will be closed this Friday, June 19th to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth. Please join us at the various events that will be taking place that night, that day we start with a silent walk at 8:00 a.m., the flag raising at 12:00 p.m., and the Jubilee at 1:00 p.m. The Advisory Board of Community Relations is
holding a fair housing seminar at the Rhoda Center on Monday, June 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, the municipal offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day. Our Independence Day parade will be that morning at 9:30 a.m. followed by our
annual event at the Rhoda Center. Council met in closed session to discuss personnel, contracts, legal issues or opinions regarding anything on the agenda, litigation updates, and all broad. And with that, we will begin the meeting. Before before we start, we have
one communications issue that we're going to uh call in and do a vote on to extend something. Um how do we want to work this, Mr. Attorney? Can I ask you to jump in? >> So, for for that, we're going to I'm going to ask you guys to walk on a
resolution related to 189 The Plaza. Uh Doug has the resolution, so I'd ask that he read it into the record and we can have a motion. >> Thank you, sir. Yes. Yes, 1 minute.
We need to bring in Here's our man. Councilman Katz. >> Yes, thank you. >> All right, thank you, sir. So, we have a resolution here as a result of some communications also listed on the agenda.
Authorizing execution of the fourth amendment to the redevelopment agreement between Township of Teaneck and 189 The Plaza Urban Renewal LLC for redevelopment project on Block 5005, Lot 1.01, formerly known as Lots 1, 2, and 11. I
need to read this into the record like our attorney said. Please bear with me. Whereas, the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, as amended and supplemented, provides a process for municipalities to participate in the redevelopment and improvement of areas in need of redevelopment. And whereas,
the governing body serves as an instrumentality and agency of the Township pursuant to the LRHL for the purpose of implementing development plans and carrying out redevelopment projects within the Township. And whereas, NJSA 40A:12A-8
authorizes the Township to enter into contracts or agreements for the planning, construction, or undertaking of any development project or redevelopment work in an area in need of redevelopment. And whereas, by Resolution Number 33-2022, It's on January 18th, 2022, the Township Council, Township of Teaneck, authorized
and directed the Planning Board of the Township of Teaneck to undertake to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the area along State Street, consisting of portions Block 5001, 5002, 5004, and 5005, as shown on the tax map of Teaneck, may be
determined to be non-condemnation areas in need of redevelopment in accordance with the criteria set forth in statute, which shall not authorize Township to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire any property within the delineated areas. And whereas, the Planning Board subsequently directed its
consulting planners, Phillips Price Legale Laheney Hughes LLC, to conduct the study. And whereas, said consultants submitted the report titled "Area in Need of Redevelopment Investigation for Portions of Block 5001, 2, 4, and 5 on State Street" to the Planning Board. And
whereas, a public hearing to determine whether the aforesaid area to be designated as a non- condemnation area in need of redevelopment pursuant to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, as statute states, was held by the Planning Board on June 23rd, 2022, following the
publication of notice one each week for two consecutive weeks, last publication being not not less than 10 days prior to the date set forth in the hearing in the official newspaper of the municipality of the time, date, and place of the hearing before the Planning Board, setting forth the general boundaries of the area to be investigated and stating
that the study entitled "The Area in Need of Redevelopment et al." prepared by Phillips Price, and accompanying map showing the boundaries of the proposed redevelopment area and location of the parcel included therein, along with a statement setting forth the basis for the investigation in accordance with
statute and supporting documentation are on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Township Clerk. And whereas, at said hearing, the Planning Board heard and considered testimony within this report prepared by Phillips Price. And
following such hearing the planning board voted on June 23rd, 2022 to recommend to the council the designation of the entire State Street area as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. And whereas the Township Council adopted resolution 211-2022
on July 12th, 2022 declaring and determining the State Street area consisting portions of blocks 5001, 5002, 5004 and 5 as shown in the tax map of Township of Teaneck is a non-condemnation area in need of
development pursuant to statute. And whereas the Township Council I got a couple pages left, folks. Just >> No. >> Sorry. Uh whereas Phillips Price Greig & Real Estate
Consultants submitted the proposal submitted the proposal for a redevelopment plan at 189 The Plaza, Township of Teaneck dated September 2022. And whereas on November 22nd, 2022 the governing body adopted ordinance number 55-2022 adopting the redevelopment plan for 189
The Plaza including the project site. Whereas the redeveloper the redevelopers the owner of land commonly known and designated as blocks 5005, lots 1.01. And whereas the redevelopment was granted approval by the Zoning Board of
Adjustment for preliminary and final site plan approval for the development of the property and developed with a six-story residential building that includes 48 residential units spanning four stories constructed above two stories of black parking along with
related site improvements. Which approval was memorialized in the resolution of approval ZB-2019-17 of the approving authority dated February 10th, 2021. And whereas the project requires the dedication of public benefits, including 22 off-street
parking spaces to be operated and maintained by the redeveloper, and provided not less than seven affordable housing units for low and moderate income families as those terms are defined pursuant to the regulations established by COAH. And whereas consistent with the
redevelopment plan, the redeveloper made application to the planning board for preliminary and final major site plan approval to amend the project as approved by the zoning board of adjustment and the memorialized decision of the planning board. And whereas the township recognizes the credentials, experience, and financial capability of
the redeveloper to design and construct the aforementioned project. And whereas on August 8th, 2023, the township adopted resolution 225-2023, authorizing the township to enter into the redevelopment agreement which defined and memorialized the respective obligations of the parties here to with
regard to proceeding with the redevelopment of the property in the manner prescribed herein, including in the project schedule annexed here as exhibit B. And whereas on August 22nd, 2024, the township council adopted resolution 246-2024, authorizing the township to enter into a first amendment to the redevelopment
agreement. And whereas the redeveloper has requested a second extension of the project a second extension of the project schedule memorialized as exhibit B to the first amendment to the redevelopment agreement. And whereas the township adopted resolution 318-2015-2025,
sorry, which granted an extension of the redevelopment agreement through January 30th, 2026, continued to negotiate terms for an additional redevelopment agreement amendment. And whereas the redeveloper presented an updated project concept at the January 7th, 2026
township council zoning subcommittee meeting. And whereas the township council adopted resolution 64-2026, which granted an extension of the redevelopment agreement through April 30th, 2026 to continue to negotiate terms for an additional redevelopment
agreement amendment. And whereas the redeveloper advised the Township Zoning Subcommittee of a pending sale of the project, requested an additional extension of 1 year to complete the sale and transfer of the project. And whereas on April 28th, 2026, the Township
adopted a resolution which extended the redevelopment agreement for 120 days. And whereas by correspondence dated May 28th, 2026, counsel for the redeveloper requested an extension of the redevelopment agreement for 1 year. And whereas the Township is amenable to
another extension of the redevelopment agreement on the conditions that one, the the redeveloper and prospective purchaser meet with council members to explain a time frame to complete the project. And two, the redeveloper enter into a license agreement with a non-profit entity for an interim use of
the property. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck, Bergen County, New Jersey, the first amendment to the redevelopment agreement by and between the Township of Teaneck and the aforementioned redeveloper is extended for a period of 1 year. And the time frames in exhibit B to the redevelopment agreement are
extended for 1 year. Be it further resolved that the redeveloper and prospective purchaser meet with council members to explain a time frame to complete the project. And two, the redeveloper enter into a license agreement with a non-profit entity for an interim use of the property. And be
it further resolved that both conditions be completed by June 30th, 2026. >> Motion Schwartz. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Yeah. Yes.
>> Prior to the roll call, I just want to ask the attorney if I'm allowed to vote on this given the research that was done Uh, about my position on this. Um, I do have properties, um, on West Englewood. Um, some of them, you know,
have the back on, uh, in that parking lot of the lot of the express parking lot. Um, so I just want to and and certainly my involvement initially with the food pantry that's there. Several years ago. I'm no no longer involved. So I think that's that's the way in.
>> So, the 200 the 200-ft restriction, uh, conflict of interest rule, that only applies to members of the land use board. It doesn't apply to members of the council. That's just the be uh, the way that the local government ethics law works. So whether it doesn't sound like you My understanding is that your
properties are not within 200 ft anyway, but even if they were that that restriction won't apply. Um, I think the other thing that you mentioned is about involvement in the property. As long as you do not have any direct or indirect financial, uh, interest in the property, then you are
then there's no then there's no conflict there. And my from what you're saying here what you're saying, it sounds like you do not. >> Yeah, I definitely do not have any financial involvement, uh, with the food pantry and, uh, in fact I've completely severed ties, uh, with the current, uh, food pantry that's there.
>> And I'm I'm not aware of any conflict then. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. >> Councilman Pegan. >> No. >> Councilman Gee. >> Yes. >> Councilman Katz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> No.
>> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwartz. >> Yes. >> It's added to the consent agenda as resolution number 253-2026. >> We How do we vote on this now, Mr. >> Oh, you want to vote on this now? Sorry.
>> Then that was I thought the motion was I'm sorry. I I I thought the motion >> I motioned to approve Yeah, it was it was approved. had my default. So then it's approved. >> The motion is approved. >> Thank you, Councilman Katz. Um, Youth Advisory Communication, yes, thank you very much. Okay. Youth Advisory Board, that was
government in in progress right there. Thank you for your patience. Um Councilwoman Gissendanner coming down now to present certificates of recognition to our 2026 Youth Advisory Board and I believe some of them are graduating. Do we know that for sure? Have we seen their transcripts?
>> Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, before we recognize our Youth Advisory Board Board students, I first wanted to acknowledge our adult advisors. We have seven. Um, you've done a phenomenal job leading these students this year. Uh, the number of initiatives were just fantastic
between the little libraries, the civics event, the trip to the UN, the toy drive. I'm just so incredibly proud of them and so grateful for your leadership. So I'm just going to call on you all. Uh, so we have here today Dwayne Harley. Raise your hand. There you are.
Shay Lewis. Priscilla Haabs. Um, and not here, Maxine Angel, Shayan Khan, Kevin Gibbs, and Amanda Myers. So just another round of applause for our seven advisors. Um, so next I'm going to acknowledge our
students. I know they're not all here. Um, I want I know some of you are seniors. Um, we're going to miss you dearly, but you're going on to this next stage that's going to be so exciting for you all and um, the leadership skills I think you've gained here on the Youth Advisory Board will take you so much
further as you move on to the next stage of your lives. So without further ado, first I'm going to acknowledge our leadership team on the Advisory Board. So first our chair, Halley Palmer. Come on up. >> Uh yeah, stay up.
Next we have our vice chair, Caleb Bittleman. We have our I'm not sure if she's here, our secretary Naysa Saint-Preux. Not here? Okay, we'll save this one. Um I didn't look at my notes here, my cheat
sheet. All right, our sergeant at arms, Moussa Sall. All right, our media specialist, Liam Fletcher. And I think that's the entire leadership team, right? All right. Now for our rest of the rest of our student members, we have
Ryan Arumemi. There you go. Malcolm Turner. Jackson Harley. Zahra Khan, is she here? No, okay. Save this for her. Etai Cohen.
Nope. All right, my personal favorite, I'm not biased y'all, Parfait G. >> [laughter] >> But I don't know who's taking the pictures, but let's get a picture real quick. >> And can we get a hand raise from our seniors? I just want to see who's leaving us next year. 1 2 Okay. Yes.
Okay, we get to keep most of you. Congratulations Kayla and Holly. We thank you so much for your contributions to the Youth Advisory Board. And before you sit down, oh, do you want to come up and say a couple words? Oh, excellent. Sorry, I missed the memo. >> We just wanted to present to the two
seniors that are leaving. So, quickly, first of all, congrats to you all for getting through the year. You've done an amazing, phenomenal job. So, round of applause one more time for the full team. So, the adult advisors, we did want to pay special acknowledgement to the
seniors that are leaving. Sad, sad. Because we're really, truly going to miss you guys. We were talking about how engaging everything was. We never had to force, we never had to convince, you know, to have a meeting. You engaged,
you had ideas, you executed ideas. I look up to you both. >> [laughter] >> Um so, we're really proud of you, really excited for you. And we have three seniors that are leaving. Naysa is not here on today, so we'll hold hers, but she is one of the seniors who's going to
be leaving us. And we just wanted as a small token of our appreciation wanted to present something to the two of you. We know you're going off to college and you're going to have stuff for your room. I don't know, random things that you may want. This is just a little something, but hopefully it can help.
So, congratulations to Holly and Kayla. And we're going to miss you guys. Come on up, Brienne. Do you want to keep these Do you want to keep these in your pocket? >> Give it up. >> Thank you very much. Once again, um I want to say congratulations to you the advisory board. This is actually one of the most
amazing groups I've worked with since being on on youth advisory board as an advisor. I've been here for multiple years and these guys have been very engaged. They've they've they've come on time. There's not really been an empty room every time we have a meeting. But
besides that, we also work collaboratively with a bunch of folks that actually made this happen. One of which I'm going to acknowledge today is uh Doug Ruciano. Doug made we went to a trip to the United Nations, which is an amazing time, um and it all happened cuz of this
man right here. He He put everything aside and made this a priority. Um we we we we collaborated we collaborated with the um uh Teaneck Board of Education and we put things together. So, I just want to just read a little certificate that we created for Doug. Um this is a certificate of
appreciation presented to Doug Ruciano in grateful recognition, you know, the Teaneck Township Clerk in grateful recognition of your outstanding leadership, dedication, and service in organizing the Teaneck Youth Advisory Board trip to the United Nations. Your energy, enthusiasm, humor, and genuine
commitment to the residents of Teaneck have helped create meaningful opportunities to our community's young people. Your efforts continue to inspire civic engagement and strengthen the connection between local government and the next generation of leaders. Thank you for all that you do for Teaneck, the
Teaneck Youth Advisory Board. But one thing we didn't have to give to see you later because AI kind of put this together and these aren't the children. We got a picture These aren't the kids that are on the youth advisory board. So, they do not know everything, all right?
>> All right. Um and and before we we wrap, I just the parents of students in the room, can you please stand up so we can acknowledge you? These kids meet weekly. I think I don't know sometimes without the parents here they wouldn't be able to get into the meetings and and do all the work that they do. So, thank
you all parents. We appreciate you. All right. Thank you youth advisory board and don't feel pressured to stay for the entire meeting. You can get home even though I know most of you are out of school now, but thank you so much. We appreciate you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. On to our
work session items, miscellaneous. Old business, new business. Committee reports by council liaison. Council listed items. Deputy Mayor Belcher and Councilwoman Gee, please go ahead. >> Uh
yeah, okay. Sure. Okay, so um I want to as was mentioned earlier, we all know that on Friday uh it is Juneteenth um June 9th uh 19th and um we have put together proclamation that we like to read.
Whereas June 10th also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day and Black Independence Day is a significant annual observance commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and
celebrating the enduring spirit, resilience and contributions of African Americans through throughout the nation's history. And whereas on January 1st, 1863, during the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the
Emancipation Proclamation declaring enslaved persons in the Confederate States to be free fundamentally transforming the moral and political trajectory of the nation. And whereas despite the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom was not immediately realized for many enslaved
African Americans as enforced depending upon the advance of Union troops into Confederate territories. And whereas on June 19th, 1865, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Union Major
General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number 3 formally announcing that all enslaved persons were free and bringing liberation to some of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the
Confederacy. And whereas June 10th June 10th became a powerful symbol of delayed justice, perseverance, hope and the ongoing pursuit of liberty, equality and opportunity for all people. And whereas generations
of African Americans have commemorated June 10th through prayer, education, storytelling, music, food, community gatherings and civic engagement preserving the history and meaning of emancipation for future generations, and whereas Juneteenth serves not only as a
celebration of freedom, but also as a time for reflection of the enduring legacy of slavery, segregation, and systemic inequalities, while recognizing the extraordinary achievements and contributions of African Americans in every aspect of American society,
including government, education, business, science, arts, culture, and civic leadership. Whereas the Township of Teaneck, a community with a proud history of diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement recognizes the importance of acknowledging and learning
from our nation's history in order to build a more just, informed, compassionate, and unified future. And whereas the recognition of Juneteenth provides an opportunity to foster meaningful dialogue, promoting culture,
understanding, uh encourage historic education, and strengthening the bonds of mutual mutual respect and shared humanity among all residents of the Township of Teaneck whereas on June 17th
2021, uh Juneteenth National Independence Day was officially signed into law as a federal holiday, affirming the national significance of the historic day and the importance of continuing the pursuit of equality and justice in the United States.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Township Council of the Township of of Teaneck, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, that June 19th shall be recognized annually as Juneteenth Day in the Township of Teaneck. Be it further
resolved that the Township Council encourages all residents to honor and celebrate Juneteenth by participating in educational programs, cultural activities, acts of service, and the Township's Juneteenth Teaneck events,
which serve to commemorate the enduring significance of freedom, celebrate African-American history and culture, and promote unity, understanding, and community engagement throughout the Township of Teaneck. >> Thank you very much. Do we need a vote on that or >> Oh, no, no.
Well, yes, I also just wanted to add referencing the events that we're hosting. So, we've already had several events throughout the month of June as we lead up to Juneteenth, but this Friday at 8:00 a.m. we will have the annual silent walk where we meet at the MLK monument,
which is at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the Teaneck Cut Campus, and we walk from there to Pomander Walk where there is the enslaved African burial site. So, please I invite everyone to join us for that walk. Following that, we'll be at the at Votee
Park to do the annual Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony. That will be at noon, same day. And then from there we will head to the Votee Center for the Juneteenth Jubilee celebration. This is the second time that we're doing this. I'm really excited because we will be honored by
the president by the presence of Governor Mikie Sherrill. She's coming to join us to celebrate with us, and so I hope you all can join and partake in that special event with with the the Juneteenth committee and all of our residents. Thanks. >> Okay, so a motion on that? Do we need a
motion? Motion to make the motion. >> Yes, moved. Yeah, so I guess I second to add it to the the consent agenda. >> Awesome. Resolution
It's resolution 255-2026 on the consent agenda. Well, we'll vote on that or not. We're good. Nod your heads, good. >> Everyone in agreement, right? Nod your heads. >> Okay. Township manager's report. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Township residents and
council. As just mentioned, our Juneteenth festivities are scheduled for this Friday, June 19th, and hoping everyone can join us. The Teaneck Community Pool is still hiring lifeguards for the summer, so please reach out to our recreation department or pool manager if
interested. We have a flyer on our website with details. As of June 19th, the Teaneck Community Pool and splash pads will open for 7 days a week. Please be sure to get your memberships as soon as possible. We are also hosting a goggle and bathing
suit drive at the Teaneck Community Pool from June 19th to August 1st. Your donation of goggles or new or gently used bathing suits will help ensure more children have what they need to learn how to swim and participate in swim lessons, which we are now offering
at the pool this season. On June 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Rodda Center, the Advisory Board on Community Relations along with the Fair Share Housing Council of Northern New Jersey and Age-Friendly Teaneck will present a fair housing seminar. They will share
information to protect renters, buyers, and homeowners. All are welcome. Friendly reminder that the new e-bike law goes into effect on July 1st. Please be alert to social media posts and updates from our police department. For those of you that haven't seen it
yet, our Friendship Flag Garden was planted 2 weeks ago on the municipal green by the electronic signboard. A dedication ceremony will be planned for early July. Thank you to Marilyn, Reshma, Paula, Travon, and our DPW delivery team, Doug and members of the
Garden Club and ABCR who made this come together. I look forward to seeing the flag garden in full bloom throughout the summer months. Our 4th of July parade and celebration is scheduled for Friday, July 3rd. After the parade at 10:30 a.m. between the
chess tables and parking lot in Votee Park, we will be honoring Mrs. Glenna Crockett, former recreation superintendent, with a park bench dedication ceremony. We look forward to everyone joining us. Please be advised that NJDOT will be hosting an in-person public information
center on July 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers in reference to the Route 4 Hackensack River Bridge project. The flyer will be posted this week for your reference. In the meantime, there's also a virtual information center that you can log into
and share your comments and questions with NJDOT, which is on our website from June 8th to June 22nd. National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Votee Park. Community organizations and vendors, please
register now on the QR code, which is on the flyer. Um a grant update for you this evening. I'm happy to report that Teaneck has received an additional $175,000 green dollars Green Acres grant for Sagamore Park improvements.
We were previously awarded $750,000, so this will help offset increased project cost while allowing us to proceed with our plan design. For our project updates, our 2025 road resurfacing project bids were released
and they were opened on June 9th. The apparent lowest bidder is DLS Contracting and we plan to award it our July meeting. The Terhune Park safety surface contractor is on site finalizing the installation of our safety surface.
Sagamore Park improvements, we went out to bid and we will open we will open the bids on July 7th. Votee Park middle field, the preliminary work has started and a stakeholder meeting is being scheduled as soon as possible.
Bilton Street, Livingston Place, and Clinton Place improvements, construction has started and they they will conclude next week. Greg's Van Buren and Herrick Avenue improvements reconstruction started and the concrete work is completed. The
project will also be completed by next week. That's all I have for you this evening, Mayor. >> Thank you very much. Uh Township Attorney. >> The first one step to say go next next and five. No one else is going to address it, so I have to. >> It's valid. Valid.
>> Uh so the only thing I want to address tonight is this uh ordinance that we have up for uh adoption about modernizing clarifying procedures for land use applications just cuz this is a major major ordinance. Um and there's a lot a lot of red lines
here that I want to go through uh for everyone's benefit. So, this started as a review uh over the past year and a half of our uh land use application procedures, escrow process, uh and it very quickly morphed into uh let's say
re- redoing significant portions of the land use application process because one of the things that we discovered is say what a what a mess the or- the current ordinance is. There are lots of sections that are uh duplications of other sections that are redundant, that are confusing, there
are gaps in them, uh things have been glommed on over the years that have been wholly addressed. And so, we went through this line by line with uh I went through with our with our our planner, our board professionals, our board uh the the chairs of uh of the planning and uh planning and zoning
board um and uh all as well as our staff to get to go through this and comprehensively review it. So, this I want to just highlight a couple of the the major changes here. The first one here uh so on is in uh page 25 of the packet
uh is the we are reconstituting the site plan uh review advisory board. First of all, it'll limit to uh limit the number of members because one of the problems that they've had is they haven't had a been able to have a quorum for for some time. We also gave them more defined roles and responsibilities of what
exactly they're supposed to do. We made it very clear that well they we want them to provide written reports and memoranda and we gave them criteria by which that they should do that. If they're unable to meet or issue that report in time, we don't want to hold thing up any of our
land or any of our the board applications. So we want to clarify that as well. On page 28, one of the things we realized that we don't the township did not have a definition anywhere of what constitutes a minor or major site plan. So we provide which is common most
municipalities do have that definition in their code. So we added those definitions in as well. There other things that we want to change to update it to to reflect ordinances of the council has adopted recently. So on page 29 for example, we we don't want to clarify one
of the things that the council has adopted is ordinances to allow accessory ADUs or accessory dwelling units. We want to make it be clear that they do not require site plan approval. They're exempt from site plan because they're they're typically an apartment add-on to let's say the second floor of
a garage or in your basement you don't need to do a site plan for your entire house just to add an ADU on. So we want to simplify that and clarify that process that it's not required there. We one of the things that we've have changed significantly
the one things we did a lot in on page 30, 31, 32 is there were sections that were things like for what goes into a site plan, the areas of which where in the code they were didn't really make sense. We thought it was confusing for residents that want to read through it. So this was just moving moving things
around. Probably the biggest change that we made on page 33 is we changed we are codifying who it is that reviews the applications for completeness. Uh we had experimented for a time with having a an advisory
a committee of uh professionals and members of the boards that would determine if the applications were complete or not. Uh but it was it was slowing the process down more than we had hoped. And so what we're doing now is what a lot of other towns do, which is each board will designate
someone that was responsible for reviewing applications, making sure they're complete, and then uh most importantly making sure that their applications are available to the public at least 10 days in advance of the hearing. That's on page 30 starting on page 33 of the packet here,
uh and the applica- that applications cannot be heard until that the completeness representative makes a decision as to what it's going to as to whether or not it's complete or not. My understanding is that the planning board intends to appoint the planner and the zoning board intends to appoint their engineer.
Again, this comment's fairly that's fairly standard through municipalities all over the state. Um see if there's anything else I want to mention. Do do do. And the Oh yeah, so we want to add in some other protections for for residents, for people that are
interested in these applications. Uh we want to make sure that the the boards are able to get all the information that they need. Uh so for example, we added in requirements. This is the recommendation of our engineer uh that uh if a board uh the planning board
um needs to uh award any parking variances, the board can request traffic or both traffic studies as well as parking demand studies from the applicants. Uh it just clarifies that we're that the boards are allowed to do that to get that sort of information. Um that way the applicant can really
prove that they really need a variance from parking requirements. And then the final thing that we did was we updated the escrow portion of the section is on page 55 of the packet. Uh we wanted to clarify both how and when escrows had to be
paid, as well as updating the fees, which frankly had not been updated in in some time. We actually did a study of I think we looked at 30 or so municipalities throughout the state to see how much they charged for for for both application fees and escrow fees. We were by far the lowest as far as we
could find. Like significantly lower than the lowest uh uh uh uh the lowest uh and so we brought it up to the fees to a range that reflects the actual work that's being done by the professionals, because one of the things that we were seeing is that the applicants weren't
being asked to post enough money in in escrow. Professionals were doing the work they had to do, and then we had to keep going back and back back to the the to them to ask for for more money instead of just getting the money up front where we don't have to continue bothering them throughout the process. And so there are lots of changes here.
Um obviously we redline the ordinance so that you can look through it themselves, but it's just this is a major ordinance, so that's why I wanted to go through this in order to tell you normally >> work on it and the explanations. >> Yep. >> Um with that, uh Mr. Clerk, we'll head on to the public adopt
hearing and adoption of ordinances requirement, and then we'll call on the members of the public if they want to testify. >> Absolutely. We have three ordinances that we are seeing again this evening. First up is ordinance 34-2026 amending the Township Code for the Township of Teaneck to modernize and clarify
procedures for land use applications, as eloquently mentioned by our Township Attorney. Ordinance number 35-2026 amending the Township Code is the designated school zones. Last but not least, ordinance number 36-2026 amending the Township Code on fire prevention in regards to NJDCA inspection
requirements. >> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Is anybody in the public going to testify about these three ordinances up for adoption tonight. Seeing no hands, Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone on Zoom that wants to testify? Let's remind them it's about these three
ordinances. Not >> Chuck Apple is here. You have 3 minutes to discuss these three ordinances. >> Yes, um I appreciate the um explanation that um the attorney just gave
of this very complex uh new ordinance 34 2026. The problem is that while we are allowed to say what was struck and what has been maintained over the course of
51 pages, I believe that in order for the public to understand what it is that we actually end up with, we also, in addition to that uh strike through of red font, we also need a a
complete statement of the ordinance in its final form. I know that would add additional pages, but it would be certainly an easier way. This is an extraordinarily complex ordinance, and there's no chance that anybody's really
going to understand it without having the simple straightforward statement of it in uh in uh in in black font. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk. Do we have anybody else that would like to testify on Zoom?
>> Yes, I have Keith Kaplan. 3 minutes to discuss these three ordinances. >> Thank you. Can you hear me? >> Loud and clear. >> I uh want to thank the attorney and the uh council for putting in the red line. It uh certainly does help to see what's
changing. I had a question specifically regarding the right-of-way section. It says in the ordinance that in order to put in a if I'm reading it correctly, in order to put in a site plan application, if you had previously not
had a right of way on your property, but the town says there is now one, you can only get your site plan approved by deeding the um uh section of your property for the
right of way and the township use. Uh in other words, you can't build your house without giving us a part of it. I I want to make sure first I'm reading that correctly, that somebody bought their house with the expectation of using it, the law changed at some point, and you're going
to say, "Well, you can't build until you give us uh use of part of the front of it." But also, the right of way in our town especially is very complex. Uh the original right of way is not, for instance, from the the edge of the road, like we typically
tell people, it's from the center of the road. And in places like River Road, where the center has changed over the years, it's actually from the location where the original road was, not where the current road is. Uh this makes, legally speaking, a very
complicated uh determination of where that right of way is. What exactly is the town doing to help anybody who wants to go and build on their property to even know what section of their home they need to give over for public use,
if, truth be told, we don't, as a town, actually know to a certainty where that right of way would be. So, I I want to know if that section is indeed applying, and I think you should know that before you vote on it, and what uh
assurance the public has on where that actually is for their plot when they go to apply under this ordinance. Uh the balance of the ordinance uh seems very good. I just have uh concerns about that section. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, do you
see anybody else looking to testify? Seeing no other hands, the hearing is closed. Mr. Attorney, did you want to comment anything? >> Yeah, so uh the section I think that uh Mr. Kaplan is referring to is on page 25 of the packet regarding the dedication of the right-of-way. Uh so this is basically requires that if you're going to get a subdivide your
property where you're going to get a site plan, then you need to dedicate it. Uh dedicate the right-of-way right-of-way along the streets by and by East Bend to the to the to the town. So the So I guess I'll say a couple things. First of all, this is standard throughout uh every municipality. I
don't recall if this this may have been already here just in another section that we moved. I I don't recall. Anyway, for if if the question is referring to single-family houses, you don't have to get a you're you're automatically exempt from having to get site plan by being a being single-family
house. So the only way this would apply to you then is if you were subdividing your property, then then then it could it could uh it could impact you. Second of all, it is exceedingly rare that you'd be able to ever build inside the road where the right-of-way is anyway, even if it's depending on where the
streets are and all that, because you you have different setback requirements on your property. So you even if you're subdividing it, you can't build right at the property line. You have to have, I don't know I don't know the numbers, but 5 10 20 yd uh uh feet uh setbacks. So it's highly unlikely that there would ever be an
issue for a um uh for a single like any sort of single-family uh property anyway. For commercial properties that go right up to the to the street corner, that's the kind of thing that you can ask for a variance. You you don't I guess you need a variance
both from the right-of-way as well as from the the setback requirements. But either way you're going to need a variance regardless of this. Um >> so if that's something that that would be it that's an issue first of all it's not going to matter it's not going to apply to just also everyday residents at their house. It'd apply to businesses,
but two they're going to have to go through this process anyway uh because they're going to need to set back the the set back variances regardless. Um, and as for how we'll find out uh how how that is conveyed to the uh property owner, uh one of the things that's required is that they have to lay out on their plans as part of like the site
plan or the site the subdivision, they have to show essentially show what their work as the here's what we think the right of way is. And that way the board professionals can double check it and and and ensure that they have it right. So, the process is the app- the applicant will say this is what I think it is. Board will say yes
or no, here's why, and then we can we go from there. So, uh I'm not sure it's uh the issue that uh suggested. Uh I I don't think it really it really would apply to most residents, um but it's something I'll certainly take a look at the the process. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Clerk, go through the roll call,
please. I'll make the motion I'll make the motion I'll make the motion to introduce >> Second. >> Cast. >> Second. >> Mr. Man, beg your pardon? >> 4:35 and 36. >> Yes to all. >> Do you have any questions? >> No. >> I I just wanted to chime in on 34 20 26.
Um to the point that uh you know, I I did try to read through it in terms of the the red line. There was a lot of things that um you know, could be summarized a little bit better in in particular when it comes to homeowners that are making applications.
Uh especially when we're talking about applications for that might require escrow um you know, monies to having some type of rate um scenario where they can see you know, what the cost of various things are. So, I I I do believe that it could be summarized a lot
better. Is there anything that we can do in that regard? >> So, one of the things that we are going to be doing assuming the council adopts this, we've been working through um with uh a couple a couple of different people around with the town is online. Well, first of all, we're going to be opening
up uh massively expanding the online portal for res- for anyone to put in their applications. That way we can hopefully get as many applications fully digital as possible and make it easier people make it easier to uh to publish them after members of the public. But, one of the things that we're going to be doing as part of that
is going to have a little calculator on there. So, you basically plug in what you know what or what variances you're looking for, what approvals you need, and it's going to spit out the number for you of this is exactly uh how much you have to pay, uh and that way you know, you know, right up front. It's not up you know, you don't have to sit there with a calculator doing the math
yourself. It's going to the the online thing is going to take care of that for residents, which will make it easier. So, that's not part of the ordinance, but it's just something that we have planned uh that we that we're working on um to have have ready to go. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Uh roll call on
that. Those introduced by Schwartz, second by Pegon. >> Councilman Pegon? >> Yes, all. >> Councilman Gee? >> Yes. >> Councilman Cats? He's not here, apologies. Deputy Mayor Boucher? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Orgen? >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwartz?
>> Yes. >> All adopted. >> Thank you. On to good and welfare. Anyone you Anyone in the room that will go to Zoom has 3 minutes to talk about whatever they want. With that, we'll start with this gentleman over here that's very anxious. Is he here?
>> Uh please say your name if you don't >> Good evening. My name is Joseph Cassidy. I'm the president of the Board of Directors of the Courts of Glen Glen Point Condominium Association, a community of 164 units and approximately 300 voters we figure in
the southeastern corner of the town of Teaneck. As a community, we also represent we guess about 1 million 1 and 1/2 million dollars in annual tax revenue to the town. However, as a gated community, we are
required to pay for our own snow removal, leaf collection, recycling collection, and street lighting costs, all of which are supported by the tax revenues for most of the town's residents. Under the
2025 New Jersey Revive Statute Title 40, Municipalities and County Section 40, use of municipal reimbursement to pay for services, town governments are required by state law to reimburse
qualified private communities such as ours to the amount the town would have paid to provide such services. The last time our community was reimbursed was in 2022. Uh so, we are 4 years in arrears.
Uh we have submitted paid receipts for such services for calendar years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 with no response from the town's tax offices or town manager's offices.
Our community manager uh and their company, Denali Property Management, have reached out as well with the same result. When they tried to call the tax office, they were greeted with annoyance and were told they would never answer the phone, and we should fax over our
documents. However, in order to ensure they were received, we mailed them the receipts. Repeated inquiries by our attorney have also disappeared into a municipal no-man's land. The purpose of the Municipal Services
Act of 1993 was to correct the double payment for residents for services by residents like us, a qualified community within our town. All we are asking for tonight is for a
point person to help us as we have hit a brick wall in trying to get what is rightfully ours on solid legal ground and we are getting the runaround. So, we hope that tonight
and I have our treasury here from the association and we can at least get a name from the town manager's office or somebody that will help us get paid what we are rightfully due. We hope we do not have to
bring petitions and so forth and so on, but that's why we're here tonight. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. We'll take you in a second. Do you want to take that? >> Our treasurer. >> Okay. Excellent. Did you also want to speak? Sure, we hear the message and we'll address it. I don't know if we don't have to repeat it, but we'll we'll
>> I I >> You're good. >> I want to reiterate it's done >> Excuse me, come talk to the manager. We'll we'll work on that right now. >> Oh. >> Okay. Ma'am. >> I, Vivian Lee, that's me. Oh.
I, this is for the Teaneck Township Council meeting. I, Vivian Lee, reside at the 1425 Teaneck Road apartment, 507 senior building, and was told, as noted on one of my parking tickets, to attend a Council meeting with regards to my complaint
dispute on behalf of myself and all the tenants who reside at this location. Also, I'm submitting it in writing for your records. We have been having an ongoing problem with our parking at the municipal parking lot, 1391 Teaneck Road, and the
street parking by the building on Westervelt Place, as well as when there are snow storms. We cannot park on premises at any time, which only have 10 spaces, and the building has 39 apartments.
The municipal lot only has 36 spaces, two handicap, on a first-come, first-serve basis, even though we have parking stickers that I've purchased each year. Since living here from August 2024,
I personally have gotten six parking tickets on the lot and the street. One for abandonment, which was not the case. After the big snowstorm in January this year, 2026,
cars in the lot was snowed in, which was devastating. I only chose not to appeal, even though I could not afford the ticket, because I did not want to attend court again and again, causing me stressful anxiety at my age of 79 and a half.
Some of the tenants have gotten $100 tickets parking on Westervelt Place, which there was a lot of snow, because there was nowhere else to park. I even fell three times when going to and trying to get into the museum municipal lot.
The snow was so high, the side street beverage by the lot very slippery, and it was very dangerous. Not to mention even having to walk distances when there's no parking near the building, especially at night when
it gets dark early in the winter. My questions are, what is the point of paying for and having parking stickers, but still have restrictions when there's a bad snowstorm? We can't get to move our cars out of the lot, and there's nowhere else to park on
the streets, and without getting very exuberant, costly tickets. Could the city just have a little more leniency for those of us seniors living in a non-parking residential development? Some of the tenants have been moving out, but some of us have no
else to go that may be affordable as I waited 7 years, 7 long years to get in the building for slow senior income housing apartment building. At my age and others in the building,
I'm sure cannot afford to keep moving financially nor physically. This has been a well this has been and will continue to be an ongoing problem until something is done to help us older citizens with this terrible parking situation along with high ticket amounts added to the our limited funds.
Therefore, I'm making a request that some areas a lot should be looked into by the Township of Teaneck that can be used for parking purposes especially when it snows heavily such as perhaps the empty lot on the Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> corner. >> Thank you very well. We'll drop we'll
address afterwards. If you can address you have copies for us and we'll address you when we get >> Okay. to that. Thank you. >> very much. >> Good evening. I hope most of the council members remember me as the resident from Country Club Drive. I'd like to share my experience in the neighborhood from the
past few days. On Saturday, my family shared the street with four moving trucks walking home from synagogue at around 11:30 a.m. I would like you all to picture for a moment the experience of being within an arm's length distance of a very large moving vehicle.
Imagine using your stroller with a baby in it to shield your toddler who's walking on the other side near the curb. After the third truck at the corner, I told myself that I had to come here tonight to ask you all a question. What are four large trucks doing
traveling on a small residential street full of pedestrians on a Saturday morning? Why are they not using Teaneck Road? On Sunday at around 4:00 p.m. I took my two kids out scootering on Barber Drive, a small cul-de-sac around the corner from me that for some reason has
sidewalk. We encountered three cars turning onto our street from Redmond Street in the approximately 1 minute it took to walk from our house, past our neighbor's house, to the corner of Cedar Lane. We were hugging the curb and the cars turned so abruptly it was as if it was
as if they didn't see us until we were right in front of them. I know my children can't can't play outside our own house, but walking a short distance to a safer block in the neighborhood should not be this dangerous. On Monday, Golf Court was closed for
repaving and thank you for that, by the way. Great job. The traffic cones were placed just a little bit onto my block. After a few minutes of unsuccessful attempts to leave our driveway, I had to wave over the nearby police patrol to
block traffic simply so we could leave our home for the day. I am grateful that he was there, but this is not an isolated occurrence. Entering and exiting our home during rush hour is risky to begin with, even more so when there are garbage or recycling or leaf pickup, the school
bus, or the mail truck. All of those things belong on my block. Commuters looking to save maybe 30 seconds by avoiding Teaneck Road do not. Today, I was walking home from the 167 T bus stop at Teaneck Road and Golf Court
and had to wait for the traffic to pause to dash across the street so I can make it home. It's become a special skill of mine, but it shouldn't have to be. The residents of Country Club deserve the right to walk around our own neighborhood safely. We deserve the
right to enter and exit our own driveway safely. This town council has the power to make that a reality. Please approve the traffic ordinance, which I believe the town manager has put before you, which would divert the vast majority of this traffic to Teaneck Road
by designating my block as one-way only for southbound traffic, and Glen Court between Farragut and East Lawn Drive as one-way only for northbound traffic. Please, I am begging you for the safety of all the families in the neighborhood, please approve this ordinance. >> Thank you very much. Could you just say
your name for the record, sorry. I didn't >> Shaina Brander. >> Thank you very much. Ma'am, did you want to speak in the back? I'm sorry. No? Okay. Robert? >> My name is David Bashevkin, and this past Monday marks 12 years since I have lived on Country Club Drive. And while I
love our community, I genuinely live in fear of my and my family's safety. I'm not here because of an accident, I'm here because there hasn't been one yet. Our street was built, Country Club Drive, as a residential neighborhood street without sidewalks. Today it
functions as a connector, really an on-ramp between two major New Jersey highways, Route 90 Route 4 and the 95. The design assumptions underlining the road no longer match the reality of how it is being used. Residents walk without
sidewalks, children play outside, families walk to neighbors and to synagogue. Meanwhile, GPS navigation increasingly directs through traffic onto a road never intended to carry it. The question before us is simple. Do we
wait for a serious injury or death to prove the danger, or do we act on the evidence we already have before us? A one-way designation would be a low-cost, reversible intervention that would significantly reduce cut-through traffic
while preserving access for residents. We're asking the township to address a foreseeable danger be caught it becomes a tragedy. Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much, Rabbi. Sure in the back. Sandy next. >> Uh good evening, council members. Um my
name is Ediberto Altieri. I'm a resident of 154 Fort Lee Road in Teaneck. Um I'm here um regarding the recurring unlawful garbage disposal at 159-161 Fort Lee Road in Teaneck. I want to begin by acknowledging that
the management company responsible for 159-161 Fort Lee Road has recently addressed the garbage conditions on the property. I appreciate that action. However, I must respectfully bring to your attention that this cleanup is not a
success. It is the latest in a recurring cycle that this community has endured for some time. And I am here this evening to ask for lasting solution, not a another temporary fix. With respect to the council,
the fact that this property is currently in compliance does not resolve our concern. We have seen this before. The pattern is consistent. A complaint is filed, the property is cleaned up, and within a short time, often when a new resident
moves in, the violations resume. Our community then finds itself back at square one, filing complaints, contacting the Department of Health, and waiting for intervention. This issue is not simply one of
individual violations. It is a systemic failure of oversight at this property. Fines have been issued and have proven to be an insufficient deterrent. The problem persists because there is no structural accountability in place to
ensure sustained compliance. I would respectfully ask the council how many times a community um file the same complaint before permanent solution is required.
Tonight, I am respectfully asking the council to consider the following concrete measures. One, require the property management company to submit a written compliance plan outlining how they will maintain lawful garbage disposal practices and
educate incoming residents. Two, establish a scheduled code enforcement monitoring protocol for this property for a defined period, for example, quarterly inspections for the next 12 months. Three, implement an automatic escalation
policy so that violations recur within a set time frame, penalties increase substantially and code enforcement is triggered without requiring residents to file new complaints. And fourth, provide the affected residents with a
written response detailing the township's plan of action within 30 days. Council members, our community has been patient and has worked within proper channels. We have filed complaints, endured the health risks, and waited for enforcement. We're
not here to be adversarial. We are here because we believe in this township's ability to protect its residents. We are simply asking for a permanent solution that matches the seriousness of the ongoing system. Thank you for your time and for your support. >> very much. If you can just head over to
the manager and give submit that and we don't have your information and we'll jump right on that. >> Thank you. >> I love the escalating penalties, but not sure if it's legal though. Sandy and then Mr. Siegel afterwards. >> Yes. Solerberg, good evening council. Everybody. I just have a few finger
sandwiches tonight. No no big deli sandwiches. Uh most of they have to do with safety and and roads. At the Cedar Lane crossing from the Teaneck theater across Cedar Lane.
That's a death trap. Even though it's a designated crosswalk, I wonder if we can't put one of those flashing light uh crossings there that might bring that to uh people's attention.
The only reason I use that is that sometimes I'm carrying stuff to the UPS and it's really that would be the closest way to go. Uh >> [clears throat] >> also we know that the Decatur Avenue Webster Avenue
debacle it just hasn't been solved. But I did notice when I came off the other day that it says as you're about to pass under Route 4 with a left turn cross traffic does not stop. I wonder if we can't do something along
those very lines at Decatur where it intersects before people coming off the highway and have it say oncoming traffic does not stop so that people understand if it's a stop sign you're
you're supposed to stop. Which they don't. I also wanted to know if there was anything specific you're intending to do about motorized vehicles like motorized scooters and bicycles. People are um
even and I'm not talking about little kid bikes. I'm talking about teenagers, older people who are using these on the sidewalks, it's not safe. And if they're riding in the streets, I would think that they would need to
obey the same rules as any other motorized vehicle like a car. So, they should be on the same side as the moving vehicles and not walking like a pedestrian opposite traffic. Um
I There are, I guess, rules about riding on a sidewalk even without motorized vehicles, but kids ride the bikes. The last thing I have is is what are we going to do about illegal boarding houses that exist in
some of the neighborhoods. There's one in my neighborhood. I know that Councilman Katz is aware of it. Uh and there are some um obviously abandoned properties that are falling, never mind them, into disrepair, but the whole surrounding
area becomes dangerous because it's full of plants and animals and all kinds of goodies. So, just a few little finger sandwiches, no dessert. >> Thank you very much, Sandy. We'll address you afterwards. Also, feel free to email that as well. And please make sure to double park outside the UPS
Store. Yeah. Mr. Siegel. >> Good evening, everybody. Um Rich Siegel. I'm a 27-year homeowner here in Teaneck. Um you know, I left and I came back. I'm I'm debating whether or not what I want to talk about
is even appropriate because I'm not going to ask this council for anything. Um but I think it is because it affects the community. Um I witnessed a very disturbing racist incident a few weeks ago.
And uh that was um when the owner of Victor's Pizza, his name is Ali Elmaghrabi, um was shouting the N-word repeatedly out on the street
at a black father and daughter. And the daughter was a very young girl. And uh I'm quite sure that I witnessed her um experiencing traumatizing incident that she will never forget.
Uh I was very shocked by it and um really wondering what to do about it because it was disgusting, but it wasn't illegal. Uh so I got on the uh Teaneck United Facebook page and I talked about it.
And then this shop owner came on and identified himself. And he said that I was lying, that it never happened. And then he went on to discuss how badly this man had acted in his shop. Um so, you know, if he was an
call him an You don't have to use the N-word. Um and if you're going to be shouting racist stuff on the street, I think that shows what's in your heart. So, um and then something else interesting happened, and that was that members of the Jewish community came on
and said, "Well, you can't trust anything that Rich Siegel said." I suppose the fact that I object to a genocide in Gaza and support the Palestinians means I have no credibility about anything. Um
so that was all very disturbing, but I'm not asking for anything. I just want to say what I saw. I saw the owner of Victor's Pizza shouting the N-word repeatedly out on the street, shouting it up the street at
a black father and daughter who were trying to get away from him. It was disgusting. It was disturbing. I'm not doing business at Victor's Pizza anymore. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Siegel. Anybody else in
this room like to speak before we go to Zoom? Ma'am? Anybody else afterwards? Uh Mr. Clerk, we'll head to Zoom after this young lady. >> Good evening. My name is Crystal Presley. Um I just wanted to address Well, first um when it was spoken about the parking,
I actually live on State Street and it was traumatizing just listening to her. Honestly, the parking is the worst. It has always been, but there is more building. Um so, I really would hope we consider some actual like parking garages, not just the small lots, because even the tags
don't really help. Also, um with the Country Club Road, that's just a road we take being from Teaneck. Um always just rode it, but now I do think that we should consider the people who do live there, the pedestrians, the
lifestyle on Saturdays. Um think that is very important as well. Also, the Victor's Pizza, we all heard about that and you can see the trauma just from him speaking about it regardless of what happened. So, we definitely need a
middle ground there and with the Cross Road road with uh the movie theater, they do have the flag. I don't know if that helps, but maybe the flashing lights will help a lot more as well. Um and you're all doing a wonderful job. Thank
you for your time. >> Thank you very much, Crystal. Seeing no other hands, we will go over to Zoom. Mr. Clerk, what do you got for us? >> Chuck Powers. >> Hello. >> Yes, sir. 3 minutes. >> Um, I'm
very concerned about what we do not know about resolution 223 tonight that would call for a $300 an hour uh additional counsel with the
O'Toole Scrivo firm. And the resolution is completely inadequate in telling us what it is that we are getting. We do have a statement that the
terms of the contract that for this non-competitive proposal by this firm uh is enclosed except that contract is not found in the
pages 95 and thereafter of the agenda packet. And we it's very unclear. It is certainly something that will be focused in terms of the work of this
this attorney on the 54 West Englewood product project which the town is currently being sued by the developer of. But it's unclear the proposal that the
firm has made that is included in the agenda describes what they're doing as a special counsel. Though that word has actually been deleted from this this agenda. But the thing that they this firm points
out is its skills in handling builder's remedies and I'm trying to figure out whether that means that the town has already acknowledged that Judge Corriston is not going to be
giving it the immunity from builders remedies that we spent the last year and a half working for. The uncertainties associated with this with this resolution are myriad. We need a complete explanation.
And if we're going to pay somebody $300 an hour, we ought to know a lot more about what it is that we expect them to be doing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Powers. Do you agree? >> I have Lauren Rivers. >> Hi. How are you?
>> Great. You have 3 minutes. >> Okay, thank you. My name is Lauren Taylor, a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey. Um so, recently I learned that our superintendent of schools has accepted another position. While I am disappointed that he not share this news with the community
first, I'm even more disappointed by the way his departure is being described. One individual to characterize our superintendent as abandoning Teaneck, while another referred to him as a runaway. What is particularly troubling is that both of these individuals have been
vocal about their dis- dissatisfaction with our superintendent. One has even filed multiple legal claims against the board without reasonable foundation. I cannot help but wonder whether the hostility and negativity directed toward our superintendent contributed to his
decision to seek employment elsewhere. But let's return to the language being used. Referring to a black man as a runaway is is deeply unsettling. The term echoes the language of slave-holding societies where enslaved people seeking freedom were labeled as runaways.
Given this historical context, such language should not be used. Black Americans continue to face ongoing and systematic discrimination, and we all have a responsibility to be actively anti-racist and to hold members of our community accountable when rhetoric
perpetuates harm. Finally, everyone has the fundamental right to pursue professional opportunities that they believe are best for themselves and their families. Regardless of one's opinions about our superintendent's leadership, we should be able to engage in disagreement without resorting to language that
demeans or dehumanizes others. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> I have Keith Kaplan. >> Hello, can you hear me? >> 3 minutes. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Loud and clear. 3 minutes. >> Uh Keith Kaplan, I wasn't planning on
speaking tonight, but uh the last speaker prompted me to chime in. I >> [clears throat] >> did refer to the superintendent as cut and run Spencer. Not sure if that's what she was referring to, but that's because he cut and run out of Teaneck without
giving notice before he left. As for uh filing claims, I think I'm the only one that currently has claims against uh Teaneck. I have a civil rights claim in federal court. I have an claim that uh was fully adjudicated by the superior court, and I have ethics
charges against board members. The judge in the open action, I'm happy to share the audio as well as the transcripts with you, refused the Rosenblum order that was requested by the district. The Rosenblum order is what's uh proposed when you have a frivolous litigant you
want to prevent them from filing. The judge in her actual order said that Mr. Kaplan has been successful, at least partially successful, at every stage of the litigation. And she went through piece by piece from the original
complaint through the motions to enforce litigants' rights for repeated violations, and said that each of those allegations is not frivolous. The Ethics Commission in determining that probable cause existed to send the claims to the
office of administrative law, also said that these were not frivolous claims. I understand why you would come to the council in order to say this. Why say it in front of the Board of Ed if they're not going to listen? Seeking an audience where people actually listen to you makes sense. But it doesn't mean that
you get to make things up. At Teaneck today.com, all of the litigation documents are listed. The transcripts are there. The audio of the judge is there. I welcome you to go and do it. My email address, Keith@teanecktoday.com, is on the site. Feel free to reach out
to me. I am happy to have this conversation publicly or privately because we have a lot of issues in our Board of Education and the public school district in town. And it doesn't help when people come to the dais and use their American right to lie from the
podium. So, I encourage you to reach out, get yourself a little factual basis, and let's move forward. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Clark, what do you got? >> I have Winita.
I have Winita here 3 minutes. Winita goes >> He's not talking. >> Someone's talking about Vote T Park, though. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Sorry, Winita. Winita, can you unmute?
Can you hear me? Did you mean to put your hand up? >> No. >> Yes, I did. Can you hear me? >> Loud and clear. 3 minutes. >> Okay. Um My name is Waneta Brown and being a 26-year resident of Teaneck and
witnessing sometimes awful situation, there's never any reason or excuse for using the N-word. I viewed the video that was uh put on social media about
the the situation at the pizza shop and I didn't see anything but the horrific look on the young girl's face after being called her and her father being called out of their names. I would never buy a pizza from Victor
Pizzas again and advise my children not to do so. Secondly, crossing Cedar Lane is a so very scary thing. I've used the flags, but still
was fearful of my life because some of the drivers don't acknowledge the flag and it's scary. Uh Thirdly, some of the individuals who spoke so negatively about the superintendent
were probably major contributors to his departure because he was never treated well by those some of those same people. Thank you, Council, for all that you do. Have a good evening. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, do we see anybody else?
>> Sherry Han Hi there, everyone. I'm Sherry Han Eed, um lifetime Teaneck resident. Um I want to thank the one of the previous speakers who brought up the situation at Victor's. I'm not on social media. I had no awareness of this. So, thank you for
bringing it to Council. We We are no longer supporting that establishment. Um A- And to echo the other speak the other two speakers, it seems that racial biases keep creeping into this utopia of
a town that we have that celebrates our diversity, but how much of this is lip service? We need to do better as a community. We have to for our children, what sort of example are we setting? Whether Whether or not your intention was
was racially motivated or not, in speaking about the superintendent, that's the message that it gave. So, I think acknowledging that and listening is really important. So, I think just to summarize and let this
meeting be over, um it's important that when we're called out or called in, that we acknowledge the the hurt that our words are cau- have caused and do better. Thank you so much. Have a good night.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk. No one else, Mayor. >> Seeing no other hands, good and welfare is now closed. Councilman New, Councilwoman Gee. >> Um so, I I do want to touch on um some of what we heard today about the
recent um hate rhetoric that we've heard. Um and um you know, there is no footage of what was reported, but um we talk about increased acts of hate going on in Teaneck.
Um we need to document them when we see them. So, I would suggest when you see something, please report it and document it so that we understand what's going on in our town. And then I want to acknowledge the comments about the runaway sle- uh referring to Dr. Spencer as a runaway.
Um on Teaneck today, about 10 hours ago, uh there was a published article that reads, "Runaway Superintendent quits in Teaneck without notice, taking a new job in Willingboro. So, while the the owners of that site might not have said it themselves, they sure did approve a post
referring to Dr. um Spencer as a runaway. And so, our language does matter in our town. Um and it's important that if you're going to especially if you're a former council person and you're going to approve posts that refer to African-American leaders
as a runaway, that you uh take accountability for that. Um it's really sad that in this day and age that's still happening and it's being condoned by someone who used to sit here on this dais. So, I just want to call that out. You can go on social media right now and see it. It This is factual. Um no one's making that up.
Um it hurts that this is happening today even. It really does. And so, I I think it's important that we talk about it. Um you know, I love Teaneck is a diverse place. It's one of my favorite It's the reason why I live here. It's one of my favorite things about Teaneck, but we have to acknowledge when when we see these
things happen. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Mayor? >> Uh yeah, I just have a couple of points I want to make. Um I I too am am uh very disheartened by um a lot of the racial tension that um I've heard uh today and
uh the situation that had happened with the uh pizza shop. Uh there there there's never a reason to use the N-word. There there's never a reason to use uh racialized language by calling a
professional superintendent a runaway. There's no reason for that. It's It's 100% racial. This is the reason why 40% of crimes that are that are reported to
the Division of Civil Rights, the Attorney General's Office in our state, 40% are anti-black crimes. They're crimes against people of color. And you know where it begins? It begins
with language. It's how we treat each other. It's how we talk to each other. It's how we post on on social media. It's how we published in newspapers. It's our dialogue. So, if we want to be accountable to each
other, if we it all begins with respect. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor. Mayor. >> Yeah, I want to thank Mr. Cassidy from the Courts of Glen Point and Ms. Lee from the senior building and the gentleman from Fort Lee Road for coming
out tonight and for speaking with the manager. Um, these are the things that we're here for to handle the day-to-day problems. Um, to the residents of Country Club, um, we're having a much harder time handling your day-to-day problem because there is no easy solution for it. And
I've read the letters, um, that you've written, Shayna, and I've gone through all the points and I know that you've been in touch with our, um, police captain and our lieutenant in charge of traffic, and they've really been looking for solutions to help you. One of the problems that we have is by
making one street northbound only and one street southbound only, we're going to be diverting traffic to another street that's two-way street. And so, the same problem that you're having now is going to end up happening to somebody else. Um, we looked into a bunch of things with our attorney to see
what was legally okay. We're looking at possibly striping now, something we discussed earlier that the manager is going to take to traffic. But, one thing that you said that I don't think we've thought about yet, and I I would love to hear from the man the, um, attorney,
when I drive to Leonia, there are cross streets between Grand and whatever the other street is, um, Broad. Um, that actually say no trucks over a certain weight or a certain height or allowed there and those are all like
it's a grid those are all cross streets. So I wonder if that's something that we can legally put there at least to take the trucks off the road. That might be something that we haven't thought of yet that you inadvertently brought to our attention. So we're still working with you. We just need to make sure that any decision that
we make isn't a negative decision for somebody else that lives in the area. For Sandy, I love all of your sandwiches big or finger. Um I love that we got rid of that spot in front of the CVS at 188. Um that was
very constructive. I do agree that crossing by the movie theater is very dangerous for people who don't stop and look to make sure that they make eye contact with the cars. I get very nervous and I don't think a flag will help. I don't think anybody's looking for that. If traffic thinks that the flashing um walk will help beacon I I
need you to help to help with my words cuz you're younger than I am. Um then I think that's a fantastic idea. Um the boarding houses are something that we've worked on and we've passed ordinances on but we also need residents to send us letters about that. And when
we do get them, we forward them to the manager who sends them to the health department and they follow up with that just like they follow up with garbage. So if if you could send us um a detailed letter with the address, that would be wonderful. And the suggestion about Decatur is actually very interesting
also. You know, whatever signs catch somebody's attention at least there's a chance that that they will be slowing something down. So um thank you everybody for your constructive comments tonight. >> Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Can I ask one more thing? Um seeing as um members on this dais I'm
called Mr. Mayor, you're an admin on that page that posted the article calling Dr. Spencer a runaway. Can you please ask or maybe you as an admin can take that down. >> I can clearly look at after this. I haven't read it. >> I know, I'm sure you haven't seen it, but we have a responsibility. We We use
Well, I don't, but members of the city use that platform to communicate with residents regularly. And if that is the kind of thing that's being condoned on that platform, we have to call it out. >> I'll happily look at it with you afterwards. I'm sorry. >> Thank you. I'm sorry. It's just really making me angry as I start to think about this. >> I'll gladly discuss it with you
afterwards. Um thank you very much and thank you um um Deputy Mayor Belcher especially what you said, those words matter and the respect and especially we've lost that especially when you're um with obviously the story that happened at Victor's. Uh I don't never been to
Victor's and I never will be, but I I um I'm debating if I'm going to stop by and speak to him or not. I'm going to look more into this. This is not something I'm I'm aware of. So, I'll gladly speak with you about that afterwards. Um as it relates to 1425, the young lady left. I don't know if she emailed or
gave any information out. Mr. Attorney, did I see her hand you a letter uh the first 1425? >> Yeah. Yeah, I have a copy. >> You got a copy of it? Okay, I just just wanted to point out and maybe we can address it, but the building was built it's a senior citizens low income housing site affordable housing group
site, I apologize. And we built it not with the intention of allowing parking for the residents. It was supposed to be an affordable small units elderly of her first senior citizens. So, the there's limited parking there there's always limited parking there and
I can't speak to why she can't get a spot in the parking lot, perhaps it's full. But we also do know that the reason why the snow remains in the spots after the storm is because we allow cars to park there. I'm happy to reach out to her if she didn't give you the information or if you could to explain that, but you know, I hope she doesn't
move. There was thousands of people on that waiting list um and they really should not be allowing anyone with cars or they should know those rules ahead of time. Um and thank you for taking care of the Courts of Glen Point um and Sandy, if you could maybe email that because there's a lot of communication with other people. Those are great
solution great suggestions. The beacon, the web Webster, the the the stop the lack of the stop sign. If you could please email it just so we don't lose it, that'd be great. With that, um Mr. Clark, I think we'll head into um good and uh head to the consent agenda.
If you can please jump on and see what we got. >> Yes, sir. We have our consent agenda this evening with two sets of minutes. No raffles, resolutions 222 up to 255-2026.
And the bills listed in the amount of $11,370,733.79. >> I'll make that motion. Oops, sorry. My apologies. Did anybody want to pull anything? >> Yes, I'd like to pull 223 and 229. >> 223 and 229.
Okay, anybody else want to pull? Okay. With that, I make the motion to approve everything else as well as the bill list. >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. Mr. Pagan. >> Hi. That was 223 and 229? >> Correct. >> Councilwoman Pagan.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Gee. Councilwoman Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwartz. >> Yes. >> All adopted except those two resolutions. >> Okay, 223. >> So, 223, I don't want this to be a
negative reflection on this law firm, which I'm sure is wonderful and would be the law firm that I would uh love to hire to handle this. I um am not going to vote for 223 specifically because under the threat of builders remedy lawsuits, I didn't want to change the
development to begin with. And so I feel like our our roosters have come home and so I just wanted to make clear that the reason I'm voting no is not because of the law firm. But the situation. And I'm happy to move it.
>> Um I could we just discuss what happens if I I mean I fortunately unfortunately agree. Um and looking around we have five people. How does that how does that work then if we don't uh defend this case? >> If >> Again, I fully agree with the with this
project. I've made that very clear. >> If if we do not defend ourselves in this case then we then we face a default judgment which in this type of case could result in a builder's remedy uh for the for the developer. Um
I've also gone through at previous meetings what that means what a builder's remedy means. That's the that's the the risk of not uh defending ourselves and facing default. >> Is it just for this project? >> Is it just for this project? No. So if we if there's a builder's if if our
certificate of immunity is revoked then it applies any anywhere because this property does go towards our affordable housing obligations. Any other developer anywhere in town that will can offer a project that would help us satisfy our obligations would be
potentially be able to go go ahead with that project. Does that make sense? >> And if I I it makes sense I think I just want to confirm because I like this project. You're saying that it's actually my vote's not about this project. If I vote no to hire this First of all, if I vote no to hire this lawyer
there are other lawyers available you have I believe you have mentioned, correct? >> There's one of the one of the law firm that we could that we could use that's that's already been retained by the >> So then the answer is it doesn't make a difference how I vote. We're not default. >> We you know I guess we we would we have to
go we had the the the lawyers go with the direction of our council. So, we will defend where our council tells us to defend and not defend what our council what the council tells us not to defend. >> Well, I I Question, I I just want to ask uh the uh Deputy Mayor um Ogden, are are
you Morgan? Ogden is sorry. Is uh is your opposition to this particular law firm? >> I want to go back to the original project where we weren't subjected to a builder's remedy lawsuit.
>> Well, I I is that that's not really what what we're voting on right now. We're voting on >> Correct. >> But I I believe that we won't have to go before the judge and risk it if we agree to go back where we were before before um the project was
pulled under the threat of the builder's remedy lawsuit. I think it was um very capricious and very irresponsible. >> No, I I I would not vote. I think it's this is a just a vote to protect ourselves, right? Attorney
Scott, this is a vote to defend ourselves. >> It's a vote to uh hire counsel to defend the ordinance that the council uh council adopted for 54 West Englewood. >> So, that's that's what what's on the table tonight. >> Uh
Yes. >> And and the members of council who who voted to change the ordinance should absolutely vote to defend it. They're the ones who changed the ordinance. >> And you want to weigh in here if you want to, please. >> Yeah, just briefly. So, I've previously abstained on everything concerning 54
West Englewood Avenue because I accepted a campaign contribution from them, but this has a far more reaching effect concerning building remedy. So, I will be voting to hire this law firm to defend the township. >> Is that if you voted to recuse or abstain, I apologize, I don't know which one it
was. And now we're voting to defend the Is that Is that I'm going to play my alley cat's card here. >> I'll say that I never believed that there was a conflict. There really never was There never was a legal conflict. Whether That doesn't
mean, you know, the council's free to disagree. So, I I don't think the supervisor could have been voting either way. >> Okay. So, not not to extend this matter. I liked the prior project. I voted for the prior project. And and just kind of getting double answers here from you, so
I apologize. If I don't vote for this, it seems there's not enough votes and this project wins. Is that correct? Or do we have another lawyer, so it doesn't make a difference and he'll defend a pending litigation? >> I would >> This is about hiring the lawyer, so I'm just trying to >> I do need to confirm with the So, the
other the other lawyer is Tom Hanrahan, who we had hired 2 months ago for a different for a different case. The way that his resolution was awarded was just to represent us in litigations generally. I need to confirm with him that he'd be willing and able
to do it. I think he would be, but I don't know that for for 100% certain. >> So, we have a lawyer. If I vote against this for the my belief that this should never been on there, we still have a lawyer. >> Uh yeah, I'll say that. >> So, I'm ready to vote. Um 229. Unless I'm sorry, do you want to make a motion?
You pulled it? Or does anybody else? >> Yeah, I'll move to 23. >> Second. >> Need a second. So, I'll second that. >> That was for 223, not the just 223, correct? >> Correct. >> Councilman Began. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Gee. >> Yeah. >> Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> No. >> Mayor Schwartz. >> No. >> Okay. 229. >> Yeah, so this past year especially and during the blizzard this past winter, we
spent most of our resources plowing the county roads that we are so blessed to have. There are so many. Um, most of our salt originally went there and our trucks went there and that all had to be done before we moved on to the residential streets. Um, I would love it
if we could go back to the county instead of um, authorizing the agreement right off the bat and ask them if there's some negotiation if they can pick up some of this if there's a way that we could work on pricing with them. If there's a way that we could get salt from them, anything, a timeline, um, if
they could help us in other areas in the days after that when we need help with our bridges and our bus stops. I I feel like this is a one-way street and the hourly rate that we're getting from them for this is not meeting what it's costing us in terms of manpower and
money. So, I'd like to table 229. >> Those? You're okay with the table? I'm okay with the table. It's more money for the county any day of the week. Is that Miss Manager, is that all right with I know you put it on there. You want to do that? >> Yes, I'll I'll see Yeah, I I can see if we can have a bigger discussion. They do
pay us um, in salt. There is a repayment, but I think there's a bigger conversation for us to be able to keep up with county road um, you know, plowing as well as our side streets cuz it there is a delay when we're taking on all of it. So, um, I'll I'll see if I can schedule a meeting to have a bigger conversation.
>> Thank you so much. >> be in favor. >> Okay, so is that what do you need to pull, Mr. Clerk? >> I table >> I'll second the table. >> I table. >> Till we hear back. >> I second my table. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Table till we hear back second by Mayor Schwartz, Councilman Pegan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gee. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwartz. >> Yes. >> Table. Thank you very much. Uh introduction of ordinances.
Mr. Clerk, we have several. >> Yes, sir. We have a few this evening, saving the best for last. We have, first up, ordinance 37-2026 amending section 36-11.2 of chapter 36 of the township code for Township Committee adding restricted
on-street parking space for handicap parking at 836 Palisade Avenue. Ordinance 38-2026 amending section 36-11.2 of chapter 36 of the township code adding restricted on-street parking space for handicap parking at 1680
Vauxhall Road. Ordinance number 39-2026 amending section 36-11.2 of chapter 36 of the township code for Township Committee adding restricted on-street parking space for handicap parking at 117 Shepard Avenue. We have ordinance number 40-2026
establishing salary ranges and classification of positions for municipal employees in the township. Last but not least, we have ordinance number 41-2026 amending township code to revise requirements for food trucks and to set the number of food trucks and ice cream trucks.
That's all. >> Thank you. Any comments on that before we enter Did you have >> Yeah, on on 41, I'd like to change a line, Mr. Attorney. In section 1725 E, trash receptacles required. I'd like to
take out the line that says that this requirement may be satisfied if the vehicle is parked within 30 ft of a municipal trash receptacle designated for public use. I think there's no way that um a municipal receptacle doesn't get filled up in the first hour, and then
the onus is on the DPW to to clean it, and the food truck owner should provide garbage. >> Okay. That's why we would see we just need a motion to amend that. >> So, I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Do a roll Who was that motion? >> Just to amend that one.
>> Okay, so let's through a roll call on that and then intro and all and then we're And that was it. Yeah. Councilman Pegan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Schwartz. >> Yes. >> That's for 41. >> Okay, I'll make a motion to introduce 37, 38, 39, and 40. >> Second. >> And 41. >> And 41 was as amended. There >> And
January 4th, June, July, sorry. >> July 20th. >> I don't know what I don't know what I was talking about there. There was a first and who was the second? I apologize. Councilman Pegan, Councilman Pegan going down the roll. >> Yes, to all. >> Councilwoman G.
>> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belcher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes, to all. >> Mayor Schwartz. Perfect. >> We'll see that on the I'm looking at it right now. We're going to see that on the 21st on Zoom. Is that correct? >> On Zoom. >> Oh, it's all going to be on Zoom 21st.
>> Yes. >> Okay, I make a motion to adjourn. All in favor. >> I. >> Meeting adjourned at 10:01 p.m. Everyone be safe.