Uh, welcome everybody to our uh, first council meeting of July. Happy summer to all and uh, prehappy 4th of July as we celebrate our nation's 249th birthday uh, this coming Friday. And I know we'll
be talking about what the city's going to be doing a little bit later, but welcome. Um, at this time, um, madame clerk, will you please read the adequate notice of compliance statement? Yes. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the city clerk's office in preparation of the council annual
meeting notice dated December 16, 2025, which was properly distributed and posted per statutory requirements. Please be advised the fire exits are to my right, your left, and at the back of the room. The city has a listening system to assist the hearing impaired.
If anyone needs hearing assistance, please obtain the system at the deis and return it thereafter. Thank you so much. Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Ber, present. Miss Hamlet, here. Miss Cmanson, here. Mr. Pilowski here. Mr. Smallwood here. Miss To here.
President McTurn, present. All right. Um, at this time, I'd like to call from our audience. We have a a former council member, uh, Patrick Curley. Uh, would you do us the honor of leading us in the pledge of allegiance? Absolutely. Algiance 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, Mr. Hurley. Okay. Um, madame clerk, would you please
read at this time the explanatory note regarding closed sessions and hearings and comments? A close session meeting as authorized by state statute was announced and held prior to the start of this meeting and the known items for discussion were listed on the published close session agenda. Please be advised
that council meetings are broadcast live on Comcast channels 34 and 36 and Verizon channel 30 and rebroadcast on Thursdays and Saturdays on HGTV on Comcast 36 and Verizon 33. When invited to speak, please come to the lect turn
clearly. State your name and address, spell your last name, and speak into the podium microphone so that your comments can be understood by all and properly recorded. Whenever an audience or council member reads from a prepared statement, please give or email a copy to the city clerk at city clerk@c
cityofsummit.org. To help facilitate an orderly meeting and to permit all to be heard, speakers shall limit their comments to three minutes. Unless you're using an electronic device to follow the meeting agenda or need it for emergency uh professional emergency contact purposes, please turn it off. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Um all right. At this time, do I have a motion to approve the minutes of regular and close session meetings of June 16th, 2025, as well as the uh minutes for our special meeting
of June 24th, 2025? So moved. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Um All right. We're on to uh one of my favorite parts of each of these meetings, which is our report section. And as always, Madame Mayor, do you have
a report for us this evening? Of course I do. Awesome. Good evening, everyone. The Summit Police Department is hiring school crossing guards for the 2025 to 2026 school year. Crossing guards will work Monday through Friday from 7:45 to
8:30 a.m. and again 300 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. when school is in session. Uniforms and training are provided by the Summit Police Department. More information, including the application, is available on the city website, and there are also copies of the application at our police records window here in city hall. Our
annual Fourth of July celebration is taking place this Friday at Soldiers Memorial Field. We have an a fantastic lineup of music and entertainment and food trucks, an incredible fireworks display at the end of the night. Please be aware there will be road closures in
the area throughout the day and the night for the fireworks and to help facilitate pedestrian traffic. The full event schedule is available on both the city website and the department of community programs website. And last, I invite residents to join us on the village green this summer for our movie
and concert series on Tuesday and Thursday nights in July and August. The first screen on the green of the summer is this Thursday, July 3rd. And the first summer concert is on Tuesday, July 15th. There these are always very popular events and a fun way to spend time outside in our beautiful downtown
with neighbors and friends. The full schedule is available on both the city website and the DCP website. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um uh do we have our city administrative report today, Miss Baldwin? Yes. Thank you, council president. Um, city offices will be
closed on Friday, July 4th. It is also a parking holiday in Summit with no fees required for on street parking or parking in the municipal lots and garages. The transfer station will be also no recycling collection on Friday, July 4th. The Friday collection will be
pushed to Saturday, July 5th. And there's no change to the trash trash collection this week. It will still be collected on holidays in Summit. Um July dates for the Summit Free Market are Saturday, July 12th from 8 am to 3
p.m. and Friday, July 25th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Summit residents with a parking disposal permit can attend and browse donated items and take what they want for free. Donation guidelines are available at cityofsummit.orgfreearket.
Um, I don't have a lot more information to provide right at this moment, so stay tuned. But as many of you know, our tier garage decks three and four remain closed at this time. There was a structural inspection done um and we
will be responding very soon um with the next steps in that process uh and where we'll be at. So stay tuned for that. And that completes my report. Thank you so much. Um my council president report will be brief. Um today is the first day
of July which means we are now officially in round four of uh our Mount Laurel uh obligation. So we as everyone aware we approved a plan last week. Uh round four starts as of today. Um so
round three is in the rearview mirror. I gave a good synopsis of that a week ago uh of our successful completion uh of all that and now we go into as I mentioned fairly new territory. Um I
would suspect we have a now a two-month window where uh interested parties can come and challenge our plan. We'll we'll see if that happens. My guess is there will be some uh and we will uh deal with
those as as they come in. Uh that window closes August 31st depending on uh those challenges. Uh we will work those out. Uh I think the legislation uh their their time frame is by the end
of the year. That's their time frame. We'll see if that holds up with the court masters and all that good stuff. Um but that's where we are now. Uh there is some things on the agenda tonight that are rel related to our round four obligation. And again
this is all about um uh controlling our own uh development and our own zoning. And so it's important that uh we comply with the plan and provide affordable housing which we all want to do. Uh and we'll uh but we'll do it in a way that
hopefully we can keep as much control over our development as humanly possible. Um and that's it for my report. Okay. Uh all right. Uh now is our historical minute. Uh Councilman Palowski.
Thank you. Tonight we have uh Chelsea, a Summit High School graduate and current student at Boston College. She's a summer intern for the Summit Housing Authority, and she's going to uh discuss
race car driver and Summit native Mark Donahue. Thank you, Chelsea. Good evening, mayor, council members, and fellow residents. I come before you tonight to speak on behalf of preserving an irreplaceable piece of Summit's history. The home at 68 Valley View
Avenue, built around 1895. This is more than just an old house. It's a landmark that holds deep cultural and historical significance for our community. This week, as the new Brad Pit Formula 1 movie enters into theaters, it's the perfect moment to reflect on one of Summit's own, Mark
Donahue Jr., a legendary race car driver born right here in town on March 18th, 1937 and who once called 68 Valley View his home. Under the guidance of Roger Pensk, Mark became a motorsports icon, winning the United States Road Racing
Championship and famously the Indianapolis 500 in 1972, setting a record speed. His tragic passing in 1975 shocked the racing world. Over a thousand Warers filled St. Teresa's church right here in Summit where he was confirmed and received first communion.
The crowd included racing legends like Marco Andredy, Bobby Allison, and Tom Sna. His impact reached far beyond this town, but it began in that house. And now it is on the verge of being torn down. But let me be clear, we don't have to lose this home to grow as a town.
There is a compromise. The land can be divided, a new house built, and the historic home preserved and expanded at the rear. This is not about stopping development. It's about doing it with respect for our city's heritage. It's about honoring the past while building for tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you so
much. Thank you. It's my learn something new every day. I honestly did not know that. That's great. Thank you very very much. Um all right. Um we are now moving right along.
We're on our uh we have a few ordinances for hearings uh this evening. Um Madame Clerk, will you please read uh the first ordinance from finance? Ordinance number 25-3344, an ordinance appropriating funds for
school improvements in the city of Summit County of Union, New Jersey, and authorizing issuance of 12,66,500 school bonds or notes of the city to meet set appropriation. Thank you so much. Uh, Councilwoman Toth. Thank you, Council President. I'm
deferring to Council Member Smallwood. Thank you, Council Member Toth. Uh, this is ordinance ID, Ordinance ID number 225-3344 for hearing an ordinance appropriating funds for school improvements in the city of Summit in the County of Union, New Jersey, and authorizing issuance of
12,66,500 school bonds or notes of the city to meet said appropriations. On May 29th, the board of school estimates approved this um this rod grant uh for roof
repairs for our our schools. The the bond authorization is for 12,66,000 $12,66,500. However, in true government fashion, you have to spend money in order to get money. The BOE is expected to receive
$5,42,600 in return through the Rod grants from the state of New Jersey. So in essence, the roofs that are we are bonding $12 million, but it's really only going to be costing the city $7 million. So I
move this ordinance for hearing. Second. All right. I'm going to declare this our hearing open for this ordinance. Uh at this time, if anyone from the public would like to uh comment on this uh ordinance, please do so at at this time.
Okay. Um seeing none, I'm going to close the hearing. Uh and we're moving on then to our next ordinance. Uh oh, I'm sorry. This uh I'm on the wrong page. Back to my pages here. Um our next uh ordinance
for hearing. Um, madame clerk, will you please read the ordinance from safety and health, please? Ordinance number 25-3345, an ordinance amending the code chapter 2 administration, article 4, departments created. Section 2-15, Department of
Police, subsection 2-15.1, establishment, and subsection 2-15.14, auxiliary police. Thank you so much, uh, Councilman Ber. Thank you, Council President. This ordinance proposes two important updates to the city code
regarding the structure of our Summit Police Department. First, it increases the number of authorized sworn personnel from 50 to 52, adjusting the ranks to allow up to nine sergeants and up to 38 police officers. This change reflects
the department's evolving staffing needs and has already been accounted for in the adopted 2025 municipal budget. Second, it removes outdated language referencing the auxiliary auxiliary police unit, which no longer is active.
Uh, the ordinance also includes a provision allowing the department to temporarily exceed staffing limits for up to 180 days during transitions such as retirements to ensure uh continuality of service. Uh, with that, I move this
ordinance for a vote for final consideration. No for hearing. Oh, for hearing. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Boyer. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. Um, all right. I'm going to declare the hearing open on this uh safety and health ordinance. Uh, at this time, if anyone
from the public would like to speak, please approach the dis. Good evening everyone. Uh, Paturley, 192 Ashlin Road, of course, and Summit. Um, I know this or ordinance solidifies a new and expanded police department, which is considering the environment,
likely warranted, but it's not clear how we came to these decisions. Between 2010 and 2013, there were many discussions about the appropriate size of the department driven in part by organizational changes made in 2012, including the
implementation of new force multiplying technologies. Back then, the council used a baseline published by DOJ of two officers per 10,00 residents. This equated to 44 officers. Other variables such as, but not limited to, response times, highways, detailed crime data,
and officer safety were then factored in. This led to a final recommendation of restoring the forest to 48 officers after an unfortunate, although fiscally required, cut to 46 in 2010. That was because city hall leadership didn't
properly plan and could not provide justification qualitatively or quantitatively to remain at 48. This year I've only seen or heard justifications based on opinions, recommendations, and gut feelings. These are obviously extremely important, but they're just a start.
Second, with the purchase of an updated camera system for our city hall earlier this year, both council and the police made a commitment to begin implementing AIdriven technologies in our public safety operations or at least develop a plan. Well, I understand
better than most it's not just about technology. I also know we have no choice but to embrace an approach that includes advanced AIdriven technologies integrated in both capability and functionality to support operations while also enhancing connectivity to our
businesses, schools, parks, parking facilities, and even residents. In recent years, our approach to technology appears to have been reactive and even worse, somewhat vendor driven. For example, we have a drone, but no real publicly vetted drone program. Additionally, as a harbinger of the
unavoidable challenges to come, while our police officers acted professionally and correctly without a doubt, a recent false positive ALPR alert raised very legitimate civil rights and privacy concerns that appeared to catch the city and public offguard. Police departments
all over the country are currently dealing with a lot of these issues. I'm concerned we may be missing an opportunity to do what's right by our residents, not just in terms of safety and security, but also for the long-term effectiveness, viability, and efficiency both fiscally and operationally of our
public safety programs. In 2025, public safety organizations staffing and technology are interdependent. They cannot be separate discussions. So, is this the right organizational structure? Without a comprehensive and publicly vetted plan, we actually have no way of
really knowing. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Other comments from the public. Okay, I'm going to declare the public part of this hearing closed. Any comments from council? Council President. Yes, council. I will
just say that the justification justification for police officers uh happened uh in January to about uh I want to say March of 2024. Uh we talked about it in great detail. Uh Chief
Sigorski at the time went over it. He had a memo and was the uh precipitous of why we actually did this. So it was grounded in in data and statistics and um much needed as well. Um when it comes
down to AIdriven technology and uh cameras, uh the police chief and I we talk about it all the time. Um actually we we talk about including uh the former councilman uh in our plan. It's just uh
um we're just trying to do city hall and get that, you know, moving. But the plan this year is actually to do a a um a camera master plan. So really plan it out to see where these cameras can be most effective in town. I mean we have a
a new park uh our first park in in the last 100 years which is um the park line. So yeah, that's number one on our on our mind. So I just wanted to make that statement. Thanks. Thank you. Other comments from council?
All right, hearing none, I'm going to uh close the hearing on that safety and health ordinance. Uh we have a a second safety and health ordinance uh for hearing uh today. U Madame Clerk, will you please read uh 25-3346?
Ordinance number 25-3346, an ordinance amending and supplementating supplementing the code chapter 10, animal control, section 2-14, vicious dogs. Thank you so much, Councilman Ber. Thank you, Council President. This ordinance repeals and
replaces section 10-2.14 of the city code concerning vicious dogs and creates a new framework for handling cases where a dog has exhibited aggressive behavior uh that causes injury or distress but does not meet the
state's legal threshold to be declared vicious or dangerous. While New Jersey law allows for certain designations and penalties in serious or repeated cases, this ordinance introduces a local classification aggressive dog, which
allows the municipal court to act in situations involving unprovoked attacks that cause bodily injury. It also provides a court with flexibility to impose fines, require muzzling and tethering in public, and implement other safety measure measures where needed. I
move this ordinance for a final hearing. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right, I'm gonna open the hearing to the public at this time. Uh, anyone from the public wish to comment on this ordinance? All right, I'm going to close the hearing for the public. Uh, council
members, anyone would like to comment? Council President, just Councilwoman Toth, thank you. because I I pulled apart this state ordinance. So, thank you, Council President. Um the state ordinance on vicious and and um potent potentially
dangerous dogs. Um covers dogs that make unpro any unprovoked attack on a person causing injury or or more serious and on another pet causing death or basically
near death. So, the piece that state law doesn't cover is an unprovoked attack on another pet that doesn't that isn't fatal or near fatal. And that's the the loophole that we're closing here. And I hope I didn't step on your lines, Council Member Ber.
Thank you, Councilwoman Toth. Uh, Councilwoman Buer. No. Um, uh, Councilwoman To, we work well together. Uh, and and I'm glad you took a look at this, uh, for us. Um, yeah, there was a need for this. We've over the last year
or so. The mayor uh definitely knows because she gets all the emails. Um, there have been constant reports of uh dogs not being on the leash, attacking other dogs. Um, my my little 15lb dog
was uh was unfortunately attacked one day at um at the middle school. So, this is this is definitely needed. I love animals and I think uh in town though we need to be cognizant and keep them leashed. You know, especially you know
your dog, right? Everybody knows their dog. If your dog's a little rough and you know your dog needs to be on a leash, but they need to be on a leash anyway. But thank you, Council President. Thank you. Um just so the public's aware, this is about um for for
violations, it's $500 for each violation. Is that correct? Yes. Oh, I believe so. Yes. Yeah. Okay. All right. Uh, any other comments from the public? Yes, Madame Mayor. Just um two comments. One is I want to reiterate there there is an ordinance that dogs
need to be on leashes. So, um just people need to put their dogs on leashes just in general when they're in public. Um and the second thing was that if you do experience um a dog attacking either
a human or another pet or animal um please do report it because the only way that we can actually address the behavior is if it's reported. I know that there I've been told by our hum our um humane officer that sometimes people
call, you know, 6 months later and say, "Oh, by the way, this happened and it wasn't reported and so therefore the behavior is not addressed." So, I just want to clarify that and make sure people understand that this is not a nuisance to call the police. Please do so and we can address the behavior. Great. Thank you. Good comment. Uh other
comments from council? Yeah, I would just say we all well most of us love dogs, but we want to have a community where we love our dogs and everyone is kept safe. So, I'm glad that we are, as Councilwoman Toth mentioned,
closing a loophole here to make it safer. So, uh, thank you. Um, all right. If no other comments, I'm going to declare the hearing closed on the dog ordinance. And then um so we have a uh
um an ordinance for hearing capital projects and community services, but my understanding is this is going to be pulled. Councilman Palowski. Yeah. So um before I move the table this uh ordinance number 25-3347.
Uh just had a couple comments. First, we inadvertently noticed this for a hearing tonight instead of on the 29th. Um because this proposed ordinance would uh modify the DRRO, it has to go through
the planning board for a consistency review first. Um and because and we couldn't have a hearing on this legally uh before it has uh before the planning board's had an opportunity to perform that consistency review.
So um but notwithstanding, we are considering some additional revisions to it. um and most likely will introduce a new version on the 29th with a hearing hopefully in September. So with that, I move to table this ordinance.
So point of order, uh Madame Clerk, do we have to read the ordinance before we table it? I would recommend that. Okay. So Madame Clerk, will you please read ordinance number 253347? Ordinance number 25-3347, an ordinance of the city of Summit
County of Union, New Jersey, repealing section 2-29, historic preservation commission of the revised general ordinances of the city of Summit and creating a new part five historic preservation of chapter 35 development regulations. Great. Thank
you. All right. Now, at this time, uh, Councilman Palaskki, you want to make a motion? Uh, yes. I move to table this ordinance. Second. Okay. Okay. So, we have a motion to table this ordinance. Um, do we need a roll call for that? No, I don't believe so. No, you can say all in
favor. Okay. Um, so all in favor of tableabling this I I and opposed. Council president, I said a quick comment. Um, there were some questions from a resident today whether or not we have to notice if we are tableabling something and I confirmed
with the uh city clerk today that that that's not necessary to notice. So, just there was some questions today on whether or not we needed to uh let the public know, and it sounded as though we're doing it the right way. Yeah. Okay, great. Good uh good color. Thank you. Okay, so that ordinance uh pass the
tableabling of that ordinance passes. All right. Um so, now we're on to our section uh for ordinances for final consideration. Um Madame Clerk, will you please read finance uh number 25-3344?
an ordinance appropriating funds for school improvements in the city of Summit County of Union, New Jersey, authorizing issuance of 12,66,500 of school bonds or notes of the city to meet set appropriation. Thank you so much, uh, Councilman
Smallwood. Thank you, Council President. This is ordinance number 25335-3344. uh an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $12,66,500 for school bonds or notes uh to repair the roofs of the majority of our high or
school system. And I moved this ordinance for final consideration. Second. All right. Uh roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss Calmanson, I. Mr. Pilowski, I. Mr. Smallwood, I.
Miss Toth. President Oct I. Motion carries. All right. Um, Madame Clerk, will you please read the safety and health ordinance 25-3345? An ordinance amending the code chapter 2 administration article 4 departments
created. Uh, section 2-15 Department of Police subsection 2-15.1 establishment and subsection 2-15.14 Auxiliary police. Thank you so much, Councilman Ber. Thank you, Council
President. Uh, having just heard a having just had a hearing on 253345, I move this ordinance for a final uh, vote for consideration. Second. All right. Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss
Cmanson, I. Mr. Pilaski, I. Mr. Smallwood, I. Miss Toad, I. President McTurn, I. Motion carries. Okay. Uh, safety and health ordinance number uh 25-3346. Would you please be so kind to read this one, Madame Clerk? An ordinance amending
and supplementing the code chapter 10 animal control section 2-14 vicious dogs. Thank you so much. Uh, Councilman Ber. Thank you, Council President. Once again, having just had a hearing on 253346, I move this ordinance for a vote for
final consideration. Second. Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Boyer. Hi, Miss Hamlet. Hi, Miss Cmanson. Hi, Mr. Powski. Hi, Mr. Smallwood. I Miss Toad, I President McTurn, I. Motion carries.
All right. Um, the last one has been tabled or pulled. So, we are then now on to um ordinances for introduction.
Is that correct? Yes. Yes. Everything's falling apart here. Um, okay. Um, we have a few uh this evening. Uh, madame clerk, will you please read uh finance the first finance ordinance for introduction, please? ID number 12024, bond ordinance providing for the
improvement of the sewage facilities owned by the joint meeting of Essex and Union counties, excuse me, appropriating $275,000 therefore and authorizing issuance of $261,500 bonds or notes for financing same. Thank
you so much. Uh, Councilwoman Toe. Thank you, Council President. This bond ordinance relates to the joint meeting, our shared sewer facility with other communities in the area. As you yourself have stated many times, council president, this may be Summit's most valuable asset. The joint meeting
regularly assesses its members for capital projects. Summit plans for this and sets aside funds each year. The current assessment is for slightly more than Summit has set aside. Um, hence we must contribute an additional $275,000 to meet our assessment and must issue an
additional $261,500 in bonds or notes to raise the funds. As ever, that 5% difference in those two numbers is the down payment and comes from the SE sewer utilities operating budget. I move to introduce this
ordinance. Second. All right. Roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet. I. Miss Calmanson. I. Mr. Pilowski. I. Mr. Smallwood. I. Miss. To I. President McTurn. I. Okay. So, motion carries for the hearing date on
the 29th. That's right. Um, okay. Um, Madam Clerk, will you please read uh the second finance ordinance for introduction? ID number 1227, bond ordinance appropriating $5,51,000 and authorizing issuance of $5,238,000
bonds or notes of the city for various improvements or purposes authorized to be undertaken by the city of Summit. Thank you so much, Councilwoman Toe. Thank you, Council President. These will be shorter. This bond ordinance stems from the city's 2025 budget and
authorizes issuing bonds or notes sufficient to cover our 2025 capital plan. I move to introduce this ordinance. I second. Thank you so much. Uh roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss Cmanson, I. Mr. Powski,
I. Mr. Smallwood, I. Miss Toad, I. President McTurn, I. Motion carries. Um uh finance uh number three. Please read that ordinance for us. Madame clerk, ID 12028 bond ordinance appropriating
$2,85,000 $85,000 and authorizing issuance of $1,985,000. Bonds are notes of the city for various sewer utility improvements or purposes authorized to be undertaken by the city of Summit. Thank you so much,
Councilwoman Toth. Thank you, Council President. This bond ordinance stems from the sewer utilities 2025 budget and authorizes issuing bonds or notes sufficient to cover the sewer utilities 2025 capital plan. I move to introduce this ordinance.
Do I have a second? Second. Sorry. Thank you so much. Um, roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss Cmanson, I. Mr. Powski, I. Mr. Smallwood, I. Miss Toi. President McTurn. I All right.
You're almost done. Councilwoman To. Oh boy. Um, Madame Clerk, can you please read the last finance ordinance for introduction? ID 12033, bond ordinance providing for the improvement of parking facilities in and by the city of Summit appropriating $2,997,000
therefore and authorizing issuance of $2,854,000 bonds or notes of the city for financing such appropriation. Thank you, uh, Councilwoman Toth. Thank you, Council President. This bond ordinance stems from the parking
utilities 2025 budget and authorize issu authorizes issuing bonds or notes sufficient to cover the parking utilities 2025 capital plan and none too soon. I move to introduce this ordinance. I second. Thank you so much.
Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss Camson, I. Mr. Pilowski. Hi. Mr. Smallwood. Hi. Miss To I, President McTurn, I. Motion carries. All right. Um, safety and health number one has been
pulled. Uh, so we're moving to safety and health number two. Uh, madame clerk, will you please read uh that ordinance for us? ID 12016 an ordinance amending chapter 7 traffic
section 7-13.1 turn prohibitions of the revised general ordinances of the city of summit. Thank you so much Councilman Ber. Thank you council president. This ordinance proposes a traffic modification at the intersection of River Road and Irish
Road to prohibit left turns, effectively making it a right turn and a right turnout intersection. Uh following initial community feedback early in 2023, the concept received strong support from residents. Since then, city
staff along with our city engineer here uh have worked to develop designs design solutions and coordinate with Union County, which granted the final approval earlier this year. Uh to reinforce the restriction, signage will be installed
and a physical island is proposed to deter illegal turning uh movements. This island may be temporarily marked with paint until permanent construction can be completed. Uh, I move this ordinance
for a hearing. Second. Uh, roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I. Miss Hamlet, I. Miss Camson, I. Mr. Palowski, I. Mr. Smallwood, I. Miss To I. President McTurn. I. Motion carries. Okay. Um,
thank you for getting through all those. Uh we're now on to our the resolution portion of our uh meeting. Uh we have a few. Uh first off is finance. Uh Councilwoman Toth. Okay. Thank you, Council President. Um resolution 1239
amends our 2025 capital budget to cover costs not originally included. The increases are caused by soft costs imposed by section 20 of the New Jersey local bond law. These include financing costs, the financial adviser, the bond
council, the credit agencies, and the auditor. The section 20 costs are incorporated in the bond ordinances introduced earlier in the evening. Across the three capital budgets, municipal sewer and parking, these costs
total $465,000 or 4.51% of the original combined capital budgets. For just the municipal capital budget, the costs total two $244,500
or 4.65% of the original capital budget. If the section 20 costs come in lower than expected, we'll cancel the excess funds to capital surplus and use them to pay off debt service. And further, city administrator Baldwin will struct structure next year's capital budget
process to prevent this from recurring. In the meantime, I move to adopt this resolution via a roll call vote. Second. All right. At this time, are there any comments from the public? Any comments from council?
Um, may Yes. Counciloman, I simply wanted to add um I had sat down or had a long conversation yesterday with city administrator Baldwin and um our our chief finan um excuse me, head of the
finance department about alternatives to in to amending the capital budget. All of those alternatives um probably wouldn't have have gotten us to a better place. that would have required us to um pull the bond ordinances,
introduce them later in the year. It would push back issuing the bonds and beginning construction or purchasing until the fourth quarter of the year, we would have missed out on matching funds. Um so that while I am loathed to spend any more money than we originally
planned, the alternative is worse. Thank you. Other comments? Yeah, I would just say for those who are into the nitty-gritty of the process, right, we we go through a very long the capital
budget starts with the department heads in the third quarter of the year. So, they're going to be starting to do next year's kind of in September. And this rolls up um to um to where we adopt the ordinance or the capital budget along
with the operating budget. Uh we did it in early May this year. Um you'll notice we haven't put anything out for bid yet and we haven't been able to because we haven't been able to issue bonds yet for all that. Uh so there is a process that
goes through. We need to have the money in place before then we can go and all the the things that um we want to do with the city. Uh once the bonds are then issued, we can start to put these things out for bid. So, you'll probably start to see those types of things uh
come in front of the council in the fall. Did I Is that correct? Uh city administrator? Yeah. Okay, good. Um All right. Other comments. Okay. Um roll call, please. Mr. Ber, I.
Miss Hamlet. Hi. Miss Camson. Hi. Mr. Palowski. Hi. Mr. Smallwood. Hi. Miss Toad. Hi. President McTurn. I. Motion carries. Okay. Uh we're going on to capital uh projects and community services. Uh resolution number one. Uh Councilwoman
Hamlet. Thank you, Council President. Um city administrator Baldman. I just for clarification, I should read the uh the agreement and the resolution. Correct. Assuming both of them, the agreement first. There's two separate lines, right? Just
the um was the development I think and then on the second one amendment, right? Okay. Uh yes, this is a resolution of the city of Summit County of Union authorizing the mayor to execute the development agreement between the city of Summit and BCUW Maline Housing
Partners LLC regarding the development of 17 Kent Place block 1 911 lot 5 of the Methodist Church of the Sum Summit property. Uh whereas the city of Summit filed a declaratory judgment complaint in the superior court law
division seeking among other things a judicial declaration that its housing element and fair share plan uh to be amended as necessary satisfies its fair share of the regional need for low and moderate income housing pursuant to the Mount Laurel doct do doctrine whereas the city and fair share housing center
entered into a settlement agreement in October 14th 2016 as amended December 13 2018 which was approved by the court at a properly noticed fairness hearing and the city's 2018 housing element and fair share plan was approved by the court after a duly noticed compliance hearing
and the court entered a final J uh in order in the city's favor on January 22nd, 2019. Uh the court approved fair share housing center settlement agreement included language related to the city's unmet need obligation that states the city of summit shall take all reasonable steps needed to achieve the
goal of facilitating the construction of 50 new rental ownership affordable units within the city in 100% scattered site affordable housing developments. Whereas since the court court's approval of the fair share housing settlement agreement, the city has been working diligently to meet the goal of facilitating the
construction of 50 new units by July 1st, 2025. The church approached the city to inquire if its former education building located at 17 Kent Place Boulevard, which is literally right across the the corner here. Um,
which is again block 1911, lot 5, which is underutilized and could be repurposed for a small 100% affordable senior rental project. And whereas after meeting with the city, the church began working with Bergen County United Way and Maline Housing Partners LLC uh BCUW
to determine whether the education building could be adopted and renovated for that purpose. BCUW has determined that a project of up to uh 12 senior units could be created out of that building. I think that's a Scrier's error though, Rosie, because I think it's 13. Uh I'd have to check with
I think it's Yeah. What's that? Up to 13. Up to 13. Okay. Up to 13. Say up to 13. Uh whereas the city is supportive of the creation of affordable senior rental units that this project uh will create allowing very low and moderate income seniors to live in Summit with walkable
access to the downtown train station. uh the city uh BCUW the church and the city entered into anou on June 16th 2025 which contains terms and conditions for BCUW to renovate the church educational building for 100% senior apartments
affordable senior apartments and the fair share both theou and the fair share housing center consent order require that the city enter into a development agreement with BCUW to renovate the building to create the affordable senior uh units. I would like to move this
resolution. Second. All right. Uh do I have any uh comments from the public? Hurley 192 Ash Road. I wasn't going to talk about I just can't resist responding to this. So this is consistent I know I can't ask you guys questions. This is consistent with the
2016 settlement in the overlay zones where we our intention for affordable housing and low-income housing was distributed throughout the city as opposed to massive highdensity structures in the downtown. Um, at least that's the way it sounds to me, which I think is great that we're doing that and
we're consistent with the original intent of the 2016 settlement and again in the overlay zones that we passed way back then and the distributed housing. And I think it's a great approach. Thanks. Thank you for your comments. Other comments from the public.
All right. Uh comments from councel. I mean I would just say one I would say um to former uh the councilman sitting in the audience. You know kudos to you and and that team for for doing that developers uh doing all of those agreements um with fair share. Um, this
is an exciting project and it does go to show you that we don't have to build uh overly dense housing and we this these are really special projects that I think everybody can get behind. So, you're a part of that. So, thank you. Good comment. Uh, other comments, Councilman Smallwood. Thank you, Council
President. I uh I I totally agree with uh uh former Councilman Hurley. Uh, and I would just simply like to thank uh the United Methodist Church for uh stepping up and offering uh underutilized
uh space that can certainly help our our seniors. I I think there are potentially some other areas in our downtown that uh have that are owned by, you know, faith-based organizations that could potentially,
you know, possibly work with maybe even our house to uh to maybe offer some of their vacant or open open land as well to help meet some of our affordable needs for our fourth round. So, I I look forward to some of those organizations
stepping up for for this next 10 years. Thank you. Uh other comments from council. Yeah, I would just add this is a kind of bittersweet. I I would also like to thank the Methodist uh church. Um it's a bittersweet because where they're
building this was a nursery school prior to this. It was called uh beginnings and um this was where my kids all went. Uh so all five of them or four of them I don't four of them went there um and it
was a wonderful wonderful welcoming place and honestly we met some of our first friends in summit going through that experience and uh so maybe you could live there as a senior. Yeah, I could. It would go full circle. Um but uh yeah, so this is fantastic that we're
doing this. Um and I'm I'm happy that the United Methodist Church is stepping up uh to help our community um and provide affordable housing um as well. Um all right. Uh all in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Capital projects
number two, Councilwoman Hamlet. Okay. Sorry. Okay. Do I have to read the agreement? First amendment. No, you read the title. Yeah. For the agreement? No, you don't have to read the whole agreement. You can read the You can read the the title. Just the
title. No, I'm saying do I do I need to uh the agreement is attached for BCUW? Do I need to read that into the record or No. No. Okay. Okay. Uh here we go.
So we are at ID2015. Uh this resolution of the city of Summit County of Union authorizing the mayor to execute uh the first amendment to the affordable housing agreement between the city of Summit and our house. Whereas the uh city received a final
judgment of compliance and repose order from the court on January 20 25th, 2019 and approved the city's housing element fair share plan. Whereas our house is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation that owns and operates four-bedroom group home at one Greenfield Avenue in the city of Summit and known as block 401
lot 50 on the tax maps. Whereas the city has proposed a perbedroom subsidy in exchange for the recording of a 30-year deed restriction on the premises which would render group home creditw worthy under the New Jersey Fair Housing Act. uh COA regulations, the uniform housing affordability controls and the city's
affordable housing ordinance which will count towards the city's affordable housing obligation. I would like to move this resolution. Second. All right. Uh would any member of the public like to comment on this resolution? All right. Uh council members comments.
All right. Uh all in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Uh, capital projects number three, Councilwoman Hamlet. Thank you, Council President. As discussed in close session, this is ID2037. Uh, this is a resolution of the city council of the city of Summit approving
a fourth round affordable housing trust fund spending plan and requesting uh program and court approval of the spending plan. Whereas the city of Summit has an approved development fee ordinance that was adopted on December 5th, 2023 with which established standards for the collection,
maintenance, and expenditure of development fees. And the city's previous affordable housing trust fund spending plan was approved by the court on January 25th, 2019. And the city has prepared a fourth share fourth round spending plan consistent
with the amended FHA and other applicable regulations which projects anticipated revenues to the city's affordable housing trust fund and describes uh anticipated expenditures of funds. So I guess to just explain it real briefly to the public um when we complete our housing element and fair
share plan we're also required to write a spending plan that includes all all of the things that we're going to spend money on. So whether it's affordability controls, administrative fees, uh for our attorneys, it's all laid out in here. Um I imagine that we will probably have to amend this as we get um more
projects. So this won't be the last time you've seen it. And I do think we'll be making a couple of updates to this as well. So I'd like to move this resolution. Second. All right. Uh any would any member of the public like to comment on this resolution? Council members comments.
Yeah, I I would just reiterate what uh Councilwoman Hamlet said. This is a plan. We we don't have a crystal ball. So, you know, this will be amended as projects uh are completed in town and we give money that flows into uh the trust fund. um we will be hopefully paying out
money uh in to actually help support affordable housing rather than it all going to lawyers and consultants uh which you know is I think 20% of uh of the fund is available for that type of
thing which is too high in my opinion but that's the world we live in. Um but uh so this will be amended. We'll see it as we get projects, but this is the the first step on what we do know. And so that is the plan.
Okay. Um all in favor? I I opposed. Motion carries. All right. On to uh safety and health number one. Councilman Ber, I have a quick question. So, don't we need to uh adopt a resolution
for the lieutenant sergeant and police officer before we appoint the police officer? So, we need to do number two first. No, not this appointment is not because of the the vacancies. Am I correct? Okay. Comment. Oh, yeah. Chief,
please. Thanks, Chief. Clear it up for us. Yes, this uh officer is actually replacing uh retired Chief Zagorski or Triber. Driver. Yeah. The the vacancy declarations for Lieutenant Sergeant and police officer
are going to be for Lieutenant Burn who put his paperwork in to be retired by September. So, we're trying to in an effort to maintain our efficiency like you had referenced before in the um ordinance. Um it's our intention to post the vacancies. Now, we have to run a subsequent lieutenants test. We already
have um uh uh Detective Gerita on standby for the sergeants list. And then obviously we're if you guys saw online, we are hiring not only crossing guards, but police officers and we just like most police departments in uh the state of New Jersey and the nation are running into a little bit of an issue with recruitment. So if anybody's watching
and is interested and is certified, please feel free to uh submit your application on Prime Point. But yeah, so this vacancy was uh already filled for the lieutenants, sergeants, and captain's positions. We just had to wait for officer Garcia to complete his 2-year tenure at the Patterson Police Department in order to uh check off the
minimum qualifications for our police officers. And he will be doing that this week, giving his two weeks and then being sworn in. I think it was July 21st hopefully with your approval. That's right. Yep. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Um okay, so with that, uh Councilman Boyer, want to um talk about
safety and health number one? Yes. And thank you, Chief Peters, for clearing that up. We've had so many new police officers uh in the last year. Uh this is ID20007,
the appointment of Ivan Garcia uh as police officer. Uh I move this for adoption. Second. Comments from the public. Comments from council. Yes. Council member Boyer. Just want to make a quick
comment about uh Officer Garcia. We interviewed him several months ago and he is the friend of another officer that came from Patterson uh Uriel who um the transition to Summit has been amazing. I see Uriel everywhere and he is an
amazing officer to the kids and to the public. Um but you know both of both of these individuals and even Ivan uh I remember interviewing them they drove around Summit and they said this is the town that I want to work in. This is a
beautiful town. And both of these guys have have brought so much street experience but with the patience and integrity that is needed for a town like this. and we are lucky to get um Officer Ivan Garcia
and uh I'm he's got another big personality, so I'm sure you'll you'll you'll meet him if you haven't. So, that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Um comments from the public? Oh, we just did that. Yeah. Um so, any other comments from council? No.
No. Okay. Um all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. All right. Safety and health number two. Councilman Ber. Thank you, Council President. This is ID number 12010. Uh declaring vacancies for lieutenant sergeant and the police officer. And I
want to say um congratulations to Lieutenant Michael Burns uh on his retirement um and thank him for his service to this city. Uh truly truly appreciated. Um and
now we see some additional openings. So that is what this resolution is about and I move this resolution for final adoption. Thank you so much. Uh com second. Thank you. Uh comments from the public,
comments from council. Just one quick thing and um I hope that Lieutenant Burns is having a retirement party. I look forward to those. So um Chief Peters, let me know. All right. All right. Other comments? All right.
All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. All right. Uh, we're on to our consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? Um, oh, I've got Counciloman CL. Let's hit the motion first. So moved. I have a second.
Second. All right. Um, before I open it up to comments from the public, um, sorry, Council President, there were some other resolutions before the consent agenda. Nope, there are not. Now we're done. Oh, I'm sorry. We're on the consent agenda.
You are on the cons. I'm I'm Whoa. No problem. But before I open it up to comments from the public, there are a bunch from finance and I think it would make sense for the public if Councilwoman Toad explained what chapter 159 is. That was the part I hadn't
written. Thank you, Council President. But but but city administrator Baldwin would h be happy to explain 159. Yes. Through you, council president. Uh chapter 159 is what the state New Jersey state calls uh an amend to your budget.
So when you get a grant after we've adopted our budget for the year, you have to amend the budget to include these grants. So it involves a resolution and then this resolution gets sent to the state. They approve it. It's then inserted in our budget. So oftent times
um for those who are into the nitty-gritty of the budget, you'll see that we might adopt um 600,000 in grants when we do our budget, but when we go in the next year and you see what did what did we have finally in 2025, it might be a million or more because other grants
came in and amended our budget. So these are all chapter 159 grants coming in that we need to amend the budget for so that we can spend them. That's great. Um did you have something else you wanted to add? I I was simply going to add that that um we do not include grants in our
budget until we've actually got the money in hand. Um and that's why the these are coming in. Um it's best practices not to count your chickens before they're hatched and most of them are fairly small. The $363,000
for the Springfield Avenue lights is to upgrade the traffic the traffic signals in downtown so we can all look forward to that. Council President make a comment or um let me have the unless it's an explanatory thing. Can we just
have comments from the public first? Sure. Yeah. Um so with those explanations uh do we have any comments from the public on the consent agenda? All right. All right. At this time, comments from council. Councilwoman H. I would just like to thank uh Bristol Myers Squib for donating uh $20,000 for
the uh intergenerational park project grant. Uh Councilman Smallwood, I'm not sure if there's an update on whether or not that uh playground equipment has been or the the equipment has been ordered. I think it has been. It has been ordered. Okay. So, I just want to thank them. But I this is a lot of chapter 159. So, it's a good thing
and a lot of uh especially looking at the uh Summit Foundation furniture for the uh 12 chestnuts or senior um senior housing unit clean communities grant. Uh this is all really good stuff. So, it's exciting. You very much though. Um other comments
from council. Uh yes, Miss Baldwin. Sorry, I'm not council but through you. Um there is a correction. I the backup seems fine, but the um resolution 11858 authorizing the payment of bills and payroll um I apologize for not glancing
at that sooner, but the number of 681,000 and change stuck out at me because there's no way that bills and payroll for the month would be in that amount. Um and the correct amount is in the backup. Um 2,861 160.36.
I think that might maybe the correct number wasn't in the title when when the agenda was produced. So I will look at that more closely before it goes to production and make sure that doesn't happen. And I will move to make that amendment.
Second. Okay. Um All right. So other comments from council Councilman Smallwood. Yes. Uh I just wanted to point something out that was in the consent agenda. It was the It's the accepted accepted donation of memorial of a memorial bench at the
Tatlock Field for Lorie Rip Collins and Craig Lorie Collins. Um Sherry and Cindy Collins uh graciously donated an amount of $1,500 to purchase a bench uh for placement at Tatlock Field uh in memory
of Lorie Rip Collins who founded one, excuse me, one of the founders of Summit Lacrosse in 1972. So, uh, that will be purchased soon and hopefully we'll see that at Tatlock
Field, uh, very soon in memory of, uh, Lori Rip Collins, uh, one of the founders of the Summit Lacrosse Club in 1972. That's awesome. This is just council comments, right? Correct. Yeah. Okay. So, I I did have a
couple other things. Yeah. Okay. Um, you know, a few weeks ago, we we passed a a resolution Councilman Small, this is just on the consent agenda. Got Never mind. I'll hold off. Thanks. You really want to get out of here, don't you? I
have a wager with uh Mr. J. Kobe that we gather before 9 as usual. Yeah. Other council comments on the consent agenda. All right. So, um do I have a motion to
approve the consent agenda as presented with the amendment on the um the bill uh the payment of bills and payroll which is finance number seven. So moved. Second. Second. Okay. All in favor? I
opposed. Okay. Consent agenda is approved. All right. Uh okay. We're on uh one of our favorite parts of the meeting um of our public comments. If any member of the public at this time would like to come up and make a comment on something that was not on
today's uh agenda, now would be your opportunity to do so. We just ask, as u madam clerk had mentioned, please limit your comments to three minutes. Give your name, your address, um and um at this time, please approach the dis if you'd like to speak.
Hi, Daniel Jackson 28 Morris Avenue. On October 17, 2023, Anita Musk uh had spoken to the council about the fact that her very busy street was having more traffic congestion because on Brian
Parkway there was a trial to make it uh one way. She offered empirical evidence uh to a video that she had taken. This was before any ordinance was introduced. Uh she had offered uh to take more videos if necessary. I know living a
block and a half roughly away from the light that the light at Orchard and um and Morris Avenue really doesn't funnel a lot of traffic. It's very quick. There's one lane. Sometimes if cars go
back towards like with a Huntley Tavern, not quite that far, but I can't make a safe left turn. I used to be able to use Edison Drive as a safety valve. I don't use Edison Drive. I don't want to use Edison Drive. I want to use the light, but uh it's a lot of problems. I have to
make three left turns just to get onto Orchard Street now because Brian Parkway is one way. And some of you may say, "Hey, you know what? We we make decisions some people are happy some people are not that's unfortunate I
think misses a point had some said we're going to look at the traffic safety of Bryant Parkway we see some sight distance problems we think if they correlate with the sight distance problems some of the accident reports that we're looking at uh we we have to
make some capital reconstruction to maybe widen some areas to improve visibility maneuver had they done that and then said if we have to impact other surrounding major streets. We'll try to get more people involved rather than this limited group on Brian Parkway
Edison. It would be a lot different. But Summit did not do any of those things. It said there are three reasons why we're making Bryant Parkway one way. One is speed, which makes no sense. If somebody came up here and had a speeding problem, I don't think anybody would say let's make your street one way to
correct the problem and we'll funnel it on to other streets. You wouldn't do that. Doesn't make any sense. Second was volume. But I can tell you that when a question came up on October 17th of 2023, did you do studies of the other streets? There was this tentative yes
and the safety committee can introduce the ordinance when it wants, which it did not. Even though there were promises about we're going to have secondary studies and initial studies and the the line painting was temporary. not 30 days passed after
October 17th when the ordinance was introduced was hastened and I know Anita and myself both we've both of us were at meetings in April of 2023 we've sent emails are you going to do a secondary study what's going on when in this
hastened ordinance which it was and we have received nothing back so I have three questions one is what traffic safety necessities uh propelled I I forgot to mention the third reason why was given was there's a cutthrough
street and the fact of the matter is if you look at the whole Bryant area park with with Broad Street um Orchard Street, Springfield, they're all cut through streets because they're all tributaries of major streets. Mr. Jackson, we want to just get to your
questions real quick. Yeah. So, I just Well, the three questions would be number one is what traffic safety necessities propelled you to close it? Number two, um what other streets the scope and nature of the studies other than Bryant Parkway important? And then number three would be what are you going
to do to help us? It it just seems to me that the council could have said we want to help the citizens of Edison and Bryant Parkway, but we're not going to do so by throwing, you know, 1,400, which is half of the amount of the daily. We're not going to do that by
throwing it onto the to the other streets. Okay. Thank you so much for your comments and questions. If I could, Mr. Council President, please. Uh, Director Shreger. Yes. I don't want to turn this into question and answer, but I do believe there's a reason I didn't leave yet. So, this works out perfect. So, just to share for
the governing body, on Monday, July 7th, we have our signal contractor and our striping contractor who will be at the intersection to make the adjustments that were a result of the traffic changes from the one-way implementation a year ago. So we feel once that's done
Monday, Tuesday, I mean some uh it will take some time just to work its way out, but we think there will be, you know, much improvement starting uh middle of next week. Um ignoring any rain or anything, Monday is the day. Thank you. All right, other comments from the
public, please. All right, anonymous. It's very interesting what I just saw here. Um, I believe I saw um, Councilwoman Hamlet have the engineer stay to answer that question. When we normally have him leave, I know it's not a question and answer session, but he does stay for the
whole meeting. It might be a good idea to have him stay in case someone has a question that they could address like just happened. And you let this public speaker speak for a minute past his time. Good evening, mayor. Good evening, council. Good evening, Mike. You know what you did last time? You cut me off
right when I was at zero. And you know what also happened? You gave me two minutes back from a clock that hadn't even started at 3 minutes. And when I watched the tape back, I had 25 seconds taken for my time. But you you made sure I didn't get a
second more to speak. And if you cut me off tonight, I have a gavl in my pocket and I'm going to call you out of order and I'm going to bang the gavvel. Okay? And you have a warning right now. I'm giving you a warning. Do not interrupt me when it's the public's time. You let the public speak.
It even says here during public comments, anything that's not on the agenda, I start speaking about something that was not on the agenda last time. You say you don't want to hear it. You don't want to hear it. And the week before, what do you tell me? When you say it's it's a good idea for people to give their name and address. Oh, you can
say whatever you want to the council. You can say whatever we want. You can say whatever you want. And then when I say whatever you want, whatever I want, you're sitting there cutting me off. Cutting me off. Unbelievably disrespectful. and to and last time I don't know how
this council operates but there's some sort of like the way you guys try to clear the room of the interns disgusting disgusting absolutely despicable shame on yourselves for doing that shame on yourselves
I mean we have have some dignity show the public some respect those th those youngsters stayed around for the whole meeting and I watched Councilwoman Toth uh Mayor Fake again, Council President Mike McTurnon, I'm not sure if Councilwoman Ham, there was a lot of you
trying to shoe them out of the room. Shoe them out of the room as if they're children. We don't want the children to see public comments. Despicable. Do I get to speak for an extra minute when my three minutes is up? I think it's great that you let him speak past his three minutes. I think it's nice to have that flexible. Three minutes. Three minutes
each meeting. It's pretty crappy. Pretty crappy. I mean, despicable. And to think the time before that, what did I do when I was conducting my evaluation? I gave you an A for conducting a good meeting. And
how did you respond? I gave you 3 in of rope. You took 30 ft. Took 30 ft and hung it with yourself to tell five people in the room why you think it's a good idea to give your name and address. Within 24 hours of those comments, 5,000 people all over the internet are eviscerating you. How foolish. So, when
my time's up, I'd like to speak for another minute. I'd like to sit up here and just keep talking about whatever I want. I mean, how this council conducts itself is it's a little troubling. And I wasn't going to come back. I wasn't going to come back after I said you were doing a good job and everything like that. But now you're kind of stuck with
me. And you do know who I am because when you left that night, you called me by my real name. And I think it's great that you know who I am. Could you could you wrap up, please? Yeah. Yeah. I'm finishing up. 35 more seconds. How about wrap it up? Don't cut me up because remember I I'll give you your 20
seconds. You think I stole from you and then you're done? I stole I watched it on video, Mike. And now you're cutting me off. Bang my gel. All you need to do is nothing. Nothing. That's it. Let the public speak.
Have some respect. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. All right. Other uh public comments, please. Hi, I have one. Speak into the microphone so everyone can hear you. My name is Anita Musa at 118 Orchard and
it's a follow-up question to this gentleman who mentioned my name and I've been here before as you all know be and I'm here again because I'm not getting any answers from any of you. I email and nothing. I just want to know is this
the Brian Park one-way street going to stay the way it stays as a one-way street? I live on Orchard. I have tons and tons of traffic, especially at in during rush hours. It's really hard for
me to pull out or into my driveway. I spoke to some police officers two weeks ago or so and where they were putting the speedometer on on Orchard. I don't know what the purpose of the speedometer is. It's a 40 miles per hour
street and um maybe that controls how fast people are going. I'm just concerned about the volume that we are getting on Orchard due to the uh Brian Park oneway street. So my question is, can someone please tell me so I don't
have to come up here again and again and again if this is a done deal or are you guys going to do something about it? If this is still in play of, you know, reverting back to the two-way street or am I stuck with it? That's it. Thank
you. Thank you for your comments. Other comments from the public? Good evening. Jacqueline Laserosina, L A S A R A C I N A. I'm a resident of Summit. I'd like to talk about pedestrian safety. Walkability is one of
the top reasons people love visiting and living in Summit. Uh yet pedestrian safety is often raised as a top concern. Uh, I'm here to ask Summit Council to please send out a communitywide pedestrian safety survey. Um, this could be similar to what was done a few years
ago with respect to the seasonal road closure for outdoor summer dining. I don't think we need to wait on the county or state to conduct a pedestrian safety study. The community knows where the high-risisk zones are in their neighborhoods. The survey responses can then be combined with data from the
summit police and then this aggregated data can be reviewed to identify dangerous corners, crosswalks, and highly foot trafficked areas where there are no sidewalks. At the same time, we should please be taking a fresh look at cost-effective pedestrian safety calming
measures. We need to of course balance pedestrian safety with the desire to avoid creating obstacles or major disruptions for vehicles while also being mindful of cost. Uh based on some initial research, I think Summit should expand the use of painted horizontal
lines to encourage drivers to slow down. To be clear, not rumble strips or speed bumps, simply painted horizontal lines. Research shows that these lines can act as a visual cue to get drivers to decrease their speed. So, at a relatively low cost, painted horizontal
lines could increase pedestrian safety. Uh we should please also take a fresh look at communitywide sidewalk planning in the sidewalk master plan. Pedestrian safety is of course a really important part of Summit's overall public safety. So I urge you to please make smart
investments now. Thank you. Thank you so much. Other comments from the public. All right. Um close our public comment section. Uh we're now on to the last part of our meeting which is uh
uh uh council person's comments and new business. Council President. Yes, Councilman Smallwood. Thank you, Council President. Uh thank you, Miss Lazer. On it's actually on one of my council comments on on
safety. Um, yesterday, no, it was I I forget where where I was. Uh, today's Tuesday, right? Uh, on Sunday, I was driving down Springfield Avenue going towards New
Providence. And everyone knows that bend in the in the curve, you know, coming down Springfield Avenue going towards Little Kings. There was a young teenager. I I would, if I had to guess, 13, 14 years old on
an ebike and he was in the bike lane. However, as we were making the turn, there was a uh landscaper truck and I'm thinking to myself, okay, we're both going to get there right about the same time. What is he going to do?
Fortunately, he did the right thing. He slowed down and went to the right side of the truck as I passed on the left. So, I'm thinking, "Okay, all right. I feel better about that." However, I get to the intersection by Little Kings. I had a red light and the next thing I
know, the same kid on the same ebike passed me on my right side and literally cut in front of me across the entire intersection over to the little kingside. And I'm He's not wearing a helmet.
And I'm thinking to myself, this is going to be a disaster someday. Um, these bikes I I have no idea how fast he was going. You know, it if I had to guess, 15, 20 miles an hour, but I know that they go faster than that. I
know a few weeks ago or a few council meetings ago, we passed an ordinance so that the ebikes are no longer on our sidewalks in our downtown. I I don't know what we can do. I'm going to defer to the safety department. safety committee and our police department. But
I would like to strongly encourage stronger safety message or safety measures for at least children who do not have a license or under the age of 18 uh or under the age of 17 to go through a safety course must wear a
helmet. I've seen kids on ebikes three at a time and it it's I know that there's there's only so much that we can do. However, it it's just it's not it's not
if it is when there is going to be a tragic accident. And I would really hate to be a member of this council and not do everything possible to try and prevent that.
Whether it's safety courses, um, making sure they wear their helmets, I I I'm I'm not quite sure what the true answer is. I'm I'm going to leave that to the experts. But from a a a a member of of this council, I want to
make sure that we do everything that we possibly can to try and prevent uh something very tragic happening to one of our our younger uh residents. And it's it it's it it scares the hell out of me to be honest
with you. Uh with that being said, on the bike theme, uh one of the most privileged uh things that you get to do as being a council member is being a judge at the
Fourth of July bike parade. And I'm really looking forward to it. So, uh get your bikes ready. The bike parade starts at 12:15. Get there early. It is one of the most exciting things that uh that we get to do and watch all the
kids. They're so excited. We have different age groups and uh it's it's really fun and I'm really looking forward to uh Friday, July 4 July 4th bike parade. So that's all I had. Thank you. Other comments from council,
councilwoman to. Okay. Thank you, Council President. Um, I wasn't able to attend last week's special meeting on round four of our affordable housing obligation. Um, I was literally off the grid on a family vacation that was planned months before the special meeting was scheduled. Um, but I have
watched both the planning board and the council meetings from last week. And at both meetings, our experts repeatedly stated that we can amend our round four affordable housing plan. So to that end, um, we can and should improve upon that plan. And here are a few of the action
steps that have occurred to me. The affordable housing committee has been sitting on its hands for months watching this play out. Let's get that committee involved in improving our existing plan and use our residents expertise. We can affirmatively change our zoning
laws to encourage affordable housing and make it easier to build. We should do a deep dive into the vacant land assessment in the appendices of our affordable housing plan. Even a cursory cursory review suggests that additional vacant land is available and should be
added to our realistic development potential number. We should continue to work with de developers to identify and facilitate additional smallcale affordable housing on appropriately sized infill lots and we should
re-engage with adhome and summit with the goal of making their proposed allaffordable project at the old firehouse site a reality. I've heard several objections to that project and I believe we can solve for all of them and I'm confident my fellow council members
and summit residents have more ideas, some of them better. Um, so please keep them coming. Thank you. Thank you very much. Other comments from council, Councilman Palowski. So, a couple quick things. One on bike
safety. uh a few meetings ago, maybe a few months ago, uh David Guida um talked about some measures that we we've spoken about uh community programs and uh we're putting together a
safety program. I don't it'll be like an assembly that'll happen at all of the schools every year. And so hopefully, you know, once somebody metriculates all the way through, uh, they will have had this course enough times that they know the right thing to do, uh, and not just
the fun thing to do or what they think is fun. Anyway, um, second on pedestrian safety, um, I do have an update on the Butler Parkway Morris A crosswalk. Um I think the week before last uh they
cut the curb and made the um ADA accessible um ramp uh for the Washington school side at the corner of Butler Parkway and Morsav and um there was already a ramp on the Magic Fountain or
Midas side and we're hopeful that on the 7th we'll be painting that crosswalk and installing the beacons. So, um, kids will safely be able to get ice cream. No, I will, too.
Other comments from council. Council President. Yes, Councilman Boyer. First, uh, I'd just like to, um, say I hope everyone attends the 4th of July. Um, I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to the mayor's speech.
Mayor had a great speech last year. Your first speech? Yeah. Okay. Um so many um also uh during the event there'll be some local bands playing. So I'm excited
to see them at the big stage. That's uh Funk. I hate saying that, but that's the name of the band. Funk and um and Lorraine, named after the street. So uh I hope you all attend. And yes, the bike parade. And guess what? All of those
kids are wearing helmets. Get extra credit. Yep. So, the the the the younger the younger kids, they're teaching they're teaching Yola kids how to rock, right? We wear our helmets. Um so, if you have a little one, bring them out. Uh in regards to
Brian's pond, um we do think at the safety committee, we had a consensus that uh it is too fast both on Orchard and on Mars, 40 miles an hour, especially coming off the the hill by the um car wash and coming down and then
you got people crossing the street. We think it's, you know, absurdly too fast. So, we agreed with all the residents down there and we put in a request with the county to get that lowered. I think it was 25 miles an hour. We put something like that. I don't know, but
we we put a request to have that lowered. Um, when it comes to the oneway, um, you know, we'll we'll talk about it. um that was passed by the past council and I haven't really
we'll we'll discuss it in the safety committee meeting unless the chief wants to talk about it now but um I think we'll probably need to do a little research and see what the decisions were and and what the data says because I haven't I haven't looked at it to be
honest. Um, the other thing we've passed so many different bike safety initiatives this year. We just recently passed the one for electric uh scooters. Um, and I just sent the chief a picture
of what they're doing in Chadam where they where they have some signage there where I guess is move removable telling the kids that hey, you can't ride through town because we want to keep folks on the sidewalk safe. Um, but we, you know, we have to we gotta we have to
do some education and we have to enforce, right? Because there's still folks riding fast on the sidewalk. I live on Mars Avenue. So, um, I still see every once in a while somebody zooming down and, you know, I'm like, "Hey, I'm I'm going to be a title and tell the
chief, but they don't have license plates on the bike, so I don't know." Um, but there was a kid that was hit recently uh by a vehicle and you know I'm at my wits end sometimes and the mayor talks about it all the time and
council president talks about it and uh Councilman Palowski you know the importance of wearing helmets you know and I agree with Councilman Smallwood I you know I don't know what we can do here as a council we've passed laws we passed ordinances um but we have to
encourage these these children, our our our children, our babies to wear helmets. It's so important. Um, and you know, I think we'll all need to have further conversations about that. You know, uh,
in regard to housing, uh, 10 years for round five to see something happen at Vita Glenwood. Weaver Street. Uh it's just too long. Um you know,
we've been talking to the Summit Housing Authority about rehabbing certain units, but I agree with council president. We got to we have to think much bigger. Um I was just there the other day and you know there's the constant complaints of
the um you know they didn't have air conditioner in the hallways and this is in the senior building. you know, they had it in the rooms, but in the hallways, you know, sometimes the elevators don't work. And I, you know, we can do better. I asked some people to come here today to to speak. And
hopefully we can get some folks uh from those areas to come in and just describe how they're living and what's what's going on with that. And I am so happy that we uh adopted them in our fair share housing plan. Um but we just need
to we need to figure that out. we need the Summit House of Authority to really uh do some work there. Uh secondly, um it was great to hear Councilwoman Toe talk about the the fair share housing plan. I'm so curious to see how she
would have voted on it. Uh I'm I'm so happy that this council voted to adopt the fair share housing plan so that we didn't lose our immunity. Uh that was very important and I think we're we're right. we can make some adjustments to
the plan, but not adopting it would have been catastrophic for this community. And I hope people just realize that we this this council has acted so prudently. I mean, since taking office,
we really have uh and uh we just satisfied round three, right? We just got the judge sign off on it. So to all of those folks, whether good intended or not, um we did our job. We got it done
and this council should be very happy about that. So um thank you, council president. Thank you, Councilman Ber. Other comments from council? I have one. Uh Councilwoman Camelson. Thank you, Council President. um the
residents on um Orchard. I I didn't know about um you know the upgrade to the traffic light and I was just wondering if we could connect um just so I can understand better and maybe we can talk about this in the um safety committee. Councilman Ber what is what exactly the
problems are now? I understand, you know, it's it's very congested, but just so I have a better understanding overall and then I would like to know does that improve with the upgrades that director Shreger was talking about. Um, so I would like to connect with you to see
how how it goes forward, if there's any improvement there, and then we can also talk about that in the safety committee if there's any other options we have. Um, but yeah. Oh. Oh. Um, I'm sorry. Was Director Sterger saying that there was going to be an upgrade to the traffic
light that would help move the traffic through better. Okay. So, we're hoping that that will be an improvement, but I would still like to connect to know what's going on now and is there any improvement moving forward. Thank you. Okay. Uh, Councilwoman Hamlin. Uh, thank
you, Council President. Um, Mr. Jackson, and thank you for coming tonight. I've I've spent uh he's also a former city administrator, so I he definitely knows what he's talking about. Um I've spent time at that intersection. I will connect with Director Shreger tomorrow, but I believe we are waiting. I I don't
want to misspeak, but um I know that it's a very short window to make that left turn onto Orchard. I've I've stood there with you. Um what I would recommend is we put this back. I'm not sure how we if we ever closed out the D. I don't think so, but I think this should definitely go back to safety. And I'm happy to connect the dots where
where we left off. Um but thank you for coming. We'll make sure we take care of that. Um I was not here as well for the uh council meeting. I was here for the planning board meeting. Uh had the special experience of taking my first
daughter to college. Um yes, kids do go to summer school at at college and uh if anybody I will also potentially be missing uh another meeting at some point between now at the end of the year. Um so happy to take her to college. I missed that meeting, but I would have enthusiastically endorsed that plan uh
as I did the night before at the planning board meeting. Uh at the planning board meeting, uh our professionals were uh very thorough. Um we have done a great job. I think we've been working really hard on accomplishing our affordable housing goals. Um Mr. Burgess explained in depth
at the council meeting uh regarding the summit at home uh proposal uh which was overly dense, underparked. Uh we did go back to that group and we were waiting for them to come back with a different site. Um as we discussed the city would
have been on the hook if those if that team had not uh obtained funding. And if you are against overdevelopment that was one of the most densely projects that was uh proposed and our planners who we trust uh and they've let us through this they've let us through a great process.
Um they did not recommend that. our city administrator did not recommend that and uh it's not something that that I would be supportive at from a parking uh perspective. I think uh Joe Burgess's words were that's a heck of a shortfall and I will post that on my council page,
but it's a really important meeting. If you want to uh watch the planning board meeting, I watched the uh council meeting here as well and uh just want to thank all of our professionals uh regarding the sidewalk plan. uh our engineer uh Aaron Shger and his team have s have come up with uh Tammy there
was a memo dated I believe it was around May 1st uh he has recommended the sites that need to be included in the new one. So u council president we might want to just get that on the next agenda um because we definitely need to look at Cano Brook Parkway and some of the other sidewalks that um we need to close out.
So um think that might have been that might have been it. Uh, but no, I'm excited for our affordable housing accomplishment and uh thank you all for came for coming tonight. Thank you. Uh, other council comments.
Yes, Councilman Palowski. Just a really quick one in case you missed the last meeting um where uh Mr. Dennis White was in talking about his uh the at home project. Now, when it was originally proposed, it was 40 units and that's the
density that Dillia was just talking about. But at the last meeting he said 50 to 60. So I don't know if he's been tweaking the plan a little bit but um if so I would say it's in the wrong direction. Um so just want to throw that out there for anybody who missed it last
week. Great. Thank you. Other comments. All right. Uh I just have a a few. Um one um the mayor and I met with uh if you guys recall last fall we had a group of women come in and present. Uh it's
called Wait till 8 and it's a it's a program a grassroots program to try and encourage parents to not give smartphones to their children until at least high school. I think it should go a little older, but
that would be a great great start. Um we had a really great conversation. They've made a ton of progress in our community so far. Um, but I think there's a lot more work and we've all agreed that there are other things that we can do to promote this. Um, I know the board of ed
is talking about a a ban on cell phones uh at the high school and the middle school level. I'm not sure at the elementary school level. I think that's a great idea. It's a great start. Um, we do that at the school that I teach at and kids actually talk to one another in
the lunchroom. It's amazing. Um, it really is a great a good thing to see and um and and I I always tell my students, you have no chance. They spend billions of dollars addicting you uh to
this thing and I know I have I struggle with staying off this thing too. Um, kids have no chance and and so we have to do something as a community. I I think uh from a um the the way you know
banning things is is difficult. Uh I think as trying to get real change and so I think you know opting in and having families really look at this um and making the right choice for their their children uh is super super important. So
stay tuned. We we've got to uh come up with some other uh initiatives with this group. Um, the thing that I think was really encouraging, uh, when we spoke about this last fall, even to today, there's so much more research, so much
more information out there that makes it really, really obvious that um, you know, too much time on this really has a big impact on children's mental health, their ability to learn, attention, all sorts of different things. Um, and
that's great that that message is getting out there. So, uh, keep an eye out for that. Um, thank you to for coming out around Orchard. This is not a, uh, a new problem. I flash back 10 years ago when
I was on council before we were talking about this. And if you guys recall, Google Maps at that time um, was sending everybody on Bryant on Bryant as a as a cutthrough. And the number I think we did a traffic study back then. and I couldn't believe how many cars were
using it. Uh, so I know that you guys have been dealing with issues for a long long time and it doesn't sound like there's really been any magic silver bullet to fix them. Uh, so I sympathize with your struggles. I think it's great if you guys didn't maybe safety take
this back up maybe with what uh, Director Shreger, the information that he uh, comes up with after this change. um because you know we this hasn't come o overnight and we can try and help solve it. It may take
some time, but I'm glad you guys came in and and talked and if you want to reach out, I'd be happy to meet with you guys oneon-one about this as well. Um Summit uh Housing Authority, uh Councilman Palowski and I attended their
last meeting. I want to give a ton of credit to Councilman Ber. Um, I have asked him a ton of questions cuz this is a he's been very passionate about this and I'm like, I have no idea what is going on here. And I've asked him and
he's been a fountain of uh of information. Uh we went and as Councilman uh Ber said, you know, there's this whole idea about how to uh really improve the quality of the um the
residences that these people are living in. They have no money. They're literally nickel and dimming to try and get money to fix roofs and things like that. and um they want to work with the city on these these plans
that will fix, you know, a handful of these um units a year. We have 195 of them that are being managed by the Summit Housing Authority. It's a big it's a big thing. They need millions of dollars. And uh Reverend Harold last
week uh had a great statement. He he said, "You know, there's there's so many talented people uh in this town, in this community, who really do understand a lot of the ins and outs of funding and finance and project loans and tax credits. All that stuff goes way over my
head. I'm not an expert on that. Um, but I know that I want to reach out to some people to and and we when Councilman Palowski and I spoke, we we said we are here to help you people because as they can't wait 10 years
for round five to really dig into this. We we should we have enough talent and uh knowledge in this community that we should be able to figure something out a lot sooner than that. Um, so that's that. Um, the last thing I wanted to
talk about was our meeting last week. Um, I had really no desire to talk about this vote again. Um, particularly uh Councilwoman Camelson's
no vote uh on the project. Um, but Miss Camelson explained her vote online and she had some pretty accusatory things that she talked about on why she voted uh the way she did. Uh, one quote
was, "Council leadership blindsided residents with a development project, leaving no time to incorporate residents feedback or modify the plan." Um we have been going through this uh
project uh and our round four thing for months. We have had meeting close session meetings after close session meetings explaining the process why the process was the way it was. I have spoken on
this dis talking about how compressed the legislation was. why they they they did it this way or or you know wondering why they did it this way. We had we had this was raised in close session
multiple times on why we can't go out to this and it was explained to us by our lawyers and our uh planners that we were negotiating with developers.
These are these are legal agreements that would end up going in our plan. And from the because it was a legal negotiation, we were not permitted to speak in public about this. Councilwoman
Calmelson was in each and every one of those close session meetings. It was explained to her why we couldn't go out. People ask questions as to why pushing when we could do this. Councilwoman
Camelson never asked a question as to why in these meetings. So to say that leadership blindsided her, I just don't understand it. As a council person, your job is to ask questions if you don't
understand things, to push back. I have one vote. We all do. We're all equal around that. So that to me is just something where if you're trying to give an explanation,
own it, but you're part of the process. There were no surprises. No one walked out of this meeting on the the other night and said, "Oh my gosh, this is we had no time. We've known this for months and have spoken about it for
months." Uh the other thing that Councilwoman Conlson spoke about, she said, "I won't be bullied into approving something." When you're being bullied, you're being bullied by someone. The implication is
council leadership. I I don't know. But again, you know, every single close session meeting what we had was, you know, an opportunity to ask questions. the the project that was
in question had been talked about multiple times. Every single time there was an update on the uh information and the negotiations with these multiple developers,
it was expressed in close session where people were able to give comments. People were able to say they liked it and we should push back. Uh we took consensus votes on every single one of the projects whether they were going to
come into uh be part of our plan or not part of our plan and people had lots of comments. Councilwoman Commelson had no comments on any of these things. So to say that to were bullied by
leadership, I just don't understand it. And I get it. This that vote in my opinion was probably the most irresponsible vote any elected official I've seen in summit over the last 15 20 years has ever made.
It was go by voting no you were effect you were saying you were opening up the town of Summit to builder lawsuits. That's what the vote was. We've been fighting this. Every single municipality in New Jersey has been
fighting to maintain their immunity for 20 something years. It's the goal of all these plants. You know, we want to build affordable housing the right way and not lose our local authority to make zoning laws.
Voting no. So, that went all out the window. you you basically said you're okay with allowing developers to come and sue us and build whatever they want, you know, to to put in affordable housing.
Now, I get it. I'm not a fan of all the process. We didn't make the the law. Trenton did. Our governor passed it. We have to deal with it, though. We get dealt a hand and
we have to do the best we can around it and some things got in our plan and some things didn't. But as elected officials, we still have to do what's right for Summit and to, you know, to go through this and make excuses to say that
something happened like that had no agency. Like I like I said, if you want to say this, didn't want to maybe I in hindsight, I don't know why, but I I had to address this because I have worked
and I know everyone up here has really tried to have a a um uh an environment where we can work together and ask questions internally. I I try to talk to everybody about things that are on the agendas and
what's coming up. Do you have questions around it? Um, I am an open book and all the the heads of uh the different committees do a great job explaining what's going on in their committees. So,
like from that perspective, I'm just um very was very troubled by this. Um, you know, I I I I didn't want to talk about it, but this was went out to the public and I I just can't stay silent when that
that type of thing goes on. So, so that was my comment. Other comments? Councilman Smallwood, I'd like to make a motion to adjurnn. Have a second. Second. All in favor? I I All right, we
are journed.