Thank you. >> Frost. >> We did the Fourth of July. Great. first time >> I didn't even get >> like it's be evened by this council >> like we couldn't get for the art wall
>> that's yours >> everybody has family rented hers husband's We rented a place, you know, the city on 44 Street. Um, my son, his future in-laws have a house
at 30th. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, he's like they're camping between those two places. And >> anyone from heard from I have not.
She was there. enough to go home with her boyfriend or some sitt for the summer. >> My dad comes back. >> He's on his way so can start. And uh
>> my wife comes up soon. to take related Hopefully not being married. kind of music. >> Oh, yeah. >> He was he was in Timmy's class,
but it's kind kind of an interesting that makes sense. Anthony says he's on his way. He'll be just a minute. Okay, we're good. >> We're good. >> We're good. >> You do.
>> Good evening. I'd like to call to order this regular meeting of Burough of Merchantville Council. This meeting is being held in compliance open public meetings act. It has been advertised in respect. Kind reminder to keep all cell phones silent uh and no talking in
council chambers during the meeting. Uh Mr. Sir Fitzgerald, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Madame clerk, would you please do the roll call? >> Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Fitzgerald, >> present. >> Mr. McLoon, >> here. >> Mr. Pero, Mr. Mr. Spazza >> here. >> Mr. Woods >> here. >> We have a quorum, your honor. >> Thank you. We'll begin with the public
portion of the meeting. Anyone from the public who wish to come up and speak to council, please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. >> You're just your name and address. Yeah, absolutely.
Ray Johnson 204. Last week I posted a Facebook video showing on some people probably thought I was too sarcastic and after I posted it, I actually wanted the same thing. I asked myself now whether I should take it down. Then I remember the day after I
bought my house, my basement flooded and I discovered the previous owner hadn't disclosed any spending over $10,000 while my basement. I remember attending a public meeting about the station here promise. I remember my wife and I giving the burl
our email addresses through the same form only to receive one update and when my wife called up multiple times via email never respond. I remember the disputes of the property next door the late tell the concrete access structure. I was
worried something was going to hit her. And that's when I realized the video really wasn't about the Facebook was about making sure this issue. My wife and I are expecting our first daughter in January. Last week we had to delay our ultrasound because we couldn't get out of our driveway due to water
being too high street. That was supposed to be a very good day for both of us. Instead was looking at a road with a century long legacy problematic. I think about like what would happen if my wife my daughter or my neighbor had an emergency and couldn't get the attention
they needed because our road was this is a scenario most people in this town don't have to consider and as a husband and a future father I just can't tolerate this will not remain silent we can argue that the pump works because eventually it drains the water I am not naive there's always going to be some
funny on this but I would argue if the water is rising to a point where the car can get hydrolocked it's a dangerous situation That is what happened. I would also argue that the effort to make sure that the pump drains the water as efficiently as possible hasn't been
made. Installing the pump station shouldn't be viewed as the end of the project if there's still opportunities to improve how it performs and how it fits in the neighborhood. I have received criticism for how I spoke about this issue and that is that's fine. I can handle criticism. What I can't
accept is pretending the problem doesn't exist because talking about it makes people pump. Other than the funny issue, I like I like the town. I like it people. Again, I will not sign away and start a pump station next to my house,
but I know it work better. Tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary of resolution R2585 when the bur litigation with my neighbors took ownership of the property on stations. So, what has happened in the past year? According to a statement
written on merchville.com, the bur plans to install fencing and art buffering to help the station blend into the residential environment. That's full year gone by. None of that's actually been done. I haven't even seen any grass
without my knowledge. I'm not asking you guys for perfection. I understand no pump station can prevent every flood during this storm. maintain the drains on a regular basis all through on the front and landscaping
fencing landscaping publicly promise and continue evaluating whether the station can operate more efficiently during heavy rain keep the residents who live here along the way if those efforts are made I will be the first person to acknowledge the problem but until then I'm going to continue to speak about
this issue because people on my street deserve to know their concerns about being heard thank Thank you, Mr. Johnson. >> Anyone else from the public wishing to come to speak on any subject? Good evening, members of council, employees, and residents of Merchant. My
name is Miller. I live at 205. Monday, July 6th was a perfect storm of years of neglect, lack of communication, and a summer downpour. The flooding on Blackwood Islands and Holly is a known issue. And every summer, the residents continue to fight for services and access to information regarding the pump
and the associated drain pipes. We know it's going to flood to some degree and we don't expect perfection, but for over 10,000 a year in taxes, I do expect promises of upkeep and maintenance on the streets, brings, and city property to help prevent additional flooding.
On the morning of July 6, prior to the storm, public works was on picking up resident collecting yard waste. However, public works wasn't directed ahead of the storm to clear the drains or street of heavy tree debris that was present. In extreme weather, the London plains that line burnwood and poll create a
significant amount of litter from the bark that sheds. In fact, one of the downsides to these magnificent trees is the amount of litter they prod. Why is this not that on a consistent basis? Another factor
to the flooding is the drain pipe and surrounding BM connected to the pump. The drain pipe can't be more than 12 in in diameter and it's currently sitting in water. The area surrounding the pipe and burn is so overgrown and hasn't been contained in years. The burm is clearly
not deep enough and will simply overflow with water and flood the backyards of residents unlikely during significant rainfalls. Are we pumping water to a pipe that hasn't been properly maintained or cleaned in years? Why is the overgrowth
so bad behind resilaining it? Regarding the pump on blood, why are residents being kept in the dark regarding how and when it works? Who is responsible for maintaining the pump and checking to make sure it's working properly? And why was the solution chosen if they can't handle a raintorm
that dumped 3.24 in of rain over a 12-hour period. That is not historical or unheard of in the New Jersey summers, especially over the last two years when the effects of climate change have progressed dramatically in our area.
On the day of the storm, with the water rising rapidly, cars would continue to drive through pushing waves of water onto residents property further. I called a non-emergency number to have an officer dispatched to Glenwood and have the street closed off. The not just rain
and went busy. After three calls, I was finally able to get through to someone and asked for an officer to come out as cars continue to drive through a flooded area. Thank you to the officer who came to walk off the street. We appreciate his efforts of helping us and acting on our behalf for everyone's safety.
However, as many know, Lenwood is a busy street that gets a lot of cut through traffic between chapel and church. Only one side of Lewood was blocked off and cars that did stop and turn around on residents yards and property. Again, we know it's going to flood and
heavy raintorms. Why is an officer or an emergency response plan not activated in these circumstances? I went to the website to get more information on our storm water plan, but it appears it's from 2005, over 20 years ago, and it states there's
no mitigation plan based on the size of the burrow. I respect respectfully disagree that one is needed. Lastly, the response from council and the at least it's better than the 90s aren't helpful to residents. Every
summer, the residents of Holly Bunwood and Ivan sit on pens and needles and wonder if this is the storm they lose at all. We watch neighbors lose vehicles in their driveway to putting as they miss important medical appointments and school pickups and see unknowing passer
by themselves and others at risk. My neighbors and I are calling for you to take additional action and work with us on solutions before something catastrophic happens. But I would like to ask you an update on
47. Okay. Uh 41 Somerset. So we are >> 15 days away. and we don't take what we do and then further and then sale the reimbursees
St. Joe's reimburse their expenses by the judge and then any additional proceeds over the property value of the uh improvements that need to be made off against the value of the
And then that differential is what this particular case request all of them have gone unanswered. >> So we've actually title owner
>> property either the Friday and then we'll figure out hopefully not done this before. So this will be the third time we've actually organizations
process usually >> other people may approach on that one because street. There's also 45 West now. And then we have
one other question. Is there any maintenance No, >> not >> No, no, no. We we we've we've noticed everything. That'll all be part of the conversation. >> Oh, please. Yeah. Yeah.
>> And I know it's hard to do, but and and usually as neighbors, we're all trying to help each other out. >> Might be down on their luck. This is investors who have held on to the property
would just be ditto. My name is 606. As you can see, I am a disabled person and I need help and want some answers about home. Um, I was here through
Um when they did they um that was in 2013 when I transferred 2014 that's a bad and um they went in and they fixed it
and I didn't have the war like often the house code enforcement cited several violations, but the one that has caused major came from an inspection where um
for a tree growing out that was in their management took their time to fix more damage. My and I fell at and um they supposedly fixed that in May
of 2024 when we came back January 2025. Management did nothing and I wrote certified letters but they went unanswered. I contacted but allowed CP to go past deadines and
have given them when they were doing absolutely nothing and and he actually passed my apartment in September 2035 this session and I found that out but I did overest
and in the overest it stated that my partner passed with brown spots and I also found out from another request that there were have not been permanent from March 1st, 2023
until July 2nd, 2026. There have been no certificate. There have been no cited the apartment again violation. According to the violation still needed to Cut out completely repair
when it rains in the same. >> Yes. The whole thing was from 2024 until uh Okay. So, we needed repairs on the roof. We needed to cut out where the
leaks were to inspect the gold. Um, all of these things needed to be Oh, I'm sorry. And a brick pointer um and electric according to his citation. All of these things had to be done by licensed professionals.
So I contacted Mr. and I asked him who were these professionals that come because all I got was pain because this was corrected while I had the same weeks in
the exact same place every single time. And now it's getting shorter of when the uh weeks come. It's not it's no longer eight months. It's like three months, two months. So my question today is
how could my apartment be ready for me to go back to a hotel room because I was not going to be in that apartment. I got my camera. My camera showed me
Sunday. They did a home test. They put the sheet back after 4 hours. All of a sudden, my camera went out at 11:48. Pop back at4. So I got in my car and I drove back to
I was see I can't the area to see whatever license of a contractor
I waited to see people come and like record everything that I'm request also see what am I supposed to go back to this apartment after
they check the cut there was no there was no contain So when they did that, what happened to all they came back today to finish the paper? Because once you
see supposed now don't judge a whole by it cover but I think I could bet and all of the things that he on Sunday morning
till 6:01 they left and they came back hours That's the kind of come to my heart. That's awesome. I've been here 26 years to me that this township
houses that street Um, after the last couple we had, I now have to contact an electrician to move my circuit breaker box to another wall because the water comes
totally up the front of my house >> running down the side of my house into the backyard. And because of that, now I'm having a place in my foundation. I have all moved to get to the problem. Um, my has been flooded. I don't have
any pumps and I'm the bottom seems like I'm 4 and my yard gets I mean I'm inches and inch and like I said I get water in my backyard. Um I was
here years ago about this um where That was when it rain should I don't know if it's accurate or what we should somehow be compensated for all theations. Somebody on Facebook who
it's easier said than done by the house. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on any subject I was here in front of council overing to consider
legislation that was going to state house Jersey at that time it was called climate super act presently change names to be called make polluters head theory behind it is the old federal super
>> companies that contaminated the soil were asked to contribute money to put into funds so the federal government clean up contaminated sites This law one being proposed in a number of states has been passed in New York
and Vermont so far. It would ask the largest fossil fuel companies that have contributed a certain number of metric tons of contaminants from fossil fuels into the damage from climate change
projects and listening to some of the stories about really appropriate time to revisit this issue of saying you're in favor of our state and
state assembers by not having taxpayers pay 100% of the burden of the damage from climate change but force the largest fossil fuel companies to contribute to a fund to help the problem. It's a win for taxp.
The only one that does not do well are the fossil fuel companies that have to pay, but it's a small fraction of the profits they have made from their business over decades and decades. The the evidence from various
information that's been submitted shows that fossil fuel company scientists knew as early as the 50s and 60s that they were going to be that their product going to be causing this harm to our planet yet they
decayers are paying 100% That's not fair. So I ask that council consider this resolution ask this bill. We have to put pressure on our state
to get this bill passed in order to have it go forward. So I'd ask that I have sample resolution bill front and center face storms that Anyone else from the public to speak
about any subject? Seeing and hearing none, we'll close the public portion of the meeting. We'll now continue on for public hearing for ordinance R26-11 amended chapter 40 in regards to
Werettes. >> No. >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this ordinance in regards to amending chapter 4, please approach the microphone at this time. Seeing and hearing none, I will close
the public public hearing for resolution. >> Ordinance 26-11. >> Discussion for council or entertain a motion. >> First, Mr. Spazza. Second. >> Mr. Fitzgerald. Hi. >> Mr. McLoon. Yes.
>> Mr. Pero. Yes. >> Mr. Sparazza. Yes. >> Mr. Woods. >> Yes. Now continue on to approval of the minutes for the regular meeting occurred on May 11th.
Appears that everyone here besides Mr. Sparza is eligible. >> Second. >> Yes. >> All in favor? I I >> and then for the June 8th regular
meeting minutes all are eligible. >> All those in favor I >> opposed meensions >> Mr. >> Thank you. Okay.
>> Okay. Moving on to the engineers report designed. So trying to find mentioned next phase next time. Okay. With that, we got just 24
as well. county >> that >> the whole but they won't handle that. It's not only acknowledged that Friday is an issue overall, but
I mean are we able to go up to >> because I mean the issue I think it is still sitting on Somerset but there's Yeah. Okay. They're supposed to be solvable. Thank you very much. >> Correspondence.
>> No, your honor. >> Continue on to council reports. Council reports. >> Thank you, your honor. Uh, not much report at this time. Shade number of that require attention following
>> but our works. >> Questions for Councilman Woods? Councilman Fitzgerald. Uh start with DPW. Uh we do have our new trash trucks out and running. Uh they
were lettered and uh registration. Uh we are unfortunately down one of our trucks, our 2008 F250 had a catastrophic engine failure. Um forunately that was one of our three subplow vehicles. So, we're going to
have to some resolution to that issue as we get closer to I know it doesn't feel like we're in at the moment, but uh as we get closer to winter, again, have to look into how we're going to um they're currently working on some pothole
repairs and clean up at the DW facility requested by myself and councelor was was also OEM. We had a new prospective volunteer reach out over the last month. I've uh that person's information to Mayor Brennan for consideration. Uh bed met on
uh June 16th following up at the end of the school year. Their next meeting will be July 21st. Board of Health, we're looking at new perspective volunteer there. We had lost uh two of our volunteers over the last couple of months. So, it's nice stepping up and offering assistance
potentially sworn in either. Um, we're also going to be looking into doing some updates to the website and the healthy town initiatives. Portugal business and professional association. I've been in contact with them along with the scouts and historical society. I've reached out to Councilman Perno,
Council, Mayor. We're looking to something of a group project to uh potentially move and buildboard that's currently behind Burrow Hall to find figure out if we fundraising and potentially something a
little bit more uh up to date effective getting information out to the public regarding historic sites and public events. Finally, uh we had Pride last month went quite well. Thank you
professional associations that this year July fir the first Friday of July unfortunately was canceled. Their next one will be August 7th. We had the uh the veteran suicide awareness and walk that was their 10th annual that was very well attended and upcoming best toy fair
and yard sale. Any questions? Councilman Sparazza. >> Thank you. So they have to beware 16 hill% discuss the next procurement package
today insued Austral Thank you, Councilman Sparza. Councilman >> Perhs and I already gave my report. There is one thing I I probably
>> I've been on council long enough issues that really sat for 10 That was our shot actually down the line all the way down through the side and they said No, not allowed
to maintain down the back of that rail line without transit stopping train and we have to pay for that protection. I don't have the money because it is tens of thousands of dollars.
Our guys try to do it best they can lot of times as part of service but they don't and I think you see that on a regular basis we've been trying to figure out
what is the best solution trying to solve a problem that's been there canled actually collecting all the water from the church. So it literally comes down church from all the way up at the top at
Maple Avenues down a couple of different storm drains. But the other thing you need to be aware of merchand is only a pipe that goes in the ground and it just holds temporarily and then just supposed to naturally turn to the ground. They don't actually they don't
go to a large pod or they don't discharge to a river. They don't discharge to an ocean. They literally just go underground and just sit there down. Um, so even when we, you know, so we do have people go around and try to clean it out on occasion, uh, they'll
get filled up pretty quickly because the sediment is literally not going the hole and the hole up. And so we got to literally go in and the hole out. A lot of times you'll see two storm drains across the street from each other. They literally just go down and interconnect
underneath the street. That's it. That's all they do is just go >> the engineer. They uh they were supposed to figure out a way to try to put together two pump systems to try to discharge the water faster out of the street, try to reduce the amount of time
that the road would flood. Not that it would stop the road from flooding, but that it would reduce the amount of time the road flooded. You lived on that street back in ' 05. And my friend actually lived at 214 Glenwood. Uh and the water would come up to his property.
very aware and acutely aware. In fact, he actually lost two cars. He's an emergency room doctor. He actually pulled out of his driveway one night of the night and drove and his car just started and he lost his >> I didn't sell those houses >> and I can't I can't stop you from
selling houses. The only way I can do is if I literally bought into their house and I don't have the money to buy and take everybody's home. That's that's millions of dollars that there is a blue program that puts out that's probably
the best option. >> Yeah, that's that's if your house >> your house. >> Yeah, that was that was something we did evaluate as part of the solution. But because the flooding actually hasn't entered or created total losses, I'm not saying it hasn't caused damage to your
properties. Not in any way, shape, or but it hasn't caused substantial damage to the point where they won't need to rebuild the entire property. Maker says that they won't give us the money to help us buy your So I just want to be honest. I'm just trying to be upfront
and honest with you about like all the different pieces that we tried to put together over you know 15 plus year time frame and and it's not great news but it's the only news I have. Now, one of the things that I can tell you also volunteer
fire department is the size pipe that we have that goes out the back of there actually can hold up to 2,000 gallons of water GPM because I know that one of the stupid things I know fire
uh the two pumps we have in there we were allowed that we had purchased the grant money for are both 500gallon pumps 500 GPS We can upsize both those probably thousand gallon per minute pumps 2,000 gallons and the pipe the pipe that's
discharging would accommodate that level of discharge. Now once it discharges out the backside and it goes into the NJT right of way I mean it may may slow down if there's not enough flow heading off of that in
direction. I don't know what hydraulic study says about that, but that's that isn't potentially an option. Now I got to find money to buy two new thousand gallon pumps. I don't have that money. I don't have the ability to capitalize it for at least three years.
So because that's where we're at on the in our capital. Again, not great news, but I just want to let you know that like these are things that we looked at. I heard a lot of people talk about like can you clean the trains things like that. The other the only other thing I can I can tell
you is this our public works department is made up of that's free guys for the entire burrow and they have to do all the stuff to do and I know they work really hard. I would love to have them come down and from the trees that litter
and they are beautiful trees. Um but they are also messy trees. I have one so drops market drops a lot of times these storms aren't announced these guys don't have the
problems on Monday and no one came out for days and days. So I finally called Thursday. >> You at least have to come to the mic if you're going to speak. >> So I actually called on >> I called public works on Thursday
morning and I said >> hold >> yes a gentleman answered the phone. I didn't identify myself. I just said hey was really messy um after the storm for Monday. No one's came and cleaned it up. We know it's going to swarm again today this afternoon. Can someone one please come out and clean it up. Sure, no
problem. That did not happen. Um, so I mean whether I get it, we're going to have pop-ups on things that happen, but if >> I apologize, >> I do know that. >> Okay. Well, you don't live on I see the
street on a daily basis and it's a mess. >> I know it might be a mess. I'm not saying it's not funny. I was there. I know Sean went there. I went there. I've inspected both. >> Has anyone actually been back to look at the pipes and see how
>> that's not our last time? We actually tires over their fences along. >> So the residents of Glenwood are actually pictures you want actual feedback or you want
>> I you don't have to discuss this with me like that but my point is this um I mean, you guys smirked at me and and did your little when I gave my speech, so let's keep it fair. >> Um, my point is this. Why would we install a drain pipe on people's
properties that we can never have access to? Why was that? Why Why would we do that? You're installing solution. >> No, I'm talking about the actual drain pipe on res.
Yes, that's true. That's not necessarily where it's coming from all the way up uh on church around church down the street. That's a lot of area to clean in a short
time. Don't have streets. So, you know, these are things that like we need to kind of like look at how we pull together resources together that's >> I'm not
I'm just tell this was the best solution that to try to figure out how to solve the problem and you're right it's not the perfect solution and it's the but it's the best solution I have right and I am
open to additional ideas but they have to be ideas that acknowledge the fact that we have limited dollars and I know taxes are high I pay the same taxes everybody else doesn't
I tell you that there unfortunately our taxes are just bunch of presence needs across the board. I will continue to try to fight about how to find dollars, try to fix the problems best of
our ability, but at some point people in that would actually appreciate the phone calls to hey
please continue okay >> as early as possible even before us let us know the one thing that we are looking into we don't have an alarm that tells us
when the electricity goes out the pump But I don't have an alarm that tells me that something are the pumps operating at maximal level that
um but this has been a long years. I'm sure you're aware. Unfortunately, the storms are getting worse. They're dropping rain faster and dropping that one storm that happened just recently. I think most people are
really upset about it actually dropped 2.6 in highlight that I used to work when I was first council and one of the things I wor So, at any rate, that's it's not great news. I'm not trying to sugarcoat it and
I don't mean to try to sugar any but tell you question. We did try to provide grass. There was some other plants. only part of the property. >> I'm sorry.
>> It was sometime late last year. >> It's on our list. We just were going to do it in the spring and do the fencing and the arborite at the same time. But then it got to be too late. The fencing people couldn't install it. So we can't do it now until the fall because the arborite would die.
>> So it was all to be around the same time. I don't know why that cost a lot of money, better alarm systems, all different sorts of things and having to buy the property. which was already
buys just money after money that was being wasted on damage repairs. I don't want to get into that so much. >> That had me upset >> and it upsets me. I guess my taxes are
high and I look at that as my tax money. So someone is actively wrecking my tax money that is helping somebody out on the far side of town. doesn't necessarily help me out directly as as a resident, but it's important to people over there. Someone's who lives over
there is actively destroying and wrecking my tax money. So yeah, that u I don't mean to make light of it, but if you see someone trying to pump, I would ask your neighbor that is
>> No, I didn't want to get into it, but that that was it saddened. I don't know. >> It was discussed in public. >> I mean, it included someone brandishing a weapon or public works.
>> Right. Right. >> Anyway, sorry. >> Hi. >> I'll stop. >> Any other question for Councilman Perno's report this evening? >> Sorry. >> Thank you. Uh just real briefly in my report for
the month of June for the Merchantville Police Department. Officers were involved in 1,376 incidents. They conducted 200 traffic stops, 140 incidents involving parking enforcement, five arrests, and one DWI
arrest. That 1376 includes 178 documented positive interactions with members of the community. Um I won't go into all of the training in the month of June, but uh many officers uh continued um achieving many of their mandatory
requirements to continue as officers for the burrow. In regards to the traffic details of some of the target areas, the officers continue to focus on 113 North Center Street uh on Sundays due to reports of vehicles improperly parking. Um,
violations were observed in the month of June and enforcement will continue until further notice. Officers conducted 96 proactive patrols in the area of Volen Street and Morris Street. Nine violations were observed during this time. In addition, from May
10th until June 10th, officers conducted practice controls in the area of Browning Road in Westchester Avenue. The concerns raised by area residents during the county town hall meeting. Uh during these 206 proactive traffic details,
only five uh violations were observed. However, uh chief of police continues to u work with the residents in that area. He has sent correspondence to the county looking for better traffic signals at Browning uh and really relaying other
suggestions made by members of the community. Um the county did come back and did state that the costs with the traffic lights are costs of the burrow. Is that your recollection, Mr. Berno? That traffic lights are something that we have to pay for the improvements.
>> Okay. So >> we don't have money. So >> I believe those are legal. Are those believe they're legal in New Jersey? >> It's two county roads. Um, the one thing that I wanted to share that a resident brought up that doesn't cost a lot of
money is this thing called see me flags. Okay? And think about the intersection on the bike path at center and browning. That's quite dangerous. But the way the idea works is you have buckets on each side of the street with these like high
visibility flags sort of like but there's a lot of communities that you you grab a flag out of the bucket and you use it as you cross the street put it in the other bucket. Okay. >> I've been to towns. >> You've been to towns? Okay. I I haven't seen it, but as someone who jogs that
bike path every day and almost hits by car on Browning Road every day, I think this is a great idea and costs 200 bucks. I'm sure we can get some private donations. So, I ask you to take a look at it and think if this would be a great safety enhancement uh at little to no
cost uh to the burrow. So, something to think about for future considerations. Um on July 1st, uh Secretary Fran Meyers, uh unfortunately, uh her full-time position was eliminated. The burrow is quite grateful for her 33
years of service. Again, based on some of the cost constraints, uh we've had to eliminate the full-time position and the hours of the police window. Uh the window will be monitored by Lieutenant Callaway, Mike Riley, and the chief of police. uh during the times I think
people saw on social media it's now a limited hours from >> 10 to 2 Thursday to two Monday through Thursday going forward >> you can call you can pick up the phone if you need an officer >> okay and then last but not least officer Kevin Rosera began back on May 18th was
add was added to the rotation schedule effective June 29th as part of the official person power supporting the burrow going forward have any questions or comments for me? >> I want to ask >> personally thank them.
>> Okay, clerk's report. Thank you, your honor. Um, I just wanted to let you all know that we completed our permanent financing. That's all been completed and we're just signing off on everything. State aid came through uh at the notice today. Um, fortunately or unfortunately,
it's still the same. Nothing's changed. We would like more, but it's the same as last year. Um, also parks and playgrounds is halfway through and we have about 70 71 kids that are registered. So we did pretty good and um
and Mr. Fitzgerald gave the rest of the report on different events. That's okay. >> So that covers the community development. >> I don't have a report. No, >> that number >> almost the same. We had about 75 last
year. So, um this year we offered a weekly option which turned out to be pretty good because that that averages all those those uh people as well and some people took advantage of that the different weeks. So, that seemed to be a good option too.
Moving on into old business. Uh we have two discussions that we'll touch briefly on this evening. The first is in regards to food truck ordinance. Councilman Woods, you want to talk first? You wish. >> Sure. So, uh I I believe all council
members have received an outline, but it's my understanding that there's been some food truck operations on public property. Uh we make sure that we're in competit. shooting ordinance to oversee. >> Yeah.
We think we temporary operation >> temporary >> that was only the market. >> Yeah, I don't think it was an ordinance. >> Very temporary then. Yeah. >> So again, I think it's balancing the concerns of these food trucks actually being on the burough property such as
the triangle and then to the point of the Merchantville Business Association sort of say threat but added competition in a very competitive market for restaurants in in the burrow of merchant >> maybe a positive. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's there have been a few
local businesses that have stated that they're not thrilled with it. Um a couple of them property taxes other things like that. I believe that >> I mean if they're operating on our
public >> that's already >> I mean as long as they have annual So they're operate operate at some reason. And then the other subject for
discussion uh was in regards to the use and rent of public facilities. Uh and specifically if the development of a use of property fee schedule might be something with the uh the number of public events and number of increase costs associated with them. This was
this was a discussion we had council table at the time. This is particular has certainly council I don't think for
discussion organiz 12 birthdays after something that you know but also and we you know I know there's a
volleyball events this summer. I think that birthday celebrations or not, you know, I get if you're all that sort
There should be some places but there's also >> well the yeah the specimen copy was fairly comprehensive so that can be adjusted as per Mr. Sparez's comments. >> There's also some
guidelines. I know we This is where >> but I mean when they're when they're getting >> as of now we don't have any requirement there's I think if someone requests it, we can
provide we can provide it and there there's a suggested fee in the thing that's floating around. I I don't know if I I think it depends on the type of events of whether or not we feel that security presence is required. There's a separate
ordinance with regard to the use of certain use of police services as >> well depend upon is a class one is a class offic not I know we have >> and that's my whole thing is that like I
eventually officer either >> and right now >> when we want to pass that on >> that's on that cost. That's why police's there's a
>> I think is a legitimate situation say We should probably but it's a free volunteer there's a value to us as a community just goes Any other points on the uh facilities? Keep an eye out for that draft.
>> Yeah, we went through this before. >> Right. That will close all business. We'll continue on to new business. We have a few resolutions. Uh I was going to read the first resolution alone um because it has to deal with the
Merchantville Pence and Water Commission and then after that I'll do the remainder by consent agenda. That's okay. So first >> okay title uh R26-77 appoint member to Merchinville Pensalken
Water Commission Board. I have a motion. >> First, >> Mr. Benjamin. Mr. Fitzgerald, >> same. >> Mr. McLoon, >> yes. >> Mr. Pero, >> yes. >> Mr. Sparazza, >> yes. >> Mr. Woods, >> same.
>> So, I'll read the following as consent agenda as long as there's no objections. Resolution R26-78, authorization for payment one for Merchantville Community Center Project. Resolution 26-79.
Chapter 159, Special Items of Revenue. Resolution 26-80 adding totally disabled veteran. Resolution 26-81, appoint member to the Merchantville Board of Health Department. And then
resolution R26-83. This is the art alliance walk- on that I shared on the table. The establishment of the commission to support the arts in the bur emergency. >> Mr. Po with the first Mr. Woods with the second call.
>> Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Fitzgerald, >> Mr. McLoon, >> yes. >> Mr. Pero, >> yes. >> Mr. Sparazza, >> yes. >> Mr. Woods, >> yes. At this time, I'll ask uh Councilman Ferno to uh
financial reports. >> So, as promised, I would resolutions. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> hi. >> Mr. McLoon, >> yes. >> Mr. Pero, >> yes. >> Mr. Spazza, >> yes. >> Mr. Woods, >> yes. >> I have no announcements. >> Announcements. Anything for private
session? I will gladly take a motion to adjurnn with the first with the second. >> That's it. >> That's it. Ajourn >> everyone.
>> Okay. We had a new a new recorder. It's it's hooked right up to the sound system here now. And I had people listening into the listening into the meeting and they said they can hear Andrew, me and
the public, but I think you're going to have to move your mics closer to you. >> Okay, that's fair. >> They said it keeps like going in and out on all accounts. >> That's fair. >> All right. >> Got it. >> This is the Hold on to that. This is also
make sure that gets the >> you know we don't need we don't need an ordinance to do this trespassing. >> No I know I mean we can just >> trespassing. >> I know it is. >> Yeah. No, I don't give this this What's
the problem? I know it's >> No, this is this is not a justification. >> So ridiculous. >> I know. >> And if you tell >> I have I have a
>> She's not. All she wants to do is tear down. >> Yes. She She just wants to create problems. There was no volleyball. >> That was not like and even if it's one day and there's two nets. Are you really going to make him make a permit to be like, "Hey, after league pickup league
like that's silly." I I Yes. Like and I don't know how