Good evening. On behalf of the governing body of the city of Pake, we welcome you to the November 6th, 2025 city council meeting. In accordance with chapter 231, public laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by resolution of the municipal council adopted on June
17, 2025. Setting forth the schedule of meetings for the year 2025, 2026. Send notice was published and posted on the city hall bulletin board by the office of the city clerk. Please be further advised this meeting will be conducted in person. The zoom stream provided is
for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience on October 23rd, 2025. Public notice and zoom instructions for this meeting were published in the hero news and posted on the city of Pake website at www.c city of.com. Council agendas
instructions are also available on the last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love. >> Councilman Love, can you hear us? >> Councilwoman Melo, >> present. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. Present.
>> Councilwoman Colunt, >> and Council President Sher, >> President Shall we all please rise? Heavenly Father, we want to thank you Lord for allowing us to meet this evening. We ask you to please guide us in the decisions that will take place this evening. In your beloved name we
pray. Amen. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with all.
I believe we uh Councilman Love will be joining us. Uh >> yes, he switched to a different device. >> Okay. And Councilman Monk will not be joining us tonight, I believe. >> Correct. >> Very good. We're on our agenda. Um if you don't have an agenda you would like,
they're immediately outside the door, the council door. Um mayor's update. Thank you very much. I know that at our um previous meeting we shared but our city joined together in expressing our
condolences to the Creech family. As a principal Carl Creech had passed away, a long time high school administrator and mentor to many whose leadership and compassion shaped the generations of students. I know that we all express collectively to the family as well as
Mr. mix who passed away, a very well-known teacher in Pake High School. Our city continues to keep all the families in prayer. I wanted to share uh council president and members of the city council along with our public that
we held a number of events as we do every year during this season. We held our city fall festival and adopt a pet program, our pumpkin family night at the senior center. And our seniors trickor treat at city hall. Our seniors dressed
up and went department and department and demanded we give them candy. We all relented and gave them all the candy that we have. But it's it's a fun event every single year. Uh kudos to Francine Wise to our senior program and all our
children always enjoy it. We put uh the the seniors online and their grandchildren always comment on it. So it's extremely exciting in our city. I also want to share that uh this year's city hall office costume contest where
we had a number of judges. Along the judges were councilwoman Marissa Cologne Montanz who assisted and uh as well as additional volunteers but I am obligated though I I don't say this with any uh
excitement or enthusiasm that the winners are the city clerk's office council president as they combined with other offices and put on quite the show. So, uh, just got that out of the record. Council
President, may I own a pizza party? I just want to say it because we're going to send a blow to you. Anyway, typically every year, every year I I usually pay for the uh pizza party, but I believe there were outside influences on the judges. I'm not naming anyone, but I
think council president may have had no influence. Sorry. Um besides that um additional note we had an election here in the city of PI and uh we want to congratulate our council president who was reelected
overwhelmingly by not just the city of P the 36th legislative district as assemblymen and we're extremely excited. We also want to extend a congratulation to his running mate, Assemblyman Calib Breeze, as well
as the city of Pakes Christina Schz was elected to county commissioner along with her running mate, Mike Reaglia. And we also want to extend a congratulation to Governor Electro and Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale
Caldwell. and also acknowledge the work of everyone who ran because elections are very hard and in the city. We want to acknowledge it was a historic night with overwhelming turnout in every area of our city. Continuing with the report,
council president, as you know, with the government shutdown, there were lack of uh resources available for families, not just salaries that aren't fully being paid. And there were programs and benefits that have been uh cut or some that people aren't sure if they will
continue including the SNAP benefits, people's EBT cards. We partnered with the county of Pake along with Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and the UPO. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Reverend uh Reverend
Daniel Sally as well as Dr. Janelle Hall and the county commissioners. We were able to give out food together with our Pacific Police Department volunteers from city hall. Over uh 2,000 individuals were fed just uh this week
on Wednesday. And we will have another uh food distribution which will occur on Friday. Friday at Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Autumn and Central. that will take place between 1:00 and 3 pm. Residents that may watch
this, you are required to bring your ID and your SNAP card. You can come and receive the food. You can receive the food either driving in your vehicle or walking up and that leads to our food distribution council president, members of the city council, and to the public.
We will have our turkey distribution here at city hall as we have done every single year. We will share that information via flyers, post it up, send information to the schools. But I need to remind everyone it's on a first come
first serve basis. We do not take a list whoever shows up. We give it to you freely when you're a resident of the city of Pay. So if the public can help us get the word out, we want to make sure that every family can receive. We are also partnering with a number of
food pantries around the city of Pate to have a consistent food distribution and giveaway to families in need, especially during these most difficult times. Council President, members of the city council, members of the public,
effective November 3rd, our free bus shuttle has added additional early morning hours. We adjusted the hours to include 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Then there's a break between 11:30 to 1:30 and then it continues from 1:30 to 5:30.
We came to this decision after looking at the data and realizing that there was a high demand for earlier morning transportation especially for our students on the way to school. It's going to assist with the weather getting much colder. This will be an additional benefit. We saw that
there was a real drop in the use of the shuttle midday around lunchtime. So we're deciding to have that be a break. We remind everyone the shuttle remains inside of the city of the state. That's extremely important because sometimes when you have children or teenagers riding on a bus, there is a concern that
if they miss their stop, they may end up in another city or somewhere far. Or if there are certain young people or adults, they may have special needs. Maybe on the spectrum, there's a fear that if they go on the bus, they may end up in another state. This unique service that we have worked together to provide
for the city is beneficial in that the bus never leaves the city. So you will always know that anyone on there, whether it's an a senior citizen that you may have concern or an adult who may be dealing with other challenges, they will always be in the city. I want to
reassure the community of these things. I also wanted to share that we have um the infrastructure projects updates with our veterans memorial park and our fields are now complete but it is going into the winter so people will enjoy it
for the spring and baseball but they are complete. Our Howard Avenue tennis courts drainage improvement with the funds we received from FEMA have uh begun and are being completed. I also wanted to remind everyone that on
November 11th, November 11th is our Veterans Day wreath lane ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at Armory Park. Our Veterans Day wreath ceremony at 900 a.m. Again, Friday the 7th in Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 163 Autumn
Street will be another food giveaway. Also on 11:12 we will have a mobile food pantry at Dundy Island Park. We'll host a mobile food pantry at Dundy Island Park downtown to provide fresh groceries and essential
items to residents and families in need. I wanted to share that we're now continuing again with our trainings. Council President, members of city council are licensing for adults. We're going to begin uh on December 9th through the 10th with free Sora
certification courses for security guards. It's now a requirement in the state of New Jersey to have your Sora license. Want to make sure that everyone is aware of it. We've had great success not just with the training council president, but with job placement. We've had high rates of job placement for
individuals through these programs that we fund whether through CDBG or grants. we've been able to expand this program to include cosmetology uh to include phabbotomy um and lab tech. So, we're extremely excited about
those opportunities for our residents. Also, we want to let the community know that the work on Bragg Park with the Bragg Cafe honoring the Bragg family with the name on the cafe and tenant welcome sign has already begun. We've
closed off the area. It will continue to have the seating and the area that it has always had, but now with a particular structure there that will be of great benefit and uh we have received countless messages from Union Baptist
Church members from the seniors thanking us um from the family directly as we've kept them updated as to the approach but again the name itself the original name having our share anecdotally been born and raised right in that area um my
whole life. It used to be just just papavers and a pay phone. It was never a park. It was pavers and just a pay phone. Eight years ago, uh we added music dollars and we put tables and chairs and trees. We held uh holiday
events with hundreds of kids and the school. We opened it up for community members who came here to the city and asked, "Can I please throw an event?" and we partnered with them and provided them opportunities and we brought that area to life because again I'll reiterate before it wasn't a park it was
just these pavers and one pay phone right on it in the bus stop the bus stop will remain right there so to keep the bus stop uh it will have the tables the chairs unfortunately no pay phone no pay but it will have cell phone charges so we'll keep we'll keep that aspect of the
communication for people but again we're very excited about this project And many residents have sent us thank yous for moving forward on this project and adding just like we did to the hund steps in the ward and this will be a beautiful amenity. That will be the
extent of my report. Thank you council president, members of the city council and the public. >> Mayor, thank you very very much as always uh for the background of the information and and knowledge itself. I did want to ask I've been told that we
had a record number of voters. >> Yes. Yes, we had a record number of voters. So, in 2021, we had about 7,000 votes that came out for the gubanatorial election. In this election, we had over 11,000 voters come out and participate
in the election. Total votes uh with early voting, with mailin voting, and with getting the message out to everyone that it's important that our city votes. We're excited about that. that I want to commend the work of the city clerk. Obviously, I also want to highlight that
this year, once again, our city clerk, Weatherly Fri, has went on the road to the schools to encourage young people that they could work and earn up to $300 a day to save money for college, for prom, and we had young people working. It is a unique program that we launched
here in Pay for Pake County, and now we're seeing it uh replicated in other areas. We're extremely excited as we also reached out to our uh reelected assemblymen regarding the college credits that young people can receive
for working in those elections. But yes, we had a record number in relation to our city and our registered voters and we're excited that people came out to vote. I I know that uh the city clerk's office, it came up actually at a very
difficult time because they were so busy planning uh for the uh for winning the costume >> and and a lot of work. But I we are so pleased that our city clerk that's our city clerk. >> Yes, the council city. We do want to we
want to once again reaffirm clarity in terms of who does what and why they do it and um questions or comments from the mayor. >> I may >> please ma'am. No.
>> Thank you, council president. Um just want to congratulate the mayor again hard work um and the idea of bringing the young kids to the pool. That's awesome. constantly I hear it in the county of how great and nice you see
there instituted in other places. Thank you for that idea with the city clerk and because this time around when I went to the sites there were so many young kids >> working and very diligent and working so well even with the professionals that
have been there for years. So that's great. It's great to see that and um and continue to think outside the box. Um I do have one more question with the shuttles. Where can um for instance where do they start? Um 7:30 is it right there by the bus stop?
>> Right here at city hall. So they leave here at city hall and they end here at city hall. There are a number of stops throughout the city in front of businesses but including P City Hall uh Shopright. Uh we're by Armory Park,
Market Street and coming up Monroe Street. So because we're 3.2 two square miles. It's actually extreme beneficial. You're going to be able to end up in in every ward. It will pass by throughout the entire city. And again, these new
hours from 7:30 until about 11:30 with a break and then it goes on from 1:30 to 5:30. So something Yes or no? We have the app that lets you know. Uh also, so if you go to our website, there's also a QR code. I believe uh Renee may share
that. Uh it's on the web page, right? Also on the stop signs there's a QR code and if you just use your phone you can get the exact schedule and times that they go around and the location live location of the bus. Right now we have a
number of shuttles that are going around and uh they go around throughout the day and now we're we're looking at potentially uh how to best describe it sort of opposite direction buses. So, it makes it a lot more uptown, downtown going in different uh directions. But
something that I wanted to add about the young people for the voting, you reminded me of it. The young people um council president, members of city council, they must be registered to vote to work. They must be 18 years old and registered to vote to work. So, all
polling and all election job or jobs or opportunities are only open to those who are registered voters. Thank you. But it's it's a good thing because it also gives them that civic class per se because it incentivizes them the $300 but also to get registered to vote and
very early on as soon as they turn 18 they can start working and really seeing what the polls look like. >> And the training that occurs here um members of city council makes them eligible for two years and they can work anywhere in P County. They can work in Wayne, they can work in Patterson, they
can end up working in any of the municipalities in P County. Thank you. >> Any other questions for the mayor? >> Just a remark, council president, in in in addition in addition what my beautiful colleague has just spoken about in terms of the youth. Um um and
and I said this to you before, mayor, and I'll say it again publicly. Um it that that was one of the greatest uh initiatives you put forward, right? And I say that for so many reasons. um that record number of voters throughout our
country is a result of people getting involved and being aware. So, not just um the fact of their getting a check, not just the fact of they're learning the process, they're they're becoming conscious and aware of what's going on around the world. And and for that, you should be commended. Uh city council
should be commended for for backing the mayor 110% on this initiative. And I just hope it it starts to expand. Um, I would love to see that we break records every election. And that's my final comment. >> Very good, sir. Thank you so very much.
Anyone else? Very good. Mayor again, thank you so very much uh for your continued leadership and uh uh we are on our agenda numeral five minutes of May 6, 2025. Are there any changes or amendments to the
minutes as presented by the clerk seeming light at this time? Is there a motion to accept the minutes? Motion. Is there a motion and second? Roll call, please, to accept the minutes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor,
>> yes. >> Counciloman Colany and Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. up to Roman numeral six on our agenda hearing of citizens in accordance with the open public meetings act NJSA104-1 sec the council opens every public
meeting for comments of the public however in accordance with NJSA104-12 nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit prohibit or regulate the active participation at any meeting.
Therefore, please be advised that the council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate obscene material, make statements which are considered a bias intimidation in which a person intends to intimidate any individual or group because of race,
color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, or makes comments intending to harass or speak any offensive language. The person who makes these statements will relinquish their allotted five minutes for public discussion. Is there anyone
who would like to adjust the council? >> Good evening and congratulations on the election. Um, >> may we trouble you may we trouble you for your name, ma'am. For the record, >> my name is Alice Bell. I live at 165 Van
Bear Street and I'm here on because I need to know on Lexington A the gas station is there code for them to do repair and spray painting in the rear of the gas
station. Those fumes and and the parking after they repair the cars, they're on the street. We can't find parking because they're sitting there. So, I know before someone wanted to put a taxi stand there
and it was turned down. So, I want to know how could he repair and strip cars and paint cars in the rear of that gas station. >> Mr. Fernandez, can you help us? I don't know if you
know the situation per se. >> So, that's Um, that's on Lexington and and what? >> Van Beerren. >> Lexington and Van. Yes, I know exactly where that is. Um, so that was a pre-existing gas station with repair shop that has been there for many, many
years. >> Does the repair shop include spray painting, things like that? >> That is not what it allows. So, if there is, we will send our fire prevention bureau because there's >> specific uh requirements to be able to spray paint >> and that use is not one of the permitted
uses. So if they're doing body work and uh using it as a body shop instead of a mechanic shop, >> I'm talking code to address it. >> I'm talking in the rear of the gas station. What they do on Van Beerren,
they put three or four cars and there's a gate there and in order for the tow truck to back the broken cars in, they remove the car. So the tow truck could
bring in the boat broken cars, jumping the curve and everything. So that means three or four cars are sitting there just waiting for them to go in and out. >> I have it on film. Anybody? >> They're on the street.
>> Yes. And I have it on film if anybody want to take a look. >> Okay. Perhaps uh Mr. Fernandez, you can uh get the lady's contact information. we can proceed with this. Um there are things that they might be allowed to do.
Um as Mr. Fernandez pointed out, but there are certainly seems that they're doing things that they cannot do uh environmentally. The spray painting is a very big deal. There are tremendous rules in terms of circulation of air. Plus, they're not supposed to have cars
that they're working on parked on the street. There's a number of different aspects. Uh but Mr. Fernandez, if you uh be so kind as to give him your phone number, he'll get in touch with you. You can call him, whatever. Uh and we can get some resolution on this. >> Yes. Okay.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Thank you so much for coming tonight. >> Anyone else like to address the council, please? >> Good afternoon. My name is Spring Ma and um I would just like to say some history about Bragg's Park. >> Can Can I Excuse me, sir. Can I ask you
to speak louder please? >> I just want to express something about Braggs Park. The man made a statement about, you know, it was just called the park recently and everything else. You know, uh when I was young, it was always called the park. We
always did ever since I was little. So, I just want to put that on the record, too, because we the community always recognized that as a part. Another thing I want to say is about the elders, the ones that been home owners for the past,
I want to say 40, 50, 60 years. You know, a lot of the people that hangs in in the little park, you know, the elders that been up there for a number of years, you know, they really enjoy the ones that be out there helping
with their bags, their groceries, and a whole bunch of other things. So, I just want to bring that to y'all's attention, too. But I do have a few questions right now. I got uh couple of my questions is the first one is, you know, for the past two years, we've been getting Christmas
lights up there and we had no electricity. So, I didn't understand what was the purpose of of the Christmas lights when, you know, for some strange reason the the electricity got cut off. So I would like to know why was electricity the
electricity cut off and why we didn't have no Christmas lights. Another question is you know we going to build the concession stand you know which we all finally agreed on but you know we got a rat problem in the city of the city and the rats is gradually
moving up there. So once they get up there how is we going to address that? You know, and and you know what really hurted my heart today because I stopped in the park today and I watched how they took the little picture or the little
monument of Braggs up there and they took it down. So, I would like to know who was the reason of that, you know, and um who's really gonna benefit from from having this up there because we like I was telling saying earlier, we
have so many different bodeas up there, you know? So, how is that going to make money or or make a difference up there, you know? We all with the change, but we just want to know some of these things. How is that going to affect our community? That's all. I'm just want some answers
to my questions. >> So, the first question I'm I'm clear with the second one. I'm not. But if the first question was uh why was the electricity cut off? >> Yeah. And why don't have Christmas lights up there? >> And why we don't have
>> Yeah. So, it's a construction site. We're going to be doing construction. There's >> no two years. who said the past two years have been cut off. >> Kind of explained that there's going to be construction going on. >> I'm sorry. I think he's referring to the last two years. Before we were hosting
events with the school there. So, we had a Christmas tree lighting and the students. We've redirected that event to the center of the city to ensure that everyone can attend, kids from downtown, uptown. So, now it's held. We have the uh Will Smith memorial right by the tree
because that is the biggest tree in the city. uh that became the more conducive area for the holiday celebration because of the limbs in the middle. We're able to close it off, have the activities with a DJ music and hot chocolate with the uh Santa that comes in the fire
truck. It just works a little better in the middle. We used to also have >> wonderful program. >> We used to have one also at number 11 school, but we've redirected there. So that's why the electricity was removed for the holiday. electricity as a whole was removed for a number of reasons. The
outlets that were there were specific for DPW, so they would uh be able to plug in their machines when they were going to cut the trees, the grass. Unfortunately, it became a usage for individuals to uh whether charge items
or to uh utilize for other devices, but that's not the intended purpose of there. So when neighbors would call and say why are their equip why is their equipment running so late at Bragg Park it wasn't DPW because DPW was closed so
until the work was done as the planning was going along electricity was closed off in regards to the uh sign for Bragg Park because there's going to be demolition we don't want the sign to be broken or hurt so it was removed and it's going to be stored and again not only that sign because we want to keep
the history of it but a bigger signed on the actual concession stand will be put up in honor of the Bragg family. >> And mayor, you seems to be so extraordinarily familiar with the intricacies of of this town. I'm constantly amazed. Um the concession
stand the gentleman mentioned. >> Yeah. How is that going to generate money when we have other boaters up here doing the same thing? So, >> sure. I think that that is a legitimate question as it will be uh
a specific concession stand like the bow house where it will be open to the public because there's a bus stop right across from it. One may argue that the items that can be sold there will be uh specifically graband go items there.
There will be no hot food or competition for the hot food restaurants in the area. maybe a very convenient uh quick grab of a coffee or something very quick while you go on the bus because the bus stop will remain there. In terms of the
revenue that will be generated, there are a number of options uh such as supporting the veterans and ensuring that that location can remain strong as it has been for many many years. So right now those are the plans. We are
always open to suggestions from the public to be submitted to the council and the administration for any additional considerations. >> Very good. Thank you, ma'am. All right. And I have one more thing to say to the mayor. Miss Hansen, she want to know when is she going to come in front of her house and fix her sidewalk. >> I I couldn't hear.
>> Miss Hansen. >> Okay. >> Burgess, she want to know when is he going to come and fix her sidewalk in front of her house? >> Me personally, I'll definitely reach out to her. >> Okay. Miss Hson. All right. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else like to Thank you, mayor. Anyone else like to address the
Thank >> Joe Kosenti. Good evening, council president. Um, was there any study or anything done with the intersection
on Tulip and Oak Street? I know I brought in a couple meetings ago the speeding the dangerous for the crossing guard in that area during school time even after school time that area.
My next question is on the last meeting I brought in like 14 photos 8 by10s on the property at 147, 149 and 155. The reason I brought those pictures is
to show you on what's happening with those buildings every day. The front of the building has the uh sopeta and everything from the roof coming down. All close-up pictures I showed you. And you had that little one
up on the screen that nobody could even see the picture. You know, it's pathetic. But there's a lot of issues there. Now you got all garbage in the alleyway. Maybe in the next maybe tomorrow when they go there, they can take pictures and clean it up like they did the last
time. But there's a lot of deterioration on those buildings. I don't know because right now Alex Perez don't own it no more. So now you got a Bake LLC which is nobody's answering the question. Who is
it? City of Bake. Oh, I'm not supposed to say that. But that's two. My last question here is I seen a video. It was earlier today about a tree that came down I think
yesterday. When you look at the tree um stump there is no kind of roots there is nothing. Only statement that I got was
the uh whoever did the roads they cut back on the roots on the street. But when you look at the root, it was done by water damage. But nobody would tell you that because all the roots are all rotting away. Because the reason I'm saying it
is because the bottom root of a tree goes in straight into the ground. And that's not even on the picture. So that's why the tree is falling over. And you have one across the street from your house that's coming down and nobody's recognizing it. That's the next one
that's coming down. right across from your house. The branch is just hanging over is going to go hide on somebody's roof that owns the house. These are my questions tonight. >> You'll forgive me, sir. I'm not quite
sure what your questions were. >> My question is, who's the property owner on 147, 149, and 55? And the statement that's being made on the computer by the
mayor is stating that the whoever did the road work cut the cut the roots out. But you have all water problems in that area that caused the flooding and everything. Too much water in a plant is going to is going to rot away. So that's
what happened to that. >> So you you'll forgive me. I am so out of my know. Yeah. Answer. I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. Answer. >> I am not an arborist. Um, obviously I have faith and trust in our
professionals that what they're doing is correct. If there's been water damage, hopefully it can be corrected. >> You know, it's a flood area. Everybody knows that. >> Well, not everybody, but in terms of >> You got to be dumb if you don't know. >> Not in I'm sorry.
>> Just in everybody knows that that's a all flood area. >> It might be a flood area, but its consequences. I don't know. The the bottom line, sir, is I must tell you, number one, I'm not familiar that that there's been a study on Tulip and Oak. I don't know if the police department thinks there is a reason. It's up to
them to determine if there is a reason for a study. That's their job. In terms of the photographs that you brought in last last meeting, we appreciate the photographs. They are an added resource for us and maintain a a cherished spot
in our file cabinets. In terms of the video, I've I've not seen the videos. Again, I don't know what water damage is or whose responsibility it is. And that's what it comes down to. Also, it's not owned by the city. The city can take
action perhaps, but that becomes a whole legal problem and a cost problem of who's paying for what. So at this point I we leave it to the administration to determine if there's a problem, what the extent of the problem is, what the solution is. If it's within the
administrative belly, it probably would not even involve the council. Although we invite you to go to uh code enforcement to see what is publicly available in terms of what they're doing or not doing. >> Can I ask one more question and I have within your five minutes? Yeah.
>> Yeah. Another issue we have in in this city is PSCG is hiring a company to cut the trees back. And what they're doing is they're cutting the middle stump there that's
killing all our trees and nobody's looking at it. Nobody's saying nothing. It's because they say because of the wires. But if you go out on all these streets, you go on Bake Avenue, you could go on Person Avenue, you can go anywhere in the city, all the trees got
an open spot right across the middle and eventually they're all coming down in the city. You could believe it. You don't have to believe it. >> Watch. Thank you, sir. >> Council President. >> Yes, sir. >> Let me just brief the um the the issue
that um that no that no one's addressing um was witnessed on the video while I was addressing it. just to point it out very quickly of the tree. The council that has uh I think the statement was made has done nothing passed um an
ordinance that stated that when we're doing road repairs whether uh milling and paving or expanding a road that you cannot cut the roots of a tree. These trees that are extremely large predate
um meant all of us in office. Some of them are 60, 70 years old. Um, and obviously >> I want to take a photo. >> I just want to clarify. But in in recent years, >> why don't we go on from here? >> In recent years, uh, the council and the
administration moved forward an ordinance that does not allow workers to cut the roots. Um the issue was addressed four years ago after a storm and uh we pushed this forward because we
went out and addressed the trees. Again, I'll reiterate the issue the gentleman mentioned was my my video that I made addressing the issue that he said was addressing maint. But I want to clarify just so everybody's aware who's watching online. Not only have we been on top of
it, but we took a measure in a few years prior, we passed an ordinance that limited the height of trees that can be planted in replacement of trees because these trees were put in over 50 years ago and they've obviously grown this
large and so much work has been done before any of us have positions that gave us the opportunity to be on these days. We have proactively taken measures. Now there are roads that though they're in the jurisdiction of the city are not city roads. They are
county roads and we have explained the same situation we have our engineer addressing these issues. But again I just want to clarify that not only have we addressed it years ago but the very issue today that others have learned about was because of a video addressing
what occurred. We had extremely high winds. We do have engineers going around assessing this and I believe that the um BA wanted to share something tulip and note that was brought up. Um yes, there is an NJ dot local transportation
improvement project moving forward on this as well as council president have ordered a number of uh portable speed bumps and that's actually one of the locations that we're going to put it up on. We're limited as to where we can put speed bumps. We are not
allowed to put it on state roads or county roads, but we can put them on municipal roads. >> Am I correct, Mayor? I remember something about only planting trees in the future where the roots specifically go down. >> Yes. The the challenge with the roots is
and you can't control the direction they're going to go in, right? So what what happens is if if you create obviously some kind of structure underneath ground that would be strong enough in some cases as you mentioned it can be done but practically speaking
with the trees that have been planted 50 or 60 years ago the roots have already spread to the sides. So over the years as they've done the repairs on the roads they used to typically just cut the roots to the road and you'll see what happens is on some sidewalks you'll see
how the roots are lifting the sidewalk off the ground. You obviously can't have this occur on the street. So, typically what they would do is just cut the roots and that created a bit of a challenge with the imbalance. And with the increase of storms, the saturation of the ground, which obviously compromises
the strength of the roots and then strong winds, we've seen many of them come down. That's why we've been proactively addressing them. But we have so many trees around the city that it's not going to happen overnight, but we are addressing them. >> Very concerning. Thank you.
Yes, sir. >> Good evening, council president. It was a uh very exciting week in Payic. >> Your name, please. >> My name is Yoseph Wolf. It was a very exciting week in Payic and I would just like to say openly that uh
I learned a lot from you this week. So, thank you in a good way. Thank you. There is in front of the city over the next few weeks there is a uh an attempt to subdivide a large lot. This lot is
20,000 square ft. It's on a corner and the developer wants to put on this lot three houses and each house is going to sell for around $1.6 million. A couple months back, this city council was looking to make affordability in
Baseic and they were stressing that the state is looking for affordability and they want to appease or follow with the state's advisement. So they proposed and they approved that every multif family development in Payic
needs a 15% set aside 15. And if you are developing land to sell, whether it's town houses or development of houses, you need to have, if it's more than five units, you need to have a 20% set aside. And I brought this up to the city
council. I want to bring that up again. If this developer would have put town houses on this lot, he would have made 15 houses available for the general public of Payic. And he would not have to charge $1.6 $6 million for each
house. He could have charged5 or $600,000, create a middle class house, and it would have been a beautiful thing for the residents and for the developer. But because he has this 20% set aside, if he puts up more than five or more town
houses, he has to sell the houses at a substantial loss. And if he's going to put up 15 houses, he's going to have to take four houses and sell them at a substantial loss. that is killing the project. And now because of this 20% set aside that's
supposed to make affordable housing, 15 families will not have affordable housing. And we'll have three multi-million dollar houses on those lots. And I challenge the city council, show me houses being developed in Payic, people taking land and developing five
more units that you think it's okay or reasonable to ask for 20% set aside. there are no houses being built. You want to encourage houses, encourage housing. Don't make it additional burden. If there are many houses being built, I understand you want a 20% set
aside. Now that there are no houses being built, there will for sure not be houses being built. That is my question. I also want to bring up something that's I find I don't want to complain, but I'm sitting in front of a city council that
is missing over 40% of their members at least present in this um stately hall. They might be on Zoom. They might be on their cell phones. They might be at a restaurant with their family. They might be at a wedding. Whatever it is, there's
millions of dollars on the line in this agenda. It affects people's lives. The city council spends a substantial amount of money. Everyone that's sitting here tonight, you have to come and show up maybe 20 to 23 times a year. And the city is going to pay you upwards of
$1,300 for each meeting that you attend. Some of them even get health benefits upwards of $40,000 a year. They can literally replace their teeth and their faces every single day. And I think it's disrespectful that I'm sitting in front I'm standing in front of the city
council and the city council says that if you if a citizen in this city wants to attend on Zoom, they cannot attend on Zoom. They have to submit a statement before 3 p.m. But a city council member who we don't even know what he's doing
at the moment has the right to attend this meeting virtually. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? Seeing no hands, is there a motion to close public hearing? >> Second.
>> Motion and second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Counciloman Colz, >> yes. >> And Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. wrote to Roman numeral 7
of our agenda. Ordinances for second and final reading hearing is required. Number one, proposed ordinance 25002-25. An ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number. Is
there a motion please to open public hearing? >> Move. >> So move second. Roll call, please, to open public hearing. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colom and Council President Sher.
>> Yes. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time the council is deliberating proposed ordinance 25502-25. Is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only? >> Yes sir. >> Yes. Thank you. My name is Ysef Wolf. I
would like to ask, does the city have any process for enforcing that once a license plate is approved and a sign goes up? >> I'm sorry, sir, you are off the ordinance, I need you on the ordinance. >> Okay. You're approving designation
restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate numbers. Correct. CL president, >> that is correct. >> Okay. Do you have a system in place that if something happens to this placard of a disabled whether they don't need anymore
or they pass away is there a way that the city's enforcing that that spot does not stay restricted to all the citizens of >> all of these uh spaces need to be reaffirmed every year um if something has happened god forbid someone's passed
away or whatever uh at the anniversary uh it would be taken down. >> Okay. What is the process for a citizen who has a need for disabled parking spot? What is the process to get this? How did this come about?
>> I'm asking specifically because I live >> process involves a medical uh note of medical need. >> It's a state designation as it's motor vehicles. We do not designate within the city uh whether someone is handicapped or not. You apply to motor vehicles. you
submit your medical form and then once you have a license plate you apply at engineering and we are not allowed to discriminate. Um if there's an in the street then you're allowed to be approved >> if a if a neighbor feels
that a parking spot is being abused. Do they do they address >> off the ordinance please sir? Okay. This ordinance to amend the designation of certain parking for a disabled person's vendor license plate number. If a citizen has an issue with this designation, this specific designation,
do they speak to the council, the city or the state? >> They would certainly come to uh the city. >> It would come directly to the city. The issue would be with the city. >> I'm sorry. >> The issue would be taken up with the city. >> It would seem to me that ma'am,
>> the state designates it. So, you would complain. State designates the city to be its actor. >> So it would be taken up directly only with the state, not with the city. >> I'm sorry. >> Susie, the abuse, she may have not heard the abuse of the parking space. Council president was correct. If someone is not
using it or parking a vehicle, these are random examples that do not line up with the license that's on the actual sign. You can put into the city once it's verified either by a police or engineer. They can lose the actual spot. Are you asking about the designation?
>> I'm asking about designation. I'm asking if somebody is driving someone else's car with that designation of parking in that spot and the other person never drives that car. Is that with the city or with the state? >> That is not the city. As long as the vehicle the designation is for the car, council president.
>> It's with the state. Thank you. Anyone else like to adjust the council on this item and this item only? No hands to close. >> There's a motion and a second to close public hearing. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Colz and Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. On the ordinance, is there a maker? Please move it. >> Motion and second. Roll call on the ordinance. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. Yes.
>> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Golo Dz. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh the motion is passed. >> Yes, sir. >> We are up to proposed ordinance 253-25, an ordinance amending city code of the
city of Pay, Chapter 295, Vehicles and Traffic, Article 16, bus stops, section 38, locations to add bus stop on Lexington Avenue. Is there a motion, please, to open public hearing? Motion. Second, please. Motion and second. Roll call. >> Council me.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Colz. >> Yes. >> And council president. >> Yes. Thank you. At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the council will be deliberating 25003. Is there anyone who would like to come and address this issue and this issue
only? >> Move to close. >> Second. >> Motion and second to close public hearing. >> Councilman Love. Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Coltz. >> Councilwoman Ken Montinez, please. >> Yes. Sorry. >> And Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh that was to close public. >> Yes, sir. >> On the ordinance, please maker. >> Move it. >> Motion. >> Second. >> And second.
>> Councilman Love. Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colinez. >> Yes. >> And council president Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. We are up to a discussion item. Discussion on authorities and agencies as per the
state of New Jersey best practice. Madame clerk. What are we doing here? >> Uh I believe Rick was going to do the presentation. >> Hernandez, what are we doing here? So annually uh the state of New Jersey requires us to uh discuss the condition of our authorities and agencies as well
as our best practices. I know the mayor has uh on many an occasion has kind of touted the percentage of which we have reached. I'd like to let the council know that once again the city of PA has reached over a 92%
uh best practice rate and which means that there is no we're in no jeopardy of losing any of the state funds. All of our other authorities and agencies that's our redevelopment agency, our UDZ, our parking authority all had their audits and their budgets done. I can
tell you that none of them have any major findings. they're all functioning adequately and with the success of the uh parking deck there should be a greater uh income share between the municipality and the parking authority.
So everything is as it should be and once again the city of has received over a 90% approval rating on their best practices. >> Do we have any comparative data uh in terms of our sister cities or other areas?
Um, I'm sure we could compile something. >> I mean, 93% is obviously an amazing amazing target, especially when you're talking about such a diversity of of agencies and functions and personnel. Any questions from the council at this time?
>> Very good. Uh, if anyone uh when we develop questions, I'm sure we'll want to revisit this item. Very good. Thank you. We're up to communications Roman numeral nine on our agenda. Uh items three
through 16. 15. Are there any questions please on 3 through 15? Seeing no lines at this time. Mr. Motion, please to accept 3 through 15. >> So move. Council President. >> Motion and second. Roll call, please. On
3 through 15. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. Yes. Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Coltz. Yes. And Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. A separate vote on 16, please. Is there a motion to accept?
>> Motion and second on 16 only. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Colz. >> And Council President Sheer. >> Yes. Thank you. We're up to Roman
numeral 10 on our agenda resolutions. Item 17 is a resolution authorizing closed executive session of the council. Ma'am, do we need any closed session? >> No, council president. >> Very good. Thank you, Mr. Fernandez. >> No, council president. >> Mr. Mayor, sir, none at this time. >> Thank you, sir. Members of the council,
very good. Why don't we take 17 off on items 18 through 36? Are there any questions, please, on 18 through 36? Council Low, please.
>> No, I I was going to move the motion. >> No questions. >> We will we will accept the move. Is there is a move? Is there a second? Please. Motion and second to accept. >> What is it? >> Excuse me. >> 18 through 36. 18.
>> 18 through 36. We have a motion. We have a second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love. Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Colinez. Yes. And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. We're up to Roman numeral 11. Ordinances for introduction
and first reading number 37. Ordinance proposed. Ordinance adding part 12 clergy parking permits to chapter 295 vehicles and traffic of the city of the code city of Pose Code. Second and final reading to be set for December 2nd,
2025. Is there a motion please to accept for sit down at our next meeting? >> Motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> And second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Golz. Yes.
>> And council president Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Payment of bills. Are there any questions on the bills as presented by the clerk? >> Seeing no lights. Is there a motion, please, to accept the bills? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Call on the bills. >> Yes. Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colz. And Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh payment on bills done. >> We just did the payment of bills. Does that include the $1,300 that every council member is making for attending a
meeting? And by the way, is that all is that all that the council does is attend meetings >> and only council meetings? It seems to me that I might have done something in my capacity as a city councilman that was not done between 7
p.m. and 900 p.m. every two weeks. I wonder what it could have possibly been excuse me administrator's report. Mr. Fernandez, >> not at this time. >> Very good. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council President, I would like to announce that
the Alliance building has been completed. The Alliance building has been completed. I want to thank Doris Studac, the contractors. Obviously, this is a big deal because it provides services to those who uh suffer from
addiction and certain chronic illnesses. And it is dependent obviously on grants. But previously there was a lease agreement for many many years where these services were being provided. But now in a very uh conducive area that is
monitored 24 hours a day by emergency responders. There is a specific structure that was completed that we utilize funding through. I believe it was during the pandemic and the >> CDBG um pandemic money. I forgot how
they called it the COVID 19 age. >> It's referred to as as the pandemic money. Yeah, pandemic money from HUD. >> But this was a this will also serve as a place where in the future obviously we can concentrate services whether medical
or otherwise to assist those who are most vulnerable during situations like that and it was completed. So again, I want to recognize Doris Dudak, who stayed on top of the project, the business administrator, and we're excited of this new location that will now no longer require the city to lease
um space, but it is uh owned by the city. That is it. >> This is funded by from grants from the state if I'm not mistaken. >> CDBG funding um is >> Yes. >> Very good. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Comments from members of the council. Seeing none, please ma'am. >> I'm sorry, please ma'am. >> Um, just want to take this opportunity to congratulations, Assemblyman, >> um, on your well-deserved victory. Um, because you work hard at the state. We
know with everything that's happening, we know you are a champion making sure that the city of Pake is always at the forefront. You represent the city of Pake very well, and we appreciate that. And as a councilman, we know that you are on 247. >> About $1,300 per meeting.
And um at any given time anyone calls you, your office is always available >> um to help the community. And just want to take the opportunity and I'm sure my colleagues feel the same way for the work that you've been done for these past years and congratulations again.
>> Thank you very >> Yes. Um I I just want to echo the sentiments of of my very capable colleague um that you know what it's it's needed right u what we got going on in in Washington right now is just u
disgusting for lack of a better word and that might be the most appropriate and it's good to know that um I sit aside a young man who continues to put forake and the state of New Jersey at the forefront of ideas and initiatives Um
it's it's a pleasure knowing that we can pick up that phone as our council woman said at any given time. It's a pleasure knowing that citizens in the 36 legislative district as well as any other legislative district have a question that we can um guide them to
your office and they'll get the correct um guidance. So to um so I just want to say thank you and congratulations. Thank you everyone for your very kind words um and support. Uh without that support and that guidance uh most
especially from our mayor uh and all of my colleagues um certainly any kind of small success that I might have had these past few years would have been even that much less. Uh that being the case if there's no other comments is there a motion please to adjourn.
>> Motion motion and second to adjurnn. Roll call to adjurnn please. >> Councilman Love. Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Colunt. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. This meeting is adjourned.