this meeting to order. January 16th, 2026. Um, Madame Clerk, roll call, please. >> Commissioner Taylor, >> here. >> Vice Mayor Cot >> here. >> Commissioner Kabun, >> here. >> Commissioner Reinelloo, >> present. >> Mayor Dixon, >> here. >> Uh, I would love you to uh stand with me
as we salute the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madame clerk, are there any changes to
the agenda? Oh, I'm sorry. Let me go back. Um, this meeting is being conducted in accordance with the 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 meetings of this meeting. Madam clerk, are any changes to the agenda? >> There are none, mayor. >> All right. Uh, now we're going to move on to presentations. >> Maybe that's him coming now. >> Shall we wait a moment? >> Yeah, I guess.
He does know he's >> I didn't know he was sending >> Here he is. >> Here he is. >> We've started. >> Yeah, >> you can come all the way up here. >> I was told it was at 1:30. Oh, >> whoops. >> Sorry about that.
>> That's okay. Well, then you're early then. >> Derek's like, "Man, I'm good. I'm 25 minutes." Are you >> early? >> We're not staring at you. >> I am. >> Laura is. >> And this is just a presentation on the
water meters. >> Yes. Correct. Okay. So, we're looking to move forward on the water meter upgrade project. Um, I guess before I start the corn and
meter tech were both, I believe, coming to the meeting, but I told them that it was at 1:30 when I asked. Uh, that's what I was told. So, I'm sure they're going to show up late as well. There any questions? M >> madam cler, can I interrupt? Are are we
able to move the presentations lower in the agenda and wait because I'm sure that we're going to talk about a lot of a lot of things. >> Yeah, we we can come back to it when everybody's >> Can we come back to it because I I don't want to have this meeting unless we have the principles here.
>> You can still sit there. >> So, um so we're okay with moving that. >> Yeah, we can just revisit that when everybody's here. We can go to the other stuff. >> All right. Thank you. Um, at this time, um, we're going to have public comment on agenda items only. If you have a
comment, please come to the podium, state your name and address, and please keep your comments to five minutes. Seeing nobody at the podium for agenda items only, let's move on to discussions of commissioners. Um, we're going to
discuss uh tenative ordinances and resolutions. Madame clerk, if you want to take us through those. >> Okay. So, we do have a potential ordinance for first reading. This is an ordinance amending the municipal code of the city of Milville adding subsection under solid waste charges to establish a
deduction for senior disabled persons, adding a subsection under payment of solid waste service charges to establish late fees. any comments by commissioners? >> Yeah. Um, couple. So, my concern here and I just want to
make sure um you have the application process uh for those who are eligible um for this deduction say for the separate utility like our water utility. I want to make sure that uh we have um separate
application um similar to that uh so we can make sure that uh those people are eligible. Um in uh speaking to our solicitor uh earlier
uh we have the late fee section. Um, it's really uh baffling to me why this wasn't done when this utility was set up because uh it's not retroactive. So, if somebody uh hasn't paid uh
for this solid waste utility, you can't find them for something uh that didn't exist. We didn't have uh we didn't have this set up when they set up the trash utility. uh so it would be anybody going forward and that was really uh disappointing and
disheartening to hear. So uh to enable uh the late fees uh and uh anything like that going forward uh this has to be passed uh but can't go backwards u and I don't know I don't
know why this wasn't done when the utility was created. have >> do we have a um is there actually an ordinance already set up for this waste uh um there's no ordinance right now for the late fee or anything right
>> so they have it set up but to to uh my understanding is when they did the resolution that resolution um and Mr. Russell could chime in here. Um, is how we change the ordinance by resolution. >> Does it match the language exactly like
the water and sewer? >> That's what we want. So that would be >> but right now it does not >> Mr. Russell. >> Yeah. I mean, if if I may speak, the ordinance would have to be amended if you want to uh include a late trade
because that's not in the original ordinance. >> Okay. And as I explained to Commissioner Reanella earlier today, the reason a resolution comes into the picture is because the uh costs of this program are
constantly changing. And so you can't put the cost that you're charging the public uh in the ordinance. It needs to be in a resolution. So every year the commission is charged with adopting the actual fee which is going to be based on
what the actual cost is at that time. >> Um yeah I think we're talking about the late fee and the um elderly >> that needs to be by ordinance. That cannot be by resolution. >> And has anybody drafted an ordinance for
that yet? Yeah, I think there is I think there is a an amended ordinance that would add that would add the language for a fee and bring that into conformity to the way we deal with uh other payments people make for water and sewer and
taxes. >> So I just want to verify that that >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I would want to verify that the ordinance so the ordinance exist for something that doesn't exist. >> That's why I'm confused. We're not using a late fee or disabled, but there is an
ordinance for that. Or we're amending which ordinance? >> No, we would be amending the ordinance because we have an ordinance. It just doesn't allow us to charge a late fee. >> Okay. So, we just have to add it. All right. >> But that won't be retroactive to uh people.
>> No. Well, I don't think you can do that. You know, I think that would be unlawful. >> Yeah. >> To charge somebody a late fee when it wasn't uh authorized by an ordinance. >> Right. So that's just going forward, Brock. Right. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Right.
>> So Brock, we would need to amend that ordinance to include that language. >> And I think I think that's what's uh going to be on Tuesday's agenda. >> Yes. >> Which which would be an ordinance amending the existing ordinance. >> Okay. >> Yes.
>> So it'll start as from this day forward. Correct, Brock. >> Yeah. It will be well effective. it would be effective the uh uh 20 days after the adoption of the ordinance. And I think um also uh something that we
should uh try to establish is uh if we're giving a deduction for seniors and disabled people um if they haven't paid from the beginning uh we should really know how many of those individuals are in a rears from the beginning and if we really uh want to
give that deduction um I think that's something that we really need to look at. So also just a question on that uh Brock uh for the water and sewer if somebody applies for the deduction do they have
to be current on their bill? Do we know >> uh that you have to ask crazy that. But I think that what uh you know, you can't make this perfect, but I think what Tracy would like to see would be uniformity in the way that we uh treat
people that are rate payers. Uh whether it's a sewer or water rateayer or it's a trash solid waste rate payer. >> Agreed. >> And that's what she's looking for. >> Agreed. Thank you, Brock. >> Thanks, Rob.
>> Any more comments on this item? No. >> All right. Next. >> Yes. For resolutions, we have a resolution appointing Samantha Silvers as member of the Enterprise Zone development of Vinland and Milville. >> Any comments from commissioners?
>> Um Sam Silvers has uh been a member. Uh she wants to remain a member and uh that's it. >> Anyone else? >> All right, let's move on. a resolution appointing member of the Millville Shade Tree Commission, Doug Hilddrth.
>> Any comments? >> Want to keep our uh our members active and uh current. That's it. >> Right. >> I think any uh I think any citizen that's willing to, you know, come out and assist is good.
You know, we should encourage that. It's great. >> We thank them for coming out. >> All right. Um, resolution authorizing the city of Milville to apply for New Jersey Department of Community Affairs grant.
>> We definitely want to apply for this grant. Uh, at least I do. Uh, hoping to have support there. >> Grants. Grants are good. I know that sounds a little short, but you know, any grant that we can get or apply for is uh
>> How much is that for the city? >> How much is that grant? >> How much is it for? >> Oh gosh. >> $100,000. It's 100. And that's for Waltman Park inclusive upgrade project. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Is there any matched funds or is that just an outright grant? >> I think she has that as an outright
grant. >> Okay. >> And what type of upgrades uh can that grant be used for? I I know you said Waltman Park, but does is it specific to certain things? >> Yeah, we have a whole scope. I could um >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think she I think I think you have a >> Okay. Okay. I'll take a look.
>> Yeah. Okay. Uh then we have a resolution authorizing the execution of an application to the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority for first generation urban enterprise zone assistance funds not to exceed 312,000 to fund the Millville UAE
police program year two. >> I would just say I'm very in favor of this grant to continue. We are going to drill down on exactly the hours and the personnel used for this. I think this is something that the city should continue
because it does uh highlight those areas that are very visible um especially people shopping in the downtown area. Very visible areas and uh I think it's a great program that should continue. >> Absolutely, Mr. Mayor. I agree. Um it's
been a successful program so far. Um, I absolutely want to continue this program because it goes into the scope of the larger project that we have going for the downtown area and the UEZ area. Um, the officers are very positive about it
and uh so is Chief Hoffman. Um, we're going to change just a little bit of language for so we can add in different days during different events and some other things. Um, so I encourage uh support for this >> and I'll just jump back in. I would I
would like to see as we do this um and we talked about this a way that we can be the way that that these funds and these officers can be more accountable. I think we talked about this where at certain times they're supposed to be walking up and down High Street. I would
love to have a a very narrow window of okay, at this time these folks are going to be walking here. They're going to be here. so that they can be, you know, make sure these funds are being spent in the way that they're meant to be spent. >> Agree. >> Agree. And we have seen some changes. We
have seen some positive feedback with Absolutely. Yes. >> We have. We have. And I'm not trying to be nitpicky. I just want to make sure that, >> you know, when we allocate funds to certain things that they're being used exactly how they're supposed to be used. >> Yeah. And and just so everybody knows,
right now two officers, now it's only two days a week are going to be on foot in the center city. And uh I think that is is huge, right? Um start getting that visibility of seeing the officers up and down the the um high street, B second
around that area. And I think moving forward now that we are going to have a greater scope and the chief has a little bit more range to uh put these officers where events are going on and where there's going to be a large section. Um it's just going to be great for the city as you're going to see the more
officers. Um >> do you want to describe a little bit more detail how the program works in case people aren't aware of it? >> So yeah. Well, I don't want to take officer Taylor public safety. So if you want to go explain that. So the the
officers there's four officers on on the shifts. There's two separate shifts, four hours each. Um two officers are supposed to be uh walking. They can trade off back and forth. Um two officers on foot, two officers in a roving patrol vehicle. Um in the UEE
area um primarily the the High Street Second Brook and uh shopping areas. Um, we encourage the public as well that when you see the officers, approach them, you know, talk to them, have a little interaction. Um, don't be afraid of the police officers. They're there
for some interaction. Um, they're they're there to talk to the business owners. Um, it's it's a really good program and the officers are are excited about it. They um I've had several that have that have come up to me and said, you know, we're
we're kind of having having fun with it. It's a serious thing, but they're also, you know, getting out there and having fun with it. Um, I know that the chief's excited about it. Um, one of the things he had asked me was, you know, just could we change the language just a
little bit? And it's pretty much a sentence, you know, sense that, you know, that way he can because when there's certain uh events or stuff like that on High Street, um, he has a little bit more leeway. He can assign the officers, you know, to that.
uh to those events and special things uh even if they're not taking place on Friday or Saturday. So, you know, that's I agreed with him. I think that that little bit of a change is going to be even better for the program. >> And I think once the residents start seeing that foot patrol, that extra,
they're going to say, "Hey, >> we can go down there." Yeah. Yeah. I feel a little bit more secure about coming out. So, it's great idea. >> I'm actually >> We should see some hopefully increase with the residents. >> Yeah. Myself and Commissioner Cot are going to go out tonight for an hour or
so to walk up and down with the guys. >> Feel free to talk to us as well. Like you don't have to run and hide. So if you see us up and down the street, please >> talk to some business owners and you know walk with the office. >> Yeah, it's a little cold tonight. >> I need a hat. >> You're going to need I need a hat. >> It'll be cold.
>> Any more comments? >> Yeah, I'm actually just really excited for the businesses. I think this is a great thing for our businesses as well. >> Absolutely. >> Agreed. Agreed. just one of the positive changes that we we wanted to make. Um I know this is something that um existed before, but it's something that should
continue and uh I think tweaking the hours where the chief has more flexibility is a good thing. >> Resolution authorizing the QPA to award pay-to-play non-fair and open window contracts. >> Any comments? >> Yeah. So, um this is just getting um
it's more about um just following state regulations for the QPA. uh bring it up to the standard um what the law requires, but to also give anybody a piece of mind uh moving forward uh for transparency reasons, we're actually
going to be um listing all the bills that have been paid the previous month. So, if anybody I know some people like to go through that stuff, so it's good for uh late night reading and we're going to have all the bills posted with the agenda and as well as at the
meeting. So, um, we're trying to do both by making sure we follow the the appropriate law for that. Um, just so everybody knows what we're paying. Um, we actually have a stack already to go for, uh, Tuesday's meeting. So, that's going to be that's going to be a good foot forward and just showing some more
transparency of what we spend our money on. >> Our money on Yeah. >> Because it is taxpayers money, right? >> It is taxpayers money. Absolutely. >> Great idea. >> Any more comments? >> And I would love to take that idea, but that was our CFO. CF. Thank you, Trish. >> She's all about transparency and so I
will not take credit when I it wasn't me. >> Resolution awarding a non-parent open contract for affordable housing services. Clark Kenton hints. >> Yes, at this one uh Clark um has already
been the there. The RFP was it finished. We're that's why we're making a nonfair. He did put his um pay to play within the proper 10 days. We do have that on file. Uh all his applications are in. Um so that's just a contract that expired that
we're now using them or we're still using them, I should say. >> Can I chime in on that? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. The the contract we had with Clark and Hints was initially they said to us, "Listen, since we haven't done work for
you, Milville, in so many years, and since we know Milville probably hasn't kept up as well as it should have with the uh requirements of of affordable housing, which have changed greatly over the years. They recommended just pay us
$5,000. this was last year and we'll just do a preliminary analysis of what your needs are and then that will put us in a position next year to actually uh present a proposal to you so that we can actually do the planning that's
necessary to bring you in compliance. So it's really kind of uh step two in terms of our involvement with them. And the other thing that I would say is we issued an RFP for affordable housing, but it was not for an affordable housing
planner. It was for an affordable housing attorney. So, it's certainly appropriate for which we don't need by the way. So, I don't know why we did it, but that's what we did. But, uh, so certainly appropriate for us to let a non-fair and open contract to Clark
Kaden and Hint, and they're the best in the state, by the way, for a planner. They're an affordable housing planner. and we have the paytoplay and this is ready to be placed on the agenda for approval. >> Brock, I know you and I have talked about this. What is the deadline uh for
to bring us into compliance on this? >> Well, there's a lot of deadlines. There's a lot of deadlines and a lot of them have passed. So, uh uh there are there are a number of deadlines. I think I've sent that out in the past uh to everyone. Uh but in essence, if I can
give you an idea, what you're really supposed to do is you're supposed to prepare a plan document and uh you need to address what Kell wants us to address. They've said there are certain number of affordable housing
units we're required to provide, but uh to have a really good answer to that question, probably we should have a telephone conference at some point. Could even be in close session uh with Brian Slout. >> All right. I thought we had talked and
saw we need to be in compliance by I thought it was March perhaps. Was that one of the >> There are number of deadlines. >> Okay. number of deadlines for whatever reason last year. >> That's what I'm getting at. >> We we for whatever reason we didn't reach any of the deadlines from last
year. So, >> not to harp on last year. Um and moving forward, we're we are going to try to >> That was my very sly way of saying this is not our fault and this is what the what's been left. >> Correct. So, we're trying to we're trying to fix up and catch that up. That's correct.
>> Yeah. Brian Brian seemed to be optimistic that it was a curable situation. >> Okay. >> So, I think we'll be okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> And we do have C certificate funds for that, but we're not voting on it. So, >> right. Just so you know.
>> Resolution awarding a professional contract for city planner CME Associates. So, I'll just say on this one, Barbara Fagley, who's done a great job for us in the past, uh decided to uh pull her RFP for personal reasons. Um
she's done a great job and uh she just uh felt at this time that she was not able to uh continue doing uh and it was basically just p personal issues in her life and uh we decided to go with CME. They do a great job in other aspects of the city. So, that's uh that's who we
chose. I just have to comment that I worked with Barb on the planning board and she's very knowledgeable and she's going to be missed. >> So she she did know. >> Yeah. >> It's a great loss. Um it is but I I feel
confident see I'm able to do a good job. >> Resolution appointing members to the zoning board. >> Uh which members are they? Can you >> uh that will be Brian Mills and Paula Huings both as full regular members. >> Good. So Brian Mills is going from an alternate to a full member and um Paula
Huings is going to uh >> be a regular member. >> Regular member as well and that will fill up I think that will fill up all our regular members. >> We'll just have our alts. >> We're just I don't think we have any alts right now. >> So we're still looking for alternates for the zoning board for the public if you want to serve uh the city. Um we're
still looking for more alternates. >> But I I do want to give a shout out like thanks for Brian, you know, for going from alternate to full. Uh we appreciate that. But we also appreciate uh Paula Helings, right? A new face, new blood that's that's stepped up from the community. Um
that's exciting to see, right? We're getting new faces in there. We're filling our boards up slowly. >> Uh we do need some alternates, but I do appreciate those two >> for for stepping up and that's commendable. >> It's a good amount of work and you don't get a whole lot of uh appreciation for it. >> No, you don't.
>> That's for sure. >> Know what that's like. >> I uh I've known I've known Paula for a great many years. Um she used to be a business owner on High Street. Um she's into really realy now. Um after we were elected she was one of the first people
that stepped up and approached me to do I want to be on some kind of board zoning planning shade tree it doesn't matter. I want to get involved. I want to you know be involved with the community. So I commend her for stepping up like that. That was great. Um so
she's going to be a good addition. >> Madame clerk just not to hold up our guests here today. Could we are we allowed to take a break here and see our presentation because I don't want to hold you guys up that have come in to for a bunch of boring resolutions. Give you guys a chance to do your presentation and and move on if that's
okay. >> Okay. Floor is yours now. >> So we're looking to um move forward with the meter upgrade project that we start install. started in May of
2024 for phase one. Um phase one has kind of hit a little bit of a law with or to the point where we're getting lack of response from the residents in the area of town that we started. Um some of
them there are a few that may be refusing. Um they they claim they want more knowledge. They're going to speak to the city but they haven't called us yet. So we're reach out to those. But, uh, we've also since then opened up the rest of the
town. Um, so Meteor has been sending more letters to residents, um, throughout the town to try and get, you know, more meters installed and, you know, get what we have in the container, you know, out in the public and working.
Uh currently we have phase one there was like 3600 meters ordered between commercial and residential and we have >> if you'd like to come up we can get you a chair to sit up here with him if
that's uh Mr. Couchy. Could you grab a chair? I apologize. >> Do we need two chairs? We'll >> stand here. >> No, no, we we'll grab two chair. We have two chairs right in the back. We we we shuffled them aside. I apologize.
>> Thank you, Mr. Couchy. >> There we go. >> So, 2100 installed. Um and we have >> about 300 issues issue accounts which >> some of those issue accounts can be
taken care of. >> Can I ask you a question? What date when did we start installation on the the water meters? Can you give me a date that we started installing? >> January of 2025. >> All right. Hey Joe, >> Mr. Mayor, we're trying to get a
microphone for them. >> I'm sorry. >> So the public Okay, >> we'll hold for just a second. >> I think it can fit on that. >> So we actually only started January of 24
>> 25 >> 25 of installing. >> Is that all in there? It should be. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> All right. So, 3600 ordered, 3,000 installed. Is that where we left off? >> 2100. >> 2100 installed.
>> I'm sorry. I was sort of That averages to about eight per day. Does that sound right? >> Uh >> for work. >> For work. If we're just looking >> days. Yeah, excluding holidays. >> Is that what you guys are estimating? How many we can get per done per day? >> No. So, I can answer. I'll let Derek
answer, but um one of the issues we're having is uh unresponsive people that are not responding to the emails or the text or the phone calls. We've been doing um text blasts. We've been doing email blast. We're just not getting the
response that we're we're after. We target and and >> Can I Can I ask you a question real quick? Where are you getting um those numbers from? cuz I had one resident call me and said that they've never owned a water meter and they got a call about an address that they lived in a
long time ago, but nothing's been under their name and they got their new cell phone number somehow. So, >> okay. So, I would let Derek or Christina answer that because >> we get uh any information that Billing has on file is where MeterTech
>> gets their their contact information from. So if Tracy Tracy sent all the accounts to MetterHech um and she sent all the accounts prior to uh like not just the phase that we started on. So she sent all accounts for
the city. So, if an email address or a phone number is listed on the account, that's what they uh use to send out like text messages, emails, and then if there's nothing listed on the account, they get flyers sent to the address or
to the property owner uh whoever the bill to is, you know, >> so there could be a potential scam out there. >> There could be. >> Okay. I don't know if you've heard of any yet. >> I don't want to say that, but we're just trying to figure that out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I had a resident
early on, a elderly gentleman call me and say that someone came to his door or they called him and said that he had to give his social security number >> and things like that and I told him that that's absolutely not true. Okay. >> Um, you know, you don't have to pay anything. Uh, they were trying to get
money from them >> and things like that. Um, so unfortunately when we put it on the city website that we were going to start this project, the company that was going to be in doing the installs was listed. So, >> okay, >> they, you know, make up a fake phone
number, uh, see what they can get off meter text website and, you know, they're that was the only >> Yeah, that was the only one that I heard about was just that one gentleman, but I haven't heard of any other. >> Okay, good. And a lot of people are
calling the office >> asking if it's true. >> And I I verify the contact phone number with them >> to make sure that it's, you know, they didn't get a a flyer from >> somebody that's, you know, >> Thank you. >> So any resident that is hearing watching
this, if you have any questions, call the water department >> if you if you have any concerns whatsoever. Yes. >> Is there Thank you. >> I'm sorry, Carol. Um, is there a particular area that we focused on so far in the city? >> We started uh it was cycle three, I
think cycle one and three, which is like the northeast part of town. Um, and the commercial accounts. Uh, we did hit some snags on the commercial accounts. Um, and some of the problem was
when we first started the project, got the quote in 23 and moved forward with the PO. Um, the original person that gave us the quote did not include some of the what
they call adders on our PO. >> Those are adapters to be able >> if they if there's an issue in the house. um if something breaks why meter tech's there and they need to uh you know make a repair or if it's um you
know the main valve doesn't work so they can't shut the water off if the curb stop is unable to be located at the time because if the inside valve doesn't work they'll try to shut the water off outside first and if none of that works then they would have the option to go
ahead and freeze the line to switch the meter out. Um, they would also, you know, they inform the resident that their plumbing's bad on the inside that they made they should get some repairs done. Um, and they also will let us know so we can maybe try to get out there, trace the line to find a shut off for
future issues. Um, but if those adders were on the original PO, a lot of these issue accounts would already have been done, but they can't do them without approval. And um some of them they did because it was on their quote from Cor
main the adders were but it wasn't on ours. So we held payment on the invoices because we weren't we didn't know what it was at first. Um so now in the new quote that like we renegotiated the adders prices um Corman and myself and
and then Cordain went back to metertech and um you know came up with what we believe is fair pricing for the adders. >> How often do adders needed? So like out of 10 10 houses you go to how often is an adder needed
>> with each technician? I would say maybe maybe one maybe none. >> Maybe one out of 10. >> Yeah. Okay. So, it's not that often that >> No, there's days that we may not have any. >> So, out of the 2100 installed so far, there's maybe >> um >> a couple hundred adders that are going
to be invoiced. >> I don't even think there's a couple hundred. I know that we have >> I do have some of the invoicing back through. Yeah. So, you have um but what what the the issue was here if you don't mind if I take just a second. So, and by
the way, I'm Keith from Court Me. Um, so the issue was when uh Milville got pricing originally, the gentleman that did it, um, my counterpart before me, the adders weren't on there. So when Coramine
flipped the project to an actual job title and sent it to meteor, they meter thought, okay, we can go ahead and and do these, you know, um, we had to stop that process because we didn't have a signed agreement with Milville. So when which brings us to the reason we're
sitting here today Derek and I sat down and I said look we're we're one visiting these customers two three times if we don't get the adders approved right which is inconvenience to the people of Milville. One it's hard enough to get a
um appointment and get an agreement. two, then if you go in and you don't have the approval to do the uh you know the valve change or you know running a new wire out to the side of the house so they could put the radio on. Now it's another visit back there. So we discussed all that. Um it it's
unfortunately it was an issue on our end. Um but it brings us to the idea of approving the adders and we reduced the pricing of the adders. Uh Derek and I sat down and kind of said what can we do here? You know where can we save money? So, we took the initial quote that we
had um and we kind of moved it back down, agreed upon these adders um and we got I believe from Christina from metertech everything that we're up against would be covered and approved. So, there should be a second or third visit to the home.
>> So, an adder could be a number of different things. It could be a valve or an adapter or just anything that's added on. So, if the wire from the meter to the outside of the house is broken, that's an adder. If the valve in the house um the the technician shuts it off
and it breaks and he needs to replace it, that's an adder. He would go out, he has the permission from uh the utility to shut the curve stop off and change the meter or change the valve for the customer, turn it back on, and go back about his day. >> Can you give me an idea what the actual
kind of average price is per adder? I know it varies depending on what it is, but >> yeah. So, if you um if you were looking at say uh the worst case scenario, right, or I'll give you two two objects here, um additional parts required and
and this is something that Derek and I talked extensively about is $250 cost to the town of Milville. In conversation with Derek and Christina and I, we discussed the idea of Derek did a very good job of saying, "Hey, are
you going to charge $250 every time, even though it might be $100?" And I said, "That's a very good question. Let me take it back." So, we did. And Christina brought it back to me and said, "On an average, that $250 covers the cost of the repairs. One may be a hundred, one may be 600. So instead of
having an individual bill for each one, we do like kind of the the average. So that would be okay. So if we need to replace the valve, if we need to replace a small um rotted galvanized nipple coming out of the meter setter, something like that. And then just to
give you another example, if there was no curve stop to be able to shut off, the meter technicians could freeze the line inside and then take that valve off, put a new one on and and do that. and that would be $200. So, there is a
slew of adders on here. There is a lot that we'll never use here. Okay. But we're putting them on now because we're not coming back to ask for this again. Right. We want to give you the worst case scenario. >> They were never added when this was done in the beginning. >> Yep. And and we'll take full
responsibility for that. But then others are as simple as um you know, if it's an OSHA vault entry, there's a cost for that, right? because it's a three-man team. There's an entry, there's a, you know, a piece of equipment to test the oxygen, there's a permit, there's
somebody lowering somebody down. All this costs extra. You know, these I think you'd only see on the commercial side if we're going to see them. You're not going to see them in a residential home. Um, but I don't think we're going to have too many of them. But again, we went through and talked about anything we thought would pertain to us and
that's what we put up there. So you're seeing adders as generally less than 10% >> of of what you're seeing. Are you seeing adders are more prevalent in certain areas of town than others? >> So I would say that and >> I think cycle three may have been the
more challenging. >> Yeah, I think we're starting in the more challenging area of Milville >> because of the homes being much older >> because of the age of the homes. >> So as we go to newer neighborhoods, we should see the costs get lower. >> I would say that's very fair. And by having all this here, you're going to
have all this stuff that is needed. Like you went into this one particular house. You don't have to say, "Oh, I have to come back." >> You have what you need to have to have done to get it done that day. Done. Boom. >> If we're visiting Commissioner Caspin's house, we want to come once and get the job done. Okay.
>> We don't want to keep doing this to the customer. >> Absolutely. >> And we also understand it's hard enough to get one appointment, let alone two to come back. >> We're not charged more if you have to come back multiple times. >> No. Okay. >> No. >> All right. >> Okay. Thank you. Y I'm sorry to go backwards. This is new to all of us. So,
>> you know, I hate to >> do things that have already been explained to previous commissions. >> No, absolutely. >> So, I mean, moving forward, initially when this got presented in 23 that the
city um got a bond for $5 million. Um, right now we need all the commercial meters by the way were bought and delivered and uh are in stock here in Millville as part of phase one. So the
only as as long as the inch and a half and 2 inch meters. Some of those are residential, but they ordered all of the larger meters in phase one. So all we have to buy to uh complete the project are 58 and one inch meters and then the
radios and the touch pads that would be required for each account. And that would be we need 5,060 5/8 meters and 188 1- inch meters,
4,811 touch pads and 4,811 radios. Uh everything else is in stock. Uh we have about 1,400 meters in the container and that's
commercial and residential. We have zero 1-in meters left. All the 1-in meters that were bought for phase one have been installed. Um we have,56 58 left. Uh and
year to date so far from what uh Christian who's another member of meter who sends me all the information uh they have I think 136 installed so far in January or it may be from December and January um since we opened it up to more
of Milville. Uh so the more you know they're sending letters to other areas of town now and we are getting a lot of appointments. There are two installers here every day all day. And with that, it's like I know when the last meeting were like
16 a day if once the city's open all the way. When we ordered the rest, each installer would be you said like 16 meters a day. >> Target. >> Target 16. If everybody shows up to their appointment and you know if there are any
>> is there ever a time where technicians um have nothing to do? I'm going to give you one example that we're facing is um let's just say a landlord owns multiple properties and makes multiple appointments for that day and then doesn't show. We have a technician
that's five six appointments just canceled for the day. So what we're trying to do is and and Milville's done a very good job working with us is trying to backfill those appointments with meter pits that are outside the home that we don't need appointments to
do. So we we've been trying to keep them filled that way to keep progress moving. >> Yeah. Because if you do the math, I mean this is a how have you estimated when the completion date on I know it's hard to do but completion date of the entire project is. >> So so
no and the answer is no because we haven't gotten to the point where we are we're finally at now after meeting before with the uh willingness of Millville to open up the rest of the accounts. Right. >> Right. because we've been stuck in cycle one and three and it's been very it's
been like gridlock getting into these. Is >> there a reason why we didn't open up more areas for you? >> I don't have that answer. I would let Derek answer. >> Yeah. I mean, so we were originally when talking with Tracy, we wanted to concentrate on one cycle and to for
billing purposes. >> Okay. But now seeing that we're, you know, halfway through that cycle or more than halfway through and how easy it is for her to get the reads from the radios, it's they're right on the computer now. It's like a click of a button. She downloads
it in Edmonds and the billing and all the reads are there and then our meter readers, you know, gets the rest of them and we download to them. Um, and seeing that it's not as confusing as she thought it would be, she's now it's she says it, you know, we can open it up to
the rest of the town. Um, you know, there are multiple residents who have called regarding their bill since their new meter's been in saying that my bill's never been this high. Well, your previous meter is 33 to
35 years old. You know, its life expectancy was 15 years. So it, you know, probably wasn't working properly. Um, and some of that could been where you were getting water using more water
than you were being build because your meter is running slow. Uh, there are a couple where, you know, we say, look, you know, like look at it this quarter and look at it next quarter and see and this is what you actually have been using, but your
old meter wasn't registering it. So now it is. So, it's, you know, we're getting revenue for for the water that's being used daily. >> Was there any studies done prior to this that showed us how much revenue we were losing because of faulty meters?
>> Um, I say that would be on your unaccounted water, right? >> Yeah, our unaccounted water. I know Rusty did when we did the cornmine did the initial presentation at the he came to a commission meeting and did it. um he basically went through it and he said
uh I can't remember the exact time frame but for unaccounted water and with the new meters and the revenue that the the bond would be paid for um was like 5 to 10 years something like that with the new revenue. >> It's a big spread.
>> Yeah. I mean it's Yeah. So, I mean, you're not, you know, I I know you're not, it's not pennies, but, you know, certain ones, you know, and it might have been less than five to 10 years. I just, you know, I don't want to >> That's one of the things we were talking about, like, you know, this is a lot of money that the city spending, and, you
know, we there's we didn't really see any I think me and Marissa were talking about we didn't really see any reports or anything showing us what the payback was over time. you know, if if you're spending I think this total bond's going to be what, eight million by the time it's all done or more.
>> You bonded. >> We bonded five. >> So, I mean, we may exceed the bond and may have to go for more, but >> um you know, like right now with the pricing that census gave to Maine, it's our best chance of getting it done at
the 5 million. >> So, we have spent what six now? 1.6 now. >> I believe it's 26. And we're looking to do >> 2.7 2.8. >> Yes. So you're I'm sorry. >> 25
>> 25 >> 25 for the remainder of the equipment and that's the equipment and installations. >> So that's 4.2. So where where would we think we would spend another 800k just roughly? I know they're rough numbers, but I >> in the other 800k I don't know that we'd
spend 800,000. Um but you have to look at adders >> which which now we've included in the next >> Yeah. But >> but there is a cost to them when they're utiliz 250 >> that's a price >> that's one adder right that that item.
So each item has um >> oh I thought that two 2.8 had the adders expected adders in that >> it has so it has the cost of the adders in them but they're you're only ever build if there is a need to use it. >> Right. So, it's just basically an agreed
upon pricing for this. >> But correct me if this wrong. You did an educated guess of what based on that 10% and $250 of what that would be. >> I >> Where did we come up with 2.6? >> So, the 2.6 is your your meters. >> Yep.
>> Your install. >> And um I think that's all that's on there. Your >> be the price of one adder, >> right? >> Which was that? >> Aren't the adders included in the total? >> No, I have them all at zero. So, So that's that's your point. A includes no adders.
>> And so so real quick just to to go back a second when we talked about the need for the adders to be approved, right? >> Right. >> And and we got to this conversation because Milville held back money because they weren't approved. >> Right. >> So we came in and he said, "Look, I have to figure out where we're going to get
the money from." Derrick and I talked and I said our best case scenario >> is because I went we went and talked to Census which is the actual distributor of the product that you're using and we said look we need if we want to buy in bulk special pricing what's our options
and they came back and said here's what we can do so if we were to purchase all the project for the rest of the or all the material for the rest of the project we would then take that number and bring it down I believe it was a savings of and I don't have it in front of me but
we talked about it in the last meeting. >> I think something like six 16 sticks in my head. >> Yeah, it was a significant amount of money. >> 167. >> Yeah, like maybe 167 $170,000 in savings and that um in turn when you when we
talked about this you have started a project with a phase one. So phase one now is basically coming to an end once we get these thousand meters in. And now the cost of uh your install price is going up as
well. So what we're trying to do in this effort is here in this number is lock in your install price for the rest of the project. >> Right. >> Right. >> As much as I, you know, love working with meter techch and she she could put some earbuds on, I don't want to keep raising the install price every time we
do a phase. So that was the need to say, hey, let's just lock in a price with metertech. Let's lock in a price for the material and let's bring it in. And that was where we said, okay, we could cover the cost of any predicted 10% of adders
by doing that by saving that 170, you know, was where we could come up with the money. So I don't know that we go over the five. Um I I don't know that, but >> we're trying to stay well under it. >> Oh, you got it. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Yep.
>> Um just just for clarity here. So, uh I got a lot of things written down here. So, we had 3600 ordered commercial and residential. Uh we said uh 1,500 waiting, but then we said we had 1,400 in containers. >> It's off by 100.
>> So, we're off by 100 there. >> I'm I'm confused there. >> I noticed that, too. So that the 1500 would have been off of like going probably going off of accounts list of accounts. Um and then when I went in the I went in the
container in the shed this morning and counted all the meters. Um and that's where there's 145 in the container today. >> Okay. >> Um so the 1500 >> I may have been saying about >> okay >> before I looked at my total. >> Okay. >> That's fair. Um,
>> and the installer may have some >> And the installer have some on their >> That's fair. All right. >> Um, we said we couldn't get through um this cycle. Um, and so we wanted to open it up, right? Uh, so my question is
in this cycle, is that where most of the missing or damaged water meters, you would say, are? Uh because that's to the best of my knowledge why the previous commission wanted to pursue this was to make sure that people had water meters that were working.
>> Yeah. Um between Center City and South Milville, >> okay, >> are the big would be the biggest areas of problems. Um and there are meters. I mean, Tracy's not here, but to to she
could probably give you more exact numbers of the amount of meters that we've been estimating their bill for probably as long as I've been here because >> they refuse to let us in. >> Um, >> you know, it's a state law that you have
to have a working meter in your house. >> Correct. >> And you have to allow the city access to make sure that meter is working, >> right? Um, there's people that have they they get rid of their curb box so we don't know where their shut off is. They don't answer their doors so we can't turn their water off for non-payment.
Um, we can't do any of that stuff. So, these are some of the issues that once we get to the end of this project, we're going to have to deal with, >> right? I'm trying to figure out how are we how are we remedying that because we're moving on we're moving on to other houses. But
>> our final the the final option, you know, or how we look at it is we're going to have to go to all these houses and find these water lines. Hopefully, the majority of them we can find the box or, you know, and we're going to just go in and we'll put in a meter pit.
>> What's your current number of problems like that where you just can't do you have a running tally? >> Not for the ones that haven't responded. Um, so the the issue accounts I gave were ones that maybe need some plumbing work or >> but Tracy would know the amount of
>> um uh >> that >> estimated >> estimated reads. Yes. >> Right. >> And stop estimated reads and stop meters are kind of like on one list. I think I want to say it was around 3,000. >> Wow. That many >> like on the estimated list or stop meter list at at one point. >> Um,
>> and how many meters do we have total? Um, we have around I think it's um 8,000 or 9,000 accounts. >> So 8,000 9,000 accounts and 3,000 of them are on constant estimated >> or estimated >> as at one point um or another and some
of them still are uh some of them you know we have been able to fix. I mean, there's there's been accounts, you know, that eventually the house sells or, you know, somebody buys it and then, you know, they call us for, you know, they need the water shut off for repairs or
whatever. And then we're like, well, that meter hasn't worked for years, so we need to get in there first and, you know, so we have been able to do make some of the repairs. But you know when we started this project that was a number that was given to the you know the old commission like the you know our
meters are way outdated. Um we have a ton that are not working properly and you know for whatever reason we haven't always been able to get into these houses. Um, some of them may have been where like it's not that we haven't
been able to get in there, but when the reports are run or whatever, um, you know, maybe they were missed, they weren't getting letters or, um, you know, somehow when, like I said, when they run that report and get the list that that address doesn't show up on the
report or um, you know, for some reason they just keep getting the estimated bill, >> right? But it is about 3,000. >> I would I'm thinking that was the number that Tracy gave um in the beginning of this. >> But some of those numbers you're hoping
to go down because you're now fixing some. Yes. Some of them are legitimate and then some aren't. >> Yeah. Some of the calls that we've gotten to um you know where they said, "My bill's never been this high." And we we pull up the account and say, "Well, your old meter hasn't read in 10 years.
you've been getting, you've been paying the minimum of $30 a quarter for 10 years. Now, you actually have a meter that is registering the amount of water you use, and that's why your bill is what it is, >> right? >> Um, and you know, with these new meters,
like we we can take uh a laptop to their house and show them their daily usage. Um, we can pull a report up, we can show them how much water they use per hour, >> right? And you know, a lot of them were like, you know, we they said, "Well,
there's no way." And I said, "Well, something's going on, but look at the between this hour and this hour, you're using this much water overnight. Every hour you're using 10 gallons." They're like, "Well, there's no way. I'm asleep that time." One was uh a business. They're like, "Nobody's there." So, we said, "Okay, you got to have a leaking
toilet or something." They searched the whole building. Nothing. They said, "Okay." They said, "There's nothing leaking." I said, "Well, something's, you know, got to be leaking." We we told them, "Turn your water off, your main shut off valve off when you leave at 3:00.
When you come in in the morning, turn it back on. Call us. We'll go on the and we'll look at the account and we'll see if it was still showing usage for every hour." And it wasn't. So, we're like, "There's something going on." So, we told them to do a die test in your toilet. I said, "Because the bathrooms
aren't near your offices, so you're not going to hear the toilet come on, fill up the tank, and shut off once an hour." And that's what was happening. >> Okay. >> So, >> just that small leak. We all have in our houses where you can hear it. >> A toilet leak can cause you a major water bill. You would think it wouldn't,
but >> it can be the biggest water bill. It did. >> This kind of this kind of goes back to >> I would love to see if you guys could get us that estimate of when the payoff would be. I don't know if you have that like the estimated payoff. >> I would love to have that in front of
you. I've asked my company for uh multiple times to give us some sort of study that we could present to councils and commissions and I have yet to get the answer. >> That seems like that's something that would be one of the first questions I would ask if I was going to enter into a project like this.
>> I can tell you before I came to uh coordinate and took the position I have now. I worked for a utility um you know left there as superintendent um I know this product. We use this product. We have 1500 accounts. is a very small utility. Um, we did a two-year install
rate and within five years we seen our money back. >> Okay. >> So, I don't have anything written, anything approved and I don't know that I could provide you with that because I've been asking for the same thing to supply. Um, >> I mean that's that's kind of should be one of your biggest selling points as a
company. Yeah, I mean you're coming into but um at the end of the day I mean >> anybody can tell you that a 30 to 35 year old 25 to 35 year old meter is running 25 to 30% slow. Um and you're losing that revenue.
>> I'm not I'm not saying that you're not I I believe you for sure, but I would love to see a study or something that shows exactly when your payoff is and and here's why. >> Yeah. And I I have the I have the presentation that Russy gave uh in the beginning and he did give uh it might
have just been him speaking but he did give some some insight as to how you know in his mind what he thought when the project would be paid off. So I can u I could forward you guys that presentation >> and you guys can watch. So, um,
something that the public, uh, may not be aware of that has me baffled with this whole thing, uh, was that in 2023, um, this was done by a purchase order rather than a formal contract. Um, and that, you know, that there was no formal contract that was approved by the
governing body. Um, so because of a lack of a formal contract, um, which I found hard to believe to be honest, um, I'm troubled because there's no, um,
definition of scope risk allocation. Um and then some of the questions I have so because we don't have you know a formal contract um with phase one stock uh what terms I
guess govern um storage responsibility you mentioned a container um so um installation responsibility damage or um or loss prior to the actual
installation you know the contractual stuff. Um, warranty enforcement um >> warranty of the beater. >> So, for example, uh we mentioned a container. I don't know what that means exactly. Is that like a pod? >> Yeah, like a conx container.
>> Okay. So, um when I look at the warranty, it's um very vague. It says it has to have proper storage. Like what constitutes proper storage? What happens if the pod freezes? What happens if we have issues with these meters? Who's liable? So right now freeze wouldn't be
a concern because there's no water in the meter. Um and I think that the what we supplied for the warranty information is referencing once it's installed in a home. >> Okay. >> There's a subsection though about storage itself. >> Okay. Yeah. So yeah, I don't see it
there's zero risk of them freezing because there's no water in them. Um but yeah, as far as >> I guess because it doesn't outline who's liable for what. Like even insurance, who's insuring them? Is it the city? >> Is it the company? >> Well, they're in the pod. Who where's
the insurance? >> Where is the pod? >> Uh, where? >> Okay. So, we have it on on city propert brought it down. And >> so, that's what I'm asking. Who's legally responsible for the for the meters while they're in storage? If it's not our pod,
but it's on our property. >> Good point. >> You know, those are concerns that I have. Um, like does that liability transfer upon delivery? We don't have a contract. I don't know. Um, do we get confirmation of acceptance of
the storage methods? Like, was did anybody here say, "Yeah, we could put that pod here. That's okay." Did that ever go through legal? Um, so these are all of the issues that I've honestly had with this. These are things that should have been addressed in 2023 before we we
did a bond. Um, there should have been a contract. And now three years later, here we are trying to figure out, you know, um, >> and I'm gonna jump in here. I'm not trying to cut you off, but I did look at the the warranty information for temperature and I think it was from
minus something up to 156 degrees. Now, do these pods get hotter than 156 degrees? Uh, I know cars can >> Oh, yeah, sure. closed up. Yeah, I would agree with that. Uh, >> so if these are vent I mean, I believe it's vented. Um, yeah, I would imagine
it gets hot there. I would I would If the pods get, you know, I mean, you know, we all know that cars get very >> hot and if these pods get over 156 degrees and pieces are damaged, >> I I So, if anything is damaged upon and
I mean, we're going to warranty it out. Uh, so there is >> is that in writing anywhere that you're going to warranty? >> So, it's if you're pulling out a box of melted, we're going to warranty them. Um, it's it's not in writing. So, just to go back to answer your question because I don't
want to seem like I'm not answering it, but if there's an issue where the storage is the issue right now in a freak situation, if they were to have melted, then yes, we would warranty them. But I'm going to tell you, and I think Christina could talk on this, this is the common setup for all projects is
to go into storage containers. And we have projects throughout the whole entire state of New Jersey. >> Never had one melt. >> For myself, I've never had one melt. I don't know about you, but and I states in different states. >> I you know melting I mean like you know stolen you know all of these kind of
things very valid points. Yes. >> Um and and the fact that none of this really went through legal review is just baffling to me. I guess I guess my you know when you look at all of this stuff you know continued cost escalation without any contractual limits is really
what's got me kind of >> concerned. Do you guys normally sign contracts when you do things with municipalities? I've done a lot of AMI projects and that's what this is considered. You know, we did infrastructure and and the whole nine and this is usually how this goes >> just by purchase order.
>> Just by purchase. Yes. >> So, >> um >> yeah, because >> Go ahead, Brock. >> Go ahead, bro. >> Yeah, you know, I'm looking at the initial resolution and it does reference
a state contract and that's the ESCJ contract. >> Okay. Uh so uh was this awarded pursuant to the state a state contract? >> I believe >> the initial purchase of >> Yeah. Everything that every the meters
and the radios were bought off of that contract. That's why it didn't have to go out to bid. >> Yeah. That was >> because it was bought from state contract >> educational co-op. I believe that they bought the first round from >> it would be the same as how we're we would be trying to purchase this through
source. >> Okay. Um >> do we know what the IT burden is for these? Like do we have enough uh space on servers? Do we have you know is
there an IT burden? Is there end? >> Yeah. Okay. >> They own their own like cell >> frequency. All the infrastructure and the hosting and the data storage is all on core main side. >> Okay. >> Okay. Is that a subscription? A subscription.
>> There's a yearly fee for that. Yes. They're called SAS fees. And there is a yearly fee. >> Can you tell me what that is? >> Um it's so it's just basically covers all the network hosting, all the storage, all that. So um your cost to have the licensing. So we operate on a
our own license frequency. So, um, if you were to take like a cell network or something like that, um, other other meters, other companies use cellular. We use our own frequency. So, part of that is you're paying to be on that license frequency. So, I
>> I guess my question was how much is that subscription fee? >> So, it's like 25. >> You are under 5,000 uh meters right now, but eventually at the end of the project, you'd be over. So, 0 to 5,000's one price, 5,000's over. So right now I believe uh you're probably around 125
and then it's probably going to be around 15 >> per month. >> No, no, no, no. Per for your >> year. Yeah, >> 15,000 per year. >> 15,000 per year. >> Yeah. Once it's finally completed. >> That zero to five until you push. >> Well, that must be in a contract somewhere. >> That has to be in the original. Yeah.
The SAS piece. Yeah. All that all that was spelled out. Yeah. >> So yeah, you pay your initial upfront and then you get build for it annually afterwards and then increases 3% each year. All that was spelled out in the original. >> Okay. We need >> purchase. >> Okay.
>> And how long is that good for? >> The sass fees. >> Yeah. >> Uh so you should expect them to go 3% yearly. >> Okay. >> For the next 20 years. >> It can't be raised more than 3%. >> No, >> it's capped. Okay. >> Yep. It's capped at 3%. Do
>> we have any, and this might be a question for Brock, I'm not sure, but do we have any recourse for the homeowners, landlords that are refusing to let us in? Like, >> yes. >> Are we >> are we shutting their water off? Are we doing anything?
>> Fines or anything like that? >> We can, but we do have recourse. >> We do have reports. Okay. Okay. >> We do have recalls. >> We we've and some of the letters because we've sent multiple letters, not just meter tech, from the city to the area
that they're installing, you know, saying that you need to schedule your appointment. Um the first round was, you know, by December 1st, um if you don't, you know, you could, you know, incur a fine or your water could be shut off or something like that.
>> We haven't done any of that yet, right? >> We have. So, we sent initial ones saying, you know, we've sent two rounds of letters trying to get them to make their appointment, saying it's not a scam. You know, meter techch, if if they haven't contacted you, here's their number, you know, contact them. Um, and
then we're to the point where for some of those, well, for the accounts in that area of town that have yet to respond through multiple attempts, you know, we have to decide. >> Well, that's what I'm asking. We haven't shut off anybody.
>> By state law, we're not allowed to turn water off between October and April. >> Right. >> So, we can't really We can incur a fine possibly if they don't right now, but >> we haven't done that yet either. >> No. And we can't shut their water off until after April. >> Okay. >> So, I would, if you don't mind, I would
say on every project, you end up with your problem accounts at the end. And then at that point it's really a discussion between um the utility and ourselves about how we want to push that for those accounts at that point. So I'd say you almost are
like kind of weeding through the ones getting the mass done and then worrying about you know the the issues at the end and then we always welcome a little teeth behind our letters or emails or shut off notices from the utility. I mean that just helps us get our work
completed. So, we always welcome the support. >> It was alluded to me and I and maybe I misunderstood that there was a way to install these uh should somebody uh not be compliant about, you know, letting letting you guys in um letting the meteor tech guys uh
>> is that the outside well you talking about so that can be >> then that would be something that that we would do. Okay. The >> city would go and dig up the service, shut their line off, cut in uh a new
hanger, put the pit out in the meter outside, and then they would receive a letter um basically stating that the meter inside their house is no longer the responsibility of the city. Um if anything happens to that meter or the the hanger or the plumbing, it is the
responsibility of the homeowner. Okay? Your meter is now outside and any billing will be done from the meter that is outside. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, that's as a last resort. We can do that. All right.
>> I'm just going to um throw question for Trish real quick. >> Um you were you were attempting to say something and and I'm sorry that we were in the middle of something that 2.6. >> Yes. >> And the adders, what were you going to add to that? I was just going to clarify
if so the adders on the quote were just locking down the price per they just don't have the quantity. So when you thought that the quantity of the quot >> Oh okay we're locked in um >> at the price
out invoices that we haven't paid because the cost wasn't part of the page. So, we're we're just locked in at these prices listed on their on their >> and we're hoping the adders don't come over the eight eight,000
which uh just quick math we're around 250,000 if we were at 10% $250. So, >> just in in um you know transparency we we did talk about the commercial accounts. So, on on the adders there is a a survey line item
>> um and that allows me team to go out do the survey see what they need. So you're talking 30 years of progress in uh meters now. So if you got an old meter that's 24 in long and you know the new replacement's 20. So in that survey
you're going to be saying okay we need to come in we need this flange. We need a spool piece which takes up that 4 in. We have talked about that and covered it. Um, and Derek had said at that point he would like once meteor does the surveys and hands over that information,
they would then take that and purchase them themselves. So there is no markup, there's no perfect. >> And we've all kind of agreed that would be the best route to go. >> And you did sort of allude to most of the add-ons or adders or whatever we're calling them today. A lot
of those homes have already been attempted. >> Yeah, there's some that we have done and in theory, but we have >> that goes down as the houses get newer. >> Yes. Plumbing is in good condition. Reason to >> All right. Can I jump in? I don't mean
to beat revenue death, but I as a city, we want to be responsible to the taxpayers's money. We've done 2100 meters so far and they were in areas where we probably were having meters
that weren't working properly. Have we seen more revenue compared to last year? What's the revenue difference? Do we know? >> I I don't off the top. I would have to that'd be a Tracy question. >> Like the only reason I ask is because we want to be responsive to the the public
when they say, "Hey, we're spending uh you know, $5 million for these fancy meters." And, you know, we like to go back to them and say, "Hey, it p they paid for themselves. You know, this isn't money that we're just wasting so we can have see who's taking a shower at 12:00 at night." you know, we want to show them that this is actually going to
they're going to pay for themselves and you know, uh, you know, people who are not paying for water are going to be paying for water. >> I mean, without the numbers, I mean, I I would say yes, we we have seen an increase just on the phone calls for the
accounts that have been estimated for three to five or 10 years, and now they're getting a bill, and they're saying, >> you look monthto month from >> Yeah. And they could say, I never paid this much money. I my water bill has always been $30. Now it's 41. >> Tracy probably has an end a year for
2024 and end a year 2025. I would I would assume >> there should be a difference I would imagine. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Would she have a total revenue for the water meters or no? Maybe not. I don't know. >> You should be able to run reports. I mean she would know best. I don't know the districts.
>> Well, you could look December from year to year and you should see a difference. >> Not the exact calendar year because of how cycles go, >> but we might be able to the same time frame this year time frame >> last year versus even if you don't do the zones if you just do the whole city.
Yeah. >> You know it's going should show some increase right? >> Yeah. Because I get we get total revenue from water meters yearly that I have to put in the water audit when I do my the
water audit every year. So she does get the re you know we go to her every year >> for those answers. So >> yeah, as we put more and more in, we should be able to see, hey, this is what we're, you know, I did some quick math here, and it it it can add up quickly. >> Yeah. >> So, if you don't mind too, the other
part is obviously revenue is one of the things that is the most lucrative point of a meter change out, but also you're putting in a smart meter. Um, so for the residents, um, we're actually when I stopped to drop something off over at where avenue, I was talking to Jason over there. We're going to set him up
with the all alarms reports. So weekly he'll be getting reports and whomever else wants them, we can send them to him. Um he'll get continuous flow, he'll get um uh no water, he'll get reverse flow. So if a resident were to have a
leak and not be home, the utilities are going to get an email that says, "Hey, for x amount of hours, 20, it's usually 24 hours they've used and whatever the set point is we set it at, they've used this. There's an issue there, right? And so now they get a work order to go out
there and say, "Hey, go check this out for the for the homeowner." And on top of that, if someone were to pull their meter, right, it's still going to read if they set it on a shelf somewhere, it gives you an empty pipe alarm. If they were to turn it around to try to get their revenue back, it gives you a reverse flow alarm. It gives you a high
flow alarm, it gives you a low flow alarm. So there's a lot to this meter other than just increasing revenue that safeguards the residents. >> So I had a house one time that the pipe froze and four days nobody was there. Water was >> flowing through everywhere. So that
would have been caught something like that would be called. >> And then the other thing that since we did talk about freezing is um the meters that you base most the majority of meters that you have are SR2s, the old style brass plate meters.
They have a freeze plate on the bottom that's cut in force and that's just designed to blow apart if it freezes. And it's to do that so the homeowner's plumbing doesn't, you know, the I Pearl is a plastic uh outer shell meter that has two notches that just basically
crack and open and it allows the pressure off so nothing else breaks. But it actually reduces the amount of water that's going into the customer's house too. >> And you don't have to replace the entire meter. >> Oh no, the meters once it's done. But for the cost of the meter that you're replacing for the IPO, you're basically
same as the plate, the chamber, the gaskets for the SR2, the old one. >> What's the average on the batteries? I'm curious. >> So, uh, 20 years. It's 15-year guaranteed, 5year prated on the warranty, but um, >> how long do they last usually? >> Yeah, I mean, we're seeing I pearls, the
original eye pearls are at 17 years now. >> Okay. >> Um, I've warrantied them out at 10 years. I mean, doesn't mean that you don't see them commonly at that, but I have seen them before their life cycle that we warranty them. Even if the display goes bad on them, you know, it's warrantied. So,
>> are the batteries something the homeowner can change or is that something that >> all Yeah, we we uh the utility would pull them, replace the meter or whatever the case may be. Um, normally they're calling me and saying, "Hey, this is the situation." I say, "All right, swap it out. We'll warranty it." You know, so we
send it back to North Carolina to direct >> and then they give us a new meter. >> Yeah. And then they'll they'll do their, you know, inquiry on it and they'll send it back. And, you know, we have some that uh they won't replace frozen, you know, obviously we've tried that, you
know, um and or damage where someone has taken a hammer to the screen, they won't replace that. But they are very fair in what they replace. Um and that includes the radio that's on the exterior of the home too as well is a is a 20 year warranty. >> The battery is warranted for 20 years. So after 20 years when all these
batteries start going we basic we have to start paying for more meters. >> Uh yeah be right. >> Okay. They have a shelf life of 20 years. Now does this warranty include from the install date or does it include from the date that we actually received them? So, I'm not going to give you that
answer until I look at the sheet because when I was reading it yesterday as I was driving trying to send it to to Derek, um I believe it's from the ship date, but I don't have that. I don't know that. >> So, this is probably a three-year project at least getting this all done by
>> Yeah, but you don't have uh So, two-part answer on that. Three-year project, yes. But I would say that if we were to have the material and have the cycles opened up like we've talked about, I think at our rate of
completion, we were under a year out if we did the math correctly. >> Is there anything stopping us from opening up the entire city? >> Is there a reason we don't want to do that? >> No. >> Okay. So, we could >> we that's what we that's what we want to
>> that's why we're here to, >> you know, we're trying to get the okay to purchase the remainder, you know, of the material. >> It does strike me a little weird that the 20-year warranty that in 20 years we're going to be replacing pretty much all the meters. Is that normal for this
type of product? >> Yeah. I mean, in all reality, for your older meters, you should have been doing that. You know, they had a 15ear shelf life >> and we're at 35. >> So, we don't have to trade them out in 20. >> I'm going to tell you. I'm going to tell
you the battery. I got to tell you, I came from a very cheap utility and um we weren't replacing them if they were still working. I can tell you that. >> You know, I only if the battery goes bad. >> Yeah. Your accuracy and your warranty go away at 20 years, right? So, if you have a meter now, they're not guaranteeing
the accuracy on it. So, what what it comes down to is if you have a meter that's running fast and you have a dispute and there's some sort of issue, then census is guaranteeing that. I have not yet been involved in one of them, but they're guaranteeing that accuracy for 20 years. >> Okay.
>> Um, and outside the 20 years of the warranty on the battery, I mean, you're just, you know, house money at that point if it's if it's still running, which I've seen. >> It's another consideration that, you know, at 20 years when the batteries are start going bad, you're starting to replace those meters and that just kind
of goes into the whole cost, you know, cost effectiveness. So, something to consider. >> Sure. I'm I'm good. I don't have I mean if you don't know if you have any other questions. >> No, not right now. Um we definitely need
to figure out who's in charge. Yeah, I mean like I said the originally, you know, by starting a phase one and doing this, it it I believe cost us more money in the long run. If when we
got the original price for the entire city, um if we would have locked it in then, the install rate would have never changed from the get-go. um you know and the adders and all this stuff and you
know may have all been taken care of from the first place but it was kind of I think rushed once we decided you know let's do a phase one and see if we like it >> right >> I mean which I don't see why you're going to spend the amount of money we spent on a phase one and then turn
around and take it out so to me you know I would have I think maybe would have been better to just here's the bond. Here's what we need. Let's get the project done. >> That's how it should have happened. Absolutely. >> And you know, because you bonded, you
know, that that bond is only good for a meter upgrade. You can't use that money for anything else. Am I right on that, Trish? >> So, that's what the money's there for. You know, it should have, in my opinion, been just citywide from the get-go.
>> All right. We can't we can't go backwards. We can only go forwards. Now, that's why we're being here >> very diligent with our uh you know, dotted eyes and cross tees. >> And like I said, this is our best chance to get the project done for what we bonded for the amount we bonded. >> So, my question one real quick thing uh
and Brock can chime in on this, too. The the concerns we do have about the warranty, are we able to craft a contract that just delineates who's responsible for what? I know you say things are done generally on purchase order, but if we have legitimate concerns, how do we address those? And
maybe Brock can uh jump in. >> Okay. You're asking me? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Well, as I understand it, you know, there this was a uh state contract. Uh it also was uh a service
that's not uh provided by many other vendors. Uh and uh it's kind of a you know, if you want to do this type of project, you're you're kind of stuck with what the contract is. uh and Derek and uh the other gentlemen,
you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that that this may be one of those situations. There are other ones that we we have that are similar to that where there's only one game in town and either you play by dance by their tune or else you're not going to be able to prove the
deal. >> Well, he backs me in a corner there, I will say. But um so yes, he is correct. by buying off of a state contract, which you would be doing in this situation under source. Um, we are the only ones
that have the fullon licensed AMI system out there and we are Core Main is the only distributor for census in this area or in the state. Um, there are competitors, but they're not they're cellular and different meters that don't
meet the same specs as what we have. Um, so yeah, I think he's correct there. Um, to to go back to what you said, uh, there was a gentleman in the last meeting that we met with, he was the engineer, I think,
>> and he had he had some concerns and, uh, to go back to what you had said about the warranty and who's covering them. >> If we were to purchase all this and put out a PO out there, we talked to the distributor. We can do all this as long
as we them over 6 months. So if one of the concerns is and and I and I hear you and I think you have a valid concern for the town is that we don't want too much product there something happens. >> So he had mentioned bringing in a th000 meters a month which is probably you
know right about to keep us going and stocking that unit. We could do that and that also helps with the ship date on the warranty. It pushes every one a month out. So that gives you those additional months. Do you feel like we have 6,000 moreish? >> Uh, yeah, it's under six.
>> It's 5,060 residential or 58 and 188 one inch. >> So, we could divide that number six months, right? You know, and think it's going to take me once I put the order in, it's going to take a little bit to get get product moving, but I can extend the ship dates out for up to six months
after the PO. Okay. >> So, that would help with some of that. >> Put that in. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah, if I can add something else. When you uh pro when you procure goods and services
under the state contract, that's that's under an exception to the local public contracts law. In other words, you don't have to go out to bid. And one of the reasons why that's permitted is because uh the state already went out
the bid. uh and uh apparently this company uh won that particular bidding process. So because there's a state contract, we don't have to go out to bid a second time as long as we follow the state contract.
>> Marissa, have you seen the state contract? >> No. >> All right. Maybe some of these issues are actually in the state contract. >> Uh yeah. So the one that we're looking do this under now because the EC SNJ is expired. Um I would have loved to have
stayed with the same one but um source well so >> the contract numbers on the quote at the top. >> So um you'll see if you were to go on source well and look up pricing for 58 years or whatever we obviously have to
come under that pricing to a to be awarded and we're because of the special pricing we're well under that. Um the radios are on there, installs on there, everything that we have suggested is under that contract. So um I will say
this, uh one of the things that we we talked about is Census is giving me special pricing till the 31st of January. I need to get an order in by then. So I don't know when you guys meet again. I don't know how fast the source
can be awarded. Um, I know I used to work with source well. I think it's an advertisement. I, you know, but I don't know the time frame. So, I just wanted to put that out there. I don't need a response on that. Just wanted to give you what we're up against. >> Certainly, we could buy product after
the 31st, but it's not going to be it's >> okay. >> Thank you guys. >> Now, if for some reason I think we meet on the 20th, um, if we say yes and everything to go, we're talking about We have a
sit and wait for 10 days for some weird municipal law and it's February 2nd. I'm hoping that long as we're showing that everything is in there, but we'll see because that's going to make a difference though. >> I mean, I will go back again, right?
>> Um but >> but let's deal with that after the meeting. >> Yeah. I mean, I we started this process uh well before Christmas having these conversations and trying to push for the special pricing. So, >> and thank you. We started this process two weeks ago. >> Um
>> so, but I do appreciate the work you did prior. >> It keeps us all sharp. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. But thank you. I do appreciate it. >> Yeah. Um any anything else I can answer? Um Derek has my number and contact, please. >> We appreciate everything. We're not trying to grill you just for fun. You
guys are doing a great job of answering all their concerns, trust me. So, and you have a job to do and you know, I'm sure you get crucified when you do it wrong in others opinions. So, >> and I hope Derek didn't tell you 1:30. I hope he told you 1:00 for today. >> I did not 1:30. >> I wouldn't have been late. So,
>> I'm telling you, >> you two could discuss discuss that later. >> Thank you. >> I I emailed someone for the time. >> Oh, was it me? >> Thanks for your time. >> Yes. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you so much. >> Thanks, Derek. Thanks. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Resolution authorizing an amendment to service contracts 2024 and 202 2025 with Ryel LLC for information technology management and VOIP phone services to correct award for additional on-site IT
staffing coverage. >> I think this one's going to take a little bit more time. All right. So, um this is a previous um this is not us. Um
we entered into a contract with Rell for a couple things. one was for their services and one was to have somebody on site um in 2023, 2024, 2025. Um we were not
there in any of them. Um we paid the Rell contract but not the onsite part of it. Um, Rell didn't notice. We didn't notice. Luckily
though, um, that money that is coming up now has already been budgeted for luckily for us that money has been put aside. It's in the budget. It's there. Um, just for some reason, they never
invoiced us. We never saw it. They never saw it. Um, so that's what we're catching up on, our obligation to pay the onsite um, it guy Ricky. Um, Ricky still get paid. So Ricky hasn't went two and a half years without getting
>> Yeah. Um, he does look skinny, but he does. So, uh, >> he lives in a box behind. >> Yes. But, uh, yeah, it was it was a miss it was missed by Rell and us. Um, so we're just writing a wrong um that we're
due to pay, but we do have the money. It for some reason, luckily, like I said, it was in the budget, so it's there. We just never paid it. So, >> yep. >> Okay. >> I hope that was a good enough. >> It was amazing. >> I'm glad Ricky's still eating.
>> Yeah, I I wonder sometimes. >> All right. >> Resolution authorizing the purchasing agent to award a purchase order for the city of Milville. final phase of meter upgrade project. >> All right. >> Should we talk about that anymore? >> It's a long discussion.
>> An hour's worth. >> I I feel a little better >> than I did coming in today. A little better. >> Yeah. >> So, if that is approved on Tuesday, we can do the purchase order the next day.
>> Okay. Because that's what he was asking about. >> That's what he was asking. Okay. We don't have to wait. There's no time. There's no time period. All right. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> I tell you when you talk sometimes I'm like I hear voices. So >> sometimes it sounds like it's coming from over there. >> I know. It does sound like it's coming
from over there. The way the room is. Thank you, Trish. >> You're welcome. >> Resolution appointing municipal assistant attorney. >> Any comments? This is for Rick D. Michelle from DM Michelle and DM Michelle. Very excited
for Rick to come on board. We've met him multiple times and um very happy to have him part of the team. >> Yes. >> Resolution authorizing tax and utility adjustments.
>> That's just the standard one every month submit something >> for every meeting. >> So not to go backwards, I am going backwards and I do apologize. Um the resolution for assistant um attorney we are um looking to up upgrade it to not
to exceed 60,000 >> instead of 25. Right. Okay. >> So I just want to let you guys just so we don't have to come back every 3 months. >> Yep. Right. All right. Very good. Thank >> resolution authorizing special assessment of municipal leans for certain properties incurred by Milville
relating to board and secure. Any comments? >> Standard protocol. >> Okay. Um resolution appointing business administrator. >> Rick, would you like to speak to this? >> Uh yes. So um uh we're going to have a u
business uh administrator coming on in um next meeting probably start uh the following Monday. Um yeah. So good. Um I'll just make some comments. Um, so Mr. Couchi is moving to economic
development. Very um, confident in his abilities to help propel this city forward >> in economic development. He's going to devote all of his time to that. Um, so the new business administrator, we're very uh, we've all met with him multiple times and we're very confident in him.
Um uh the city is um we're moving toward uh a more professional and um a more professional way that the city operates and uh we think that this new
business administrator uh Roy Berman uh is one big step forward in that endeavor. >> Very very intelligent gentleman. Anybody else? >> Looking forward to uh working with Roy, >> working with him. >> Very forward thinking IT background as
well. Um >> it's all important moving forward. It's the future. >> A resolution authorizing professional service contract with Hardenburg Insurance Group to provide insurance broker of record services general workman's compensation.
>> All right. So there was already a RFP for this. Um there's always confusion. And I understand every year this isn't a a major thing. Um there's a couple different insurance things. There's a insurance broker of record for our health benefits. Uh there's a risk
management one and then there's the ones for workman's comp. Um so we just didn't have the resolution last time for this because there was just a um confusion. So we're just adding this on. Um they were the lower contract. Um so that's
about it. >> Right. Anyone else? All right, that's the end of our resolutions. Uh, I want to open this time up for any uh thing that commissioners would like to bring up as far as new business. >> I don't have anything, mayor.
>> Nothing. No. >> Nothing. Okay. Um, madam clerk, is there any new business? >> Uh, not right now, mayor. >> All right. We have now reached the public comment portion of our meeting. We have Anyone who would like to address the
commission, please go to the podium, state your name and address and your concerns. Please limit your concerns to approximately five minutes. >> Seeing nobody approach vote. No, I'm kidding. >> Good afternoon. Steve Soloff. I'm from
Vinand. Uh for those who don't know, I run a informationation project about local elections here in Cumberland County. Uh before I get started, just a point of clarification. How are public comments supposed to go
moving forward? Cuz in Vinland, it seems to be super strict, like only speech, no back and forth. If you go to Lawrence Township, it can almost turn into a cage match. But here it seems to be a little bit of um the speech and then question
and answer if appropriate. >> I believe and correct me if I'm wrong during agenda questions we go back and forth. We can go back and forth during open comments. It's generally we will answer your question if we choose to during our comments of commissioners. We
try not to get into a back and forth. You you're a very nice gentleman, Steve, but not everyone is as polite and nice as you. So when you get in that back and forth, it kind of devolves into a little bit chaotic with some people. So the hopefully if you ask questions, the commissioners during their final
comments would would answer those for you. >> Okay. Sure. Uh this is set up very speech-like, but if you have questions, please ask them. So, uh, the reason I'm here this afternoon is to raise awareness about fire district elections
and the broader reality facing local fire and EMS services in the area. Milville itself has its city fire department, I believe, but it's important to recognize that Milville doesn't exist in isolation. Neighboring fire districts regularly provide mutual
aid and milville benefits from and supports that network more than some residents may realize. For example, Laurel Lake Fire District reported at a recent meeting that they handled eight calls from Milville. Uh Cumberland Station 23, which actually has a
Millville address, is also part of this ecosystem. And it wouldn't surprise me at all if mutual aid is occurring there as well. Port Elizabeth isn't far either, and I'm pretty sure their meeting didn't occur this month because I went at the posted
time, which itself highlights how difficult it can be for the public to track what's going on across these districts. When I first started researching uh fire districts, I was honestly told by some people that they weren't particularly
interesting or worth much attention. But as I dug deeper through meetings, interviews, and direct conversations, a very different picture emerged. In my interview with Laurel Lake Fire District Secretary Casey Katalano, who regularly
was at his secretary desk until 2 a.m. renovating websites, and during a meeting with the Port Norris Fire District, where they handed me a lawn sign for recruitment, it became clear that these fire districts are struggling.
That understanding really solidified last night at the Morris River Township meeting where Cumberland Station 23 Secretary Lillian Johnson along with others involved confirmed that this struggle is not isolated. Multiple districts are dealing with staffing
shortages, recruitment challenges, and the need for more public engagement. And importantly, they expressed a strong interest in collaborating moving forward. This is why I see a real opportunity right now. Fire district elections are coming up soon. Turnout is
typically very low, under 2%. And there are often open commission seats. But beyond voting, there's a broader need for people to step up as I was told at my first fire district meeting that I was the second person from the public to show up in 12 years.
So whether it's serving as commissioners, becoming firefighters or EMS volunteers, helping with fundraising, or simply paying attention a bit to what's going on, fire districts seem to need some attention. I do want to briefly flag the timeline
reality, too, because it affects how much awareness we can realistically build. The election is about a month away, but candidate signatures won't be submitted for about another week, followed by processing time. That leaves
about two weeks to conduct outreach, organize information in a way that's understandable and marketable, and promote things like a candidate forum, which I have scheduled for February 7th at the Millville Public Library from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After that,
residents then have about two weeks to review the information before casting ballots, and that's assuming active participation and available information from all parties involved. So, I'm currently working on nonpartisan efforts to raise awareness, including
the affformentioned fire district candidate forum, radio outreach, social media articles, etc. I'm not here to advocate for any candidate or outcome. I'm here because this system works best when people know
it exists and understand how they can participate. If anyone here, commissioners, city staff, fire district representatives or residents want to collaborate, share information, or help get the word out about elections,
recruitment, or fundraising efforts, I'm very open to helping. Thank you for your time. >> Thanks, Stephen. >> So, I I can address some of that. Um, so I I'll start off by saying that I'm not really too familiar with the internal
structure of the fire districts. Um, I know Milville, Bridton, and Violin are not fire districts. Um, we're municipalities. The fire districts are the outlying uh, you know, mun municipalities. Uh, like like you mentioned, um, we do have
mutual aid agreements with which exist within the county. Um, Milville has mutual aid agreements with pretty much every municipality. Um, depending on location and and area of the county. Um,
at no point would we ever not respond mutual aid wise. Um um we and it's absolutely correct that there is a shortage of personnel
uh countrywide countrywide. Um it is not just Milville. It is not just the county. It's not just the state. It's everywhere. Um I encourage everybody to get out and volunteer.
Um, we need volunteers at Milville Fire. We need them. They need all the sending districts, the the outlying districts are struggling because it's dwindling. Um, the class periods and uh learning
times for to become a firefighter have been extended. It's a long period of time. It's a lot of hard work. Um, you got to take the test. Um, just to be a volunteer. Um, I've done it way back.
It's a lot different than it was when I was in. Um, as far as EMTs and stuff like that, um, we don't have a volunteer rescue squad in or EMT squad in in Milville anymore, but we do have PDMS. We have paid staff and we're always
looking for PD PDMs, you know, so to speak. Um I'm as far as I know we also you know are mutual aid for ambulances for some of the districts. Um not all.
It depends on the the distance right because you know we depends on the distance that they are and some municipalities use other it's kind of a pecking order like we would be third or fourth in line as
opposed to first. Um, but that's just how the mutual aid agreements work. Um, but the as far as the election that we don't elect fire district people here. Um, we're just and neither is bridge center violin. It's different. It's a different thing. And like I said, I am
not familiar with the structure and internal how they go on in the in the fire districts. So to help >> I hope. >> Thank you. >> All right. And uh seeing no one at the podium, I'm going to close the public
Oh, I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> I'm sorry. >> Hi, Laura Burns. I wasn't going to get up and speak. I was just going to tell you each individual, but seeing you're getting flat for the one:00 agenda meeting, I love it. You guys were thorough talking to each other. I think
it's a great idea. And people, it'll be beneficial to the people who the residents, they can go on YouTube before the regular meeting, see what was discussed, understand better. I I love the idea. I think it's great. It's good for retirees, but they still have YouTube and the TV. And I love how you
guys talked everything out, thoroughly ask questions, and I'm really impressed. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> I think this was Rick's idea, wasn't it? Commissioner I should say Commissioner Cot. Was it Commissioner C's idea? >> And I And I did notice you took your jacket off. So, are you warming up now? >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> And I I think it's a great idea, too. But now, seeing no one at the podium, sorry about that. But I didn't know you were getting up. Um, I'm going to close the public uh comment portion of the meeting and let's move on to comments of commissioners. Let's start with
Commissioner Ta Commissioner Taylor. So, I also like the one o'clock. Um, I try to be at city hall almost every day. Um, so I'm usually here and I like that we
this this is what the work sessions are for, you know, back and forth questioning. Uh, >> use your words. >> Yeah, I'm trying. Um, presentations, sorry. Um, and you know, it's
it gives us more time than an hour before the other meetings. you know, it gives us that extra extra bit of time to think about what we're asking, to think about what we're doing, and um really answer the questions that the public want us to answer or ask. So, I'm I'm
I'm for it. >> Commissioner Reella. >> Yeah. Um it's a lot of uh can't go backwards, can only go forwards mentality. Uh seeing a lot of things in 10 days. Uh forward motion. Um and uh as
I've said to each one of you up here, uh I think the the goal is to write the ship. Uh and it's uh that's what these work sessions are for to see um collectively um how we can do that. So thank you.
>> All right, Commissioner Kh. >> I'm sorry. Vice Mayor got I apologize, >> but that's okay. I didn't know if you were going to make Carol. I don't know what you like. You're jumping. Go first. You want to go first, Carol? Commissioner Commissioner Kasam. >> I was just saying I like this idea. I
think it's a relaxed scenario. We discuss, we get know I got more knowledge. I mean, I already had that presentation, but it it's a great way of I get your input, I get your input,
yours, and I get Marissa's. And it's wonderful because it's just a relaxed scenario. We're not rushed. We're not anything. So, I think it's going to be a positive thing. I really do like it. >> And we still want to encourage the public to come out. >> Absolutely. Please come out.
>> You know, Commissioner Taylor, it's not your turn. >> I'm sorry. I apologize. and Vice Mayor Cot. >> Yeah, I I mean, once again, we're just, you know, um not to reiterate uh everything that everybody's saying, but
yes, uh it's just it's refreshing that I love I love this time, too. Uh because it gives us a weekend, it gives the residents a weekend to digest it. Um and come and I hope that brings more people out, right? Um I hope more people are questioning. I hope more more people are
interested. And listen, we're gonna have to answer more questions because of it, right? But that's what government's for, right? It's for us to answer your questions and and be held accountable. Um, and I love that we discuss things whether we agree them or not. Um,
we're just all five of us, I truly believe, are looking forward to the best thing in Milville. And it just makes it's so exciting and refreshing. And I want to thank all you guys as we we move down this road of uh of city government.
>> Thank you, Vice Mayor K. Um I'm going to briefly talk about some things. I I know we've been here a while, so I'm just very briefly I'm going to save my more elaborate comments for Tuesday, but um economic development's going very well.
Uh Joe Couch is going to be joining me uh leading up economic development and I'm very very um confident in his abilities to help take us to the next level there. The fifth floor we are
upping our enforcement efforts for um um apartments that are illegal apartments and for unpermitted work in the city. So, Tuesday night, we're going to give I'm going to give a a more a bigger report as far as what's expected of the public when they want to do work
in the city. But, we've already found I think two or three illegal apartments in just this past 10 days and um unpermitted work. We found two or three examples of that. So, that that is working already. It's something that we weren't focusing on. That's a new focus.
And uh working with engineering uh just working with them to make them as efficient as possible. They do a great job up there and uh I'm here to support them and to make them uh be as good as they can be up there. So, uh that's all
I have and I just need a motion to adjourn this meeting. >> Make the motion. >> Second and the meeting is adjourned. Take a roll call for that, don't we? >> Madam. >> Okay. Commissioner Taylor, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Cot, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Kasaboon, >> yes. >> Commissioner Reinella, >> yes. Mayor Dixon. >> Yes. And with that, we are now adjourned. Thank you very much.