Good evening everyone. This is the city council work meeting. Today is July the 7th, 2025. The time is 6:30 p.m. This meeting has been duly advertised in the city newspaper in conformance with
the open public meetings act otherwise known as the sunshine law. Roll call, please. Madam clerk, here Thomas present. and for the record. Miss Wson
would not be here due to her illness. May I have approval of previous minutes? May I have a second? Second. All in favor? Agenda review? Agenda review is resolution 129 authorizing admissible budget to be read
by title only at the public hearing. Any questions? Council see uh next regular session we will have the public public hearing for the 2025 municipal budget. Any questions council?
See none. Resolution 130 amending the 2025 budget. Any questions? Council see resolution 131 adopted the 2025 municipal budget and authorizing an amount of
$39,684,1675 for municipal purposes for the city. retention uh per the CFO this item would have to be I think I've already called each and last one of you all regarding why it would be tabled it will be table because
we are actually amending the budget which is resolution 130 therefore there will be a new public hearing set and scheduled and resolution 31 will be presented at our next July 21st meeting for adoption
any questions council Thank you for that explanation. 21st 16th. 16th. Oh, 16th. Thank you. Somebody better get it right. I can't remember. So, it is the 16th. Thank you. Started out talking about it is the 16th. That public hearing.
Everyone got scared, didn't they? That public hearing would just be on the menu on the public hearing. Yes. Thank you. Uh, ordinance number 15, first reading, amending the code to provide the tax abatement for residential projects to be
developed at the corner of Route 9 and Brighton Avenue and Welton Avenue being shown as lots 1 and 14 in block 382 as a nonpomination area in need of redevelopment or
coordinates with NJSA 4A 21-1. Any questions, council? See I resolution 131 endorsing the urban and fraud zone fiscal year 2026 administrative budget for the amount of $49,000.
Any questions, council? Seeing none, resolution 133 endorsing an urban enterprise zone assistance fund project entitled Franklin Boulevard pavement project for the public improvements of the uez and the model 1,68,7000.
Any questions? Council question. Does this include the stop sign? You mean the four? Yeah. This is the This is for the paving of the street.
So that's for the payment, but we don't have to stop. Well, I think they're ordered. So this is just This is a excuse. This is like a total different project. Sorry, this was actually a last
minute project that we had to identify for this one. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Resolution 134 authorizing the tax
collector to issue estimated tax bill for the third quarter installments of 2025 taxes. Any questions council? Seeing none. Resolution 135 authorizing the sheriff services agreement between the Atlantic County Improvement Authority and the
city for project management services for 121 West Park Avenue. Any questions? Council, Mr. Bean, can you elaborate on this, please? Excuse me. Sorry. Can you explain
your explanation on resolution? Sure. So, um the ACIA um is the body that is uh affording us the claim. they they're actually handling the credit through CBG. Um we're entering into a
shared service agreement up with them in order to facilitate the u building of the 121 Avenue uh for the uh uh emergency slash emergency service
uh building shelter. Sorry. the the property itself uh has well the project itself has to be completed uh by next year this time I think uh mayor and I was advised June of next year is that yeah that has to be
done by June of next year and the quickest easiest way to get that done is to let ACA AC facilitate the Thank you for resolution 136 authorizing
assignment of municipal leans Certific Medina pass 444 Cambria Avenue. Any questions? Council seeing none. Resolution 37 approving the renewal of plenary retail consumption labor licenses for the 2025 through 2026 term.
Any questions council? No, that was the place to place. Now this is the renewal. But you did renew some last week in the meeting before that. I mean the past two meetings. I remember that because background. Yes.
I thought that was before July one. Yeah. Yeah. They renewed it late. So therefore this is late to be accurate. Thank you. You're welcome. Proceed. Resolution 138 provided for
budget insurgence into the 2025 budget. This item will also be tabled due to the fact that we're not adopting the budget tonight. table to the to the uh resolution 139 authorizing to pay Atlantic County Utility Authority ACUA
$412,98243 over two budget years budget 2025 and budget 2026. Any questions, council? Yeah. So, I I gather that u can you consider
so I got over the two budget years. So that means like approximately 200 something thousand miles this year 200. So we made a deal with the Yes. And they are helping us with that. Thank you. openness without question.
Yes. Yeah. Uh interest rate. Okay. I didn't do calculation. That's one of those what they call those. Very good question. Compensation schedule. So I can do that with math. What's rating?
The rate that they um that the ACUA quoted us is 3.75%. which is nothing over uh that they're losing interest. I understand. I think that's fair to the circumstances. All right.
That's all. Thank you. Anyone else? Thank you. Resolution 140 authorizing the performance contract and rider for me. Any questions? Council seeing none. Next is review of the bill
list. Okay. Hey folks, we have um we have the actual bill list. These are items to be paid and
um if we look it's see it's eight it's in about 18 pages but a lot of these bills on this bill list are are smaller bills. So, um, if you turn to page two of the bill
list, we are looking to pay 3848 LLC. That's for the completion of the mural uh, by the bus terminal. That's 13,500 and that's funded through the New Jersey Preservation
uh grant. Uh we're paying um on that same page, three vendors down, we're looking to pay Atlantic County Treasurer for fuel. That's $9,26.50. If you go to page three,
um, from the bottom up, this the the second vendor on their CW sales court, $5,840. And this is for pump station maintenance. Page four, our share service fee with the Atlantic
City Municipal Port is 17,000. Okay, if you go to page seven, Excuse me. Page seven. Page seven. You have a vendor in the middle of the page. Fire and
safety services. And that's for the fire department. That's for maintenance of their equipment and their fire engine. You have the payment of $3,856.94. Next page is
we're looking at page 10 from the bottom up. The second vendor, Junior's Mechanical Service. Uh that is um plumbing repairs to the recreation building buildings and grants. That is $2,593.86.
Page 11. uh LAT utility and that's for sink on MLK 11,689 municipal I'm sorry page 14 I have a question yes ma'am
um for um PD body armor. Okay. 11. 11. It says 10,000 $31.92. Is this for one vest?
No. No. It's for I would like to say that they're close to $1,000 for less. Um, and that's coming out of the body armor. It says one best. Yes. It says one best and then I see a
name. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That's coming out of um body armor funds um best. Sometimes um when I do the POS, I just put in the bulk amount instead of putting the price per unit and then it'll calculate it
that way. But it's for a list of police officers. Okay. Thank you. I'm just curious. Is this coming from funds? Sometimes it comes out of the fore. No, no, not this time. At least not the distribution code where that that they
talked about the driveway for the bike. Yeah. You put the information that's when it left and came back. Yes, you're correct. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I think you already explained it to
Yes. because we were talking about like it was a change order because they had to go back and rip up something and when they went back and ripped it up and replaced it I asked was there a an
amount of the actual uh like concrete was there a change in that amount of money did the price go up in that what was the reason for the change Um,
can we pull this well in just a just the driveway was uneven. So what happened was they did the driveway they did their job but then cement stick
with cement to itself. So the trip has so that that's oh this is something different today with the bike pack. Yeah. This is $25,000 for a driveway. No, no, no, no.
This is final payment. Is this the Marian Avenue? No, no, no. That what he's called the bike is is different from this. This is Downey Road and and and West Park Avenue. And at the last meeting, I
actually went out and got the change order and explained what it was for. There was a reduction in traffic control and there was an increase onto this. I would like to say the street, but the increase happened
um due to there was something with with the paving. I I don't I believe it had to do with inches and materials. Madam Madam President, there was a resolution that passed the last agenda. Correct. Yes.
There now it's just on the bill list for payment. Correct. $25,000 is $25,000 and that's a lot for whatever you're trying to say is engineer spect. Yes. They have to approve those change
orders before it comes before it comes to council. Yeah, but they they they approve the change orders. Did they approve the work? They approved it. Absolutely. Did they go out and check to make sure? Because if you're saying it collapsed, it stunk.
As a concrete person, you should know how to not allow that to happen. You should either have rebar, you should have something in there that builds it up, or make the concrete thicker so that it doesn't do that. Now, we're paying $25,000 for it.
This is for something different. This isn't for the state because it says final with charge with change order. Resolution 122. And what was the change? What is it? Resolution 12. Resolution 122-25. This is where you asked the Kenya to
exit out. She came back at the last meeting and listed all the items of the punch list that the engineers provided that the change board was from before. This is what we did last meeting. Now is hit the build list because you approved it last meeting.
I'm still asking the same questions and not getting that. I asked two weeks ago again. You can just provide it or call council woman then you know tomorrow. Sure. It doesn't do any good to call me
tomorrow because it's going to be approved tonight and $25,000 to be paid. So saying 10 cents as phone call but it was already explained. It wasn't explained because I'm asking the same question two weeks later. I'm saying it was and nobody here exactly knows what it
was for. Do you know what the change where it actually went? Listen, listen. The reason why I'm saying what I'm saying is because it would it was explained last meeting and I believe all of us voted for. No, not all. Okay.
You did vote on it. No, go ahead. That's fine. Thank you. Okay. Oh, okay. So page um 14, municipal maintenance,
pumping station maintenance. This is 10,644.56. If we go to page 15, middle of the page, Foley, Inc., and this is to uh start up of the generator. That was
$22,8814. And That's what I have on bill list is $166,939 18. on page four $17,000. What I would like to know is do we have accountability on how much money is
coming to us from this court system? They do. I'm just going to prove and pay them. But what's coming back? What's coming back? They do send us a payment and I can get a copy of the payment and show you the breakdown. But we do get money from
city of Alaska. I can circulate that. I've been council entire council. She did that. Sure. That shows what's going on with our court system with the tickets and all that. That could been raised money.
Thank you. Sure. Welcome. middle. Oh, okay. So, is that on the bill? Yes. Um, I believe they come in monthly. We just
we we do put it in to our system. I'm sorry. Do you share how do you do you want to do you share them with us as they come in? If I if I share the receipts when they
come in how often do you share? I've never on a revenue report since I've been here never shared any of the question. Yeah. Can we get a copy of the agreement
and also the the contract with the lack of court system and also the date of the expiration is coming. No, I'm saying it's in a contract. Okay.
We need to get some type of assessment how this has worked for us. One of the concerns I had when when we did this just from the standpoint
business, you never give up a revenue source. Same issue with system. So revenue that's what you control without pressure system is revenue. I know that some of
our folk don't think they they think they do good tickets. I come from the culture. That's regular sense. We have to look at this contract is coming. That's all.
Okay. Assessment of what we're paying for what we get back. We have a um a finance meeting coming up on the 14th. So, can you just make sure that we get it before that please?
President, but I like So, it will be set. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else? Thank you all. Council
open discussion on our date. May I have a motion to close the work session? Second. All in favor? Good evening everyone. This is the city council meeting. Today is July the 7th, 2025
and the time is 6:57. This meeting has been duly advertised in the city newspaper in conformance with the open public meetings act otherwise known as the sunshine law. Please stand for invocation and
tres to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for Anybody like to sign for the public portion
here. present. Present. Pres present. Six and 10. May I have a motion to dispense previous minutes? May I have a second? Second. All in favor?
Mayor, any commendations? Thank you. Next we are Next we have public portion. We have Alexander Mendoza. Good afternoon city council. My name is Alexander Vendoza. at the new community
areas of heroino is a grassroots nonprofit organization that has been advocating for the justice respect daily of the Latino community since 2019. I began my journey with a legal students intern this past spring. In my new role, I'm leading several
initiatives including a project called uh students united in English, a coalition of seven Latino organizations from Stockton University and one from Atlanta Cape Community College. Together, we're working to promote civic engagement among our youth.
I'm also in charge of raptor room where we analyze and verify ice sightings. Our program has confirmed ice activity in our city and Plazville. We continue to keep an eye out for our community, ensure that they receive reliable information. We also keep track of ice activity patterns. As now ICE is
conducting targeted arrests, but once I starts conducting public rates, that's when our communities will be endangered. But until that day arrives, we'll continue to build a rapid response program. Another important initiatives we'll be supporting is our municipal watchdog program. Through this program, we'll be closely following both Lang
City and Pleasantville city council meetings as well as board of education's meetings in both municipalities. Our goal is to monitor for any proposed resolutions or actions that can negatively impact the team committee or the broader welfare of our residents. You'll be seeing me here at every council meeting and when there are
issues or resolutions that can harm our residents, you'll see our community as well. And we'll be posting on social media so they can stay informed as well. But for now, we're here to listen on behalf of those who are working, caring for their families or up or otherwise unable to be here for themselves. Our work is to ensure our community informed
and engaged. We're also looking to build bridges and collaborate with the city of Pville to better serve our shared community. That's why we reached out to Mayor Board via personal email account since unfortunately PZO's email system currently blocks communications from organizations. At the last council
meeting, we were informed that we were copying the city clerk. Our emails uh would be received. We still we did this and may emailed the mayor and city clerk and CC plan on June 27th. We followed again on July 2nd and we have not received a response yet. So today, we're
respectfully asking that you read our letter and that you allow Bogu Neato's official email to be unblocked so we can communicate directly and officially with our city's officials moving forward. Thank you for your time and for your service for the residents of Pleasant. Thank you.
We have to point. Thank you. All right. May I have a motion to close public portion? All in favor? Resolution 129 authorizing the fiscal budget to be
read by title only at the public hearing. Resolution 129. I have a second roll please. Yes. Yes. Play. Yes. Olders speed. Yes.
Battis. Yes. Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Next we have the public hearing of the 2025 municipal budget. Dr. An this is the um the public hearing for the budget that
was introduced on June 2nd. Yes. And the budget um was introduced with the 22 cents increase and
the following resolution although we're not there that one is amending that and it has a reduction of six cents overall of the res the current year 2025 budget um
does not fund like new opportunities, new programs. We're just catching up with some of the items that were not that were underfunded in prior years. And so, uh that's what the 2025 budget proposes
to be at where those funding levels need to be. And hopefully moving forward, that is the basis for the following year's budget. And one of the items that was decreased from one
year to another from 23 to 24. Then we had to make up the difference was the state healthc care benefits. We didn't understand and see how that happened. That was a decrease when usually state health benefits increase from one year
to another by a substantial amount. Then the other items that increased the budget were items such as contractual salary negotiations for core union unions that the city has. We also put in
a new engineering line item that the city did not have before. So we were taken from other line items to pay that. So hopefully that that would correct some of the past billings. And um there
was um also an increase in the police department and that cost alone was 148,000 but it was a need because they need to upgrade their systems for their
software in their vehicles um along with the body cam a body camera that they wear that software also. So have to be up updated and there's cost to that. So that's what
is driving the 2025 budget to a 22 cents increase. However, post that we have um along with council have brought that down to 6 cents and that's in the uh following um resolution and that's where
we are with our 2025 budget. So, um, Kenya, can you go into the the past bills that were found this year that also drove this?
Absolutely. So, that had to do with um software for the body cameras. That was an average of $65,000 a year for three four years in a row. So that drove the budget. What also
increased the budget was um as I had mentioned earlier the additional 148,000 that is required for the police department vehicles to update their their technology in the vehicles. As I had
mentioned also before, another item that increased the 2025 budget was healthc care benefits and for some reason in from 23 to 24 it it dropped approximately 350,000 which
we had to make up for that shortfall and added into the 2025 budget. Um so we're looking at approximately 1 million one $1.1 million increases
in necessary police department equipment that they needed and health benefits in another area and also uh R was in the recreation department that they have been underfunded
in their summer youth program and also another area that increase $70,000 that was unexpected by the fire of the dual fuel site. So when you start adding up these 50 608 $800,000
and the 400,000 wasted 11 years I'm sorry $412,000 in ACUA bills. um that also drove the cost as to the 22 cents and one of the
resolutions in the packet today does say that the ACA is working that we're not there. We're just going to hear right now. Okay. So that's where we are and that's where the 22 cents is coming from but there is an amendment to that which is a
reduction. How did you make the How did you make the six cent deduction? How'd you go from 22 to 16? Um after the budget was introduced um through many meetings, council members
had the opportunity to look at the budget and say, "Can we cut back in this area? Can we cut back in that area?" So, let let me say this because I this is I think that because we're in the middle of a hearing and there's an amendment that that comes subsequent to this that
her discussion should focus on the budget overall and then the amendment can be discussed separately because this is an opportunity also for the public to be heard or ask any questions if they want. So her presentation is really on the budget that was introduced already
and then the amendment will come after that if this body votes for that minister I just is there anything else you would like to add? Um no pretty much um everything is
there. One of the successes for the city last year that made this possible without the increase of that revenue, it could have been worse. And that was this the reassignment of um municipal tax leans. And that was
revenue that came in into the city in 2024. That was $1.3 million. And that's a one time. And that one time 1.3 is how we're able to kind of offset
those increases into the 2025 budget. Anything else? Anyone from the public would like to speak in reference to that question? Seeing no
motion to close the public hearing. All in favor? Um, can I just have one ask? Uh, when the next meeting July the 16th, can we just have like um a a better
presentation? Is there any way that we can like see something on the screen or Sure. As a matter of fact, yes, you can. I I I did not. Yes. I did not I actually had something
prepared, but because there were some amendments, I had to take those amendments and add it to my presentation. And we can do that on the 16th. Okay. So, I did have a presentation. It's just the amendment part wasn't there. Okay. Thank you.
All right. So, may I have a motion for therapy? Did you call Did you close the public session? Yes. Resolution 130 amended the 2025 budget. I have a motion.
I'll move. I have a second discussion. Oh, discussion. No. Yes. Clay, yes. Yes. Baptism. Yes. Thomas, yes.
Resolution 30. Resolution 131 adopted the 2025 municipal budget and authorizing the amount of 39,684,1675 for municipal purposes for the city has been tabled to the special meeting scheduled for July 16th as
number 11 first reading amending the code to provide for tax abatement for residential project to be developed at the corner of Route 9 and Brighton Avenue and Wellington Avenue being shown as lots 1 and 14 and block 382 as a
non-continent nation area in need of redevelopment and port of NJSA 48 colon 21-1. May I have a motion? May I have a second? local. This number five, this tax abatement
came at the perfect time right underneath number four. We're raising the taxes up on city property owners by 16 cents. If the amendment goes through, we're giving a tax abatement
for 40 town houses that would generate in the five years that they get a tax abatement of $1,250,000. Think about that because now we just raised taxes on property owners and
giving a tax abatement for a builder so he can sell his town houses. That's all I got. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. B goes towards the owners, right? So um yeah the itself
doesn't go to the um no he gets to sell them and say buy these you will get a tax abatement that's a big get for that developer so the person that buy it doesn't have tax the person that that's develop tax
there you go okay we go it's still lost revenue no matter what anybody says well The the thing the tax debate considers it kind of washes because you get the
money the city gets to keep it doesn't have to split county school get to actually keep the money in house use the money um as you need to um right around that third fourth fifth year depending
on how long it's actually the score you're actually ahead of the game because it comes all year That would be great in a city that funded their school district at 50 and 60% because that's real money. We fund
ours at about 8% the county we probably give about 9% to. So that's 17%. There's 83% money that we're not getting. Those are that's real money. So not funding the school district works
in an area where they fund the school district taxpayer money. We don't do that, but we're very lucky in the city of Pleasantville that we haven't had to do that. But we 17% is about the most that you're going to have to pay out of
that. And I'm just saying, you can put two and two together and try to come up with four or you can put two and two together and come up with five. But when you're raising property taxes and giving somebody a tax abatement, to me, doesn't work.
So, does anyone know how long the property's been vacant? Doesn't matter. It matters. It does matter. And that's what I was going to ask too. Councilwoman Arrow, it's sitting there empty. We've been trying to develop this for at least
15 or 20 years since the recreation center been there at the Black River. So, what do we do longer than that? Okay. Well, it doesn't cost you money to have it sit there. number one and let let the mayor finish. But at this point, we would be getting
some taxes on it. Anything that we get is better than what we're doing now. Tell that to the people. You just raised your property taxes. 16. It doesn't make any sense. When people are building all over the country and people are building new homes, we have
to give out tax abatements to get somebody to come here. Jo, we're not the only council. We're not the only community that does that. There's many municipalities that are giving pilots, tax abatements, and everything to attract because they get a lot back. So,
what do you propose we do with the land? Well, I would find a developer that doesn't want a rebate, that doesn't want a a pilot program or a tax abatement. That's what I would do. I would find people that want to come into town that actually are commercial property owners who pay a greater rate of property taxes
and find out. But that's not our land. No, it's not. That's okay. Go ahead. Hey, you guys are going to vote on it whatever way you want. Go ahead. I'm totally opposed to this project. And when it was first proposed, I wasn't
going to coun because it's it's it's putting residential But first of all, I don't think we have a need for any more that type of housing in this city. Single family, one law for
town houses are not. And and also the impact on the school board and I'm totally against putting residential property in place of or churches or churches in place of of on where we
where the zoning is for commercial. We need some we need something better than that, you know, dollar for storage. Uh and we we need to I think preserve our practical property on highways etc for
commercial development as opposed to residential development. We have plenty of housing projects in this this town and and this I forget the man's name owns the property. We've been trying to develop it for at least 30 years since
97 and I'm opposed to it and I agree with you. I don't see a benefit even with the population. I don't see it's not the same. I know it's not the same, but I I don't
like either one of them uh for our situation here in this town. We need to to to clean the town up so the people want to come and and invest in commercial highend or high return a
property give the tax resident taxpayers some relief the dollar stores ain't going to do it they're cold parks no yes yes August. Yes. No.
Thomas, yes. Board is moved the second reading of the schedule for July the 21st. Resolution 131 endorsing the urban enterprise zone fiscal year 2026 administrative budget and the amount of
$49,000. I have a motion. I move. May I have a second? Second. Caller. Yes. Yes. Mark Clay, yes. Over, yes. Bettis, yes. Thomas, yes.
Resolution approved. Resolution 133 endorsing the urban enterprise zone assistance fund project entitled Franklin Boulevard Pavement Project for the public improvement of the UEZ in the amount of 1,68,7000. May I have a motion?
Motion. Have a second. Second. Roller. Yes. Pomoda. Yes. Park cllay. Yes. Old Miss. Yes. Bettis. Yes. Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Resolution 134
authorizing the tax collector to issue estimated tax bill for the third quarter installment of 2025 taxes. May I have a motion? Motion. May I have a second? Second. And yes. Kimona.
Yes. Clay. Yes. Yes. Battis. Yes. Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Resolution 135 authorizing the share services agreement between the Atlantic County Improvement Authority and the city for project
management services for 121 West Park Avenue. May I have a motion? I will move it. Second. Second. Yes. Pomona. Yes. Clay. Yes. Yes. Fattis. Yes.
Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Resolution 136 authorizing signing of Miss Colleen certificate to adjust Medina pass 444 Cambria Avenue. May I have a motion? Motion. May I have a second?
Second. Dealer. Yes. Kona. Yes. Yes. Oguskin. Yes. Battis. Yes. Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Resolution 137 approving the renewal of PL retail consumption liquid licenses for the 2025
to 2026 term. I have a motion motion. May I have a second? Femal. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Tom Thomas. Yes.
Resolution approval. resolution 138 providing for budget assertion into the 2025 budget which has been table and scheduled for the special meeting for July 16th. Next we have resolution 139 authorizing to pay Atlanta County
Utility Authority and then model 412,9823 over two budget years of budget 2025 and budget 2026. May I have a motion? Motion. May I have the second? Second. Roller. Yes.
Kimon, yes. Clay, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution approve. Resolution 140 authorizes the performance contract and rider for Melbourne. May I have a motion? Motion.
May I have a second? Revel. Yes. Pona. Yes. Park. Yes. Oispy. Yes. Battis. Yes. Thomas. Yes. Resolution approved. Next. A motion to approve the bill. I have a motion.
I have a second. Yes. It's set to 29429. 29429. Yes. Thank you. So, yes. Park. Yes. Pink. Yes. Fav.
Thank you. Yes. Motion approved. Next is comment from mayor and councel. Good evening everyone. Thanks. I first like to thank all the employees and council administration everyone for
all that you did for opening the park. That was really really a nice day the park's opening. And um I' I've been over there since then and residents really really enjoying it. So I'm really really happy about that. I want to tell council
city council thank you for resolution number 135. That means a lot to me. I can't wait for us to get started and now we can you know start moving ahead on it. and um Captain uh Chief Venegas the uh cadetses that little fire chief I
mean firefighter cadetses that was really a nice event and I know they enjoyed it the parents were excited they were excited and congratulations to I hope we'll continue that thank you thank yes it's going to be a yearly thing I appreciate all the help
and with the budget we we're doing the best that we can for this year And hopefully, you know, once we start getting great tables, once we start getting some of the other monies, the cannabis money or whatever it is that we have coming in, that we will be
able to stabilize things, but it bothers us as much as it bothers the public. Everyone have a good evening. Sorry, Chief, can you come up and and talk about your program? Good evening everybody.
Just want to say thank you to everybody for helping and being a part of our first annual Firecat program. It was definitely a great success. Kids had fun. Parents were there. Some of you guys showed up, saw the whole thing play out at the last day. But this is a
start, one of our better programs in the fire department to hopefully be a feeder program for residential firefighters in our neighbor in our town. So, you guys have any questions or Yes. And look into the firefighters.
Uh we we talked about that, but it seems like a lot more commitment than what we did. Um my concern is being able to commit that much time into uh that type of program with the the personnel that we have. So we thought that this cadet
program is was a shorter program. Uh we could possibly grow it to we're hoping up to 24 kids uh hopefully next year and maybe extend it uh five days or even potentially up to two weeks.
That's that's the goal. Okay. Well, Thursday was a really good day, wasn't it? Because went to that program and like even after the kids and the parents ate and the program was done, they were still there. Yes.
And like every kid there just saw somebody that looked like them on that fire department and like I really think we have a shot of getting some of these kids that are interested in it whether they stay here in Pleasantville or whether they go to California wherever.
But I mean like I can only I spoke to a couple of the kids that were involved and they were just like spoiled with the whole and the parents were there and we know you know we've been on city council. We've been on school board. We know how hard it is to get parents
involved and those parents were there and they were enjoying themselves and they were enjoying being with their kids in that firehouse. So it was a great great day. You guys did an excellent job and and the and the fire department that stayed over from their shift to help out
was just you deserve a lot of praise for that. Thank you. This is good. Our goal is to have anybody that goes to the fire program and be a part of our family. So we we encourage the kids to come by to the firehouse, invite us to their
events, come by, talk any day. now that they graduate from our program, now they're part part. So that's where and I think that's important too because you go to the schools to recruit, but then you get them when they're already their minds are already made up or not.
And this way initiates the steps. Yeah, they were chief commend you when you your whole department. what what I observed I was quite impressed uh but I was mostly impressed
by the energy that the kids had and and doing the exercises projects. with good luck grows. I also wanted to note although uh there is a national movement uh for inclusiveness uh my
observation was that group young people represent this community and that's that's very very Thank you. Thank you guys. Have a good night. All right. Thank you.
Chief, congratulations what you did. I appreciate what you did with our kids. And I also want to say thank you to uh public works because I seen them out there with the S citizens and helping them out with the wheelchairs. That was very, very nice what they did. I really
appreciate that. It touched my heart when I see them doing that part in that park. So, thank you public for what you did. So I just want to thank the governing body for the park. It was very much
impressive. The performance, the opening, the ceremony, the beauty of it elevates the value of our city and I want to commend everyone that was involved. Mayor, thank you. Council President, thank you. Uh and our oh for him he was the star. you
I truly people I mean you did a great job to put it together and I'm looking forward to us bringing more development to our city like having a banquet hall one day to stop leaving here with our programs and taking them out of town because every program we have we have to
go to one firehouse in Egg Harbor or Atlantic City but I'm looking forward to the day that we can approve the construction of a bank hall in Blessingville that we can have our evening there. So thank you very much council. Thank you. That goes to show that teamwork makes
the train work. Yeah, the park is pretty impressive. Yeah, it like I said, I don't know. I'm not good at estimating how many people were there. Maybe 500 somewhere in that neighborhood. Maybe stops.
I mean, more than that. But first of all, I got to commend the mayor because she's got the inside lead on whoever handles the weather because whatever things you have down there in that area, the weather is always at your favor. So kudos to you and whatever you
I won't give that a secret. But that weather the other night on Thursday night was absolutely perfect. The park is gorgeous. The view is gorgeous. We just have to make it a point that we as citizens of Pleasantville police that
ourselves and that we take all the pride and energy that we had that night and continue it on to make sure that park stays up in tiptop shape. One last thing, one last regard to u
Mr. Carmona's remarks about publicity having to help the senior citizens. public works, I'm sorry, with their chairs. Uh we observed several months ago that the uh pedestrian surfaces were
going to be a problem and has it proved to be uh a lot of complaints about that. Uh but DA is already on top of solving the problem. I want the public to know that uh it appears as though he may have found a solution that is economically
feasible. uh as well as to satisfy the DP concerns about bringing food service. So then then we can deal with parking next
but I want the public to know that it's not perfect. It's beautiful but we we're working on we're working on improving it and making sure that we preserve it. Yes. and uh maintain it and sustain it.
Sustain it. May I have a motion to adjourn? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.