going to the dinner. >> No. >> Good evening everyone. >> This meeting is being held in accordance with the public laws of 1975 chapter 231. An adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a notice sent to
the Aspbury Park Press, the Tumer 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 use of streaming services and other online
meeting platforms. 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 it 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 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.
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of the stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll hello, please. Council
>> person here. Council >> person. >> Council person Forest >> present. >> Person >> here. >> Council person Euro >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Triiana >> here. Mayor >> here.
>> All right. We have a few uh proclamations. Um the first one is for American Heart Month. Whereas cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, is responsible for one out of every three deaths. It is the
number one killer of American women, men, and it is the leading cause of serious illness and disability. And whereas across our nation, we have lost devoted mothers and fathers, loved siblings, and cherished friends to this devastating epidemic. During American Heart Month, as we honor
their memories, let us recommmit to improving our heart health and continuing the fight against this deadly disease for ourselves and our families. And whereas Americans of all backgrounds can be at risk for heart disease and stroke, and nearly half of all adults have at least
one major risk factor. However, individuals who are at high risk often do not know it. And data suggests that many people who experience sudden cardiac death do not act on early warning signs. That is why it is important to understand the risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as
obesity, inactivity and diabetes and to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control by maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking. You can control risk factors and help protect your heart. And whereas on Friday, February 6th, I
invite all Redbank citizens and employees to join in marking American Heart Month by wearing red to help raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and provide an important reminder that it is never too early to take action to protect our health. This month, let us reaffirm our resolve to fight this
epidemic and continue our work to build a brighter future for our families. Now therefore, I, William Portman, Mayor of the Burrow of Redbank, to hereby proclaim and observe throughout February 2026 as American Heart Month, and ask everyone to join me in recognizing and
reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease. And I believe uh Terrence is here to accept this, right, Terrence? >> Exactly the reward you were hoping for. >> Take it. We're happy. I'm thankful to have you because I'm here.
>> I'm gonna say you're here myself because you know I had my surgery too. So, >> thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Um and I will say um not ironic or crazy or anything but yesterday was my 8th
year anniversary of my heart attack. >> So live healthy. my wife reminded me this morning that uh should all be very grateful, but I do want to say to everybody that anybody that's lost a loved one have dealt with this. My mother passed away from this disease and
uh it's dear to my heart and I would encourage everybody like the mayor said, always take heed to all the warning signs cuz I thought mine was just indigestion that night. Um didn't go to sleep. Next thing you know, I'm in the emergency room with 99% blockage
>> and I'm still here today. So, I'm very grateful. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> I I had my in um May of 21, Terrence, maybe earlier than that, I started having like a weird on the other side. I was like I thought it was like postcoid I pulled a muscle. It turns out I needed
a quadruple bypass. And then the doctor said, you know, just stay relaxed. And so April of the next year, I ran for mayor. >> There you go. So couple of months is good. >> All right. Um, we have one more
proclamation and this is for Black History Month, a century of Black History commemorations. Whereas 2026 marks a milestone of both progress and persistence in the United States, the 100th anniversary of federal recognition for black Americans. What
began as a singular week of learning and recognition called Negro History Week in 1926 has grown into an overall cultural observance of black history throughout the month of February. And whereas across the generations, countless black Americans have demonstrated profound
moral courage and resilience to shape our nation for the better. And in the face of wounds and obstacles, including enslavement and segregation, perpetuated by the nation itself, black Americans lead in every part of society today, strengthening and uplifting all of the
United States of America. And whereas the celebration of Black History Month is a positive way of recognizing the culture and history of African-Americans as vital to the core beliefs and values of our society. And whereas on behalf of the Burough Council and myself, we ask
all Burough residents to join in carrying forward the work to build a beloved community as described by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change
in our lives. Now therefore, I the mayor and therefore we the mayor and council of the Burough Redbank to hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in recognition of African-Americans past and present in our community. And we have uh the lovely
Gilda Rogers here from the T. Thomas. >> All right. All right. in a council meeting. Thank you so much. >> I know you get the best clothes. >> Yes. You'll just be looking in between pictures. one day for all >> for this proclamation. And just to, you
know, remind us of the words of justice um John Marshall Harland was the vote the center and pie
versus Ferguson when he said, you know, he couldn't with good conscious vote with the other justices because he understood and he's someone who had formerly owned slaves. He understood that the black and white races were
inextricably linked together for life. And if we all could, you know, really grasp that and understand what that really means that this wouldn't be if it wasn't for all of us. All right? And so again, if you have
not visited the T Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, I invite all of you to come out and um share and see, you know, what we have to offer there. But not just for black history, but for all cultures. You know,
the history is to be studied. All histories are important. All cultures are important. And once we connect with that, Okay. >> It's uh it was an amazing visit there a few times I've been
>> um I have a question for you before we continue. >> Sure. >> Um we want to we want to uh communicate a bunch of information to the the town and we'd like to suspend the regular order of business and then kind of give a
briefing. You want to go back to the regular order of business? Is that just a simple I can get a motion from order? >> What's that? >> Such a motion. >> Okay. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I motion to spend the regular business.
>> Okay. Um so just obviously we like to get the information out as soon as we can. That's why we, you know, put out the um the agenda meeting in advance. But this is something that's kind of happening in
real time. Um, and it's kind of bubbled to the surface and we kind of want to help um, not only allay the confusion that people are having that everyone that we're all having um, but give you some kind of actionable things that you can do. I'm speaking about the uh,
immigration and ICE raids and everything that's going on in Redbank right now. Um, so um, Kate, thank you. uh put together a little bit of a briefing and we're going to hear from um Chief Frzy. It was at a memorial service I believe and he's
going to get here when he can. Um Andrea is going to um say some things, but uh first off um if you were someone you know has been detained by ICE, you can call the AFSC, the American Friend Service Committee hotline to be connected to legal
services. That phone number is 973-474-9861. Again, 973-4749861. Um, I'm very glad we're doing this, by the way, because I I said a few words at the Martin Luther King celebration uh at the Vogle, and I express um a bit
of a feeling of helplessness. Specifically, I was talking about ice ages coming into town and literally there being nothing you can do to stop them. Um, but Kate and a bunch of others reminded me that there's plenty we can do. Um, which is kind of the purpose of this briefing. I know because that's the
question I get asked. Um, as much as what can you do is what can I do? Um, so hopefully um we'll cover some of that here. Um, I want to first of all thank all the rapid responders and people who have been observing ICE. Um, remind them to I want to remind them to do so in a
respectful way that keeps everyone safe. The goal here is to be identifying the individuals who are being taken so we can get services to them as quickly as possible. We also want to thank the Mexican consulate for the services they have been providing Redbank residents of Mexican origin and detention as well as
uh helping um their families. Um, so a couple a couple things that um we can do and I've been doing and I know I've spoken about it uh with our deputy mayor for a while is really make an
effort to shop um dine support the Shrewsbury Avenue and train station area businesses. Um people just afraid to go out and so those businesses are really suffering. So, if you're thinking of grabbing a bite, there's a lot of incredible restaurants over there on
Shrewsbury Avenue and over by the train station. Um, you often see me hunker down at Senor Peppers having tacos there. That's like my >> my safe spot there. I can escape over, read a book on my phone, and have some nice tacos. So, please um do what you
can. Tell your friends right away. They can definitely support the businesses, restaurants, shops um up and down the Shrewsbury Avenue in the train station area. Um, on Tuesday, February 17th at 700 p.m., the American Friends Service
Committee will be having an all call for all residents, members of the public, anyone who would like to be more informed and involved. Save the date, please. It's Tuesday, February 17th. Uh, tell all your friends, mark it down on your calendars. Um, follow AFSCJ
on Instagram for updates and announcements on how to participate in this important online event. um don't have that info right here, but um again, if you stay on AFSC and J on Instagram, um we'll be able to get you
that information. Um I want to kick things over to to Adriana who's the head of our recreation and human services department. Um and she's going to go over some other things that uh we can do. Is that one working?
Audrey, why don't you come up here? Thank you, mayor. I think >> so. >> Turn right. >> There we go. I just hear myself. >> Um, thank you, mayor. Uh I think yes
it's important to know what uh we can do but I also want to highlight what we are already doing at the bureau through um the department of recreation and human services. Um I think to do that is also important to highlight um the importance of this department in times like this.
Uh the department was created to um bridge bridge all the gaps in uh resources access programming uh in Redbank so that all of our residents are are uh accessing the resources that they need. Um so part of what we're doing uh one of
the priorities for the department is communication. We've been uh intentionally expanding our bilingual communication. So everything goes out in English and and Spanish uh which is really important you know infographics uh for residents to understand what's happening in town and lessen the
confusion. Uh one of those the most recent uh examples is the communication that went out about uh the um the the police having their training. uh we shared it with residents and residents appreciated the c the clarity uh so that
they weren't alarmed seeing uh both the police presence uh on the west side. Uh so that helps build trust and uh again just continue to prioritize that communication and and strengthen strength that with our community. Um through the community engagement side
we're focused on um being visible and accessible and so we've leaned on our committees. One of those uh committees is the community engagement and equity committee uh that is doing uh a uh business directive initiative where uh we've taken that opportunity to uh go
out and meet every business owner and we started on the west side intentionally to um find uh information but it goes beyond that. It is to build communication and see what uh businesses need um and that we can help with. Um so
it builds relationship and um and it helps us understand the needs uh firsthand from from local businesses. So that's already started um but it's in the beginning stages and and we're we're out there uh Fatima our communication coordinator is out there meeting um
these uh business owners. Uh well uh we'll like you said we continue with our partnership with the Mexican consulate. They've been very critical in again that that uh trust building with our communities by providing uh direct services um and um trying to knock down
the barriers of access uh and in that same spirit we are working with other community partners to develop uh or do our our power of attorney um clinic all over again. We had one last year and it was very wellreceived. We've uh received
response uh by our or feedback by our community members that that is exactly the kind of services that um help uh our community uh build uh a bit of a safeguards around uh their families and just trying to figure out with all the uncertainty what they have to tackle
first. And so power a power of attorney click was really important to to do again this year. um through the recreation and and programming standpoint. I think again I I want to highlight how being a unified department has been incredibly helpful
because we uh leverage our our our resources. So having our senior center on off hours available to create programming that uh services our Spanish speaking community as well um has been important and so connecting with service
providers on how and what resources we can bring to um to community uh has really uh yielded a lot of uh great response from from the community. So we built out programming uh through our recreation department um after hours. So
the senior center closes at 3 and then any additional programming that we want to create is after 3 or in the weekends which is usually when the consulate visits or uh we uh curate uh alternative programming uh that would uh help us get any any resources out um
through our mayor's wellness campaign. Um it has been instrumental to get uh wellness uh initiatives out. We're talking about mental health, physical health, um social health. anything that um tackles the the determinance of health. Uh so it's a broad spectrum of
programming that we're developing through our mayor's wellness campaign and partners have been more than willing to uh jump in and help out. We've had wonderful sponsors that have uh also invested in the in that programming because they too see the need in our
community. And so we've been able to uh go forward with a lot of this this uh these initiatives that um our community conversations the senior center community conversations of partner sites um through that uh through that committee which is formed of uh over 25
um nonprofits um across all sectors uh which is what we've been able to be uh proactive on different fronts and tackle different things. Uh but it's been really helpful to have that support of our council, our council leaison just to
kind of impulse uh these committees into being proactive and thinking outside the box about what um events and initiatives we can create. Uh other than that, I mean, we we have a full year of programming. We have a pretty robust programming uh through our our recreation department with the
sports and and creating those moments of of joy among all all that is going on. Uh but I think that we are very well aware that um now is the time to come together and through our department we are trying to build out our um our
surveys and communications out so we could get more feedback and see where else there are gaps that we can uh fill. And so just this morning we had a meeting with our kickoff meeting with Zen City uh which is a platform that will help us uh get that type of feedback. we can put out uh the projects
that the bureau is working on so that uh residents know uh what we're what we're all doing and the different departments as well as uh gives us uh um it's a live feedback on what's going on on social media, what the conversations are um and
what people are talking about. If there's something that's being said on on social media that we need to um react to, like we will know in real time and we can figure out what department to to throw that to. So um again it's all intentionally being done so that we can strengthen um our relationship with with
the people that we serve and that includes all stakeholders right uh nonprofits, businesses and of course our residents. Uh but yeah, it's we have a full calendar through all of our our divisions and we are hoping that um we can do as much as we can go even beyond
of what we we we did last year which you will see in the management for everything that we've accomplished and um and we're hoping to do more and so if I if anyone I you know our door is open uh through the engagement department through my through my at on the fourth floor if anyone has any initiative that
they see or that they would like to do we have open communication um through our committees and and through us to to just come and uh join us and have a conversation around that many of which have come through through your office on your office hours. Um mayor uh those
ideas for new initiatives. So thank you. Yeah, that's what I got. >> Great. Thank you. A um chief is not here yet. So I guess we're going to continue. >> I'll defer time in my report to the chief. >> Okay. So I was going to say so again, do
I need a motion to come to go back to resume order? Did I have a motion to uh resume regular business? >> I have a motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> All right. We'll hear from the the chief whenever he gets here. >> Okay. Um
can I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from January 8th, 2026? >> Moved. >> What's that? >> All right. Right. Right. Thank you. Thank you. Let's go back to that real quick before we go to the Actually, it
doesn't matter. Let's just I'm halfway through it, so we'll just do the minutes and then we'll do a public comment. Um >> where were we? Do we have a second already? >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> All right. And then uh can I have a motion to approve the minutes from the executive session on the same date, January 2026?
>> So moved. >> Have a second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Public chief's here. Perfect. Hey, >> get to sit down. >> Well, we have if we have a um we're at the public comment right now.
>> I make a motion that we suspend the regular. >> There we go. I have a second. Second. All >> in favor? >> You're on chief. >> You want >> I think over here just that that microphone's working. Yeah. Just for everyone who's at home. >> Since since you were in here.
>> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Let's get >> Is that awake? >> That's all right. Um so we just went over some resources um for people talked about what the the burrow is doing. Um our attorney clinics, the mayor's wellness stuff, Mexican
consulate coming um you know gave out a hotline number for legal stuff. So that's what we've gone over too. But I imagine um you can kind of go over things like the immigrant trust directive, you know, the police training. you know, I don't know. I got you. I got
you. >> Thanks, Chief. >> No, it's all right. There you go. >> You're >> uh thanks for the time this evening. Um this is a big topic uh not just for us in Red Bank, but throughout the nation. Um and as you know, as I talked to the
council members and burough manager Gant, this is u something we all need to come together for, not just in here in our bank, but across the across the country. And as as a police chief, I I share everyone's frustration. And um like I said, I think we need to come
kind of come together to help our our community feel more at ease. Um I think it's important for me as the chief to express the department's support and my support for the community
and the all the residents. Um and that moving forward I need to we all as the bureau including oursel as the police department we need to just stay transparent and open um for everyone to see and to know what's going on here in the in the bureau especially with the
police department. Um I want to make it clear that the men and women of our department continue to follow the attorney general guideline for immigrant trust directive um which limits the uh type of assistance that we provide to federal immigration authorities. I can honestly say since I've been chief and
really since I've been in the department, we've never participated um in any immigration activities or or um really ever exchanged information with immigration or federal agents regarding
someone's immigration status. But uh you know to touch on the immigration trust directive, uh this is something that has has been in place for many years. Um, and it was created uh to help keep the trust between law
enforcement and and the community as a whole. Um, but there's things I want in here that I want to touch base on that uh we as your local law enforcement do not do. We do not we do not involve ourselves and uh immigration
uh civil immigration orders. We do not round up. We do not assist federal agents in in in rounding up uh people who have immigration status as as suspect. Um that's something that we do not do. Um this the directive was
specifically built to build trust between the immigrant community and the local police department. We want our our residents uh to feel safe, to feel that they can come to the police department to report uh any crimes or anything that's going on in their community. Uh
if they want to be a cooperating witness and and uh cases uh you know, we want to keep that open open dialogue and make them feel safe and that they can come to the community uh come to the police department. >> Okay. Chief, just just to clarify, I mean, because there was a lot of the news that Murphy didn't sign the
Immigrant Trust Act. Um, but you're still operating under >> We still operate under the uh the Attorney General immigrant trust directive. We follow that to the tea. We do training every year, yearly training with our officers. We have to do it with the attorney general to stay compliant.
Officers have to continue to do that to keep their license, their police license up to date. Um, so those are those are some things that, you know, we're doing. But I I you know, my you know what I what I want to say is that I want the community I want the
council and the community to know that we are here um in support of you. You know, Redbank is a diverse community. It's been that way my entire life. I grew up here. I love our community. My door is always open. Um,
you know, I think it's important for the residents to know uh that, you know, we're here. We're here for you guys. And I want to make it clear that the Redbank Police Department that we follow the immigrant trust direction uh directive. Sorry. Um, and our officers remain
steadfast to to following that uh that directive and supporting and following uh supporting our community. I'm sorry. When I write things down, I don't really kind of come it doesn't come out too smoothly, but >> um >> hear you.
>> Yeah, they're kind of better off the off the flow. Um and it's important to note, too, like uh you know, the political climate of uh the nation. They're kind of saying that they're
sending in sending in ICE agents to kind of like help deter crime and and lower crime. And I have to say that the crime in Redbank is uh overall it's pretty low. I think nationally our
our our crime rate is at 17% somewhere around there and where the average is 33 or 36%. But I think for the most part, our officers are out there on the street. Um, you know, representing our department well, representing,
you know, all the, um, enforcing all the state laws in New Jersey. Um, and like I said, we don't we do not go after the immigrant uh, trust. I'm sorry. We do not go after any immigration uh enforcement at all.
Um enforce criminal laws. You know, there's some common misunderstandings uh regarding the directive. Uh you know, the directive does not stop police from enforcing criminal laws or making arrests based on criminal conduct. It only restricts
actions because of immigration status. It does not turn local police officers into uh federal immigration officers and you know, we do not assist them in any way. I think it's important for our police
department to move forward um developing develop policy developing policy um and training for our officers. I think it's uh important for our officers to continue with outreach programs, meeting with public to discuss uh any any issues
they have. You know, that might be something this year that uh I'm going to put in place a little bit more of a community outreach on our end. Um, but just to reiterate, you know, our officers are here to support the community and keep to keep everyone
safe. That's my concern. Um, we do not interact, share, we don't participate in any ICE activity. And as chief, you know, I'll continue to communicate and share information as it pertains uh to the local involvement of the police
department um and our daily activities uh you know just just the other day we had a training uh on Oakland Street between uh Bridge Avenue and Shrewsbury Avenue and I thought it was important to put it
out. Um, I spoke to Adriana, uh, I think all bur manager Gan and Fatima, um, regarding putting it out to the community because there was going to be a large amount of, uh, police activity, patrol vehicles, armored vehicles, and I thought it was important to put it out
to the community to say, "Hey, listen, this is police training over and not not um an ICE related or a federal immigration raid or or training, but it was for police uh police presence only,
Um, you know, I'd like to give uh Brett Bang Green a shout out for also helping us putting that out putting putting that out to our residents. Um, regarding the training, you know, I appreciate everybody's time tonight. Um, my door is always open, whoever wants to come in or
call, send me an email, be more than happy to meet with you. Um, you know, this is this is something that's really unprecedented across the entire nation and uh, you know, we need to come together as a community to keep everyone
safe. >> Yes. Any other question? >> You have any questions for Chief? >> I do have one question. >> The other day I think they went to Redbank Walla. Are they allowed to go on private property without >> That's quasi public property. So yes,
they can go on there. >> They can go on there. They can't go on somebody's lawn like or your front yard or come to your door, right? Could you say that's your private property? >> That's your private property. You don't have to answer the door. I think they can come up and knock, but you don't have to answer the door.
>> Somebody did bring up was it was in Wawwa private property, but it's quasi >> quas public. They can go on there. I mean, yeah, there's always always issues there even regarding trespasses. trespassers that normally go there and cause false trouble. But um yeah, they
can go on there. You know, going in the store creating a disturbance, probably not. That's where we would probably step in and say get out. Um but you know, >> thank you, Chief. >> All right. Have a problem.
>> Sorry, I missed the beginning. >> You don't want to hear me talk. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for setting the standard for the state. I think every chief should be just like you. >> Y mayor, I think we have a resident who has a question. >> Uh, sure.
>> Public. >> Sure. You want to We're going to be heading into public comments. You want to just hang out for Okay. Yeah. Yes. So, one sec. Um, can I have a motion to return to regular business? >> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> have a motion to open the floor for
public comment on agenda items and special event presentation items only. >> So move a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yeah. Probably this one. Steve, >> next week.
>> Next week. New year, new me. Steven 135 branch. Um chief um our feeling has been that um the presence of Red Bank police
officers um can be a calming and supportive influence. And so I was concerned to learn uh at least from from the public um notes on
Redbank Green and other published material that our police department was not present when these ICE events occurred. And I wanted to ask whether you are
prevented from being present. um if that's a choice that you've made not to be present. Um, and I also wanted to say that I think your presence um when um sanity
and uh um returns uh to to the to us um that the observations that our officers would make and the evaluations with respect to the professionalism
or not, which is demonstrated by uh these um the federal officers would be helpful. So um I just wonder if you could address >> So um I have never been notified by any
federal agency that they've they're coming in to pick up. They usually just show up. I guess they have selected individuals that they're going to pick up or um you know the one time I was notified one
morning I came into my office um I was informed that they picked someone up the train at the bagel station and that the officers later found out that they were following this individual from an alipin and they have to come all the way to Redbank to arrest I don't understand that but um no they don't
they do not call me on a regular basis they just show up. Um, we do not get involved. They have their guidelines. They follow their policies, procedures, their federal policy procedures. Um, you know, can I do I agree with the way
they treat people? No. Um, but >> but your observations as opposed to observations of a lay person, um, your observations would be critically important when the time comes.
>> Yeah. It's not like we know. Well, but the community knows. >> Yes. >> The community knows very quickly. >> That's when you guys fi find out. I usually find out the same time.
>> Okay. But but my my question is is there a reason why officers are not witnessing what's happening? Our officers, >> I would say it's probably I think it's gonna confuse people.
>> Yeah. They're not part of it and it would be by chance they would be passing by to >> We're all part of it. >> Yeah. Yeah. It would be by chance them passing by to witness it. >> Okay. You've answered my question and I appreciate it. >> No, no problem. Um I I believe that if
our officers were present um and observing what's happening that that would be comforting not a deterrent I don't think we can deter anything now. I think it's too
crazy to to deter, but I think it would be comforting to those who are being assaulted. There there's my prejudice. I see it as an assault. But >> but on the other hand, we also don't
want to get associated with that. >> Well, that's a difficult policy question because that's part of the immigrant trust directive is that it does participate anyway. So they they don't want state authorities to even have the appearance of being participating in the federal activity because then that
chills the public people willing will willing to work with their state officials on criminal activity the point that she chief pointed out before. So um I don't know what you know there's a new governor so there's going to be a new attorney general so we'll see if there's different guidance or other guidelines that you're talking about but that was
that's been debated. Um I will say that most states like for example you see in Minnesota the entire absence of state state law enforcement in the arena when you see these videos that's intentional to keep because the the state officials concern is the primary concern is not as
to the chief point out civil immigration enforcement it's public safety and criminal conduct. So that's I mean the debate we're having right here is what they debate you know probably the new governor and attorney general will have to wrestle with as well going forward. it were me. I I wish that my guys were
at least watching out about what's happening >> so that 6 months from now I can go and say Mike what about what happened um >> we're in a sticky place. We're in a sticky >> I I I see that
>> situation. It's it's it's hard for us and >> you know if I knew wholeheartedly that that would you know if that was legal for us to do that and I knew it was going to calm you know the situation down I I would be there myself to make sure >> is it illegal
>> yes we we say it I think the chief you would let's put it this way the the policy concept in the immigrant trust directive cuts against what you're suggesting. So I think if the chief is taking his, you know, is executing the guidelines here,
he's, you know, putting the burial in the best place by making sure his guys are not seen when this activity is going on or doesn't even seem like you have the opportunity in general anyway um to do that >> by association. >> Yeah. >> Unfortunately, >> that and that that and safety is the
paramount concern of just the municipal government, state government in general. when when uh when this behavior goes um unobserved that is not so it's important it's important to look
I mean this is a you can hear the conflict between state and federal laws right and I would say that the last time you saw this kind of disparity between the federal interpretation of enforcement state interpretation of enforcement maybe is the civil rights era right where you saw very awkward circumstances with national guard troops
and state troopers literally facing off against each other. And so that time may be coming that brings it to a legal head like it did back then. But right now the best we can do with the conflict of laws is kind of where we're at. I think you had a tip as well. I >> I just I wanted to point out the difference between um events being
observed and events being observed by our police department because pretty much um we have a lot of community activists, people are on site. I know Kate has been there several times. when we get word of an ice um appearance, people are showing up with their phones
and they're filming. Um so it's being observed just might not be being observed by our police department. But >> well, the difference is it be being observed by a professional who has the credentials to be able to make a
decision about whether that is uh the way that law enforcement should and does operate. um you know it's it's fine that lay people are observing and I believe that is a safety factor as well. I just
>> I think that if we are taking the stance of not creating any further confusion for our community, the best thing we can do is allow our police to protect our community by not being a part of the the nonsense that's going on at the federal
level and confusing our residents even more as to why they're even there and are they there to assist when we're bifurcating that completely and we're doing it under the protection of the immigrant immigrant and trust are active. So I think that we only muddy
the water if we insert ourselves in a situation under the guise of police rather than observations that we we debrief after every time it happens. and and and experts made that policy with the guidance of
experts in immigration, experts in the field, with guidance of the most vulnerable people who are being impacted by this issue who have been heard from about how they feel about this issue. So this is a very well thoughtout policy
with a lot of people at the table and there's a there's a reason for for the implementation of that directive. >> I hope it's also well understood. I understand more now than I did before. Thank you. >> It's a good question though and I understand where it comes from.
>> Thank you Steve. Chief Steve remembers. Chief, I just want you to know Steve remembered me hit the button. Didn't need him. >> Anyone else have any questions or comments on agenda items only for this
topic? Obviously, anyone? Anyone online? Ch. Yes, sir. >> No. Can I have a motion to close the public comment on agenda items only? >> I'll make such a motion. >> I have a second. >> All in favor? >> Mr. Mayor, I would like to make a comment since the chief is here now. I
won't be direct. turn your mic on. Uh so chief, I just wanted to thank the department for your professionalism and one of the um one of the uh things about having this circumstance in our nation and right here on my street, Locust
Avenue and the neighborhood is you appreciate how important it is to have professional law enforcement and training such as you recently had. uh people wearing uniforms of proper
identification, not hiding behind masks. And it's pretty scary to have people burst out of cars that aren't clearly marked, wearing masks, and snatching people. And it just seems so profoundly
against all the things the United States is supposed to stand for, liberty, rule of law, the Constitution, and due process. And so I am so grateful that in a small way this our small town that you
guys are doing the men and women of the Red Bank Police Department are acting professionally in accordance with our greater mission to prevent crime and continuous quality of life in Redbank. So I just wanted to thank you Amy and I do appreciate it. We are on a street
that ICE has been active on. The lack of people walking around is quite noticeable. It's the lack of people in our local stores and restaurants is quite noticeable. And the chilling effect it's had on a large
number of people. And I know that there are people and I've had people talk to me saying, "Oh, it's just affecting neglect." You know, it's such it's not true. is impacting so many legal and otherwise.
Anyway, thank you again, Chief. >> I appreciate the police. >> I appreciate that. It means a lot to uh myself and the men and women of the police department. You touched on um >> Sorry. >> I appreciate that. That means a lot to myself and the men and women of the
police department. Um I will touch on real fast. Uh I have been in contact with uh prosecutor Ray Santiago regarding trying to have a better communication with the federal uh agencies regarding uh better proper identification you know possibly
removing the masks um you know a better flow of communication with uh you know who they're dealing with and you know actually notification to us where they're going to be when they're going to be. Um but that's to come but I just want to put that out there as well.
Harris fire to be your councilman here, Chief. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Appreciate everyone. Thank you, Chief. >> Okay. Um, next up we have a a final reading and public hearing for ordinance 2026-01
entitled an ordinance of the burrow of Redbank County and Mammed State of New Jersey amending and supplementing chapter 490 planning and development regulations relating to section 55 historic districts sites regulation procedures adding attachment 7 which are
historic preservation guidelines. Um, can I have a motion to open the floor for public hearing on this ordinance only? >> Some move. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone have any questions for ordinance 2026-1?
Anyone on the legend? >> Yes, sir. >> Motion to close the public hearing for ordinance 2026-1. >> So, move a second. >> All in favor? >> I. Um, can I have a motion to uh approve
ordinance 2026-01? >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council person Monacavez. >> Yes. >> Council person. >> Yes. >> Council person Forest. >> Yes. >> Council person. >> Yes. >> Council person. >> Yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Triiano. >> Yes. >> Mayor Herman. >> Yes. Thank you all. Next up, a final reading and public hearing for ordinance 2026-02 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 300 construction codes uniform to update
our construction fees. Can I have a motion to open the floor for public hearing on this ordinance only? >> Make such a motion. >> Have a second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone have any questions or comments on this ordinance? See, Terrence, Terrence,
>> anyone online? I have a motion to close the public hearing for this ordinance only. >> Moved. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I have a motion to approve ordinance 2026-02 moved. >> Have a second. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Council person Bakus. >> Yes. Council person FA Blackwood. >> Yes. >> Council person Boris. >> Yes. >> Council person Jan. >> Yes. Council >> person. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trianiano. >> Yes. Mayor Bman. Yes.
Um, next up is an introduction of ordinance 2226-03 entitled an ordinance to exceed the calendar year 2026 municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a
CAT bank according to NJSA 48-4. Um um can I have a um Oh, we don't need to do the public hearing. All right. Can I have a motion to uh to approve one introduction ordinance 2026-03? >> I have a second.
>> I'll second that. >> Roll call, please. just before the vote, if you just want me to explain for the record, uh this is a yearly um financial action that the the bureau takes to establish a cap bank uh which allows
that in the statute of 4A4-4514 um a tax levy up to three and a half% above the prior year's appropriations. So, this just basically it doesn't create a new tax and authority. It just allows us to go beyond the normal 2% cap bank and extend it to a 3 and a half%
cap bank in case that additional levy is needed in future years. It's good financial planning and recommended by the auditor. >> I will be approving it next council meeting. >> Correct. >> Um where call >> a roll call please.
>> Council person. >> Yes. Council person Blackwood. >> Yes. Council person. >> Yes. >> Council person Jon. Council >> person. Yes. Mayor Janiano. Yes. Very important. >> Yes. There'll be a public hearing on this ordinance on February 12th.
Um we have a bunch of resolutions. Anybody need to highlight anything or can we do them on the consent agenda? >> Mayor, I'm okay with the consent agenda. >> Right. All good. Can I have a motion to approve
resolutions 26-25 through 26-36 on the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council person Bonakus, >> yes.
>> Council person By Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council person Forest, >> yes. >> Council person Janone, >> yes. >> Council person Euro, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Triana, >> yes. >> Mayor Park, >> yes. Um, we have some new volunteers for the fire
department. That makes my heart happy. It's nice to see the advertising campaign working. I'll attribute it to that. Um, coming to uh the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department. James Daniel Flynn has an
application for active membership in Namison Cook and Ladder. Cody Schmidt has the same active membership application for Navison Cook and Ladder. Caitlyn Wyman has an application for active membership at Navis Staint Hook and Ladder. Christopher Amali has an application for active membership at
Union Hose and Cara Moscow has an application for active membership at Westside Host Company. That is great. Any feedback from anyone? Any thoughts? No. >> Y is great.
Um can I have a motion to open the floor for public questions and comments? Make >> such a motion, Mr. May. I have a second. Second. >> All in favor? >> I If you have any thoughts on anything at all, now is the time.
Anyone? Pat, you good? >> All right. Anyone online? >> Yes, sir. >> Coming once. Emily, you good? All right. Can I have a motion to close the public comments? >> Motion, Mr. Mayor. >> Can I have a second? Second. All >> in favor?
Ben, >> let's start with you today. our council reports. >> Okay. Well, I'm going to change from the more serious topics that we are from talk about. First up, I'm leazison on as you know to the to be leazison on to the public schools.
>> I hear you. >> I'm honored to be less on the public schools. Thank you for that. And I went to all the meetings this month. Although apparently I missed the second meeting of the burough schools. um was a a longtime Redbank resident was honored for her 20 years of service and Roseman.
Um I was always remember as a board member saying to her I've been here longer than you an but I can't say that anymore. I was only on that board for 19 years. So congratulations and Roseman perhaps mayor even I think it's some acknowledge member at a future date. It's a it's a long time to be on the
board of education. >> Sure is. >> Um and uh on in my capacity as a parks and direct uh leaison, our meeting is next Tuesday at 7 o'clock. I think it's in this room unless you I imagine you
push this around somewhere. >> No sir. >> Um so if you're interested in honor of the parks and w issues or just want to hear us deliberate, um come here 7 o'clock next Tuesday. Um main announcement I want to make and Mark Rob is that we are now hiring 16 to 24 year
old residents of Mammoth County to be in our to run our camp programs etc. If you go to our website there's a little tab for jobs go there if if some you know somebody in M County who wants to apply. Okay. And
that I'm just making sure mayor I'm looking at my notes know I don't want to miss anything and have to go back to you. thing. I forgot to say something, but I think that covers me and I commented it earlier. So, thank you very much. >> All right. You want to fill the mic? Laura,
>> you ready? >> Yes. So, um I missed the library meeting this uh month because I was away, but I did go over the minutes and the budget. Everything seemed fine. We are having a library capital group meeting. Um, it's
going to be with Jim and myself and the members of the library board coming up on February 3rd. I also missed animal welfare because I was away. Um, I had gone to previous meeting and they have quite a few things planned for next
year. Uh, mayor's wellness. Um, I even zoomed in Mexico twice. >> Amazing. >> And wrote a lot of papers, didn't we? We did a lot of work. So um we uh um are having our some of
our stakeholders to JP Soul Kitchen at the end of the month for a little lunchon to thank some of the people that we've been working with. As Adriana said, we have a lot of people on stakeholders. So it's been great. Um we're planning some things for next year
and um we got our report into the state for last year and then we got our plan. Um maybe we'll get some money from the state to help us for next year. So we got that in. So that was uh important.
Um I also wanted to bring up that it is u heart month. That's why we're all just read today. It's very important to me as a nurse to uh recognize that and to say the button that Kate gave me that healthc care is a human right and it
shouldn't just be for certain people. Um, so, um, it's really important to me in many issues, but I just think taking money away from Medicaid and using it for ICE is really not the American way. So, I have to publicly say that. Thank
you. >> Katie, >> thank you, mayor. I just wanted to say again how proud I am of the entirety in this uh, town. Um, again, as the chief stated, um, although the immigrant trust
directive was not codified into law, the directive is just as strong as it was, um, before and it still remains under the new attorney general. The other bill that was passed into law by the governor is the Safe Communities Act, if anybody wants to look into the details of the
Safe Communities Act. Um, but essentially that creates a law that mirrors essentially exactly what the federal government used to state sensitive locations were before they repealed it, which are houses of worship, schools, healthcare locations,
food pantries, and it restricts that type of activity from happening in those sensitive locations. Um regardless, AFSC did train over 300 nonprofits in our area in the last year um on what to do if ICE shows up in their location,
including VNA, all of the Phil Parker Health Center, JBJ, the Redbank Public Schools. Um essentially, if there's somebody that gives services in our area, they have been trained by AFFC. Um but now we have this extra comfort of knowing that the seed communities act
was passed. Um, let me check. Community equity engagement committee. As Audrey mentioned, they have been doing the business outreach and coordinating with her on that, which is wonderful. And that's across the entire town. Um, regardless of the needs of those businesses. Um,
the CEC is also going to announce a nomination project uh process for the next community service award. Um, nominations will be open to the public and should launch in the next um, you know, couple weeks. But basically the committee started that award um so that
residents in our town you there's thousands of people living here um can be recognized for the everyday acts the wonderful acts of kindness and the wonderful people that live here that just do great things every single day. So it's a beautiful thing that the
committee um highlights and I just I really like the work that committee is doing. So, thank you Audrey also for helping them, you know, find their path with um reaching out to the businesses. Um trying to think, it's just been very busy. It's been very busy. Um I want to
thank all the residents who have been reaching out and emailing us um with their concerns and I want to reiterate um what the mayor said about that upcoming meeting um February 17th at 3 p.m. I know it seems like it might be a little far away for updates, but it'll
be here before you know it. And it also it gives us some time to see um what the state does in the meantime. I mean we just got a new governor. Let's see in the first month what the legislature does policy wise. Um take a talk
and that's it. Thank you mayor >> Christina. >> Thank you. Um also turning to uh our local matters because we've spoken a lot about the rest. Um, I wanted to thank the council
for uh approving the historic guidelines, historic design guidelines, officially adding that to our zoning. Uh, and also just >> um and also making that the official document that the historic preservation
commission uses when they are evaluating uh approvals that come before before the commission. Uh this is really what we've been striving for for a long time with help of a grant even many professionals and really hard work of that commission putting this together. Um this is this
is the ideal state for such a commission to have objective guidelines uh by which to do their reviews and it's also just a really beautiful ideas book. Um, we actually uh the commission met last night and already um they had
stories about uh being able to use just this draft document to help and give guidance to folks uh in the downtown were looking at what they wanted to do with the business. Did did we have any standards? And it turns out yes, we did. So, it's actually this should make uh
proactive action much easier, streamline how these things work. So, uh really appreciate moving that forward. This went through the planning board as well for uh review relative to the master plan. So I think this is a really strong document uh that's going to take us a
long time uh a long way forward. So thank you. >> Thank you Ben 2.0. >> That's pretty see what sticks. >> Uh yeah, I'm happy to represent the council on River Center now. Thank you deputy mayor for giving me that honor.
Um, wanted to announce the Valentine's sweet stroll coming up February 7th. Um, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A lot of businesses involved. It starts at Bougie Fire, one of the newer businesses in town. Um, they seem excited to be a part
of it. So, I love seeing collaboration between the different businesses in town. Um, and giving, you know, opportunity to those that might not have people walking in um, organically on a random day in February. Um, so that's a good one to come out to. I also just saw
online forchett. Is that how you pronounce that? >> Forchett. Yeah, >> forchett. Um, they're doing fromage Fridays. >> Oh, uh, shuderie happy hour type of deal. I think it saw it was 25 bucks by so go down to the new liquor store on
Broad Liquor World, grab some veno and uh, have a nice night doing that. Um, yeah, and it's just really encouraging seeing, you know, new businesses wanting to get involved and excited for the spring and summer. I think it's going to be really good. Um, and then I was did
get mentioned from deputy mayor that the women's warming center is always collecting um, Uber gift cards, which is something I didn't realize. It's important to uh, have mobility, especially with all the weather and whatnot we have coming up and have had best. So, it's, you know, another
example to me of, you know, the community. There's so many different ways to contribute um to different people in need. So, happy to bring that up. Um, now I did want to shout out Parks and Wreck. The indoor soccer started at the middle school. Um, my
three and a half-year-old Sebastian is participating in the preK division. Um, and I it's my first time participating in something like that in town. It's really wellrun. I'm really impressed impressed by the amount of people that are out there and uh look forward to Sunday. If you want to see him listen to
some not listen to someone that's not me 10 a.m. >> It's uh actually Mammoth FC does the um coaching for the younger divisions which I thought was really cool. Another synergy example of different you know pieces of the of the town coming
together. So really cool. Good stuff. Thank you, Ben. >> Hi, thank you. Um, I'll start off with a few things that are happening on the state level. One of the initiatives that uh the
environmental commission green team brought to council which became uh a part of our municipal code was skip the stuff that is now state law. So, thanks to the action of Redbank and other local municipalities, we were able to convince
the state that this is a good law to be passed. It basically um saves businesses money because you get your utensils only if you ask for it and it saves residents trash because you're not throwing out a whole, you
know, drawer full of condiments that you received that you didn't really need. So, I thought that was really good. So, you know, yay Redbank for that. >> Um, the EC Green team is having their green fair on the 22nd on Earth Day of April. And um I'm trying to encourage
them to work with our community engagement team and their see my legacy program to help um get the list of organizations that we already use for the green team to go through see my legacy and see how we can help them and
they in turn will help us. Uh, also the EC is hosting this time um in Redbank the sustainable Jersey hub and thank you for allowing them to use the senior center. Uh, it's going to be on the 9th of February. On the STC side, the Sha
Shade Tree Committee, they're reaching out to neighbors on Drummond Avenue. That's still part of their pilot. uh as part of the tree canopy project, the goal is to try to get trees in front yards as your first goal to help create a tree canopy for people as they're going down the streets to help um reduce
what is known as the heat island effect. Um, one of the other issues that I do that I've been engaged with as being on the completing green streets advisory committee and um, sustainable Jersey
energy task force and the complete street summit committee is about um, e-mobility and there was a bill that was passed. the intentions were good, but the delivery honestly there were some
issues that were overlooked or uh and as a result it does disenfride some members of our community uh such as people who are disabled that cannot get a driver's license or a motorized license but are capable of riding a bike and um how they
reclassified all bikes. And I do recognize we do have a problem, but most of the problems are related to what used to be called class 3 ebikes. And I'm not going to go in the weeds. I'm really trying not to. >> Um, but those are motor essentially
electric motorcycles for one a better word. And those are what we saw last summer all over abroad with the young kids. I like that there's an age requirement. Personally, I think it's still too low. 14 years old. And the kids that are doing this are the 14, 15 year olds. So, um, what I think, uh, the
bicycle community within the state is not happy with this law and honestly, I think the bill was, it seemed like it was kind of rushed through and consultation wasn't made to come with with a bill that makes sense. So, here's the issue that we have. We have a
climate crisis on hand. We'd like to see carbon-f free transportation. And here's a method that is taking place, a third tier of transportation. So ideally we want to make it safe. We want to make it accessible to all and use the three tier
frame rate work that's um used nationally. You'd like to see rapid and thorough investment in protected bike infrastructure investment significantly. This is very important and bicycle education and working with the police for proper enforcement. So I'm looking
at you saying you know what I didn't leave you for this. So, um, and I would like to say I would like to think that our whole council is in agreement that we should support a bill that doesn't disenfranchise a community such as
someone who can't get a license but rides a bike. And um, I think that, you know, and I do work with um, New Jersey Bike Coalition, the Complete Streets Coalition, Voice Transportation Center. So you know they and I'm also work with
our legislators to try and help with I'll be very happy to work with them to get something that makes sense complete for all members to the best that we can. So um I did want to say that um one of the things we do have open is an ARP
community challenge grant that's open and it kind of made me wonder you like maybe we could do something with bicycle education in town and I'm again looking towards the police. So, um, that's basically what I have. One of the things I do want to ask is or state is that I
what I've observed about our police chief is that, um, he walks his talk and if a resident does have an issue, he is known to knock on their door and help them address their issue and we get feedback. And I just want to say they think you're doing a wonderful job.
>> And my last thing is when are we going to get this update um, to the courtroom, Jim? >> Next week. >> Next week. All right. Awesome. All right. That's all I have to say. >> Comfortable staying in public. Not really. >> Amazing. Amazing. You're a brave leader.
I like you. >> That's right. Good job. >> You're going to have to remind me. There's this dude in my neighborhood. I see him walking all the time and he's always fostering a new dog. I think he'd be a good person to recognize, but I don't know. I gota have next time I see him, I'll grab his name, but you're going to have to remind me because I'm
going to forget. Um, and I I mentioned before, my kids have all been involved in the Little Shakes program over at the Tour Theater. And um, even though my son Easy is off in college, he was involved uh, backstage
for this current production, their final two shows that you can get tickets for this Saturday. They're doing As You Like It. There's a 2:00 matinea and a 7:00 show. There's a 2:00 show on Sunday which is sold out but my guess is it might be uh cancelled. Anyway, um thank
you guys everyone for all the information you communicated. Um and thank you for the work you guys are doing on the mayor's wellness campaign. It's it's nice to see you know all these nonprofits come together and uh and do a lot of good. So that's all I got. Jim,
you got a manager's report? >> Thanks publicly. Thank them for our newsletter that went over exactly what we did the marit timeline and >> yeah that was good >> nice sure >> this is going to go segue right into
what Jim is doing um I want to say we're also proud to uh pass a resolution approving the professional services contract with alta planning to prepare a vision zero report to you which is consistent with the safe
streets and the safe streets general. That's it. >> I'll set off my list. >> Yeah, that one off. >> Okay. >> Um just a couple things. Um because really right now our focus even particularly today um is this impending
storm that we have. I mean it's pretty significant impact to the area. Probably one that we haven't seen in several years um that they're they're stating. So, uh, our emergency operations team met today. We plan to touch base tomorrow morning again, um, putting out
messaging and just making sure that we have things operationally in place. Um, through, you know, Tommy Welsh, our emergency management coordinator, u myself, obviously the chief, and the rest of the team, we got together just to discuss uh any concerns and to go
over our manpower and everything. These weekend storms have been really challenging and the last three snow events have been over the weekend. So, um, calling in our staff, uh, requiring our staff to work through it through the night. Mostly this storm coming up is going to be through the night. Um, so it
it adds just another layer of difficulty to to the management of that. At the same time, it's also good that a lot of people are sleeping while we're out with our operations. Are we um opening up public lots for people to put cars to get them off the streets? Is that
>> Yep. Same same uh same logistics that we've been putting in place consistently through the last storms. I know that there's really no great answer to the issue of having cars on the street. However, that's what we can offer um and that's what we can expect from our residents.
>> I did I was trying to find this information. Do do they does can we find out if the PZO garage allows overnight parking and how much that might cost? I know the Westside Loss Garage does. It's probably like, you know, >> So, we actually use and Chief, you might be able to help me with this. We we
actually use for police vehicles and um other municipal vehicles the the third floor there of the Paso garage. So, I don't know how much of the rest of it is available um or if they're necessarily willing to open it, but it's maybe something we could touch base with them on.
>> Yeah, sure. I think uh I think the garage is open to the public. You just have to go in. I don't know what they charge, but they they allow they have allowed us for >> I know they allow parking. I'm just wondering if they allow overnight parking for >> Yeah, there's other cars in there and then stores the stores previous um
they've allowed us to park our lease fire construction vehicles in there overnight um till the you know our lots are completely clear but uh when we do that there are other vehicles in there stored overnight. So So between tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow afternoon maybe we
can touch base and see if we can reach out to somebody and get some direction on that. Um, but again, particularly with this storm, the enforcement is going to have to happen because we're looking at potentially a foot of snow and we need the the roads cleared and we
need the vehicles off the roads. Um, I know the chief's given a lot of leeway in that regard. However, we're consistent with the messaging and um, that's something that we're we're actively preparing for. Uh Lynen Place the road construction project will is we
had a precon meeting and we're set to start on February 9th uh with that with Lynen Place. So that's going to be underground utilities and then uh milling and and paving looking to complete that project substantially by midspring because you have to allow a
certain amount of time for the trenches to settle before you can come in and mill and pave the the roadway to completion. Uh so we've met with the contractor. will be going out with community messaging on that, making sure that every resident is notified along that street as to what the timeline is
and the schedule. Um the as you saw also tonight, the contract to extend the Delissa Waste Management Services. Uh we we put that in place um as the contract is nearing its end and we have a bid opening scheduled for February 5th for
um other bids to come in for waste management. We obviously don't know what they're going to look like uh right now uh or which ones we will receive, but we've been in contact with Delissa. Uh we put this on tonight to extend that contract for our waist services. So uh I'll have more to report on the bid
opening for waist services after February 5th, which we have a consultant coming in to help us through that competitive contracting process. Um lastly, one thing I need to do and Bonnie, just to make it as a matter of record, obviously for the next uh
meeting minutes, this is particularly for um our staff, our salaried employees that are non-union. Um under my purview as burough manager, you know, we set the salary ordinance within the bureau. I act within that ordinance to provide uh
yearly increases and things of the like. There's been some back and forth with pension as to what they require. I think have them navigating under a burough manager form of government may be a little different than what they're used to. >> Right. So here I'm going to do it by
reading it into the minutes. um because acting on it by resolution is not necessarily the purview of the governing body uh but is the purview under the burough manager. So uh I'm just going to name the employees where as of October
of 2025 they received a retroactive that's how we do it in municipal government. It's usually you know threequarters way through the year we give a retroactive increase to the salaries. Uh the union employees receive it on January 1st. However, we kind of
see how the budget's playing out and other things and and how our salaried employees are performing on a merit basis versus a actual union contract. Um, the employees that I'm going to read received a 3% increase to their salary
which is effective January 1st of 2025 for the year of 2025. Um so that would be and again this is mainly for the record uh Bonnie Thomas our deputy clerk registar Kathy Gerber our board administrator Frank Loraca which is the
municipal court judge Jackie Reynolds the director of senior of the senior center chief Frzy uh Oscar Selenus the director of parks and recreation Johnny Ebanks director of planning and zoning Sher Gamina who had
a midyear year increment of 5,000 as an adjustment due to additional duties that were added to her uh job description with a yearly um annual increase in the normal sense of 3%. Uh Sue Mils, the
deputy court administrator with a 3% increase, Tommy Welsh, our fire marshal at 3%. Shisha Despande uh the tax utility collector at 3%. Terrence Walton, our director of public utilities
a 3%, Tom Seaman, our CFO at 3% and Tony Nyberg uh received he had duties removed from his position and his salary was readjusted based on the construction official duties across the state where
he had a uh a salary audited. Uh his reflected a 6% increase because he's an hourly employee um and is not a full-time employee of the burrow. Uh so his his rate increased 6%. Which actually it's because he did
receive an increase the prior year. So in his interest of reporting again all for the record hopefully to be approved by the minutes at the next meeting so that I could submit that for the state and everybody is squared away. >> That's it.
>> That's it sir. >> Can I motion to adjourn to executive session? >> So move second. All in favor? >> I press five minute. >> Okay, we're going to take a five minute break. Public, you are gladly dismissed.
Thank you for being here to announce me 25 minutes. 25 minutes and no action will be taken after this after session. No action.
Don't forget to collect more Don't