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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're just adding a resolution authorizing special assessment of municipal leans for

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certain properties incurred by Millville relating to cut and clean. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, if there are any public comments on agenda items only, please come to the podium, state your name and address and state your concerns. Please limit your comments to

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5 minutes. Know about I'm speaking on this new statement that is said both for this comment and also for the ending comment. Since this is about the agenda, my question is during the campaign campaign

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some of you and even after being elected stated that this commission will be the most open and transparent commission in the city has ever seen. With that in mind, why are res why are resolutions and ordinances not attached to the work session agenda?

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So the public can review them while they're being discussed. The issue has been raised several meetings ago, yet it has been not addressed or resolved. Transparency requires giving the public access to the same information the commission is reviewing in real time,

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not after decisions are already moving forward or discussions. I'm asking again for clarity on why this information is not being provided and when will this practice be corrected? Because right now with them not being

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attached, the ones that are sitting up front that ran on all this, you're not fulfilling your election or your campaign obligations to the residents and it's not fair. >> Thank you, Mr. Cardi. Um,

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all right. Seeing no one else at the podium, I will close the public comment portion on agenda items only. Uh, madame clerk, shall we move to discussions of commissioners? Yes, there is one discussion item, an ordinance amending Milville Code Chapter

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30, land use and development regulations for signs to permit digital message board signs under limited circumstances. >> I'm going to start off on this um because I kind of got this ball rolling. I know our administrator wants to say a few words, but um

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handling uh the department that's responsible for zoning and planning. Um, we get very often we've had many people come to us saying, "We would like to upgrade our sign um to a we'd like to come from the a 1927 sign where we put

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up the little black letters and someone climbs up on a ladder and you know it's an 80-year-old person that does it." And um, so it's been probably six or seven people. But the way it was before, if you wanted to upgrade to a digital message sign, you would have to go in front of this zoning board. It's very

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expensive. um you got to get an attorney. So, we want to be, as always, we want to be friendly to business that's in the town. And what I think this um this ordinance does well is it really this tried to they tried to do this a number of years ago. And they

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basically just said, "Oh, you can have digital signs." And it wasn't narrow enough. And it failed because it wasn't narrowed down enough to really control what was going to happen with digital signs. Um, this basically what it boils down to is it boils down to if you have

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a sign that is a already existing sign, you can upgrade it to the exact same size, same dimensions, same everything in the same place from a analog, for lack of a better term, to a digital sign. Um, and it's all spelled out

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pretty clear. I'm not going to go through exactly. I can give you guys can all take copies of this and take a look at it. you probably already looked and uh it goes through exactly how big, where at, which zones it's in, um where it's allowed. And I think they this was

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we worked on this very hard with uh Louardy and uh Chris Dochney from the pl our planning board attorney and our planner and this went back and forth no less than five or six different times and till we really nailed it down. We worked very hard on this. This was

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something that uh I've worked on for probably about three months. So, it was it was finally came together and I think, you know, this is up for discussion because if there's anything here that we've missed and it's good to have our zoning chairman here. If there's something we've missed, um,

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bring it up because we want this to be right. Um, so if it's if there's something we're missing or something that should be turned a little bit, I think it's a pretty good ordinance. Um, so if anybody wants to uh jump in and talk about this, I'll let our administrator say uh some words here if

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he would like, but uh we work very hard on this and I think we've covered all the bases and uh happy to take uh comments definitely at the end. And if have you seen this yet? No. Okay. Um I'll make sure you can have a copy when

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you uh so >> how's the public going to say it if the attachments aren't on the agenda? there. I mean, nobody's nobody's seen it. >> I don't control that. But >> okay, >> you're talking about in the next five days they won't be able to see it.

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>> Well, he just >> The mayor just asked, "Have you seen it?" How could somebody see it if it's not public? >> I thought he was talking to us. >> He the chairman of the zoning board. I'm not I don't think any of us are the chairpeople of the zoning board. >> So, I'm sorry, Mr. Bman.

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>> Yeah, that's I'm going to open I'm going to open the floor, Mr. Bitterman. as far as what goes on the uh as far as the the process that Mr. Cardi talked about uh with the work session, we can talk about that uh toward the end if we like, but let's stay focused on um what's at hand

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and we we can add that on to the end and have a discussion on what we want to do as about as far as uh adding uh ordinances. I don't have a problem with that. I think that would be just fine. Um I don't think anybody has a problem with that. So um Mr. Mr.

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So, the only thing I wanted to add from an ordinance perspective and part of the discussion, the the ordinance does account for the amount of signage that a uh a property can have, when it can operate, the way that it rotates its

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information through on a cycle, size, and where it can be placed in relation to like a residential zone. So, there's a lot to be kind of fine-tuned there, but other than that, you covered everything else. >> Yeah. I didn't want to go through all the little details of it. It would bore

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anybody sitting here. Maybe not the zoning chairman. She This is what she lives for. Uh because she's the zoning chairman. That's that's what she she enjoys. Um but yeah, there's a lot of good stuff in here. And uh yeah, if you'd like to engage with me after I give you a copy of this, give me a call. We can talk about what you think about

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this. I'd be happy to hear what you have to say. But this was worked on by Lou Gardy who looked at lots of other um ordinances from other cities. Um and they they re really they took a long time much longer than I wanted them to but this is three months in in the in

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process now and we're not ready to vote on this is not something we're voting on. >> Did Justin White look at this as well? >> Justin White has not. This is this is uh Chris Dochney and Lou Gardy are planning attorney and our planner. I guess my only like at this moment my only

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trepidation at one point I did sit on that board. Um and I'm I'm a big if it ain't if it ain't broken don't fix it kind of person. Um I've never seen an issue with anybody going for a variance in front of the zoning board. Personally

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>> I think um the only problem with that is uh cost involved. I mean, if you have a church that wants to upgrade to a sign and it's going to cost them uh $1,800 for the application and the getting the

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attorney and it's a a process that is we came in here looking to streamline things for businesses. That's the goal. So, if every time somebody wants to do something that is uh kind of a slam dunk that we would allow, they have to go through the process of going through a a

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planning or a zoning board. Uh, and we can eliminate that in a smart way. I don't know why we would want to do that. >> I hear what you're >> saying. So, so to answer you, yes, it's broken and we're fixing it. >> I guess my concern here is that it effectively removes uh the necessity of

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our boards. >> On this very on this very narrowed >> I mean, that's their job. That's what they >> Yeah. But there's lots of things that the zoning officer approves without going through the zoning um without going through zoning the zoning board. Okay. >> She has a whole list of things that she

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goes through. That's the It's the municipal code. That's what she does. She makes determinations without taking everything to the zoning board. And we're streamlining this for the people. That's all we're doing. We're not the the system is broken. If somebody wants to take a a 1932 sign that they put

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these little black letters on and they want to upgrade it to the exact same sign, why should they have to go through the rigamroll of going through zoning meetings and attorneys and all that? We want to make it easy for them. And then I just long term, you know, we're just discussing this long term, would that be

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a code enforce? Like who who would oversee this to make sure that people went through the, you know, the process of doing what they need to do and it's the right >> it's the right size. It's the right everything. >> That would have to be taken to the zoning officer for approval. >> So every time >> So zoning off that's what she does.

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That's what she every time somebody wants to do something, they go to the zoning officer. That's the first step here. So, is this going to be brought to Justin's attention for feedback as well or >> um we can't this is this is an item for discussion, right? >> So,

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>> Mayor Dixon, that's why I was asking if >> this is Yes, this is a this is an item for discussion that you I want you to look at and if you have any feedback on a substitive uh as far as what this is, we would love to hear it. >> Sure. >> So, this is not for new signs. This is for somebody that already has an

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existing sign that wants to update. Correct. >> All right. So, that's what we're Okay. >> That's what we're talking about. >> A new sign, they would have to go through the the the board >> depending on Yes. where they would want it. This this outlines everything. So, this is something that uh as you guys take a look at this uh we're not voting

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on it on the next meeting. This is something that wouldn't get voted on at the very earliest >> until our second meeting in uh our second meeting in uh >> So, just to be clear, existing signs, this would only because the public hasn't seen this. So I'm trying to explain what this says.

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>> So this would be for existing. >> But we're not voting on this today, but this is for our discussion. Right. Okay. >> Yes. For this I think it is just for those that already have existing signs, right? >> That want to update. >> So going forward, somebody who wants a new sign,

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>> a new business, new sign has to just like they do with anything they do, they have to come to the So I'll give you an example. Somebody wants to do a salon on High Street. they have to go to Excel Excel and say can I do this here >> just if somebody opens a new business

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the sign will be part of what they want to do and it gets looked at by itself and it sells has to go through and uh if there's needs a variance we go to the zoning board if it needs to be planned out it goes to the planning board okay >> um that that process is not being eliminated this is just streamlining it

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for people who already if you have a 4x4 sign already and you want to take it from a 1930 technology to 2000 26 technology you can. It's all it does. >> But as always, we want feedback and uh

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we would like to hear uh you know more feedback once you get a chance to take a look at this. Have you read through this? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Do you have any comments based on what you've read? >> I just made them. >> What's that? >> I just made them. >> Oh no. I mean as far as substantive uh what you've read about the details on

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here, I mean you you you talked about process. Do you have any uh comments regarding the substance of the ordinance? >> No, I just want feedback from the lawyers and stuff. >> Okay. >> I haven't seen any of that. So >> Okay.

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>> Anyone else have uh feedback on the uh >> No. In fact, I I'm excited that we still have 30 days to review this. I think definitely gives the public and us plenty of chance. >> Absolutely. I two readings on this, so it's not like this is being flung at the

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public as a surprise. is I wanted this to get put on for exactly this reason. You know, nobody's trying to We talked about transparency a few a few minutes ago and I think putting this on as a item of discussion rather than a first reading or anything like that does

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exactly what people may have been complaining about a few minutes ago. So, that's why I put it on there. Um I want everybody to see it. Um it was worked hard on. This is kind of a first draft. Um, and everybody's going to get the chance to take a look and give their concerns, and that's what I think

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everybody wants. >> All right. >> I like it because it it brings businesses that might have older older signs, older technologies a a little bit into the into the present, you know, you know, to dress

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things up, so to speak, you know. Um, the technolog is out there. the school system already has it, you know, and those signs look great. I mean, you know, and just like you said, churches would be good for churches, you know, that way they don't have to go out every Sunday and and change the board. They

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can do it by computer or whatever. Um, different clubs, different like the Elks, you know, the Elks sign is is older and, you know, stuff like that. I think it's a good I think it's a good ordinance. Um, I did read it over and uh >> I think it touches on a lot of the

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things, you know, size and and all of that, you know, >> size, illumination, how long the messages can stay on there, how long the messages, what how the messages go from message to message. Um, it takes a lot of safety. So, they looked at a lot of ordinances and I think they came up with

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a pretty good draft and uh we're still looking, but this is a first draft that we're uh looking at for, you know, just so we can talk about it. And like m like the vice mayor said um we still have 30 days where um changes can can be made to this. So I think this is exactly what uh

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the public wants to see from us. They want to see you know what's going on and uh they still have plenty of time to make there's still one two three four five six opportunities for someone to come up to that podium

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and talk about this ordinance. So that's I don't think anybody has an excuse if they don't like what they see. They have six more times they can come to the podium between now and this if it were to eventually pass. So that's a great thing. It's a great thing for the people. It's a great thing for the city.

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Anybody else? All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's move on to ordinances for a second reading. >> An ordinance authorizing a coin drop for Lawrence Township EMS on August 1st and 2nd, 2026.

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This is the second reading for this. Uh it's just the standard coin drop um application and process for the uh for the standard busy intersection that everybody uses. Um

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it's pretty cut and dry. >> As previously stated, Miss Cruz has all the insuranceances for the city. It's all done. >> Very good. Ordinances for first reading, an ordinance to add a handicap parking spot

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at 323 South South Third Street. >> Again, this is the standard uh permitting process for a handicap spot. Um it needs to go through the readings and approvals. >> An ordinance to amend the salary ordinance of the city of Milville and to

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enact certain other sections. So, yeah, I I didn't know if the administrator was going to talk about this. So, uh the personnel director went through all the city or all the salaries and there's a lot that needed to be cleaning cleaned up. Uh some of the minimums were too low. They just don't

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match the contract. Some were uh outdated and were below minimum wage as you see. Some of them might say or current minimum wage um because they're very close. um some of the max weren't correct. So, she tried to go through as many, so they're all cleaned up and

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added. Um she took a lot of time doing it, so I appreciate it. She has been she's been a rock star since she's come aboard and uh Thank you. >> I was just going to say that, Vice Mayor. She's done a tremendous job um so far, and this is a lot of work. We were talking about this a couple weeks ago,

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and she told me she was in the middle of doing all this, and uh yeah, it's great work. She's trying to get through a lot of things and just update them and and uh >> wherever you guys found her, you did a great job. >> Kudos. I like that she's looking into

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the future for, you know, possibilities of things ahead of time so that, you know, we don't have to continually open and shut this and, you know, bring it forward every single time we need to change a salary or something like that, >> you know, or a new title or anything

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like that. It's just it's a It's looking into the future and it's progress. I like it. >> Absolutely. All right, madam clerk. Shall we move to resolutions? >> Resolution item number one, resolution appointing municipal attorney. >> Basically, this is from July 1st to

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December 31st. Uh it is a direct reference to that guy over there. Uh basically it's 180k for the year 60k from January 1st to June 30th as already the balance is not to exceed 120.

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>> Um just I I'm just jing what you just said. So we had the original because I thought it was I thought it was a typo. So we had the original right in January that was 60 uh for the year

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>> uh not you know and it was also broken down by hourly rate. Um and then this says 180 for July 1st to December 31st for six months. >> That was a mistake on the original that

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we caught when we were doing our working sessions. So it's 12 the rest of the year with the 60 being the original six months. >> So it's 120k now >> correct >> for the six months. >> Okay.

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>> Can I see the amended resolution? >> I thought somewhere it did say the total annual compensation but I could be wrong. That was my understanding. It was adjusted to reflect that the total annual would be 180. And the only my

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understanding and again I had this conversation with the staff today that and to be candid um I am not a CFO and I nor am I a municipal CFO but I understand that in

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this process um you need to have a certification of funds available. Correct. So the way it was done is that for the first six months they put a certification of funds

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to at 60 and then they're to make this clean and easy they're going to do a certification of funds for 120 for a total compensation not to exceed the 180 without without authority from the governing body. >> Correct. >> And that will break down hourly rate as

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well because before we had an hourly rate I don't see >> the hourly rate. So when I was asked to come in roughly six and a half months ago when the conversations were started

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um it was late December and there was an issue. The issue was that under the statute, I was not even if I wanted to be able to attend the reorganization on January 3rd because

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the job was not offered to me until >> right >> I want to say the 28th, 29th, 30th of December. Um, so I had to file certain certifications with the clerk's office to be compliant

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with uh the state law when it comes to the open and fair process. I did that, but it required a 10day lag. So if you recall the ordinance that was passed, I believe it was January 19th or 20th

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somewhere. My memory is probably Yeah, probably the 19th. >> Yeah, it was June 30th. Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> I think >> that was passed um at that time to bring me on as the deputy, but they also

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appointed Mr. Russell to continue for another six months. >> Part of the problem was part of the issue was that there was no way you were going to be able to get a transition uh in three days, four days, whatever.

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And to further compound that problem, um, unbeknownst to me at the time, but I subsequently learned that all of the solic files were paper. Um, there wasn't it wasn't like they were in the cloud, searchable, and I

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could get the password from the from the city IT department and go in and kind of pick that up where it's going. So I explained that issue to uh you the governing council and I think the decision was made to extend Brock

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for a period of up not to exceed 6 months. In that time frame I would have him as a reference to be able to go back and make sure that we weren't missing anything and that court dates weren't falling through the gaps etc. I had

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agreed at that time um to a rate that was sub a submarket rate of $225 an hour because there was going to be an added cost to keep Mr. Russell

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on board going forward. Um I did not the the the extension of the period to him of six months was not in my purview. I don't think I needed six months. for that transition. I definitely know I

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needed more than two to three. It's my understanding that um for a lack of a better term, there was a gentle person's agreement that Mr. Russell would step down um when he was

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no longer needed. Um whether or not, you know, obviously that did not happen. Um but uh so the propos so his term ended the 30th I

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>> went Tuesday. Uh so you need to have a solicitor appointed and this is what resolution does. The the rate that I had discussed uh with the business administrator was a rate of $275 an hour going forward with the total cost not to

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exceed $180,000 for the year. Um, candidly, I discussed with the administrator, it's very difficult for me to judge what that number ultimately at the end of the year is going to look like. Um, just because

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it's a new administration and it's hard for me to gauge, but that's why lawyers typically do it on a timely materials, an hourly rate, as opposed to another form. Um I I'm pretty comfortable that I'll be able to do it. You know, be able

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to deliver the service that that you want and need. Um to be again candid with this group, um I might have underestimated the amount of time and attention that

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the city would need from their lawyer when I first signed on. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to do the job. I make whatever arrangements I need to make sure that I I do as good a job uh for you. But um

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you know this is a uh given the nature and makeup of the way things are in the city, this is a big job. Um and it may not it may not be outwardly apparent to an observer on the outside. Uh but I can

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assure you that when you get in and you now are you know you are inside looking out the the view is very very very different. Um so I talked to uh to the administrator about the fact that I wanted to make

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sure that uh my goal is to be a more costeffective opportunity for the city than what you had previously with a full-time solicitor. And if I can get this done at under $180,000, there's going to be significant cost

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savings to the city. That's what that's what his compensation was previously. But the difference is you don't pay payroll taxes by by me being an independent contractor. I don't there's no pension contribution and there's no

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healthcare. So, uh that that was the nature. You know, I I just gave you a summary of my understanding of how we got to where we are. >> Okay. Um you just one more thing. You specified contractor and in the language

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in here it says employee. >> I'm sorry. Where are you? Uh >> um now now therefore be it resolved. It should be uh it should be instead of officer and employee, it should be the firm because

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you're appointing not me as the individual but my uh law firm to do that. And that is something that I have done in all of my municipal contracts since they changed the law regarding pension contributions

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for uh for lawyers. There was a time when if I was acting as the solicitor for the city of Milville, there would be a pension contribution made based on my salary. They did away with that. So to make it clear that I am not acting in as

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an employee but it is the law firm that you've taken on. Um that's the way I've done that and uh pretty standard there were when the law was changed there were some attorneys who felt that they were going to get around that and they continued to be employed.

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Right. >> I'd have to be a full-time employee of the city in order to qualify for that. Um, >> we probably can take that out because right underneath of it, it says professional contract. >> Yeah. >> So, it does state your firm.

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>> Yeah. I mean, if you look at the whereas I mean, that was intentional. It's that wasn't by accident that it appoints the firm as opposed to me individually. >> Catch. >> Thank you.

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Resolution authorizing tax and utility adjustments. I'm >> I'm sorry. Did I answer? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Is it just a standard uh monthly tax and utility adjustments for water and sewer?

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Um that comes through every year. Anybody have any questions? >> Resolution authorizing water and sewer termination. So, we've had this the last couple of commissioner meetings. This is the same list that we had uh from six months ago.

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We're just adding more to the uh the list in order to be terminated. Termination date is at the end of the month. I believe the date is the 27th >> and these I believe are now 6 months past. That is correct. >> Resolution authorizing the submission of

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a strategic plan for the Millville Municipal Alliance Grant to the Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder Fiscal year 2027. So this particular um resolution basically this this system or this program has existed in the city uh over

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the last couple years but it's basically uh supporting or funding the existing programs to fight substance abuse. >> If I'm not mistaken I believe uh does Joe Sleman still run that? >> That is correct. >> Yes, he does.

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He has been doing a great job with that. He's >> done that for a long time. >> Long time. Long time. >> Resol. >> Sorry. Resolution appointing contact person to access the GIF employment practices liability helpline.

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>> All right. So, this is a big one. It's a oneliner on an agenda item. Over the last couple of years, um the calls to the employment or employee attorneys or employment attorneys has been astronomical.

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The GIF has offered a free service with this helpline for I don't know how long, over at least five to seven years. The same lawyers that we've been paying in order to answer questions we could have accessed for free using this line. So

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what we're going to do is basically enact this this is our first line of legal counsel and any employee or external related uh legal issue then we'll get the direction from here

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but this should be a continuing cost savings from some of the expenses we've had over the last couple years. >> Wow. It's been five to seven years available >> I believe so. Yeah. And it's it's the exact same attorneys

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that we would have relied on for other issues. It it actually ties in with them. It's just another fund is paying for them, not the city >> and it's un like it could be unlimited. >> There's no limit. >> There's no limit. >> Okay. All right. >> But it's HR's first line of contact.

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>> Contact. Okay. >> Um Mr. um administrator, do we have a cost on what what it cost us in real dollars. I don't know if you went back and looked on what it cost us when

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our attorneys were being accessed in this capacity. >> The data is available. I can get that for you. Yes, >> I would like to know it maybe sometime between now and the next meeting. Um, I know we're both on vacation, but uh would really love to know what the real

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costs were when people were just picking up phones and calling attorneys before using this free service. >> Yeah. >> Resolution appointing fund commissioner and alternate fund commissioner to the Southern Coastal Regional Employee

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Benefits Fund. So, what we're doing here is for for the pension and benefits, we're appointing Karen Rivera, our head of HR, and Stacy Banks, who is uh very involved with benefits into these positions. They've

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been handling 100% of the issues that have been coming in for a long time now. This just removes a layer uh which is me out of the way and gives them direct access to handling the issues that are impacting employees or retirees.

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>> As a retiree, I look forward to that change there, giving them direct access to help retired people. Resolution authorizing the execution of an application to the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for first

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generation urban enterprise zone assistant funds not to exceed $152,878 to fund the fiscal year 2027 administration budget for the Millville urban enterprise zone. >> So we have four UEZ resolutions. We kind

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of summarized them here, but uh we actually have Sam Cruz in person. She's going to directly speak to each one. Um so our first resolution um is for just our administration. Um the UEE commission was making us do six months

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budgets which Trisha and I we just loved. Um they have allowed us to go back to yearly budgets. Um so this number uh came up with doing uh 60% of our uh current um economic developer uh

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Joe Couchy uh stipen for myself uh and a stipen for Brook Tomlin for the administrative work that we're doing with the uee. Um and then we do have an extra cost of um Vinand who is our UEE um

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business. So she will put in the business to make them C uzz certified. So there should a coordination coordination um person. We've been doing this from the very beginning of UVZ. Uh so that's the other part of this money. We also put in um a little project for

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the uh signs, the no littering signs uh that we are going to put up through the uee uh that can help us enforce more of people who are littering. So that is also in this admin budget. Um so we >> I'm sorry. I was No, >> I was going to jump in there. I was going to say that's something, you know,

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I know how hard the the clean team works constantly and no sooner do they um clean it up. The next day it looks like they weren't even through there. So, we're going to be upping the enforcement. I'm going to be having conversations with the public safety director um where we can I I think it's

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all it's going to take is uh a few people getting fined. >> Yeah. >> And then the word's going to spread, you know, somebody gets hit with a a $500 because I I've seen it. We've all seen it where people drive down the street and they stop at a light and they take a dump. They just dump trash out of their

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car. And we are we are trying. I've seen it. We've all seen it. You haven't seen it. I've seen it. I I watched I was sitting in uh McDonald's. I was sitting in >> It's okay. I was at McDonald's. >> There was a uh they happened to have a place where you could place an order

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through the uh a microphone and uh I was looking over at Wendy's and somebody was getting in the and they took a trash and just threw it out in the ground >> and there was a trash can not far away. >> Everywhere you go has a trash can. That's what amazes me.

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>> So hopefully we can start to enforce that and the word will spread. Sorry to interrupt. >> No, you're fine. Um so we have not and we will not receive our 2027 um number yet. We do not receive those numbers. So your fiscal year actually

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starts the other yes yesterday. Um but we will not actually know what our uee number is until the fall. So um it that's just a state thing. Um and I I sent an email just to confirm that act like I didn't know and they're like we will not have that number till the fall.

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So, um anyway, what you allowed to do is 10% of um your budget, your UEE budget. So, with looking at the numbers and kind of the trend that we're going on, um Trisha and I felt that that we that we'd be comfortable at this number so we don't have an overage and then have to

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repay them or not be to cover any of our numbers. So, that is um the first resolution. Um our second resolution is uh one that we spoke about is the downtown district improvements three. Um one we did uh pavers from uh city hall

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here to Malberry Street. Phase two was Malbury Street to Broad Street and all the sides. Uh engineering and I are currently working on that project and Diamond was uh uh gotten awarded that project. Buck Park was complete and we were able to open up the park. So we

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were excited about that and hopefully they're going to start finishing that. So phase three, we are going to work on lighting. So we've talked about that. I know each I've talked to each individual commissioner about lighting. Um phase three is going to immensely be on lighting. So upgrading, getting bigger

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wattage for safety downtown. So all of our black lights will be enhanced with, you know, better lighting. Um and then maybe some individual spotlights here and there, but we will definitely make sure we plan that all out. Um the next item is our UEZ team year two, which the

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mayor just touched on. Uh the guys are doing a good job. Uh, and it is a truth. Um, we can pick High Street at 6:00 a.m. That's usually about the time we're out there. Um, 6:00 a.m. between 7:00 a.m. We try to get down there before the traffic gets crazy. And I will tell you,

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by 12, there are pieces of trash out there. People are just chucking them out the window. But we're not going to let that discourage us. We're going to keep doing it. Um, currently, right now, you'll see the UEZ team doing all the corridors. When I say corridors, I talked from a second to Buck Street all the way to City Hall. They uh got done

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Broad Street yesterday. that includes their weed whacking all the curb lines, trimming all the trees. You know how trees have things that suckers that come out the side. Um so the team has been doing really well and um and in between we do some power washing. Uh we did

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prepare the parking lot for the uh market to make sure that all looked nice and ready for that event. So if it's in the UE team uh zone and we need to tackle it, we will. Um I know code enforcement has sent us a couple things that they've needed a couple hands with and we've tackled them as well. So, I'm

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looking forward uh for for the city uh for a year two team, a clean team. Um and then lastly, uh we do have $100,000 put in for 2027 um events that includes the Fourth of July, uh the Holly City Fest, which both of these events are

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coming up really quickly. Uh the Millville car show, uh Mystery on High, and our Winter Wonderland event. Um we uh did up it a little bit because we want to uh next year even though this is our 250 for

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the country we always want to make our events bigger and better. So we did discuss you know upping that number from 75 to 100 and spread that money out through those events. Um that includes all of our like face painting, our the the free things that people can come to and have our bands, our music, our

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stage, um our trophies. So pretty much the nuts and bolts of those five events. So I kind of cluster them all together, but if you have any questions on any particular item, I'd be more than happy to delve in. And we will shortly have another one coming up, right, Mr. Bman?

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I think so. We uh are looking to get rid of the not rid of but get our funds all in place for 2025 so we can start working on those 2026 numbers. So that's when we can kick back in doing uh a couple of the projects that we've already discussed.

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good job, Sam. Thanks. >> Resolution authorizing the discharge of mortgage 1314 Spring Garden Road. >> These are just so pe to explain this to people. I always just see this and not totally understand. So, uh if there are

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leans from the city on these properties and the leans on the city properties are satisfied, uh we discharge those uh those leans. Um and that's all that these next two items are. >> Resolution authorizing the discharge of

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mortgage 422 Ireland Avenue. Resolution of the board of commissioners of the city of Milville authorizing the city to advertise for bids for electrical repairs, maintenance, and service contract for sewer, utility, water utility, and public properties.

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>> So, I mean, this is kind of straightforward. This is basically opening up for bid for any electrical work. resolution authorizing approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the

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project entitled MA 2027 10th Street Reconstruction Improvements. >> So, I apologize. I I actually do not have this one. >> Well, this is something we spoke about. Uh 10th Street's been on the uh the agenda for a while or the agenda

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internally for a while. uh needs to be paved and uh we are going to be uh uh looking to get a grant application going to pay for that. Uh anytime you know we've made a concerted effort, Mr. Administrator, to uh utilize grants a

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lot more than we have in the past. I think Milville has way behind the eightball when it comes to grants. I think during the the uh >> during the uh uh running up to the election during the election uh I I don't think there was a

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single candidate that didn't uh push grants in some form. So, we're just following through there and and uh making sure that we can get everything back from the state or the federal level, every dime that we can. >> And this is just for 10th Street. >> Yep.

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>> And this isn't from any repairs being done. This is just the natural cycle of repaving. >> Oh, yeah. 10th Street's a mess. It's one of those roads that we went through a little while ago and looked at the roads that needed it the most. Okay. And we're trying to prioritize. We have a list of uh Carol was there and obviously streets

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and roads engineering and we took a look at the city where and tried to prioritize what roads needed the worst, what ways we can get it financed. Um there's only so much money in the city to do stuff like this. So we had to take a look where what's the worst roads,

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what can we use, what funding sources can we use, and it's it's a constant battle to try to get uh keep up with what roads need to be repaved, what roads and where you can get the money from. um you know talking to John N tremendous engineer has a lot of institutional knowledge who knows where

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we can get a lot of money um to do the things that we need to do. He was a tremendous uh person to come back and help us with this and uh doing a tremendous job and uh this is just one of those things that we're doing to uh get 10th Street uh fixed. There's a lot

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of places in the city. I just want to tell the citizens we we understand there's a lot of uh roads that need to be fixed and if your road one of them. We It's It's on our list and we are working to try to get everything uh paved and and looking better. Everybody wants good streets and roads and that's

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what we're working on. >> Mr. Mayor, if I may, the to speak about the uh consolidated engineering meeting that we had. Um being able to list a project or a street and consolidate the different departments that are all tied in with that I think is going to be a

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tremendous help. We did learn that there are silos that are out there where you have engineering doing a project, but they other teams that are involved that also need funding in order to complete their works like a street paving with digging up the sewer for example. We're we're improving the communications

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between the teams so that we can make sure that each component of that project is properly paid for. >> Well, I'm going to toot your horn a little bit. I I think your strength uh Mr. administrator is in uh organization and process. I think you excel in those

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areas and what you showed me and what that big meeting we had the other day uh I think there was 15 of us there. The way that you are planning it out where you can see virtually every project in the city um who's assigned to it, what where it is in the process. I'm not sure

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this has ever been done in the city before. I don't know that for sure, but I I have a feeling it hasn't been done like this where every single every single project will be on a master list and it'll say who's respon where it is in the process, who's responsible for getting to the next phase. I hopefully

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I'm not stealing your uh thunder here in the future because this is something I know you've been working very hard on and this will streamline projects. What happens as you know I'm preaching to the choir here, Mr. administrator it things fall through the cracks and somebody who

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is part of a process. You might have engineering, roads, and and people from a lot of different departments working on getting something done and somebody in one department can hold up the entire process and you can just look at this sheet that you're coming up with this uh this uh program that you're working on.

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You can see okay this person from engineering has to get this done by this date. this person has to do this, this person has to do that. And it actually streamlines the way project works where in the past we've been bottlenecked by different departments not either not realizing or getting behind schedule. So

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this is going to be a great 5,000 foot view of everything that's going on as far as important projects. So I see what you've done so far and uh very impressed. Thank you. >> And he and you're right. I mean, it goes from the water department opened up the

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road. >> Yep. >> Now we have this. Well, who's we're all done? They're stamping it all down. Now, who's going to fix this? >> So, yes, you're right. The next on the line is the street department. The first person has got to go to Mr. New, the engineer. The engineer is going to say to this, this, and that. So, yeah, it

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it's a great idea. Absolutely great idea. >> And what you did was not easy. No, it's not easy. >> And we don't always get a good pat on the back for things that we do. And I always try to give pats on the back to everybody in my life when they do something good. And uh what I saw was really impressive. So >> very impressive.

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>> I'm happy because in my position for economic development, it's good for to see, okay, here's where this project lies. Here's what >> and for all of us, you know, streets and roads, uh parks and wreck, uh you know, it could even be projects related to police off the police department. Um not

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you. Um, >> it does it does really it doesn't bother him because there's dollar signs in there. >> I was just teasing with the vice mayor. >> It's got all of us. >> I tried to exclude. He's in everything. So, >> he is in >> but um so yeah, >> I appreciate the kind words, but it's

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it's it's a great team and the team pulled it together. >> You pulled it together. Yes, >> we did. And >> thank you. >> Pat yourself on the back. >> The thing I see is there's there's much more cooperation than when I walked in the door. um we all walked in the door on January 2nd or 7th or whenever it was

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and uh now there's a lot more collaboration, coordination and that's I I I give that to you. >> Um you know I don't at the end of every meeting I always thank the the commissioners for working so hard and I don't usually include you in that um but

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thank you for your hard work. I got great team like I said. >> Resolution requesting approval for the insertion of a special item of revenue funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the 2023 recycling tonnage grant.

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So I I don't have a slide for this, but the putting this in, you know, the the EP the Department of Environmental Protection for 2026 or excuse me, 2023 and the tonnage that we're we're

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basically producing. We need to put this in place so that we could continue through the recycling processes. >> And what Chris does is Chris gets the reports from all these people that >> one of them is the elks. We get one every year. How much did you dump from?

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>> Yes. >> And he turns it all in and then we get dollars back for that. So, it's a good coordination. Yeah. >> And this is a yearly thing. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. >> And the the amount of detail that Chris has provided has been exemplary. So, there's no question at all. And we're

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going to use it for other projects. >> Yes. And just to clarify too, so since this resolution is needed for the grant to be added to the books because the budget's been adopted. So any grant that I was aware of up through the intro were

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included in the budget um file that you guys approved and then any grant from last meeting to the end of the year has to do a chapter 17 159 to be added to the books. So, we just got the funding

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for the T for the recycling the and the clean communities were announced by the D. So, that's what these resolutions allow me to add the grant to the books on the back end. >> All right. >> Thanks, Trish. >> Yep.

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>> Resolution requesting approval for the insertion of a special item of revenue funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the 2026 Clean Communities Grant. >> Ditto. Yeah, they finally announced the awards

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and um >> so what you're saying is anytime anytime a grant comes that you didn't expect as part of the budget, you have to do this process to be able to insert that money in. >> Correct. >> All right. Now I understand we have to approve these resolutions and then I have to send them to the state. >> So this is more of a process issue than

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>> essentially. Yeah. Okay. >> We just didn't know these numbers at the time that the budget got adopted. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. And this is a great this is clean communities is a great project for this city. Absolutely. >> And then Yes. So then to follow all of Sam's applications once they get

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approved by UEZ, you'll see a bunch of chapter 159s come through for me to add that funding to the ledger. >> Yeah. >> And that's the only thing that can get adjusted to the budget post adoption. So it's the grant section. Yeah.

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>> Right. Thanks, Trish. Resolution requesting approval for the insertion of a special item of revenue funded through the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2025 Patrick Lehey Bulletproof Fest Partnership Program Grant.

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>> So, this I would consider another win. Uh, and obviously it's it's incredibly important equipment for our peace officers, but the granting and the the work that the teams are doing, this is a definite plus.

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Yeah. So, this is an annual one given from the federal government side. There's a state and federal bulletproof grant. Um, the state one was in our budget file. This one's the federal side. They get awarded at different times. And, um, it can be used to

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replace the bulletproof vest. So, they have a expiration term of what, three, four years. So, as those get replaced, we can put 50% of the expense to the federal grant, 50% to the state grant to help offset the need for a vest

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replacement. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Josh. >> I just want to give a shout out to Captain Hagger. He's uh the police department. He's working diligently on grants and trying to find more every day. um he puts them together, gets them

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in, and he's winning a lot of grants. It's, you know, he's doing a very good job at that. He focuses on it quite often. >> Resolution to award a professional services contract for Geisinger Avenue water improvements project.

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>> So, this is what we've been discussing over the last couple weeks, but this is officially awarding the contract. All right. Um, Madame Clerk, are there is there any new business? >> Yes, Mayor, there's one um special event. It's the triathlon on July 25th,

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2026 from 7:30 to 2:00 p.m. >> All right. Thank you. We have now reached the public comment portion of the meeting. We have uh anyone who wouldn't like to address the commission, please go to the podium, state your name and address, and your concerns. Please limit your comments to approximately five minutes.

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>> Hello, Tamara Davis, uh, Milville. Uh, thank you very much for the opportunity to review that the, uh, side ordinance, the sign ordinance as discussed today in the, um, in the, uh, in the agenda. Um

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it has been a recommendation of the zoning board for a few years. And just to point this out so it could come from a a place of data rather of opinion in the uh master plan revision 2025 master plan revision on page 54 number six if

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you want to go and find that those of you that maybe have not have gotten that far in that master plan revision. It says the sign ordinance should be revised and updated. The sign ordinance references the prior zoning districts and not the current zoning districts that were changed effective October uh

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I'm sorry August 23rd 2024th by ordinance 19-2023. The sign ordinance revision should include consideration for permitting LED signs in various zoning districts. So this is a step in in fulfilling some of those recommendations from the m from

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the master plan uh recommendations. Um, there are other aspects within that signed ordinance that I hope that you can review in the future. I know you're not going to get done by Tuesday or anything like that, but I hope this could progress towards that because there are some other considerations

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within that that could be um updated as particularly as it mentions to update the uh current zoning districts. That is important because that can cause some confusion for anyone who wants to do business within the um with the city. >> Please reach out to me on that. >> Well, it's in the master plan. So, yeah.

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Okay. You'd like to engage >> and um and also incorporate any discussions with which I'm sure you have up to this point with the zoning officer because I know there's a lot of confusion within that. >> Um so, yes. So, thank you on that. I'm always for updating as many ordinances

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as possible. As a resident, I'm speaking and this is not reflect any opinion of the zoning board per se being as my position or my opinion. I'm trying to maintain neutral and um we will certainly take a look at that ordinance and uh offer any possible

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uh aspects to it. So we happen to have a zoning beating meeting tonight. Perhaps we can um add it to last minute to the agenda. So thank you. Um but now I have a question. As a resident who lives at Second and Pine um you mentioned about

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the no litter signs and yes I agree with you. I have seen people open their doors and dump their garbage. It's a it's a it's a bit of a pain because the street sweeper does not pick up garbage per se. Um it usually just turns it around and spits it out

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>> in smaller pieces >> in small well not necessarily small but further down the road. Um, so will there al be signs sporadically or are you picking a certain location where you seem to find that there's more dumping than other places for these

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particular signs? >> Still something to be determined. >> Oh, okay. >> And we'll take it we'll take feedback from the public on that as well >> because uh bus stops should be considered. >> Okay. Um because uh being that I live right at a bus stop across the street

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from the bus stop um this particular bus stop does not have one of those uh protective seating arrangements. Um and it a lot of times there's garbage that is left either when the person leaves you know gets off the bus or does not want to take with them on the bus.

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>> Is there a trash can there? >> There is no trash can there. However, I will give you honesty on there has there has been trash cans in years past, but they have slowly been destroyed and residents started dumping their personal garbage in them. And that's one of the

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situations that overflows and it becomes an extra, >> you know, aspect on the city, you know, clean team, whatever. You know, I don't want to suggest to put any more stress on that. Um, should there be some responsibility from New Jersey Transit? I don't know how it works, so I can't,

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you know, it would be great if they can form a partnership in cleaning those up. But there does happen a lot of times that there's trash. And we have now a business, a cannabis retail opening where there is a bus stop. And I hope, you know, usually when it was a bank, the bank would clean up the trash that

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was left over from that bus stop. Um, but I don't, you know, there's got to be some kind of shared responsibility. I believe the the cannabis people that are coming to the city will be very good partners with the city maybe even more so than the bank was. >> Yeah. So I'm you know I'm just giving

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those suggestions and and they will have like fines like you said $500 or whatever. >> Yeah. Whatever the our ordinances say. >> Okay. It will be whatever we have on the books already that's what's going to be on there. >> And if I could also suggest and I know this is an additional dollar amount but the pickup after your pet

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>> I'm sorry. >> Pick up after your pet. >> Your pet. Oh yeah, >> that well it's a problem even you know >> I know >> cuz I you know it's um and also please ladies microphones >> cuz we can't hear you. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss Mrs. Davis.

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>> You made just on time. Three seconds to spare. Good afternoon again. My name is Tim Cardi and I'm not going through that whole spiel once again, but if it's necessary, it's necessary. I just don't want to be attacked on Facebook because I'm not I'm speaking not as a resident.

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That's all I do that for to clear up my own stuff. Uh I have a question about the NAB Avenue federal grant. Was that grant ever applied for? Um, and was it if it was, was it submitted by the required deadline?

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Second, if this grant is awarded, does the city currently have the matching or percentage of funds available that would be required to move the project forward? That's a big question. Third, I'd like to understand how the 15 million construction cost estimate was developed. A project that size would

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typically involve the new roadway construction along with utilities, electrical work, drainage, and other supporting infrastructure. Based on that, it seems reasonable to question whether that estimate is realistic due to asphalt material and other price

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increases at the time that was given. Then let us not forget about additional costs for change orders on material time runovers, fuel cost and so on during and after this project. Did you look into other

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projects similar to this around the state to see what those projects costs were from their bid until the last change order was submitted? Fourth is the if this project is being constructed using federal money or our own money.

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Who will be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the roadway? Since if we're paying for it, it's not technically a county road. It would be a city road. Finally, has the city been informed on how much the property owner is asking

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for the land? And also any other construction cost that may be included in Deerfield Township or even in Fairfield Township. These are important questions to ask

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there and should be clearly addressed so the public can fully understand the scope, cost, and long-term impactment. Again, I'm asking this as a resident and not as an employee for my employer, business

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boards or other affiliates. Um, my other question, I'm kind of confused by this resolution for the attorney fee since he didn't really speak into the microphone and it really wasn't quite

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presented the way the question was asked. It was kind of like talked about around. So for the first six months of the contract from January until the end of June, the hourly rate was 225 an hour.

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And he's been paid up to how much at this point in time for the 225 an hour. And that was for $60,000 for that first 6 months. And then the second six months he upped

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his hourly rate to 275 an hour not to go over 180,000. So the way I understood it was the 180 was for all 12 months and

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from January to June was for 60,000. So basically for the first six months it was 10,000 a month and then for the last six months

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July, August, September, October, November, December. Checking my math, he upped it $120,000 to 180. So the first six months he was good at 60,000 and then for the last six

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months he doubled it and while doubling it he increased his hourly rate up to extra $50 an hour. So the with the hourly rate is that also being figured into the 180 or is this a

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separate charge? And again, I didn't understand it because nobody wants to speak in the microphones. And for a second, it was like a talk around in a circle. Like the question was asked on money and it went all around the world, which I don't understand. But it just

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seems weird that for the first 6 months, even though he wasn't full attorney, it was 60,000 and then for the last was 120. and I understand. And then he raised his

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hourly rate. So to me it looks like we're probably going to be exceeding the 180. And he even kind of like explained that because of the city issues and he don't know what's coming down the road and this and that. And I've seen this when when when you deal with hourly

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rate. So my question is another question is did we budget in our budget that was approved for for any overreach on our professional contracts

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because when the budget was approved it was said that this is just for operating expenses was the operating expenses included in our contractors. >> Thank thank you Mr. Carti. >> Appreciate your comments. Uh, I will

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answer your questions on NAB Avenue. Yes. Yes. No. 2024 Bowman feasibility study updated for 2026 prices, federal and other grants and a county road. And your last question, we are working on it.

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We have now reached the public comment uh end of the com uh public comment portion. Seeing no one at the podium, now let's move on to comments of commissioners. Let's start with um Commissioner

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>> Charale. I thought you forgot my name. >> Most did. >> So, not that I want to beat a dead horse, but the parade for the 4th of July, I think there were some facts that were

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left out or vaguely uh walked around and it changed the narrative of why the parade was cancelled. and the reasonings and then social media blew it way out of proportion and did

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not have the facts. I just want to throw some facts out there for is it >> um so and I don't want anybody to be angry or I'm not here to kick anybody's back in by

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any I'm just here for a little bit of facts is all. Um, first of all, thanks to Channel 6 News, uh, things were reported and lumped in with Mount Holly that were not true. Our parade was not cancelled for any reason

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of terrorist threat, threat of violence, or any act of violence towards the public. The parade was cancelled solely on a lack of interest and participants that were signed up and the lack of manpower to fully staff the intersections for the parade, which is a traffic safety issue

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and a public safety issue. To fully staff the parade route as it was written and agreed upon, there would have been a minimum of 16 officers just for the intersections. This does not include all of the business

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driveways that also need to be blocked so that traffic does not enter the parade route from those businesses. It's the same thing we do for the Holly Run and the Christmas parade. This decision to cancel the parade was not made solely by myself, although the

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final decision was mine as public safety director. People that were consulted almost a week before the commission meeting were Chief Hoffman, traffic sergeant Stadnik, all of the commissioners, Mr. Bitterman,

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and the parks and recck department. We met with the parks and reccks department in January for all their special interest or special events. Um, it was discussed at that meeting and since then it was this, it's been discussed a couple times or at least brought up that getting enough manpower

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for the parade on a family holiday weekend was going to be very difficult. I spoke to uh Commissioner Manella and Sam Cruz on June 11th over the phone in which there was concerns over the number of the participants that have that were

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signed up for the parade. Um I even tried to offer some suggestions uh to try to get more participants like the mummers outside uh school marching bands, bagpipe groups um just to name a few.

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Um, I spoke with Sergeant Stadnik and Chief Hoffman to see if we could come up with a shorter alternate route for the parade and even discuss this option with Commissioner Casabon. We came to the conclusion that due to the number of participants that was

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signed up, it really wasn't feasible or cost-effective. June 15th, I did request a list of parade entries and vendors for the event from Brooke Tomlin because I knew Sam was on vacation.

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I did copy Sam on the email as well as several other people, including Commissioner Banella, because that is the correct way of keeping everyone in the loop at 1:30 p.m. and Brooke did send me back a list. Um, I did contact

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Commissioner Vanelloo who is very busy and I asked at 1:30 I asked her if she was coming back to the office. Um, and she said that she was not able to come back to the office because she was juggling a few things. So I let her know that I was going to send an email to Brooke so that Brooke could notify the

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signed entries, the signed up entries so that they could be would be cancelling the parade. Um, the list provided to me only had 12 entries signed up for the parade. On that list, there was only two floats

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listed, just two. This was not the Rose Bowl parade. There was not 50. There was not 60, just two. Several marching groups from various sporting sports teams like the softball league and the little league, a stilt walker, a couple

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of vehicles with uh little miss and other pageant winners. At no time on this list was there mention of the ice wagon or Mr. Pangburn. Multiple floats, no marching bands,

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including our own high school marching band, no outside emergency services, no car clubs. It just seemed like there was a lack of typical parade interest. It this is not a blame game, right? Sam

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and Brooke worked extremely hard on this and the event portion of this holiday. Um the fireworks at Lakeside are evident of that hard work

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and time that they have put in. There are probably 50 or more vendors and food options signed up for that event, plus the fireworks, plus the wrestling, plus other events, other vendors, face

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painting, all kinds of things. Our focus should be directed at the event and not wasted on what could have been. We need to look at the positive of how great the event will be and how much fun the community is going to have. I think that,

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you know, I I took a lot of heat on that. However, I don't regret my decision to cancel that parade. Um, there are other municipalities that have canceled their parade since. There's other municipalities that have

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looked at cancelling their entire event for the Fourth of July because of various things. Now we have a heat wave that is coming into the city right into the

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whole area. It's going to be hot, very hot. I want to encourage everybody to watch out for each other. I want to encourage everybody to stay hydrated. I want everybody to uh keep in mind of the heat and how they're feeling. Um, and I

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want everybody to enjoy the event because I really think with all the time and effort that Sam and Brooke and the parks department have put into it that it's going to be a stupendous event and I really appreciate that and I think that it just we just need to focus on

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that, have a great time and enjoy the holiday. And with that, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Uh, Commissioner Reinella. >> Yeah. I just want to wish everybody a very uh happy and safe 4th of July.

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Celebrate America's 250th birthday. Uh, just to remind everybody, uh, it'll take place at the Tim Shannon Sports Complex behind Lakeside Middle School at 6:00 p.m. Uh, we're going to have a lot of vendors there. We're going to have a lot of uh, amazing uh, music, entertainment,

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wrestling. Whether you like it or not, it's there if you do want to partake and uh watch uh the wrestling events. Um this is what Milville is all about. We we we you know, everyone works really hard uh to put

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these events together. Um and we want people to come together to enjoy them. Uh I really hope to see uh everybody there. Um, as Commissioner Taylor stated, it is going to be very, very hot. Uh, dress

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accordingly. Uh, please stay hydrated. Uh, wear a hat, you know, keep the sun, uh, off your face, sunscreen. I, you know, it's, uh, it's going to be a very hot day, but don't let that um, don't let that keep you from coming out there.

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Uh don't let uh something that you saw on uh channel 6 news uh which Commissioner Taylor said had nothing to do uh with with the parade cancellation. Um our officers are going to be there. Um we want to see families. We want to

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see people out there having a great time. I will be there. I'm sure uh the other commissioners will be there. And we're just looking forward to seeing everybody uh Saturday. So thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Ranelo. Commissioner Kasaboon.

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>> Okay. Uh, first off, I just want to let everyone know that I signed up for Civic Ready and I got my little message. So, I want to pass this on that trash and recycle and collections for Friday's route will be picked up as normal on the

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3. So, there's no change for the holiday. So, put your trash out. And that also is ACUA also let us know the same thing that there's no changes for the collection. I did want to let you know that the landfill has been closed down because of we have an exceeding

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amount of brush that had to be chipped and chopped. >> Chopped. Yes, exactly. And the county conservation is finishing up that brush that's out there, the grinding and hauling it out. So, the facility should be opened up to the

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residents to bring in your brush by Tuesday. So, I just want to let you guys know we had a lot this year because of the winter that we had. Um, I want just want to let the residents know it it's hot out there and I just have to say

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thank you to the streets and roads, the water, the sewer and parks and wreck. They're out there in this heat and be careful. make sure that they have plenty of water hydrated and thank you for doing what you do for us for the city as we sit in our air

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conditioning. And I I have to give a shout out to one of my biggest supporters in this world, not you, Mayor Dean. I'm sorry. This time it has to be for my husband. It's our anniversary today and I just want to say happy we I've been

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>> 50 55 years got married when you had four. >> I did. I did. Who's alive? He or me? >> No. Oh, him. >> He's a saint. >> No, I'm the I'm over it. >> But I just have to reach out. He is my biggest supporter.

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>> And yeah, 55 years. I just That's >> I was 18. I was They'll tell everybody how old I am. But yeah, I was young. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. >> So that's it for me. >> All right. >> Have a great Fourth of July, people. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kasu.

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>> Vice Mayor Khan. >> Yeah. Once again, it's just we're going into the holiday, so I just want to express how excited uh everybody is about the upcoming uh Fourth of July. It's going to be amazing. It's going to be hot. Um I did look I guess the Mobile

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Public Library. I don't know if they're out there. I dropped off >> um a flyer if please visit the Mobile Public Library if you need one. There's a lot of events going on. And I just realized that Play Street starts next week. >> Yeah, the 8th. So July 8th, it snake

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sneaks up on us. >> So it will be fantasy land, >> which is appropriate on some levels, but >> um that's always on Pine Street between second and third. Well attended by the kids. >> Uh they open up the fire hydrant. I'm

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I'm assuming I don't want to talk out of school. >> It is. >> Okay. I probably should have looked at you first. Um >> can we open up the fire hydrant for the uh Fourth of July part? No, I'm just >> So, I'm not supposed to talk microphone, but we did get approved by the state

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just Wednesday to have a water slide. >> I know Sherman's looking at me like, "What? >> A blow up water slide?" >> Yes, it took me It took me three months, which is why I didn't tell anyone, but I did get approved Wednesday. standing. So, because you're not on the

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microphone for those who are here, uh Sam Cruz and Parks and Wreck got approval for a water slide for Fourth of July uh event, which is going to be there. >> I am going to be there. >> I think we should all go down the slide as a team. >> I think there might be a limit, but we can try it.

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>> I've done it in my backyard before. It's pretty scary. We have five of us on the top of one of those things. And >> is it a big one? >> So, the re So, the reason why that's such a such a big thing is because When I used to work with Sam is, you know, is department heads, one of our biggest

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thing that I would always say to her is, "Are we gonna have bouncy house? We gonna have bouncy house? We gonna have inflatables?" She's like, "No, the insurance doesn't cover it. The state won't approve it." Blah, blah, blah. >> Year after year, event after event. It was like an inside joke for her and I and and you know,

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>> working hard within working hard on it. >> That's good though. That's good though. Gives the kids something extra to >> Absolutely. >> to do. But I just want to leave on that positive note just reiterate what all the commissioners are already saying. Let's have a great and safe weekend.

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This take care of your elderly care. You going to be okay. So just want to make I meant just in general. >> Um >> wow. >> I know >> that was a >> it is going to be I think 110 today. >> You got it.

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>> So with that mayor, your turn. >> All right. Well, thank you vice mayor. Wow. I want to see the fireworks downstairs. >> Um, all right. So, real quick, I with great sadness in my heart and I'm sure disappointment from others on this day

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as and our solicitors will, I'm sure, I will not be here for our meeting on Tuesday. I told my wife, I said, "Make sure you don't schedule our vacation during a commission meeting." And you know what she did? She scheduled vacation during commission. I still

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think it was your fault. I know you're trying to >> probably is my fault somehow cuz I probably told her when this last month was a weird month. Maybe I counted wrong, but we are leaving for vacation to Mexico on Saturday morning. First time to Mexico. First time south of the border. And it's much needed vacation. I

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am remiss or I'm very sad that I will be missing that meeting. But Vice Mayor, I am certain you can take the reinss and handle them with great >> I already got I already got plans. practicing. >> Yes, practice. >> I'm sure you still have to sit over

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there, though. Um, I'm taking this gabble with me. No, I'm kidding. But I won't be here. But let's talk about this weekend. So, this weekend I was uh I saw Commissioner Reella there at the Millville Women's Club Chorus in Green Witch. They represented Milville

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wonderfully. I sang a lot of patriotic songs and it was a pleasure to be there. Uh even though I was running a little bit late, I was still not there. I was still there before Jeff Andrew. So, I thought I was happy. I walked in before him and that's all my that was my goal.

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I got held up and I was stressing out and uh but I made it there before it was over with and was able to uh Anne Mosley. They were celebrating the life of Anne Mosley. She's 104 years old down at that church. This is Green Witch Baptist Church and it was a great event.

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I was happy to be a part of it. Uh along with some other dignitaries there. Then after that, I raced back to city hall, printed out a resolution. That's why it looked like a tornado when you came in. Uh I had to run there and do the first resolution, run back and do the second resolution or not resolution, the uh a

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proclamation from the mayor, printed it out, and ran out to the Lighthouse Church of God and helped them celebrate their 85th uh anniversary as a church. It was a tremendous um celebration. a lot of of church

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dignitaries there from uh national leadership and international leadership. It was a great event and I was happy to be a part of that. As far as the uh Fourth of July goes, um I will be there broadcasting uh under uh Jim Quinn's uh

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broadcasting. So I'm getting together probably going to be broadcasting from 7 to 9. And here's what I say to the public. Rather than go on social media, I will be there sitting at a table interviewing guests. If you have questions and you want to engage with me

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and ask questions about what's going on in the city, this is your opportunity. Uh other commissioners will be there, ask us questions, talk to us, find out what's going on, and I as you know, as much as I can say, I will tell you everything I know about what's going on in the city. If I don't know, I'll tell

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them. I'll get back to them. But, um, looking forward to that. I'm lining up guests uh for that that uh event. But as I always say, no matter what, and I say this bring up the other events for this reason, I go to as many events as I can. I I do have to work for a living. So I'm

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I work in the early mornings and I work in the evenings, but I still try to even though that's where I make money to live on, I try to get to as many events as I possibly can. Try even driving a 100 miles an hour down Green Witch Road to get there on time. Not that I would ever

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do that, but I try to get there and I want to engage with the public. I want the public to ask me questions and that's why I try to get there. Don't hesitate if you see me in public um to ask me questions, talk to me. Um I'm happy to engage with anyone who wants to

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engage with me and uh listen to the answers and listen to the reasons why we do certain things. Um that's why I'm here and that's why I try to make myself available. I tell people, call the office. If you have a question, call me down at the office and and uh if even if it goes to voicemail, leave a message

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and I'll get back to you. But uh I'm ready to engage with anybody who wants to uh engage with me in a way that's productive. So, um I'm handing the reigns off to you, Vice Mayor. And uh with that, can I get a

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motion to uh adjourn this meeting? >> Like to make a motion. >> I'll second. Uh, roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes. >> Commissioner Costoon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ranelloo, >> yes. >> Mayor Dixon, >> yes. With that, we are adjourned.

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>> Happy 4th of July. Nap still.