Councilwoman Goldberg here. Councilman Bean here. Councilwoman G here. Councilman Catz. Deputy Mayor Belchure here. Deputy Mayor Oregon here. Mayor Schwarz here.
Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by resolution number 256-205. sending a copy to the newspapers officially designated for 2025 by way of resolution number 2-2025 signing a copy in the township clerk's
office and posting on the municipal building bulletin board and the mayor hereby directs that this statement be included in the minutes. Welcome to the September 29th Monday night um open session meeting. Present at tonight's meeting are Jaclyn Hashmat,
Township Manager, Doug Rousion, Township Clerk, Kristen Dorscha, Deputy Township Clerk, Scott Sammon, Township Attorney, and Ron Goodman, volunteer cable master. For the public's information, we are currently holding a hybrid for meeting. We have people in person and on Zoom. If
our Wi-Fi at the municipal building has an issue where the Zoom meeting drops, we will aim to retrieve the connection and continue the meeting. If you haven't yet signed up for website updates and township alerts on our township website, please sign up www.tenkenj.gov.
The next regular council meeting will be October 21st starting at 6:30 p.m. with public portion beginning at 8:00 p.m. Municipal offices are closed Monday, October 13th in observance of Columbus Day. Council met in close session
tonight to discuss the following: personnel, contracts, affordable housing, potential township property for sale, legal issues and/or opinions regarding any items on the open session agenda, litigation updates, and Oprah.
And if you can join us tonight for a moment of silence for former police chief Glenn O'Reinley, um taken last week uh much too young and unexpectedly. Okay, we're going to start tonight with presentations. Um, first is a
certificate of recognition for 30 years of the TX Shade Advisory Board and a proclamation for Arbor Day. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Tonight, we are recognizing and celebrating a wonderful group of volunteers. And if I'm not mistaken, this is quite possibly the
oldest shade tree advisory board that we have because we are celebrating 30 years together. And we have Nancy Cochran with us here tonight and Robbie Langert representing the Shade Tree Advisory Board. I'm going to read the certificate of recognition. It's really short. Then I'm going to ask you both to please come
up and say a few words if you don't mind because our trees mean so much to us and you guys are the reason why we are Tree City USA. We love our shade trees. Um, TX Township Council certificate of recognition, the TX Shade Tree Advisory Board for your dedication and commitment
to serving the Tina community and our environment for 30 years. We look forward to caring for the township tree together with you guys. Can everyone please give them a round of applause? Nancy Robbie, if you don't mind saying a few words, please. Come, come, come to the
mic. Um, I just want to say thank you for this certificate. It's always good to be recognized and know that we are helping the community. Um, it is special to me as I am still the original member and
I've been a member now for 30 years of the shade tree advisory board and hopefully doing a pretty good job for the township and you know for the residents and um trees. We love our trees and we want to keep seeing them
grow. So, thank you Thank you for the Okay. Oh, just want to thank Nancy. Welcome to everybody here. You have a full house tonight. It's been a pleasure to work with Nancy.
I haven't been on the board for 30 years, but it's 20some and that's because I'm so young. Anyway, it's been a pleasure. It's a labor of love and uh we take it seriously and uh yeah, Nancy and I have
been together and we have planted a lot of trees. So, we hope to continue doing the same. Wait, don't go anywhere yet. Don't go anywhere. And um I do want to also mention though that this is a bittersweet moment because we lost one
of our members of the Shade Tree Advisory Board recently unexpectedly in Wendy Kelly. But um I'm going to read you a short proclamation. It's about Arbor Day and then we're going to present it to you briefly. Whereas in 1872, Jay Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a
special day be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas the holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cut heating
and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life, giving oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource of giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our town increase
property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now, therefore, the township council of the township of Tene does hereby proclaim
October 19th, 2025 as Arbor Day. in the township of Tene instead of the traditional month of April to recognize our shade tree advisory board's tree planting event at the Phelps Park Arboritum at 1 p.m. Please join us again. That's October 19th at 1 p.m. It's always a very fun event where the
group will plant a tree in honor of longtime volunteer and shade tree advisory board member Wendy Kelly who unfortunately passed away unexpectedly in April of 2025. And further, the council urges all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote
the well-being of this and future generations. So on behalf of the Tina Council, please accept this proclamation. We thank you so so very much and we look forward to seeing you on October 19th. Please feel free to come and uh share with us. It's a fun event. And um thank
you. Putting free So, first of all, congratulations to both of you. Thank you so much for your service to this township. We really, really, truly appreciate all you've done to make this township more beautiful. Um, thank you so much for your service.
Uh, also I just want to chime in and congratulate you and in the advisory board um for all the work that you do um as a as a uh real estate broker. That's the number one reason that people talk about wanting to move to Tene is our beautiful treeline streets. So, thank
you for all that you do. Council member Goldberg, I just want to say thank you guys. I've had the chance to meet you. Sorry, I'm close to the mic. I have I've had a chance to interact with you and then talking to you at TAK day and just seeing some of the amazing things that you do. So, thank you so much for for
everything and all of your service and and I'm looking forward to Arbor Day and and I want to say that a tree is a beautiful thing to plant for somebody. I know we planted one to honor Dean last year and um they last forever and people should understand that a lot of the trees that were planted in Tene that
we've had problems with were not the right kinds of trees back in the day and um how much the shade tree advisory board helps us choose the right kind of trees to plant now that don't bring up the sidewalks and fall on cars during storms. So practically thank you for
everything that you do to advise us. Um we have one more present one more proclamation tonight. Knock knock knockout opioid abuse day proclamation. October 6th is designated in New Jersey as um opiate knockout opioid abuse day.
We're going to submit this proclamation, Doug. And uh just for everybody to know um as part of the push to knock off the stigma of of people who are addicted to opioids or live with them, we did just open a
buster box with the county at Stop and Shop. Anybody who's in need of Narcan Nlloxxone can just open it up and take a box to have in the house. Anybody who feels like there may be um an issue with somebody that they know. Uh no stigma on your way out. just grab it like you
would grab a free newspaper and these are available throughout the county now. So, we thank them for that. Okay. Work session items miscellaneous. Oh, Deputy Mayor. Mhm. Um first we've been joined by a dignitary Bergenfield Council President
Ora Cornblue. Thank you for joining us tonight. Uh Deputy Mayor, we have some happy news tonight. Actually, one of our colleagues, Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg, has received the 2025 Municipal Environment Leadership Award from the Association of New Jersey
Environmental Commissions for her work on the Tene Environmental Commission, for her work on the swim club, for her work on the Recreation and Open Space Inventory, and for her work on a number of other issues that help improve the quality of life for our residents in a very positive way. And for those who
might not know what the association is, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions is a nonprofit organization that helps New Jersey environmental commissions, individuals, local and state agencies preserve natural resources and promote healthy communities. And this is the first time
ever that a Tina Council member has received this award. So, congratulations, Councilwoman Goldberg. We're proud of you. You very Thank you very much. Thank you. Uh, anything under old business?
New business? I I just wanted to uh mention that uh this past um Friday um on behalf of the council on the township, I accepted the award for the planning board that was received by the League of Municipalities. Um it was uh nice to
have Chris Brown there uh as head of our um the planning uh board as well as Rosalyn Mlan. Um, so, uh, it it's a really nice, um, plaque and I was thinking, uh, Deputy Mayor that we could, uh, once the library opens, maybe have an area in the library where we
can, um, place it because it really speaks to how our township, um, the award was how our township um, developed a master plan that was recognized by the state. So, uh, just wanted to mention that. We'll speak to the library about that.
Um, communications and committee reports by council liaison. Does anyone have anything? Slow month. Okay. Council listed items. Um we're going to pivot the New Jersey Redevelopment Agency till the mayor. Yes, please. Thank you very much. Till
the next meeting. Okay. So, Quanza, Deputy Mayor Belchure and Councilwoman G. Um you want me to try? Okay. So, this really was just an um an update or really less of an update in set, but just to share that I'm really excited
about um the fact that we are hosting a Quanza celebration this year um for the first time ever. I want to shout out our um clerk, Mr. Doug Rousion, who has uh been instrumental in ensuring that we get this set up. um he's been working
with uh the Junth committee, Selen Wong, Kuwan G um to really start thinking through how to make this uh a reality this year. And I think what's really special is it really rounds out all the amazing cultural celebrations that we have at that time of the year. Um and so I just wanted to just share with you
that um the planning is underway and I'm really excited about um bringing that to fruition this year. Great. You can't have too many celebrations in December. Um okay, township manager report. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Good evening,
council and township residents. Leaf collection season is upon us, so the DPW director and I have discussed some ways to improve the efficiency of our process for this year. As of October 15th, the township will continue leaf collection
in all four quadrants on a daily basis. On designated collection days, on street parking will not be permitted on streets scheduled for leaf pickup between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Emergency no parking signs will be posted 48 hours in advance on all
affected streets per quadrant. This new system is designed to provide faster, safer, and more efficient leaf removal throughout the township. Being that the leaves fell late last season, leaf collection, leaf collection was a challenging event and it resulted in
many complaints. I will be posting a flyer outlining this so you can refer to it and you will start to see these um emergency no parking signs per quadrant and we will see how it works out. Please mark your calendars. The Tene Public Library is scheduled to reopen on
November 2nd at 1 p.m. Regular hours will resume on this day. The event will include fun for your families and your children of all ages. Please join us for the Shade Tree Advisory Board in celebrating Arbor Day on October 19th at 1 p.m. at Phelps
Park. This year's tree will be dedicated to Wendy Heler, a dedicated member of the Shade Tree Advisory Board. Our poet laurette, Scott Pleasants, is presenting a 2025 poetry contest. This is your chance to have your poem featured and on
display. All ages are welcome. You must be a current Tene resident and your original unpublished poem must be prompted by the theme T-neck. Please refer to our online flyer for additional details. The winner will be announced in November 2025.
The Vote Park inclusive playground is currently displaying a QR code on site for parkers to supply input for the upcoming renovation to the playground. Please feel free to stop by and complete the survey. A senior citizen pedestrian safety
seminar is scheduled for tomorrow, September 30th at 12:30 p.m. at the Rotus Center. Registration is required and there are limited seats available. Please contact our recreation department as soon as possible if you would like to register. Our next community cleanup day
is scheduled for this upcoming Sunday, October 5th, from 12:00 noon to 2 p.m. Please use the QR code on the flyer for sign up. Our flu vaccination program will be offered on October 22nd and 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the ROA
center. Appointments are available now through our health department. So, please refer to our website for additional details. The senior citizen prom event is officially scheduled for May 14th at the Glen Point Marriott and the sponsorship efforts are now underway.
Um, our compost pilot program will be open to our weight listed residents in the near future. The township is committed to continuing this program for one more year to assess our budgetary needs and participation of the township. Congratulations to the township on
receiving a bronze level certification through sustainable Jersey. The township will receive this award at the League of M municipalities conference this year. Great job by our city, our township clerk Doug Rousion, Hildy Dylan, and Peter Goldman for your dedicated efforts
for the township. The project titled Route 4 eastbound and Decar Avenue ramp widening is scheduled to begin in late September or early October. It is scheduled for October 6th for the ramp to be closed. Traffic
traveling eastbound on Route 4 will be detourred to the Rockwood Place Grand Rand Avenue exit in Anglewood Township where motorists will be directed to circle back westbound. The anticipated duration of construction is approximately 1 month. Detours are expected to remain in effect through
early to mid November. Please plan accordingly. for our project updates. Heric Park, we um continue to address some of our punch list items. The baseball field grading is scheduled for this week. Um Argon Park tennis court, we are also
still addressing some open punch list items. Uh the Bell Avenue drainage project, the contractor has successfully installed the detention tank and we are in the final stages of completion. The contractor will mill and pave Bell Avenue from Beatatric to Sagamore
Avenue, but the park will remain closed as of now. The Bell Avenue urban rain gardens design and specifications are complete and we are sending them to D for their approval. Our road resurfacing project continues townshipwide. Please be
reminded that the list of streets that we are paving are on our website under our capital projects tab. Brooks Park. The proposal for the restrooms is on our agenda this evening. Our exercise station is also in the design phase and we have installed a new
slide. Um, Maple Avenue improvements construction is set to begin in October. Our Phelps Park splash pad. The bid opening is scheduled for October 15th. Griggs Avenue, Van Beern Avenue, and
Heric Avenue improvements. The scope of the project consists of construction of Griggs Avenue, Van Beurren Avenue, and Heric Avenue from Palisade Avenue to the dead end by Heric Park. The improvements include full construction of the
roadways, including curbs, base construction and paving, installation of traffic stripes and markings, and other incidental roadway items. The design phase is currently underway. Um, as for our grant updates, the Tene
Fire Department received a FEMA grant in the amount of $287,135.92 where Tene is required to fund $26,1327 for training and cost associated with overtime. This grant will pay the overtime to have 26 officers and six
firefighters trained in several classes. As for some additional updates, the CVS parking space that we that was requested to be removed, traffic, our traffic bureau and DPW have assisted with the removal and proper line striping of the area where a parking space was
officially removed. Decar Avenue update on tonight's agenda. We have an ordinance to designate the west side of Decar between Alfred Avenue and Tisian as no parking anytime. We continue to work on the other reported
items with NG DOT to improve the traffic safety requests in the area. I would also like to share some factual information about our recent pedestrian safety initiative that took place yesterday. This event was advertised for several
weeks to install some curb extensions as a pedestrian safety trial at Heirs Court at Queen Anne Road and Palisade Avenue. The township has been working for several months with Easy Ride, NJTPA, our traffic bureau, and township engineer to bring positive solutions to
pedestrian safety. Yesterday, a team of volunteers along with our pedestrian safety team were on site to complete this de demonstration project to last between 4 to 8 weeks. This is a temporary attempt for additional pedestrian safety within our
township. We have since received some informative feedback that we are looking into and taking the proper measures to observe, make on-site adjustments, and to listen. As early as tomorrow, our team will be on site at the entrance from Palisade Avenue to Heirs Court. We
plan to soften the turning radius by moving three delineators to create a curve that vehicles can now turn smoothly. We have also received some feedback from the school that the need for a right turn lane is needed to exit the Aerys Court parking area. We will
observe this area when school is back in session for a positive solution. Lastly, our fire department and TVAC will be asked to check the area for any concerns later this week. It is important to note that a post survey will also be available for residents to
share their input. The goal of this demo demo project is to receive this community feedback. so we make the best pedestrian safety decisions for the test area. I along with our pedestrian safety team remain committed to this project and considering your feedback. Thank
you, Deputy Mayor. Thank you. Um Brooks Park, we had a request to move the portaotti closer to where the teams play. Um I forgot to tell you before the permanent bathroom goes in. No problem. and I look forward to the
senior prom on May 14th. That sounds so fun. Does anyone have questions just on the bathrooms? Is that this is that the same concern that we had or are we did we get that? Did we move them already? The portaotties? I don't think No, it it wasn't moved.
Got it. Okay. Um and just a quick question on the Alfred Avenue. So, this addresses um how much of the parking that from Mrs. Baker? It's the whole length between Tisian and Alfred. Okay. Thank you. Sorry, question about um the for soccer
um at at uh Brooks Park. Is there any way to tempor temporarily suspend suspend the parking rules on what street is that? I think it's Intervil during the games just because parents are having to walk with their three-year-olds like multiple blocks to to get to the games.
I'll check in with traffic and I'll see what I can do. Is that going to affect people playing the games though? like the players if it I'm just want to make sure that or or observers of the game. I just want to make sure. What do you mean? Um I'm just trying to picture it. Sorry. So on Intervil it's it's it's just a
regular street parking right now. It's no parking on either on I guess on both sides but it's which requires you to walk like several blocks to get your kid to the field. Got it. Okay. Yeah. But also the residents may have requested that. So we should Yeah. Yeah. I would check that because
I've been coaching there for years. It's been like that for years. That said, what I heard was the neighbors. I tried. They told me no. But we should definitely look into that. I mean, it's just on Sundays for two hours. So, I don't know.
I just wanted to um mention in your report you mentioned about this uh the new leaf pickup. Uh the intent of that is to really kind of kind of um address the issue of of leaf pickup and that's going to start as early as October 15th. Is it?
Yes, October 15th. It'll it'll allow us to go down um your street on that specific day and be able to to remove all of the leaves a little more efficiently. So you'll also know ahead of time when we're going to be on your street. Um, and hopefully it will help us keep up with it and not have to go in
between parked cars and even for our equipment efficiency. Um, I'm hoping that it helps us keep on top of the uh the leaf collection this year. Okay. Township attorney's report. Thank you, Dor. Just one thing. Um, I
want to talk about ordinance 37-2025, which will the council will hopefully be introducing tonight. Uh so my office drafted this ordinance which authorizes the township to convey uh certain properties and easements to the New
Jersey Department of Transportation for the construction and maintenance of the uh route 4 bridge over Palisad A. At the last meeting, the council uh adopted a resolution authorizing the DOT to make an application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
uh for what is called a diver diversion. Uh I had mentioned at the last meeting that this ordinance will be coming. So I just want to briefly explain what it is and what we are are doing here. Uh the state of New Jersey owns Route 4. It's maintained by the DOT. The DOT is working on a project to widen the road
and and replace the bridge. To do that, they need uh they need certain slivers of land that are owned by Tene alongside Route 4. Uh the T township has been aware of this since I believe May of 2022 or or so. uh if the state wanted
to, they can simply take the pro the land by eminent domain. Uh and then we would be stuck in an long and expensive legal battle with them for years trying to determine how much money that we could get for for those pieces of land. Uh to avoid that whole process, in uh
July of last year, the DOT made an offer to the township to simply buy uh those properties for about $488,000. We've been negotiating with them over the last year. We finally settled on the amount of $1.035
million uh for these properties. Um because the properties though are protected by uh green acres program with the uh department of environmental protection. We cannot simply sell them without doing what is called a diversion with the DP which means that we
essentially have to provide alternative land to place under green action in lie of the land that we'll be selling. Uh around the time that the first offer was made July of last year the DOT held a public hearing here in Tene on the project because it is their project.
It's their land and so it was their their hearing that we sort of help them facilitate. Um since then, as said, we negotiated with them over the amount as well as to determine which what properties uh would be swapped out for the green acres purposes. Council has
obviously been fully informed of the negotiations every step of the way throughout uh uh through uh or during close session. Um, since this is, as I said, a DOT project taking place on DOT property, the DOT drafted the resolution the council approved at the last
meeting, which authorized the DOT to make the application to the D for the diversion on TX's behalf. That process is now ongoing. It's going to take some time for the DP to process it, although we expect them that they will that they will approve it in the interim. while
that uh and I'm sorry I should and I should say until the D approves that uh that uh we cannot be paid the money that the DOT is offering offering us. So uh everything is sort of has to wait until D approves it for for it to go through. So in the interim because we have we
have time uh uh until the DP approves it. We are now asking the council to adopt or to introduce and then adopt ordinance 37-2025 which helps us start the process of selling those properties to the DOT. uh it's it authorizes the sale of those
properties but limits it specifically that they can only actually be sold or transferred over to the DOT once the D uh approves the diversion and we receive our money. So we're not going to hand over the properties hoping the D will eventually approve it. It allows us to
to uh transfer only once the D is approved and we receive our money. when it's time to do that, the township is going to obviously have to sign a number of de uh the mayor town clerk will need to sign a number of documents, deeds, and other things like that. And so this ordinance allows uh allows them to do
that when the time comes. Um, and the the most time-sensitive part of this and why we're doing this now instead of just waiting is that the ordinance is also going to allow D to enter the the slivers of land uh in the meantime, begin work on the Route 4 uh project
while this process is going out because we don't know exactly how long it's going to take. So, it lets them get on the land and in the meantime. Uh, so again, we're asking the council to introduce this. The next meeting, we will hold a public hearing before it's considered for adoption. Um, but I just want to give some background context because this is obviously a a major
thing that the township is doing. So, thank you. Any chance we see the 1.03 million in 2025? I wouldn't bet a million dollars on it, but uh 1.03. Yeah, it it should be a fairly So, normally these uh the diversion can take
up to two years. This should go significantly faster because we have the backing and it's really being made the application is being made by the DOT. And so the the the thinking is essentially that DP is not going to turn down the DOT. One arm saying you one arm of the government is going to say no to the other arm. Um so it should go
faster. I wouldn't count on be done before the end of this year, but I wouldn't expect it to go very far into 2026 either. Anyone else? Yeah, I have two questions. Um what can you just explain? The state house commission is to release the funds or it's to approve the land just to
understand where they are in the resolution from the last meeting. Uh I thought I saw it in the ordinance just now. Um the removal of green acres from parkland requires the approval of D and state house commission. Yeah. So that that's part of the the
process that was started last uh the last meeting with the resolution. So all the the actual sale of the properties is going to be held in obeyance. It's going to be waited held until the DP actually approves it. So we don't we don't get our money. They don't get our land until the DP approves it. And you just so is
there any chance that D asks us for more? I mean, what is that based on or is it most likely is there any chance that they ask for more land or are we kind of okay? I they shouldn't. There's there's a formula by which they they calculate how much land we need. Our understanding
from from them is that this satisfi satisfies what what they need. I know that the DOT has signed off on it. They believe that that we comply with it as well. So I guess they would know full 100% what they're going to do but they haven't given us any indication that they would have any any problem with this.
I have a question. Um you mentioned and thanks for the explanation. I think a lot of people are have questions in general. Um, one of the the areas that um, if you could speak to is that it is an ex expansion project, but the question I've uh, been asked is will
that result in uh, three lanes, a third lane or or not? I don't know the answer to that, but I can find out and I will find out later. Um, I can answer that question if you like. Um, currently as a result of this replacement, it'll be the bridge
replacement of the Windsor and Palisad Avenue bridges over Route 4. As a result of taking this land and adding it in the replacing the bridge will allow for a Bell Avenue east entrance to Route 4 to have a warm-up lane because they're
already replacing the bridge. So part of this land that they're taking will become a warm-up lane and that lane will last almost into Queen Anne Road. There's nothing taking place on the west side. And frankly speaking, they're not really doing this to uh leave that
bottleneck. They're doing this because they're actually replacing the bridge. It makes perfect sense. In the future, could this warm-up lane become part of a full lane? Possibly. But right now, the only addition will be a warm-up list, speed up lane, and warm-up lane from the Bale Avenue east entrance through and
close to Tene Road covering the this the new bridge that goes over Windsor and Palisad Avenue. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. So, let's move on to good and welfare. Um, we'll start with people in the room. Three minutes. I'll call on
you. You'll come to the podium and uh state your name. We'll start on this side of the room. or um or good evening or cornbluth o r a k o r n bl u th I am the executive director of
yeshiva hated for those of you who don't don't know we are the elementary school on 1500 queen anan road first of all I wanted to say thank you to everyone at the deis we as a school appreciate all you do for the township on a regular basis I know it's a thankless job and we
wanted to say thank you, Jackie, to you as well. From the time you were hired, you've hit the ground running. You've been communive, receptive, and we really appreciate you being there for us. That being said, I just wanted to comment on the new traffic safety initiative. We as
a school had some concerns regarding the Ayor's Court Palisade intersection. This morning I happened to have been there and like Jackie said the right turn was a very tough right turn and a lot of our parents had issues making that right turn. We also have concerns with the
traffic patterns. We currently have many many parents who carpull to school since they live in Teneac and do not live far enough to get busing. We spend hours and hours working on a traffic pattern that will not cause a major backup. Whether it's Palisade, Queen Anne, and Ayers,
the two lane lanes on Ayersport enable us to basically move traffic a little better without backing up all the way to Queen Anne Road. This morning, there was not a backup. I happened to been there, but we do have concerns that with one lane, someone making a left turn will
not enable any car to make the right turn. you have 10 cars waiting behind one car who needs to make a left turn. We also do not know of any accidents with pedestrians that have happened at that corner. As both a parent and an educator, safety is our number one
concern and we look forward to working with the town and trying to find a solution that could work for everyone. And we appreciate your feedback tonight and look forward to working with you. So, thank you. Okay. Hi, my name is Kate Davis. I'm here also
to speak on behalf of Ishiva Hatid. I was president of the school for the past four years. Um like or I want to echo our thanks to the council and in addition to what she said, I also just wanted to say how much we've appreciated our partnership with the township. Um this is I've lost count. I think we've
been here for a decade uh in Tene or in Bergenfield before and we've really appreciated our partnership over the years with the town and I would encourage you please to reach out to us when things like this are are coming up. We're always happy to have a conversation in advance to help you guys understand what's going on in that area.
Um please don't hesitate to to reach out to us about anything whether it's traffic safety or how do we get notifications when it's time to trim our trees if a pedestrian notices. Um, so it was very unfortunate that we came to this situation where we did not know in advance what was happening and didn't have a chance to work with the township
in advance. And if you need chaperones for senior prom, Rachel and I are available. Thank you. A different kind of seniors, I think. Um, anyone else on this side of the room? Um, let's go to this side first just because they were here and you just
walked in. Dr. Yak. Good evening. Nice to see you again. I've been away for a while, as I'm sure you've all noticed. Um, I just came back the other day from a three-week trip in Europe. It was wonderful. Uh, I first want to
congratulate the Cong um, Councilwoman Goldberg. I learned about that award while I was away and was very pleased to see that. Congratulations. Uh, the other thing I'd like to just talk about is the Bell Avenue uh, work.
Uh, I'm disappointed that I wasn't here to actually see it happen. It looks so nice now. The park is all leveled out and uh I'm looking forward to the next hurricane to find out if it actually is going to solve our problem cuz I just finished my basement. So, uh, kudos to
the town for doing that. Kudos to you, Jackie, for uh, for making that happen. and uh and congratulations to Chris Brown and to myself for all the work we did uh to to to make sure that it would happen and thank you all for that.
That's it. Mr. Seagull. Good evening. Rich Seagull, 26-year Tene homeowner, um, and a unapologetic anti-ionist Jew.
I spoke here at the last meeting and um, after I spoke, Keith Kaplan called in on Zoom and called me a liar. I keep getting hit, you know, whether physically or verbally, but um he said, and I quote, "Rich Seagull is a liar."
And then he repeated it, just in case you all didn't hear it the first time. So, uh what he was complaining about is the fact that I said that the Israeli real estate events that have been happening in Tene for many years and that are occurring and that have gone
underground because of demonstrations against them. Uh, I said that they were illegal. Um, and I'm going to explain why they're illegal. Um, and there's two main reasons. Number one, West Bank settlement real estate is
being sold at these events. West Bank settlements are illegal under international law. International law states that an occupier may not move its population into occupied territory. Israel is doing that.
those settlements are uh being sold at Israeli real estate events right here in Tene, New Jersey and in other locations. That's illegal under international law. So, it's illegal for us to participate in that. The second reason that uh these
Israeli real estate events are illegal is because the real estate even within Israel that's being sold is redlined real estate. It's available to sale for Jews only. Now, our own Chandra Young tested this out when she went to an
Israeli real estate event and asked, "Is there real estate here that I cannot buy?" And the answer was, "Yes, there's real estate that you cannot buy because you don't speak Hebrew." That was a lie. That was a cover. Um, and in fact, if it
was due to linguistics, um, linguistic ability, that's also illegal. discrimination basis based on language is illegal. But in fact, they can't sell to her because she's not Jewish. Okay. There's also a question as to whether uh
real estate is actually being sold at these events. It is being sold. I went undercover to an Israeli real estate event and I sat through a sales presentation and got to the point where I could have signed on the dotted line
for a condo in an illegal West Bank settlement. I did that. I know that the real estate is being sold um directly to Jews here and not to non-Jews. I know everybody is sick of this. I'm sick of
it. I'm sick of the fact that it's still going on. It needs to stop. This council needs to decide that it stops. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Schwarz. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Organ. I'm here tonight again on behalf of One Town, One
Vote in both July and August. One time, one vote made certain assertions and allegations regarding the redevelopment attorney of Tene regarding his lack of transparency in the handling of the filing of the amendments to the master
deed. As you may recall, these amendments to the master de were very controversial, and several members of the public, including public officials, had expressed a desire to make changes in that plan before it would be filed, being told by the redevelopment attorney that they had no
choice but to file the plan as is, controversial as it was, because there was a June 30th deadline that could not be extended. It was not going to be extended. He admits he uh refused to answer my questions last month. to refused to respond to my allegations,
directed me to read a statement in the July meeting. I read the July meeting over I heard the video several times and on each occasion the redevelopment attorney admits admits that he got the extension from the court for six weeks
and did not tell either the council or the planning board about the extension and went ahead and filed the controversial master plan. Anyway, his response when asked why he did that, where he could have just picked up the phone and told his clients, "Yeah, I got
the extension. You got another six weeks to make changes if you want to make them." No, he didn't do that. He says, "I wouldn't take it upon myself to veto what the council did." Nobody I've talked to understands what he meant by vetoing the council. It's not his job to
veto anything, but it is his job to tell his clients what the situation is. that the extension that he filed for them was granted. Why did he not tell you guys that he still refuses to answer that question? We're not going to forget this situation. One town vote is going to
keep on bringing it up until the redevelopment attorney or some members of this council or the planning board give us an explanation. Also, I want to talk about there is an issue coming up with freedom of speech in Tene. We just formed a subcommittee
to go over the what's called the protest ordinance or the special events ordinance that you guys passed back in April with in relation to the incident that occurred uh week and a half ago regarding the hands across New Jersey the summones that were issued. There are lots of inconsistencies in this
ordinance. A lot of vagueness in this ordinance. For instance, for example, the term religious event is nowhere defined uh in the ordinance. Nor is there any way anybody else could understand what is meant in the ordinance by a religious event. Is a men's club meeting a religious event? Is
a a dinner for uh sports awards a religious event? Also, there is nothing in the ordinance that says how does the manager who was the only one who could deny the permit inform the applicant that their um application for a permit has been denied. In this particular
situation, it was not the manager who informed. It was somebody from the police department on a lower level who informed and that is a problem. We're going to bring this up in the next Mr. Schwarz. Thank you. Anyone else in the room? Go ahead.
You three minutes. Any topic you'd like at the microphone. Just give your name. Hello, I'm Lisa Ruben. Been living T-C for I'm sorry I'm not experienced with this. Thank you.
I've been living in Tene for over a decade with my family and um I know we have a lot of concerns in our community about public safety. Tomorrow there's a meeting for seniors about pedestrian safety over the past
year, a little over a year ago, almost no uh victim identified in fatal hit and run investigation in Tene. Everybody's concerned about pedestrians and that turns out there was another one uh post
in time with that one where a teenager was hit and run and very seriously injured. Then in April, our esteemed mayor Schwarz got invol helped us get involved with the Street Smart New Jersey works and how important all of
this is to everyone. But in light of this, I find it incredible that for two years, an individual has been allowed to drive around our town, our township, without a legal license, without a legal
registration, and not insured. The same person has caused at least four crashes. three of them the person crashed into stationary vehicles. Um in one of the crashes it's very
upsetting because the person crashed into a car which was stopped at a pedestrian crosswalk while the pedestrians were crossing. They were witnesses on the police report which I have some copies of then to pass
around. Um, the same person has had multiple citations of different towns and cities uh for driving in the same way without a license, uninsured. And u most recently in Englewood, they
were picked up in June. They were stopped because they were talking on the phone and they were obstructing traffic. And then the officer found that the person didn't have a license, lawful license, registration, or insurance. Um the person pled guilty. Now they're
on delinquence. They're delinquent with the payments. Um over these whole year I've repeatedly brought this person's problems of driving to the attention first of the police department,
then town management and the council. And nobody saw fit at any time to deal with this because this person is a hazard and a danger to everyone. Um, I even gave a picture. I took a picture
of the car parked in our police department parking lot because the person's an employee of the police department. I hate to think that that would be Yeah. enough reason to have somebody not get cited, but um, thank you. I thought one question.
The three minutes are up. If you'd like to leave the paperwork with the clerk. Yeah, I have some things to hand out, but it would be really nice. I Okay, it's the three minutes are I understand. Okay. Well, I um I was I have uh some copies to give out. Part of me wants to just say we're done.
I know. I know we're done. Would like to just ask why. Um here you can give these up. Thank you. What's going on with the person parking being allowed to drive in our township, but what about everywhere else in Bergen County? Make coffee then I'll
Thank you very much, Miss Ruben. Doug, do we have anyone on Zoom bringing in Michael Rocklin? Did my Can you hear me? Yeah. Did my camera come on? Yes. You look and sound good. You got three minutes, sir. All right. Hi, everybody. Uh, Michael
Rocklin, Tene, New Jersey, almost a or more than a 30-year resident now, and honored to be the community liaison to the pedestrian safety task force. Um, I wanted to give a big shout out to Easy Ride, to the pedestrian safety task
force, and really all the members um of the council and the town government who have actually put their money and their power where their mouth is when it comes to pedestrian safety. Whether it's in the demonstration project that we're doing on Queen Anne or in all the other
places that I'm constantly hearing about in town, whether it's the new stop for pedestrian signs that we see all over town working together on how to fix some of the speeding between Route 4 and um and the turnpike. I wanted to address
the concerns that were brought up um both here and in social media about the pedestrian safety project that we're doing on um on Queen Anne. That area by all accounts is one of the most dangerous um parts of town and it is
also probably the highest pedestrian um traffic area. There are tons of schools, both elementary schools and high schools, not to mention everybody who is eating at the various establishments and shopping at the bank. I had one of the
proprietors of one of the businesses in that area called me this morning and I was a little bit worried that we had, you know, made some uh mistake or some error. And what he told me was that almost once a week he tells his mother
or he tells his wife or he tells his friends that he witnessed somebody almost get hit or actually get hit um on those various intersections right there. I've experienced it myself and as many people know just a block over uh my wife
and at the time baby were lightly struck by a car making a right turn um from uh State Street onto Queen Anne. This is an area where I think we can make a lot of progress. And all we did was have some volunteers and some help from the police department spend a couple of hours
laying down some paint and some cones. It's so easy that we're going to be able to go in either tomorrow or the next day and actually adjust where those lines are um to make it feel safer. And I just want to encourage everybody to think about this as government working the way
it should, being responsive to the needs of the community in such a way where we're not spending a lot of money. We're not spending years and years um discussing how to make things better and instead we're really bringing positive
change, small incremental change that we can flip back if we really need to um or we can push forward. And I hope to see a lot more of these kinds of things uh going forward. And thank you everybody. Thank you, Mike. I'm bringing in Dan
Baron Holtz. Thank you. Um, I uh apprec appreciate everyone putting uh who's putting in time and effort on pedestrian safety commission. I just want to add a note of caution um that you know when you have
people looking to find solutions um you don't want to find this develop a solution in search of a problem in in IRS court in particular. I have not heard of any particular previous problems there. I would be concerned
that if you back up traffic, it could actually cause more problems than it than it solves. Um if you have cars backed up uh all the way to Queen in. So um I just uh without being a traffic expert, I I have seen other instances of
solutions in search of problems and I hope that's not the case here. Thank you. Thank you. We have Michael Reich. Hi. Um I actually like to speak about
what the previous two uh speakers have spoken about. Um as well as the fact that I feel that the council has a responsibility not to allow a very vocal group of minor very vocal minority group
make decisions on behalf of the town. We have to use more than common sense. We have to use data when we make these uh decisions. I don't know of anyone who elected Michael Rocklin to be uh playing with uh the traffic in the area is what
I do know is I've been taking my kids to school at TABC and uh Mayanote for the past seven years and I'm going to be continuing to do that for the next four years and I can tell you that there's a really terrible traffic pattern. You
have traffic that backs up from this intersection of State Street in Queen Anne all the way down to Windsor. Windsor backs up with because of Ben Franklin all the way up past uh Winthrop some mornings and West
Anglewood on that side of the train tracks backs up s a a great distance as well. Uh I was I'm not aware of there being any traffic studies be having been done to uh look at look at the what Michael Rocklin was did. I don't know
what legal authority he had with these private groups to impose uh these lines and so forth. But I can tell you that at the end of Ay court by Palisades this is going to be a big problem. First of
all, they've narrowed if you're going from to Palisades, they've narrowed what was wide enough for three cars to one car. So, you will have some mornings Heidi uh people who drop their kids off at
their car pool line will back up all the way to there. They're on the right. Then you have cars making lefts onto Palisades and there was room for cars to make a right turn onto Palisades. Uh furthermore, going from Palisades onto
Ayar's Court, they've made it extremely narrow. Now, the goal should be in the morning to have cars flow in and out of that area as quickly as possible so that you could have more cars. Additionally, not only am I not aware of there being any pedestrians really being struck in
the area, I did an Oprah about a year ago on it, and there were none over about a 10-year period, at least on Palisades. So this really does seem to be a solution in search of a problem
and I encourage the council to first of all actually I don't encourage the council to take any action here other than to end this uh traffic decisions and traffic safety should be done under the purview of the traffic division of the police department and with proper
traffic engineers not not dogooders in the town. I don't know what agenda is being pushed here, but I am all for pedestrian safety, but it's got to be balanced. Thank you, Michael. Three minutes were up. If you have any more comments, please feel free to email council@ tenej.gov.
Anyone else? And no one in the room. Okay, hearing that good and welfare is now closed. No. Council member Goldberg. Thanks. Um, I just want to thank everyone for coming and thank you Jackie. Um, and I want to do a huge
thank you to Tene Police, especially Lieutenant Antinori and uh, Brington for all their help yesterday at the demo. Uh, the manager stated this is a pilot. So, over the next four to eight weeks, um, we're adjusting as needed to see if this is something that will help. Um, I
also want to thank the volunteers who were with us and Easy Ride, Farah for doing the the um the engineering uh uh diagram. Totally using the wrong word, but everyone knows what I mean. Um, and after six hours of painting and taping
and epoxying, I also want to thank our hardworking DPW. Um, because I pretty much did their I literally epoxied and and did all that for six hours. So, thank you. And a special thank you to Mason Rocklin who was a rock star at measuring and taping uh with our
volunteers. It was really nice to see the seniors using the pedestrian flags to cross Theater Lane last week also. So, we're here to keep people safe and as Mr. Rocklin pointed out, that's what we're doing. Um I also just want to mention a story that I raised at the ROA center a few months ago uh at the event
that the mayor and I were at. Um so there's some images you just don't get out of your head. Um, and one of them for me was in 2021, I was driving my son home from or I was driving home from driving my son to school and I literally
watched a sixth grader um, get hit by a car as he biked to school. Um, and thank God he's okay and his mom keeps me updated regularly. We just took a nice walk around the park. Um, and he only suffered a broken arm. Um, but there's some images you just you never get out of your head. So, uh, I was really
grateful that police were there and also another volunteer that we had yesterday also was a victim themselves, uh, at that intersection. So, it was really great to see that he was able to do something positive from his experience. And Mr. Yuck, I just want to say that I wish you were here as well to see that
vote, but I'm grateful that you and your neighbors will finally be getting relief from the flooding. And I wish everyone else uh well, thank you, Councilwoman G. Um so first I wanted to just um acknowledge um the statement from one
town one vote. Um we hear you. Um the process was not ideal. The timeline was not ideal. Um and we acknowledge that. Uh I want to reassure you that we have addressed these concerns um amongst council and um you know and I' I've
already shared that response with you um personally but I just wanted to on the day is here acknowledge your comments and and just let you know that we hear you and and we are um all is all is well on our end in terms of ensuring that that feedback was shared. Um I also
wanted to say uh welcome back Dr. Yuck. Um, it's nice to see you again and we are thrilled that we were able to break down and uh get the project off off the ground. You all have been coming here for I can't even count how long four years now and so I know it took a long
time but um you know we all were committed to this work and and it is really just um refreshing that it's happening. Um finally I just wanted to address the the comments from everyone around the safe streets. Um I I I heard we don't want to solve one problem and
then create another. Right. So I think I love first of all shout out to Michael Rocklin. I think he's doing a phenomenal job. I love that they're seeing this using this as a test case, right? Like if there are issues, I think they're going to reassess and readress um the current uh plan. Um and and I think it's
important that we test it out and and really collect data to make sure that it's not creating bigger issues. But I think you all brought up really great points and we we need to play close attention that we we aren't creating new issues for parents trying to get their kids to school. All right. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Belchure.
Okay. I just want to start out by saying to um the one town, one vote um uh Mr. Schwarz that uh yeah, it is a concern of of ours in terms of um ha sitting on the planning board and having um spent two
years on a master plan. Um it was disappointing. Uh and I've said this be to you. I've said it to the community that we were looking for a different and a better outcome. Um I think it's important that we um continue in every
way and effort to be transparent in everything that we we do. Um I to such a degree that I would ask our attorney to um to consider releasing a timeline of occurrences. he they did provide some type of a uh timeline to us. Uh and I
would ask that uh something similar be provided to the community just so that the community can understand what we're hearing. Uh and um because I think it's important that you hear what we're hearing. Um I I also want to say that um as a part of the master plan uh the two
years that we we were involved with that we did uh use a tool of surveying the community uh in terms of how uh the community felt about housing and redevelopment and the type of development. So I say that in light of the neighbors that have spoken tonight
about uh pedestrian safety and what's happening. oftentimes it's a good idea to to you know put out a survey just to see where does everyone um sit and uh when as it pertains to that and uh I would just also like to say Mr. Yak uh
Dr. Yeah, thanks for coming back. It's good to see you. Uh it's it's also good to see those retention tanks. Uh we spent a lot of time, energy, and effort as uh we all have have seen. And um lastly, I just want to say that um you
know, the first amendment is still a real thing. People have a right to free speech. And I think that it's important that you we may not agree with what our neighbor may be saying, but we
have to understand that they have a right to say it and that we we ought to respect and not call people names and so forth. So I just want to end with that and thank you all for coming out tonight. Um I will speak and then Mayor Schwarz
can um bat clean up. Um so Dr. up. I don't feel bad for you that you missed the um week that it took to put the tanks in the ground. I hope you had a wonderful time in Europe. I love the beard. Um keep smiling and keep traveling. I think that's great. Um for
everyone who came out and spoke about the project, thank you for um acknowledging how responsive the manager is to everybody. Thank you u for those that were polite. It's very important that we can have a dialogue like this. And I loved what Michael Rocklin said
when he said talked about government being responsive the way that it should and we're seeing that right now. I know the fire department will be out I believe on Wednesday to look at the turn and the manager and traffic were at the school already today. So we'll work on it until we get it right. We don't
always get everything right the first time. Um but we're committed to making sure that what we're doing is um balanced and it's not a hardship for anyone while still keeping people safe. Um, to Mr. Schwarz, this is the third
time you've come out and repeated the same thing. The first time Mr. Ash answered you, he spent a long time answering you. The second time, Mr. Salmon answered you. And tonight is the third time. We're not going to have the the manager, the um attorney give give
another response. But repeating something three times doesn't make it less untrue. What it does is it it lessens your credibility when you talk about other things. You have the timeline. We've gone through the timeline with you. We know that Mr.
Ash heard back from the state after the planning board passed their approval and after council and he didn't find out about it until after that. You know this and yet this is the third time you've repeated it and it's not fair. You're looking for a a villain in a story where
there is no villain. Um, council has two representatives on the planning board, two seats, and every one of us was aware of every step that was taken before we passed what the state required us to pass. And any of us
who weren't aware, shame on us. Um, we have attorneys for a reason. We ask their advice all the time and they provide it. So, so the story has to stop. The story has to stop being repeated over and over again until it becomes folklore.
Um, that's it. Thank you, Mayor Schwarz. Um, frankly, you're doing a great job. I don't have much to add, but thank you for filling in my shoes and uh you far surpassed my skills in running a
meeting. Thank you. All right. And with that, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Doug, Kristen, sorry. No, it's all good. It's all good. You're doing great. So we have one raffle application, three
sets of minutes, resolution 274-2025 to284-2025 in a bill list in the amount of 1,127,27462. I would like to pull 281 uh please. That's it. Okay.
So, I'd like to move uh consent agenda bills list and um minutes all the resolutions except for 281. Second. So, we have Councilwoman Goldberg. Um yes to all. And on the bills list,
it's yes. Uh but I'm abstaining on uh the two account numbers again. So, do you want me to give them to you again? C 0455999 022115 um pending conversation with the auditor. I just have some concerns about
whether they should be hitting uh capital or operating expenditures. All right. Councilman Pagan, yes to all. Councilwoman G, yes to all. Councilman Katz, Deputy Mayor Belchure, yes to all.
Deputy Mayor Oregon, yes to all. and Mayor Schwarz. Yes to all. 281. Yeah. So, uh 281 is the fast contract for the um restrooms at Brooks Parks. So, I just
had a a request. I wanted to see what everyone thought of this. So, in the 24 ordinance, there was the prefab bathrooms that Councilman Kaplan fought for for a while. and 25 we included $50,000 for the water fountain upgrades
at Brooks Park. Um since since both of the improvements are at Brooks Park and it's the water fountain and the bathrooms, um they're both funded. I think it my request is does it make sense to table this till the next meeting and have engineering come back
with a proposal? This this is only for the bathrooms. I I'm asking if it makes sense to have us have her come back with a proposal for both together. So that way we can literally have a a Brooks Park upgrade together. And this way we'll also save money on the design fee
and overseeing um the the base map and the package deal um and the the bids. Um so we're streamlining the work and getting everything done at the same time to try to save money and time for the residents. So that's my ask if everyone before I I want to make the motion to table it and have her come back with
adding in the water fountains for the next meeting and doing both of them together. Second. So would adding water fountains take away from the restrooms? What would
we need separate engineering? because I would love to move this project forward and I I can't imagine that a water fountain designing where to put the water fountain would affect the engineering on the restroom.
I'm saying to put it together. So instead of doing do the do the restrooms now and then and we just passed it in the capital budget for this year for or five people passed it for this year to do the the water fountains. I'm just saying add it
in there instead of having her have to go out to bid again for another project. Cover one map. I mean, she's going to have to do um plumbing, etc. It's it's one thing. We could just do one project. It doesn't take away to it. It adds to it. And I'm just thinking that we can streamline it, make it more efficient,
and probably save money in engineering fees. Councilwoman, I guess my question, this might be a Jackie question. Um, could we just move this forward and then do an add-on and vote for that that the add-on next week rather than pause this? Um, I I believe we can. I also think
that um I just want to confirm that that funding is available. Did we confirm that that additional water capital or it's in the capital? Okay. I just wanted to confirm that because sometimes there's funding available, but I I believe that we could move move forward with it and just add it on. Yeah. Perfect. We can have it on the same contract
because that's what I just want to do. I don't want to have to duplicate engineering fees. It would be a change order. I mean that but at least we can move this this part forward if everyone's okay with it. But it would be change order. Can we do that to try to just streamline the cost? I'm okay moving this. I just want to make sure that we get it under the same contract for fast tax so that
we're streamlining it and we can do the the the restrooms and the water fountain at the same time for the residents. But can we do that if we do this and then amend it next time when she has the added addition? I believe so. All right. So I'll move 281.
Wait, Scott, do we have to change anything to it? I don't believe so. No. All right. So, next meeting you'll you'll have that amendment to this contract? Yes. I'll meet with the township engineer and just see what that'll look like and I'll report back. Okay. Thank you. We got Councilwoman Goldberg. Yes.
Councilman Bean. Yes. Councilwoman G. Yes. Councilman Katz. Deputy Mayor Belchure. Yes. Deputy Mayor Oregon. Yes. And Mayor Schwarz. Yes. ordinances. So, ordinances for introduction, we have
number 35-2025, which is amending the township code to revise parking laws on Decar Avenue. Then we have number 36-2025 which is amending the township code for the township of Kene to modernize and clarify the township charter
administrative code respecting appointments to advisory boards to council and then ordinance number 37-2025 which is authorizing the conveyance of property and easements to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the
construction and maintenance of the Route 4 bridge over Palisad Avenue and CSX bridge improvement project. I have a question a question on 352 uh 2025 for the manager. Uh I know that
this is referencing Decada Avenue west west side. Uh are we evaluating the east side? Are we are we putting a timeline? I uh basically we're saying that no parking at any time uh between Route 4 and Tision. So, uh, what how does that
impact the opposite side of the street? Um, the opposite side does have parking available, but it is restricted. It does have a time frame. I apologize. I don't recall exactly what it is, but we are leaving that there. So, the developer that is, you know, um, on that side that is available to if they have visitors or
anything. So, that's that's staying at this time. So, the net net is that um there's only going to be parking on one side of Decator. Correct. And we met with Margaret Baker and her neighbor. I apologize. I forgot her name at the moment, but um they were okay with that. It just leaves the the roadways a little
bit more widened and we still offer that that minimal amount of parking in that area, but they'll still be able to get out of their driveways. Great. So, they were happy with that. Thanks. Um I'd like to discuss 36. Okay. So, let's I'm going to move 35.
Okay. I'll second Schwarz. Councilwoman Goldberg. Yes. Councilman Pagan, yes. Councilwoman G, yes. Councilman Katz, Deputy Mayor Belchure, yes. Deputy Mayor Oregon, yes. Mayor Schwarz,
yes. Okay. Councilwoman Goldberg. Um, I just wanted to know if we can just kind of explain to the council and the public what's changing and and why. I don't know who whose ordinance this was.
This is the uh charter amendment regarding the advisory boards. I think you want me. Okay. So, this is a um this or this ordinance changes the slightly changes the procedures for uh making appointments to the advisory and
statutory boards. The advisory and statutory boards. Um one of the things I'll just go through and the changes I'll note are are in in the ordinance here. They're in red line. So, uh, so everyone can see. The first thing it does is,
um, currently in the in the current ordinance, it requires that before we can fill a seat, uh, whether it's, uh, suddenly a seat, someone resigns and seat suddenly opens up or it's the end of someone's term, basically the Doug, the clerk has to has to make an
announcement and then there's a certain amount of time, I believe three months, uh, or so before we can actually fill the vacancy. This will allow us to speed up that pro procedure uh or that process first by um on a quarterly basis Doug as
the clerk and is going to notify uh send out notices to the public about uh upcoming or expected vacancies. Uh it's it's going to we'll have a list of all the open seats on the website. We will keep maintain a list uh of all the um of
of all the seats that are open and when people's terms are going to expire. people will be able to uh apply and be maintain be kept on that list um for for two years um before three months prior to the expiration of everyone's of anyone's term on one of the boards. Uh
the clerk is going to contact those members and see if they're interested in staying on or not. Um which will give us some heads up as to whether or not we're going to need to reappoint or or not. Um the it also takes out uh gets rid of the
uh personnel subcommittee part of the interview process here. Um in that under the current system, the personal subcommittee essentially interviews anyone that is that has applied for a position um uh uh and then makes
recommendations to the full full council for their uh consideration. We're going to be getting rid of that. So we're just going to we're just essentially going to skip it. So that way um there will be the list of applicants the any member of the council can invite as many uh people from the list as there are open seats
available to be interviewed by the full council in close session. Um uh and so we'll be getting rid of that that that whole interview and recommendation process from the personnel committee. Uh if someone is a current uh currently sitting on a seat and they are looking
to be renewed, they do not and they want to forgo an interview, they'll be able to do that. So we won't be able to go through in in some cases format for formalities of interviewing people that the council already knows. Um after the uh council has conducted whatever
interviews it wants to do uh then um uh anyone from the council will be able to make nominations uh at one at a uh at a meeting and then um for a position and then at a subsequent meeting uh the council will be able to appoint someone that's been that's already been
nominated. So the whole process is just the biggest part is that's removing the personnel subcommittee out of this and the second biggest is that it's removing the um the time period that we have to wait before we can make make appointments u or make nominations. Um so the whole the whole point of this is
I think to to streamline the process and make it go a little bit faster. I I think we saw that when we just made appointments to open seats in September when a lot of them were open in January. You know like like we said we try to get things right. They're not always right. and so we can change them and make this
more workable. And unless anyone else has a comment, I'll move 36. But I I had a two questions for Scott. So just to clarify, one, so if this passes, is there a I mean, the
personnel subcommittee was only doing that. So I'm not sure what their role is after this. Is that clear to you? I don't know. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I can respond to that. Um we still have to um work with Doug to make
sure that we first of all go through the sub the different advisory boards to acknowledge where are their openings where the what are the number of applicants share the list with the entire council to provide visibility into what are the open seats on the LV advisory board who are who are the applicants there's a whole bunch of data
to go through as you see every every time we do this I provide a list to the entire council that details like who are the applicants over the last two years who are interested in serving across multiple advisory boards. That work still needs to happen even if personnel subcommittee is not interviewing all of
them. To me, it didn't make sense for personnel subcommittee to interview all of these applicants just to invite them all back to be interviewed by the entire council. It just makes sense to save all of our time and interview them once as an entire council. So, is everyone still getting an interview? Yeah, if they
want. Well, the only thing is it's you can only um invite people to interview as as many seats openings as there are available on the the advisory board. So, if there's three seats available on I don't know
advisory board and 15 people interview or apply only three people come in. No, no, no, no, no. You So, uh Deputy Mayor uh Oregon will only be able to invite three people. So, why? because it wouldn't make sense for her to invite
six when she can only invite three. Each council member can invite up to the number of open seats, right? So the the current process was the or is the personnel subcommittee interviews everyone and then they were making the recommendation and then this part was in there now. So I'm just
trying to understand. So if the whole town applies right now, only seven people get to decide who who gets to come into close session or everyone still gets an interview? It'd be so each each member of the council can invite as many people as there are seats
available. So if there are seven members of the council and let's say there are three spots each then up to 21 people could could be invi invited. Got it. So not everyone gets an interview. Okay. I just wanted to practice we've never turned we've never had 21 people apply for one for three
seats. It just hasn't happened. So I don't believe we will be turning away anyone. Was there a second question? Are you done? Uh, got nothing else. Okay. So then I'll move 36. Second. Councilwoman Goldberg. No.
Councilman Van, no. Councilwoman G, yes. Councilman Catz, Deputy Mayor Belchure, yes. Deputy Mayor, yes. Mayor Schwarz, yes. Any discussion on 37?
I do. I have a uh discussion on 37. Okay. I understand the uh nature of this is basically this is the conveyance of property and easements to um department of transportation for construction maintenance of route 4 and the bridge over palisits avenue and CSX etc etc.
But one of the the questions that I have for our attorney uh is this conveyance or discussion of of such decisions would be made by the full council. Correct. In other words, I'm not sure. Following
the conveyance of the properties uh for 37. Okay. It's kind of I' I've read through the ordinance and it uh I I'm I'm just really basically asking is the decision for the properties to be conveyed a
decision that is made by the entire council? That's Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That that's that is what this vote is. Okay. it. But that's that it doesn't say that in in the actual ordinance. But when we vote on it, we're then
saying that council's approving it. It's We It doesn't say that in front of every ordinance that it's all of council, a majority of council. But it seems like I saw it read somewhere that it was it did not speak specifically to taking it to a vote. That the actual discussion of the
land that would be used to to be conveyed is a discussion that's to be held by the entire governing body is my question. We had the discussion. Yeah. So that that's in the in the whereas clauses here. Apologize for the
formatting here. This is the second the second whereas clause uh and the the one one two three four the second and fifth whereas clauses are
refer to the specific properties uh that are that are involved here. I I'm not I'm not I'm sorry. I'm not sure I'm following what the Yeah, it's okay. The I'm going to I'm going to I'll take the blame for the formatting on this. The warehouse clauses are a little confusing because
they don't have tabs, but they should be on the first page. It refers to them by blocking lot. Scott, what happens if D comes back and and needs us to amend this? We just have to amend the ordinance. If D comes back and needs to amend the which the properties that were um that
are uh being for the diversion, you mean if they need more? If they need more, we would uh not need to amend this uh ordinance. That would be through a
I'm thinking actually no, I'm sorry. Yeah, at that point we would I think we do would need to come back and amend this ordinance at that point. But I um I you know my understanding is that they have not quite formally signed off but that they they you know they understand what what we're trying to give and we don't really have a reason to think that
they're going to suddenly change on what they think is how much land we have to give up. Part two to her question is if there there was a need for additional properties we would bring that before the entire governing body. Absolutely. Thank you. That that was my only Yeah. Well, we need we need
Are we all good? Okay. Okay. So, I'll move 37. Second. [Music] Councilwoman Goldberg, yes. Councilman Pagan, yes. Councilwoman Jig, yes. Councilman Katz, Deputy Mayor Belchure, yes.
Deputy Mayor Oregon, yes. Mayor Schwarz, yes. Um, who had 9:30 mo? I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Second, Schwarzman. Meeting adjourns 9:25