Good evening both of you. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been published in the bureau's official newspapers and posted in the municipal building and on the bureau's website as permitted by the open public meetings act. This meeting
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>> Roll call, please. Mary. >> Council member Bonitakis, >> Council Member Facy Blackwood, >> present. >> Council member Forest, >> present. >> Council member Janone, >> here. >> Council member Yuro, >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Trianiano >> here. >> And Mayor Portman, >> I am here.
Uh, we have a single proclamation tonight, so I will read it first and then we'll take it from there. It is National Ice Cream Month for July 2026. Whereas few things capture the spirit of summer quite like a scoop of ice cream, bringing smiles to people of all ages
and creating sweet memories with family, friends, neighbors, and visitors. And whereas National Ice Cream Month is a time to celebrate one of America's favorite summertime traditions and the simple joy that a favorite flavor, a waffle cone or frozen treat can bring. And whereas the Burough of Redbank is
fortunate to have a vibrant downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and dessert shops that help make our community a welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. And whereas whether enjoyed after dinner while strolling through downtown, relaxing along the Navas River, or attending one of Redbank's many
community events, ice cream is a sweet reminder that life's simplest moments are often the most memorable. And whereas National Ice Cream Month also provides an opportunity to recognize and support the local businesses and dedicated employees who help make RedBank a thriving and enjoyable place
to live, work, and visit. And whereas the Burough of Redbank encourages everyone to embrace the spirit of summer by gathering with family and friends, supporting our local businesses, and treating themselves to their favorite frozen dessert, whether it's classic vanilla, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, or something a little more adventurous. Therefore, uh,
now therefore, I, William Portman, mayor of the Burough of Redbank, together with the Burough Council Council, do hereby proclaim July 2026 as National Ice Cream Month in the Burrow of Redbank, and encourage all residents, businesses, organizations, and visitors to celebrate by enjoying a scoop or two, supporting
our local ice cream shops and dessert establishments, and sharing in the simple pleasures that make summertime in Redbank so special. And for those of you who came tonight, we have a a nice treat. We're going to celebrate ice cream with a nice ice cream sandwich if you'd like one.
>> I like the part in the proclamation about naming the flavors. It's a nice touch. >> Ice cream is big business. >> I know. My goodness. How many ice? I was trying to do the math. >> Places that sell ice cream. Oh, why
thank you. were ice cream shops >> cuz there's some places that have ice cream. You know, >> we should know that on National Ice Cream Day how many ice cream shops we had in Red Bank. >> You know, when when when my son Easy was little, he had a friend over and we decided we're going to do a dessert tour of Red Bank and we just had like the
smallest bite at every dessert place and like seven into them. The kids were so sick, begging that we stop to the ice cream tour. It was like the, you know, you're going to smoke every one of these till they're done. You know, >> they owe us sugar. Mayor, I will research the problem by the next
meeting. I'll know how many I spent. >> You have a You have a month. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Some Oh, there we go. Yes. All right. We have some uh mayoral appointments. Lewis Elmarini, class C
member, is appointed to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of Anthony Sataro. I believe that's on the um historical preservation. Term expires December 2027. Um Matthew Cummings, class A member,
appointed to fill the unexpired term created by the appointment of Louis Aline in the class C position and that term expires December 31st, 2028. Uh Carolyn Robert Shaw appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bill Brooks. This is Shade Tree. All
right. That's December 31st, 2028. And John Connelly appointed as alternate number one to fill the unexpired term of Carolyn Robertshaw expiring December 31st, 2026. We have no presentations.
Um can I have a motion to um open the public comment on agenda items only? >> Some moved. I have a second. All in favor? Anyone? Anyone online? Was hoping somebody would speak so I could eat my ice cream. [laughter]
>> All right. Motion to close the public comment on agenda items only. >> So moved. >> All in favor? >> I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from July 9th, 2026. >> So move. >> I'll second it. >> There you go. All in favor? >> I.
>> All right. And can I have a motion to approve the executive session minutes from July 9th, 2026? I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor. All right. We have a uh two ordinance up. This is the only one with a final reading, I believe.
Ordinance 202622 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 530 rent control of the bureau's revised general ordinances to update and clarify the bureau's rent control regulations. This ordinance was introduced on July 9th, 2026. Can I have a motion to open the public comment on this ordinance
only? >> Some moved. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> Anyone? No. Anyone on it? All right. This is my chance. No.
I have a motion to close the public comment on uh this ordinance only. I have a second. >> Second. All >> Oh, we got to roll call that one. Oh, no. We got a No, I'm sorry. All All in favor? >> Can I have a motion to approve um and
adopt ordinance 202622? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Bonitakis. >> Yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood. >> Yes. Council member Forest, >> yes. >> Council member Janome,
>> yes. >> Council member Yuro, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trigiano, >> yes. >> And Mayor Portman, >> yes. Next up is a first reading and introduction for ordinance 2026-23 entitled an ordinance amending chapter
680 vehicles and traffic at section 680-35 schedule one no parking to eliminate duplicative no parking locations. Um can I have a motion to approve this ordinance on introduction? >> So moved. >> I have a second. Second. Uh
>> roll call, please. Council member Bonitakis, >> yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council member Forest, >> yes. >> Council member Denote, >> yes. >> Council member Euro, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trigiano, >> yes. >> And Mayor Portman, >> yes. There will be a public hearing on
8:13 for this ordinance. Everyone good with the resolutions on the consent agenda? Take a minute. Yeah, good over there. Council to the right of me, council to the left of me. Uh, can I have a motion
to approve resolutions 26-151 through 25-163? 20, I'm sorry, that should be 26-163 under the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Ponitakis,
>> yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council member Forest, >> yes. Council member Jano, >> yes. >> Council member Yuro, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trigiano, >> yes. >> And Mayor Portman, >> yes. >> Um, I have a motion to open the floor
for public comment. >> Motion. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Bill, you got anything? You just You heard about there was ice cream. in the eyes. >> All right. >> Yeah, I have some comments on the uh
community energy plan. >> We should use the um the handheld mic, Phil. Is it on? >> Is it on? >> There's a little >> Is it on? There we go. >> There we go. >> Okay. So, >> and just state your name and address, please.
>> Bill Blackwood, 34 Chestnut Street. Well, let me just point out a couple of highlights. On page 11, uh, it says the the plan is primarily an implementation and action plan.
So, as I read it, I looked for what specific actions are going to result in um realizing
the target in resolution NP2333, which is to reduce uh greenhouse gas emissions from burrow operations by 50%. % by 2030. So
leing to page 14 which is a table of actions summary. Um section 1.4 uh doesn't have a priority but it's
described on page 16. This is purchase alternative fuel vehicles. So on page 16, the actions say um that the goal of the initiative is to
create a list prioritizing vehicles in in the fleet to replace with alternative fuel vehicles. You will not meet your policy of reducing emissions by creating a list.
You will only meet it by replacing vehicles. So is do you know if the author was aware of the existing policy? The author of the plan was he aware that
you have a policy already and this doesn't satisfy your existing policy. It's way out of line with it. It's contradictory to it. Is the intent of this document to water down your
targets? >> Uh no. The intention was not to water down the targets. It was also um to tie in. So we will reach out to the um contractor who did the work to make the updates and address it accordingly.
>> So is it going to get updated? Okay. All right. So let's see what else is in here. Back to page 11. Um [clears throat] section 2.6 by renewable energy for municipal
facilities. Again there's no priority assigned to it. Um for electricity there are providers who provide um 100% clean energy. So um you
know you ought to be looking at those. uh but it also doesn't account for natural gas use at all in that section. Um section 4.2 is described in the document
but it's missing from the table and uh that's oh let's see what does it say 4.2 to uh construct new m municipal buildings as model green buildings.
Um that would apply to the DPU work, which is great. Uh but I think you need the document to add uh what you're going to do if you're uh retrofitting existing buildings such as replacing HVAC systems. There are
zero emission options available. Should be in the document because this is supposed to be an action plan. So, I'm glad to hear that the document's getting updated. I sent an email. I didn't I don't think I saw a reply, so I
didn't know that was happening, but I'm glad it is. >> Okay. >> Is the author here? >> No, the author is not here. Can you make sure the author >> I can make sure the author gets a copy of your comments. I believe if this was
the email that you had sent to Shauna and CCD me, it didn't have all the details of the information that you found. So, if you would be so kind as to share that information. >> We just did >> on uh you can read the document again. >> We'll do. Thank you. Fill
>> in the blanks. Yeah. >> All right. But you what you identified and we'll make sure it's covered. Thank you. Okay, good. So, you're not voting on whether to approve this document tonight? >> Good. >> Okay. >> No, it
>> Okay. Thank you, Phil. >> It is on the agenda. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we did. >> I'm talking on the agenda. That's >> it. Christina that planned more than that
as well. >> Yeah. Um we reviewed it. There were a couple of data questions that we had, but uh it was in line with the the master plan and and other initiatives. I think um you know uh to Mr. Blackwood's point, they did um they kind of just
classified the initiatives by like high priority, medium, and then some things that we're already working on. So the fact that we have those other policies, I don't think I think this is a layer. I don't think it waters it down. It's just actually indicating that yeah, the these
are um things that are already in the works or have policies behind them. >> So, it was my understanding that Blue Sky looked at the current policies that we had in place and that this is this runs parallel with >> the B had already taken action on.
>> Yeah. His his overview to the planning board was that um compared to you know other municipalities that he has worked with on these plans that we were you know very far ahead in both assessing creating policy and actual initiatives
and implementation around a lot of these um measures. Um, but I do believe that we can update the document and or is it too late? >> If it's necessary, >> if it's necessary, we can do the m the updates. Yeah. >> Doesn't sound like any of the concerns
are that this document contradicts anything that the bureau is on track to do. Nor is it that there's anything that >> is against but more so implementation always requires people who are closer to the policy to understand that you know
we have certain goals and values and maybe they go above and beyond what this document states but it's still um progress and a very progressive document to have and extremely useful but of course >> we always want to go a step further you
know of >> right >> meeting those environmental land marks. >> Yeah. And I'm totally okay with making those tweaks. >> Yeah. >> Because they are minor. It's just going into detail to tie it all together. >> Well, also >> documentation is detail
>> and Shauna, you know, being the one to work through this document um with Blue Sky. You know, I'll make sure she gets the notes from tonight's meeting to to look at the interpretation that, you know, one person had of the document, right? So, it's important to to
recognize that too that everybody's going to interpret it differently. Um, and just to see if there's merit to the need to make any edits or not. >> Yeah. And and just noting that the basis here is looking at kind of what the states doing. The intent is to align um between the states and municipalities,
right? So, the recommendations are coming from that to ensure that across these various dimensions that we're working toward the same goal. It's not necessarily to to thwart or to throttle what we are intending to do as a municipality.
>> Okay. Anyone else have any questions, comments? Anyone online? Jim, >> no, sir. >> All right. Uh, can I have a motion to close the public comment? >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Christine, anything to add? Uh oh, just comments. We're at comments now. >> Comments up on me. >> Um a couple of things. Uh thank you, mayor, for uh the appointments. Just reshuffleling uh and the HPC. We've had
uh um additions of some members with significant experience that we wanted to recognize. Um along those lines, I was also really proud to hear that um in the past month, a couple of our HPC members, historic preservation commission members, um went to a state historic
preservation conference where our vice chair was actually on a panel uh to speak about our efforts alongside no less than a Kate May. So we're actually part of the dialogue with towns in New Jersey that are known specifically for
their historic preservation and the extent uh of their successes. So that was really exciting to hear. Um the group is working uh on complying with newer newer rules for municipalities around preservation training that members receive. So they're keeping up
to date. Um so very proud of that group. Uh also wanted to thank the governing body uh for uh adoption uh I think I mentioned last time but the updates to the rent control ordinance uh in our town to uh preserve the rights of our
tenants. That's something that had not been updated uh in decades basically. Um but the changes that we made tonight are clarifying and modernizing that both for landlords and tenants making clear what is in scope. Uh so when something comes
before that board there's really no question about whether there is jurisdiction uh to stabilize rent which is really important. Um another really exciting thing our our addition um that they can actually consider harassment of tenants uh separately or in conjunction
with other uh other issues um delivering rent services. I felt like um sure people have noticed the new wayfinding signs that River Center implemented. Still early in implementation, but we already have a ton of businesses up there. And I just
want to publicly note that any business that wants to be on there will certainly be added. Um, they just have to go through the proper channels to do so. It's free. Um, >> I'm very happy that got done, by the way. >> Yeah. I mean, >> I was in my player like two years ago and they had like Plummont Theater 2 minutes this I was like, "Oh, we need
those signs." So, >> yeah. And like a lot of things we're doing this year, it's uh setting the the baseline for the future. So, nothing's permanent. We want to make everything better, but I think it's a amazing uh start and addition from what we used to
lack in that uh field. Um, new storefronts popping up. The Insomnia Cookie signs are up. So, that uh long vacant building will be an anchor tenant in my opinion very soon. Um, looking forward to that. And just in general,
Thursday night, a lot of music going on at the different bars. I saw Saturday we have a uh premier band coming to uh Street Kitchen. So, should be a another beautiful weekend in Redbank. So, looking forward to it. >> Thank you, Ben. Nancy,
>> why do you sound so surprised you're next? >> I know, right? Um well, first things first, um welcome to a little bit of my personal world. My husband is a climate ad advocate and he's very serious about what he does and so therefore he won't
tell me these things personally but then we'll bring it to a council meeting. So here we are when it comes to climate that's how we that's how he is and he's very adamant that we um really be very push hard towards building
electrification reduce our use of fossil fuels. So what you saw was a little bit of that. So, I'll just, you know, throw that out there. Um, the STC is very grateful. Thank you very much for appointing a new member to the STC. And
unfortunately, Bill Brooks has moved um left the town. So, therefore, he had to reside from Sha Tree. He's a gentleman who had over 50 years of Sha Tree experience, a wealth of knowledge, and he is certainly missed. And so, therefore, we just had to shuffle some people in Sha Tree around. I would also
like to share that in doing breakfast for sustainable Jersey, we became very aware of the heat map that exists in Redbank. So what the Sha tree is doing is a tree canopy program. And in looking at the heat map, it's like basically all of the downtown area. Now the tree
canopy program allows residents who are owners of the property to be able to work with Tray Tree and uh plant a tree in their front yard. So, you know, if you're interested, you know, reach out uh on the borrow web page. There's a
form there. You can apply and um we'll take it from there. Uh the EC is getting ready to um for National Night Out. They're pretty excited about that. And um they're going to have information
about Save Green. Again, going back to climate, how you can reduce your carbon footprint. um and they're going to have information around there. There are a lot of programs that are available to residents and renters how to um reduce their energy costs which I understand
are very high at this time. And uh plastic free July is wrapping up. That was an initiative out of the EC. There's a sign up form that's on the borrow website as well as on the environmental
commission website about little things to become aware of your use of plastics and to make a commitment about what you would like to reduce. Um, also there's a subcommittee of the EC that is going to meet with uh the landscape architect for
the rail and well she actually says the development thing team but I actually think it's the landscape architect to go over um native plantings and other options to make whatever is evolving out of the train station redevelopment plan
to be more echofriendly. Uh, mayor, that's all I have. >> Thank you. Thank you, Ben. >> Uh, as leison on the schools, I did go to uh burough school meeting on board of education meeting. I think it's last
Tuesday and I think I went to Redbank regionals meeting on the follow the next Wednesday. That was interesting because um they were talking about the implementation of uh getting rid of cell phones in in public schools, which is pretty revolutionary, I would say. And
it was an interesting discussion by your board about that. The board president is in the audience. Um so uh and also congratulated them on fighting for the rights of everyone to use public parking. So I um I couldn't help myself
but mention that. Mayor, uh I have some announcements from parks and wreck. Um, we have new classes, sound healing, meditation classes at the senior center on August 17th and 31st. So, contact Parks and Wreck if you're
interested in that. Two, summer youth rock show Friday, July 31st at 6 p.m. at the New Marine Bandshell. >> Yay. I love that bandell. >> Not Saturday. That's the following Saturday. It says July 31st at 6 p.m. Hopefully hopefully uh I've gotten
accurate information from the burrow here. >> Uh three continuing summer series Tuesdays, movies, Wednesdays, uh Zumba Thursdays, I guess jazz would be Thursdays, Zumba Wednesdays, Tuesday would be the movies if I understand this
correctly, my notes. And lastly, Westside Jazz Concert Sundays at Johnny Jazz Park at 400 PM on August 9th, 16th, and 23rd. Um, and that's all I got, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. Thank you, Laura. >> Animal welfare still working with um on getting dog days together. Um that's going to be in September. there we're all go there committee is going around town trying to get um people to sponsor um there's two different businesses to
sponsor so they've been very busy on that and Paul the chair met with traffic safety and they went along uh marine park this will be in marine park this year um to figure out exactly where everything is going to be laid out so that that's moving forward so that's really what they're really focused on
right now is um dog days in September and then um the library um they're going have a delayed opening on I think it's August 15th, August uh July 27th because they're having um staff development that day. So they'll be open that Monday at
11:00 a.m. And they just have their activities, everything that they've been doing, arts and craft and bridge club and major story time. They've done it in River Center um on Broadwalk and by the river. So they've been doing it um in a couple
locations. Mayor's Wellness, we're just looking forward to um August 15th um will be the picnic at um lunch break and they're be a lot of um napsacks for the students who go back to school. So those are the projects that Library Wellness
is working um Mayor's Wellness is working for. That's it. >> Thank you, Kate. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, no reports from committees, but um, on Saturday at six o'clock in Johnny Jazz Park, there will be a vigil for all victims of ICE
violence and especially highlighting the most recent murders um, of last week in Maine and in Texas. Um, this is a nationwide vigil taking place around the country on Saturday. Um, so all community members are welcome to come
and be in community and to just have a moment of reflection and action together. Um, it's really important as a community that we never normalize this and it's never talked about enough and what our town is experiencing every
single day cannot be talked about and expressed to people enough. So really would be great for everybody to be there to show solidarity to people who are being terrorized every single day. Um so it's
a regional event. Um and all are welcome to attend. Please bring an offering um flowers or something meaningful to leave at the memorial there at Johnny Jazz Park. Thank you. >> Thank you Kate. I want to um follow up with something you said, Nancy, because
I actually got the shade tree so I can tell people what the the process was. I had the um I said I wanted a shade tree on my yard. So, I had the uh the head of the shade tree commission come out to my house. We identified a a spot that would work. I called, you know, went before you dig, make sure it was all clear.
They dropped the tree off. I I dug a hole, planted it, and then put up a little fencing around it to protect it from deer. and and now I'm just watering it on the regular. It's growing nicely and uh it's in a good spot. It's going to give a nice patch of shade to Harrison and John Street on the corner.
So, yeah, worked out nice. I encourage everyone to do it. It's it's a free tree. Uh Jim, what do you got for That's all I have, by the way. Um Jim, close it out. >> Close it out. Uh just couple items. Uh
right now we're pretty much closing out our um application search for the HR management HR manager to backfill that position. Uh so looking to do those uh set up those um applications and interviews in the in the near future. Uh
we were just going through that uh submissions today. Uh the safe streets for all survey is out online. So we encourage everybody to take part in that to give us feedback on pedestrian and bicycle safety in the burrow and their experiences in the burrow. Um we are
also hiring for and these two positions are under grant funded positions um through the senior wellness grant that I talked about at the last meeting. Uh so we're looking to hire for a senior wellness program coordinator and these are temporary positions under the grant and a bilingual uh administrative
secretary uh underneath that grant as well. Um I also just met today too our um new court clerk uh who violations clerk who started with the burrow uh came to us from Asbury Park and um is bilingual as
well in the court office. So I think that's that's great that we're um extending our staff in that way as well. The Redbank Police Department is uh doing a junior police academy um on August 24th to the 28th from 8:00 am to
1 pm uh for ages 9 through 12 years old. It's a great way for, you know, the kids to come see what the police do and really take part in some community service throughout that week. So, my hats off to Chief Frzy for bringing that um forward. And that's all I have,
Mayor. All right, everybody else. >> I have a comment for the manager's report. Mr. Mayor, [clears throat] I just wanted to say I noticed when I'm on the broadwalk, the I guess the specialist seem to be doing a really exceptional job this year. Um had very
few problems with um you know, unauthorized traffic be back there and just in general a very big improvement. And I see those the you know the very young police officers I guess in training or the specials are
they seem to be doing a good job and they connect well I think with the uh people going around our downtown and I do see them also down at the playground. >> That's correct. Yeah. They they basically have that beat of the downtown and then the parks Riverside Marine
Marine Park to make sure that they're visible there as well. >> No, it's it's very helpful. Um very nice report, Mr. Manager. All right. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> All right. 35 minutes. Not bad. >> No, >> man. We would have been done in 35 if you