been our home for quite some time and uh, we represent Mammoth and Ocean counties and serve people living with disabilities in
the area. Uh, I have come not with a concern for uh, Long Branch particularly, but to uh, to bring a piece of information for your consideration. Uh, I've spoken with uh, Dr. vote and uh she had asked that I
come and uh uh deliver the information that I have to you. Um the office of management and budget as you are all well aware is a federal agency that acts as the bookkeeper for the executive branch and for congress. Um as an
administrative body they occasionally change their rules. There is currently a rule change uh that has been offered for the office of management and budget that makes some very significant changes to how they administer funds uh for anyone
who takes money uh from the federal government for whatever purpose in whatever way. They are seeking uniformity in the way that they administer grants which is certainly laudable. But there are some concerning changes that have been offered in this
particular uh rule change. And I bring this to your attention because there is a public comment period that ends July 13th. So in order to consider your uh options, I wanted to offer this piece of information. There are several things
that are concerning and I have shared uh with Dr. vote uh the not only the full body of uh the rule changes but uh some explanatory materials created by the National Council for Nonprofits.
In short, um, and again, this is a a a sweeping and expansive set of changes, but in short, the things that we find most concerning, uh, are that the Office of Management and Budget proposes that they will have the ability to, um, well,
to do several things. First, and most concerning for people with disabilities, is that they will no longer enforce the civil rights portion of uh, federal granting. Uh that means that where as everyone knows uh if you take a grant from the federal government or if you
have uh a second tier grant that is passed through funds that are given to a state agency that come from the feds that you have to uh meet certain ADA compliance rules in the performance of whatever it is that you do for anything
from CDBG uh agriculture grants you name it there's always been or there has in the last 37 years been an ADA compliance piece to it. Uh the Office of Management and Budgets rule changes that and says that that will no longer be something
that the Office of Management and Budget will enforce. The second thing that is of concern to us is that under these new rules, the Office of Management and Budget reserves the right to remove funding without administrative review.
So let's say the city of Long Branch got a CDBG grant and for some reason the office of management and budget decided not to f give that money to the state of New Jersey or to to fund that particular grant, they could under these rules uh remove that funding or withhold that
funding without an administrative review. meaning that even if you did everything right, fulfilled the terms of the grants, rendered the services, you could find yourself without uh those funds um and without recourse. The third
thing that we find disturbing is that the Office of Management and Budget proposes that they will uh what is the word I'm looking for? Uh that they will modify the administration of funds based on the administration's priorities. So,
let's say you're in the midst of a three-year grant or a five-year grant. If they find that the administration of those funds no longer aligns with the administration's goals, uh they can indeed withhold those funds. Now, the Office of Management and Budget has
always been agnostic. There are grants that cross uh different administrations for many different good purposes. These changes would be applied to all granting. And the reason I uh offer this to you is so that as a body you can
decide what it is that the city wants to do in response to this and of course for your own constituents to uh spread that information if you feel that it's appropriate. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, [clears throat] >> Council President. Can I make a comment? >> Yes. >> Uh Judith, is there um just to make a comment on your comment? Um how could
people follow up or can how can they >> contact you? Is that is will that be next? >> Yes. Well, um um just just to to address that, I don't know exactly what Stan's going to say because Stan is um you can
make a public comment uh by and I don't remember off the top of my head. Um but there is online there is a portal for making public comments on these rules. I believe you have that. Uh >> okay. I I'll forward it uh to the um to
the clerks just so it's on our on record. >> Judith, I'm sorry. Also, would could my brother be of any assistance to you? Meaning, could I get somebody from his staff or him to speak with you to see how things could help? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So, appreciate that. Thank you.
>> I'll make sure we do that. >> Wonderful. >> Okay. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. I hope so, cuz I've had a lot to say in a short amount of time, but first of all, I'd like to say thank
you. Thank you for letting me live in a city that I actually love. I've been in the city for 30 years. I've been at Motions for 34. And I just want to talk from a personal standpoint.
This is not just a disability issue as Judith. so well spoke about it affects everyone. So, I'm asking anyone who can make a comment uh that would be a let them know that
we're not uh happy with uh this proposed change because I can tell you I'm old enough to say that I didn't have a lot of the protections that I have today and a lot
of my brothers and sisters have. They can't speak for themselves. Okay. I um I missed one complete year of schooling. Yes, they sent the tutor like they were supposed to. But you know what they
argued about? Because the special education that I got was in Long Branch. So Red Bank didn't want to pay. Long branch didn't want to pay. So I missed one complete year of schooling. I've
also seen it effect in a lot of different ways. People see me as and I'm grateful for this as an active member of of the community and I'm very thankful that I am a small part of a very
successful community. But without the supports that I get, and I'm putting this in my own terms, nobody has to agree with me. They want to take away our right to live
in a free, unrestricted environment. And some people think it would be best if we were put in an environment where we were under somebody else's control. Well, I'll tell you that this is one
person. I will do it as nicely as I can, but I will go kicking and screaming. So, I am asking anyone who can whether it's your brother, sister, anyone in the in the community that you can get to
sign off on this proposed and let them know we're not happy with it. Please do because this goes well beyond uh people with disabilities. It affects education, it affects transportation,
everything. And you know, it was so eloquently put by one of my uh team members the other day that disability is the one thing that is going to hit all of us at some point in our life. Whether
it be arthritis, whether it be by accident or just just the blessing of getting older, disability is going to knock at everybody's door. So, this is something that
really does affect everybody. And, you know, this is a very personal issue for me, but I'm trying not to be personal in my my overview of it. And I just hope that what Judith and I say
tonight has some kind of meaning to all of you. Thank you. [applause] Now if I get back without breaking anything >> thanks. >> Thank you. Good evening council. Um I'm sorry. What was the name of the
gentleman who went before? Stan Stan >> Stan Stan and Jude, thank you so much for speaking on that. I originally didn't plan on saying anything tonight, but as someone who, you know, works in food security and works at the different intersections of that, including
disability, I think that it's very important to speak on not only what you guys were highlighting, but how it'll impact, like you mentioned, everybody. So, especially when we're talking about these different issues when it comes to finances, I think we could all agree finances generally speaking and budgets
are not sexy. A lot of people don't want to talk about it. However, this is something that really impacts everybody in our community. As of right now, some of you might be aware there have been different restrictions when it comes to SNAP, TANIF, and other um aspects of aid that people are receiving from the
government. So, TANF, if you're not aware, that is actually um financial support. SNAP is a supplemental nutrition assistance program, formerly known as food stamps. And then also with the new Medicare restrictions, that is also something that is going to be
impacting everyone in our community. Like the gentleman before me said, disability will come for everyone. It's not a question of how, it's a matter of when. And unfortunately, in Long Branch, there is also a big issue when it comes to food security. I'm sure as many of you are aware, there have been a lot of
different changes in the community in regards to what food pantries are open, which ones are still functioning, and which ones are able to handle the need. I'm not sure if you guys have, you know, going to the different food pantries lately, but ever since the pandemic, unfortunately, the number has only gone up
significantly. And that's not just because of the high rents in the area. It's not just because of the cost of living getting higher. It's also because the different benefits when it comes to supplemental food assistance, WICK, which is specific um form of
supplemental food assistance which benefits women, infants, and children, people aren't getting the benefits that they needed. If you ever really want to see how someone who has these different forms of assistance live, you could see the budget. You could see how much they
receive. There are people who receive only $160 worth of supplemental nutrition assistance. Now, how many of us could spend one grocery haul on that? How many of us are thinking about the families that we have at home, the
people in our families that we need to feed, the neighbors that we want to make sure that we feed? All of this is something that we should be considering, and that's also something that is in this budget. I work for well worked. Today was my last day, ironically. um at a nonprofit
organization that focuses on food security and focuses on different uh food recovery here in Long Branch. Ironically, so we actually partner with a lot of the amazing Brazilian restaurants to take any surplus food that they have at the end of the night and deliver it to different pantries in
the area. Just two restaurants here in Long Branch have donated over a 100,000 meals in the past three years. And those restaurants are all women and immigrant-owned.
They're doing their part. But when it comes to the budgets being cut and the restrictions being sent, the organization that I worked with, we had a grant with the federal government. And unfortunately, because we didn't use a certain verbiage regarding the people that we were going to serve, that budget
was cut. We lost millions of dollars that would have fed people all because we used the words diversity, equity, and inclusion. So, like was spoken about before, this isn't just a question of one specific verbiage. It's not a question
of, oh, if I use this word or this word. If we give the permission to change the amount of funding based on anything after that funding is granted, that should be a concern for everyone in this room. regardless of what that is. So, I just wanted to compliment what was said
before and I want to thank you guys for bringing it up. Thank you. >> Excuse me. We have your name and address for the record, please. >> Sure. So, my name is Ally Wilson. Um, I'm not a resident of Long Branch, but I live in Asbury Park and I also frequent Long Branch. As I mentioned, I work here as well. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Rebecca Ashkenazi and I live at 475 Mammoth Place in Long Branch. So, my problem unlike everyone else's is kind of personal. Like, it just it's not affecting so many people,
but it's affecting me and my family and a few people on our block. Um, every time we have a rainstorm, my house ends up in the ocean, literally. And um my house is directly across a
drain and my house is becomes the valley like my house literally my garage that's my my house is high up and my garage fills up this past storm 2 feet of water in my garage and I get some water in my
basement sometime this time I got and three years ago we suffered a major financial loss. Our whole basement flooded four feet from the door when all the water went crashing into my house because the water level gets so high
because there is no good drainage on my street and insurance doesn't cover anything. We always have to just swallow all our loss and it's very frustrating. Even when like it's not even when it it's not raining so so hard, our street
still floods. Especially just by my house and one house next door to me. I can't even leave my house to get my kids. A few times I had to park three houses down and like take my kids tre through water one at a time and bring
them up over other people's houses just to get to close to my house. and we're paying taxes and everything and it's just very frustrating for us to keep suffering a loss and I keep trying we keep trying to resolve the problem on
our own and um fix the our house up and we made the stairs go higher. We built our window wells higher. We we're trying so hard, but our whole backyard and our whole front yard ends up literally like three feet underwater. And every single
time we suffer a major financial loss, besides for the fact that our block is not so safe for my children, there's no sidewalk and it's a very um thin thin drive driveway. And um I would love if
we could fix these problems so that it could be safer for my kids to like go to the bus and maybe have a sidewalk or and make it a oneway. I know we tried making it a oneway once and most people said
they don't want it on a oneway because nobody lives there all year round except for me and one other person. maybe two other people, but everyone else on the block, they're summer people. They don't care so much, you know. And um for us, it's uh the two people that live there
with kids, it's it's it's very hard, you know. Um some buses, I know my neighbor, her bus won't drive down the block to bring her kids home from school or to school. And um every single time with the rain and everything, we're we're
suffering. We were swallowing $20,000 worth of damage every single time. And um I just see that people said, "Oh, the last time the rain, they're like, "This never happened. This was the first time in 300 years." But now look, 3 years
later, even though we did fix our house, and thank God, we didn't get as much water damage as we did last time. Um because we tried fixing it, my neighbor got what happened to us last time happened to him. four feet of water into his house. Um and um that's basically
it. Just if you could keep us in mind, please. Thank you so much, >> Tom. >> Thank you, >> ma'am. If if you take my card, the officer will give it to you. Um just contact me tomorrow. We have some plans on the road and um it's already happened. >> I know there's been plans, but it's like
>> But I'll I'll send our engineer by to do to look at the drainage and we'll come up with something. Okay. So, just give me a call tomorrow so I know who to contact. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks. Vincent Leapour, 33 Ocean Terrace, Long Branch, requesting one minute notification.
Good evening, Madame Clerk. Now that the government of Long Branch has established itself as a communist government, not only in the way it conducts these council meetings, particularly at the last council meeting where the people of Long Branch
experience taxation, increased taxes, taxation without a budget presentation. That's exactly how the communists do it. The most important thing this council ever does during the year is the
municipal budget. And for three members of the council, three members their last meeting before leaving. Councilman Dangler didn't show up for the budget. Councilman Wittis and Vieira voted for the tax increase. especially
Vieiraa voting for a tax increase at his very last council meeting, knowing he will not be held accountable for raising taxes because he won't be here anymore. A phony of a yellow belly gutless coward if everyone existed, whose shirt on his
back was bought and sold by the special interest of the Palom pay-to-play gravy train when he joined the Palone Council. Everyone saw it through Viviera. To the three new councilmen, Verero,
Zelta, and Brown, I would like an answer to the question, why weren't you three at the last council meeting to fight the taxes that were being raised on the people in Long Branch?
Residents of Long Branch, hear your tax increase. The average assessment on a home in Long Branch for 2026 is 896,000. The average municipal property tax at a rate of 4.54
is 4,929. I'll repeat that. A rate of 0.54 is 4,929. an increase of $564 over the prior year average in residential taxes.
At the June 24th meeting on the budget, at the 21 minute point, CFO Martin stated, quote, that the user-friendly budget is made available after the budget is adopted. End quote. CFO Martin further stated,
quote, "The state mandates us to fill out the form that is called the user-friendly budget because they think it makes the regular budget easier to read. And I, meaning Martin himself, doesn't think it's that way." End quote.
Keeping those remarks in mind, in the presence of the city attorney and the city administrator, NJAC 3.8, 8 municipal budgets userfriendly budget section A. The annual budget for every municipality
shall include a section called the userfriendly budget. The user-friendly budget section shall be part of and incorporated into both the introduced and adopted budgets and be made available to the public. End quote.
That's on both the introduction and the adoption. Clearly the city violated NJAC 3.8A 8A bra the city attorney malpracticed again no transparency in the budget taxation
without a budget presentation I may add raise taxes Martin Ron all three of you should be fired for that get out of here you violated the law on the most important
issue for the people of this city the budget Thus tonight, resolution >> one minute notification. >> Thank you. Thus tonight, resolution 164 appointing Michael Martin, director of finance. No. Resolution 160 approving
appointment of Charles Shirley as business administrator. No. Resolution 161. Resolution approving the appointment of Charles Shirley as the director of public safety. No. We're still looking to put the handcuffs on you for the way you falsified the call
reports on the fire problems in West Long Branch and your little failed coup of trying to take over the West Long Branch Volunteer Fire Department. And then finally, R162, Lewis Reome,
director of law. No, no, no. Reown misinformation lies. Disinformation lies. Mistakes lies. Malpractice lies. No. >> Five minutes.
>> This all sums up junk government. Uh good evening council. My name is uh JP and um I wasn't similarly planning on talking today but um thank you to you both for coming today. That issue is so important and we really do not think
about the disabled people in our community. How do we make it like our environment, our spaces more accessible to you all? How can we do that? And I think that's responsibility that's up to us to really think about it. So
I want this issue that they brought up to like not end today. We need to find a way to continue that conversation because disability and the issues that they face are like not going to end with more money. It ends it ends with like I
think community input and community support that comes through it. So I urge the council to really think about restructuring potentially or or even ch or having something on the next agenda for the next meeting to talk about how can we create like a better liv with a
dis with the disability community. How can we get a individual who's really involved in the disabled in the disabled community who knows about their needs to really be there and advocate for them because like it really is up to us to support you guys. like y'all are y'all
like are are doing the work. Y'all came here today and we need to find ways to be there for y'all too. And this is a message to like the council, but it's also a message to like Long Branch residents, like to anybody who's watching this video, to like anybody here today, like we really need to step
up together. So to like residents of Long Branch, like we need you in these spaces more. We need you to come to these meetings more and like help push these conversations forward. So to the council like next meeting we should definitely have on the agenda
a continuation of like how are we supporting our disabled community because I've raised issues about like in amplifying their voices more. I I don't know if it's hard for people like disabled people to come to these meetings like because like just a drive
here. Is there a way maybe we can do call-ins for you guys to be able to call in instead of having to present here? Is there a way for you guys to like have your messages platformed here without necessarily being here as well. I don't know. But that's when it comes we need to think about these things. And I know
I talk like I don't know the residents of Long Ranch are tired of me talking about this or anybody, but like this is why it's so important that we change the way we have these conversations amongst each other because we need to like figure out what us as community members need. And the only way we can have that
is by having conversations. So, thank you all so freaking excuse my language. Thank you all so much for coming here today. Like this issue is something I didn't know about and like I think y'all didn't know about and I think all the Long Branch residents didn't know about. But this is why we need to figure out
infrastructures in order to allow these conversations to happen where you guys can ask questions on their experiences which you did today. That was really awesome. I like that. Do you understand how important that is? When you ask questions to them and then they can respond to you, you get the information you need to better advocate for them and then they can get answers on what you
guys are doing as well. That is cross dialogue in like the that is a purpose of these spaces to exist for us to come together as a community and not of course we need to know about the business of the city but we also need to know what our fellow residents are going through so that we can come together and figure out a way to solve these things
like together. And that's why I kind of like also think about the um the individual who talked about her infrastructure, you know, the water drains, everything like that. She made it seem like it's her it's like it was just her own issue. And like yes, she probably is personally facing that, but there I think infrastructure is a conversation we need to talk about in
our community. We need to like level up our infrastructure, y'all. Especially with all these new developments happening, like it's probably going to have a big burden on the power grid or on the roads cuz the roads definitely need help. And we need to figure out like a way to like continuously have
these conversations in like a more organized fashion. You guys can even propose like having a committee, you know, that is focused on like delivering information on the infrastructure improvements or the infrastructure issues that are happening in the community that will then allow people to
know what's happening be able to have a point person to happen to know what's happening and present to the people what's happening. I know I can just like people get like a response I can get is you can just reach out to the infrastructure individual but then like how do I know what if I'm not the only person that has that issue? These
infrastructure issues are like a long branchwide issue. So we need to figure out a way to solve this long branchwide but that requires us to have like more a better way of facilitating those conversations. So on the next agenda meeting, I would also request if you guys can like think about even maybe
creating like an infrastructure committee and like that can basically think about ways that we are like the progress reports every every like monthly that can talk about these are the infrastructure issues we face because look what happened at BJ's y'all that that collapsed like that's
dangerous >> we need to think about that and like yeah thank you and also about the hospital but I'll talk about that we'll make sure that keeps going on right all right thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all so much. God bless you guys and we'll do whatever we can to in what our ways. Thank you for bring raising that message.
>> A point of order. I'm still waiting for the three council to answer the question. >> We're in public participation. So why don't we wait the public participation? >> We'll wait till the public participation is concluded. >> You do cross dialogue with one of the
speakers and then when I get up and speak, I'm denied that. That's communism. Anyone else? >> Make a motion to close. >> Okay. Uh going to make a motion to close the portion of the meeting.
>> Some moved. >> Second. All in favor? I >> I >> I will now ask madame clerk if there were any changes to the list of resolutions. >> Yes. The resolution 174-26
has been added to the agenda. A resolution appointing a class 3 member to the Long Branch Planning Board. >> Okay. Okay. uh for miscellaneous business for the good of the order. >> Council President, if we can just Sure.
Madam Clerk, could you just indicate the name of the person being appointed? >> Paul Veritero. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh now we'll um go to miscellaneous business for the good of the order. >> Um we take a need a motion to >> We do. Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Okay. I need a motion to um adopt >> res to the consent resolutions. >> The consent resolutions. I move >> second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Barotero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zelta. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rases. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Motion to appointations. >> Okay. Um I need a motion to appoint the following member of the Long Branch Fire Department. Uh Ezra Gindi, Oceanic
company. So I move >> second >> roll call. >> Mr. Barero, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Mr. Zalta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Motion passed.
>> Now we're up. >> Okay. Now we're up to miscellaneous business for the good of the order. >> Uh, with Councilman Barero, >> what is it over here? if you have any comments.
>> I want to thank to the public to bring some of the issues today. I also want to thank them to come over and uh explain how good he's feeling in the long branch. And pretty much that's it. >> Thank you. Uh councilwoman uh vote.
>> Thank you, Council President. Um, I also uh wanted to thank Judith and Stan for for coming tonight uh for a number of reasons. First of all, the message is so important and as you were saying, it it speaks to everybody. Although we
referred to people with disabilities, often it refers to everybody, it's important for uh us to know, it's important for us to act. The other reason why I'm really pleased that you came tonight was because it just shows
how the public can have their voice heard. This all started because um Judith sent an email to some folks and I was included in that and said, "Can we talk for a half hour on Zoom and hear
some of the issues and spread the word on making a a public comment by July 13th about all of these proposed changes. And then we talked afterwards just about how you
extend all of those tentacles to get the word out and to get action taken on it. And as I heard the comments and people thanking you, I just I saw in action what should be happening. So thank you
so much um both of you for for coming tonight and for spearheading this whole effort. Um, like I said, I will share with the um with the clerk contact information in terms of how people can um make a make their comment. And uh
also, thank you so much, Mayor, for um offering to share this information with Congressman Palone to see how we might be able to get some help there. So, sorry for the long comment, but thank thank you so much. >> Thank you, uh, Councilman Zalta.
Um, [clears throat] I echo what the words that Dr. Vote had to say. U, one of the things that I've always admired about the council, the mayor, and the city of Long Branch is the commitment to uh, serving all of the constituents in particular the the
disabled. And as Stan noted, we will all be disabled one way or another at some point or touch our lives touched. So, we must be sensitive to one another. Um I this is my first council meeting. I very much appreciate and I'm honored to be
part of it. And uh my my uh one statement to make is that my commitment is to continue to perpetuate the excellent values that Long Branch stands for and um and and to fight for those values to continue and succeed for all
of our residents. >> Thank you, Council Vice President Brown. Thank you, Council President. Um to Mr. Laapour, [clears throat] unfortunately, I was unavailable due to a conflict. That's why I wasn't at the last meeting. Uh to Mrs. Brown, um I serve on multiple
boards, so I'm right there with you. We are looking at this issue. We're tracking it. So, to the mayor, to Dr. Voy, whatever I can do to lend uh any help because um some of the boards I'm working on are um coming up with responses to the uh rule change. Uh the
other one thing I wanted to thank um the administration. I thought it was a job well done. Police department, fire, public works for the 4th of July chamber of commerce. Uh it was it was a great time, great event out there uh on the boardwalk at Oceanfest and it seemed to
me that everybody was uh safe. So I appreciate that. And then finally, uh I want to thank um the mayor's office, um the the council uh clerk's office, as well as human resources for and it for
all of their uh extension for onboarding and orientation as I'm coming on as a new council member. So, thank you, >> Mayor Palone. >> Thank you, Council President. Um I'd like to thank everybody for being here this evening and for all of your
comments. I have a few up and cominging events that I'd just like to mention. So, um the Long Branch Community Pool uh has programs for seniors, swimming lessons for children, and swimming lessons for babies ages 3 months to 36
months. Uh call the Long Branch Recreation to sign up at 732-571-6545. These programs are ongoing all summer and are very popular. Uh our next funday uh will also be located at the community pool. That's next Wednesday, July 15th
from 5 to 8:00 p.m. The funday will have food, games, live music, and free entry to the pool for the whole family. Our World Cup watch parties continue with dates coming up on July 10th, July
14th, and July 19th. For the full schedule, please go to long branch.org. And finally, uh, we're very excited about our next art exhibit, which will open next week at the Long Branch Art and Cultural Center, and it's titled The Guilded Age of Long Branch. This is an
exhibition celebrating Long Branch as the nation's summer capital, and the opening reception is July 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and all are welcome. Thank you again for being here this evening, and have a great week.
>> Thank you, Mayor Palone. Um, I would also like to echo echo everything Dr. Vote and uh, Councilman uh, Zalta said. Um, it's very important that we recognize that and I thank everyone for coming out this evening expressing your concerns. I'd like to thank the Chamber
of Commerce for making Oceanfest Fest um, possible. also um uh all the uh departments that were involved over the weekend and took care of everything with the adverse weather conditions. We had our firemen, our policemen, public
works, um first responders. It was a wellcoordinated event uh for something that came in so fast. Um it was it was so well taken care of and I want to thank everyone again for coming out this evening and look forward to seeing you in two weeks. Thank you.
I can tell you make a motion. >> I need a motion to adjourn. >> Congress. >> You I can I can answer to you. Don't leave. >> Who's coming? >> I can answer to you. >> Go ahead. >> So, I took office July 1st. I'll respond
to that on the the taxes on the next budget. We have to wait for that. I don't >> res You couldn't find the time at the last meeting to help. >> I was not responsible for that. I was not responsible. Meeting has been adjourned.