meeting to the public. Our meeting is about to start and I know we haven't seen each other in a while, but we just want to bring some decorum in the chambers. Good evening everyone. On behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the regular meeting on November
the 10, 2025 at 7 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. >> Madame Clerk, before Madam Clerk calls the role to the public to the public, I'm asking respectfully
to our officers, please bring the chambers to decorum. We are starting the meeting. >> Madame Clerk, roll call, please. >> Yes. Roll call for the meeting of November 12th, 20125. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Davala,
>> Counciloman Jackson. Councilman Clique, >> present. >> Councilman Mendes, >> good evening. Patterson, press clerk, ready to serve. >> Councilman Omar, >> present. Madam clerk, >> thank you. Councilman Uden.
>> Councilman Uden. >> Roco. Thank you. Councilman. >> Press. Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. >> Council President. >> I'm here. Madam Clerk, >> thank you very much. We have 70 present at this time and two absent.
>> Thank you. This evening's prayer will be rendered by Pastor Ivet Marana of House of Hope for the Nations followed with the flag salute led by Mr. Tony Venteri, president of Patterson Veterans Council. If he is not here at that time, we'll ask Councilman Bless to lead us in the
flag salute. >> Thank you. I think he was here. >> God bless everyone. It's such a privilege to be here in this um in this place where I know that God is reigning and God will take control of all
decisions and everything. I would like to give thanks to the Lord for this opportunity and also Councilman Luis. I'm also with one of my leaders Eddie Ruiz. And I would like to start with a scripture in John 17 2021. In the name
of the father and the son and the holy spirit. May prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through the message that all of them may be one. Father just as you are in me and
I am in you. May they also be in us so that that the world may believe that we are sent from you. the in this moment I would like to just express myself and speak a little bit
about the power of unity like the scripture said Jesus prayed so the his disciples can become one as he was one in the father and and in this place I reach out and I call to everyone
that it doesn't matter what the race doesn't matter what religion doesn't matter um our cultural beliefs. We need to call out in unity. Patterson needs unity. Patterson needs men and women that
believe in one thing in our generation that is coming up. And the world is so difficult in these days. And we need God to lead us and leave aside our differences, leave aside our personal
thoughts and come what is the truth that we need to become and turn around Patterson in a better place. I believe that Patterson is a great city. I live in Patterson. My church is in Patterson. I'm a teacher in Patterson. My daughters
are raised in Patterson. They were born here as well. And I have a community that on Saturday, it did not matter what race you were. We were able to distribute 800 meals. And it was just
with one voice. It didn't matter who you were or what. It's just the love. And I ask and I believe that God has sent me tonight just to call out to set aside all differences or everything that comes
in our mind or personal matters. I think we need to come in unity and I call out to all the religious leaders to come in one. Let's have a meeting together to turn around our city. I love Patterson. God loves Patterson. You guys love
Patterson. So why not work together? May God bless you all. May God bless Patterson. Thank you so much. >> Amen. Amen. Amen. He's out here. Okay.
>> 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 justice for all. >> Thank you. will continue to stand just
for a moment of silence for our troops and anyone that has lost a loved one. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please read the statement of compliance. >> Sure. >> Statement of compliance with the open public meetings law 2025 2026. Meeting
date, November 12th, 2025 at 7 o'clock PM. Adequate notice of this meeting was compiled and disseminated in accordance with the open public meetings law in the following manner. One, the annual meeting the annual notice of regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council was compiled for the
year 2025 2026 on or about July 1st, 2025. Two, a schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly transmitted on or about July
1st, 2025 to the North Jersey Herald, the record, the Arabic voice, the Italian voice, the Vay County Post, Dominicano News, Laiskea International, Ellis Basel, the Patterson Press, the city post News, Tap into Patterson, The
Weekly Bangala Patrika in addition to any other publication. duly requesting such notices. Three, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was prominently posted in the
lobby of city hall first floor in the place reserved for the announcements of this type. Four, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly filed with the municipal clerk. Five, a copy of the
schedule of regular meetings of the municipal council was mailed to any person who requested and paid the fee authorized by the Open Public Records Act. Council President, >> thank you, Madam Thank you, Madam Clerk. Before we get started, item number 33 um
will be tabled until our December 9th meeting only because we need to get a signature from DCA. Madame Clerk, um let's do consent agenda. Madam clerk. >> Sure. >> All matters under the consent agenda are
considered to be routine by the council and will be enacted by one motion. The items listed under the consent agenda are no numbers 4 through 27. Any item may be removed from the consent agenda by the request of any council member and if so removed would be treated as a
separate matter. >> So move. >> Second move by council uh vice president. Second by council um president Mims roll call madam clerk on consent agenda >> discussion >> discussion councilman Jackson >> so
council president >> as I understand it uh if I understand correctly there's items that are on here for entertainment show licenses that are that are missing um the required uh cost for service.
>> No. Uh when it comes to new entertainment licenses, they don't require calls for services. Anything that is a renewal requires it. New entertainment cannot be held at the same standard if they're new um entities coming in. But if it's someone looking
for renewal, that is the process. Council President, just the other day we were we were in full discussion with regard to items that did not have uh uh that did not have uh the this
required situation. You have items number 13 and 14. Those are not those are not new. Those are those are renewals. >> So with number 15, that's a renewal. Number 16, a renewal. It doesn't have the appropriate cause for service with
these items. >> So third, if you're only referring to those, well, let's go back. So the new items, items 11 and 12, those are six W. The councilman that he met with the owner, he's fine. 13 is second w 14 is second w 15. Again, the councilman of
six w is fine. And then 16. So if you would like to remove them to be voted on separately, you can do that, councilman. But in every um workshop, we always ask the council people of their wards and they were fine with them being on consent. So if it's something that you would like to remove and vote on separately, we could do that.
>> So absolutely I do want to remove them because we cannot continue to move the goalpost for some. >> Okay. So which ones do you want to vote on separately? >> Process every single one that requires a uh uh that requires the the cost for service that's supposed to be listed with the item
>> council. Okay. So if we can't if if we're not going to treat each and every item the same, we have some that some items being held up, some items that are being pushed forward. The common practice is not well, if the councilman of the ward is is okay with it. The common practice is to be a finalized
package. It it's it's it gets sent up to the council after it has certain things done. We have some applicants that are being turned away and these businesses that are being impacted because the council made a a decision to change our meeting schedule from four a month or
from two a month to one a month. Now these businesses that are impacted, they have to wait, you know, an additional month. They're being um um chastised by the administration. So we we we can't we can't move the goalpost for some and then oh this council person likes this
and that council person likes that. That's fine, Councilman Jackson. So, um 13, 14, 15, and 16, we will vote on them separately right after this um for the consent. Um and then we'll move on. Madam >> 17 as well >> and 17
>> uh council president. >> 14 15 16 17 and uh >> 11 to 12 as well. >> Okay. So 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 >> 10 as well. >> And 10. We'll vote on we'll vote on all those separately. as well.
>> Nine and 10. That's fine. >> Roll call. Madam clerk, >> council president, >> madame um BP, please. >> So, I I just want to say, you know, we had a a very long uh workshop where all these items were placed. They were placed in finance. They were discussed
there. They were bought here. Um I understand what Councilman Jackson is stating, but those statements should have been made last week. So, they didn't go on consent. So to the point of other businesses that have submitted
paperwork, unfortunately there are deadlines. They received their paperwork. Their application should be inputed by a certain time. It didn't happen. Uh they came after uh the deadline. The clerk can verify to that. The uh licensing department can verify
to that. And so just for and I don't know if the entities here because I believe there were two uh um business owners who do have entertainment licenses that are going to go for approval. Unfortunately, they didn't make the agenda, but council president
has agreed to put those items in a special meeting to be voted on in our next meeting. And so, um, I just want to just say when stuff like this is done and we're trying to put things on the day of the the meeting, this really
affects the department, the clerk's office, where all the paperwork, everything has to be scanned. There's a lot of things that happen because it procedurally it wasn't done on time. So, we we want to be fair. You want to go ahead. any council member that pulls an item can do so. But it saddens me to see
that we can't get business done. All of this and these items are all going to be voted on. >> All of them. >> That's fine. >> We could do it with one motion. >> It It's fine. >> I just wanted to say, >> can we do roll call on all the items except for those items? >> Council President. >> Council member. >> Thank you, Council President. In the
past when we had new entertainment license a co always was attached that will send a message that they went through the process to get a co and and these of the place was in the co. I
don't see them here. Uh, the reason I requested a call of service and I made it clear, I know that Councilman Omar said that he went and spoke to the owner, but that place is in the border with the fifth. I have received in the
past uh calls from residents and business owners of activities even when the doors was closed and they didn't had no permits, etc., etc. And in the past there was a a a a
fatality from that place. I'm not saying that the new owner created it. But the reason I want the call of service list is because this isn't new. This was closed for longest and I just want to know how many caller service was
conducted there and how many party was shut down after hours because if it was closed there should be no activities and if they had no license there should be no activities. But I know that councilman Jackson pull it to vote different. Thank you. Council President,
please. I know some some Councilman Jackson just pulled it up to vote it definitely, but that was my request on the workshop and I don't see it here either. The call of service from this particularly uh nine and 10. >> Thank you, Councilman BL. Madam Clerk,
can we call the roll call for those consent items and then we'll go to item >> Councilman Khaled? Um the item Councilman Valz is uh questioning the call of services attached to the resolution.
>> Which one? >> Number 10. >> He says CO. He didn't say call service. >> He said call of service. >> Uh page number nine. >> Well, I don't have it in my folder. Um if you could see, I don't have a call of service here. >> If you look on your tablet, it's there.
Um, actually, you know, too small to read, but that's why I ask always. >> That's fine. Madam clerk, let's go to >> I just want to I I want to make a record. I want to make the record clear. You have it over there. I don't have it here. So, if you >> That's fine. You know, Madame Clerk, we'll do roll call and then we'll vote
on those items separately. Roll call on all the items except for 9 through 17. Madam clerk. Yes. Roll call on the consent agenda. um numbers 4 through 27 with the exception of items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
and 17. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Davala, >> yes, >> Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Well, the the thing is, and I'm glad there's a full room, especially our young people, because uh just having a clear understanding of the process is very
important. There's a lot of things that get shuffled around here. And what my my my thing is here, I'm going to call balls and strikes. I'm going to call it evenly. You can't do something for some businesses and then not do it for some others. If the package is said that is
required to have the calls for service before it comes up here, some make it to the agenda and then others are turned away whether it was a deadline or not. Because we all know various council members depending on their relationship with the administration or the council president, they get items put on the
agenda on the last minute. There's the process of of of uh of deadlines is disregarded. The mayor sends items up here all the time last minute and goes to the clerk's office and expects her to rearrange the entire agenda. is done all
the time, but certain businesses are treating treated differently because of who they are or are not associated with. And that's that's my point. We cannot just and then we bury these items in this consent agenda not being held fully accountable. We're going to do it for some. We have to do it for all. With
that being said, Madam Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Call of Services has nothing to do with the applicant. the city of Patterson, our administration, our clerk office or the not clerk office, the place where it
take process, they are the one who has to get the call of service and attach to the application. We should not um we should not have the applicant the business owner responsible for us not getting the call of service. So next
time make sure um the department Mr. BA licensing department get the call of services attached and I see some of the some of the item there being pulled like number 10 it does have attached call of services uh in there my vote is yes
madame clerk >> thank you councilman council Mendes >> u thank you mad clerk so we voting on the consent agenda when it comes to licensing uh and renewal and um our clerk is very effective and once we have the resolution on the floor and on the agenda is because man clerk have done
all the due diligence have covered all the corners and every paper that need to be submitted. uh and I feel comfortable to voting yes but before that madam clerk and and we we don't have any resurfacing of the consent agenda but uh director Ramirez I know you acting as our acting VA tonight I've been
requesting in a multiple occasion the the a report of the company that is hired and designated to oversee the project on rivers tree this council voted for a company a third party to oversee the entire project I've been visiting the rivers tree and I haven't I
haven't be able to get in touch with the person and I remember that the agreement was to make sure that that company will have somebody on site all the time from the beginning to the end of the project and I've been mentioned this over and over. We don't have another $10 million to invest it on River Street. We got to make sure that we do the project right
the first time around. So if if I could get a report about the company, how much money we've been paying the company, who's on site and the performing the job that they have done. Uh thank you madame clerk. My vote is yes on the consent agenda. >> Thank you Councilman Omar. My vote is yes, madam clerk.
>> Thank you, Councilman Nuden. >> My vote is yes, her. >> Councilman Vez, >> so we received the agenda ABC. They have a a hearing tomorrow, the ABC agenda of the uh what they could approve, transfer or whatever, they're
going to have it tomorrow. I read that agenda and I saw that this particular uh entertainment license and and and what they request a new one haven't even
been approved or transfer at the ABC meeting. So we working backwards they haven't get approved by ABC to get transfer or whatever. Now we approving license, entertainment license uh for a a new establishment. I don't know. I've
been here since 2016. I don't know who changed the rules. I'm not questioning the work that she received or the clerk received in her office. What I'm I'm questioning is the process. In the past they used to attach picture of the
establishment co and other document that support that they are operating the right way. So what I'm saying here and I requested and caller service what I'm requesting was that on the workshop if they want to change the norm and do it
the other way so they should adise her don't look for this because we're not going to put it. Don't look for this because we're not going to put it because we are here responsible. When we get those calls about residents saying that this after hour party and establish it was closed for years, we can ignore
that. We need to investigate why. That's why the call of service is important because if somebody inquired or took a property as a new owner a year and a half ago and that caller service telling me that the police responded to an after
hour party, they breaking the law without even having a license. So if they change the norm and rules so it's a is a problem for me. I'm here to preserve the quality of life on the fifth ward. This establishment is in the other side of the ward but I could make
that comment when we talk about it. Uh saying that u it's real important that here there's an item that uh contract is going to be renewed for millennial and um it's my understanding that they worked for bring a lot of grants uh to the city of Patterson. So, uh, my vote
is yes to, uh, consent agenda. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council President, >> my my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, one absent. The consent agenda is hereby adopted with the exceptions of items 9 through 17.
>> Item number nine, Madame Clerk. >> Sure. Can I read it from here? Item number nine is a resolution addressing a new corn operated amusement device license for LCOD condite bar and
restaurant LLC 243 21st Avenue 6th ward one pool table finance resolution number 2541 >> so move >> moved by council um councilman Davis second by council Mendes roll call on item nine madam clerk
>> roll call on item number nine Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Davo, >> yes. >> Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. So again, this is this effort is in protest of the
process. You can't just allow, you know, the sixth ward, it just gets buried in the agenda. We could throw that in the in the um in the consent agenda while matters in other wards are being scrutinized differently. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khik,
>> my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Mendes, >> yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Omar, >> my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Uden, >> yes. >> Councilman Vez, >> abstain. >> Abstain. Okay. Council President,
>> my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one abstension, one absent. Item number nine is hereby adopted. >> Item 10, madame clerk. >> Item number 10 is a resolution addressing renewal of corn operated amusement device license for Mac Ward,
Inc. TA Neighbors 1 Pool Table 329 Trenton Avenue 6 ward finance resolution number 2542. >> So move. >> Moved by councilwoman Davis, second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call. Item clerk on number 10.
>> Roll call on item number 10 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava. >> Yes. >> Councilman Jackson. >> Yes. >> Councilman Khik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omar. >> Yes. >> Councilman Uden.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Vez. >> Good neighbors. My vote is yes. >> Thank you. Council president. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Devotion. Nine in favor, one absent. Item number 10 is hereby adopted. >> Item number 11, Madame Clerk.
>> Item number 11, resolution addressing a new entertainment show license for LS Condite Bar and Restaurant LLC 243 21st Avenue 6 Ward Finance Resolution number 2543. >> Moved by Councilwoman Davis, second by
Council Mendes. Roll call, Madam Clerk, on item number 11. >> Roll call on item number 11. Councilwoman Cotton. Pass. >> Pass. >> Councilwoman Dava. >> Just wanted to make correction in your calls
>> for which one now? >> Your microphone. >> What is >> right? Eight. Not nine, but eight yeses and one absent. >> Number 10. >> Yes. Just just wanted because you said nine. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh, my vote is yes for item number 11.
>> Okay. What do I do with it? >> Okay. >> Thank you, Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Once again, I I have no idea who these owners are, who this business is, but it's in the sixth. I'm hope I'm uh well other businesses
around the community is a uh awarded the same privileges or the same concessions to be in place through without having to finalized package and put on consent. My vote is yes madam clerk. >> Thank you Councilman Councilman um Khik.
>> My vote is yes madam clerk. >> Thank you Councilman Mendes. >> My vote is yes madam clerk. >> Thank you Councilman Omar. >> My vote is yes madam clerk. >> Councilman Uden. >> My vote is yes madam clerk. Councilman VeZ. >> So when I say number nine, they didn't had the call of service in the back. That's why the one I was talking about
because it's a pool table. But yes, I had the document. This is what I was talking about. >> Um when they put a food application and they put it separate from the other one. They always put it one to the other. Um the CO is in here. The pictures that I
was talking is here. And um I'm satisfied with this one now. and call of service three caller service not related to the business that's what we want to see uh my vote is yes on this one >> thank you council president
>> so I I just want we have our laptops and I'm just asking that all council members if you don't see it there look in your laptop a lot of more detailed information is in the laptop madam clerk my item my vote is yes >> thank you um I'm sorry did the council
mutton did you pass on this one. >> Oh, >> I'm so sorry. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes. >> Thank you. Votes are nine in favor. Item number 11 is hereby adopted. >> Item 12, Madam Clerk. >> All right. I want to just make a correction on item number 10. It's eight
in favor, one absent. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Item 12. Item number 12 is a resolution addressing the new dance hall license for LS Kandite Bar and Restaurant LLC 243 21st Avenue 64 finance resolution
number 2544. >> So move >> second >> move by Councilwoman Dava. Second by Counciloman Mendes. Roll call on item 12. Madam clerk >> roll call on item number 12 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dava. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Jackson. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Kh.
>> Yes. >> Counciloman Mendes. >> Yes. Councilman Omar, >> yes. >> Councilman Uden, >> yes. M clerk, >> Councilman VeZ, >> yes. >> Councilman, Councilwoman, um, Council President, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor.
Item none against. Item number 12 is hereby adopted. >> Item number 13, Madam Clerk. >> Yes. >> Item number 13, a resolution addressing renewal of dance hall license for Club West LLC. TA Ace Lounge 54 Washington
Avenue second ward finance resolution resolution number 2545. >> So move >> second >> move by Councilwoman Dava. Second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call on item number 13. Madam clerk. >> Roll call on item number 13 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton.
>> Councilwoman Davala. >> Yes. >> Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Here's a perfect example. The gentleman, the owner of Quest, his application was in. In fact, he called, reached out to the city. He let us know that he's been dealing with some personal issues. The gentleman is
uh is has a cancer bout. He was out of town, had all the paperwork submitted. He had to cancel um uh uh events that he had booked because his item couldn't get through two months ago. So, this is an
example. other some items make it through and some items don't and it's just not fair to all the business me people that's in the community not to have a fair and equitable process my vote is yes madam clerk >> thank you council councilman khik >> it is in the second word I haven't
received any complaint about this entity pattern owner of owner of this establishment is patternian I think we should just kept it in consent and keep moving my vote is yes >> thank you council Mendes My vote is yes, mad clerk. >> Councilman Omar,
>> my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman Uden. >> Yes. >> Council VZ, >> peace and love. Yes. >> Thank you, council president. >> So, I want to put it on the record because I spoke to the owner. The application was not complete and that's why it was not on the agenda previously.
And once it was complete, licenses reached out to the owner and myself and I called him personally. That is why the it is on the agenda now. So, it was not that it was not on before because we did not allow it. There was some um incompletion in the application. Um and
the owner is excited about that. So, um I'm glad to make sure that this is moved forward. Thank you to the council colleagues who are supporting it. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. Votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 13 is hereby adopted. >> Item number 14, Madam Clerk. Item number
14 is a resolution addressing renewal of an entertainment show license for Club West LLCA Ace Lounge 54 Washington Avenue second ward finance resolution number 2546. >> So move >> moved by Councilman Menda. Second by
Councilwoman Dava. Roll call on item 14. Madam clerk. >> Roll call on item number 14 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dava. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Jackson. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Khalig. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Mendes. Yes, Madam Cler. >> Councilman Omar. >> Yes, madam. >> Councilman Uden.
>> Yes. >> Councilman VeZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes, Madam Clerk. >> The votes are nine in favor. None against. Item number 14 is hereby adopted. >> Item 15, Madam Clerk. >> Item number 15, resolution addressing the renewal of an entertainment show license for Corona LLC TA Super Coronas
991 Madison Avenue, 6th Ward. Finance resolution number 2547. >> So move. >> Moved by Councilman Mendes, second by Council President Mims. Roll call on item 15. Madam clerk, >> roll call on item number 15 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava,
>> yes. >> Councilman Jackson, >> yes. >> Councilman Khik, >> yes. >> Counciloman Mendes, >> yes. >> Counciloman Omar, >> yes. >> Councilman Uden, >> yes. >> Councilman Vez, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> The votes are nine in favor, none
against. Item number 15 is hereby adopted. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item number 16, Madam Clerk. Item number 16 is a resolution addressing an entertainment show license renewal for JRM Assets LLCA Santana Sports Bar 215 Market Street
First Ward Finance. Resolution number 2548. So move >> moved by Councilwoman Daba, second by Counciloman Mendes. Roll call on item 16. Madam clerk, >> roll call on item number 16. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava, >> yes. >> Counciloman Jackson,
>> yes. Councilman Khik, >> yes. >> Councilman Menddees, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Omar, >> yes. >> Councilman Uden, >> yes. >> Councilman Veles, >> yes. >> Councilman Councilwoman Council President, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor,
none against. Item number 16 is hereby adopted. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item number 17. Item number 17, resolution addressing a renewal of dance hall license for JRM assets LLCA Santana Sports Bar 215 Marcus Street
First Ward Finance resolution number 25 col 549. >> So moved by Councilwoman Dava, second by Councilman Mendes. Roll call on item 17. Madam Clerk, >> roll call on item number 17. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Jackson. Councilwoman Dava,
I'm sorry. Councilman Jackson, >> yes. >> Councilman Khalik, >> yes. >> Councilman Mendes, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Omar, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Councilman Uden, >> yes. >> Councilman Vez, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes, Madam Clerk.
>> Votes of nine in favor, none against. Item number 17 is hereby adopted. >> Item 29, Madame Clerk. >> Sure. >> Comment. One second. Item number 29 is a resolution honoring a trailblazer and community activist
Wajita Muhammad for her extraordinary advocacy for Patterson sponsored by council president Dr. Lisa Mims, Councilwoman Ruby N. Cotton, and Councilwoman Michael Jackson. City Council resolution number 25 colon 561. >> So move second.
>> Moved by council president Mims and Cotton. Second by Valz Uden Mendes Jackson. Roll call, Madam Clerk, on item 29. >> Roll call on item number 29. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to
say to Miss Waha Muhammed, um I know she will be leaving us, but I always say she's really not leaving us cuz she will be back here in our city. Um I have known her for many, many years and she has truly been a trailblazer uh in our community and I want to wish her well on
her next journey. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Davilla. >> Wishing you well. Uh my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Jackson. I almost want to vote no on this uh this
item. I mean, to say the least, Miss Wahita Muhammad has been one of the strongest voices in our community for the last since since I could remember, you know. Um yeah, it's it's a rather an emotional uh
moment, you know. um when you watching uh you know trailblazers fight relentlessly and um get so frustrated that they just make a decision to uh to to exit and
understanding her her her family >> is has has has relocated as well. They want their mom to be closer. But >> when you think about Patterson over the last 25, 30, 40 years, definitely without a doubt, one of the faces that
come to mind is Miss Muhammad. You know, as you know, people like Mr. Donald Lynch and people who have Mr. Tom Fcaldo, people who've been coming forward before the microphone and doing their best and holding those of us who
sit here accountable. And uh I want to take a moment just to um celebrate Miss Muhammad to to tip my hat to her to um to to to to give my heartfelt
appreciation for all the effort that you've put in and uh and just give you um a sense of comfort that that fight will definitely continue as long as I'm here. With that being said, Madam Clerk, my vote is yes.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khik, >> my vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Mendes, >> thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, is that correct, Rafael? I hear there there's no sound on the TV at home. Are we good? >> Okay, we fix the problem. Thank you, Rafael. So, all right. Um, so before my
vote, uh, Miss Wah, I want to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your fight, your hard work and dedication uh for our children at the school board. I remember those time at Patterson Board of Education with you fighting on behalf of our children and also on behalf of our city. You never
give up in Patterson. Congratulation and my vote is yes, man. >> Thank you, Councilman. Okay, I'm sorry, Council Mendes. Councilman Omar, >> congratulations. My vote is yes. Councilman Nuden,
>> Miss Wahida, you are the living legend and uh kudos for everything you do for our city and our community. >> Thank you, Councilman Vez. >> Wah Muhammed, when she comes here in God's name, you had to be you had to pay
attention what she's saying. Um she had been a voice for education, everybody knows that. and also for the city government issues um housing for the homeless for any be people that she could
be voice she going to be doing that our loss is somebody gain and um I wish you luck and blessing wherever you go and um like there's a say in Puerto Rico when you drink water from a place you always
come back So, this is your home and uh you're always going to be welcome in the city of Patterson no matter what. So, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, council president. >> So, to Miss Wahita, I want to thank Councilwoman Ames for giving me the inside scoop on this. Miss Wajita, thank
you for your service. My vote is yes. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 29 is hereby adopted. >> Item 30. Item number 30 is a resolution honoring Reverend Hector L. Seda and receiving an
honorary doctorate degree sponsored by councilwoman at large Marissa Davala City Council resolution number 2562. >> So move discussion for this move. Second >> moved by councilwoman Davala
second by council president Mims bles and cotton discussion council. >> Yes council >> one second council >> say something. So >> councilwoman daba >> workshop I had asked for certain names to be and they're not on here. The requests were not on here. I was when
going to once it was moved in second to add your names to it because I know that council president Councilwoman Cotton Councilman and Mendes I mean we've all worked with this reverend and you know um so I really pleased for the record to
reflect that it is sponsored by me co-sponsored by Council President Councilwoman Cotton Council and Councilman Mendes. >> Thank you. Roll call. Madam clerk on item 30. >> Roll call on item number 30. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you madam.
>> Thank you u madam clerk. I just want to say for um Reverend Seda that he has been at St. Augustine for for many many many years. >> Um and this is an honor that he's receiving an honorary doctorate degree. So with that being said, congratulation
Reverend um Seda. My vote is yes. Madam clerk. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Dava. >> So, Reverend SA uh is a member of the church where where I attend and um through Dr. Ramos's, you know, this is
actually a surprise. He actually does not know this. Uh so, I know he's not watching, but hopefully he can go back to the YouTube uh video. Um it gives me great pleasure and an honor. I've worked with Seda as well as his wife Louisa for
many many years uh through the Hispanic Center through the church. Uh and as you said, you know, I actually met him at St. Augustine. So, um it just gives me pleasure to be able while he is alive to be able to give him this recognition, you know, on behalf of the council. So,
I appreciate the council uh um supporting the move uh for recognition today. Uh thank you, Dr. Ramos and the entire Church of Christ family. Uh, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Khalik.
>> I'm sorry, Councilman Jackson. [Music] >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, just reading over some of the uh acknowledgements and where exactly the um the doctorate has come from. This gentleman is very
very well um credentialed certificate and supervisory skills from Ruckers University. Certified social worker in New Jersey. Process certification. Clinical education. Lutheran Medical Center. Diploma of New
York School of Printing and Certificate of Clinical Management and Laboratory Diagn. I mean, his resume speaks for itself and um the work that he puts in in Patterson is acknowledgeable and uh I'm proud to support it. Madam Clerk, my vote is yes.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik. >> My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman Mendes. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Reverend um Ector Seta, congratulation on you, Dr. Degree. I want to say thank you for serving the city of Patterson. Thank you for your hard work and dedication for
our community and your love. May God bless you and your family. My vote is yes, man. >> Thank you, Councilman Omar. >> Congratulations. My vote is yes. >> Councilman Uden, >> first of all, Dr. Rivera, congratulations on your honorary doctorate degree and also uh thank you
for your service as a faith-based leader in Pita Patterson. My vote is yes, >> thank you Councilman VeZ. Um just to before moving forward for my voice my comments uh can you please uh look into the resolution and there's some type of
error set is not SATA S A DA this um some of them are ring on the second whereas are correct but in the other whereas uh needs a correction on the on the name >> title two also in the title too um
saying this um in the in the one of the warehouse and and and and and those that knows him um from being 14 years and being a pastor of an afroamerican church at Santa Augustine Presbyterian Church,
he had a uh after after school program there. Um and he kept his faith. He's still working and um and the people still assisting in the fourth floor into this um u after school program giving
back to the community and um God bless you. Thank you for for your service and continue serving the city of Patterson. No matter where you live, you always have Patterson in your heart. Uh my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council President.
>> Yes, Reverend Dr. Seda. We go way back. Congratulations. Welld deserved. My vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 30 is hereby adopted. >> Payment of bills, madam clerk. >> Sure. >> Payment of bills. >> Yes. One second.
>> Councilwoman Dava, payment of bills. >> Payment of bills. Councilwoman Dava. >> My apologies. Councilman was bringing to my attention that there is a um error in the spelling. I don't know if it's in the body.
>> Actually, it's only the title. >> No, it's on the body. >> It's on the title. The body is correct, but regardless, the title as well has to be correct. It's with an E. SA. Okay. >> No, in the body it says SEDA. >> They have it. Payment of bills.
>> Oh, yes. The third whereas as well >> payment of bills council >> apologies. Okay. Yes, council president. Thank you. Uh to my council colleagues. Uh we have before us a payment of bills for 23,162,46.54. This was a payroll week. That amount was
5005,423,951.14. And uh the computer checks were a total of 17,738 uh,095.40 of which out of the 17,16,519499 uh.31 were for county taxes. So the
total of the computerized checks for 17,738.9540 payroll 5,4223,9514 making a total of 23,162,4654. My payment is my motion is for payment of bills. >> Second. >> Moved by Councilwoman Davis, second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call on payment
of bills. Madam clerk, >> roll call on the payment of bills in the amount of $23,162,4654 cents. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava, >> yes. >> Councilman Jackson, >> thank you, Madam Clerk. So, again,
grateful to Buzz and Emoji for bringing our young people out. I'm going use this as another educational moment. Um, this is actually the council's main priority. Our top responsibility is
being fiscally responsible. Right now, I'm going just give you a quick example. Let's just say the year was 10 days long. Let's say your budget was $10 and every day you had $1 per day to go along.
Before we can vote to give you a dollar a day, we have to approve that we're going to give you $10 to spend. That's what this budget is. We have to as a council at a certain point, the administration is supposed to present us
with a budget. Then the council approves it. Then as we go along each and every night, we approve a portion of that budget. If I let you spend a dollar a day and then one day you say, "Well, I need $2."
And again, it's only 10 days, right? $2 and then another day you spend another $2. By the time you get to the 10th day, you're at $12, but your budget was only supposed to be 10. Every single night we let here, we sit here and we just approve these bud
these uh these payment of bills without having a completed budget. We have an addendum on the agenda tonight that's adding the uh the approval which says which says resolution to amend this the
the calendar of the year 2025 budget which has been approved but not yet adopted. So therefore, every single night when we're approving these budgets, we're going along. We don't even know if they're going to move the goalpost, if they're going to say, "Well, we need this much money." Now,
many of you saw a few weeks ago, which I got to give credit to one of the city employees, cuz I I really I wasn't paying attention to it that way. They faked us out. They came and said, "Well, it's going to be a 5.5% whatever the number was increase this
year." Everybody ran and panicked because the actual amount was actually a three point. So they they faked you out to say it was a five point or almost a 6% percent increase. But if they came back and said it was a 3% you say, "Oh
wow. Thank you. Great job. You guys did they never showed where the changes were made. They never presented to us how they reduced it from 5.6 or whatever down to three. They just said, "Hey, don't worry. We did a great job. We
never had any budget hearings. We never did anything responsible. I'm not going to prolong this. You guys get the picture." So many of you who are wondering, "Why is Councilman Jackson always voting no on the budget list?" I'm not going to let you go to the store with a $5 bill when you only have 10 to
spend the whole time. I got to give you two, four quarters, 99 pennies, maybe a a dollar, a $2 piece, make you come back with change. I can't just give you a blank check and let you run rampant with it because in
the end, and I'll say this last part, cuz I continue to talk about it. When I first got elected, it was more responsible council members that were here and all the time they would say, "We're not going to let you back us into the budget." Councilman Moz, Councilman um uh uh McCoy all the time would say,
"Hey, that's what we we had a a a finance chair that was very committed to making sure we held the administration accountable." Now, we're not doing that. We're not doing that. So, what are we doing? We're allowing the mayor to then do private sessions to the state of the
city because he doesn't want to be challenged on all the misappropriations, all the the poor spending. How about the developer that got a developer fee so big that he can afford to buy the BA baseball franchise? But that's what we're doing here. That's that's the kind
of stuff that we're doing while we're just being irresponsible on these on these payment of bills. Some of you, they may act like it's not related, but it's totally related. Anytime you go to the store to spend money, it's coming out of your bank account. It is completely related. Madame Clerk, Madame
Clerk, my vote is no. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman uh colleague >> thank you madame clerk we voting of on payment of bill this council wasn't faked out this council wasn't uh back
into the budget at the end you will see >> we're going to have a adoption of the budget tonight >> with what we expected what we fought for >> minimum of 2% that's mo by the state you
will see you you'll get Um the budget the final budget will be introduced and adopted hopefully tonight. So what do you I mean is is pen and paper numbers are there. You will see and my vote is yes for uh payment of bill.
>> Council Mendes. >> Thank you madam cler. I don't want to get into state of the city address and all the stuff. I'm going to stay uh on my payment of bill. So, but let me just uh just educate the community and remind um what we have in front of us. So, out
of the 23,162,46 for the county county taxes $60,519,499 and plus payroll 5,423,951. That's a total of $21,943 out of the 23 million. So, we have to pay the county. That's being responsible. If you say that not paying
the county is irresponsible, we have a problem. >> My vote is yes, madame clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> My vote. >> Councilman Omar. >> My vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman Uden. >> My vote is yes to payment of bill.
>> Thank you, Councilman. >> I don't know. Do you feel like uh when you when when you hear Councilman Jack um Councilman Mendes and um you have the will to say whatever you want, but when you say let me
educate the the residents, I rather say let me inform the residents because the residents are educated. They see what's going on here. Um, and um, especially when it comes down to payment of bills. When I look at a
payment of bills, and I I I I agree with Councilman Jackson. I look at the bills. More likely the bill ought to pay local vendors that we have in the city of Patterson, small businesses that we have here that they have render service or
DPW or any other department have uh go there to uh get service and also I'm happy to pay the payment of bill this time. Uh but like I say, you won't guarantee that you get a check tomorrow. But um um I see the payment of bills
that is also covering uh expenses that city employees have taken money out of their pocket to fulfill the needs of that department. So we had to honor that firemen's employees. So uh we had to honor that.
And last but not least, I'm happy to see that we voting on the um on the League of Municipality event that they have uh this year in Atlantic City that I would not be attending, but um I'm happy to vote for this payment of bill. My vote
is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council President, >> I'm going to say an educational tip for the young people. When you have bills, you pay them. That's what this item is for. My vote is yes. >> Thank you. The votes are madam
>> clerk. >> Yes. >> I'd like to revisit, please. >> It's important. >> That's fine. I guess many of my council colleagues didn't read the newspaper article where it
talked about the $4 million that was misappropriated by this administration under the same budget. I guess I guess many of my council colleagues in their form of education is failing to acknowledge the fact that none of those
expenditures have been pointed out that have been shown what where they were that this CFO who's been completely irresponsible, completely uh uh inadequate in in his servicing the community. I guess the $4
million that they wrote an article about of us being in deficit or having an undisclosed over expenditures was something that I'm just imagining. So yes, we don't have to tell people what the bills are that we have to pay. Yes, young people know they got to pay
their bills. They also should know that they should be responsible. They shouldn't give somebody a credit card, let them run rampant, spend money, and can't tell you where they spent the money at. That's not how government is supposed to function. When you have a personnel director
giving raises without 375s being signed off on and it's so bad that the that the the current the sitting BA is afraid to even come here and sit before us because he knows the law was broken. When is the council going to hold them accountable?
So yeah, some people may may like to rush this process along, but I'm never going to let you guys just roll over this thing and act as if you're being responsible. Oh, this is just a payment of bills. Yeah, that's what they're telling you all the time. While we're spending more money, when I first got elected, our budget was 225 million. Now
we had 325 million. Do you feel like you're getting more services for an additional $100 million? >> They can't even tell you where it's going. They can't tell you where the money's at. But we're blindly voting yes. These are rubber stamps right here. These are not council people. These are
rubber stamps. Madame clerk, my vote is an emphatic no. Council president. Council president. >> Are you changing your vote, Councilman Mendes? >> No, I'm not I'm not I'm will less than less than 30 second. And the reason why
when I when I when I mention education is because a lot of the resident have they don't have the agenda. They don't have the document that we have in front of us. That's that's the reason why I mention education. and and the the diff the little different between uh the county and the payroll is a lot of rental assistant program that we have
that need to be paid a lot of people struggling and those rental assistant check they have to come out I don't agree with a lot of the stuff that happened on the administration we know that we have problem in the city but one thing have nothing to do with another one I'm talking about the document that we have in front of us and we have to
start paying on time the people that do business with Patterson they have to wait six and seven months to get a little check any there's no No business will survive uh uh uh you know waiting for a check every six months. We have to do better on that. Thank you, council president.
>> Thank you. Um votes madam cla eight in favor um one against payment of bills is hereby adopted. >> Item number 28 madam clerk. >> Yes. Second. Item number 28. It's a resolution authorizing contracts with certain
approved state contract vendors for various departments and divisions for the city of Patterson. Um item number >> one second >> I'm sorry.
It's an administration item resolution number 2560. >> Moved by Councilwoman Davis. Second by Councilman um Mendes. Roll call, madam clerk. Khalague. Roll call, madam clerk. >> Colleague. >> This is >> Counciloman Mendes and colleague.
Second, >> Councilwoman Dava and second by Councilman Khaled. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Roll call on item number >> discussion. >> Discussion. Councilman Jackson. >> So none of the issues that we talked about in workshop, we still glazed over them. We have well over, you know, two
several million dollars in expenditures here. I do understand that they're state contracts, but we have yet to get a report from the administration. I thought that's one of one of the things we talked about in workshop is that we have a report on the comparison of what
was spent last year versus what we're just going to spend this year. We have some expenditures for $300,000, $400,000 here. >> Uh I mean, listen, I'm not going to hold it hold the party up. I mean, obviously,
>> I'm the only person that that feels as if it's necessary um to actually require the administration to give reports on spending. So, carry on. >> Yeah. >> 660,000. I'm sorry. Go ahead.
>> So, just to put on the record before roll call last week in the meeting, Councilman Jackson, you did ask for that information. Within an hour of your request, that information was sent to all council members. You made a request asking what were the totals for the year and that email was sent out to every
council member. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Roll call on item number 28. Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I said this item was discussed uh last week in detail with our person agent. He's not here tonight. And and and I know one of my questions were also too was that I know
that when we look at state contracts and we go to state contracts, I said to him, are we sure that we're getting the best deal when we do state contracts? Cuz I'm on another board that we do state contracts and they're supposed to make sure that the contracts that we're getting is the best price that we're
getting. Madame clerk, with that being said, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. So, as many know that, you know, we are a transitional aid city and like Councilwoman Khan has stated,
you know, through our purchasing agent, all of these companies have to be vetted. Yeah. >> And state contracts have to be approved by the state by DCA. So all these reviews that are being requested and all these things, our books are being
reviewed by the Department of Community Affairs. And so, you know, with that said, these entities that are here before us are state contracts that supersede other contracts that may may be more. So, this is the best for us
right now. And once again, I'm saying it because we and all of our uh financials are reviewed uh by uh the Department of Community Affairs. So my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. If DCA was doing
such a fantastic job in reviewing our spending, we wouldn't have $4 million in over expenditures that DCA or anybody in administration or anybody in the council would have been aware of. We have We know they're state vendors. Just because they're state vendors doesn't mean that people going to be responsible. You
spending over 600 thou $660,000 on gas. So, what vehicles were they used for? We got We bought electric vehicles. Who's spending our gas? Are we having people bring up their pull up their cars and pump fill up their personal vehicles with at the pump? I mean, it listen, you
can't put anything past them. Why would you not ask for a full report on all these expenditures? Anyway, Madam Clerk, my vote is no. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Councilman Mendes, >> my vote is >> I'm sorry, Councilman Khalik.
>> My vote is yes, Madam Cler. to do. >> Council Mendes, >> thank you, Madam Clerk. Briefly, I think that, you know, you know, Councilman Jackson has a legitimate question, but I will I would I would I would do something better. And this is our acting B. I would do something better. I mean,
we're using a state contract vendor that that's been used. That's normal business. But I think that for example, if we're spending on Verizon $200,000, what we want to see is how much money we spent the year before and the year before. we could go back two years and see and have an idea if if we allocate
uh if we spend 100,000 in 2023 2024 we know that we don't need 200,000 we may need 150,000 so I think that uh active we should add that list every time we have a list a extensive league like this we have to add how much you spend a year
before and that would definitely help us to have a smart you know decision and a better discussion my vote yes ban cler >> thank you councilman councilman Omar My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman Uden. >> My vote is yes, Madame Clerk.
>> Councilman Vez. >> So, um, soon as they, uh, the article came out about the $4 million. I sent an email early in the morning, 9:00 in the morning, I believe it is, to the administration.
I tagged the BA and Etera and the CFO. I re requesting information and clarification of $4 million. They did send me a respond. DCA was the one, the fiscal monitor is the one that find out that there was a
typo on the numbers and they requested to correct it. $4 million went down to $1 something million. Still the administration is accountable and responsible to give a report where they
spend that money excessively in the city of Paso. That's my statement. Now regarding this, I know the pitch about using state contract or whatever. We have we have two companies
that adding it up, it goes up to a million dollars in gas only. Councilman Jackson requested a detailed report. how much we spend it. Um to be able to know if we not going over
and to make sure if they not spending a million so we could budget for $500,000 if they only spent $300,000. That's responsibility responsible. So like I say, we cannot we could talk
about the contractual, the salaries, etc., etc., but that's not touchable because it's all contractual. But when it comes to other expenses, I think the administration could do a CFO can sit down with the real numbers and present it to the council the right way. um
saying this we we got this oldest company outside contract they are going to serve the needs of DPW police etc etc so we need to have it in place for be able to then uh use those service to serve the community my my vote is yes on
this >> thank you councilman council president >> my vote is yes madam clerk >> thank you the votes are eight in favor one against item number 28 is hereby adopted >> thank you item 31 Madam clerk,
>> 31. >> Item number 31 is a resolution of need in support of the application of Hudson Blue 24 owner LLC to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, NJHMFA, in connection with the development of an
affordable housing project in the city of Patterson economic development resolution number 2563. So move >> moved by councilwoman Davala. Second >> discussion. >> Discussion. >> Second. Councilwoman Mims. Discussion. Councilman Veles and then Councilman
Odin. >> Discussion. >> Councilman. >> Council President. um last meeting and first of all um I want to apologize if the community saw me a little bit accept
>> a little bit upset but you get a little bit emotional and and you want to put your points clear when they come and present to the city council and to give the respect that we deserve. you know, others companies have come to
the city of Patterson, especially this chambers to and bring people with them to support the letter of support for housing and they have come to the council even
address us directly to us why they're looking for that letter of support right now and I respect whatever the board did to approve this project, But I was not sitting on the board. I was not present and they approve a project that had been
alarming people out there regarding parking, regarding the quality of life, regarding other issues, especially when it comes up um the the the subject of affordable housing.
Um you know, I don't see unless they are here or they sitting back there. I don't know if the owners of this LLC came in as a request that I had for them to address the council but right now you
know and I recall 201617 when the same company came here I remember that saying that they have money to invest in the city of Patterson. Now they looking for a letter of support to ask the state for money.
Um I don't know if they are here or not. I think we deserve the community deserve respect and the same way they spoke to the board of how good this project was going to be and demonstrate that it's
going to be affordable or low income. And they not here. I believe they're not here. So you could move with it. Um um and that's my statement the respect that have to give to this council at least to address us and say why they need it not
use somebody else. Um that for me I think they have a conflict interest but hey it is what it is. Um, I recall and you could go back to the record. Every, and this is not personal, every
economy development director that had worked for the city have moved forward to work with the same people that come here to present projects. Coincidence, huh? Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Councilman Odin, Councilman
Jackson. Then, M after that, Madame Clerk, roll call. Well, thank you, Madame Clerk. Um, first of all, is there anybody representing this application? >> I just sounds good. So, let me let me move forward. So, thank you very much.
First of all, this this resolution is about receiving 4% federal low-inccome housing tax credit from New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. And this about 194 multifamily
affordable housing for the resident of 55 or older which is which is great. We need affordable housing not only for seniors I would say for for our residents. Patterson is beyond affordability at this point because of our ongoing tax increases. I understand
that we are receiving transitional aid and that's a minimum requirement that we have to have minimum 2% tax increase. However, it is very important that we have to find a way that how can we not depend on oursel not just receive or
depend on transitional aid years after years. We are using this excuses every year that we are receiving transitional aid so minimum 2% has to be raised. That's very true. I understand that. I agree with the process. However, this two
person adding every year is is getting on on our resident shoulder. Think about the burden we are pushing on people's and it's kind of like indirect way pushing people out of the city. Last week we spoke about the um the illegal
housing in our city. Think about the reason of illegal housing is taking place. One thing is this is not affordable anymore. People looking for any options possible and besides we are going easy as well at the
same time. So I'm not speaking about that topic but I have some specific questions on that particular resolution uh to uh director. Uh it's 194 multif family uh residence uh units and uh it's
coming up along with 40 4,200 30 ft² uh theater and performing art space 1,200 ft 1200 square ft uh office space 2,000 ft² retail space and outdoor dining areas. My question is is there
any parking attached to this project? So parking. >> Oh, >> so parking is attached to this project and again this is something that has already received municipal approval through historic preservation as well as
the planning board. >> How many parking spaces available? >> So it will I believe up to 274 spaces >> where where >> where is it? where >> I'm sorry it's still under the planning board's perview but again it was through a letter of support that was provided to
the planning board. Well, director, I'm sorry. >> It's planning per view. Planning board is not going to give spaces. They might approve it or not approve it. That's one difference. >> There was a letter submitted by the parking authority that would support the
project up to 274 spaces. >> So, you are saying the partnership of Patterson Housing Authority and they are going to do partnership with them. That's exactly what you're saying. >> That it would be approved by the parking authority. >> That already approved. You said >> yes. I'm sorry.
>> You said uh housing authority approved 200 some spaces. >> It's not the housing authority. It's the parking authority. H >> housing authority approved. >> No, parking authority. >> Parking authority approved. Where is it? I mean which is say which one? >> The letter of the parking authority provided a letter of support for this project which was approved by the
planning board. >> But dear to no I'm not getting my answer directly and I can hear I can hear from hear the answer from my council colleagues as well. I'm specifically asking you madame uh director that I understand the parking authority
approved it. My question is which parking lot is going to be used where are those spaces how you know for how long this contract between this entity and parking authority. >> So that is a contract that is still
under review. It's again it's through anou that would have to be approved by both parties. So that is up for Thank you. >> So that is still being determined between the between the entities. >> Is TBD still? >> All right. Thank you for the answer.
>> It's not TBD when there was a letter of support of the project that was provided by the parking authority. >> The planning board approved it based off of that letter of support. >> Well, it it does not say that it's already specified. And and the reason
I'm stating it and I want resident to know as well that I watch both planning board and board of adjustment and and and many many occasions we have seen that many projects came
uh before they have shown that they do not have parking but they have contact with the parking authority for >> let me say this I appreciate the line of questioning but again at the end of the day all we are requesting at this moment is local consent from this body to allow
them to go for financing and submit an application. That's it. >> Madam Madame director, my stand I particularly I'm talking about myself. I'm very independently vote and I care about what's the needs of the city and I wanted to just mention that when I'm
asking this question, it does not mean I'm against affordable housing. I want to make sure that we are welcoming a project that that is feasible and supporting our community at large. So when we are saying it because this particular project comes not along with
just 194 units for our senior citizens but there are other businesses along attached to it. But why not? >> You also have to keep in mind councilman that there was market research that was done as well as community investigation that revealed that many of the seniors
don't have that the cars that would support all of the needs of of that of that building. So there were other units, other um other uh adult facilities that were also interviewed to determine what the
parking needs were and that also assisted in providing information for this project. So we know that all 274 spaces will not be used by the residents. Many of the people that will be living in this age restrict restricted facility will not have vehicles.
That has to be taken into consideration. They're over 55. They may not have um have cars and many of them may rely personally on public transportation. They're located in the downtown where it's not really a requirement.
>> Director, I'm sorry. 55 is not that that age that people do not have cars. I'm not actually saying >> I'm not rebottling council. >> It's an age restricted unit, right? Meaning that at a minimum, >> okay, >> they're starting at 55 years and up. >> All right. I'm I did not get my answer
but anyway I want to see that 194 in >> okay >> if you even think that maybe 25% people do not have vehicles but if I think the rest of the map they're thinking about how many vehicles we are talking about can and we have to give
them space the the reason I'm talking about the contract between any entity and parking authority and I have seen that before not only for affordable housing even regular housing that they always submit contract like five years contract with house uh with parking
authority for five spaces and we never go back after 5 years whether they renewed their contract or they're using those spaces or not. So just know this this is happening >> and this is what I'm saying from the experience >> the developer and and the parking authority
>> I mean I I want people to know your answer and my stance. So thank you for the answers by the way. >> Thank you Councilman Jackson and then Councilman Mendes. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, director, for coming up to the microphone. First of all, let me start by saying this.
With all due respect, I think it's rather insulting to this council to say, well, that's the prerogative, and I know that's not the word you use, but you may as well have said it. That's within the purview of the parking authority and the developer as the as the body that's
responsible for all actions that take place under this under under this within this community. It would it would be completely irresponsible for this council whether it's only for a letter of of approval. We gave a simple letter of approval to the stadium. Look,
>> we're getting burned. >> We're getting burned. >> Kids are getting burned while developers are making undisclosed developers fees that they don't want to disclose. Can you can you outline to me the price points for the AMI on this on this
development for >> for for single bedroomedroom studios? What what's the rental rates? >> It's affordable based off of again HUD standards. This is based on >> I can give you breakdown by unit type
and then um based on the 30% 50% 60% AMI as well as based on household income. So a studio apartment at 30% AMI the rent will be $772. >> What is the unit collecting? What is the total rent that the unit is requesting
to collect? The total rent that what >> for that unit >> I just told you $772 based off of a household income of $28,2 >> but this unit is subsidized correct >> if you're basing it on a 30% factoring
then the unit is subsidized that means they're getting additional money through HUD or through a voucher process. I'm asking you to this is why this funding is necessary because the funding is what helps subsidize the project. >> Okay. This is what allows the cost to
come down. It can only be done through state subsidies. That's why they are going after the Aspire tax credits and that's why they're also going after NJHMFA the LITC program. So what is the total that they'll be collecting for each unit?
If you're saying based on the 30% that's based on the 30% household income. So obviously there's additional money that's being collected. No, >> I understand they're getting tax credits, but Okay, go go go ahead. Go down the line. >> All right, so that's for a studio. For a
onebedroom, 30% AMI, the rent will be $827. And that's based off of a household income of $29,75. >> So that your entire household has to make $29,000. >> No, this is for a single f. This is for
a single person. Again, the units prices will change. >> You just said a household a household income. basing it off of one person right now. >> But madame director, with all due respect, so if a person lives in that one one-bedroom unit and then they take
on a significant other, they're going to be forced to move. >> No, >> it's you said a household income that factoring in >> correct. I'm just giving you the basics in terms of the information based off of the HUD guidelines. This is the regional HUD guidelines based on county. This
includes Bergen, Hudson, Payic, and Sussex. And it tells you based on household size. And it's broken down by moderate, which is 80% AMI, low, which is 50% AMI, and very low, which is 30% AMI. I'm just giving it the information
to you based off of one person household. >> You can finish. How many? So those those um studio units that you quoted off, how many of those are going to be built in the project out of the 194? >> So I'll give you the unit mix. Hang on one second.
So, the unit mix, you'll have 51 units that are studio apartments >> and they're and they're at that AMI. >> Again, we're talking at three different AMI levels. 30% AMI. >> How many are at the 30% AMI? How many
will be at the 30% AMI? So, I don't have that specific broken out. Um, but I can get you that information. >> 50. It could be five, 10, or 15. >> Either way, Councilman, they're all 100% affordable. >> Okay. So, what So, let's go to the 80%. How much is that going to be for a
studio? >> So, um, we'll go to the 60% AMI. For a studio apartment, it'll be $1,479. >> Okay. A studio apartment for,400. Go ahead. >> Correct. And that's based off of a household income of $56,567
>> and 80 >> and 80 and 80% >> um the 80% Hold on one second. So the 80% would be based off of $71,280. But again, this project is only catering
to 30, 50, and 60% AMI >> 30. >> So the very lowincome individuals would meet the criteria. 30, 50, and 60. >> Correct. >> So at 60, they're paying 1,400 for a studio. >> Yes. Correct. Correct. >> 1,400. How much for a onebedroom? And 60.
>> 15.85. >> And and a two >> 1902. >> 1902. Okay. So here here's the point I'm making. >> And again, it's based on income. >> I understand that. Are the units designated?
>> They're all affordable. 100% affordable housing. But are the units >> permanently restricted? >> Are the units designated 30 50 60? >> So if you have it, she said this this this project doesn't have 80 percentiles. So if there if there's a if
there's a vacancy in a in a unit that was a 30, but the new, you know, the the tenant that's incoming and he doesn't fit within the bracket of that income rate, is he just not eligible for that unit? >> No. And I'm well again these are things
that will have to be worked out with the developer but for the most part the rates all >> these things should be worked out prior to coming to the council asking us >> these are the rates that have been set. This is what I'm sharing with you what the rental um what the rental numbers are per unit based on again household
income that is set by HUD which is a federal agency. This we don't set that standard. These are federal guidelines that we're following and that determines how we apply the AMI levels to the units. >> So, here's the deal, director, and and I'm going I'm going just be forthcoming.
I mean, obviously I'm I will not be supporting this, right? But here's the reason why. The reason is when we talk about affordability and what's going on in our community, we know that developers are making a boatload of money, >> right? I just had the privilege, who I
would love to invite you the next time. I just had the privilege of meeting Councilman and everybody here please Google him. Councilman Charles Baron from Brooklyn. From Brooklyn. Let me tell you something. What my hair is standing up right now under my
jacket. What this gentleman did in Brooklyn was absolutely phenomenal. He made sure that every single rent in Brooklyn for one bedrooms was $540. The the Yes. They came in and when you look at the AMI in Brooklyn, you would
think it's much higher than Patterson, right? But in Brooklyn, this gentleman made sure that the affordability was a reality for his people. There is no way that we can look at guarantee you. I truly respect you and I don't the
state and federal government cannot director. The councilman has the floor. >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that? I didn't hear you. I didn't hear you. No, I said and it required state and federal subsidies. That's the only way you can do affordable housing
>> of which this gentleman is getting a lot of. He's It's a fully subsidized building of $110 million. >> This is a fully subsidized building. This is 194 units of affordable housing for seniors that point director. A
developer is coming in here building a project without putting no money up out of his pocket. He's getting fully subsidized funding from HUD, from HMFA, and he's not and he's performing sub he's providing subpar conditions. The you may not understand it, but the
residents at 13 and a half when that parking garage was down, they were here every day because they had to walk. >> You're making an assumption that this developer does not director, >> please don't don't do that. I don't do that to you, director. Please don't do that. >> If I have an issue, my issue should be
addressed. My concern should be addressed. It shouldn't be a combative moment. So am I. >> This is not a matter of you. It's not your project, but you're you're pushing this project like it's your own. The developer should be here tonight in front of all the people. >> So the developer was asked to be here
tonight and they were they were here to to to um participate this evening with the presentation, but council president has requested that they not appear. >> The council president doesn't speak for the whole council. And the council president definitely doesn't speak for
the whole community either. >> So >> So if the developer came here and then he was turned away, that's the the item should be removed from the agenda. Council President, I make a motion to remove this thing. First of all, let me let me let me finish. Let me finish.
>> First of all, I met with the developer the other day and he even acknowledges that the parking garage is sub is substandard. It's not up the it's not up the code because of the tight turns. You can't go in there with large scale vehicles. Furthermore, my father's 75.
He has a car. What's this notion that 55 year old people don't have cars? 55y old people >> have the development project that is right. >> Director, the councilman has the floor. Director, >> go ahead. Go ahead. >> So, there's a motion on the floor to table. Is there a second? >> Council president. Second.
>> There is. There's a second. Madame clerk, roll call to table. [Applause] Roll call. >> Roll call to table. Item number 31. Councilwoman Cotton.
>> Director. >> Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Turn mic on. Turn your mic on. >> Roll call. Madam clerk to table. >> Yes. >> My answer is no. >> You see >> ain't no see because you know I didn't get a chance to talk anyhow. >> Councilwoman D. understand because this man may not get no money.
>> Roll call. >> He may not get it. >> And we may not get it. So, we may not get it. That's all I want to let you guys know. >> Roll call, madam clerk. But that's fine. That's fine. >> Thank you very much, Madam Clerk, for calling. >> You heard what I said. No, no, I don't need no rebuttal. I'm saying he may not
he may not get this money and the way and right now all these cities are watching >> because they're waiting for the money. Cotton. >> That's fine. >> Council Cotton. >> That's fine. >> Council Cotton. Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Dav.
>> Thank you very much, Madam Clerk, for calling my name. >> So again, before us, the item has been approved already. That item went through the planning board. That item is approved. What's before us is a letter
as Councilwoman Cotton has stated. >> One second. Council um officers, can you bring the quorum in the chambers, please >> so we can hear? Council Medava >> as I stated. Okay. The item before us
and for all of you, especially for our our our our future leaders that are here, our youngers. Um, the item before us is an item, a letter to support so the entity can go that has already been
approved their project to be able to go and request additional funding. That's what's here. And I always say this, you do not have to like my position, right? I stand on my convictions. I vote my conscience. Okay? And right now with
this right here, what's before us, I cannot support. I am going to support and I'm going to say no to table because we should be. We can't continue to say that we need that we need that we need but we do nothing about it. Right now
there is something in place that will allow okay for an entity that has been already approved a project all right to be able to go as councilwoman cotton stated they may not get the funding they have to present themselves to her the
additional funding that's okay so where I stand right now I'm going to allow them to be able to go and present the letter that says the city can support >> because they already got the planning approval. Okay. To move forward, we have
a lot of people that call us every day that need affordable housing. And what I heard today, it's 100% affordable. This is the type of development that I want to see. In addition, I am about growth mode, but I
am also about the right development. And right now the tons of people the college that I work for that people just come I need an apartment but I need an affordable one. This is going to be able to help those individuals. So with that
said no to table. Councilman Jackson >> council members Councilman Jackson has the floor. I got to invest in an acting class. My acting just isn't up as good as good as it should be. >> You know, I got to be able to act like I
care and and then don't. >> So, it's gotten so bad, right, >> where developers now have the nerve to jump on Facebook and say who they going to pay or support or who they're going to put in place for certain things.
affordable, 1900. I wish we would have had a report of all the the number of evictions that's going on monthly in this community where all this affordable housing is. The eviction level is at an all-time high. You know what else is at an
all-time high? The bank accounts of these developers is getting these deals. Amen. >> The $110 million affordable housing up at Hinchcliff Stadium that fell apart
that's that fell apart within the first two months of being erected. This is a This is what we're looking for. We're selling the city for for peanut butter. We're not even having We
don't even have peanuts. Why you upset if you stand on what you standing for? Why you all in my ear about what you're ups what you're upset about? I don't do that to you. I you I hold you accountable for your vote and I'm showing the community. I'm glad we have
an opportunity so you guys can see how your representatives are selling you out. >> Yes. >> Where's the demand? I apologize because last week someone handed to me in Jersey City when you
want to develop in Jersey City a hundred million dollar project they hold you accountable they make you spend 25% of your project in the community build they make you build a school I Matt could validate that his father sat here and I would show I'll pull up
projects in Jersey City where they make you build a school in collaboration with your project these guys, you know what they providing you is housing for the for the for the homies. That's how they look at it. >> Yeah. >> And at $1,900
when that's affordable >> when I'm telling you that a brother in Brooklyn says, "Nah, you not you're not coming in here." We sat there and there's people that that went there with me. Mr. Olivaris, is that not the case? He said, "No, you're not coming in here." He couldn't walk through the
community without being stopped. He's 75 years old. He's been out of he's been out of the the council for many, many years. He walked us through and gave us a tour. The community person who's now running the community center that that they built under his tenure is making
over $200,000 a year. Community people, that's job creation. They talking about it's going to they keep talking about it's going to create jobs. rehabbing a desolate building that just supposedly just got signed off on with the uh uh
with the the uh the the the abatement for contamination. >> This is what we're doing to our community. Last week I showed you a comparison. 777 McBride Avenue. >> Okay. >> The building they built from ground up,
they spent less per unit on that building than this than this this these people are spending on this. this development here. >> So, listen. You could already see where it's going. It's going to pass. It's okay. But don't say I didn't tell you.
Don't say I didn't tell you about the trailer park. Don't say I didn't tell you about the stadium. Then later on, well, you know, Councilman Jackson, I don't need my name called with a with a with a with a badge of honor on it. No, I want you to do the right thing by our
community. Make sure we hold developers accountable. Bring them in for before us and say, "What do you expect us to allow you to do?" Lastly, I'm going to say this cuz the parking thing is a scam. What they did was went to the parking
authority say, "Hey, do you have this many available?" The parking authority is a for-profit entity. Of course. But how many residents are now going to be standing in line once a month at 5:00 in the morning in front of the parking authority fighting for a monthly parking
pass only to be told that if you don't get up at 3:00 in the morning, there's residents that get up at 3:00 a.m. to go stand in line in front of the parking authority only to be told when they get there, oh, I'm sorry, we're out of um vouchers.
When you build a a building, when you build a development, the requirement is to provide inclusive parking. Not to charge $1,900 and then send them to the parking authority to pay $75 a
month or $150 a month for parking pass. That's not how this works. So, and then they say, "Oh, it was approved." Yeah, it was. I showed you earlier today on my live. It was approved unanimously before the planning board, which a 100% of them
are appointed by the mayor. The vice chairperson is the young lady that they put up to run against me that they put over $100,000 behind because they knew that she would be a rubber stamp yes vote. Of course, they it was approved there. They're all yes votes without a
question. So, listen, >> we're roll we're rolling. >> Well, this it's this is it's a joke, right? But it's it's sad. It's not even funny. It's sad. We're leaving nothing for our young people. Nothing. Nothing for them to to aspire to. We we're we're
allowing developers to turn small portfolios into billion dollar portfolios. And they're flocking into Patterson. Why? Because they know that everything goes in Patterson. You could do whatever you want in Patterson. You saw the the
Marian Street. The guy just built another house. No permits. Did the council hold the administration accountable and come in here and say, "Listen, I want to know what's going on. How's he building? Is he getting a $10,000 a day fine?" Which falls under
the director's department as well, division as well. And yet, people could do whatever they want to do here. I'm not going to stand still on that. No, I'm going to let you know. I'mma blow the horn. I'mma pull the whistle. Whatever I have to do, I'll start the
smoke the smoke fire while they going to say this is only just a letter. Yeah, it's a letter so they can screw us over. Madam clerk, my vote is yes the table. >> Councilman, Councilman Khig, >> thank you madam clerk. I think we do
need a full presentation and a further conversation as well. At the same time, some of the information that's being spewed, for example, hard guideline has the rental uh income to
the ratio already set. >> There's nothing we could do if the councilman Jackson comparing Patterson to Brooklyn, we you should follow the councilman of the Brooklyn's lead and we should do the same thing in city of Patterson.
>> I'll be 100% in support with that. It might be a different program, but if it is the same program, I think before the next meeting, you should get the all the all the paperworks and bring it in the council. I'll be with you 110%.
At the same time, I think we do need further conver conversation with the parking issue and 194 units and for to table it. I'm not saying I'm not going to support this project in the future, but for time being right now, I'm yes to
table this project. >> Thank you, Council Mendes. Councilman Mendes. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um I was um I was waiting for I was waiting for my turn the tomorrow time to to to vote because I was very I was very
specific on my request at the last meeting and this council really deserve listen you know what developer and people that come in front of this council with project they need to respect this council that so-called letter of support is a very important
letter and they need that letter to go to the state and ask for that money to build that building. So my vote is extremely important. Our vote is extremely important. It's not a simple letter of support. No, they need that letter to get all the money for that
building. And last week I I've been everybody know that I'm all in full support of affordable housing in our community. We have people getting evicted every single day. I getting phone calls left and right every single day asking for an apartment, asking for
help. Now we have 194 units. Those 19 foot unit they will impact the downtown area tremendously. I have question about parking. I start with a parking lot. Can you you have to explain to me what's going to be the project. The parking lot is not accurate
by this project. I know that. But I want to hear from the developer. And I asked them, listen, bring a presentation in front of the council and let's ask question. Let's debate and if it's right for Patterson, I will support it. 195 unit. They went from 167 to 194.
So we don't even get a presentation. There's a lot of question. We need to know the type of material, the quality of the construction. We need to make sure that they spending the right amount of money in the city. We got to make sure that our senior are getting into a quality a good quality apartment. All
those those are legitimate question and we're not getting that answer. I feel bad director. I have a lot of respect for you, but I think that that developer should be the one and I hope this project doesn't pass. Honestly, I hope doesn't pass. I'm all against and I hope
doesn't pass because what I want on the next meeting on the next workshop there's a there's this is a projectile that doesn't cost anything to turn it on. The community need to know what type of project is this? We're not talking about a four family house. We're not
talking about a 20 unit. We talking about 194 units in the downtown area. So I hope to see this on the next workshop with a PowerPoint presentation and and a open discussion from the community from this council. That's what
I hope to see. So my vote is yes to table. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar, >> my vote is yes to table. >> Your vote is yes, Councilman. Councilman Omar, >> he said yes. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Councilman Nuden. >> Thank you, Madame Clark. So, one more time, let me repeat. I am in 100% favor of development, not overdevelopment. And when we talking about the particular project and I stated earlier, Madame
Clark uh madame director that we are not just thinking about 194 affordable units and future residents of those uh units. We are speaking about the retail that you're offering the projects that coming
up for performing arts and and those people are not going to park park on the street. Just know that they are making the other resident resident at large in the city of Patterson not affordable. Let me tell you how. Do you know how many people pay
for their parking? There are so many in our city that pay for their parking every day because there is no street parking available. And now when we are welcoming certain projects it's really not the problem for this particular project but
for the entire city of Patterson not just only parking issue but director one thing and we do respect I want to state something and I never stated earlier before ever you are the voice for the city of Patterson and for all of us. You
are not the representative for the owner of this project. You cannot stand for them or talk on behalf of them. It does not state who who gave you job. The owner who is investing in our city
that big project they should come here in front of the council and speak about how this is something going to benefit us or not. That's what we expect and that's what people of the city of Patterson expect from from you and the owner of the project. With that being
said, I like to see more uh clear presentation which is going to not only give us information but give the resident of the city of Patterson information about such a large project. With that being said, I'm waiting for better future. My vote is yes to table.
>> Thank you, >> Councilman. >> So, Director Delaney, uh thank you for lobbying and presenting for the company. You try to do your best job to present it.
Watch the last meeting that we had last week regarding this item and compare it today. Let me remind this council. Governor Towers
came to the council to request an extension of 30 years tax abatement >> and Are you I'm going to talk about my ward. Governor Tower is 100%
senior building and there was denied from this council to renew that pilot. What happened? We challenged the developer and the owners of Governor Towers
to invest in Governor Towers and they did so. Go and watch with their own money. They didn't raise the rent. They follow HUD guidelines and we have resident happy as senior resident happy.
They are living regarding the parking authority. Every developer probably that goes and asks for a letter of support use the parking authority as a backup. This administration has asked the
council to give letters support for cannabis and have been a failure. letter of support for housing need. And I could go back and probably ask those individual that constructed with
that type of letter and got funding by the state that probably 100% of the project is not affordable housing. They mark it red. The parking authority do not open at nighttime. Have you seen the garage open at night
time? >> They close it at 8:00. >> Sir, you're not the authority to talk about in behalf of the parking authority. Parking authority do not open their parking at nighttime.
They don't open the parking after hours. And the other thing is if they use the letter of the parking authority, the parking is not free. Why I say they use the parking authority
letter for parking and I want to request to the administration and to the parking authority to give me a report of how many how many taxi company use those letter to justify parking for their taxi
and the taxis are parking outside the streets. How many letters support they get from the parking authority to park limos because they need our license approved and they say they park in parking authority.
How many letters they give or letter support a contract for trunking company and then you see the truck park and I will see you over time after hours. Letter of support means a lot for me. If
I see that after the projects come to completion that the project is 100% affordable or low income. If I ask the developer what is the
minimum the minimum and the max of income to be able to live there. Trust me, one person is 35,000 $35,000 up income
and probably two person is going to be more two bedrooms or whatever. So once again is disrespectful for this council. I'm not the zoning board. and at the planning board, but we should have a
respect to bring it in front of us and guarantee us that this was going to be 100% affordable and then probably we're going to move forward. But now after take the letter and then after take them the money, then
they say, "I spent $100 million on a project. We need to get the investment back and the revenue back. Last but not least, I am 58 years old and I have three cards.
My vote is no. Yes to table. Sorry. Yes to table. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council President. >> So, Madame Clerk, Madame Clerk, Madame Clerk, we we will do right after this. We will.
We We will, Madame Clerk. This item 31 and 32, we will put them on for December the 9th, the workshop. And at that workshop, we'll have a more robust discussion. >> Good. >> Um on the 31st and um item 31 and 32,
Madam Clerk. >> Yes. Thank you. >> And my and my vote um is uh no. >> Thank you. >> Okay, >> Madam Cler, director. We're We're in the middle of roll call. >> Madam clerk, we're in the middle of roll call.
>> Before you cl call the role, >> I just wanted to re readress my my vote only to say this to both Councilman Uden and Councilman uh by no means and to everybody in the public, by no means was it meant to miscategorize the director.
She is the economic development director. It is her job to bring items forward on behalf of the administration. I did not and I didn't I didn't like the way Councilman Udin categorized that as if she was lobbying for them. It is her job to present it. It is within our
purview to make sure that the owner, not the attorneys, the owners are here before us. So, I just wanted to put put that on record. Madam clerk, my vote is yes to table. Thank you. >> Thank Thank you, council. The votes are six um in favor to table, three against.
Item number 31 and 32 are both tabled to the workshop session of December 9th. >> President Councilman. >> Count. >> Madam clerk. Madame clerk. >> Council president. >> Madame clerk. >> Council president. >> Madame clerk. >> Just point order. Council.
>> Madam clerk. We are going to vote on item one. And that is why our young people are here. We've been working on this item for two and a half years. >> Number one. >> Item number one. Madam clerk, as our youth are standing. Item number one, madam clerk. >> Item number one, >> council president.
>> Item number one, madam clerk, could you read it? >> Item number one is an ordinance creating chapter 421, article 3 of the Patterson code to be entitled smoke shops and tobacco stores. Sponsored by council president Dr. Lisa Mems and council vice
president Marissa Davala. Co-sponsored by Councilman MD Ford Uden, Councilman Lewis VeZ, Councilwoman Ruby N. Cotton and Councilman Alex Menddees, Health and Human Services. >> So move second. >> Moved by President Mims and Councilwoman
Davis. Second by council >> discussion. >> Menddees. Discussion. Councilman Uden. >> Jackson. >> Oh Jackson. >> Thank you, Council President. >> And me. >> All right. Thank you, Council President. Um, >> Jackson, >> I I wish that you you uh present this
item after the public portion uh to give the public a chance to just uh state their voice. uh since they will speak and this is a first reading. Let me just uh state on the behalf of the resident that came here. Uh first of all, thank you very much everyone that uh came here
and it shows that how much you care about health, how much you care about the safety of our resident and and and particularly for our youth and over past over a year the resident particularly
the youth the students from different schools and colleges from our city just came here share their experiences their concern about ecigarettes. retailers, uh, Bay Products growing smoke shops on our school areas
and they came back again today and it means that not only the resident or adults care about the the the children of our city, they know the growing problem that our residents, our youth are facing every day. Now before I
state I'm I'm proud to stand by the organization. They are working hard for last over a year. I'd like to thank COPE from Monlay University. I'd like to thank uh Municipal Alliance uh and uh S Kofa, Mr. Smoldwood. I'd like to thank
Aphua Club. I'd like to thank parents and community members. And I definitely after after the public portion, I'll mention all the participants, all the youth that came up to make your voice heard. So I'm grateful and thankful to all of you. Just know this that you are
the future of the city of Patterson. Patterson will be in the right direction once day one day you will come to the leadership. And this is what my belief today and and every day. And this is what I'm empowering our youth that have
to participate in our city's business. And we when we make the decision, we have to think that our decision is impacting your future, Patterson's future. Now, one thing I particularly state and and you will hear from the
resident that came here and uh first of all, after working that hard, I was uh honored to become the co-sponsored. I don't care about the title, but I'm happy that it came. It's moving forward. That's important to me. Now with that ordinance there some of
some key factors that completely missing which I like to see is adding because the reason of this ordinance is not to making resident happy but also showing the impact the positive impact that will bring by this ordinance. This ordinance
is completely missing few things and I like to see this adding before we move forward with this. It's it's missing um the number one is limit of the retail licenses. It's missing zoning protections where it can or
cannot be taken place. Stop license transfer process. That's another thing should be mentioned. Clarify the enforcement and use this license which is mentioned. But again this is not articulated on the
ordinance. Before we move forward, I would love to see that you hear from our residents, particularly from our youth. They have school tomorrow morning. However, they made time, their parents made time to make sure they're here and they made it concerned. We are not speaking about secondhand experience.
We're talking about firstand experience from the children. They see every day how our youth getting those those fatal products in their hands. So can is it possible whether to table it at this
products uh at this uh missing things on this ordinance or wait for the public portion to be over so that we can have some idea that what our resident think would be better. So I'm just putting on the floor and I believe that my council
colleagues will be will be mindful enough that we are serving our city. And we are not we are not here just playing games or taking side on these kind of things but this is something they are pushing for our children. So
madame president if is it possible to introduce this item after the public portion would be greatly appreciated and also I would recommend it then after that after the public person will decide whether they should be tabled or should move forward. >> Council president. >> So let me let me just right before you
councilman Jackson. So, let me just state this first. Um, thank you to our youth and let me be clear. We've been working on this resolution since 2019. This just did not start today. We're grateful that Councilman Udin came on
after he just got elected in 2022. He was not a part of the initial discussions. He did provide some information which was specific only to vaping. That was the language. We chose to make it inclusive of everything. There are many things that are in the
language and I want you to get a copy of it that talks about there's not going to be any more smoke shops allowed more. >> Uh there's different parameters in this and then there's a clause as as it relates to zoning and I'm going to let corporation counsel speak to why we can't add zoning at this point. We can
add it later but there's a rationale behind why we could not do it now. I'm going to let corporation counsel but let me say this. Two things. One, it would be a decision by the council, but if we said, "Let's table it and let all the youth speak." It's not just
youth on the public portion. There's 30 plus speakers. So, you would have to go through all the speakers. They would still have to wait. They would have to wait and then we would have to vote, right? And we want the youth because they're saying the youth want to go home. Correct. So, we want to make sure
that this item, which has been worked on, Smallwood, you know, we've been in constant communication um in regards to all of the stuff that's going on, has been approved. We have our health inspector, we make sure that there are parameters around it, especially the
request. So, I don't believe it should be tabled because if we table this item and we don't do it tonight, it goes now into December and then January and it will not be in effect till February. If it's approved tonight, then it will be approved after tonight. It will be
approved in January. Upon approval, there will be a public hearing and it will go into effect in February. >> In in in December. So by January. So this is November. December second reading. January it goes into effect. So that's why I'm not recommending um that
we table it because I know you're saying no. And I'm going to follow your lead. I don't believe it should be tabled. Councilman Jackson. amendment. >> Thank you, Council President. So, I understand I understand Councilman Udin's point, but Councilman, remember this, this is
required to have a second vote, which which is then required to have a public hearing of which, you know, all of the young people, and I I encourage all of you, and I I know that it may your night may have been a little bit long, but guess what? This is an educational
process that's much needed. You guys need to understand who's making decisions in your community, why people are making decisions in your community, and why certain things are the way they are. So, I'm glad that you guys had an opportunity to see that. Now, I'll just
say this. Uh, corporation council, there was a letter that was sent to everybody with regard to how the handling of certain provisions by a law firm that that that addressed this matter. um from a state statute perspective.
Now, let's be clear. >> Councilman Odin, the council, Councilman Jackson is referencing the corporation council. >> Let's be clear. Although I'm in full support of this item, I am not in support of the way it's drafted. I'm not
in support of the health department doing enforcement on items that are related to having influence of influences of drugs. We often know and and the director accused me the director accused me of being taking it personal.
Yes, I'm I'm the only business owner in the history of the city that the health department decided to come after after 2:00 in the morning during a night inspection. So they're very selective in their process of doing enforcement. We all know that there's some
establishments that have hookah openly being utilized and other establishments that's being targeted. The health department does not have the experience and the trust. Furthermore, to be able to outline this this level of in of
enforcement when it comes to cannabis and anything that had to do with with drug related uh issues, corporation council, I need to have this thing reviewed whether or not we should have PD should have an involvement. They do. >> And I spoke to them and they and I was told that they did not they did not have
an involvement of whether or not if there's going to be uh because when when there's if they if they go to an establishment and find an illegal substance, how are they doing the testing? Is it being sent to a lab? Is it being a field test? Because field tests don't detect the level of THC in
certain products. So, if we're going to do this, we got to make sure it's done properly. We got to make sure the enforcement is done properly. the health department, in my opinion, the city's engulf in and overrun with rats and and the director said we don't have a rat problem. We're going to have the a
problem where certain businesses are being selectively enforced. We need to have the PD involved in this and that needs to be written in this in in this uh legislation. No, no. I can move forward and we can make the amendments moving forward before we take uh the
second vote tier vote to make sure that PD is included on the on enforcement. C >> Councilwoman Davala. >> So, Councilman Jackson, uh as you are aware and I know that you see in the news that Patterson police numerous
times has gone out to some of these smoke shops and they have found illegal substances being sold, okay? And they've been confiscated. But I have to say something about our inspector who is the credentialed individual who is able to go out there and I agree that Patterson
police has to be part of it. Right. You >> talking to me? >> But with okay >> the health department. They are the credential individuals that are able to go. >> He's not credentialed to do drug enforcement. >> He's not credential to do drug enforcement. >> I didn't say that. You you mentioned certain things about levels.
>> But remember and I apologize. Please let me allow me one moment. We also have a large segment of our community that's been targeted and falsely charged. We just went through this whole legalizing marijuana so that we can expune everybody's records and now we're going
to have the the health department who doesn't have that kind of experience and enforcing drugrelated items. We should have the PD involved. >> But Councilman and I I had the floor and and I just let me just complete my statement. Cannabis is not to be sold in these smoke shops.
>> They're not approved. So even with panels and police, you can't sell. I'm not saying uh please respectfully please. What I'm saying is some of them are doing it and they're being caught. I mean just and and we have police officers here that know that
when narcotics have gone out there, they've been able to confiscate, close down, right? this ordinance is going to also support and I I would love to allow the the inspector that's here because you know what this item like it was stated you know there's and and and I
congratulate every young person here and to the c to to um map and uh right no I wanted to just talk your programs right that are under the health and human services department right you know that this is something that all of you have
been working on right I've been here since 2014 this started. There's emails to show Councilman pushing this all of us. So, this is a collective work here today. I am looking forward to moving forward. This has to stop. We are not allowing any more smoke shops. If
Prospect Park could do it, Emma Park could do it. Surrounding towns can say no more. Patterson's no more. What we can't do is shut them down because legally speaking, those individuals would have to be grandfathered in. And in terms of zoning, we have our the head
of our zoning um uh uh inspector who is licensed, right? There's some legalities there that we have to be careful. The city could be sued as well. All right. So, I want us to move forward. Okay. And and I think because the youth is here, we should take action in our first
reading and definitely I will be bringing this back up with our Patterson Police Department, which by the way they are aware because we had a public safety committee meeting where we discussed some of this stuff, but we and they understood it has to also go first through the Department of Health and
Human Services. So with that, Councilman Mendes, can you please you know after your state these so that the students one second before Coun Councilman Mendes speaks because I want to respect the parents are here with their stu with
their children right and so after Councilman Mendes speaks I would like us to move forward and vote because we know that you're ready for this to happen. We're doing this because all of us we're in the city we've heard the complaint. It is time to move forward. That is what
you've requested, right, Mom? That's what you've requested. Students, after Councilman Mendes speaks, we're going to vote yes and or no cuz we've had a big discussion last week. So, right after Councilman Mendes, cuz I want our youth, they want to say to speak later, they
can, but I want us to have him have his statement, but I want us to vote so our young people, if they choose not to say, they can go home and rest up for school tomorrow. Sure. >> Councilman Mendes. Thank you, Council President. I think that you know uh and I want to thank my council ki for the great effort on this project. I think
we're ready to go. My biggest concern was to put a cap and a stop smoke shop to be opening in every corner in the city of Patterson. Pison is only eight square miles and we have a smoke shop in every corner. Enough is enough. There's no perfect legislation. Every legislation have room for improvement.
But this is the great start because we're going to put a stop on all those new smoke shop. And I think I'm ready to I'm ready to vote on this. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you. Roll call. Madame Clerk, there are no more smoke shops in this resolution. Roll call. Madam clerk, >> roll call on item number one for first
reading. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava, before I vote quickly, page seven, 421-16. It speaks on enforcement and penalties. I'm going to read this real quick.
A this ordinance will be enforced by the city of Patterson health officer, registered environmental health specialist or other designate and can also be enforced by the Patterson Police Department. Those are all the individuals that are going to be able to
enforce this. All right, I am happy that you are all here. Let me tell you, it is your choice, right, as an adult, but it is not your choice as someone young that is able to walk into one of these smoke shops and be able and not and this is not just for
smoke shops. This is for bodeas who also sell, okay, those vapes that are flavor that by the way in the state of New Jersey are illegal, so they shouldn't have them anyway. So the enforcement is coming. Thank you so much for standing
here. To the parents, to the organizers, to directors, to everyone. My vote is yes on first reading. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'll be very brief. What excites me most is the fact that you guys are participating in this process.
>> It took me many, many years after I've been mistreated to be to be cognizant of what's going on here. I'm happy that all of you guys have have allowed them to stay, allowed them to learn and watch because this is where think that the the most important
decisions that of in our community are made. So when you want something to happen, this is how you do this is how you come forward, you rally, and you fight for the things that you want and make sure that people here support the things that you want in your community. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. There is no perfect legislation. This at least this is a start in future. If we need to, we could amend it and bring it back. I'm glad all the young
generation are participating in this um legislation. My vote is definitely yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes. [Applause] >> My vot. >> Thank you, Councilman Omar. Before I do vote, I want to thank the public and the youth for coming out and also my council
colleagues who have worked on this for a few years, two and a half years. Councilman Dava, Council Ms, and of course, Councilman Farudin. My vote is yes, Madam Cler. >> Thank you, Councilman Uden. >> Thank you, Madame Kirk. And as I do agree that it's a very beginning step.
However, I'd like to mention a few things. Yes, there is a cap for the smoke shops. There is no cap mentioned for vape or ecigarette retailers that I would definitely send an email tomorrow morning mentioning that we need cap on
those items as well. We cannot say see growing uh uh retailers are selling pro those uh products by our schools or uh houses of worship or parks. So I understand that we can do amendment
before the second reading and I I had conversation with the corporation council. I'm going to send email tomorrow morning with that request. But before I vote I have to give shout out to all of you. The names I have received and if I don't mention your name forgive
me but just know this because of your participation. I'm not talking about this particular ordinance. We are speak we are we talk about other things that's happening in our city and you energize me every single day our youth I see I am
very optimist that Patterson will be in right direction because our youths are involved and just know this just now with our team over 80 volunteers involved in different different occasions I'm grateful to every single one of you let me mention the names
before I vote uh vote I have have to mention Adona Herrera Jansa from uh partnership for success Mr. Smallwood and your organizations grateful Mr. Wilson, Sister Tonia, Javan
Jones, Jahil Krum, Hale, Cameron, Carla Almon, Aka Smith, Amry, Curry, Ariana, Andubsi, Ashia Brooks, Alexander Grant, uh, Khani, Costi, Naza, Richardson, uh,
who else mentioned? Sakib, Razin, Rafan, um, who else? Vanessa and and everyone else. Uh Arham, I'm grateful to every single one of you. Just know this. I am I am telling you today, you are the
future of the city of Patterson. Patterson is not going to change with the hands of us. Patterson will be in the right direction with your hands. With that expectation and waiting for better tomorrow, my vote is yes, Madam Cre. >> Thank you,
Councilman Vez. I want to thank the council, the acknowledge that we've been working this since 2019 and that is coming to completion soon in the city of Patterson.
Let me let me let me say this to the youth out there. Thank you for showing up. But as Councilman Khalik say, no other all legislation or law are perfect. But
one thing is going to be good from that side. You are the voice of those youth to orientate them to let them know what the law says and to let them know that you step forward. what is
right for your health, for your education, and moving forward to have a safer city. Now, we need to make sure that we send the right message.
This is not attacking no business owner or any establishment in the city of Patterson. This is put in law and order. I read the ordinance how it came back with some recommendation.
We still had to put more teeth on it like ours was our operation for smoke chops the the restriction of zoning but that as corporation council stated last time that's another uh department like
the zoning board needs to look into that. Thank you to the the finest uh health director, health inspectors, chief inspectors, and to the all the uh health department employees that daily
go out there and try to bring uh safety to our community in inspecting food item or whatever. So saying that, congratulation. This is the first reading. One thing I got to say, I
want to see you in a second reading. Please, please, I want to see you in a second reading, too. Smallwood, you've been doing a great job. Not from now. From way back. >> From where?
>> All the time. And and and let me say and let me say this. I could I could test and say that he's been doing this not for now. He's been doing this for our longest, working every day with our youth. And the parents and the
parents out there, >> say thank you for those coaches. >> Say thank you to those coaches. >> Saying that, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> So I don't, >> Council President. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. So I don't have
to talk long because we've been working on this for two and a half years. Um, Mr. Smallwood, Mr. Wilson, and all the individuals that worked on this, Mama Rivers, all the people that are here. So, I just want to say that tonight, once this is approved, I'm going to be
clear. Once we move forward to second reading, if any council person on the floor tries to amend it, they will set your ordinance back. There's no amendment. If we tonight, we're voting in December. When we come back on December 12th, I believe is the uh voting date on the 12th. On that day,
there will be second reading and it will be immediately public portion. You will sign I will ask are there any people here in regards to this item. We will do the item early and at that time your youth can speak. But this item is where it needs to be at this point. You've asked for it. We are here. I'm glad to
support it. Madame clerk, my vote is yes to our youth and yes to our community. >> Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number one is adopted on first reading. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of December
16th. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, Council President, >> item number two, Madame Clerk, and then we're going to >> Item number two, Madam Clerk, and then we're going into public portion. Item number two. >> One second. Where's number two?
>> Where's number two? >> Where is number two? >> Now, you should go to public portion. should go to public portion now. >> Item number two, madame clerk. >> Item number two is an ordinance establishing all way stop control at the
intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Crosby Avenue and Cumberland Avenue and Chamberlain Avenue Public Works first reading ordinance. >> So move by Councilman Khalik, second by Councilman Dava and Mendes. Roll call on
item number two. Madam clerk, >> roll call on item number two. Councilwoman Cotton, >> Councilwoman Dav Pat Hillis, if you are watching,
your request has finally come to us. After so many months, actually more than since you moved to the second ward to that area, you've been requesting this. I'm happy that it's here in first reading. Councilman Khalik, I know she
reached out. She spoke to you many times. Thank you to uh Councilwoman Cotton and the DPW committee and director Rodriguez. I know you got numerous calls on this. All right, my vote is yes on the first reading. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman
Jackson. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Councilman Khik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes, >> what is yes, Madam Clerk? Councilman Omar. >> My vote is yes, madam clerk. >> Councilman Uden. Uh, Councilman Vez,
>> Cumberland Avenue, second board. This is not just for the resident of of she was lobbying four. It's for all residents to obey the stop sign. Just kidding. My vote is yes. >> Thank you, council president. >> Yes, madam clerk. >> Thank you. The votes >> item 34, madam clerk.
>> Votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number two is adopted on >> Item 34, Madam Clerk. First reading. >> No, item 34. >> 34. >> I'm sorry. I I didn't finish. >> Okay. Second reading will be held
December the 16th. Thank you. >> Item 34. >> Item 34. Item 34 is a resolution authorizing the renewal of a contract with Environ LLC for the general and emergency maintenance, repairs, and installation
of services on all HVAC systems and all city of Patterson buildings. Bid number 25.01 01 for the Department of Public Works public works resolution number 2566. >> Move by Council Member Bless, second by
Councilwoman Davala and colleague. Roll call on 34 item. Madam clerk, >> roll calling item number 34 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Davala, >> yes. >> Councilman Jackson. Councilman Khik, >> yes. >> Councilman Mendes,
>> yes. Madam Clerk, >> Councilman Omar, >> yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Uden. Councilman Valz. Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number 34 is here by >> item 35. Madam clerk.
>> Yeah. >> Item number 35. It's a resolution authorizing the renewal of a contract with Nando's Grand Hardware LLC, formally TG Neil Hart Grand Hardware for purchase and delivery of hardware
supplies for bid number 25.04 for the city of Patterson public works resolution number 2567. Second move by Council Me, second by Dava and Councilman Mendes. Roll call, Madam Clerk on 35. >> Roll call on item number 35 for
adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava, >> yes. >> Councilman Jackson, Councilman Khik, >> yes. >> Councilman Mendes, >> yes. Madam Clerk, >> Councilman Omar, >> yes, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you, Councilman Uden. Councilman VeZ, >> yes.
>> Council President, >> yes. >> The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number 35 is hereby adopted. >> Public portion. >> Okay. >> You don't want
item was approved. Correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh at this time, uh the public portion, uh madame clerk, we have 20 speakers. >> 20 speakers. >> Yes. >> Okay. First speaker, Madam Clerk,
>> the first speaker is Miss Kamisha Rogers Jones. Please state your name and address. Good afternoon. Good evening. You hear me? >> Oh, that's the time. Good evening, everyone. Kamishha Rogers Jones, 44
Patterson, New Jersey. Um, I'm not going to be before you long. I'm just here to encourage the community to continue to speak up and speak out and ask the hard questions. Um, I wanted to say to the
council members, I hear you guys say a lot that you're following your personal convictions. And I want to remind you that you're here to do the business of the people. You're here to voice the interests of the people. And so when it
comes to your convictions, the people's needs, the people's wants have to trump that. And so we have to remember that we're not here for ourselves. you're representing the people. And so you might want to dial that back a little because a lot of the times when we talk
about our personal convictions, we're being very subjective about our own emotions and not considering the cries of the people. You hear the people. You hear what they're saying. They're telling you no to many things. And we'll
hear things like, "Well, I'm going to vote my convictions." Then this might not be the job for you. And you might want to consider that because it's not about you. It's about the people. The people who voted you in. We voted you in to be our voice. Not for
you to sit there and talk about what you feel, what you want, what I believe. I don't care what you believe. >> I'm telling you what I need. And I elected you as my voice. And if you
cannot do that, then it may be time for you to sit down. It may be time for you to pass that on to someone else who can who can separate their personal feelings, their personal
connections, and re represent the people. That's why you're here. You're the voice of the people. Councilwoman Cotton, fourth ward. You're the voice of the people of the fourth ward at large. You're the voice of the
whole city. It's not about you. And so I just I want to encourage you maybe to just rethink why you're here. All right? And who put you here because that's who you're representing and to the community.
Continue to ask the hard questions. Hold them to the fire because they work for you. And remember, if they're not working the way you want them to do, you can fire them. And how do we fire them? We elect someone new.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> Yes. Next speaker is William Smallwood. Please state your name and address. >> He left, madam clerk. >> Okay. Next speaker is TA Joner.
>> Okay. The next speaker is A Robertson. Robertson, >> please state your name and address. >> Hey, Robersonson. Good evening. Um, on excuse me, on West Broadway going to talk about the used car lots on West
Broadway in a twob block radius. This is what we have. West Broadway and total AB. We have class auto trade. Right behind it we have dry drive drive smart autos target auto sales metlock street in west Broadway we have prey or auto
gallery brothers and son auto repair lab in west broadway we have the bella auto group max auto sales that's a problem within a twob block radius we have these used car lots my question would be are
they paying taxes on the property are they selling these cars Are they used for funds? Okay, we have one dispenser in uh Patterson. Okay, so we need to question the uh proximities of all of these autoused car lots. Also,
taxi enforcements. Okay, we have multiple taxis out there. We need to be looking at the taxi, the telephone numbers, how many taxi companies we have out there. There's too many of them out there. Miss Mims, I shot you a picture
just tonight. That picture that I shot you tonight was from yesterday morning at about about 7:23 a.m. Those cars, taxi should not be parked on Maine coming off of Market Street when we have New Jersey Transit bus swinging around
the corner. We are a desert. We are a food desert and we don't even have supermarkets in our city. We are the Whole Foods. We are the Shoprights. the moratorum. Mr. Jackson, at the workshop last week, you talked about 13 and a
half Van Halton Street. I know someone who was a victim of the hideous uh actions that went on down there with the knocking down of the uh the the parking lot uh for the development of the seniors, uh the hideous conditions. You talked about um that when the property
owners uh got the property, they promised, you know, stuff to the PA padsonians, okay, with policing in the building. Well, we know that didn't happen. My question is, how many moratoriums are we going to get? How come we don't have enforcers for those
provisions when those developers or owners are making these promises to the city? We need to do better. Where's our city enforcers in city hall to go look at these sites when they are making promisary uh notes to our residents? Uh recycling, how much funds are we making
from the recycling? Uh the ebikes, the EMS vehicles, instead of having bike lanes, we need to have EMS uh lanes. Tonight, I witnessed uh EMS at about 5:00 this uh this evening on Memorial Drive. They couldn't even get through. What if that was a EMS vehicle coming to
rescue your family members? We need to look at that there. Other cities are talking about ebikes, the safety of them, the the speed limits of them. Patterson need to do the same thing. The homeless population, they are eroding our streets. They're walking in the streets. I have to watch out for them.
They don't have to watch out for me. We need to do something about that. Pas and Chamberlain A, that's talk about the development that just went up there on that corner. a three family dwelling that was a one family house at one time. Police enforcement, we we don't have that. We need that. Uh movies, we just
had a shoot last week. What is the proceeds coming from the shoots to the city? >> Thank you, Miss Robinson. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. >> The next speaker is Dr. Fields. Please state your name and address.
Thank you. Dr. Fields. Good evening everybody. Let's be very clear. Uh Marissa Davala, I'm here to address your recent conduct on social media. More specifically, regarding your attempt to silence or discourage Darlene
Morris, G. Greer, and Kamisha Rogers Jones, and any other community resident that oppose your opinion from exercising their right to free speech on the Facebook platform. I need you to know and understand that you do not get to pick and choose which voices deserve to
be heard in this city. That's not leadership. That's an abuse of power dressed up as authority, which makes you a coward. Patterson will always be a city built on grit, diversity, and straightforward raw talk. Folks up in here will never back down from speaking
truth to power, and we absolutely don't take kindly to being bullied into silence by any of you ever. When a council member tries to shut down public opinion online, it doesn't just look bad. It's deeply indecorous, unsettling, and beneath the dignity of the office
you represent. I mean, let's just call it what it is. It's a public embarrassment. Imagine the shame of watching you online back and forth trying to muzzle a resident in plain view of the community. This shows so much poor judgment, poor ethics, and even poorer leadership. You can't lead
me anywhere acting like an immature child. I'm so sorry to tell you that the First Amendment isn't optional. It's the foundation of democracy. You swore an oath to uphold it. So uphold it. You can't turn around and decide to weaponize your position against the very
people who elected you. I'm tired of the bullying coming from this council. Patterson needs real leaders who can handle criticism and not crumble under it. I must say it's outrageous enough that our meetings drop from weekly to twice a month. Our time to speak individually is but a mere three
minutes. Yet the free spaces where one can go and speak openly about anything is now under attack. I know no one is perfect, but I'm still wondering what possessed you to behave this way. Because your bullying behavior was very unbecoming and extremely telling to all in observance. Your behavior as
documented was unprofessional, unproductive, and wholly inconsistent with the standards expected of an elected public official. As a council member, you are entrusted to represent and rep respect the voices of all constituents, not to intimidate,
silence, or suppress them. Such actions are not only unseemly and ethically questionable, but they are also undermining our public's trust in the integrity and fairness of our local government. The First Amendment guarantees all citizens the right to speak freely on matters of public
concern, including performance and behavior of elected officials. Any attempt directly or indirectly to infringe upon that right is unacceptable and contrary to both the spirit and the letter of our democratic principles. Furthermore, your actions have created
unsettling, divisive environments within the community time and time again, continuously eroding the confidence in this community. I rest it here, but you you have to do better. That was like really really embarrassing to see you go back and forth. >> Thank you so much. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.
>> Next speaker is Eddie Olivaris. Please state your name and address. >> Awesome. >> Before I start, Miss Rogers, congrats. That was a powerful delivery. Thank you. >> Those words, very powerful. Thank you.
>> Oh, there we go. I am going Well, let me then say it again. Thank you, Miss Rogers, for those powerful words. Um, now I am going to look directly at the camera because I am going to talk to the people that watch these meetings.
According to what I've heard, there's 30,000 of you. Let me tell you, you have an awful lot of power. And let me tell you that you can decide who sits on these seats and who becomes
mayor of our city. And I am asking you, please help us. It's very simple. I'm not asking you. And and in fact, let me let me stress this. You have more power than the people that finance the
campaigns for these people. Yes, >> you have a lot more power. They can invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on these people and they usually do and you can tell them no thank you and you
win every time. Not asking you for a dime. I'm not asking you for anything. I am asking you support me. I am better than the candidates that are coming up in 2026. I am better than all three of them. Uh when I was on the board of
education, uh my wife asked me to get her a job to speak to the superintendent and get her a job in the school system. I said, "Absolutely not. I will not put you above the people of Patterson.
Are you asking me to act like these people? You're asking the wrong person." The answer is no. If you look at Councilman Luis Veles, the first thing he does when he brings his wife to this country, he gets her a job. Marisa Dav, I don't know, you you
give her 10 positions. And all 10 of them, they're not going to go to you. They're not going to go to you people watching. They're not going to go to your kids. They're not going to go to your brothers and sisters. They're not going to go to your nephews. They're going to go to her family.
Same thing with Mims. Alex Mendes got a job for his son in the in the uh in the city of Patterson. 20 yearear-old kid got him a job. You think he really put in an application like your kids would have to do? No. He spoke to someone in
the administration and they got him a job. Do better. Help us get rid of these people. Help us uh put Michael Jackson in the mayor's seat all in the three minutes. Mr. Jackson, this is good. Thank you. Next speaker, madame clerk.
>> Yes, the next speaker is Herman Irving. Please state your name and address. Thank you. >> Good evening, brother. Good to see you. >> Good evening. Good evening, everybody. Herman Irving, 14th Avenue in Patterson. I'm a proud Muslim,
a father to two beautiful girls, PTO president of MLK School 30, a member of Bronze Heat, and for the past 19 years, I've had the honor of serving this city as a firefighter and EMT. On December 25th, 2023, my life changed
forever. That day, I responded to a call, something I've done countless times before. But this time, the result left me with seizures, and I got diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, I've done everything in my
power to recover and return to duty. But because of my seizures, I'm unable to come back to full capacity. I met with personnel countless times asking to be reassigned to find another position because at that point in time I only had 15 months left until
retirement. But I was told there was nothing that they can do and that their hands were tied. My only option was to be given 40% of my p of my pension without health insurance for me or my two daughters.
One of my daughters depends on the assurance for her physical and mental health. When this happened, I filed for workers compensation because it was my legal right. The law clearly states that I have two years to file for an injury sustained on
a job. But instead of support, I was met with resistance with the comp lawyer asking my lawyer why did he wait so late to file. Now, with just six months left until I retire,
I've been suspended without pay and I'm being pressured to resign while my workers comp claim is still active. >> And to make matters worse, the city wants me to give them money back.
>> It's not about policy. This is about fairness, compassion, and how we treat people who protect this city. Other firefighters before me that had situations similar or greater were allowed to retire with dignity and
with their benefits intact. So I ask you, why not me? What makes me different? Why am I not afforded the same respect and consideration as those before me? To the members of this council, I'm
reaching out to you personally. I'm asking for your support, not just for me, but for every first responder who gives their life in this city. We dedicate our time, our health, and our lives to these great citizens in
Patterson. And when we retire, many of us don't even get a chance to live enough long enough to enjoy it. Statistics show the survival rate of a firefighter after retirement is only 5 to seven years due to the things that we consume or the things that's absorbed into our bodies. Just give me one minute, please.
All I'm asking is for a chance to finish my career with dignity, to retire of my benefits like those before me. To Mayor Andre Ser, you were once my college professor at William Patterson University. And at one point in time, you told people I was a good personal
friend. Well, I'm asking you, manto man, public servant to public servant, give me the opportunity that you granted others. the same compassion, the same fairness, the same justice. Because right now it feels like the only
difference between me and those who came before me is the color of my skin. >> I given my heart, my health, and nearly two decades to this city. >> I've lived the dream of being a firefighter, something that I wanted to
do since I was in kindergarten. But now that dream has become a nightmare. But I will not go quietly. I'm here to be heard. Not just for me, but for every first responder who works in this city. Everybody who walk the same path as me. All I ask for you to do is to stand on
the side that's right. Stand on the side is fairness. And remember this, those who protect Patterson deserve to be protected, too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Corporation council, can you please um speak to him? Um, next speaker, Madame Clerk, we're going to have
Corporation Council speak to you. Um, Herman, >> next speaker is Farah Irving. Please state your name. >> So, I just want to put on the record, two weeks ago, she asked for an additional one minute, and I was she was allotted the extra minute. >> Thank you. Um, madame council president, um, Farah Irving, 14th Avenue. Um, I am
Herman's sister. I also served as the corporation council for 18 long months in this city. I never thought I would be back here almost 5 years later for this. I want you all to imagine that call that we received on December 25th, 2023 with
my brother telling us, "Don't go home. Don't go home because I'm covered in blood and I do not want my daughters to see me. Stay where you are. I'm going to go home, take a shower, and I'll tell you when you can go home." That day
began his nightmare. On December 26th, he began to have his first dissociative episode. On December 27th, he had his first seizure. I am his workers's comp attorney. And I was asked why I waited a
year to file workers compensation. I'll tell you why. We didn't know where the seizures were coming from and we didn't know why. We had no family history of seizures at all. Even we even though we had no family history, of course, we're going to run every test, figure out
what's going on because he was not allowed to drive his own vehicle. And anecdotally, members of the fire department's second floor administration have said, "Herman doesn't really have seizures." However, I ask you, please look in your log books from early early
January 2024 when you received the call to my home because he was in my my mother was driving the vehicle. My brother was in it and began to seize with his then seven and fiveyear-old daughters in the back of the car. When he began to seize, his daughters were
hysterical. My husband pulled them in the house. My mother stayed with Herman in the car and Patterson fire came and they were amazing. And because they were his brothers in service, they took him to the hospital
that had his records, Hackinack. They did not take him to a hospital in Patterson. And you know, if if he wasn't having seizures, why would they take him there? Makes you think, right? Because he's not having seizures because Herman's faking. But here's what I will
tell you. I am only his workers's compensation attorney. And there is a question as to whether or not that is true. What I will tell you is this. There is a CP number. My last court date was October 1st, 2025. I entered interrogatories from the attorney but 7
days ago. So if there is no workers compensation claim, why am I doing that? I will also say this. I am entirely risking my entire career by standing here. What I am doing tonight is against what I am supposed to do for my very
job. Tomorrow morning I may not have one, but it is that important that I am here tonight because my brother and other members who are first responders are fighting every day to live and breathe for not only themselves but their children.
Yet this fire department, and I cannot speak about the police department because I do not know, but I know what this fire department has done to my brother. I know that this man cannot sleep. I know the amount of pills that he takes every day to prevent the seizures from coming. I know that he
went and asked, "Is there any light duty I can do just to get me to the end for my babies?" He has a nine and six-year-old daughter and he's got to now think about what's going to happen to my kids. Now, let's be real. My nieces are always
going to be good. I don't care what I got to do. My babies are going to be fine. But what about the other people who don't have people to support them? >> What about the other people who every day see what he has seen? And let's also ask a question. Why when he was covered
in blood was he sent home? Why was he not given some type of mental health intervention? Does the city not see its complicity in this this these issues? I beg you, council, think about these issues. And and you know, when I sat in that seat
where Mr. Abushi sits, I wanted to ring Michael Jackson's neck. Councilman Jackson and I had a back and forth many times. But Councilman Jackson, I I will say this in your sometimes and misunderstood
cander, you are very clear in in the matters that matter. Sometimes while Mr. Jackson uses words and imagery and things that some of us are saying, "All right, Mike,
come on." I'm so I'm gonna wrap up right here. E even though we say that Michael Jackson is right in this, there will be lawsuits and the city will be complicit. >> Council President, >> next speaker, madam clerk, we we will
have discussion after the speaker speak. Next speaker, madam clerk. >> Council president, with all due respect, with all due respect, >> next speaker, madam clerk, we will have Councilman Jackson. Councilman Jackson wants all speakers. >> This is part of the reason why Councilman Jackson come forward,
>> right? But Councilman Jackson, corporation council is going to speak to them. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> Council President, the corporation council has all the time in the world to speak to them. >> Next speaker, madam clerk, >> they wouldn't have come here tonight if corporation council would have done what
he should have done. >> Next speaker, madam. Next speaker, madam clerk. >> On order. >> Next speaker is Anthony Wilson. On order, council president. Councilman VeZ point of order. Point of order. >> There is no point of order. There is a point of order. Point of order. Council president. Is a point of order.
>> What's your what's your point of order? >> My point of order is that respectfully Councilman Jackson is asking for the floor and as as council president as respect. >> Councilman Jackson is asking for the
floor. He want to address probably the people that came before they leave. And I I think he should get a courtesy to address them if he requests the floor with respect to your point. He asks He asked for the floor through the chair.
He didn't say he didn't say I'm going to speak. He asked President order. >> Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> The next speaker is Anthony Wilson. I believe he left. >> He left. >> Next speaker is Rodney Adderson. She takes it upon herself when she wants to address certain people. And then here
the gentleman is state your name and address and she wants to scarf right past it. >> Council president point of order again. >> The speaker is says council president ril says that when it council
>> council president another point of order president there's a point of order. >> There's a speaker at the mic. The people that just came to the mic are hand talking to the rule say that when the speaker engages to a councilman, he's entitled to
respond. >> Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> Speaker. >> Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Mr. Addison. Mr. Addison. >> Please state your name and address. >> Mr. Addison. >> Okay. I'm still trying to gather myself
as the brother uh Irvin was uh speaking because I too am a father. >> Check your mic. >> Check the light. >> It's on. It's on. Just to take a second to gather myself as the brother was speaking so so passionately cuz I too am
a father and if I had to deal what he has to deal with at any capacity, you know, I would come in here and weep as well. >> So literally show that brother some respect. Yes. >> Um, I want to take my first few seconds to
thank Patterson for the admiration as I was holding the highest level of natural bodybuilding in the country while representing Patterson, but that has now come and gone. I was not able to to defend my title, but it is what it is. Back to business.
And uh as I always say, you know, there's greatness within Patterson and we need to always hold that forthcoming by being innovative and as forward thinking as possible even though we fall short so greatly over and over again. Uh
as leaders in leadership, it is important to remember that your job is to first and foremost mentor, elevate, and then get out the way. Get out the way. So with that being said and the greatness that Patterson does hold, you know, speaking for myself, you know, in
the last two years through my my organization, Onyx Repository Foundation, we just hit another milestone where we just hired our 1,001st driver through our platform, Pull Up Ride Share, where we again have 1,031 drivers through the state of New Jersey,
where a third of that are Pisonsonians and those who live in P County. And on top of that, we have several contracts through the state and private and local um contract such as Summit Summit Oaks Hospital, Turning Point, Aspire, the
Real Fix program, and five other contracts we have where padonians are making great incomes. We are also going into our second year with the office of emergency management as the sole transportation service for the code blue, which is now activated. So, if you
are looking for to make some extra income, reach out to me. I'll get you onboarded onto the platform. The average pay rate per ride working with the uh Cold Blue is $25 per ride. And it's projected to be a very cold winter. On
top of that, my mother and I, my mother, Denise Satison, this lovely lady right here, we have just opened our healthc care training school located at 715 Broadway, Patterson, New Jersey, um, closer to East 33rd Street. We do healthcare training as well as we we
also offer nursing concier. So, if you are an elder or someone who does not know how to advocate for themselves, you can reach out to us and we will speak to your physician on your behalf strongly. Um, some of the programs we do offer is that of phabbotomy online and in person,
EKG, certified medication aid, Sara, EMR, MAVO, CPR, and so on and so on. >> Don't worry, she's next. So, I got >> Thank you, Mr. Addison. Next speaker, Madam Clair. >> Yes, the next speaker is Denise Addison. >> I got three moments.
>> We we we don't reclaim we don't reclaim time, so your mom will have to speak. We don't No, she she can't. She got langitis. She can't speak. She has laryngitis. Oh, >> she has a laryngitis. >> So to uh furthermore within our our
institution from December of 2024 to February of 2025, we got all our lensures through the state to operate as a institution for healthcare. So if you are looking to advance your career 17 and up, you can call us at 8622
uh2603515 or stop on through. We meet you where you are. We have op uh payment plans option uh that's feasible for all residents of Pis and surrounding areas. If you are someone who is looking to who needs to have their drug testing done,
paternity testing, genetic testing, gender reveal, so on and so on, we offer all of those services as well as uh doing drug testing for uh pre pre-employment. So again, Addison's Institute of Healthcare Training just in
the last three months, we have found all of our graduates employment within three months within healthcare. So that's 100% track record just off bat. So Pison, if you need to find a new skill set and find employment, come on down to 715
Broadway, Patterson, New Jersey at Addison Institute of Healthcare Training. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> Yes. >> Feel better, Mom. >> Next speaker is Eddie Ruiz. >> He's he's not here.
>> Okay. The next speaker is Frankie Filipelli. Please state your name and address. >> What's going on everyone? Frank Filipelli 311 shirt would have 3 minutes is not enough time ever for me to speak.
So please everyone at home follow me. I'm Frankie Flip Filip. I know I did. She called me a racist. Anyway, listen. I came here. There's so many issues to talk about when you come here. It's amazing. I came here to talk
about that BS project, the beach, right? They're selling us on a beach, everybody in Patterson. Let's just do and I did some quick numbers, Mike. And before I speak, Mike, I commend you for your leadership. We don't always see eye to eye, but listen, no one does. You're a
leader. You're probably one of the only leaders up there and I appreciate it. And a lot of people appreciate you. Just they don't understand the Patterson in us honestly. Anyway, so I'm looking at this this thing and I just said, "Wait a
minute. This guy's going to put up 194 units." And I didn't ask them numbers. I said, "For $1,500 a month, they're looking at making 29 $291,000 a month,
that's $3.5 million a year. The project is $111 million, right? which 54 million of it they that's what they wanted the letter for to ask the state and this is a state issue. If I
was Senate I said it I'd be a full-time senator and I'd be here talking about state stuff. So for $54 million uh EDA with the EDA real quick and I can't talk about it too much but it helps small businesses
right keep that in the back of your mind. 32 million of HMFA helps firsttime homeownership. Firsttime home ownership, everyone. So now you're talking about $86 million. Again, these are all abbreviated
numbers. Round it off. So now the council is quick to write a check, a a letter, you know, the thing's going to get passed on garbage development in our city. And we've done this 50 times. Over 480
parals of of land in our city, we've given to wealthy developers and not to the people of Patterson. Shame on you all. Because if you put that much time into it, get us the 86 million and let's
transform the fifth ward the right way by home ownership. Let's get everyone that grew up there to own their own home. I know. I know there's technicalities with u um your job and this and that. We could get around things. If you could get around cutting
a letter, you could get around a lot of stuff. Real quick though, I want to say it took you two years to write a vape a vape. It took you two years to write a vape ordinance. Really? Okay. How about we stop and take some time away from
renaming streets, right? Because we don't need any of that. And start thinking about ways to look at the budget cuz that's your job. Checks and balances, right? And go through it and create revenue. If you can't find where to cut it, create revenue. And I'm going
to leave it this. >> Um Herman, I wish you the best. I don't know his uh specifications or anything, but I 5 months ago I did hear he was going to run for mayor. >> That's what I heard that was like rolling around. >> Speaker, thank you.
>> I don't believe in coincidence. >> Thank you, Flip. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker, Madam Clerk. >> The next speaker is Hank Sarah Favic. >> Oh, wow. We got >> done. You um
>> Okay. Next speaker is Joseph. Joseph, you're gonna have to pronounce your last name for me. >> Is Joseph here? >> Joseph is gone. Okay. >> Natelli, I think that is the next speaker is Charles Ferrer. >> Mhm.
>> Please state your name and address. Thank you. Charles for. So, you know, a few things I want to talk about. I wish Herman and his family the best. >> I'll I'll talk with him first because he's got some serious uh lawsuits against the city for what's being done.
And I'm just because I deal with that stuff in what I do on the educational side. So, all of last year, I had to bring my wife to work at school, too. And every morning it was a fight because the parents are parked on this side and I'm
parked on this side, double parked, letting my wife out and they're letting their children out and then somebody pulls up on this side so that the cars can't come down this way. Okay, that's happening now. And we talk about we want to put a veterans home over there. And
we talk about we want to put a 197 unit apartment building there. And we haven't looked at the apartment building on the corner of Maine and Broadway that's going to open. >> The one across the street from the blue
parking garage. The one up by uh New Jersey Bell. What used to be New Jersey Bell. the one that they're talking about putting where the cave is, that's going to jam up the school over there. >> And Pennsylvania Avenue where there's a We
have all these apartments going up already and and we need this one in a just coming up Main Street to come here was a challenge. >> Now
we're going to be worse than New York. Yes. >> Do you care? >> No. >> Okay. >> Moratorum on smoke shops. There needs to be one on
apartment buildings. >> I'm sick of them. Okay. And who are they benefiting? >> Who are they benefiting? I need one taxpayer to tell me the last time they got a tax reduction.
Because every time something gets abaded, the taxpayer picks up the slack. Every time you bring a new one on that doesn't give a dime to the school system, the taxpayer picks up the slack. Okay? But we want to keep on keeping on.
We talk about the developers fees, 40 million, 50 million that goes into their pockets at different time. One got 12 million, one got three million. They have no skin in the game. They have nothing to lose. Because you want to know why they have nothing to lose? Because the taxpayers have their back.
And why do they have their back? Because of the people that sit on the planning board, the board of adjustment that don't know what they're doing and whoever appointed them there. Okay? This city is going to be a complete hot
mess when all those apartment buildings open up and you want to bring more to downtown. >> Thank you so much. >> Check yourself before you wreck yourself. >> Thank you so much. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. >> The next speaker is Joe Keys Jr. Please
state your name and address. Testing. Based on the following signs of destiny, Councilman Jackson will be the mayor of Patterson in 2026. The first sign of destiny involves my uncle Brent Keys. He and his wife, my
aunt Issa, were watching the city council meetings for years before Councilman Jackson was elected. Uncle Brent knew that Mike and I both played quarterback for Kennedy because he attended all of our games. He also knew of my political consciousness and I was
a disciple of Malcolm X. Every time I saw him, he would invariably mention that I needed to attend the city council meetings to assist Mike as he was alone battling against the other council members. Over a decade later, I finally
arrived. On Sunday, July 6th, Uncle Brent and his wife gave me a donation to give to Councilman Jackson. I didn't see him until the city council meeting Tuesday, July 8th. When I handed him the donation, I told him it was from my uncle Brent, who passed away earlier
that day. On August 23rd, we held a memorial for my uncle Brent on his birthday because several family members who live out of state weren't able to attend his funeral. That morning, I woke to a text from Councilman Jackson. It
was a screenshot from a dialogue between him and my uncle Brent. It was the day they met at my uncle Wayne Witherspoon's funeral. The next sign of destiny involves Darlene Mars. Darlene and I joined Councilman Jackson's team after
both of us made several speeches at city council meetings, acknowledging the distortion of Councilman Jackson's character and providing explanations to circumvent that distortion and present a more accurate representation of his character. One day, Balo Haim posted
pictures on his Facebook page from a gathering at then Mayor Marty Barnes's house. While describing the people in the photos, he mentioned that Darlene Mars was the owner of the bookstore Coogi Chagalia. Immediately, I grabbed my head and said, "Oh, snap. I wonder if
Darlene completely forgot about me." Like, I completely forgot about her. Before I discovered her bookstore, I had recently learned that Malcolm X influenced Dr. Milana Coringa's naming of the principles of Quanza. Additionally, Malcolm's influence on me
led me to concentrate on the principle of self-determination, which is what Coogi Chagalia means. So, when I saw that was the name of her bookstore, it marked the beginning of an excellent rapport and friendship between us. The last sign of destiny involves
Balo Hakeim. On Saturday, November 8th, Bala led a delegation of eight people, including Councilman Jackson to meet with accomplished and very experienced political dignitaries. Councilman Jackson said of the meeting, quote, "It served as confirmation and validation of
things I have been saying for years." Palo Haim is an institution. He has been engaged in social justice activism for decades. He is wellconed. Those dignitaries are his personal friends and so are many other died in the war
revolutionaries both dead and alive. >> Thank you. Next speaker madam clerk. >> Next speaker is Balal Hakeim. Please state your name and address. >> Okay. Bulah Hakeim. Uh, thank you for those
kind words, my brother. Uh, I'm humbled by it. I'm just still moved by the uh firemen, >> you know, >> this I want >> because Patterson is under siege
>> from the from the election where the mayor won. I knew he shouldn't have won, but there was so many people that were he has to win. You can't run. This one can't run because they were so with him. That man could care less about the black and brown community. He don't care.
He doesn't care about the black and brown community. I don't care what he does. I don't care. I don't care what events he goes to and dances at. I don't care how many people he posts on his page trying to celebrate
them. He does not care. >> Um, this is not AI. This is not AI. I witnessed it uh yesterday. I was in search of something on the internet and
I ran across it so I just shared it. [Music] Do you wish council president to um recant those statements? There are many people in this city that have lost their voice.
not from laryngitis but from from ransoming their dignity and ultimately their souls. Council president, you seem to be more concerned about the three minutes. I I observe you all the time next
than hearing the concerns of the people. Don't let it go to your head because you're on that side of the chambers. And that's for each and every last one of you. Don't let it go to your head because you're on that side. As our
sister Miss Rogers mentioned, you work for us and you have forgotten that in many ways. You know, when when look into look into the recesses of your heart. You know the shady deals that you're engaged in. When it comes to building,
there's nowhere to park. This is why tickets every day we are being prayed on and all you can think of is making life more miserable for us. That's it. I would like to know where are the studies
of the impact of this here. People are constantly talking about it. And last but not least, because I know she's on the timer, we keep talking about we are on the pulpit. No, you're in the pull pit of Satan. >> It's the pull pit of Satan.
and Mayor Andre Se is the is the uh the head ring leader and I'm ashamed of many of you especially uh um legal minds legal minds that know better.
I hope that firemen gets the help and I hope that you remember because you're on this side. Don't let it get to your head because you can be removed and you council president, you're constantly saying you can't be removed. You better humble yourself. >> Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk.
>> Yeah, humble yourself. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk. >> Next speaker is Elvis Durham. Okay. Please state your name and address.
>> Okay. Elvis fourth war Patterson, New Jersey. Stop playing with the people. >> Just want to say this. Stop playing with the people.
Y'all listen. This is the third law of the city of New Jersey. >> People is losing their apartments. Rent is high. Stop playing with the people. No jobs. This is the third largest law
of the city in New Jersey. No radiation center buildings. Y'all put all the money in the parks. Make it make sense. >> This is the third largest city in the state of New Jersey. No performing arts
center, no major hotels, no affordable apartments. And some of y'all up here debating about voting on affordable apartments. And y'all already know how the downtown
work. It's already parking. Parking authority controls the parking in the downtown area. Make it make sense. Louis V council man. You say you for the people. Come on.
Explain to me. Explain to somebody that got a first and second grade level, graduate out of East Side High School. Yes, special ed. Explain to me because you acting like you special. You sitting in grill 77 say you for the people, right?
But the people suffering. What people you for? Spanish or black? We hungry. It's not only about this project. low income apartments. I know someone right
now got to got to move no to North Carolina because it's no help here. But you say you for the people. You want to play this game because you want to build your numbers. You running for mayor, right? You running for mayor. I'm going tell
you right now, my son, you ain't going to never be mayor in this city. Okay, my son. Okay. Because you know you acting like a kid. You acting like a fifth and sixth grader.
Okay. Don't you got a college degree? >> Okay. And everybody else, we have to make this city better. I don't care who the mayor is. I don't care who the mayor going to be May on May 2026.
This city is so behind. No jobs here. People losing their apartments. We got homeless. We got drug addicts. It's no homeless shelters and no and that much drug rehab programs here.
>> But y'all sitting here like this city is so great. Especially the administration and the mayor. Y'all get a grip. Y'all wake up because God see everything. And soon the state is going to come here and take
over because you know why? Y'all all acting like clowns. >> Thank you. Thank you. So, uh, just extended time because when Madame Clerk hit the button, she only gave you two minutes by mistake, so I gave the extension. Next
speaker. Madam clerk. >> Next speaker, Stephanie Acasta. Please state your name and address. Good evening, Gen. Uh, ladies and gentlemen, >> can you guys hear me? >> Yes. We're here tonight to introduce ourselves. >> Speak closer the mic. Yeah.
>> We're here tonight to introduce ourselves and our company. >> One second. Madam clerk, could we stop the clock? >> The quorum room in the chambers, please. [Music] >> That was good. Yes. Thank you. Is that better? >> Yes. Okay. So, good evening everyone.
We're here tonight to introduce ourselves and our company MJ Trash Removal and to express our interest in bidding for the city of Patterson residential waste pickup contract, the bulk pickup contract or a combination of both. My name is Stephanie and I'm here with my husband and partner Tyler Pam.
We're both proud New Jersey residents and I'm even prouder to call Patterson home. I actually grew up here. I attended school 27 as a child and after college I came back to serve my community as the president of a local nonprofit where we fed over 5,000 homeless right here on be in the on
Broadway at the local BP. Patterson has always been a part of my story and now I'm back again with a mission to give even more to bring stability, opportunity and jobs to the citizen of this city. MJ Trash mobile was built with one simple goal, to bring reliability, respect, and modern
efficiency back to waste collection. Between us, Tyler and I have years of hands-on experience in the industry. And we've seen firsthand what happens when large out of town contractors treat communities like numbers instead of neighborhoods. We're here because we
believe Patterson deserves better. Better service, better accountability, and better opportunities for its people. It's finally time for the money to stay in the city of Patterson and not leave it. Our city's hard-earned money should be build our own neighborhoods,
strengthen our own workforce, and give back to the families who live here. Our goal is to create local jobs, to build a team of Patterson residents who take pride in their city, and to keep the money we earn circulating right here in our schools, our small businesses, and
in our neighborhoods. We plan to host job fairs to hire directly from within Patterson, giving residents a chance to work for a company that values them and teaches them professionalism, respect, and pride in their work. Because nobody cares for a community like the people
who live in it. We've built a strong team that brings over 50 years of combined experience in waste management, logistics, and community operations. Our team knows what it takes to develop to deliver consistent highquality service and we're ready to bring that expertise
home here to Patterson. When MJ Trash Removal picks up your trash, we're not just providing a service while we're helping keep Patterson clean, safe, and beautiful. We're fully licensed and insure. And we take great pride in being reliable, responsible, and communitydriven. Now, we may not be the
biggest company, but we're the most committed. committed to showing up, to doing the job right, and to making sure that Patterson shines. Our promise is simple. Patterson first always. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. There are no more speakers. Motion to close. Public portion. >> Move to close.
>> Thank you. >> Move to close by Councilman, second by Councilman Jackson and Dava. Roll call to close public portion. Madam clerk, >> how many more items we got? >> Two. spoke. Roll call to close the public portion.
>> I'm sorry. >> This is actually my first time here. >> No. >> So, >> I'm done. >> Yes, that's good. Yeah. >> Roll call, Madam Clerk. >> Roll call to close the public portion. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm going to be brief. Um,
>> huh? [Music] >> No, it's separate, but we're we're roll call. >> Rodney. No, that's not Rodney. >> Thank you. Yeah, that's not Rodney's. >> It should be. Yeah, there's not. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk.
>> Uhhuh. Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, I just want to say a few things. I thank everybody for coming out tonight um speaking uh on all the different items that were talked about. Um, you know, I'm one of the council people that come here every day to um and you
see me um and I get I get visitors from all wards. Everybody comes into the city council, they just actually just looking for a council person to talk to. Um, on any given day, I might get maybe four or five calls looking for housing, looking
for affordable housing. Um, but I just want to say also that, you know, I hear what everybody say, but there um the need is for affordable housing. They could be building, but they're not affordable. They need they building, but they're not
affordable. And so now with the difference between vouchers and affordable, a voucher, the owner gets more money each month. The affordable, they get the money to help build it, but they can't raise the rent for so high. I mean, it
can't go above so amount. But I just want to say also that um you know, I hear what everyone's saying. I just want to say I just want to make a comment about Rodney Adderson. Um and I like what he said. He said, "Sometimes you
find that when you can't make a living on what you're doing that you may have to find another career." And you may do. I changed my career after 20 years. But um I want to say to the community, let's help the community. If you can help
someone to take a new career and and enroll them in Rodney Addison's school for for for medical what whatever he does I'm not quite sure then this is what that we need to do. Um I just want to say also that um
with the garbage company the garbage pickup which is still fo for now but they do not have a buck pickup and we have to really look at buck pickup. Um, there's a lot of things that still need to be looked at, companies that we need
to look at for buck pickup. I'm talking there's still a lot of things. So, I just want to say thank you to everybody, but um I care. So, when that phone rings and and some of y'all in the audience can
say that when you call me, it rings two or three times that I pick it up. You can say that and I want to say that you get calls and they just need to be guided, you know, and I hear, you know, we got our federal people that we need for them to look at um how much money
they put in different categories for rents. You know, there's so many things that that that that they want to do that we really don't know. Um, I went to a meeting and I'm going to share this with you and I don't think it's going to pass, but you got cities in South Jersey
who wants to put liquor stores liquor in grocery stores. They want to sell liquor and grocery No, New Jersey, they're trying. I don't see it getting passed, but those are things that they happen that you that's happened on the state level that
sometimes we did. With that being said, you know what? just pick up the phone and call. Um, just call. I can guide you. I can tell you which way to go. But I can say to you right now, I'm a person that cares because you know what? I know
what it is. I know what it is not to have. And I know what it is to crawl on my knees and pick cotton. I know what it is. So, I know what it is to work hard, to work two, three, four jobs just to
survive. Madame Clerk, you know, people think they know you, but they really don't. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes to close the public portion. Thank you, >> Councilwoman. Councilwoman Daba, >> I have to agree. Councilwoman Khan, people think they know you, but they
don't. So, I will say this, and I'll continue and I'll stand by it. As a council woman at large, I know my roles and my duties and what I need to do. I've been in this community all my
life. I represent all six wards. I understand that. But I will continue to say this. I get numerous calls and I will stand in what I said. I will stand on my convictions and I will vote my
conscience. I can't vote somebody else's conscience. My convictions are mine. when things are presented if I believe based on the constituency that have put me here three terms. So I'm thankful to God and I always say this I'm going to continue being in this city I'm not
going nowhere sitting in this seat or not I'm thankful to be in a place a position for almost 32 years that says a lot about commitment that says a lot about commitment. We talk about, you know, being born,
raised, educated here, and then we go out to college, right? Never thought in my life I'm first gen to have been able to have that opportunity to leave, right? Come home some weekends. And came back and my mom said, "You ain't you ain't moving to South Jersey now. You're
staying here in Patterson. This is where you're going to give back." 32 years later, still working in institution, different capacities in those 32 years. So, I'm thankful. So it's unfortunate. There are sometimes things that we can say that be can be misconstrued or maybe
some actions that we've taken. And for that I always say listen if I'm wrong I apologize for that. But I will say this and I'll stand strong in saying it. I stand strong on my convictions and I vote my conscience. Thank you very much. Thank you to all the speakers that came
here today. Oh, and one last thing to the um the three individuals that came here to speak about your company. Just so you know there's a process for everything and if there is a process of procurement process of bidding you know
we the council if there's something that then we have to vote on we must be very careful to so I have heard you I did not hear your name just so you know I don't know if you put it on the record I did not hear it although it may be have been written but I do want you to know that
there is a process open bidding will start as councilwoman Cotton shared you know right now I do believe that you know, we are in the process of looking for that. So, I say everyone and especially if you're a Patterson, you go out there, you go and make sure that you submit your paperwork, that everything
is in place. All right? And that because I want Pisonsonians, all right? I know that uh um there's another constituent who named someone, right? Been doing great things. They were a speaker today, right? Go through your process as I know that they've sat down already with administration, but there's a
procurement process. it has to go through a bidding process and it has to be closed, not open where everyone is, you know, sharing information that they're not supposed to. So, you know, with that said, you know, whatever it is, once it's open, please make sure to get that information and um submit.
Okay. Uh with that said, thank you, council members. I know we have two more items. So, Madam Clerk, thank you. My vote is yes to close the public portion. >> Thank you, Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. So to the residents and um happy to hear that you're Patteradison Patterson residents.
I was more simply going to say pretty much the same thing that there is a procurement process. Please make sure that you include yourself in that. Mr. Harry Salez, reach out to his office tomorrow. Get the bid packet and um make sure that you uh you you in include
yourself in that process and not be eliminated. keep track of it because there's oftent times people are often overlooked because maybe it might be some timelines and things of that nature which I'm not aware of if there are any. So just wanted to bring that to your attention. You can feel free to reach out to my office as well for any other
um assistance or guidance. I don't mind helping in that. Um, with that being said, uh, to all every council member, they have, everyone has the prerogative to do as they please, to vote as they please, whether this conviction, their commitment, how, whatever it is. But at
a certain point in time, we as people, as council members, as individuals, as a collective, we have to acknowledge that we're failing. We have to be able to acknowledge that. We have to be able to to acknowledge that the decisions that we've been making over the past decade
are horrendous poor decisions. Hinsk Stadium is a slap in the face to this entire community as people are continuously making money on on that on the on the the uh the uh the gift that just keeps on giving from stealing the
$8 million of creating a fictitious uh uh nonprofit agency. And look at all the people that's doing it. Michael Pal, everybody that's benefited from these scenarios are are nonpatter residents. Even the former ones that that abuse us,
the former BA van McCoy freaking destroyed this the city with this nonsense. But if we can't acknowledge that the decisions that we've been making is terrible, every now and then they talk when I when I bring up the the
trailer park, they cringe. But how many how many examples do we need? How many examples do we need? Mr. Fer Ferrer is is totally correct. This unccalculated unabated
uh use of allowing people to just over building in our communities and do whatever they want to and then not even acknowledging that the results of what we're doing. People are being evicted at such an alarming rate. They're being
abused by these land these these land owners and the landlord landlords are not even being held accountable. The administration is not even holding them accountable. The the amount of phone calls that I get, I'm a council person. I'm supposed to be legislating. I'm not supposed to be following behind people
that have moldinfested properties, that have rat and rodent infested properties, women that just don't want to live in their apartments anymore. Say, "Listen, I just want to get out because they got mice running through cereal boxes and things of that nature." And the administration just thinks that it's
it's okay. It's part for the course. And let me explain something to you. Every day this coward, he'll walk past me terrified as he has to walk around with an armed guard with security. Andre Seya is a coward.
For you to allow Herman Irvin to be mistreated as such and even this council and and you know I truly appreciate the sentiment of Miss Farah Irving and it just it just goes to show you right. I
don't care who and what it is. I'm going to advocate. Maf Farah sat there. She's absolutely correct. We butt heads many, many nights. Did I Did I waver? Hell no. I fought for people. And coincidentally, it was another fireman then who was
being mistreated. I fought. I fought. I fought. I made sure he got back on the job. I took the fire chief on head on. This council, this is one of the things we should be locked arms on. this man came here, everything should have
stopped. The amount of courage that somebody has to bring forward to bring that that type of selfreflection and embarrassment on himself to say, "Listen, I served this community for short 12 months, 13 months, and you spit
in his face when there's been plenty of people. I could give you the example. I'mma call Wayne Walden and tell him to come down here and give a dissertation. How many firefighters that was never from Patterson that had drug addictions, all kinds of issues, they would send them
away to Florida for years at a time and let never let them come back to work. They would not they would there's there's a fireman right now and a police officer that's not from this community that's been absent for years still getting paid.
>> And all you had to do is let him ride out his time and work this comp. And and and listen, I I hope you make it right, Corporation Council. But for him to have to come here is an embarrassment. That shows you don't you don't care. You had to come here and put
you had to come come here and put the mayor's ass on the hot seat. For him to to have to do that. And I've been doing it time and time again. Ran Tiser, who had a who who had a heart attack on the job at DPW. If it wasn't for a defibrillator that was installed in his
heart, the man would have died in the job. They said, "Listen, we need he needs a desk job." "Oh, we can't give you a desk job." They put him on a lawn mower in 90° weather. He went out, cut the grass, said, "Listen, I need to take a break." Goes in the break room. Falls
out and collapses. If it wasn't for the defibrillator in his heart, he would have died. And then you know what they did? They denied him his health benefit. Said, "Oh, no. We we're not going to let you retire because you're a couple years short." Thank God for Jane Warren, Jane
Williams Warren who who became the mayor because if it wasn't for her, am I right, K? >> And and this is something I'm time and time again while other council members are sitting quiet. Oh, we can't what you making noise about? What you making? All you got to do is
stand up and fight for the for for him. If the council stood in solidarity, we could control all actions. And if somebody got to come here and it's sitting there going on deaf ears, then guess what? The council is allowing the mayor to abuse this people. The abuse
that's a that's an abuse of power. So, and Frank Philip Pelli, you know what? I didn't even think of it that way. You're probably absolutely correct. Herman announced that he's running for mayor. All, but I don't. It was happening well before that. It was happening well before that. what it was. He had a
falling out with McDermott, former chief. And now the trickle down effect because he still has his minions still embedded, you know, and then the mayor still crapping on the entire department. Don't want to redo their contract.
You're sitting over here wasting money. We lost How many times did we lose in court to the fire department already? This council has yet to receive counsel from corporation council letting us know it's going to cost us more money. But the mayor still carrying his
grudges, still acting up. And now the dude is just he's so he's so he's so foolish. He doesn't even know how to read a room. He had the audacity after not supporting the firefighters contract take his ass to one of their events and try to grab the microphone. He got
booed. He doesn't even He doesn't even know how to read the room. So, this is what we have people. This is what you've elected a a child, somebody with with such a a low level of of uh uh
maturity where instead of doing the right thing, come on, man. I don't care if Herman and I, there's been times when he and I, we we weren't seeing eye to eye on certain things, but you it doesn't matter. Somebody dedicates himself. I don't care who it is.
Somebody dedicates himself for almost 20 years to your community. And and let me just put this on record, right? And I'm hoping I don't go too far. The day in question, somebody had gotten critically shot. So, he was the first responder. He was
on the scene trying desperately to save this person's life. So, when they said that he had blood, he was covered in blood. He was fully engaged in his commitment to the city trying to save someone's life who
unfortunately didn't make it. So when you talk about the the the level of trauma, this could be any one of our family members. We got family members that's serving under fire departments, police departments, and if we're willing to treat one like this,
it's him today. It's you tomorrow. Listen, come on, man. Let's be real about this. All it all it takes is for you to just fall out of grace graces with someone. While somebody else could get a desk job for 25 years, you can't we can't find
anything. His the years he put in, he doesn't have a level of expertise. Yeah. He don't care. And he's and he served in in an office capacity before. So anyway, brother um Irving
and sister Farah, let me explain something to you. You have my undying commitment. That same level of frustration that you felt because me advocating endlessly for someone I will it would it will be here mirror it again for you and your family for your brother
because this is just the right thing to do. The mayor doesn't I'm I'm I apologize. I ain't calling this clown the mayor. Andre Seya just does not know when it's the right thing to do. I don't know why you looked at me. He's a clown.
Dude is a clown. >> He should He should wear special shoes and and a and a red nose all the time cuz he's a clown. He just does not know when it's the right thing to do. Come on, man. Even if you have differences, you don't target people's family. This
guy has no remorse. He'll target you your family. He'll target your your your business. he'll target. Now the the brother has two young children. Now he's suffering with seizures. So therefore he may never be able to go out and and get
a a regular job. You're going to take away his benefit package. Y that's clown activity. And if anybody can't acknowledge that and any council person that can't support that, like everybody said, you're in the wrong business. You shouldn't be here. Madam
clerk, I apologize for elongating. My vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Council Mendes. >> Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, before my vote, let me >> council colleagues. Council colleagues, Councilman Councilman Mendes.
>> Thank you, Madame Clerk. First of all, let me thank all the resident of the city of Patterson for attending this meeting and for expressing their concern for this council. And I I would like to start by saying that I'm definitely in
full support of uh Mr. Irving. I know everybody knows that Chris council council please just give me give me two minute council please please. Thank you. I appreciate it. So let me go back. Let me start all over again. Uh thanks to all the resident for attending this
meeting. Um and let me say this, I know Mr. Irving for many years. Uh I was elected at the Patterson Board of Education with Chris Irving, his brother, and we have a great relationship since 2010. More than a friend. He's like a family to me. I know him. I know his family and his and his
work ethic also as well. So I'm in full support of him. And you know, he put his life on the line to serve this community as a firefighter. He deserve, you know, to retire with the full benefit to take care of his family and that's the least that we could do. I don't know the whole
situation, but I'm just here in full support of him. I know his family. I know him. I know his work ethic and I would definitely hope that we could resolve this matter. That way, he could get the benefit to take care of his family also. Well, as well, Miss A. Robinson, I I like to see you in the mic
because I I took note of all the staff that you talk in three minute. You address the parking issue, recycling, the ebike, the homeless, police enforcement, uh the revenue from the movie. I mean, you talk that's, you know, when I when I see constituent that
they get into the mic to address issues that really affecting the community. I take pride of that because you could be home, you know, relax with your family and you taking time out of your time to be here in front of the mic. We have to respect that and I want to say thank you. May God continue blessing you. Keep
coming to the city council. That's what I'm talking about. But when you got somebody that get into the mic to say, "Oh, Councilman Mendes, a son work for the city." Listen, I will tell you this. There's people, they will never be able to to to give love to somebody because
they don't have nothing. All they have inside their heart is hate. And when you have somebody that hates people, generally nothing good is going to come out of that. So, by the way, for the record, my son doesn't work for the city of Patterson, but it will be a great blessing for the city of Patterson to
have my son as an employee. Well qualified, well educated, he's a racing star, but he doesn't work for the city of Patterson. But when you got people that they use politic, they bring family to politic, it speak it speak about themsel. So, a Robinson keep coming.
You're totally right. Enforcement is the biggest problem that we have in the city. people they double parking they speeding the residential zone they park you know on the corner they blocking sidewalk our senior have to get on the street to be able to walk we need enforcement in the city if we start
enforcing the law that we have in the city we will bring a lot of revenue into our budget that's what we need that's what need to be done that's what needs to be done um so once again brother Iring I hope we could fix the matter I'm very emotional when I saw you in the
condition that I saw you today. I was not aware about that, but let's pray and let let's let's sit down. Let's see let me know how I could be helpful. That's all I'm going to say. Pis, I want to say thank you once again. Um, you know, for just coming up um let's just continue working. I'm going to say I'm in full
support of of affordable housing. We have a lot of people that they being evicted. A lot of people. We have a lot of people in pain, but we need we need affordable housing. We need the project with the right project for the city of Patterson. the right project for the city of Patterson. Um, thank you, Madam
Clerk. Um, my body chest. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman um Uden. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Good evening, everyone. Um, I want to uh thank uh every one of you for um sharing your
concern during the public portion and your participation is is very important for for us to make the right decision. And I also want to thank those who are watching us live on YouTube or our channels. Just know this your engagement
and your participation uh and helps us in many ways. As always, I I I state that the position I hold and all of us holding comes along with that we have to listen every form of comment regardless
positive or critical and and I respect every single comments whether it's going uh in my favor or not but just know this every single comments helping us to make the decision they're supposed to make for the resident of the city of Patterson.
I want to thank the parents of the youth that came here because when I see our young people getting involved, it gives me optimism, gives me belief that Patterson will be
in the right direction in the near future. And I'm respectful. I'm I'm I'm I'm saying thank you and and and and my heartfelt respect to all of the parents for allowing your kids to come here this evening and I like to see more youth
involved in our city's business. I particularly want to talk about the firefighters who uh shared their shared his concern and I don't know what is corporation council uh Mr. Vier if you can take notes. I want to make sure that
we are taking this concern in serious consideration and taking a look what exactly taking place in the department. We don't want to see any injustice taking place in our city and definitely not to our first responder who's uh put their lives to for our safety. Uh
corporation council I believe you have listen you have paid attention to this. We want to see the details that what happened to the firefighter and we want to make sure that no injustice taking place in any departments and definitely not to our first responders.
Uh with that being said, uh parking issue is a is a is a major issue every neighborhood. So I think we all have to come together to make sure that this issue that that that we face every day is taken in seriously and whatever
decision we make especially the developments that come in we have to make sure that there are not overdevelopment that are not bringing problems for our city but we like to see that our city is moving forward. We like to see the development that helping our city not actually putting us down as as
as Mr. Charles mentioned, we are welcoming residents in our city, right? And whether we say pilot or um uh all the uh abatement programs that we are speaking about when they are not
paying taxes to our school system, we the residents are paying taxes. Their kids are going to our school system and they are these developers and I'm we I'm not saying we I'm against the developers. I want developers to come to the city of Patterson, invest here. That's true. But at the same time, they
need to invest to our schooling system. They need to uh invest to our uh city's parks so that we can afford the the population that that we are welcoming to our city. So with I I hope that we all will take these things in consideration
before we give away any any any projects. And one thing I like to address to the parking authority that I want to make sure that uh how many times you are selling the same parking spaces I mean that's that's a major concern cuz how many parking spaces you have how
many uh okay you gave to how many uh you know entities that that should be clarified. So if if you can take notes madam clark I like to hear from the uh parking authority that how many of the contract they have as of now with different uh uh investment in the city
and how many of them renewed not active active would like to see that cuz I feel that they are selling more parking spaces than whatever parking space is available there. With that being said, Patterson, I'm grateful and I'm I'm thankful for
allowing me to serve you. And with that being said, my voice is just to close the public question. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Vez. >> Ladies and gentlemen, what happened today in the public portion made me think a lot.
17 hours ago, I received a notification on Newsbreak and the title was Patterson Firefighter Union's angry at mayor over labor contract talks.
I read the article and the part that triggered me is that Patterson Press asks Mayor Andre Seya on November 10 for his reaction >> to the criticism from the fire unions. Uh sorry uh you can't leave. We don't
have a quorum. Sir, >> you cannot leave Councilman Uden. We have no quorum. You have Councilman Uden. There's no quorum. >> He was he was closing the door. Oh, okay. So, let me let me say this again.
Patterson Press asked Mayor Anderson in November 10 for his reaction to the criticism from the fire unions. Look what he said. I appreciate the important work our firefighters
to keep us our residents safe. Se responded under my administration Patterson Fires firefighter had received the richest contract in the history and remain among the highest paid employee.
That's a statement. What happened today and the statement and experience that our brother Herman Irving brought forward prove that Andre say just satisfy
the press with a statement but his action says different. Appreciate your work is not enough. Appreciation without action
is a disrespect to the firemen's for the EMS employees is real disrespectful. That testimony prove 150% or more
that this administration and Mayor Anderson say always dance when it comes up to benefit the city employees is real disrespectful to those employees those that day and
night protect our city and this is including every public employee in the city of Patterson. I'm going to send a strong message to the mayor of the city of Patterson.
Put your money where your mouth is. Put your money where your mouth is. If you appreciate the work of our first responders, don't dance with them. take action and
prove that you care for them and do a fair treatment to my fair my brother Hermer Irwin and any other employee that are living through that situation. Don't dance with them.
Step up to the plate and put your money where your mouth is. Saying that my vote is yes to close the public portion. >> Thank you, Councilman, Council President. >> So, um let me say this. Thank you,
Corporation Council. Um after um what >> Herman spoke and a sister who's esquire spoke um I want to thank you for going outside to bring mediation to what's happening.
A lot of times to the public um and I appreciate the public that comes and watches. So a lot of times things come to this council we're not aware until it comes to the council. As much as people can say the council should be doing more, when they come to
that microphone, we take action. That's why immediately I asked corporation council, who is the city's lawyer, to go outside and he did did just that. And there's some stuff that they will follow through on tomorrow. And I appreciate that, corporation council, because
sometimes things are spoken, but they're not factual and they're not accurate. And one thing I don't ever want to do to the community is give that information. So here's the other piece. When we have items that come before this
council, we have a workshop. The workshop is the time when you have an extended conversation, presentations. You can do all of that. That can happen and that's what will happen in December. We're able to do that and we will definitely do that in December. Have a presentation. The
workshops are always supposed to be more elongated than the regular meeting. That is the time when you discuss, you have conversation, people are here, you're asking questions, but before even the meeting happens, you have days before the meeting to send emails and ask for
different information to make sure that if you need stuff that it's here and is readily available. In addition to that, I don't really need to always defend things. I I I love videos that circulate
from seven years ago. I love it. And if that's what you choose to utilize a video from seven years ago when there was a big issue with cannabis to circulate and put that out, be your guest. Just make sure you crop it so that you
stop utilizing the person that send you the video as you're sending it all over the place that you crop the person's name off just for a point of uh technology 101. Also, I do also find it interesting, you
know, as we sit in these roles and we continue to advocate on behalf of the community that there are comments that are always made about, you know, humbling yourself and doing this or that, but when people ask us for donations,
I don't hear words about being humble. when they ask for people to show up to their events, when me and Council Cotton are toe and toe together at events. A young man came last week and invited us to an event. We went to this event
to where he said an event was, it was a refrigerator store, but because he came here, we went there and it was a refrigerator store. So, I called Councilwoman Cotton because I got there first to let her know, don't even get out your car. But by the time she she was already out the car, I said,
"Please get back in your car because that's a sign." And so when people come, we listen. We hear, we advocate, we we show up, we're there when you need us to be there. So I don't want you to ever think that we're not because we do a lot of work, Miss Annette. You know how I
I've tal and you are doing an excellent job. I do commend what you're doing cuz every time you send it, it's sent to the administration and you see that they are definitely um they're definitely working on it. To the community at large, let's keep doing what's necessary. I
appreciate all the people in the community that call, that text, our secretaries, that pull data, pull information to make sure we stay on task and that we're not just speaking from this place. And I appreciate people that come here to even criticize or to have
their commentary. I don't have issues with that because once you know things are real and they're not, you know, you you don't have to respond to everything. So with that being stated, Madame Clerk, we have two items left on the agenda. My vote is yes to close the public portion.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. The public portion is hereby closed. >> Item number 36, madam clerk. >> Uh, council council woman. >> Item 36, madam clerk. Item 36, madam clerk. >> I'll wait till I close out then.
>> Item 36, madam clerk. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Item 36. Um, >> where? >> Public hearing on the amendment of the CY 2025 budget which has been approved but not yet adopted. Item number 36 is a
resolution to amend the CY 2025 budget which has been approved but not yet adopted finance resolution number 25 col 568. >> So move moved by Councilman Cotton, second by Councilman Ibby just to give an uh this this item is not the budget
yet. In our introduced budget, we voted on a 3.5%. This item is to amend it so that we will go to the next item which will be 2%. >> Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Roll call on item number 26.
>> 36. >> 36. I'm sorry. Council Motton. >> Yes. >> Councilman Khik. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mendes. >> Yes. Woman. >> Councilman Omar.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Uden. Yes. >> Councilman Veles. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Councilman, I mean council uh 36 is
hereby adopted. >> Item number three, madame clerk, >> which one? >> Item number three, >> you got to read it. He has to read. >> Resolution to adopt the approved calendar year 2025 municipal budget finance. Resolution number 25 col 535.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by council president me. Second by uh councilman Khalik and Cotton. >> Discussion. >> Discussion. >> Public >> discussion. Public portion first and then discussion. >> Oh. Ah. >> Public hearing. >> It was
>> public hearing. >> Public hearing is now open. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Seeing non move to close. >> No. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Wait until you move. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So right before let me just state and there will be further discussion in a minute. This is just for public
hearing. The introduced budget is only 2%. We are mandated based on our memorandum of understanding. I want to commend this council for their due diligence and working hard um to make sure that we put the residents first. We
started this budget at 5.6%. It was voted down. We went to 3.5% and now we are at 2%. I'm grateful because we are required by law to do 2%. Anything above that would mean we will be doing increases. This is mandated by
law. So to this council, I want to say all the work that's been going on, your recommendations um and your due diligence is to be uh rewarded. I know the residents are very happy, but I want to say this. in order for us to receive transitional
aid, the $29.7 million. And I also want to thank our senator Benji Wimberly who's watching, >> our assembly um Assemblyman Abdelaziz and Assemblywoman Shiovanda Sumpter. Thank you for advocating for us to get the additional $2 million to get us down
to 2%. This is a win. Council members, I'm super excited about this and I think the residents will be excited as well. Um um there's uh Mr. Farra is for public portion. Mr. Farra, >> hello.
>> Thank you. Charles Fer, my my question is this. This budget was supposed to be done when? >> July 1, something like that. >> Well, >> well, we're in a we're in a fiscal year from January through December. So, as long as the budget is approved before
December 31st, we're in good standing. Yeah, but it's supposed to be approved by a certain time. >> So, would you have liked us to approve it at 5.6%. I >> I'm not saying that. I'm just What I'm saying is that the work that got to this point here should have been done some
time ago. >> But unfortunately, as you know, there is a government shutdown. There were other entities that we had to wait until we were able because with all of the other pieces that needed to be in place to get the additional money, there was the transitional aid. We didn't get the
award letter until the end of July. There's so many different pieces. So, as much as I I thank you for your sentiment, but there's a lot of pieces that were in play. This council made the request before we vote on that 5.6, we will wait for the transitional aid
letter. Now, this council could have easily voted yes on 5.6, but we thought of the residents and we said we were not going to move forward. We got to 3.5 and we advocated and we're now at the mandatory 2%. >> So, so what happens next year? We we'll
approve it around this time again if the same process. >> Well, next year it won't be the same thing because we we're going to start >> we don't we'll never know what we're going to get from the federal government. >> Well, we'll start early, but as you know, I think all the ducks need to be in a row on the things that you can
control. >> Mhm. So that if it's only the state that you're waiting on for transitional, but here's the problem with the transitional transitional. You know what? One of the things that I really think that we really need to do is we really need to look at every pilot, every uh
tax abatement and really see what the real number would be if those tax abatements weren't there. and then maybe we wouldn't need but as long as we continue to give tax abatement. I don't care even if it's a
5-year tax abatement. We're always going to need transitional aid. When are we ever going to become self-sufficient? Okay, like you want residents to be and stuff like that if we continue. Like I
said, I've seen developments all over the place. I've seen developments where they build the development and they build the school with it. That doesn't happen here. I've seen developments where the people come in there and they have their investment groups and they put their
hard-earned money into it instead of getting this grant and that grant and developers fees and stuff like that. That's where we go wrong. Again, I'm going to go back to Councilman Rooney who said it in 1988 with the super
block. The developers will treat us like this. We're a psy town. And even though he's no longer with us, he's been spot on. The developers have come in here since Garrett Heights. And you can go
back in those minutes and check. I spoke out against that then because if if one of you decide to build a house cuz you bought one of those lots, they're not going to give you a tax abatement. They're going to want you to pay full rate. So if you're in the investment
business of doing things, do it the right way. Pay it fully. Stop scrunching off the backs of the people that are barely making ends meet. We don't know how many of our seniors
who are struggling to pay their taxes are eating little to nothing. But if you go by that developer's house on Thanksgiving, everything's on the table. Why should they be entitled to that when the
residents of this city don't have that same opportunity? We have to change the way somebody said on Facebook. We have to do better. My response was, "It's hard for people to do better when
they never seen what better looked like." We have to do better with this budget. >> The parts that you can control, all the departments >> handle that. And then the only thing only thing we're waiting on is the state or the federal government because we we did the same thing and I've said that
too with the federal government. How are you going to give the school district their numbers in August? >> Okay. And then if laws need to be changed so that it can come out in a better way, then if it needs to be done on the state level, federal level, it
needs to be done so that people can submit the budget so that the taxpayers know how to plan. >> Thank Thank you, Mr. Fro. >> their budget. >> Okay. >> Thank Thank you so much. So, let me let me just state this. If you and it may be
a good idea for you to look at tax abatements and no, this council has not the last couple tax abatements that came before this council, they were voted down. Now, there has been in the past, but there is something in by that was approved through the state called Garden State Grove Zone where they don't have
to come to the city council to get abatements. It is done through the state. So my recommendation if these are some of the concerns that you may feel then talk to state legislators and have those dialogues but this council has not been approving and you'll be very
surprised because I I hear a lot of people talk about this person doesn't pay but I I you would be very surprised if you pull the information some of the people you think are not paying full taxation they are. Madame clerk motion to close. >> So moved by councilwoman Dav.
>> Is it on the public? Is it on the budget? Okay. Uh motion by Councilwoman Davo, second by Mendes. Roll. Roll call to close public hearing on the budget. >> Roll call to close the public hearing on the budget. >> Councilwoman Cotton.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dav. >> Councilman Khik. >> Yes. >> Council Mendes. >> Yes. Close. >> Councilman Omar. >> Yes. To close public court. >> Councilman Nuden. >> Yes. >> Councilman Veles.
>> Yes. Council President. >> Yes. >> The votes are eight in favor, one absent. The public hearing on the budget is now closed. >> Roll call. Madam clerk. >> Discussion. >> Discussion. Councilman um VeZ and
Council Mendes. >> Oh, somebody say it first over here. >> Yeah. >> Oh, Councilwoman um >> go after the, you know, >> Councilwoman Davala, Councilwoman Mendes, and Councilman Blesz. >> So, I I don't want to be repetitive. There's no need for it. Uh, thank you very much, Mr. Ferrer, for putting the
points out there. You are correct with everything you said. Okay. Um, it's interesting how, you know, we're a transitional aid city. DCA is over us. They're checking us. They're meeting with us, but yet we still don't get the letter on time. And there's a lot of things that happen that prevent us from
uh accordingly by statute, you know, adopting our budget. I believe Mr. CFO is somewhere in April that we're supposed to >> it's May >> April May to adopt the budget, introduce the budget. Okay. Uh but with that said, um one thing I do want to say is I do
want to thank our legislators. I want to thank Senator Benji Wimbley, Assemblyman Abdelaziz, and Siobhan Sumpter for going out to bat for us to be able to give us first of all for us to make sure that this administration, right? Because we
said it as council president stated, we said it, it's not happening at 5.6, >> came back 3.5. We said because by law, we have to have an adoption that we had not done. We move forward, but I put it on record as many here did. We're not
doing more than the 2%. So, whatever needs to get done has to get done. In terms of, you know, looking at the budget, you know, we said it's there. We got those additional monies, right? There is things that we do have to do. Like when you say what are we going to do to get out, like when are we going to
become self-sufficient? There's actions and things that this council has to take, right? And you know, the only way that I think that we can become self-sufficient is by taking action on certain ordinances that have been in place that need to be
amended. Uh in addition to that, you know, we do have to bring in ratables. And I continue to say this, I am prog growth, right? I'm prodevelopment, but I want good development. I want good development. I was reading an article that was sent to me by a constituent,
you know, um, how Councilman Jackson talks about and you just spoke about, you know, they're they're building, but then they're building a school. Well, guess what's happened? Like in Jersey City and other places, they've pulled back. >> They've pulled back because they saw that the council wasn't working and they didn't get the school,
>> right? So, with that said, listen, we're here to serve. We're here to do what we can with what we have right now, uh, within our means. And you know that's why I just want to say you know to my council colleagues that I am looking forward now to voting on this measure because it is important. Tax bills have
to go out. Okay. And so um you know with that said you know I want to thank you for the opportunity okay to speak. >> Councilman Mendes and Councilman. >> Thank you. Thank you um C president. Uh it's been a long journey. So when from
five plus point 5.6 6, uh, we've been down to 2%. I was one of those, uh, council member that was fined by the state with over $1,000. I hope that that that will go away once we approve the budget. And that that fine was because I refused to
vote to take action and and and you know, rightfully so. I I will I will do it a thousand time. I will take the heat. I will take the fine a thousand times, but I would not vote in on on this out of control increase on taxes. Uh, and I'm just going to say this, uh,
you know, it's hard for a resident. It's hard for homeowners. Any a two family house in Pis it go around 12 to$13,000 in taxes. The same property in Toa Horong and any other town, it will pay 7,000. It will pay less way less money
than Patterson. We have to find a way to get out of transitional aid and it's not impossible. Many other city have done it before. We have to put a plan in place to start looking at the revenue that we need to start year after year asking for
less money. What happened with the city of Patterson is that every year we depending more from the state. We ask for more money every year from 23 to 25 to 27 to 33. So, and it's going to get to the point that the state is going to say, "I'm sorry, we cannot give you more
money." Thank God that we have great friends in Trenton like Senator Benji Wimbley, Assemblyman Olive Dece, they know our community, they work with us, but it's going to get to the point that we have to that we're going to have to say, listen, enough is enough. We have to we have to be responsible every
dollar. It's important. And for many years, I've been speaking about enforcing the law. We're leaving a lot of money at the table. Sometime we not a business frankly we we make some people life impossible when they go and to apply for a permit they have to go through hell for them to be able to open
a business the right way. So we're not going to be we're not business friendly we try to make the life impossible to people that wants to come to Paris I got to say it because I get those call and everybody and I I know I'm not the only one that get those call. So we got to make up our mind our department they
have to be more effective. We have to think about how can we bring more revenue into our department. And I'm always say this and I've been saying this for years. We we should know how much revenue we're getting from each department and we have to start working on that. How can we make our department
more effective to bring more revenue to the city of Paris and um so we're down 2% but before that Mr. CFO uh you know listen information is important and sometime here you know we make a decision whether I agree whether we agree or not with the administration
there's information out there and people listens people misinform the public and because administration doesn't give their information people believe about that misinformation I think this is the time before we approve this Mr. CFO that you speak about the four plus million
dollars over spending that you give us, you know, give us a clear picture where we are financially before we take action on this. I think this will be the appropriate time. Mr. CFO through to the chair. >> He'll come after Councilman Valz and then Councilman Uden
then Councilman Cotton. >> Thank you. Thank you, Council President. I just want to ask one question and then I will follow with my statement through the chair to CFO.
I don't see a resolution attached to this municipal data sheets. Okay. Number three, I only have the the budget in my hand.
Can you point out in this document? I've been trying to look for it, but can you point out for the audience where it says 2% tax increase? What page? >> Page 11. >> I see numbers up and down, >> Mr. CFO. >> Page 11.
>> Page 11. >> The line that says local tax m for municipal purposes >> with that page 491. Okay, just bear with me for a minute. I just want to make sure your document says 2%.
I was going back and forth. >> And what line item? Oh, >> number six. A >> six >> local tax for municipal purposes. Last year it was 170 million. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. That's what I
stated. I see numbers up and down where it says I don't see the resolution that says like in the past we are doing the 2% in the past the resolution say that we are mandated to do 2% that's we
keeping the budget at 2% in that resolution you just showing me numbers here I see numbers up and down $111 million you know where is a state that we are going to only raise tax at 2%.
>> So the theou is where you see the 2% >> theou says that we should not raise tax you know that >> page two is the wrestle page correct that's the page where the votes get counted and there is no other wrestle with >> you you want me to do the math and say
okay it's 2%. >> I can do the math for you if you like. >> No I know that. That's why you're trying to tell me. I I know that but you CFO where in the paper says that we not going to raise taxes more than 2%.
And at least in the resolution why we don't have a resolution stating that we are not raising taxes more than 2%. >> Again the budget page two is the resolution for the budget that's >> so the budget completely it should reflect 2%. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now,
so the same way the dates that I have here, for example, September 9, 2025, should that be corrected? The day that we have here, and let me clarify the record that the 5.8 8
introduction was the one that was voted down. The 3.5 was 1, two, three, four, five individual voted yes.
Okay, because I'm seeing it here. But this wasn't October 12, 2025. Okay, in the back of the the budget I recall how many change of order we have done
for all those contract and it's not even listed here on the 2025 budget on the last page and we have done a lot of change of orders in contract and it's still not reflected
here. Okay. I see a page that we overspend on the sewer utility in this budget and we could go on on and on.
the residents like council president I respect your statement that you stated that the resident will be happy to see a 2% budget passed today >> and the president will be happy but I
think the resident will be happy if they don't see no tax increase at all council Mendes stated that it's easy to get it's not easy to get out of transition a but yes we could do it. Oh yes of course council Mendes we could do
it we could get out of transition a if we start if we start not scaring away small business raising taxes. If we create jobs,
if we have a cleaner city, it will the crime will be low. People will be interested coming to the city and invest. Today I had a financial board hearing for the $1,700
that they find me for voting no to the introduction. two things that I receive from two board members and I'm happy to say it loud and clear that they acknowledge the passion
and the energy that I have working in this city and is recorded. You could go and watch that hearing. But also one of the finest board
questioned why the mayor was not also fine because he didn't met the timeline of introduction of the budget.
Thank you for raising that question. Introduction is the reflection of the budget in this case still is 2%. It's 2%. Once again, and I got to say it in loud
and clear, I receive calls. I come to the city hall a lot and the first thing I I hear is employees saying we need to get paid. We need to send the tax bills. But that's
not our fault. We try to work with administration day in and day out. And one of the things that we always said is communication is the key, not just send messengers to make sure
things go and and and get it happen in the city of Patterson. But saying that, you know, I don't know how far we could trust because he just put numbers and he want us to do his work but not put in a resolution to
guarantee that we are only staying in the 2% tax increase that I believe knowing the testimony of a lot of homeowners out there about the quality of life and this lack of service. They're not going to be happy not even
with 1%. >> Thank you, council president. >> You're welcome. So, I just it'll be council member Cotton. So, I want you to clearly state what I said. I said the residents will be happy to know that we are voting on the mandated 2% because
you're right. If we didn't have to do transition aid, we wouldn't. Unless you're able to give $33 million to the si city, we have to apply for transitional aid. We started at 5.6 and I said the residents will be happy to know that we are doing 2% and not 5.6%.
That is exactly what I stated. I want to bring clarity. Councilman Uden and Councilwoman Cotton. >> Thank you, Council President. U so regarding the budget introduction, I want to mention that I did not support 5.6% 6%
and also the amended 3.5% increase but I'd like to I'm encouraged to see that further amendment came with 2% increase but my primary concern still remain regarding the uh swar fee for first two
one family two family three family homes m if you can state what are the changes was made specially for the uh swar fees if you can restate what was before and was what's the uh increase that in this proposed budget. >> There's no ordinance for sewer fees.
Councilman, >> I'm sorry. >> There's no change. >> There's no changes. >> That's not on the agenda tonight. Sewer fees are not on the agenda. >> It's not It's the same as like before. >> That's a separate That's >> correct. >> I'm sorry. I I could not hear you. >> Correct. There's no
there's no sewer ordinance in this. >> No. Okay. In this. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yes. Good. Council person. >> Thank you, Counciloman Cotton. >> Madam Clerk, um >> Council President, >> I'm sorry, Council.
>> Um I just want to say, you know, um we talk about, we always talk about, um you know, how can we get revenue coming into the city? How can we get businesses? Um the first thing you need to have is a person. It could be the economic development
director. It could be anyone. But you have to start going to these conventions and business places like they do in South Carolina and North Carolina and and and and and try to try to pinpoint a property somewhere where you know if you
come in here Amazon, you know, if you can hire a hundred people, then I can give you something. That's what those other states and those other cities are doing. They're going out looking for them because nobody's gonna come knock on your door. You actually got to go look for them. You gota like I need you
to come here. Can you bring in whether the Bunker Hill has a lot of businesses down there? They really do. Um you have a few of them. Um they make all kind of items down there in the Bunker Hill section. So, you really need to me uh a
department or someone in that department who can travel to say if you know a company that's looking to relocate, you know, a company that's looking to do something to try to bring them into your city. But you also have to try to have a designated place already to show them
that if you come to our city, this is what we have. I just want to put it that out there. They said, you know, people, you know, that's the way to do it cuz they're not knocking on our doors to come in here. We we actually got to go pull them in and try to get them to come in. Thank you, council president.
>> Thank you, Mr. CFO. Can you please elaborate on the 4.3 million? >> Yes. Thank you, Council President for going back to my question. >> Yeah. >> So, the introduced budget had a 4.3 million over expenditure. Um 2.5 million
was grants. Uh 1.7 million was 1.7 million was over expenditures in the budget and 22,000 was uh expenditures without appropriations. Um after a review with the state um the only thing that's
that number changed the over expenditures changed from 1,700 to 137,000. Um the over expenditures for the grants changed from 2.5 million to a million6. >> Okay. I'm sorry. the $4.3 million they
use over expenditure they from 4.3 they changed to how much >> to 1.7 million >> to 1.7 million >> correct >> and how that affect how that how how's that impacting the budget that we that we're getting ready to approve right now
>> um it that changed by 2 million 500 but there were also things changed in the revenues the municipal aid amount went down from 3.4 4 million to 441,000. So expenditures went down, but revenues
also went down after the review with the state. >> You know, and and and that's the I've been said this for years. Every dollar matters, Mr. CFO, you know, revenue went down, but we really we are the last inning and and I don't want to go back
and forth what is the reason why we're the last inning. So we are this uh fiscal year will end at the end of December, December 30. uh and we're in November so we approving the budget at the last inning so there's no more room uh we have 2% in front of us uh we lucky
as I mentioned before that we have before at the state allow it to give us the money but when I talk about revenue and I feel some level of frustration sometime let me just give an example to my constituent
this a sidewalk in order for you to fix your sidewalk you have to go have to go to the building department you have to build a permit. There's a fees that you have to pay. You have to go through hell to be able to get a permit to fix a sidewalk. You got to go through, you know what people do? They do it without permit.
But you know why they do it without permit? It's because they don't want to go through the hassle that take to be able to get a simple permit. You know how much money we living on the table? We live in millions of dollars. I don't care what people say. The way that all
the municipality are getting their finance in order is by organizing and making all the department more effective to serve the resident of their city. And that's what is missing here in the city of Pisu right now. I will do the math and say
how much money I'm getting from my fire department. What do they need? How can we increase the the you know the revenue of the fire department I want the building department and I'm just keep reating with the building department because I know what people go through when they go there and so many other
department that's the only way we don't know we don't know how much money we living trust me and I challenge anybody we don't know by not enforcing the law that we already have in the book we don't know how much money and people say oh that might be simple you're talking
about a a few thousand. Listen, a few thousand here, a few thousand there. Just multiply that and year after year, you will see what happened. And that's a result that we facing right now that we ask the state every every single year
for a for more and more funding to be able to balance the budget. I'll leave it at that. Thank you, Council President. >> Councilman Jackson. >> Very good. So
all this nonsense you're talking about, it's very simple. We this council has the ability we could remove ourselves from the uh from the uh uh what was it this um what is it called?
The the New Jersey uh growth zone. We could take ourselves out right now so that any developments that's coming forward, they don't automatically go into this 30-year tax abated scenario so that you guys can't sit here and keep
making excuses. Oh, but that's not us. That's the state. All of these large scale development projects that's not paying full taxation. We could come out of that now. We we've already overexacerbated or over exceeded what we were looking to do more than 10 years
ago. But we're letting people just come here and abuse us now. It's very simple. We could take take ourselves out of that and automatically we'll start seeing taxable revenue. People like Mr. Charles Forever won't come here and complain about, you know, people taking advantage
being at at 30% tax uh ratables. There's lots of things that we can do. We're talking about enforcing enforcing things on the books. What they're doing is they're targeting and predatorilially targeting our residents while these land large land
owners are still getting away with all kinds of things. So, we sit here making excuses all the time. We can vote. Um, Council President, >> thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk, on our 2% tax increase. >> Okay. Roll call on item number three,
right? Um resolution to adopt the approved calendar year 2025 municipal budget. Um Councilwoman Cotton, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dava, >> yes. >> Councilman Jackson,
>> no. >> Councilman Khalig, >> yes. >> Counciloman Mendes, >> abstain. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Omar. Before I do vote, I just want to thank our our senator and
our assembly members for going about to us and get us this additional TA. And um we're at 2% which is what we promised. With that being said, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman VeZ.
You got >> Councilman. >> Yes. Um, >> yes. That's your vote. >> No, no, no. Hold on. I say yes to you that I'm paying attention. Yes. >> So, so look at this scenario.
>> 2% tax increase. County tax increase, school tax increase, library taxes have to be paid by the residents of Patterson open space taxes
have to be paid by the residents. The city is planning to bring a resolution in ordering to increase the tax fees uh the sewer fees in the city of Patterson before December.
They planning to increase permits fees and all that that they trying to bring to the city of Patterson. They are bringing crew revenues through the pockets of the taxpayer of the city
of Patterson. I said it before and I learned one thing in the 10 years that mayor Andre was sitting in this particular chair right here next to me that he need didn't vote
it never no matter 2% 3% 5% whatever for tax increase to the resident Patterson. Now he willing to us to vote on favor of a tax increase knowing that the resident of Patterson cannot hold it anymore
knowing that they are losing their homes. 2% is 2% burden to the taxpayers of the city of Patterson and they're not getting nothing back in return. Let me say nothing back in return because
everything that have been done have been done based on grants of the city that city pass received not with your tax money on work saying that and saying and repeating what I hear in my right side
while my vote is no to this budget. >> Thank you Councilman Council President. So, let me just say this, and I I said it before, but I'll repeat a little bit because I'm going to be very brief. This budget does not have any layoffs. None.
We thought of the employees, no one will be laid off. School board will get paid, which we are behind, and they need to receive their payment. There's other individuals and vendors that need to be paid. That will happen. and also to our
local finance board and our DCA and our auditors that have been working tirelessly with the finance committee um and the administration and our state legislators to get us to this final point.
As we come to close on this budget, I am going to respectfully ask as we go into the next budget process that you give recommendations. I heard a lot of things said, but those recommendations, we have to submit them. Send them in writing. You can say them here, but give some
ways in which we can reduce the budget or come to a decrease. It's easy to vote no, but send some recommendations to the administration or be a part of the finance committee or have the conversations that we have with DCA to
the local finance board. I know there was a meeting today and this was a requirement and and there are some strict guidelines in us receiving these dollars and I am going to ensure that when I'm on my committee at work as we
attend there as we are on the calls with DCA we're in the meetings with the auditors and then we come to this council chambers that we make sure we put the residents and our employees as a first priority and the work that needs to be done with equipment and all that
will be a part of this budget process. In closing, after I vote for this budget, your tax bills will go out. Your tax bills were on hold because of this process and now we can move forward. Madame clerk,
>> yes, >> 2% we work hard to get here, but we are here. My vote is yes. >> Thank you, council president. The votes are six in favor, one abstension, two against. The uh item number three is hereby adopted.
>> Thank you. Uh madame clerk, there are no more items. The uh meeting has now come to close. Can I get a motion? >> So move. >> Motion to close by councilwoman Davis. Second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call to close the meeting. >> Roll call. Call everybody. >> Journ the meeting November 12th, 2025.
Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say good night to everyone. God bless you all. Good night to my council colleagues, my my city clerk, my secretary Dedra. It was so nice to see your family here today, Dedra. >> Thank you. >> It sure was. Her family was here
supporting the um supporting the smoke shop ordinance that we had >> and my corporation counselor, my VA slash health director, and my corporation counselor and my Hector Nez. Everyone out there, have a
good night. God bless you all. Um, we're not going to see you. So, everyone, please have a happy Thanksgiving that's coming up. Please look at there's so many things that they're giving out, dinners that they're having. Um, please look at the Facebook. If we can try to get some stuff out,
we'll let you know. Thank you, Madame Clerk. >> Yes, my vote is yes. Thank you so much, Councilwoman Davala. [Music] [Laughter] >> I'm sorry. >> Councilwoman Davala. Councilman Jackson,
you could be funny sometimes. Anyway, uh so Patterson, thank you so much. Council President, Madame Clerk, and to everyone here, my colleagues, CFO, acting BA, thank you so much for sitting in today. To our corporation council, and to all to our officers that
are here today. Thank you. Um I am happy that we were able to get city business done, that we were able to adopt this budget that was so needed. Tax bills will be coming soon shortly by December. you should have them. Uh, and yes, you know, there there's certain things that, you know, are mandated by us, and I'm
looking forward to when those items come that we will address them as such. Uh, to the young lady who spoke to me outside about her position and, um, her uh, addressed to me today. I appreciate your words. Very well taken, understood.
Uh sometimes, you know, as I stated earlier, there are times where, you know, we got to sit back and and accept if if you know, your words may come across a certain way. So, thank you for that conversation. Uh and to my colleagues and to everyone to the city
of Patterson, God bless you. Good night. My vote is yes to close. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. um through the chair corporation council. If I can please um two things with regard to the
uh the the legislation for the um uh smoke shops. if we can get a letter drafted to both um health and human services director and the chief of police or public safety director with regard to
enforcement when it comes to items that the health department would not have any um uh clarification on cons. Hemp. Hemp is a legal item. It's a legal um substance and um I would hate for individuals who are employed at
these these smoke shops to be getting um charged with something that is uh falsely done. Now, if there's something that is done, I think it should be clear in the legislation. I know we probably can't change it at this point, but who's doing enforcement on that? The health
department should not be. And also, can I please have a a um a resolution drafted to remove us from the Garden State ZO growth zone? I I can do the research. If necessary, if you're not going to do it, please send me an email. I'll have it done myself.
But you I would love to have Mr. Ben David on that. I need a a a draft to remove us from the Garden State um growth zone. With that being said, um my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khali. >> Good night everyone. My vote is yes.
>> Thank you. Councilman Mendes. >> Uh thank you, Madam Clerk. Before I vote, I I just forgot to say when we were talking about the fire department, the issue that uh on the firefighter, uh Mr. Irving, I I'm going to say that there's one department that I'm always
proud and it's about our fire department in the city of Patterson. We have one of one of the best fire department in the state of New Jersey and one of the best fire department in the nation with men and women committed to serve in the city of Patterson. And and and I think that there's a few thing that we have to do.
Listen, Patterson, Jersey City is already at the top. Hawk County, Bergen County, we're next. We have to do things the right way. We have to protect our homeowners to make sure that our homeowners stay in their home to make sure that they don't lose the property. We got to make our department more
effective to be able to collect revenue. That's the only way that we could collect this additional revenue. Now, we going to the league of municipality. Let's let let's do some work there and and let's see best practice. Let's let's talk about best practice and other municipality because trust me, we have
many other municipality that doing they doing a much better job that that we doing in term of the timeline for to get a permit. So, let's make thing let's take the red tape away. people wants to pay their fee but they want to get things done. Let's take red tape away. Let's be able to utilize those
department to collect revenue to be able to fight against a financial situation that we going through now. And trust me, if many of the city have done it, if they've been out of transition a it's not impossible. Patterson, this is a great place for business. But we have to take advantage. You have to make up our
mind. And what are we doing? We're going to work in support of a taxpayer of our homeowners and make things accessible to for people that are coming to collect revenue. So what are we doing? We got to make up our mind. We got to protect our city. This is a great city. Trust me, it's great for business and we got to
protect our taxpayer and do better. We got to clean our city, make it safe, and makes Patterson home for a lot of people that doesn't want to leave this town. My vote is yes. Good night, Madam Clerk. C. Before I do vote, I just want to wait
because we won't be here next week. We won't be here till December. I want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving and also uh to stay tuned because I will be passing out turkeys to my six ward residents. With that being said, we did accomplish a lot today. Uh smoke shop
ordinance passing the budget. It was uh definitely a fruitful day. With that, my vote is yes. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Patter. >> Thank you, Madam Clark. Uh for again um before I state my vote, I'd like to wish
everyone happy Thanksgiving. I'm hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on day after the Thanksgiving, which is the 28th Friday at 5:00 p.m. at 3:16 Total Avenue. Uh I would uh encourage everyone to join us at the dinner. We're going to have
traditional dinner at 316 Total Avenue. Uh and with that being said, my vote is yes to close the public. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Veles. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh, one thing, uh, we accomplished today is that we're
not going to see the resolution to request $64 million loan. Okay, that's one of the things that we accomplish. Uh, we probably not going to see other fees going up because the budget was
approved. Thank you to my colleagues uh that they approved this budget. Um this sent a clear message to the council to the administration that if they came with inflated budget to us from 5.6 six.
They could do better without struggling presenting a budget with 2% cap without going back and forth and to submit an introduction budget by March for next year. We are in calendar year budget not
fiscal year. So that's that's good thing to clarify. Um I understand the um I would like to see that uh resolution re regarding uh to remove us from New Jersey growth zone
um is interested because if we had a lot of property abandoned in the city of Patterson, we probably will see more if we move ourself from that New Jersey grove zone. Let's remind the people in
the city of Patterson that my vote against this budget is nothing against the employee of the city of Patterson getting paid. The administration have the
responsibility to balance a budget that could cover the whole entire year in salary, benefits, contractual and other expenses. That's their responsibility. We are here to make sure that we are fiscally responsible that the taxpayer
pay the fair share that they deserve and not put a a burden more than supposed to. >> Um, last but not least, as Councilwoman stated, we now have a meeting into next year uh to next December. I want to wish
my lovely mother a happy happy birthday. Her birthday is December 1st and um she going to be 80 and I pray for her and I ask my colleagues when they have a chance to pray for my
mom to do so. But mom, happy birthday to you and happy Thanksgiving to the entire city of Patterson. When you see a a flyer of turkey giveaway or donation,
please share it with your neighbors. Um they need if they need a turkey, they could go and pick it up. So, Councilwoman, President, thank you for the great great great
meeting tonight. We accomplished a lot. Hopefully, we Oh, thank you. um Mr. BA for being here with us and uh taking notice and and and the concern of the city of Patterson. Um saying that,
Madame Clerk, uh my vote is yes to close the meeting tonight. >> Thank you, council president. >> So to Patterson, I just want to say first and foremost, BA, you did the right thing. to corporation council, to our BA, to
our clerk, secretary, our officers, Herminda, Raphael, to my council colleagues. Thank you so much. Um, we have a lot more work to be done. Um, and we will get it done. Um, and I want to say happy Thanksgiving to everybody.
Happy birthday, happy anniversary. My prayers go out to those that are sick and shut in in the hospital or going through. um and to our our children and our students that they will continue to be safe and healthy. Madame clerk, my vote is yes to close the meeting.
>> Thank you very much. The votes are nine in favor, none against. The regular meeting of November 12th, 2025 is hereby adjourned. Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone.