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METADATA
Video-Count: 2
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=yyCEwzEHnXg
Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=cXHEgVlakq0

Part: 1

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--------- Okay. Good evening. I'd like to call Good evening. I'd like to call the workshop agenda workshop meeting to order for July 22nd, 2026. Roll call. >> Mr. Baratiero >> Here. >> Dr. Vo >> Here. >> Mr. Zaltz >> Here.

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>> Mr. Brown >> Present. >> Mr. Renzis >> Here. >> I hereby certify that that this meeting has been published in the newspaper in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act and posted as required by law. >> Um any old business to discuss?

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Administrator Shirley? >> I do. Um so I have wanted to start with just giving you guys a quick update on where we are with the pier. Um we actually had some good things happen the last 2 days. Um so as part of this, I don't know if you remember, part of um when when we were going through all the engineering, there were test piles

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because they weren't sure exactly what was there. So we uh over the last 10 days, we've driven five test piles, which is a requirement. And as of today, every single >> So one of them passed. >> Okay. >> Um so Friday, everything's going to be dropped, and then Monday, you're just going to see them um starting, you know, land side and doing the the timber piles that are

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going to take off. So that's going to happen quickly. Um yeah, so it looks like um for for I'm just bringing you guys up. They have what's called means and methods. So part of this whole thing of how this is going to be built was going to be depending on whether they're going to build a cofferdam, they were going to bring in some, you know, barge and do it

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off of that. Um this company has chosen to build what's called a temporary trestle. So they're actually going to build a trestle that goes out um and then they they slowly drive the machine down and and then build next to it as they do it. Um so you're going to see two things happening. The piles I just talked to you about are the wood piles, and they're land side. Those are going to

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start being driven immediately. And then they are going to start also building the trestle so that when the concrete piles get here, they can just start installing them. So that's kind of where we are. I just wanted to It's been a slow start, but a lot of equipment. Um you know, some of the things that we didn't really um they or they didn't, I should say, they

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didn't foresee happening was because they're coming from New York, every time they take all those crane parts and the all the big shipments across the bridges, they need a permit to get into New Jersey. And they won't even So, we we keep telling them, "Be here at 5:00 in the morning. Do it overnight." They can't get a permit to cross the bridge until 10:00 a.m. So, it just doesn't

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work. So, they've got to wait and so we kind of lose a day every time we're doing that. But, we're all here, we're together, and we're we're good to go. >> I was down there this morning and I saw they had part of the road blocked off and they were bringing in equipment and >> We're trying to do it slowly, little at a time, so it's not totally shut down,

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but yeah, we're we're we're in a good place. >> Still on schedule schedule-wise? >> That's I I I think I'll be able to give you a better um uh schedule as soon as we we start driving these uh timber piles. So, I don't know if you guys remember from Sandy, but when we uh applied for the mitigation, we

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actually put a sheet pile of wall against the the boardwalk to protect it. >> Right. >> And uh anyone that looks at the seawall we have, it's actually in a trapezoid shape. It's an old Army Corps we found like a very old plans on it for if you measure the width of the top of it, the bottom is three times as wide. That's

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just the standard for it. So, if you just do that in your head, they we had to actually chop out a bunch of rock just to put the piles in. So, we'll know that Monday, Tuesday. And then and then once we get past that first two rows, then we'll be good. >> Brother, when you say trestle, you're talking about the way they build the box

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around it? >> No, no, that that was a cofferdam. They're They're not They're not Remember we talked about means and methods and there was three or four different types that they they chose not to do that. >> So, what do you mean exactly? >> They're They're building like with their own, you know, the the There's no standard under, you know, them building a pier or piles for their machine. So,

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they're going to drive them and drive their machine up on one that they're going to end up removing. >> Uh-huh. Why did they decide to do it that >> It's It's a It's a It's honestly, it's a what's called means and methods. It's just based on the equipment that they physically have. You know, base When we did the boardwalk back in the day, uh there were a bunch of um places that came in with different um

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you know, different prices, and the prices varied a lot. One of the prices that came in was because somebody had a sheet pile machine that could literally pick it up and with one person just drive it down itself. It itself level, itself this, itself that. Uh all the other people it [snorts] was four or five labors per sheet and they'd have to

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hammer it down. Uh this one was vibrated. It was a brand new sheet. They had to get trained in Germany. It was it was a whole thing. >> How many can they drive a day? >> That that's what we'll start finding. The the once we're out of the rocks, I'll have a much better thing for you cuz true we can drive zero a day until

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we get through the rocks cuz they may be digging with an excavator. But we'll know that very soon. >> Any uh any new business? >> Um I do have one new business. Um So Seven Presidents Park was just uh issued a CAFRA permit. Um

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just to be clear on on how this how this happened. Um I probably met with the county 5 years ago. Um >> Charlie, just for all of our folks, could you explain what a CAFRA permit is? >> Um sure. So let let me explain the project and

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I'll explain why they required it. Um So this is this goes around Seven Presidents Park um and it was a walking path. So for anyone that's familiar around Seaview Avenue and then down North Ocean Avenue, um the original ask of us was that they wanted to take all of our parking and

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put the walking path there. And it was just like an immediate no from us. So um county regrouped and they actually went to um CAFRA and they're taking part of their land. So where the fence is now is where this is actually going to be installed and I'll I'll just show you a few slides of it. So to to Anita's

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point, because because they're on the ocean, you there's views involved here. Um so you can see like that's uh Avenel. We're starting on the other side there. So they're all the way up at the other end by Charlie's. Um What what they're doing is inside right inside their fence line, they're creating a pathway that'll connect you

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from our promenade all all down to that USO beach. So you're never going to have to see all those people in the roadway. It's a lot safer. Um every single crossing is ADA pedestrian friendly, new markings, high vis, um and it's it's all buffered, too. There's a There's a bunch of landscaping that

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goes with this. So, as as I move with this, I'll stop anytime you want, but that's USA USO beach up down to where Ivanella is and uh North Ocean, which the next slide kind of just is a straightaway. Same thing, it just continues. And then when you get to the intersection, um

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this is the intersection. The Julianne Avenue, right at that intersection, there has I I wouldn't say I'd say above average amount of pedestrian accidents, nothing fatal, but um there's just a lot of action there. And they've done a really good job at creating um you know, there's like a turn lane there

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with an island and then high vis crosswalks. So, they they did a lot of improvements. And by the way, most of those people shouldn't even be in the road anymore, so that's going to solve most of it. So, you can see what they did there, but they created a little safe area because Do you see the little island on the bottom? That's kind of where everyone always

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gets struck cuz they they sneak out across there and there's always a car trying to race across to get next in line to get into the park. Um so, it's it's a little safe area they can stand at now and then and then build it down. And then on the next slide, it kind of turns the corner.

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That's where our parking meter is, which we may have to move. We have an issue there, but um as they come around that that turn again, they they've created some buffering and some pedestrian safety issue uh you know, techniques that aren't there. And then it brings it all the way down to our circle, so that you literally leave the promenade and go

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right onto their walkway and get you all the way around. Um so so to Anita's point, like right where you are right now is why I wanted to wait for this. There's actually a bird sanctuary there. Um a lot of what they deal with the the beach views and um the state DEP, through your CAFRA

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permit, wants to view all this to make sure that that none of this is impeding the view. So, this is all This is an easy one. It's all low-level stuff that um didn't need any of that, but if they were putting structures up there, bathrooms, or anything like that, there would be a whole different type of review that was done. So, CAFRA has already approved this, which is what I

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gave you guys so you have it. Um >> And CAFRA stands for for what? >> Coastal Area uh >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, I was looking at that. So, I'm sorry. >> Right on top. >> Oh, close. >> Yeah. But, it's all through DEP. >> Okay. >> So, this has been approved. >> Thank you.

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>> Um I'll get I'll get you a a timeline of the job once once they actually, you know, get moving at the county level, but uh this was just given to me last week. >> Can you Can you explain the CAFRA process for those who don't know and how it's complicated and how

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far it goes? Yeah, I was just >> It It's so complicated that I'm not going to be able to tell you everything because it depends on what you're doing, right? So, this is what's called a CAFRA individual permit, which is like the lowest level of one and then requires the least amount of uh review. So, like I said, because there's no buildings and

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obstructions or anything here, it it was a pretty easy thing, but if you guys remember the Atlantic Club used to have CB Towers. It was there, the two buildings. >> Yeah. >> And then, if you look at the way it is now, there used to just be two square buildings that they were trying to build, and now it's tiered back, and it's all the way, you know, there's more

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on the boulevard side and much less on the on the ocean side. >> Yeah. >> And it's also turned a little bit. That all also do with sight picture and sight views. Um so, the building was basically, you know, a quarter of it was chopped off just to get these views and

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had to fit them in. So, one of the this is >> Anytime that you're doing work on >> on the coast, yeah, in the coastal zone. >> And does that extend several blocks inland, too, as well? >> It does. I mean, >> It goes all the way to the >> Yeah. Yeah, you'll you'll be surprised how far it can get to land.

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Yep. >> Across Ocean Ave. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Right. Is the tearing thing because you can't throw shade on the beach, also? >> It's It's There's beach shading. There's There's views, beach shading. There's all kinds of issues. >> It gets a little easier as you >> As you go away it gets yeah, absolutely. >> But it's still a got to get in.

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>> Yeah. >> It's a lot of ways. It's Coastal Area Facilities Review Act. >> How long typically does that take? >> Yeah, yeah. I mean right now for you guys >> 3 months to 5 years. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, they got 3 months to 5 years. >> Yeah, wow. >> Depending on how difficult >> Will the bike path accommodate bicycles?

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>> It will. It's bike and pedestrian. Yeah. >> They they collect money at the gatehouse for the vehicles and then each of those entrances. Does that make it easier for people like get on the beach? >> I think it's just What do you mean? I I don't think the entrances. I think they just do it at You call they they accept cars in the in the >> Right, but what I'm saying so is if I

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want to walk from our boardwalk >> Right. >> I can just continue >> Continue there go right into there. Yes. >> And then does that make it easier to get onto their beach or do they collect >> They'll collect at the booth there. They'll stop you. >> Yeah, but you know like for example there's a lot of different entrances. Do

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they have people at each entrance? >> They and they lock most of them. Most of them are unlocked most of them. >> But it's going to and I >> I think I had the same question but there's a there's going to be a fence on either side. >> Oh, yes, absolutely. >> There's a fence on either side so there will always be someone >> Oh, you won't be able to you can't >> building a new fence on the other side

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as well. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's going to I'm sorry. >> So this one way you got to make it a little prison there. >> How wide >> It's it's a 10-ft wide pathway. >> Yeah, so I cuz otherwise they would have opened all of >> Yeah. >> Right. Yeah, but once you get inside

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>> How high is the fence? >> We didn't get into all that. Once I get to the designs I'll I'll do all that. >> And and what's the >> [laughter] >> like you're in a prison. >> So that's why they were wanted to get it on our side. >> They didn't want to change the fence. They didn't want to change the fence. Absolutely. >> Yes, yes, yes.

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>> And and what's the timeline? >> We don't have it yet. As soon as I get it I'll let you know. >> Okay. >> So that's all I got on that. >> That's been in the works for quite a while. >> time. >> Did they go to the Did they go to the planning board? >> It was more like information. >> An know, you came to the council.

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>> Yeah, they did a capital review. >> Okay. >> What's the regular meeting agenda? You want to see that? >> I'm good. >> I'm good with that. Okay, then I will entertain a motion to close the public portion of the meeting. >> So moved.

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>> Second. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Okay. I need a motion to adopt the following resolution, resolution R-176-26. Be it resolved that the city council will go into executive session to

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discuss the following: attorney-client privilege, administrator's update. I'm moving a motion. >> I so moved. >> Second. Second. Okay. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> And opposed? Okay.

Part: 2

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Okay, we're ready. Okay. The July 22nd, 2026 council meeting of the Long Branch City Council will now come to order. Roll call. >> Mr. Barotero, >> here. >> Dr. V. >> Mr. Zeltza, >> here. >> Mr. Brown, >> Mr. Rases >> here.

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>> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under indivisible with liberty and justice for

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all. >> Okay. 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

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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

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the newspaper in accordance with the open public meeting act and posted as required by law. >> Okay. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the July 8th, 2026 uh meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Baritro. >> Yes.

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>> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vas. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. Okay. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the July 13th, 2026 meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call.

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>> Mr. Baritera. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zelta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rases. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. Uh, consideration of ordinance public hearing and final consideration

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0-16-26. 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 was introduced

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on July 8th, 2026 and amends the code of the city of Long Branch to require that all rentals of 1 to four family dwellings be for a minimum duration of 60 days. I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance

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>> only. So moved. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> I a second. [snorts] >> Okay. If any member of the public has any comments to make on this ordinance only, please come to the podium, state

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your name and address clearly for the record, you will have five minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-16-26. Uh, Council President, if if I can just note as a some before anybody from the public speaks, can we correct the

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summary of the ordinance, Madame Clerk? It has 90 days in it, and I think it should have 60 days. >> Right. >> I have six days. >> The one I have has 90 >> in the summary. >> Excuse me.

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>> In the summary, >> I I just I'm just looking at the summary. at at the beginning right under the title it says the summary. Am I >> No, you're looking at the I'm looking at the actual ordinance. I'm not looking at I'm not looking at the agenda. I'm looking at the actual the summary and

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the actual ordinance. I just wanted to make sure it was because if you publish it by summary that Yeah. >> for 60 days. >> Yeah. Yeah. But you got to publish the adoption too. I just want to make sure that the summary y >> is correct. Okay. Thank you. Sorry, counc. >> It's okay. Thanks. Okay. I need a since

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no one has come up. I need a m. Okay. >> Sharon Wise 65 Cedar Avenue. It it was changed to the new ordinance to the 60 days from the 90 days. So my question is is um so I mean we read we we always had

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this ordinance, right? >> No. for two COs a year. >> Well, you had you always had the ordinance for two COs a year for single family houses only and you didn't have a duration on the length of the cos.

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>> Okay. Because I I know it's always been I I get what you're saying with the multi- dwelling and stuff, but it's always been that I've known as two cos a year. My thing is who's going to enforce this? because I've seen a rental up for

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a week for one week. >> So, >> which I'll show you Anita later. >> Yeah, please do. >> So, so the answer is is that one of the purposes for doing this ordinance is that for instance, you've seen it when you say it's up for a week. You've seen it on on one of the apps. You've seen it. Is that where you're talking about

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>> on the MLS? >> Uh on MLS, too. >> Well, this will prevent this ordinance actually prohibits you from advertising people for oneweek rentals. It specifically does. >> So advertising where? >> Anywhere.

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>> Anywhere. So if you have a realtor doing this on the MLS, that's >> correct. That would be advertising. Correct. So re that would be on realtor.com, right? That's that's where MLS is these days. Right. >> Again, I I do real estate, so I have I'm on the MLS, which is just a realtor's

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>> or have access to that. But yes, most mostly when you put in a rental or an a place for sale, >> it shows up everywhere. So yeah. >> Yeah. Mo to people who aren't aren't realtors, it shows up on realtor.com when you put it into MLS.

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>> But if we put on the MLS, it'll show up on realtor.com, apartment.com. It shows up all over the >> correct. Yeah. And and and they'll get flagged and you know, >> but who's looking out for that? >> Like who's going to flag it? >> Code enforcement. >> Okay. And then there there'll be a fine

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if they So So here's a listing. They're saying it's for a week. So, you would contact them and tell them no, you're not allowed to do this due to the new ordinance. >> And what about be uh what is it? Uh >> Verbbo >> air. Yeah. All that stuff.

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>> One of And that's that's what I was getting. That's why I asked you if you were talking about one of the apps. The We've dealt with them. I have dealt with them in other places and and we've been in contact with them. We send this ordinance to them. They won't list a property for less than 60 days. Do you

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send this ordinance out to the realtors around or so they know? Because some of them might not even know. >> I don't know if we have that that list or not. Um but we could >> or just to make everybody aware that you're not allowed to do them a week.

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>> It's a good suggestion. >> It's a good suggestion. Yeah. >> Okay. I'll show you that one later. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? Okay. I need a motion to close. >> I move to close. >> Second.

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>> All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. This is the second reading of ordinance 16-26. I need a motion to adopt um on second and final reading and advertise according to law. >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call.

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>> Mr. Baritero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vasses? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. uh 0-1726 an ordinance amending chapter 297 streets and sidewalks by amending

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subsection 297-35 restoration of the surface of the code of the city of Long Branch. This ordinance was introduced on July 8th, 2026 and establishes the requirements for final ashold pavement for road services as determined by the size of

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the trench originally made in the roadway. I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance only. So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Okay. If any member of the public has

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any comments to make on this ordinance only, please come to the podium, state your name and address clearly for the record. You will have five minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-17-26. Okay. Since no one has uh come up, I

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need a motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> Okay. This is the second reading of ordinance 17-26. I need a motion to adopt on second and final reading and

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advertise according to law. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Bariso. Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Yes. >> Mr. Roses. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. 0-1826,

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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 3 entitled bamboo plants. This ordinance was introduced on July 8th, 2026 and amends chapter 125

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brush grass weeds to include bamboo plants and prohibits subject to certain exemptions the planting, cultivation or growing of bamboo on any lot or parcel of of ground within the boundaries of the city. I need a motion to open the

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public hearing on this ordinance only. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Okay. If any member of the public has any comments to make on this ordinance only, please come to the podium, state your name and address clearly for the

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record. You will have 5 minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 0-18-26. Okay. Since no one has come up, I need a motion to close. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? First >> I >> I >> Okay, this is the second reading of

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ordinance 1-26. I need a motion to adopt on second and final reading and advertise according to law. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Barotero. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zalta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown? >> Yes.

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>> Mr. Ras? >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Okay. Um ordinance for introduction. There are none. Okay. Um, this is a public participation for resolutions and all general comments. I need a motion to

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open the public portion of the meeting for all comments. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> May 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

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your governing body. There will be no cross dialogue during the public portion of the meeting. After you have spoken, any member of the DEAS authorized to speak on the administration's behalf may address your comments and answer your questions. If there is anyone in the audience who has a comment to make,

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please step forward to the podium. State your name and address clearly for the records. You will have 5 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

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732-571-5686 to schedule a time at the public council hours that are held the first Wednesday of every month. Good evening, Madame Clerk. Requesting one minute notification. Vincent Leapour 33 Ocean Terrace Long Branch.

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Resolution 181 tonight. A resolution appointing William Dangler to the housing authority for a five-year term. How about that? How about that? On the last meeting as a councilman, Dangler was not present to vote on

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resolution 133, the municipal budget, which raised taxes. But tonight, effective immediately, he gets appointed to the housing authority. A housing authority that doesn't pay property taxes,

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a housing authority that's not affected by Dangler's nonpresence at the June 24th council meeting where taxes were raised on homeowners in the city. Mr. The Dangler had a part

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in resolution 7225 of April 2025 and helping to vote for the transfer of a tax abatement to Linquin Equities from Ocean Gate Developers. And tonight, city awards him with an appointment to

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the housing authority, again a taxexempt entity. You can't make this up. You can't. Councilman Baro, Councilman Zelda, Zalda, you didn't answer my question at

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the July 8th meeting as to why you didn't attend June 24th meeting to fight the tax increase to the residents of the city. Councilman Baro, you answered that as of July 1st, you were responsible for the government and

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the budget, not before. Councilman Brown, you answered you had prior commitments at meetings. Councilman Zelda, again, you didn't answer, but Councilman Baro and Councilman

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Brown, particularly Mr. Brown with your financial background in government. Why would you handcuff yourselves to a budget for your first year voted on by three council people

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who left, excuse me, two council people who left, one who didn't appear and the other's voting for it that made a tax increase. It's unconscionable

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that these council people, the former leaving office, voted on a budget to raise taxes when you three had the position to delay the budget to the next council

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meeting July 8th as newly elected people. So, you could have voted on it and possibly prevented the tax increase to the taxpayers. but just didn't. The record is clear.

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That is not heads up governorship, not good government. Councilman Anita vote on July 8th, July 1st. you still as council president set the agenda for the July 8th council meeting after years

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of and particularly in the last four months of accelerated misinformation, lies, mistakes, lies, malpractice and lies by the city attorney Rayone and repeated questions to you council

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president then as to the termination of city attorney Reown you went on at that July 1st meeting putting on the agenda resolution 162 >> one minute notification. Thank you, Madam Clerk, appointing city attorney

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Ray known as director of law for the July 8th council meeting, even voting for RA 162 after I cited the legal malpractice that occurred surrounding the user-friendly budget not being available for the introduction and

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adoption of the budget in direct violation of NJAC 530-3.8, 8. Notwithstanding Attorney Rem's prior statements that resolutions are not voted on separately when in fact you

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will need a vote on resolution 133, the municipal resolution, budget resolution, not only scheduled it at the July 1st agenda meeting, but voted on it and approved it. The agenda being June

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24th, the council meeting July 8th. need a vote. You are contemptable. You're a hypocrite and you're a fraud. >> Five minutes. >> Would anyone else like to speak? >> Good [snorts] evening. My name is Dina

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Jakamo, 3452nd Avenue in Long Branch. Um, I'm bringing up something totally different, so it has nothing to do with building or taxes. I'm curious about the TNR program in Long Branch. I know we

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have Mammoth County SPCA as um >> our after hours um animal control. And we used to have meetings uh we were called like the Long Branch Animal Welfare

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Group. We used to have them with uh Sid and Mike Cal and I wanted to try to bring those meetings back. We have a really big TNR problem in Long Branch. We have several um private 501c3

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rescue groups that are out there trapping every single day, fundraising, paying for all of these cats ourselves. We have a lot of abandonment. We have a lot of people moving out of their um temporary uh housing, their apartments,

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and they're leaving their animals behind. We recently took on a big job on MacArthur where people moved out, left cats behind. Now there's 25 out there. Um kittens all over the place. And

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um with I have a small rescue group, um shore animal welfare group. We are new, probably about two years old, and we go out there at least three or four times a week. We transport cats. We fund raise.

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We pay for it on our own. So, one of the questions I have is I know that the city of Long Branch pays per cat if it's brought into Mammoth County SPCA for TNR. I think we have a stipen. I don't

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know what it is per cat. I was wondering if there's any way to get any of that money to flow over to private groups that are actually doing the work that Mamemoth County SPCA just doesn't have the manpower to do because we really have to clean this up. We have people that moved out on C view. They left

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behind dogs and cats. Now we have another 20 cats out there [clears throat] uh you know having kittens and it really is a problem in Long Branch. I never realized it. um only here 11 years and I just never realized what a big problem we do have

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with TNR here. Um I don't know if it's possible. >> You haven't had any >> to have any of that come over u moneywise to a private rescue just because we're helping out Mammoth County SPCI. I work very well with Bob Savath. I think he's our acco branch and

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he's phenomenal but again he's only part-time so there's only so much we can do together. Um, so that's what I was going to try to put out there. And maybe we can start our meetings again. We used to have them with Sid. Um, maybe Mr. Shirley, we can start doing our meetings

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again. I know we had Matt Mike Cow there a couple times. And maybe we can meet, you know, a couple times a year and and discuss possible um, you know, solutions to what I feel is a pretty big problem, honestly. Um,

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>> and and this isn't hard to do. Like if we just all work together, we can do it. and I don't mind doing the work. I'm out there every single day, but I'm getting old, so old and broke, so we can really use some resources. Thank you, >> ma'am. >> Oh, no. I was going to say if you um I

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had mentioned to Sharon a couple months ago, we we used to if you're if if you feel that we need to get together, would like to have a meeting can absolutely do that. We we did that. >> We did it for a while. >> We did that a few years ago on a regular basis. Yeah. So with with S Johnson be

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happy to do it anytime you want. Just call me or or Charlie. Okay. >> Get it together immediately. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you. She can >> Sharon Wise 65 Cedar Avenue. Um question. >> Can you raise the mic a little bit? I

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apologize. >> Sorry. So, first question is um the Kelly Act the condos have not received well I know I haven't received any checks. The last check we got was last year 2020 for 2024. We I have not seen

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anything for 2025 and it was actually on the 3125 last year. >> Uh is anybody working on that? >> Speaker. >> The speaker. >> Yes. He is by the Kelly Mr. Congress.

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>> We did the resolution. I think working on the checks. >> Yeah, they're working on the checks right now. The resolution's already done. >> Thank you. >> Also too, Mr. Shirley, so you know, with the Kelly, there are like people you can contact on here for the condos and

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stuff. So >> prior to my last incident number two, the Westgate apartments are now turning into condos. >> They got a tax abatement. >> Ocean Gate.

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>> Ocean Gate. Yes. >> So they got a tax abatement. How long was that tax abatement for? >> 10 years. >> Okay. So what's going to happen now with the tax abatement that they're going into condos? Um, >> is it going to be like a loft issue

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where every owner now is going to get a tax abatement? >> I don't know what a loft issue beats, but the answer is is that they are tax abated for 10 years. And I'd have to have the agreement in front of me to tell you how they're calculated, but yes, each of the individual owners then

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will have the tax abatement. But and actually the 10 years runs from whenever they got the co. So, I don't know how far into them they are >> cuz my issue is the lofts was part of the whole 30-year tax abatement. >> Correct.

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>> So, examples here. So, these condos, the loss are well over worth a million dollar. You look at the tax records for one here, 2023, you know how much money they paid for total taxes? $499.

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2024 $493 2025 $482 their assessed value land is at 30 this is just one is at $32,100 2026 2025 2024

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so with these tax abatements are audits done do they get reassessed I mean you know how much money the city is losing on 20 and what 45 condos they have over there. >> I'd have to I'd have to >> let alone what Pier Village what what

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they're not paying. >> I'd have to get the numbers for you. But >> I would like the numbers and I'd like to know why are they not being assessed >> at least something I mean taxpayers in Long Branch are assessed every year. Our taxes go up.

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So I I didn't get to print I I printed something else just for like a million dollar condo and I think the taxes were like $10,000. I don't have the paper in front of me, but even so, take 245 condos at $10,000

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a year or and what does that come out to? Or is that a quarter? I forget. I don't have the paper in front of me, but how much money are we losing? And and who's paying for it now? The taxpayers. But are audits supposed to be done on

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abatements? How does that work? because you got million-dollar condos and it it doesn't change. What do what does our assessments change? And I'd like to know about the ocean gate because that's going to get screwed

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again now because of going from apartments to condos and what is the abatement going to be? How much is the land going to be worth? you know this we have so many condos in this town as it is.

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All right. Uh I think that Oh, and then with Dena, yes, I I would appreciate if we could maybe start getting our TNR meetings together. I don't understand. We have a contract with the SPCA >> for TNR. We still have the contract with TNR for the SPCA.

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>> And you know, they're supposed to be trapping the cats. They're not doing it. So, I I think we need to start having some meetings and finding out what's going on. >> It's fine. Like I mentioned to you, I'd be happy to do I mentioned that a couple months ago. All you need to do is call

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me. We'll set it up. >> We will. Okay. >> I thought it was very productive when we used to meet. >> No, I know. But Dean Dean is more involved than I am. >> So, that's why she's here tonight. And you know, I think we really need to get back into this because the whole purpose

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of TNR was to stop the cat population exploding like it is and it it doesn't and it was working there for a while. Right now it just doesn't seem to be working. So we need to figure out. Thank you. Uh good evening. My name is JP and uh I

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just have two questions today. I I'll add a little context before my questions. Um in the last meeting we heard from some people who talked about a lot about disability issues. We talk a lot about in this community about diversity, equity, inclusion and an

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important part of you know creating a diverse community and is ensuring that that people who live in that community and who are from different backgrounds can like feel empowered to be able to participate in that community. So for

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people who are disabled who might have trouble coming into this space, how are we meeting with how are we meeting their needs as opposed to how instead of trying to make them accommodate to us? So that applies to the elderly that applies to people who have mobility

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issues. And my question is that in order to help that community, wouldn't wouldn't callins to this public hearing be an important way to include those people into the conversation? Collins. Some people might not some people are elderly. They might not be able to come here. They might not have a ride here.

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They might not be might be able to leave their house at night because it's dark. Callins can be an accessible way for people to be able to join this public hearing and talk about the issues that really matter to them because they deserve a voice, too. And sometimes being physically here isn't the best way

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for them to do that. And I know there's might be some logistical stuff with Collins, but we have to figure it out. There's solutions for that. We can ask them preemptively to sign up for the next meeting and we can ask them to put we can ask them for a heads up so we know who they're who's going to be speaking. That can avoid any potential

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like inaccuracies etc. But Collins y'all Collins is a good way to actually include more voices into the conversation. So that's my first question. Why don't we do Collins to this meeting? My second question is h what is the process? what

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has been the progress on making sure that our local hospital has the resources it needs in order to be better. That's something I think kind of raised a lot in previous previous meetings, but I haven't really heard any word on that yet. So I I remember when we had the whole kind of infighting

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quotation, scratch that. When we had the tension that was happening when they said the hospital was going to close, one of the things that we really advocated for was ensuring that there was going to be more community input into the hospital. And one of those proposals I remember was having a

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community board. However, there has been no notice information produced to the community about that community board. So therefore, I really urge you all to actually start making the efforts to in like in a way that's accessible and public for us to know what is the work

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that we're doing to make our hospital better, make the outreach better to the hospital, make the outreach from the hospital to the community better as well. So that's all I have for today. Just those two questions. Why don't we allow for callins to this meeting? And what has

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been the progress in the hospital? Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Anyone else? Anyone from today care to respond to any comments? >> You have to close the public portion first. >> You'd have to close the public. >> Close it. >> Yeah, close it first. >> They can't

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close it. >> I don't No, no, no, no. That's the public portion is closed. You have to close the public portion. >> I mean, JP, I I'd be happy to ask answer anything about the hospital. So, [clears throat] if your if your question

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was what was the result? The result is that the >> more about the progress that we're making right now. >> Okay. I mean, I don't want to go back and forth. The only thing I can tell you is that the relationship with the hospital, they've been very involved in the community with the last few last few

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months and there were some very positive results that happened. There was a there was a pilot program with the legislature. They're guaranteed to stay here for at least another 17 years, which there's really no guarantee prior to that. But if you want, I can get into

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the details with you. We'd spend the next 10 minutes talking about it. But um but I if if that's your question, it if it's not if you're talking about cooperation with the hospital and them communicating with the city, they've been doing it quite a bit for the last

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two two three months. It was my question was more about >> but I'm sorry we can't go back and forth. I'd be happy to talk to you after if you want. >> Okay. >> All right. I need a motion to close the public participation portion of the meeting. >> Some moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? [clears throat]

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>> I opposed. I will now ask madame clerk if there are any changes to the list of resolutions. >> No changes have been made. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh applications. >> No. None. You have to do the resolutions. >> Resolution. Okay.

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>> So >> I move the uh consent agenda for all the resolutions. >> Second. >> Mr. Barero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vote. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zelta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ras. >> Yes.

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>> Motion pass. >> That's the hard. Okay. Okay. Uh, okay. Applications? None. Okay. Uh, now we'll move to the miscellaneous business for the good of

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the order. Uh, Councilman Barero. >> Well, besides the homework, I want to thank Dana Jakov to come in and bring the the issue about the amendment of the animals and u hope we can find the solution like we had before.

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It's important and pretty much that's it. Besides that, it was one work. >> Okay. Councilwoman Vote. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, you've heard me talk several times about our uh about the mayor's task force on uh

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substance use abuse. It's called HERS, H A RS, Health, Education, Addiction, and Recovery Support. Um the administration is extremely supportive of um of this group and there are two things that I

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want to bring to your attention. on um octo on uh August 31st nationally it's overdose awareness awareness day and it is a time where um everyone can honor

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mourn and honor people that we have lost um to addiction and what we've done what the administration has done for the last few years and what we're going to do again this a at our August 26th meeting

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is join an international movement where we light up uh city hall in purple lights because purple is the color for recovery. Um, I'm putting out an an invitation

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for anyone who has someone that they would like to have honored during the ceremony that we do that night. Um, if you have someone that you would like to have um honored, contact

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um here's long branch here one all one word long branch here atgmail.com because they'll ask you for some information. the person's name and a

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picture of the person will be included in um part of the program that evening. It's a beautiful event um and it is a very touching way for all of us to um honor the struggle the very tough

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struggle um with addiction. Um let me tell you one other thing that's going on and this is um August 11th and again it's the HERS organization and what um the organization does is we

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sponsor a speaker series and we have professionals in the area of addiction and recovery and um they give a presentation generally for 20 minutes something like that which is

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extraordinarily really informative and is a time again where all of us who are trying to do something about um the to help people find their way to recovery. It creates an opportunity for us to talk

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together and see how we can help solve this this issue. Brian Mcillery who is the director for New Jersey re-entry is going to be the speaker. Again, it's August 11th, 6:30 in the library. Um,

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New Jersey Re-entry is an organization that helps people who have um found their way to recovery, who are um struggling with addiction, who have been incarcerated or who have been in the military and now

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are at a point in their lives where they're trying to put their lives back together again. And this organization helps people find jobs, helps people find resources in the city um to help them uh along their journey. So it

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hearing him speak again will be extraordinarily informative. So if you can make it August 11th, 6:30 at the library, um I think you will be very pleased with the information that that you hear. And with that, I thank you,

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Council President. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Vote. Uh, Councilman Zalta, >> I don't have any comments other than to tell Councilwoman Vote how much I really appreciated what you just brought to everybody's attention. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilman Ala. Uh,

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Council Vice President Brown. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, I just want to just say, um, thank you and commend the police department for all the various actions that have happened over these past couple of weeks, for their bravery, and for their outstanding

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work that they're doing in this community, keeping us all safe. I also want to add that um in the future I'll take up this time to talk about um environmental commission issues which I am the uh liaison to as well as the uh department of public works. As soon as I

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get up to speed on those areas I'll be bringing forth some other information. And on that note, I just want to thank everybody for coming out for all your comments and your concerns for our great city. And want to uh give special thanks to my wife Tasha who is in the audience. [clears throat]

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>> Okay. Thank you, Council Vice President Brand Mayor Palone. >> Thank you, Council President. A couple events. The Summer Poetry Open Mic returns to the Lawn Branch Arts and Cultural Center uh this coming Monday, July 27th at 6 PM. Participants should

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sign up at the door and lineup is set by arrival time. The suggested theme for the event uh this year is summertime and it's a it's a very nice evening. Uh the next funday, uh this is a really good one, at Branchport Park next Wednesday,

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July 29th from 3 to 6 PM. It's a free event with free boat rides, food, fun, and games. Bring the whole family for a fun night. And finally, National Night Out is uh Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00

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to 900 p.m. located at Sloum Park. This annual event is free. It includes food, refreshments, um, prizes, K9 demo, uh, giveaways, and more. Um, thank you all for your comments this evening. Former Councilman

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Dangler, it's nice to see you. Board member Teresa Dangler, thank you for being here uh, as well. And, um, thanks a lot. >> Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Um, also like to

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thank everyone for coming out this evening. Um it's always nice to hear your concerns. Also, I want to congratulate uh Bill Dangler on your appointment to the housing authority. Uh you're going to be a tremendous asset to the authority. Again, thanks for coming out this evening and look forward to

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seeing everyone in two weeks. Please stay safe. Thank you. >> Wait, what about the resolution? >> You need a motion. >> I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> All in favor? Right. >> Five.

