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August 4th, 2026 city council meeting in accordance with chapter 231 public laws of 1975. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided by resolution of the municipal council adopted on June 16, 2026 setting forth [clears throat] the schedule of meetings for the year 2026

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2027. Said notice was published and posted on the city hall bulletin board by the office of the city clerk. Please be further advised this meeting will be conducted in person. The Zoom stream provided is for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience.

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On July 23rd, 2026, public notice and Zoom instructions for this meeting were posted on the city of Pake website at www. city of Pac.com. Council agendas. Instructions are also available on the last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. >> Roll call, please.

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>> Councilman Love, >> present. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> present. Councilman Mayor >> present. >> Councilwoman Colanz >> and Council President Sher >> present. Should we all please rise? >> Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for

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allowing us to meet this evening. Father God, we come united, Lord, asking for a special prayer, Father God, for our city, Father God, as we have experienced so many losses in the past week, Father God. We ask that you meet those families, Father God, of those children, Father, that had perished, Father God.

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We also ask for a special prayer, Father God, for the Couturba family, Father, so you can meet them where they are, Father. May you comfort them as they're going through these hard times, Father God. We also present to you the agendas that have been set before us and that you guide us, Father, in the decisions that will take place this evening as we

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unite in one in one sentiment, Father God, for the collective good of our city. In your beloved name we pray. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under

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God indivisible and justice for all. >> We can please stand for a moment of silence. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council President. [laughter] >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the council. If you are

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joining us tonight uh here in council chambers, copies of the council agenda are located immediately outside the doors of the entrance and exit to this room. You can also access uh all materials that have been distributed to the council by the administration

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uh regarding tonight's meeting. They're available to you at the city's website um as well as all the information received by the council in terms of ordinances, resolutions, communications, etc. We're on Roman numeral four, Roman numeral five of our

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agenda. Before that, mayor, would you like to speak now or a little bit later or both? I'll just briefly share that we are presently having National Night Out outside, a remarkable event that's being hosted in municipalities throughout our nation. Thus, National Night Out, it's

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an opportunity for youth to interact with our public safety officials in the most productive and positive way. We are grateful to have the presence of our fire department, our prosecutors. Uh we have Deputy Chief Lewis Gentile, Deputy Chief Jonathan Sheayer along with Chief

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of the Fire Department Patrick Trentocos outside as well as Congresswoman Nelly Poe. I know all of the Congress I mean all of the council members passed by. I know that uh for sure because I saw Councilwoman Tanya Melo grab an ice

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cream on her way in. I think that was an icy and I witnessed Councilwoman Marissa Montenez telling her, "Hurry up. The council meeting is about to begin. I know the council president was here about 20 minutes early. When he was done with the bouncy house, he came running into the meeting. [laughter] Um, in

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regards to everyone else, obviously this is a fun activity for children and families. And as the council woman shared, we really need it. Of course, with so much that has occurred within our city. Thank you, council president, for that moment of silence and councilwoman for that most poignant and

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profound prayer. Um throughout the week we're going to continue with our activities including our movies in the park and our concerts. But tomorrow we have our book bag drive at 5:00 right here. We're announcing to the public, those that are watching that there will

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be uh adjustments of the location because of the construction and work on our brand new uh community plaza. as our city hall square will be converted into a beautiful community plaza more conducive for uh activities cultural and

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gatherings of the same in order to ensure that we have appropriate room for both the presentations as well as so many of the activities and may even be able to expand programming at these locations and council president we most recently paved the boulevard how avenue

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and the streets around St. Mary's General Hospital. I know many residents have responded with um of course gratitude who live there. As to the rest of the city, many have said, "What about my street?" I've assured them that we

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are in constant conversations with engineer uh our engineering departments as well as consistently applying for grant funding in order to address all of our roads. They usually have a 10-year lifespan, but we have some additional roads. We completed our ADA ramp

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improvements on Broadway and on Pake Avenue. Many of you saw the curb cuts at the end of these sidewalks and the work that took place. These make the sidewalks obviously more accessible to those in wheelchairs, including mothers with carriages and those riding bicycles

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as well as those who utilize scooters. And aesthetically, obviously, it is of great benefit. We have already begun some of the work at the uh Aspen Spear Village project for the redevelopment of the housing authority. There will be uh

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two specific apartments that are being completed in order to give the residents an opportunity to have a walkth through and see the work to come. I'll ensure to send the dates to the council through the uh through the clerk to ensure that

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you're able to participate with us. Uh right now our department of public works continues around the city uh addressing some of the additional uh tree issues as well as some of the aftermath of the

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recent storms and the whiplash uh rain that we have received or rather storms in the area. Some of them are properties that don't belong to us, but we're going to help out the school by addressing some of the trees that fell on their properties with our department of public

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works. As well as we've been able to work closely with the state to really address the entrances and exits of our city through Route 21. Most recently at exit 12, we were able to finally get the state to agree to remove all of the uh

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overgrowth there as our DPW cleaned out that area and we've continued the efforts on our offramps and again throughout our city. I'll conclude where I alluded in the beginning. Of course, so many of us uh have

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expressed our condolences and our support to the families of the two children that were lost uh in the river. We are all grateful and thankful to God that the little girl made it out safely. We recently held a memorial on Marcus

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Street where residents joined together and uh and released petals, rose petals into the river. I had specifically requested before the event that only biodedegradable um items such as roses or flowers would be allowed to be placed uh over the

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bridge into the river. Only the petals, no twists, no ties, no plastics. I'm so grateful to all the communities that came from all over Bergen County, P County, Essex County, and from all over the state that joined us and for their cooperation. everyone consistently

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removed all items. They were not biodegradable as we wanted to truly honor and remember the lives of these two precious children and uh support the parents. Both of the families were there. They came in and they were appreciative. I've expressed the

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condolences of this governing body and all of us collectively as a city. I know that Garfield will be holding a memorial as well um Thursday, a candle light vigil behind the rec center as all the children were residents of Garfield, New Jersey and they were playing in our

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park. And we also of course echo the sentiments that were expressed by Councilwoman Melo in her prayer in extending our deepest condolences to the Couturba family, president of the Pacific um obvious teachers association.

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He was a remarkable individual. I share personally on a point of privilege that me and Frank grew up together playing football. We played an A&E football team together, the same team as little boys and I have known them for a very long time. I have been able to sit with the

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family and speak with them a couple times already and uh they expressed their gratitude for uh all the messages and support that people have sent them. With that stated, just an update for the community in regards to the Pake High School. There is a schedule to start

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that work in terms of the demolition between October and December of this year. I know that there have been some that have seemed disturbing or rather concerning. I mean, disturbing is a little strong, council president. We usually reserve those uh those statements for state budget season. So,

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some concerning statements uh concerning uh videos of individuals trespassing in the high school u making social media posts that has been addressed. I've spoken to the superintendent of the schools as well as our police department. The state is in charge of

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the building. The state has full control of the building and uh we are sending messages to them to let them know that as of right now we are in need of them to send additional security. I have made a commitment to personally reach out to the assemblyman of the 36th legislative

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district and ask him to reach out to the state and remind them that they are in control of the building and we need security. any assistance we could get there. Council President, maybe you and I can team up and talk to our assemblymen to talk to the state. But uh with that stated, they did update us

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that the work should begin between October and December of this year as the city had received $350 million for a brand new high school. Having uh no notes, I think I'm going to end there. Thank you, council president. Members of

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the city council, if you have any questions, I'll be more than happy to respond. Thank you, mayor. This has indeed, as you said so eloquently, mayor, a very difficult time. [clears throat]

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>> I hope you can hear. >> Is it not working? >> Yeah, it's just not close. There you are. Um as you had said most eloquently sir this has been a very difficult time and amongst everything we need to have the clarity to uh reach out to you and to

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thank you for the efforts that you have made which are unrivaled anyway to the founders involved and for the reflecting the concerns of this council and members of the great community to say. >> Thank you. Any questions to the member?

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See >> Mr. President, if I may. >> I'm sorry. >> That's Councilman Garcia. He just >> Councilman Garcia, forgive me. Yes, sir. >> My condolences to all to to the families that make the big loss in the city of

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Pake this past week. >> Thank you. >> He expresses condolences to all the families. >> Thank you, Councilman. We're on agenda, please. Hearing of citizens Roman numeral 5 in accordance with the open public meetings act NJSA10

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col4-1 sec the council opens every public meeting for comments of the public however in accordance with NJSA104-12 nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the discretion of the public body to to permit prohibit or regulate

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the act of participation at any meeting. Therefore, please be advised that the council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate obscene material, make statements which are considered a bias intimidation in which a person attemp intends [cough]

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excuse me to intimidate any individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity or makes comments intending to harass or speak any offensive language. The person who

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makes these statements will will relinquish their allotted five minutes for public discussion. Is there anyone who'd like to address the council at this time? Please, sir, if you could please share with us your name. >> Sure. Uh my name is Douglas Chavez. I am

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a resident of 521 Harrison Street. Um I wanted to bring to your attention tonight, um before that, good evening. Um I wanted to bring to your attention tonight a situation that's happening on Harrison Street um here in PA. Um I before I go into it um I wanted to thank

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uh Mayor Laura and the city of Pay because of your parking initiative has been great. I know a lot of neighbors have been really happy with you know extra parking spaces and you know the such. Unfortunately, on my street, on Harrison Street, the parking initiative

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that they just recently did, uh, seems to be causing a little bit more trouble than helping, right? Um, I spoken to a couple of my neighbors, more than a couple of my neighbors, actually, almost every single one of my neighbors, and we're having a big issue with the parking situation. Um, if you guys know

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a little bit about Harrison Street, uh, we were allowed to park. I don't know if it was legally or not legally because there is codes to this. I understand that uh we were allowed to park a certain way. A couple of my neighbors who've been living there for about 40 50 years, they've been doing it the same way for that long. Um when they put the

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lines down, it reduced us from somewhere about 30 to 35 parkings spots to maybe about 20. Um a lot of my neighbors are really upset. Obviously, um a couple of my other neighbors who are handicapped, they moved her spot over that's close to

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where I was, you know, up the hill and now it's down the hill. So, it's a little more difficult for her. Um, especially in front of my house, in front of my residence. We went from usually fitting five to six cars comfortably and now there's only two spots there, right? So, I know that's not on the agenda tonight, but I just

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wanted to bring it up to your your your attention. And I know there's codes. I know there are certain laws that need to be followed, but I was hoping maybe engineering could take a another look. maybe we can come to a different agreement and maybe there's a different solution to this particular street

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because everywhere else you know on how on Gregory those those parking initiatives have really helped but on our smaller street it seems to have hurt us more than helped us. Okay, thank you Mr. Chavez. Thank you so much for

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coming. We've initiated um parking changes in a number of areas of the city um in an effort to get a better better handle on parking and assorted other means. Um there are some areas that

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remain problematic. Um and some areas were where one problem was solved, another problem arose. Uh and I must tell you that we are 100% open to figure out how we get that done. and we want to thank the mayor's office for uh his

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spearheading on finding solutions to the problems that were caused. Would ask you to mayor if you should uh contact the police department or >> council person if I may just update we're already looking into it so you you hit the nail right on the head what occurred and just to give Mr. to Douglas a little bit of background, but first

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let me start by validating his concerns. He is correct. The initiative to paint the lines created uh additional issues. And just not to go into too much, I'll give you the genesis of it. Residents had requested, a few residents had requested when they saw the painting of

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the lines that we would do it on Harrison. Unfortunately, the width of the road did not permit for the angled parking. So they came out a little bit straighter because that reduced the amount of space as well as the distance from certain curbs and certain turns.

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Areas where it was sort of a an unwritten rule that residents could park, individuals worked amongst themselves. Once engineering went out there with our police, they were limited or restricted in only painting legal

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parking spaces, which they did. That particular street again because of the width is not as conducive as some of our wider streets like uh Gregory going down towards Main Avenue which is much easier to have angled parking. So

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it has created some issues. We've already addressed it with engineering to go back out. Uh we are exploring removing removing the painting. What has also been brought up by residents and again I have to reiterate this actually came at the request of some of the residents to say hey can we get the

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lines painted um when we finished the park right above the 100 steps as many of you are familiar right above the 100 steps we finished the exite park we went back to address something residents came out and said we've been having some issues with parking there was actually a a very concerning incident that occurred

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there with a vehicle a public safety issue there and we came in response with our police and some of the neighbors came said, "Can you paint the lines?" I think their initial impression was that just like in every other street, you would end up with more spaces. And I think to a certain extent, and including

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including us, maybe we did not realize that the spaces some people were enjoying weren't necessarily on our codes as official spaces. So with that stated, we are exploring how to go back appropriately within the code to

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remove the angled parking and allow the community at the direction of the city to always park legally, but perhaps we don't have to be there every single second of the day and allow the residents to figure out how to best manage that. >> In terms of tickets, mayor,

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>> tickets have not been given out. Um, at least not as of right now. Mr. Douglas, I don't believe anyone has complained of receiving any tickets through the council president. >> None. So, we have not begun enforcing it, but there is a suspension of any enforcement

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regarding the lines. Now, parking in front of hydrants, parking on sidewalks, anything that would create a public safety concern that will continue to be enforced, but until we can figure out a solution with the residents, our engineers, we will not be enforcing the new lined parking spaces. Can can I ask

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sir how is the city communicating with Mr. Chavez and and >> with the residents? So as you will see there was a letter that was sent to the city council. There was also communication sent to my office and we have responded. I've spoken to uh one of the residents there and Mr. Angel is you

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very familiar. He has spoken to the residents and he told me he came back to speak to them. We were actually communicating earlier today. There is a a sort of community neighborhood group and we've been communicating with them. But because there's been no decision as of right now, as soon as we have an idea

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of a good solution that everyone, well, at least the majority of people will be able to live with, we will send out correspondents to everyone there. >> And it goes without saying that the people who are physically infirmed will be given top priority. Of course, >> of course. Now that is a typical issue

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that has arisen with the angled parking because it's obviously about 5 ft. Some of the handicap parking when they were the traditional spaces covered the length of the home where now in the angled parking it'll be one space for the handicap individual and that's not

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always their preference. But we'll see how we can most appropriately ensure that the handicap space is in the closest proximity to the home of the individual that applied for it. Okay. And we're we're instituting the

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these these areas throughout the city. Yes. There's been angled parking. There's been initiatives in creating new parking lots. There's been initiatives in allowing people to park in front of their driveways. We've actually shortened the space or rather reduced

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the space of the distance from uh the corner from the stop signs. Even though traditionally or historically rather not traditionally, historically and according to uh certain state regulations uh they were much further uh from the stop sign into the middle of

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the sidewalk. We had explored the possibility through our attorney of reducing them and found that we were allowed to if this uh governing body, the council would approve it and this council did approve it. We were able to shorten the space from stop signs on the corner just to maximize opportunities

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especially overnight for parking. Of course, parking is limited and uh we continue to explore creative means by which we can provide more parking for our residents. >> How's it sound, Mr. Chavez? >> It sounds great. Yeah. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. If we can ask you

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unofficially to uh to share with your neighbors and friends in the area. >> Yeah. be before I came to this council meeting, I informed them all that I was going to be speaking today. Um, so hopefully they're all on uh watching us on Zoom and then if not, then I'll run past it one more time um to see if you

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know they need any more information or not. >> Good job. >> So, we're we're working on it, but it is a work in progress. >> Yes, I said. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else like to address the council? >> Seeing no hands, I'll move to close the

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public portion. >> There's a motion. Second >> motion and second to close public portion. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes.

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>> Councilwoman Colom. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. All right. To ordinances for second and final. >> I'm sorry. Can we go back to the minutes, please? >> Oh, I'm I'm terribly sorry. We need to approve the minutes. >> February.

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Okay, we have the minutes to be approved for February 17, February 3rd, March 5, and March 17. Are there any questions with the minutes as presented by the clerk? >> No. >> See no lights. Is there a motion,

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please, to accept the minutes? I do have a light on. I'm sorry. >> Well, I'm sorry. My light is for some another item. >> Okay. I I move to accept the minutes as recommended. >> Motion and second to accept the minutes as presented. Madame clerk. >> Councilman Love.

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Golo Montinez. >> Yes. >> And council president Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Now the ordinance. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. One numeral six of our agenda.

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Ordinances for second and final reading. Hearing is required. One proposed ordinance 2534-26, an ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number. Is there a motion, please, to open public

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hearing? >> Motion. >> Second. >> And second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Komz, >> and Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at

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this time the council is deliberating proposed ordinance 2534. Is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only? >> Seeing no hands, I'll move to close the public portion. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Roll call to close.

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>> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Colom, >> yes. >> And Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. >> Under ordinance. at this time >> on the ordinance. >> On the ordinance, please

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>> move. >> Is there a second? Move on and second. Councilman, I'm sorry. Did you have a comment? >> It's it's on um actually the letter that was submitted. So, whenever I can get into that, but I've already moved this motion. So, >> okay, we have a motion. Roll call, please.

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>> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Golanz, yes. >> And council president Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. Under communications items two through 10. Are there any

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questions please on two through 10? >> See no lights at this time. Is there a motion please to accept items 2 through 10? >> Motion second. >> And second roll call please on 2 through 10. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor.

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>> Yes. >> Councilman Garcia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Colom DZ. >> Yes. >> And Council President Sher. >> Yes. Thank you. We're up to all items are considered routine in nature unless if there are any questions. We have the force number 11

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through 19. Are there any questions please on 11 through 19? See at this time is there a motion please to accept 11 through 19. >> Motion and second. Roll call please on 11 through 19. >> Councilman Love. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo.

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>> Yes. >> Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilman Gol Montinez, and Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. Number 22, separate votes. Is there a motion to accept motion and second on 20 only?

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>> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Colunt, >> and Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. Up to resolutions. Roman numeral 8 number 21 is a resolution

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authorizing closed executive session. Councelor, do we need a close session? >> No. Council President, >> very good. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Sir, >> none at this time, council president. >> Thank you, sir. Members of the council, >> no, sir. >> Seeing none for items 22 through 40. Are

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there any questions, please, on 22 through 40? 22 through 40. Seeing none, is there a motion please to accept items 22 through 40? >> So move. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Roll call, please. 22 through 40.

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>> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Counciloman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Colommon DZ, >> yes. >> And Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. We're up to ordinances for introduction and first reading number 41.

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>> I'm sorry, Council President. Can we do item 41? >> 41. >> I'm doing 41. Yes. >> Okay. >> Just mention. >> I'm on 41. >> Mhm. >> Before going into 41. >> Yes. >> I have a light. There's 41 first.

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>> Yes. >> One through 40 >> cuz he did one through 40. So he's >> Okay. We did not do We did not do 40. >> 41. >> 41. >> We're up to This is an ordinance for first reading. 40. The resolution appointing commissioners to the housing. I'm

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>> terribly sorry. >> This is 41. Resolution appointing commissioner to the housing authority of the city of Pay. This is by councilwoman Melo and the appointment is >> for Miss Diane McNair. >> Diane McNair. Are there any other

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nominations for housing authority board? Seeing none, if we can have a vote, please on Diane McNair at the behest of Councilwoman Melo. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo,

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>> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Colinez, >> yes. >> And Council President Shar. >> Yes. Thank you. And may I respectfully remind my colleagues that there are additional seats on the housing authority board. Traditionally, the

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board is uh each seat is chosen by one member of the council. That is not written in stone, but it is our practice. The terms of three other members have ended on November 29th. So, at the council's discretion, council mayor, your lighter on, sir.

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>> Yeah, I'm a little out of order here and I think we voted on it, but just to for clarification on 23, um why' that go to bid? >> This is I believe a tree on Marietta. This was after that whiplash storm. I actually mentioned it in the very first

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statement. Some of the tree removals are a little bit beyond our capabilities and we may need some assistance. I can look it up, but I believe that it's >> I was assuming it was a tree. >> Three trees. Yep, I was correct. Marietta Avenue, 36 Richard Street, and

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138 Albian Street for [clears throat] a total cost of 23,000. These are major trees that needed to come down or necessary tree remediation is not in the scope of the city's tree department. I take >> Yeah. No, it is. They they've been uh been inundated with so many requests. We

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had a number of trees. It wasn't just the ones that came down that they had to take care of with electrical lights, but it was also the ones that were identified afterwards. So, what we did is immediately after we, of course, when we have major incidents in the city, we have a debriefing. They went around assessing any trees that may potentially

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be of concern in additional storms as well as responding to some of the residents concerns about trees. We want to make sure to get as many as possible, but with these particular trees, we need additional assistance. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you, council. Any other questions?

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>> Yes, I do, Council President. Council, >> the the letter that was sent um item two in communications by Michelle I'm not going to attempt to read that last name. >> Yes.

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>> In regards to uh Thank you, Council Mayor. >> Flock safety. I mean, there there's some concerns in here that I just would like the mayor and and and if necessary, our our counselor to kind of address.

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>> Sure. So the ALPR are license plate readers that we received through grants. They are strategically positioned in our entrances and exits of the city. They have assisted greatly in preventing and

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reducing instances of car theft. >> As many know, over the last few years, there was a rise in car thefts as well as catalytic converter thefts. And these ALPRs assist our police in identifying vehicles when they come in and come out

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and to provide information to other municipalities. This particular letter has addressed concerns of data and information that perhaps is being used for other purposes. I want to clarify that our police department um

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specifically focuses our resources and our police attention on crimes within the city. specific acts of crime, whether vandalism or situations that may impact our city. On some occasions, of course, if a municipality is stating

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that there is a ring of of crime, remember when there was a couple years ago the pharmacies were being hit. They were being hit in different municipalities, Wayne and Newark, and they were all over these ALPRs and these surveillance equipment, very

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sophisticated. They were of great use in identifying common license plates uh to try to identify these individuals and then at other times they can identify stolen vehicles immediately as they enter into the city as this has been uh

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the MO and motorcycle operates to take a car come into the city to commit a crime and then come out. When these individuals see these uh cameras in certain areas, it is a great deterrent because it sometimes prevents

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them from committing the crime as they go. It's not worth it. They know they're being watched. We've even gone as far as considering ordering some of the signs that say smile, you're on camera as you enter into our city. We understand that there are some concerns individuals may

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feel that um big brother is watching a little bit too much and it is a balance that we have to strike. But we do believe with uh the rise of of obvious theft. But not only that, we live in a world where there are other dangers

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where sometimes individuals with malice and evil in their hearts may want to harm individuals or groups. And these cameras with additional equipment assist us greatly as we work with our Pay County Sheriff's, our state police and

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other agencies to protect our residents. But again, allow me to stress this. The equipment is intended to protect the residents of the city of Pake, all residents of every background and uh of

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every uh culture. They are not intended for anything else. We are not using them for additional information. We're not looking to track you or monitor uh citizens, residents, and those who are walking around. These are intended to prevent and to solve crimes.

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And Mr. Mayor, if I may, Council President, great explanation for both myself and the public. Um but one of the concerns she had in here was also other entities uh getting a hold of the the in sensitive information in terms of who's

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coming in and citizens how frequent they move whatever is the uh sensitivity the that information secured that's the question that I may have started >> so there there is a state order in regards to what information we're

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allowed to share as a municipality Um, every municipality obviously and their governing body determines their approach in terms of how we operate with our police, public safety and otherwise

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here in the city of Pate consistent with our city council and my administration. We adhere to the guidelines and directives from our attorney general in the state of New Jersey as well as our governor as it is important that every

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governing body would align to the governing bodies that work with them and are above them. If in any moment there is an actual threat national or locally, we would utilize all of our equipment to

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assist any level of uh law enforcement agency from the county, the state or the federal government. But again, the specific concerns in regards to data or whether individuals can have access to that data, we do not provide additional

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data for anything that is not related to a specific crime or investigation. Um whether or not agencies have access to data are important questions that need to be answered and there are right now before some of our higher courts,

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our Supreme Court, our superior courts as to the legalities of trying to access data outside of the consent of any governing body or uh local government. However, I can tell you that as a governing body, we do not proactively

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nor do we attempt to share information unnecessarily outside of crimes or working together to protect the persons and property of the residents of the city of Pake and at times in partnership to do the same for other municipalities.

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>> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yes, I have a light on. Okay, we're up to number nine, ordinances for introduction and first reading. Number 42, proposed ordinance amending the designation of restricted

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parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number. Motion to set down for second and final reading. >> September 1st. >> September 1st. >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion and second. >> Councilman Monk. >> Yes. >> Councilman Love.

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Melo. >> Yes. Councilman Mayor. >> Yes. Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Colonz, >> yes. >> And council president chair. >> Yes. Thank you. Payment of bills. Are there any questions on the bills? >> Seeing no lights at this time, is there

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please to accept the bills as presented by the clerk? >> Motion. >> Second. >> And second. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes. >> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Colomo DZ, >> yes.

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>> And Council President Sheer, >> yes. Thank you. administrative report. I know Mr. Fernandez is not here, but it's a pleasure to see >> Mr. Fernandez is out on vacation, but we do have uh our CFO, our chief financial director here, uh Omar Garcia, anything

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you want to share, Omar. >> No, nothing terrible. >> Good man. Good man. Good man. Well, from Mr. [laughter] Fernandez, >> good mayor, Mr. Mayor, >> I will share that we have a couple of uh of bus hubs and uh some of those uh

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particular um bus stations when people are waiting for the bus that are being replaced at no cost to the city. We have uh fortunately come around the cycle, the season where they begin to replace them. The next ones that will occur will be mass court. Uh the project at Bragg

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Park is concluding. We're excited about the potential of the improvements and of course in replacing a beautiful sign in honor of the Bragg family and the work has begun on the potential for uh restaurant bar right across the street

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from city hall u downstairs from the uh parking deck the first floor. They have already begun some of the work. Um, I can see the huge smile on Councilwoman Marita Colon Montanz's face. And of course, the council president who has a great poker face will be most delighted

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to know that after some of our more interesting meetings just across the street, you may be able to just sit down before you head home and uh discuss everything that we're not in an appropriate setting. We know that our city clerk will definitely be there to receive everyone. Ladies and gentlemen,

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that's the extent of any additional um reports. Again, I want to thank on the record our state police, our bet county prosecutors, Pay County Sheriff's, our fire and police from Bon County, Bet County, Essex County. Um, I want to

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publicly uh thank Miss Jada Lee and and her significant other, Juan Dominguez, who were looking out of a window and heard our call that if you see something, call the city immediately. And they did. as we were all looking

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around over the rivers and our fire department was able to get into the water within 15 minutes and bring closure to the mother and some priest some peace that she may move along with the rest of our family move forward in their grieving process. We extend our

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condolences both to the King family and to the Doula family, the Brooks family, the Thompson family, little Michael and Million passed away. We continue to pray for Hope, the 11-year-old that made it out um in part without even realizing

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her brother may have unintentionally pushed her into the current that got her out of the water and saved her life. And we continue to pray for them and in the next few weeks we're going to have very serious and important conversations because this was the first time it

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happened. It should be the last. Ideally, it would have never occurred. But now, as government along with my colleagues on the city council, we will have important meetings uh to address concerns, accept suggestions, and

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provide as always the most transparent and accountable government that we possibly can because it is our responsibility to do so. Thank you, council president, members of the city council, and those who are with us and watching. >> Thank you, Mayor. Councilman Love, please.

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>> Yes. I I hate to even have a comment after um that what you just shared. I I think that was a great segue of ending, but I did want to just point out um good things come by chance, right? And what your yourself and your administration

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did with moving, right? Um what is it called again? National Night Out. Um back to the back of the building or the area is I just think it's phenomenal. Um, as I I I pulled up, I noticed that the traffic flow wasn't as hectic as it

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usually is with Pake Street being shut down. But then when I went over, people are having just as much fun. And I think the utilization of that side is something that we may want to explore and keep it that way >> definitely for the future. But one thing I would share is that the reason we moved it of course

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>> construction. So when we have that amazing and uh spacious plaza >> you want to do >> we might end up doing that and still not worry about the traffic flow because we'll be able to utilize the other side for parking have the plaza set up with the same space. But until that plaza is

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done we will take your suggestion and uh make sure to implement that because I think you're right it's much more conducive and it allows for traffic flow. So, we'll keep our activities in that area. >> Not that I'm an engineer or anything. It's just by observation, >> but you did spend the night at the uh

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holiday in the I think that was that commercial. >> Councilwoman Melo, please. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, mayor, just want to commend you, your administration, and all our first responders, our fire, police, um, not only from our city, for the surrounding

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areas. They responded to the f to support the families and worked tirelessly in day in and day out until they found the little girl. Um, this is something that was felt throughout the nation. I mean, we heard about this even

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internationally where, you know, when children are involved, it hurts. Um, but thank you for being so supportive and showing that we have leadership that cares u because that means a lot and you know to be there to show support to

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those families. Thank you very much. I just want to commend you for that. >> Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Is there a motion please to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Motion. >> Second. and second. Roll call for term, please. >> Councilman Monk, >> yes. >> Councilman Love, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Melo, >> yes.

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>> Councilman Mayor, >> yes. >> Councilman Garcia, >> yes. >> Counciloman Kanyz, yes. And Council President Sher, >> yes. Thank you. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.