So, good evening everyone. Nice nice to see so many of you come out tonight. Um, the uh April 22nd, 2026 council meeting of the Long Branch City Council will now come to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> here. >> Mr. Vieiraa,
>> here. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> here. >> Mr. Dangler, >> here. >> Dr. Vote, >> here. >> Uh, all please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> And I will now read the mission statement for the city council. The Long Branch mayor, city council, and
administration are committed to cultivating an environment of mutual trust and respect that values the diversity of our community. We will strive to enhance the quality of life for all who live here by making Long
Branch a desirable place in which to live and prosper. We will treat all members of the public with respect and expect the same in return. Certification, please. >> I hereby certify that this meeting has been published in the newspaper in accordance with the Open Public Meeting
Act and posted as required by law. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we are thrilled tonight to have some of our students back and our students are going to do a a short presentation uh in honor of ArabAmerican Heritage Month. Um so if
you could come up to the podium um introduce us introduce yourself and uh you can proceed with the >> you want to say >> proclamation. >> Hi I'm Dana Hassan. >> Um make sure you're close enough to the microphone.
>> Hi I'm Dana Hassan >> and I'm Adam Abdul Wahed. It's nice to meet you. >> Excellent. Good. Go right ahead. >> Begin. >> Yeah. >> All right. Whereas for decades, Arab Americans have made valuable contributions to virtually every aspect
of American life in science, medicine, education, business, culture, and government. And >> whereas the works of many talented Arab-American artists and writers grace our museums and libraries throughout the United States. And
>> whereas since the first Arab immigrants came to these shores more than a century ago, men and women of Arab descent have shared with us the rich histories and traditions of Arab culture. With pride in their ethnic heritage and with great faith in the principles upon which this
country was founded, Arabameans have added to the strength and diversity of American society. And >> whereas Arab Americans occupy positions of leadership and responsibility throughout our system of government, setting a fine example of public service
at the local, state, and national level. Arab Americans have also enriched our nation with the quiet power of families and close-knit communities. And >> whereas Arab Americans have helped give us more profound understanding of the rights and responsibilities we have as
citizens of a free and prosperous nation. Now therefore, be it resolved in contribution of ArabAmericans, the city council of the city of Long Branch declares April as National ArabAmerican Month in the city of Long Branch. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank Thank you. Well done.
>> Very nice. [applause] You know, as proud as you are of your heritage, you have to know how proud we are of you, our students, and uh just the wonderful way you do the presentation and carry yourself and speak. Excellent. Excellent.
>> Wonderful. [laughter] [gasps] >> Good. Okay, we will go on with the program and with the program with the meeting and this will be with the reading and approval of the previous minutes and I need a motion to approve the minutes of the April 8th, 2026
meeting. >> So second roll call, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieira, >> abstain. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. consideration of ordinance um
public hearing and final consideration. There are none. We're now going to move to the ordinances for introduction. And what I'm going to do is to turn the meeting over to the vice president, Billy Dangler, who will take us through the ordinances. And the reason why I'm
doing that is because these ordinances all in one way or another touch a recent transaction that is happening with Brookdale Community College. I work for Brookdale Community College aside from being um on the council. And so I'm
gonna step aside so there's no conflict of interest and Billy will be running uh the meeting through the ordinances and [snorts] you can take it from here. >> Oh, thank you. >> Council Vice President, can I um when when you're ready, may I um have a
moment just to explain the three ordinances? >> Sure. >> Now, yeah. Um members of council, the we have three or the next three ordinances as um as was just said all touch upon the purchase by the city of the
Brookdale Community College site at um in in on lower Broadway. The the first ordinance is pretty simple. It's the ordinance that actually authorizes the purchase uh for $3.5 million. The next two are are um capital ordinances
um that deal with not only the the purchase of the Brookdale site but also with the um the Long Branch Pier and the Santander site and and there the first thing that I want to make clear um council vice president is that they
don't authorize any new debt. What we're doing is we're just amending two prior bond ordinances to comply with essentially our our bond council has advised us that we have to amend them first to accept the five million the new $5 million grant that we got from the state of New Jersey which now will make
the pier fully funded and then to add the Brookdale Community College property to the ordinances to authorize the use of the money that's in those ordinances for uh for the Brookdale purchase. So, um, you know, the short short answer is
we're we're author we're authorizing the acceptance of the $5 million and we're adding the Brookdale purchase to those previous ordinances. And third, there's uh no new debt as a result of it. >> Thank you. Ordinance for for introduction
[clears throat] 0-06-26. This This is the first reading of ordinance 06-26 entitled acquisition of Brookdale Community College at 195 Broadway. The summary. The city of Long Branch
will enter into a contract to purchase from Brookdale Community College the building at 195 Broadway for the price of $3.5 million. Excuse. Yes. $3.5 million. The the contract will include the standard conditions that shall
protect the city during due during due diligence period with the closing date no later than June 30th, 2026. The college will sell the building free and clear of any leases or tenants.
The contract shall also allow the city to enter into a lease with the college for a portion of second of the second floor at 131 Bath Avenue Health and Technology Center to ensure that Brookdale will continue continued its
presence [snorts] and involvement in Long Branch. Ordinance 07-26. >> No, no, I need a motion. You need >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I need a motion >> to introduce. >> It's not on there. That's fine.
>> I need There we go. I need a motion to introduce the on the first reading advertised and posted by law and set for the public hearing on May 20 May 13, 20 26. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Ras. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira. Yes. >> Mrs. Whittis. Yes. >> Mr. Dangler. Yes. >> Dr. Vote abstain. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Ordinance 0726. This this is the first
reading of ordinance 07-26 amending capital ordinance 024-23 to amend 2A description on it on improvement. The summary amending the capital
ordinance number 0-24-23 finally adopted by the city council on August 23rd, 2023. Amended amend the description of the improvement referenced in section 2A therein adding
195 Broadway known as block 275 lot 10 and 11 for public purposes. No new funds within with the $2 million remaining unchanged. >> I need a motion. Let me see. I have to
read it, but I must keep it. Thank you. >> Yeah. I need a motion to introduce the first first hearing advertised and posted by law and set for public hearing on May 13, 2026. >> So move second.
Roll call. >> Mr. Aras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> abstain. >> This is the first reading of ordinance 08-26, a capital capital ordinance amending and
restating in its entirety. Capital Ordinance number O number 06-2025 finally adopted by the city council of the city of Long Branch in the county of Mammoth the state of New Jersey on
December 10th, 2025 to increase the total appropriation therein from five from $5 million to $10 million from the city receipt of funds from the Federal American Rescue Plan
Act of 2021, Corona Virus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. [cough] I need a motion to introduce from the first reading advertised and posted according to law and set for public
hearing for May 13, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Rases. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa. Yes, >> Mrs. Whittis. >> Yes, >> Mr. Dangler. >> Yes, >> Dr. Vote. >> Abstain.
>> Motion passed. >> Ordinance 09-26. This is the first reading of ordinance 09-26, a bond ordinance amending the bond introduced. Ordinance number 017-25 finally adopted by the city council of
the city of Long Branch, the state of B, excuse me, the county of Mammoth, the state of New Jersey on December 10th, 2025 to amend section 3A and section 7B. therein. The bond ordinance amends the bond
ordinance number 017-25 adopted by city city council the city of excuse me city council of the city on December 10th 2025 to amend the description of the improvements
and to add 195 Broadway block 275 lot 10 and 11 for municipal purposes with a period of useful usefulness for 25 years. I need a motion to adopt, excuse me, a motion to introduce on the
first reading advertise and posted by law and set for public hearing for May 13, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes.
>> Dr. Vote, >> abstain. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Thank you, Vice President. So, we will now move on to the public participation part of the meeting. I need a motion to open the public portion of the meeting
for all comments. >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> 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
the governing body. There will be no cross dialogue during the public portion of the meeting. After you have spoken, any member of the deists authorized to speak on behalf of the administration may address your comments, answer your
questions, and correct any misleading 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. He will have five minutes to speak and may only speak once.
>> Good evening, Madame Clerk. Vincent Leapour, 33 Ocean Terrace, Long Branch, requesting one minute notification. I submitted a resolution at the last meeting which was returned certified by the clerk for this council to entertain
and to put on the agenda this evening. Apparently that resolution ruling out any tax abatement for Kushner's lower Broadway tenement row building isn't on the agenda tonight. And apparently council is not going to consider it,
which only leads people to believe council is not ruling out a tax abatement for lower Broadway Kushner development. >> Well, that's obviously incorrect, but I'll >> no cross dialogue. Attorney Rainon, you're out of order. >> You're out of order. You're not the you are out of order. I will not tolerate
your misconduct >> and you're misconducting as well. >> I just want back please >> that I will I will just correct the record. >> I am continuing and I am now going to introduce another resolution this
evening resolution voiding all developer tax abatements in Long Branch. Whereas the resident taxpayers and renters of Long Branch due to developer tax abatements are currently in a state of distress.
Whereas the health, safety, and welfare of the Long Branch Board of Education has been financially endangered by municipal tax abatement agreements with developers, which have denied full taxable revenue to the board of
education, particularly in light of recent state of New Jersey cutbacks to the local board of education, which are additionally endangering the health, safety, and welfare of the board of education.
Whereas the developer of Pier Village phase 3's record of failure to supply audits in a timely manner. In addition to Peer Village, phase 3's developer to supply authenticated real audits rather
than financial statements has been determined to be a violation of common law contract principles to be a breach of contract with the city on the 30-year tax abatement. Whereas
the set affected citizen residents have now reached a point from state of distress for council to declare a state of emergency in the municipality of Long Branch. Whereas such a state of emergency calls
for immediate action, whereas such immediate action will be the abolishing of all developer agreements that allow tax abatements. Whereas upon abolishment of these tax abatement agreements from these tax
abated development projects, full revenue will resume to the board of education so as to alleviate the endangering health, safety, and welfare that the board of education along with the resident taxpayers and renters of
this city are now currently experiencing. Now, therefore, be it resolved that due to non-compliance with said contract obligations and the endangering of health, safety,
and welfare of the board of ed, it is hereby declared by this city council to take action to void all developer tax abated agreements in the city of Long Branch. Madame Clerk, I will forward
this resolution to you tomorrow. In return, as with the last resolution, I would [clears throat] please request a return receipt of your acceptance, and I expect it to be scheduled for the May 13th meeting. >> One minute notification.
>> One minute. Mr. Reo. >> Yes, sir. >> Your law firm, ACLU, is going after you now and the clients you represent on Facebook. >> Not true. for suppressing Oh, don't >> not true. >> for suppressing >> not true. >> Free speech. >> Not true. >> Civic.
>> It's not true. >> Conversation. >> Just not true. >> Yeah. Well, tell the ACLU that. >> Just a lie, Mr. Lapour. >> No, it's a fact. >> No, just >> and another one with the Family Leave Act. Your buddy Cochland and your law firm. >> Coughlin. Not Cochland. >> Cochland.
>> That's Coughlin. >> He violated the own bill he sponsored for family leave with an employee of your law firm. Also not true. >> An employee of your law firm, >> also not true, >> is taking action against your law firm, >> also not true, >> on a bill your partner, Cochland,
sponsored >> Coughlin >> Family Leave Act. You have no credibility at the two meetings ago. >> You stated the health safety director had nothing to do with title 39. >> You have no idea how much of a fool you look like making that statement.
>> You're wrong. Junk government. >> So, Mr. if you don't mind if I can. So, Mr. Leapor, we'll start with you want don't leave Mr. Leapor because I want to answer your questions. You sure? Because you asked me some questions. I want to ask them. So, the first >> your your time is is over Mr. Leapor.
>> So, so let me start where uh once again I just got like Mr. Leapor likes to correct me. Title 39 of the New Jersey statutes is the motor vehicle title. Mr. Leapore wants to know why the health director isn't enforcing the motor vehicle law. And I think when he
mentioned it the first time, I just pointed out the fact that the police department um uh enforces the motor vehicle law, not the not the health department. So that that's the first thing. The second thing is Mr. Leapor keeps coming up and demanding a resolutions be put on the agenda, but of course as not as a member of council, he
doesn't really have the authority to put put resolutions on on the agenda. The quote unquote resolution that he proposed last week started with a false premise and that is that there were discussions about giving a tax abatement to Kushner Company because they had a fire in one of their buildings. Leaving
aside the fact that it's it's you know pretty inappropriate to take a shot at somebody who had a fire in their one of their buildings. Leaving that aside, um there never were any discussions. It was a ma something made up by Mr. Laapour. He pretended like there were discussions
about a tax abatement and then he came out against it. So once again, and as I pointed out the night that he said it, it was just that that's a premise based on a lie and we're not going to put a resolution on the agenda to respond to what is essentially a madeup a completely madeup story. Um the with
regards to the tax abatements and this is kind of a reoccurring theme by Mr. the poor that he would like the city council to somehow repeal tax abatements that were put in effect some of them more than 10 years ago. And of course, as a matter of law, you can't do that. And and and he knows that, but he keeps
coming and asking. and now once again wants the council to put a resolution on which if they ever acted upon such a resolution would probably put them in breach of a half a dozen contracts by the way that were uh instituted before this the people on this before the mayor was the mayor and before the governing
body was the governing body so that that's the um other part of it I don't know kind of what what else to say I don't in all due respect council president I won't respond to his personal attacks on me I'm pretty used to them and and my partner's name is Coughlin. It's Craig Coughlin. He's the
speaker of the state legislature. I'm pretty proud to be his partner, but you know, at least you could pronounce if you're going to insult him, you could at least pronounce his name correctly. >> I I think you can see what we're trying to do here with the public comment. Uh when we hear statements that obviously
are wrong or lies, to have that on the public record is problematic. And so that's why our attorney said at that moment that's a lie with the idea that when Mr. Leapor in this case or
when the speaker is done as we say in the instructions anyone from the deis who's authorized to speak on part of the administration will respond to questions will correct erroneous information and set the record straight. So, you'll
start to see as we move from comment to comment, that's the way we want to be doing it. You have your five minutes. Um, we don't want to have cross dialogue or interrupt anybody. If something is
really an outright blatant lie, uh, Mr. Mr. Renown will say, um, that's a lie to be addressed when the speaker is done. Okay. Now, with that, who else would like to
make a comment? [clears throat] >> Uh, good evening all. My name is JP. Today, I once again am calling for changing and updating the public comment section in order to make it more participatory to the public. At the last meeting, I appreciate the council
members desire to invite me to meet with them to discuss how we can change the public comment section for transparency. As we left the meeting, I did briefly talk to some individuals in passing about the importance of innovating our public comment section to become more of a dialogue. I however did not follow up
with a private meeting, not because I don't care, but rather because I believe such private meetings are antithetical to the reason I am pushing us for us to change our public comment section. I believe the people want transparency and accountability and that can only really happen out in this open in meetings such
as these. One of the important aspects of the public comment section is that it is on the record. Last council meeting, Vince Leaport did try to propose a potential propo provision bill, but there was no follow-up to it. When I tried to look up the bill for myself at the meeting notes, I could not find such
notes. People should be able to find the meeting notes online and if individual proposes a potential bill that attachment should be available to others so that the greater community can view it as well. I believe this is an easy step. I'm not here to comment on the merits of Vincent's proposal, but people
should be allowed to propose bills and actions to the city council. If and if they ever have an attachment, those should be able to be viewed in the public meeting notes that are accessible to others. That is just one step. However, we will need to allow we need to allow for more cross dialogue between
Long Branch individuals and the council during these meetings. People should have the opportunity to correct the record as well. For example, last week in response to a question about the flags in Long Branch, the city attorney brought up Pure Village status as a simply private property, not quoting his
exact language, and that Long Branch could do nothing about it. I am not here right now to discuss the merits of whether the flag should be there or not. I however do do urge the council and the greater LongB branch community to excuse me
I have I'm not here to discuss the merits of um to discuss the merits of it. However, do urge the council and the and the greater Long Beach community to be cautious of declaring Per Village as completely private property in order to distance itself from the conversation. Firstly, to my knowledge, a majority of
pure village was taken under eminent domain. The fifth amendment states that nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. That language of public use is dispositive. The imprint of public is on Pure Village. Additionally, the city attorney talked about first amendment
rights. If we can see that Pure Village is just private, what stops the owners of Pure Village of simply denying people the opportunity to potentially protest or exercise their own First Amendment rights for whatever reason they want at Pure Village? Will Pure Village be allowed to then use Long Branch police to come and stop these protests because
they were trespassing on private property? Let's be honest here. Pure Village operates as the de facto town square of Long Branch. I urge the council and the city residents to think of the implications and consequences of the whole private public divide, especially in the context of Long Branch
developmental landscape changing so rapidly. These conversations need to be around out in the open. They need to be on the record. And that is why I urge the council to change the public comment section to allow the people to have a voice. I will leave you all with an easy step. If people want to propose bills or
specific action, there should be meeting notes that reflect those proposals spoken during those meetings. And if there are attachments, people should have access to those as well. That is the beauty of being on the record. Thank you. >> Thank you, JP. And I think um
>> yeah, if if I can, council president, just a couple of things. One is that all of these meetings are on television. So, anybody who wants to hear the content of anything that's proposed at the podium, of course, they can they can be heard. Um, and I I'll note in interesting that I don't think that they were televised
live before this council came into effect uh 8 years ago. So, it's kind of part of the transparency. And there is not only the public portion at this portion of the meeting, but whenever we have ordinances that are on second reading, there are also public portions at the next meeting. for instance, there'll be four additional public
portions where people can speak on those individual um individual ordinances. So, we do allow all of that participation and we allow people of course to petition the government in any way, shape, manner, and form and to get it into quote unquote the public record. In
this circumstance, when somebody reads something from the podium, it becomes part of the public record because it's televised, it's taped, and there is a YouTube video of it. So, that that's how it's part of the public record. And of course, if somebody submits something to the clerk's office, anybody can operate and get a copy of anything that is
submitted to the clerk's office in writing. Just to be clear, the other thing that I wanted to to kind of make clear because this question comes up a lot. Nobody said all of Pure Village is public property. That's not what was said. What was said was the flags are
happen to be on private property. So there are clearly parts of of the Pure Village area that are public property and they are there's different rights with regards to them. So that's not the point of it. The point of it is that where those flags exist is on private
property. It's no different than on your front lawn effectively. So the rights that people have to control their front lawn is the same that rights that people have to control their property just because it's over in Pierre Village. The last thing that I that I want to understand is that people say all the
time, well, that some of that property was taken or maybe all of the property was taken by eminent domain, so therefore it's all there for public use. It it's it's a it's a very technical argument, but what I'll tell you is that when property is taken for redevelopment
and then and then sold to a private enterprise, it doesn't maintain its its status as uh public property. And it's not that we wished it into being private property and or we declared it to be
private property. It's, you know, we live in a system where people actually own property. There's deeds and it's not this is not a question. This is not that we're we're pretending like it's public. It's private property and it's really public property. The ownership of that
property isn't a private individual. They have private rights that they they can exercise. And I and and like I said, it's fundamentally it's no different [music] than you putting a flag in your front lawn. And if your neighbor came by and said, "Hey, I can see your flag from
the street, so therefore it's public. You have to take your flag down." The answer is no. Can't do that. So even if it's adjacent to a public street. So I that's I just I know I make that point repeatedly, council president, and you know this is you know this is I I just
want you know if somebody's going to quote back to me something that I said I think it's it you know it should be clear what it is that I I have to say. >> Thank you. Anyone else? [clears throat] Hello, Sharon Wise, 65 Cedar Avenue in
Long Branch. Um, first my first issue is today I was driving down Cedar Avenue. Cedar Avenue, is that not a county road? >> Okay, you can answer or not answer. Anyways, it's April 22nd and there was I
don't know how many signs in the middle on on Cedar Avenue. It's very distracting and it looks horrible. Is the city going to take down the signs or do I have to call freehold again? They're going to sit there for like three weeks. >> Signs.
>> The election [clears throat] signs. >> The election signs very often. >> Not for nothing. You have no challengers. You don't need to put your signs all over the city. It just looks horrible. >> Um, >> they must have been put up today.
>> Yeah, they they were Yeah, it's April 22nd. The the elections on until May 12th. >> Okay. >> Right. And see and Cedar Avenue County Highway, you're not supposed to put signs over there. So, I'd appreciate if they were taken down.
My second issue is COS for the city. How many COs are allowed in the city for a year? There's no mean in in any individual property. Let >> let's keep on on going and then when when you're finished. Yeah. Well, we're happy to >> Well, I'm under the impression that
you're only allowed two cos a year, a summer one and a winter one. >> There are places that are doing weekly rentals, monthly rentals. Is that allowed?
>> Keep on going. That's really my question. >> Okay. >> So, okay. My third problem is as I was looking through the notes today, um I was looking at the bills and I saw a
charge for like $975,000 and I couldn't figure out what that was and and it turns out to be the state health plan. And then I looked at last year's which was $737,000. So it's jumped to like almost $230,000
which is another $2 million a year. >> Yes. Actually Sharon actually Sharon Oh >> yeah it >> and that's not even including the dental the vision. >> So that's over we're paying what over 123 million plus a year. Sharon, let me
ask you. Is that your last question? Because then we will answer everything for you. >> Okay. >> No, that's not. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> So, that's that. My last question is TNR. >> Um, you know, when Sid was here, things were great because we had our little
group and we'd we'd always get together. We get together with the SPCA. >> You would know what's going on with TNR. >> You [clears throat] know, we haven't had a meeting. We haven't had anything on on what's going on with TNR in the city. I'm getting a lot of complaints that the SPCA is not doing their job. They call
Karin, she cannot help them. So, I'd like to know what's going on. And, you know, we our group would like to get involved in this again and and actually see if they are getting the cats and and the kittens. Are they trapping them? What are they doing? Because there's a
lot of cats in this city. So Sharon, let me I'm sorry. Let me show you. >> I'm done. Those are my questions. >> Let me answer the [laughter] >> Let me answer the last two. Um so yes,
health insurance statewide has just gone crazy. So just this year alone, there's been a $3.5 million increase. So if you saw something from last year and this year, that's it. three and a half million dollars uh more this year than
last year. Uh as far as the trap and neuter, I mean, you know, I I think things have been going pretty well. I know you were very active in terms of you and a group getting together. If you see some problems, we're all happy to
meet again. Um again, you know, we have so much going on in the city. If we don't hear from you regarding that group, uh, regarding that issue, uh, we we assume that things are going well. But if you think we should get together, let's do it. >> Yeah, I like that. >> I'm all for it. I'd like to know what's
going on and what your thoughts are. >> And now to respond to your number of uh, cos that can be uh, just [clears throat] what we're doing now is just answering your question. Okay. >> So, two per year per residential, you're correct. And and if somebody is renting
out something monthly or weekly, you need to let us know >> because you are you're right. You're only allowed to. Excuse me. >> Is that kind of my job to not this and this? >> No. No. No. No. Not your job. But if when we find when we know about it, we take action. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. And your late your first question was the signs. >> I think we we responded responded to that in terms of Cedar Cedar Avenue being a county road and the signs that are >> we'll we'll make sure they're taken down. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank
>> Thank you. Thank you, Sharon. All right. I'll get back to you on the group for the team. >> There's a couple other question. >> Huh? I was writing about it. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. Who else? >> Anyone else?
>> Anyone else? >> Good evening. My name is Lewis Gardius, lifetime uh resident lawn branch since I was born. >> Louis, could you raise the mic a little bit? I'm sorry. I'm just hearing >> better. >> Good. Thank you. >> All right. Good. Good evening, Mayor
Palone and members of the city council. My name is Louisis Gaudius. I'm a lifelong Lawn Branch resident, a father of six boys, and a youth football coach for 16 years. I'm here tonight because my organization, the Jersey Shore Dolphins Pop Warner program, was denied access to a public recreation field. I'm
asking you for your help because the way the decision was made was not fair, consistent, and just not right. This is not about me. This is about the kids. The program exists to give children structure, discipline, mentorship, and a safe place to be. But right now that's being denied that opportunity. Every
organization that goes through the recreation department has that right. That's the standard. But my organization was escalated and was sent upstairs. And from everything I've seen, we are the only organization treated this way. Um my organization is being singled out
and the denial was based on not on safety, coaching or program issues. It focused on allegations, not convictions and nothing related to this program. None of it involves kids. None of it happened on my field. So, what does that have to do with the kids playing
football in Long Branch? This letter, the letter also mentions videos. I've seen them. They are short clips, not the full videos. They do not show the beginning of the videos and what really occurred. They show individuals entering my personal space and initiating
interactions with me. I was not the aggressor and they also appear to come from the same source raising concerns about bias. Decisions like this should not be based or incomplete on the one-sided information. If there is a vetting process, where is it? Is it
written? Is it applied to everyone? Because if not, I'm if not, it's not being applied equally. I'm not here to fight the city. I'm here to work with the city. I will comply with the reasonable conditions, insurance, background checks,
supervision if applied fairly. But I cannot accept being denied while others move forward with without barriers. The one paying the price are not me, not the coaches, but the kids. So I ask you, why is this handled differently? Why was this escalated? Why
are different standards being applied to my organization only? Is this fair to the children of this community? I'm asking for a review, transparency, equal treatment, and a chance for these kids to play. All we are asking for is the same opportunities that all the other
organizations have. Thank you. And also, I had a very nice call from Mr. Charlie Shirley recently where he really put me down big time. Told me my background, how how should I ever be coaching the sport or any kid? He also went above and beyond to call my
organization's program, the Pop Warner program, and told them that I should not be coaching because of my background. Is he doing this on his hourly time that he's getting paid or is he doing this at home when he's bored? Because something like this never occurred. And the popner
told me personally, Lewis, I've never seen anything like this in my whole entire life. Never. He's the first business administrator to go above and beyond his reach and go out and try to bomb me. The only guy out here with football. Since he's been in that chair,
football has went down the tubes. Gone. Completely gone. There is no football in Long Branch no more since he took that chair. And I believe he's a big part of it along with Chris Parker. And that's just my personal thoughts. I started this program so these kids could not get
in trouble, stay out of jail, off the drugs and have a nice positive place to be, which is a a field that is like in the corner of on the end of Long Branch Avenue where I used to slam home runs and I got two grand slams to win a World Series. You know, this guy's telling me
you're not from Long Branch. He told me on the phone the other day, Lewis, you ain't from Long Branch, you're from Ocean. This guy right there. Where's he from? I want to know where is he from Long Branch? He's not right. I'm from Long Branch. I'm born and raised here. Uh Mary, you
said you went to school with my father. Correct. >> Yes. >> Yes. I met you at the boardwalk when we had our big thing over there and you came and seen us and said, "Great job what you're doing with the kids." You said, "I actually went to school with your father here." My father came, my grandparents came right to First Avenue, a street that don't even exist anymore.
They came right from Italy right to a little street called First Avenue that don't even exist anymore. for a man like that to call me and downgrade me like that. The way he talked to me, calling me dude this and dude that, man, you should grow up and this and that. Like, he's just a very imp unprofessional
human being. And I just wanted to state that for the record. Football has been down the tube since he took that chair. Thank you very much. Have a great night, everybody. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Would anyone respond?
>> Would anybody care to respond? >> [snorts] >> What did does anyone else want to speak? >> Good evening board. My name is Casey Zimmer from Long Ranch. I'm here tonight as a mother and a and someone who helped build the Jersey Shore Dolphins from the ground up. Not for recognition, not for
politics, but for the kids in this community who need an affordable place to play, grow, and stay out of trouble. For the last three years, we have tried over and over again to work with this town. We followed the process. We submitted permits. We asked for guidance. We adjusted when asked. And
every single time there was an excuse. When we asked for a field, there was an issue. When we tried to raise money with a simple car wash, we couldn't get a location approved. When we looked for donations, we were told no, we can't use taxpayers money to do that when there was a grant right at the recreation.
When we needed a place to just hold a meeting, there was no help. It didn't matter what we asked for, there was always a reason why it couldn't be done. And yet, somehow those same barriers don't seem to exist for everyone else. So, I have to ask, why? Why is it that for three years there there has always
been a reason why our kids don't get the same opportunities? Why are we making it harder for kids to be a part of something positive instead of easier? Why does it feel like this town we're putting more time and energy into watering the flowers than we are into supporting the children? And also I want
to speak about Lewis. Lewis [snorts] is an amazing father, an incredible coach, and a true role model to this community. For over 16 years, he has dedicated his time to coaching and mentoring these kids, changing countless lives along the way. He's not just a coach on the field.
He feeds these kids dinner. He clothes these kids. He gives these kids rides to and from practices and games. He makes sure every birthday is celebrated on that field and each child feels special. He provides what they need for school, for football, for life. We go above and
beyond, not just on the field, but off the field as well, because these kids matter to us. The respect these kids and families have for Coach Lou is incredible. And that's why it's hard to understand why the same respect isn't being shown from this town. At some point, this stops being
about scheduling or logistics and starts becoming about fairness. Tonight, I'm not going to argue with you. I'm just here to ask for accountability. These kids deserve equal access. These kids deserve safe fields and deserve support, not obstacles. We
are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for the same treatment. I also would like to add that the field that we were given three years ago was on top of a car graveyard. I would say we had a kid blow out his knee when you
had Manhasset right there for us to use. But for some reason, it was denied and I found that field not knowing what it was. We asked for weeks to see if we can get it leveled out. We asked for so many things and it was always a no. There's
it there's no time. There's you. We asked for four dates for this field and you guys are saying no. You can you can get the police to come out. Whatever you're saying no to four, I'm sure there's some kind of answer to
resolve the issues. I mean, we've been coming here for three years now and you guys are still saying no. at least tonight if you can just give us an answer as to why I think you know maybe that would help. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Would anyone here to respond? [clears throat] >> Sure. Well, let me start by Sorry, sir. >> We'll respond on this and then you can come come. >> This is not about the order. >> No, this is you and >> Yeah. Yeah. Um so, council president
just to start. So, as you know, in the last 3 weeks, we've denied two other organizations. So, it's not something that was taken differently. We we review these all the time. Uh the director of recreation when he gets something that he's not sure what the council wants to do with, he always escalates it to us. So, that's not something that that
doesn't just happen with him. It happens a lot. Um I'm not going to air all of his dirty laundry, but at the end of the day, when we reviewed this, Mr. Gaudius is is not permitted to coach in four different leagues. Two of them were our leagues in >> town. Sorry, you're lying. Charlie, you're no right now to all you.
>> I'm I'm sorry. >> That's a lie. Shouldn't be allowed to lie like that, Charlie. That's not No, that's a lie. I can call you anywhere in this world right now. Long branches. >> I'm I'm sorry. I'll have to stop talking now. >> We're not going to let them.
>> So, when when these when these things are forwarded through the Department of Recreation, obviously, we have to take a look at these and see what we want to do as a governing body, right? We have discussions about them and we have to determine what's best for everyone here. So, um, as he said, there are some videos out there. We have, you know, our
our employees, we have um, uh, residents that call and as as this stuff's happening saying, you know, how are you going to let this guy on your field? So, it's something we looked at and we decided that it wasn't in the best interest of us for Long Branch. That's how decision was made. >> That's I'm sorry. I'm sorry your time. I'm
sorry. No, >> madam. >> Thank you. Um, and someone else would would like to respond. >> Yes. Um, just one thing. Um, I was I'm under the impression that we do have um I don't know if it's AYF, but we do have
football here in Long Branch. >> No, you don't. Here we show if you continue to if you continue to talk. >> Anyway, um yes, I'm told that we do have
um a new president. I don't need to mention the person's name, but we we have football in Long Branch. We'll [snorts] see. >> Or maybe that maybe they're just starting in We'll see. It's >> not a problem. I respect you. No problem.
I appreciate >> the only person. >> Okay. Any would anyone else? Sir, you'd like to make a comment? >> Hi. Um, my name is uh Greg Yubberto, 55 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey.
Um I I'm not going to speak about the ordinance. I have something else to bring up. Okay, good. >> Uh last September, myself and another gentleman, we came the to the town council meeting to bring up the question
about the uh ebikes uh and the problems [laughter] they were causing, especially during the summer. I decided to come here because uh the weather's going to start to get better and you're going to have more traffic and also a lot more uh ebikes
riding around. Now, I did a little research to find out uh and I think the state did their due diligence. uh they passed a a law whereby now if you're going to ride a ebike you have to
be licensed and you have to have registration and in some respect also have insurance uh insurance and that no uh child under 15 years old could ride
ebikes. Okay. Another thing I I I looked at all different towns and uh some of the towns they're they're finding uh people they're going to find them up to $2,000 and hold the parents responsible
uh and uh they could potentially impound their their bikes. Uh I saw on the internet that the the penalty that uh for anybody not obeying the laws regarding ebikes uh on the first offense
the fine is $200 to $400. Um but what happens after the the second or third offense? Because the other day I'm riding down the street and you got two people on the ebikes. I mean,
it's putting them at two kids at risk. >> And um you know, I don't know if the state uh brought this out to the people of of New Jersey, especially about these rules and regulations, but if if not, they are totally remissed. I wouldn't
have known this if I didn't see it on the internet. So really, the it's up to the state to let the people know what's what's going on. And that's all I have to say. But I'm I'm I'm glad I'm glad that that uh you're working on this addressing this a
problem because especially during the warm weather when you see a ebike driving the wrong the opposite way. >> Mhm. >> Somebody's going to get hurt, >> right? >> Yeah. >> And you know who's usually the person responsible?
>> The person driving the car. >> And they're and they're irresponsible. That's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. And would anyone um respond to that in terms of an update? >> I mean, I'll just say that the state finally, sir, the state finally took action and gave us laws that we can uh
enforce. They don't come into effect until July, but uh our guys are already doing public public education. They're out there, but you'll see in July a big change in how they're addressed and how people are stopped. And believe it or not, the kids can lose their license for when they uh turn. So, it's got more effects than you think, but we they
finally have something they can do with it now. >> Yep. >> Good. Thank you. Anyone else? >> You had your five minutes. >> I just want to know who the four organizations that >> uh Lou, you had your five minutes. If
you have questions that you >> If you have questions when the meeting is over, just come up and ask any one of us. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Any comments? All right. Thank you. After uh anyone in
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 hours that are held the first Wednesday
of every month. And you can tell us beforehand what topic you want to talk about. You can ask for specific people from the deis to be there. So that's how we run those uh public council hours.
And now I need a motion to close the public participation portion of the of the meeting. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Uh now I will ask uh madame clerk if there were any changes to the list of resolutions. No changes have been made.
>> Okay. Thank you. We can take the listed resolutions as the consent agenda. I need a motion. >> So move second. >> Roll call poll, please. >> Mr. Rases, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieira, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. >> Dr. Vote, >> yes.
>> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Applications. I need a motion to appoint the following member of the Long Branch Fire Department. Alan Y. Lee. The company is Branchport. The status is fire police. I need a motion.
>> So moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Ras, >> yes. >> Mr. Vieira, >> yes. >> Mrs. Whittis, >> yes. >> Mr. Dangler, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Dr. Vote, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. And now to the miscellaneous business of uh for the good of the
order. Councilman Ras, if you would start us off, please. >> All right. Thank you, Council President. Uh, first, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out this evening. Also, I'd like to thank the the Long Grant students for the beautiful presentation to commemorate ArabAmerican Heritage Month. Um, it's always nice to hear
everyone's concerns. Uh, we do take that at heart and, uh, we hope we can find a resolution for you. And on that note, um, look forward to seeing everyone in two weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Ras and Councilman Vieiraa. >> Thank you, Council President. I also
want to thank, uh, the students for a Heritage doing a great job. Uh today there was a lot of questions asked. I think most of most of the questions were answered by our panel up here. I know you don't agree with a lot of these answers, but those are the answers that
you're going to get. I'm not going to answer them any differently. A lot of times we leave it up to our department heads to make the decisions. That's why they're the department heads and we have to support our department heads. And with that, I want to say good night and thanks for coming out tonight. Thank
you, Councilman Vieira, and Councilwoman Whittis. >> Hi, good evening. I'd like to also thank everyone for coming out this evening and the students did a great job and um really excited about the acquiring Brookdale for our police department and
our court. Um our police deserve a nice place to work and uh if anyone has ever been downstairs, you'll see that the conditions are horrible down there. So, I'm really excited and can't wait for all that to happen and uh look forward
to seeing you in two weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman uh Whittis and uh Councilman Dangler. >> Yes. Uh like everyone else, thank you for coming out and um giving us your concerns. um
within for the next two weeks uh when I come back I will have the exact uh restart date if you will for uh Long Branch well I'm old school I'll say Long Branch Pop Warner but AYF it was defunct I know it was defunct but I will uh but I do
believe that that it re uh re restarted um um reactivate that's the word I'm looking for the leak so um you're not totally wrong in regards to we didn't have if it was last year or the year before, but I know that they did restart
it. Um so, uh with that being said, I'd like to have everyone um get home safely and hopefully we'll see you again in two weeks. >> Thank you and God bless. >> Thank you, Councilman Dangler and Mayor Palum. >> Um thank you, Council President. Um, I
wanted to uh there were as as mentioned there there were three new ordinances uh that were introduced tonight and I just wanted to speak a little bit about them. So, um, we're very excited to announce that Long Branch has received an
additional $5 million in state aid, which now will fully fund the construction um of the new pier, which is going to be u set to uh start mobilization and begin in a few uh in the next few weeks. Uh in addition, uh
we have an agreement now with Brookdale Community College um that has been made to purchase Brookdale's property on Lower Broadway. And there's three uh ordinances all related to that. Um the Pier project u if you didn't know,
previously received $8.25 million through grants from the state of New Jersey, and now this newly awarded $5 million will be used to complete the project. And as I said, it would be fully uh funded. Uh in January, uh the
city authorized 5 million in bonding. Uh that was the initial uh funds to support the pure project. Uh but with the construction now fully funded through state aid in this additional $5 million. Uh those bonded funds uh were were have
not been spent spent and so they'll be redirected towards the acquisition of the Brookdale building. So the per the city's purchasing the building, this is the Brookdale building for 3.5 million. The remaining funds of the fi uh remaining funds that we had
bonded for previously will be used to renovate and equip the building. The Mammoth County Sheriff's Office will also have uh uh an office at the city's new building. This is downtown. We're very excited because this would keep the city court, the uh police department,
and the fire department um you know, in a in a great location primarily uh in the downtown area. So, um we're also excited though that Brookdale Community College will continue to maintain its presence in Long Branch. So, the college
will relocate its classes and adult education to the second floor of the uh city's new health and tech center uh which is expected to be completed uh later this year if not in the spring of 27. So, I want to thank Brookdale
President David Stout, the Brookdale Board of Trustees, and the Mammoth County Commissioner uh Director Tom Arnon for their continued support uh of this partnership. Um, on another note, there's a couple other events I'd just like to mention. The Earthmon exhibition at the Long
Branch Arts and Cultural Center showcases how discarded materials can be transformed into imaginative works of art. This exhibit will run till the end of the month. Uh, and it features two exhibits, still in play and creative
change makers. It highlights artists and students who repurpose items like game pieces, beach debris, and old clothing into creative expressions that emphasize sustainability. We just had the reception last week. It was uh a lot of
people. And uh if you have time, stop by and see it. And alongside the artwork throughout the month, visitors and residents can participate in some workshops, demonstrations, and special events that we're having throughout the month. just go on the website or you can
call the uh uh the art center directly. Um, also on a different note, in celebration of our nation's 250th anniversary, Squirrel Stew, an oldtime music band, will be playing at the Long Branch Senior Center next week at on
April 28th at 6 PM. Uh, and then on May 6, the award-winning movie The Patriot will be playing at the Senior Center as well at 6 PM. join us there for free events. Refreshments will be served at both events. And then throughout the rest of the summer and
even into the fall, uh along with many other communities uh throughout Mammoth County in the state, we'll be we'll be having uh u several 250th anniversary events uh including our annual uh Ocean Fest, which will be um a little special
this year as well. And finally, uh, just wanted to mention that the citywide yard sale will be on May 16th and May 17th from 9:00 a.m. uh, to 5:00 p.m. And, uh, on that particular weekend, no permits or fees are required for the two vent
two-day event. So, uh, thank you all for coming out this evening and thank you for your comments and have a great week. >> Thank you, Mayor Poon. Um, and I join with everyone in congratulating our students. I just love it when this our
students uh participate. We really are so proud of them. I also want to just acknowledge um uh all of us trying to follow the guidelines for public comment. I know it's frustrating. Um, but to be able to
say your whole piece of information for five minutes uninterrupted asking your questions so that when the speaker is done, any one of us can
respond to what's being said. Um, as Mr. known has explained really over and over again, a a city council meeting um is for conducting city business. It's not for the purpose of an extended
discussion, but as he said, each one of the ordinances has an an opportunity for public comment. uh the uh council hours that we have opportunities for comment and that's
where the long-term discussion longer term dis discussion can happen. So, as we're working with each meeting to keep that kind of structure, I just appreciate everybody's um compliance
with that. And as I said before, Lou, I'm going to close the meeting in about a minute and to come up and ask ask your question. Um, and with that, uh, I hope to see you in two weeks and thank everyone for
coming out. And now I need a motion to adjourn. >> So move. Second. >> Uh, thank you. All in favor? I >> Okay. Thank you. Good night, everyone. You're done.