Good evening. On behalf of the governing body of the city of Pake, we welcome you to the February 3rd, 2026 city council meeting in accordance with chapter 231 public laws of 1975. Adoka 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. Said notice was published and posted on the city hall bulletin board by the office of the city clerk. Please be further advised this will be conducted in person. The zoom stream provided is for viewing only and is offered to the
public as a convenience. On January 21st, 2026, public notice and zoom instructions for this meeting were published in the Herald News and posted on the city of Pake website at www. cityofake.com. Council agendas instructions are also available on the
last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. Roll, please. >> Councilman Love, >> present. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> present. >> Councilman Mayor, >> present. >> Councilman Garcia, >> present. >> Councilwoman Golo Montz, >> present.
>> And council president Sher. >> President Sher is yours. >> Heavenly Father, we want to thank you Lord for go allowing us to be present this evening. God, we ask that please guide us in the decisions that will take place this evening. Father God, Father, we ask for a special prayer, Father God,
for the Fernandez family. Father, they have lost. Lord, our loving pastor. Father, we ask that you give Pastor the courage to move on and the family and we thank you for giving us such a
great pastor in this time. In your beloved name we pray. Amen. 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, liberty, justice
for all. >> Council President, can we request a moment of silence? >> Pastor Hernandez Hernandez, sorry. Thank you. Just announced to the council before
proceeding. We had announced at the last meeting uh we could suggest respectfully to our colleagues to members if they could please gather together thoughts in terms of changes to the budget. We've not yet seen the administration's proposal, but perhaps if we did with a
blank slate in terms of thoughts that we might have in terms of areas to enhance the budget, uh sorry, areas to enhance the budget, areas to decrease the budget, um talking points at at the very least that would be most appreciated.
Those uh comments can be sent uh on white a piece of white blank paper to the city clerk. We'll take all of the comments that come in from various members without attribution. um and use that as a starting point uh to to go from there. Um Mayor, it is a
pleasure to have you. I don't know if I should ask you to give a report for us or if you would prefer another time during this meeting. We do we do look forward to Isabelle Auadelo if uh we can be tribute.
We have administration and the city council is please come up. Isabelle has served as a dedicated member of the Pik County Open Space Commission representing the city of Pake and advocating on behalf of our
community to ensure that vital funding can be brought to our communities from Pink County through the open space commission. These are funds that are gathered through the county. There are 16 municipalities and consistently year
after year, Isabelle has fought hard to ensure that the plans and the vision of the city, those that have been worked on by this council, with my administration alone, with our business administrator, that our applications that have reached the county would be heard. can sometimes
be lost with 16 different voices and everyone fighting to get their fair share which is appropriate but with limited funings year after year there are municipalities that often don't get their applications approved or funded but Isabelle has been
a remarkable representative there this year her service commission comes to an end but uh not her dedication and commitment to the city she will be serving across other boards but we want to thank her for our many years in the
open space tradition and appreciation for all our hard work on behalf of the city of the city would like to give you this Thank you, mayor. We are on agenda. Agenda item number four, 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 NASA 104-12, 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 obed material. Make statements which are considered bias intimidation in which a
person intends to intimidate any individual or group because of race, color, religion, 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 five minutes for public discussion. Uh we welcome comments of the public. Uh we ask that you if you'd like to adjust the council you remark you keep your remarks to 5 minutes or under. Um and please share with me your name. Is there anyone who'd like to
adjust the council please? >> Yes ma'am. >> Good evening. >> My name is Michelle Carpentero and I am here >> if I could ask you to bring the microphone a little bit closer. No, >> better. >> Yes. >> Okay. U my name is Michelle Carpentero,
proud resident of Pake. Um and I'm here because I just uh thought there was a lack of clarity with ordinance number 2513-26 and ordinance ordinance number 2512-26 which were both discussed during last
week's meeting and I see that will be discussed again today. Um, when discussing the amendments, Airbnb was brought up as a way in which residents of the city are renting their spaces to make an income. And per the discussion that the council had, it felt more as an interest to tap into this u market for
financial gain instead of regulations to better support the residents of the city. um some questions that I can think of that may help clear out out um what you know these um two things will um result in is what would the tax being
collected be used for. Um next I would also like to comment on the discussion you all had about affordable housing uh regarding new units that are being built in Pake. Mr. Ricardo Fernandez uh stated that the rent prices for these housing units would be based on federal numbers
for our county, which makes sense, but as we know per the discussions that were being had um by the mayor and Mr. Fernandez during the presentation, our proximity to New York City makes it a very favorable place for tourists to stay, meaning that these numbers are
really high and this is our city for residents and not a place for business projects. I feel uh upon further analyzing these federal numbers through the US 2020 census and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, these numbers show that the residents most in
need of these affordable housing units cannot afford them. Uh the average person's per household in the city is 3.29, which is can be rounded up to four because there's no 0.25 of a person. Um with a per capita income of $24,489.
An average three-bedroom apartment in the city can average $2,550. This means that more than half of our income is going to rent, barely enough to have any extra income for food and other necessities.
And to put it into more perspective, 22.9 of the residents 22.9% of our city lives in poverty. This is a really big number. Um, so my request is that the rent of these places are priced with the people of Pake in mind and don't become
an opportunity for gentrification. The residents of Pake want to keep living in Pake. I want a future in Pake. I want to live here, raise um, future kids. So yeah. Um, and lastly, a very hard topic is um, US immigration
and custom enforcement. I'm sure we are all aware of what's going on around the country. Um, really sad stuff. Um, and I feel that this council, Mr. Mayor,
I haven't heard anything from your administration about this. So, I ask for transparency. I want to know what you guys um the plan is because our community has been targeted. I have heard real stories of
people have who have been picked up going to work residents of Pake who have been deported are being held in detention facilities in Newark and across the country. So I just want to know what you all are
doing about that. How will you help your residents? Um that's all. Thank you for your time. >> Very good. Thank you so much. which I don't know where to respond.
Um, this council has not taken mayor. I don't know if if your administration has taken any formalized steps in terms of what's been going on throughout the country. If you wanted to comment uh on that >> in regards to what's going on in the
country, no to what's going on in city p. Yes, it is. I mean, if if we're going to personally share our positions as to what we see or what's being reported in the country, I think any reasonable person would say that what's going on around the country is horrendous, is
beyond tragic. It's uh obviously contrary to the ideals and principles that we all hopefully wish to live up to. But in regards to the city of Pate and I I'm going to be very careful in working with
our police chief. We have been intimately involved in instances within the city where individuals uh have had encounters with law enforcement from uh different levels of government from federal, state, and from county. I can
tell you that uh through my specific directive and working with the chief, any encounter engagement with any law enforcement outside of the city of Pake, our police are directed to immediately respond and uh confront these
individuals and ensure that due process is being afforded to whoever is being spoken to by any law representative that they must be able to identify themselves. This has been our consistent position. I know that many have made news on it. I I'm going to share
something because people are watching and we're online and I tend to be more reserved with my comments, but I'll be candid because you asked for transparency and forgive me because I I did not get a chance to get your name and I want to address you appropriately. Your last name
>> Carpenter, Miss Carpenter, um I I don't get on social media to talk about these enforcements. I don't use my soapbox to get on the news. I don't make judgments of other leaders. I will tell you it is
not my intention to draw attention to our city. We work with our local law enforcement when they have targeted operations specifically regarding individuals. I think along with my colleagues in the city council and every reasonable resident in the city, if they
are coming after violent individuals, those who have taken someone's life, those who have harmed person or property, those who have harmed children, my direction to our police officers are cooperated in every single way, whether you're documented or not. We don't want violent criminals within
the city of the state. In regards to the hardworking residents in our city, individuals who are intending to work to contribute to raise their family, they have always been fully supported within this city and we will continue. I share
and I have had hired individuals in in our administration and throughout the city who have extensive background working with those who uh are going through the process getting their status secured in
the city. We have had uh immigration attorneys work with our city at no cost to our residents to have town hall meetings. We have worked with different municipalities to ensure that we can reach out on behalf of residents. One, I'll take this opportunity to share
there was a resident that was stopped in Newark. I made a phone call to my friend Ross Maraca, mayor of Newark. We immediately uh use every resource available so that we can not only get their vehicle, find out where they were and connect them to their families. Most
of the cases that occur within our city, we don't publicize it because they are person. In some cases, they would have adverse impact on the person's application or situation. But I assure you that this city continues to be supportive of every law-abiding resident
within this city and everyone who is here with the intention of contributing to the progress of our communities, whether through work, their business, or taking their children to school. We as administrations all together and along
with the staff from the police department, our chief, our fire, our code officials, we address issues within the city. What I mean by that is if an individual has violated a code or has had an issue within the city, it is resolved within the city. We do not take
measures or steps to go beyond that because that is not the role of our law enforcement. But I I did state that I would be candid. We do not have the ability to impede or stop federal agents from coming into the city. In fact, we have worked with
federal agents throughout the years, whether it's been the FBI, whether it's been the ATF, whether it has been uh state officials or county officials and immigration. They have been here through different administrations, both Republican and Democrat. They have
reached out to our police because of our candid and transparent relationships to tell us when they have a specific and targeted operation. At least that was always the case. I will admit to you most recently that has not been the approach. Communications have not been
as uh open as they used to be. I was very confident as mayor as I shared with the public that they were only targeting individuals that were violent criminals because I saw it myself. wasn't anecdotal. I was intimately involved talking with the chief, they
would call, they would share. I give some not specific examples, but so you get the idea. If they reached out and said, "We have an individual who is being charged with murdering their wife from uh Texas. We believe that they're here." We extended every assistance as
we would if an individual was documented or otherwise. were going if there's a criminal on the run and you suspect that they're here, we'll work with you to try to find them. And we shared with the community when they were present. However, again, most recently that
hasn't been the case. There seems to be other branches or arms of homeland security and immigration enforcement like the removal enforcement officers or I believe that's what they're referred to or maybe off letter or how they're described. individuals that went through
less training, individuals that seem to be uh beyond zealous. Now, whether we ascribe motive to them, xenophobic or otherwise, whatever it is, we don't work with them. If you come in and violate the rights of residents in
this city, if you are going to come into the city to abuse, if you're going to walk into government facilities and feel that you have car blanch and do not need to work with our law enforcement and do as you please, we remind everyone whether you have a title, whether that title is mayor or council president or
councilman or police officer or a state official or whether you're law enforcement in any level of government, people are afforded the right to uh due process. People must be respected in terms of their human dignity. So again,
I'll reiterate, we will cooperate with any law enforcement agent that comes into the city that seek through violent individuals charged of actual crimes and other than that we will assist every resident. If an individual comes in here to report a crime,
we don't ask for your status. We help you. If an individual is coming into the city seeking resources or assistance, we don't ask for your status. We help you and we provide services. If you are a child in our department of recreation, we ensure to provide you services and we
work with a number of nonforprofit organizations ranging from some that make the road and other immigration groups to ensure that we can keep our community informed. Mayor, I have had a number of town hall meetings. Again, none put online because they're not intended for show. They're
not intended for publicity. I'm fully aware that in the times that we live in, I can draw cameras to me and make amazing declarations. Some along the line of of Michael Scott from the office screaming out, I declare bankruptcy. I can jump out in front of everyone and
say, "I declare our city is this and our city is that." But I assure you, I cannot order the police to draw guns and federal agents surround the borders of this city and say no one will enter. And not a single mayor in the United States of America has that authority. We all
swear a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this land. But there is a way that we are intended to do so that preserves, of course, that oath that lives up to the ideals of those who wrote the most sacred document
of the Constitution. and we intend to to do that to the best of our ability and it is a balance. But in regards to resources, services and programs, I assure you they are in place. In regards to assistance, whether children or families and they have reached out,
we have certain things in place that don't feel as comfortable sharing online or in a meeting that will be uh publicized because some people take them out of context. But if there are any specific questions by this council or any member of the community, I will
answer it specifically. I'm not sure if that Mrs. or Miss Carpenter or if if that answered at least to a certain extent what your inquiry was, but if you need further information, feel free to come to my office. Just can speak to you specifically and directly. She is
wellvered and very knowledgeable in the topic having had her law firm in the city of Pake. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Anyone else like to adjust the council, please? >> See no hands. I'm close public.
>> Second. >> Motion and second. Rock call, please to close. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Golo Montinez,
>> yes. >> And Council President Sher, >> yes. I'll entertain your question, sir. >> Thank you very much. >> Under the established limitations. >> Thank you. >> Say again. >> Under the established limitations.
>> Yeah. Established limitations. Um I just want to address what's on a lot of people's minds. The city issued 77,000 parking tickets last year. They issued many thousands of sidewalk
violations for snow, for overgrown grass. There are tens of thousands of sidewalks and intersections and hundreds of intersections in the city that are dangerous to cross. And I know that maybe there was a
shortage of salt. Maybe there was a weather that nobody knew was coming. But it seems like a double standard. The city is extremely aggressive on property owners when it comes to small violations at big big fines and the city to date
does not seem like it has put in as considerable effort to either reform the DPW which you do not need rocket science to know is a waste of taxpayer money. It's called the department of waste, public
waste. If you need. I have tens of videos of trucks sitting idly on the side of the road doing private work for other people. Two people in a cab on a snowy day
plowing a road. An idle truck sitting at DPW's facility with nobody inside while people are on lunch or on break. The DPW is a huge parking lot full of abandoned trucks.
And I'm asking, how could it be? A huge snowstorm is coming. Everybody's in Home Depot buying salt and throughout the night, trucks are not coming down our blocks, and we wake up 2, three days later and say, "It's ICE. It's too late.
We can't do anything about it." But the same city has issued tens of thousands, 77,000 parking summons if you park within a few feet of an intersection. And today people cannot get across intersections because there's tons of
ice that this city has not figured out how to clear. I also want to ask about the bidding process in the city. There is technology today that if somebody wanted to do business with government, you can search online.
But in Payic, you cannot find any bids by searching. You have to go on their website, click on the link. It takes you to a new site. You have to fill in your business name, your personal name, your cell phone number, your home number, your fax number. You cannot see a bid in
this city without a fax number, and an email address. After you fill in all that information, it will give you a link to download the bid. And the city wants to know why everything costs this city so much money. because no one can
bid. No one knows about bids in this city. This is the only city that pays $5 million for tax for garbage collection and another $3.5 million for tipping. Thank you. I also want to ask about item
31 on tonight's agenda. It seems like there was a lot of going back and forth between community members and a developer in town. And suddenly it seems like somehow the city council tonight is sending
a a recommendation to the planning board to let them know if if a bunch of properties are in need of redevelopment. Theic housing is over 100 years old across the board. There are people living these houses. What
about this project is in need of redevelopment? And why now? And why does no one in the city know about it? Does anyone know what goes on in the city? Thank you. >> It's a rare occasion for me to listen to a member of the public and think that
virtually every single thing is not correct. The most blatant of which is your statement in terms of the bid process which is governed by laws of the state of New Jersey. City of PA simply cannot hire someone to do it except in emergent
purposes and emergent needs. And I think you know that sir that's what disturbs me the most that you would give a half of a story and not the full story. Um I would venture to say that the city of Payic was not really ready for the storm. But then again, I've yet to find
out what municipality within all of across the United States was ready for the storm. Excuse me, sir. When it's the public's time to talk, you're given that opportunity. Once you're finished your five minutes, as you well know, the
microphone goes back to the council president. Not to you, but to me. If you're going to tell me that other municipalities were that got much better, I'd love to find I'd love to hear them because the only thing that I've heard from everyone is that it was a mess mess came down quicker, came back
harder than anyone would have anticipated, including the state of New Jersey. And I can speak intimately of the state of New Jerseyy's mentality and its decisions how to proceed. So, please don't tell me about transparency on one
hand and not on the other. your comments in terms of of the bid process are harmful. The suggestion being of anyone listening to that is that there's something going on, something untowarded, something wrong, something shady. And I don't know if you that's what you
meant to say, you are articulate enough if you've proven yourself time and time again. You are articulate enough certainly to make your your thoughts known and for you to only give half a story is is is most disturbing to me. How many parking tickets were issued last year? Whether it was 77,000 or 700,
I really don't know. >> 77,000. >> I really don't know what it was last year, but you were comparing last year. You were comparing the snowfall of this year. And perhaps it would be more appropriate to compare snowfalls to snowfalls. In any event, um I gave you the floor
after having on the verge of closing public hearing. I gave you the floor because it seemed to me to be the right thing to do. >> Thank you. I've now regretted what I did. And I will tell you in the future that if you are here to raise your hand that you'd like to speak during public
session, you will be given that right. But if you miss it by one second, you'll remember this conversation and you'll understand why I did not give you the microphone again. >> Is there anyone else who would like to address? >> Council President, if I may, Mr. >> Mayor, thank you. Um, just very quickly,
six tickets I think were given out this week. Chief, six tickets um suspended alternate side of the street. Understanding the challenges that many families have faced, directed from my administration, there's no enforcement of alternate side of the street if your street is not being cleaned. Um in
regards to the municipalities, I would say that old uh saying, the grass is always greener. Unfortunately, there's no grass because all the grass is covered with snow every municipality, but you get the point. Those in other municipalities have been
reaching out to PCO and you guys are doing so much better than us. Of course, our residents say the same. They're doing so much better than them. That's how it is throughout the state. So, that's not a problem. I will take some exception. I want to thank our Department of Public Works.
We began from the very beginning of the storm. We prepared and were aware that there was going to be a storm. What no one could prepare for is two weeks of below freezing temperature. Of course not. Um
I must admit the speaker is right and I'll take full responsibility and um well maybe not. I'll share some with the administrator and everyone. How dare we allow DPW to have lunch or take a break or stop 24 hours straight is the
reasonable expectation for them to work, not to go home or sleep or to stop the trucks at any moment. Of course, any resident that comes by and catches a DPW who started working at 6:00 in the morning and went into 2:00 in the
morning of the next day. How dare they stop and eat or drink or have a cup of coffee or dare they? I I won't answer to that personally because as I've mentioned, you know, I take full responsibility. I have to admit I I
encourage it. I encourage to tell employees take a break. don't work 24 hours straight or 36 hours straight. We actually let them go home at certain points even though the snowstorm went on from Sunday directly to Monday. I even
encourage some of them to switch stop shling certain areas and go off to another particular task. I I can take full responsibility if the council so wishes to address that. But putting that aside,
our our head of DPW, Fred Corbett, who has been out there with me at 2:00 in the morning where we shared specific approaches. We've actually been able to hire local contractors to assist to clean out specific streets. Some of the complaints
that we've received are rather I know complaints might be harsh. They obviously always canote something negative. Some of the uh constructive criticism or uh more uh innovative suggestions have been why are you only
focused downtown and not in the third ward or second ward area? Interestingly enough, the statements from those in the downtown. Why are you only focusing the third ward and second ward area? You
don't even come to our downtown area. And it's understood that everybody wants their specific street addressed. We have kept the same plan online from 2018 to present. Anyone can go on
and find it. We have always approached alternate side of the street and we address now alternate side of the street is not a perfect plan. It's not. Sweepers get through the street a lot easier than having to break up the ice and do snow removal. It takes between 1
hour and two hours to get done with an entire block. You need police to put the sirens on. We have some residents who say, "I don't want to move my car. However, I need you to clean the entire street and do not give me a ticket if I
cannot move my car." Our city makes many accommodations. Certain days limited and we cannot ask everyone to move. certain areas much more challenging, but throughout the city, we work together. I assure you, this is not the worst storm
we've ever had. We've had similar in 2021 up to nine inches of snow. No specific day where we had more than 20, but three consecutive nor in 2016. We had over 20 inches of snow in 2010.
Similarly, and those who remember in the 1990s where we had the two feet of snow and we've had similar complaints and throughout the state of New Jersey and across the state borders in New York and otherwise, there are cars buried. There
are challenges faced. There have been municipal leaders who have reached out to me and county leaders to say, "How did you get so many of your streets cleared within a day after the storm?" The suggestions that were given or rather some of the concerns that were
shared weren't necessarily about the streets. It was more about delays. Mayor, it took me a lot longer to drop my child off to school. Mayor, the parking is an issue. While other cities couldn't get through their
streets, we made sure to clear the streets. Our main arteries that lead to the hospitals, our schools, our major girls schools, our major boy schools. I've spoken to the heads specifically. We concentrated our resources to ensure there areas like our point of entrances
and exits downtown by Route 21 where our warehouses are major distribution centers to ensure that we wouldn't further exacerbate existing issues of traffic and congestion. We targeted our resources there. Each day our DPW goes
out and they clean the section. The people in that section, they reach out, "Thank you. You're doing an amazing job." the people in the section adjacent to theirs that weren't on the schedule go, you guys have done nothing. In certain areas in the city, they go, "You can't drive through the street." As I was driving through it, I had a tough
time. As mayor, I am intended to hear that contradiction, but you cannot drive through, but you had a tough time driving through. I smile and say, "We'll do the work." The reason why I did choose to respond is because the statements were so outrageous
in regards to the work of these individuals in our department of public works. Individuals that come at 6:00 in the morning. Thank you for the applause. Mr. Wolfin, welcome back to PA after you moved to Clifton and came running back at full speed. So, we appreciate having
you back in the city. It seems you enjoyed Clifton so much that you came running back as fast as you could this year. God bless you. But back to the statements that I'm making and I'll wrap it up because I I will admit that I I haven't made statements about the work of DPW comfortably sat for my couch or
behind a desk. It's been out there with them till 3:00 in the morning and then up at 5 in the morning to go online not for PR as some of the forums have shared. I don't need it. I admit to you and I don't say this to be arrogant.
Enough people know who I am. but to ensure that people could see the actual work so that when an individual randomly and arbitrarily decides that they woke up in the morning and they are now the new expert on everything having to do with weather, snowfall, department of
public works and otherwise. I can respond though. You can go online and you can see the videos, you can see the payloaders. You can see the tandem trucks. You can see the skid steers. You can see all of
the machines. You can see the additional contracted services that we put out. And perhaps I'll make you pray maybe something more for three days of contracted service over $60,000 we had to pay. So I appreciate all the suggestions of get more individuals and
buy more apparatuses and more trucks. Spend the $6 million for the four storms that we get a year, but also don't raise our taxes. ensure that you keep it under 5%. Even though the municipality that anyone who's reasonable would never
juxtapose with Pake has these machines and they pay 17% taxes or doubledigit tax raises in the city of Pay consistently over the last 10 years have kept taxes under 5% and some years even under 2%. do all the work, provide all the
services, get all the gadgets, all the machines, and give no rest to your DPW. So that I, and I say this not to all the resident, but for some, so that I and all all of my first world problems, meaning I couldn't get my coffee on time
or I had to wait an additional moment in my nice car to drive so all those problems could be addressed, but don't raise taxes. So I appreciate concerns and I take him on and I share here. There is no fault at DPW. The buck stops here and if I can take the credit, I can
take the blame. There's no one else to blame. If things went wrong, it's the mayor. Hold me accountable. No one else but me. But at the same time, if you want real answers, you want to refer to transparency, you want to have candid conversations, then let's be real and
let's use real stats and real issues because I'll definitely spend the money. I'll get a DPW staff of 300 and I'll buy 200 trucks for the four storms we get a year, maybe even five. and we'll we'll
make sure that as soon as the snow hits the ground, it never gets to an inch. We'll raise the taxes to 20%. But I don't think anybody wants that. So, I think what's realistically going to happen is this. Every day, we're going to continue to hit block by block, sector by sector, and we'll share it.
And in a few weeks, we'll get through it just like every other municipality. And somewhere around March or April, we'll move on to the next issue of concern. And very few people remember this storm. And if we made mistakes, we'll make sure to address them so that we don't repeat
them for the next one. And if there's areas that we can improve, we'll be open to it. And other times perhaps there will be lodged complaints and those will come up and no one will say anything. And then other days you might find a special day where the mayor will retort.
If you want to lodge your complaint about the snow, I assure you that comes from an authority much higher than me. I didn't report. I didn't order the snow. I'm not in charge of when it comes down. I'm just in charge of making sure that we can get at it. But I would I would
challenge you. Go to any city any city in our state where there is no snow on the ground and I'll give you all of the credit and all of the I guess uh accolades and recognition because you were able to find something that no one
else was. that every municipality is going to approach it with all the resources they have and our city is much better than many a little farther behind than some. Thank you for indulging me, Cresident. I appreciate the opportunity to share.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> We are on a roll call. >> We completed it, sir. >> I'm sorry. >> We completed the roll call. >> Was there a vote taken to close public hearing? >> Yes. You were the last vote. Very good. We're up to ordinances. >> Yes, sir.
>> Ordinances for second and final reading. Hearing is required. Number one, proposed ordinance number 25508-26, an ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate numbers introduced at the January 8th city
council meeting. Is there a motion, please, to open the public hearing? Motion and second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Counciloman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Golo Montinez, >> yes. >> And Council President She >> Yes. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, the council is deliberate and proposed ordinance 258. Is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only? >> Seeing no hands, I move to close the public. >> Motion and second to close. Roll call,
please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Colinez. Yes. And Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. On the ordinance, is there a maker, please? Motion >> and second.
>> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Golong Montz. >> Yes. >> And Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. That was on the ordinance. >> Yes. >> Very good. Next. Please. Proposed
ordinance 259-26. An ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons with New New Jersey license plate numbers. Is there a motion, please, to open public hearing? Motion. Motion. Second. Thank you. Roll call. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Coline. Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the council will be contemplating proposed orders 259. Does
your like to adjust the council on this item and this item only? >> Seeing no hands, I move the clos. >> Is this the ordinance for short-term rentals? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. This is the ordinance for disabled parking. >> No, it it might be. Is that why you're here?
>> Is it for one, two, three, or four? I'm here just to hear the $1,200 meeting that's going on here. Um, is this the number one, two, or three, or four? It's not my job to have to inform members of the public to >> Thank you, sir. If you'd like to adjust the ordinance, that is your pleasure,
but I'll take it now, please. >> Okay. I would like to know what this ordinance is about. >> That is a question which you are expected to know. This council does not have to brief members of the public. >> Can someone on council just explain what this ordinance is about? >> No, sir. I will give you the same courtesy you gave this council and the
mayor. No, you may not. Please sit down. Unless you're addressing the council on the ordinance. >> I would just like this ordinance explained a little bit to me. >> You sound terribly rational. You'll forgive me if I might not. Please take your seat. >> Okay. I'm going to try one more time. Council President, can you please just
expound on what this ordinance is for? >> I read the ordinance from the public record. >> I've missed it. >> I'm sorry. Please sit down. >> Thank you. >> Motion to close. >> Motion to close. >> We have the roll call. Councilman Monk.
>> Yes. Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Colonz, >> yes. >> And Council President Shar, >> yes. Thank you. On the ordinance, please. So move. >> Second. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Counciloman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayer, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilman Colonz, yes. >> And Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. We're up to number three, please. >> Yes. Proposing ordinance 2512-26
an ordinance amending chapter 100 certificate of occupancy and tenency section 100-1 definitions section 100-15 short-term rental unit registration certificate of the city of Payic code to
permit so shortterm rental unit registration certificates. Is there a motion, please, to open public hearing? Motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk, yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes.
>> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilman Gol Montine, >> and Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. I have a light on the council. Is that you? >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes, please. >> Thank you, Council President. >> So, this ordinance for the uh short-term rental.
So under other definitions, there's uh something called occupancy load, which is a maximum number of occupants permitted in a short-term rental unit as determined by the city code enforcement inspectors
based upon applicable building fire and property maintenance codes. So how does that work? Can we get some like general idea like if someone has a I don't know five bedroomedroom home? >> Yeah. So
this is already established under the uniform construction code. It's actually done under the fire sub code official and the number of people that you're allowed to have in any given space is dependent on the number of uh egress
that you have. So how many exits are available, the size of the exit. So, for example, if you have a single 36-in door, you may have a certain number. But if you have a double door, now you can have a higher number. And then that's also taken upon the square footage of
the space. And to the point where even furniture is taken into account, right? So when they look at it, they look at the floor layouts and then each under the certification, what's going to happen? Each unit is going to have a total maximum occupancy. so that all the
rent we know when we're going to inspect that those rentals cannot exceed x number of people in the unit. So, I mean, so I I have no idea what what that means, what that transpires in terms of if someone has a uh 3,000 foot
home with five bedrooms, right? Three beds in each 15 beds. Does that mean that on the short-term rental someone could rent out to 15 individuals? It depends on well if you're looking at a five- bedroomedroom house and let's
assume right because you're making assumptions that the rooms exceed over 100 square feet because there's also limitations on how many beds you can have in a room depending on the size, >> right? If you're saying that they could fit two bedrooms under the law, then each one of those bedrooms would allow
be allowed to have two individuals in it or you know if it's a bigger bedroom. It depends. So, it's really depends on the square footage of the bedroom and then the number of exits and the size of exits. >> Right. So, I guess my concern here is is
that is very sensitive to people um setting up rooming rooming houses. Right. Um and we technically if someone has a home can rent to 10, 12 or 15 different individual people under this ordinance. I find this I read it
correctly. >> What am I reading? Yeah, I didn't see that. I read that a few. >> Yeah, it's it's one it's one rental one rental unit, right? So, it's not you can't rent out every single room. So, if that's what you're saying, then the answer is no. You It's one rental unit. So, your house, let's say you're renting
your home, that's one renter. You can't rent it to four different people. It's one rental. >> I didn't see that language. >> It's all It's all part of the registration. Like, it's all part So, you have this is the registration component. Then you have the use component which you introduced but
because it's a land use ordinance it has to go to the planning board. So I'll be doing that tomorrow night and then it'll come back for second and final reading which is going to kind of dictate what it is and there's a limitation on for example if you think you're going to grab a one family home and be like I'm
making a killing on this. I'm going to rent this all year. It's only for 90 days collectively in an entire 12-month period. Right? So, it's really only if you know you're going away. Let's say you're going to you're lucky enough to have your dream trip to Europe, but you
want to be able to, you know, pay your mortgage while you're away, right? You can rent it out for a couple weeks and then you make that income. Can be the reason why I was nodding was the councilman's concern is legitimate in terms of avoiding the even possibility
that someone could use a property as a rooming house. I also want to just refer to our city attorney who can ensure to look at the language to make sure that that isn't possible. But if you could just speak a little bit towards if somebody is in
violation of the language of renting and utilizes it for each particular one, what happens? >> Right. So then that becomes an illegal uh dwelling unit per bedroom. And then there's a each there's a charge for
every single one of those rooms. In fact, there's even a state statute that we can file which is a criminal charge for putting individuals in rooms. So that even happens today if if you rent an apartment and you do that in your apartment, you can also in fact we do
that all the time and owners owners that have been constantly doing this have caught several times. Some of them has even gone to jail for doing illegal rentals per bedroom. So thank you mayor for for bringing that up so I can give it some greater clarity. I I guess I
guess the ordinance would say very clearly that each one should only be rented to one person. >> So >> at a time, you know, one not be one person, but I mean >> it's one unit. So >> whatever. That's
>> I guess the unfortunate thing is that the use one is at the planning board, right? So they're they're made to go together. You have this one, you have the tax one, and then you have the use one, right? But you want to be able to prepare the registrations before the use
one is approved. So we didn't want to delay that so that we can get the registrations up and running >> and then the use one can then we can sign off on the registrations. >> The other thing is also in section 100-15 >> 15. >> Yeah. A9
the number of all on-site parking spaces available. The owner shall certify that every effort will be made to avoid or mitigate issues with on street parking in the neighborhood in which a short-term rental is located.
Now I mean the owner will certify that every effort will be made. I don't know how you certify I made effort. I don't you I don't know how someone could certify something that he's making every effort. I don't how can you prove that he didn't make every effort? That's
number one. Number one, lease the the the rental agreement. >> That's a simple one. >> In your rental agreement, you tell your renter you cannot have more than one um one vehicle per two occupants unless we otherwise approve it.
>> No. So that that's by law. You can't have more than one or two. This is an addition this this line in this ordinance is in addition to that where you're not allowed to have more than one vehicle per two occupants. >> My point is answer your question directly. How do you prove it to me? Is when I review your documents, it's in
there that you had these conversations and that when you come in for your registration that those discussions are had and there might be, for example, if you have a big one family house that has a long driveway that accommodates 10 cars, it's a mood issue, right? If you're in a condo, then we have to make
sure that your car is not there, for example, when you're renting it out. So those are things that happen because you can't have like uh because each rental unit may be different. Um there has to be enough language that we can look at
each one of them individually. >> Okay. So I have two other points. Number one is um again we have this big sporting event coming up, right? So I'm going to go with 10 buddies. We want to go and rent the house, right? So I lease I lease a
house right for a week. I bring 10 buddies and each every two brings a car. So now I have five cars for this one apartment. And we know the issues that we face here in the city of Pake regarding parking. Right? So in that scenario, I just added five cars to this
block. Right? So I just don't see how this ordinance really protects neighborhoods in terms of the parking crisis that we have in this. >> So then my retort right would be that specific registration for that specific
unit may have conditions in which that's not allowed. Right? So that's why we added unless otherwise approved by the city. Right? So we we're going to limit occupancy. We can limit parking. We can look at, you know, what's available for
that specific unit. We can't have a blanket number, per se, because every unit is different, right? So if you're in and by the way, this is not rental units. It it's owner occupied
units. Okay? So if I have a condo and I got five condos because I, you know, I like to buy condos. It can only be the condo I live in that I could do this. I can't grab the other four condos I own and rent them out for Airbnb, right? So then what'll happen is if that's the condo and that condo has a onebedroom,
let's say, right? and that one bedroom uh it comes with a parking space for that one bedroom in that condo. Then that registration certificate, right, that they get allows for one vehicle for that rental.
>> Again, I again, let's say I I have a five u bedroom home. I'm going on a Caribbean cruise the week of this big sporting event, okay? and I'm leasing out, renting out my my house, my home >> to one guy who's bringing his tent buddies.
>> Now, the inspector is coming down to inspect, take measurement of each bedroom to make sure to how much furniture there is in the house, right? >> Oh, that happens way before the rent. >> Okay. Um, he's not going to say, "Well, guess what? You cannot have more than three cars." I mean, he's going to say,
"Well, you could have 10 people here, 12 people here, and based on this ordinance, I can have one car for every two people." Now, I just took a neighborhood where parking is a problem, which we know is a problem. Let's not debate. We don't have to debate that, right? And I just >> I would argue it depends on the neighborhood, but >> Okay. For this one week or two weeks,
right? I just put down another five cars on this block. How are we dealing with that on this or >> Well, you're making an assumption that they're all going to go on the street. >> It could happen, Councilman. You're right. It could happen. Someone could end up renting to an individual. And I
mean obviously we have certain things in place so you can't turn the home into a fry house. You know people will complain. They'll call the police or call the city and obviously you can lose your status even on the Airbnb site because you have to receive positive ratings. So there is nothing
specifically written to avoid that. We we can't say well you're only allowed to rent it if you have one vehicle. But what will occur is if there is an outcry from the community, there's a response from the community that says this particular home has rent to Airbnb and they're limited how many times they
could do it in a year. Right, Mr. B? I believe it's uh it's once every six months. What's the time? >> So, you can't exceed a 90day period in in a 12 month in a year. So, basically, you can't like it can't be every single
day. Once you hit that number, you're done for the year. So that could be in one month or that could be scattered throughout the year. >> But if there are complaints to the city, there can be specific reports about that renter that will remove them and in a sense take away their privilege or right
to uh to be registered as a site that can be considered uh your rentals. Is there any study that was done here in terms of how much potentially revenue could be driven here to the city for this changing this ordinance for the
short-term rentals? So, we're talking about 3%. So, for every $1,000 rental is 30 bucks to the city plus a $250 applicant registration fee. There's any cost analysis of what
what the cost is to the city in terms of personnel who are going down to every residence to do an inspection to give out the registrations to monitor the the the rentals how often the rental and they're paying rent right I mean how are we tracking that how do we know when
they rented it to know that they that they're paying the rent right if I if I own a hotel so I have to give the city every month um my financials and they see exactly ly how much income I made. But when I rent out my house, who in the world in the city, which department of
the city of Pay is monitoring, right? Who am I sending my financials? Are no financials. The guy sell me the money, right? So what's the cost to operate this this program and based on all this the registration it includes the fire
department, includes code department, building department. We have the personnel to run this and it's going to pay for it. >> Of course, we wouldn't have presented it otherwise. >> Okay. If you say so. >> Okay. I mean,
>> it's occurring now. >> I was I was just going to say >> it's occurring right now. I I want to make clear it. We're not going to create the situation where people are renting. What we're trying to do is codify and and make a law that can hold individuals accountable and give us the opportunity
to regulate it. But it's already occurring. I think right now you can go online and check Airbnb in Pacific. Check Airbnb in any of the municipalities where they have this or not. People are renting already. This gives us the opportunity to regulate it. Will there be a cost? Yes. Will there be
a benefit to uh to home occupied properties? We would hope so to help them pay a mortgage to alleviate some of the concerns as we address affordability in different ways. Will there be individuals more willing to come to the city and maybe eat at our local restaurants, shop at our uh local stores
during this big event, the FIFA? We hope so. Will there be an impact in some communities? Some will go, I don't like it. Others will go, this was great. I would propose the ones that are closer to commercial areas or or restaurants or eeries, they'll be very excited to have
additional people here wanting to go to the games, to eat, and to shop. But it is something new that we're trying. With everything new, we're going to have to monitor it closely. Make sure we're bringing reports to the city council, taking every complaint seriously from the residents. And we may end up with a
few incidents of individuals having too many vehicles or people trying to get groups of individuals and split the money up so that it's affordable to them. We're going to have to keep a close eye and see if it works, but we know that this is the direction the other municipalities are going to go.
Some it's already occurring and they don't have anything on the books. Others have done it. We didn't try to come up with something so new and so innovative that it didn't exist. Try to check out some other ways. We're trying to prepare for those big events because again, it's happening already and we expect it's
only going to grow as we get closer to that event and we want to make sure that we have something on the books when that could eventually or hopefully benefit the city with some revenue that comes in as well as gives us the opportunity to regulate it and do it in a more
effective and organized way. >> Thank you, Councilman Love, please. >> Thank you, Council President. Um I I just want to say thank you uh council Monk also bringing up some very valid points. Um and mayor I want to thank you because this ordinance is very similar
in terms of protection for the tenants. I'm sorry for the renters and the landlords, right? We talked about it the last meeting um in in regards to people are advertising certain rentals and they get there and they're sharing personal
space and close space with the owner. um including bathrooms and bedrooms, right? That it's horror stories out there about Airbnbs. So, I want to applaud you and and where I was going with is very similar. This is just because it's being done and this is sort of like when we uh
passed the ordinance about the basement and the garages or or some different dwellings because it's happening. But until we had an ordinance, we couldn't really put any teeth and monitor it the way that I think this ordinance would allow. And just speaking about the
parking situation, I think the parking situation is always going to be tricky because even with this or without this, um there there's nothing that says that if a group of friends or family want to go to on a cruise right now and I own a
house, we meet at my house, right, and take a a Uber to the airport to save money. The parking is always going to be that way. Um it it's just real tricky. It's hard to monitor because the last time I checked and the chief can help me out as long as a car is registered and
has insurance, they can park on on the street. So that that that makes it really hard for any ordinance to regulate parking. Um and you rais a good point um because you know if we can't do anything, but I think it's just difficult because the the five people
that are going to rent or the 10 people who has five cars, you may not even register any of them. So now how do you monitor that as well? So I I just think that parking is is is a premium wherever you go not just the city of Pay certain
areas and the business administrator said it certain areas in Pake is not as um you know um busy so to speak as others but for the most part and all four ws parking is is is very difficult and I understand your concern council.
>> Okay. Can I just one quick thing just in the ordinance about the 90 days max 90 days? I just didn't see it. What section? >> Councilman, could you please speak into the microphone? >> I'm just looking for in the ordinance about the 90 days max 90. I didn't I don't remember seeing that.
>> Here it is. It's under principal residence. >> Oh, >> the second paragraph. >> 275 days during the year. So, let me just do the math real quick. 365 >> personally one person must reside for a person has to live 275 days. You mean so what's left is 90 days. Is that what
you're saying? 365US 275als 90. Okay. >> I was want to double check my math because you know I was looking for >> I was looking for 90. That's okay. Well, no, because remember it has to be your principal residence. So defining it as
your rent, you have to live there for 275 days of the year so that it can be considered your principal residence and then qualify to register your unit. We are on the third ordinance for consideration. Are there I
>> open public hearing? >> Yes. >> And we need to open public hearing now. You open it. >> Did we open? >> Yes, we did. >> Did we close public hearing? >> No. >> No. >> Is there anyone in the audience who would like to adjust the council on this item in this Monday? >> No hands. I move to close the public portion.
>> Second. >> Motion and second to close public portion. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colom. Yes. >> And Council President Sher.
>> Yes. Thank you. Now we're up to a we're up to number four. >> No. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Motion and second to move the bill. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Coltz. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Number four. Proposed ordinance to Thank you, Wely. Proposed ordinance 2513-26. An ordinance amending chapter 275
taxation to include article five hotel motel and short-term rental unit occupancy tax authorizing and imposing an occupancy tax on certain rentals in the city of Payic. Is there a motion please to open public hearing? >> So move motion and second. Thank you to
open. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Colz. Yes. and Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the council is to the reading proposed ordinance 2513. Is your name
like to address the council on this item and this item? >> Thank you, Council President. I just want to know >> your name is for the record. >> My name is Ysef Wolf. >> I just want to know how much revenue the city expects to generate from this 90day
>> period. Fernandez. >> So, that's hard to tell until people actually start renting it out, but I could tell you that roughly uh because we did do a lot of work, right? We didn't just throw something on without looking at it. There's over a hundred applications that are already in Airbnb
that are registered to the city of PA. Each of them ranging anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, right? rental unit depending on the 90 days and if that's per week or per day in some instances depending on events that are if there's a major event it
could be significant. And then if you add to that the 3% and then the $250 registration fee just if those 100 units alone were to pay pay the registration fee now you're looking over 25,000 just on registration fees. And if each of
those is a $10,000 rental for those 90 days, right? and you multiply that by the 100 units, you can it can be a significant amount. But again, just to reiterate the mayor's point, this is more for safety and regulation, but
there will be there will be a a financial implication to the city. >> Council President, if I may, I I just want to explore something. I want >> Can I just say one more comment? >> Can I just say one more comment? >> I believe the question is being answered. when the question is being
answered after that of course sir >> it it may be um tied to revenue but also to the concern that uh councilman monk has now understand it may open up >> can of worms but it's just a suggestion if the council is open for us to explore
it if in the registration um process maybe something in the future can be looked at at um having to require a registration for vehicles saying that you you must register a vehicle if you're going to if you're
going to rent the location and then we can cap how many vehicles can be registered. Perhaps if we can have the attorney explor I was just thinking about it because as I was pondering and then the question of revenue it could be out of fee. We can say the Airbnb must require an individual to register
whatever vehicles are going to be at the location or in the area. Could someone get around it possibly? within that the council can entertain is again I would propose the council would consider entertaining going you have to register a vehicle and there must be a limit to how many vehicles you're allowed to
register a vehicle outside of that that is a part of the rental can be subject to ticketing or otherwise how you regulate that throughout the city I mean obviously we can have more conversations about that as we've had zone permit around the city and perhaps parking
permits around the city during the time of FIFA be something that we explore, but perhaps going down the avenue just to seek because I think you have a legitimate concern, >> Councilman Monk and and the other council members share it that if if we open up that opportunity, someone may come with four or five cars and it
becomes already a challenge in the city, but if we can go to register, not only do you have to register obviously to rent it, but you have to register what vehicle you're going to bring in. It gets uh whatever pass or whatever it is registered for us. So the business administrator shar you had
to register when you rented a place when you went somewhere, right? >> Yeah. My assistant had to rent had to had to register their vehicle in that specific area. >> So maybe we do something and we tailor it to the city and then we can address because we can add a component to that that caps or limits how many vehicles
can be registered per unit. If we are a particularly densely populated area or an area of this challenge, we can go one vehicle per unit. If the council is open to that, council president and councilman for additional revenue and potentially to address some of the concern, we could
ask the attorney to explore that. >> I would respectfully I would ask the council to remember that we're on the ordinance. Additional ordinances, modifications I'm sure will be made in the future, but >> currently we need to >> in all due respect.
>> That's fair. I just thought it may be additional revenue if we charge them. I know it's a stretch. It's that kind of evening for me. >> And maybe maybe the restriction on cars could be also for long-term rentals, >> not 100 cars for one unit in PA.
>> It was that you need to be on the ordinance, sir. >> Thank you. And the council councilman love mentioned about basement apartments. I don't think they'll be available for this short-term rentals because >> you're not on the ordinance, sir. >> This ordinance is about short-term
rentals in Payic. Excuse me. >> Taxation on short-term rentals in sympatheic ordinance for ordinance 2 251326. >> You're not on the ordinance. >> Ordinance amending chapter 275 taxation
to include article v hotel motel and short-term rentals. Is that the one? >> 2513-26. >> Yes. Is it possible that this will not apply to basement apartments because This the planning board has not heard
more than one application for that resolution that you passed for basement apartments. Not more than one. >> This we are under discussion of an ordinance before this body. It is already through appropriate planning and zoning bodies.
>> Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to adjust the council on 2513? >> Seeing none. Motion to close. >> Second. Motion and second to close. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor,
>> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Council Colon, yes. And council president Shar >> on the ordinance, please. Is there a maker? So move. >> Second. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Counciloman Melo, >> yes.
>> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. Council member Golo Montz. Yes. >> And Council President Shear. >> That was on the ordinance. >> Yes, sir. >> Very good. We're up to Roman numeral uh six on our agendas, communications.
We have before us items five through 10. I'd like separate vote, please, on nine and 10 and ask for the council's consideration. If they have any questions, please on five, six, seven, or eight. Seeing no lights, is there a motion
please to accept items five, six, seven, and eight? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilman Colany,
>> yes. and council president >> shar >> on items 9 and 10 separate vote. Is there any questions please on 9 and 10? >> Is there a motion to >> council president? Yes. >> I just need your vote. Yes or no? >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you councilman. No problem. >> On nine and 10. >> Move it. Council >> second. >> Motion and second on nine and 10. Roll call on 9 and 10. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Coltz. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. All members listed are under considered routine in nature. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. Putting 17 aside.
Questions please on 11 through 16. Is there a motion please to accept 11? >> Second. >> Motion and roll call. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Colz. Yes. >> And Council President Shear. >> Yes. Thank you. On 17. >> Questions on 17, please. Rock on 17. Move. Second.
>> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Coltz. >> Stay. >> And Council President Shear. >> Yes. Repair Roman numeral seven
resolutions. Number 18 is a resolution authorizing closed executive session of the city council of the city to meet today Friday 13 at 7 p.m. Madame Attorney >> Mr. Fernandez. >> No. Council President,
>> Mr. Mayor, sir. >> At this time, >> members of the council, >> very good. If we can take 18 off items 19 >> separate >> through 20 through31. >> Yes sir.
>> 19ate separate >> separate on 19. >> Council mayor 19 through >> No. Council mayor, do you have your light on? >> Are there any questions, please? On 19
through 31 council may >> um on 19 on 19. This is regarding the swap of real estate. Based on the maps, this is like existing >> Yes. >> issues like this is going on for a hundred years. It's just a formality at
this point. It is. So what happened is when the state of New Jersey Department of Education was going to prepare to build the project, they noticed that a portion of the building would be on city property and they couldn't do that. Even
though if you look at the survey, it's been like that for a million years. So we needed to square off the library so that they can then have the rest of the land. So that's basically what it does. Um, it basically just moves imaginary lines because the library isn't changing
and the parking lot that the library has always used is going to remain the same. The interesting part is that, you know, you're growing up, you visit the library a million times. The library parking was actually owned by this board of ed and the board of ed administrative parking
was owned by the city. So, uh, that this would change that of course and make it correct. >> Thank you. on 20 and 21. Those are just upgrades to existing. >> Yeah. So, um we have completed the construction of 69 Jefferson and now we
need to do the telecommunications to put the phones in, the Wi-Fi, you know, all the other stuff to make it an operational uh functioning building. Just for the uh council's edification, this is all funded through CDBG. This is
not city funding. 23 as well was >> 23 >> was funded through >> yeah that's is um it's a NJ dot 100% grant funded
>> 29 just a move of funds from one appropriation to another just >> yeah so this is common this is common towards the end of one fiscal year the beginning of the next year where we're doing departmental transfers as we're closing the books
one department might have needed more than another or one line item might have needed more than another. So, uh this is just a a normal transfer to the department, the necessary department. >> 130 like a little bit of a truck afficionado.
>> Yes. >> Couldn't go through the 350. >> So, that would be way too big for what we need. So, these are this is paid by the urban enterprise zone and uh a 350 just everybody knows pretty large. The 250 to me is large.
>> The 350 is pretty big. Um, but this is for the U clean sweep graffiti removal. So, it carries the >> tank >> the tank. Uh, I know the mayor was extremely happy that we ordered it with plows and each truck is coming in plow
ready with the plows on the truck. And once this there the the good news is that it's on the lot and the moment that this passes and it's signed, we call them up so they can deliver the two trucks and get two more trucks and plows on the street.
>> And lastly, on 31, could you explain this is obviously this has been this property has been in front of the council before. Could you explain the process from start 10 chronologically? What happens in regards to this recommendation or proposed
recommendation for the education of myself being a new council member? >> All right. So, as the um as the council knows, right, there was concerns from the neighborhood with a compliant application. So, it was an application that complied with the conditional use
requirements. Uh there was a lot of uh community outcry and there was a lot of discussions by the mayor and the council to listen to those uh you know those cries from the public and figure out a way to develop something that can be
palatable for both the property owner who spent time and money collecting all of these properties as well as the community in which the project is going to sit. uh knowing that the current proposal was an absolutely not acceptable for the community. Um for
us to be able to negotiate with the developer in a way that we can make this happen and have open discussions with both the developer and the community um this would move us into a redevelopment process. Right? So the current
conditional use process um even though the applicant complied, she agreed to pull the application so that we can then negotiate. For us to legally negotiate, we have to have a designation. So what this does, this is
step redevelopment designation step four. You have to designate the area in need. Okay? So this is that step. This would you're referring this to the planning board to create a study
for an area in need. Once that happens, it comes back to the council for a resolution designating it. Right? So, this goes to planning board. I go to the planning board. I explain the statutory criteria. The planning board reviews it. Says it meets the
criteria. If it meets the criteria, it would come back to this council for a designation. Okay? There's no use, there's no number of units, none of that. This is just designating it so that we can then do the next step, which
is prepare a redevelopment plan. That plan is where you're going to delineate the number of units, types of house, housing types permitted, heights on those buildings, parking requirements,
etc., etc., etc. Right? that is done not by resolution but by ordinance. So then what'll happen is >> so I'm sorry to interrupt this is going to come back in front of the council as an ordinance with a >> with a plan >> with a plan with a basic plan of how many units what type of units etc.
>> It's a right it's a guide. >> Yeah. >> Right. We're not going to know if it's going to be stuck or brick or vinyl sighting. Right. >> The things that matter the setbacks the number of units what type of units you know things like that. So then that
comes in as first reading first reading ordinance. Then under the state of New Jersey, it requires that that plan be reviewed by the planning board with consistency with our city master plan. So then the council introduces it. I go
to the planning board. We go over the master plan and compare the master plan to the proposal. And then it'll come back with or without a recommendation from the planning board for second and final hearing where the public will have an opportunity to discuss the ordinance
at hand. And through the the entire process, even this process, it's all in they're public hearings, right? So you can hear everything that they're saying. So you don't really get to comment on a on a master plan review because it's not
a back and forth. It's basically does it comply with the master plan or not? But it's all all the discussions are in public and people can listen and when they come back to the hearing they can have any questions or any dialogue or any concerns or any discussion with the council.
>> Thank you. And then once that happens, now we've passed it. Now it's a plan. Now that becomes the zoning ordinance for that parcel. Unlike your typical zoning ordinance, the applicant must comply,
right? Must substantially comply with that ordinance because you're not allowed to deviate from that ordinance. So, let's say we said that they're allowed 100 units, right? But they want to build 102 units.
They can't go to the zoning board to ask for 102 units. They have to come back here to this governing body and request an amendment to that redevelopment plan. And then guess what? That amendment has to go through all the steps that we just did
for the redevelopment plan because there is no once the once the council passes that plan that's the plan and they got to abide by it. So that is nuts to bolts. This is step one just the designation.
Councilman Hook. >> Thank you, Council President. So, in terms of so at the first at the first stop of the planning board, right? Um the who who comes up with the concept of
what this area or any goes before the redevelopment before it goes planning of what fits in of the need of redevelopment. Is it something that the city makes the recommendation? Is it the owner of the
property makes the recommendation? Are the are people are the is there a 200 foot notice to residences in that area of of this of the planning movement? What's the process to decide should it be a five-story building, it
should be a two-story building, should be a 50story building. >> So that that's negotiated between the the city. So it would be myself and the developer and the mayor of course at the mayor's direction of course and and our professionals other professionals you our engineer and and things like that we
then negotiate based on the direction. >> So so so the city the administration makes the recommendation from the planning board >> what they should >> it doesn't go to the planning board it comes here first. So basically what'll
happen is we'll sit down with the developer right after listening to everything that happened up to this point right because the the the one thing we have going in our favor is that everybody was very vocal of what the issues were.
So we have a discussion. We come to any other zoning ordinance that would be that the administration proposes, right? We would have long discussions because I you've been part of some of these discussions. You know, they don't they don't happen overnight.
In fact, we've been talking about this while she was still active in the application. We were trying to figure out what would be acceptable to both the residents and the the developer. Um and once that plan is developed, right, it
comes to this uh governing body for review and analysis before it goes any before it goes to the plan board. >> So So where is it going? We're make the city council tonight is voting on to recommend it to send it to the planning board. >> So this is you directing the planning
board to do a study which is only for designation. And the reason that you're doing this is so that it can validate the negotiations and the council has the opportunity to review the ordinance. If not, they
would use the underlying ordinance which was the problem. >> So we're trying to alleviate the concerns of the community and the developer and come up with a plan. >> Okay. So So this has nothing to do with the number you >> plan. So this goes to the planning board
just so they should designate recommend that should be a redevelopment area. Then it comes back here in terms of what the plan should be which the administration basically works that out with the with the so what point is there
any any point where people in the neighbor are noticed >> what point is that which >> is the the the in the affected property. So under the state of New Jerseys local housing redevelopment law under the state in New Jersey every
affected parcel the ones that are actually going to be affected by the property right like the actual block and lots get noticed right because we're designating them and they're affected in the plan >> is that all committees zoning planning and redevelopment
>> no it's the actual property owners like the properties okay so that's the notice >> I'm sorry what was the question planning board and zoning board saying Is it all communities require that? Is that the question? >> I think you left. >> The question was, do all require that
notice for those? >> Yeah. Yes, the state of New Jersey. I'm sorry. I misunderstood. I respond to Yes. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I heard planning board and zoning board. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I maybe I just I'm hard of hearing any um >> So, yes. So, what happens is here
everyone every lot that's affected gets noticed that we're doing a designation. So if if I if you see lot one two three four five six they get noticed >> that that's happening right then >> no that's the actual lot that's that's has to do with the zone
>> yeah I'm want >> okay >> I'm giving you the whole plethora of notices just so that everybody understand so then what happens is you then once this is on right there's the general a general notice right not 200
foot This is a general notice. Our city clerk puts it out, right? That this is what's going on before the council for the plan, right? Then the planning board's notice is just a meeting notice because they're not
acting they're not acting on the ordinance. What they're acting on is if it's consistent or not with the master plan. So they're not saying that it you know anything other that it complies or doesn't comply with the master plan. So then when it comes back here after that
general notice you have the public hearing. Then at that point once the ordinance is passed there's a planning board site plan application which requires a 200 foot notice of
every single individual uh within these parcels which was the normal process which is the normal process that they followed originally. So, so if I understand this correctly
and I I know we've been told this many times but I just get very confused with all the different all different steps the boards and different steps different applications to go different ways. Um so in other words the one advantage
of going having a plan a pe a a property going through the it's redevelopment is that that people living in the immediate area are not noticed when I say noticed I don't mean in a newspaper because most people read newspapers
right do not get a registered mail notice notification in the mail that something is happening until it's too late. It's done. It's a done deal. And all the thing left is where we should put the trees. We had a site plan approval. Well, you have to turn right
here, turn left here, but it's a done deal. I mean, that is one of the advantages of going through redevelopment is that you could really bypass the neighbor. I correctly I know I'm I'm I'm
>> I disagree. I listen I disagree with uh your characterization. >> I understand it. >> Um because that would be the same thing the exact same thing that you do with any land use ordinance. So if that's the case, every single zoning ordinance that
we've put before you and every zoning ordinance in the entire state of New Jersey, right, you'd say the same thing for it. So, this council, right, is elected to pass the law, whether it's the zoning, it's just consider this an amendment to your zoning ordinance. It's
the same thing, right? So, if this council ju and I would argue that in this specific case, they came in with a compliant, right? They they came in with a compliant application. The the law, excuse me,
they were allowed to go to the planning. >> They were allowed to go to the planning board for a conforming application. Now, we can argue whether it was conforming or not, but we didn't get to that that level of detail, right? Which >> right? So, right now, let's say you say, >> I don't want the conditional use, get rid of it. Right.
>> Guess what? Everybody within 200 feet is not going to get noticed either. That's not the notice requirements, right? I told >> I think Councilman, if I may, I think to the business administrator's point is that the concerns of the community were heard. >> Yes. >> That the process did to an extent worked. There wasn't a full approval and
an execution of this plan and we didn't move forward. There was obvious objections from the community. They reached out to their representatives, the council members. There were meetings. We stepped back. If I may, I just want to clarify just one point
>> because I think it was a good question about the recommendations. The recommendations come obviously, especially back to the council after considering the concerns of the community, objections or even suggestions from the city council. But to your point, if if I
may ask, because I think it is a legitimate and extremely important point, is there a suggestion of how we we would better notice the public that are affected directly in proximity to a potential project? >> Yeah, I I I don't want to talk
specifically to this >> to this. I want to go very general because this is something that I've seen a little bit through the years where things went through the redevelopment designation >> and people neighbors woke up like oh how
did that happen? I don't I never got noticed which I never understood like what do you mean you get noticed? How do you how do you get a plan through? But but and I think this is the answer. Again, I'm not coming to change state law, how things are done, but we're
always very sensitive. I'm not talking to this really at all. I'm really talking >> just in general in >> general in general because we do exercise redevelopment, you know, designation a lot here to get things which is tremendous what this administration has done over the years. We're using that tool. It's a great
tool, but we're also I know the administration is very sensitive to being informing everybody right what's happening in their especially in their neighborhood getting input and so on and so forth that this through this process not deliberately god forbid I'm not but
through this process which is an important process that's what we got so far with all the changes in the city per se there is a little bit of a uh you know call it a um downside I guess in terms of incorporating and bringing in the neighborhood just what they like to see in it.
>> So what would be the suggestion in order to sort of fill that gap or address that concern because we we would be open to it. I mean again and I go back to what the administrator shared. It seems like the process worked for for not just this one because we don't want to talk about this one, but there's been a number of
applications where as the city was moving forward, there was objection by residents and that's happened in every ward >> throughout the entire city where there's a development, we're almost at the finish line sometimes. So the the administration can uh sometimes think
everything is great, everyone's on board, and then last minute residents come in, forgive the description of last minute, but maybe they didn't receive something in the mail. Maybe it got shared in a forum or a particular book, maybe it got put in the newspaper and someone picked it up and said, "Exciting
project about to come." And a resident said, "I wasn't aware of it. Now they know they've come. We've readressed it with the council. We've walked back certain aspects." So, is there an additional layer that would be suggested for us to consider to more effectively communicate and ensure the engagement
and involvement of the public? >> Mayor, my my least concern is with this has to do with this resolution because I think the residents in this area are very informed and um every time there'll be a meeting, I'm sure there'll be another lawn sign, you know, put out there where the next meeting will be.
Yes. But I really am talking about really generally in terms of anywhere in the city where we use this tool uh because I've heard this in the past. I don't know if other council members have heard the experience also where we go through the redevelopment designation and the residents also wake up one
morning it's all approved it's done they can't do anything. So it's something which the council has heard has gotten feedback. So, you know, it's something which again we could address, you know, h how we could, you know, fix this this issue. I
know legally we don't have to, but that's I know this administration that's not the approach. >> Well, to your point and through the council president, I would just share that we are definitely open any way that we can more effectively communicate with the residents. I mean, obviously,
ideally, we want the buy in of the community. We sometimes have the challenge of looking at a development and I think you you articulated it so much better than I possibly could. Just because we can do something doesn't necessarily mean that we should do it. And we consider the impact on the
community. We consider sometimes it's not the right application now or plan now and maybe in the future maybe. So, but I I do want to say that for the business administrator, obviously there's so much work that goes into having these conversations studying the
law and he spends he burns the midnight oil on making sure all the codes are met, all the legalities are taken care of, whether state and and local. But obviously we serve at the pleasure of the residents of the city of Piki and our goal is to the best of our ability
move projects and initiatives forward that serve the best interest of the city as a whole. I'm not sure I can't read that, but you'll let me know what it is. I don't want to pull a president and Marco Rubio where I'll read that out loud and I'm not supposed to. Some people might get that reference, but you'll let me know what that is later
on. Again, Councilman, yeah, we're open to find out what additional layers. It's just again sometimes we do send out the notice 200 um foot radius. Sometimes it gets published. Sometimes we even utilize social media. We'll let the
council members know. We'll even share it in town hall meetings. And somewhere along the process, uh two or three individuals will begin to object. Then the two or three are turn into six. And then the six are turning to 20 and 20 are turning to 30. we're going. We would
have been so much more open at the beginning of the process, but of course, it's whatever serves the best interest of the committee as a whole. So, we're open to figure out how we can communicate it better. We would welcome any suggestions and working together to get there. Mr. May, is there something
you want to share? Because I can't. >> This council has been known to request from the administration a 200 foot radius for a plan. One that comes to mind is to Pennington where we have to rent out the local gym. So, >> oh, got it.
>> That's an option. >> I couldn't read it. I don't have the glasses. >> Scrabble. So, that has something that in certain instances, >> right, >> the council requested, but again, >> legally, I just want to make sure everybody know I just want to make sure
everybody knows the laws followed to the tea. There is no circumventing anything. The notices that are required are submitted, they're put in the paper. the days that they have to be in the paper are reviewed. Right? That's why in the 27 years I've been doing this, we've
never had a single redevelopment plan be questioned or brought back from the state of New Jersey. In fact, every single time the state of New Jersey tells us that we're good to go. So, just want to just want to make sure everybody think we're all on the same page with that. But I think to the council member and and most of the council's point and
again I'll reiterate that we are open to making communication more effective. We we met the requirements. I think we all agree on that that we meet the requirements but the requirements and I'm not going to say that they're they're you know that's great little
older but right now things have changed. People use social media. Not everyone is waiting for correspondents to show up in the mail and uh and read it. Sometimes people miss it. As a city, we have to admit where there's areas that we can improve. And sometimes when residents
raise their voice and say, "Hey, you know, some things are good, but some things we don't feel are good, we should be open to receive that and say, then how can we make it better?" And I think this is one of those unique opportunities that if we put our heads together and work with the community, we'll find a way to make it better. We won't always come to full agreement, but
I think your point is well taken. And again, we emphasize we're open, council president, members of the council, to figure out how we can do this better. >> Councilwoman, please. >> Yes. So, one that came to mind, they also mentioned about was with the ice
cream parlor. They somehat residents brought up the same concern. They said they were not notified, but I do recall that it was mentioned that it was put in the newspaper. I mean, the law was passed. Unfortunately, as residents, sometimes we don't read newspapers. Some
of us don't read the newspapers. So, and I think one of um the things that we did mention was um sending emails, but then you have folks that don't have emails. So, that's um it's a tough one, but yeah, it's something that we've heard in the past, but it's going to be challenging. Just we're
going to have to >> By the way, everything's posted on the website. >> Yeah, there's some people that don't go on the website. They'll say, "Well, >> it's in the it's in the newspaper. It's on the website and it's hanging right next to the city clerk's office." That those are the I'm just telling you what the requirements are of the law. I'm not
saying they're good or bad or indifferent. I'm just telling you the things the steps we have to follow. >> So, and that's what we've been doing. >> I think the points have been made. Councilwoman, you are correct. There are other examples of individuals that have even though we went uh far above and
beyond to notice individuals, it said they still didn't get it. That's going to continue to happen. We'll send emails. We'll post it up online. We'll do the 200 for radius. We'll make phone calls. We'll send out the LED truck with the flashing. Ladies and gentlemen, there's a meeting on this day. There
will still be individuals that say they didn't receive it. But at the very least, let us be accused of doing too much to communicate rather than uh being told we have not done enough. So, I think we're open to it. Council >> Councilman Mayor, please.
the the designation of a redevelopment zone does it take away the conditional use ability or the amount of two paths technically. >> So the the mere designation does not the plan does. So what'll happen is we're going to present a plan that supersedes
the underlying zoning ordinance. So then those lots would not cannot avail themselves of the conditional use any longer unless uh they were removed from the redevelopment plan. Thank you,
>> Councilman Love. >> Yeah, just a quick question and I know we probably can spend a lot of time on how and what we could do some suggestions, but I just want to know because I never receive a 200 um feet radius letter. How does it look? Um
because I'll tell you the only letters that from the city that I'm I look at is when it says tax bill says no bill. You with me? Right. So, um, and the reason why I say that is because again down the line we can think of some
creative ideas, maybe a different color. Maybe right across the envelope it says it could say redevelopment, right? That draws attention because many of us, I think, do the same thing. We're just happy that we don't get a bill or there's not anything major from the
city. Um, and those other letters may they get thrown away. So if we come if if we send the letter it'll say city of forake on it. >> Yeah. >> But that's a great suggestion that he made. Honestly, we can explore that because the truth is you're right. Most people get so much in the mail. You may
just put it to the side. Whether it's about recycling, whether it's another notice, maybe another letter or calendar or whatever it is. We send we send a lot out. We try to make sure we send a lot out. We can explore whether or not a different envelope, a different color,
something that we can put on it that may let people know there's an urgency, there's a time that they should consider this needs to be read. So that's appreci appreciating the importance of this conversation. >> Items 19 through 31. Are there any
questions? Please >> 19 separate. >> 19 separate 20-31. There's a motion. Is there a second, please? On 20 through31. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Golo Montz, >> yes. >> And Council President Sher, >> yes. >> On 19, please move it. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. Yes. >> Counciloman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colinez. >> Abstain. >> And Council President Shar.
>> Yes. Thank you. You are up to Roman numeral eight on our agenda. Ordinances for introduction and first breeding. 32. Proposed ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number. Is there motion please to accept for set down for a second and
final reading at our meeting of February 17? >> Motion second. Roll call please on 32. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Coltz.
>> Yes. >> And council president. >> Yes. Thank you. Number 33, please. An ordinance amending chapter 100 certificates of occupancy and tenency section 10 fees of the code of the city of B to adjust certificate of occupancy fees. Is there a motion please to accept
for set down for second and final reading and our meeting of February 17th? Motion second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilman Coltz,
>> yes. No, not on 34. >> 34. >> On 34, please. An ordinance authorizing the exchange of real property between the city of Payic and the PAC Board of Education pursuant to NJSA 40A12-16.
Is there a motion, please, to open for second and final reading and our meeting of February 17? >> Second. >> Motion and second. Roll call. >> Councilman Monk. Yes. Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia,
>> yes. >> Counciloman Colz, >> and Council President Shar, >> yes. Thank you. A payment of bills. >> Are there any questions on the bills? Is presented by the clerk. >> Seeing no lights at this time, is there a motion, please, to accept the bills?
>> Motion and second. Royal Club, please. On the bills. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Colonz. Yes. And Council President Sh. >> Yes. Thank you. Administrator's report.
Mr. Fernandez. >> None at this time. Sir. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Mayor, we received communication in the last couple days that the county will now begin to address some of the county roads. Tomorrow. They're going to be on Broadway, and that is a major help. the
county roads which include Brook Avenue, uh, Pake Avenue, Vanhen Avenue, Broadway. They unfortunately can only address a small section at a time. So, they're going to hit Broadway from Prospect Street um, down I believe almost to Main Avenue before. We will
continue our efforts according to the alternate side of the street that we've been doing. The west side is usually uh Mondays and Wednesdays where the east side is Tuesday and Thursday, but tomorrow we're going to hit a lot of the uh city. I believe that some of the
areas that we're going to be focused on tomorrow will be Lafayette. I think we have a list just send it to the council. She's going to pull it up in the Let's see. list
includes Lafayette from Midav to uh way to pose boulevard from Broadway all the way to me acre from Broadway all the way to me and a Broadway all the way to Albon Street when I mention the specific
area I just want to remind uh especially those watching online and those who hear later it's not like a street sweeper that can just go by within one minute it takes about a good hour and since alternate side is two hours, you usually get two blocks in an hour before people
start returning back with their cars. But we we are going according to our plan. Um our DPW consisting is hitting, but those are just for the um alternate side hours. It's two hours. We begin around 6:00 a.m. from 6:00 to 10 as
we're getting all the uh trucks out. We're hitting most of the corners, especially where the heaps of snow are. We try to hit those wherever we can and we don't find cars parked even though it's not alternate side. Uh the trucks are go around and with some of the plows they try to flatten it out. The
challenge with uh just hitting it and going and leaving all the snow in the middle street is then it has to be salted immediately so it's easier for us to stick with the plan. There were some calls for uh for urgent responses. Some schools that were open and had specific
requirements. the hospital. Of course, certain work that occurred down by um Main Avenue and uh Marietta and I want to take this opportunity to just uh thank Councilman Mayor. Uh like myself, we had identified a stream of water that
was coming down Main Avenue. We both thought it was coming from Clifton from a particular fire, but it was another water mane break and they worked overnight, but you can imagine with the frigid temperatures, it froze. We had over three inches of ice going down the sidewalk down Mayav and it went down
Maynav and halfway through the block on Brook all the way up to Stewart. The reason I share it is because then we had to draw the attention from our DPW from where they were working overnight to go take care of that in order to sort it because if people would have woke up
after 3:00 in the morning, there would be no way to notice them and they would they would have just fallen in front of their homes. So we had to draw the people off at that time. So even in the midst of doing the work, sometimes extenduating circumstances require that we send people to different direction.
But uh we're going to again emphasize if your street is not being cleaned with snow removal, then there would be no tickets given. There is no alternate side in force other than the streets that we have posted and have the police
going to to tell you to move. so that we can clean it. >> I lost my good part today. >> But Spring Street was hit and uh in those areas were hit today. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any additional comments?
>> Was there was there was there any uh not getting any politics in Washington? Was there any funds that used to be available for storms like this that are no longer available? >> First, um there's no getting out of the politics. You're literally an elected official. Every every part of it is
political. But in regards to the question that you ask, yes, every year there's uh funding put aside for snow removal. Are you asking is there funding that we put in the budget aside? >> Is there a FEMA fun anything that used to be able to tap into? >> Oh, outside funding. >> Yeah. You know, we we budget we budget
every year for additional snow removal that may result in extended hours overtime or having to get additional contractors. Just to give some perspective and context, for the three days that we utilize, seven contractors
came out to about $65,000. And that's at getting them to agree. And the typical amount that gets charged through the public bids about 250 an hour because it was an emergency allocation and we reached out to local vendors and we talked to purchasing. We
got everyone agree no more than 150 an hour to work which is significantly less than typically when we put out the bid in there's response and we made sure to have a number of uh contractors. We had seven over three days which we were able
to get them to work over Friday, Saturday, Sunday was over $65,000. If we have them for obviously uh 30 more days that's 130,000. 30 more days almost $200,000. And if we use them for the
month we're going over $600,000. So we're trying to be extremely careful with how we're utilizing the funds because we need more tandem trucks. There's a lot of If you go to our dumping sites where we're storing the snow, we have over five in the city
right now. One of them on PCA by the base fields, Councilman, you can see the heaps of snow there. We're now starting to explore whether we can just put them in different areas. We got one private developer to say you can use my entire
property, dump your snow there. We're going to take some to uh Armory Park, but just to give some some context, we're not allowed to store it in proximity to the water. We cannot dump them in the river. So, yes, because of the when you're when you're when you're
going around picking up the snow, you don't just pick up the snow. The streets have been treated, Brian, there's certain contaminants. Some people throw out their garbage. You're not allowed to pick it up and throw it in the river. You can't have it near the brook. So, we're limited. We we have specific
areas. So, we put a certain amount of funding aside as to your question. We we are looking to come back to the council in two weeks and explain that we had to redirect some additional funds and we are using DPW non-stop with the contractors. But again, it is a budget
issue and we want to make sure that we're not spending without cost. No, there's no funding. But I think what you're referring to, if I may, there was a time last year, not too far off, where any additional hours, resources, or money spent would be reimbursed by FEMA.
And their guidelines last year was anything up to 8 in above 8 or 8 in or more was considered an emergency. The federal government changed that this year and the the guidelines now state unless it's over 21 in which I'm going
to I'm going to share this with you and I'm not making any judgments. I I was realizing when I was watching other municipalities on the news saying we got 18 19 inches. I was going 18. They were like drifting and everything. I was going it feels like people were exaggerating the number. I know this is
online. I'm careful. And then I realized everyone's trying to get to that 21 in because >> yes because it was drifting in the city of Pake. I wish I know it sounds bad. I wish we would have got to 21 in because then we could have used all the funding
and had a reasonable expectation of reimbursement. There's no reimbursements coming for this. >> That's why we're being very careful that whatever we're spending that's coming out of the budget unless it goes over 21 in you're no longer reimbursed. That was
just changed by the federal government this year. >> Thank you. >> Was that what you were referring to? Okay. >> Monk had a good idea. You know how they make the snow and buy a snow machine? >> No response. Too soon. I'm going to say
too soon. >> Readers, is there a motion to adjourn, please? >> Like I said, too soon. >> There is a motion. Is there a second to close, please? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. Councilman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Colz. Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. This meeting is a journ.