Good evening everyone. Thank you for being here. This meeting is being held in accordance with the public laws of 1975 chapter 23 morning. In adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a notice sent to the Asbury Park Press, two of her times, the Star Ledger and posted in the main lobby of the
municipal building and on the municipal website. OPMA authorizes municipalities to conduct public meetings through the use of streaming services and other online meeting platforms. The Redbank Council is meeting in person as well as providing an option for the public to participate via Zoom video video
meetings. Please note that the option to attend is being provided as a courtesy. Therefore, if Zoom becomes unavailable during the meeting and cannot quickly be fixed, council will continue with the remainder of the meeting. For those joining us via Zoom, please raise your hand during designated times to be recognized for a comment. Whether you
appearing in person or via Zoom, you must provide your name to be recognized. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and
justice for all. All please. Council member Fonitakis here. Council member Cassidy present. Council member Facy Blackwood here. Council member Forest present. Council member Janome present.
Deputy Mayor Triiano here. And Mayor Portman here. Um we have a few proclamations today, but we're going to start with the ones for our four-legged friends so they can carry on with their their evening
frolicking in the yard. So, uh, first up is National Dog Day. Whereas, National Dog Day is a celebration of all dogs, mixed, breed, and pure. Founded in 2004 by pet advocate Colleen Paige. The day was
The Day was uh created not only to honor dogs for their companionship, loyalty, and bravery, but also to raise awareness about the large number of dogs that need to be rescued every year. The day calls attention to dogs and shelters, the importance of adoption and issues like puppy mills, breed specific legislation
and animal cruelty. From service dogs and working dogs to family and pets and strays, National Dog Day embraces them all. And whereas National Dog Day is held on August 26th every year. Date was chosen to commemorate the day Colleen Paige's family adopted her first dog
when she was 10 years old. It's a fixed date, which means it falls on different days of the week each year. In 2025, it will be on a Tuesday. People celebrate in many ways, from adoption events and dog themed fundraisers to sharing stories and photos online. And whereas dogs do so much for us, they offer
companionship, reduce stress, assist people with disabilities, serve in search and rescue, and even help detect health issues. Yet, millions of dogs are abandoned, abused, or euthanized each year due to neglect, over breeding, or lack of resources. National Dog Day shines a light on these realities while
celebrating the the joy dogs bring. It's about respect, responsibility, and making a difference one paw at a time. Now, therefore, I, William Hortman, mayor of the Burough Redbank, on behalf of the council, by the powers vest in me, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2025 as National Dog Day of the Burough
Redbank. And by doing so, I encourage all citizens to celebrate with our furry friends. We have one more proclamation declaring September to be National Service Dog Month. Whereas we believe in the joyful transformative power of the human K9
bond and inclusivity of all citizens and whereas in the United States 70 million adults have a disability and only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide and the need is growing. And whereas in the United States 70 million adults have a
disability and oh we repeated that one. And whereas K9 Companions created the service dog for people with physical disabilities 50 years ago in 1975, creating a new kind of support for disability. And whereas K9 Companions is a nonprofit organization that enhances
the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships free of charge. And whereas K9 companions and their service dogs empower people with disabilities to lead life with greater independence by providing best-in-class training,
ongoing follow-up services, and a deeply committed community of support. And whereas National Service Dog Month aims to educate our community about the benefits of service dogs and the laws protecting their handlers. And whereas the Burrow of Redbank, New Jersey continues to work toward becoming an
inclusive community in which all citizens and their trained service dogs are embraced. Now therefore, in recognition of service dogs and the adults and children with disabilities in our community, I, Mayor William Portman, do hereby proclaim September to be National Service Dog Month. I encourage
all citizens to celebrate service dogs and be respectful of the right to safe access in our community afforded to the adults, children, and veterans who lead more independent lives because of their assistance. Mayor, can I say something? Yeah, absolutely.
We have some representatives from um the animal welfare committee. Um our chair Paul Ferado is in the name in the here. Um I wrote to read a letter on behalf of the board of trustees of lunch break that they were able to donate um the
animal welfare committee um 1,836 pounds of pet food to our lunch break in our town. So excited about that. And also here is the Girl Scout troop 60625. And they um through the charter school,
Girl Scouts donated a lot of that food. So I wanted to recognize them. They're in the audience today. And it's not just dogs, it's for pets, too. I just want So the real the real reason we did this is so I have an excuse to meet some more
dogs. So um if you brought a dog, why don't you bring them on up? We have a certificate for your dog. Just now who's this? Nug has their own Instagram. Nugget is the first one. Oh, you have
color there. Oh my god. Nugget knows Nugget is getting something. Yes. Yes, it is. We have a full resolution. And now I have
video. Okay. Thank you very much. Would Sprout have survived totally spaced so I looked up there was no one here. movie Julia say we're sorry for show. Yes,
we have one final proclamation we're doing tonight. Actually, Sha's unable to attend one more time, so we're going to catch him in September. Um but we have a proclamation for international overdose awareness day.
Whereas each year we lose thousands of people from drug overdose globally. Some survive but suffer permanent injury with devastating impact to their families and friends. And whereas the burough bread is not immune. You may have seen it. It has happened to people around you. Tomorrow it could happen to
someone you love. This is not an invisible issue. And whereas International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdose in our community. Overdose is preventable. Knowing the real facts about drugs and what to do when you see
someone experiencing an overdose does save lives. International Overdose Awareness Day events that aim to educate our communities about drugs can really help. Now therefore, I, William Portman, mayor of the Burough Redbank, on behalf of the council, by the powers vested in me, do hereby proclaim August 2025 as
International Overdose Awareness Day in the Burough Redbank, and by doing so, making our citizens aware of this devastating situation. Nor, you want to come up? Yeah, you're um you're welcome to stay if you brought your your furry friends
and you're welcome to leave. Also, you don't have to stick around. We're not going to revoke your your good uh certificate. So, um but we love having you if you want to hang out. Okay. Um, can I have a motion to open the floor for public comment on agenda
items only? I'll make such a motion, Mr. Mayor. I have a second. Second. All in favor? I I Okay. So, the floor is yours um just for agenda items only. There'll be other public comment at the end where you can bring up any topic you want, but if there's anything on the agenda you'd
like to discuss, now is the time. Yes. to go to stay there. Yeah. Keep changing. Just to keep it spicier. That's the most reliable spot.
Okay. Um, hi, my name is Amy Goldmith. I live at 16 Locust Avenue. Um the agenda items that I wanted to bring up is one uh thank you for doing the the construction dust um ordinance. I think it's a it's a
good thing and there's a lot of ordinances being passed around the state. So um thank you for doing that. The other is um thank you for doing a resolution about Nessie U which is the pipeline that has been denied. I think we're up to three times. Um, but New
York made a deal for offshore wind in exchange for building a pipeline. Happens to be this one that's been denied three times and it's going to go through Reon Bay. Um, we don't we don't want it. We don't need it. And it's not going to be for power or fueling New Jersey. It's just going to go right to
New York. So, we shouldn't be destroying um our state um for the sake of somebody else, especially when we don't need the power and we don't need the gas. So, thank you very much for doing that. you did that before in I think it was 2019 and um I appreciate you stepping up
again um in part because on September 9th there's going to be a rally um in Port Mammoth and if there is somebody who is available from uh the town and official capacity to come and speak um
in in uh support of the grassroots movement along that pipeline route um to to lend your support. Uh that would be great. And there is your event for that ven for that. Yeah. And um and then the next day is a
hearing. So uh we want to encourage people to uh turn out for the hearing and I could get more details as well as if there's anybody in uh in the community or any other officials who would want to submit comments there. The co public comment period is through
September 15th. So I just wanted to let you know. Thank you very much uh for doing that. It's important to show solidarity with the grassroots groups who have been fighting tirelessly to um stop this pipeline and again they've won many times and the governor is not
inclined to deny it. So that's very disappointing to us but cheers to you. Thank you. Have any comments on agenda items? Yes. very much. There you go.
Thank you very much. I'm RT Young with Clean Water Action Live at 31 Seagull Lane in Lcraft. I want to start off by just saying thank you very very much for being leaders um in the plastic reduction campaigns. Um
the amount of ordinances and resolutions you all have passed between the climate super fund resolution um the bag ban before it became a bag ban. We now have 25 skip the stuff ordinances and I want to thank you for
putting the dust ordinance um on the agenda. Um this will be the 18th ordinance for the dust. Um which just reduces all the microplastics that are affecting our health. You know plastic has been tied to you know numerous
cancers to breast cancer to testicular cancers to lung issues to heart diseases. They're finding the weight of a plastic spoons worth of plastic um in our brains. Um, and this also ties into
uh um another resolution I would love you guys to to think about, which is extended producer responsibility, which puts the responsibility on the producers. Exon Mobile, the same people who you might have filled your car up, is the largest uh producer of plastic
polymers. 99% of all plastic comes from uh 99% of all plastic comes from petrochemicals and you know there's 16,000 different chemicals that make up plastic. Only 6% are globally regulated which is
baffling and over 4,4200 of those are known to be toxic to our health. So reducing any sort of plastic that we come in contact with uh is beneficial and the EPR puts the burden on the manufacturer to reduce packaging
and reduces toxics. So I would love to chat with you more about that one. There's now uh three other towns um that have passed EPR reg um resolutions and it's growing in the Senate and state house. Um, but again, thank you very
much for everything that you're doing, for being a leader. The dust ordinance is fabulous, so we're not all breathing in all those types of plastics. So, thank you so much. Thank you. Anyone else have any uh questions or
comments? Bella has something mind. Yeah, that's fine. There you go. Yeah. So that way you can see because she wanted to thank you personally for everything you're doing here and she really appreciates it. Uh don't you and just state your name. Oh, I'm sorry. Uh
her name is Bella. My name is Brian Thompson. We both live at 5 Court in Mammoth Beach. And um she's just very happy to be in Redbank. Matter of fact, uh it's like her second home. She goes to pins and feathers to get her grooming. Very nice.
Going there. And uh so we're we're constant visitors here. Uh I did want to uh mention a couple things that are on your agenda as well. Uh certainly with the uh construction dust ordinance about a dozen towns this since uh the uh
Mammoth Beach first passed a year ago. This is instant microplastics. We all know not just in our brains as Marta pointed out but in our reprod reproductive organs as well. Uh our sperm counts are down for men. Women are
passing it through their placenta into babies. Uh this is a horrendous problem that's building. Some people have called it the the new asbestos and they're warning signs on that. The research is really
still in its infancy and I fear for all of us quite frankly and our children by all of the plastics that we are absorbing. So anything any step we can take is beyond great. Uh so
I applaud you for that being one of roughly 13 towns that have led this way and uh we are also working on getting the state legislature to pass a statewide dust containment law and uh we may be calling on you as well to uh
influence your legislators uh who represent Redbank. I believe that's Senator Gopal is it not? uh and uh his two Assemblywoman uh uh Donlin and um beautiful. Thank you. Uh the other thing uh I'll
simply say is on uh Nessie uh the one thing that is often overlooked I think is when they dig that trench they have already the transcope has already shown that they will be disturbing a lot of
toxic substances that have settled there over the years coming from the upper harbor whether it's PCBs from the General Electric plant up in Albany uh whether it's Agent Orange from the uh Oxy plant in Newark uh which has created
a super fund on the uh river uh or any of their previous industrial uses uh and as well as the sewage discharges and when that gets disturbed in a tidal river like the Navis
where do you think what do you think happens with a storm it gums up. Tide goes down and leaves behind a residue, which is definitely not good for your dogs who might eat grass like my Bella does or your people who play in the in
the grass or on the riverbank or go swimming or fishing. And I think that scary aspect of what that pipeline will do, the construction is often overlooked. So, it's all in their uh in
the transcope report. So, thank you very much. Thank you for your leadership. How about you guys? Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have any comments on agenda items only? Anyone online, Jim?
Yes, sir. No. Anyone else? Okay. Can I have a motion to close the public comment on agenda items only? So moved. I have a second. I'll second it. All in favor? I. Okay. Um, can I have a motion to approve
the minutes from 8:14 2025? So move. Have a second. Second it. All in favor? I. I. All right. Moving right along. Ordinance. This is a final reading and public hearing for ordinance 2025-26
entitled an ordinance amending chapter 680 vehicles and traffic to revise time limited parking and drop off zone regulations in proximity to 273 Shrewsbury Avenue. This ordinance was introduced on August 14th, 2025. Can I
have a motion to open the public comment on this ordinance only? So moved. Have a second. Second. All in favor? I. Anyone have any comments on this ordinance in particular? Anyone online? Jim?
No, sir. Have a motion to close the public comment for ordinance 2025-26. So moved. I in favor. All right. Can I have a motion to approve ordinance 202526?
So move. Have a second. Second. Roll call, please. Council member Vonitakis, yes. Council member Cassidy, yes. Council member FC Blackwood, yes. Council member Forest, yes. Council member Jano,
yes. Deputy Mayor Triana, yes. And Mayor Portman, yes. We didn't get your daughter certificate, Mary. We have to do that. I apologize. Uh, next up is the final reading and
public hearing for ordinance 2025-27 entitled an ordinance creating new chapter 303 construction dust control to require containment of construction dust and microplastics. This ordinance was introduced on August 14th, 2025. Can I
have a motion to open the public comment on this ordinance only? So move. I have a second. Second. All in favor? I. Anyone have anything um to bring up about this ordinance? No. Anyone online, Jim? No. Have a motion to close the public comment for
ordinance 2025-27. [Music] There you go. Well time, Bella. I have a second. Second. All in favor? I. Do I have a motion to approve ordinance 2025-27? Speak it out, Nancy.
Yes, I'll second it. All right. Roll call, please. Nancy has laryngitis. Council member Bonitakis. Yes. Council member Cassidy. Yes. Council member Facy Blackwood. Yes. Forest.
Yes. Council member Jano. Yes. Deputy Mayor Triana. Yes. And Mayor Portman? Yes. Um, does anyone need to pull anything um off the consent agenda for resolutions or can we do them all together?
Right. And we do have a late add-on there. um the one that we were just speaking about the uh the uh the Nessie pipeline. Um state that I introduced the 2019 uh
Nessie resolution and I actually spoke at the rally at Marine Park um back then. So I believe this is a similar resolution just updated a little bit unfortunately. Yeah. Um, yeah.
Okay. Um, can I have a motion? Hold on, N. You want to Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Actually, you know what? You're right. Let's, um, before we do the resolutions. Thank you. I, you know, Shauna, can you come up here for a sec? I'm going to just ask Shauna to um
explain D um 25-183, which is a resolution referring to the planning board, a proposed resolution determining determining block 39, lot 31 and block one, lot one, an area in need of rehabilitation.
And just for the public sake, Shauna is our director of community development. Hi everyone. Hi. Good afternoon. So I'm here today to just kind of give some background and just the purpose of rehabilitation um designation and just
the thought of why these lots were considered. Um so just to begin um the butter the burrow was approached by a developer who um is interested in developing a project located at 26-28
Shrewsbury Avenue which is block 39 lot 31. The project consists of um low low-rise development featuring rentals and for sale units. Along with the proposed developments, there would be an
access easement for waterfront access by the public um that's going to be granted to the burrow. The developer also agreed that they would renovate that site. Um so creating a mini river walk that which
is has always been a goal of the burrow. Um so they have agreed to pay for that and actually create the walkway leading to that waterfront. So based on the project scope, it was discussed that the designation of the site as an area need of rehab
rehabilitation, sorry, would be a benefit to the burrow's planning goals and create a welcoming site across the bridge into the municipality. Additionally, the site is adjacent to the burrow's existing rehab area.
after further consideration about the rehab design designation for other areas adjacent to the existing rehab um areas. I had looked into including block one,
lot one, which is 80 recctor place. Um, and that was only because the site struggles um with the history of code enforcement issues. It's being underutilized. It's been vacant for several years. is
greatly deteriorating and um there's just been interested activities but no further push to getting that site developed. This the former gas station. Yes, it is. Um the site was also included in the
burrow's uh master plan small areas plan as a priority area for the municipality since it is a gateway into the burrow. Although there's no interested persons um that has reached out to the burrow about potential development of the site,
in my professional opinion, I believe that inclusion of the site as a rehabilitation area would advance our route 35 gateway small areas plan, which can be found again in greater detail in the burrow's master plan.
So the rehab designation for those who um are not familiar with it, an area needed rehabilitation designation is a tool the municipalities use to encourage improvement to an area showing signs of decline or disinvest disinvestment. And
so the local redevelopment and housing law empowers municipalities to undertake redevelopment without using eminent domain or the long-term tax of tax exemption which is a pilot. An area must meet at least six one of
the six criterias in order to be considered an area in need of rehabilitation. Number one, simply um deterioration or substandard condition. Number two, more than half the housing stock is 50 years or older. Number three, pattern of
vacancy or underutilization. Four, persistent air of property tax payments. Five, environmental contamination. Six, water and sewer infrastructure as uh 50 years or older.
The designation is initiated by the governing body you all um when they approve a resolution referring the planning board to review a proposed designated designation resolution which
is resolution 25-183. Once the planning board reviews the proposed resolution then it can recommend to council to approve the proposed resolution for the designation of rehabilitation. And I know it's a lot of like proposed resolution then an
actual resolution. What you're saying is if we pass this tonight it would be a cursory step. Yes. Forwards. So we would pass this and then it would go to the planning board and then the planning board would decide whether or not this lines up with that is correct. And then it would go
back to us then it would go back to you for um formal approval. Okay. So, um the reason why there has been no notice is because for a rehab designation, you don't need um formal notice and there also does not need to
be a formal investigation like you would for redevelopment plan. And why is that? Well, um is it because it's less intensive? It's less intensive. Um less serious. Yes, it is it is serious. Not less serious, but it is a serious. It's also
a easier way for municipalities to help create investment into a site without the long drawn out process that rehabilitation usually takes. We just undertook taken a rehab um designation development sorry
designation and you saw how long that took that took a lot of community engagement from the very start. we had to you know do the entire study which took some time and that had to go before the planning board and then it went before you guys and then we had to
create the plan. So that's a very long drawn out process and also with um the rehab with the redevelopment that can include um the tax the 30-year
tax abatement or exemption. This is just a five-year. If it's granted and someone applies for a tax abatement, um then it's just a five-year tax abatement, which is just a simple form that they go to the um tax assessor and fill out and they're granted a 5-year tax abatement.
Um with a pilot that has to go before council, that's a lot of negotiations. It's a lot more intense. So, um, that's why mention so the five-year tax abatement isn't all the taxes. The first
year is 20%, second year is 40, the third year is 60, and it steps up. So, under the rehab zone, it doesn't abate taxes entirely for 5 years. It steps up. And the idea is if you invest money into the property, then you can use that abatement to get over the initial hump
of your capital investment. Um, so I'm sorry to interrupt you, but No, no, you're good. Thank you. Thank you. Um so again as we've just discussed that this is why this um application not application not a
planning board or zoning board but this is why this resolution is before you. Yes, there was an interested person um developer that came before us and we've had extensive conversation with them to even redesign what they brought for us
um because what they brought was not significant um sufficient enough and it didn't serve the public as we would like. And so um which property you talking about? This is for the 26-28
not gas station. not gas stationary. Shbury Avenue. It's the parking lot right next to the Red Bank Marina. Um so they approached us. Uh we had several discussions and because of again the proximity to the existing rehab
area, it made sense to include it into um that existing rehab area. Um, and then the afterthought was also including the former traffic because of how it's just been stagnant for all these years.
We've all wanted, you know, to see something happen there and it's just one deal after another falls through for whatever reasons. I have a question for you. I was reading Red Rank Green this morning. You know, Brian wrote an article about this.
Is there an application to turn that gas station property into a parking lot? Yes, that is true. Yes. Um, someone had So, currently, I believe Colony House is using the parking lot um temporarily for
their parking for their tenants. That was a temporary um agreement, not a temporary, but that was a temporary development permit approval um which expires after six months. Um, so they
because of how long the construction is going to take for the BNA site, they need to extend that six months into maybe two, three years. I don't know how long it's probably going to take for them to be able to get back their
parking. Um in order to do that then they need to submit a development permit application to um create do a site plan to create the parking needed um for that's to help assist them with the the
parking shortage that they have currently. So that's why that that application is before um well will go before the zoning because it's not a permitted use. So it's only a temporary fix. That's what I was going to ask. definitely going to be it's a temporary
and it's all because of like the situation that Colony House is going through right now. Yeah. They don't want to turn it into a permanent. That's correct. Okay. I have a couple questions. Now first on a erector remind me just a little red bank history. I believe that wasn't part of
the area needed rehabilitation because it previously had an approval which is no longer present. That removal was then revoked in between. Can you just give a little bit of that history because it was it would have been probably included in the original, right? However, because there had been that approval in place,
it was carved out. Yes, that's correct. So, that was before my time. So, that was that's correct. Right. The Hampton Hotel. That's from what my understanding of the history of it, but that was before I started working. Um, so you'd know more Dave about that because that was when you were on the planning board. But yes,
that kind of was may have been the reasons why it was carved out um was because that prior approval. However, it the hotel never happened. Um and the approvals are votes now. So it's yeah, it's an unimproved property. Now Shrewsbury, when they come before the
planning board, will the developer have um a presentation to be made or will be considered SANS u as to why? I'm just curious about the process whether or not they would be part of um part of that or they or they wouldn't because somebody proposal. So
after this if the planning board decides to recommend um the designation and council decides to move forward with the designation then a redevelopment plan will be made. Even though it's flotation plan, even though it's not a rehab is it's not
a redevelopment area, it's still called a redevelopment plan. Just to confuse even more, we're getting layers upon layers. Yeah, it's it's the same thing for Saxum. So, Saxum is a redevelation area, right?
And we did we adopted a rehabilit redevelopment plan for that project. And that's what's being built now. is the same thing that would happen here if everything is approved is that a rehab redevelopment plan will be created for
the site even though it's a rehabilitation even though it's a rehabilitation area. So there's more control over it. Yes. What you're saying? Yes. The burrow is more empowered because after we go through the the same process how we went through with um just
creating the last re redevelopment plan. We went through extensive um community back and forth at the planning board level. That the whole story off. Yeah, that was like three things that we went um back and forth um with and just to get make sure that the planning not
only the planning board was happy, but the the overall public was happy. Um so, and I'm pretty sure the developers were not happy with it. Um, but we finally got to something that was satisfactory to hopefully everyone. Um, so now we're
going to be at that stage for this site. Um, should the resolution get approved. And just to confirm too, I think it was 2017 where the burrow had included like 217 other parcels. Yes. Are
rehabilitation as well. That's correct. is these two are adjacent to that is correct. Yeah, bet. I just want to make sure I just want to make sure I understand a couple things. It's the burrow and the planning department that have decided this is
something we should examine and look at and send to the planning board for review and they're recommending me. Yes. Yes. So based on my professional opinion as a professional planner, I am recommending to council to um approve
this resolution and refer it to the planning board and to approve the resolution designating the site and and I I take it Mr. Dant manager, you agree with that? Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Sean and I have met on this several times, right? to discuss. You know, for for me
particularly, I think because we have the Shrewsbury Avenue streetscape project in the pipeline for probably bad choice of words. I was about to say in the works. Um, choose your language. Yeah. In the works um for the burrow that's been approved for several years,
but working under that that TAP grant takes a long time to get things moving. But I think that that whole corridor, that Shrewsbury corridor is going to be particularly enhanced. And I think that having a a blade a current BL blighted
area, you know, at the foot of that is talking about the gas station with the environmental issues, gas station, the the abandoned, unused, underutilized parking lot. Um, I think that it's only going to help that corridor become the gateway to Redbank
anyway. And I just want to make sure there's no this is different than what's happened over the transit. There's no potential or possibility of a pilot. No, you cannot under rehabilitation designation, you cannot um give a pilot.
And I just want to make sure I understand. So this is the beginning of a process where residents in the area, people in Redbank can go to the planning board and come here again even and say whether they like it or don't like it or do that, right? is it's going to be a
process here with several steps. That is correct. Beginning of it. I just want to make sure I completely understand it because I don't serve on the planning board unlike some of my colleagues and uh I don't have formal training in that. So, it's a lot of the detail there and a lot of language is confusing. It is
state did not make it easy when they came up with these laws. I just want to make sure you and I do appreciate the time that um you both spent on the phone explaining some of this to me this afternoon. Uh that concludes my questions. Mr. Mayor, you pop your mic off there.
We don't confident now. No, you're on resolutions right now. All right. But I'd like to if we can give an opportunity if there's folks that have while we have Shauna here do a motion to open the floor for public comment. Yeah. I'm going to do that because you have someone online, too. Yeah. Yeah. So, um can I make a quick motion
to open the floor for public comment? I'll make I'll make that motion. Are you Mr. Mayor? Specific to 25-183 at this time. Thank you. Specific to uh yes this resolution that we're discussing. Have a second. Second. All in favor? I um Sean, are you okay take some
questions? Sure. Somebody online. Hey man, it's Craig 134 Johnston. Can you hear me with this? Yes, can hear you correctly. I'm calling in from the Dallas airport thanks to the FAA. Can't get their act
together at Newark. Uh, but I just had a question for Shauna. I was a bit confused when you were talking about the 5-year tax abatement. Mr. Cannon referenced that it would help the developer get over the hump of building something. Was that in reference to the parking lot where the gas station was or reference to the property by the
Galleria? Because you stated that that person was interested in making a parking lot. So, it doesn't seem like there'd be a very big pump to get over to offset their capital building. I I think I Let me take a shot at that, Greg. The the parking lot that we're
talking about there, um I think it's kind of separate from from a development agreement, right? I mean, we're just talking about putting in some temporary parking so the residents at the Colony House have a place to put their vehicles while that construction is going on over there,
right? But that um applicant is not requesting uh the five-year tax abatement. That's not being that's needed. That's not on the table at all. The only discussion about the five-year tax abatement is related to 26-28
Shrewsbury Avenue, which is by the Galleria. Yes. Right. Okay. I just wanted to make sure we weren't giving a tax abatement for someone to just pave a parking lot because that doesn't seem like a very big capital hurdle to get over. Fair enough, Greg. Thank you for clarification. All right.
Travel safe. I think another clarifying thing here is that the the tax abatement is on the improvements only, right? It's not on the current assessment. It's only on the improvements that they make to the property. So, and that goes for anybody in the current rehab area, not
just these two properties. It's what was already passed in 2017 as well. Yes, that's correct. Over 200 parcels. Yeah. over 200 parcels that are currently in the rehabilitation zone that sit adjacent to this parcel that we're discussing. That's correct. So, if anyone that's
within that area today decides that they want to make improvements to the site, they can go to the tax assessor and um get the form from them and request for the five-year tax um abatement.
Yeah. Anyone else have any questions about this uh while we have the door open? No. Okay. Um then can I have a motion to close the public? I'll make that motion. Have a second. Second.
All in favor? I thank you everyone. Have a great Labor Day weekend. Thanks Sean. So, um, can I have a motion to approve 25-8
through 25-18 on the consent agenda? So moved. Have a second. I'll second it. Roll call, please. Council member Takis, yes. Council member Cassidy, yes. Council member FC Blackwood.
Council member Forest, yes. Council member Jano, yes. Yes. Deputy Mayor Trigiano. Yes. And Mayor Portman. Yes. Um, can I have a motion to open the floor for public question and comment? I'll make such a motion as the mayor. Second.
Second. All in favor? I. All right. Uh, this public comment is for anything that's on your mind. Does not have to be on the agenda. Yes. I'm on us. Hey, good evening folks. Uh Charles Jan
Jigian 165 Spring Street. I'm going to quickly open my uh talk about I want to say thank you to Red Bank and you all did a great job with the drainage system on
Boat Club Lane. Uh I have a picture of what was and what except I ran out of uh coffee paper but either way you can pass that around. And they did a great job. And the last time
I was here, I also talked about the crosswalks on Maple A. And those also were uh taken care of. And I'm very happy to see that. I feel safer crossing the street. And I think a lot of uh
pedestrians do. For some reason, drivers do not pay attention to signs that say crosswalk. That's that. Um let me see. Okay, so Marine Park, that's always on my mind
again, drainage, reliability, and apparently the hammock has become a big issue, too. Is what is that hammock going to be used for? There's a lot of concern about um I don't want to get too
deep into this about the homeless folks, about the clan. Uh so again, the hammock is a big issue. you're going to have to think about. And finally, there is a lot of development happening in this town. We
are putting more and more and more into it. And my concern is this is this the waste management is it going to be on Delisa or is it going to be uh private all these new buildings?
I'm close to called the Aalia. Anybody familiar with that on Harding A building? Yep. Is that again is that going to be private? Yes. They have to they have to arrange for their own for their own waste.
They have to. So as long as that's addressed is because Delisa is already stretched. They're not happy. I know a bunch of their drivers and whatnot. Um, so that's something that we have to make sure we have uh covered is that those new
developments have to have their own trash. And beyond that, I just want to say again, thank you. We got a lot done. And that's good because the last time I left this meeting on my way home, I got 30
seconds left. I was chastised by members of the community. What are you doing here? Why? I mean like why'd you bother going? They don't I know the experts were used here last week. I won't use those same but either way again I ended the meeting we talked and whatnot and
we've got a lot done and that's that and so I will also continue though badgering somebody about marine part. All right. Thank you very much button on that microphone too. Thank you. Anyone else have any
questions or comments? Yes, in the back. Yes, Mr. Poku. [Music] Hit the button. Good evening, Mayor and Council. William, turn that microphone on, sir. Thank you.
Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening, Mr. Pu. William Pu 90 Bank Street. Uh just uh maybe a minor uh clarification minutes and uh a minor point was some word about
pollution which I think is probably just a a minor mistake that probably needs to um if someone can take a look at it. Mary's pulling up right now. Take a quick look. Was
it Mr. Was it during the public comments on agenda items or was it during the public for any topic comments on any topic? I'm sorry. One of one or the other. But anyway, it is in there and I don't think the word intended was uh pollution
probably population. Yes, exactly. That's Oh, it says it here population. I will correct that sir. Oh yeah, I see. Yeah. Oh yeah. Population should be Yep. Oh jeez. All right. So the the clarification is
that uh as the prior speaker uh is at this gathering that there are some that believe that come out and speak and then nothing happens, you know. and uh someone had exploitives in a previous uh
uh what you call an engagement. But the last time that I came before the council, I basically was saying that there was something missing and that uh it was basically notice that u I will I do have standing to challenge that u
ordinance that that was passed and I just received the affidavit of publication. Uh maybe Mary can uh u say a word on that. I did receive a what you call it an affidavit of application
which basically starts a timeline for uh challenging the ordinance that uh was passed that I was commenting on. But essentially uh it will provide an opportunity for uh those in the public that believe
that they were probably at the receiving end of uh lectures and presentations and people like the amor council and made some uh what you call it uh statements concerning what his
concerns for and I've also expressed the concern that um we've engaged Peter Bond Temple you know to help us formulate uh something that an alternative to what has been
proposed. Essentially my uh proposal is that we build um 480 affordable and uh have 20% of that for luxury which is the opposite of uh
basically what has been proposed because basically what we've done by uh proposing that ordinance is promising that something is going to happen but we are in the fourth round. Okay. when the first start the first round second round
municipalities are basically fought the whole contention of uh producing affordable housing and red bank is a a big magnet you know it essentially started as an affordable place when I first joined bail labs I could have with my wife both of us engineers we could
have lived in home but we came to us and I think uh we want to keep on with uh for the future. You know, like I said the last time I hear if Ben Forest was
trying to get into Red Bank today, he couldn't afford it and there's so many other cannot afford it. And uh that's will be the challenge. And I basically would want to encourage all of you, mayor and council, to join the NAACP
so that the next time they're voting, they me as the president. you know, you have a and if I do get voted as the president again, then you're probably gonna have to keep on listening to me with this same thing about proposing affordable
housing. Thank you very much. I I get the feeling, Mr. Poku, whether you're elected or not, you're going to keep on coming and let us know how you feel about Definitely because I I truly feel that we're all doing the same thing. We want a Red Bank that's liveable for us and
our children, you know. So whatever it is that I'm doing, I mean it's in the interest of uh uh the next generation because as always very well know when it comes down to reducing my taxes and my assessment I have the skills
ability to do that. I've demonstrated that many many times. So uh Red Bank and NACB do need me. I don't need them. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have any questions or comments? Anyone else? Yes,
I see a couple hands back there. Sarah, we'll have you come on up. Yeah, Amy talked already. She can wait a minute to talk. Actually, was it was on Peter Smith, 27 Evergreen Terrace Redbank.
I moved there like a year ago. So, past couple past couple weeks, they fixed the sidewalks there. They painted lines in the parking lot. They did a little pavement there, painted the yellow line. It looks pretty nice over there. Anyway, so that's very
good about that. Anyway, so let me know about that. I know he's he talked about housing. I don't know if you knew by K one time. to try and build 340 houses on it's like a 340 house development off 5 by20 in Link Roth right across some half
mile road supposed to be 300 something 360 I think uh units going in there are supposed to be apartments with a Starbucks nobody knew that about that right well it's it's not not a red bank project I mean I thought maybe you just like to
know about it anyway you hit the button I thought you just like to know about what was going on over there, right? Yeah. No, I appreciate it. Talk about it. Yeah. Okay. To probably just, you know, look it up online and see. Well, I still used to still hear things.
Okay. Thank you very much in that. You get along very well. I've been to Middletown Board of Education meetings. They start yelling, scream at one another. Thank you. I'm happy you kept your progress and came to one of the meetings. Yes. See you around.
Appreciate [Music] Amy Goldman, 16 Locust Avenue. Um I'm also I think most of the state action. Um, I just wanted to let people know, I
know that the mayor knows that, um, um, knows that we've been moving forward on state legislation on climate super fund, which is to make sure that we bring money to the state. Um, we're estimating about 50 billion dollars from oil and gas, big oil and gas, not the
gas stations. It's not going to change the price of your pump. um and bring those resources here to make sure that we're we have resilient infrastructure. Um and so um Red Bank passed an ordinance I mean not an ordinance but a resolution in support of climate super
fund and um I don't know if the date is quite set but I know that the mayor's preference was September 8th um to do an event here in Redbank with uh Senator Benopal and um to be able to continue to
promote the need for climate super fund. I was just in Atlantic City yesterday with uh council members and and others um to speak to this issue. So, I just wanted to let you know um that it will be firmed up and we want to encourage other council members and also um
climate activists um from the community to come out to the press event and rally um in support of climate super fund. We have um four 50 towns that have passed resolutions. Um and we have 50 legislators who have become co-sponsors.
So um we're well on our way and we hope to get it over the finish line before the end of this term and get the governor to sign it. So I just wanted to let you know and we'll give you more details and thank you mayor for agreeing to participate. Thank you.
We are all about making polluters pay here. For people that don't know, that legislation already passed and it's in effect in New York State. Um, so if New York can have it, so can New Jersey. And I'll be sure to also connect our friends at Climate Revolution Action Network so that they can join us here in Redbank as
well. Thank you. Do you have anyone on live? Anyone else have a question or comment on anything that's on your mind? Netflix, whatever. I meant just the show. I don't mean the development. Just this is the public comment. now. All right. Can I have a motion to close the
public comment? Thank you for the motion, M. I have a second. Second. All in favor? I All right, Christina. What do you got for us? Uh, well, first I would just like to say Nancy Nancy had to step out, but uh thank you to her work and other folks on
the environmental actions tonight. It's uh very much appreciated and also great to see thanks to the folks who came out to speak to those as well because it's uh helpful to understand that people are watching and that you're supportive of that. Um it's really nice to see. Um
news from me. Uh I would just mention that the Historic Preservation Commission is uh ready at their next meeting to present uh to that commission a final draft of the uh historic uh design guidelines. Um so that is those
are guidelines that will be the uh objective tool when they're evaluating uh proposals within the historic districts or historic sites within town. Um but it's also just a really beautiful document full of images throughout the
town as examples of historic architecture finishes. Um it's about 94 pages long. There's also a lot of town history and what those areas were actually how they started. many is working class or middle class housing. So super interesting. Also for anyone who's interested in knowing the
difference between your Victorian and your second empire, all that stuff, man groups, um there's a lot in there and certainly while the goal is for um their evaluation within historic districts, there's a ton of inspiration for anyone
looking to uh rehabilitate properties throughout the town. uh they've collaborated a lot with the river center uh and will even be creating a small like a trifold for the business owners who might be doing work. It's it's
nuance so they differentiate between rehabilitation restoration and also it it does leave u guidance for properties within those districts that might be non-contributing meaning not in historic at that time. Uh so well worth coming
out if you're interested in that uh and reading through it. If it's not online yet, it should be very soon for review. Uh and certainly then it's going to make its way to planning and then to us. Thank you. You know, following that Christina, you put a lot of work in there and I just
want to be being the first one in line behind you. Congratulate you. I mean, that's an accomplishment that you're at that point because that's about two years worth of work. So, thank you for taking that on um on behalf of the community and for the uh historic preservation committee for all their work. I look forward to uh the
presentations. Um I don't really have anything, but I am going to say this. We got the bassy. They're they're putting out their hall of fame. So, I'm calling my shot that I'm going to start my uh I'm going to be writing to Adam that the Bouncing Souls most influential band in the state of
New Jersey as far as nurturing young talent inclusive of young Red Bank musicians for the past 35 years. They belong on the Walk of Fame and I am going to uh start pushing for that. I mean, they might not be as well known as Springsteen, but there's very few that have taken more people um out of the
along with them for the ride. From the basements in New Brunswick to the uh headline in the Stone Pony, Summer Stage, and around the world, they are I'm proud that they're from Asbury Park, but really that they're from uh also connected to Redbank the way they are. They they've helped a lot of friends and
family. Uh Nancy has laryngitis and she sent me her notes, so I'm switching. I am now uh Nancy and uh Mr. Cassidy, I am asking for you to read these comments as the best looking member of the council.
I she would like to say special thanks to Easy Ride for having the learn to ride program last Monday. 16 young children worked hard to manage riding riding without training wheels. We are proud of their achievements and thank River
Center for providing the perfect slope on Broad Street. Water Janon and I out there cheering the kids on. Wishing everyone a happy Labor Day weekend. Dogs don't have at all. Thank you, Nancy and Dave.
Hey Ben, you got anything? Uh, parks and wreck. I don't have a report this month other than to say that a couple members can no longer serve. So we'll have to sign some new members for parks and recck. So I guess we'll work
on that. See who to apply or whatever. And then um I did go to the schools this month. I went to the rural schools and I went to Red Bank Regional Schools. I didn't get to the charter school. So I'll make sure to get there in September school trustee meeting.
Um and I actually wanted to comment Mr. who has left but I will comment anyway that I am always interested in any affordable housing organization that can come in here and do 100% or a high percentage of affordable housing here I
think one that I've spoken to even recently the one in town they're looking for capital and money and you know bank's an expensive place to buy property and build um so uh yes I do agree with them about doing more to be
spread back affordable. Um, and that is my report, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Laura. Animal welfare. Um, I already mentioned that they had donated 1,836 pounds of pet food. They have a beautiful litter
that um our big thing that's coming up in with animal welfare is dog days. That'll be September 6th at River um side park from 11 to 4. Um there's going to be prizes, music, activities. Um they're going to be dogs there to
adopt, dog rescues, and adoptable dogs there. So, um it's really going to be a big fun day. I think we have like 20 tables, vendor tables there, too. So, that'll be really nice. They've been working hard on that. the library. Um we didn't have a meeting in August, but I
did get a report um from Candace. It seems like things are moving along. The elevator's working. There's just one little problem with it, but it's working. That's a great thing. And um they're going to be closed for Labor Day. And um they'll be having their
townwide yard sale is coming up on Saturday, September 3rd from 9 to 2. So 13th um 13th, I'm sorry. And if anybody wants to um register for that, you can register online at the library. They're also doing their strategic plan um
survey, which is also online at the library. And they're having their uh dance fitness tomorrow before they close for the um uh Labor Day weekend. And I think it's Thank you.
Thank you, champion, mayor. Thank you. Um, Redbank is going to have its first pop culture festival, which is on the same day at the townwide yard sale. So, it's a great day for people to come to town and search for great treasures at
yard sales and then go to a pop culture festival the same day. Um, so that's both on September 13th. Uh, the pop culture festival does have a rain date of September 14th. There's more information on that on River C Center's
uh social media websites. And uh Sunday, September 14th, the next day is the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration from 2 to 7 p.m. I just want to give a shout out. I know that committee has been meeting a lot and doing a lot of work. So grateful for everything that they're doing there. And then Friday nights in
September are going to be local night out in the broadwalk. Um there's gonna be a DJ. There's a bunch of other things that Marin is working on, so look out for that. And uh that's basically all I got. Thanks, Mayor. I just um had several different people
over the last week point out to me between the plantings on Broad and Mammoth and the new sidewalks on Mammoth how nice the town is looking. So, it made me feel proud. That's all I got. Yeah. Heck yeah. Yeah. Manager's report. Quick,
Mary. I just want to let everybody know that we did start interviews for the deputy public director. So, we kicked that off this week, moving through that process. Uh, also, we had a kickoff meeting with the federal safe streets for all grant.
The burough is receiving 150 $120,000 worth of $30,000 cash uh match to come up with a safe streets for all plan. Um, we're going to work in conjunction with Mammoth County who's already started their process to make sure that we are uh linking up and have some of the same
priorities while having our own as well. Um, I believe Asbury Park is working through this process as well too. We also had the pre-construction meeting for Marine Park out on site this week. Um, so that project is going to be underway within the next two weeks,
which is very exciting for the burough. Um, I also wanted to recognize tonight you passed resolution and we are in receipt of the Division of Community Affairs $75,000 grant for multilingual outreach services. This will be a
project that the bureau works through um from September through the end of the year working with civic operations group to make sure that we reach uh the community in total with multilingual
representatives to this. um to make sure that we get the provides out to everybody as long as long along with the services that the county and state provides as well. Uh all the different programs that residents can take
advantage of. Uh also happy to announce that I authorized a purchase order um with a vendor on state contract for capital upgrades to the council chambers here for the audio visual components.
all night. So, you know, we have a couple plans in place for TVs on this side facing us for presentation, microphones, TVs on that side facing the audience to make the the ease of
watching things a lot easier and sound quality a lot better along with our recording capabilities uh and just better interaction, interoperability. And I wish everybody a great Labor Day weekend. That is, by the way, amazing. Mayor, how long have you been hearing complaints
about the audio on this? 10 years at least, Kate, we also can't hear you ever ever failing right now. I do have to say that in Jim's like almost immediately when he got here, he got the owl,
which was also remarkable and it was a sign of things to come. So, I I'm I'm very pleased. Thank you. side of things. Yeah, it was a major improvement like we have in that case. Yes, we do.
We do this for a very short. Well, then I want to wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend and can I have a motion to adjourn to executive session? That motion. Have a second. Second. All in favor? I five minute. Five minute break. We discuss pending litigation the garden
at Redbank versus Redbank. The executive session will take approximately 10 minutes and we will not take any action following executive session.