All right, folks. We're going to get started. Thank you and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council being held Monday, March 23rd, 2026, starting at 6:30. Wow. On time. Roll call, please. >> Mayor Niato,
>> here. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. Okay. >> Councilman Kley, >> here. >> Councilman Erico, >> here. >> Councilman Guzman, >> here. Counciloman Debor Conne Thank you. If you're able, please stand for the salute to the flag.
>> 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. Thank you. >> Missy, could you please read the provisions
>> in compliance with the open public meetings law chapter 231 public laws of 1975 notice of this meeting was transmitted to the record and Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on November 21, 2025 as posted on the bulletin board outside of Burrow Hall. >> Thank you. We have no presentations or
proclamations. Um the uh we'll move to the changes. Missy? >> Yes. Um under item eight, we'll be adding item 8B, resolution number 84, rescending resolution number 54, and
authorizing the procedures and conditions for public sale of one new plenary retail consumption liquor license. And also we'll be adding a new item under nine resolutions on consent. Item
I will be resolution number 83 authorizing the execution of professional services agreement with CGB and H. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Anybody from the council have anything to add? >> Councilwoman.
>> Thank you, mayor. I would like to add on to um discussion um to revisit resolution number 49-2025. >> Sorry, what was the number? Resolution what? >> 49-2025.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion, please? Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I second? >> Second. >> Seconded by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? None. May have ro. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Cley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Ordinances on first read. Council President. >> Thank you, mayor. Under first reading
this evening, ordinance to exceed the municipal 2026 budget appropriations limit. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? calendar year 2026 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limit and to establish a cap bank. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to
move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council president. I have a second, please. >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guz. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council president McGowan.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. Yes, >> Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um Coun, Council President, >> thank you, mayor. Next is the salary ordinance for day camp counselors. Missy, can you please read the ordinance
by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance number 3683-24 adopted on March 24, 2024, and is entitled an ordinance regulating the employment, tenure, and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Bureau of Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of
New Jersey. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none may move. Roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan,
>> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you. Next on ordinance of First Street. Uh, Councilman Ero. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have an ordinance to amend chapter 65 uh our outdoor cafe regulations to prohibit parklets. Uh
Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 65 outdoor cafes of the burough code of the burrow of Rutherford to prohibit parklets. >> Thank you. I make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by Councilman Eric. May
I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council president. Any questions or comments? Councilman. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, Councilman Ero, if you could just for the public, uh, walk us through what you just explained to me in the back room about why we are, uh, prohibiting parklets
this summer. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, so there really two interrelated issues. Um, and I'm happy to to further discussion as well. There might be some members of the public that are interested in discussing this, too. Um the background of the reason why we
originally had parkletits was uh during COVID uh which is now several years past um to provide alternate ways for restaurants to uh facilitate guests coming to the restaurant when there were social distancing and other um reasons why people couldn't gather indoors. Uh
we've continued to do that in the years since. However, subsequent to that time um new restaurants and new businesses have opened up on Park Avenue. um some of which were not in existence during COVID and had didn't have the opportunity to um participate in this program. In addition, some of these
parklets are in front of retail stores and other businesses that um uh would like to use the parking for it. And I think finally, a number of our residents have come to us um with concerns about parking on Park Avenue, particularly in light of the new enforcement that we have under no parking areas. And these
parkletits often are are near these no parking areas. Um so our thought is both for the residents to enable there to be more parking and also from a perspective of fairness to other businesses uh that we would not uh continue the program
this year. But happy to have further discussion around that. >> Councilman did. >> Yes. >> I'd ask for uh Roll call. >> Roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan,
>> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Thank you, Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. I have an
ordinance on first read uh amending chapter 126 to include parking, traffic enforcement, and pedestrian safety devices. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only? >> An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the bureau of Rutherford to
prohibit tampering with meters, parking, traffic enforcement, and pedestrian safety devices. >> Motion to move the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman. Uh, I'm sorry. I'd ask for a roll call
now. >> I'm sorry. >> Second. >> I need a second on that. >> Second. Second by council president. >> Other questions or comments by the council? Seeing none, member roll call, please. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Council Ero. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Gusman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Ordinance on second read. Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you. Mayor Mot uh ordinance on second read to establish a handicap space on higher place. Missy, would you
please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the burough Rutherford to establish a handicap parking space on air. >> Motion to motion that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law.
>> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman to um >> second please. >> Second. >> Second by council president. Uh, I'll now open it up to the public for comment on this subject and this subject matter only. Anyone?
Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and now open up for any council comment. >> Oh, that's not that's not on this. It's for this subject only. >> Anyone for the council? Council, >> I just want to state for the record that
this was um this is our second time going through this process. um that this isn't a different space, that there was um a posting issue with this and so uh I know that some folks had reached out to ask about the status of this. So just so it's on the record, this is why we had to go through it for a second time.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Council. I'll uh ask for a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes.
Thank you. Now I'm going to open up anyone from the public wish to speak. Please step please step forward to the microphone. Keep your comments five minutes or less. >> Very brief comment this evening. May Mr. Mayor Council PE council members my name
is Annie Allen. I am pastor of the Rutherford Congregational Church 2A East Poseic Avenue. I have been asked to speak on behalf of the leadership team of the Rutherford Indivisible and and Rutherford uh Beacon for Democracy. We appreciate the efforts of the civil
rights commission and the council leaison councilwoman del know your rights workshop tomorrow night. While we appreciate and support this effort, the workshop does not address the original request of the
count to the council. a resolution which was entirely different um has entirely different purpose and goals. The goal of the resolution would be to show support to Governor Cheryl, Attorney General Davenport, and the Democratic legislature who are currently working on
legislation to codify the immigration trust directive and other important immigration protective bills. A public declaration in the form of a resolution would also show our immigrant residents and workers that they are welcome and
supported in Rutherford. In short, we hope that the council continues to le to learn more about this pressing issue of immigration protection and we look forward to c the council statement as we have requested. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you, pastor. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? Good evening, Mayor Nunato, members of the council and fellow residents. I >> I just need your name and address for the record. >> My My name is Peter Garderelli, operates
located at 106 Park, Bradford, New Jersey. I've been part of this community for years and I'm speaking tonight as business operator directly affected by the discussion on the outdoor dining structures specifically the proposal or concern about burning or restricting
patios and parklets on the outside for the past 5 years we are successfully run our door dining initiative it's be a gamecher allow us to serve more customer safely and comfortably brings life and energy to our downtown streets especially along park and has helped our
business in order like like ours to drive without casing major problems. So, so far I understand the main worry is parking. People say the uh setup always take away space for parking spots. But let's be clear, Ratherford already has
excellent alternatives right nearby. The burough managed several public parking facility like keep a garage and lots near the train station on air as way. These are designed exactly for downtown visitors, shoppers, diners, commuters.
Patrons heading to restaurant, routinely park there, especially when the downtown is busy. Removing outdoor dining space from few meter of spots will majorly solve any parking demand. It will just local business by cutting capacity and appeal during peak times. Worse, this
come exactly at the wrong moment. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is just months away with the final on July 19 at the Midlife Stadium in East Rutherford. Literally dry across the train station. We'll see huge crowds for in our area. Fans will
arrive early looking for places to eat before and after matches using New Jersey Transit driving in or walking over. Rutherford is perfectly positioned to capture the economy boost. More visitor means more revenue for all of us. for restaurants, for shop and for
the city itself. Outdoor patios, parklets and add welcoming vibrant atmosphere the people craves for big events like this. They turn our street into destination not just pass by through burning or several restricting
them will just be a missing opportunity as safe inclining wood when we should preparing to welcome the world. New Jersey has supported outdoor dining since the pandemic, making many permission more permanent as of late 2024. Our current rules under chapter
65, including fees for parklets that cover me revenues for SE approvals already struck a good balance. We have followed for them followed them for years without major issue. I respectfully urge the council not to ban the structure instead to keep even or expand the program with smart guidelines
for safety, accessibility, and seasonal use. This supports more business like mine, like my colleagues, keep downtown lively, position Rutherford to shine during the World Cup and for the years to come. Thank you for listening me. I'm happy to answer any question to provide
more details about our experience. I appreciate your time and your commitment to our bureau. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public? together. >> We like group efforts. >> Thanks.
>> Well, good afternoon everybody. Thank you for taking the time to >> Oh, sorry. Katherine Depala, 88 Park Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey. >> Um, and introduce myself for those of you I don't know. I'm Katherine Depala and I am the general manager of Penabiano located right down in Park
Avenue, Rutherford. I am a lifelong resident of Rutherford and truly have enjoyed growing up here in this beautiful community. Uh I'm fortunate enough now to operate a business in a place I'm so proud that I can call home. Uh as my colleague Petro had mentioned, uh we are here to discuss the outdoor
parklets. Uh one couple of points I would like to mention is unfortunately we were not giving any notification as business operators as to this was even a me uh point of discussion. So we did make very large initial deposits in order to operate this facility properly
and in a nice way for streetscape. We had uh in included the help of Danny Macoscer to build our parklet. We purchased chairs, tables, all of the beautiful flowers that we had seen. A notification could have in turn saved
us that especially since we only opened last year. Uh second point is parking is an institutional problem in Rutherford. Again, being a lifelong resident, I have known this growing up. These eight spots are not going to make a difference to the town of Rutherford, but they will
make a great deal of difference to myself and my colleagues here. The streetscape, I am very well understanding that this is a big matter for the people of Rutherford and the businesses of Rutherford. For those of us that put a lot of effort into making this a beautiful design, if there were
any stores that do not, if there were stricter regulations in that sense of these are the parameters and if you do not follow then you would lose the permit. So I think those of us that follow the ordinances and try to make it the best it can be should not be punished in that regard.
And lastly, the World Cup. This is a huge feat not only for New Jersey but for Rutherford as well. As Petra mentioned, this is a destination and we're welcoming the world. Metife has already stated that they are not going to be allowing parking in the facility.
So, people will have to take public transport coming from the city, coming from all over New Jersey. You will be stopping in Rutherford. These parklets are a huge draw factor. What we'll be doing if we turn these away, people will be leaving Rutherford. They'll be going across the
tracks. They'll be going to East Rutherford, Lindhurst, spending their money outside of the town where this is only going to benefit the residents, future businesses. Yes, there will be people from all over the world, but there will be people traveling to us from all over New Jersey and other parts of Bergen County. They
will return. They will remember us if we do this. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um Katherine Lebate, Dan Leate, um Suprima 92 Park AB. Um, same thing as Pedro and Cat had said had mentioned.
Um, we weren't given any notification on this. Um, if we had, we probably wouldn't have purchased all brand new furniture last year. Um, we weren't, you know, any notification would have been, you know, better. We spent a lot of money, a lot of time preparing for this. We look forward to this. Our customers
look forward to this. We've had a tough winter business-wise. Um, it's not easy and it's something that, you know, would help us. Um, our customers have been asking like all weekend, are you guys planning on doing the parklet? When is the parklet opening? Um, and it's just
disappointing to hear that, you know, an email Friday morning that this isn't going to happen. When we had been planning on this, we'd been working on redoing our furniture, all of that. Um, spent time, money, it's not easy. Um, and the last point again, the World Cup, it brings a ton of business. This is all
anyone talks about. The World Cup is the Super Bowl for all other countries. brings a ton of people, ton of business to the town of Rutherford and it's just disappointing to hear that Rutherford isn't wanting to do or for at least from what I understand wanting to do anything to bring business here.
>> Same my feelings are the same as Petro and Cat and my wife. Um you know I feel the outdoor you know dining park lots the fact the World Cup is coming outweighs parking spaces.
Not businesses in town are important and food related businesses but um there you know it is a problem I guess parking overall in town but I I I think you know >> park let's bring uh outweigh the
>> negatives the the negatives >> Catherine >> thank you everyone >> thank you >> thank you ju just to be clear before we start with anybody else to the restaurants. The final vote will be at the next meeting. You'll have an opportunity to speak right before the
vote, just so you're aware. Okay. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? >> Hi, my name is Katarina Simonitis. I'm with Greek Town Gyros at 65 Park AB. I'm also here regarding the parkletits. Um, I just wanted to say for my business,
it's been like, um, it's been really great for us. I have a very small store. It's about 800 square f feet and, um, in the summertime, it does get very hot. So, for us, it's been like we've doubled the amount of seating we've been able to have um, and business in the summertime
especially. So, I mean, you know, um, ditto to what everybody else said. Um, if there's a way that maybe we can have them for a shorter period of time or at least for the World Cup, um, you know, that would be great. You know, the summer months like August tend to get
too hot, um, people go away. So, if there's a way that we can have them for maybe just a few months, that would be awesome. Um, but yeah, that's it for me. Thank you. >> Thank you. And once again, you guys will have an opportunity next uh next meeting right before the
actual vote. Okay. Anybody else from the public? Pete Cheryl 86 Hobart. I have three questions. I spoke to Councilman Kley back in October about diamond 5 home plate sinking at the last meeting.
Neglio said they're going to work on it. It's 6 months and now the girls are playing softball. You lawyers up here, you got a feel there somebody trips at that home plate and breaks an ankle cuz the girls are playing there now. That's number one. Number two, they said that
they're going to redo Leisure Lane, which I'm all in favor for. You guys all know I walk that and Diamond Three. How are we paying for this? Is this money still coming out of the money that Senator Sarlo gave us or is it separate? And number three, are we ever going to
get reassessed, Bob? Are we going to do it next year? Please let me know. Thank you. >> Thank you, Pete. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? >> No. >> Shir Friskila 68 uh Elg Parkway.
>> Mayor, member of uh the council, I'd like to say a few words in favor of the parklands. Um, when I moved into town in 2007, you know, Park Avenue was doing pretty bad and it took years to get it to be where it is now. And obviously
with the uh uh with the co and more people spending time in town, it helped bring it up and then some great restaurants came into town which facilitated um that improvement. Uh, I think anything we can do to make Park Avenue more pedestrian friendly, it's a big
plus and obviously it works nice with the dining out that we already have. So, taking the progress away, I think in my opinion, it's a step in the wrong direction. Obviously, parking is an issue, but I think there's other things that we can do and if we're talking about losing only eight parking spaces
to get the parklets, I think that's a no-brainer. We should definitely consider keeping into that. Thanks you there. >> Frank Wilson 171 Montros. Um I'm going
to be in a minority and but I am for what you guys. I don't believe in the barriers. I had a store in Rutherford for eight years. So I sympathize with them. But as a resident for $10 a day, and that's all everybody pays is $10 a
day, $300 a month, the inconvenience of looking for a spot outweighs $10 a day. Um, if you want to make it $100 a day where I have to cruise around to look for a spot, which is 3,000 a month, now maybe we're talking. But for $10 a day,
which I'm to hear from the administrator is what we can charge based on the meters. It's a no-brainer to get an extension to your store for $10 a day, which is less than the cost of a sandwich. So, I am definitely against those barriers.
um unless it's something that generates the town. Which leads me into the second part of this, which is the 3.5 increase that we're going to be uh voting on tonight or addressing it. And I say this
because it was 3.5 last year and it's going to be 3.5 this year, which means it's going to be at least 3.5 next year. And I brought this up a year ago saying, "What are we going to do to reduce this?" Um, I haven't heard any reductions
or what the plans are to decrease things in Rutherford. So, if everything stays constant and we don't do anything, it's going to be at least 3.5 again next year. And that entails possibly renting out the old police station. I mean, we
don't have to sell it, but we can rent it out, get get income from that. Um there there's other things, but every everything you guys can look at in this town, I I would advise you instead of just saying it's another 3.5 because why not just make it seven and then we don't
get an increase next year. It it's it's it's every year it's 3.5 and we don't do anything to subsidize it. Whether that's electric vehicles, whether that's not buying new fleets, whether that's monitoring what's going
on down at DPW, what's charging East Rutherford more for the using the gas, whatever it is, whether it's turning the lights off in Burough Hall, um just tell me something that we're going to do to get it from 3.5 down to the two.
So that's it. Thanks again. >> Thank you, Frank. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open open up for any council comment. Councilman Guzman, >> thank you very much, Mayor.
Good evening, everyone. Um, I'm going to address you as a group. It's nice to see our businesses here, our restaurants, and come to see us. We don't see you enough. Um, thank you for coming in to voice your concerns regarding the parklets. I understand uh uh what this
may do to some of your businesses. Um we are trying to keep a happy balance here by uh trying to cure our issue with our parking spaces, especially since the World Cup is coming in the area. There is going to be more traffic in the area.
Um but uh like the mayor said, there is a second vote on this. Um, and uh, it helps when we get the public here to speak about what's on the agenda. It helps us make decisions. It helps us make sure that we understand your point
of view. So, thank you very much each and every one of you for coming in this evening. We It's much appreciated. Um, uh, Mr. Wilson, always appreciate your comments. Thank you for coming in today.
Um, I hear your side of the ar of of the parklet issue as well. We want to say that issue, but I'm going to say of the parklets. Um, thank you for voicing your opinion in regards to the budget. We're going to have a presentation, so I'm going to leave that for commenting commenting later. Um, that's all I have.
Thank you very much, Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, first, um, thank you everybody for coming and for speaking and I appreciate the time and effort that you put into joining us this
evening. Uh, I'll start with Annie. Pastor Annie, there you are. Hello. Thank you for being here and for continuing this conversation about Indivisible and, uh, thank you for the reminder for the public about the know your rights uh, cere um, um, thank you
workshop that is taking place. I want to call it a ceremony. It's far from that. uh the workshop that is being done and sponsored through our civil rights um commission tomorrow night and and many um in the indivisible organization have been providing feedback and information
and um so much of this is the genesis of that conversation and so I absolutely acknowledge that this is in fact not what you all have come to ask for but I appreciate the fact that we are going through a process in addressing this
thoughtfully um and We I I know that uh the council woman's actually on her way. She was stuck on a train. We all heard what's been going on today with mass transit, so she's been stuck on a train. that um she's referenced the fact that this is we're trying to approach this
very methodically and about not raising an alarm that makes people feel unsafe, but rather that they understand that we're taking this seriously to provide them with the most current up-to-date information and sharing what's being shared from Trenton with us in real
time. And so, um I look forward to continuing that discussion. I have no doubt that we will. So, thank you. Um, wish I could read what I wrote, so forgive me. But, um, I hope you don't mind if I address you all in in one shot
together. Um, I I generated some questions of which I'm going to hold this evening so that I could um ask them a little more thoughtfully across the burough administrator and our burrow offices very specific to some items that you presented this evening that I'm not
sure that I have the answer to and um I think that's very important as we're coming as the mayor stipulated that the next vote is when uh an ordinance is officially moved and so I'm going to ask those questions generate ated by your
statements this evening and I'll um I will most certainly share the findings of those questions thereafter. But I do want to share that um as passionately as you are here speaking about why this is important to your businesses, there have
been other businesses on Park Avenue that have over the last few years been very frustrated that the bureau continued to um identify areas that were specific for uh restaurants when their businesses were not afforded the same opportunity or perhaps it didn't have
the same impact on putting um the wares that they sell outside, right? And so it's been a very complicated path since we started this. Um, and as was referenced, this really came from uh desperately
trying to help our businesses keep their doors open during COVID, right? We were trying to be as creative as we could possibly come up with. And and uh, Chiro, you bring up a great point, right, which is this is something that is wellreceived and people enjoy using. and obviously all of your restaurants.
We're grateful to have all of you and all of your business here. Um and so this is about trying to find out what that balance looks like. So, um I know that it's easier for us to talk about it's just eight spaces, but it's also a larger conversation about equity. And
so, um you know, I'm going to put that in my list. And so I apologize to the burough administrator, but you can can imagine I'm going to come with a list of questions that I look forward to you looking through and and potentially circulating among the council because I think the questions raised this evening
deserve that. Um, I also I also um I want to acknowledge the the issue that you raised this evening about the timing and the notice of this and I don't want that to get lost in this because the fact that uh
resources were spent in preparation for it I think that is something that we need to think deeply about. Um the I believe you said we can we're not allowed to do a back and forth, but I believe that my notes say that you were notified on Friday morning. So um that
that is something that I'll follow up on as well. Okay, let's see. Um thank you as always. Thank you as always for the reminder about Diamond Five. I'm going this I'm going to allow
that to be addressed elsewhere. Uh, leisure lane is something you and I have both talked about multiple times. It is in desperate need. Uh, you can't actually walk on it. You certainly can't walk on it if you are someone with any disability in walking or need assistance
and definitely not if you have a baby stroller. It's insane. Um, there's the this is all a part of the phase three, Bob. Is that correct? Phase three. And so I will defer to how all of that's been playing out, but yes, this is still all a part of the phases that came from
the park rehabilitation that you were referencing. Um, reassessment is forthcoming. I don't it's not I don't believe we're on the docket for it this year, right? We're in the queue with the county. We have to wait to be assigned. Um, and I'll also
refer that to Bob, but I believe um it's either at the end of next year. I I forgot where we are in this, but I I know that it's either next year or shortly in the beginning of the year or thereafter, but we've been put on notice that we're a part of that process, so it will be coming.
Um, Mr. Wilson, there he is. Hello, Mr. Wilson. Um, so thank you for always coming forward and talking about the budget. And yes, tonight we will be introducing it. Um, I do want to just correct their
statement and um, last year the municipal increase was 1.94%. Uh, this is my 12th year on here. I believe there was only one year that we were over 2% in that. And if I'm mistaken, then it's two, but I think we've always been under. We've been and
we've actually even had a year where we were negative, I think, one year. Um, we take this incredibly serious about understanding the tax burden to live in this town. Um, and so, but I thank you for bringing that to our attention and I
will be introducing the budget tonight with this statement. Um, but happily it'll be less than three. Um, and I I don't know that I'm ever happy if it's anything more than zero, but nonetheless, I feel like we are trying our best to be good stewards while making sure we do not compromise any
sources or resources or um um aspects of all of the municipal things that we count on like DPW and garbage and snow removal and all that important stuff. So, I believe I've addressed to
the best of my ability. Mayor, at this point, that is all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else? >> No, he's older than you on the council. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, to the group specifically speaking on the Parklets,
um, I will apologize for how this the timeline of this went down this evening. I literally myself just heard about it and noticed it on the agenda. that's on me. Um, I was told a back end of a story that sounded completely plausible and had been something we've been debating
for several years since CO kind of wrapped up. Um, here's the thing about it to the mayor's point. There is one more vote, right? And the thing that I've learned in my 5 and a half years being up here is that when you have people in these seats,
that's when the needle moves. So my recommendation to you is to bring as many people as you can to the next meeting who share your favor and your opinion. I personally am in favor of the parklets, right? But again, I had a discussion. I was like, "Oh, okay.
Logically that makes sense. It seems like that particular line of thought was not thoroughly vetted, right? Or or discussed amongst all of us. You're seeing a short table tonight. There'll be two more of us. They're going to want to hear all about this. So please come back. give your story. Again, I know
it's tedious. I know it's adding on to your already lengthy to-do list, but it is what moves the needle up here. All right? So, thank you for being here with that passion. Understand that is how it works. There is one more vote. If it doesn't pass, then you're free to move forward with the plans, right? Because
it currently exists. Um Mr. Cheryl, yes. Uh we discussed it back in October. Um there was a transition from rec leaison to Councilwoman Del Rone. um she can speak to it or perhaps Bob can speak. Oh, hey, she just rolled in. Um as to the current state of it. U
both my girls play softball, so it was always a thing for me and I fully trust my colleague and burough administrator to have had that handled or at least at the very least put it on the engineering to-do list. Um Mr. Wilson, thank you as always for the suggestions. Um you know, pro and con, it's always been fun to
hear your voice when you come up here with great ideas. Um, Pastor Allen, thank you so much. Um, to your credit, um, that effort is I can't even begin to describe you to you how
complex it is. We had a closed door session with our very own chief of police who was incredible in his explanation, right? There are in there were multiple layers and tears to all that we're really just trying to wrap our head around before we fully invest ourselves in one decision or another.
So, please continue to be patient with us. Tomorrow night is going to be an exemplary event. Um, you know, let's let's get a lot of that out there tomorrow so again the discussion can be continued and we can all continue to educate ourselves. Um, thank you all very much.
>> Councilman, >> thank you, mayor. Um, I also want to add my thanks uh as my colleagues have said to everyone coming out to discuss the issue with Parklets. Um I uh I really think some of the points that were brought up are are great and and valuable and and like council president
indicated I will um uh ask repist and others about some of them. I I just do want to clarify just a few thoughts about it which is or at least rebut the assumption. I don't know if someone said this literally but at least the the premise that we are somehow anti- business or anti-pedestrian. Um I think that that's very much the
opposite or at least I can speak for myself in that being the opposite. you know, if it was up to me, um, I would do dining out like every night. I love that. That's one of my favorite, um, things that we do in Rutherford, and I think promotes pedestrians and promotes businesses. Um, you know, the the issue that I see with the parklets, I think we kind of alluded to this, is that it's
it's not as though the, you know, the parklets, I think, are are wonderful um, for businesses when restaurants when when they're busy, right? You know, like on a weekend um, but the parklets are there all the time. Um, and that hurts other businesses that might be busy at different times, you know, retail
businesses, whatever else. And so that's, as council president alluded to, sort of the equity issue that we're worried about, which is that some businesses can benefit, some restaurants can benefit by having the parks where they're used, you know, from Friday night dinner or something happening over the weekend, but they're there all the
time, so they block access to other businesses during uh, retail time. So it, you know, it's not that we're anti- business or anti-pedestrian. I I I love, you know, seeing people eating out and whatever else. It's more so that we need to figure out a way to balance the competing interests of businesses. Uh and and just on parking, I I know that
it might seem as though the parklets take up a a small number of parking spaces, but I think I can speak for all my colleagues when I say that the number one thing people ask me about us about is parking. So, it's hard for us to say that we're not that we have an opportunity to help that and we've
specifically chosen not to do that. Um that's just a hard position that that we're in. I know it's an institutional problem in Rutherford. I know it's it's not something specific to you guys or any business, but I just want to clarify that that's the pressure that we also get from from residents, too. But, um, I do appreciate everyone coming out. We will discuss, I'm sure, further, uh, and
kind of iterate our our our thoughts on it. Um, and I I I think I just want to say that we we certainly support all of our businesses and and love you guys here. So, thanks for coming. >> Thank you everybody. Um, again, I'll reiterate the vote is next meeting. You
have an opportunity to speak directly before we vote. Thank you all for your comments. Uh, we're going to move on now to our agenda. Uh, resolution separate from consent. Council President.
>> Thank you, Mayor. First is resolution number 80 intro uh introducing the calendar year 2026 municipal budget before I make a motion. Um, well, perhaps I'll I'll
move f first, mayor, with your permission. >> I'm sorry. Um, or with your permission to move first, and then I'd like to make a comment and statement before voting. >> Yes, that's fine. >> So, I'd like to make a motion to move resolution number 80, introducing the
calendar year 2026 municipal budget. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. Councilman Guzman, any questions or comments? >> I have comments. Thank you, mayor. Uh,
tonight we are introducing the burough's 2026 municipal budget. This process has been one of the more difficult budgets to put together since I've been uh a council woman. Um, every one of us in this room, everyone who's listening to
us right now know um how the prices of just existing has gone up. Um and the burrow is not immune to those increases either. A couple of the driving factors in this budget include um first and
foremost employee health care premiums are up 25%. Um in addition to that, many of us understand the increase in electric costs and for the bureau they were up 30%. As a result, many department operating
budgets saw minor cuts to help offset some of these increases. With that being said, uh those cuts that I just referenced will not result in any reduction in services or programs currently provided or offered to the
burrow. You should not notice any changes in how the burrow operates because that's what you should expect of us and the service that we provide. Under the current conditions, we believe um that this is a fair and reasonable
budget to maintain the same level of service to our residents and still be fiscally responsible. While I certainly am not happy, nor do I think any resident is ever happy to have an increase, we were able, despite these
increased costs, to minimize uh this year's municipal tax rate to 2.94. This does not include the school or county taxes of which we have no control. This is specific to the municipal budget. At our next meeting on April 13th, the burough administrator
will make his formal budget presentation and then on April 27th, we will have a public hearing on this budget. We know there's still work to do this year and we have to start planning now for 2027. And I think in in regards to the marks
remarks we heard earlier this evening, it's about projecting and planning. And so I really appreciate the bureau's commitment to doing that and all of our department heads who are partners with us in that. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. I would
also like to add that the uh the board of ed did pass their budget which came in lower than the surrounding communities um which I believe will be a good offset for what we were trying to accomplish this year. So, um,
we'll move for >> Council President McGowan, >> did we motion and have a second? We did, right? I'm sorry, I didn't write down my second, so I wasn't sure that I heard it. My apologies. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. Casman Guzman.
>> Yes. >> Um, next, Council President B. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, next is resolution number 84, rescending resolution 542026 and authorizing the procedures and
conditions uh, regarding the public sale of one plenary retail consumption liquor license. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Ko. Any questions or comments?
>> Mayor, um can we just have Bob speak into >> going in that direction? >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Bob, could you explain why we had to make this change? >> Thank you, mayor. So, as everyone recalls, we uh we did a a similar resolution earlier this year.
Unfortunately, we noticed uh or was brought to our attention uh late last week uh there was a typo in the public notice uh with one of the dates. Uh so out of an abundance of caution, our the burough attorney has recommended uh so
there potentially won't be any challenges if we move forward to resend that ordinance or I'm sorry, resend that original resolution and then just reauthorize the process. Uh so we're you know we're still uh you know seeking authorization to issue that one license
from early this year. It's just going to delay our process probably by about 30 to 40 days. Um apologize for the inconvenience to uh those interested uh biders. Uh I know a couple of them are a little disappointed. Uh but you know we
just you know wanted to make sure we did the process correctly and uh you know we don't need any legal challenges moving forward. So that's that's about it. Thank you, Bob. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes.
>> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Debor, >> yes. >> Thank you. Consent items. >> Thank you, mayor. All items are authorized to be consented by the council will be enacted by one motion and these uh items are routine in
nature. Motion >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council del. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico,
>> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Delerico, >> yes. >> Thank you. Uh new business discussions. We had one item added added. I'm sorry, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, this evening, I
just wanted to uh bring up a prior resolution uh resolution number 49, 2025. It was passed on January 13, 2025. It was regarding the procedure for directing the burough attorney to prepare ordinances. Um and so uh over
the last two meetings, actually last three meetings, there have been a few occasions where we were moving business forward but had to stop because of this resolution that uh binds our actions about uh how we refer something to the
burough attorney and the process of which we do it. So just as a reminder to my council colleagues, although I'm sure you all recall this because uh I think everybody was up here uh for it.
Um this was about um the governing body um adopting the procedure for the sole method for the council to direct the burough attorney to prepare the proposed ordinances. Um and so uh respectfully I think I
think at the time when this was introduced there was a sentiment that um we needed more discussion at the deis and that this would be the thing that promulgated that to happen. Um, but I
actually think that we are discussing things so regularly in such a transparent way that because of that, we need to be able to move things in a more expedited way. And I feel like this ordinance actually precludes us from doing our work. And I think we actually
had that a few meetings ago where we had to stop ourselves from moving something that was not necessarily routine in nature, which this um allows us to bypass. But um but we literally were tripping over something that I think
perhaps maybe had an intention or uh maybe was for um to assist uh other prior members with uh being able to maintain the information that was happening to make sure that everybody was prepared when they were
voting. But I feel like uh this body certainly this year has demonstrated over and over our willingness to be completely transparent with our statements, our thought processes, willingness of many members up here to put things on the discussion item. I
think it speaks uh I say this with the utmost respect of my council colleagues and uh and the mayor that there's a real willingness to talk very transparently and openly in public about what we feel is important to discuss. So at this time
I just um it came up again even in our agenda meeting and so at this time I just thought it was imperative to bring this forward so that we do not impede our ability to do our work. um which is really why the people want us here. So
um I am asking for consideration among my colleagues uh to no longer move forward uh with the acknowledgement or possibly to resend resolution number 49-2025. And so mayor I open this up for my
council colleagues and also would encourage perhaps our professionals um our department heads who are impacted if they have comments as well. May there thank you. Councilman, >> thank you very much, Mayor, Council President, thank you very much for
bringing this discussion to the desk. Um, you know, the if correct me if I'm wrong, but um when we when this was passed and moved forward, um we kind of figured this would be a trial
to see how it would work out, how it would plan out. and you know council members on this das right here you know we all are very well prepared um I think that the the pro the process
that's in place right now kind of hinders us moving forward we already know about the issues at at at that are coming up um we're well prepared we speak to the professionals that we need to speak to on a weekly basis so at this
point I mean I have agree with you. I don't think that this really would I think right now it hinders our progress if anything. So, I think it's a good move and I appreciate you bringing us up. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, yes, Council
President, I would have Oh, I'm sorry. >> It's okay. >> Oh, >> I wasn't clear. Go ahead. Sorry. >> Go ahead, Matt. It's totally fine. >> Oh, all right. Sorry. >> Covering for you. I did say her, but that's okay. >> It's totally fine. >> Apologies. Um,
council president, I have to wholeheartedly agree with you here on several occasions where I myself was bringing something forward to be discussed or um interpreted uh to instruct the burough attorneys to dig further. It's awkward to say the least to not have anything to talk about,
right? Because we are doing the exploratory asks and those I don't feel like are worth the community's time. Where I've seen us grow and develop our strength is when we have an issue like the ordinance this evening and I ask the councilman to explain it and he goes forth in front of
the public and elaborates on that whereas in the past we would kind of just vote and yes no and no one understood where it came from or why it's even on the agenda. So uh I support the discussion here and whatever next steps are needed uh perhaps there's an evolution of it uh to Councilman
Guzman's point but um thank you for bringing it back to our attention. Thank you, mayor. Um, anytime we're asked to re-evaluate something for ourselves, I make it very personal to myself as well because at the time, I
think I voted yes to this new process. Um, and I voted I voted yes with with slight discomfort. And my discomfort I very much made personal to me which was oh gosh we actually need an a resolution to tell us to be transparent like
something didn't sit well with me and as most uh folks know I am painfully transparent and blunt. So I said oh gosh now they're being giving me permission to be more so. I can't imagine why that would be good. But um I think from a
process perspective there is a clumsiness attached to what we've tried to do that really does slow us down. And uh the good news is I don't think because of this resolution but perhaps despite what we've been doing um we are
all uh quite robust in our preparation and our discussions. Um, and for better or for worse, we are constantly knocking on the burough administrator's door asking for information to make sure we are prepared for you. So, I don't know that um you seeing us do something
that's in many ways become quite performative to um serves any purpose um other than making our meetings longer and making it a little more confusing for everyone. I I vividly remember the meeting where Councilman Kley had to get
us to discuss something that didn't actually need a discussion because it was quite clear what we were all trying to do. So, um, so I am fully in favor of us moving beyond this. I appreciate what what Councilman Guzman said. I love a very organic, alive body of government
that constantly re-evaluates itself. And I think that um, we gave it a whirl. Um, and it's probably not something that serves us as well anymore. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thanks, Mayor. Um, thank you, Council
President, for bringing this matter up. Uh, you know, this is actually one of the very first things that I encountered when I, uh, became a council person. I remember working on the wording of this resolution in some detail, and I think even then, um, my concern, which continues today, is just the
enforcibility of this in general. Um and I'm I'm also not sure why it specifies um ordinances and not resolutions because obviously many important things can happen on resolutions that are um you know different from ordinances. Um so notwithstanding the fact that it may
not even be um you know enforceable against this body to begin with um I you know it seems the idea of mandating that we do something um is is just not helpful to business. But I I I do want to be, I guess, cautious of the optics
of of something. And I'm just, you know, concerned um not necessarily to uh to do what you suggest, council president, but just the the optics of saying that we're rescending something that is for transparency. Um you know, and that's obviously not what we intend to do by
any means. U but I you know, I do think that the ordinance has I'm sorry, the resolution has drafted mandates that we have a discussion about items. I think it's important for us to, you know, reiterate collectively that even though we're not mandated, we still could have a discussion about items, um, in our new
business section, which is what we're doing right now. Um, if we choose to do that in in that fashion, and I have found some of those discussions to be helpful and illustrative in the past, um, whether we were mandated to do them or not or or, you know, whatever else. So, um, you know, whatever we end up doing with this particular resolution, I
think it's important to reiterate that, um, it's not in the sense that we want less transparency. Um it's just that we want to be um somewhat more um uh you know uh uh we want to continue our transparency be able to work efficiently
and appropriately. Um so I you know I I I don't know uh exactly what that means exact you know what whatever we'd like to to redo or um I guess I should clarify. Council President, are you suggesting that we rescend this or that we further discuss the the contents of it?
I actually so I I think I have two answers to your question. The first is I I find I find the resolution didn't I don't believe that it actually had the impact that it the intention behind it. Um so I do want to acknowledge what
you're saying about uh transparency. There's actually nothing in here that's not already a part of Robert's rules of order of which we govern ourselves and the expectation of how we conduct our business uh with specifically with giving information to what we want on an
agenda before the mayor calls the agenda meeting that happens x amount of days before information has to go out for the public. So a lot of this was actually just documenting for public consumption what the actual process is that we follow. Um and then the second part
which is uh perhaps why I use the word rescend. Um the whereases present this uh perception that the only time the burough attorney is preparing an ordinance for review is
by this declaration that takes place on the deis. And yes, it does absolve of um of uh daily uh business, but I for example, we go back to the the performative nature that you were
referencing, Councilwoman, and I als I often think of uh Councilman Kley, where we literally were tripping over the process to make sure that we were following. Number two, number three, there was nothing organic about that. Quite the contrary, I felt like he I
shouldn't speak for you. My perception was that what could have been shared was actually being stifled by following what's number one, what's number two. There was nothing organic about that. Um and so it I actually read it uh Councilman to I guess my third point. So
I lied when I said two. I really meant three. Um, it feels to me that if you are prepared when you're sitting here with the information and you're having those discussions of which we all
do because we all get this agenda well in advance of this meeting and have ample opportunity to have conversations. Mayor and I certainly have them. We have them with the attorneys if we need them. we have them with our burough administrator or the department heads. To me, it I it I don't think this has
actually anything to do with transparency. Um quite the contrary, I feel like it it stops the conversation and that's the natural thing that should be happening up here because that's the process thinking that residents want to hear when we're talking about ideas. So, I I
apologize. That was three. I said two, but I've always been and the mayor said I said four, so I'll stop at four. I feel good about four. Thank you, mayor. >> Is there an action that's looking to be taken? >> Well, I if if you don't mind, I would like to get the perspective of the burough administrator and the burough
attorney because >> he was nodding his head. Yes. So, you got him. Bob, >> thank you, mayor. Um what I would say and to assure the public um this is a
very engaged mayor and council um my uh my phone and the visitation to my office is is quite regular. So I can assure you that everyone on this day is is very well informed of what is going on uh in
the burrow and and I appreciate that and and I joke a little bit. Um, you know, it's better to know than not to know. Um, you know, I and I want to remind and I actually I think Councilwoman Delry Cohen actually had a good uh description of what the process is. And when you say
clumsy, it does it does come across as clumsy at times. What do we put on for discussion? What do we not put on for discussion? Should we talk about this? Should we not talk about that? And it shouldn't be that hard. um the the process of doing a burough business in
this forum. Uh there's ample opportunity for the mayor and council to speak at a variety of issues. You have your your comments after the public hearing. You have, you know, comments uh after a second read of an ordinance. You have
comments after your own report. So, there's plenty of opportunities to engage in a discussion on anything that's on the agenda or not on the agenda. without having to create that formulized process. Um, you know, the direction
that was created in the resolution and I remind you the resolution is only good for a year. So, actually to Councilman Guzman's point, uh, it was a trial period. So, the resolution was 2025 essentially, it expired at the end of 2025, so it's really not in effect right
now. Um, but the reason why it was referenced to ordinances, um, is because they're laws and, uh, whenever you're changing the laws of the land, there should be, uh, a discussion. There should be, uh, you know, wellthoughtout
conversation about that. Um, so, and that's all done through, you know, the public hearing process during the ordinance process. So, um, yeah, you don't have to make your jobs harder than it already is. uh you you you guys are working very hard behind the scenes. Uh
you ask the right questions, you ask the hard questions, you hold us accountable uh myself and and all the burough professionals. So we appreciate that. Um so you know I I I think you know you don't need that formal resolution moving forward. I
think you you're working uh you're doing the right thing as right now. You are very transparent uh extremely transparent I must say. uh you're you know provide information through social media through the meeting. So um yeah I think you're doing an excellent job.
>> All right. So that being said and the fact that it's expired we no longer need to have it on the agenda. Is that correct? >> Thank you. >> We're very well put. It's redundant. >> Yeah. M >> Bob I think you explained it
beautifully. I think clumsy was adequate. I think redundant is even more adequate, but I think uh the mayor said it well and as you did too. I think the expiration of it made it an issue going forward.
>> Thank you, >> mayor. May I I just um in in closure of this discussion, first of all, thank you everybody for your thoughts and feedback. Um, and I appreciate the the feedback about process for this and um,
and really just addressing the concern raised about the perception of stopping transparency. I would certainly welcome always any any of my council colleagues that would want to work on language that encouraged greater transparency. I think I would like it to be very if that's the
case, I think that should be very boldly what it says. That that's not what this said. Um and so if that's something we feel or that we are concerned is not happening, I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to put something new forward. But um with regard to that, uh
just for clarification, I asked the attorney. So since uh what the burough administrator said was that this resolution expired at the end of 2025. So then we are not beholden currently to adhere to this procedure at this time.
That's correct. >> Thank you. And I I really asked that question, mayor, just because I know even in um agenda meetings we've had, we've had this come up a couple of times. And so hopefully this will enable us to continue to move those forward. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. And I encourage the council to call Bob many, many more times a day. I know he's waiting for us. We're gonna move on now. Um, committee reports.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. You know what? Uh, Councilwoman, I apologize. You did arrive before the vote on resolution 80. So, can we take that vote again? >> Motion, please. >> So, I'd like to make a motion. Uh, I'm doing resolution number 80, correct? I'd like to move resolution number 80,
introducing the calendar year 2026 municipal budget. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Council me.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Delon. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, Leah Leazison reports. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um uh as March is
coming to a close, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that this is intellectual developmental disability awareness month. Um we are very proudly a municipality that champions access for all uh which is about both physical and
intellectual disabilities. Um and so I wanted to highlight that. Um and also share with my council colleagues that last week I had the opportunity to testify in Trenton regarding um to both in front of the Senate um Judiciary
Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee about the need for greater accessibility to mental health professionals. Um, and uh, I proudly talked about the great work that Rutherford has done and its commitment
it's made publicly to the support of our residents and and encouraging our elected leaders in Trenton to continue to advocate and support for all of us. Um, and I wanted to share that in honor of of this being ID month. Um, and I
thank uh our legislators that were there that represent District 36 for their willingness to listen and compassionate uh ear. Um, other than that, Mayor, I think I'm going to hold the rest of my comments uh
for this evening, but I thank everybody for their robust discussion and their continued commitment to the good work that we're doing here for the burrow. >> Thank you, Council President. Councilman Kley. >> Thank you, sir. Uh, first and foremost, I would like to formally accept the
resignation of Elizabeth Driscoll from engine company number three of the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department. Miss Driscoll, I thank you for your service and wish you the best in the next chapter of your life. Um, moving forward, the children's youth art banners will be hung um inter
momentarily, I should say, uh, within the next couple of weeks. Just a little issue with the grommets, but um when you're out taking a walk, as the weather starts to turn, cast your eyes upwards around Park Avenue in Lincoln Park and uh take a look at what our Rutherford youth have uh created. Some really great
submissions again this year. A little smaller than usual, but again, getting back to it. Hopefully, we can drum up uh submissions for next year and keep it growing. Thank you all. >> Thank you, Councilman Erica. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I want to congratulate the burrow and our professionals on being awarded as a two
2025 healthy town winner. Uh, once again, it's a tremendous honor for Rutherford and a huge testament to our professionals, our green team, uh, all of our volunteers and people who have contributed to that. So, congratulations to Rutherford again. It's a tremendous honor. We're we're very excited to be awarded that again. Uh, on April 11th,
the DPW and the green team are having a styrofoam collection event. That's at the DPW headquarters at uh 220 Highland Cross from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. So if you have any styrofoam that you've uh kept at your home that you want to dispose of, that is a great opportunity to do that. Uh and on April 13th, the
week of April 13th to April 20th is International Dark Sky Week. Uh we do have a mayor and council meeting on the 13th, so we might talk more about it at that time. Uh but that is uh a week celebrating the night sky, celebrating uh learning about responsible outdoor lighting, raising awareness and support
of protecting uh the dark sky and the sky as a resource. You know, we have residents sometimes that come in and like to discuss um lighting and dark skies in general. Ratherford is also below um uh several migratory bird um paths. Uh and so we uh uh would
appreciate residents uh to learn more about uh the importance of outdoor elimination and consider um dimming your lights or turning them off during that week. But again, on April 13th uh at our meeting, I'll discuss that more uh uh with great hope. Thanks, Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman Guzman.
>> Thank you very much, Mayor. On uh committee reports, I have nothing new to add, but I would like to uh comment now that uh we've moved uh one step closer to our budget. Um, I just want to give some thank yous to some people that I
know worked extremely hard on getting us to where where we are. Uh, start off with our CFO Gordon. Um, really appreciate you, man. Thank you very much for all your your hard work. Our bur administrator, Bob, hand in hand. Thank you very much for uh being
so detailed and going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. to my council colleagues, Council President McGawan, Councilwoman Del Ray Conn. Um, I've sat in that in that seat for a few years and I know what it's how tough it
is dealing with uh cuts and and trying to make things balanced. So, I just wanted to uh thank you all very very much for your efforts and also our department heads for going back to the grind when Bob says, "Nope, we got to
get shave more off." Um, everybody coming together is really appreciated and especially getting to a number and not cutting these services for the residents and you know they deserve their their services and the last thing we ever want to do is cut it cut cut them back. So, thank you very much from
me to you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Councilman Decon. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, this is just a reminder that on Sunday is the annual egg hunt run by the Rutherford Recreation Department. Um, I've been asked to MC, which I'm very excited
about. Um, 10:30 a.m. is for, uh, children grades 1 through 3, and then 11:15 are for one-year-olds through kindergarten. This is a wonderful, um, but often stressful event for a lot of families. So, I'm just going to
encourage you to come with your most patient heart and mind. Um, the Rutherford Recreation Department puts so much time into an event that lasts a very short duration. Um, but please be mindful of other children. Please ask your children to the extent that they're
old enough to understand to be mindful of other children. Um, it's an event where we want everyone to enjoy it. Please also know that um, your children will not be able to attend if they don't already have a wristband. So, please um don't put us or yourselves in a position
where you bring a child there who is not going to be admitted. Um there's nothing worse than saying no to a child, but um the rules are what they are for safety reasons and just to make sure that everyone who has acquired a wristband um has the opportunity to participate.
Um on in more celebratory news, um it is still Women's History Month and this month has been chock full of a lot of things, but um the council president and I couldn't really let Women's History Month get get by without doing some sort of celebration. Um so this uh
celebration will be a little different this year. In the past, we've worked closely with Felician on panel discussions. For a variety of reasons, that didn't work. Um, but in some ways I'm pretty excited about what we've uh put together for this year. So on March
31st, which is one week from tomorrow, we will be holding an event here in council chambers for anyone to attend. Um it hearkens back to when I was actually on the civil rights commission. I would organize for Black History Month um a poetry event where folks could come
and read poetry written by or about uh significant individuals um in the black community. So um looking at that uh as a seed of the idea this year we are going to do um anyone that wants to read,
perform or recite anything about a notable woman or written by a notable woman. You can sing, you can rap, you can say poetry, you can read a verse. Um, and the U in this instance is anyone of any age. So, I've already reached out
to a number of our scout troops. I've reached out to the arts council um and other organizations. So, please do come. Um, we will serve some sort of snack council president. We haven't really come up with that, but um it's really just a time to be together uh to think
about how women in history have um contributed, whether it's through the arts or uh in other some other meaningful way. So, we hope to see you Tuesday, March 31st at 7 p.m. And finally, as many of you know, uh tomorrow, hopefully most of you know, tomorrow is the no know your rights
session being organized by the Civil Rights Commission. Um it is at 7 PM here in Burough Hall. It is being um run I guess in collaboration with Ruckers University but the individual that's coming his name is Diego Gonzalez
Cordderero and he is the rapid response attorney for the Rucker immigrant community assistant project. Um Diego will be coming with a lot of information about immigrants rights and knowing your rights if you are um approached by immigration enforcement and and I just
want to pause there for a second because I think there have been a lot of questions about what this event should and should not be and a lot of opinions about what this event should and should not be. Um this is an information session. This has um is entirely separate and apart from anything the
council has considered with regards to resolutions. This is not intended to be that conversation. This conversation is very deliberate to provide information on what your rights are from an attorney who practices in the area. um our chief
of police will be there to answer questions that may be specific to Rutherford, but again we're not going to sort of um indulge the same kind of questions that have been presented to the council because that's a very different issue. The other thing that's been asked is is this a safe place to
have this event? Um, I think that the fact that we are having it here sort of says all you need to know that we consider this burrow building and this burrow a safe place to have these conversations. I believe most if not all my council colleagues will be there. I
will certainly be there. The civil rights commission will be there. Um, it is it is an avenue for receiving information. It is not a rally. It is not a protest. It is nothing of that nature. So if you want more information on immigrants rights in this everchanging environment, I encourage
you to come. If you know other people that want that information and they can't come, I encourage you to encou to attend on their behalf. Um just as recently today, there are now ICE agents at our airports um since TSA is pretty much not there. Um so the the likelihood
of interacting with an ICE agent is increasing um if not in Rutherford, certainly in other places. So, I encourage you to come here again to receive information. Um, if you have further questions about it, you of course can reach out to me. Um, you also can reach out to our commissioners. But
either way, we hope to see you tomorrow night uh at 700 p.m. And I'll reserve my comments about the budget until our next meeting. Thanks. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, we're going to move on now to my uh my assignments.
Um, tonight I have the track and field assistance for spring of 2026 with the attachment. Um, I'd ask for council consent. May >> I have a motion, please? >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a second by Councilman Delray
Con. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Eric Co., >> yes. >> Councilman Gosman, >> yes. >> Council Delray Con, >> yes. >> Thank you. Now I'm going to reopen it up to the citizens for um public hearing on
any agenda item and agenda items only. Frank was up first. Frank Wilson 171 Montrose. This is quick. The you said that the budget meeting is going to be April 27th, correct? I believe that's the one. And I bring
this up because the board of ed is the same day. And it happened last year, too. They were the same day. And Councilman Mone could probably attest to what goes on over there being that he left the board
of ed. Um, can somebody get with them and they change their date or you change your date? I asked them if they could change their date and they said no because it has to be on some Monday and some razasmatas is why they can't change it and they gave me some song and dance.
Um didn't validate it but that's what they told me. So being that there's two budget hearings on the exact same day I don't think that's fair for the residents of Brotherford to have to pick one or the other. Theirs is probably worse because they're
staring at least at 4%. And 4% of 60% is a lot higher than, thank you for correcting me, 1.5% of 32%. So citizens should flock to the board of ed, but most of them come here. Um, but
can somebody possibly look either to change our date or coers them to change their date? But I tried and they won't do it. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Hi. Hi. My name is Todd Hennessy. Uh 233
Ridge Road. Um Rutherford. Um about the budget. Um the the school board uh you said they went down in their budget. Did I did I >> They did not take the uh the proposed number that was expected based on the
surrounding communities, but we don't do backtoback, just so you're aware. >> Okay. Um, so I I've been living in RE for I think 25 years. Um, I don't remember the budget uh the taxes not going up. So you said there was one year
that they didn't go up and I have all my papers, so I got to go back and look at it. Um, I also um there's a couple of issues that I want to talk about, but I don't know if I have to wait on it. It has to do with the uh the the those uh meters that are uh
>> that's not on tonight's agenda. >> It's not the meters. It's the um the the parking things, >> the safety sticks. >> Yeah. When can I talk about them? >> At the next meeting. >> Oh, next. Okay. >> Yeah, you got the regular public hearing prior to anything that's proposed to the
anything associated with the agenda. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Oh, and uh another thing about uh meeting um we can't meet like the the uh you can't meet in city hall anymore, the Republican party or the Democratic party. Uh when can I speak about that?
>> We used to meet in the red room. >> That would be also brought up at that at a regular meeting. >> Next meeting. All right. Thank you. >> Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open up for any council comment. >> Council President,
>> thank you, Mayor. Um Mr. Wilson, thank you for your question. It's it's a very fair one. Uh I appreciate they don't want to move their hearing dates. hours are on a very strict schedule. You understand about I mean we've talked
about this previously about the intent to publicize there's certain amount of days in between introduction and adoption. Um and so the longer we go without a budget so by moving dates the longer we go without a budget we are um
we are just we're making amendments along the way and exceptions along the way instead of doing full adoption. I I'm a fan of full adoption, right? I think we should all be following a budget. Um, so I I hear you and I wish that I was more aware. I mean, I am the
liaison to them, but I am unaware of the conversation that you had with them about not being willing to change their date. Uh, and I do share that with the burough administrator moving forward per I mean unfortunately we're already scheduled moving forward for ourselves but that would be something that I think
we should perhaps be coordinating with the largest part of the municipal budget which is what you are referencing Mr. Wilson. Um, and and you are accurate. It's 60% of of our municipal of of 60% of a taxpayers's budget is coming from
the 61%. Thank you, Councilman. Um, so duly noted and I appreciate your thoughts on that. Uh, Mr. Hennessy, nice to see you. Um, I I do want to just reference my comments. So, as I'm sure
you're aware, when the when taxes were put together, I did make a statement in there about the fact that this did not reflect school taxes or county taxes. So despite the fact that we've had years where we've come in close to zero, one year I do believe we actually had a negative number. Is that about right
Gordon? Right. Um the reality is that's our 30% contribution to the overall budget. So I I remain confident in the words that I shared which is we have been good stewards and have taken our part of this very very seriously because we understand that even though it's 30%
it's still having impact to everybody's pocketbook. Right? So, what we have no control over is what you were just asking the mayor for clarification. And of course, I would encourage you to speak to the board of education. They approve their budget. They do not need to have uh they don't go out to the
community to have that voted on. It's something they resolve. Um and so what you're hearing tonight is our 30% >> uh correct and the county. Right. So there's three different aspects, but what you heard tonight is the introduction to the 30% that this board
is responsible for. Um so so actually we have we have come in with tax rates um at that that level, but perhaps the experience you've had in what the cost was was due to the other factors of the other twothirds of the composition of uh
the budget. >> Anybody else? Seeing none, going to close it to the council and I'm going to accept the motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Motion by the count.
>> Sorry. >> It's totally fine. That's it. I favor