Good. Good evening everyone. This meeting is being held in accordance with the public laws of 1975 chapter 231. In adequate notice, this meeting has been provided by a notice sent to the Asbury Park Press, the tour 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 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 are appearing in
person or via Zoom, you must provide your name to be recognized. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Roll call, please. Mary member here. Council member Facy Blackwood >> here. >> Council member Council member Forest >> present. >> Council member Jan
>> here. >> Council member Yura >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Tri Deputy Mayor Triiano will be absent this evening and Mayor Portman >> here. >> Um and just so everybody knows uh I just spoke to Deputy Mayor Triion a little
while ago. She's in Trenton advocating for and awaiting the Senate Judiciary Committee vote on the immigrant safety bill package, also known as the ITA. That is where Kate is right now. All right. Um, first up, we've got
presentations for the winners of our holiday decorating contest. These will be presented by Director Selenus of Parks and Wreck. And the top three most festive winners are the Lao family on Bergen Place.
>> You have your speed, right? No. Right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> Congratulations, guys. was very very windy. Very windy. >> Yeah. Here. >> I'll do it on the microphone. But
thanks. >> Can we go look at them? Can we still go look at them or >> That's a good It's 50 degrees today. Yeah, >> I'm making sure I have my phone in in my pocket so I get credit for all the steps I'm going to do right now.
>> Uh, next up is the Moore family on West Sunset Avenue. One more. >> We even have a >> And we have a present here. >> What do we have? >> Presentation. >> Oh, wow.
>> That's my neighbor right there. >> We have few of these. My dog poops on your lawn every day. I on Wley Street, the Luga family. The bridge has >> By the way, none of you are under any
obligation to stay. You're welcome to listen to the business of municipality, but you also just sneak out and go open your package. >> All right. Good. >> Sure. You threw under the bus. >> Your dad really didn't want to stay, but he blamed you.
>> See you guys. >> Hi guys. >> All right. Can I have a motion to open the floor for public comment for agenda items only? >> Motion, >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I
>> All right. Anyone have any comments for agenda items? Kind of a light agenda. Lori, you have any comments? >> No comments. >> All right. Anyone online? Ch. >> No, sir. >> I have a motion to close the floor for
public comment. So moved. I >> have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from 1211 2025 and 11 2026? >> Can I have a second? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> This is great. All right. Next up is an introduction for ordinance 2026-01 entitled an ordinance of the burough of Redbank County and Mammoth State of New Jersey amending and supplementing
chapter 490 planning and development regulations relating to section 55 historic districts sites regulation and procedures adding attachment 7 the historic preservation design guidelines. Can I have a motion to approve ordinance
2026-01 on introduction? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll of all, please. >> Council member Bitakis, >> yes. >> Council member Casey Blackwood, yes. Council member Forest, >> yes.
>> Council member Janelle, >> yes. >> Council member Yura, >> yes. >> And Mayor Portman, >> yes. Uh public hearing um for this ordinance will be held on 12226.
Um and this is what we're talking about by the way. This is the historic uh district design guidelines. Pretty cool. I'm looking through it. Good work. >> 90 plus pages. Christina, you were the spear from the council side.
Yes, but definitely the um the credit really goes to the historic preservation commission themselves and especially the subcommittee that worked on this uh along with architect and planner Steven. Um as you say it's a beautiful a
beautiful document. Um but I think more importantly is what it does just to give some context for folks. will obviously um be looking at this at our next meeting, but uh I think it was many moons ago that almost all of us were here for a presentation when we were
considering how best to move forward the historic preservation commission, their empowering ordinance and what they were doing. We got a great presentation from probably the the preeminent land use attorney for historic preservation, Michelle Donado, um on on how this
should work. And I think really for everyone one of the biggest takeaways was exactly this that these design guidelines are one of the most important components for a preservation uh function in a burrow. Um >> we have been talking about getting
guidelines signed for quite a while now. We were lucky to uh be awarded a grant that uh paid for a large portion of this work by professionals. Um as well as a lot of thought being put into that by
the commission. Uh and really what it's doing is providing objective criteria for that group when they're reviewing applications large or small in the historic districts uh as well as as other designated sites throughout the town. Um, so it it included a very deep
survey of our history, the styles and specifies the architectural characteristics, historical periods that are important to us. So importantly for uh building owners, homeowners when they if they do come before this board making any changes etc. um they can rest
assured that this document is really key to guide the review of any applications which is incredibly important. I think anyone would uh of course be concerned that they're coming uh up here at the whim of uh someone on a board, their
particular tastes, what have you. But that's not really what this is about. It's creating the balance um that enable us to protect the historic characteristics that are important and that add value for our community. >> Awesome. Question. >> Sure.
>> So if somebody wants to read this, they hit the mic button. Is it on our website or can I guess we're opening a book or >> It is on the website. Um eventually if this is uh approved and is added to our zoning uh and uh uh in our master plan
as well then it will be um as I understand it will be available for order separately. Uh but certainly copies are going to be here at Burough Hall and it's available on the website as well. >> The ordinance also contemplates it being another attachment to the planning and zoning regulations. So for example, if
you're an architect, you're planning a project and you're going through our planning zoning, you have the bulk standards and everything else. And this will be right there with it as there's six attachments right now. This will be seven. I think one's the zoning map, another is the the bulk standards and things you need to be able to understand where what the building envelope is when
you're building. And then this is will now go with those so that if you have property in historic district, the architect can simply pull that up on online and review it. Um if you want a pretty book, I think you'll have to order. I'm very impressed actually. I think this is a good thing. So it's not
I mean it's been a struggle. I mean you can't just you know these standards has changed with the how commission's made up >> Christina sign want to sign. >> It it shouldn't be me. It should really be our our commission members. They put
in a ton of work here as labor of love. Uh and these are really incredible results. >> Congratulations. And the the important part is that it keeps saying these are enforceable. Like she said, it's not about taste. It's not about people talking about, you know, what they like or would like to see. These are really
standards that you can follow to maintain the historic architecture. And there's certainty for the applicant and the commission in applying them. Um, which is really what's required to have an effective historic district um overall and to and to have your regulation stick. So,
>> good job. Great job. There's one thing I would also like to add um is that even though this applies to the historic district and it would be required for the historic jurist, but if you live in an older home and you're looking for some ideas, this is a good guideline to
take a you know to take a look at. >> I just we have um Steve Smallland who's from the just the name right. Um he was part of the design guidelines consultant.
Steve's on the call with us on Zoom. He's from Architectural Heritage Consultants. Um Steve, I just wanted to give you the floor in case you wanted anything to add uh as we contemplate the introduction of this ordinance. >> Uh no, I think Council Person Bonitakus
uh summed it up great. It was a labor of love uh working with the Historic Preservation Commission over the last six months. And I've written design guidelines for uh Hoboken where I live, Cape May, Glenn Ridge, and a couple
other towns. And I think these are going to be really transformative for Redbank and really empower the HPC to review stuff a lot more efficiently and and fairly going forward. >> Thank you, Stephen.
Um, moving on, we have an introduction for ordinance 2026-02 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 300 construction codes uniform to update construction fees. Um, we passed something last year about
this, but um, it got kicked back to us from who? >> Correct. From the DCA. >> From the DCA. So, we had to make some changes and now it's uh it's all better. So, can I have a motion to approve on introduction ordinance 20262?
>> I'll make a motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Bon Takis. >> Yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood. Yes. Council member Forest. >> Yes. >> Council member Janelle,
>> yes. Council member Yuro. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Mayor Portman. >> Yes. Public hearing will be held on this ordinance on January 22nd, 2026. Uh we have a few resolutions. Um anybody
need to highlight anything or can we uh approve them all on the consent agenda? >> They are uncomfortable with the consent agenda approval. >> All right. Thank you. Um, can I have a motion to approve resolutions 26-9
through 26-23 under the consent agenda? >> Moved. >> I'll second it. >> All right, there we go. Roll call, please. >> Council member Botakis, >> yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council member Forest,
>> yes. >> Council member Jano, >> yes. >> Council member Yuro, >> yes. and Mayor Portman. >> Yes. Um All right. Um can I have a motion to open the floor for public questions or comments? >> I s motion.
>> I have a second. >> I'll second. All in favor? >> Public. The floor is yours. Chan, come on. I know you got something good. Just is working. Okay. Um,
two things actually. One, I mean, see, okay. Uh, Joan Weatherell, I live at 106 Manor Drive in Redbank. Um, first of all, I owe an apology to Laura Jon and Nancy Facy Blackwood because the last meeting I came and I raised the issue
again of the the meetings not be uh with the with the council members requiring or versus or not requiring an appointment. And I neglected to say that in response to my email, Nancy Facy
Blackwood um contacted me and said she would be happy to meet with me at a time of my choosing and Laura Janone would would meet with her. Um Council Member Blackwood had a family conflict. Um, but Laura Janone met with me for hour and a
half, two hours down at Bakers on Broad and looked over my lengthy agenda, which I've been accumulating for the past year and a half, and we went over all of the items to my satisfaction. We had a lovely time and a lovely cup of coffee.
Um, so that's that's that. The second thing is I wasn't aware, so I haven't been coming to the meetings of the historic preservation issue and I think it is wonderful. I'm looking forward to taking a look at it because I hold out hope of someday being able to buy a
house in Redbank as opposed to a condo and I would love to buy an older ho house in the historic district. Um, so this it's nice to at least it's kind of a fantasy at this point, but it would be nice to look through it if it ever happens. I've got guidelines, people to
talk to and so forth. So, I just want to say thank you to everybody who was involved in that. It was anything like that is a lot of work. So that's it and >> great. Thank you and happy new year. >> Happy new year. New year here. I'll give you my I'll give you my copy of Pruise
while you're here if you want. >> Thank you. I promise to get it back. >> I'll come get >> Does anyone else have any questions or comments? >> Um I I don't know if comment on issue or >> anything anything that's on your mind. I ask you to step up to the microphone
here. here. >> This one right here. Yeah. And there's a little button there that'll once it goes red, you're on. >> Press the button. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. >> We'll just ask that you state your name and address for the record. My name is Patricia Brennan. I live at 8 Brockport
Avenue, apartment B in Red Bank. Sorry, the uh >> That's all right. all the stuff from um I'm here because I have been contacting uh Mr. Vant and Tommy Welsh and Mr. Woods about code violations at
Prospect Hill Apartments and I asked multiple times for a code instruction be done while I was there so I could actually show them the problems and they Mr. Woods came and did an inspection when I wasn't there and he walked up to
the super and said, "Do you have any problems on the property?" Well, you know, guess what? The super didn't show him the problems. Uh, one of the issues I'm going to pass these around. These are pictures, but Mr. Woods, this is what it looks like when I will go down
my steps and uh, try to use the duckway. Please pass them down. I really think that these are inadequately lit. I've fallen down these steps five times. Um, Mr. Gant told me that he was going to have an inspector come out at nighttime. Uh, to my knowledge, that has not
happened. Um, I've left multiple multiple voicemails for Tommy Welsh. None have ever been returned. The same uh I I was able to speak with Mr. Woods once and he said, "I'm not, you know, I think everything is adequate and uh
we're not going to change anything." And but if you look at that, you know, I mean, common sense is can you really see like if you're looking at this one, this is a set of steps I've already fallen down five times. The barrier around it is lit, but the steps have no lighting.
So, I'm simply asking for them to do a reinspection to please have somebody there. Uh I know Ben Forest from church. Ben came over yesterday and uh in the dark and Ben, did you notice anything
that you want to share? >> I'm going to late any details to the the manager, but yes, it is dark and I do appreciate your time you spent with me and uh um you know, yeah, you sent me an email. Um
you mentioning employees and things, so I'm I'm going to be careful about going into any commentary here. you know, the manager is here. Uh, and I will definitely share with him, you know, my opinions uh on it because I'm not an expert. >> Yeah.
>> Um, but I would agree that it was uh some of those tests were definitely not well lit last night in my opinion. Um, and I will go into details with the manager, you know, outside the context of this. >> It would be an easy fix because when you come into Prospect Hill Apartments,
there's an island in the middle like a little culde-sac. That island has electricity. They have electricity for the sign Prospect Hill Apartments and for the flag pole. They could easily just light that would shine on these steps and on the handicap access. You
know, like sometimes I use a walker. I'm going to have a surgery this winter. They're going to break my right foot in 20 places and rebuild it. Plates, pin, screws. >> I am going to be in a wheelchair. I need to be able to get over that curb cutout and it's it's all wonky, you know. Um,
so I am asking please, Mr. Gant, have people come back and do the inspection. Um, you know, I know that we just had the holidays and that's probably why a lot of the voicemails weren't returned or the emails weren't returned, but now
that the holidays are over and the New Year's here, I don't want to fall again. Okay? I really don't want to fall again. Um, and it's not only a danger, safety hazard, but you know, somebody could attack It's so dark that, you know, a
criminal could break into our cars, attack us, hurt us. I don't want anybody to get hurt in any way, shape, or form. So, I'm simply asking for adequate lighting on steps, walkways, to look at the curb cutouts, the handicap things. Um, you know, I spent last night, I read
the entire ecode book. I That's what I did. Um, and uh, you know, I could state where I think the violations are, but I'm not a code inspector. I'm just a long-term resident. I love Red Bank.
Went to St. James, went to RBC. I'm a member of the fire department auxiliary. You know, I'm a volunteer here in many places. I love Redbank and I want to stay, but I can't, you know, >> microphone. >> Oh, sorry.
I you know I I just love Redbank and I want to stay but it's not safe there in my opinion and other people who come over agree and I just don't understand how if you looked at those pictures how Mr. Woods can see that that's adequately
lit. You know there are spots that do have adequate light and those were added last year when I moved into the place and there was no light. Everybody's wearing headlamps and flashlights on their phones to get in and out of their cars and in the parking lot. I'm like, this is ridiculous. You know, I can't do
that when I'm using my walker and I shouldn't have to do that. Um, so that's what I'm asking for is to please let's look at a reinspection and uh before somebody gets hurt. You know, the student's wife fell there and broke her leg. And uh you know, I've fallen, other
tenants have fallen. It's really a It's a health health and safety issue. So, I'd appreciate your your help and trying to get it fixed so that um nobody else gets hurt. >> Thank you for uh for letting us know
about it. And um yeah, Jim, we got to Yeah, >> we've been in contact. >> Okay. >> Okay. One other thing that I'd like to just bring to attention is um because I help cook for the homeless and do things at the heartwarming center and at the
feast and lunch break. There's no pickroom at the ripping train station. A lot of people are getting the bathroom isn't working. I'm laughing just because we had one person get out to discuss our public comments our last meeting and it was the same complaint that there's no
>> yeahations for peeing in the out in the open and the police have been telling them to walk all the way to Marine Park to the porta body at Marine Park from the train station. That's a long walk if you're hauling everything you've got. >> So please can we get a porta body or get
the bathroom working or something? >> I don't know how that would work. I mean it's their property, right? New Jersey Transit, I guess we can have a conversation. >> Yeah, >> the restroom at the train station's upstairs. I don't think would be we
would probably have to figure something else out. I've been there a couple times where they actually had it open special events and it's up those narrow stairs in the old buildings. So, um you would have to have to John or do something else there. And I I got to say I I do
agree that we need some accommodations for public restrooms. Um it you know and not even you know the homeless need them. We have them in town and you know then they're going to forcibly have to go to the bathroom in various locations. U but also it's just commuters and
sometimes in Jersey trains it's trains you know bathrooms aren't working as an gentleman said last week but I've seen it himself taking the train. So, uh, you know, there's a group that runs when you get to Penn Station sometimes up to those restrooms over there. So, um, it's something we should probably put on our little strategic plan to figure out some
way to, uh, provide some accommodations in that vicinity. In the meantime, we might want to think about this getting maybe a portage or something through there. Um, just brainstorming here, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate your indulgence. >> Great.
>> Thank you so much for coming. >> Let me speak. I really appreciate it. And uh hopefully I'll hear from Mr. Gant or somebody soon. >> I emailed you again today. >> Okay. I didn't see that enough. Okay. All right. Thank you very much. >> Great. Thank you. Anyone else have any
questions or comments? Anyone online? J second. >> No, sir. >> No. Okay. Can I have a motion to close the public comment? >> Make such a motion, Mr. May. I >> have a second. I'll second. All in favor? Hi. >> Hi.
>> The delay the delayed reaction there from Alco. Um Christina, you got anything? >> Uh just a a quick comment. Um I know I'm not the only one in our town
who uh was really disturbed by the news this week. um what we saw coming out of Minnesota certainly um and a tragic death, but also in our own community. We have had uh that depends how what you want to call it, apprehensions,
disappearances, kidnappings um by ICE in our own town. And I know people who have previously never witnessed those things with their own eyes uh were pretty traumatized by the things that they saw right here in
Redmond. Um, so, uh, I just want to say that I hope that we never normalize that. This is not normal. This is not okay. Um, some of those folks, all of those folks taken were important to our
community. Some of them even specifically are people whose stories and character and community commitment we have have been a bomb to our community in years and decades past. Um, that hurts. That hurts a lot. And, uh, I
certainly would not attempt to speak as eloquently on this subject as some of the folks here even on this day. Um, but sometimes I feel helpless uh, in the face of this. Um, and I'm
just at times like that I'm really thankful for people who are doing the work. I would say that uh our deputy mayor Kate is one of those people doing the work in her absence. I really just want to say how proud I am of her and where she is right now today in Trenton. um
speaking for people who can't always speak for themselves and uh to encourage our legislators to allow uh our police force um to keep the faith and trust of the people in our community
to keep us all safe as a result. Um these things are really important. Uh, so I just just needed to get that out because I think with a lot of us it kind of simmers and it sits there and it gets you really upset, but um I can't let it
go. I can't let it be unsettled. >> Powerful words. Um, and one thing I learned through the process of becoming a council member, it's really important to look out for all our community members. Um, and it puts things in a little bit of a different lens for me.
So, appreciate those words. Um, terms of updates, at this point in my tender, I don't really have anything substantial yet. Um, I'm excited to be the liazison on the River Center. Um, only thing better than the holidays in Red Bank is
the springtime. So really excited to uh have the downtown rocking. So good stuff. >> Bumped into uh Paul Dagno the other day driving by his house and he was happy that you were he's not not happy that you left the zone anymore but he thinks you're going to be an excellent council. Appreciate it. >> Yeah.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um happy new year to everyone. If I didn't say before, you have it now. Um, along the lines of what Christina mentioned, I'm also very proud of the work that we as a community do to help
all our residents in town. And we do look out for our immigrants. I'm wearing my immigrants their t-shirt here. And I'm very proud of our deputy mayor for taking action and being down in Trenton to advocate that we have a good bill to
protect all of our residents and to also keep us all safe with um what's in the immigrant trust act. So thank you for that. Um the count town calendars are outside for those people who asked for them. And moving on to the EC green
team. They met Tuesday of this week. And uh some of the things that they're working on is the uh native plant ordinance for um applications that go through planning and zoning. And these would be native and um native uh plants with diversity.
and they're looking at what was done in Eatentown, what is done in Chadam, what's done in Montlair and trying to come up with something that would work best for Redbank that is straightforward and effective. Uh the date for the green fair has been set and that's going to be
on Earth Day itself which is on the 22nd of April. Uh some of the feedback that we got was that we had the kids and the parents of the kids there, but we also want to get more residents to be involved. And so some ideas that we had come up with is like maybe get a bin for
styrofoam collection that would then be transported over to Middletown, maybe a bin for um recycling textiles, and um maybe barring a bin for electronics. Uh the you may have seen around some yards there gas-free lawn
signs. Uh that was done by some members of our EC green team. And basically what that means is that the um where the EC and green team members are going around if they catch somebody using um gas-free equipment, be it a rake, be it a battery
leaf blower, they'll get a nice little sign on their yard. And I'm looking forward to um the municipal carbon footprint report that I know that we've been working on for a while. Uh skip the stuff, which was one of the first ordinances that we passed last year in
Redbank and we're one of the first municipalities to do it is currently at the state level and we're hoping to get that on the agenda, which should have been for today and hopefully getting it across the house and the Senate committee. Uh Sha Tree is still working
on the tree canopy project. So, also if you want a tree for your front yard, you know, reach out to Shay Tree and we'll work and try to make something happen. And that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Lori, you got anything from sunny Mexico?
>> Yes. Hi. Um, can you hear me? Okay. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Happy New Year, everybody. Um, I want to echo what Christina said and, um, Nancy about what happened yesterday. You know, I am in Mexico, but a friend of mine from Redbank
um sent me a video of what went on in Redbank on Tuesday, I think it was. Um it's very upsetting. I don't know what to say. You know, I reached out to Kate right away, but um it's making people very afraid to go out of their her
apartment, which they were right in front of her apartment. um then on your street on Leighton. So I just really don't know. I just want to let everyone know that I agree with Christina and Nancy that we are here for all people.
>> What happened yesterday was just takes my breath away. Um animal welfare, we did meet um we're going to meet again in January, but we did come up with our schedule for dog days and uh different events that we're doing. probably doing
some more collection for the um Humane Society. As some of you might know, the Humane Society in Norc, the the roof collapsed under snow. Um and a lot of the dogs were kind of just, you know, had no place warm to be. So, we've
really been working with them. TJ from U Pins and Feathers and Mark, who's on our uh committee, have gone up there and brought food and really tried to help them as much as they can. Um, and they have a couple other events planned for the year. Library room meeting the end
of the month. Um, I was in touch with Jim and Terrence this week about the bathrooms in the basement. They're still not working. Um, I think it's a pump issue and um, Terren was getting from DPU was going to get back to um, the
engineer that had looked at that because that's been closed for quite some time now. um the bathrooms in the downstairs and that's where the kids are and u mayor's wellness. So I was able to meet from sunny Mexico with mayor's wellness yesterday at uh we have our leadership
meeting on Wednesday morning. It is an hour difference here. So I they were like are you coming on? I'm like oh yeah. So um we had a good meeting. We're planning out things for next year. um some of the things that we have talked
about um me uh heart wellness at the senior center um some some talks for uh different parts of the community so we've been coming up with some ideas for the um mayor's wellness committee too
and I think that's it for me thank you >> thanks Laura Ben number one what we have what what did we come up with >> I looked up again when you said Ben earlier like you're not >> you do young Ben and old Ben I don't >> old Ben's
>> old Ben's nice right got gravitas >> grow a beard >> old man you're up >> I I I seldom talk about immigration issues I mean I live in a neighborhood on this avenue that is
a high percentage of immigrants I don't I don't have any legal clues. I don't ask for identification. My family and Amy and I bought a house in 16 W Avenue and there's a very high fine number of recent immigrants in our
neighborhood. Of course, I'm an immigrant. My families are immigrants. Sometimes Holland, Lithuanian, Ireland. Um, so you know, it is it is jolting, you know, when you have activity, police
activity on your street of any kind. But I I got to say that I I love what the police do. I know it's necessary and it's me, but I really I'm really disturbed by mass police officers. makes
me think of like like a ha, you know, that you know why if you're a law enforcement person do you feel the necessity to hide your identity and not be clear about who you are? Um now I guess there are extreme circumstances where maybe that's warranted but the you
know this routine use now of sort of like uh ponta style police tactics across the country and here in red bank you know I find it very disturbing. Um obviously we are a country of laws
principles and constitution who need to enforce those laws. We support police. We also need to defend individuals and we have a process process of law that I am, you know, I'm very concerned about
what I see happening not only in country but in front of my house and in my neighbors and I have to say that we've had a very good life in Redbank and I'm grateful for many of my neighbors who pay very high rents and work very hard
at in Redbank watching in our dishes, >> doing prep work in our restaurants, most of whom, the vast majority of them are legal. But many legal residents here are in fear. It's not just illegals. I've literally had
complaints from business owners about, you know, they're not coming to work because they're afraid. I'm not very sympathetic. Some of them are Trump supporters and well, this is what you voted for, sir. But um you got it. Uh so I don't like
the uh new kind of fear thing that is happening in the country. It's quite upsetting really. I um and so I I going to start with that rant there mayor and thank you for your indulgence. I mean, this video took place on my street and
there's I have a very nice neighborhood with very good neighbors and I feel very lucky that I'm privileged to live in a place where my kids had a great experience, had great friends. Um, and
it is awful to see what's happening on my street. You can see in the faces people walking and certainly everybody staying home and keeping a low profile. Um this is very different
world than my kids grew up in here in Redbank on my street now. All right. So getting to the business I am honored to have been appointed to the liaison again of parks and recck and to the schools. So I went to the school two school
meetings so far this month. I'd like to get to the charter school. I haven't gotten there. Um, President Sus Bomi was reappointed and Peter Noble was reappointed as president over at RBR and um, Supervised the Burough Schools and uh, you know, very good reorganization
meetings and always a honor to being the representative to your buddies. >> Um, nothing to add to that. Uh, I also like to say that Parks and Wright gave me some announcements to share. Of course, we have the awards ceremony, but in addition to the awards ceremony one, we have adult fitness classes at the
senior center, Zumba and chair yoga starting uh February 10th at 4:30 p.m. might try to join uh that chair yoga. >> Uh two, buddy ball every Monday at 5:00 p.m. at the Redbank Primary School gym.
Three, turf fields renovations undergoing on January 12th through uh March 1st. So there'll be some disruption. I guess referring to the Count Basey Fields episode. Uh winter sports uh fourth winter sports are underway now at the Redbank Middle
School gym. There is still space for our teens uh indoor soccer program Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. And finally, number five, Redbank Middle School gym open at uh to the 8th to 10th graders. Uh CB easy. I'm
not quite sure what that stands for. co-ed uh some sort of co-ed gym activity I guess at the Redbank Middle School. Anyway, contact our recreation department for more details. Um Mr. Mayor, I think that covers my report. We thank you for your indulgence. I warned
you I'd have a little Thank you. Little thing. Um I don't have anything. We just had a meeting a week ago. I'm looking forward to uh I'm looking forward to the year. I think we're going to be able to do some really uh amazing things this year. And um as
usual, let us know. We're pretty responsive. Let us know if you're having an issue. You can email. Office hours every Monday. Uh council has office hours every Wednesday at the senior center at noon and then at the library by appointment. So reach out to us. We
will do our best to uh to help whatever you have going on. >> Yes. >> Mr. me today. I just read it. We said you guys are not going to do anything else that this is
according to Mr. Nobody's coming. NOBODY'S GOING TO HELP. NOTHING'S GOING TO CHANGE. And I uh I'VE FALLEN FIVE TIMES down these steps. And I'm lucky I didn't break anything. I know I didn't break my leg.
But this is ridiculous. If you look at these pictures, I send pictures with every email for Mr. D to see that there's no code violations. Um, and I I disagree, strongly disagree. And
I like it fixed. Uh, you know, the codes are there to help. When when a landlord is not responsive to fixing stuff and uh doing things, then we have to rely on you guys to enforce the code.
>> This an apartment complex, correct? >> Yes. >> So, it's DCA regulated as well. So, that the bureau has limited power to order people to install lights on. I read Mr. Hans email. It also explains that it's a DCA regulated apartment building. So, it
has a regular DCA inspection for safety, for all kinds of things, particularly the things that you have in those pictures. Um, you So, I you haven't you just first I heard it when you walked up here today, but the first thing that struck me with the photos that you
showed me as a lawyer here is that I'm not I'm not sure what code unless there's a site plan that's being violated or there's substantial improvements that will require some of the ADA improvements that you had just mentioned. And so, what I I leaned over and said to Mr. again before was well
that looks terrible and this lady's clearly correct but I'm not I'm not sure how we order them to install lights. Um and so the DCA can order them to install lights as a as a regulated apartment complex. And so I did see I saw the
email and also you know also mentioned that and that's something that we can contact and help you do as he mentioned in in his correspondence. But, you know, I have to tell you that I don't sitting here right now, just off the top of my head, and I'm pretty good at the property code if you read if you read around like we're on stuff here. I'm not
aware of something that allows us to order them to install lights like that. So, we'll I promise you that we'll take more more look at it, but I really think your recourse as as was in the email Mr. G sent is to the DCA who does a specific safety inspection for that complex. And the stuff you showed me is not
acceptable. No one's saying that when you're, you know, but Mr. Woods's analysis is according to our codes or the site plans on file for that that they were required to do by a land use boards for approval. Um and so from Mr. Woods perspective there might not be something that he can do and that's what
he told us frankly and according to Mr. Gantino but the DCA has a lot more broader authority there. that is something we can help you with and and I believe I don't want to speak for them but I believe that will address things like that that you like the pictures you showed me but I'm not sure where your
ultimate recourse because I'm not aware of you know of a code that allows us to order them to install lights for example or to do ADA improvements absent substantial improvements to the rest of the property because of the ADA law but DCA can according to their standards
they have a whole set of standards that goes beyond ours burn fire doors due the the doors to your apartment, the security of that and those things are more finely regulated. So sitting here, I don't have an answer for you, but I don't want you to cry because there is another thing. I'm not sure that we can
help you directly from Mr. Woods, but the DCA can help you out and we can help you get to there. >> Read your birthday code. Like I said, I read it last night, page through beach, >> but I bet a lot of the lighting stuff you came up with is in chapter 490, which is only triggered if you have a
land use application or you have an approved land use application already that requires a certain number of lights in the parking lot. You need to follow your site plan, then you can get involved. And like I said, maybe that's the case. I don't know the details sitting here right now. That would go beyond Mr. Woods up to community development as well. Um, I think that
was written there as well. But point being is that's not the be all end all of Mr. Woods, but that Mr. Woods is only one form of regulation that we have here. However, I'm not exactly sure in my as a municipal reason here. My initial impression when you showed me those pictures was I don't know what
municipal official can order them to do that unless there's a state file, but the DCA probably can. And then he showed me his email and said that you know that's what that's what I that's what Mr. Woods told me and I think that DCA needs to get involved. >> Okay. I would appreciate it if you could
give me this DCA contact. >> Yes, we can do >> property management is refusing. They say that they do an inspection once every five years and that the last time they passed but you know there's not >> multiple things and you know it's
unfortunate when I requested inspection be done I had a list of things that nobody knew about and when Mr. was paid. He didn't have that list. He didn't speak to me. So, a lot of stuff went, you know, just unchecked. Um, and that's
unfortunate. >> I just that's I just wanted to bring that to you and we talking about it up here already as to what the the appropriate route is to like I said to Jim, the woman is clearly correct. That's not safe, but I'm not sure what
municipal official can order them to make it safe. you know, it's it's really insurance companies that govern this kind of stuff we're looking at or site plan if that was on file. But long story short, just in the ordinary course, um, we can't send code. We can't have the code enforcer order people to install
lights as as in, you know, all thing else being equal. But, you know, that's not the end of the road. We live in a regulated apartment, so we I'm sure we can find some some sort of recourse for you. >> Last year, Mr. Wood That was last year, but and that gave us
lighting on some of the walkways, but you know, main up to my apartment is one that I've fallen on five times. And another person's telling broke their leg, you know, and I have to use it every time I come in or that's picture that I showed you. There's no lights on that.
>> Men, uh, Frank suggested to them at your request that they do that last year, which they complied. They didn't have to. Um, I just want to for the record, I I think the characterization that I was
dismissive in any way is patently false. You and I spoke for 40 minutes outside my office. I followed up with an extensive email to construction to building to code enforcement to our fire officials. Everybody went out. Everybody
looked at what you you you said that they didn't have the complaint list. Everybody had the complaint list. We checked the state inspections of the boilers that you you had a complaint about. Everything was up to code. Everything was inspected. I explained extensively in two emails
now that the recourse that we have as burough officials, as Mr. Cannon is explaining, is a little bit out of our hands. However, we investigated as much as we could to try and either identify
an issue and handle an issue or put you in a direction that you can take your complaint elsewhere. This sounds more of a civil matter between you and your landlord, which we can get involved in landlord tenant disputes, which we're
asked to all the time. I was very sympathetic to you and I made sure I took immediate action when you left my office that day. >> Yes, you did. >> And I just want to make sure that that's clear between us because even still as
of today I was corresponding with you about these issues. So I will be more than happy to give you the context and the direction to which you can go to further explain the issues that you're having. Um, but I got to tell you that
some of our inspectors and multiple inspectors now have not seen or witnessed maybe through their eyes what you're experiencing. So, it's hard for them to characterize these as code enforcement violations or any violations
of our code. So you may have to escalate that to a state level under DCA which you know regulates housing complexes like the one that you live in. However, we do not >> and and logs all complaints too. There's
actually a DCA file for your there's a DCA file for your apartment complex and anyone else that make complaints. I believe it's available publicly. um we can help you get to that >> because I really think that that the safety issues you're identifying might not necessar I don't think they're code violations. That was my first impression
when you show hel up those pictures. Um but deep they're likely DCA violation. So we can help you get to the right spot. >> I appreciate that. >> No problem. >> Scary. >> I can see that. >> Scary. Yeah. Mr. Eric, I
I permitted all this, but what I should have done is reopen the floor for public comment. Um, should you have something you need to add, Joan? >> Can you hang on one second? >> I have a motion to reopen the floor for public comment. >> Have a second. >> Effective 12 minutes ago.
>> All in favor? >> I >> I do appreciate your indulgence of the public. I will be as brief as I possibly can being a retired attorney. First of all, I live in a complex that is also
regulated by DCA. Um I know that the burrow has limited ability to do things like enforce the shade tree um thing does not apply within our complex. Um I found that out the hard way and uh I
know that DCA was out fixing a sidewalk. Uh well DCA at at the behest of DCA there was a dangerous sidewalk that was fixed about a year and a half ago and when I asked whatever prompted the management to suddenly take care of it
DCA got all of it. So I just want to affirm that the the bureau does have limited reach. Okay. Um, and ECA is is the institution is the whatever. They're
the ones to go to. And I think I heard an offer here to help you contact ECA and let them do it because they know the right language. They know how to do it. They know who to talk to and they can send you in the right direction. They can't represent you, but they can they
can put you on the right path. So, it's unfortunate that uh you know, I won't uh I won't that's about all that I have to say, but I just want to confirm that they're they're right. You're stuck. I'm stuck living in Redbank Manor. Um we
have our own issues, but that's the way it is. >> Yeah, we can help. And the other thing, too, like she said, DCA, if they get a complaint about safety, they they will come. So, it's not some fluff. Um, and we can help you get the like you said people have fallen out there. I'm sure
that our police have responded, right? So, we can get you the with what we can help you do is gather those police reports to submit with the DCA complaint so that they know it's documented and there's records and they I mean I represent an apartment building owners. They'll show up, believe me. And then,
you know, no really wants a jacket of complaints. So, >> thank you, >> Mr. Brennon. I sent you three different contacts for DCA. Uh so you have that immediate to you now. It's the uh Bureau of Housing Inspection for Multiple
Dwellings, the Division of Codes and Standards General Codes contacts, and the DCA general contact at their main office. >> So, thank you for coming to speak to >> Thank you for making time for me to
visit Pat yesterday. Have a motion to close the public comment. >> Motion second. >> Second. All >> in favor? I >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I think I'd be remiss if I didn't recap 2025 a little bit. Um, obviously the plan is to
provide a comprehensive report as a bureau manager report, which we're actively working on. actually tomorrow. Um, all the department heads have been instructed to provide my office with their report. Thanks, Mary, for getting that in today.
Appreciate you. Um, but a lot of good things happened over 2025. And I know I'm going to miss some things and and some things I I want to keep for the report and uh have it out there as highlighted, but um you know, we obviously reinforce the council manager
form of government even further throughout the year. Um we advanced transit oriented redevelopment initiatives. We designated areas in need of rehabilitation to encourage reinvestment uh while preserving our our neighborhood character. um just tonight
and what was worked on throughout the year. We released the Historic Preservation Commission design guidelines. Um again, that was a a committee that was reestablished uh by this governing body. So, um great work as far as legislative leadership goes
with that as well. Uh from transportation, mobility and safety. Um you know, we achieved state statewide recognition for complete streets leadership. Uh we earned gold level safe routes school designation 2025 through
2027. Uh we implemented tactical urbanism and quick build uh safety improvements through a grant at River and Leighton which had effects right away uh reducing speed in that area. um public safety. Chief Frzy had a full
complete year under his belt and which we um then enhanced our command leadership there by promotions and much needed and timely promotions in the police department. Um from a personnel standpoint in the
burrow, we saw Mary Moss complete a full year as the burough clerk, which we are so thankful for. Mary did a tremendous job leading that office. Um, we're looking to bring passport services to the burrow. Um, so that people don't
have to, you know, make appointments at Mammoth County and community connections, which are sometimes, you know, very hard to get. U, we're going to be working in that in Mary's office to to bring that to residents and visitors of the burough. We created the position of deputy director of public
works and hired for that position. and Jerry Sarai who has great organizational and operational leadership coming from New York City Department of Sanitation. Um we backfilled our community engagement coordinator position with
Fatima and at the same time um just further enhancing uh the the management I'm sorry further advancing the management enhancement report by combining uh the departments of our senior services recreation and community
engagement u by promoting uh Adriana to um director of recreation human services Um, we saw new river center leadership this year which we worked great in collaboration with the burrow. We're advancing so much stuff in the downtown
as well. Obviously the the work in Marine Park has been tremendous. I mean what's going on right now uh even as as today went I mean much of the equipment is installed. You know we're still on track for that that spring opening of
Marine Park. That's just a tremendous project that we're super proud about. Um, our DPU facility is advancing as well. We're working through our uh our engineer and our architect for bringing a new facility uh which incorporates
some green infrastructure. Um, and obviously some energy saving components to to that building as well. We're going to be looking at the senior center parking lot improvements this year. I mean, there's a there's a ton of stuff that we did by way of uh bond ordinance
and other improvement projects throughout the burrow. You know, we kept this budget at a 2% increase with all the things that are increasing around us. I thought that that was a tremendous win for us as well. Um because, you know, a lot of things are going up and particularly what we're seeing this year
going up is is the health care cost to uh the burough employees as well. So that's something that but but what's great is that my ability to be on the the health insurance fund as a commissioner and then at the same time on the joint insurance fund as an executive
commissioner uh to the Mammoth Joint Insurance Fund gives the bureau leverage to leverage that that relationship and um negotiate and work with all the other municipalities that are involved there to to get us the best rates that we can.
um can't really keep going but there's just so much we did community engagement wise we saw the see my legacy program rolled out we probably we saw more sponsorships come through that program than we had in the past for a number of our initiatives
that we had um community solar we're looking to advance that this year in 2026 our vision zero grant uh work we're going to be looking at next meeting for uh awarding an RFP for that project as well. We have a
number of different grants that we are awarded that we will be working on throughout this year. So, you know, I'm I'm thrilled with the personnel changes, the projects that we have going on in the town, the financials of the burough. We're in a very strong position. Um we
have so much work to do. There's just so much going on that this team of employees is is working tremendously well together. Um you know, we meet often. We discuss things collaboratively. We're trying to, you
know, get out of that working in silos that was um referenced in the management enhancement report. It's been an absolute goal of mine to have everybody working and talking together. Um and I think that the systems that we're putting in place, um the the gov tech
that we're putting in place is helping along the way. and in 2026. I'm just really looking forward to all that we're going to accomplish. So, thank you for giving me that time and uh on to the next. >> You're welcome. Good work, Jim. >> Thank you, Jim.
>> Thanks, Jim. >> Do we have a Yes, >> I just want to say I I appreciate your reports actually at every meeting. It's very nice. I've said this before, but I want to say it again. For the many years I was here as an attendee,
I rarely would hear a manager give and you know and there's a lot that we're doing. We're paying you a fair amount of money. I think it's important that the public and all of us hear what you're doing and I appreciate that. I do
I walked here tonight. I crossed the Shbury Avenue with the new with a new light and somebody even stopped when the light was doing the pedestrian crossing which doesn't always happen. Um so I do appreciate all those things and I do appreciate the pedestrian improvements.
Of course we're not in Nirvana. We have a lot of work to do on all these things. Main park I'm very proud what we're doing there. Would like to have been done already but the reality is it's a there's a lot of challenges there. We're getting It's going to be nice to have a great park. I just wish it had happened
20 years ago when I was raising my children here >> because we would grown Amy and I about a park to have like a premier playground experience. So, thank you and it's very much appreciated. I also appreciate the
attention to detail responding to Pat, responding to other things. I think Laura actually earlier mentioned about the I sent you a note about the bathrooms at the library and uh I appreciate that attention to detail. >> Thanks, Ben.
>> Yeah, it's been it's been great. And one thing that Ben mentioned was the pedestrian safety uh DPU just this week got their thermoplastic painting machine. So we can really enhance our crosswalks by using the instead of just regular road paint, thermoplastic
reflective paint at our crosswalks as well. So that's another uh enhancement that we'll bring. >> I got a feeling pedestrian safety is always going to be with us. It's a tough one. >> Absolutely. It is a tough nut to crack, but it's something that we're going to keep chipping away. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Do we have an exact session?
>> Yes, >> we do. Then can I have a motion to adjourn to executive session? >> So move. >> Have a second. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Great. We are going to take a quick uh four or five minute break and then continue in the exact session. Thank you
all for being here. >> Thank you. For the public's benefit, uh we will be discussing contract negotiations regarding to the lead service pipeline replacement program. The executive session will take approximately 10 minutes and we will not
let's say 15 to be safe and uh we will take no action after we exit executive session. Thank you.