Good evening everyone. This is the city council work meeting. Today is February the 18th. The time is 6:30 and it's 2026. 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. Simona >> present >> present. >> Ogusby >> present. >> Swepson >> Thomas >> present. Six in attendance. For the
record, council speed will not be in attendance this evening. May I have approval of previous minutes? >> Motion. Second. >> All in favor? >> Madam clerk, agenda. First is the well
first we will be having regular session which is the public hearing of the the green anchors program funding for the max man complex. Next we have which will be following that would need a vote is resolution 32 authorizing to apply for
green acres program funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. You have any questions on the public do now? >> Okay. You want to do it now? >> All right.
Okay. Good evening, Council President Castle. >> Good evening. >> Jim, Mattel Associates. We asked by the city prepare an application for the acres application for approved maximing complex. Uh this grant is a 100 city
qualifies for 100% grant that'll pay for both the design and the uh installation of a turf field at the Max Complex. Um the we did a survey as part of the uh requirements grant of of residents. We
had over 120 residents respond which is very unusual usually get that kind of response. Uh over 80% of the those that responded uh were supportive of the turf field of vaccine complex. So we know that we're heading in the right
direction. We're doing something for the public once and um we had to do an environmental impact assessment of the property as well as uh put together a uh summary of the impacts of synthetic turf at that field. As you can imagine, you
know, that that site uh in order to put turf in, you're going to have to put in significant drainage. It's a real major construction project. um uh some of the surrounding communities have recently done similar projects. So we had the luxury of using
uh talking to them and giving their experience and their cost estimates and that's what we use in this application. Um this public hearing tonight is a requirement of Green Acres and the minutes will be submitted as part of the application. The application will be submitted next week. Are there any
questions? >> Anyone have anything? Well, we don't have a time frame on >> Well, yeah, they they move pretty fast. Um, we're hoping to uh uh hear something uh this summer. >> Okay.
>> And uh we move forward with design and then construction. >> All right. Question. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> I I think I know the answer, but any chance of project being done by
September? Not this football season, next football season. >> The other thing I should mention, >> make sure all those respondents to the survey know that. >> Okay. Yes, sir. Uh, the other thing I should mention is at the same time,
we're looking at other funding. Um, and for example, there's NFL funding that provides up to a quarter of a million dollars for turf football fields. if we're uh have we're lucky enough to get that funding that would allow us to do other things at the park besides just
the uh the field improvements. So, we're continuing to look at other phases how we can continue to improve the park. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, >> Madam Cler. Resolution 32 authorizing to apply for green acres program funding
from the New Jersey Department of D. >> Any questions council? Seeing none. >> Resolution 33 granting approval of a court drop to the Pleasantville Junior Juris Association. Any questions council? See none. Resolution 34
authorizing execution of a memorandum of understanding with Aliwa Family LLC to complete a redevelopment plan and potentially a redevelopment agreement for properties located within block 291, lot 9.01 and block 291, lot 7.01.
>> Any questions council? Seeing none. >> Resolution 35 authorizing transfer appropriation reserves current fund. Any questions council? See none. >> Resolution 36 authorizes the personal
transaction for February 26. Any questions council say none. >> Next is review of the bill CFO. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Okay. So, we have um the check register
is a two-pager and these were items that were paid prior to tonight's meeting and most of the payments are here are for employees benefits uh county services like um county
treasure $15,819 for fuel and that's for for a couple of months. I'm sorry. What is that for? Field. >> And then the other is the open purchase
order report. Uh those are the items to be paid subject to approval. Why is this vibrating? I'm sorry, something's vibrating on here. But anyway, okay. So if you look at page one, one of the items paid on
this bill, uh going to be paid on this bill list is um our waste removal and recycling for 155 84545. That's on page one. Any questions? Page one.
Okay. Page two, we are looking at the payment to uh Crescent Woods Association for $7,682 83. And you will see throughout the bill
list that we are beginning to pay just only trash to the condos association that they built for. Any questions on Yes, sir. >> Yes. And there are several of those. Uh
are they all for just one pickup a week and not two? >> The bills the bills that we were paying didn't state if it was one or two pickups >> that we were informed that that was an
issue. So hopefully before the checks are cut, if it's not too late, that >> we will cue that. >> Sure. >> That that that we don't have to pay for two pickups a week. Some of those
condos have been getting that and billing us for it. So, >> so one of the things that we're also doing is just paying for the trash pickup because they were getting paid for electrical services and other services that was not part of part of um
anything regarding trash. So, we will make sure that before the payments do go out that we don't have >> Please make sure those bills are specific. >> Sure. Um, madam CFO, yes, I believe what um, Councilman is talking about was um,
the Marina Del Rey, but I don't see it on Marina Del Re. Um, I believe they were bought out by >> I'm sorry, not Marina Delings. >> Landings. The landings. >> Landings. Okay, >> I will look into that. If it's not on
here, most likely was mistakenly missed. But I will look into the landings. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> On page two, that's what we have. Fox Run um for $963153.
On page three, there's um an emergency storm repair. I believe this was Ohio Avenue. So, we're just getting to pay it now because the services are done. This was an emergency storm repair.
That was 5700 $5750 even. Anyone any questions on page three? >> No. >> Okay. page four billion.
>> Okay. >> 44,000. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead, K. I'm sorry. No problem. Page four, we are looking at New Jersey American Water and for two months payment
60,83719. Any questions? On page four, page five, we have Phoenix Corporation. Excuse me, Pro Phoenix Corporation.
$54,531.58. And that's the police department software for their computer a dispatch. Any questions on page five? Page six, last page is a payment for
$7,500 even to Triricare Medical Transport. That's our EMS service. Any questions on page five? Page six. Any questions on page >> I'm sorry, page six. Thank you. >> All right. Seeing none. Thank you ma'am.
>> Thank you. All right. Next we have council. Any comments? All right. May I have a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion to second. >> Good evening everyone. This is the city council meeting. Today is February the 18th, 2026, and the time is 6:42 p.m. 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 invocation and flag. We're going to have a solemn prayer, please. Amen.
>> Amen. >> I aliance 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.
Kimona >> present. >> Clark >> present. >> Ogusby >> Vis >> Weepson >> present. >> Six in attendance. May I have a motion to dispense previous minutes?
>> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> See, we don't have any accommodations, proclamations, or presentations. Next, we have public portion. Jonathan Diego, >> council president,
ladies and gentlemen, council, I was initially under the impression that today there was going to be a determination and a vote by the board by the city council related to the seat
that was vacated by uh Joanne and Um I don't know exactly when she officially resigned. However, I do know that under the statute uh city council specifically NJSA4A16-11 um the city council has 30 days from the
date of resignation to fill the position. Um I I'll defer to um council and regarding the date that she did officially or that she gave notice of the resignation, but I think we're if we haven't reached it, we're pretty close
to reaching that 30-day period. Um and then obviously if the council does not take a vote on um who's going to fill that position within the next 30 days, I believe that the city committee already submitted the three names of the individuals that uh city council will
consider and if city council does not vote on those three names, then it goes back to the city committee and they get to pick the person. I would think >> um it should be the elected body, not a >> committee
>> committee that makes that decision. So, I'd respectfully request that a vote be had. Um if if we if it's not today, then definitely within the 30-day period that the statute calls for that statute requires. And I would respectfully
submit I think the majority of the individuals on council know me or know of me. Um know that I'm a native Pleasantville born and raised on the north side. Um and my family's resided here for almost 100 years and I've owned
businesses uh and still live here on the north side. Um, I would ask that u members of city council seriously consider Urban Marina Rodriguez to fill that open position. He ran for that position and
actually previously won at the ballot box um only to lose by years of absentee messenger ballots, but he is somebody that actually really does care about our community. He um puts out his time and
effort. He's very intelligent. He has a master's degree. Um, and he's somebody that really cares about our community like everybody here on city council. And I think he would be an outstanding addition um to the city council.
Again, if the vote's not going to happen today, I respectfully request that it occurs within the statutory uh 30-day period so it does not go back to the body because I think the decision should be made here by the elected body. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next, we have um Jonathan. >> We're not related. Don't worry about it. >> How you say your last name? >> Okay. >> Uh for those who don't know, it's nice to meet you. My name is John.
Uh I'm actually a local entrepreneur. I am the operator behind Espiranto's Kitchen on 141 Main Street. Uh few years ago that was one of the biggest city hazards in Plazville, not just Pleasible, the Atlantic Atlantic County as a whole. Um now I can probably say
it's a safe space. Uh we don't allow any soliciting in that area and we cooperate as much as possible. One of the things that I would like to talk about is development. I love development. I think because of it, our crime rate has decreased. Because of it, we have a
better community and plazo is a great example that the American dream is well and it's flourishing and it can be afforded to anybody in this community and town. We are very diverse community. We're like 45% Hispanic, 45% African-American, 45% Muslim, 45%
Christian, and everything in between. And we all know each other and there is no toxicity between my neighbors. I first started our first business in uh 12A 12B alteract next to the Chinese place over there and so I'm one of the biggest teners in this community. I have
seen old terack develop into what it is today and I'm very excited for it. The one thing I would like for city to focus on in this upcoming year not just create new development but help the local business owners that are already here and established. One of
the best ways you guys can help us right now is by facilitating parking to our customers to our business owners. A suggestion would be maybe put a twohour parking sign there on old turn bike. It avoids a lot of the congestion. We also
have I know nei um parking public parking space but it's not known to everybody. and maybe we could improve the signage in that because what happens is a lot of people go into alter park they leave their coaster and they go to unemployment
business. Besides that um one of the other things I would like to do is I I've been feeding people over the winter and I do this out of the kindness of my heart because I identify people who who haven't had something sweet. Um, unfortunately I'm not always
able to do that based on some restrictions that I recently find out. And the main restriction is parking. The best way I can help feed people and consuming feeding people is by making my establishment on Alter Park more into a restaurant/ kind of event space. What I
decided to do is I decided to create a coffee shop into a breakfast place. The only restriction again is parking. So, if you guys are able to allow us more of a venue to have more accessible parking or enforce those requirements, even in a
new development, that would be a huge benefit to the people that have sacrificed every single thing, every single dollar. There's a lot of people that work seven days a week in this area, 7 days a week. So, just help us out a little bit. Okay, I'm John. I'll keep coming back. >> All right. Thank you.
>> May I have a motion to close public portion? Motion. Second. >> All in favor? I >> resolution 32 authorizing to apply for green acres program funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. >> May I have a motion?
>> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second call. >> Now, let me go back. We have that public hearing. He did the introduction. That's why I thought he was going to do it all together. So, um, can you open the floor up, Madam President, for the public hearing?
>> If anyone would like to speak on the public hearing for the Green Acres program funded for the next man complex, please come up to the mic. Go once. All right. Mr.
Rodriguez, uh, 7:30 near Maple Road, Pleas, New Jersey. Uh, Council President, u I'd like to read the letter that we submitted in support of the project. Um, is that okay? >> Yes. >> Um,
>> um, so this was submitted. >> Can you name for the record? >> Urban Reno Rodriguez. >> Thank you. The letter is dated February 2nd, 2026 to the state of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Uh, I am writing to provide my full
support for the city of Pleasantville's application to the Green Acres program to make improvements to the Max Manning Complex. The Max Manning Complex is located 1100 Lincoln Avenue in the city of Pleasant facilities include a football field with
lighting, a pavilion, seating area. Uh the park is also used for soccer, softball, and t-ball games. The park caters to both local teams and organizations looking for p a place to play and compete. Uh with this grant, I understand the city wants to make the
following improvements. Upgraded services surfaces, upgraded buildings, ADA accessibility, improved lighting, and new amenities. The complex, and this is dear to me as a historian, is named after Max Manning, a standout pitch pitcher for the Newark Eagles and uh who
played a significant role in the 1946 Negro World Series. And Mr. Manning, of course, became a much respected educator in the community of Pleas. Um, and I wrote this letter because I strongly support this application regards urban rhino Rodriguez. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Putting letter on the website. Anyone else? May I have a motion to close the um public hearing? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Resolution 32 authorizing to apply for green acres program funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. >> Have a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. Seconded by Councilman Bettis. >> Yes. >> Rohold >> Pomona.
>> Yes. >> Barlay. >> Yes. >> Bettis. >> Yes. >> Sweptson. >> Yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 33, granting approval of a coin drop to the Pleasantville Junior Jokers football organization scheduled for April the 4th and May the 23rd.
>> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Ro. >> Kimona. >> Yes. >> Clang. >> Yes. Fettis, >> yes. >> Sweptson, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 34, authorizing the execution of a
memorandum of standing with Delhiwa Family LLC to complete a redevelopment plan and potentially a redevelopment agreement for parties located within block 291, lot 9.01, and block 291, lot 7.01.
May >> I have a motion? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? Second >> roll call. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> M clay, >> present, >> yes. >> Fettis, >> yes. >> Swepson, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes.
>> Resolution approved. Resolution 36, authorizing transfer of appropriation reserves fund. Current fund >> 35. >> 35. >> 35. What did I say? 36. 35. >> Thank you. >> Have a motion.
>> Motion. >> Have a second. Second. Roll call. >> Kimona, >> yes. >> Clay, >> yes. >> Bettis, >> yes. >> Swepson, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. Resolution 36,
authorizing personnel transactions for February 2026, which is new hires for crossing guard for Ruby D. Coleman, Kevin Stafford, and Ranada Harris. May I have a motion? Motion. May I >> have a second? Second. Roll call.
Kimona, >> yes. >> Barlay, >> yes. >> Fattis, >> yes. >> Swepson, >> yes. >> Thomas, >> yes. >> Resolution approved. >> I need a motion to approve the bill list. >> Motion. >> I have a second.
>> Second. >> Pomona. >> Yes. >> Blay. >> Yes. >> That uh yes, with the exception of uh page two, item two. Um
26 000027. >> So noted >> Swepson. Are you abstaining from that one? Okay. >> Yes. >> Thomas. >> Yes. >> Motion approved. >> All right. Any comments from council?
>> All right. Seeing none, may I have a motion to adjurnn? All in favor? >> Yes.