The first Why is that? >> Yeah. Why? She's left-handed. >> I'm the only one in my right mind. >> There you go. >> Why is it so loud? I'm the only one They don't do that. Universal Council
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. advertising retrospective downstairs and you need to speak to somebody
outside >> Mr. Benj Mr. >> Mr. McLaren >> um The first item on the agenda this evening is public portion of the meeting. Anyone please support your name address for the record.
>> Good evening. Home address 27 Franklin business address 2A South Center. Tonight I'm here representing business association along with two other ladies who are business owners and on the board.
Um, sorry. Um, we're here to discuss some issues that we may have as business owners in the community. >> Yes. for sure. Um, one thing we wanted and realized there's been such a break in
um, communication among things like the most recent incident was that thing and I know that was handled well and that's taken care of but I feel like that's not the only time things like she had no idea that the s'mores thing was connecting with ours and people were
confused at that event and thought they could go in with their s'mores stuff to her thing. like there was no like hey that's not they're not joined like you know it was like this but like she was like no one was stopping them fire pits or anything and they were asking her questions were set up and she was like I
don't know any of that aspect of things I know we were sick or weren't here so there's a lot of but then supposed to take that over communicate things when that time comes um you so I I just she didn't get the memo out.
I don't know. Like that's what she voiced us about that like that she didn't know or didn't realize like certain things like that. And I think that happens often when and we talked about this before when new businesses come like we always talk about having a welcome packet from the furbo or something where there's numbers there's
people to communicate. There's things to talk about because they don't know. She was like I'm 29 years old. I've never like had this before like where I'm in an actual building. She only had a job. She's like, I don't know like certain lenses or different things like some things like even when I came I was just like I don't know it's my place, right?
I can do what I want. Like I don't like realize there's certainations or there are certain things and contact when stuff happens. So it's would be very nice if they had that. Like I saw the magnets went out but I don't think they went to any businesses. I don't know if it was just meant for residences like
the scouts like that handed off those numbers. Like that would have been great if it went to us too like all those important numbers on there. the trash collection, all that stuff is have no idea on here. So, one of our parts
um um there was something else I wanted to bring up. I don't know if this is the discussion to have it in. I do want to talk about ways we can prove ordinances that will help um maybe push those landlords that aren't doing their part
and get in their vacancies still. Um and just examples again, I don't know government procedure or anything like that, but I'm throwing these out. I'm the person that's like, there's a problem, let's fix it. Find a way. Let's get creative. Let's see what we can do to get this going. Because if you like
haven't noticed like if this is already getting listed they're gone before like that one person's out like middle sister that didn't get listed that got right away partly I think was Scott and his relationship with that in business and then the same with our place that didn't go up that was filled right away too and
so was that got built instantly before it even got up. So those buildings can be so useful if we can get the landlords to come on board. And I know like that's always been a struggle. So I'm like maybe we can have an ordinance where
they have to have signage that's available for rent. It's agent like they could put a f number on there but they have to at least do that because 90% for that is they don't do that. for um if it is a businessowned um building is
there's a way that we can say it must be occupied whatever or like you have to have a nice percentage like occupied or you have to renting like you can't just sitting there like so maybe if we get on top of them and start writing up either they'll
fill it or they'll say forget this and let's sell it to someone actually take care of and do things with it. Um, so that was like one thing I thought cuz now like even that bath and tile place, I don't even know what's going on with that. Like they haven't been there. >> They're gone.
>> I think they're gone, but stuff's in there. So it's like who like I mean if they're paying rent, sure, but like maybe that it's like one of those other things like what can you do to be like it's an active business like paying rent like something to say like must be active or must be open. I don't know.
Like as someone who's not always ever visible all the time, I would have like the businesses have open or something like this. I'm not always there per se, but at the same time that are like sitting there and could really be filled in full of retail. Um,
and I know I brought up at the meeting like, can you do something about how there's so many of the same businesses? And I know that's not an easy thing to like go around, but maybe future like obviously like a grandfather in but we have like like percentages like the
downtown must have only x amount percentage of service or x amount percentage of retail and food and that that way it's like we can't say it's one corridor because I know I think is the one that does it where it's like the service is on the outside of the main strip and retail and restaurants are in
but can like we do it so it's like all right well 20% of it can be serviced going forward and then whatever that ratio is to build here and then so on and so forth that way we're not getting like six places such a small thing like
I know like again what they have like five restaurants they're 10 times bigger than us like we always say you can't compare us to don't compare us they're not them we are smaller so then let's what can we do to make this a more better town that has variety between
great restaurants, but then there's no walkability. There's not a lot of people. So, it's like, all right, let's go to the restaurant. Then we have a haircut in the gallery. But it's like I don't like there's not like when I go and get
my haircut and she goes, but I then walk around because there's a chance to do that. I don't go there any time. So, service can bring people in, but then there's nothing for them to do here. So they come instead like let's have them come
shop and then eat all that stuff. Um oh the frustration we have been talking about having some shape or form to get the businesses to put money in the gang to put money towards things. Um I know in the talks
that there's no businesses to fight it back. Well, let's fight them back. Like, they're not the ones volunteering. They're not the ones coming out of events in the town. So, they can complain all they want, but this is the next step to work into a better I think community when we put more into it. So,
it's like they want to complain about things, but how do they accept that money? We're the ones sitting here trying to raise money to do all things. They want to fix or raise or promote us, but then it's like what are you doing to do that? It's like the same couple businesses. So we wrote like if we have
a business registration and there's a fee somewhere else at least be a pot that you guys can either use for street cleaning or things that help the downtown or whatever but someone else's like gives the business owners
>> maybe nice at an event realize like events how much it adds up very quickly and you want to do more things but it's like I think that's all we got so >> hope you appreciate as always
>> um We share a lot of the same concerns. We have some restrictions from a legal perspective about our ability to zone certain ways acquire certain types of businesses. Also, we are a bit of land
behind our back when it comes to vacant properties in the commercial district. We have certain tools that we're trying to use to put either tenants in
And it's just it's not as easy as I wish it was just like hey even in some buildings I question for I don't understand how like you said >> t house 2 came in immediately
uh and a couple of the other businesses they did not hit the market and I think there's um we'll definitely work on some communication we are trying to make. It's definitely like we try to make that better too. But
I still think there's a lot of businesses that are like I don't know still feel like they're butttheads with the pro and I don't really like we're really trying to build that but they just mentality that it's not favorable.
>> Agree and I think you can do a better job at communicating. One thing that might be helpful is if you can talk to us and say what information will be helpful for you as a business and that way when we're approaching new businesses moving into town to the existing businesses we are giving you useful information. We're not just
giving you a packet of information that you're going to see through this community way. Um but hearing from you about what information would be helpful to whatever it may be to guide your business that would be helpful for us.
>> I was I was your last meeting and I gave my card to all three of the new businesses that were there and said as the new businesses please let me know yet to hear back from any of them what they would like to see from but that that extends to all businesses that were there that anything that you think would
be helpful for us to give the new business to give them that leg up to give them that help there's no reason that we can't do it or that we're not willing to put together the initial packet to help with the inspection schedules and contacts and things like that there's no reason we can't expand
So just let us know. >> Yes, they are. Yeah, we spoke with it. >> I don't know. Yeah. Thank you very unfortunately we don't have enough council memb Can we
all favor? So that will be heard that. Uh the next item on the agenda would be cancelling that hearing ordinance. Uh and that amending the bond to
reintroduce a separate ordinance. >> It's ready but we we can't do anything about So should we cancel this? I think public hear
um okay next agenda it's a few presentations. Um, first we're going to start with uh our business owner of the year who happen to be here. >> Uh, and uh, so this year we're
recognizing Um, and how many years you been? >> Um, this is my 11th. >> 11th. >> Yeah. >> Um, and I've had pleasure of working on a number of different topics over the years. Um she is heavily involved in all
the events that have uh is a great steward of our community, great steward of businesses and I said advocate um and promoter of our downtown programs. Uh and we want to thank you
for all of your efforts. Terrific example posit. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. Oh my god is our uh volunteer of the year. Uh we award
volunteer years every year. Um I can say how long we've been given this award now. >> Uh this is the first time that we are awarding this to uh Haley Neovski.
>> Congratulations. I know a time. Uh she went to school and still goes to school with my daughters. Um she's a member of scout troop 119 scout. Um she has been at every event
for the burrow for at least the last year going above and beyond. We truly are the epitome of what a volunteer is for our community. Uh nothing happens in this volunteers. We rely upon small businesses and volunteers to make everything run in
this community, make it a great place that people love to live in. Uh so thank you for everything you do. You have an incredibly bright future ahead of you as you know. Um so come on up. We'll give you a flag. I don't even cool.
Okay. Um, and final uh thing before we get into the rest of our agenda. Um, I want to honor Adrien Rand here son. Uh Adrian uh you know everything obviously at this part of the meeting is
about volunteers and people uh being a part of our community and making an impact in our community. Uh Adrienne has been a business owner in this community and she served on our joint language board for five years for five years um
and recently uh has moved and is looking for other opportunities within the burough. So, we wanted to honor uh Adrian for her time serving on sport. So, Adrian, why don't you come up? Uh, we have a plaque for you as well. >> Let's get a picture real quick.
>> Wait, your head's Congratulations. Thank you so much. Okay. Um How are you? Next on the agenda is the minutes. Everybody here first Mr. Benjamin
or close portion. Phase three under goes well last week. Um, is this something that we think now in the spring?
>> Yeah. Yes. is it's just lighting >> pathwaying. There may be some other benches or equip. Okay, great. Yeah, just in time for
>> I didn't have any correspondence. Um, Mr. Woods. >> Thank you, your honor. Not much to report. One thing I do want to mention from the shade tree commission have new plantings uh coming out. We have 22
trees I believe that planted in the coming month. Uh, so we're looking for locations throughout. If you have friends, neighbors uh that are inclined to uh have a street tree in front of their property, please let us know. We
want neighbors who are interested in caring for the tree. They need watering. They need due diligence, especially early on. So, we're looking for people who want the trees there and want to help out. So, please uh let me know if you have any u any friends or neighbors
who are interested. >> Great. Are there specific areas that we know to put them? >> Yes. So, what was very helpful, we had our community forestry management plan done
month ago. Um, that takes a image of the bur over top and identifies where we have gaps. Right. So, we're looking to see if I mean there there are certainly areas where just can't put
them like like this area businesses that just can't put trees here. Um, but I know on the west end there are some some places where we need to put some trees. Uh, but ideally we want to get places where one they're
not in those areas. >> Yeah. Yes. Anywhere we've had in the past where the president wasn't wanting to borrow property, we want people buying support. Uh we don't want anybody taking
by surprise that there's a tree out even if she tree or team that has been helping uh put it in. >> Yes. We've already had to relocate that.
Um so yeah we want we want to put them in places where people want them and if there is a location that is in need to the rest plan the area between
>> yes I will also look around other public areas like path community center around wellwood any any public land but uh we're trying to identify places that is in there still requirement to have a
certain width between the curb and sidewalk that tree. >> So, we're trying to be very thoughtful in where we're putting these trees. Um, we don't want to use an arrow curve strip and put a tree in there that's going to grow up that location. Um we
try if there's wires overhead we'll try to make sure we have here ideally we're putting it in places where there's no overhead wires that is wide enough but yeah we're trying to be cognizant of the
the space where we're putting so it doesn't lift the sidewalk I mean walk anywhere my wife wasn't clean but the we had the stroll around that she made it the sidewalk was elevated and it was We're plant
two reports tonight start for February or two virtual sessions in person. Uh the month of March, 256 cases added,6 disclosed and $5,24
turned over. Uh diversity committee um like to acknowledge March as women's history month. Uh as of right now, there's no events currently planned. They plan on groups talk about something later in the month. Hasn't come to fruition yet. So work to come on that.
Uh other than that, the next meeting is That's all I have tonight question. Thank you. Uh start with the virtual business professional association. They they held a meeting on February 11th. A lot of it was um covered in the public
discussion, but they primarily wanted to see you know the the new businesses helping having having an expanded welcome packet. I've already have spoken with Rebecca in regards to that asked couple of businesses that look forward any ideas reiterated that to them again when I spoke to a couple
again. So hopefully we'll see what we can do to to grow that make things a little bit easier on boarding new business as they come in. Um they also discussed uh the different potential guests coming to their meetings. recommended potentially Kevin Hadings who's involved with the fire department
cycle spoke to him. He said he'd be more than willing to to join. Also spoke with the new principal at the Marshall Elementary him having opportunity to come and meet said he wanted to do that. So I was planning to pass along to them at their
next meeting on May the 13th. uh Department of Health. We met on February 12th and happy to announce that because of the work of Shannon Phillips. Uh it was reported to us through New Jerseys Healthcare Quality Institute that the burrow has been named a healthy town uh for 2026. We received that designation
and the announcement should be coming this month. On Saturday of things, uh one of our members, Andrew Carroll, who did a lot of work with the seniors, especially the senior center on Chestnut will be stepping down. just life changes and and things that he wasn't able to
continue on with the group. So, we wish him luck and thank him for his service there. Uh board of ed met on February 17th, attended that. Um Hatton He's superintendent was in attendance to give a yearly discussion. She always attends
uh the board of edies at least once a year to just kind of give a presentation, let our board of vet know where they're at and what they're working on. Um, right now their primary focuses are they're working on uh trade school focusing with Cam County College. Uh, expanding on 25 dual credit courses.
I can speak very highly of those. My daughter took advantage of those and saved us a heck of a lot of college money when that time came. Um, they're also looking to continue a greater focus on transitioning students from the eighth grade to the ninth grade for our students. Unfortunately, you know, they
don't have boss in um a whole new environment. kids compared to, you know, oftentimes they're at that school for nine to 10 years. So, they they realize that that's been a challenge for our students and some of their other students that they brought that get bust in. So, they're they're looking to kind of see what more they can do to expand
opportunities for our eighth graders and seventh graders to get to have more experiences there with uh in high school. on the uh this the virtual school end of things their budget for 20 or budget audit for 20 24 came out clean
which is always nice to hear. Um continuing that I met with um uh Mr. Pomier Traalini board president Amanda Eron as well as on our side we had Elizabeth Browse. we had meeting on
the 5th to discuss um how we could better coordinate our arts and playgrounds program with their um school programs that they've been holding in the summer. A little bit quick background, they used to hold their extracurricular classes courses in the afternoon made sense in the morning
which is kind of to uh our parks and playgrounds program a little bit. Uh the course of discussion we kind of realized that from their end of things are not going to be able to move back into the afternoon. So, a discussion ensued about how we could work together to coordinate both programs. Um, one of the ideas was
that that together we're going to put out a joint survey to parents, teachers, counselors, people that that are involved with it to see what type of focus they would like to see, how the the board and the burough work together to make those things happen. So, we're hoping in the next couple weeks that
survey goes out and we'll be able to move forward in a way that works best for both the burough's parts of technical as well as what the school is offering the students. um OEM uh we met with Pens Township administrator uh Tim Killian uh their police chief and uh
members of their town council to discuss the possibility of a shared service agreement with their OEM. Fortunately, after having some discussions with some outside experts, folks that that operate with NIS and other OEMs that they kind of brought to to the forefront for us
the fact that in larger scale events, having a dual OEM charging two towns might cause issues. Um, so we'll continue having discussions with myself, but we might also work for someone separate who's focusing solely on burrow in those cases where you have the large
scale events. >> That's stupid thinking. That's old school stupid thinking. No offense. We're too small to have our own. What event would occur that would only impact people and not have a single
impact on any part of Pennsylvania? The the problem being that their ide was brought up in the discussions with folks that had dealings with it that they have to have focus on which town is experiencing that event whether it's something like a hurricane like saw
super storm Sandy. I know you're getting that look, but it's citric that their focus is going to be on probably the town that they're involved with. This is a coordinator. It's a management level position. I don't need to focus on anything other than deploying the
resources within each of those jurisdictions. This just a stupid answer. Again, I went out and spoke to people that have sat in those positions or dealt with it would be the only town that they're aware of that had. So I just mean state of New Jersey is
currently in it predicament a lot of towns were not didn't want to be the only town. So you know okay sounds good. Thank you. I'm sorry this isn't directed here. It's just stupid the idea that we I would not have a
coordinator of them in a town 3800 residents.8 square miles next door to their community. of you know tens of thousands of residents that basically covers the entire perimeter of our county
and there the conversation wasn't with them regarding that search for other information but our meeting with them they were open to the idea and they asked for us to give them hours which we can't do because of the fact we don't know if that's going to be coming forward so I'm
not entirely sure how we're going to go back to them and ask them how they're going to charge us for this because they will charge us for it But we'll continue those discussions and say a yearly site. You pay him a yearly site. We'll pay you what a portion.
I mean, this is a simple concept, but people really were interested in helping. It's not again this is this was not part of the conversation. So, I'm not trying to drag it. I don't told you this was with discussions with other people who work with that was their
opinion. other people and I think for expediencing it is helpful and one thing that we look into and there at one time was grant funding available state to study consolidation
shared services and if that's something that we can get a report done that would show the value to both our 28 and obviously that would be a long time coming to to get there% money. It's a ridiculous
there's a ridiculous misuse of government resources to do to to do a study to determine that a joint OEM coordinator for two communities that are neighboring one of which is clearly much smaller would make sense. That's stupid.
I in my opinion that's stupid but I saying that would give us ammunition to go back but I >> but it doesn't sound like sounds like whoever else speak you know this this shouldn't be any unless you think otherwise I don't I
don't understand. >> We hoped it would be for hours. >> It's not position. >> That's how we do it. Let's try and make it see that it's not public events. Uh Rebecca put together
our events for 2026. Uh a flyer that went out to the businesses. There was a couple finalizations that she wanted to do. Once she heard back from them, there was a change because of Scott's uh toy uh fair. He was going to be moving that to a different date. Next uh large scale event that we have coming up will be
March 28th over egg hunt at Wellwood, not at the community center this year. Uh finally, DW, we had our second major snowstorm. We did a great job working overnight. discuss with Kevin some of the upcoming challenges equipment breakdown some of the need for a yard
expansion or possible cover for the salt that we currently house there for those events that's came out on site we did have agreement with the county they've broken that agreement since last winter will no longer allow us to just come on site to take and return it um so we're
going to have to make a choice going forward how we're going to change the layout of the yard in order to appease the DP regulations in a That's all I have to think maybe once the winter ends back
in the middle of the storm impending storm discussions. It was prior to storm let us know that they weren't going to continue prior. I think maybe we can go to the county and have some discussions
relate. Any questions? >> Thank you very much. First report. >> I don't have anything. Thank you, your honor. Between the um community development and and that's okay.
Um, >> thank you very much. development report um new businesses uh as uh business association mentioned three new businesses that came in almost immediately into uh spaces that were
being vacated before they hit the market. All I see is goal is anticipated by mid April. There is a hopefully a yoga studio in the studio south center next to G. That's pretty much it. Easter egg hunt
is March 28th 10. Um old business uh the old business we have short rentals in um council on that unfortunately bill so we'll have
to try and move that later March has anybody gotten their comments to I said comments an email comments emails and follow
did share with him not the Philadelphia region but in York region is actually incentivizing people to their home so it's a very lot of big events.
Okay. Uh we will discuss please reach out to Mr. you spoke with him. Um, new business items, we have uh five improved uh use of facilities in front
of the group here. Um, can we can we look at them? Is council okay looking discussing them oring them as a consent agenda or these things discussed individually? They appear to
be four or five of them are repeat. >> Everybody's okay as far as >> the only the only one thing was tennis. There were several parking that request tennis person
that recommendation. But that's the only that's the only recommendation they said for >> um well let's pull that up. Yeah. >> So, uh we good with the consent.
Um use of facility commercial farmers market approved use of facility wreach facility tennis lessons. Approve use of facility community center bathroom facility parking lot.
Uh Mr. Okay. Yes. Second. All in favor. >> Okay. Um we have a number of resolutions 11 by consent agenda.
council any I'd like to pull out R 2635 and R 2636. Okay, hearing none. We'll do the contention resolutions first. There's Resolution 2634 program. Resolution 2637 rental
registration property 2638 authorizes 2639 for change. Resolution 2640. Resolution 2641 approve emergency temporary resolution 264
state of emergency storm. Resolution 2643 approve license and resolution 2644 granting service credit. Do I have a motion? So was
first second. Mr. >> Spazz Mr. Benjamin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Woods. >> Yes. >> Was that >> Mr. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
Um, resolution 2635 LE. motion discussion. >> Yes. So on this item and on R 2636, both these policies are aimed at
standing against the harmful immigration policies of the Trump administration and affirming our commitment to protecting all of our residents. uh in what we can do here as a bur I think it's important that we take action uh
these two items uh one is already in practice uh which is the the art 636 which is uh the attorney general enforcement directive which is also known as the emergency trust
directive. our police department since 2018 has been utilizing uh and been acting in accordance with the AG's directive uh making sure that our police department isn't working in coordination
with ICE uh and supporting their enforcement operations or inquiring about people's immigration status. So this resolution is simply reaffirming our commitment. We'll take a look at our procedure and policies and police
department in the burrow to make sure that we are still compliant. Uh but it's important that people know that one that our police department is doing this so we're putting it on record. Uh and then the other policy is aligning with
executive order number 12 which governor Cheryl enacted on February 12th or 11th. So at the state level what this did was prohibited ICE operations from utilizing nonpublic state property uh and
prevented ICE from using state property as stationary. This would extend those policies to our burough property. So I would not be able to enter non-public spaces in the burrow and they would also
be prohibited from utilizing burrow space for their operations. So I think these are a small we need to continue to look at how we can curb some of the abuses that we're seeing by ICE
that I think they're acting unconstitutionally and inhumanely. So anything that we can do to stand against operations uh that are happening not just in other states we're seeing it here. We saw a window where ICE was
present. Uh there were kids at a bus stop that heard that they were an area and caused a public safety when they shattered uh in fear of what may happen to them or their families. And we're even seeing candidate that's all right
for ICE president and uh threatening to go after people simply because they're not documented. So, I would like to ask ask council's approval to adopt these two resolutions this evening. Uh, and I
think that we need to continue to look at what more we can be doing to support our residents here. >> Thank you very much. Any other discussion? Okay. Motion second. Correct.
just doing right now 2635 >> I didn't get a motion sorry >> I I just wanted to add one of the changes that might not have seen is in both of the resolutions we had a separability clause uh particularly for
the resolution on exe for number 12, which the Trump administration is actively challenging. Uh, and my understanding is if there are changes to the immigrant trust direct.
So if any parts of these are struck down will remain in place. So >> all right call on >> 35 Mr. Fitzgerald >> I >> Mr. Benjamin.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Entertain a motion for move 2636 number 2018 six immigration trust. I have a motion second discussion on
that. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Um we have ordinance introduction agend council members present bills.
a total of 2,18,620 bills. Do I have a second? >> Mr. Fitzgerald. >> I >> Mr. Benjamin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Woods. >> Yes. Because >> Well, I keep saying Mr. Okay. Announcement.
>> Uh, any announcements. Patrick's >> Day first. Second favor. probably tomorrow. Thanks. very small group.
I'm here. I thought it went back here. >> Yes, please.