Good evening everyone. This is the city council work meeting. Today is February the 2nd, 2026. The time is 6:30. This meeting has been duly advertised in the city newspapers in conformance with the Open Public Meetings Act, otherwise
known as the Sunshine Law. Roll call, please. >> I'm sorry. >> Clay Street, >> present. status. >> Swepson Thomas >> present a check.
>> For the record, Miss Wepson um is out this evening due to her illness and um Councilman Barklay is out due to emergent matter for the record.
May I have approval of previous minutes? >> Motion. >> All in favor? I and third agenda begin. We have on the agenda resolution 21
authorizing the execution of an amendment purchase and sale agreement with block 102 lots 10 and 24 a subdivided portion of block 102 lot three. Any questions, councelor? Seeing none.
>> Resolution 22 authorizing the fiscal year 2026 local recreation approvement grant application funded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. >> Any questions? Council seeing none. >> Resolution 23 authorizing application
for a local efficiency achievement program grant with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Any questions? Council see none. >> Resolution 24, approving the submitt of application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New
Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust for infrastructure projects. >> Any questions? Council see >> resolution 45 approving the submitt of a grant application and execution of a grant agreement with United States Department of Transportation for better
utilizing investments to leverage development grant. >> Any questions? Council seeing none. >> Resolution 26, approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. >> Any questions? Council seeing none.
Resolution 27, approving acceptance of various New Jersey Department of Transportation grants funds. Any questions, council? See none. >> Resolution 28, authorizing the professional service contract to M Watson's Associates LLC for construction
management and inspection services for the Washington Avenue and Main Street Demolition ideal city center project. This is what I did. Any questions? Seeing none. >> Resolution 29 authorizing contract to Ke
Tech Laboratories for HMA course sampling and testing for the New Jersey Department of Transportation Ridgewood Avenue roadway improvements project. >> Any questions, council? See none. >> The next two following resolution are add-ons. Resolution 30 reaffirming
ordinance number 17-2023 adopted on August 21st, 2023 and extending the time frame for the purchase agreement to be executed. >> Anyone have any questions in reference to this resolution?
Resolution 31 authorizing the tax assessor to file a petition of appeal or appeals for the tax year 2026. >> Any questions council? See none. >> Next review of the bills. All right.
>> Good evening. Okay. So before you you have um two you have the bill list and we are going to review the paid items. Those were items that
needed to be paid prior to today. And that's the one that is called on the top. I'm trying to figure out the check register check register list. Um,
one of the highpaying items on there is a necessary and this is uh to the New Jersey Department of Labor for unemployment for part- timerrs and that was $48,620.77.
And uh the other items were basically reimbursements for the health benefit uh for the medical reimbursement piece through Medicare through Medicaid. Anybody has any other questions
regarding the check register list? >> Okay. then reviewing the purchase order listing. Um
so one of the um higher items to be paid on here was for November and December fuel charges that's to the Atlantic County Treasury's office $15,8962 and All all of the other items were
basically day-to-day operations for the departments once we did the roll over on January 12th and does anybody have any questions on those items? >> Any questions? >> No, I don't have a question on these
items. Okay. >> Of course, Franklin Boulevard. Uh, how's that project? >> The the pedestrian one or the UEZ one that has to all be coordinated. Um I know that they had a meeting
not this past Friday but the Friday before to to for all the spots um that are approved on that application on the various streets and corners. Um and that's all I can mention about that
uh right now as to the ordering. We already have a purchase order in place with the company and I cannot say. >> So, has things been ordered? The signs and all this? Has that been ordered? Are we ready to move on or? >> Uh, I believe so. I can find out more. I
just have not looked into it since the last time it was inquired about. I can um reach you with an email tomorrow >> and let you know where where it's at. um where that um the the signage for the
Franklin >> because this will go while I want to make sure we get this going because the public was really concerned about it. >> Oh, sure. Absolutely. One of the things that this grant um they we just awarded the contract I believe last month in December.
>> So, they know that this is a fastforward project. Everything else is pretty done on the administrative end that needed to happen like ordinances about the stop sign all of that have been reviewed and approved in the past. So we are now able to move and that's why we had to move
forward to get this grant uh rolling. So I will have more information for you tomorrow. Thank you. >> Number two satisfied with that. Number two, same question. Hback for the fire department. >> I did send an email Okay. It's still in
review process until we don't get until I don't see or they sent us the the approval notice >> is still under review. >> Thank you. >> Approval notice will get sent. >> The approval notice will get sent into
the mayor first and to uh Mr. Will apply and then it goes to Ken and myself. So as soon as we be able to get it, I'll make sure you guys are aware. I'll make sure you know. I'm praying we get this approved so we can move forward and have this done you know at least in the spring
of the last hold up we have uh all the work that has been done in the city with the buildings with the police and the fire department and now I really know that the rec center has to be done now but that HVAC system for the fire department is one of the main things that is left on the checklist for us you
know public safety that's on our checklist to get completed and I hopefully I can have that done in April >> as you said everything's done Uh, with that pretty much we're just waiting for the approval letter to come in and we'll get we'll be cracking on it. >> Thank you.
>> Um, I'm still waiting for Main Street. >> Main Street. >> Yeah. >> Okay. The Main Street project. That's the the lighting. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I spoke to the vendor. Half of the shipment is here. And is that corre? >> Sorry. Excuse. Sorry. I mean, so
officially everything's in now. Oh, great. Great. >> That's it over today. I got that email, too. >> Okay, that's great. So, now >> that's a project that we're working with the u
>> the electrician because the electrician has to connect everything. >> So, we have all the lighting. Now, we have to have the electrician put the lighting in. >> No, they're just going to do the connections. We're going to put the poles in cuz that's labor work. That's stuff we do. And then they will do the connections
because you have to have a license. >> We have we have an estimated time on that for that main street. >> That's that's top the list just came in the list. We're all excited about it. We're super happy that that's >> it. Really be good while it's till it gets dark at 5:00 to have these lights
lit up for me. I I think I think you'll probably see these met and I don't want to put the pressure on Kyrie cuz he's not here for me to use as a reference but I I think uh within the the month of February you'll see all >> great right great since
>> when November told they were coming in in November they didn't move in every month and there was a delay >> so now they're in >> now they're in >> and all we have to do is install them and have electricity connect them I don't think that should take them 30 days that should be by inst you'll Notice that a lot of the um
>> the lights it's lit up again because all the lights were down on Main Street. That's all lit up again and some of those lights have actually even been repaired covering those guys have been working on improvement in the last week to 10 days. >> It's looking good. Yeah, >> it's looking better.
>> The bulbs are something >> satisfied. >> Yes, definitely. Yes. Hopefully it it should be done by the end of the month. I take that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Go ahead.
>> Madam solicitor, is there a state standard benchmark or requirement of council or the governing body uh with regard to publishing the agenda? You were supposed to publish the agenda.
>> Yeah. But how much are we required to publish? >> You have to publish the agenda itself. You mean you have to publish each and every resolution? >> I on the basically there's a complaint about
>> the amount of information I'm >> Yeah. I'm sure that you guys got it before. I have I have not >> but now you Oh, you're getting >> I'm getting the complaint from community >> that the >> about the amount of information
agenda the agenda is required and then they can typically they can go to the clerk's office to look at resolutions. The issue though becomes it's not actually a resolution to which time is so it's really still in the >> draft proposal >> you know
>> and I just want to add that >> that's what they explained to them as well. >> So apparently they went to the Fsein um council meeting and >> oh yeah >> um the way they give their agendas >> resolutions and everything
>> can they put proposed resolutions at least they should if that's what the way that they're going to do it. I mean, look, in some cities, they publish their notes to claims, right? >> You're not required to, but they do, right? So, every agenda is different. You're only required to comply with the
open public um need exact, >> you know? And so, you know, we could take another look at it just to make sure that, you know, whatever is being published that it fits the criteria. But typically when there are things that are in dwarf product or draft where they're confidential like certain personnel
reports then they're not subject to the open public leave public uh public records act. Um and you know so there's an overlap because there's the open public records act where people have the right to know >> or see those documents and then there's
the open public meetings act that you must comply with in advertising and then how you perform when you're here. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. But we we certainly can just take a look at it to satisfy, you know, whomever want may want to say something next. >> I'm confident that we're we're in
compliance. I'm just wondering if there were any standards or or benchmarks or some >> the the benchmark is always the the minimum requirement. You exceed >> but you always but you have to do the minimum.
>> You have to do there's practicality then there's wish. >> Right. Right. >> Okay. There's there's there's requirements and then there's that which is discretionary. >> Um, and as you know, and I'm not going to give any additional legal advice here on the record, but there's some new
benchmarks, as you like to call it, requirements for publishing that went into effect January of 2026. And, you know, so it's going to be both informative to the public, but also it will be u more cost effective for the
municip municipalities. So people may say something about that. We can talk off offline and the clerk is aware of those new requirements. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> All right. May I have a motion to close
the work session? >> Motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> Good evening everyone. This is the city council meeting. Today is February the 2nd, 2026 and the time is 6:46.
This meeting has been duly advertised in the city newspapers in conformance with the open public meetings act, otherwise known as the sunshine law. Please stand for the flag. Father against us
all glory and >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands nation indivisibley He's trying to go >> like
roll call. Madam cler. Pomona >> present. >> Bettis >> present. >> Sweepson. >> Thomas >> present. >> May I have a motion to dispense previous minutes?
>> All in favor? >> Mayor, you have >> I don't. But I do want everyone to wish Miss May Jackson a 101 birthday this year. Last week she turned 101 years old and that's just
>> I've known that >> I've known Miss Jackson my whole life. Thank you. >> Public Mr. Gway. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> Um I'm trying to find out resolution 21. I see something with Washington Avenue. Actually, where is this located? The uh subdivision >> that address
I'm sorry address is in the expensation >> on the corner. >> Yeah. Okay. That's the reason why I'm asking because there's some whispering in the community about um the transfer station dump that there was
something approved from the planning board with something with some sub subdivided. Is there any truth to that at all? >> Yes. >> Had nothing to do with transfer station. >> I'm sorry.
>> Why didn't you recognize apologize? That's fine. >> That was the uh that I believe that was either in December or November. Uh and I'm saying that because I I was the representative of council on the >> and it was a uh it was sort of a
proforma. Is that the right term? Since the the judge kind of sent the matter back to the planning board and that was the subdivision was the the agenda that was her was on the agenda to be heard was
part of the agenda to be heard the night that we uh banged the the the transfer station but never got heard. >> But uh it was just dividing the property has nothing to do with any transfer station.
And as a matter of fact, uh I believe and it's listed correctly, there was a recent court decision, yes, appellet court decision >> that in communities such as ours and classified as ours, there shall be none of that >> kind of stuff we can rest.
>> So where you can rest >> that there will be >> you can rest for the next 30 years probably. >> You know, >> that's all I need you to know. >> That's that's not going to happen. And >> I hope not. I think I'm >> I can see the court. >> I see the court.
>> All right. >> We have a motion to close public portion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I clerk. >> Resolution 21 authorizing the execution of amendment purchase and settle
agreement for block 102 lots 10 and 24 subdivided portion of block 102 lot. >> I have a motion. Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Kimona. >> Yes. >> Ogusby. >> Yes. >> Battis. >> Yes. >> Thomas. >> Yes.
>> Resolution approved. Resolution 22 authorizing the fiscal year 2026 local recreation improvement grant application funded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. May >> I have a motion? >> Motion. May I have a second?
I'll second. Roen. >> Yes. Overby, >> yes. Battis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 23, authorizing application for the local efficiency achievement program grant from the New Jersey Department of
Community Affairs. May >> I have a motion? Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Colona, >> yes. >> Orispy, >> yes. >> That >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 24 approves submitt of an application to
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust for Infrastructure Projects. >> May I have a motion? >> Motion. May >> I have a second? >> Second. >> Kimona, >> yes.
>> Ogusby, >> yes. >> Bettis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution. Resolution 25 approves the submittal of a grant application and execution of a grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation for a
better realizing investments to leverage development grant. >> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> Ogusby, >> yes. >> Bennis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 26,
approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant agreement with the United States Department of Transportation. May >> I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May have a second. >> Second. >> Kimona. >> Yes. >> Old. >> Yes.
>> Bettis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 27 approving acceptance of various New Jersey Department of Transportation grants funds. >> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Call, please.
>> Kimona, >> yes. >> Oldest, >> yes. >> Bettis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 28 authorizes a professional service contract to M Wapsson's Associates LLC for construction management and
inspection services for the Washington Avenue and Main Street demolition ideal city center project. >> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> Over. >> Yes.
>> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 29 authorizing the contract with PE Tech Laboratories for HMA Ford sampling and testing for the New Jersey Department of Transportation Ridgewood Roadway improvements project.
>> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Colona, >> yes. >> Ogisby, >> yes. >> Pettis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 30, a
add-on reaffirming ordinance number 17-2023 adopted on August the 21st, 2023 and extending the time frame for the purchase agreement to be executed. May >> I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> Oldest, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 31, which is a add-on authorizing the tax assessor provider to file a petition of
appeal or appeals for the tax year 2026. May >> I have a motion? May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Bettis, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. I need a motion to
pay the bills. >> Motion second. Roll call. >> Kimona. >> Yes. >> Bettis. >> Yes. >> Over speed. >> Yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution. Motion approved. Next is
comments. >> You have anything? >> Just like to thank everyone for coming out and try to stay warm. Stay on two feet. >> Have a good
time. I want to say uh thank you to uh public works that did a good job. I was out there when there was snow and everything. >> They did excellent job. >> Thank you public work. >> Everybody have a blessing to Mr. Care.
>> Please be careful. Um, I just want to say that um, our former councilwoman Fabero, um, she will no longer be here with us. Um, she accepted a position with Atlanta
County Taxation. I'm not board of taxation. >> Oh, board of taxation. Um, so we do have a vacant seat right now. That's why she is not here. She will be truly missed. Anyone
else has anything to say? >> That's it. Most >> all in favor. >> Have a good night everyone. >> Thank you for coming. >> You have