Thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council Monday, December 8th, 2025 starting at 6:32 p.m. Missy, could you please call the role? >> Mayor Niato, >> I'm here. >> Council President McGowan >> present. >> Councilwoman Del Ron
>> here. >> Councilwoman Coach >> here. >> Council Kley. >> Councilman Erico >> here. >> Councilman Guzman >> here. If you're willing and able, please stand for the salute to the flag. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America. >> 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 permitted to the record in Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on December 23rd, 2024 and is posted on the
bulletin board outside of Barrow Hall. >> Thank you, Missy. We have no presentations or proclamations, so we're going to wait for Brian to take his hat off and give us the engineers report. >> And Councilman Kley has arrived.
Good evening, mayor. >> I think it's working, right? Uh so, uh recent work in the burrow was that we had a sanitary sewer, uh replacement and park outside of Burough Hall. Um it was
televised, the brakes were found. Uh they were localized in one area, so it was only one excavation. And uh that was taken care of within a day and a half. We didn't have to go to um like an overnight situation after we did the initial valuation and that was
uh um replaced uh paved temporarily and the contractor will come back in the spring uh and pave it to a county specification. Uh another project that we finished was Beach um street. It's paved, striped and uh all the work is complete there and we
are going to have the pre-construction meeting for uh a project that we'll do mostly next year. uh uh Hobart and other sections of town that are funded with NJ DOT and we're putting together a grant uh with the grant writer uh for
additional work in uh at Veterans uh Boulevard to continue that drainage run and where we didn't pave which is from DPW south uh to the turn uh at Veterans. So, we're going to look for grant money there as well. And I think we have um if
we're doing presentation specifically for uh the Kip redevelopment, but it it's done and it's I think it's been distributed and Lindsay is here to present if uh if you have any questions on that. >> Thank you, Brian. Anybody have any questions? Councilwoman,
>> thank you, mayor. Hi, Brian. Um I just wanted to check in. I know that there's delay related to the light at Erie and Jackson, and we've talked about that a lot. Um but we're in I in particular am still getting inquiries from residents. So um Councilman Guzman and I intend to
go to the coun uh the the county with our concerns. And before we do that, we just want to confirm with you that there's nothing left that they're waiting on from us. Well, it was we met with the um they're going to pave Jackson
uh and we said you might want to hold off on paving Jackson because the county is doing the trail work and we didn't want a situation where the trail the new trail the rails to trails didn't tie into a coherent pedestrian and bicycle
treatment. And so if you are going to the county uh just remind them of that because there's two projects. One is the project is to signalize uh Jackson and Erie and the other um that is adjacent to it but really impacts it the success
of it is to have a pedestrian signal like a trail signal incorporated into the traffic signal. And I don't know if the county's exactly putting that together. So if you do meet with them to say we'd like to see that alto together as a comprehensive access and so they
might there might be an intern situation where um Jackson and Erie is paved by the county with some minor modifications to the crosswalks but that won't be the final product. It'll be like an interim product because we met with Jason Alex, their ADA coordinator, and they're going
to pave in the spring. So, we're going to come up with uh some minor modifications, but it's not the modification. And then the only thing that they were asking for was they wanted to know how deep the gas line was for uh that went under the
hump. That is the railroad crossing. I said, "Usually we don't go out of our way to take borings to find the gas line. We usually do that during construction." Uh, so that's like that was like a mini project in itself that we kind of pushed back to the county
said, "Let them figure it out because I didn't want the borrower to pay for that." So that would require, you know, hand dug or vacuum excavation. We asked public service when they're doing the work in Jackson. Uh they just did gas man work there to give us an approximate elevation which I think they can give to
us and there's a um I'm going on a little bit long but there is a PSG contact in town and I'll reach out to him to see if he got that elevation. That would be the only thing they would say they didn't get is the elevation of the utilities underneath which I'm saying which to me we really don't go
after that until we do the project. We say, you know, we put general notes in contractor to uh, you know, relocate utilities as encountered and there's like a line item for that in the project, but I don't know the extent of it. So, that's really where we where we're at. Councilman,
>> thank you. >> Uh, Councilman, >> thank you, mayor. Um, >> I'm sorry, Council President. >> That's all good. Thank you. I appreciate it. Um, so I just want to clarify. I just want to make sure I'm understanding how you're explaining this. So, there's
the signal, the traffic signal that we're we know is forthcoming eventually and this pedestrian trail signal that would enable folks, I'm assuming, on the trail to continue on the said trail
while walking over that um that extension from Jackson to Carlton Avenue in East Rutherford. Correct. So, um, running the risk of asking a very rudimentary question. Um, are they not responsible for both and shouldn't they
both be happening simultaneously in the planning? And, and then I'm going to go with the secondary question if that is correct. Um, wouldn't the timeline then be to put the signal in when they're doing that work? And so they could and should be giving
us an accurate depiction of when it's happening instead of eventually. >> Well, right now, uh, the burrow's advocating for those two elements to be put together, right? Uh, I don't know if they came together yet on the county side. you know, um we're always
optimistic, but when we talked to the county, we said we would like to manage pedestrian crossings because unfortunately it's about 60 feet apart. And we want to put them together so that if you have like a a
twin stroller with twins and you you know you're crossing the trail with the with your kids, you don't have to go down to the corner and come back up again. Although as minor as that may seem, that is how I would judge the success of the project. Right? I want to put it all together and I don't know if
that's quite there. One is Parks and one is engineering. One is um is it Adam uh Stroble and one is like uh um Nancy Dargas and Gene Murphy. So those are the people we want to put in the room. the
um the uh request for proposals from the trail for the trail went out I think like in the summer. I don't know if that was awarded yet. Uh we were tracking it. We were considering doing it but we didn't do it because we didn't want to conflict ourselves out and advocate for
the borrow. So we didn't submit on it but I don't know what firm got that. would be that um you can do the traffic signal without the trail segment, but you can build it like stub it out for the trail segment in the future. That can be done. They can be done
independently but you can just stub out elements for the future. >> Right. >> No, no. Because uh when we when they when I think when the when the when the bureau talked to the county last they said all priority is going to FIFA and they had a couple
signals they had to take care of. So we'll they'll they said we'll see you after FIFA which to me says the the fall of 26. they'll start to get it into the design pipeline and maybe would be the fall of 27 that would be actual construction. >> But I'm sorry, we did sign off on that
part of this I think I believe over a year ago. I signed the documents with the county and this is where we're at. >> Council We wouldn't wait. We wouldn't wait. We would we would we would have um the design elements of a trail crossing,
whatever that may be. Um, we're not uh in uh it could be something very um artful, you know, to make that crossing. I don't know what that's going to be. We could build we could build a traffic signal and then in anticipation of the trail, but it would be great if we could
put the two together, but they're not uh mutually exclusive, I guess, is the best way to say. You can proceed with one without the other. Yes. Anybody else questions? Thank you.
Uh, seeing none. Thank you, Brian. We're real quick. I'm sorry. Before you go, so the work that was done out front was I forgot to ask Bob. I'm just going to ask why you're here. That line, was that malfun um leaking for a while? Would that explain the smells that were
in the basement? So, >> yeah. I mean, we looked at it and then uh there was like a whole missing section which we found uh down by the library when we televised it. >> So, the the erosion's been going on for guesstimate. >> I I could I couldn't tell you, but I
think um usually when it becomes a problem, it's been like a couple seasons. >> All right. So, that explains the smells in the basement. That's Thank you. >> Typically, that'll bait over time and when you get soaking rains, it'll they come back, but after two or three soaking rains, it usually goes away.
Okay, thank you. Um, reviews to the agenda. Missy, >> I have no changes. >> Anybody else? Robert. >> Okay. Um, no changes. So,
ordinances on first reading. Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. I have two uh ordinances on first read today. Our first one is amending police extra duty fees. Missy, would you please read the ordinance by title only?
>> An ordinance to amend chapter 76 of the burough code entitled police department. >> I'd like to I'd like to motion that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. Motion. >> I have a motion by council Guzman. May I have a second? Second. >> Second by council president. Any
questions or comments by the council? Seeing none, roll call. Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Council Delone, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Copley, >> yes. >> Council Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. Yes.
>> Next, I have repealing the handicap space on Windso Winslow 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 Bureau of Rutherford to repeal a handicap parking space on the
side of 188 Mountain Way. Motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by Councilman Guzman. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council president. Any questions or comments? >> I may have a roll call. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council Del Cohen.
>> Yes. >> Council Quan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next. Council President McGawan. >> Thank you. Um on first reading this evening uh
amendments to land use procedures in particular chapter 51 article 7 affordable housing requirements. Missy can you please read the ordinance by title only an ordinance to amend chapter 51 of the burough code entitled land use procedures and in particular chapter 51
article 7 entitled affordable housing requirements. >> Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council. Any questions or comments?
>> See none, may have a roll call. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Debor Con. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Cotron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Council Erico. >> Yes. Council >> Gman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next is adopting the redevelopment plan for Kip Avenue
redevelopment area constituting 64 Kip Avenue. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to the burrow of Rutherford in the county of Bergen adopting redevelopment area constituting 64 Kip Avenue block 74 lot 16-62
of Kip A Street block 74 lot 17 and 56 Kip Avenue block 74 lot 18. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move 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. >> Second by councilman Erico. Any questions or comments? >> Mayor, I was just um I I see my council colleagues hand is up, but I thought perhaps this would be an opportunity to just give a little context either by the bar administrator or certainly by our
planner who's with us this evening. Uh yes, council president. This redevelopment plan is is in uh conjunction or in related to the agu area a project uh that was uh approved a
few years ago. uh including that 140 unit project was the requirement of affordable housing. Uh through negotiations with the burrow and with fair share uh a project an offsighted
project uh was approved within the redevelopers agreement. As part of that requirement, 28 28 units, all affordable, will be at this site. One of the units will another a 29th
unit will be on site at the actual market rate project at Agnu. Um, included in this project is, I believe, six bedrooms for supportive housing. Um, so this is part of the requirement of the redevelopers agreement that we uh approved as a burrow a few years ago,
just getting this project moving along. Um, specific to the plan, I'll I'll, you know, defer to Lindsay from a planning perspective, but this is a, you know, part of the project that the bureau's already approved. >> Thank you, Lindsay.
>> Yes. So this is um a project that is part of your third round settlement for affordable housing, not to be confused with the fourth round where we currently are. Um so this is a project that is going to be the redevelopment plan is for specifically the projects that are only included in this. Um they are
across the street from the senior housing along Kip Avenue. Um the structure is going to be four stories high um approximately 40 feet in height with a mix of one, two and threebedroom units. The um on-site parking I believe
will consist of nine on-site parking spaces and then they will be entering into kind of an agreement for 15 additional off-site parking spaces. So for a total of 25 parking spaces for that site. Um as stated earlier, this is part of your affordable housing
obligation. Um it's in a it's in a good area especially considering the close proximity to public transportation which is typically ideal for affordable housing. um especially for people who are not car dependent. So um and it's also located next to you know good on street parking parking garage across the
street as well for visitors. So for any concern regarding parking for visitors or people coming to the site um there is parking. I know that typically is a pretty sensitive um topic regarding multif family housing. So >> thank you. Anybody else have any
questions for Lindsay Council? >> Thank you Lindsay. Um I just wanted to confirm two things. The first, and this is for the public's benefit because I think that there's often a lot of confusion. This is not a new project. This is a project we've been talking about for some time and a redevelopment
plan that was approved or at least contemplated some time ago that's already gone to the planning board. Correct. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, this was designated as an area in need of redevelopment back in 2024. I believe the process started in the summer of 2024. It was all formally adopted by
October of 2024. And typically the way um fair share housing agreements are within two years these projects kind of have to get going and they're very strict about that. So if people feel like something is moving quickly in the sense um it probably is for the for the purposes of affordable housing and
making sure we're compliant with the third round because that assists with your fourth round compliance. >> Thank you. And then my second question is you referenced that there is a commitment to non nine on-site parking spaces but 15 will be negotiated. Do we
have a sense of what that will look like? >> Yeah. Um >> or or Bob >> can you share your sense with the public? >> I I sure can. Thank you. Part of the agreement a couple years ago uh there the spots in question will be in the kip
garage. >> Yes. Uh, one thing I want to do say, uh, you referenced planning board. So, one of your actions tonight, if this thing is introduced, is you will refer this plan to the planning board for their review at their next meeting.
>> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you, mayor. I just have a question about the supportive housing units. What kind of support does that entail? Can you explain a little more specificity? >> So, I don't know the details, Bob. Do you know the exact details of the um so
it could be it could be a combination. Um you're only permitted a percentage of each of your affordable out obligations. So it could be sometimes senior housing or else um somebody with >> it's actually supporting housing. Council president you could speak. >> Yeah. Okay. Um so this was actually a
very unique negotiation that took place. You were mentioning this coming forward in 2024. This happened years before that. Um, in our conversation with affordable housing, in discussing what could be put in there, um, we advocated strongly as a burrow in our commitment
to, uh, building an accessible and, um, access, uh, committed community that we wanted dedicated supportive housing um, located in this specifically for individuals with develop uh, with disabilities.
I'm using the royal we and disabilities. Um and so um that was a huge negotiation because they wanted all of the units to be for under their definition of affordable housing. And so um after
incredible I I mean I don't know Bob how long this went on for but it went on for quite some time. Um but we were able to successfully advocate that um eight of the units would be dedicated for individuals with disabilities and we al it also enabled us to begin the
conversation that as uh new projects come forward in the burrow and we talk about affordable housing that in Rutherford we define affordable housing as also being specifically inclusive for the disabled community. So that's where those eight in supportive housing is
spec uh specifically speaking to. >> Uh just quickly as a followup are is there going to be a case like a case worker case manager on site for these for the people that live in those units at all? >> So there's it's an entire management model that happens under a CMO. So it's
bigger than just a case manager. It is literally there's an entire state process on how people become eligible for those units. Um, as we know across the state, there are over 20,000 people, individuals currently sitting on waiting lists for supportive housing that's
identified for individuals with disabilities. So hopefully Rutherford is contributing to um making the commitment we'd like to see other municipalities do, which is to say as they're committing to affordable housing, we're also addressing the critical need for
this subgroup of uh marginalized individuals that are disabled. Robert. >> Thank you, mayor. And to put the hopefully the cherry on top on this pro discussion, uh this project will also
include six affordable housing units that were part of the Parker One project. Back in 2018, the burrow took a payment in lie of uh the developer build in the affordable housing unit. So in negotiations with this developer,
they've agreed to include the six units that are our obligation into their project and the burrow will be uh using the funding that we received as part of the payment in lie of to help support this project. Matt,
>> thank you. So this question is purely for the benefit of both my layman's understanding and the public uh who has have a general concern about our master plan and development in in the bureau. The clause that sticks out in this presentation on page 8 line item six
relationship to the zoning ordinance. I'm just going to read it into the record. This redevelopment plan shall supersede all provisions of the zoning ordinance of the Bureau of Rutherford regulating development in the redevelopment area. In any situation where zoning issues are not specifically addressed herein, the Bureau of Rutherford zoning ordinance shall be
applicable. Final adoption of this plan by the Burough Council of the Bureau of Rutherford shall be considered an amendment of the Bureau of Rutherford zoning map. My question here is does this allow for the developer to change these plans on either this project or
Agnu A at any point to go from four the four structure four story limit to perhaps six. >> So no so this plan is specifically for lots 16 17 and 18 block 74. >> Wonderful. Thank you.
>> Oh sorry to those lots could this go above four stories if the developer changed plans? >> They would require a variance. It would have >> perfect. Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> See none. Thank you, Liz. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. Missy. >> Council President McGon. >> Yes. >> Council Del Conn. >> Yes. >> Council Quotron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. Councilman Eric. >> Yes. >> Councilman Desmond. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh, next, uh, this is a salary ordinance regarding the Rutherford PBA local 300. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance entitled ordinance regulating the employment tenure and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Burough of
Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of New Jersey number 3731-25 adopted November 10th, 2025. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> 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. >> Council Del Cohen. Yes. >> Councilman Clone. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next is the salary ordinance
for department head unit. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? >> An orders to amend and supplement an ordinance regulating the employment tenure and discharge of certain officers and employees of the Burrow of Rutherford under the provisions of the Civil Service Act of New Jersey number 3731-25 adopted November 10th, 2025.
>> 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. >> Second by counciloman del. Any questions or comments by the council? Seeing none.
>> Council president McGawan. Yes. >> Counciloman Del Con. >> Yes. Councilman Quron. Yes. Councilman Kley. Yes. Councilman >> Erico. Yes. Councilman Gman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Delray Con.
>> Thank you, Mayor. >> I have an ordinance on second read. Um, please read me Missy, please read the ordinance by title only. An ordinance by the mayor and council amending the Burough of Rutherford code of ordinances to repeal chapter 37 to adopt a new
chapter 37 to adopt a flood hazard map to designate a flood plane administrator and providing for severability and an effective date. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. Motion. >> I have a motion by Councilwoman Del. May
I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council president. Any questions or comments? Seeing none may have a roll call. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. Council Delone, >> yes. Councilman >> Quro, yes. Councilman Copley, >> yes. Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. We just did that one. We just read. We're now going to open it up for um the >> I'm now going to open this back up for any comments on this subject and this subject matter only as we we failed to do that as a second read. Anybody from the public wishing to speak on this
ordinance? Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public now. We're going to have the general hearing of citizens. Anybody from the public wishing to speak, please step forward to the microphone, state your name, address, and please try to keep your comments to five minutes or less.
Thank you. Hi, ma'am. on me again. I pay $65 a month parking lot. When I go in to work, it's fine parking spaces. When I want to use my space on the weekend, there are no spaces there. And I called police three
or four times because parking people are parking there without tags. We don't have enough parking this time. You've got restaurants with spaces on the streets now. And now you've got a building a building that's going to have
x amount of units with nine spaces and 15 spaces are going to come out of kips again. Where are you going to put put all this parking? And then you have river william too where they come every weekend and they just crowd into the lots and spaces
>> back and forth. Yeah, ma'am. What happens is everybody gets to speak and then anyone can comment back to each and every one of that spoke. >> Thank you. done this before. >> No, I understand. >> Put it in because I lived in Ridgewood and we had the same issue building. Anybody else from the public wishing to
speak? >> Frank Wilson, 171 Montroford. First, uh, like to congratulate Councilwoman Del Ray Conn and Councilman-elect Dennis Mazone on winning this year's election
and, uh, so and hope all have a happy holiday. So, let me get that out of the way. coming up. Uh couple meetings ago, I asked about the $100,000 uh rate approved for um that we we
pushed through, which is about anywhere from 15 to 20% rate increase. That was that $100,000 back about a month ago. And I asked, "How are we going to afford this?" and I've never gotten an answer as how we're going to accommodate that
$100,000, which is about 15 to 20% rate increase. Um, the rate increase we approved today is a standard increase between two and 4% for all parties, whether it's the department heads or the police. Two and
four is usually standard because I got a when I was working, I got a three. So, that's about normal. All right. But the ones that were 15 to 20, okay, that's fine, but how are we going to pay for it? And I still haven't got an answer as to how we're going to come up with $100,000.
So leading into that, um the old police station across the street that's still sitting there just for the health department, what are we going to do with that? I mean, that's prime to get rid of knowing that the Hullman building was sold and within now till three years,
they're probably going to renovate it and they're going to need parking. My thing is I'm not sitting up there now and I would approach them to see if they want to buy that because you don't have to worry about the tower that's sitting behind it. If they level a place, just make it into a big parking lot, it
solves all our problems. Just a thought. Um it it it hearing about the thing coming from the the KIP center. My first question is going to be and it always is is is there a pilot involved? And I say this because we all know that
pilots don't fund the school system. And in case anybody doesn't know, but the school has raised the taxes in the last seven years have gone up $10 million. That's an average of $2,000 per house.
And if we keep funneling pilots, it's going to help the burough side, but we're going to wind up paying it on the other side. So go back and look at the 2017 budget. It's 47 million, but the last year's budget is 57 million. That's $10 million. Divide that into how many
houses we've got. It's about $2,000 a house. So this is where we stand right now. There's going to be a ceiling to where it's going to blow up. and take it from me. I'm on social security and a pension. I don't want to get another
job. So, just everybody, please take a look at this. Start looking next year how we're going to not raise it 4% again because you know 4%'s coming from the school board. Fact. So, that's about it. Have a happy
holiday. Take care. >> Thank you, Frank. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? Seeing none, now I'm going to close it to the public and open for any council comment. Anyone wishing to speak, Councilwoman? >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, Mr. Wilson, I just
wanted to thank you for your congratulations. That was very generous of you and I wish you a happy holiday as well. Um the other thing I was just hoping to speak to or or to ask the burough administrator to speak to um because I want to make sure we're really clear with the public um the Holman pro
building there are no immediate plans for renovation of that building are like that I'm aware of. Correct. >> The Holman project several years ago the burrow designated as an area in need of redevelopment. Uh, I've heard rumblings
that they might be uh starting to gather their resources together and come to the burrow. Uh, but we have not had any any meetings with them specific to this yet. But, uh, I've heard some rumblings from other people that they might be. >> And that's fine. I'm I'm more concerned
with anyone thinking that something's going up in three years. I I don't think that's likely, but um, and >> development's a hot button topic in this burrow. >> Yeah. So, um, but I appreciate your cander about the rumbling. So, thank you for that. Um, and and Mr. Wilson, with
regards to, um, I I I remember you making this, uh, raising the concern about the rate increase. Um, we are not yet. I'm looking over to our f current finance chair. Um, we're not yet in budget season, but we are aware that, um, budgets are tight.
>> Yeah, Bob. Bob's absolutely >> Oh, Bob's You're very prepared today. is maybe the tie. >> It's a I'm basking in the Dolphin victory. Sorry for you Jeff fans out there. Um
uh Mr. Wilson, I believe you're you're you're talking about the uh the salary ordinance for some of the uh positions covered by employment contracts. Uh that approved ordinance was not specific to one year, but it was
a multipleyear ordinance for those positions. Much like the police and the department head as you referenced that salary ordinances, they're over five or six years. Uh those positions in that ordinance are based on employment contracts that will extend multiple
years. So it's not a $100,000 increase in one year. Much like you said, anywhere from two to four. When the employment contracts are all said and done, we'll probably be in a similar range. Um, so yeah, I can assure you it won't be $100,000 hit on the budget because of that one salary ordinance
this year. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, so first of all, thank you everyone for speaking tonight, including your first time coming to be with us, so we're happy to have you. Um, and I do wanted to just address that in the um, since you spoke about the
parking challenges, I do want to reference that in this redevelopment uh, plan that was uh, that we uh, approved this evening under parking, it uh, articulates that um, the concept plan identifies nine off- street parking
spaces on the property pursuant to sections 4.05 05 of the redevelopment agreement dated September 6, 2023. The Burough of Rutherford will provide 15 off-site free permit parking spaces at Kip Avenue Garage and and this is the
important part. The de redeveloper is required to contribute $100,000 towards improvement to the Kip Avenue garage. So, I want to be very clear that when we're talking about what that negotiation looked like, we are mindful that the Kip Avenue garage needs some
care. Um, and that in because of its relational space to where it is and it being across the way that this could enable us to address some of those things, this would be uh assisting us in creating better parking um at that
center. Uh, I don't disagree with the comments regarding needing more parking and um I would actually say that every single person that's sitting up here has had continued conversations as we talk about projects that are happening across the burrow to think creatively about how
we can u maximize existing parking. But also is are there areas that we can um work toward negotiating to achieve more parking spaces? uh because it is a premium. So, I agree with you for bringing it up, but I wanted everyone to
know, particularly the public, that this was clearly articulated on page 12 of the agreement that we had approved. Um that is all I have, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Seeing none,
we're going to move on to uh resolutions. Council present. >> Thank you, mayor. Resolution number 254 authorizing the bureau of Rutherford to enter into an agreement with the Rutherford PVA local 300. Motion >> have a motion by the council president. I have a second.
>> Second. >> Second by councilman Quatronone. Any questions or comments? Seeing none may have roll call. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council Delone. >> Yes. Council >> Quadron. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Counc. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. Thank you. Next is resolution
number 259 authorizing the bureau of Ratherford to enter into an agreement with the department head unit. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing no matter roll call, please. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Council del.
>> Yes. Council. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Council Gman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next is resolution number 260 referring the redevelopment plan for the Kip Avenue redevelopment area constituting 64 Kip Avenue to the planning board for review. Motion
>> motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by counciloman del Cohen. Any questions or comments by the council? Seeing none real close. >> Council President McGowan. Yes. Council Debor Cohen. Yes. Council >> Quattro. Yes. Councilman Kley. Yes.
Counc. Yes. Yes. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Next is the consent agenda. Uh all items authorized to be consent by the council will be enacted by one motion. These items are routine in
nature. 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 for a roll call, please. Council President,
>> yes with an abstension for resolution number 252. >> Council Done. >> Yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. With an extension on the minutes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gman. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. Uh, I'd just like everyone to take note that um for the this uh includes the holiday suspension of parking meters uh beginning tomorrow and concluding on January 3rd, 2026 on Park
Avenue and in all our parking districts that have parking meters. Thank you. We have no new business to discuss. We're going to move on reports. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate
the Chamber of Commerce on another uh, wonderful holiday uh, parade um, and their continued commitment to supporting um, uh, our downtown and quite frankly all of our businesses with Small
Business Saturday and their emphasis on encouraging residents in town to shop local. So, of course, I want to echo that sentiment. Um, I'd also uh just really want to take a moment to acknowledge that right now there are
many organizations across town um that and some that you'll hear about tonight up here that are um asking for donations of support. Um and so I ask during this time during this season of giving uh to
remember uh our food pantry, the board that does such an amazing job with the food pantry. Um, I ask that you remember uh organizations and and things that I know that uh Councilman Ero will talk about with um asking for donations about
toys, but you know, also maybe the less popular ones. Um there are pantries that are outside the Burough of Rutherford that are in great need uh during this winter season. There are coat drives happening. So, I just ask that during this season of giving, um, to, you know,
do what we do best in this town, which is care for one another, um, and if you are able and you have the means to do so, please pay it forward. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Council President. Councilman Deler Con. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'd just like to echo echo everything the council president
said. I have nothing to add. Thanks. >> Thank you, Councilman Quattron. >> Thanks, Mayor. I have nothing on my liaison assignments, but I did want to just point out that earlier during this meeting, um we passed on first read an
ordinance that would amend um the zoning so that we would require not zoning, but we would require that develop any development in town would would have to have 20% affordable housing units rather than 15% affordable housing units. And I
think that is a a great development. Um, no pun intended. And you know, a lot of we've had negotiations with developers and often sometimes developers come in to us and say they're willing and they voluntarily will will commit to 20%. But
I think to get to our even close to our affordable housing obligations, we need to at least require that 20%. And I just think it's important to have that uh those housing options available especially as as the cost of living gets higher. So I just wanted to point out
that that's a good development. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Coley. >> Thank you sir. Uh yes just echo Council President McGawan's sentiments about the Chamber of Commerce and the the parade. Um I I threw out the phrase a couple of weeks ago. It's just what a Rockwellian
moment in time. It really is just it was my fifth year being on the float with my kids. It is just a special special place, a special special time. So, thank you to one and all who pull that all together. It is a herculean feat. Uh small little teaser. Uh we are resurrecting the youth art banner month
program. So, in the holiday season, buy your kids and your little ones paints and crayons and cameras and things of that nature. Uh because the springtime just before the veterans banners go up. Uh we run about five to six weeks of the banners of the children's artwork throughout the burrow. um and kind of
fell by the wayside last year due to various reasons. Uh but we are bringing it back forward and uh we will be start start promoting in the turn of the new year, but just to put that out there and get everyone excited again for that uh beautiful little uh art sentiment as the
the weather starts to thaw. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Eric. >> Thank you, Mayor. I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues and thanking the Chamber of Commerce for the holiday parade. It was a fantastic parade and a very fun experience. Um, and to echo the sentiment and uh of council president uh
our Toys for Tots uh collection donation, we're continuing that until this Friday. So for anyone who is interested in donating uh new unwrapped toys, the collection boxes in front of our bureau clerk's office and we'll be collecting those until this Friday. And thank you so much to uh many of you who
have donated already uh in that program. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have nothing new to report this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'll move on to my reports and appointments. Um
first off, I'd like to start with um thanking the uh Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. My wife and I had the honor of attending the Chamber of Commerce wine tasting. Uh I'm proud of my wife and the chamber for helping raise about $14,000 for the Center for Hope and Safety in
memory of Washington School teacher Michelle Sabia. The Center for Hope and Safety provides resources for victims of domestic abuse. It was a beautiful evening. It was represented by many members of our community, including many teachers. I'd like to thank the chamber for presenting
my wife with the Community Impact Award. I'd also like to thank the chamber as well as the Center for Hope and Safety and Michelle's parents, Pete and Jackie Merulada, for keeping her memory alive. It was a wonderful event and I thank you all for
whoever donated and um came to the event. Tonight I have three appointments. Uh Janice Guzman, part-time clerk one step one in the tax off tax assessor's office effective
December 9th, 2025 in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I have a second? Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Del Ry Con. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, may have roll call.
>> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Del Con. >> Yes. >> Council Got. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Abstain. >> Thank you. Next, I have Robert Eubanks, plumbing subcode official, temporary
appointment effective November 25th, 2025 in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by counciloman Quatron. Any
questions or comments? Seeing none, have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. Council Delone, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Council Erico, >> yes. Cuz >> yes. >> Thank you. Uh, next I have the 202526
seasonal staff uh for the recreation department. We have the memo of names attached. I'd ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council quattron. Any questions or comments?
>> Seeing none member roll call, please. >> Council president McGawan. >> Yes. >> Council, >> abstain. Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Cas, >> yes. >> Thank you. Now to my committees. Um, I
would I will be appointing um Councilman Erico as the liaison to the uh 250 uh 250th US um anniversary celebration. Um he'll
be putting forth um members for recommendation uh I'm sure within the next couple of meetings. Thank you. We're now going to go into a close session for legal updates of the round four affordable housing challenges. We
are not going to be making any um decisions this evening. So, if you choose not to stay, we'll no no action will be taken when we come out of close uh close session. Thank you. >> I need a motion by >> motion by council president. May I have
a second? >> Second. >> Second by council del. Any questions or comments? Let me just read the resolution. Whereas the open public meeting act requires a public body adopt a resolution at an open meeting before going into a closed session to discuss a matter which excludes the public as permitted under section 7B. Now
therefore be it resolved that the mayor and council will hold a closed meeting at 7:22 p.m. on December 8, 2025 18 Donaldson Avenue to discuss the following matter. Legal update fourth round housing challenges. >> Comment.
>> Any comments? Have a roll call. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Derek Con, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to stop the streaming service.
>> Mayor, I'm I'm going to stop the streaming service for those at home because since there is no action going to be taken after this, uh, so I don't want people to wait and see a blank screen for however long we take. >> Thank you. For those of you that are not going to continue from home, we wish you all a very happy holiday.