We'd like to call this regular meeting of the Milville City Commission to order on February 3rd, 2026. Madame Clerk, roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor >> here. >> Vice Mayor Cot >> here. >> Commissioner Reanelloo >> present. >> Commissioner Kasaboon >> here. >> Mayor Dixon
>> here. If you would please rise with me as Pastor Rob uh Ryan Robinson leads us in the invocation. >> Would you pray with me? Gracious God, we give you thanks for this city that we all love for us so much and those who call it home. We thank you for those
who've accepted the responsibility of public service and for the trust placed in them. Grant wisdom to those who govern, patience in deliberation, clarity in decision-making, and humility in leadership. May every discussion be guided by respect, every decision shaped
by justice, and every action directed toward the common good, especially for those who are most vulnerable among us. Help us seek peace where there's conflict, understanding where there is disagreement, and hope where there is uncertainty. And we ask that you would bless the work
of this body tonight and may this city to continue to grow in safety, compassion, and shared purpose. We offer this prayer trusting in your guidance and grace. Amen. Amen. >> Please join me in salute to the flag 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. This meeting is being conducted in accordance with the open open public
meetings act of 1975 was advertised, posted, and made available to the public as required by statute. The municipal clerk is directed to include a statement in the minutes of this meeting. Madame clerk, are there any changes to the agenda?
>> Yes, mayor. We are adding a proclamation honoring the legacy of the Millville Rescue Squad. Thank you, Madame Clerk. At this time, uh we have now reached the public comment portion on agenda items only. Anyone who would like to address the commission, please go to the podium,
state your name and address and your concerns. Please limit your comments to approximately 5 minutes. Just this is for agenda items only. Good evening, Angeline Broom Hall, Milville. Uh, before I get begin, I'd just like to disclose I'm speaking on behalf of myself. No employer,
[clears throat] no nonprofit, no board that I may sit on, no family member. Resolution 18.6, appointing the GIF commissioner. There's no attachment, so I can't read it. I don't know what that is. um resolution 18.5
confirming the appointment of director of economic industrial development. Um at the 2026 the January 20th 2026 commission meeting the public was given a plethora of reasons to justify replacing the business administrator at a
taxpayers's expense of $210,000. And we all know what we say about assumptions, but I assumed it was a replacement, not uh uh the following were the direct quotes made by commissioners on the record during that meeting. Quote, "Employees
are leaving. Morale is down. We needed to write the ship." Quote, "There hasn't been a whole lot of structured leadership in the past." quote, "We needed someone who isn't related to anyone with Milville with in Milville with zero connections."
Quote, "We want somebody that's going to come here and treat employees fairly with accountability." Quote, "Declining budgets, stalled economic development, a downtown that feels like a ghost town." Quote, "Broken relationships inside city hall and the
community." quote, "Behind the scenes, city hall had become dysfunctional, disorganized, and basic symptoms systems of government weren't operating the way they should." And unlike previous administrations
where too many hires were based on friendships, favors, political connections, we hired the new BA precisely because he had no ties to the waring factions that have historically divided the city. factions that too often took care of their
friends and political donors. Quote, "He was hired to bring structure, stability, leadership, and help to solve many of the operational and financial problems that have plagued the city for years. When it comes to fiscal responsibility,
we take seriously every decision that we make and is weighed against what taxpayers can afford afford and what the city needs to succeed. The people of Milville deserve a government staffed by qualified
qualified professionals. One of the employees, these are your quotes, one of the employees I feel most for is our current business administrator. He was hired to manage the city, but he was never allowed to do his job properly because the death grip that was
held over city operations by the previous administration. It appears to me that this administration has not given the business administrator at that time that opportunity s to um allowed to do his
job properly. You had uh before you even were swore in, you had already made the decision that he was going to be replaced at our expense. And that is not a a dig on that employee. These are your comments. These
are your critiques of what you thought was happening. They're not mine. Want to make that clear. I'm going out of my way to make sure no names are mentioned, which you guys did not afford these city employees. Again, these are your critiques of the
business administrator at the time, your reasons why we needed an additional $210,000. Resolution 18.5 says proven abilities that the board of commissioners has determined that this person is duly qualified to serve in the title of dire
director of economic devel and industrial development. This person still has not been given the opportunity to show you their skills because you like the previous commission did not allow him to show you. He also held that
title. So I think an explanation to the public as to the rationale as to why blaming the prior commit without blaming the prior commission because during the last meeting you stated that the business administrator was prevented from doing his job. It seems that this commission is doing the same. You've
replaced him without giving him the opportunity to prove his abilities. Your own statements are extremely contradictory. The salary is most certainly not in line with any other director of economic development in the county. [snorts] It is also a higher salary than current employees with far
more experience, education, and certifications. It must be noted that Bridgton has a population equal to Milville and has a business administrator earning approximately $143,000 per year and also wears the hat of economic development, the director of
economic development. [clears throat] These numbers are not small numbers. For these two positions, including salary and benefits are close to a half million dollars. The average household income, whole
household in Millville, is under $70,000 per year. And that's a lot to ask for families struggling to keep their lights on. Current city employees and their families are also watching this. Contract negotiations often result in
unions being told, "We just don't have the money." We have people working for Millville earning poverty wages, city employees that require federal assistance to survive and feed their families.
Throwing around six figure salaries is truly like spitting in their faces. [snorts] I'd like to add that in 2022 when the prior commission was seated, they also added a new position to the bone of the community. The reason given
was the community uh to the community was that the mayor slash uh commissioner of public affairs was new and she needed assistance. The business manager position was created and is still filled. We still
have that position for that department to do the responsibilities that may be needed to assist the mayor or whomever is the commissioner of that department. Um, how many administrative positions are needed for one department?
Is the current business administrator fulfilling their duties? And if you do create the business manager, excuse me, is the current business manager uh fulfilling their duties? And if you do create this new administrative position, will that be in
addition to the position being created by this commission? And I know it may sound a little confusing what I'm saying because I'm intentionally not using names. So it might be hard for you to follow and if you need clarification um I will clarify. But we're talking about
two business administrators, new and old. And we have the business manager which was created specifically for the assistant to the mayor and um that department. So that's their job. You already have someone to do these things. And I I'm question the
qualifications and I question uh if if these things are true that you didn't that you were disappointed in the way things are run and if you blame the prior commission I think you should have given the prior business administrator the opportunity to prove otherwise.
Thank you. Good evening. My name is Tim Cardi and I'm here as a resident of the city of Milville. I'm speaking on my personal capacity only and my remarks do not represent my family members, employer, business, any boards I'm involved with, any other affiliations that I might have
that I might have forgot or I don't even know what I belong to. I would like to speak on resolution 18 item five, the resolution confirming the appointment of director economic and industrial development. I respectfully ask for clarification on how this appointment
serves the best interest of the city. Spec specifically, I would like to understand how the individual's experience, credentials, and past performance were evaluated as part of this decision making process. Additionally, as this is a certified and
I repeat certified civil service position under the New Jersey under the state of New Jersey, I would like clarification on why this position was not open to the public for applicants as per the civil service guidelines for
certified civil service positions. My understanding is that anybody who meets the eligibility requirement should be offered the opportunity to apply since this is a certified and I repeat certified open position. Even if you're making this a provisional appointment,
and I know because I'm a civil service employee, you still cannot bypass the application process without following the necessary steps, which is opening the job opening to the entire civil
service. It could be limited to Millville, Cumberland County, or the entire state. Again, you cannot bypass it. I also have several questions regarding the salary and scope of this position under the new salary ordinance being introduced tonight. The ordinance
list a salary range of 70,000 to 150. Can the governing body clarify the specific salary this appointment will receive? Further, if this appointment moves forward and considering that the individual's prior role was a non-ivil
service pre position, is there an requirement for the salary to remain the same under civil service appointment? And I believe that answer is no. Because under civil service, if you are already in a civil service title, you cannot have your pay lower. They have to
take you to the over to the next pay and up a step. >> [snorts] >> And if there is no and I would like to appreciate the clarification on the rationale for matching or increasing the salary. Finally, since this is a certified civil
service position, how would a city ensure that the performance expectations once the applications are returned [snorts] are going to be measured in the interview process? Additionally, who will be responsible
for overseeing and evaluating them? My intention in asking these questions is simply to better understand your process when it comes to civil service and also your appointment process to ensure the city is providing every opportunity to identify the most qualified candidates
whether from within the organization or from the broader public. who can best support Mobile's economic and industrial development moving forward along with making sure that all New Jersey civil service rules and requirements are being met so the city doesn't get audited by
the civil service of the state of New Jersey to prevent any lawsuits or other issues in case other employees are not in the correct title or doing jobs outside your title scope. I'd like to thank you for this opportunity and if you feel like
answering these questions that fine and hopefully I can see your transparency in this matter. Thank you. And actually hold on according to the job specifications for for this position
there's a whole number of examples listed for work. There's also requirements and there's a knowledge and abilities. And if you haven't done so already, your job spec code when you go to the New Jersey Civil Service site is 01595
and the at simple. Thank you. I just have a question about the resolution. I wasn't going to come here and talk, but I was looking at the resolution and the municipal code and I know it's state statute to give 3 months salary upon removal of the uh municipal
administrator, but why is he getting a three-month salary? And it's worded in here pursuant to NJSA4A, the city shall calls Mr. Kouchy as part of his sorry, but it's public record. It's on the agenda. as part of his transition from municipal
ad administrator to director of economic development to be be three months as part of his transition. But the municipal code, which I believe they got off of the state statute, says the governing body may provide that the resolution shall
have an immediate effect as far as removing him, provided, however, that the governing body shall cause to be paid to the administrator any unpaid balance of his or her salary plus the next three calendar months following the adoption of this resolution. That sounds like a severance. doesn't sound like oh
I I mean I'm sure all the municipal employees would enjoy that benefit. So that's what I'm questioning. I have a serious problem with that. >> I'm sorry I'm burned Carl Noville adding on to what was already said about resolution number
five. Um I don't want to repeat was already said oh I'm also speaking on my own behalf. I'm not representing any employer or or any board that I may sit on. Um my question in addition to was already asked is why wasn't this broken down into two resolutions? One
resolution um taking the title BA away from Mr. Couchy and a se separate one making him the director of e economic development. Typically that's the way these things play out. It seems cleaner. It's more concise, less confusing. Makes it easier for everyone. Just kind of curious why it was all lumped into one
resolution. Thank you. All right, seeing no one left, we will close the um comment portion on agenda items only. Uh we have presentations. >> Yes, we have a proclamation honoring the legacy of the Millville Rescue Squad.
>> [clears throat] >> So, I would have the actual proclamation here, but um I uh almost broke the copy machine today trying so it will be finished, but I do have it. Um a lot of people know that I
started my career with the middle rescue squad in uh 1987. Um so this is kind of my uh endgame being the director of public safety. I think that the EMS services in the
city of Milville started out small and grew and grew and grew. Um, so I wanted to prepare a res uh proclamation. Whereas the emergency medical services began in the city of Milville with eight
original members of the NAB Leslie Post 82 of the American Legion on December 18th, 1958. And whereas this service continued to grow in both size and membership until 1988
when it officially adopted the name the Miller Rescue Squad. And whereas the organization continued for many years as a volunteer service with many
dedicated members who devoted countless hours of hard work to provide this valuable service to the city of Milville and to its citizens. And whereas the volunteer ambulance service later transitioned to a paid service in order
to provide continued roundthe-clock care. And whereas on July 11th, 2024, the remaining volunteer members, volunteers and members of the Millville Rescue Squad established the Mill Rescue
Squad Alumni Association to continue the legacy and memory of all past members and to preserve the history of the original emergency medical service. And whereas the Millville Rescue Squad Alumni Association continues to gather
annually to keep these memories alive, to reconnect with old friends, and to share and preserve the stories of their service. Now, therefore, I, Sherman R.
Taylor Jr., director of public safety for the city of Milville and the state of New Jersey. Do hereby proclaim and recognize all past volunteers and members of the American Legion Post 82 Rescue Squad and the Millville Rescue
Squad for their dedication, volunteerism, and sacrifice in making the city of Milville a safer municipality. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Um, let's move on to bills.
>> We need a motion to approve the bill list. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Commissioner, >> just to call attention that we did have um uh in case you run across it, there was a bill for 30,000 for a tax sale. Um, but we end up bringing in over
$100,000 in that. There was 2,000 and I think 56 different property sales. Uh, but that bill goes to the only online provider there is for that tax sale. So, in case you see that, um, that's what that's for. Besides that, that's all I have.
>> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kavoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Let's move on to petitions and letters. >> We need a motion to receive and file a letter from Mayor Dixon, appointing
class for planning board member Rachel Green. Make a motion. >> Second. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Ranella. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes.
>> All right. Let's start with the reports of commissioners. Um, Mr. Taylor. Commissioner Taylor. Sorry. >> I have I have no report tonight, sir. Commissioner Costkin. >> We just have a few.
All right. See, clean communities. We have a group from Bacon School who's going to do adopt a road. They will be starting hopefully after this weather breaks. They'll do four things a year. Uh just a reminder that February the 16th is President's Day. So, the
drop off for oil, cardboard, films out on 15th Street is closed due to the holiday. Uh, let's see. For streets and roads, it's been they've been busy. Not only have they been trying to clean up the snow, they collected 117 Christmas
trees, 37 and a half tons of loose leaves. Just a reminder to the residents though that uh loose leaves can go out again beginning the last two weeks of March for the April collection and they're going to be out as soon as the snow clears off to start filling
potholes as soon as they can. You see a pothole, call it in. Let us know where they are. Thank you, >> Commissioner Reella. >> Sure. [clears throat] Just a quick update. So about 10 days ago, we went through a pretty intense storm that brought snow, followed by a lot of ice.
At our work session this past Friday, we took time to recognize all of our departments. And I especially want to give a shout out to our parks department. They've been out there every day um salting city-owned parking lots. And once that salt starts working, they come back with plows to scrape it all
up. With some talk of a possible light dusting of snow coming our way, we want everyone to know that we are ready. uh between now and our next meeting, we have multiple pallets of salt on hand and our plows are ready to go if we need
them. So, we also held our royal tea party just hours before the storm arrived and thankfully the kids were able to enjoy it. It was a huge success as always and one of our most popular events. Uh so, we want to thank the Millville Elks for donating the hall.
That was wonderful. And to Commissioner Kasaboon for attending. I couldn't be there due to a conflict, but I heard she even showed off some dance moves, and I'm sorry that I missed that. As far as our upcoming events, our annual snowflake plunge is happening at noon on
Saturday, February 21st at Union Lake Beach. Uh we're encouraging everybody to come out and cheer on the Queen of the Plunge, the creature from the Third Cove, the Little Princess, and all their friends as they dive in to raise money for Shirley Eaves. It's a chilly splash
for a great cause with brave plungers, big smiles, and some seriously fun costumes out there. If anyone has questions for parks, public property, or wants to learn more about our up upcoming recreational events, uh we encourage you to call the department
8568257000 extension 7392. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Reinelloo. Uh Vice Mayor Cop. Yeah, I just uh I received a list from a very very very concerned citizen that just wanted me to
read some answers. So, if you don't mind, I'm going to read these real quickly. Uh she said she represents various members of the community and I just want to read them off real quick. So, she had a couple questions about the police academy. How much does it cost? You know, does the recruits have to pay anything? What happens if they drop it
out? Just let you know there's um it's quite a few thousand dollars, but the um the recruit only pays for their uniforms and then if they if they pass, they get reimbursed for everything they pay for. If they drop out, then they don't. Uh so that's an incentive and a cost saving if
for some reason they don't make it. Um all officers do wear have vest. Every single officer is provided a bulletproof vest. Um they do all have uh cameras, body warn cameras. Some don't have to wear them depending on where they're at. uh they could be admin, they could be
evidence, uh things like that. Um if the road doesn't get paved, what happens, right? What happens if we pave another road and then what happens to the old road? Well, that depends, but usually we have to start the whole process over again. Um depending on if there's any money in that that bond and everyone's
different, but a lot of times it will go up for a new bond. Um fees for having a rental, it's a little over 100 bucks. It's like 125, 150. and it's every year um that they have to pay that. Um we don't have a full-time grant writer. Uh we do have a grant writer that helps
with CB uh DBFG. What's that? CBDG. >> CBD. >> Um and we a lot of the department heads do that on their own time. Uh they do spend a lot of time trying to get uh um different grants. Uh Newsome Properties uh that was taken off the books. We're trying to put that back on the books. Um
so give us a little time on that one. Um, what steps are police doing proactive? Uh, they're doing walking patrols now in UEZ. Thanks for the uee. Um, and the prior commissioner set that up. Um, and they can move. Right now, we're concentrating on High Street. Uh, but
they can move around as long as they're in their UEE. But the walking ones, it's hard to walk too far. So, we try to keep them somewhere where they can walk, you know, buck, high, second, third. Um, but that's going to be changing uh different right now they do it on the weekends. um trash coming off the taxes and what
it looked like. I have no clue. That was before our CFO. That's before us. Um that's going to take a lot more digging to find out because a lot of people weren't here when that all came off for the question you were asking. Uh steps to get public engaged. Great question.
Um you uh a lot of people here uh we do do a lot of social media. Uh mayor's put a few things in um on video out there to uh teach people. We're looking to um expand our PR campaign u coming shortly.
So, a lot of it is uh um that's what we're doing as much as we can. So, I hope that answered most of them and uh thank you for those questions. That's it. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Um my report on the fifth floor, uh we have a great business manager up there. Um does not
serve as my special um assistant. Um he manages the entire floor, construction, permits, licensing, inspections, does a fantastic job. Um from the moment he walks in the door till the moment he leaves, he is confronted with issues and
escalating issues that uh constructions, permits, licensing. He helps coordinate the entire floor. Does a tremendous job. Very happy with uh what I've seen so far. Um we have moved uh construction and uh code enforcement to particularly
look for people who are doing unpermitted work. Um so far this month in January, well in January we had 11 cases where contractors were doing uh unpermitted work. They get fined and then they also have to come and get the
the appropriate permits for their work. We feel like people were trying to skirt around because we weren't really in the past trying to find that unpermitted work. We now have a dedicated employee who makes that part of what he does. Uh when he
sees work being done, he calls into the office, asks if there's permits for that um particular uh work that's going on. And then if it's uh they don't have a permit on it, he will go in and and chat with them. and then the construction official will uh shut them down. So 11 I
don't know what the dollar value comes there but that's you know we should be getting the the for safety reasons we should be getting work permitted and we should also be getting that revenue because uh the department does cost money to have you know things done safely in the city. Uh properties we
have a number of properties that we're examining right now that need to be demolished. Uh if you drive around the city you'll see some houses that are burnt out. We're going to prioritize the ones that we feel are the most um uh needed to be demolished. Uh we're going
to use CDBG funds for that. We currently have $156,000 that's earmarked to those abandoned properties being demolished and I'm looking forward to that. Um with that, that's all I have on uh my report. I will save some comments for later,
though. All right, let's move on to regular business. Yes. Ordinances if for second reading. Ordinance for second reading. Item number one, an ordinance of the board of commissioners of the city of Melville fixing the salaries and rates of certain
employees administration contract. >> Uh make a motion. >> Second a motion. >> Any comments? >> There is a public hearing on this tonight as well. Mayor. >> Okay. [snorts] Before I start, Miss Kasabun, >> yes.
>> Move your uh micro closer. You can't hear it on TV. We can hear you in the room, but not on TV. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'm just saying. Okay. Uh Tamara Davis, um I'm here as a concerned citizen regarding this particular um ordinance. I had asked questions on uh about it
before and didn't receive answers. So, I'm going to ask the same questions again. So, what was the percent increase for each of these positions? Was a straight across percentage or was it based on certain positions? What was your analysis to determine the percent
increase? Um, and what was your analysis to determine the increase at all? Are all these positions currently filled? Um, or are you expecting to fill them? Is there any that going to be eliminated? Possibly. Um, have [clears throat] you reviewed the duties
for each of these? You know, maybe civil service or what you have available. Um, so you can eliminate any overlap. So possibly that could eliminate a position. So is each position necessary? And I also have a question on two specific um positions in there. You have
a construction official from the rate of 65,000 to 121,000. But then you have a construction official/director of inspections who does dual duty but getting less st both starting at the same 65 but topping out
at 113. So I'm wondering why there's such a discrepancy be between that when it looks like there's more responsibility involved with the director of inspections. Um so that would be my questions for that particular
ordinance. Thank you. >> Uh I can speak real quickly on some of them. Um this was negotiated before we got here. We're reading the ordinance just because it was already um it was already negotiated with everybody. I believe it was straight across the board, but I'm not 100% sure.
Uh some of them uh might have got uh increases just to get them back up to a certain level, but once again, all those that you see were negotiated prior to us and we were just um at the end of the the thing uh okaying them. There are
positions that aren't filled. Uh that's our next step is to go through um and see the ones that aren't being filled and if we need them. So that is on the agenda. Not on the agenda, I'm sorry. That's all that is on our radar to check that out. We do want to get rid of any positions that aren't being used. Uh the
overlap position, I don't believe there's any in there, but that doesn't mean there isn't. um when we review all them uh a little bit more thoroughly, uh our new administrator is looking at all these positions and every department and going through um from the ground up. So,
uh yes, I I I do appreciate you. As far as the the two construction officials, I don't know because I wasn't part of the process. So, forgive me for not knowing, you know, why they came up with the salaries they did. Um I know that's not going to be a answer, you know, that's acceptable or that you want to hear. And
I I do agree with you. It's just that's what we approved. We approved what was negotiated. So that's what I have. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Casabun. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes.
>> Ordinance for second reading item number two, an ordinance amending the municipal code of the city of Milville adding a subsection under payment of solid waste service charges establishing late fees. And there is a public hearing as well. Carol, >> would you like to make >> Oh, make a motion. >> I'll second it.
>> Oh, thank you. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Um, public hearing. >> Yes, there is a public hearing. >> I think we said that. Would anybody like to speak on this issue?
>> No. >> Commissioner Taylor? >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. Yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Ordinance for second reading item number three. An ordinance amending the municipal code of the city of Milville adding a subsection under solid waste
charges to establish a deduction for senior disabled persons that meet the criteria for the property tax deduction as pursuant to NJSA 54-4-8.4. >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> It's also a public hearing on this one. Would anybody like to speak about this
issue? Mary Messare of Milville. I just need a clarification because it was stated that it would be a deduction for the seniors or those that are disabled and it's kind of based on those that qualify
uh through um being able to have their taxes frozen. thing of it is what is the what is the deduction of that and when does that take place and is there an application that one has to sit there
and um fill kind of double check on and if so where can you find it because I understand the um new uh slips for uh where the fee for uh trash removal is
now going to be $63. $3 and that comes out in March. And I thank you. >> If I like to comment on that, >> Mary, I will get you all those figures. Okay. >> And what we can do in in at the next meeting or we can get that to you personally. We can go back and address
that to the public and get those answers. >> Um if we don't have answers, we can get them to you and we can get those answers in a public setting. Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon,
>> yes. >> Ordinances in the first reading. Ordinance for first reading item number one, an ordinance amending the salary ordinance. >> Like to make a motion. >> Second motion. >> Any comments? >> Uh, yeah. So, um, during the contract
negotiations, there were actually, I believe, five that were left out. Um, so we are just adding them to the same contract. Um, so it's on the first reading. They were caught after the um the first reading last time. So, >> thank you, Vice Mayor. Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor,
>> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> On to resolutions. Resolution item number one, resolution to cancel tax certificate as pursuant to NJSA 54 5.
>> Like to make a motion. Second the motion. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kaspoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> Resolution item number two, resolution authorizing the purchasing agent to
award a purchase order F250 truck in an amount not to exceed $61,288.81. >> Make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Any comments by commissioners? >> Yeah. Um, so the truck is being purchased using uh UEZ grant funds to
support our clean team in removing trash and deb debris throughout the UEE district. That's what the truck is for. Um, the process to purchase this truck began last summer and we're glad to see it finally coming to fruition. >> Thank you, Commissioner Reinelloo. Roll
call. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Casabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. Resolution item number three, resolution authorizing tax and utility adjustments. >> Make a motion. >> Second the motion.
>> Comments by commissioners. >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolution item number four, resolution approving license towing operator application A1 towing.
>> So this is the uh [clears throat] >> want make a motion. >> I'll second it. Thank you. Um, this is for one of our tow companies that, uh, does the impounds and stuff for the police department. They're renewing their contract. A1's been a a tower for us for a long time.
>> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Casabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Vanelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. >> Resolution item number five, resolution confirming appointment of director of economic and industrial development. >> I'll make a motion. Second a motion. comments by commissioners.
>> Yes, I have one. I was reluctant um with this section of this resolution, but I continued to come back to what I have always said and instilled into my sons, my grandsons, and students. We don't always like or agree with a law or a
rule, but they are there for a reason. Accept them and do what's best. This was a difficult decision for me, but ultimately I know by not bringing this resolution forward, we would delay Milville from moving in the right direction. I needed to focus on what
direction I felt was best for the city of Milville to get back on track. And that meant making a difficult decision that may or may not be agreeable by everyone. But every commissioner up here has made an oath to each other, to the city of Milville, and to all of our
employees that we will respect everyone's decision without malice and continue to do our best to get Milville back as a productive and sustaining city again. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kim.
>> Would anyone like else like to say anything? >> Yes. Uh I'm uncomfortable with this resolution as it's written. It combines multiple unrelated actions into a single vote. It relies on statutory language that appears intended for removal rather than a transition. And it includes
descriptive language that may not be factually accurate. For those reasons, I don't believe this resolution reflects clear or transparent governance. And my vote will reflect that discomfort, and I'd like that included in the minutes.
Thank you. I will address this issue in my final comments. However, I will say at this point that I am as confident I will get into more detail on my final comments, but I'm very confident in this
resolution and the appointment of Mr. Couchy. And um it is a direction that Milville must move into. And I'll say that now and at the end I will I will get into more detailed. I've always promised to
be transparent and I will do that in my final comments as best as I can. Any other comments? Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo? >> No. >> Mayor Dixon?
>> Yes. Resolution item number six, resolution appointing GIF fund commissioner. And I was just gonna sorry that since there wasn't an attachment, I was just going to say that it was a GIF appointed position and it's the administrator and
our HR representative Pam Shapiro as the alternate. Sorry to cut you off >> like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> If this is just standard practice, we have to have a representative and alternate. Um, so a lot of times it is exactly who is now is our going to be
our administrator and the alternate is going to be our HR director of Panchire. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Roll call. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kasabun, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes.
>> Resolution item number seven, resolution appointing a member to the housing authority, Jennifer Hanley. >> Make a motion. >> Second a motion. >> Any comments by commissioners? like to thank Miss Hanley. >> Commissioner Taylor,
>> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Vanelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolution item number eight. Resolution appointing a member to the housing authority, Kim Barfield. >> Make a motion. >> Second it. >> Any comments?
>> Yes. Just want to thank Miss Warfield for her service. [snorts] >> Commissioner Taylor. Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. >> Resolution item number nine. Resolution
rescending resolution number 58-2026 and appointing zoning board of adjustment member. >> Like to make a motion. >> Second the motion. >> Comments by commissioners. >> Thank you. Mr. Mills. >> Yep. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. Resolution item number 10. Resolution rescending resolution number 65-2026 and appointing zoning board of adjustment member. >> Like to make a motion. >> Second a motion.
>> Comments by commissioners. >> Again, just like to thank Paula Hulings as well. >> Commissioner Taylor. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Kasaboon. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dixon. >> Yes.
>> Any new business by commissioners? At this time, we have now reached a public comment portion of our meeting. Anyone who would like to address the commission, please go to the podium, state your name and address and your concerns. Please limit your comments to approximately 5 minutes. Good evening, Tim Cardi again. Uh,
resident of the city of Milv. I'm speaking on my personal capacity only. I do not my remarks do not represent any family members, employers, my own personal business, other affiliates that I may have or I may not have. Um I got two issues. I went from one to two. Let
me start with resolution appointing the industrial and economic. I'm just going to say this. I'm very disappointed in those who voted in favor of le resolution 18-5 especially that that there are given
established rules and procedures set forth by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. Those rules exist to ensure transparency, fairness, and that the most qualified candidate is selected. Once again, it appears those rules were
not followed as proven tonight in your votes. When procedures are bypassed or ignored or state rules and regulations, it raises serious concerns about accountability and it undermines public trust.
Again, it undermines our public trust when you're breaking rules and regulations set forth by the state of New Jersey. It also leaves residents asking a very basic question. How can we be confident that the decision truly represents the best outcome for this
city and taxpayers? My question is, how many of you went to the civil service website and looked at the job specifications and the knowledge and experience that is required for this position? How many of you? I could guarantee you maybe one, two.
Now my second issue. I have over 20 years experience in roadway bridge construction inspections, road and bridge material inspection and testing. Roughly half of those years have been spent plowing and sorting
highways and roadways of the state of New Jersey and a local other municipality with all different types of trucks. And I fully understand that no two storms are the same and that the winter weather events can change rapidly.
Based on a video interview with Mr. Gresman, it was stated that all crews were sent home on Sunday night. I understand CDL regulations and a 16-hour driving limit. As myself, I'm a CDL class A holder. However, my question is, since it was
forecast well in advance, 5, seven days out that the snow would change over to rain, why weren't staggered shifts or secondary crews not kept on standby or come in by addressing the situations.
And if I remember right, Mr. Gresman stated that everybody went home and they came back to the icy conditions. If you would have left the secondary crew in, they could have continued plowing the slush and getting the stuff off the roadways. Again, my 20 years experience, 10 years plowing, and I
still keep up with everything that goes with plowing and salting due to my job. I have used plows. I plowed snow using a rubber and metal metal edge cutting blades. My next question is, how difficult would it be to keep one or two
older plow trucks plows equipped with metal cutting edges spec specifically for events like this recent storm? It's not hard. You just take the rubber blade off with about 16 screw 16 nuts
and bolts. You put your metal edge on where scraping pack snow and ice is critical. It was also mentioned to me that the city does not pre-treat roads with brine. The explanation given to me on a Monday in my front yard made no sense to
me since melting snow mixes with the salt on the roads and goes into the cracks anyway. The explanation given to me was the brine soaks into the cracks and it eats away from the road. While the mel the salt that's touching the melting water does the same exact thing
by pretreat by pre-treating the roads prior to the storm. It establishes a protective barrier that simplifies snow removal and migrates the risk of hazard ice patches. Along with making it easier to plow since regular rock salt is
generally effective only down to 20°. Perhaps it's time to consider purchasing 5 two 500gallon liquid tanks. one 500gallon liquid tank and a necessary equipment to spray calcium chloride on top of the salt on top of the trucks
after the trucks are loaded with salt. And maybe, and I'm going to say it, and I don't like using another municipality, the city of Vinland uses brine before every storm. [snorts] Back about four commissions ago, I had all
information for the city to purchase their own brine making machine so we can make our own. This would allow this would allow the salt to remain effective down so that way it's easier and even with the calcium chloride, it would be great
for small storms. [snorts] Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Cardi. Good evening, Commission. Tracy Gregoire, the tax and utility collector for the city of Melville. I just wanted to come up if I could and address some of the concerns with the deductions for
the solid waste. So, it is going to be based on if you qualify for the tax deduction. Now, if you are senior or disabled and you meet the qualifications, there is an income limit of $10,000 that does not include social security. If you are a senior over the
age of 65 as of October 1st of last year and you meet those requirements, please see my office. If you are 100% disabled and have the award letter and you meet those requirements, please see my office. This will be effective on the
solid waste bills that are going out. Um, we are sending the bills out late, waiting to make sure that this ordinance was passed. I am currently in the process of creating the code. It's going to be a deduction of $40 a year. That's $10 a quarter that is taken off. And
then the way this is going to be maintained is the same as it is for the tax deduction. Every year there's a post tax year statement that's sent out that has to be returned by the resident that is saying that they meet the income requirements that is reviewed by myself and my staff.
If they meet the requirements, they will keep the deduction on the solid waste and the tax. If they don't, it will be added back. And again, if anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office. Myself and my staff are always welcome, you know, for any questions, comments, and like I said, we
have been getting a lot since the last commission meeting. Um, the application for the deduction is also online under um my my page as well as the assessors for the tax deduction. And like I said, if you qualify for that, you will automatically get the solid waste deduction as well as if you have city
sewer, there's a deduction for the city sewer. And so if you have any other questions, please feel free to see my office or to give us a call. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Tracy. >> Thank you, Tracy. >> Hi, Larry Malone Mobile. Um, so I'm not prepared because I just wanted to follow
up on something uh the mayor said is so important is uh inspections and uh permits. So the they're there for a reason. Like I own a house. So if my neighbor doesn't get a
permit, he saves $100 on his new electrical box or his new roof or something, you know, saving a hundred bucks. It's not helping the value of my house. That's why we have a city. It's why we have rules. Um
I what I wanted to go also bring up because congratulations all our new commissioners. I'm a I'm a realtor. And when you sell a house in Millville, the new people in this process of
transferring to the new people, the fire department has to come over and certify the smoke detectors and and various things. Also, the um I don't know, fire extinguisher. I'm not prepared like I said because he he just reminded me. So,
it's super important. So, we have this process. You can't sell a house in Milville without this process. But in my real estate career, I'm also selling houses now in Salem, uh, Gloucester, Camden, Atlantic counties, Cumberland
County. We are the only city in South Jersey that I know of that you don't have to have an inspection to sell a house. And I don't get it. And and as a realtor, I hate it because it's really
a pain, you know, like you you everything's going well and then they the if you ever had a house inspection when you're buying a house, it's basically the same thing, a little bit easier. But is the roof leaking? Uh, and
then tie this in with rentals as well because I know we have a big problem with rentals in Mobile, but you is is the roof leaking? Is there electrical things that were put in that did the homeowner run electrical stuff
in his house and there's no permit? And and it it it affects all of us. it a it affects all of us homeowners that these things are not being done. So, I'm gonna say eight years ago, 10
years ago, I don't know when, Vineland ripped the band-aid off. They just put in their their inspectors did everything. And again, as a realtor, we hated it. They were going to a house and saying,
"Wait a minute. You have a garage out in your backyard. Where did this garage come from?" They would go back and they check everything for that house, all the permits. It's back to the 50s and they say, "This this garage was never
permitted. No, there's no permits for this garage." And the people would have to pay the the permits. And in there was times they were making people remove the walls from their basement because there was electrical that was put in and no no
permits. Now that sounds extreme. It sounds like I'm being like a wacko, but this is so important for our city and now that it's a congratulations on a new commission, maybe that's something we want to look into. Especially rentals.
The rentals in Mobile are it's it's a ridiculous situation. But uh I'm telling you, there's not a city in South Jersey that I've sold houses where they don't have an inspector come. Gloucester Gloucester
County. It's a county thing. It I don't know why Milville only has the fire department, which is important obviously. So anyway, I have to look at my wife because she tells me when it's time to stop. [laughter] >> Mr. Mullen, thank you. I'm chomping at
the bit to say something. You are talking about an issue that we talked about this week. Uh how we are the only municipality that does not um have a an inspection when we um and you said it probably better than I could have. Uh,
but this is something we are looking into, something we talked about at length this week and it's a direction that we're moving. So, thank you. It's almost I you were talking I just wanted to jump in there with you, but no, you you you nailed it. You nailed it. Thank you.
>> Hi, Cindy Cook, Cedarwood Village. Um, recently it has come to light. Uh, Tom's River had a tragedy. [snorts] A 74 year old woman froze to death in her car. She was homeless.
She was using the car. She had it turned on. It was during the snowstorm. She had the car turned on for heat. She fell asleep. She ran out of gas. I urge all citizens to be aware. If you see something that
doesn't look right, please, please call our local police department so they can investigate. This was just a tragedy. Code Blue began in Cumberland County because a gentleman froze to death in [snorts] a clothing
bin years ago. This shouldn't be happening. We do have centers. That said, we have now experienced the longest stretch of code blue activation
[snorts] to my knowledge since it its inception. I um they are running out of volunteers. They're short staffed. [snorts] I urge anybody that can to volunteer.
Um, all three of the centers, Bridged and Vinand, and Milville, all need volunteers. You can I I lost the phone number just now, but you can contact Sarah Williams at the
Homeless Resource Center in Bridton and she will get you in touch with the directors of each one of those facilities. Thank you. >> Thank you. Debbie Malone, Milville. I'm here
representing the Greater Milville Chamber of Commerce tonight. They don't know I'm doing this, but I just want to remind everybody that next Friday, next Friday, I'm sorry, next Wednesday the 12th, we are hosting the state of the city with the mayor speaking at the Millville Elks. That program will start
at 11:30. I'm proud to say we already have over a hundred people. If you are interested in attending, please go to the Greater Milville Chamber of Commerce website and you'll be able to go online and purchase tickets there. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you,
[snorts] >> Mary Mesa of Milville. Two things. One, to reiterate part of what Cindy Stanganger Cook had stated as far as Code Blue. Very few people
actually understand code blue. Code blue everybody seems to think is just for the homeless. It is not. It is set up specifically for anyone that is in
need of staying out of the weather elements. You could be 70. own your own home. For some odd reason, your heater goes on the fritz for Lord only knows what reason,
you're entitled to go to Code Blue. And on top of that, Code Blue here in Millville when it first started, which I was a part of, and so was Cindy. This code blue here in Millville became
the very foundation and the guideline and the rule book for Code Blue nationwide. So anyone that wants to sit there and say, "Oh, it's just a you're just shelling
out for the sake of it." No, you're actually saving lives. You're helping people. They not only help them stay out of the cold, they also help them get certified to whatever documents they
possibly need, and then go from there. A lot of them, they've been able to get jobs, get back up on their feet, and even return to their families.
So, Code Blue isn't just for homeless. It's for anybody that is in the need of it. And the other thing with the um thing as far as uh going back with u certifications and permits and stuff.
Unfortunately, I found out the hard way. The city of Milville, anything past 50 years, prior to the 50-year mark is not in the archives. So, if doing this,
how would that affect those if it comes out like Mr. Malone had stated that one place they actually made them take out walls? I can testify to that fact that I know
beyond a shadow of a doubt my home here in Millville is not listed in the archives. And that came from when there was an explosion next door to me that
caused part of my house to move in a foot and a half in order to get things fixed. It was searched and found. My house has no
blueprints in the archives. I'd love to know how this new uh ordinance or ruling will affect people like myself. And I thank you again.
>> Thank you, Miss. Uh Mayor Davis, I just have a couple of questions on some of the things that you approved tonight. Uh particularly the uh resolution regarding the purchase of the uh the 250 for 61,000. Is that in addition to the 167,000 or so that you
approved last month last meeting for the clean team or is that part of that? Um, I'm also curious when I is is the clean team program going to have a sunset date or is it going to stop when the funding from uee runs out? Um, I'm concerned
about this. Not that I disagree with the program. I think it's great. Um, but I don't I I don't want to become a service for the city. So meaning that the clean team is going to like certain properties or the railroad tracks continuously cleaning it up and not giving any kind
of violation for the properties that are are not in good condition. Keep in mind that this clean team also like I think you mentioned Miss Reinelloo at the uh work session about the shopping carts and picking up tires. Well, that's going to be an additional cost to the city because the city has to dispose of them.
And that comes in the form of tipping fees. And tires cost another. It's like $3 a tire just to tip just to dump it. And then with the shopping carts, you according to our ordinance, you store it for a while and then you charge a fee to um so where are you going to store it? And then of course you have to either
get it back to the business owner. So maybe could this clean team sign somehow clean up the the issues that are going on continuously like this? And again, it's a great program. I, you know, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but if you're going to have continuous dumping
at a certain property or or or stuff is left in a certain property and the clean team comes around and picks it up, well, you're not correcting the problem. You're someone's now going to go, "Oh, I'm just going to put this on my property. That little clean teeth truck is going to come and pick up my stuff and I don't have to worry about it." And
that's the whole that will defeat the whole purpose of what you want to do. And keep in mind that I really hope that when you guys because this I know you approved the other program with the police again. It's a fantastic program, but keep in mind with the purpose of the UEE funds. It is to reinvest in the city
so you can get money back. When you start putting it money towards this, you're not getting the return. It's a financial return. UEZ is usually used for giving out loans for businesses and things like that or improving their signage so you can get the return back.
It's not to fill holes in your budget. So please don't get into that habit of thinking that because if you have an economic developer now and those uee funds are available that they can grab for UZ funds to give to a small business loan so they can then pay the city back with interest and then of course in
their tax you know the taxes that they pay. Sorry I got a little long-winded on that. The other thing I wanted to mention for the storm, I recall, and I don't remember the exact words, we got there was a Facebook post that came out, I think it was from the OEM that stated if
you lived on a on a road that said uh no parking when snow covers or you will be towed. That's what the Facebook post said. So, I'm curious whether any cars were towed. Now, I live on a state road, so I can't tell you. Um [clears throat] I know the state did not tow any cars,
even though there were parking in no parking areas. So that made it difficult for the state and the poor people got their cars in some cases the snow was over the roof of their cars so it was a little hard for them to dig out. But I was curious if any cars were towed on that. Not that I would like to see that
happen but that's what the Facebook post stated. Um the other thing is and I'm glad Mr. Malone brought up what he did and um I agree with him. As a matter of fact, um I had had discussions with people on the fifth floor about that particular
ordinance because I know that Violin has it. I think it's very important that we start something like that. In addition to that, and I don't know how this works, when you have the yearly inspections for a rental property, um maybe you should uh whoever does the inspection should look at the tax
records to see indeed that it is a multifamily house or to see if it's listed at a single family because it seems that sometimes there's a single family house that gets inspected um and they get the inspection stickers for the rental, but they were never approved,
permitted, gone, you know, got a variance or or whatever to be a um a multi-unit house and they're they're not conforming. So then it becomes a problem or if there is a property that maybe
perhaps sometime let's say in the last 20 25 years that was in front of the zoning board they did got they did get denied. Well, what's happening? And you know, if it's in a commercial zone and they wanted to put in a firstf flooror apartment, let's just say for example, is that property been illegally
converted and is it being inspected as an illegally converted apartment? Um, and that's something that I think that really should be studied because I think a lot of the issues is not the fact that the properties weren't inspecting, it's just people were doing whatever they wanted to do. So, thank you, Mr. Malone,
for bringing that up. And I think that is all. Oh, for the towing A1 towing, where do the cars get towed to? >> To their lot. >> To the police lot. >> No. >> Oh, to A1 lot. >> Yes. >> So there is fees for the person to go
and get their car then. So they have to pay for it. Whatever it may be. >> They have to pay for it, >> right? So who determines what car is to be towed? Is it >> because if it's was an accident or >> it depends totally on the incident. >> Okay. Yeah. So, it wouldn't necessarily be, let's say, a car parked in front of
a hydrant. >> It could. Yes, >> it could be. Okay. So, if they determine it needs to be towed, they'll call A1 and A1 will come and take it away. >> All right. So, it's not like they're, you know, All right. >> Um, and I think that would be Oh, thank you.
>> I'll try to get that answer for you about the cars being towed before the end of the meeting. Actually, after the end of the meeting. >> Good evening, Angeline Broomhall again. Um, some of you know me personally, some of you know me just from standing at this
podium, but I just want to correct who I am. Uh, I've lived in Milville for 23 years, but I'm not from here. So originally, so I tend to have a a more um abrasive way to to me in my tone, but
and I hope that doesn't get misunderstood as a lack of caring or aggression because I might >> You're passionate. >> Yeah, I'm passionate and and I can be abrasive and and it may come across as insulting or whatnot, but that's not my intention. And I just wanted to clarify
that um because not everybody always understands me and and and what my intent is. I've stood at this podium for uh a decade. So I understand that I come across as like the Charlie Brown teacher sometimes
and nobody listens, right? It's just like, "Oh, here she comes again." And I ask that you don't do that because I I have a lot of experience and knowledge. I'm educated. I'm a homeowner and I've seen what happens in these
chambers. I've watched people sit in those seats who really listened and cared and took my comments um and and and continued on and and gave me opportunities to participate in many
levels of what goes on in volunteer things, not just where I am now, but in other things. So try to I ask you to kind of resist that Charlie Brown thing. I I can't change who I am, but I'm asking you to,
you know, change what you hear from me. You know, I I need you guys to be successful. You may think that I'm praying on your downfall, and that's not true because if if you fail, that hurts me, right?
So, um, I wanted to go to the business manager position that we discussed earlier. I again, I've been here. I was here when that position was created. So, I understand what the intent was. And
that's okay that you guys may not or may. I don't know what you guys are aware of, but that should be looked into instead of dismissing what I said because what I said is based on fact and physically being here and not interpretation or not what I thought or
maybe I believe that business manager position was created intentionally for the mayor at the time who was new and inexperienced and the reason given was to run that floor and to help her.
you it's it's in the minutes. Um so now we have another administrator on top of that. Ordinances are laws and I hope that you guys especially at second reading those are hearings. It's
important that we're giving everyone the opportunity to say what they need to say and question during that hearing the reasons for the law or the specifications of that law specifications, excuse me.
And I would expect that you guys are knowledgeable to be able to answer those questions at that time. The I'll get back to you doesn't work on second reading. For the most part, those answers should be readily available and easily answered
in my opinion. Um, I'm very disappointed that I felt four I've never I very rarely see this. You know, you want to encourage the uh public to come and yet you completely dismissed four different residents. That
rarely happens on one resolution. You all had your minds made up, which I do too once in a while, right? I think something. I'm going to discuss something. I'm going to go in and I'm going to complain that my receipt was messed up and I have that idea and then I get in and I hear more and I can
change my mind. You I'm really disappointed. I never expected that from the five of you to truly ignore four residents that had legitimate concerns. You didn't think to table it to answer
those questions to look into it more. There's legal things that were brought up and you dismissed us all. Um, to have a pre-made written statement, Commissioner Kasaboon, with no regard to those four people
shows us that there's no point in me talking here. I am the Charlie Brown teacher. Didn't matter what I had to say. Didn't matter what the other residents had to say. Nobody cares. I'm tired of that. And I wanted you guys
to be something different and it's early. So please consider changing that about about governing because if you want to be open and transparent and you want the public to come here, you have to be open to changing your
mind. You have to be open to considering what we have to say instead of thinking that you know better. We all have something to give. Everybody has something, some experience, education
to to put forward and and I think it was very dismissive tonight for something very very important that me and the fellow residents have to pay for and it was just very insulting on a personal level and and I'm sorry to
make it personal, but that's exactly what it felt like. So, thank you for allowing me to speak. >> Thank you, Miss Bral. Hi, Laura Burns. Um, I'm still stuck on the three months. I know it's passed and it's done and over with, but could we just get some
type of explanation on why he's getting three months salary? Because the way I'm reading it, it's in the event of the removal of the city administrator administrator. I don't think the intent of the statute was Indian that he's transitioned to a title with a higher
salary and still gets three months. If I if you could just provide explanation, you or maybe the city attorney explain what the because the statute says something different as far as removal. It has nothing to do about transitioning. So, I'm taking it as a removal. He would get three months if
he's removed and no longer employed. He would get three m months, whatever. But he's going from one title to another title and I believe he's making more money than he is now in the new title. So why is he getting the three months? I please explain that to me. Thank you.
>> I'll jump in on this one. Mr. Couchy, as part of statutoily the ordinance says that if he is removed from his position as business administrator, he's entitled to three months severance. he has transitioned to
um director of economic development. He is going to be afforded that three-month severance if he um is removed from that position. So, we're just taking the three-month severance that he was afforded stat, you
know, per the ordinance and moving it to the end of the current title he's in. He's not getting a check. We're not cutting him a check. He's just getting a a severance which he was removed from being a BA. He's entitled to three-month
severance and now he's moving to economic development. So, he just has he's afforded a three-month severance on the [clears throat] tail end of that [snorts] position whenever it happens. Uh if it's two years from now, three years from now, um five years from now, 10 years
from now, he will get three month severance at the end of his tenure as economic uh development. All right, I'm going to close the uh public uh portion of the comments. Um let's move
on to comments of commissioners. Commissioner Reella, >> um I just wanted to address um Cindy and Mary. Um thank you for always coming up and advocating for Code Blue. Uh Mr. Malone, thank you for sharing your insight as a realtor and your experiences.
Mr. Cordy, thank you for expressing your concerns. Uh, Miss Davis, you had a list of questions from me. I'm hoping I could address them now. Um, so, as you know, the clean team was introduced during the previous, you know, administration. I fully supported it then. I still fully
support it now. Uh, it's it's no surprise uh that I, you know, I ran my campaign off cleaning up this city. That that's what was, you know, one of the biggest things to me. and uh I want to use this tool to get there. As far as the shopping carts go, uh we do have an
ordinance as you mentioned, it hasn't been amended uh for close to 25 years. Uh there's been a lot of changes since that time in terms of storage. Uh what buildings have gone, what buildings are here. Uh we're going to have to collectively look at that and uh discuss
ideas that relate to storage and enforcement and maybe we might have to tweak that. Um, anything that's picked up is going into the trash truck just like debris is collected from our parks. We're already doing this. Uh, it's just a strain on
streets and roads, on parks, on everybody that's finding trash all over the place and it's actually keeping them from doing other stuff. So instead of uh you know calling Wayne or calling Sam or calling whoever and taking them off of what they're doing, now we have a team
that's dedicated to removing the carts that were already being removed to removing the tires or whatever junk is laying all over the place that we don't want to see anymore. Um, and I'm hoping that we collect we collectively see
improvements a lot quicker because this team is it's a team of two uh two individuals uh who I we don't know who they are yet. Uh but they're going to be completely dedicated to this. Uh people are going to dump unfortunately. I don't I don't think that this is going to
encourage people to dump because I think that uh Mayor Dixon and I are definitely going to discuss ideas for enforcement when it comes to dumping. um collectively we are all on board to visually seeing something um that's going to be better for the city. So,
thank you. Um and I think that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Reinelloo, Commissioner Taylor. >> Again, Cindy and and Mary, thank you for being uh here every week. Everybody that's here every week, it's important
to us. Um Mr. Cardi, I've known you for a long time, right? Would you be willing to meet and sit down and share your knowledge on the brine and and that kind
of stuff and, you know, knowledge for, you know, ideas for the roadway because I think it's I think it's important because I do know that you've worked in that particular thing for a good number of years. Good number of years. Um, so
you know, I I'm going to get together with and and see what we can work out there because I I I think you have some knowledge to give and uh we need it. Um, Miss Broomhall, I've heard you tonight. I apologize if you think that we aren't
listening. Um, I've known you for a good many years from here, you know, and from the police department. Um, I I like the resident's passion. Um, everybody that comes up here that has ideas and
comments, we, you know, we take them good or bad. It doesn't matter. You know, I write stuff down. I I try to get, you know, what I can um straightened out. It's important to me that, you know, we listen to each and every one of you that come to that
podium. I don't care if you come to that podium every meeting, twice during the meeting, just keep coming because we can't govern to an empty room. We We need people. And tonight is probably one
of the biggest meetings I've seen in a while attendance-wise and it's great. It's absolutely great. >> That's all I have, Mayor. >> Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Commissioner Kman, >> I just want to piggyback on what Sherman
said. We do respect everything that you say to us and it's learning for us, too, because we now know how you feel and I have to thank you all for that. Um, Miss Brooml, I have learned so much by listening to you and being critiqued and
and that's okay because I grow. That's how we all grow with the residents. We need the residents. So I appreciate everything that they everybody has. I don't take it personally. I really truly don't. It's good to know that you are
think thinking and helping us think too. So again, I just respect all of you for coming up. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kasamoon. Vice Mayor Cot. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Uh once again, um a lot of good
things said today. We do care. I I know sometimes you think that we don't. I know you said there's four residents that you think we dismissed and we don't. Um there's also 30 phone calls we get too. So let's not
forget, you know, there are other residents who is asking that might have difference opinions of you as well, right? And we listen to all of you. You don't, one thing you might not see is um our new municipal administrator, which none of you guys really know intimately,
takes every question back and figures he he goes into your questions and figures out how we can make things better based on your questions. So even though we don't have answers for you now, you may not see some of the the difference you
made immediately uh because you just don't see how that man is working behind the scenes. Um and Tamara was a great example. The first meeting people didn't even know he was here. second meeting. He's already
answering some of her questions that she didn't probably didn't even realize he wrote down from the previous meeting because he wasn't even our administrator at that time. He watches off these things. He takes notes and he goes, "Hey," and he's trying to learn your names without even you guys knowing it. Hey, I really want to know who this
person named because at that meeting she had four great points and we can change on that. So, we can't show you outwardly. It's hard at this little time to show you how much we care. And and I I know you said you weren't feeling
insulting by looking at us and telling us we don't care. Uh but that's okay. That's your, you know, your opinion. You can think we don't care and I still respect you from saying different things about me negatively, but that's okay, you know. Um but I do. I do. And
some of you guys who got up there, me and that person, I think, talked for an hour and a half yesterday, you know, and and we battled back and forth on some things and we talked things out and, you know, I'm never going to throw Tim under the bus, but you know, we had some conversations and and Tim has just
like you guys, he has no problem telling us, yo, I don't agree anything you say. Um, but we have that that respect for each other and we even called each other back. He's like, "Rick's not going to call me back today after that conversation." But we did, right? Um,
so we do care and we do talk to a lot more people than you think we do. Um, these decisions have been vetted by lawyers um, who's looked into those exact ordinances and giving us their advice. I have not drafted a single resolution or ordinance. I've only been here three
meetings, but um, I will never draft an ordinance or resolution without legal review and legal advice. So whether we agree with their opinion, um that's who we rely on. Um that's who we believe, you know, that gives us advice that that
can help us. Now, maybe they're wrong sometime soon. That could be very well possible. Um but I do like it. I I do like that that the people are here. Um co code blue, we could talk about all day. I wish you had the numbers how many consecutive days because I wake up every morning and my wife gets tired of it.
I'm like, it's negative4 again. Um, and it's been like weeks. >> Is it like 52 days now straight? >> I think >> Sherman's calling you out. Not me, Cindy. So,
>> it's like 52 days, right? >> It's been about a month. >> Yeah, I think it's like 52 days now. I think I sold >> the email. It's going to be activated still again all next week. I think I saw something for Denise that uh it's it's going on 50 days.
>> We've never had it like this and I've been a part I I began at the very beginning in 2015 January with it. It's never been like this and it's they need more volunteers all of the
facilities. Um, >> I just got word today just a little bit ago the Bridgeston one is closed today. So, be aware they're they had a plumbing issue. So, if anybody is out that way
and you see somebody out on the street or whatever, call the police. The police will pick them up and take them somewhere or help them. >> Okay. >> Don't let them freeze. Don't let them freeze. We can't have any more deaths like that. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for all you
do, right? And everybody there. They're all volunteers. U but like I said, I I I we do treasure you guys getting up here and talking. Um even if it's not, you know, we know, Angela, listen, we know how you you've told us countless of
times, you're not here to don't take your voice to mean something different than it is, right? Um you come from compassion and so does everybody that gets up to the mic. Nobody's coming here and nor do nor do we look at you as though you're coming here. you're you're coming here to be passionate. Um as well
you should be, right? You're residents of this city. So I once again I just want to thank everybody that comes out here. Um please continue. We have some great employees here. Um we are taking everything you do. I have five pages from tonight that goes back. Um our municipal administrators already
probably wheels are turning about taking some of your advice and improving the city. So thank you. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor Khan. I don't know where to start. Um, I have a bunch of notes and are all over
the place. I'm going to do my best to uh kind of take you guys through a little journey with our thought process. Um, let me say this first. I know I'm pretty
certain that there probably hasn't been a commission that spent so much time down at city hall. And I can't tell you exactly what it was like before we got there, but I spend at least 30 hours a week on the third floor on the other, you know, in addition to my 40-hour job,
in addition to me teaching at college, in addition to me being at school. So, I've I'm, you know, they have, you know, all everybody's heard burning the candle at both ends. I am burning the candle at every end and in the middle. And why do I do it? I do it for the
city. Now, if anybody has questions in in the future, if you're curious what our thought processes are, there is on the phone tree a phone tree for the mayor.
Call me and I will take you exactly through where we are in my thought processes. Where are we? We wrestle with these decisions. And I think I get the feeling almost that you you I don't know what the other commissions are like or
how decisions were made, but we wrestle with these things. We talk them out. We go back and forth. We look at alternatives. We look at uh what we want to do and what we want to try to do. And um it's we really spend I I don't know what you spend probably close to 30 hours a week as well. I know Sherman,
you're there all the time as well. not at the same time in the same room, but we work we work very hard um easily 30 hours a week that that we're in there. Now, I want to go back a little bit
during the campaign and during, you know, before the election, two themes were everpresent in every conversation I had. One was public safety and the other was
economic development. Those were the two overriding themes of almost every citizen I talked to. We've got to get the city safer and we've got to get economic development because it's the key to affording everything that we need in the city. Without those two things, we can't
accomplish anything. We all want safer places and we all want a place that's thriving economically. And what the city was doing before we got on board obviously wasn't working. It's why the five of us were elected.
There's nobody in this room and very few people in the city that can really stand up and say that what was happening in this city for whatever reason was working. It wasn't.
Now I want to address Mr. Couchi specifically, a lot of uh a lot of things that one of the citizens said was taken directly from the written speech. Now, that was a probably a fourth draft
and Mr. Cot looked at it with me and he said, "You got to tone this down a little bit." [laughter] I tend to >> Yes, I just looked it up. I'm I'm sorry, ma'am. The the time for open comment.
I'm sorry. Time >> time for open open comments is over. We'll we'll talk. The original draft of what I wrote was a lot more descriptive in where we came from as far as the
city. When I was elected, I started coming into city hall and I started s know knowing I would be in public affairs. I started sitting with Mr. Couchy almost on a daily basis. I got to know very intimately what he did, how
much his workload was and the problems he was having and what his value was. He's not somebody that I knew prior to this. Uh I got to know him after the election. didn't know who he was and I got to know very well exactly what he
brings to the table. From November 4th on, from November 4th on, I made it a mission, and I think everybody here can can tell you, I made it a mission to go to lunch or meet with anyone who would
listen, anybody that could help the city out. My first stop was to the Cumberland County Improvement Authority. How can you help the city out? Whether you like Jerry Velasquez or not, they have something to offer.
I took my time and I think I probably went to lunch three or four times a week with someone who I think could help the city. The one thing that happened through that process was people started flooding to the city with
ideas for business, with ideas for development. And I think Mr. Couchy would agree that there's been quite an uptick in since the election in economic activity. I know what Mr. couch he does on a daily basis because I have a
timestamped thing what he does minuteby minute throughout the whole course of the day. I have a project list that he keeps for me and I know what projects he's working on mostly projects that didn't exist before November 4th. It's a
lot. There is no way that Mr. Bitterman and Mr. Couchy that could be one position. I'm certain of it. That is two separate positions. And as as we talk to people about
economic development, people want economic development. Is it a lot of money? Yeah, it's a lot of money. It's a lot of work. I'm going to be asking a lot from Mr. Couchy. Evenings, you know, special events. He is, you know, we joke
and I I said that Mr. Couch is going to be the concierge of economic development in this city. He's going to know everything. He's going to be involved in everything. He's going to be the face of economic development. That is a return on investment.
I pay him $300,000 a year. That's how valuable he is going to be to this city. And it's not because I like him. It's not because he's my uncle. It's because I feel he has that much value to the city in what in the direction that we're
heading. It's that important to me. And I almost feel like, you know, when we listen to some comments, I almost feel like perhaps maybe you're imprinting past commissions on us where people wouldn't show up at city hall. They would barely
know what's going on. They would vote on things that they didn't know what they were voting on. Trust me, we all know what's going on at city hall because we spend a lot of time there and we talk about these things
to a lot of hours. I mean, it's a lot of discussion that we have on these things. I fully believe that Mr. Couchy is going to be worth I think he is a bargain for us.
I really do. Now, I want to get back to my rough draft. I know looking back at and I'm going to apologize to Mr. Couchy. Looking back at the the written speech, the uh speech, the
prepared speech that I gave it reading it back, it almost looks like I'm saying Mr. Couchy was not competent. And I regret that a lot because if you look at the first draft,
it gives a lot of context to reasons why Mr. Couchy wasn't able to perform. And I and I didn't want to mention other commissioners in the past by name.
And I wanted to I wanted to make sure that I want to make sure that everybody understands that Mr. Couch's removal from the position is not Mr. Couch's fault.
Mr. Couchi was was not allowed to do his job the way that he should have been able to do it. And I can blame one commissioner. I'm not going to say the name. He was not given the authority. He was
not given the tools. He was purposely undermined. And I believe now he's in a position where he can really flourish. And I have all the confidence in the world in him. Um like I said, it's a return on
investment. There is so much and I know what Mr. Bitterman has to tackle on a daily basis from the moment he walks in till the moment he leaves. He is nobody's sitting around playing solitary on a computer. That's for sure. There's a lot to do and I'm almost when every
time I walk into city hall I go home and tell my wife I said I could spend all night there into the next day all week and I wouldn't even start to touch half of the issues that are there. And I want I know how to say I want we
we are very well informed in what's going on down at city hall and we're working our butts off to make it better. We really are. And when people use this word a lot entrusted,
the base of that word is trust. We have been entrusted by the public. You have trusted us to make what we think are the best opinions. Not that we can't hear your opinions. We're listening. But we have spent a lot
of time talking about these things that we everything that we do. If you have questions, call me up. I pe people come into my How many times do you see people in my office citizens that they pop in and I pop out and I say, "Hey, come on in. Let's talk."
and I will sit down with you and I will tell you where we are. If you have a question, I'll answer it. As long as I can answer it, I'll answer it. Um, I'll sit with anybody that wants to come in. If you're upset and you want and and you want an answer on something, I'll get you an answer. I'm here 30 hours a week.
Feel free to pop in and we'll talk about it. If I don't know, I'll grab Vice Mayor. I'll say, "Hey, Vice Mayor, come on in. Help me out with this one." But there's please engage with us. You know it engage with us at any point in the
process that you want and uh I welcome it. I I I've had three or four people in my office this week with problems with questions and I'm happy to give answers. So engage early and uh
come on in. Give me a call. I'll schedule you in and we'll talk about it. And that's all I have to say about that. >> All right. And with that, I would like a motion to adjurnn. >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
>> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Kaspoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. With that, we are adjourned.