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Good evening everyone. On behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the special meeting of July 21st, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. Madame clerk, please call the role.

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>> Councilwoman Alford here. Councilwoman Cotton >> here >> is present. Vice President Davila >> present. Councilman Jackson is absent at this

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time. Councilman Khalik >> present. Councilman Mendes is absent at this time. Councilman Omar >> present. >> And Councilman VeZ is absent at this time. Council President Mims

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>> here. >> And we have a quorum. Um, can you please read the special me meeting notice in the 48 hour notice? >> In accordance with the open public meetings act and JSA 10 col4-6

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at SEAC, adequate notice of the time and place was included in the special meeting posted on July 13, 2026 and updated on July 17th. Said notice was posted in city hall's bulletin boards, posted to the city's website, and

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transmitted to the official newspapers designated to receive such notices in addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices. >> Thank you. Our flag salute will be led by Vice President, Councilwoman Davala. Everyone, please stand for the flag

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salute. Flag of our country. Salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. Thank you. >> So to the general public before we get started, um we did speak to I spoke to the OEM coordinator to ensure our safety and the public safety before our meeting and they said and he gave the green

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light for us to go. That's why we're still meeting on tonight. Um madame clerk, we will begin u with our first item on the agenda. Resolution item number one is a resolution to amend resolution number 26

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col224 and resolution number 26201. This is authorizing a budget revision to the CDBG program for fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026 for the reallocation of

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funds. This is stemming from community development and is resolution 26313. So 316 >> moved by council uh president mems and vice president davis. Second by councilman khali. Just a brief discussion. I will do it on a second by

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councilman Khaled. Uh discussion just quickly. The community development committee did meet um last week to discuss these items. This first item is the allocation of funding to the Broadway library in the amount of 243,000.

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Uh to the South Patterson Library in the amount of 381,000 to our new uh rec center uh on 52 Front Street of 50,000 and a new fire ladder truck for the fire department for $1.3 million. We met. We approved this item

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and the second item um uh the second item just in advance will be for 14 new homes through Habitat. Roll call. Madam clerk on item number one. >> Councilwoman Alfred. >> Yes. Um I just wanted to say I was happy

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to see um that there was monies uh put up for the ladder trucks. I know that that was something that was a huge concern for the chief as well as the fire department. So, um, yes. And as as well as the library, my my vote is yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam

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Clerk. Um, I'm I think this is an item that we have for Patterson Habitat. Is this the one? >> This is >> Oh, this is just for the library. Okay. The second one is Habitat. But I know that um we did have the meeting in

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community development and I know that um sometimes people don't understand how hard it is to get equipment. Um sometimes they don't understand how long it takes for them to build a fire truck. >> Um it's not easy. It takes a long time. And so when we vote on something today,

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it might take another two years before we can get it. But at least we know we're on the on the road for it. With that being said, madam clerk, my vote is yes. Vice President Davila, >> my vote is yes. >> Uh, Councilman, colleague,

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>> thank you, Madame Clerk. I just want to make a point that when it comes to our public safety, >> police or fire, this council body >> has always >> has always supported their initiative. I

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just want to point that out. That's all. My vote is yes. Councilman Omar. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I am happy to say that we are getting a new fire truck with these monies and also uh money is being allocated to the South Patterson Library. My vote is yes.

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>> Council President Mims, >> my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> We have six yeses, three absent. This item passes. >> Item number two, Madame Clerk. Item number two is a resolution to amend the home improvement partnership grant

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program budgets for fiscal year 2017, 2020, 2021, 22, 23, and 2024 for the reallocation of funds. This is also from community development and is resolution 26 317. >> Second move by council vice president

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Dava, second by council president Mims. >> Second, second by council cotton. Roll call on item number two. This is for 14 new Habitat homes on Hamilton A and Summer Street. Roll call on item number two. Madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Alford.

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say to the community that this area has been empty for the last 25 years. Um we have to make sure and I can say that we partnership with Pass and Habitat. Um,

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and I know um I just posted something about um they're putting the application out now for if you want to apply for for the new homes that they're building. So, please I think the application opened up today, go to Patterson Habitat, which is on North First Street, uh do an

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application um and they can walk you through the process also of helping you get your credit correct so you be able to apply. And just remember one thing, when you get a home through passing Habitat is zero interest. You're not going to find nowhere else that you can

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get zero interest. So, I just want to make sure I put that out there for you. Madame Clerk, thank you Pas Habitat in the community for seeing the d the need to have this. This area has been empty like that for 25 years. >> Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Mr.

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President Davila, >> I as am happy seeing that the fourth word continues to be developed and there's more growth to come. >> Uh my vote is yes. Councilman Khalik. >> Yes.

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>> Councilman Mendes, we are on item number two. >> Pass, Madam Clerk. >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear. >> Pass for me. >> My vote is yes, Madam Cler. >> Councilman Omar. >> My vote is yes. >> Councilman VeZ, we are on item number

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two. Habitat homes for >> 14 new homes in the fourth ward. >> 14 new homes in the fourth. >> This is resolution to amend the home improvement uh partnership grant program for fiscal years 2017 2020 through 2024.

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>> This for 14 new homes in the fourth ward. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I apologize. I came a little bit late. As you know, I came arrived this morning from Brazil. >> Welcome back. >> Thank you. Uh madame clerk, I think everything is good uh regarding this.

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It's not the first time we been doing it. We've been supporting the fourth ward in this new redevelopment, especially the families that been benefit for this uh type of program. Hopefully, we could get more money to invest in our community, especially those that are really needed. Uh my vote

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is yes on this. >> Thank you, President M. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Yes. >> Got to come back to me. >> Ready, Councilman? >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I see that on on this item item number two uh we consolidating uh year 2017 2020 2021

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2022 23 and 24 consolidate all those number uh for the budget I have a lot of faith on on Pis Habitat for Humanity they have done an outstanding job for years in our community and and we all know that you know uh the need of affordable housing is is is a crisis in

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the city of Patterson and I'm definitely looking forward to support this entity and see them growing also with more project like is what I've been saying. My vote is yes by the clerk. >> Thank you, President Mims. >> Yes. >> Okay. Eight yeses, one absent. This item

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passes. >> Item number three, Madam Clerk. >> Item number three is a resolution authorizing the award of contract to Denver Line Painting Inc. for the UEES thermoplastic striping project for the traffic and lighting division of the

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Department of Public Works. This is resolution 26 calling 318. >> Moved by council, second by council cotton. >> They don't give you a chance. >> Call second. >> Okay. >> Moved by Councilman and Councilwoman Cotton. Second by VP Davala. Roll call

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on item number three. Madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Alford. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you. Um I want to say to the director, this is the company that puts the lines in um for the stop sign. I need you to look at Mercer and um

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Lawrence Street. Um they put the stops this the the line on the on the street, but there's no stop sign on the post. So the lines are there, but Mercer and Lawrence Street never had a stop sign. So I don't think that when they paved it, I'm not sure if that was

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the guy who did it who paved it or I'm not sure because that area never had a stop sign. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes. Vice President Davila. >> So before I vote on this and I am going to direct sorry before I vote on this I

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am going to direct this to uh Director Rodriguez um because we're talking about uh stripping right and um striping. Um, as you are aware, there was some more

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work done on Route 20 and coming into East 43rd. Crossing from Broadway into uh to the left is Patterson Catholic. Uh, they did the lines again. They did not put the arrows back. They only did

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it on the route side, but not and so you could just imagine the uproar since it's been since it was first paved. That was a request because there's been numerous accidents and people still go on the oncoming to make the left onto Broadway

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to go to Elmwood Park. So please, I'm asking you respectfully the arrow going to the right only and the one going straight into towards um 11th A. Okay. Uh and definitely my vote is yes. >> Councilman Khalik,

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>> thank you madame clerk. I just want to thank the UEE director and the team for applying for this grand funding. This is all grand funding money and those stripes are being done in the um uee zone only. My vote is yes, madame clerk.

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>> Councilman Mendes. >> Um thank you madam clerk. I got a question for one of my constituent about this a specific item and um I mean this is the right thing to do utilizing UC funding um through public work to be able to improve the safety in our community through um through lighting um

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and um with the director I'm looking forward to have some conversation about stop sign that are needed the third war and so signal light that are missing so but I definitely am in full support of this my body yes madam clerk >> thank you councilman >> I want to thank the uee and DPW help you

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if we're working together to get this together. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman VeZ. >> Thank you, Councilman Six Worth for saying that because when you do an infusion of a two departments, you get efficiency, you get better results, and the public will see the benefit on it

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and especially in money. When we got the money there, they say we could have it to you DBW. And that's infusion that we want in the city. If you could locate money that we could work together, it will improve the quality of life. It will improve the service and the resident will be happy on it. So I

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commend both of them for u going to the table speak and make it happen. My vote is yes. >> President Mims, >> my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> This item passes. >> Item number four, Madam Clerk. Item number four is a resolution

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authorizing the award of contract to IPL North America Inc. for purchase and delivery of 81664 galon omni carts under the HGAC contract for the recycling division of the department of public works. This is

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resolution 26 319. >> So moved by council vice president Davala and Valz second by council Mendes and Omar. Roll call on item number four. Madam clerk, >> I'm calling for a discussion. >> Discuss. >> This of course happened before I came

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aboard. Yes. >> Um, so I would just like an explanation as to how it's being used. >> Sure. So, director, if you will come. Also, there was a committee meeting, DPW committee meeting where there was a discussion um, as it relates to it. Director, if you can come and give

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information on item number four. >> It wasn't there. Yes, it was. >> Yes, it was. >> It was. >> Yeah, it was. >> Yes. >> Go ahead, Billy. >> Last year. >> I I didn't hear. Um, >> no, she wants >> She just wants to understand what this is for. >> She wants to know what it's used for and

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what what's the >> Oh, these are going to be given out to the uh to the residents of Patterson. Once we get them in, we'll have a giveaway like we did before. Every um resident will be able to get one if they haven't gotten one already. Um the 816 was the amount we get underneath the contract that we have right now with the

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company. Council President C. >> Um, >> thank you. You're welcome, >> Councilman. My colleague, >> where's the money coming from? >> Uh, recycling grant. >> So, is it grant funding or >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Roll call, Madam Clerk. Item number four. >> Councilwoman Alfred,

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>> yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Vice President Davila, >> yes. >> Councilman Khalik, >> yes. >> Councilman Mendes, >> yes. Madam Clerk, >> Councilman Omar, >> yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Vez.

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>> Of course, my vote is yes. >> President Mims, >> um before I vote to our director, I know in the past that you allotted some of the recycling cans to the council members. I'm not sure what the capacity will be this time, but if you can do that this time as well. We get a lot of

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calls from our residents that are in need of recycling cans. By the time they get to the locations, they are gone. So, if we can get a certain number allocated to each council member, that would be great. Uh my vote is yes, >> madam clerk. >> This item is adopted. >> Um item number five, madame clerk, and

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just to update it, there are sponsors on item five and six that are not listed here. So we can read those sponsors into the record. Item number five. >> Item number five is a resolution recognizing August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month in the city of

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Patterson. This is from the city council and it's resolution 26 320. And this is sponsored by Council President Mims. And I will pull. >> So moved. >> Second.

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>> Moved by Council President Mims. Second by Councilman Mendes, Council Vice President Davilla, and Councilman Omar. Roll call on item number five. Madam Clerk. >> Councilwoman Alfred. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to

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read, you know, um the month of August is donors month and I think that sometimes people don't realize um the amount of people that we we have even in the city of Patterson that are donors that have retreat received transplants um whether they're

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double lungs, whether they're heart, whether they're eyes. Um and I just want to say to everyone out there, um the lady name is Denise Peoples. She's a double a double lung transplant survivor for over 20 years and she's gonna have a

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event in and in in and in Ver as community park on August the 8th from 11 to 2 and it's and and the event is called live healthy. Live healthy, eat healthy um so you can be healthy and

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have a long life. So, if you're not busy community, come out on August the 8th um for the live healthy move free community event at Saturday at Barbara Park the 8th. And this lady, her name is Daryl um Denise Peoples. I've been meaning I've

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met her four or five years ago and every year she does this event along with her other partners. Uh, and I say that sometimes people don't realize the amount of people that live in your own community that you don't know that have received a transplant from something and still are here. So, we need to thank God

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that that we're healthy and the ones that are healthy, the ones that can live long with a transplant. With that being said, Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. >> Vice President Davila, >> yes. >> Yeah, she does it every year. >> Councilman Khalik, >> yes. >> Councilman Mendes,

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>> yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Omar. >> Yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Vez, >> does she want to be honored? >> Any form of faction of donation of body, anything that you want to do, it will produce life for other people. And I

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believe this is good. So creating this awareness um week or month is is a blessing for everyone. So my vote is yes. >> President Mims. >> Yes. And I know Miss Peoples is watching. um we will make sure this is

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presented and um framed on that day. There is also community day for Maria Magda on the same day. So uh we will work out the time so we'll make sure that we are not missing any one of those events. Madame clerk, my vote is yes.

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>> This item is adopted. >> Yeah. on this on this item corporation council item number five. Can you add uh Councilwoman Cotton and and Councilman Veles and VP Davala? Thank you. Item number six, Madame

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Clerk. >> Item number six is a resolution honoring Stacy Coleman Wheeler for the 30 years of dedicated commitment and professionalism at Pay County Board of Social Services. This is resolution by the city council number 26 colon 321

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>> second >> and sponsored by President MS and councilwoman Cotton >> second >> and vice president Dava should have been up there um moved moved by Council President Mim second by Cotton

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>> Dava >> Dava Vez roll call on item number six madam clerk >> councilwoman Alford >> yes um I wanted to say congratulations ations to Stacy. Um Stacy has been a dedicated um and consistent um leader at

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the board of social services. So um we're looking forward to uh celebrating her this weekend for her retirement and job well done Stacy. My vote is yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you Madam Clerk. I want to say congratulations to you Stacy on your

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retirement. Um God bless you. enjoy yourself for the rest of the years as we say we have left here on this earth. With that being said, madame clerk, my vote is yes, >> Vice President Davila. >> So, it gives me pleasure as well, you

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know, to congratulate and uh to support this resolution. Uh I am someone that has um first of all, we're neighbors now, but her and I met she was interested in running for office and um

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whenever I needed or even till just recently to have someone be assisted, she was always present. So, like you said, Councilwoman uh Alfred, you know, she definitely uh has been a staple in the Department of Board of Social

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Services. Uh she's going to be missed, but it is your time to continue the next level of whatever it is you want to do. Travel, stay home, do nothing. You deserve it. Congratulations, Stacy. >> My vote is yes. Councilman Khalik,

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>> my vote is yes, madam cler. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Um, and item number six, congratulations to Mrs. Stacy Coleman for 30 years of service uh, serving our community with love and compassion at the board of social service. Enjoy your retirement. And with that being said, my vote is yes, clerk.

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>> Councilman Omar. >> Thank you, Miss Stacy Wheeler, for your dedicated 30 years. Congratulations, and please enjoy your retirement. My vote is yes. >> Councilman Vez, >> good work, Stacy Coleman Wheeler. um serving others and serving the under

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serve is uh real important and that department understand what's the problem of Patterson and for for 30 years you know it's real recommended commended that she did a great job so my vote is yes to the >> president Mims

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>> so to my classmate from the great east side high school mighty ghost uh congratulations on the great work that you have done um to my secretary Uh, Miss Dedra, can we frame this in green, please, to have ready before Friday to

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present to her at her celebration? My vote is yes. >> This item is adopted. >> Item number seven, madam clerk. >> Item number seven is a resolution authorizing the solicitation of bids for the 2026 UEZ road resurfacing program.

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This is for the six ward bid number 26-24 for the division of engineering under the department of public works and it's resolution 26 col 322. >> So move >> moved by councilman Omar and council vice president davalis second by

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councilman Khalik and council president Mims. Roll call on item number seven. Madam clerk >> councilwoman Alford. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Vice President Davila. >> Yes. >> Councilman Khalik. Yes,

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>> Councilman Mendes. >> Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, director, I know uh though we as as we all remember, we hired a company that that put together a study about the priority on how we're going to fix a road. Let me remind you that Fourth Avenue, you know, I've been mentioning

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that for the longest 22nd, uh, East 23rd and East 25th from 4th Avenue to the second. Please, I need you help adding that on the list. I've been requesting I've been making that request for the for for the longest. I'm never I'm not against the SIDS war uh resurfacing project. I always I'm in full support

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resurfacing because we all live in the city of Patterson and we driving our you know around our city. So I want to see all the city of Patterson fixed. Uh but keep in mind that in the third war on the riverside section I need help with that. All right by chair m >> councilman Omar.

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>> Thank you madam clerk. I am happy to work alongside the administration and my fellow colleagues to continue to advocate for the six ward. Uh East Railway, West Railway, California, Kentucky, Buffalo, and Lehi. Uh they're all in dire need, especially East Railway. I I can go back before my time

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and before others that it was it was definitely needed. So, this is definitely something to look forward to and we are one step closer to repaving six streets. Thank you to my colleagues for supporting this and thank you to the administration. And my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Valance. Perfect example, a

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fusion of two departments working together, UEZ and DPW to identify the needs of our community and making sure the money is available for those project. Uh the only thing I got to say is uh and I called the mayor for this.

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Um >> what was that? >> Yeah, he funding. >> Yeah. Um >> I I text the mayor um and I spoke to him over the phone regarding And I believe about two grants that we

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have for for street. Can you look into that? Um, director is um Madison Street and B Street um that surrounding and I I believe we approve it and uh that's why we stopped uh to install the stop sign that we had

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in every street until we uh repaved the area. So, it's Madison Street and B Street between 20 Avenue out to Market Street that I recall that we vote for it about two two years ago. So, uh let's

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keep on paving. Now, last but not least, uh BA, we need to send a message to the utility companies to see how they could merge together a schedule if they need to fix to fix it before we pave it because we wasting the

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money on it. Um you know, going back and forth on pavement. Uh saying that, uh Madame Clerk, my voice. >> Thank you, President Mims. >> So, I'm going to put it on the record. I've been advocating for this for years. We paved Governor Street and we left off

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the lower part. I know that is a sewer uh concern at the bottom, but I am putting it back on the record. We should before any more bids come out, the lower part of Governor Street has to get done. I'm I've asked I now I'm demanding

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because we cannot pave the whole portion of Governor Street and leave one block. So to the administration, please let's get that block done. My vote is yes. >> It's approved. >> This item passes. >> It's approved. >> So, u Madame Clerk, item number eight and number nine, we can you can read

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them both together, different resolution numbers, but um we can read them both together for the entertainment and dance license. >> I can read them both together. I'll still need two separate roll calls. >> Oh, you will? Okay. So, item number eight, Madam Clerk. >> Item number eight is a resolution addressing the renewal of dance hall

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license for Express Service Association, Inc. This is on 47 Goodwin Street in the first ward resolution from finance 26 323. So moved. So moved. Moved by council president Mims and Vice President Davis. Second by Councilman

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Mendes and Khalik. Roll call. Item number. Item Council Member. Welcome back. Item number eight. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Alfred. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Vice President Davila. >> Yes. Councilman

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Khalik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Thank you, Council President and Council VP for addressing this matter and adding this into the agenda. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Omar, >> my vote is yes. >> Councilman Vez. >> President Mims. >> Yes.

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>> My vote is yes. >> This item is adopted. >> Item number nine, Madam Clerk. >> Item number nine is a resolution addressing the renewal of an entertainment show license for Express Service Association in the first ward. This is from finance resolution 26 col

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324. >> So moved. Moved by council president mems, second by council vice president daba. First by moved by mems and dava. Second byz and mendes. Roll call on item number nine. Madame clerk. >> Councilwoman Alford.

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>> Yes. C >> uh councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Vice President Davila. >> Yes. >> Councilman Khalik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes. Yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Omar. >> Yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Veles.

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>> I want to take opportunity to congratulate Mr. Norto Kurumay in celebration of his uh >> succeed and uh and and his goals and his achievement on on education. Yes. And his birthday even that I was

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not here I was looking at everybody's social media. It was beautiful. Um saying that uh let's let's let's use this place. people could go and and knock the doors and I know it's a good place to be. So, um and well respected.

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So, my vote is yes on this. >> President Mims. >> Uh my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> This item is adopted. >> Thank you. So, I just checked for public portion. There are no speakers for public portion. Can I get a motion to close public portion? A motion to close

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by Councilman Bles, second by uh Council Vice President Dava and Councilman Omar. Roll call to close the public portion. >> Councilwoman Alfred. Yes. Councilwoman Cotton.

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>> Vice President Davila. Before I vote, uh, Council President, I know that we're just closing the public portion, but I want to thank you for running an effective meeting. We all received our items. We read everything. This is what it's about. Coming here and doing the business of the people. My vote is yes

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to close the public portion. I am going to stand up for a minute. >> Councilman Khalik, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Mendes, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Omar, >> my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Vez,

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>> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Council President Mims, >> yes to close the public portion. >> Public portion is now closed. So, to the public, it is now 5:30 p.m. All of the agenda items on the special meeting of July 21st are completed. Madame Clerk,

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uh we will move after we do roll call to close the special meeting into a a public hear a budget hearing session which does not require public hearing. Um but we will be having discussions regarding the budgets of our various department heads which will be led by

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our finance chair. Madame clerk, can we call the role to close the meeting, special meeting of July 21st? >> I need a mover and a seconder. >> We have a motion by a motion by

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Councilwoman Cotton. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Veles. Roll call to close the special meeting of July 21st, 2026. >> Councilwoman Alford. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Cotton.

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Vice President Davila is absent at this time. Councilman Khalik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Clerk. Before we close this um special meeting and start with a budget hearing, um um Mr. VA and Mr. CFO, and now that you guys are here,

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I I I have a request. I I I'm looking forward to put together in the floor a whether it's a whether it's an ordinance or a resolution to to be able to help our homeowners. Let me explain to you what is all this all about. Um the in the last couple of months we sold around

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1,200 tax lean in the city of Patterson. When people are behind on their taxes whether the sewer bill we not we don't allow the homeowners to make a partial payment but we sell those lean to those private entity that charge 18% on the on

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interest. It's almost impossible for those homeowners or property owner to get back on track after they have to pay 18% plus what they own behind. And we refuse to allow a homeowners to pay a partial payment. I mean, home is a necessity. It's not a luxury. I truly

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believe that things are getting tough. We taxes went up, sewer went up. We got people behind on their taxes, on their sewer, and we're not making that we're not making that easy for for those people for those homeowners to get back on track. Uh when they when they where they come to city hall to try to make a

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partial payment, the answer is no. So, I'm looking forward to see whether whether it's an ordinance or a resolution to be able to help those property owner to make partial payment in those um taxes or sewer bill that they have because we easily sell those uh taxes and sewer to to those private

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entity and the 18% is on top of that. So, we're going to have a lot of people losing their home here in the city of Patterson. Why? Because after two years um the city allow those entity to do a foreclosure on those property which is the loan within the loan. So, we got to protect our homeowners and I'm looking

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forward to have that conversation and you are the right person to sit down with legal and see how we going to be able to help our homeowners be able to make partial payment whether it's two or three payment until they get back on track and not selling those lean to those entity that make a lot of money.

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We have a lot of people making money in the back of our homeowners in the city of Patterson. I'm looking forward uh to to find a solution with that being said. Madam Clerk, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman Omar. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Vez, >> it sounds good. Great. Let's see what

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DCA says and what the state law says because there's a tax uh law. There's a obligation to fulfill. I'm not saying disregarding what his intention is, but uh it sounds good, but the state we re

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we have aou in place and we just received $76 million that probably the book of instructions of that $76 million is in the table and now we facing challenges with DCA. Uh saying that once

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again it sounds good but we need to follow the rules and regulation from the state of New Jersey and DCA and theou that we have in place. Uh my vote is yes closes >> and president Mims. >> So to the BA um there was a request on

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the floor by our councilman. There needs to be some conversations but we know we have to follow the process. uh those things need to be vetted through the proper committees and our council members have to make sure they participate in the committees and um do their due diligence before it even makes it to the floor. U Madame clerk, with

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that being said, my vote is yes to close the special meeting of July 21st, 2026. >> Seven yeses to absent. This officially closes the special meeting of July 21, 2026 so that no further business is conducted.

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>> Thank you. So, we are now done with uh the first part of the city's business, which was the agenda or items are completed. At this time, we will begin our p uh budget hearings. So, while we're uh preparing for that, um madame clerk, we need to have a table here with

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the chair for the director uh that will be speaking unless we will utilize the mic. If we don't have it in if it's not prepared, the director could stand here at the mic. Council person, >> that that might be better unless you want us to pull a chair right now. >> No, because then we would have to do

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mics. So, let's use the uh podium um for the uh the budget hearings. All council members, you should have received an email with the documents in it as well as you all have a binder in front of you just to go over some of the protocols.

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You also uh we received and I know you've seen um it all over social media. the mayor has already sent it out and it was sent an email that we received $76.2 million in transitional aid. Um, we want to thank the mayor. We want to thank

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this council for the great work that we did on last year and our state legislators, our senator, our assembly members for their due diligence um, and working hard with our governor Mikey Cheryl to be able to close uh, the huge gap that we were facing for this year.

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If uh we were not awarded the uh money that we were awarded, you'll hear more about that on August 11, which will be our special meeting to do our introduction of the budget. Um there are some requirements as council member Le so eloquently stated. Every council

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member, you have theou uh requirements. They will email to every one of you so that you're familiar with what that looks like. And we'll go into more detail on that on August 11 um in a special workshop in the special meeting on that date. But for tonight, our goal is to hear from our department

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heads. They've already gotten um information and instructions from the administration um on what it looks like. I know sometimes we hear 76 million and we think there's some extra money to allocate to departments. That money was to close the gap. So there is uh no

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millions of dollars left to say give it to this department, that department, or any department. we were facing uh $76 million almost $77 million gap because the cost of health care uh was $23.4 $4

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million it went up. Um, and there's so many other things. The police department about 8 million which were under state control as you already know. So the state covers theirs. Uh, fire departments about $4 million. And then you have DPW which is in the range of 1

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to2 million in overtime. >> But I I'm admonishing all council members to look at theou um that was emailed to you. All those documents. There will be a presentation on the 11th to go over that. But tonight we're mandated to do a budget hearing

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and that's what we will do on tonight. Councilman uh Mendes and then Councilman. >> Just I have two question. Um we plan to go through all the entire department tonight. >> Every department. Yes. >> I don't see. Okay. I got a police department. All right. So I think that the we should >> we're starting as soon as council

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>> we should have a table in the front and I have mic set out that way we could have a better conversation. >> No council president. We'll we'll use the podium. >> All right. With that being put in my in my closing on my last request uh Mr. VA about allowing our homeowner to make partial payment on their late taxes and

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sewer. I understand that we have a anou that we got to go through but government should work for the people and we should find every way any possibility to help our homeowners and to make sure that people stay in Patterson and don't lose their property. I totally understand. I've been here for a minute about theou

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this that's not nothing new but we better we got to find a way to help our resident. That's the reason why I'm putting that request um on record tonight to make sure that we find a way to allow our homeowners, property owner to be able to make partial payment on lake sewer and lake taxes. That way we

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don't sell those lean to those people. I charge 18% on top of what they own already. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Uh Council President, so we going to have a hearing with uh the budget with all the departments? Yes. Tonight >> we have a schedule. I'll

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>> So we have everybody that represent >> every department head was instructed to be here. Yes. >> Department head. Uh >> so public safety is going to be in other words represented by um director Jared Spia. >> Yes. They have certain times to be here. So

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>> Okay. Are are they going to be here? Are the the chief? >> Yes. >> The chief is going to be here. Okay. Yeah. That's main concern. Yeah. >> All right. So we can move forward. >> Okay. So uh we'll call Thank you, director. >> You look great.

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>> Our first uh department head is economic development, >> Mr. uh Washington. One second. One sec. >> Is it on? >> Hello. >> Yes. >> Good evening.

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Okay, Mr. Washington. >> Hi. Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity, Council President, before going with the acting director from economic development. May I ask a question? >> Sure. >> Um, and the reason I I I'm asking this

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question is because I I was in Brazil. I noticed in the article in the newspaper that Mr. Mike Powell was back and was hired already. So, um, are you going to take accountability and responsibility of whatever has happened from this point on? >> Well, in this

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>> So, so one second. I will let the B right. It's for the BA to answer. He just started yesterday. Mr. BA, can you give the answer to that? I don't think he should do that. >> I'll answer that. And I just have a quick comment before we start if I may. Correct. Um, so guest Councilman Director Powell rejoined the the city of

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Patterson yesterday. Um I have been working very closely with uh um um assistant director and interim director Mr. Vo on a lot of staffing issues through the year. So he is in the best position to talk about the 26 budget because he and I have interacted for

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several months on various staffing situations and changes. So >> so uh saying that um Mr. Ba the conversation have been with you and him. So you agree in his budget, correct? And he agreed in that budget. What about if

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Mike Powell comes in and he don't agree in this budget? We need more. Are we going to reinvent the wheel? Are we going to go back and forth and his budget? >> Mr. Powell is aware of how we're doing this tonight and and he has, you know, he didn't object to it. Council President, if I may, just to set set the

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scene, you know, for what we're doing here tonight. is going to um president >> if I may. >> So under our form of government Patterson specific form of government um it is the administration that presents the initial budget to the council. Our

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plan is to do that on August 11th. Um but um state statute um um mandates that a bud budget hearings with the council occur as part of the budget process. So, I want to preface the the fact that all the presentations that you'll see tonight, the administration has already

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had these internal meetings over the last several months. Um, some of the some, you know, in your packet, you'll see a 26 column with various position numbers. This is an opportunity for the for the um department heads and the council to interact about staffing needs. you know what the current needs

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are, what the future needs are, and the administration will take all of the feedback, the back and forth, and make final decisions about what we transmit to the council for August 11th. So, nothing is totally set in set in stone, but you know, we're operating with the

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money that we're operating within. So, we don't have tremendous wiggle room, but today is this is not the this is not the introduction of the budget. This is a strong framework. And after today's comprehensive conver uh conversation, the administration will put the final touches and transmit a budget for your

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consideration. >> Finance chair. >> All right. So, at this time, um I'd like uh everyone has the budget book. >> Uh I'd like for you to begin. Um thank

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you very much for standing in. Uh you're still the assistant director, right? >> That's correct. >> But thank you for standing in as interim. Okay. Uh and so I'd like us to begin um with the first uh budget book here.

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>> Thank you. Uh my main objective to tonight it is to basically say that our department economic development main objective has been to be fiscally responsible and at the same time to maintain ourselves budget neutral. >> Is that on? shows on over here.

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>> It is on. >> Bring it. >> Okay. >> Can you hear me? >> Can you hear me now? >> Yeah. >> Better. Thank you. Okay. As said before, my main objective as your director working closely with the administration in this case with the business

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administrator has been to overlook and reframe reconstruct economic development in totality and predominantly is to look at the human assets that have been in need for many years and especially in 2026. That being said, our objective has

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been to be fiscally responsible and to maintain ourselves budget neutral. We understand that as anouou we don't want to put more financial stress or exposure to the city and taxpayers. With that said, what we've done is internally we've been able to take and maneuver and look at really items or personnel that

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had not been being used in different uh different areas and reallocate those assets to where they are heavily needed. One of the examples is community improvement. In community improvement, we we have been uh given the extra the extra manpower needed there. In other

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words, we were all allocated three new clerks, a uh an assistant uh an assistant uh an assistant director moving forward in community in uh planning and zoning board as well in community improvement. In community improvement, I'll give you

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some just quick highlights in there. For the past couple of years, there really hasn't been much improvement. But till today I can with with a lot of pride say that every single Oprah is up to date. all rental certifications are up to date

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and a lot of it has been with the aggressive uh oversight of uh Sabrina Curry who has really taken on the challenge to oversee that department and make a full full plan of action on on the individuals that are needed as well as the inspectors and given a very

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specific narrative direction and oversight on how to move forward and not just come to work and not be be responsible for your job. The UEE is another example. Excuse me. UCCc where currently, even though we're we're still highly understaffed in that department.

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I'll give you some quick numbers. Year to date, that department has provided $954 permits. A total financial location of $657,000 for the UCCC. And that's UCCC alone. compared to last

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year that they had 232 permits. Penalties till today we have 24 penalties equivalent to $26,000. Our main objective is to restaff economic development to have a direct correlation

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to the increase of funds that should be coming into the city. So our objective is That is a commercial break that we have. >> Thank you. >> It is has been I'm sorry. Has been budget neutrality. >> No, thank you.

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>> And fiscal responsibility with the current assets that we have. With that being said, uh I mean there's not much more. We looked at in in thorough review of the actual plan uh with this and I have sir uh Mr. Vas Councilman I have presented the uh the

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paperwork the information to Mr. Powell as well for his review and to also continue our conversations throughout the week being he just came back on. >> So council president >> one second. >> Okay. >> All right. So, Councilman Kik uh council president and then councilman bellis

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>> director what are the departments that >> your your department oversees >> we have >> under in other words under your economic development what >> under my previous community I improvement >> okay give me one second >> UCCC which is the building department

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>> historical which is John Franco >> we have Miss Dela White the movies and all that we have UI PZ planning planning and zoning. >> So I see a lot of major departments

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under you. Okay. Your the budget that you presented do you have enough staffing to oversee all these departments? >> No sir. That's why excuse me let me just reiterate at the current time. No. right now if everybody has been on boarded. No, that's why aggressively I have been

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working very closely one-on-one with the business administrator which and VCA who has been very helpful in actually allowing us and move forward with the current staffing that's needed. Um at this point I believe 90 or 99% of all the staffing needs that we have

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requested has moved forward. It's just a matter of now the paper process. So how many vacant positions you have >> through all all all the departments that that you overseas? >> How many vacant position do you have?

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>> Those departments 10 15 approximately 25 positions >> across all of them. >> Yeah. >> How many just in community? Sorry. >> Wait wait wait wait is going by order. How many of those were

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budgeted for last year? >> I'm sorry. >> How many of those position were budgeted for last year? >> The majority in the majority were but not in the way that we have rearranged them. There was a lot of positions in UE

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that had never been utilized. So what I have done is in conjunction is remove a lot of those positions not not remove but actually transfer some divisions to other where they actually heavily needed. anam I'll give you an example a uh

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secretary at the UCCC office that position has never been utilized so we took that position transfer that position to the zoning department where we do heavily need clerks so we're that's what we've done with with that uh with those departments

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>> the reason I'm um asking all this question most of the complaint from the residents that we hear is some of these departments uh when they come for permits there are delays Mr. Bier

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you I mean you know of it also inspections and whatnot so what are we in this budget that you're presenting >> so >> that it could be improved for the for our constituents

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>> Mr. or direct anybody. >> Yeah. >> So, um you know, specifically within UCC, um we have had a tremendous disciplines. I think they were put out at 90,000. >> That that is correct.

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>> And nobody applied for for 12 months, >> actually for a year and a half. >> For a year and a half. So, we've had to fill those gaps with part-time hourly people, which, you know, they schedule their work around their other full-time jobs. Um, so, but the funding, you know, I mean, those positions are in the

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budget. So, we're going back to DCA and trying to up those those, you know, up those salaries, you know, maybe 10,000 at a time to try finally fill those positions. Once we have full-time people under the construction official and assistant construction official, they're, you know, they work for us eight hours a day as opposed to this

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part-time thing that we're trying to to smush together right now. So, that's one of them. >> One of the examples, if I may may say, at the respect of the UCZ, if you've noticed recently, we do have a new technical assistant that we recently brought in on boarded a few weeks ago.

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We also have a new clerk too in there. One of the reasons why those positions took so long to actually on board is because to be able to eliminate or or have the positions that were filled by other people, it took over half a year for them so we can actually remove them

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legally. And unfortunately, that is just the what the law required. But it took an enormous amount of time to get those position emptied so we could put individuals there that want to do the job and want to come to work. In regards to the inspectors, the biggest challenge we've had has been the income itself.

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>> Okay. The >> Okay. The last question. This this is a or a statement. This is a revenue generating department. >> Is one of the most important department in city of Patterson.

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>> Mr. Bier, I think you need to work hands in hands with this department. to help their needs. If they need more people, make sure to fulfill them. So, it could generate revenue. You cover

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their salaries. I'm pretty sure uh you will cover the salary with that revenue even probably more. We'll get more. So, it is very important that you look into this department specifically um with your magnify glasses and and get

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the job done. Thank you, >> Council President. >> Yes. So, you took the words off my paper. So, not just for this department, but every department, Mr. Ba, that is a revenue generating department. What I would like to see in the budget hearings is the amount of revenue they have

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generated. Right? So, when you're coming to say, I need five more people on my TCOP or three more people, we look at the revenue that's generated to see how we can consolidate. I think you did a good job in this budget of looking like

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shifting things around. I see that you're asking for like principal planner, keyboard clerks, different things in here. I don't see um another thing that I would like to see too like a page of wish list like what is it that you really desire for your department?

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What does that look like? The revenue generated if you're re revenue generating department. And then then we can look into what's here versus what you had in 2025 versus what you're looking for in 2026 and what the difference of cost is, right? Because we

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know that every department head that will come before us, you have a lot of things that you're going to ask for. We know that there are some things that DCA probably most things that they're going to push back on, right? But if we can present the case where we can say revenue they generate like you said,

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what was it? $600,000 was generated in this department based on this quantity of work based on us doing these things. Also, when it comes to some of the complaints, I would like noted too where it says there's what a 21-day turnaround where we're not

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meeting those things. Those things should be considered too. Why are we not meeting the 21-day turnaround UCCC fees where we're looking to increase those fees? But we have to make sure in this department specifically that all of these things are tight. We have to make

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sure that the staff is there. We have to also um be a look into all departments to find out through um retention. Why are we losing certain individuals in departments where it becomes a revolving door? Whether it's salary, whether it's

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attendance, all of those things should be calculated. So, and those are things they don't have to be here with us because that's administrative, but behind the scenes in a department, what is the attendance like in that department? Why is the work not being done? Is it because of the attendance or is it because of a staffing issue that

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they don't have enough? Because I think it's a variation of both, but it's not painting in the picture when the directors come before. But I think you did a good job of putting some stuff here, but it doesn't really paint the real picture of the needs of that department. So when you have your

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conversation with the director, um please make it noted. I'm sure he's watching. Um but those are things that we would like to see especially as we move forward towards introdu introduction and the adoption of the budget. Thank you ba madam and director >> council councilman.

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>> Thank you madam chair uh >> tremendous then it be then you >> I was first he was first. Okay. Okay, >> Madam President, may I ask for >> Madame President, may I be Yes. I just wanted to address briefly your your comments and your concerns. You're

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absolutely right. What we did do internally, we had a a comprehensive analysis of what were the deficiencies predominantly relative to why the job wasn't being done. And it wasn't in regards to retention of individuals. It was in reality the lack of the lack of individuals. for whatever reason, no

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attention had been paid to the actual nitty-gritty work. Right? So when the analysis came back in, and this is a full analysis that we presented both to the VA and to DCA was why why do we have hundreds of thousands of dollars that have not been collected if not millions of dollars and a lot of was because of

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lack of the personnel but not of the higherend personnel but more of this lower staffing the keyboarding clerks won, twos and threes and that was a predominant factor. We just did not have the staffing the staffing appropriated to do all the the the uh the data entry

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work. For example, see clicks fix I'll give you brief example seek flex complaint there were over 2,000 complaints that had never been addressed and I'll go into zoning alone. That's simply because they only had one clerk for whatever reason. I do not know why it was never addressed accordingly nor

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the staff and needs provided. You had over 300 fire uh department referrals, over 200 resident minimum just at a one-site complaints. In equivalent losses, if we look at the actual numbers, we're looking at anywhere from a,000 $100 to $1,000. Resident

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complaints equivalent to over $100,000 in revenue losses. Click fix approximately 400,000 in losses. Referrals from fire 300,000. In total, close to a million dollars in losses. The underlying factor is the lower staffing needs. That being said, after this comprehensive analysis was done

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internally, we provided that to DCA and to the VA who pretty much gave the green light and all the staffing that we need in regards to the higher level for inspectors that require DCA licensing. That's has been has been basically being the income levels. But the lower levels

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with we you will see in the next 90 days staffing come in and abort because they have been approved. So just in just a response very quickly. So the comprehensive analysis that was done, can you send a copy of that to all the council members? >> Absolutely. >> Mr. Ba, um I'm not sure what it looks

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like, but that may be something that could be used as a model for every department head. Um especially he's saying that their work can't get done because of lack of staffing. That may not be the case in every department. However, you need to do some type of study to prove your case as to the need

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um in every department. But I am going to put on the record that the city needs a retention specialist to identify why people are leaving, why there's a revolving door, um to understand like what is that the nature of to try to save some of these people to keep them on the books.

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>> Thanks, Madam Chair. >> Council Veles, right? Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, first of all, it's not a secret and and I agree with you, council president, that we had to do a forensic

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study. Why we we losing a lot of good employees, but I could say one easy without doing that study. It's a shame the salary that they paying and uh when they see $34,000 starting in a clerk

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position and another city is paying 40, you know, they they they're going to be and they got potential they're going to leave is the salary attractive salary that we want to keep uh employees here because at the time they get that salary

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then increase of insurance increase of this and that they take peanuts home. Uh, director um um you you have here and I notice in every position

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in this budget 2026 that you have a 3% salary increase to all of them. Um this is contractual. >> I'm sorry. Say again, sir. 3% salary increase for example.

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Uh the office of director of community improvement that have been vacant. >> What are we using? >> Almost almost a year. Uh you have you're going to hire one director of community improvement. You're going to hire one. We don't we

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don't have one there, right? A community improvement director. No. >> No, not yet. >> Okay, good. So that salary was 86500 uh 86,550 and it's going up to 8971 and you put in a three a 3% salary

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increase on that uh um my question is if if you are hiring and then and and and based on the scale that we have for salary are you putting that 3% based on that

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scale or you just giving a 3% increase because you want to. >> No, I'm going to refer that specific question to the finance. >> Yeah, but make that note uh for I could not go back and forth. >> Councilman, if I may add, just you know, our our different unions have settled at different numbers. Some are out of

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contract for some time. So, some some the highest settlements are three. So, as a conservative amount, that's what we apply to each position because contracts could settle between now and then. So, everyone's between two and three. We use three as a conservative.

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>> So, so in other words, and I I pointed out the one as community development, okay? Uh improvement, sorry. Because that position had been vacated for all almost a year and and you're going to tell me that the person is not hired yet

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and he's going to be treated with 3% uh uh increase of his salary. when when this person should if you're hiring somebody from from from from the other from the other side of the fence

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come in with a low uh u uh with the one already established now giving 3% increase without improving or proving that he could handle the job. Uh, and I think that I agreed on the contractual ones, uh, and I don't have no problem

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with that, but when I look at the community improvement one that had been vacated, uh, for almost a year, um, and but he's increasing the salary coming in through the door from 86,000

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to 89,000. Councilman, if I may, if that position is vacated, which for the majority of this budget year was not the case, >> um we have to get permission from DCA to post the job. And normally what happens if somebody leaves at 85, we we tend to

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like, you know, put get permission to go from 70 up to 85 where that person left depending on the qualifications, experience of someone coming in. So this is a maximum number that we're not intending automatically to hand somebody, but if somebody a strong candidate does come in that we feel

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should pick up where the last person left off, it's budgeted for, but we hope it's less. >> So So you hope you to hire somebody in this year. >> We hope to have a you know Yes. >> No, just in case you say no so we could

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strike this $89,000 and and and put it back to to the to the general fund. Council Councilman and it's it just came >> No, no, I'm not going to cut you off. I was just going to say don't don't don't talk about cutting. No, that has happened in some department and it's a disaster.

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>> It's it's what he stated. He was stated that he probably not, but he's going to find somebody that would will come in for that money. So, director um and and my coun council colleague stated that this is the department that brings

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revenue to the city of Patterson. I know that uh Dr. Paul please um I know that we had a ordinance in place uh uh to approve uh the increase of of fees and UCC uh department.

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Yes, hopefully this will bring more revenues to hire more people into that department. Um I could say it and I got to give you credit um since you took over uh this department uh have been

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working uh accordingly. Um not in 100% but it's it's working. It's working. I see people satisfied. I have conversation with other people that invest in our city. They don't care to pay more if the service going to be

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prompt in the dot. And I and and that's the message I receive. If if you could increase permits or whatever and the efficiency is good for them. So saying that u director um I think that we got clear

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some of those are contractual. I don't get I don't get involved between contraction and contractual. If the union fight for it, we going to pay for it. So uh thank you council president. Thank you madam chair. Um >> uh thank you madam chair of finance

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director how are you our acting director Mr. Washington, even though you're not the director. Let me start by saying that you've been very on top of the department. You've been very accessible, especially to everybody, you've been really on top of the department doing your best to correct all the problem

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that affecting um those multiple department that you're facing that are on under your shoulders. So, you have done an outstanding job based on what I see in a everyday uh operation. But let me start by saying that just for the record the division of planning and zoning director so only sounding in

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which I'm going to speak about only from 97,723 you went up to 1,48,516 that's $140,000 up 794 15.5%. We have one new position there. Now the division

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of community improvement we went up 149,000 from 600,000 we went to 749,58 that's 24% increase on solid wage um on um the UCCC code uh you have seven

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new position there we went from $112,617 to1,554,85 so 741,568 PA up that's 86.5% more in salary uh on UCC code only in salary and wage and also the division of

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economic development you adding another one new position which is a clerk 2 uh from 490,000 you went up to 592,441 which is 102,441 uh up and um and historic preservation

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you went 6.4 for um up on salad which is 11,950 seats and no new position. Now we all know you hear this every single day. People they they feel frustrated about especially community improvement. They prefer to do work without permit in the

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city of Patterson because someone next to impossible to pull out permit and the whole process. Sometime I have to reach out to you when there's a oil tank removal. Something as simple as a oil tank somebody selling a property and it and it take almost forever. So and

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people have to keep calling. So there's not a clear process on the deadline that people have to wait for any permit. So with all those position that you adding you're adding 67.6% plus 86% of salary and wage in all those department is that's the plan that you

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have in place to correct all those problem and I'm speaking about um the delay of permit the lack of inspector to go out there in the community um inspection specifically uh and and the situation that we facing. It's that's the plan that you that you that you're

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facing and and that's the first question and the second question are those position are vacant at this moment or we have people in those position as we speak now >> we have so first question in regards to my plan yes the my phase a plan a for me

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right phase one it is to assess and reconstruct and by that I mean the deficiencies and I know I've said this before where where the problems were that's what we had a comprehensive analysis which you will receive soon on those deficiencies and mainly is lack of personnel and I'm going to be specific

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to the zoning department which the biggest challenge has been there is processing and in this case I'm going to refer to our zoning officer where his biggest challenge has been how does he do his job okay independent of the personalities how does he do his actual

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his actual job review the plans assess the applications either approve them or deny them and move them on down the chain so he's only had one clerk. I've been here two and a half years, almost three years re uh soon. He's had one clerk and the individual a lot of times

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is absent. So if he only has one clerk who does the counter, receives applications, reviews all the click click fix uh emails and everything else from the consumers, it's unachievable. So my focus has been is now we know what

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the problem is. You're going to get two more clerks who have already been approved. It is a matter of now getting the paperwork out of the way, posting the positions and interviewing. With that, we've also are are heavily heavily dependent and have been utilized individuals from the county who sends

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young ladies in to help us do the work, all the the the clerical work, the paperwork, they're filing because what I really want to do is home in on those individual who have specific tasks such as the zoning officer and the assistant zoning officer to do their job and not to be filing papers, not to be doing

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data entry. I want them doing their job reviewing the applications, approving them, denying them or moving the individual forward and not doing clerical work. I want clerks to do those jobs and the same thing for the building department and community improvement as well as well as that one clerk that you

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saw in mind is because as you see I am overwhelmed myself and I need at least one clerk for myself. Everything else I'll handle. But those those are the objectives and beyond that to expand further is to also create excuse me to provide individuals with the proper

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training. Customer service has to be a must. It's not a question whether you want to be customer service friendly. You have to real civil servants. It is our duty and our responsibility to guide and instruct individuals on the paperwork necessary to move forward. >> Um thank you director. And the second

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question are those position available now or we have people already placed on those position? Some are available already pending just to go on on uh on postings. So we currently have been 375s have been done on most of the positions. The 375s have been signed off. Uh

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they're ready to be posted. >> What do you mean 375 by that? Just for a lack of a better term how many position are baking and how many position we have people on because we're going through the budget. So this it depending whether we approve it or not or whether we go. So I would like to know like how many

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position we have vacant right now as we speak >> vacant in total of new positions that are here still pending approximately 25 25 out of those 25 we have 10 positions that have been approved so we got roughly 15 positions still in the gaps

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>> okay director I'm going to speak about because we're talking about the budget we're not directly but the budget reflect the quality of service that you will provide to the resident of the city of Patterson and the reason why I'm asking you is is this is your plan Because as you know, I mean the biggest problem, one of the biggest problem that

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we have in the city of Patterson is that department. Listen, when people have to fix a sidewalk and they have to wait 6 months for a permit, that doesn't make sense. Nowhere. When people selling their property and they put a request to remove the oil tank and you have to wait three months, the mortgage the mortgage

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will not you will lose the the the the loan because of that time. So uh solar pan when people apply to put a solar paner in their property the mortgage the loan it's you have a time window a small time window for you to qualify for the loan. If you extend the time you lose if

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you pass by six month all of that is happening in the city of Patterson. All of that is affecting the homeowners and right now we already know how the taxes are in the city of Patterson. The sewer and and all the bills that our resident have to go through and on top of that if we want to do an extension forget it.

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you have to wait a year, year and a half, I don't know how long, in order for you to be able to get the approval. So, with that being said, if you telling me that this is the plan for us to fix him, I'm willing to go ahead because I guarantee you that this department is self sustainable. I guarantee you that

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if we put, you know, all the the right team of this department, we'll wave more money than the budget that we putting in. It will be revenue every year for the city of Patterson. And finally, in closing, madame uh chair, I mean, what I would like to see is a budget projection in term of revenue for this department.

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Uh budget projection every month. How much money we're generating from the each department because we could generate a lot of money for this department. And in closing, I as I say, you're not the director, but you have done a very good job uh in front of that department. I see you at taking care all

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the problem that going through that department. So, so, uh, I have a lot of faith that you're going to work, um, with the same passion with the new director and get the job done. So, I wish you the best of luck and we need you help. The city of Paso need your help with this department because it's

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out of control right now. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you very much, Councilman Mendes. Um I I I would ask my colleagues, I think you're all aware of our roles uh as council members uh as the legislative

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body. And so um the asks of what we want to see, we can go through the administration as as we indicated, right? This um budget is presented by the administration. We will

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then review based on the knowledge and the things that we know, but we can't tell them how to run their department. We can't do that. Okay? So, we can make recommendations when we're in meetings. We can talk to the BA and again and once

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you come to and it's time for us to vote on this budget if you feel that you you can't support it because you have not presented what a council person, right? But as a whole, we have to just understand our roles as the legislative body. Uh so I just wanted to just say

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that um Councilman Omar, >> thank you. Thank you, Vice President. Council Mendes, thank you for everything you said. I just have one question. You said there's 25 open positions, right? How many for UC and how many for um community improvements? UCC, I understand its challenges and

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whatnot, but with community improvements, I mean, I've called for certain addresses on July 6th, and they didn't get back till till last week or this week, yesterday. >> If if that happens again, please give me a call. >> No. And I you've been good with that.

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But how many open positions at community improvements? >> I'll tell you right now, >> out of the 25 for the entire department, how many are open? improvement. I believe there's >> five or six openings. >> Five or six openings. >> I have the numbers here somewhere.

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>> Okay. And then how many for UCCC? >> This is the aggressive one. >> While the uh assistant director is looking, I just want to clarify something. these 25 positions would be filled in a per in a perfect world, >> right? >> Budget issues, you know. So, we're we're

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really we're triaging with DCA approval the most important in that order. >> 12. >> 12. >> Yes. >> So, 12 in UCCC and five in in uh Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um, thank you, finance chair.

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Um I need to ask you um director um with with these departments for economic development you got um division of planning and zoning community improvement you got UCC uh I don't know why historic preservation is in your department but

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um my question is for the first one I'm looking at division of plan and zoning and I see that you have two assistant zoning officers. I thought there was one zoning officer. There is only one. The other one is the uh gentleman who has

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been suspended for a while. >> Oh, we got And he's still getting paid, right? >> No, man. But I would refer that to uh to the administration. >> Oh, I you know what? I didn't know. I thought we only had the one, but you're saying now we have two, but one is suspended and I have to get the

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information offline. Um because my understanding I needed to ask a question and sometimes I always thought it was confusing um why the secretary board and commission is making more than the zoning officer. >> I'm sorry. >> Is that because why is the secretary of

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the board is two of them and are they because they do the planning board because they do the board of adjustment meeting >> because they work full-time and do a dual job. So there's two two individuals here not just one. I see two. >> And my question is the he they're making

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more than a zoning officer and that's I'm asking you is that because they're doing the zoning meetings? >> Well, correct. They're doing the meetings. Yes. >> Right. Um now I I think I heard you said u Mr. Washington that that that you were

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caught up over there in the building department. >> I'm sorry. Are you caught up with with the lateness of um are they caught up with with the lateness of filing and whatever? One thing I think that sometimes the committee needs to understand that if somebody is doing

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illegal conversion you got to go to the board zoning board first not zoning board but zoning office. They then send a referral to the building department where then the building department then supposed to go out to make sure that they can throw a stop work order on it

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or whatever violation they got. They got no permission. Is that correct? >> The process starts off at the zoning department. They receive it. Then from there they assess whether it's going to go directly into the community improvement dependent on what the actual in what's actually being indicated whether it is tall grass or or renal

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certifications or something within that nature. If it's construction related specifically through UC then the building department takes over. >> Are you okay? Are you saying that there are they are all caught up? Um >> not in the building department. No ma'am

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that's a a continuous work. No. And see the next question for me is going to be I caught I didn't say I caught but a report was sent back in April on a conversion of the property. The property is finished and what brought it to my attention was I saw a for rent sign. How

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you see a for rent sign and never got permission. It never got permit and now you what happened? Y'all just stop it. >> So So two things would have happened right there. >> They need to stop it because they get ready to rent, >> right? So, a it has to go directly to the zoning department. Anybody who puts

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a complaint in, they'll look it up in the system right away. Okay? And they'll confirm >> to see if construction permits were submitted. If no construction permit was submitted, it automatically goes out to the fire department, community improvement to see if there are any kind any reent certifications and and the

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building department to see if permits were issued and acco. >> Okay. But actually, they're kind of really behind um with with getting referrals from the zoning department to go to the building department. They're like behind um

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because there's loads of uh referrals that sent from the zoning department over to the building department that that is never getting looked at for months. And >> so by that time they're finished working and and I think the question would be to legal like do you put a red sticker on

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say you can't do nothing with this until you go through the proper um the proper procedures and stuff and so I just um you know that would be you got an email I sent it to you about that building >> please. >> Yeah I sent it to you about it been

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April, May, June, July for 3 months and nobody came to inspect it yet from the building department. So, and like I said, they got a for rent sign on there. And what what makes me understand now, what happens? Somebody moves in there and they never got their permit. Like, what happens to the renter?

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What will happen to them? Like, you're living in a building that's illegal? Who who who pays for them to move out? Who you know, there's a lot of legal questions in here that they have to understand. Who's going to move these people out and put them somewhere? And

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that that's what I'm afraid of. But I just want you the community to understand too that um community improvement is for complaints for properties that are not kept up. Correct. >> Correct. As well as reent

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>> not kept up and and complaints for houses that have garbage on the sidewalk. That's the DPW department. So because people get it all confused and they they send the information to the wrong department. has nothing to do

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with some don't have anything to do with them and I just want the community to know when you have an issue there's certain areas that certain departments take care of right away and some of them takes care of it. I know DPW is sidewalks and um I think that we need to

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pass some kind of law cuz I'm tired of seeing garbage can in front of people houses like garbage cans are literally when I was a kid we had to drag our garbage can from the backyard to the front yard to the front and then when they picked it up we had to drag it back to the back. You got loads of apartments

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now that have garbage cans all in front of the household. Council members, we got to figure out something with that because it looks makes the whole block not look good at all. I thank you uh Mr. Washington. So get back with me on that address. >> Definitely. If you can please resend me that email. >> I sent it to you.

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>> We got a memo today on it. So you you definitely have that today. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Finance here. I'll finish. >> Anyone else? >> Uh uh Commissioner of >> No, she said >> I did. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay.

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>> Mr. Ba, >> may I um if there are no other questions um for Mr. Rivera, I just want to conclude with two thoughts. One, I want to echo what several council members said. Mr. Vo stepped up uh to be the interim director for several months and he really took a 30,000 degree a lot of

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economic development. We think about you know big projects and the stadium this that but he really looked at the the middle man management and lower you know entry level positions with the department um and put a lot of effort into that. And the second comment I want to make is um we know we need to do

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better in certain regards 100%. so that that those comments from the council members are not unheard. Um we will continue to work on being better for our residents and and for the council. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you folks. >> Have a good evening.

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>> All right, council members, we move on to fire. Good evening. >> Good evening, Chief. Deputy Chief, >> Mr. Ba, >> we are now doing fire.

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>> Fire. >> Yes, we are. >> Yeah. I'd like to welcome our public safety director, our fire chief um and assistant chief. Um just a couple things to point out in terms of uh fire. Um when you do see the introduced budget,

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you will see a a pretty big jump in the in the salaries and wages. Um that's um primarily not primarily obviously you have contractual raises, but um we settled um the officer's contract this year. Um I believe there was a retro payment to the regular fire this year as

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well. So um you know when you when you settle late you have to go backwards and square up with people. So you'll see a big number um quite a big chunk of that is retro to give um our officers um you know what what they're due going back. Um as we know both with police and fire

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kind of the the max staffing levels are set by city ordinance. Um so we kind of operate within that unless the council changes that. Um but obviously these are large departments with large O and E um a lot of moving parts and so forth. Um, so, um, with that, I I turn it back over

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to you, Madam Financial. >> Okay. So, uh, Chief, before you get started, um, I just want to know if, uh, these books reflect I know that we've been in conversation. I know that you're not fully staffed. I know that through

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ordinance, you know, we're supposed to have x amount of of, you know, firefighters and deputies and and so does this reflect what the request will be like? Is it in here or you just went

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just flat on, you know, last year's and just basically what you have right now without the request because like you indicated there's also asks, right? >> Correct. That this reflects what we should get. Okay.

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Okay. Okay. So, let's get started. So, the first one is civilians, right? Let's see here. So, the increase is only like so you

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stayed at 25 from 25, right? >> Correct. >> Through 26 the request. Okay. So, one and one the first page. >> I don't see any changes here. I think the only thing that we see is just an

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increase in salary. But I do see a decrease in the administrative secretary. What's the reason for that? >> Say again. I'm sorry. >> So I'm looking

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>> decreases due to the I'm sorry the to the two vacant due to two >> vacancies. I don't know if it's me today, but I cannot hear. >> The decrease is due to two vacancies, the administrative secretary and the management specialist. >> Okay.

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>> How long has it not been filled? >> The administrative secretary has been now about just under a year. >> So, I'm trying to understand something here. So the salary in 25 was 56 right

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360 >> correct >> and then the request for 26 is 50 >> the the positions been the p the position is vacant. So this is the funding levels whoever's in that position moved on to a different part of the organization. So if and when that

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position is replaced that's the number where >> that you're going to begin with. Okay. >> That's the range. >> All right. >> That's the range. >> Yeah. That's the max that we would hope to get someone into that role. >> I see there's an increase as well. 6% of the fire prevention specialists, right?

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>> All right. >> That's >> any questions on >> Madam Chair, please. >> No, she said any question for us? >> Hold on a minute. What did you say? >> Okay. Did you have anything to add? >> No. In addition to the those two

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vacancies, we also have a a senior mechanic vacancy, a regular mechanic vacancy, and one clerk uh clerk two vacant. >> One clerk, two. >> So, I'm I'm having an issue right now. In the past books, we've seen where

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there's what you have, the vacancy, and you know what you're requesting. So, >> I don't see that reflecting. Can you see it? Well, based on you can see it, but you just have because when you look at the when you look at at the variation of 25

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to 26 and you look at the um the last column that talks about the percentage of change that identifies what the change is, whether it's that they need this position, they're shifting the position, but so based on what the percentage So the one that you just talked about 56 to 50 looks like the

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scale of what the the amount would be. So this person probably will come in at 50 which should it could change based on um uh degrees other things that are civil service requirements >> don't reflect it doesn't say that the position is empty nowhere in these books

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so that's where I'm having the difficulty >> we're we approve funding levels >> okay >> right so like even you go to the second page >> you have 371 >> funded firefighter positions how many do we have today like specifically

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Today >> the fires fighters is uh >> you said firefighter, correct? >> Yeah. Yeah. Like you know I'm I'm just I'm illustrating a point. I mean like >> Okay, but wait wait wait wait I'm sorry. So this is a perfect example. It says here that we budgeted for 9

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cy 269. It says deputy chiefs. It says too vacant. It sees it. So I'm not seeing that in the other book. So that's why I'm asking this question. How do you know that? I wouldn't know that. And that's why the question is you went from 56 to 50. I see the negative, right? And

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that's what I'm asking. So now you're saying no, it's empty. I I wouldn't know that. But in the second page, I could see what the requests are and the amount of vacancies that there's there. >> I just wanted clarification on that. >> Council President. >> All right. Councilman. >> Yes. Council. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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>> Madam Clerk. Um so going back >> to administrative secretary it says that you have been uh vacated for a year almost right >> correct >> um CFO I don't know if you could answer this question for me or you know what is

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the salary range for that secretary based on civil service it starts from what to what >> based on civil service >> that I I don't have that info right now as far as range I don't have that Okay, Councilman, there is none. >> There's none for administrative secretary.

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>> No. >> Okay. So, >> and our and our contracts other than police and fire don't have salary. >> So, in other words, did the union cont agreed on contract if you hire somebody

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after that year, we'll start on 56 on $50,000. Now, I'm 56. When the department head puts in a request um to fill a position, they put a range in that. It's called the 380 form. It goes through various layers of

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of sign off. The BA being the last one with the CFO that gets put on for DCA waiver. So, it could be the number 50 or the department head could choose to put 40 to 50. that final number. Um, as long as it's not the only time the union

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would get involved is if we have similar people in similar positions and we have now a discrepancy between what people make. That's really the only time for the union to get involved. >> So to be fair to be fair and and I could compare the same statement I just said with uh the director of community

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development. Why if a position had been vacated for a year in in economic development, I'm sorry, in uh econ um no in um improvement in community

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improvement have been vacated almost a year and whoever you hire is coming with a silent increase. In this case, this is being vacated a year and it's coming with a low salary.

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So, uh uh rolloamos. In other words, what we going to do dance or not dance? Are we going to offer this just to future individual coming with it or are we going to have preference and what department should get a raise coming in and through the

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door and not and not fulfilling a position that we don't know how they're going to fulfill it. For example, you go you you stated that we going to increase that salary for community improvement without having even know if the person

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is going to fulfill 100% of his job. We coming in with a salary increase. In this case, uh we have a secretary vacated for almost a year and the salary is less than the person that left the position. The other one is the manager

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specialist is being vacated only a month or two months, okay? And um and whoever is coming into that position, okay, is going to get a a 3% salary increase. You if you follow me.

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>> Yeah, but we're we're we're approving not individual employee increases. We're we're approving the title the top funding, but I want to make one comment because, you know, just because this position hasn't been filled for some time doesn't mean there's no need for I not to get too much into details, but prior to my start here, one of the

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assistant BAS was assigned to the fire department. They currently have the benefit of that. That won't last forever. So, you know, that's why I I wouldn't um I wouldn't um um I wouldn't recommend removing any positions. I think the funding has to stay because the support

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needs to be there. >> So, so and let me be let me be clear here and and I don't want people in the audience thinking or out over there in TD land. I'm not against fulfilling any profic position in the city of Pass. We are under staffing in every level of at

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any department even in public safety. We could talk that all day, all night regarding the lack of uh u sorry the the underst staffing that we have in the city of Patterson. But at the same time, um I always say to the union members,

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you ask for more, they will give you what they want. And what we want is that people that comes in to the city of Pastor to work or those that are working in the city of Patterson feel proud that they're taking home a decent salary.

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But this case I'm talking about people that are not working that not hire and they are giving money or cutting money on that position. But you know um it's only my take and probably going to be on all night. I don't know if CFO did the right percentage on all this salary.

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Hope so it it came through with the computer um that we're not missing $100 or 200 or less or more whatever is um but let's keep on moving. I I just, you know, but we need to fulfill those position, but we need to lift the morale

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and I'm going to come later on with a case that you guys going to drop uh uh the mic. You'll see. Um but we need to lift the morale and I will employ the city of Patterson. >> Yeah. >> Um thank you, Madam Chair. Uh director

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Chief, good evening. Um uh I I see down on the first page um we have no new no new position available. So we have 25. We budgeted for 25. I don't see any vacancy on the first which is fire line civilian operation. Correct.

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So we going up $70,000 $23 4.9% on salary on um solid wage on that. That's the first uh page u that we have that in front of us. And the second one uh chief on solid wage uh the fire

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line civilian operation. I see that we have 18 18 vacancy but we budget that in 2025 and we budgeted that on 2026 budget the same 18 vacancy there's any reason why we haven't be able to fill fill those position for example

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um deputy chief so we got two vacancy deputy chief uh captain we got four vacancy and firefighters we got 12 12 vacancy and there was a budget in 2025 the funding was it was was available in 2025 I >> it as of now it hasn't been approved to

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fill those positions. >> I'm sorry. >> It has not been approved to fill those positions as of yet. >> Any any specific reason why? >> Uh we're waiting for DCA approval. >> So they not so we haven't get the approval to fill those position even

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though the money is in the budget. >> Correct. >> So what we do is we do the um um uh we move the budget to another line item at the end of the fiscal year because we never use that money. Correct. >> Uh that one's slated just for these positions but

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>> yeah I mean yes but so what we do so this is my question if you have 18 position that you budget in 2025 and we we al we budget in 2026 again and we haven't hired anybody. So, so we we um we do a transfer of fund at the end of the fiscal year, which is something that

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I'm very concerned. Uh the chief, I want to make sure that our fire department fully staffing. We already budgeting. We budgeted 2025 last year. I don't know why we're not hiring those position. That's my biggest concern. And when it come to the fire department, you guys making us look good. I see you. When it

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come to inspection, you guys go out there. And I want to say this, the only way that we're going to get a surplus in the city of Patterson in each department that we one day we're going to get off transition a is by increasing our rateables. How we increase our rate of

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making our department more effective making sure that our department do the job and bring more revenue to the city. How we bring more revenue having the right staff. It's plain and simple. We don't have to reinvent the wheel here. So that's the reason why when I see that it really caught my attention. um when

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we going through this budget heating, I want to make sure and I know that our fire department, they bring money back into the city a lot. I see the inspector doing the work and we have a a fire inspection that fire inspection will be done on that day that is a schedule. I'm a weakness of that because of the the

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private sector that I'm dealing with. So I want to make sure that we fill those those position and if we have if we need to have additional conversation, let's have those additional conversation. I just want to make sure that our fire department is fully staffed to get the job done in the city of Pis. Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair.

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>> Sure. >> Yeah, cuz I just want to make clear this is a snapshot in time, these vacancies, right? So, if we had budget hearings in May, there'd be vacancies on here. If we did them a month from now, there'd be different vacancies. Deputy chief and captains are we're working through that

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subject with DCA. Um, you know, there's information they ask for. There's things they're asking for. So, we're working through that. the firefighters. Correct me if I'm wrong, Chief. You'll always have vacancies because there's only two classes a year. So, I think one of the classes that we we just got a new influx of of recruits and now there'll be

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another class in some amount of months, right? Speak to that, please, if you may. >> Uh, we're going to get we have 14 uh recruits. Well, three just came on the line because they had their EMT certifications. 11 are just starting their EMT course. So, they should be on the line in the beginning of September.

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uh once we get them on the line, we're going to see a substantial decrease in our overtime for firefighters. >> Good. >> Madam Chair, >> uh Council President, >> so um I um to our chief, can you talk about the revenue generated because I know you've done your due diligence and

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knowing what that dollar amount is, but also I know we talked about it in public safety. Now we're into a new year um with our new committee, but I would like us to move forward into the conversations and regarding uh the other towns and sharing the cost of ambulance

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services and those other things which will also cause revenue to flow back into the city which will help with some of the TEOP and some of the some of these needs that are listed here. So um I know we had some discussions around it. We're looking into some language,

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but I would really like to see us bring that language together in public safety so I can bring before this council so that we can help your department do their job more diligently, which will also bring revenue into the city, but it also holds the other towns accountable for the work that's being done across

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the different towns and not letting Patterson foot the bill for all of that stuff. So, so can you talk about the revenue that's been generated in your department? So far in 2025, the private fire prevention and bureau generated a $2.1 million with a projected increase

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for 2026. Our EMS division uh collected $4.9 million in revenue. Uh the share services through the BA's office, we have reached out to the our share service partners and we're trying to sit at have them sit at the table with us so we can uh come up with a newou where

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they uh will pay uh also for our services into their jurisdictions. >> Thank you. So BA as stated um we talked about that language through our chair of public safety um with the uh fire department in the past. I would love to see that language come forward us bring

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it together through legal um corporation council and then bring it before this council so that not just to generate revenue which is what we need right because we're facing these deficits every year but it's more so that when someone calls for our fire department

378
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Patterson gets first dibs. you're not sharing services and if you are going to other towns, they're paying as you go there. We've been footing the bill for it in totality and now it's time for us to reach out, extend these uh letters out to those other uh towns so that they

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can pay back into this as well. Thank you. That's I just want to put that on the record. So, I'm looking forward to that coming back. Uh Mr. CFO, >> just one comment um based on specific to police and fire. If 10 firemen leave, let's just say in October, they have

380
01:50:41.920 --> 01:50:57.440
buyouts. So that's a million dollars that you don't see on here. So you see it in the adjustments. >> I can't hear. You said if 10 firefighters leave, what happens? >> Let's say in October, if 10 firemen, if 10 firefighters leave, they have buyouts. So let's just say it's a million dollars that you don't see budgeted for, >> right?

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>> So that's in the adjustments. So police and fire is never going to be under budgeted. We should really budget more >> and never concern. I I knew that, but I think that's specific to Councilman Mendes comments that >> we might be under and we might transfer.

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>> So, those two departments were most likely always going to trans have to transfer in based on bias on when people leave. And >> that that always I understand that. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> And Councilman, >> so one second real quick. Um I know that

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uh chief uh we have been in conversation just even today we were discussing we need to have another meeting uh specific just with uh fire. All right. And so that'll be coming up. Council President and uh Councilwoman Cotton and uh

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Councilman Omar. Um so thank you for that. Um Councilman Kik. >> Thank you um Madame Chair. First I want to thank you for all you do. um the chief and your whole department. I'm keep hearing about salaries and and

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increases for my council colleague as well. These are contractual. We got nothing to do with it. Let the union and the administration work with it. Um I mean it's I don't want to say bother me but it is

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what it is. We're not here to give anybody increase or anything. There's a job between union and the administration when the contract is up and it's come in front of us and we vote for it and we done with it and I see the budget is same as last year. The increase what has

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happened is contractual. We got nothing to do with it. Thank you for keeping it as it is. You know we are uh financially um >> cash >> cash dropped. Um, I know each year, uh, our community,

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um, expect to have more firemen, more police officer out there, but at the same time, we are doing what we could do. >> Okay. >> And thank you, Mr. Beia, as well. >> Thank you very much, Councilman Khalik.

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All right. So, everyone saw, you know, the uniformed. Okay. Uh, book 5105. Um and we can see uh I could see that there's um obviously the chief we are right now there's two

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vacant deputy chiefs um 16 battalion chiefs 70 captains which four are vacant and 269 firefighters of which 12 are vacant. But the ones you just indicated did you not say you have

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11? the uh we currently we have eight firefighter vacancies. In uh August 1st, we're expecting uh five more openings due to retirements. So, it'll bring us up to the uh 13. >> Okay.

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All right. Operating expenses. Okay. Okay, you budgeted for 1,766 proposed 2 million a difference of 233,787. Okay, the next page. Council members, if

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you're looking, we have plos. So, please explain this. Is there any vacancies here? Because I don't see it. >> Any what? I'm sorry. >> Clerk >> in in the the clerk too. Chief communications officer, director of communication center, supervising public

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safety telecom. You see how you budgeted for one asking for one, right? >> That that's all we have. Yeah. >> No, no, no. I know. But I'm saying because in the first page I had a question. Not that I tell you who to pay and what to pay, but there was a

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question. And what was intriguing to me is to see how and so I asked a question and you said, "Oh, it's it's uh there's a vacancy." Correct. >> And I didn't know that. And you said, "But the next page showed the vacancy." So I'm asking now here uh with the clerk 2, is this position filled

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>> for the clerk too? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Currently. Okay. >> All these positions are >> chief communications officer. >> Okay. >> Except for public safety uh telecommunicators. >> You see what I'm saying? I wouldn't know. Yeah, >> I just for future just if something is

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vacant just just like the the the previous page, please indicate that it's vacant. >> They're in the process of firing those. >> They were already approved. They're still they're getting >> but it's still but it's vacant. >> Correct. Currently still vacant. >> Correct. >> All right.

398
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All right. Anyone has any more questions uh for fire? I see that you know the operating expenses 850 state flat 850. Okay. >> Do you have anything else you want to add chief?

399
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>> No just um well we talked about the openings. That's about it. I know that we have one vacant deputy chief opening but as of August 1st we're going to have two. One is retiring. Um our battalion chiefs right now we're full but once the two uh deputy two battalions get promoted to deputy we'll have two

400
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openings there as well. And uh as far as captains, we have uh one currently vacant and two leaving in August 1st as well via retirement. So those will be openings. >> So we have to be really mindful also Mr. BA again that is that is in your purview

401
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uh to make sure that we abide also and making sure because it is my understanding that you know uh every amount of of firefighters has to have x amount of battalion chiefs and so we have to specifically with this department which I know that um well

402
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we're running out of the fire they're going into it so I just want to make sure that they're fully staffed appropriately Right. Uh and that when you don't need that you can make the decrease. You do that. All right. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. BA. You don't

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have anything else to say, right? >> No, I just want to thank the chief and you know, they they run a very tight ship. The areas that we can talk about to kind of, you know, claw back some revenue. You know, we have honest conversations about overtime. We're looking at EMS building with those smaller towns that we've been doing it

404
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basically for free for a lot of years. So, we're having all the right conversations. Good. >> Thank you very much, director, and thank you, chief. Thank you and deputy. >> Have a good night, everyone. Thank you. >> All right. I'll see you hopefully Friday. >> Okay. >> Thank you.

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>> Uh so, next is uh public works, DPW. >> Huh? >> All right. So, you know what? You You're up here. Hold up. Uh uh um um Chief Chief OIC. Chief Director. >> Director. >> You're up there. It should have been It should have been

406
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>> Come on, Chief. >> Fire. Police. >> Should have been police and fire together. >> Come on up. >> I I looked at it like >> separate. >> I thought you had some rationale. All right, let's go. Uh,

407
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all right. Council members, we are now looking at public safety. Good evening, OIC and director. >> Good evening. >> Um, we're looking at this budget >> for the uh public safety, police

408
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department. Uh, we're looking at sworn officers, civilians, crossing guards as the first. I see here one police director, four special police We have special. >> Okay.

409
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>> Did you want to add something? Uh, Mr. >> Mr. Pier. >> Oh, you're already open. I say, >> Madam Chair, >> go ahead. Mr. President, >> so I see just coming through everything is pretty much the same as last year. You just included the percentages of

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contractual agreements in here, which I um I respect. Can you provide a copy of the locations of where the crossing guards are located in the city? Um I always talk to um officer Maza. I work

411
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with him all the time to make sure their location sometimes and I know we have a revolving door situation with that where sometimes crossing guards for whatever reasons they leave and don't return. But I just want to make sure as we're going into the school year for September that

412
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all of the specific locations are filled and if they're not filled that we ensure that they are filled before school starts. But if you can just provide that information um we we can look at that. Okay. Absolutely. >> All right. So, we are now

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>> um it could come to Yeah, it doesn't matter. >> Uh we have the office of the police chief. >> One managed specialist and like you said, everything is like pretty much just flat and then the increase. >> We could just like move forward unless

414
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you have something you want to highlight. >> Okay. Council >> following is traffic division. Okay. One record support tech, four parking enforcement officers flat. And again, you see the small increase of the

415
02:00:56.480 --> 02:01:12.960
2% increase. Correct. >> Um, >> police records. >> Council Mendes, >> I'm sorry. We are we are um again, all of these positions are filled. Are there any vacancies that that

416
02:01:12.960 --> 02:01:29.599
>> uh so there are some vacancies. uh our administrative captain uh Pearl has submitted a a a staffing report for the civilians and submitted it to the administration and they're working with the administration to fill the vacancies and and more is in that report that was submitted >> but again in the books I don't see it.

417
02:01:29.599 --> 02:01:45.679
So I'm going to go back to the same thing when I'm looking at it I'm looking at pretty much you know flat just increase >> but I'm not seeing which ones they are. >> Is is it done? It doesn't sound like it's done. Is it done? You said you're working. Is it done? >> I'm sorry.

418
02:01:45.679 --> 02:02:01.199
>> It doesn't It doesn't sound as though it's done. You said we're working with So, is it a done list or is it a working >> Oh, it's a working document. So, that's okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um uh documenting vacancies and also seeing how with the police

419
02:02:01.199 --> 02:02:15.599
department with civilians, we could uh structure things in order to free more police. So upon completion of what that looks like, can you just make sure the BA BA can you have that sent to all council members cuz it doesn't just based on it's a working fluid document. It's not something that's been

420
02:02:15.599 --> 02:02:31.599
solidified or totally requested. So just can you just make sure that that is sent out so everyone sees it? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Criminal Investigation Bureau, one keyboarding clerk, one record tech two.

421
02:02:31.599 --> 02:02:48.639
>> Are they filled? uh as far as these positions they are. So I did notice a few uh like discrepancies that we were trying to uh itemize but uh Captain Pro who handles the administrative services the civilianiz uh part I was trying to work with him but he was in the process of doing interviews for the hiring so he

422
02:02:48.639 --> 02:03:04.560
wasn't able to be here but uh that's something we could provide you. >> Okay. And then we go to juvenile division one police aid. Is that filled? >> Yes that's filled. >> Okay. This flat whatever percent increase here

423
02:03:04.560 --> 02:03:20.639
this is all contractual am I correct >> that increase >> I said it's contractual >> yes it's contractual >> juvenile division okay motor the same

424
02:03:20.639 --> 02:03:36.320
police cell block >> we have full five >> uh so I know we do have openings in this and we're working with the administration and requesting for the DCA to be able to post some of the positions. >> Okay. Again, I I I really want to see that

425
02:03:36.320 --> 02:03:52.560
>> there's three cell blockades that are currently posted for hire. >> Okay. >> But what I'm saying, and I'm going to continue repeating it. I'm looking at this. It does not show that there's a vacancy. It's just saying 25. We had five. We're requesting the same five. Very minimal increase, but it's not

426
02:03:52.560 --> 02:04:07.920
letting me know it's not full. Because this is why sometimes, you know, a lot of our departments, you know, are not functioning as they should because although we're looking at something, we don't know that they're vacant unless obviously that it goes through personnel

427
02:04:07.920 --> 02:04:24.400
and then you're putting a request. But I don't know about you guys, I'm not looking at the personnel or or or the job list to see what's what's vacant or who's leaving, who's not leaving. We don't we don't know that. So please, just for future, we this needs to reflect it. used to reflect it before and I'll repeat it again. I don't know

428
02:04:24.400 --> 02:04:39.599
why it's not reflecting. >> Madam Chair, >> councelor President, uh, Madam Chair, >> Councilman Mendes and Councilman Valz. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, OIC, um, director and staff, thank you for being in front of us. I understand I hear that there's some vacancy, but you are in the

429
02:04:39.599 --> 02:04:56.080
process of filling those vacancies, but I want to go straight to police uniform. We have the number of 429 on on the book here. Chief, Deputy Captain 11, Lieutenant 30, Sergeant 64, and Police Officer 321. That's the accurate number right now at this moment

430
02:04:56.080 --> 02:05:11.360
as we speak. >> Uh, no. >> No. >> Uh, currently we have a table of organization for 439 officers. >> Uh, I'm I'm sorry. Can you can you repeat that? >> 439. >> 439.

431
02:05:11.360 --> 02:05:27.599
>> Yeah. >> Right now instead of 429, we got 439. Uh if we're at maximum staffing, we're at 439. We are currently at 415 officers. >> 415 right now. >> Yes, that's including all ranks >> as we speak. Okay. 415.

432
02:05:27.599 --> 02:05:43.520
>> Uh thank you. >> Okay. So, uh thank you, Madam Chair. Uh Council President, um you say that we only have uniform uh PD 400 what? >> Uh 415 currently employed.

433
02:05:43.520 --> 02:06:00.800
>> 415. And that's scattered between departments, all the four 415, right? >> Yes. All the different divisions. >> Correct. >> That's departmentwide, uh, Councilman. And that does include 10 recruits that are going to graduate the North Police Academy on August uh, August 17th. That

434
02:06:00.800 --> 02:06:16.480
will put us at 4:15. >> 4:15. >> Correct. >> And still we under >> including including >> Oh, not in here. I'm >> I'm sorry. Sorry, Chief. >> I'm sorry, Councilman. The 4:15 includes the 10 recruits that are presently being trained in Newark.

435
02:06:16.480 --> 02:06:32.079
>> Oh, they not with us yet. >> They're not with us until August 17. And at that point, we will be at 4. >> Just a point of order. Councilman Veles had the floor. So, let's stick with the protocol. Council, if you could, that's the right answer. Now, >> I understand, but you have to allow your

436
02:06:32.079 --> 02:06:47.119
colleagues to speak. Councilman, >> I I don't get um upset for the commercial segment. Um so um so director basically I'm looking at all the hiring uh basically on the civilian

437
02:06:47.119 --> 02:07:04.719
part you're not hiring a lot of people um the number are being steady 64 64 sergeants uh 321 police officers um the numbers are are still the same from 2025 2026

438
02:07:04.719 --> 02:07:20.159
um I I'm a little bit concerned because uh we have praised that we have hired a lot of police officers in this uh administration. Um can can you can you tell me roughly um if we hire a 100red

439
02:07:20.159 --> 02:07:35.360
in two years how many are in still in Patteradisonson because the numbers still are the same 429. >> So if if I may director so our current number is 415 we have fluctuated over the years. So in 2024 um we had

440
02:07:35.360 --> 02:07:51.840
approximately 58 officers retire uh or get uh resign and in 2025 we had 34 leave and then this year alone we have 22 officers that have left. So that's why we're at the 415. >> Okay. So

441
02:07:51.840 --> 02:08:06.480
the message I want to send that we still need more more police officer to to catch up at least with the calls uh the system and and and making sure the the the residents receive a prompt uh um um

442
02:08:06.480 --> 02:08:24.560
prom attention their calls. um any any plan uh um OIC that the state has to at least balance the uh uh the numbers of police officer that we have uh moving forward to see if the state um um is has

443
02:08:24.560 --> 02:08:41.760
because the administrative part is being run by the state. um any plan that they have uh to support you to have more police officer in in this 2026 uh any good surprise that they want to give us to make sure we could hire more

444
02:08:41.760 --> 02:08:59.679
police officers at least to bring it up to 500? >> Not at this time, Councilman. That I'm not aware of any plans to increase the overall table of organization of the police department. As you know, we are receiving um funding from the attorney

445
02:08:59.679 --> 02:09:16.480
general's office that is uh being used specifically for crime reduction and violent crime reduction overall. And we are uh supplementing officers with that funding that we're getting from uh the office of the attorney general, but

446
02:09:16.480 --> 02:09:31.440
there are no current plans to increase the table of organization at this time. So, um you know, and I had to praise u the your leadership, Captain Murray, um um and and the utilizing of this funding

447
02:09:31.440 --> 02:09:46.079
um in in to reduce crime. And I see it. We call you you know, you have the people on place when when we call you. Um but administration administration um I always say that we need to budget

448
02:09:46.079 --> 02:10:03.599
the police different uh because they are the correspond course spine from this community especially when we are under staff uh especially when we under staff you know I could see officer out there

449
02:10:03.599 --> 02:10:20.320
trying to get a lunch inside a car not taking breaks the sandwich in the and and moving to call to calls to call to calls. And I want the residents to understand uh we receive calls that why the police is not responding to a block

450
02:10:20.320 --> 02:10:36.320
uh block driveway or why they not responding to a burglary or robbery when it happens, you know, when already after the fact. We have a cast system that when they call and your call is next and there's a call of a shooting or there's

451
02:10:36.320 --> 02:10:51.440
a call of a massive violence or there's a call of active uh incident you you it could be a a medical attention and need a police officer there. So your call will go drop down to that to that cast

452
02:10:51.440 --> 02:11:07.199
system. I don't know if we could go back to what we had before the uh different system the Phoenix was. I don't know. But um um I I I had to commend the police department because they doing a lot with less. Um they doing a lot with

453
02:11:07.199 --> 02:11:22.639
less and I could testify the uh the way they've been doing it. Thanks God the grant that we received to community policing that they help us a lot uh to alleviate uh other issues and um we brace for that. That's why when we

454
02:11:22.639 --> 02:11:38.239
receive grants when we receive grants um Excuse me. >> Okay. >> I just saw something that was >> Oh, okay. Thank you. You let me know later.

455
02:11:38.239 --> 02:11:55.599
>> All right. So, um um as I say, thanks God for the grant that we received for community policing and other things, but we need to u lift the morale of our police officers, you know, and um and making sure the money is where it's supposed to. uh administration once

456
02:11:55.599 --> 02:12:12.239
again um I know you're trying to work with them and you are working with them so moving forward uh before this administration uh uh finish that they could keep the office that they have and then we could sit down and say wow they brought more officers under their

457
02:12:12.239 --> 02:12:29.119
leadership. Thank you council madam chair. Okay. So, council members, and I know that councilwoman, you wanted to speak, but I'm going to um allow the the the BA, you want to make a statement. >> I just want to clarify one item. Uh OC, you'd mentioned we're going to be at 4:15 when the 10 come out of the the

458
02:12:29.119 --> 02:12:45.360
class. Um that does not account for the 21 we will be sending >> correct >> to the next class. >> Correct. We're currently currently screening Mr. Ba for for a new class of approximately uh 24 new candidates. Correct. which will uh happens uh

459
02:12:45.360 --> 02:13:02.239
sometime in September. >> Right? So my office in DCA has signed off an additional 24. So it's always a moving target to hit that magic number of 439. Some municipalities that don't have financial constraints when they know someone's retiring, they hire the replacement 6 months before they go. You

460
02:13:02.239 --> 02:13:19.679
know, I don't know if we're in >> Yeah. I I don't know if we're in that if we're in that, you know, if we could have that luxury, but that's something we should talk to DCA about. So, and I want to say this to you, okay? Something no, we need to This has been a conversation year after year after year

461
02:13:19.679 --> 02:13:35.599
>> about us increasing the uniform officers. >> Mhm. >> There's no way that, you know, Newark being the first, you know, city, Jersey City, then us the third largest city, they have a,00,000

462
02:13:35.599 --> 02:13:52.000
and and and Patterson has 429. >> Come on. We need to do something about that. >> And and just to add to that, you know, last budget cycle it was 10 million from the state in support. Now it's 8 >> five-ish.

463
02:13:52.000 --> 02:14:08.719
We see the trend. So we're two budget cycles away from um having a massive void because we're providing a certain service. We're doing special units. So in the next year or two, we all collectively need to figure this out. So council president madam chair just pick

464
02:14:08.719 --> 02:14:24.079
a point here that conversation cannot be only with this we have to speak to an attorney general to make sure that he understand what our city really need to take off the handcuff of our police officer they

465
02:14:24.079 --> 02:14:40.079
will do a lot more they will do a lot more and um I think that and when I say taking off the handcuff our police officer right now why we have a problem with uh the the the bikes uh running up and down. Why we had the problem about

466
02:14:40.079 --> 02:14:56.239
uh people lotterying or you know things that simple crimes that look simple but if they if they got the handcuff that they cannot take care of it you know because attorney general is holding their their their hands it it it puts our city in more jeopardy. So that

467
02:14:56.239 --> 02:15:13.360
conversation regarding uh DCA is in a financial part. Okay. making sure that if we are uh having short 10 officer that give us a line of uh of work to do before to hire another 10 officer to bring them in, you know. Okay. And to

468
02:15:13.360 --> 02:15:29.920
facilitate that faster, especially in funding, I know they give us $8 million. Um they should give us more base on the amount of officer that we have that doing double triple work. But councilman, you realize that they were getting 10 million and they were only

469
02:15:29.920 --> 02:15:45.920
expending 8 million. That's that 8 million. And that's it's not >> Yeah, but but they not spending it. They spending it twice. They're not spending it. I got 10 million. We need to ask for more. And they're going to question that because every year you were getting 10

470
02:15:45.920 --> 02:16:02.960
million, but you were expending 8 million. That is why the cut this year for the 8 million. >> Well, I in addition in addition, Councilman, uh it's like two different things, right? I'm talking about something that we need to have at least at least 125 more officers than we have.

471
02:16:02.960 --> 02:16:20.079
I mean, in reality, we should be at 600. >> Okay. >> But we have to at the end of the day, is it sustainable? Right? Cuz that's the piece. Then it's all the fringe benefits and all the other things. So, you know, going that's not going to to h um the

472
02:16:20.079 --> 02:16:35.920
attorney general. that has to go through a a DCA because we are a transitional aid city. We receive transitional aid. Therefore, we have to follow anou. So, if we are not doing the things that we need to do to try to increase, you know, uh uh um fees, right, table

473
02:16:35.920 --> 02:16:51.120
>> and ratables, then you know, we're not going to get the request, but we're going to still >> as a request. >> Picking picking on that. So, I I commend the OIC that they gave him $10 million and he spent wise. That's why he didn't

474
02:16:51.120 --> 02:17:06.559
spend up to 10 or more. What what what I'm saying is everybody remember when we did the census in 2020, we we became and we was bracing that we became the first class city in what? >> In what? First class city in what?

475
02:17:06.559 --> 02:17:23.200
Financially? No. Are they giving them the federal government is giving us the money for first class city? No. So right now we are first class city making it possible with the resources that we have but really really we supposed to be

476
02:17:23.200 --> 02:17:39.760
first class city if they could consider us first class city and the state federal and any agency that had the ability to disperse funding to treat us as a first class city. Thank you council madam chair >> very much. So, we'll we'll

477
02:17:39.760 --> 02:17:56.240
we'll have Councilwoman K make her statement and we'll end with Khik and we'll say thank you. Okay. >> Thank you. Um um um Madame Finance Chair, I just want to say to um you know, we're so used to saying Captain Murray, like we've been saying Captain

478
02:17:56.240 --> 02:18:12.160
Murray for 30 years. >> Oh, I see. >> And it's really it's hard to I I I I call you chief even though they say you OC, but you're really chief to me. uh because we go back many many years and you always been a community person. You've always been out there. Everybody already always knew who you were. But I

479
02:18:12.160 --> 02:18:27.760
just want to say that even though that um you know we're saying that we get new officers, you say we getting 15 more this this year and then another 21. But you got to remember it takes about six months to get through the training. >> So if I start out today, they not coming

480
02:18:27.760 --> 02:18:44.080
to next year. So we won't be able to. And then I and I think that everyone need to understand that, you know, you get these officers that come in and um they might work two years and they go to a city that's not civil service because

481
02:18:44.080 --> 02:19:00.160
if they go to a civil service city, that city then has to pay the city of Patterson back for the money they spent for the training. So they go to these cities that don't have civil service and and their stuff don't follow them. like people think everything's going to follow them and everything really

482
02:19:00.160 --> 02:19:16.880
doesn't. So, I just want to say that and you know what I think that's really hurting us and I think no one really wants to understand that is that medical benefits um you know you got you got your guys paying 35% of a premium you know of of health

483
02:19:16.880 --> 02:19:34.639
benefits. So if a policy is $40,000 they're paying 35% of that. So you're talking about some of these guys are going out now and you said 30 one year and then 50 another year. You know, they're going out. Some guys are paying $1,200 maybe more a month in medical

484
02:19:34.639 --> 02:19:51.520
benefits and when they retire they pay zero. So they look at the money they're spending for medical and then you know and then they can still go find a job somewhere. So, I think that's why we continue to keep having this turnover uh of not being able to keep the officers

485
02:19:51.520 --> 02:20:06.800
because it is a lot of work. And I always say I see them out, I make sure I say something to them. You know, I always say you got to especially all of our city workers. We need to let them know that we truly appreciate all the work that they do. Uh cuz most of the departments are understaffed. Most of

486
02:20:06.800 --> 02:20:23.680
them are underst staffed. They don't have enough people there. But I do want to commend the uh police department. And I didn't say it about my fire department, but I do cuz I see the hours you work at. I see all the things that you have to do. But a lot of stuff is taking play now, especially when we just

487
02:20:23.680 --> 02:20:39.520
got hit with a $24 million uh health course increase. >> 24 million one year is not no little bit of money. That's a lot of money that you have to come up with. >> That increase in transition >> and you got no and you got no pay increase and you 24 million. So that's a

488
02:20:39.520 --> 02:20:55.040
lot. So, we have to look at all that and and most of these guys are looking at that now and they're going to other places where they can get their medical benefits and they don't have to pay anymore for medical. They can find another job. They can do something else. So, that being said, I appreciate you uh fire department, I mean police

489
02:20:55.040 --> 02:21:12.000
department. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, C. Thank you so much, Councilwoman K. And we will end with Councilman Clique. >> Thank you, Madame Chair. Thank you, um OIC. Thank you, Jerry. Thank you um for um director um thank you for always

490
02:21:12.000 --> 02:21:29.040
responding to our call >> and also my council colleague the reality is in front of us the numbers that we have >> we could wish for a lot of things I wish I was a billionaire >> but I'm not the numbers are right right

491
02:21:29.040 --> 02:21:44.240
here let's let's stick to the numbers what we have I wish we had 2,000 police officer in city of Paris. But that's that's that's not our reality. That's the wish. Let's work with what we have in front of us and let's

492
02:21:44.240 --> 02:22:01.520
go through this budget process. Thank you guys. >> Thank you very much. Uh oh, I see you have anything to say. Okay. >> Oh, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I see. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you, director. >> Uh director DPW, come on down. You're the next

493
02:22:01.520 --> 02:22:33.200
contestant. I know, but he has it like this. >> Just so you all know, we didn't set up the schedule who goes first, second, and third. Okay? So, blame it on the BA. >> All right. Director Rodriguez and

494
02:22:33.200 --> 02:22:52.080
>> hello. >> Can I say deputy or supervisor or >> let's use >> Mike G is fine. >> We prefer first names. Bill and Mike. >> Bill and Mike. >> 627. >> All right. Council members, you have

495
02:22:52.080 --> 02:23:09.040
before you the director's office, engineering, traffic and lighting, street and road, snow removal, street repair, auto maintenance, parks and shade tree, recycling facilities and also recreation.

496
02:23:09.040 --> 02:23:25.600
>> No, no recreation. >> No, I'm sorry. >> We we don't do recreation. Recreation doesn't >> It says it here. >> Not in not that. >> It's separated. position. >> Okay. >> We've never prepared recreation budget.

497
02:23:25.600 --> 02:23:42.399
>> Even though they're divisions, they always on their own. >> Either the BA or uh Senator Wembley speaks to that, >> but the BA will >> any department or division that's not here will fall under administration at

498
02:23:42.399 --> 02:23:58.560
the end. >> So that's what it says. >> You know, anything else. >> The reason I said that is cuz I read it often. It's on It's on the worksheet, but we never we've never done it. >> Okay. >> So, you're telling me not to look at the worksheet then? >> Excuse me. >> You're telling me not to look at the worksheet?

499
02:23:58.560 --> 02:24:15.280
>> Okay. >> All right. Council members, just look at these items. See what increases, what requests. I see that there's seven. I'm not going to go through each line. >> Okay. >> There's no need for it.

500
02:24:15.280 --> 02:24:31.920
Council press that >> hold up if you don't have any questions on page one we move forward so then you can start asking your questions on the things that are concern to each of you >> we going page by page here >> no I want you to look at it >> right and then we can move forward

501
02:24:31.920 --> 02:24:48.359
because if you look at it you're not there's no increases >> right >> example the first one you know you have seven account clerks and you're requesting the seven >> hopefully they're all full because again I'm not even going to get into what's vacant and what's not right now. >> Can I chair? >> It's

502
02:24:48.399 --> 02:25:03.760
>> you have a question on page one. >> I have a question overall. I already review everything. >> Go ahead. >> Just got three question. >> That's it. >> And I think that that will be the more effective way. We look at everything and we ask one question by paid. We're going to stay here all night basically.

503
02:25:03.760 --> 02:25:20.960
>> So, uh exactly director on page one. I know I see there's no no increase. We got the same 15 position. Uh on page three, uh I know you uh city engineer on 20 2025 we budget for one 2026 I see zero but we keep um see zero.

504
02:25:20.960 --> 02:25:36.399
>> That should say one. It's backwards. >> It's backwards. >> So that's a mistake. >> It's backward. So from zero to one that's that's wrong right here. Okay. It's wrong. So 2025 we got zero. Now 2026 we got one. The new traffic engineer uh is going to make 160,000.

505
02:25:36.399 --> 02:25:51.280
That's a new salary. Correct. >> Yeah. swapped the assistant engineer with the engineer. That's what they did. So you see how assistant engineers the first one says one of one. We no longer have an assistant engineer >> at this time. So now you have one engineer and no assistant. So that those those one and one and one and zero

506
02:25:51.280 --> 02:26:07.439
should be swapped. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. I understood that. Now um Okay. Uh let me go to >> Hold on. C Mendes to your to your question. So zero in 25 engineer. No,

507
02:26:07.439 --> 02:26:24.000
>> city engineer. >> You just said that in >> we don't have the zero should be on the assistant engineering. >> Assistant >> and you're requesting for 26 city engineer. >> Yes, >> assistant. >> No, no, not engineer. >> No, engineer.

508
02:26:24.000 --> 02:26:40.720
>> It says here in 25 you had one request assistant municipal engineer which is a part-time. >> Yeah, it should be Oh, it should be switched. We're requesting for a sing engineer for 160,000 and zeroed out the assistant engineer for the 80,000.

509
02:26:40.720 --> 02:26:56.319
>> So they're taking the first one away. So the first one should >> So you're only >> first item should say one first and second. >> So I I I can shed some light in in January. Our previous engineer left. We posted it for the position. The the only applicant was our assistant engineer.

510
02:26:56.319 --> 02:27:13.359
>> Yes. Um, as part of that interview process, um, we added another position, um, a CAD operator. Not added, we filled it. The the assistant engineer who was now interviewing for engineer felt that the job could be done without backfilling the assistant engineer

511
02:27:13.359 --> 02:27:30.960
position. Okay. Um, but we haven't a thous% let go of the idea of the assistant engineer because we're constantly evaluating what's working and what isn't. You know, because if work has to be farmed out, we're not really we're not really saving any money. So, as we sit here today, we have a

512
02:27:30.960 --> 02:27:46.720
full-time salaried city engineer. We have not filled the assistant engineer position as of yet, >> but we reserve the right to do so if it's the in the best interest of the organization. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, so let So, let me continue. I got two I got two more questions. So,

513
02:27:46.720 --> 02:28:02.240
and as I understood that the in city engineer and the assistant engineer, I'm clear with that. The question that I have with having that position filled, we're not going to be able to outsource um engineer work from third party company or we going to be able to have everything in house? >> No, definitely we still going to there's

514
02:28:02.240 --> 02:28:18.880
there's certain projects that we have to outsource that our in-house engineer cannot do. Um and plus there's we're doing so much work in the city that some of it we we do have to outsource. >> So, with that being said, Mr. VA it's extremely important that we that we cover that position at this in a

515
02:28:18.880 --> 02:28:33.920
position with assistant engineer because I know how much work how much money we spend going outsides to third party entity private engineer firm we're spending a ton of money out of our budget going through that so we'll be way more cheaper for us to fill that

516
02:28:33.920 --> 02:28:50.640
those two positions so please let's let's keep that in mind we'll save tremendous amount of money on that so um on page on the um sting wage on the net position on the division of a strict I have 12 new positions >> council sorry where which

517
02:28:50.640 --> 02:29:08.640
>> uh division uh of st yeah so the budget is from 2.5 uh75 million to 3,125,611 so you got 12 new position >> no not these are these are positions that were in the budget prior that

518
02:29:08.640 --> 02:29:24.880
weren't filled that were asked to to re to rehire >> to rehire Are those position filled right now as we speak or not? >> No. >> So they So do we have those 12 vacant position? >> Yes. >> And we budget last year for those 12 vacant position. >> Okay. So and you got labor one

519
02:29:24.880 --> 02:29:39.760
>> uh >> plus it it shows the 3% increase that they have got a unit increase. >> So these positions show that also. >> Okay. Got it. All right. So um having keeping in mind director that you that that's the biggest hire that you have those 12 position. Yes. and knowing

520
02:29:39.760 --> 02:29:56.880
that they baking um how that's going to impact the service that we provided to our community. Are we going to be if there's going to be we're going to see some improvement? I know you guys running around the clock because of the lack of personnel staff when it come to the bulk when it come to all the staff that we have to do and have to be calling you constantly and I know what

521
02:29:56.880 --> 02:30:13.120
you guys doing. So, so, so it's important that we please fill it up those position. I know we budget last year, we budgeted this year again. Let's use our money wisely. I know we will save a lot of money over time if we if we filled it up, you know. All right. And I see I know you you got the approval to fill that up. Okay. Right.

522
02:30:13.120 --> 02:30:28.319
>> Definitely. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> We created we we created 380 forms for the request for DCA but um we haven't got into all of them yet. We got some back but not all of them yet from the DCA. >> So we're still waiting for DCA for some position. >> Definitely. All right.

523
02:30:28.319 --> 02:30:43.359
>> Thank you very much. Council me Councilman Kik and Councilman. >> Thank you. Thank you Madame Chair. Mr. be as I was going through this budget for DPW um

524
02:30:43.359 --> 02:30:59.439
I saw from last year to this year probably uh they asking for close to 50 position >> total probably close to 50 correct >> 48 >> 48 I'm off by two okay I'm cool you know

525
02:30:59.439 --> 02:31:16.160
he's a good good person good good percentage I just estimated We would like to see all these position get filled. So when this next year budget come in front of us,

526
02:31:16.160 --> 02:31:32.880
we don't want to see those vacant positions. 48. You hear me council colleague? 48 vacant positions out there. >> 48. >> How does it >> 48 is not requested? It's there already.

527
02:31:32.880 --> 02:31:50.240
is is uh is budgeted basically. >> So council >> until we >> the introduction of the budget or adoption. >> So so when we had our internal meetings with um public works, this was probably several months ago. You know, we sent out these workbooks of last year and they they they send back kind of like,

528
02:31:50.240 --> 02:32:05.840
hey, if if all the money was there, here's what we need to run to run our show. Um we're going to do as much as as we can >> um of of that list. I wonder in August what's the date? August 11th. Okay. When

529
02:32:05.840 --> 02:32:20.880
it comes in front of us, I'll specifically look into the PW those uh request and based on that I'll vote yes or no. I'm just letting you know. >> Fair enough. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Councilman. Thank Thank you, Madame

530
02:32:20.880 --> 02:32:39.439
Chair. Thank you. Um going back to the statement on my second word consuming, it was something that um I had to say how it is.

531
02:32:39.439 --> 02:32:57.120
The past admin this administration had a BA that no matter how how much employee DPW needed, they didn't sign for it. He put a number that how many employee he needed that BA never signed for those 475

532
02:32:57.120 --> 02:33:14.240
never say go hire you got it he he budgeted it but they had the real handcuff in the feet and the hands and in the mind that they cannot hire. So now with this this administration having a new BA understanding that to get work

533
02:33:14.240 --> 02:33:32.720
done he needs to fulfill and fill the positions of those core service department but be able to have less complaint right and to see that they are doing the work right now once again DPW is the same situation of Patterson PD

534
02:33:32.720 --> 02:33:52.160
they working double three times four times because they don't have all the staffing and the resources in place. If they have better trucks, if they have better equipment, they could do the job faster and and with with um in the time

535
02:33:52.160 --> 02:34:08.319
fraction of they do, but it's 48 you say, right? 48. I know the BA is going to give the green light to go and hire, right, Mr. BA? you going to give the green light to go hire those individual and start the process as soon as

536
02:34:08.319 --> 02:34:24.880
possible before the end of the year >> as much as possible as as the director knows and many other directors know especially while we were waiting for a team number I was very cautious about approving positions because you know the last thing you want to do is tell someone they have a job and then a month later that they don't have the job anymore

537
02:34:24.880 --> 02:34:40.160
>> we're in a much safe we're in a much safer space now so I hope paperwork will move quicker >> so I don't like to mention names I'm not going to mention the name, but I probably uh CFO could look into this uh through the personnel. How you going to

538
02:34:40.160 --> 02:34:55.439
have an employee of a DPW uh 30 years in in in serving the city of Patterson? 32 years serving the city of Patterson and still his salary is at $47,000. Um that's something that you know I

539
02:34:55.439 --> 02:35:12.240
could give you the name later and um you could look into that um uh because I don't want to put that on record. um in public, but I just want to let you know that has 37 32 years working in the city of Patterson and only get $47,000

540
02:35:12.240 --> 02:35:29.200
in salary. So, I don't know where u the math was missed or or they miss him in the salary increase or whatever, but 32 years and $47,000. Something is wrong there. So, I will share the information later on with uh

541
02:35:29.200 --> 02:35:45.680
the BA or CFO to look into that. If I may, Councilman, just a general comment about what you just said. Um, the DPW, the late, you know, the the DPW bluecollar non-supervision, their contract expires at the end of the year. So, I've started the process of the next contract because I think we got to get out of this thing where we're out of

542
02:35:45.680 --> 02:36:02.319
contract for for three, four years at a time. It just doesn't do good for anyone. That being said, um I I sympathize with what you're saying because when I opened that roster of employees and I saw the base salaries of what people make after 20 years as a laborer versus what someone starts out as and there's only a couple thousand

543
02:36:02.319 --> 02:36:19.359
difference, I I I couldn't believe my eyes. So, as I'm negotiating this next contract, I'm trying to create a way where we create separation in that to acknowledge people's years of service. So, believe me, we're cognizant of that. >> So, good. So, in saying that, everybody out there watching and and here in this

544
02:36:19.359 --> 02:36:35.680
meeting that what I was stating was the facts. He noticed it and uh he going to work on that because listen, when you compare an employee from Pros Park and you compare an employee from Clifton and you compare an employee uh a a truck

545
02:36:35.680 --> 02:36:52.479
driver, CDL license, they're not going they don't want to work for $40,000. they will go to Amazon and do two deliveries in one straight job and get the money easy, right? So, we have to Mr. BA I understand we have

546
02:36:52.479 --> 02:37:09.920
to have this conversation with DCA, you know, we we we're not a city that we are going to receive peanuts. We here to legislate for the residents also for employees and have their back. But DC had to understand that we are third

547
02:37:09.920 --> 02:37:25.040
largest city in the state of New Jersey and we praise that they give us all this million dollars, right? But we need to uh uh make sure that um spend wisely and at the same time make sure DCA look into this employee that they are working

548
02:37:25.040 --> 02:37:42.960
there are you know to make sure that the service get to the resident pattern and and leveling those salary uh revision is real important with DCA uh to lift the morale for our DPW employees. >> Thank you madam chair. We got we need a

549
02:37:42.960 --> 02:37:59.760
lot to do. Hold on. >> We got a lot to do. >> There's a lot and I'm going to just change some of the format of how you have them because there's departments that pretty much are just clear and there's other like DPW is more extensive, right? And so we have we all

550
02:37:59.760 --> 02:38:17.040
know we all got to stay here, right? >> But I'm going to stand >> some reconsideration. I just I just have the one question for >> so council. >> Yeah, council president >> I you know >> my phone is always going off the hook. It's always ringing which is fine. You

551
02:38:17.040 --> 02:38:34.000
need to explain out there why we don't have street cleaning >> on time. They need to hear because we tell them what it is. >> There's >> we try to tell them but I can't see why we constantly have eight trucks broke down. There's there there's a few issues

552
02:38:34.000 --> 02:38:48.640
with with streaking. >> Like we constantly have eight trucks broke down. >> No, we don't have eight trucks broke down. We have seven. We have eight all together. Seven all together. I forgot one birthet up in the fire. But we have seven sweepers. We got seven routes a day. Um the problem is and Councilman

553
02:38:48.640 --> 02:39:03.920
Veles is right. It's keeping keeping CDL drivers. We're paying them $40,000. They come here two three months. They get the they get the uh experience. They go, you know, find a job somewhere else that you know they got the experience driving. Um, and you know, we have a rotating door right now, reviving door right now

554
02:39:03.920 --> 02:39:21.200
with CDL drivers in sweepers. Um, and also we we ran into a um little hiccup with three of the sweepers with the same issue. They had a front engine issue, so they had to go get maintenance cuz they're under warranty by the um by the vendor that we had. So, today we had four sweepers out. Um, we'll have four

555
02:39:21.200 --> 02:39:37.840
sweepers out tomorrow. We'll have four uh the three sweepers out Friday. Um, and then hopefully we'll get the other three um sweepers back by the end of the week. So make we could have a full compliment on CDL on on street cleaner next week. And we're also training two people that have CDLs in us that that um

556
02:39:37.840 --> 02:39:54.000
that could drive the brooms for us if needed. We also have some other gentlemen, older gentlemen that used to be um sweep operators that don't mind coming back and helping us out if need be to uh to drive the sweepers. So, you know, we're trying to work through the pro um and if we don't get the sweepers back, we are putting together a plan to

557
02:39:54.000 --> 02:40:09.040
Monday to do some hand cleaning with the city for certain streets, trying to get as much done as possible. >> Right. And I and I just want to say and I heard uh BA talked about the salaries and and the contracts that's coming up and I remember saying it uh before, you

558
02:40:09.040 --> 02:40:25.120
know, I'm used to what I find is that I look at civil service. I learned a lot about civil service. But what you find here in the city is that you have a clerk two and one department making one amount. Then you have a clerk two and another department, but they still clerk tools, but they're making a different

559
02:40:25.120 --> 02:40:40.720
amount of money. And when I'm see civil service, normally you make the same amount. Whether you in DPW, whether you in finance, whether you in uh the legal department, you normally you normally would make the same amount. And I think that BA you really need to look into

560
02:40:40.720 --> 02:40:56.399
that civil service and make sure that you know uee can't make and you're a clerk too. How you making more than a clerk too in U Patterson city council office like how you making how you making more? So that's something that really got to be

561
02:40:56.399 --> 02:41:12.720
looked into. And also what I find is that we um and I I mentioned it before, I'm used to seeing um steps, meaning I get you get hired, a year from now, you go to this amount, a year from now, you go to that amount until you max out. And

562
02:41:12.720 --> 02:41:29.359
normally max out would be 40, 50, 60,000. Once you max out, only thing you getting now is your little 2% or 3% raise that your union contract negotiate for you. So that's why the BA is doing now. >> Huh? I said that's why I agree with what the BA is doing now with the union with the blue collar union who's trying to

563
02:41:29.359 --> 02:41:45.760
implement the the steps and everything he's doing now benefit the employees much better than what they're getting now >> they have to do but Mr. be I know I had mentioned it to the last BA before about trying to implement steps so somebody come in you know they can gradually move up move up and move up and then once you

564
02:41:45.760 --> 02:42:03.439
max out then you max out you just get your normal raise and so forth so I mean that that's to me it's another way of of trying to try to get people's um salaries more more up there than they normally make it. >> Yeah. Thank you my two directors.

565
02:42:03.439 --> 02:42:20.640
>> All right. So to the BA to all >> here sorry something came up >> to um all the directors that have come and those that will come um I'm just going to really address the BA for some things because I know these are ask of

566
02:42:20.640 --> 02:42:37.359
all of the departments and um if we were in a situation where we had the dollars and the cents to provide then everything that everyone is asking would be provided but in what is being requested by every department head. I'm

567
02:42:37.359 --> 02:42:53.920
going to put um I'm going to make this request that to the administration that we look at in every department uh capital improvement. I know there was some years ago this council um in our budget hearings we added capital improvement to identify in every

568
02:42:53.920 --> 02:43:09.600
department how many vehicles they had, how many were running, how many were broken. We need to go back into that dialogue with our department heads, especially in the scenario that Councilwoman Cotton just talked about where uh there were there are seven

569
02:43:09.600 --> 02:43:24.720
sweepers and four are up and running or whatever that number looks like. Um we need to make sure that in those departments that's happening. Attendance um we need to look at the attendance in every department and how that impacts or affects the work that's being done. uh

570
02:43:24.720 --> 02:43:41.280
the scalability of the workforce or the work workload that's being provided whether it's revenue generating or not being generated and what are our missed opportunities in every department and then as I previously stated retention uh when you hear DPW as well as other

571
02:43:41.280 --> 02:43:58.479
departments talk about people leaving he uh it was stated tonight that people that get CDL they get the opportunity and within two months they're leaving so we have to identify I um I think back In 2019, I did a um a scalability chart for

572
02:43:58.479 --> 02:44:15.680
the salaries and I remember sending it to the director with the former BAS that were here. So, I'm going to send it to you now. You're the new BA um where it looks across the spectrum of all of our employees of where they are on their salaries and what it would look like in a possible negotiation scenario to get

573
02:44:15.680 --> 02:44:31.279
them up to at least a medium range. um where cuz you have employees that worked for the city for 25 to 30 years that can't even afford to buy a house in the city. So um I just think that we need to like look at that to identify what can

574
02:44:31.279 --> 02:44:46.880
be done in a conversation with DCA with the governor involved our state legislators and the mayor to identify what can be done even as we go to approach um this new time for negotiations and that. But there are some things that could be done uh

575
02:44:46.880 --> 02:45:02.800
creatively and um you know um collaboratively with all of those entities mentioned as well as the council um so that when people come to work they feel like they're appreciated. Like I don't want to be in a scenario again where we just had a union they

576
02:45:02.800 --> 02:45:19.680
waited 5 years to get their contract settled. I think that's totally unacceptable that departments have to wait that long for a contract to settle which we're not a part of negotiations. We are not as a council. We are not a part of the conversations, but we come after it's ratified and voted on and we

577
02:45:19.680 --> 02:45:34.720
vote, but we hear the employees and their complaints. So, I think for you, Mr. Ba, you are new and I think you've been doing a yman's job of being transparent and really bringing things into the uh right perspective and alignment of what the city really needs

578
02:45:34.720 --> 02:45:50.880
from a financial perspective alongside um our CFO. So, I'm just putting that on the table. I don't see writing, but I know you'll go back and watch everything that's being stated, but all of these things have to be a part of the conversations. They can ask for as many staff members, but if the staff member don't have a truck, they still can't do

579
02:45:50.880 --> 02:46:12.359
the job. If they don't have a car, they still can't do the job. So, those things have to be prioritized as well as these other things when it talks about staffing and filling the uh vacancies. Thank you, Mr. Ba. >> Mr. President. >> Thank you, madam.

580
02:46:12.560 --> 02:46:28.000
>> Thank you, madame finance chair. Um I have uh one question and I have like a suggestion for the BA. um after listening um to the different departments, uh the question that I have is are any of the department heads

581
02:46:28.000 --> 02:46:45.760
having to submit like KPIs to you key performance indicators um so that they're measuring as they're going so that we're not getting to the end of a year and saying we bled out that you can look at month three and see if they're hitting any of the targets. Um and if they're not then

582
02:46:45.760 --> 02:47:01.359
it gives them an opportunity to go back and rework some things. Um I is that being done currently? >> What? >> Um the answer is no, but I certainly as I you know continue on with the city of Patterson definitely want to set clear

583
02:47:01.359 --> 02:47:17.359
objectives and expectations for our departments. So I I plan to implement that. Yes. >> Thank you. And then the um last question was when we first started I wanted to make sure that I heard you correctly. Recreation is no longer under DPW. Is that just for the

584
02:47:17.359 --> 02:47:33.840
>> I'm sorry. It is the division on the DPW, but since I've been a director, recreations budget has always been done with the administration. >> That's all. Thank you so much, Councilman. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a question. Not I see, you know, there's uh engineering and then there's

585
02:47:33.840 --> 02:47:50.319
operating expense total number of overtime for the entire department. Do we have that? >> Uh I could get it for you. I don't >> Yeah, that's that's the only thing I need. >> Council President CFO. >> Oh, Mr. CFO, do you have it? The total number? >> You want the total number budgeted or

586
02:47:50.319 --> 02:48:06.560
you want the total number? >> I want the total number for the whole department. >> You want budgeted or you want year? >> Budgeted and addition. >> We'll provide that for you. >> Thank you. What is it? >> We'll provide it for you. I I don't have anything. We'll provide >> uh council. How much? Madam Chair,

587
02:48:06.560 --> 02:48:26.240
>> Madam Chair, >> Madam Chair, I ask >> we done. >> Yeah, I will finalize. Yeah. >> Oh, go ahead. >> So, regarding the sweepers and um you know,

588
02:48:26.240 --> 02:48:43.439
I call you every time with the sweepers um and etc. You're going to see this problem going around around if we don't have a backup of sweepers. You know, if we don't have a backup of sweeper, we could have employees, but sometime we have to at least have two or

589
02:48:43.439 --> 02:49:00.240
three machines like the backup just in case one breaks. >> We we had eight sweepers. Um we got seven routes Monday through Thursday. We always had one backup, but unfortunately when we had the fire in the building, the sweeper burnt. So, we're in the process of uh replacing that now. Um so once we get that sweeper back we'll be

590
02:49:00.240 --> 02:49:15.920
to a full compliment and we'll be able to do that. >> Okay. So so saying that uh I just want to recommend my recommendation to my residents of the fifth ward. I don't know I'm not going to say other words because then you know my residents of the fifth ward work with us. That

591
02:49:15.920 --> 02:49:31.760
garbage don't come from the skies. It's come from uh I see how many business owners sweep the sidewalk. They throw it to the curb. I see business residents throwing the garbage to the curb. If you're gonna clean your sidewalk, don't throw it to the curb. Pick it up too.

592
02:49:31.760 --> 02:49:48.160
Give us a hand. And if you know that today rain a lot, go out there, clean the cash base because all that garbage that probably was in front of the house, right? Is that now in the curve? So, director, can you take a look into that? Uh, tomorrow do a little route around. How many cash bases are full of that

593
02:49:48.160 --> 02:50:03.520
garbage that came down to the corners? Uh I know you gonna be on top of it, but uh just in case. >> So department was here at 8 o'clock doing it, so we're on it. >> Thank you, director, and and thank you for the hard work you do. >> You have a good evening. >> Thank you.

594
02:50:03.520 --> 02:50:19.920
>> Director Ramirez, Department of Health. >> Good evening, council. >> All right, >> I'll rec I'll recuse you on this one. >> Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, Councilman. Good evening, council members. Just in

595
02:50:19.920 --> 02:50:36.319
the interest of time, if you don't mind, I'm going to go through the budget book in the order that it was presented to you all. So, the director's office is the first page. You should all see same number of positions. Salary changes are only the increments received by their union

596
02:50:36.319 --> 02:50:53.120
contracts. >> Very well. page >> in OE. The main change you will see was the purchase of technology for the re-implementation of the Merkantile licensing office >> as well as the uniform and mileage

597
02:50:53.120 --> 02:51:14.479
covered for that office. >> Next, >> aging and disabled. Again, the only change is the union contract increases. >> No changes in No. Okay. >> Division of youth services.

598
02:51:14.479 --> 02:51:31.200
We have one vacancy, a keyboarding clerk one. The only changes are the changes in salary based on union contracts. So >> I see that you you went from having uh two two for one keyboarding clerk. One >> one was moved to the director's office.

599
02:51:31.200 --> 02:51:50.000
>> Okay. >> No changes in the OE. No changes. >> The rent leveling board, we do have a few vacancies. Uh so if you have not made an appointment, I encourage you to please help us make your appointment.

600
02:51:50.000 --> 02:52:09.200
So there are no changes to the rent leveling board. Merkantile licensing, as I mentioned, it's been about six years since we last had an Merkantile inspector. We now have hired an onboarded mercantile inspector. Um and he has been out there going to

601
02:52:09.200 --> 02:52:30.000
businesses making sure that they are in compliance with our merkantile license ordinance. The division of health, we have the health officers or the administration. There are only changes again in the

602
02:52:30.000 --> 02:52:50.560
salary increases based on their union contracts. There are no changes to the operating expenses in 8102 which is health nursing services. We do have some vacancies as highlighted here. Health aid bilingual

603
02:52:50.560 --> 02:53:08.399
public health supervisor and we did swap. If you see in CY2025 we had four public health sup nursing supervisors. Now, we're only budgeting for three. That is because we've moved in the program manager disease control

604
02:53:08.399 --> 02:53:24.160
and prevention position, which is an epidemiologist with a PhD who's filling in that capacity. That salary is being covered by that previous salary and a grant-f funded salary of a social service aid. And it was a title

605
02:53:24.160 --> 02:53:39.359
previously held by Dr. Pursade as well. So, he's relinquished that title. OE is the same. >> Um, >> environmental health, every position we are budgeted for is

606
02:53:39.359 --> 02:54:03.279
filled and the increases again are from the union increases. There are no changes to OE. Except for the the clothing allowance. If you see here, it comes off as an

607
02:54:03.279 --> 02:54:19.279
increase. It was not put in originally, but it must be in there because all of their union contracts require that we pay for their union uniforms. Vital statistics, we have one vacancy. All the clerks in there are keyboarding

608
02:54:19.279 --> 02:54:37.680
clerk by title and any increases are from the union contracts. Madam Chair. >> So I think he's done. Yeah. >> Yep. >> He's done. >> That's it. Any questions? >> Uh, no questions. I just want to I I

609
02:54:37.680 --> 02:54:53.680
just want to commend >> the work that you've done since you've come in as the director. You've expanded a lot of services that are very very vital in the community such as uh the seniors program where they get the fruit. Um the ass was made here and you

610
02:54:53.680 --> 02:55:08.880
expanded it. Now that it's been marketed, you know, to a different degree, a lot of the seniors are loving being able to get the the voucher to go and get some fruits and vegetables from the store and the youth service and all the programs that you do. But I just

611
02:55:08.880 --> 02:55:25.040
want to commend that the the work that you've done as you've come in as the director to take the health department to a different place. Dr. Prasad, you know, I always call you as well and I just want to say thank you for all the work you're doing in the department and thank you for your efficiency and

612
02:55:25.040 --> 02:55:41.840
presenting on tonight. >> Thank you. And if you do have any questions on any revenue increases, I did present a report to the BA that he could share with you. >> I just have one question the rent leveling. >> Um I I want an understanding of right

613
02:55:41.840 --> 02:56:00.319
now that board is not meeting. Correct. We currently do not have quorum. So we are missing. >> So you don't have enough members. >> Okay. How when was their last meeting? >> Last year. >> Last year. >> Okay.

614
02:56:00.319 --> 02:56:15.840
>> So last year they did have a quorum but some members were absent. >> Correct. >> So they did have the number of people on the board but some of the current the ones that was current that were sitting there didn't show up to the meeting and that's why they did not meet. So, there was a meeting scheduled, but there were

615
02:56:15.840 --> 02:56:32.479
some and since one of those members has resigned um from from the board and there's a new person coming out to replace them. >> And and I will just add on that. No, I was going to say one thing, we also do not have a major complaint before us. >> So, you know, we want to have the board

616
02:56:32.479 --> 02:56:49.840
fully appointed so that if there is a complaint, we can actually go through the powers of the ordinance for the residents. And that would be council that you need to fill those. >> Council and mayor both appoint. >> Council and mayor. >> But I'll I'll have my rent leveling secretary send you an email with the

617
02:56:49.840 --> 02:57:05.600
composition of the board and how many vacancies there. >> Madam chair. >> Oh, >> thank you. >> Hi, sir. >> I I will have my appointment ready on August 11th. My uh the previous person in that spot uh had to resign to go on to another board. So, that was the

618
02:57:05.600 --> 02:57:41.359
issue. But I will have a by August 11th, I will have an appointment. And I believe there's two other members besides me. So >> yeah. So, August 11th, that'll be >> record. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Chair, director. Good evening. Um, so all the all the the

619
02:57:41.359 --> 02:57:57.120
the new hiring that you have on the department are reflected in here. Yes. >> For example, the health environment. So you have 15 positions. They all full. Correct. There's no vacancy here. >> Correct. >> All right. And a new hire that you have in your department. They're reflecting here in this budget. >> Correct.

620
02:57:57.120 --> 02:58:13.200
>> Okay. So I I you mentioned this but I didn't hear correctly. The public health nurse you went from four to three because what happened with the with that vacancy that you have on from four to three? >> Dr. Pursade uh put forth an a plan to

621
02:58:13.200 --> 02:58:30.080
replace one of those positions with an individual with a different title who has the skill set to oversee the TV when the contact tracing for lack of a better term right

622
02:58:30.080 --> 02:58:46.000
yes well KJ Khaled that's what he was doing so there's a social service position and the public so we merge both to fund this position He's an epidemiologist uh and he does a lot of work as we are pursuing accreditation. Um I know I've

623
02:58:46.000 --> 02:59:02.000
mentioned this before, there are only a handful of accredited health departments in the state and we are going through that process. Therefore, we need someone with that skill set to guide us through that process and that is part of the functions of this individual. >> And all the position that you've been hired, they've been approved by DCA. If

624
02:59:02.000 --> 02:59:17.200
you need to approve, have you haven't had any problem? >> Every position needs a DCA waiver. So every position has received a DCA waiver. >> Okay. Last question is that you have um the youth service. You went from two clerk to one >> uh clerk. Are you moving that position

625
02:59:17.200 --> 02:59:30.720
to another department? >> Into my office. Yes. >> Okay. Enter >> into my office into the director's office. >> Okay. Instead of two one and moving to >> we serve more residents in my office than the youth services bureau. you know

626
02:59:30.720 --> 02:59:48.240
that that division is serving young men and women who have interactions with the law. So there are courtordered to participate. So you do not need two clerks there. In my office as you know we see hundreds of people a day who come for IDs, for social work, for housing,

627
02:59:48.240 --> 03:00:04.800
for relocation, for guidance, >> you name it >> in general. So we have the need in my office. So the last question that I have is in termal but and excuse me the lack of knowledge in this the marriage certificate when people go and request it where that that go under which department

628
03:00:04.800 --> 03:00:20.160
>> vital statistics >> vital statistics >> division of health vital statistics >> so so the question that I have is because I always have to call people have to wait two and three months I don't see that too many people getting married you know in patteradison but why people have to wait so long I know they have to is that if that have anything to

629
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do with personnel uh per se >> it has to do with the fact that the registar or the deputy are the only ones who can sign that certificate. >> Okay. >> So the clerks do not possess the CMR credential to be able to do that and the state only allows us one registar and

630
03:00:36.640 --> 03:00:54.000
one deputy and we are a city which unfortunately a lot of people come here to get married. A lot of people from outside the country end up here wanting to get married. So that backlogs up us. But Dr. Dr. Pris and I having conversation about software uh and and

631
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making that a smoother process but it is going to cost a little investment in in software. >> I I understand director and and I'm just going to say this in closing and I'm going to repeat this and is the only way that we're going to that we're going to create surplus in the city of Patterson is by making sure that our the department are more effective in term of

632
03:01:10.800 --> 03:01:26.960
bringing revenue into the city and I would like to see a revenue projection within the health department. I know you guys have different ways to collect revenue from the city even though I disagree in some of the one uh instead of talking about the lead uh because it's kind of pricing but let's uh that's

633
03:01:26.960 --> 03:01:43.120
another conversation but I think that would like to see a revenue projection director in term of your department uh because that that really the only way that we're going to be able one day to get off transition is by being effective in each department and start bringing revenue and that's that's my that's

634
03:01:43.120 --> 03:01:59.840
that's what I'm concentrating that's the only way we're going to be able to help our homeowners, our taxpayer by being effective on each department. Thank you. >> You'll be happy to know when I I will have my team, your late tomorrow update because we do have additional revenues to report. Uh but we do have a report

635
03:01:59.840 --> 03:02:16.640
ready that just needs to be updated and the the department of health has increased revenue significantly over the last four years. >> So, director, I I I've gone through everything. I see where everything has stayed. I think at the only increase that I saw was in American health.

636
03:02:16.640 --> 03:02:33.200
>> Um I don't have any more questions at this time. All right. Uh so we want to thank you and I would have to say and echo the sentiments of council president and I think everyone here sees the work that you do along with Dr. Prasad. I'm happy that you keep him online. No, just

637
03:02:33.200 --> 03:02:48.960
just kidding. >> Thank you for coming. We're good partners in progress. >> No, no, that's what I'm saying. I think it's it's a great there's great synergy there. there's great work and there's I see a level of respect and I think that's really important you know uh to be able to head

638
03:02:48.960 --> 03:03:05.359
a division and to have the people who work by you and under you respect you right and want to come to work that's what I want to see throughout the entire city so we want to thank you and um no more questions we're going to move on >> thank you honorable council have a great night >> thank you

639
03:03:05.359 --> 03:03:20.800
>> so the remainder is all the VA right >> so yes so no at this point right now it's just admin Women's >> finance and law. So I don't know where there's there's no library here. >> No, >> he's just sitting here, right? >> He came with a whole squad.

640
03:03:20.800 --> 03:03:36.240
>> There's no library. Yeah, I know. He's just here, but >> yeah, >> the BA. >> All right, Mr. Ba. Uh, this is all yours admin finance. >> Just before he goes in, there was a one-page document for recreation. Could you just give an overview? I know

641
03:03:36.240 --> 03:03:53.200
there's no real change to that, but can you give an overview on the recreation page? Wait, >> it's in the DPW P. >> It's in their um >> section. >> Where is it? >> Hold on. Um so, director, do you have a

642
03:03:53.200 --> 03:04:15.760
question? >> Sure. >> You have a question for the BA or for the council? >> For city departments? >> City departments. Um, >> so rec recreation reflects what? >> Wait a minute. He's still standing

643
03:04:15.760 --> 03:04:37.600
there. Is there something that >> I to the department heads that were going to present? The communication was clear. So, >> okay. the the library board gets a statutory amount raised by taxes and and that's that's that's you know it's not a

644
03:04:37.600 --> 03:05:00.640
city department >> so so >> um Mr. BA right because we're in the middle of budget hearings. I I would digress to say that whatever the conversation is should be held after this is done like between you is not a

645
03:05:00.640 --> 03:05:16.880
part of what we're discussing tonight. We have published budget hearings for the department heads and so I don't want it to get into an a conversation that does not need to be divulged through uh that's not publicized or that's not presented before us. It was not fair to

646
03:05:16.880 --> 03:05:32.399
the council or to the public. We don't have it here. Um and can possibly this part should be brief which you're going to discuss now after this is done and we're because the meeting is already closed out just budget hearing we will close this out. If there can be a

647
03:05:32.399 --> 03:05:47.600
conversation that's had and if at a later time there needs to be something openly divulged then we can do it at that time. But specifically we're mandated by the state to perform what we're doing tonight for um before our introduced budget. So I want to be clear

648
03:05:47.600 --> 03:06:03.520
to the council on that but Mr. BA if you can respond to that or corporation council >> to which piece well I mean the with respect to library the bottom line is to two or three months ago the DCA gave a letter that the city is not permitted to give supplemental funding in 26

649
03:06:03.520 --> 03:06:19.120
>> being that is the case today there's nothing for the the introduced budget will have nothing relating to the library because you know the statutory amount is the statutory amount now since our TA letter the director through the board has um I guess requested to speak

650
03:06:19.120 --> 03:06:34.960
with DCA or put the request forward that now that we got a pretty good TA number, will DCA consider um allowing us to pick a a supplemental funding number? So, that request was made and it's been transmitted to DCA, but I I don't know what more there is to

651
03:06:34.960 --> 03:06:50.080
>> So, Mr. B, can you send that letter? I know Council Councilwoman Alfred is she's new to the council. Please send that letter out so everyone can have a copy of the letter that came from DCA. DCA is our monitoring agent to the public that is watching or present. Uh

652
03:06:50.080 --> 03:07:06.080
they monitor our finances. They are the fiscal uh monitor over the finances. We are on transitional aid. We've been on that for over 30 years. So as much as we would like to get money or transfer money, everything that's done through the city of Patterson has to be approved

653
03:07:06.080 --> 03:07:21.359
by DCA, which is the Department of Community Affairs. Um and they have to get a waiver for that. So um director BA even if it has to be bought if it's not just between the two you want to come to finance we can arrange that

654
03:07:21.359 --> 03:07:36.640
through our madam chair at a later time but we definitely could do that but today let's just go over the remainder of this and then after that there can be that conversation >> council president may I please >> council I'm going to respectfully just

655
03:07:36.640 --> 03:07:54.080
let us not we have items that were uh already advertised special meeting. It is not here. So I want to move forward to allow NBA to continue and I will definitely >> I don't know if if this was suitable. >> What I was going to say is and I will

656
03:07:54.080 --> 03:08:09.680
definitely director I'll definitely invite you to our next finance meeting so we can have the conversation with the finance committee, the BA, our our CFO. >> So council president, may I may I >> Wait, wait, wait. Councilman. >> But no, he not he's not going to speak.

657
03:08:09.680 --> 03:08:25.600
But may I please as a statuto he wants to say something and I don't want him I want him to say what he needs to say to us, right? And then we're going to move on. Please. Oh, >> okay. All right. I'd like to say something cuz tonight I wouldn't have been here had I known that that all departments were not giving that um

658
03:08:25.600 --> 03:08:42.720
we're not giving a budget hearing today. Um, furthermore, um, I don't know if everyone knows, but the Patterson libraries, we're only operating one public library and, uh, the South P the main library in South Patterson, uh, 3 days a week. So, I think that we should really have a conversation to talk about

659
03:08:42.720 --> 03:08:58.720
the library service that you have in your city, right? Because your residents are not getting the the the uh the library services that they need. The library currently is is um is operating well below the state minimum guidelines. When that when we talk about the 160,000

660
03:08:58.720 --> 03:09:14.960
uh population, when that population went up, so did this. So did the um the requirements to run a public library in this space. Understanding that there's no perfect way of putting it together. Um the residents of the city, every resident of the city um is is needs

661
03:09:14.960 --> 03:09:31.120
library services and we have to really think about um the way we talk about things going forward. understanding it's not a city department. That's fine. But it is of a a service that every resident in this city is entitled to. So, we're willing to sit down to the table to talk

662
03:09:31.120 --> 03:09:46.479
about whatever we have to talk about funding. We talk about ways of trying to um operate our libraries in a in a um in a in a more uh decent manner so that our residents we talk about the digital divide. We're talking about reading levels, right? The reason why we come

663
03:09:46.479 --> 03:10:02.319
here every day because I I live it. I live the libraries. I I'm in the buildings when I see the residents that can't read, sixth grade, can't read, right? I it's the homeless, the people that don't have uh internet at home. It's it's it's it's disturbing in the third largest city in uh um in in the

664
03:10:02.319 --> 03:10:17.279
state of New Jersey. I understand transitional aid. I understand the state can tell you what to do, but there's got to be a fight for for what's right for our residents. We talk about our residents. We talk about uh we talk about revitalization, right? It's got to be some real sit down, some real serious

665
03:10:17.279 --> 03:10:32.720
conversations. I've been here for about what, eight years now, and every year I'm coming to to to this to this to this podium advocating for things that should already be here. We deserve to your city deserves services. I know there's a there's a there's a perfect world

666
03:10:32.720 --> 03:10:48.319
number, but there's at least a number that we can at least get some services to our residents, but one and a half libraries for 160,000 people, that's that's not that's not that doesn't make sense. >> Thank you very much, director. >> Mr. DA just make sure that that is a

667
03:10:48.319 --> 03:11:04.880
part of the con conversation. Um as well as um on tonight's agenda 600 approximately 600,000 was allocated to work to be done in the library. So I just want to put that on the record that when it comes to what we are doing or

668
03:11:04.880 --> 03:11:22.560
not doing, item number uh one had work for the library on Broadway and South Patterson. But Mr. VA, let's do that. Madame Chair, let's move forward. here the agenda please. >> May I please >> if you can just be brief. >> I going to be brief because I my my my

669
03:11:22.560 --> 03:11:36.960
comments and and what I'm going to bring is solution. I I just heard that um there was a convers there's a letter from DCA that and I receive it because you sent it and I had a conversation with you regarding it. Um, moving

670
03:11:36.960 --> 03:11:53.600
forward, um, I believe there's have to be a conversation between the library and DCA and and that's what I heard tonight, right? So, make it probably easy uh to lobby for the library. I I will call a statutory

671
03:11:53.600 --> 03:12:10.560
meeting with a library only. get the facts, get the um um what you need, don't need, and put it all in paper and probably a letter that we drafted as a committee could give you that support that you need with DCA meeting. That

672
03:12:10.560 --> 03:12:27.040
sounds suitable. >> Okay. So, let's let's get that meeting moving forward. And the secretary, I'm the chair, Michael Jackson is co-chair, colleague, and Alex Mendes are part of that committee. we could get together and have is by law we have a committee

673
03:12:27.040 --> 03:12:43.680
by law we have a committee and we should meet with the library he would put on the floor what was his concern and probably from there we could draft a letter and give it to them and as a support okay uh with DCA that's how I see it not just and in the past and in

674
03:12:43.680 --> 03:13:00.160
the past I recall that the library sat in front of us in a budget hearing and present presented his budget and why he really needed not in the past. I don't know uh why we didn't did it now but a >> councilman I think the BA did explain

675
03:13:00.160 --> 03:13:16.640
why that happened he the letter explains why but but let let us not furthermore thank you very much thank you councilman uh and definitely I know you'll be bringing that up in statutory uh Mr. BABA. >> Thank you, council member. So, the way

676
03:13:16.640 --> 03:13:32.399
we structured is the major departments, you know, the department had spoke spoke between the public safety, health, um economic development and um >> what did I miss? >> You're in general, >> the five the five that we covered that

677
03:13:32.399 --> 03:13:48.239
they cover over 80% of our total salary and wage and insurance cost. So, everything else um has been folded under, you know, just administration for discussion. That includes the finance department, the law department. Those are separate departments. Both directors are here. Um if there are any specific

678
03:13:48.239 --> 03:14:04.319
questions to them, I want to just address um the recreation um piece. That question was asked before the library sidebar. Um um essentially um it's what was expended in 25 and to account for um you know contractual raises and so

679
03:14:04.319 --> 03:14:21.920
forth, it went up in proportion to that. So, so I'm trying to understand something or is it >> it's it's on the it's on the cover page. Um, so wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait one second. Mr. Ba, yes. >> Right now, we were going the way this

680
03:14:21.920 --> 03:14:38.399
was divided was divided into different departments, right? And now you said you would So, we have general government, correct? That's where council, uh, elections, insurance, right? >> No, he's doing breakfast first. >> Recreation was in the page of DPW.

681
03:14:38.399 --> 03:14:55.560
That was the only item not discussed under DPW. >> So, may I >> What? One second. >> My It's my Well, >> whatever the council's pleasure is with with more information on recreation. I'd be happy to provide it.

682
03:14:55.760 --> 03:15:12.960
>> I think it's self-explanatory. It's one page. What was the increase? >> Do you have that? >> Madame Chair So, so council president. >> So,

683
03:15:12.960 --> 03:15:30.479
so the recreation budget was 2.5 million. Operating expense was 800,000. >> Mhm. >> This year, >> E was 800,000. >> Operation expense 800,000. This year, uh, they're asking for 3.3

684
03:15:30.479 --> 03:15:46.640
million and operating expenses. So they're looking for a 500 a $800,000 increase >> and then and >> total increase. >> No, I'm saying overall >> just as a point of clarity. Last year

685
03:15:46.640 --> 03:16:01.120
more >> so 1 million. >> Wait one second. >> 1 million in operating expense and the salary and wages. That's what they're asking. Salary and wages 800,000 operating expense $200,00 to that is last year they went higher than their

686
03:16:01.120 --> 03:16:18.080
budgeted amount. um which is why you had to do transfers. Remember that meeting you had at the end of December? >> Um so this year's budgeted number more accurately reflects what was actually spent last year. >> Okay, a massive increase but it's really smaller because it was the >> Okay, that makes President C.

687
03:16:18.080 --> 03:16:34.960
>> That makes sense. So, may I may I please uh regarding this item is I'm I'm real real excited for it because now we increasing uh asking for $1 million more into that recreation budget that they need that I know I know is real real

688
03:16:34.960 --> 03:16:50.000
need in the community that recreation department. Now, that recreation department um has certain employees has uh um um you know they fulfill work frontier. Now, what I'm looking for and

689
03:16:50.000 --> 03:17:07.840
I'm being looking into this now, now we're increasing 30 25% on recreation and it's good. Patterson needs recreation and it's good. What what we looking to uh to see if it's suitable to uh create a recreation and park

690
03:17:07.840 --> 03:17:25.359
division uh in our city that mainly that budget will dedicate to recreation and parks by itself because we have parks that we have spent money and they they need to get maintaining directly. We have

691
03:17:25.359 --> 03:17:41.840
programs of recreation that if we budget properly that division will probably get more funding and will be more justif uh justified in DCA that we we have a division in in recreation and parks and they will look at us with compassion

692
03:17:41.840 --> 03:17:59.279
when they have to put more money for that because the really the community is using recreation. If you look if you look at all the programs and all the parks all year round they are using it. So moving forward, uh m uh Mr. uh um um

693
03:17:59.279 --> 03:18:16.880
corporation council, I I would look forward to sit down with you to see if we could draft a ordinance to create the recreation and park division of the city of Patterson and it will be budget different uh uh as a benefit for the community at all. Councilman, if if I

694
03:18:16.880 --> 03:18:33.120
may, that is a request and that it comes from the administration. And I know that that's already been in conversation. So you're saying you're recommended, but it's already been a conversation. >> Yes. I just want to put it there because I'm >> No, I know. But I I it needs to come. We don't They have to come to us and then

695
03:18:33.120 --> 03:18:48.800
we will vote yes or no. We will have the conversations in committee if it's something to be done. But >> that's not what we're talking about. >> Not right now. >> So I have a >> it's needed. >> Are we administration? We have to we

696
03:18:48.800 --> 03:19:02.560
have to stay to the task what we advertised. Okay. So right now we were supposed to be in general government which was the next thing which is somewhat self-explanatory because it's the mayor's office council elections >> jury. So right before we I just have a

697
03:19:02.560 --> 03:19:19.200
ask. So for recreation special events I know that there is a project underway to do renovations in the bathrooms in the park. I'm going to put on the record that I believe that we need when it comes to events, we need to have someone

698
03:19:19.200 --> 03:19:34.800
stationed in the bathroom to clean the bathroom consistently. Um, we know there needs to be an upgrade like rusting on the sinks, doors off the hinges, all of those things. But since we're talking about recreation, it needs to be added

699
03:19:34.800 --> 03:19:51.120
that someone is there that will continuously clean the bathroom throughout the course, especially when there's events going on. I know they're clean when they first start off, but throughout the course of the events, and I'm not sure um if they're in there every 15 minutes, every 20 minutes, but I want to put that on the record,

700
03:19:51.120 --> 03:20:05.920
especially since we're on recreation as we move into general government. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. So, Mr. B, >> thank you. Um so, going through general government, I I'll flip page by page. If there's any questions, you know, feel

701
03:20:05.920 --> 03:20:23.200
free to ask. um if the mayor's office all those positions are are currently occupied, the OE is is flat. Um the council sec uh count the council and the council secretary and support system is

702
03:20:23.200 --> 03:20:38.720
the following page. There's relatively few changes there other than contractual increases. Um Oene is on the next page for that. Um the next page is the actual um is the clerk's

703
03:20:38.720 --> 03:21:00.920
division department. Um if there's any specific questions on that. >> No >> the fourth page in general government. >> Is it that city clerk? >> Wait. >> Yeah. >> No.

704
03:21:05.040 --> 03:21:32.800
It's very clear. >> So you see at the top it says all the way at the top office of the city clerk. All the way at the top it says cut off. >> Uh Mr. B on the city clerk's office. Um, is city clerks in there with city council?

705
03:21:32.800 --> 03:21:48.000
Is that a separate page? >> Yeah, council was before, >> right? Are all the do they look at our expenses? >> Do they have forget about our expenses >> on the city clerk's office? Do we have >> in there the the money I mean the the

706
03:21:48.000 --> 03:22:05.120
the staff that we need in the city council? Do we need do we have the staff that we need? because we definitely need that administrative supervisor in the in the city clerk's office. We definitely need that. And uh

707
03:22:05.120 --> 03:22:20.399
>> so council woman, >> it doesn't matter what issue. But I'm saying if you want to if you want city government to run smoothly, it really starts with city council and city clerk. >> City clerk regardless, they're the one that got to publish and newspaper and put the stuff out there and make sure

708
03:22:20.399 --> 03:22:38.000
that everything is in there. I'm asking, is there everything in here that that office needs? That's my question. >> So, C councilwoman um to your question, when we did internal budget meetings, that was prior to um to Madame Clerk joining us. Um so, what I'll just say

709
03:22:38.000 --> 03:22:54.880
generally is um if Madame Clerk does have position she wants to add, she can absolutely, you know, come see me and the CFO and we will uh do our best to incorporate that in into this budget cycle. >> But not Okay. Okay. But you don't have it listed now. Only thing we have now is

710
03:22:54.880 --> 03:23:10.479
what we have working in there. Now, >> it it appears as though there's one additional clerk position budgeted for this year that wasn't there last year >> and the city council >> in under the clerk. >> Yeah, if I may. >> Sure. >> If you can please. So, I sat with the

711
03:23:10.479 --> 03:23:27.040
CFO um and based just on my months since being here, it is my um request that I hope that we have we can have the budget for it and that we have the support, but definitely we need one more person in

712
03:23:27.040 --> 03:23:42.560
where I sit immediately and in the council and the budget currently reflects those numbers. >> Yes. >> What's presented before you has that. So, is that for a secretary or is that for a supervisor? >> Another secretary, >> right? Okay.

713
03:23:42.560 --> 03:23:59.040
>> That's that's been incorporated. >> Yes. >> But my question is even in the city's clerk's office in the city council office, you still need that supervisor in that city council office because the city clerk, it's hard for her to be supervising both offices. So, even

714
03:23:59.040 --> 03:24:14.560
though she has a deputy clerk, I'm talking about the city council office. I don't currently I don't believe that we need a supervisor in the council secretaries. I think we need another council secretary. I am working

715
03:24:14.560 --> 03:24:29.439
obviously on >> the things that we have outstanding and >> restructuring correctly our office. >> I do think that we are short staff severely. We don't have the capacity for the number of oper requests alone that

716
03:24:29.439 --> 03:24:44.239
we get on top of what the council's requests may be. Right. >> So I do believe we need four council secretaries and an additional staff person for my immediate office >> and for and for the record you know like for example

717
03:24:44.239 --> 03:25:00.160
my uh secretary never got filled >> right and then it was that exactly and then it was that you know we have two persons that are doing everybody and then you got one person that does a lot

718
03:25:00.160 --> 03:25:16.640
more because now she has to do the constituent services is in another language and it it it becomes a lot and you only have two >> um >> where where we used to have I I I believe >> the and when I was the same thing

719
03:25:16.640 --> 03:25:34.160
>> the council president always had one person sitting in the council president's office this office is always closed >> right >> so anyway so I know like this because you agree so so Mr. Ba that is something

720
03:25:34.720 --> 03:25:51.120
Council. >> Yes. And I I wanted to know um Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to know um also is it included in the budget um the very basics of software like Adobe and in the things that make your job easier

721
03:25:51.120 --> 03:26:08.000
regardless of the manpoint. >> Um I think our CFO can confirm but I think those things stem from it or somewhere in the administration. I know currently um we've I've since I've been here the city had already acquired an Oprah software that I've been deeply

722
03:26:08.000 --> 03:26:24.319
involved with with our uh with Ryan in IT and so we're almost at the end of it and hopefully we'll be implementing it by next month where things will be automated but I don't think that that number is reflected in this budget. Our

723
03:26:24.319 --> 03:26:40.160
CFO can confirm where that number is coming from, but I think it's under it. >> Thank you. >> Um, Madam Chair, >> it does it does come out of IT department. >> Mr. CFL, you wanted to respond. >> It comes out of IT.

724
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>> The software comes out of IT. >> The software that she's talking about is getting charged to the IT department. DOE for the IT department. >> It is it going to be implemented this year? >> No, it's always everything goes through Yeah, the o the OPRA system that we're

725
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we've been reviewing, my staff has been in meetings since literally since I've been here. So, we're getting ready to roll it out soon. So, it will most definitely be implemented this year. For my petitions for next year, I do want to look into systems to automate our agenda

726
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process, but that would be a request following after I get the ball rolling with this. >> Um, council president. Um, Madam Chair, >> council me. >> Uh, thank you. I just a quick question, Madam Clerk. So, the the the the additional stuff that you uh need is

727
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reflected in the budget here or not? >> Yes. >> Is it here? >> Yes. The numbers reflect. >> That's the clerk instead of clerk type clerk number two instead of 314 number 14. >> Right. So, on the council page, the the the title is cut off, but it's the third

728
03:27:45.600 --> 03:28:02.160
page listed I believe under general government. under the council. You see, they're reflected for 2026 for clerk 2 titles. That would be another council secretary. So, that's one more person for council secretar's uh office. >> Okay.

729
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>> And then one more person for my immediate office there. Same thing under clerk too. >> Okay. And and I see just in closing, I see on this whole budget only one uh vacant constituent is the intern in the

730
03:28:17.680 --> 03:28:34.960
mayor's uh an intern for 20 $20,000. Um I know this administration hire multiple position, multiple people position. All those position are reflected in the budget. Mr. B, >> she said >> that's uh >> across the board especially the administration. >> The intern is out. So councilman that

731
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20,000 is out but I'm not I'm not I don't know like unless you tell me what position. And I don't know what you're talking about. You saying the administration has hired >> you talking about the clerk? >> No, the clerk just I mentioned the clerk. So in this hole I just see the cler from three to four the type two and

732
03:28:50.640 --> 03:29:06.640
from one to zero the intern. So that you're not budgeting that. >> That's in the mayor's office. >> That's in the mayor's office. >> That's the only thing I see office. >> Yes. So far those are the changes. >> So all the number that we have here are accurate. That's my question. >> Yes. in term of people that I in term of

733
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the number that I see uh for example on you know the on the position I see clerk two um give me a second let me just um to be more specific >> for the ones falling under council and clerk yes >> the only thing the mayor is adding is

734
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$20,000 for enter >> that's out >> yeah I know >> that's out >> you see a negative it's >> yeah that's only two that's only two positives that I here. >> All right. >> Council President, Madame Chair, >> so uh Madame Clerk,

735
03:29:43.680 --> 03:30:00.160
>> office of the clerk is only adding one one clerk, two >> one >> one. And that go into your office or our office. >> So I have one reflected in my office. Okay. And then one reflected under council >> to add to another to add another council

736
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secretary. So um now now in the past that position was advertised for example clerk two bilingual clerk one bilingual uh in this case it's not going to be

737
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bilingual it's going to be a clerk >> well I think I'd have to follow whatever HR's um requirements if there are any. I know we're civil service, but my goal or my my wish would be somebody another person bilingual. >> Well, that's that's why I'm bringing it

738
03:30:35.520 --> 03:30:51.120
up because it's one thing is hiring a clerk, but in the past all the position that we always posted for clerk, council and clerk was bilingual.

739
03:30:51.120 --> 03:31:09.120
It was bilingual. So, in this case, it's saying only >> Well, not always bilingual. It's like you can put Bilingual is not just Spanish. Bilingual could be language. It could be anything. Bilingual. I just want to make sure it's not a Spanish thing. >> They used to say the opposition was

740
03:31:09.120 --> 03:31:27.120
>> bilingual. And u I just want to clarify. No, people going to think it's only Spanish. No, bilingual is other languages. um um to make sure that your staff because the Arabic community is growing, the Bangladesh community is growing and uh and I understand um uh

741
03:31:27.120 --> 03:31:42.399
you know some people will handle different languages but we want to see that diversity is in place in when they go to when people are coming to get service. Why I say this? I have uh experience that when I'm in my office, I

742
03:31:42.399 --> 03:31:58.239
have to assist individuals that don't that that don't know English and um and I know that Ruby experienced that and um other people that in office I have to come out and say okay they want this or send my secretary to say can you assist them because they don't know the English

743
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language. So in the past, I just want to make it clear, every position that was hired in the clerk's office or in the council office, the title bilingual was uh the discretion bilingual was in that hiring. Madame clerk, and and everybody

744
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knows that we have been uh with that secretary since uh 2018 when Mrs. Rodriguez decided to go to Puerto Rico. So, um I just want to say that but uh they do a lot of work and um they keep

745
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on doing the good work like Madame Clerk has been doing a good job in her office. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. >> Thank you. >> I've looked at everything. I I looked at

746
03:32:46.399 --> 03:33:03.760
administration. I looked at finance. >> I don't agree administration here, but that's okay. Yeah, I'm not going to say >> law and courts. I don't have any more questions at this time. You know, we do have we'll be discussing more going >> I No, I I have a question for

747
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>> Councilman Khik. You have you have >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> All right. Council Khalik then Councilwoman Cotton if you have something for courts. I know. But council Khalik and then you >> finance. >> Finance. Let's go. >> Yes.

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Where are we with the audits? >> With the audits. >> Yes. >> So, the 2024 the 2024 audit is being worked on right now. Um, it should be done, I would say, in two months >> by 2024 audit. um next council meeting

749
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we're going to go out for the 2025 audit and they can start working on that I would say you know they're probably going to work around the same time and give you I would say five six months for the 2025 audit and then we'll be caught up 2026 should be going out somewhere

750
03:33:54.640 --> 03:34:14.800
around March >> of 2027 >> thank you >> cotton Well, no. He had that just question in for finance >> law.

751
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>> Now, let me just ask uh he he got up for you know what BA I noticed that in the uh for the breakdown for the law department. Um I can't understand why the salary went down for the administrative secretary. >> Um the administrative secretary retired.

752
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Yeah, we had a long time employee retire. >> Okay. >> And they've put that job ad out. They weren't through, you know, they weren't comfortable with what who with who applied. So, they're going to, you know, they're going to handle it. Everyone's going to pitch in until they find the right person.

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>> Oh, okay. But you're still going to start the salary at that amount. >> Um, at the not at the old 60 number. The placeholder is 45 for the budget. >> Right. But I'm saying, but just you're not going to find nobody. You might find

754
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somebody, but you're saying because she you're saying because she was a 30-year employee at 60,000, >> you don't think that the next person coming in should make 60,000? >> So So I'll the DCA denied the waiver that had 60,000 as the replacement. >> So the department head, Mr. Bushi, had

755
03:35:21.840 --> 03:35:37.200
to come back and he provided a range for the administrative secretary. So the number 45 is there. There was a range approved. Maybe it was 40 to 50. Okay. >> So, I mean if if we if a month or two from now the process continues, we repost it, whatever, and the person is hired at 52, then we would just we you

756
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know, that's a cosmetic change in the budget mid year. So, >> okay. >> Madam Chair, >> let me ask you another question since we almost finished. Um I know we have two um uh two assistant VAS now. Uh and I

757
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remember mentioned it a few times before. Um, I know each department should have someone tracking their own budget. They don't have nobody tracking their budget. So, our two VA assistant VA are tracking. Can you break down which one

758
03:36:10.000 --> 03:36:25.520
is tracking which budget? Because our budget starts in January. By July, I should know already how much I done spent and how much I got left. We need to know that. They need to know that. Um because if I September come and I done

759
03:36:25.520 --> 03:36:40.399
depleted my budget, where do I get the rest of the money from to finish out the next four months, >> right? >> So, and I know that um they had said that each department should have someone in there, but I don't believe each department has a person in there to

760
03:36:40.399 --> 03:36:56.560
track their budgets. So, do they or or are we relying on the two assistant BAS? So on the subject of the assistant BAS who I, you know, communicate with a lot. I I inherited a specific situation where a former BA, you know, assign them to

761
03:36:56.560 --> 03:37:13.760
special tasks within departments. Um, you know, I'm constantly evaluating kind of the future of that of that situation. I know in terms of um I know the way it used to work and I know they played a great role in tracking the budgets. Um, and you know, I'm looking to get back to

762
03:37:13.760 --> 03:37:30.720
that kind of flow. I agree with you, Councilwoman. >> You know, you know, the reason why I say that because I know one of I'm not mentioning her name, she tracked the DPW, the budget. She tracked it really good. And I remember I had some council colleagues up here saying that's not their role, but we don't have nobody in each of these department to track their

763
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budget to say or even track overtime. Somebody really should be tracking the overtime like how much overtime is coming in. know if you could just, you know, I know she done it. Um, she she really did a good job at it keeping track of DPW. That's the only one I

764
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really knew that that needed to be tracked. But whatever we can do, um, so we need to know by July, August, how much we spent, how much we got left. Each department already needs to know that. >> And to, you know, to to be fair, the the finance department, those reports do get

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produced. They see those reports. The DCA monitor asks for those reports every month or so. So there is there is a document that we could send at any moment that shows you percent expended as of a certain date. So let's we could we'll share that with the council a percent expended as of the last report

766
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date so you can see where we are in the year in every account. Absolutely >> madam chair >> council. >> Thank you madam chair. Uh so so I love my work. So um

767
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through through the chair, Mr. CFO, you stated that uh we in audit um 2024 right now or 2020? >> Yes, Councilman. >> So uh based on the rules and regulation of the state, are we in violation of of

768
03:38:54.479 --> 03:39:10.319
those audit? >> We're delayed in 2024. 2025 should be done by November this year. >> Uh are we getting >> that? That would be if we were on time. Are we getting penalized for um having the audit

769
03:39:10.319 --> 03:39:27.840
23 24 >> is anou? So, no, they've been sending, this is the thing, they've been sending that we agreed on the audit for 2023. They've been sending it here. I questioned that the last time why we not on top of the audit and they every time that we signed

770
03:39:27.840 --> 03:39:43.600
that we agree in that audit. We don't even have a deep discussion of that audit. We just okay, let's vote on the audit. Everybody, we don't never have discussion the audit. Uh but we signed that we agreed that you it's going to be performing the the right way the audit

771
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say. Now, so we not getting we not getting penalized for that. >> There's no there's no real penalties for it. I mean, there's if you're delayed enough, you could lose grand money or things could happen. That hasn't happened yet.

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>> So, that's the reason why probably the director CFO his went down $1,000. >> No. Um, I think if I'm correct, we did the supervisor's contract last year and that was part of a retro amount.

773
03:40:16.720 --> 03:40:32.319
>> So, >> so last year's budget was increased because of the supervisor's contract. >> Uh, director uh a director CFO. This is the this is your full-time job as CFO in the city of Pass. >> Mine? >> Yeah.

774
03:40:32.319 --> 03:40:48.239
>> I hope so. Yes. Yes, sir. >> Huh? full time. >> Okay. >> Just just go ahead council. >> No, I just I just I I know because I heard in the past that you also CFO for Bloomfield Bloomfield or whatever.

775
03:40:48.239 --> 03:41:03.760
>> Uh like three years ago was a part time CFO for >> See, you had to update me on that though. Thank you. >> So, as we close out the budget hearings, I just want to say that we did have discussions around the audit. Um there was some very um and in finance and here

776
03:41:03.760 --> 03:41:20.640
at the deis we know that there are some things not from there's some things that need to be done from the administrative side the clerk side there's different things that are required UCCC and different codes that are required so I'll put it back on the record to my

777
03:41:20.640 --> 03:41:35.920
council colleagues please look at theou to look at what's outlined that is required through DCA based on the transitional funds that we receive I want to thank my eight council members that showed up on tonight um and all of our department heads and the

778
03:41:35.920 --> 03:41:52.880
administration, our madame clerk and the secretaries and um Raphael for being here on tonight and the public the public that did come out. I think it's important >> I have another question about the law >> the law department. >> I'm waiting for my time.

779
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>> I was waiting for my I went I was waiting for my lawyer to get back >> to my corporation council. >> One second. So, I just want to say that >> uh we appreciate all the time that was spent. After um after uh Councilman

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03:42:07.760 --> 03:42:23.439
Mendes's final question, the meeting will be adjourned. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Uh thank you, Council President. Um let me call the superstar of the this uh chamber. My cooperation council, I see you have you adding another full-time lawyer, correct?

781
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So, you're adding another full-time lawyer. Um, that's what I see here on page one. Right. From a full-time lawyer, we going to tonight fulltime full-time lawyer. Right. >> May I? >> Yes. Go. Princ. >> Thank you. Um,

782
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>> good evening, Councilman Mendes. Yes, that's our request given the workflow and how busy the law department is and the law department's responsibilities. And I'm happy to expand upon that. >> Okay. I know since you've been here with us, you've been concentrated into

783
03:42:53.840 --> 03:43:10.160
bringing more job in house. I'm just want to encourage you to please let's concentrate on that. I I'm not against this additional lawyer, but want to see more job done in house. As you remember my comment with the engineer. If it'll be me, if I'll be the mayor of this

784
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city, I will have three engineer because the amount of money that we send it out is is incredible. So with the law department, the more we do in house, we're going to save a lot more taxpayer dollars by bringing everything in house. So I'm not against that at all. So I would encourage you just to continue

785
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doing the same. But the core uh I see that instead of the um deputy core administrator from s we're going down. >> Council president, may I very briefly just to that point? Um and I'll be brief. Thank you councilman for your observation. Uh I share your vision. Uh, since I've been the director of the law

786
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department, we've done more cases and activities in house than ever before. Every slip and fall that the city gets sued on, and there are many, are handled in house. Um, our prosecutor staff, approximately 25 municipal court sessions a week, which is a substantial

787
03:43:59.359 --> 03:44:16.720
increase, and each one of those require additional hours. In addition, as you know, uh the federal administration sued the city uh for supposed sanctuary city policies while other major cities including Newark hired outside council and Hoboken. We handled that in-house.

788
03:44:16.720 --> 03:44:32.479
It was me and another attorney from my office who I specifically uh supported to get admitted into federal court for the first time ever so he can participate and litigate. The only things that we don't do in house are certain types of litigation and also uh

789
03:44:32.479 --> 03:44:47.760
many uh complaints about harassment and employee matters because uh sometimes depending on the type of complaint the law department may be conflicted out of. So that represents a a certain part of the law department practice that's growing a little bit. I would love to

790
03:44:47.760 --> 03:45:03.680
handle more of that in house but due to conflict reasons we can't. So, um, as you know, we work with council, we draft the resolutions, many of the ordinances, we advise, we staff, and I've I certainly want to give a shout out to the law department because they they do

791
03:45:03.680 --> 03:45:19.840
a tremendous job day in and day out from property issues to um property sessions and prosecuting crimes, including the the um community court, which has has been a success, which we're using completely federal grant money to fund.

792
03:45:19.840 --> 03:45:35.439
So, that's not even on here. So, I do want to give a shout out to my team who have done tremendous work and dedicated themselves and I appreciate uh the council's vote of confidence really in them, not me. And if we are granted the privilege of of having another attorney,

793
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I promise you that we will only accelerate what we're doing. >> Absolutely. Um uh corporation council, I love your vision and we here behind you. I see the progress that we've been making and and we definitely agree by you bringing another member to your team to do more job in house uh and moving

794
03:45:52.000 --> 03:46:09.040
forward with the court. I remember before Kobe our court and patter was hitting close to $5 million in revenue. Mr. um corporation council I see that the deputy um uh deputy core administrator from six we going down to four. uh I don't know if we moving to

795
03:46:09.040 --> 03:46:24.800
that chief court clerks from zero go we going to two and uh municipal core attendance from 3 to two so I know we have some reduction there um if we could look at the revenue projection how much money we getting now uh and that will be

796
03:46:24.800 --> 03:46:41.359
important for me and how fully staffed the court is going to be I remember how big was the revenue uh from the court and as I mentioned before this is the third time that I'm going to say this the more we increase our revenue venue. That's the only way they're going to get into a surplus in the city of Patterson

797
03:46:41.359 --> 03:46:58.399
and stop depending on the state. So, we got to look into every dollar. So, I don't know if we could look into this um uh uh uh cooperation council. Um so, the reduction here, what are we doing with the core and and where we are in that? >> Thank you so much, Patterson. The

798
03:46:58.399 --> 03:47:12.080
meeting the meeting is now >> in legal. We in legal he opened a discussion for legal. >> Councilman. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh, Madame President, I just want to be

799
03:47:12.080 --> 03:47:32.720
uh short on this. You know, the law department created a baby that is producing results and that's the community court. And uh when you see those testimonies and uh you listen to those those individual and they come here to the

800
03:47:32.720 --> 03:47:48.319
city, a pass embracing still the program and and hopefully we could graduate more and um and I call it a baby because when you want to help and you bring this type of uh resources to the city, I have to commend who put that in the heart and

801
03:47:48.319 --> 03:48:04.399
put it to us to the council and we approve it. Um, and that's one of the things that I always say that your professionalism and your way to conduct yourself with us and and the public is outstanding is outstanding. Um, you

802
03:48:04.399 --> 03:48:20.720
know, if you go to Jersey City, you go to Newark, I know the salary is higher. Okay. Uh but being a full-time uh corporation council with the team that you have. Okay. Um I hope the state could allow us to get more funding for

803
03:48:20.720 --> 03:48:36.399
we could um raise those salary to those individual that are bringing revenue that are saving taxpayer money. If we haven't done a lot of press conference because we don't want to upset people around but you have saved a lot of money

804
03:48:36.399 --> 03:48:52.399
for our taxpayer things that people don't listen because we always in uh you call it in a uh executive section on it. uh the the reporters always put whatever they want or what they see on a paper, but the reality is that this council has

805
03:48:52.399 --> 03:49:09.680
seen the work that you have been doing. Not only yourself with a teamwork that you have down there, especially when we ask something, you navigate, you look, you give us the right answer and you give us the right respond and the right results. So, thank you for being our

806
03:49:09.680 --> 03:49:24.880
cooperation counsel. I know your mother will love me more but uh keep on doing the work the great work. Um first of all we need to make sure that every department in the city the morale are lift and this is the way

807
03:49:24.880 --> 03:49:41.040
we could lift the morale. Praising you in the good and the bads but doing what we have to do and thank you council president madam chair for the opportunity to close this section. >> The meeting is now adjourned. There's no need for an official roll call. We were

808
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in budget hearings. Thank you, Patterson. And good night. >> Close the social meeting. >> No, we got a new clerk. Come on. She know what she >> is when I went to the bathroom that that they closed.