Good evening. On behalf of the governing body of the city of Pake, we welcome you to the August 5th, 2025 city council meeting. In accordance with chapter 231 public laws of 1975, advocate notice of this meeting was provided by resolution of the municipal council adopted on June
17th, 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 meeting will be conducted in person. The zoom stream
provided is for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience on July 18th, 2025. Public notice and zoom instructions for this meeting were published in the hero news and posted on the city of POS website at www.c city of.com. Council agendas instructions are
also available on the last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. Councilman Love present. Councilman Mayor present. Councilman Garcia. Councilman Garcia, can you hear us?
Can Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Councilman, thank you for being on the uh on the call. and council president shar president should we all please rise heavenly father we come before you tonight and ask you to please guide us in the decision that will takes place
this evening we have the agenda that has been set before us and we ask you to please guide us with wisdom as we make decisions tonight we also put up a special prayer Lord for national night out Lord let it be a night of joy and enjoyment for the family that are attending tonight's event in your
beloved name we praymen Amen. Amen. To the flag of United States of America and to the republic for which stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Good evening, members of the council, Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for joining us at tonight's important meeting. We are flattered that so many of you are here tonight. We appreciate your interest in this great city of ours. If you do not have a copy
of agenda, it is available to you on the internet at www.pay.com. Uh the agendas are also available immediately outside these doors. If you do assess us on uh the internet, you will find that all of the material which
has been given to the council by the administration is available for you to see. That includes resolutions, ordinances, uh bills, etc. All of that is available to you. Tonight, we know we have uh several items on the agenda which are of uh of concern and interest
to many people here. Um and we appreciate the opportunity to uh deal with those issues. Let me share with you what we would like to do um which I think uh will hopefully facilitate the meeting. I'm told that a large number of people are here on behalf of an
ordinance regarding rent stabilization. The council will hold its regular portion of the meeting in terms of uh the next item on the agenda being a mayor's the mayor's update which we look forward to as always, Mr. Mayor. Followed by that, the council will have
the opportunity to vote in favor or oppose to ratify the minutes of March 4, March 18, and April 1 of the city council. Following the council will have the opportunity to address two issues. The
first is an ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number. The second is an ordinance adopting chapter 231 rent stabilization. On the rent stabilization ordinance as
well as the ordinance um amending the designation restricted parking. In both cases, the public is welcome to address the council at its leisure and pleasure. There is no time limit. We ask you to be on the
ordinance and if you are not on the ordinance I will cut you off and respectfully ask that you get to the ordinance. Um after that is done done the council will have the opportunity to uh proceed with the proposed ordinance.
If the ordinance uh for second and final reading is not accepted by the council, the uh default the council will immediately go to discussion of item number 44. And item number 44 is a written is a
proposed version in response to the initiative petition listed as item number 44 on the agenda. After conclusion of action on number 44, at that time um we will then go to the
regular agenda uh starting with communications which is Roman numeral eight on our agenda. We ask you please if you have a cell phone to please put it on vibrate or off. Number one. Number two, this room is known for many things. Its
acoustics are not one of them. Your voice will travel. So, if you're speaking to the person next to you or behind you, please understand that you're interrupting many other people in terms of their ability to listen and to understand what's going on. respectfully. If there's an item so
pressing that you're facing it that you need to discuss, please be so kind as to come into uh the council area, the uh main area of the uh city hall and have your conversation conversations with those people and then afterwards
immediately come back and join us. But we ask you please to respect other people who are trying to talk or trying to listen. Um we are very excited about tonight's meeting. Um there are so many things that we can do or say in terms of the
ordinance for uh response on the rent stabilization. There is no time limit. However, um there is an opportunity for the hearing of citizens uh at which time everyone is invited to speak before the council for up to 3 minutes and three
minutes only. Two and a half minutes. The clerk has a bill which will notify that you have another half minute to speak and I brotherly is that about it. Did we cover everything? Yes sir. Okay. So at this point uh we would like to
impose on Mayor Laura. We thank you for being here sir as you are always here and that is a great pleasure. If you would like to share with the the community uh your your update. Thank you, council president, members of the city council, and all who are present
today. At the beginning of the council meeting, I'm giving the opportunity to give a mayor's update as to what's going on around the city. I wanted to share that we recently concluded our police junior academy with just over 200
participants over the last three weeks. And the last week had seven participants and volunteers. This was the very first time that we have ever had a special needs component in the junior police academy. It is
believed that we are the very first city in the state to have created an inclusive component to the junior police academy and our junior fire academy. I want to recognize and acknowledge police chief Lewis Guzman and our fire chief
Patrick Trenos who are here. It was extremely important as I discussed with uh my colleagues in the city council that we would be more inclusive in our summer programs and recreation and we want to thank the volunteers especially those from the school that assisted us
in ensuring that we had support for our children with special needs. Our fire academy starts August 11th. August 11th. And again I'll reiterate we will have the participation of children with special needs. This is the very first
year that we have done this. We planned it over a year ago and we're excited about the fact that it has now come to fruition. We've had the grand opening of so many parks, so many initiatives, but we look forward in the next couple weeks to the grand opening of our parking deck
right across the street with over 310 spaces available to the public. I say over 310 because council president and we are discussing some of the electric chargers as we look to go green here in the city and we have quite a number on
the first and second levels. Also going to share that our Gregory Avenue restrip will be awarded during this meeting which will result from Madison Street to Pennington Avenue being restriped. Pennington Avenue and Acre AB
intersection traffic light is up and working. Let me reiterate, I think Councilman Love and Councilman Monk will be especially excited about that news as they've brought that up a number of times. The traffic light on Pennington Avenue and Acre A intersection is up and
running. This has been a request from residents. It has been pushed by council members just to uh give a little bit of information and perspective to those who are present. We don't arbitrarily decide to put up traffic lights when requests come up. We have a traffic study done where the police look at how many
accidents have occurred on that particular corner. We have the engineer come in and then we seek out funding. So that's why we get so excited when we are approved with funding as well as justification or when we have to respond to compelling arguments in order to
improve pedestrian and traffic safety. On Howard A, our drainage improvement project will be awarded during this meeting. I wanted to share briefly that our P County 2025 resurfacing program will include Broadway, Randolph,
Paulison, and Pennington. These are our P County roads. Pay County roads connect different municipalities like Main Avenue which connects Clifton, Patterson, Pake. When you look at streets like Paulison, they connect Clifton and Pake. I uh highlight this county resurfacing because we have with
us I believe our deputy director for state county commissioner Sandy Lazara. Right Sandy? Thank you for being with us. So I wanted to share that with you. All right. I wanted to share some additional parking that has been created just at the end of the spring and throughout the
summer from Chestnut Street to Myrtle A including Gregory A from Exchange Place, Pennington A, Fourth Street, South Street, Virginia, Henry Street, Main A and Myrtle, High Street, Main A and Paulison, How Avenue, Prospect Street, Grove Street, Pink Street, State Street,
Market Street, Sixth Street, Ath Street, South Street, Market Street, 11th Street, Third Street, South Street, Virginia Street. I share all those just to highlight every single ward from first ward, second ward, third ward, fourth ward has had increase and
expanded parking. We have included and added an additional 170 new parking spaces in some of our most densely populated areas in the city simply by restriping, going to angled parking, opening up new parking lots.
We're excited as we continue forward with this initiative addressing concerns of parking throughout the city. I wanted to share that our second family festival begins this Friday at school number 11. This Friday, our family festival, it will last an entire week. It is a
tradition that we started a number of years ago providing more familyfriendly activities throughout the city. That begins this Friday. Also, our traditional car show begins on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Third Ward Park. So, we'll have our family festival at our second
ward park and our car show at our third ward park. Our car show was a very special initiative and program led by Mr. Will Smith, a former employee known throughout the city. We have had a memorial bench erected in his honor in
third ward and we will have the unveiling at the car show. He was a friend and a supporter of all of the council members and someone that we care for dearly. He passed on. I wanted to share that on July 31st through the work
in collaboration with the assemblyman's office, our assemblyman of the 36th legislative district, Assemblyman Gary Shear, who holds an uncanny resemblance to the council president of the city of Pate. We were able to bring motor vehicles to the city as we have done
throughout the last couple of years to make it more convenient for residents not just of Pake but of the county and throughout the state of New Jersey to have access to Real ID. However, on the 31st there was a statewide emergency declared because of an incoming storm.
Though we ended that a little bit early, we were still able to provide Real IDs to everyone that made appointments. We remind the public to visit our city hall web page to remain informed as we'd like to announce these far in advance to ensure that you have access to these
programs and initiatives. I also wanted to share that throughout the city you will see a brand new approach to pedestrian safety as well as traffic safety in terms of speeding as we have begun adding speed bumps throughout the city. We added one to summer street
right before Lexington. There have been a number of streets and requests. These are removable throughout the city, but they are a response to constituents, to residents who have been concerned with the increased speeding that they have seen, not just in Pacific, but throughout the county. I wanted to share
with the council members that we have had requests to explore opportunities for zone parking permits around the borders of the city that the zone parking permits that we have already implemented have drastically reduced the issues of people parking from other
municipalities and taking away parking overnight. The latest requests have been by Mataltimore and Dayton Avenue which we will refer to our police and our engineer for studies overnight. Today our pose police department participated in defensive tactic course in Pay Police
Academy. 15 officers have gone. We are looking at about 80 officers going throughout the uh sessions. I wanted to share that the brand new rubberized racetrack at Third Ward Memorial Park as well as the new baseball field and the work in addition to all of that in
collaboration with the state county on the cover and bridge continues and we are expecting to see that concluded by September going into October. I wanted to share that we had a successful family camp out council president members of the city council. This is our third
annual family camp out. We had hundreds of families that unfortunately because of lack of resources don't always get those experiences that others share where we held a citywide camp out at third ward with over hundreds of children that participated. I wanted to thank our recreation department, our
police department, our fire department that assisted us with the campfire, our police who kept us safe overnight and all the families that have participated. Each year it has gotten bigger and it is our goal to continue to provide even more activities for our families. You
know oftent times and we have discussed this that when September comes around the teachers ask the children what have you done in the summer? Some children perhaps in other areas and some more fortunate even in our areas draw pictures of traveling maybe going to Disney World or going to their family's
countries but not every child has that opportunity. The reason that we do family festivals, campouts, and so many activities like the ones that we're having outside right now, National Night Out, is to ensure that every child has an opportunity to experience a wonderful summer to the best of our abilities.
Obviously, we wish they can do so much more. But each year we have added so many more activities and we look forward to working collaboratively with the county and receiving even more funds to ensure that our children and especially all children no matter what their
background, no matter where their level of ability can participate in the many programs that we have in recreation. I wanted to share that we had a successful Peruvian um independence day with two Peruvian parades. uh council president, they went backto back out of the city
without incident. We were very excited to work collaboratively and ensure that things ran smoothly and that we continue to celebrate and acknowledge the wonderful diversity of this amazing city. Uh we also had the Puerto Rican flag raising that was held here at city
hall. I wanted to share that our bike patrol continues to be a success around our city. As many know, we have an SRO program, school resource officer program. And in the summer, many of the officers that aren't in the schools now go out into the streets. We have been
emphasizing community policing and greater relationships. Officers on bikes are there to direct, to assist, to facilitate processes for our community. And again, I want to highlight the amazing efforts of our officers to ensure that we maintain appropriate and
good relationships with every resident that they will know that they are welcome and that we are here to support and assist them. The stadium at our uh Boverini stadium has been completed. Activities have begun for the summer. We recently had a soccer tournament and
we're excited about the continued efforts. Next week we will have the summer graduation for the high school students that continue their education. The ceremony will take place in one of the additional schools to be announced and we will be sharing all of their
accomplishments. With that said, council president, I wanted to add just one more thing. Had a special meeting, council president, members of the city council on an initiative that I've been working on in the last few years with an organization called Thrive. As you know,
uh, we've had many parents concerned about adults with special needs, adults with autism, and the fear of them falling off the cliff, as it's often referred to when they age out of the system and programs. One of the concerns that we have discussed is what happens
to them? Is there housing available? There's an organization in thrive again that in Redbank they are pursuing funding to create a development that provides affordable housing for uh neurody divergent individuals and those who are often referred to as people with
special abilities. They are presently pursuing 32 units five of them satisfied affordable but all of them for individual adults with special needs. There's a similar program in Phoenix, Arizona. I was able to have a zoom meeting with them with Joyce Hunford for
community development. We recently learned that the division of uh families with disabilities in the state as of right now has only utilized 50% of the funding that was set aside for families. There is a lot of funding available and we are looking to further explore the
potential of incentivizing or pushing forward through the city a development that will address these concerns for families in the future. At one time decades ago, the state of New Jersey was identified as having the highest rate of children born on the spectrum than any
other state in the United States of America. This was decades ago. So obviously it begs the question today, what happens to them as they are adults? Where are they working? How are they transported around the city? How are we addressing their concerns? And I want to thank the council. I want to thank the
staff at city hall for your efforts in ensuring that we continue to explore and meet or address the needs not just of today but of tomorrow. I will update the council at our next meeting on uh further developments. With that said, council president, that is my report. If there are any questions, I'm more than
happy to answer. Thank you, Mayor. Um as usual, thank you for that amazing summary of of all the many initiatives that are going on. I was fascinated. Your last comments um corresponded precisely to your first initial comments in terms of special
needs and the city's dedication through your initiative of becoming inclusive uh in so many ways in so many areas is is refreshing. Any questions for the mayor? Seeing none, uh if we could go to Roman numeral five of our agenda, please.
Approval of minutes from March 4, March 18, and April 1. Are there any changes, modifications that need to be done to the minutes to make them appropriate and accessible? Seeing lights, at this time, is there a motion, please, to accept the minutes of March 4, March 18 and April 1? So move, council president. Second.
Motion and second. Roll call, please, on the minutes. Councilman Monk, yes. Councilman Love, Councilwoman Melo, yes. Counciloman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes.
Councilman Palo Montz Council President Sher. Yes. The motion is passed. We're up to Roman numeral seven on our agenda. Ordinances for second and final reading. Hearing is required. Number one, proposed ordinance 2491-25. An ordinance amending the designation of
restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate. Number. Is there a motion please to open public hearing? Move it. Motion and second. Rock call, please to open public hearing. Councilman Monk. Councilman Love. Yes.
Councilwoman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Councilman Coltz. Council President Sher. Yes. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time the council is contemplating
proposing ordinance 2491-25 which amends the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons for New Jersey license plate number. Is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only? Is there a motion please to accept?
Yes. Second. Motion and second. Roll call, please. Councilman Monk, yes. Councilman Love, yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes.
Counciloman Colonz, yes. And Council President Sher, yes. That opens the hearing up. Close. At this point, ladies and gentlemen, is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only? Seeing no seeing no hands. Is there a
motion please to accept? Move it. Second motion and second. Roy call please. Councilman Monk. Yes. Councilman Love. Yes. Councilman Melo.
Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Councilman Colonz. Yes. And Council President Sher? Yes. Thank you. Is there a maker of the motion, please? So move. Second. Motion a second. Roll call, please, to
move the ordinance. Councilman Monk, just for clarity. I'm sorry. Which ordinance is it? Number one. Yes. Councilman Love. Yes. Councilman Melo.
Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Councilman Colon Daniel. Yes. and council president Shar. Yes, the ordinance passes. Next, please. Proposed ordinance chapter 231, rent
stabilization. Is there a motion, please, to open public hearing? So, move motion and second. Roll call, please, to open public hearing. Councilman Monk, yes. Councilman Love, yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes.
Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilwoman Colom Montinez. Yes. And Council President Sher. Yes. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time the council will be hearing testimony on adopting chapter 231 rent
stabilization. We invite anyone to address the council who would like to. Uh but we remind you that you must be speaking on the ordinance and only on the ordinance. Is there anyone uh who would like to address the council, please?
Yeah. Yes, sir. By law, we do not require your address, but we do ask you for your name for the record. And my my address, too. No, we don't need your address. Mitchell Khan, uh, vice president and
director of organizing New Jersey Tenants Organization. Uh, I would like to urge the council to support the, uh, the amendment to the ordinance. Uh well, let me preface my remarks by saying uh one of the things that I've done, I've
been with the New Jersey Tenants Organization for more than 50 years, and I've probably had my hand uh in the establishment of probably three quarters of the 123 rent control ordinances that exist in the state. Uh and I think
you've had an experience up and down with rent control. Uh, and I think this amendment is is long overdue. Uh, it's justified. Most of the tenants in this room have been paying rent increases,
double and triple and quadruple and quintuple the inflation rate for many, many years. Totally unjustified situation. I think that this ordinance will rectify that. uh and I strongly
urge you uh to adopt it. Uh I'm not going to take any more of your time. Uh but I am available to the council if there's any more technical stuff and advice that that you need. Uh so thank you very much. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir. I the council appreciates your enthusiasm. Um but we would respectfully ask if we could please limit um such expressions. Yes, sir. Good evening. My name is Antonio Hernandez and thank you for if we could ask you to speak a little
bit louder, sir. No problem. Good evening and thank you for opportunity for sharing my testimony. My name is Antonio. My name is Antonio Hernandez and I'm 22 23 years old and I am a member of Make the Road New Jersey. I live in the sick since I was 5 years old. I moved here. I live with my mom
and make three siblings and we're currently paying about $2,000 of rent. Me and have to split it so we we will be able to afford the rent. But my story isn't unique. Tons of families in the sake are facing the same challenges because vacancies have been deontrolled and the rents have gone up
inconsistently. I was happy to see that the city had stabilized the rent to 6%. And at the beginning of the year, I felt recognized, but as we all know, the rent has been all out of whack and families are being overwhelmed. But after almost
20 years of derealization, the sick tenants need stronger protection. I'm here today to ask you to vote yes to stabilize rent at 3% and make Z control and support efforts to make sure P tenants live with dignity and respect. I
have every intention to build my life here in Pik and stay close to my family. I want to become a teacher for Public Schools as a science teacher. That's why I joined that first this year to make s and housing more accessible and sustainable. Thank you to entire to the entire council for your consideration and thank
you to all those who joined us today. Have a good night. Good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Carla and I'm speaking tonight as a neighbor, an immigrant, and a representative of Lassos America Onida and Florigante. I stand before you to raise the voices
of thousands of hardworking Mexican families who live, work, and contribute to the city every single day. We are not invisible. Over 20,000 Mexican residents live in P. That's more than 30% of the city's entire population. We are not a
minor minority. We are part of the heart and engine of Pake. Our families began arriving in the 1970s, working in factories, restaurants, construction. We stayed, built our homes here, raised our children, supported our schools, and
contributed to the local economy in every way. But we are also the ones who suffer the most from abusive rent increases. I know families paying 1,600 or more to live in apartments with mold, cockroaches, no
heats, and broken plumbing. I know elders and children sharing the same bedroom because the rent is too high. A 6% increase is devastating. A family paying 1,500 would have to pay $90 or
more each month. Money that should go to food, medicine, or a metro card to get to work. A 3% cap gives people a fighting chance. We are not asking for charity. We are asking for fairness. We are demanding the right to live in
dignity without fear or being pushed out of our homes. Tonight, you have the power to make a historic decision to vote for families, not for greedy landlords. To tell this city that yes, it matters who lives here and how they live. On behalf of the Mexican community
and all working families, vote yes for the 3% rent crap. Vote for decency, justice in a city that values its people. Thank you. Good evening, council members and mayor Hector Laura. My name is Isela Coyote and I am a
member of Mcdaro, New Jersey. I have lived in Pay for 21 years and I moved to the United States with my family from Mexico. I am a graduate of Ruckers University and I commute to work in New Brunswick but plan to stay in Pake for
the long for the long run and build a family of my own here in Bake. I've watched firsthand in the last decade how difficult it is for working adults to make rent here in Pake. I live with my parents and my three siblings.
It's six of us in total in a three-bedroom apartment. Myself, the second oldest, contributes towards the rent. I love my family, but we could we couldn't live apart even if I wanted to. I am grateful when I am grateful when
the council passed an ordinance at the beginning of the year after three years of the regulation. But unfortunately, the 6% isn't is still much higher than the 4% rent group from 2021 to 2023.
Living leaving too many of our families exposed to continue unffordable housing. I am excited to hear that the council is considering considering vacancy control tonight alongside the rent stabilization. Years ago, my family
needed to move out of our apartment because a landlord was neglecting the neglecting and the rental increase was inconsistent and we wanted to avoid potential of eviction down the line because the rent was so unpredictable.
But when we started to look around, we noticed that because of the dis control, we had to stay in the in our living situation that was hostile and ills suited for us much longer than we h would have otherwise. Every PIG resident has a fundamental
right to stay safe, decent, and affordable housing. And the inability to pay one's rent threatens the very essence of what makes PAC so great. and I am asking you to vote yes tonight to stabilize the rents 3%. And to eliminate
the vacancy control. Thank you for your time and for your consideration. So the name Sir, uh, I would like I would like to introduce Justina
Kakeas, uh, who is the manager in the mayor's department who can assist you. uh in translating for us so we understand what you're saying. I'm asking that he please pace himself so that I am able to translate accurately.
is good evening. My name is Ernnandez. I've lived here in the city of P for more than 30 years. I am very happy and grateful for that to live in this city so diverse.
where I came to raise my children and now my grandchildren. Now I'm here to speak about something that worries us families who are of low resources. The issue that brings me here with my colleagues and other peoples from the
city is that we want a reduction in the increase of rent. We know that the mayor Hector Laura has worked on this before. However, us hardworking families feel that it is not enough.
and all the families in P take into consideration our proposal this project because that way we will be more comfortable. Thank you for your attention and good night.
Okay. Good. Good evening. My name is Mariela. I am part of the group Make the Road New Jersey and I've been living in the city of Pake. I've been living here since 1995. I've been here for 29 years. And in the last 15 years, I've been
living in the same apartment. Monroe Street 146 Monroe Street, New Jersey. I work with children of special needs. In Caldwin, New Jersey Last year, I was surprised by the owner of the property where I live with an
increase in rent of more than 225%. This was an increase that I could not afford. My rent was $987 and the increase brought it up to $2,257. of 36 apartments. I was
I was panicking. I was nervous. I wasn't able to sleep. Thinking about needing to pay something like this and afraid of being evicted to the point where I developed depression. City Hall. I spoke to different agencies including
here city hall but I was told that I could not be helped because there was no rent control here I was told to go to the family court in Patterson where we did not receive any help or support
for the same reason. They just gave us phone numbers to be in contact with the attorneys of the state. We did get assistance, but we were told that they could only give us guidance, not legal representation. Okay.
Through a neighbor, we were connected with the organization Make the Row New Jersey and they did help us. Through their help, I was able to get assistance through their attorneys in a proceeding against the landlord because they were
suing me for $14,000. If you could share, if you could share, if you could share with the lady that I need her on the ordinance. I had to explain this because that's the reason that I'm here. And so
and so I want to um I want to direct myself to the mayor and to the councilman here um to please support this petition on behalf of me, on behalf of all the people that are here. And to please support uh vacancy
control. And thank you on my behalf and on the behalf of everyone here. Good evening everyone. My name is Natali Katarina Braamonte Melendez Noga. Uh I am actually a PIK Academy science and engineering teacher. I'm also Payic High
School alumni and I've been living in POS for 15 years and I am very proud to be here today. Um I'm here tonight to urge the council to vote yes on the ordinance to stabilize rents at 3% and provide vacancy control. I want to start by saying thank you for considering an
ordinance that directly responds to what so many tenants have been saying for years. The rent is raising very fast than our families can keep up. As a teacher, I have witnessed this firsthand. It's been really hard hearing from my own students that talk about
having to work extra hours or even miss schools just to help their families get by. And I have many of those. At first, I thought I had to stay in my lane just focus on my classroom. But when I started noticing students falling behind and not showing up at all so they could
work, or when I got to peek into their homes during Zoom meetings during the pandemic to see dripping ceilings and crowded spaces, that's when I knew I had to step up. That's why I became a petitioner to move the ballot ordinance forward. I feel truly honored and ready
to do more and thank you made the road New Jersey for making me part of you. Since then, I've seen just how powerful our community can be when we come together. We have collected over 1,400 signatures to push stronger rent stabilization on the ballot. I've
watched my members go doortodoor, make calls, show up to meetings every Wednesday, Tuesday, doing the work with heart and determination. And honestly, it's been both inspiring and emotional as as you can see, I'm a little
emotional today because this is not easy because it reminds me that when our people are under a lot of pressure, we don't fall apart. We rise. We support each other. Ma'am, I'm going to ask you to speak to the ordinance, please. But SE took an important first step this year by
passing rent stabilization. But a 6% cap is still too high for many workingclass families, specialties, as wages stay flat while the cost of living rises across the board. We need to do more to make sure my people can stay in their homes. Voting yes tonight continues what
the city marked, making PA an affordable, stable place to live. The time to act is now. I ask you to vote yes. See, because our families, our students, our futures depend on it. Uh good evening. My name is Ali Witcher.
I am the managing director of external affairs at Fairshare Housing Center. Um the sales leaders deserve uh tremendous credit for moving forward with this measure to protect residents from skyrocketing rents and displacement. In a city where so many working families
and immigrants are struggling to stay in their homes, this ordinance is urgently needed to strengthen Pose's economic resilience. We're grateful to Mayor Laura, Council President Sher, and the Pacific City Council for standing with their constituents and taking this practical step to ensure housing
stability and prevent homelessness. And I'm not just speaking as a representative of Fairy Housing Center. I am also a landlord. I refuse to raise my tenants rents more than what they can afford. I put people over profits as
other landlords should do. I did not get into this game to be filthy rich. I just want to make sure that my mortgage is paid, that there's a little extra money on the side, and I'm not trying to get uh um like I said, filthy rich off the backs of poor people. So, we thank you
so much for your efforts in this matter. Thank you. Hi everyone. the people united. We never beat the fire. My name is Walk. I live here in P for about 25 years. I have a a nice family.
I make my family here. They study. They work here. Uh cousins major everything. Uh we are here because the problem with the the people is is
very very uh problem uh very difficult for the people in PO not only P and around the country around the world
this is why we are here the my neighbors my my as um organiz a lot of problems with the landlords. the landlords
uh not respect the increase. Uh some some uh uh some owners the house increase about 400 500
200. That's why we stay here. No. uh for for saying uh take control please control the the rents the people is the the things is is
bad the money is the money is no not no works a lot of people's know get sick and this is why we are here my name is I live here
I need I need for for help is take the resolution for for increase the law the the landlords this is now this a big problem in the city. Thank you. Good evening Mayor Laura and members of
the city council. My name is Adrian Orosco and uh although I'm wearing blue, I'm here on behalf of 32PJCIU and uh so we represent more than 185,000 property service workers along the east coast. Uh this includes 15,000 New
Jerseyians and 160 people who call Payic home. Uh some of these folks and those that live in the surrounding communities are here on my left. Uh, first, thank you, Mayor Laura, Council President Sher, and the entire city council for
your leadership. Earlier this year, you passed the rent stabilization ordinance capping annual rent increases at 6%. That was an important uh and necessary first step toward creating more housing stability in this city. Uh the proposed
amendment before you tonight to reduce the cap from 6 to 3%. Builds on that progress and uh shows a deeper commitment to protecting tenants, especially working families. Uh we also want to recognize the broader work the
city has done to make housing more affordable. Under Mayor Laura's leadership, PAC has implemented an innovative housing strategy that encourages accessory dwelling units and could become a model for other municipalities across the state. Still,
the need remains urgent. With 73% of the safe households renting and over 81% of those renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing, affordability is out of reach for too many. In Pay County, eviction filings have surged
from 2600 in 2021 to nearly 6,700 in 2024, displacing families who are essential to this city's functioning. Our members, janitors, superintendent, maintenance workers, and security officers are the backbone of this
community. They help keep the state clean, safe, and running. But rising rents are making it harder for them to continue living in the neighborhoods they serve. Lowering the rent cap to 3% would help stabilize housing for these workers and their neighbors, reduce
displacement, and strengthen the local economy. And critically, this amendment still provides a fair pathway for landlords to adjust rents, especially through the property tax provision. We respectfully urge you to vote in favor of this amendment tonight. It is a
continuation of the thoughtful and balanced housing leadership this city has already shown and it will help ensure PAG remains a place where working families can live and thrive. Thank you again for your time and the opportunity to speak tonight.
Good evening. I'm Andre Ber, community organizer with Move Meto. like everyone else in this room, I'm here to request that you pass this ordinance. Um, you know, through my my work, I've come across countless families who are forced to choose between getting medicine for
their kids, getting food, and making sure that they have enough money to pay the rent next month. And it's no secret to anyone here that there's a national cost of living crisis. And this crisis is going to get much worse over the next few years as the federal government's attack on food stamps, on Medicaid, uh,
really start to hit home and more and more families are faced with those kind of tough choices. And of course, you can't solve all of the national problems, right, that are contributing to this national crisis. But what you can do right here in Bayic is to take meaningful material steps to ensure that
the people here can stay in their homes, to make sure that the people here are not priced out of their homes. As the previous speakers have said, the legislation you've already passed is a fantastic first step, but 6% is still way too high. 6% rent increases will
price people out of Bayic. If you cut that in half, that makes sure that a number of families, working-class families here, will be able to stay in their home, stay in this community. And you can do that. And you can take that step today. Thank you. Hi, council. Hello, Mayor. My name is
Dave Singer. I'm a staff attorney at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. We're a small nonprofit that provides free legal services for people experiencing poverty throughout Essex County. I have worked in eviction defense uh for the last 10
years. Before being at BLJ, I worked at the Legal Aid Society out of their Bronx office. While I was there, we had to uh adapt to the passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, a major statewide legislation that
massively expanded the protections of rent stabilization. I'm here to tell you that that law directly resulted in stronger community ties with stronger protections for tenants than even are contemplated here. It allowed people to maintain their ties to the community, be
supported by their community. also they may be the support persons supporting their community. It had vacancy deont control. It had all of the things are in this bill and more. I understand the delicate position that you all are in balancing the many interests that your constituents have. I'm here to say that
in my experience in New York City and also in Essex County, the landlords have been able to make a reasonable rate of return as that gentleman speaker who is a landlord mentioned. Um, I think what I found most compelling about this ordinance is that it's grounded in the
present struggles of actual people that are here filling these seeds right now. And the you've heard stories about rent being paid and all other expense, you know, education, pulling kids out of school to work for extra hours at the
job, cutting medications, maybe only fill them once every two times or two out of every three times. that causes major morbidity in your constituents. You may not think that 3% increases much and that it might be unfair to landlords. But neither are the cost of
living adjustments to supplemental security income. Just four times in the last 15 years what the SSI cola have kept up with an increase over 3%. So every year as the colas for SSI don't
keep up, more and more of that income is going towards the rent and that is not fair and that is that is pushing people out of this city. I implore you to vote yes on this ordinance. Thank you for your time. Good evening Mayor. Good evening
council. Uh my name is Danilo Keshner. I live in Jersey City with 71% rent is actually quite comparable to PA. Um I'm a port side tenant. Um and I've watched Jersey City fail and force rent control
for years. I'm here to provide perspective from this experience. The difference between 3% and 6% isn't is much more than math. It's the difference between protection and exploitation. A 3% care protects tenants even when
politicians fail. Even when enforcement is non-existent, even when nobody is watching. Why? Because 3% is close enough to real to reality. As we just heard, um most landlords will not risk the legal fight,
but 6% that's the sweet spot for exploitation. It's high enough that algorithmic pricing software like real page that's being prosecuted by our attorney general can maximize profits while technically staying legal. It's
high enough that landlords will spend money on lawyers instead of maintenance. Knowing the payoff is worth it. We learned this the hard way in Jersey City. In fact, I personally learned this in our apartment before our rent leveling board decided that our
buildings should have been under rent control from the beginning. In the over 10 years we've been living there, increases typically around. Sir, I'm going to draw you to the ordinance, please. Yeah, I'm talking about the 6% that
you're currently talking about Jersey City. If you could address this ordinance that's before the council. Okay. So when what we experience there when caps are too high they become a target not a limit.
Software programs literally advertise the ability to optimize rents um right up to the legal maximum. At 6% you are not setting a ceiling you are actually setting the floor. Think about it. If
you can raise rent 6% every year without justification, without improvement, without even fixing the heat, the AC, the mold we heard about earlier, why would you ever rest less? Maybe. The algorithm won't let you, your investors
won't let you, the market won't let you. A 3% cap forces landlords to actually compete, to actually maintain their buildings, to actually treat tenants as humans, not data points in a spreadsheet.
And we might hear a later uh all the money goes into building maintenance and it is required to put up uh the the buildings and to keep up the buildings. So maybe then the referendum should add
something How about half of the increases must go to maintenance? I'm going to draw you to the sir. I'm going to draw you to the ordinance itself, please. I'm just offering another option.
Anyway, um I'm at the end anyway. Uh so what I try to say is don't give algorithms room to compete to to operate. Don't give uh explanation a legal shield past the 3%. Thank you.
Good evening, council members. My name is Nicole Melas and I'm co-executive director of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence. I'm here on behalf of our coalition of providers, particularly those serving the Payic community and survivors here in your
city. To put it bluntly, permanent, safe, quality housing is the greatest need survivors of domestic violence in New Jersey have. And yet, the greatest barrier survivors face is the cost of rent. The cost of rent is often prohibitive for survivors in the first
place as they're rebuilding their lives, often without any finances, income, or savings. So imagine finally securing that appointment or apartment and safe housing for you and your children to find the rent go up above what you're able to manage.
One of our domestic violence providers serving the Paya community here stated that the biggest barrier to financial independence and stability for survivors is rent prices. Rent is exorbitant and rising. Many of the survivors we're working with full are um many of the
survivors working full-time and are not able to manage the high rent each month and are forced into very difficult situations making decisions around paying for gas, rent, food, or child care. Rent increases force survivors to
move often, which causes instability and disrupts the support networks available to them and their children. Rent stabilization helps ensure that survivors aren't priced out of neighborhoods where they have access to services, jobs, schools, and connections
to their religious communities. Rent control and stabilization helps break the cycle of abuse by keeping housing costs predictable and manageable for survivors. Without it, survivors will be unable to sustain the cost of living and find themselves back with the abusive
partner, in an unsafe living situation, or even homeless. Affordable housing is critical for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Please make sure it does not remain out of reach and pass this ordinance. Thank you.
Good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Cassandra and I'm here as a community member and with the housing community development network of New Jersey as a housing justice organizing specialist. The network is a statewide membership organization whose members
include tenants rights organizations, builders, landlords, municipalities, community development corporation, housing counselors, and more. As a forake native, I'm here today to stand in solidarity with a town that raised me, sheltered me, educated me,
and fed me. With New Jersey being the seventh most expensive state for renters, requiring workers to earn $39.99 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom, when in reality, the average Garden State worker earns $23.97.
The need for this ordinance couldn't be more urgent. This ordinance represents the will of the people of Pake. Residents who are being priced out of their homes and communities. We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Rents are rising faster than wages and families
are being forced to make impossible choices between housing, food, and medical care. Rent stabilization is not just a policy. It's a lifeline. It provides predictability, stability, and a measure of dignity for working
families, seniors, and lowincome residents. This ordinance protects against extreme rent hikes that lead to displacement. I want to thank Make the Road for their organizing, advocacy, Mayor Laura, and council members for your time and
collaboration. I urge you to pass this ordinance and to stand by your community. and see. Good evening, council members, mayor. I'm Kevin Willer, also from Jersey City, and I will stay on topic. Um, I do want
to say that I'm very glad to see your mayor here. Our mayor never comes to our city council meetings, and I've been to 60 of them. Um, so it's really important that you're here and I'm really glad that you're here. I'm also the first New Jersey plaintiff in what has become the largest real
estate antitrust class action in American history targeting real page. This becomes important because the ordinance that you perhaps will pass tonight will protect people from what the New Jersey AG calls the algorithmic rent fixing cartel. I'm here tonight
because PAC is about to set the precedent that is important for every tenant in New Jersey. When one city shows courage with a 3% cap, others follow. When one city maintains a 6% cap, that doubles rents every 12 years,
that becomes a model for displacement everywhere. I've learned exactly how rent exploitation works from fighting the largest rent conspiracy this country has ever seen. And I'm here to tell you that a 6% cap is an invitation for
abuse. Let me be clear. You have three choices as far as I understand tonight. Adopt the 3% cap, table it and compromise at CPI or 4% for example what Jersey City does which averages 3% but allows some variability or force a referendum uh
based on every president from Hobok into Jersey City you will lose by catastrophic margins. Mayor Laurel, I understand has said that his philosophy is opposed to rent control. could be that his uh his opinion on that has changed since he was
quoted in the uh Bergen record in January of 2024. But in either case, uh voters have a philosophy that is opposed to politicians who let families get priced out of their homes. Just Pasca or Mayor Steven Full who two months ago couldn't win a
I'm going to call you to the Sir I'm going to call you to the ordinance. The ordinance. Okay, understood. Let's do the math. at 6% back on the ordinance annual increases rents double as they said every 12 years the ordinance if I'm not mistaken calls
for 3% then let's address it then but if it doesn't pass we're at 6% and so that's what we're deciding we'll be passing if it doesn't pass you'll have the opportunity to join us at another meeting where it will be discussed okay I understand
but the consequences to passing this so that people can understand and conceptualize in if their salaries haven't doubled since 2012, they perhaps would not want this to um they would want this to pass. It's important that it passes. The landlord lobby will cry
that 3% so we're back on 3% will destroy investment and I would say that that's nonsense because the ordinance already has a hardship provision 231-6 your ordinance capital improvement passroughs in section 231-5. any landlord who genuinely can't make
ends meet with this passing um really has they already have legal remedies. So, what they don't have is the right to double rents every 12 years. This isn't about good landlords versus bad landlords, which is another argument we hear when we're talking about passing an
ordinance such as this one. It's about why we have laws at all. Why have speed limits if we trust all the drivers? Why have food safety rules if we trust all the restaurants? Laws exist to prevent the worst actors from poisoning the well for everyone. And if this does not pass,
whatever the percent will be, 6% currently, it poisons the well at twice the rate of wages going up. Make the road collected over 500 signatures in days and Hoboken rent control one 73% to 27%. I hope that Payek understands that
it's no different. 73% of your city is made up of renters and they will remember who stood with them or who chose to let rents double every 12 years. Thank you. Hi City Council. Hi everyone. Um I'm Cameron. I'm a Clifton resident.
However, I grew up on Sherman Street. My aunt lives right over there on Jefferson in those apartments. Um I'm here today with the Pakenber DSA to petition for a rent cap as well as vacancy control because the rate at which housing cost
is rising in this area does not reflect the area's median income. Rental and mortgage markets in this region are already out of the reach of many millennials and Gen Z. How do you expect your most vulnerable populations to pay the rent without taking on two,
sometimes three jobs? Not only does a rent cap benefit every POC resident, it also has a potential to set an example for neighboring municipalities, especially my dysfunctional one. Um, as
well as well, as I mentioned before, I grew up on Sherman Street. The progress you guys have made here in Pake has been incredible. even seeing it before my eyes this past couple of decades. Um, you had a lot of foresight to meet the moment where it's at, especially
developing into a commuter hub, a hub of commerce, but now you're facing this rent crisis that is facing the entire nation. the rent control. Having a cap on the rent increase not
only protects the protects the average resident here, but it also cuts back on the burden of care that the city will have to face if we face another homelessness crisis or other crisises such as the after school after school
care issues. I've seen all the work you guys have done. the home ownership market in this area is already $100,000 over the national median for home mortgage rates. So you guys are already as far as as far as um buying property
goes, you you guys are already making a lot of money. Renting as it the rental market is the rental market is here for the lower income people as well as people my age
who may not have the two $3,000 to rent out our own apartment on our own. Um now is your opportunity to meet the moments where it's at and ensure your constituents get accessible and affordable housing. Good evening, Mayor Laura and city
council members. My name is Assad Man and I'm a resident of the city of Pake. I'm a lifelong resident. I was born and raised for the last 27 years. um you know proud uh you know uh person who has come from a couple generations of Pakians uh the man family and you know
we've all been renters uh for a very long time. I have been living and renting my current apartment for the last 15 years. Um and so you know I want to first start off by just saying thank you to you all for um considering this ordinance tonight and also thank you for
the earlier action you took this year. Um, you know, I think it takes real courage and um, leadership to take actions like this right now and you're showing other municipalities a model and a roadmap on how to meet this moment. Um, but you know, I am here on behalf of
myself, my neighbors, and you know, just the larger community of Pake tonight to urge you to pass this ordinance and to continue to take action and to go further to address this issue, right? um and and to ensure that Pacific residents have access to a not only affordable but
also fair and safe housing and the opportunity to not be pushed out by rising prices. Uh you know, we know that everywhere around the state, including here in Pake, residents are being squeezed by skyrocketing rents. Of course, we've all heard about the utility bills, uh but also health care
costs, child care, groceries, and other basic needs. Um, you know, on top of all of that stress, the reality is that many of us are also dealing with terrible living conditions in these apartments, right? Um, anything from rat, roach, and ply infestations, broken plumbing, and
and leaks and, uh, mold, myself included, over the last few years, uh, over the last year and some change. I've actually had to go continuously back and forth with my landlord requesting repairs to leaks, uh, mold, broken
walls, broken windows. Um, and actually within that time frame, within the last year, my landlord actually, um, gave me a notice for a rent increase while also not addressing um, addressing these issues or addressing any of my previous communication. So, you know, I think
that behavior speaks to the lack of respect generally and dignity that's afforded to the residents by their landlords. Um, and bottom line, Pake residents deserve better. You know, we deserve more. Um, I think you would all agree that this is a beautiful and thriving community. Um, it's a gem and
I'm proud to call it home. Given the option, I'd love to call PI home for the rest of my life. But, you know, if action isn't taken to address this moment that we're in, this housing crisis, um, and, you know, give renters reasonable protections, I'm afraid that
I won't be able to live here much longer and I'd have to try to find housing elsewhere, um, which seems impossible. There doesn't seem to be anything affordable um, nearby and and available. So, you know, I just want to remind you all that um, this matter is is very
urgent. I think um I've seen the number of homeless residents in Pake even over the last few years growing and that's extremely concerning. I want to urge you all to think about housing, you know, um as something that's a basic need, a human right and something that should be
protected um not something to be profited off of. So again, I urge you to pass this ordinance tonight and I thank you for your consideration. Good evening, Mayor Polaro. Good evening, city council. Good evening, Assemblyman. My name is Francisco. I'm a
lifelong resident of the city of Pik, 41 years in counting. So, I've been living here since the the last time the Mets won the World Series. You can believe that. Um,
I kind of find it very pathetic that u a tenant has to work four to five jobs just to have a roof over his or her head. Um, from what I'm from what I can tell, this um this ordinance will help attendance.
um if this doesn't pass um your constituents who are right here, there'll be collateral damage and so will you at the ballot box. Of course,
I'm going to keep you to the ordinance, please, sir. Oh, I am within well within the ordinance, Mr. Subman. Not when you're speaking about elections. You want to speak about elections, we can have that conversation. Right now, we want to go to the heart of the ordinance to understand it better and its effects
upon people, which is why we've shown everyone tonight the latitude that I believe is desirable and beneficial. Your constituents can't afford any more rent increases, Mr. Assemblyman. Mr. Mayor, they can't they can't afford
anymore. They can't do it. Please pass this ordinance. Please, please do it. I I don't know what else to say to you, Mr. Sleman, Mr. Mayor, City Council,
that please I I love the sake. I've lived here all my life. I've earned my college degrees while living here. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. This city right now, this is in
the ugly. Please ordinance. Thank you very much. Have a wonderful night. Good evening, members of the city council, Mr. Mayor. appreciate you all giving us the opportunity to be able to
share remarks related to the ordinance. I take it you all don't uh have many children making comments usually because in the in the name of inclusion if you will, I'm going to use this chair. Uh my daughter thought it would appropriate to
uh share some remarks. My name is Dr. Enrique Noera. This is Elelliana Noggera. Hello, my name is Elelliana Noggera. I am going to fifth grade. I attended P Gifted and Talented Academy. Seeing my mom and the P community here today is so
inspirational. Non-stopic. These families and my fellow community members are suffering from tremendous amounts of rent that they have to pay lanyards. The crucial part is that not all people are upper class. The last thing I will say is that my friends are a part of this
community and sometimes I get scared that they might have to go to another town to live. Please support the 3% rent cap. Good evening to all. I'm here because I am a single mother to
two children with special needs. I paid 1,50 in rent. It was increased by $700. I came here to city hall for support and was told they couldn't help me because there was no rent control. In the rent in Patterson,
there is rent control, not in P. Right now, I'm paying $1,750. The landlord does not want to repair the apartment. I live on the first floor and I'm paying the utility bills in the basement. I don't I'm not allowed access to it in
the 19 years that I've been there. He told me to leave. I've searched and rents are $3,000 and up, which is too high for a single mother. I am looking for rent control. I've come here for your help, but you haven't been
able to help me. My brother bought a house two years ago and pays $3,000 for two homes in mortgage. So, how is it that one home is $3,000 for rent? I've always said it that New Jersey is
for rich people, not for the poor. I would like it a lot if you could do something for rent control, Mr. Mayor. There's a lot of abuse. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you, Cass. June Cassandra Lazar Little Falls.
I'm here tonight because I spoke with uh Na yesterday and she told me about this ordinance being on the agenda tonight. Uh I know that this mayor and council, I know your hearts because I know each of you and I know that anything you do is
in the best interest of your constituents. All these people here today, they are here to say, "Hey, we appreciate what you're doing for us and we want to work with you to make this a reality." Now, we already know the
reality of affordable housing. It's tough. It's tough. And this mayor has made sure that any new buildings going up or opening up that 20% of those apartments are affordable housing.
this mayor and council work tirelessly for this town. I see it all the time. So, I just want to say this. I know that ordinance 231-23 would not be on this agenda if it was
not being considered to be passed. So, everyone who's here talking about how unaffordable it is, you have a mayor and counsel right here that is going to work hard for you and make sure that you stay in the city of Pake and that it will
always be your home. So, I thank you, mayor. I know again I know your heart. I know you'll do anything you can to help the people that are here with us today. So, thank you. For those of us who might not be aware, the uh lady who just addressed us is
Paya County Commissioner, Commissioner Lazaro. We thank you for being here, ma'am, and appreciate you taking the time out of your very busy schedule. Good evening, Mayor and City Council team. My name is Veronica Ortiz, born and raised in Pacific. Um, I see a lot
of people addressing this issue and I want to address it as well. Please consider the 3%. I have a 92 year old grandmother living in the same apartment for over 40 years and this has been a constant issue. Imagine the elderly the
elderly that cannot stand here to come and address this issue. Let's remember that we are a community and we stand in one. Please, let's consider this as my grandmother can stand here stand here
and address her concerns. Thank you. My name is Carlos Casta. Good evening. My name is Carlos Casta and tonight I want to remind everyone that's in front of me in case you have forgotten or have not
noticed in the current political climate where the community is being persecuted. The minimum that the city of P could do is to help alleviate this load on these families. I assume some of you are Democrats. We've always been told that Democrats
are our allies and our friends. I'm going to call the gentleman. I'm going there. If you going to let me speak, I'm going to get there. No, no, no, no, no. Excuse me, sir. I don't need you getting there. I need you to be on the ordinance. This is my time, Mr. Gary.
No, sir. This is a council meeting where everyone is trying to be respect to the point. I'm giving a context. What I'm going to say to the Let me speak. I could finish in one minute. If you're on the ordinance, you can have as much time as you would like. I am speaking on the ordinance. I'm
giving context on the Very good, sir. Then we look forward to I'll continue speaking. Sorry. If you are really our friends and our allies, tonight is the time for you to show that you are on our side and that you're here for the working
families and not for the corporations. Thank you. Good evening, council. My name is Sonia Keshna. I came from uh New Jersey on an international assignment for a large chemical company 12 years ago from Germany. Um a country where rent control
is actually the standard and where it does not determine your status if you rent or own actually maybe because rent control laws are in place there. So, I want to take you back to that time about 12 years, a little longer um ago, um
when I came here. Um maybe someone was paying here in Pas $850 for a onebedroom, maybe $1,500 for a two or threebedroom. Some of you here might still remember those rents, right? Um fast forward to today. um under a 6%
cap. That's 800. That 850 apartment is now 1,700. That um 1,500 place is now 3,000. Same apartment, same neighborhood, same leaky faucet that may have never been fixed
under the 6% cap. How many of you could afford your home if your rent had doubled here? How many could afford your home if your rent had doubled? How many teachers, firefighters, and nurses sitting here tonight would have been forced out of Pasad?
Stand up if you think your salary doubled since 2012. Whose salary doubled here since 2012? Nobody. That's what I thought. Now, let's rewind and do that same journey with a 3% cap. That 850
apartment would be about 1,100 today. That 1500 place would be around 1,950. Still an increase. Landlords would still make a lot of money. But families aren't destroyed. Here is the brutal truth.
Under 6% your rent doubles every 12 years. Under 3% it takes 24 years. That's not just a number. That's the difference between your kids finishing school here or being displaced in another district. It's the difference
between building a life and constantly running from rent increases. You can stand up tonight and vote for the 3%. You can stand up in November for the referendum. You can sit down now and watch your community get priced out
family by family until Pike becomes a place where only the wealthy can afford to live. We experience that in Jersey City. I have seen families leave family after family, school after school, children after children. The math is
very simple. It's your choice. But remember, every year you wait that 6% compounds. The clock is ticking. Repeat number. Good evening. My name is La. I wanted to
person that was renting an apartment to me sold the home. It was sold in November. And in December, the new homeowner told me they were going to increase the rent. And I thought that was too much because
I'm a mom with three daughters. Now I pay $2,300 in rent for two people to pay that. It's too much. I would like for someone to do something because rents are too high and the apartments are still unrepaired. For rents, they're punctual, but for the
repairs, they're not. So, we really wish that something could be done to help us. Thank you. Good evening, council. There's many members of the community here tonight who are in pain for having
to pay so much of their income on rent. I'm here tonight as a small, not even a landlord. I own a few houses in Payic. I own these houses to give my children a better future. I I work paycheck to paycheck.
I have mortgages to pay every single month. I have a tenant here tonight. I have multiple tenants from the Mexican community, but I have one here tonight. She owes me I don't want to embarrass her, but she owes me $5,500 in a rears
in pass through rent. I didn't throw her out because I know her. because I know she's working hard. She's has a family. She's trying to get a job. Her husband has a job.
And I'm a respectful landlord of a two family house. My taxes are $16,000 on the second floor. My tenant who's here tonight, her sister-in-law lives on the second floor. She's a section 8
tenant. I collect $1,880 from her sister-in-law. Section 8 still owes me rent from January through June, which they said they sent to me. I have not received it yet. I have not thrown her out because
they're upstanding people and she worked hard to get on to section 8 and I'm hoping that the money will come through soon. My tenants have a backyard to enjoy. They have a driveway to park their cars. They have a basement to use
for laundry. I don't charge them for any of those. My each of those units, I collect $2,100 from my tenant who's here tonight. Her name is Jennifer. And I collect $1,880 from her
sister-in-law. And my taxes are $16,000. $16,000 divided by two is $8,000 I have to pay to the city of Payic every year for each of those ten for each of those rental units. Most of the people here tonight live in
apartment buildings. I like to call them concrete and steel cages. There are no parks in the backyard. There are no driveways. If there is parking underneath, you have to pay for it. And there's hardly any laundry. They have to take their laundry across town and sit
at night after a long day laundrying their clothing. Sir, I'm going to put draw you to the ordinance, please. I'm asking for a carve out. Whatever the city council decides tonight, I'm asking for a carveout. Most of the people here tonight live in buildings. I'll give an example. King Arthur on Pennington
Avenue is a 60. They pay a hund They pay $120,000 in taxes to this city. That's a lot of money. But they have 60 units. That's $2,000. They collect in one month's rent. They cover the taxes that
that unit costs. It takes me four months to collect enough rent to pay for the taxes that I have to incur. Riverview Apartments on Riverview a on River Avenue and Westervelt. They pay $510,000
to the city of Payic. You think that they're supporting the whole city, but they have 200 units. Each of those units in one month, they collect enough money to cover your taxes while I have to wait four months.
When they have to do a roof repair, they have to pay $120,000 in roof in roofing. $120,000. If you take divided by 60 units, that's $2,000 a unit. When I have to replace my roof, when Jennifer had a
leak when I bought the house, and I have to cover my roof for $25,000, I have to divide that by two. That's $12,500 per unit to cover my roof. You want to raise You want to put You want to make a 3% rent control on houses like mine.
The problem in Payic might be some bad landlords, but if you want to take and and make a one-size approach to the problem, I don't think that's fair. There are landlords like like me who care about our tenants, who our tenants
respect. We come to collect our rent personally. We when there's an issue at night, they call us on our cell phones to come down and we do their peers ourselves in middle of the night or we get people in the middle of the night to come down. There's no front office. There's no secretaries.
And I'm asking you to realize that the expenses that we incur for two units or three units are 10 times or between five and 10 times the costs for peers maintenance taxes that buildings have to incur.
There are problems in in with the rent and pay. There's a lot of the problems are 200% increases, 250% increases. I think the city council would be smart.
They introduced an 8% rent rent control. They lowered it to 6%. Let's see what happens. What is the need to push now to 3%. We know what Patterson looks like. I don't think anybody here wants to live in Patterson cuz Patterson has 3%. If
you want to go there, it's open. Nobody wants to live in Patterson. Nobody wants to live in Newark. Let's see what 6% did does for the city. Let's give it some time. Let's see what's happening. Nobody should have their rents raised by 200%. That's crazy. Nobody should have
problems with roaches and plaster falling on them and mold. But the city has to have an has to have a system no matter what the rent is. They have to have a system to make sure that people's rental units are inhabitable. Why should you get more tickets for parking in the
city while landlords who don't care I need you on the ordinance, please? While landlords who don't take care of their tenants get a freebie. That's not okay. Let the city figure out a system, but pushing it after a few months from 8% to 6% to 3%. You need the ordinance, sir. I need you
on the ordinance. Thank you. I think we're playing with a big big big hot potato that I think the city council should really really wait and see what happens with the 6% that I think might very do well for the city. Of course, there are banned landlords
and of course the new development that in the city where people come in and they are able to make prices at astronomical amounts because it's a brand new apartment. Of course, that creates pressure on the rest of the market. So, I'm not sure how that's
going to be taken care of, but I don't think the problem is all landlords are a problem. Thank you. If you notice, we are all frustrated. Excuse me. Please. Excuse me. If you would like to take your conversations outside that
would be very helpful. I have lived in I lived in P since 1989. Unfortunately, two years ago I had to leave P. where I lived caught fire. I came to city hall. I was given some sheets of paper. I was told to go to Patterson. There I got some more sheets
of paper and basically I didn't get help. Unfortunately, I didn't have renters's insurance, which it's unfortunate, you know, I know now. I want to know why realtors are able to charge 3,000 2,500 3,500 on a fee for
themselves. What is that? Okay. Nobody knows that. Okay. If they ask if they ask you for 3,000, the realtor takes 2,800 cash. Cash plus the rent of a month and a half.
So, we're talking about $10,000 to rent an apartment. And that is that is what happened to me. And I ask if that's what's happening to others. You go to a realtor and they have a fee that goes straight to them. I have the security that the day that P
passes rent control, I will return to P. My family is here in P and we want to be here in P. Much gracias. Thank you. See no one. Sure. Hi. Good evening to all. U my name is Jennifer and um I would like you to
transfer in Spanish for me for the Spanish community. You can't. All right. So I'll do it in Spanish then. So hi Daniel. Um so Jennifer Suarez. Um,
yeah. My name is Jennifer Suarez. I was born here in Pake and I'm a single mother and I was a victim of domestic violence as well. I've lived in P Park and when I lived there I paid $1,500 and that included
light and utilities as well. Joseph and Mr. Joseph who came here and is claiming to be a great landlord increased the rent from 1,400 to $1,800 to $1,900. But but because I don't allow that and
I'm a fighter and I know my rights and I don't allow that, the apartment was not in the best conditions and I am the mother to seven children. Mr. Daniel knows that I've always looked for employment. My ex-husband used to work with you worked with the Jewish
community and and in addition when the other landlord was Jewish as well, but when Joseph came in, my child was born with high levels of lead. And of course, it was not this landlord's fault. It was the other landlord's fault because he did not keep
up with the maintenance. And thank God I was born here and I was able to help um because my child had high lead. We were able to get uh free help in addressing the problem. No, we got him free help to fix his house and apartment. Oh, we got him free.
Yeah, let me just specify that windows and the whole apartment also. Joseph, don't don't let me get at you right now here because So we moved to then he provide us um the
state said that they were going to provide us I'm sorry the state said that they were going to cover the hotel stay ma'am this is very all right but it's just to the point that where I'm getting I need you that he's specifying that he's a great
landlord. Yes, he's a good landlord, but not a great landlord. Okay. So, I moved to 29. I moved to a I knew whether he's a great landlord or otherwise. I need you on the ordinance. Just listen to me. Okay. I know what you're saying.
Yes. Yseph. I moved to another house that also has that's his as well. And now I'm going to have to leave again and they're going to fix that apartment as well thanks to my kids. Okay.
I have a yard. Yes. And a driveway and everything, but what's the cost? My children, right? And yes, he does wait for the rent and everything, but it's unjust that they keep increasing the rent like this. And yes, I owed rent, but I was Can I repeat the proposal?
Oh, social service. I'm going to ask for the last. All right. So, no, I don't agree on the 3%. I mean, I agree on the 3%. I'm sorry. Yeah. So, that's my Hello. Hello. Hello.
Hello. Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Maria. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry. Hello. Okay. Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Maria. Nice to meet you, mayor, council. I am a 23-year-old lady. My mother is over there present. I
am the second person who's helping her pay the $2300 for the rent. I am very emotional right now and it's insane. Sorry. I think the rent that we're paying is
too much. Not so long ago, my living room was flooded. One to two inches of rain in the second floor. My couches, my son's toys, they were
damaged. I don't know how we had a flooding in the living room, in my sister, in my sister's room, and in my mother's room. I contacted my landlord, showed him evidence that we had to get this fixed.
What did he tell me? Oh, we'll go next week. We'll go this week. The week arrived. No one showed up to fix anything. He told me, "Cover everything up, plastic bags, and you'll be good."
What did I do? I had to throw my son's toys and some furniture. I'm scared. My mother's scared. She told me, "Let's let's pay rent." I told her no, but she's one of the persons that she's terrified.
As many as them. I was cleaning my room and I found mold in the windows. Not just my window, ceilings, living room. Once again, I texted my
landlord. Hey, look what I found. Did you know what he told me? He said, "I'm gonna send someone over." Later that day, someone comes and buys white spray to paint over the
mold. And he says, "Leave it. It's fine. I I am not safe. I Ma'am, I'm I'm going to interrupt you for a moment, if you'll allow me. your your comments are compelling.
They're disturbing. Um and they're making me nauseous the way you've been treated. And I must tell you, you're not the first person tonight who has made me nauseous. But the ordinance before us deals with
many, many things. part of any ordinance is going to deal with the landlord fulfilling his or her responsibilities to the tenant. That is the issue, right? The issue I need to you to speak to the issue in
terms of the amount, the size, the percentage of rent increase, etc. I appreciate and we all appreciate you coming here tonight. Of course, it we can tell that you're not a public speaker. you've done. Although you've done a wonderful job.
Thank you. But I met you on the ordinance, please. Of course. Thank you so much for that. Um like my mother mentioned, um the landlord sold the house. They increased the rent. They did not fix anything. They have not
fixed anything. And water continues to leak in my house. 23,000 is too much for a building or a house, an apartment. That's not stable for someone to live in.
I just want you guys to reconsider that. And hopefully we guys you guys have the power to do something just like we are. Thank you for hearing me out. Is there anyone else who would like to address the council?
Seeing no more hands, I move to close. We have a hand. Second. Good evening, council. My name is Brendan. I'm a lifelong I'm a lifelong resident of New Jersey and I'm here to talk about the 3% rent stabilization
ordinance before you tonight and what the delay in passing this will actually cost the community of Payic. Make the econom an economic analysis shows that this 3% cap would return $4 million in money that's leaving the tenants your citizens and out of the
city and being pushed elsewhere out of the economy out of everything out of the restaurants out of the businesses that support the city and isn't being reflected by the local taxes. This delay is going to call every month you just postpone this decision. That's
$333,000 leaving the community, going elsewhere, going to pass other laws, going into the landlords, some of which are now large mega corporations, not a local man who's grown up here hoping to make who grew up here and wants to make a living for his
kids. Sorry, lost my place. The ordinance before you tonight's carefully crafted. that maintains all the existing hardship provisions of the ordinance passed earlier this year at 6%. You have three options tonight. You can pass it tonight, reject it, enforce an expensive
referendum that's going to divide your community, or table it and watch another $330,000 per month flow out of Payic money that could be going to this to support businesses, help improve the city. This petition, the petition supporting this
ordinance was gathered way over 500 signatures in such a short period of time because people are desperate. They need relief. They are coming to you hoping to get the relief that they need. Every day, every day of delay means more displacement, more economic drain, and
more families forced to choose between rent, groceries, and drugs. Pharmaceuticals, I mean, sorry. This ordinance stops that cycle tonight. The question isn't whether you support tenants or landlords. It's whether you support PA's e economy or you want to
keep leading the leading PI's residents. Thank you very much. Seeing no hands, I move to close public portion. Second. I'll take a motion and second. Roll call, please. Councilman Monk.
Yes. Councilman Love, yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilwoman Colz, yes. And Council President Sher,
yes. Just a moment, please. Let's see. Um, council right Sorry. Okay. Is there a motion please to close public hearing?
We did that. We did that. Sorry. On the ordinance. On the ordinance. Second motion and second the this ordinance of this proposed
ordinance we've been discussing tonight. Um and let me thank everyone for being here for taking the time to be here tonight. Let me also apologize if I was too quick with uh anyone. Um I did not mean to be but it's uh this is a heavy responsibility one which one necessarily
takes very heavily. There's been discussion back and forth for quite a while on this ordinance um and the time invested by make the right and other organizations which frankly I happen to be personally involved with myself.
the council's uh discussion on the matter and the mayor um have led us to a a decision on our part and there's a lot of agreement I believe and correct me if I'm wrong with make the road um but the
council u has a another proposed version in response to this initiative uh petition uh listed that we've been discussing. So essentially what I'd like to do is to call for a vote with the understanding
that there's been agreement by the city and make the road and please correct me if I'm wrong um that there will be uh a few days a few weeks not more than a few um for this bill to be finalized.
So what you're going to hear is a rejection by the council of the proposal and the understanding and the commitment of this city council and mayor if I may speak on your name as well behalf of the
mayor and his administration and the city council that we will be back to discuss and hopefully finalize something which is uh positive and beneficial for all concerned. That being the case, is there a maker of
the bill, please? Well, this is a a motion to deny, I believe. Yes. For for two. Wait, you're denying the second. Why are we denying? We are denying so that we can go in
favor of 44 as has been discussed with the parties involved. So, there's a motion to reject. To reject. Yes. Yes. Item two. Okay. Motion to reject.
Councilman Monk. Councilman Monk. Yes. Yes. Counciloman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Councilwoman Colz. Yes. And Council President Sher.
Yes. Thank you. The motion is denied, which brings us now to 44, an amendment, an ordinance by amending section 231-23,
rent stabilization of 2025 of chapter 231, rent control of the city of Payic code to reduce maximum allowable rental increases. Uh we have copies available uh for you
if you would like to review the ordinance which is now going before the council and which I believe will uh pass. It is a first reading which means by law there must be a second reading at which time everyone here as well as
friends neighbors would like to join as well. um so that we get the proper information and not rumors of information that may or may not be valid and true. So you're going to hear a vote called by the
behalf of my colleagues and the mayor um to accept the ordinance for set down on September 5th. Madam clerk, September September 2nd. September 2nd.
Council Council President. Council, I think it would be um good to to mention that this is with the 3% for those that's that's out there. Well, she passing it out. I know they're passing it out, but but we should verbally say that this is with the 3% cap.
That's certainly appreciative. Thank you, Councilman. So, the vote you're going to hear is going to be to uh set the ordinance down for second and final reading at our meeting of September the 2nd. Um stay in touch with the city clerk's office if there's any change to
that for whatever reason. Um she will be able to communicate that to you. That being the case on number 44, please is there a motion please to accept for to set down for second and final reading at our meeting of September 2nd? Motion and
second. Roll call, please, on 44. Councilman Monk. Yeah, just just for clarity, this is a vote that's for to take it to second reading and open for discussion in the second meeting. Is that correct?
That is correct, sir. Yes. Okay. Yes. Councilman Love. Yes. Councilwoman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Councilman Colonz. Yes. And council president share.
Yes. The motion is passed. At this time, the council will be taking an approximately 10-minute break. We invite you to join us on the rest of the meeting, including communications, resolutions, etc. And again, we thank you for your patience and your kindness
to be with us tonight. This meeting is in recess for 10 minutes. Is there a motion please to reconvene? So move. Motion second. Motion and second. Roll call please to reconvene. Sorry. Councilman Love. Yes.
Counciloman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Counciloman Coline. Yes. And Council President Sher. Yes. Thank you. Uh we're up to communications, please. Roman numeral 8, items 3 through nine. Are there any
questions with items 3 through nine, please? See, time is in motion, please, to accept 3 through nine. So move second. Motion and second. Roll call, please. Councilman Monk. Councilman Love.
Yes. Counciloman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Counciloman Colom Montz. Yes. And Council President Sher. Yes. Thank you. We are up to uh all matters considered routine in
nature. Items 10 through 17. Are there any questions please on 10 through 17? No lights at this time. Motion to please to accept 10 through 17. Move. Second. Motion and second. Roll call, please. On 10 through 17.
Councilman Monk. Councilman Love. Yes. Counciloman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Counciloman Colonz. Yes. And council president Sher. Yes. Thank you. On 18. Special vote.
Is there make the motion on 18? Motion second. Motion and second on 18. Councilman Love. Yes. Counciloman Melo. Yes. Councilman Mayor. Yes.
Councilman Garcia. Councilwoman Colinez. Abstain. And Council President Shear. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Uh and it passes. Number nine, Roman nine resolutions. 19 is a closed executive session. Susie,
do we need closed? Thank you and thank you for your help this evening. Um, Mr. Fernandez, the mayor uh stepped out. He'll be back momentarily, I'm sure. Members of the council, Very good. If we could please go into resolutions.
I'm talking about going from 19 through 41 29 20. I'm sorry, ma'am. Where are we? Number 20. Sorry. Run resolutions. We're doing number 20 through
41 through 41. Are there any questions on 20 through 41? No. On 29. Councilman, these are in regards to the parking garage. It's the the final change orders for the
parking garage, including a $60,000 credit. How did we do on the parking garage in terms of cost? Did it come in what we thought was? Yeah, so we we had set aside $14 million and it came in at 13662,87486.
Um that additional funding was used to purchase uh charging stations that were not part of the original contract and certain services that for example the cameras that are not uh for the parking spaces but the security for the rest of
the building the staircases the the the difference whatever is left over that $14 million is going to those items. Uh so ultimately the deck when it's all said and done is $14 million which is exactly on point what we accounted for
even with the change orders. So it's it's very unique that we have a project of that size that hit the number that we anticipated. Excellent work. I know I speak for um all of my colleagues. Excellent work. When do we expect Mr. Fernandez to have
a grand opening? That was my question. So, um, as the mayor discussed at his opening, uh, update, we hope that we have the grand opening sometime next week. So, we're very excited about that parking deck. Yes, looking at the second, if we could give members of the if we
could give members of the council as much notice as possible so that the officer can participate in the opening would be correct. Number 32 is also associated with that. Number 32, councilman is also Yeah. So 32, we bid out, we went out to
bid twice for the rental space. Uh we got a successful bidder that hopes to open up a restaurant in that location. And that's item number 32. Restaurant bar. Restaurant bar. Right. After tonight's meeting, the bar
sounds very I don't even drink and I You're right. We could have went on the street walked. I think I could have used one. Are there any other questions, please? Seeing none lights at this time. Is the motion please to accept items 20 through 41?
Motion and second roll call, please. Councilman Love, yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilwoman Colonz, yes. And Council President Sheer, yes. Thank you. I forgot. Um, and thank
you all for reminding me. We're on Roman numeral sex, please. hearing of citizens in accordance with the open public meetings act and JSA104-1 act the council opens every public meeting for comments of the public however in accordance within JSA 104-2
nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit prohibit or regulate the active participation in any meeting therefore please be advised that the council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate seen material make statements which are
considered bias intimidation in which a person intends to intimidate any individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender handicap, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, or makes comments intending to harass or speak any offensive language. The person who makes these comments will relinquish
their allowed five minutes for public discussion. Is there anyone who would like to address the council at this time? Thank you for your patience. No problem. Yes. My name is Roman.
My name is Roman and I've been a a resident of P for 39 39 years. I have two siblings with special needs. They are 43 and 47 years old
and they still live in the city of P. I want to give my appreciation to Mayor Laura, the department of firefighters and police and all of the people involved in the support of the inclusion of
families with children with special needs. It is important that the families of children and adults with special needs aren't just seen
and heard, but they are in reality included and valued as a part of our community here in PC. I decided to say this in Spanish because I wanted to be heard by both my community
as well as everyone else here. Um, I really appreciate it. I'm trying not to get emotional because as a sister of two brothers that this is this means a lot to me and I'm hoping that families from now on can benefit from something like this. Thank you.
Thank you so very much. Anyone else like to address the council at this time? Seeing no hands, I move to close the public portion. Motion and second. Roll call, please to close. Councilman Love, yes. Councilman Nelo,
yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilman Colz, yes. And Council President Sher, yes. Thank you. We are up to the payment of bills. Roman numeral 11. No. No. I'm sorry. Council President,
we're up to ordinances for introduction and first reading. Okay. Item 1042, a proposed ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by light New Jersey license plate number. Is there a motion please to set down for second and final reading in our meeting
with the second election and second? Roll call, please. Councilman Love, yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilwoman Colom, yes. And Council President Shar, yes. Thank you. We're up to number 43,
please. the proposed ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons. Is there a motion for the shutdown for second and final reading meeting of September the 2nd? Move it. Second. Motion and second. Thank you. Roll call. Councilman Love. Yes. Counciloman Melo. Yes.
Counciloman Mayor. Yes. Councilman Garcia. Yes. Counciloman Colom. Yes. And Council President Shar. Yes. Thank you. Number 44. Please. A proposed ordinance. Except we we took care of we did that bill. Okay. So, we're up to administrator's report.
Payment of bills. Pay of bills. Payment of bills. I'll get this right sometime. Payment of Any questions on the bills? No questions on the bills. Is there a motion, please, to accept the bills? So move. Motion and second. Roll call, please, on the bills. Councilman Love,
yes. Councilwoman Melo, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Counciloman Colom, yes. And Council President Sher, yes. Thank you. the administrator's report. Not at this time, sir. Very good. Thank you so much. Mr. Max, he's like, "Please don't say
anything." I will tell you it is 20 to 10. Is that right? I think we did an excellent job. Yes. Some of us were planning to be here quite late. All right, we are up to the mayor's report. Mr. Mayor, sir.
Okay. Uh members of the council, any comments? Did a good job. All of us together. I think all of us together. Is there a motion? Please, to adjourn. Motion and second. Roll call to adjurnn. Councilman loves.
Yes. Councilman, yes. Councilman Mayor, yes. Councilman Garcia, yes. Councilman Colonz, yes. and council president. A special thank you to Susie and to Matthew. Um, thank you for all your efforts
and to our translator. Mr. President, I think did you comment here to be the permanent? I'm not sure you may want to consider that. All I know is her office is still next to mine and I learn how. Thank you very much. Good job. Ming is
good job.