Yeah. >> Good evening everyone. This meeting is being held in accordance with the public laws of 1975 chapter 231. Excuse me. An adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a notice sent the as park press to times and star
ledger imposed through 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. The right 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, 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 a comment.
Whether you appearing in person or via Zoom, you must provide your name to be recognized. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call, please. Mary. >> Council member Bonitakis, >> here. >> Council member Cassidy, >> present. >> Council member Facy Blackwood, >> here. >> Council member Forest, >> present.
>> Council member Janome, >> here. Deputy Mayor Triad >> here. Mayor Portman >> here. >> Um, we have a couple of uh proclamations to read. So, I'll get right to it. First up is a proclamation in recognition of
Italian-American Heritage and Cultural Month for October of 2025. Whereas each October, we honor and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of Italian Americans whose ancestors journey into the United States seeking new opportunities and in
turn help shape the nation's history. And whereas from 1820 to 2004, approximately 5.5 million Italians immigrated to the United States. And today, there are nearly 17.8 million Americans of Italian descent, making up one of the nation's largest ethnic
groups. And whereas Italian-Americans have excelled in every field including education, science, business, government, and the arts. Notable figures such as Enrio Farme, John Basselone, Geraldine Ferraro, and countless others have left a lasting
impact on our nation's progress and values. And whereas Italian-Americans, Italian immigrants and their descendants have played a critical role in building America's infrastructure, providing labor for factories, mines, and construction and contributing to the economic and cultural fabric of our country while upholding a strong family
values and community ties. And whereas the traditions, culture, and values brought by Italian-Americans continue to enrich our communities and serve as a reminder the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the contributions of all ethnic groups to the United States. Now therefore, I,
William Portman, mayor of the burrow of Redbank, on behalf of the council, hereby proclaim October 2025 as Italian American Heritage and Cultural Month in the Burrow of Red Bank. Anthony, you want to film Brad? Yeah, it's good.
later. >> Huh? >> I know. All right. Um, next up we have a proclamation for LGBT LGBTQIA history month plus history month.
Whereas October holds sign historical significance because in October 1979, the first LGBT National March on Washington occurred, marking the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. And on October 11th, 1988, the first National Coming Out Day was celebrated.
And whereas the month of October has been identified to remind all cultures within our wider community of the of the important roles LGBTQIA plus people have taken in shaping the social, cultural, historical, legal, and political worlds we live in today.
And whereas the Burough Redbanks support the rights, freedoms, and equality of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, interex, and asexual. And whereas LGBTQIA plus individuals have made and continue to make contributions to the cause of
equality to strengthen the fabric of American society. And whereas the Burough of Redbank appreciates and recognizes the importance of LGBTQIA plus history month as an effective means of educating and calling to action our community members to work together by fighting prejudice and discrimination in
their own lives. And whereas increasing visibility, raising awareness, and teaching LGBTQIA plus history fosters a welcoming community climate where LGBTQIA plus residents can live their authentic lives and be treated with dignity and respect.
Now therefore, I, William Portman, mayor of the Burough Redbank, on behalf of the council by the powers vested in me to hereby proclaim October 2025 as LGBTQIA plus History Month in the Burough Redbank. And I urge all citizens to support and honor the LGBTQIA plus
community during LGBTQIA+ history month and all year long. You did it >> um lots of ago. >> Yeah. Lots and lots of letters. >> I just want to say thank you to Paul
Seavoy and Steve Mullis for all that they do uh for the LGBTQ community. He wins the facial. >> We have one final proclamation. This is for Native American Heritage Month. Whereas since time immemorial,
the indigenous peoples of the Americas have cultivated deep vibrant cultures built on unique traditions, languages, and a professional connection to the land and a profound connection to the land and nature. And whereas the history and foundational strength of the United States have been significantly
influenced by the ingenuity, resilience, and vast contributions of American Indians and Alaskan natives. And whereas we acknowledge and reflect upon the complex and often painful history that indigenous communities have endured, including land dispossession, broken
treaties, and cultural destruction. And whereas we recognize the strength, perseverance, and determination of indigenous peoples who continue to assert their sovereignty, practice their heritage, and pursue justice. And whereas the hundreds of tribal nations in our country continue to enrich our society through their dynamic
cultures, leadership, and diverse perspectives, strengthening the very fabric of our nation. And whereas this month provides an opportunity to honor and celebrate their traditions, achievements, and the history of Native Americans, and to recommmit to upholding our trust and
treaty obligations with tribal nations. And whereas it is vital to raise public awareness of the true history of Native Americans, celebrate their enduring legacies, and learn from their invaluable contributions to arts, science, philosophy, and environmental stewardship.
Now, therefore, I, William Portman, mayor of the Burough Redbank, on behalf of the council by the powers invest vested in me, do hereby proclaim November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month in the Burough Redbank. And I urge all citizens to observe this month by celebrating and learning about the enduring heritage, culture, and
contributions of indigenous people through appropriate programs, ceremonies, and educational activities. And one other thing, we had an add-on um an appointment. We had a mayoral appointment to the completed and green streets committee >> completed. >> And that would be Boris Kaufman as a
member. Um that >> next up we have a presentation from the Redbank Elks. They're giving the uh Enrique S. Camarina Award to Preston Malanche and Francisco Meta of the Redbank Police Department. >> On up.
>> That mic works. This mic. >> Yes. >> Just a quick little background. There's your hing red. >> There we go. >> Just a little quick background on Enrique Kiki Romero. He was a Mexican
who worked for the uh United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Uh the Guatemalan uh cartel, uh hired police officers to kidnap him where he was tortured for information
and then killed. Uh this happened about 40 years ago. So what the Elks do every year to uh commemorate to uh uh recognize Enrique Kiki for all he did uh we do something with our drug
awareness program. This year we're giving out two awards to two officers who uh dedicate their uh their uh lives to helping out the community and uh we thank them very very much. I'm done.
>> Get that head on a swivel, guys. I just want to thank the mayor council for their support and getting this on the agenda tonight. Uh I want to thank officially congratulate uh Frank and PJ uh all your hard work and dedication with keeping the community. >> The work is here
>> doesn't go unnoticed obviously. Um, thanks to the Elps. You guys are great. You guys do so much for the community, for first responders, for underprivileged children, for families in need. Uh, proud to be an El. I just want to say thanks. Thanks so much.
Great turn out tonight by all you guys. appreciate. >> Great. Next up on the agenda, you you got you're welcome to hang. You know, as always, as people chill in the back, we're going to get some really riveting municipal business. You sure? Wait, what' I say?
>> Relax. We're better. >> All right. Thank you guys. Um, then I have a motion to open the floor for public comment on agenda items only. >> Thanks. I have a motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Public. The microphone is yours. Yes. I think that mic is working too if you want either one of them. But I think that one's working too. >> Come into the box and press by a chair over here. You're going to clear a room, too.
>> There we go. All right. >> Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and members of the Redbank Burough Council. My name is Sheila Hins, and I serve as vice president of operations at Hackinac Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center. Thank you for your continued support and for standing up the comm for
the community of Long Branch this evening by adopting a resolution against RWJ Barnabas Health Plans Health plans to move Mammoth Medical Center out of Long Branch. Your voice is loud and clear. Local residents shouldn't have to
give up access to quality hospital care close to home. This decision to uproot an urban teaching hospital out of a medically underserved community doesn't just impact Long Branch. It negatively impacts the entire region, including Redbank. When patients have to travel
further for emergency, maternity, and other critical services, hospitals like Riverview and Jersey Shore Medical Center get thousands of displaced patients, which will impact increased weight times in our already congested emergency departments. We are grateful
to the council for their vote tonight and for their understanding that health care is about people. It's about the mother who counts on access to maternity care close to home. It's about the senior citizen who requires timely cardiac care for the child who deserves
to receive emergency care without delay. We will continue to stand shouldertosh shoulder with you to do the right thing by advocating for continued access to care for all Mammoth County residents and ensuring communities like Redbank and Long Branch have the hospital care
they deserve right where they need it most. >> Thank you. Anyone else have any questions, comments? Anyone online? J. >> Yes, Mr. Poo.
>> Yes, sir. >> You aware it's agenda? >> Microphone is working, sir. Yes. Good evening, Mayor and um I want to speak on uh
a few items on there and one of them is the uh >> Montana issues about Montana. I mean there there are some uh things that are being addressed today. I also sent something
to council through Mary. Okay. Basically the issue is that whilst Montana was doing work uh with uh Red Bank there were still issues about coordination
uh when streets were going to be closed and all that. I primarily myself did suffer some consequences uh out of that and I think that there be some more coordination about how uh things are done going
forward and um I saw uh today that council has sent something about some kind of a project that's going where people are going to be campassing the town to uh do things about resources
sharing resources with members of uh the public. Now where that pertains to me is that uh the governing body has a policy of not talking to me
particularly because I have sued the town on occasion and that there's still some that are going to pract practically because first of all I cannot get over to the uh mayor to speak with the mayor
like I used to do in the I still speak with the chief of police about coordinating things so things don't end up in uh in in court. I sent the material to you to uh make you aware that uh the national
organization of the NAACP is pleased my leadership. We set up something called Redbank Talks where we're dealing with people with Alzheimer's. we're doing with the financial literacy and um one of the things that you've embarked on is
a property tax relief. It happens that what you're doing right now is quite late. >> Mariana of the library have been basically doing the same thing
and uh Voile and uh Dr. Dan and Lean Peter Paul have also been helping out with that. The
ones that we're interested in are basically uh uh the seniors. Okay. Because stay and the ankle and the PAS1 >> the deadline is October 31st. So if you
guys are doing the same thing that we've been doing, there needs to be some kind of a coordination to make sure that we reach as many people as possible. Now I'm going to stop here because you know I only have five minutes to uh what do
you call it? Talk to mayor and council. But I'm urging you that if you still have the position that the uh uh the governing body cannot talk to me because I sue then it means that any time that
we have to do things we have to thank you. >> Anyone else have any questions or comments on agenda items only? Anyone knows? >> Right. >> Oh yeah. Right. Just just below the the
buzzer. >> There we go. Yeah, right there. >> Just in time, right? >> What's this? Yeah. >> Four. >> I would like to speak in support of >> Just Just say your name again. >> Steve. >> Hi. >> I would like to speak in support of the
Hackinack uh resolution that the woman presented before. I forget your name. I'm sorry. Um when you remove a hospital from a state, you leave that community destitute from those uh benefits and
like ours we have Riverview it is um very much a community hospital. It's community um hope support. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Can I have a motion to close the public comment on agenda items only? Make
>> such a motion. I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. >> Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from 109 2025? >> I'll make that motion. >> Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> All right. We have a couple of uh ordinances to introduce. First up is ordinance 2025-28 entitled an ordinance amending chapter 9 boards committees and commissions of the buroughs or advised general ordinances to add a member of the burough's shade
tree committee to the burough's complete and green streets advisory committee. Um can I have a motion to approve ordinance 2025-28 >> on introduction? So move. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
Council member Bonitakis, >> yes. >> Council member Cassidy, >> yes. >> Council member Facy Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council member Forest, >> yes. >> Council member Jano, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trigiano, >> yes. >> And Mayor Portman, >> yes. Public hearing for this ordinance
will be held on November 13th, 2025. And next up is ordinance 2025-29 entitled ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a permanent public access easement affecting a portion of Riverview Medical Cent's properties known as block 11, lot 1.02, and block
9, lot 33.01 in connection with the burrow's ongoing efforts to secure continuous and contiguous public access to the Navas River. Could I have a motion to approve ordinance 2025-29 on introduction? So moved. Do >> I have a second?
>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Jinx. >> Council member Bonakis. >> Yes. >> Council member Cassidy. >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Council member Fazy Blackwood. >> Yes. >> Council member Forest. >> Yes.
>> Council member Janome. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Triana. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Portman. >> Yes. Um before we do the resolutions on the consent agenda, does anyone need to highlight anything on here or point anything out? >> Yeah, I would do a council report.
>> Oh, I'll do it to my council report. No, >> um I have a motion to approve resolutions 25-214 through 25-227 under the consent agenda. So moved. Can >> I have a second? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. Council member Bonitakis, >> yes. >> Council member Cassidy, >> yes. >> Council member Casey Facey Blackwood, >> yes. >> Council member Forest, >> I wanted to make comment on 2020 25
>> 2526. >> So that's a resolution. >> Oh, sorry. >> Hey, Ben, you want I keep doing that. You want to do that in public comment or you >> I want to make a comment. Okay. On the resolution. >> Gotcha. >> Uh I used to work in one branch and um
I've wanted to monic medical for a variety of reasons over the years including when my daughter was very sick because they had a rather excellent neonatal program there when she was a baby. And um you know Long Branch you know part of the heart of Long Branch is
Mammoth Medical Center across from Fine Bear. It's right in the middle of town. Worked there a long time. Um, you know, would be very destructive to the city of Long Branch to see that hospital move to a servant location.
Um, I know there'll be some services there, but it's really quite disturbing that this is all being done with very little process to, as far as I can tell, nothing Long Branch, the citizens of Long Branch. And um it's really an
outrage. Um and so I'm very happy to be voting yes on that resolution. I think it's uh really quite upsetting because there's such they're part of the community, the whole part of Long Branch around that. There's a kind of mammoth medical community there near the train
station. Uh there's a lot of people in Long Branch in the subs. Um I remember running a festival there when we had an emergency. It was nice having that emergency room right there. That's my comment and I vote yes, mayor. >> Thank you, Ben.
>> Thank you, Council Member Jano. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Trianiano. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Portman? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um, I have a motion to open up the floor for public comment. >> So moved.
>> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> All right. Anything else that's on your mind? Public? >> Yes, sir. Actually, I'm going to have uh Steve will come up first and then we'll
have Mr. Koku come back up. Ste 135 branch. um for seeing that the false contract is being renewed and I think that's a wonderful thing but I would like and I would like for the public to be able to
understand exactly what it is that they do and of course without violating anyone's privacy. So it would be some aggregate data that would be useful to know how they're functioning, what they
do. one step ahead of you. >> Yeah, we reached out to Paul, so they're going to be presenting a next council meeting >> with that with that data. Um, obviously just to, you know, up against some contract deadlines and to make sure that the service is not there's no gap in service. >> Well, we agree.
>> Well, we agree and they'll be here. >> Okay. Well, I'm happy that you >> Yeah. There are the things I want to fight with you about another thing while I'm here. um the um oxen rat is getting the
money from the um >> cannabis >> cannabis uh uh organizations and I think that um by the end of the year it should be time for some accounting as to how much um what it's
being used for. I'd like to see that happen as well. >> That's fair. >> Sure. >> I'm glad that you're ahead of me on that one, too. I I had an answer for you, too, but I'll I'll wait. >> Recreation trust, right? >> Yeah.
>> All right. Um, Mr. Poku, >> first of all, I'd like to comment a little bit on parliamentary procedure. Um, you just uh heard Mr. Forest uh make some comments about um how he felt
before he did his vote. I think that uh you could probably uh what you call it u modify the way that you present material that first a person moves and then there's a second. This is basically
basic after that comes on um you would want to find out whether there are any comments to be made. So Mr. uh forest comments should have come
before uh you were uh getting ready to buy the house. What happens then is that those comments might sway other people you know to uh pass vote in a certain way. I heard Mr. Mayor you saying that would he want to do the comments in the
public section. I think you just want to do that uh in reverse because there's a chance to sway and uh that brings uh me to uh uh one of the other comments in in
there when Susan Favati was presenting to uh the governing body about um the projects that were coming. It was always something like something being pitched
to the public. Five minutes to try to interact uh is not enough and we don't have any forums outside of uh uh people trying to speak to this governing body. So it it
almost becomes like you've already made up your mind that you're going to move in a a certain direction and it doesn't matter what the public says. And then coupled with the fact that uh someone like me uh doesn't have access uh to to
either try to sway you or not. I mean, I had in the beginning when I I used to get over to the uh uh the mayor on uh his Monday meetings. One time I tried to meet up with council in uh uh what you
call it the library and I was told that they were not supposed to speak with me, you know. So it's it's come to a point where it appears that the only way to try to sway and uh get things done.
>> Mr. Fu, you're more than welcome to come back to the first of all can the mayor council hold open office hours and talk to everyone. you are a particularized case because you have pending litigation against the town that after you went to the mayor's office hours then I saw in
your conversation with him in court paperwork that was filed later. So the only reason you're not allowed to talk to the mayor and council so everyone in the room is clear is because you have multiple pending lawsuits against the town and I told my clients that they shouldn't talk to you because what they're saying to you in good faith
trying to help you out in the town is ending up in court filings against the town. So like you have a very particularized case. If you want to come back to council office hours, just drop all the lawsuits you have against the town and then you can show back up like all the other residents who haven't sued the town multiple times who need a
legitimate have a legitimate issue. So I just want to be clear. You're saying like we're shutting you out. You are shutting yourself out by bringing multiple lawsuits against the town that are frivolous and then using the council office hours to try to further those legal interests that I can't let you do. So I don't have anything against you personally. We just hung out the other
day in the street together, right? But you can't we can't have it both ways. So if you drop all the lawsuits, you're just another citizen like everybody else that all these people help every day and every at every office hours. So I mean I just wanted everyone in the room to be clear that you we're not singling you out. The only reason you have a different situation is because you're a
litigant, a serial one, frankly. And if you just drop all that then we can all just go back to normal. That that's where that's where the burrow is at on it. So you know I respect you. I talked to you the other day on on the street. But you know that's that's where it's at. that's not personal to you beyond
the fact that you're a litigant. Okay. So, may I respond to that? Okay. So, I have a situation where as an analogy to mail a piece of paper from here to
California cost you maybe 75 cents. May that same thing across the street is 75 cents. Somehow it's subsidized. have told the governing body that we have a situation
where there's something called the AP which affects long-term residents of Redbank in the sense that the new people coming in cause property values to go up skyhigh
and therefore there's a tax liability that the ordinary person is not able to stomach and eventually What happens is that it removes people of color that's almost finished in the sense that a large population of
black folks that used to live in red are gone. The next will be ordinary white folks and pretty soon we would have a situation where only billionaires will be able to live here. And I'm saying that as a governing body, you have the
ability to put in place certain things like the governors that stay NJ to keep seniors in uh in all of New Jersey. There's something called the freeze act that's
not mentioned in this thing that you sent out. The stuff that you sent out talks about stay anchor and senior freeze. There's something called the freeze act and I spoke with Christopher Christopher Wong of the Mouth County
Board of Taxations and explained all that to me that the courts Marunda of the tax board has ruled that the freeze act is >> free >> applicable
>> in tax situations. Mammoth County has adopted a certain attitude that it does not matter. So because of that, >> people are not able to get restit and their taxes keep on going up and up. That's what the lawsuit is about. And
you asking me to drop it when as my job as the president of the NWACP, my job is to bring up economic equity and all that stuff. And if there's something that affects the ordinary people that live in Red Bank, that needs to be addressed,
then we need to have a forum to talk about it, not five minutes. And then you have one hour to have Susan uh provide a pitch to us and then she says whatever is happening in Red Bank is happening every place else. We're not unique. Yes,
we are unique because Red Bank is a sea in an ocean of Republican uh what you call it governing bodies all around. This is the only Democratic uh what you call it enclave in New York and we need
to keep it so if we can help it. And when the voting voting rights act was being uh oral argued uh what you call it uh recently it talked about the impact of race on redistricting and that the
government has the ability to do things section two of the voters right considers race. I'm I'm telling you consider what has happened in Redbank. Black folks are gone. The next folks to go will be ordinary.
>> Thank you. >> Does anyone else have any comments or questions? >> Jimmy 48 Western. Thank question I have for you. Um, you got a lot of apartment builders around here and I always said they need more and
more. You got a lot of people need places to stay. Even these new apartment builders coming, they only build sometimes four or five affordable apartments. Why don't y'all council go gather them and say how many empty apartments around here and said take
these people that need a place and put them in there instead of just keep building and building and you can hear stories there's a lot of empty apartments around here they said you'd be surprised look up sometime you see there's a lot of empty places no curtain nobody live there so instead of just keep building and building take some of
these people that need it if you got 15 in park just go ahead and make it affordable so people can get off the street and have somewhere to live. Second thing, these people come in here, they build and build, they get tax break uh five, 10, 15 years. You got Pokey and
Ray Ray or Sunshine don't get no tax break. So they in D need and you can't freeze taxes, let people catch up, keep, you know, keep coming out, you need more and more money all the time. And every time come up, they talking about, you
know, right up the street, you need more parking space. You got all the parking space in the in the world. And the more buildings you put and it should be where everybody you got the unfortunate people don't get no breaks. And you hear it's
in the newspaper. It's in the news. And it's just like I always say the lifestyle rich and famous. They get rich and rich. The poor get poor and poor. If you all time you run by I need a place. I don't got a place. But I always say just like the building right up here. I know it's empty in there. I only had to
go in there. So give these people a chance to have a better life instead of just keep pushing off to the west side and they are voters just like anybody else. And it's really sad to see this when you see a person walking around with a knapsack or cart say I don't have
a place but somebody should just come in because it's it's the same thing going on year after year. I hate to even see him say I don't have a place to stay. But then when you see the new buildings popping up, you got old building that's empty. And I think somebody need to really start looking into this because
these people building buildings, they get tax breaks five, 10, 15 years, but the first don't get nothing. Every time I say it's the same thing over and over sometime I don't even want to ask them because I said new building popping up even though by the train they keep
pushing and push for this but they want what they want but I never hear none of them say instead of four look I got 15 apartments I'mma take these people off the street but nobody don't want them and I would say ones that don't live here they want to dictate to the people
live here and say it's not true but I said how can you say something where you don't live you don't experience. But I hope the whole council will come out and start looking into this because you're giving these people too many breaks and a lot of people it's badly to see people sleeping on the street not just the
winter but year round and I hope y'all will take consideration. Thank you. >> Thank you Jimmy. >> Can I can I respond to Jimmy just briefly? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Hey Jimmy, you know first of all thank you just so you know just a couple things because I just want to defend this council a little bit. This town
welcomes shelters. This town welcomes warming centers. Other towns in this region don't. And I just want to say that this council and these people, I agree with you. There is no reason for anyone in this country to be homeless. And whatever we can do to help allow those services a space in our town, we
have done it. As far as empty apartments, that's someone else's property. We can't take them and tell them what to do with it. That's someone on that. >> I know it's not I'm just not talk over, but I know it's not like that. But you got question sometime you got younger
people you got some older people some people been here 100 years old places they going to stay empty but why a building stay got 10 apartments and you really get out here and just walk around and talk to people somebody said
come here I'mma talk I'mma tell you something and you know what see people don't think you have two eyes you don't really talk to people but it's really sad when you see somebody gas running all the time and it's really on foot patrol I call foot patrol and
you look around here some people stop and talk to this is not not this one year going back almost five eight nine years it's the same thing all the time and people said you don't sleep I said but you're and I said you you understand what I'm trying to say but it's sad when
somebody burn the gas in their car stay warm >> I agree >> and I'm saying is y'all the counselor and thing since we had this open the zoning board, this is what I want to know. Do the zone all the people on the zoning board, do they live here in Red? >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> They all live here, right? Yes. But y'all have more authority than the zoning board, right? >> On certain things. >> Not uncertain things. >> Not certain. >> Not uncertain things. >> But I'm just saying this because it's really that's a sad commentary. And I always said keep more keep going and
like you said, more you gonna see out here. And I've said sometimes people don't go outside the street and walk around sometime. Not this Monday, Monday through Sunday. You will see a lot of people in there at night time with the thing burning gas. And I'm just saying
this is what I see. I'm not speaking for y'all, but the people say I'm homeless. I ain't got no place to stay. And they say I don't want a shelter. I want a place of my own where I can go to the bathroom, wash the everything. And I know it's their property, but I'm going
say you give back to somebody like like the man upstairs said, you get back the more you get in return. Thank you. >> Appreciate your heart, Jimmy. >> Anyone online, Jim? >> No, sir. >> Anyone else have any questions or
comments? Think I have a motion to close the public comment? >> Make such a motion. I >> have a second. Second. All in >> favor? All right, Christina, you got anything for us? um very happy uh to support the
resolution tonight uh regarding the Long Branch Hospital move. Uh I don't think it's the right choice for our region. Um just wanted to say that. And uh in other news, um the historic preservation commission uh I've been talking at a lot
of meetings about the development of their design guidelines which will uh govern our historic districts. So Broad Street, Washington Street, that is close to its approval process. It's available right on the front page now of the
burough website. Uh so it's really really beautiful. So I encourage you to take a look. Um but specifically they will also be um hosting an event at the library on Thursday, November 13th. So mark it on your calendars 6:30 p.m. So
that's going to be the commission and uh the architect and planner Steven Smolen who has assisted in the process of creating those design guidelines. Again, very beautiful. So they wanted to talk to residents about what that will mean. the implementation of these guideline design guidelines, what that will mean
for residents with historians. So definitely encourage people to uh take a look at the guidelines that are there now again post final draft uh and attend the library event. Thank you. >> Thank you, David. First, I'm going to acknowledge um we have a member of troop
67 in the back earning their um a citizenship badge uh by attending um a young man who was born at Mammoth Medical, same as his dad. Um, and I'm proudly pass this resolution and if services do leave that community, I hope
that they know they're welcome here in Redbank and we welcome them with open arms and we'll do what we can to preserve services from what limited platform we have here in our community. But hopefully they're preserved down there in Long Branch. It's a great facility. Um, I guess I built my
happiest memory there. So, >> I hope that generations to come get the same uh get the same privilege. I want to just acknowledge as well, you know, that we honored uh LGBTQIA history month. I've used this platform at times to speak on behalf of our uh
our residents in that community. And it's just so necessary because a lot in government aren't willing to speak about it at the moment or at least around here um some of our surrounding communities. I remember watching a president laugh about the AIDS crisis on television. I
remember people marching on the streets because we because drug companies wouldn't put forth the funding to make life-saving medication available to people dying in mass and people fought. And I'm thinking of
my son because the other night we sat and we were listening to records and I showing him one from the early 90s and I had a pink triangle. It said silence equals death. And I said to him, "You have to know what that means." And it's our job to make sure our kids, no matter where we come from, no matter what community we stand in, understand that
people fought and died for those rights. And right now, progress has been stifled. We are stepping backwards in this country. And I say, "Fuck that." >> Amen. >> Damn right. >> So, I'm proud of our town. I'm proud of our community. I love you. And you're
welcome here every day of the week and then some of time. and uh any chance I have to fight alongside you and for you, we will. >> Damn right. >> All of what David and Christina said, I think. And um I'm pleased to report that the
Sha Tree Committee um installed a tree as part of the tree canopy project. This was their test tree. Step through the process, see what changes have to be made. And it was uh located on a residential property on um Drummond
Avenue. And as it turns out, Drummond Drummond Avenue. Yeah. The one by going towards Newman Springs Road. Uh they are targeting that street. They'll be sending a letter to the homeowners saying, you know, that we want to increase the tree canopy on the street
and they will provide instructions and steps to and to give you a tree to plant in your front lawn to help build the tree canopy in town. So, you know, they're on their way with that, I'm pleased to say. Um the complete and green streets advisory committee met
last Friday and um through that we added another member um to the committee which would be a member of the shade tree doing more of the green part of the committee and um happy to see we have the group going doortodoor talking about what services are available to
residents. Uh today Jim and I had a meeting to discuss community solar for the town. you know, it's just in the beginning phases. So, you know, be on the lookout or listen up for information for next year. And I'll just drop this little bit of information. There are 51
people in town who have signed up for community solar already. But I think we do need to increase that number. You get an automatically, it's like 20% off your bill. And with electricity rates rising, it's worth looking into. Um, counselors
are still ongoing. Wednesdays 10 to 12 then are usually there. So, feel free. It's a drop in. No big deal. Just come in, say hi, or bring your list of concerns. I'll be happy to help. Thank you. That's all there. >> Thank you.
>> I think I'll start out with some parks and recck stuff. Amazing Halloween parade, >> perfect weather, big turnout. Um, the recreation department would like to thank everyone, particularly River Center for putting together activities and entertainment, the Redbank Regional
Marching Band, the Redbank Middle School, the Charter School, Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic. They're always awesome, those guys. We marching behind then we were um, let's see. I thought we was nice also the new st, you know, we had some
because Oscar couldn't make this parade. We had some new people out there coordinating things and it seemed like it went pretty well to me. Um, by the way, adult basketball starting Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 PM. Also, the recreation winter sports and indoor
soccer registrations are currently underway. So, Stephen, you can sign up and you um and uh let's see. Well, I I I guess on the mama of the
medical uh business, you know, you know, I find it kind of amazing that you hear all these stories here on this diet about that Long Branch Hospital because it is a very good hospital and uh you know, it's kind of funny. We live in a town with a hospital, but we have a lot of
stories about the other town's hospital or I should I say the city's hospital and think about that. The city's hospital is just going to up and leave. >> That's my remarks, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you, Laura.
>> Your mic on your mic's on. Push that. >> Go. >> I wanted to echo what my fellow council people said, but um being a nurse um and I had both my babies in Mammoth Medical. Also had cancer treatment at Mammoth
Medical. It's a really phenomenal medical center and I'm sad to see it move. I know they're moving the cancer over to the >> poin balls location, but it serves an underserved area and um it has lots of clinics too.
Um working at Mammoth Medical Center uh Mammoth University all those years. We always put our students in the clinicals in Mammoth Medical because it is a great institution, great learning institution. Um, I also wanted to point out that part of our resolution included Medicare for
all. Um, which has been something that I think Kate started a while back, right? Um, and there's been some >> I started Medicare for all. Yes. >> Yes. A long time ago. But and I and I have to speak in favor of that. Um, being a nurse teaching
health policy for many many years. Um, there's 24 million people that rely on the Affordable Care Act right right now. the whole government shut down about this. Um, four million plus people across the country may lose their health care if the ACA tax credits expire. And
how will this be felt in Jersey? One one in four people with chronic conditions may lose coverage. 1.6 million children will suffer as a result of steep prices, losing access to essential services. um over 98% of the average amount of
annual premium costs will be increased for people who even have insurance. For those of you who own companies or work for districts or whatever job you have, you know that we have to keep putting in more and more money like have them at Mammoth University the whole time, too. So, you get a raise and what are you
doing? You're giving it to the for your health insurance. So, you're not really getting a raise, right? um and 3.3 million people, small business owners and self-employed people will be impacted by this. So, it's really important that we stand up for health care within our country besides research
for AIDS and cancer and everything else that's been held held up. >> Yeah, that's New Jersey alone. 3.3 million. >> Yeah, that's just New Jersey statistics. So, I feel very strongly about that also. Um back to other things. So
yesterday uh the Parker Clinic had a vaccine clinic um free for people in our community and surrounding communities. Um we gave over 63 vaccines there was there volunteering um the health department was there Parker Clinic and
then they had um one of the uh charitableies for people who had insurance. So that was happy to see that. Um we went down to Atlantic City the other day and we're going to be honoring Kathy Rearen, but I want to bring it up again. She's like the greatest primary school nurse ever. Paul was there.
>> Um she happened to be a student of mine way back when too. Not that had anything to do with that but she was she was a great nurse when she was long before she came there. >> Um so anyhow I was there to celebrate her and we'll celebrate her again at our November meeting. Uh Mar's wellness
there's a lot going on with Mary's wellness. We're having the Red Lake um primary school. We're having a mental health for parents on that's next week, next Tuesday at 6 PM. Um and that we'll have lots of talks about mental health.
Um we're going to have puppies there. We're going to have lots of um yoga, lots of things for people surrounding mental health. I'm looking forward to that. And then on November 22nd, we're having a turkey giveaway at St. Anony's Church at 9:00 a.m. Um we've got non-p
perishable foods, hopefully turkeys. We just found out SNAP money got put got taken away too. Um but we'll get it together guys and um so that's another and there'll be lots of uh resources there for people in the community. Um
that's mayor's wellness and then library library had their meeting. Um Steve you could like I'm trying to remember some of the things we talked about. We talked about a lot right? Um they have so much going on there. Um, so they have
>> you have the glow party coming up this weekend for the kids. Yes, >> they're having another those glow parties are very they're a hit. >> Yeah. And they're working they're working on the elevator's working which is a good thing. I always like to bring up the elevator keeps working. >> That's right.
>> Because it was broken for so long. Um, and then animal welfare just tonight. There's like so much going on in town tonight. I was coming here and thinking of all the things going on but >> witches night out. which is hanging out and then they're having patchwork patchwork for wildlife over at the senior center a speaker um from Ruckers
is talking and 48 people signed up for that. So I was really happy to hear that was a professor from Ruckers >> Patrick for wildlife and I think that's it. >> Wow. >> I'm voting for you. >> That's amazing. Um thank you mayor. Uh
just recognizing LGBTQ history month. Uh it was just in 2013 uh that there were the first gay weddings in New Jersey uh two days ago. This month I think it was right today 23rd. Yeah, October 21st,
2013. Um, I just wanted to recognize Paul Seavoy and Steve Kumis who were here to accept the proclamation uh because they do so much in education and making sure that that history is shared. Uh, Paul Seavoya serves um as supervisor of special education services in East
Orange. He's also a member of our community equity and engagement committee and he's also a member of our Red Bank school board. And Steven Kamulus is a history teacher at Middletown High School South. He's a New Jersey education association executive committee member. Mammoth County, a Middletown Township Education
Association educa executive board member and a design team ambassador for the NJA consortium for representative curriculum. Um we're truly blessed in Redbank to have phenomenal residents that choose to live here and um be
wonderful representation. Uh so thank you so much for being here and making that proclamation mean so much um and just giving it body and giving it soul and for all that you do uh for the community every single day. And you know
he was my he was one of my brother's favorite high school teachers as well. >> Yeah. Um, in so far as u the resolution uh that we passed tonight um
in regards to the possible well right now it seems like it'll be happening um RWJ Barnes Health's um relocation of Mama's Medical Center from Long Branch
to Tinton Falls. Um, I never thought I would see the day that Hackinack Meridian um would come and speak publicly at a council meeting about a re about a resolution that speaks so much about universal healthcare. >> Yeah. >> And singlepayer healthcare. Um, I urge
all residents to read the body of that resolution and what this council is making a statement of in that. Um, we may be just a little local municipality. Um, but we want to make sure that you realize that we are bearing witness and
that we are educated and that we do know what's going on with our health care system. Um, so much of the conversation around what is going on with the moving of that hospital in Long Branch is about the healthc care desert that it'll
create. Um, and we included that in this resolution that we passed. Over 80% of Americans live in healthcare deserts. >> Yeah. Why is that the case? The reason is because all of your health care is moving to places where people have
money. And why is that? Because all of your health care is really for profit. Because they want to have the patients that are in a certain tier to get that money. And the reason why this whole issue is becoming so contentious
is because all of these health care providers are fighting over the most wealthy patients. Right? >> So that's really what this conversation is about at the end of the day.
So I'm really proud to be a part of a governing body. Again, at this point, this town has had the luxury of having over a dozen elected officials, right? We've had now 13 elected officials that
have stood and said that they are for universal singlepayer healthcare. Right? I stood up I sat up here with six other elected officials at one point in time when we passed the first Medicare for all resolution in the state of New
Jersey. And now there's six more people that are saying the same thing in Redbank, New Jersey. Um, I'm really proud of that. I'm really proud of that on the record. And you know, people sometimes say things like, "Well, resolutions don't
have any teeth. What do they matter?" Um, I think it matters a lot. I think it matters a lot. I never thought I would see the day that I had a hospital, you know, government affairs person stand here and I said to them and you read the
resolution, right? And you saw that in the title it says and reaffirming the bureau's endorsement of Medicare for all under the circumstances. >> And they said, "Yes, we read the resolution." That's a very big deal.
So, I'm extremely proud of us. Thank you, Mayor. >> Mayor, I forgot to mention one thing. >> Sure. >> It's quickie. >> I just wanted to mention it in my colleagues that I went to all of the school trustee board meetings of RBR charter school last night and also to
Red B schools routed to go every so often. Just uh letting you know the assembly we went to this morning. >> Oh, yeah. I got a note. Thank you, Ben. Um, I want to give a quick shout out to
our our our bur manager, Jim Gan, and his staff. I was able to pop into the there was an employee health and wellness day. Was that yesterday or was that Wednesday? Yesterday. >> Was really great. A lot of great uh services offered to uh the all the
employees and they juggled the schedule to really make time that everyone could get down on there. Aside from the fun stuff like raffles, there was genuine focus on health and wellness, both mental health, physical health, as well as, you know, financial advising. There was a lot of really nice things offered
and uh it sends a great message to all of our employees that that we care about. So, good on you, Jim. >> Thank you, sir. >> Um and today, uh Kate and I got to go to the um elementary school for the helper
day. It was myself. Uh Kate was there both as deputy mayor and as a firefighter. There was a nurse from Hackinack. Uh there was a policeman there from Redbank. And Miss Sierra from the library was there. And it's always fun to hang out with a bunch of second graders. >> The best bet.
>> I um one of the one of the I was kind of giving a little background about what we do and a girl raised her hand and I said, "Yes." And she said, "You're my neighbor." >> Yes. Yes. Yes, I am. So anyway, that's always fun. I love when the school
calls. They call, you know, when it's reading week, I get to come read to the kids. It's always uh it's always fun getting over there. Yeah, great Halloween parade. Um I also want to just mention because I don't think we have a meeting before it, but November 11th is Veterans Day and the Elks who were here
of course hosting, as they do, one of their community barbecues afterwards. So, um, if you're around, we'll have a a little ceremony in Riverside Gardens Park and then we'll pop over to the Elks and, uh, the entire community is invited. >> I think that's all I got.
>> Could I have one question? Sure. >> So, Frank Palone is having a public hearing on RWJ Barnabas's health plan to move Mammoth Medical Center on October 29th at uh, somewhere Paul's on the grounds of
the former Port Mammoth. He's having a hearing and he wants the pe people to come out and talk about it. Do you know where it's at? I'm looking at this article. Um >> I'm not sure if they um >> it is an open hearing. Okay. October 29th to Ocean Police Resort. So anyone
who wants to go out and speak in defense of Mic Medical, >> please show up at that 6 um 4 to 6 at Ocean Place Resort October 29th. Thank you. >> Thank you, Laura. >> Thank you. All right. Hi, Mayor. Uh,
first things first. Um, want to thank you again for the mayor and council for approving the resolution awarding Black Rockck Construction for the Lynden Avenue project. So, we're going to get that going. That's a fiscal year 2024 grant that we received through D in the
amount of $288,000. Um there >> obviously there's a larger scope of the project beyond just the grant, but it's it's a little over a quarter mile blend in place that's uh going to see a lot of improvements, subservice and roadway
improvements along with ADA accessible sidewalks and uh curving replacement where it's needed. So >> thank you for that. Um as an annual thing, we we go over the best practice inventory for the burrow. It's something that um you put through tonight, but it
also requires a discussion from the manager about how the burough performed in that. And I think it's important to note that in the 2025 best practice inventory, there is a number of different topics that the bureau is scored on. budget, capital projects,
emergency services, environment, ethics, financial administration, insurance, lead remediation, opportunity zones, personnel, procurement, redevelopment, shared services, technology, transparency, and utilities. Um, the burrow out of a total of 43 and a half
points scored 42 points. um which we had to just have 32 points or greater so that we can receive our full state aid uh which they withhold a certain amount until you pass the best practice inventory. We've submitted that uh to the state. It's due tomorrow. Um so
tonight is perfect for the presentation and um the bur scored very well in many of the different areas that are on the best practice inventory and it's an opportunity for the bureau to assess exactly how we're operating. Um and it gives the state the the division of
local government services vital information about the status of municipal government in the state of New Jersey as a whole. It gathers all that information from all the municipalities that are required to do this. Um, so I wanted to present on that tonight and
did have one thing. Oh, I just want to let everybody know that I will be attending the International City Managers Association conference uh this week coming up. Um, very excited about that to interact with colleagues from around the world uh that operate cities around the world. Um, so I think it's
very good because there's a ton of great sessions that I I plan to attend and bring information back from. Nancy, did you did you have something? >> Yeah, I just wanted to make a comment as a Jamaican immigrant. Um, you mentioned you got 42 out of 43 and a half. And I
need to know what happened. How come we didn't get that point and a half? >> I all the time growing up. >> Yeah, I believe it was actually um a category, a scored c because there's a number of scored and unscored categories. The unscored categories is a way for them to just gather information
as to how municipal municipalities are operating. We we did well in the unscored categories too, but in the scored categories, I think it was a category that wasn't really relevant to the burough. Okay. And our operations. So, >> something for us to work on, right? There's always something >> Yes. >> And just Mayor, I I do appreciate you
plugging the uh the wellness committee. Uh they do a tremendous job for the employees here. Uh every employee of the burrow was invited yesterday. Um, and just a number of different services. I mean, me personally, I got my flu shot
in this room. I got my cholesterol, my A1C checked. I got um >> blood pressure done. Um, we we had food that was donated by a number of our different partners. Um, there was chair massages for the employees. There was
all sorts of services. And like you said, it's it's wellness through and through from financial to actual physical wellness. So it's very important that we invest in our employees. And one of the fe some of the feedback I got from the vendors in particular was that because Red Bank is doing this, so many other municipalities
are seeing just how we do our fair and are picking up and they're like, we're booked now in so many other municipalities that they're partners in. They're like, but we always hold the date for Redbank because we want to be here first. >> So Oh, that's great. It's good. I think it's great. >> It's great, >> great event.
>> And don't forget those umbrellas. >> Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> Such a motion, Mr. Mayor. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> We'll see you guys next time. Thank you. >> Somebody my bag. I put it face down. >> Wash and dry.
>> Yeah. always. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thanks, >> B. Let me see here. >> I'll give it to >> always have right It's five.