Yeah, that's for me. But >> no, that's why I sent out. >> Okay, please read the Adequate notice of this was provided to
public in the press on January 1925 and was inordance with the public act and JSA 10. >> Thank you. You will please rise in joinment for the pledge flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> I I always look at shoes. Okay.
>> Roll call, please. >> Here. >> Council member Dento, >> present >> here. Mayor, please uh provide us with discussions. Um, thank you. I want to uh take a moment
what um Peter Knight lost his daughter. >> Oh my gosh. >> This week. Um my condolences to the Knight family. um thought she was she was very young unfortunately but um so our thoughts um and prayers for him
family also uh Brian Lynch his brother just passed away I just learned that today so his name is Billy Billy Lynch my condolences again to the Lynch family and Brian um
for the family it's always sad to lose people in life right so like My life is short. So, um, a couple other things, uh, wanted to just go over, which was the,
um, well, we won an award for two I nominated for for two awards. Municipal Award 2025. The award is only given to a municipality and or leader that serves as a strong business proponent by providing business attraction and retention incentives and
business friendly attitude and services. Also nominated for a distinctive leadership award. The distinctive leadership award is reser for that individual or organization that has made an extremely andor extraordinary contribution to economic development. So
this award is because of the people here in Vernon Township. We've completely turned it around for many years. It's a fact that Vernon Township has not been a business friendly town and I believe we have done
it. It's proof in the uh the amount of investments that's coming into Vernon. Uh, like I said, this 55 unit building was was a uh a test to see they would want to uh continue investing in our
town and they have and we've been moving forward with building out our main street. Um, they just been approved for three buildings um for 99 apartments which I think there's an issue at the county level. So, they have to work that
storm water issue out with them. But but again, this is uh an award uh that Veron Township has become a true businessfriendly township. Like I said, this is the work of everybody here and I want to thank all the employees
for for making that happen. So, thank you again. Other news, uh we received the DOT grant for 176,000. We're looking to pave canister which uh continue paving canister which is I
think another 30% I think we did 30% which was cover the high lakes area this will do another 30% hopefully um with our paving budget we we should hopefully we finish Canada road this year that's that's the goal um
this week we had the police department food drive 17 turkeys $970 in cash and gift cards. They filled that trailer. Um, thank you to the Vernon um, United Methodist Church um for all their
volunteers. The Flower Foods uh company, 136 loaves of bread was donated. So, thank you that that all that food and donations will stay in Vernon. It does not leave Vernon. water expansion. Folia um continued the
loop from from the back on to church. I was hoping they would have done that when I first landed that we do a loop, but they stopped it right in front of the 55 unit building and then uh just a few weeks ago they continued that loop uh which would which would be enough
water bandwidth to to support any infrastructure project that that may or may not be coming uh through this town. or at least in that area. So, so that was a huge uh water manion there upgrade.
Uh Princeton Hydro report um that's something that's been going on for quite some time, right? The Highlands uh had a uh we did a grant I guess in the for the Princeton Hydro report on all the lakes.
Um uh so that report uh was posted uh so everyone could see what the the issues recommendations are um and but for all the lake communities we have in Vernon. So Vernon Township has an
official Facebook page. >> This is the Facebook page. Okay. So that's where people will go and get their information when when it does get posted. How often it'll get updated, I that I don't know. But that is the I guess the township official. I don't
even know if it's official, but unless you maybe put it on a piece of paper or my words, I I don't know. I don't know how that works in social media. It's still a gray area when it comes to the law and that. Um
this Saturday, uh the 29th, we'll be doing a ribbon cutting for Aqua Pure, um which is a new uh water company. Um they they actually uh during the uh the Halloween trick trickle trick or
trail I think it was called uh they were there giving out samples of water. I'm actually going to have them come uh I think next week they they're going to set up in in the lobby so just to um get a little taste test of of their water. Um I I will tell you that the price is
is a lot cheaper than what we're currently paying. So, it could be an opportunity to um and they're local. So, we help our local business if possible. So, uh let me give you just a rundown of some of the
recreational stuff that's that's going on. So, the holiday market uh as well, Cobblestone Village on Saturday was successful with uh over 75 vendors and lots of foot traffic doing their holiday shopping with local vendors. Thank you, Mountain Creek, for sharing your space
and the Vernon Border Recreation volunteers. Um, so thank you to to everybody who participated in that. The turkey trot is Thanksgiving morning. Over 225 registered so far. We will be collecting non-p perishables for food
for our food pantries. Check-in is at 7 am. Race starts at 8 am. Senior center mixer at Milanos was this uh past Friday which I attended. Uh and that was actually and then they brought Franklin
into that too. So it was Vernon and um Vernon and Franklin uh seniors which was it was a great food was great. It was at Milanos and the Sussex County uh paid for it. So, and that was coordinated by Jane in our in our senior center. So, it
it was perfect. So, thank you, Jane. Uh, and Sussex County. Uh, another thing, the Sussex County has purchased a new stove for us, which was delivered this I think this morning. It's downstairs. Uh, the old the other one I think was
like 20 years old, but so they they uh they purchased a new a new stove for us. So again, thank you to to the county for that. Uh quiet time with Santa for special needs. uh December 5th in the senior
center from 5 to 6 pm. The holiday tree lighting at the firehouse as well that evening as well at 6:30 p.m. REITs across America as at 10:00 a.m. If you've never been to the Reads Across America, it's it's a it's a great it's a
great way to to show some respect um and lay a wreath on a on a veteran's uh grave site. Um, if you've never been to it, you should come check it out. We could always use extra hands. We're laying out those wreaths. That's going
to be again December 13th at the Glennwood Cemetery that evening or late afternoon. Uh, Operation Toy Train 4:30 p.m. Uh, and that'll be at the Veterans Park. So, you definitely
want to uh check that out as the train comes in. uh there'll be some more information about where you can donate to to make this this event successful. And another thing I want to add uh and maybe
it'll be end up being a discussion item. Uh I have requested um we talked about at the last council meeting about this garbage initiative. Um it was somewhat semi agreed that it was sex
council meeting. um for through I didn't hear anything for two weeks. I get the agenda and I learned that it's not on here. Kind of reminds me of what happened when we tried to do the uh condemnation as well. I don't know why,
but when I called council president council president, he told me because the numbers didn't match up that didn't didn't uh equal up. I asked him what numbers did not. He says he shouldn't have to tell me
this. I don't know how supposed to communicate or get anything done when we don't have this type of communication. Um this is this is something that is troubling. Um I'm hearing it's because now we're going
to be in competition with some guy roll on Joe. I I I I don't know why you'd be in competition with a uh a garbage company, a new garbage company for that matter. Um you know, the goal
here was was for the people who this was a service that was really going to just pay for itself. Um the CFO, we have our DP director here. This is all stuff that we've roundt. council president has been in his uh meeting months ago um when we
discussed it and came up with the numbers. I and now it's just not on there to me. It's just a disservice to people. Um so I've asked the asked the council if they can um prop to put a motion for for this to be
added to the agenda so we can move this forward. Um, like I said, this is just I don't know I don't know where why um I I believe it's former mayors that are that may may have gotten in the ear because some of the
comments were strictly from a Facebook post and again like said I don't know why we listened to people who have not really helped much um especially from their business perspective where Our mayors have bought
the maser property which was sits there empty can't do nothing with it for 70,000. We we we we did a uh they thought that this uh pump track was supposed to be some big financial thing and supposed to bring in all this revenue. That didn't happen. But these
are the people the people that complaining that don't want this garbage initiative are the people who didn't vote for me. That's what this boils down to. So, I ask the council for a motion to add put this to the floor and let's
let's move this forward for the people because that's what this is about. Not competition with garbage companies. This is for the people. That's one of my comments. Honings information that we were given
was I believe supposed to have come from my home and I looked at I did some of the work seemed to be a lot of errors.
I don't think it was my responsibility show anybody the correct you know what the correct uh resolution of those problems are. I received a call from the mayor at 4:30, I'm sorry, 3:30 in the
afternoon this past Friday and uh he was upset because I wouldn't put it on the agenda. I he asked me why and I told him I didn't think it was my responsibility to provide numbers that were accurate. Was
up to him. And as I think back, I think if you'll all agree and recollect there was a period of time when one if not all of us had periodically asked for those numbers and we only received those numbers about oh a month
ago less than that I think. So it was something that I just felt that uh was this was totally uh if not inaccurate certainly was that's
not spoken about in a in an appropriate way. So uh my comments and and by the way I felt that a project of this size I thought would should have been uh held off until we had the two new
members of the council uh sitting with us and uh to that end they would have been part of any consideration of what was being done. uh further than that I would choose not
to say because I uh I have other information I just don't think is appropriate to bring up now. Uh so if the mayor wants to talk about this we can do this at another time but I just
don't feel this is necessary. Uh certainly the uh the numbers that uh I received uh when I started putting pen to paper, they just didn't work out. Thank you, mayor, for your comments.
>> Yeah. >> However erroneous they may be. All members have received a >> public comment. >> I'm sorry. May I have a motion to open up the floor to the public? >> I'll make that motion. Motion made by Mrs. Bucheri. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Seconded by Mr. Higgins. Uh, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. The floor is open to the public for for comment on any agenda item for a period of three minutes. Three minutes only. Thank you. Is there anyone wishing
to comment? Seeing no one coming forward, I'll ask for a motion to close the floor to the public. May I have a motion? Move second. >> Moved by Mrs. Benadetto, seconded by Mr. Sparta. All in favor signify by saying I. I.
>> Motion carries. >> Thank you. All members have received a copy of the bills list. Is there any one or that anybody would like to bring up for concern?
Is this complete? Is this is this it? >> Yeah. Every once in a while we get a short one. >> It's the end of the year. >> The money hasn't been spent. I guess it's not going to >> Should we wait until the the next two council members uh get sworn in before we approve anything else? >> Excuse me, mayor. I don't believe you
you were recognized, though. >> I >> Thank you. >> I don't need to be recognized. Am allowed to be part of discussion. >> You do. I recognize everybody here. Thank you. Consent agenda resolution
25-301 approval of 2024 LOAP list. There are only two alore for these separately. Um I have a motion to place this on the floor for consideration. Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Seconded by Mrs. Eenad. Any questions, comments on these? >> I believe people have received a report on some issues on that. Members, >> I just think it's a tremendous testament to people in our community that want to
give so much of their time. We provided a list from the firefighters and the EMTs in town. And the list is just incredible. the amount of time that these people put in between mitties and training and riding and and
events, it just every one of you should be commended. Thank you. >> I agree. Yep. Thank you. >> Yeah, I agree with that as well. And I uh I all the people are living burning, huh? Everybody that's volunteered,
tremendous number of hours. Wife was on the ambulance squad for 15 years. So, we're seeing it in action and uh saving lives and servicing the other people of the town. It's impressive. Thank you. >> And I, you know, just as a quick point, like I don't think people might not
realize there's there's drill hours, you know, some I'm not going to name names, but 70 drill hours or training hours, um 10 training hours, 59 drill hours, that's a lot of time that, you know, that's not calls. Those are those are uh preparing for calls. So, um, you know,
our community really, um, owes them a owes them a debt for their time and their service. So, we really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> Council member Bushberry, >> yes. >> Council member D. Benadetto, >> yes. >> Council member Higgins,
>> yes. >> Sparta, >> yes. >> Yes. carries >> resolution 25-302 approving the active volunteer firefighter for membership New Jersey State Fireman's Association.
The individual is Mr. Firefighter Mission. I have a motion to place this on the agenda. >> I'll make that motion. >> I'm sorry. On the move by Mrs. I'm sorry.
This is and second, please. >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. >> Any comment on this? Not roll call, please. >> Council member Bushieri, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Council member Higgins, >> yes. >> Council Sparta,
>> yes. >> Council President Rudo, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Moving to uh ordinances. We have an introduction, a first reading uh not even a reading in just an introduction of our ordinances. God bless you. Uh, ordinance 25-17, an
ordinance of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, New Jersey, approving the application for a long-term tax exemption and authorizing the execution a financial agreement with Omega Drive
Redevelopment Urban Renewal LLC. May I have a motion to place this on the floor? I have a Can I question first or No. Um, are we going to be able to question after we motion? >> No, this is not for But uh
>> I just um So, this is for a first read. >> Yes, sir. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I I'm a little taken off guard by why we never had a closed session about this or any type of
discussion. I mean, this is a huge ordinance for our town for this project as well. And I mean, we got 157 pages on Friday >> for this uh financial agreement for a
long-term tax exemption. And I think there's, you know, I'm not saying I'm I'm against this, but I think there's a ton of questions that need to be asked because to my knowledge, I don't think we've ever done uh a long-term tax
exemption or pilot for a residential project before. Um well, I I know we did one for 55 and older children. I should say a residential project that has a potential impact on our school district um with the taxes. So um
>> yeah, I mean we did we had quite a few close sessions with Matt Jessup to explain the pilot process and the financial implications for the 55 plus. So why haven't we had that >> prior to this coming before us
>> so we could understand the implications? Well, this was the first time it was brought up, I guess, prior to >> but we but we but we had before we had the ordinance for the 55 plus we >> talked you know there was negotiations with the developer you know we had closed sessions because there were
negotiations and then we said okay we're comfortable and then the ordinance came up so >> issues for a um well before we have our we have our attorney with us Mr. King, can you enlighten us on this?
>> Uh, I I haven't had any discussions with this project. I think that was held by uh Matt Jessup. He was the attorney who was representing the town on the pilot agreement. I do know that uh based upon
the uh comments that we had had for um pilot agreement that would be proposed here was um this was a a pilot on
the uh a program for the uh the Omega thing, which is the building across the street from the from the uh
building that we're currently opening. >> Um I'm getting the this will also include some lowcost housing in that >> several means. Um the issue there is
that township >> bring your mic closer. >> I'm sorry. Township would receive taxes over a period of time. the uh based upon the determination that was in
the uh program for uh amount of 20 I'm sorry 95% of the tax taxes being uh collected and and actually this is these are not
taxes but they are a uh a payment >> payment in lie of tax >> in lie of taxes. >> Mhm. >> This will go for a period of time and uh that period of time can vary can be changed over a period of time meaning
you could start out with 15 years and for a while it can be reduced or most times it's reduced and the amount to be given to schools would be 5%. I'm
sorry to the county 5%. There would be no money given to the schools from this particular program. >> And that's the concern because this is not a 55 and plus. So there realistically are going to be school age children in this.
>> Yeah, >> there's a dying bedroom. something that if you want to begin thinking about can but that's the basis and the advantage of working with a pilot program in that
you receive the amount of money based upon these this program and this the district does not receive anything. However, you must remember that when we refund
monies >> to other individuals such as the um pe the veterans who don't call back. >> There's no clawback. There's no clawback when we re when uh money is given back
and on a program or properties that are challenged and uh because of the taxes being um you know too high and they go to tax court if they we are found in to
be uh at fault by uh taxing too high. the amount of money that's refunded to the to that uh that individual to the or to the in that case the plaintiff
>> we have to provide that back in total with no participation from the district. So this kind of allows us to uh regain some of that. And I think the third thing is we have to look at what the
benefit of this is. And that if in fact we weren't to do this and we weren't to provide a tax incentive or in this case a an alternative to a to our u
to the uh developer. we the project wouldn't go forward and that becomes the advantage of it, >> right? >> I understand that pap there's like ways to negotiate it and we weren't able to understand in close session, right? Like
maybe there could have been some nuance that could allow for accommodating school age children, but we weren't >> it doesn't work that way. >> But we weren't part of any of that discussion like we were with the 55 and plus. But why did that
>> because it's >> doesn't work that way. >> But why did we have the discussion? >> Um, council president, do you mind if I do you mind if I just say something really quick because I'm just hearing some some concerns about the school. Um, I just want to make it clear. Um, can you hear me? >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry. Yeah, I couldn't log in through
Zoom. Hi guys. I couldn't log in through Zoom. It wasn't working for me, so I just called in. Um, so I just want to um explain a little bit about the school portion. So obviously we don't remit a portion to the school. We all know that the school can bill whatever they want and we have to pay 100%. But I do want
to make it um clear and maybe uh explain a little bit that when the school does their levy calculation, they are permitted to take into account um that we have a pilot for a specific property. So they they are allowed to add um additional funds to their levy to
account for any children that are added into the schools from our from that building. It's not like, you know, if there if it was a much larger apartment building and it was filled with children, like it's not that they don't get the ability to add that in. >> They probably have a formula. They probably have a formula on their side
that Okay. >> Yes. Yes. >> Of course. >> I mean, because I'm just looking at the beds here, like I'm looking at the unit breakdown and there's like 2, 4, 10, 13, 15. >> Well, in the memo that
>> in the memo that we just got >> emailed to us today. Oh, I didn't >> say because there's eight um potential for eight public school age children. >> I'm sorry. >> No, seven and a >> more than that. >> Well, here it says seven. >> But if you look at the breakdown in the units like the the floor and the units
and how many beds they estimate, there's a lot more. >> Yeah. But but they but even when you build a house though, Natalie, if it's a fourbedroom house, you're not basing that as three school age children in it. No. Because it's on a a dwell. They choose a ratio.
>> Yeah. So that is what it is. But I, you know, and that brings me to another point that conversations I had this weekend in my head was that, you know, even when we build a house, the taxes that come in don't cover the cost of a student in
there, right? It's a societal benefit that we talked about numerous times here. And even if there was eight kids in there makes me laugh because they say the the equal to 12,790 per pupil average in Vernon it's $25,000
plus. >> Yeah. >> You know that's $200,000. Even if it was taxed on a conventional method it says in the paragraph that the total tax revenue would be projected to be 135,000 in the first stabilized year.
58% of that going towards district which is still 78,300. So you're still shy of the $200,000 anyway. So I think the real issue here is that by doing the pilot, you know,
we're shorting a school tax of 783 that has to be made up somewhere. And what's how is it going to be made up? It's going to be made up through them increasing their tax and we're all going to pay for it, >> which it's another 783 on top of everything else.
>> I guess that we'll only pay for it if there's actually students, right? >> So, we won't pay for it if there's, you know, until they're students. >> I would hope the school district said we can take eight more students and increase eight classes by one student
each extra cost, but they won't do that. They just want more money for every student. That's the part they have to be part of. >> Yeah. >> There's another thing in here. If I'm reading it correctly, math's right up is a 30-year projection. >> Yes. >> The other is 35. Which one is it? We got
two different sets of numbers here >> in here. I think it did say 35. >> Yeah. Said 35 and the write up. And the one we just got math is 30. So there's a description. >> Yeah. Well, the putting this on the floor just
simply puts us in a position where it can be passed this year if we it can be adjusted at the next meeting either by tableabling it or by u passing it with
some some changes providing that the changes that are being made are not significantly different. so that it has to go back to the initial uh introduction. >> Wouldn't it be better waiting period adjust it now then so we're not like
losing timeline? >> It doesn't work that way. >> But if we don't even work that way that's the problem. This is the introductory period and then you either pass it or you don't and if you pass it then there's a uh an estopple period
that I believe that we have to go through. But if we don't do anything to it right now and we need some changes, then we wouldn't lose those time because we're going to lose two weeks, right? If we don't if we make changes, we'll lose the time. >> Yep. >> So, if we don't do anything now, if
there's more significant changes that need to be I'm not saying there are, but I'm just like if we don't do anything, then we won't lose that time. just introduce it. The next >> if our concern is going to be what is the the uh
the payout for children? Is that our responsibility? >> I think we have to address all the questions. >> I think those >> I don't I'm not saying it's our responsibility, but I think it's it's something we need to I I just am surprised that we didn't have more information before it showed up.
>> Not Jess. will be um at the next uh meeting to maybe to answer any questions since this was the introduction. I I just felt that uh that we didn't have them come this time for the next one or in between we could have these
conversations uh from now until uh the next council meeting um to just >> is there any reason why we can't delay it because of financial >> is there a time is there any timeline? >> Yeah. um if they don't then they wouldn't be able to break ground until
you know springtime. So we're trying to trying to get that going as soon as possible. Um that'll have to be done in the in the new year. Um so and then >> a lot of things can change at that point too. >> Does this have any bearing on on um
>> budget formulation? >> On the budget formulation? >> Yeah. >> Um >> no it would No, it doesn't. No. >> Okay. Thank you, Den. >> Yep. >> So, we approve if we approve it and then it goes to the second reading, we approve it. It could be amended at some
point if it needed to be. I mean, I'm not I'm not going to be here anyway, so >> No. So, if if you if you pass it today, it goes on for a second reading. At that point in time, you can discuss it. You can either vote it down or you could vote for it. the the changes the changes
that I hear that could potentially be made would be significant. So then you would have to probably uh reintroduce it if you're going to change the financial component of it. Um that would be a material um change. >> Would you want to table this?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Because other I'm voting no. >> Okay. Mhm. Fine. May I have a make a motion to table? >> I'll make a motion to table. >> Mrs. De Benadet made a motion to table. >> I'll second it. >> Second call vote.
>> Member Bushieri. >> Yes. >> Council member Denadto. >> Yes. >> Council member Havians. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. And Matt will be at the next meeting. >> Yes. >> Good. Thanks. >> Uh
public comment. We have a motion to open the floor for public comment on any items. Moved by Mr. Sparta. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppos. Motion.
>> The motion carried. Order is open to the public for our item. Period is five minutes. Rinker Vernon. Uh, council president. I would like to ask if perhaps our attorney could
clarify the use of social media and Facebook pages for official pages because it's my understanding due to a court ruling that when a mayor posts town information on any page that he
administers, it's an official page and therefore certain residents can't be blocked and We can't just say it's official because I say this one's official and this one's not. So maybe the attorney could share his crystal for us so it
could be clear once and for all. Thank you. >> Mr. King, is are you able to do that? >> Um it would it's fact sensitive so I would defer until I got more information as to uh what was being done. And I believe we also have a
a uh >> you know >> a policy on that for individual for our social media content and and prog handling that those
concerns. Perhaps uh we can ask the attorney to have us information for us. say in beginning of the
right after the inauguration. >> Uh yes, Council President, that's not a problem, but I would need some more information about the concerns um that that the member of the citizen um could forward. I I I don't know what she is
talking about um him doing or not doing. So, if maybe she could give me a write up want to go back up. >> This is this is something addressed by by uh Matt Mench um I think a while ago through through an email. Um I think
that policy has already been that discussion already happens. But >> I think basically the concern here is that you have individuals who are blocked from this page and individuals who are not blocked from this page. And
yet the um the information given is from the mayor to the public at large. So how can you not let anyone see it regardless of
their position, you know, against the mayor or for the mayor or in in agreement with the mayor or in disagreement with the mayor. uh if it's if it's uh provided by the the township
anybody should be able to access the uh >> so council president again if I may it's facts sensitive it it talks about um who pays for it in what uh you know or taxpayer monies does you know helps
helps with the transmission municipal computers used it's is facts sensitive. Um, so I I really would have to look at it before I can give you a definitive answer. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to come forward?
Not I'll ask for a motion to close the meeting to the public. >> Move. Moved by Mr. Higgins. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Sparter. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries.
Council me council comments. >> Uh Higgins. >> Yeah. >> Number one, it's the end of the year and uh last year we actually voted on the budget late May. There was almost no discussion on the budget last year
leading up to the vote. And I hope and I hope that there's a process. Well, that will not happen this year. uh the year my first year on we had each department head come up and explain what their year was like and where they were going for the next year and and any of the changes
they expected that didn't happen last year and so it was a delay delay delay until the final meeting was uh if you don't vote and pass it today you could be personally fined $50 each >> and that's just not the way to run
business. So that's my first point. Second point is it'll be the third time metro. We have we have vendors who automatically are renewed for their services every year. There are some you just can't replace. You know I'm on the land use board and I see the
professional information knowledge and able to have our planner, our architects, our attorneys run those meetings. And it takes a lot of knowledge of the local uh area and what's taking place. However, there are others that provide services to us such
as insurance agents, auditors, and they're automatically renewed without going out to bid, without asking anybody else if they want to bid on those services. And it's I reminded everybody at the beginning of the year, in the middle of the year, now it's near the end of the year. I hope that that
happens because in January, we're going to be asked to approve the the list of vendors that we do business with to provide services. I'm going to vote no if they haven't if they're always the same ones and no one's been asked to bid and offer their services in competition.
Competition is the best way to run any agency and uh we don't have competition in those areas. Uh the uh last comment has to do with uh rush to judgment. So in my opinion, the mayor, he called me the other day, asked me my opinion of
the uh the garbage collection program and I gave gave my opinion. And it was a good exchange. It was a good 15-minute conversation. And my final answer to him was, "We're not ready. We don't have the facts to vote on it." It was pretty much simple. It's not any reflection on on
Mr. Mayor that putting it together. I think it's a potentially a great idea for the residents. If they want and approve and are willing to pay for, then we should provide it. We don't have the facts to move forward. And uh you know we went through this process previously
when we had the UAW contract in September that didn't take effect for four more months. We heard the presentation in the executive meeting and we were told we had to vote in the general session and uh it was passed. There was no reason why it shouldn't
have been another week or two weeks till the next meeting so we could have time to read it and discuss it. So here this is another example. It's a garbage collection program. Let's give us time. There's no there's no rush to judgment on any of those things. And uh the last
one was the pilot program. I think we've made the right decision tonight. We don't have the facts. We have conflicting numbers. Just take your time. Let's do it and let's do it right. Really what government's all about. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving. >> Uh just you mentioned the facts. The
facts facts were given. I have data excuse me online. >> Excuse me, mayor. at her specifically to answer ask answer any questions. >> Do we want to hear her? >> No. >> You don't want to hear it now? You don't want to hear her.
>> You want Mrs. >> Right. Are you there? >> Yeah, I'm here. >> Okay. Mayor contends that the information that uh provided to us came from you. I'm sorry. Um
I I don't I don't know what you have right there that would have come from me. No, the initiative, right, the discussion on and the facts that of this initiative was definitely something that could be a
beneficial to our residents and >> I don't dispute that. Nobody in the council did. knew it it it this fully would fund itself. I mean, it we're already paying for everything that we need for it. Uh to me, this was just a win-win. We've had this discussion, Pat.
You had it with Dell as well. Um and she's >> has told you that this was something that that >> Yes, that's true. Good. >> But we should have only bought one compactor, not two, >> but we need a secondary as a backup. >> Why? Because if that excuse me, manage
our own garbage, it won't compact or breaks. Excuse me. What do we do? >> Well, get it fixed or you can do something or not provide the service for a short period of time. >> You don't know how long it's going to take. So, you've got to make sure you have redundancy in place. >> $32,000. I think we could take a look at
that before we do it. Uh, thank you very much. >> You did take a look at it. >> Um, you're out of order. >> I'm not out of order. You are. Next time, please tell don't tell me that the members have told you they disagreed and you didn't even talk to
the members. All you talked to was Bill. Everyone else, excuse me. Everyone else here did not talk to you. >> But you said them, all the members, >> you know, you know, what difference does it make? You call them anytime. >> You call them anytime you want anyway. >> Quiet for two weeks. You said nothing.
And then all of a sudden you just >> and yet any off anytime there's a problem >> and somebody wants to talk to a member of your staff or your the an employee we can't do that but you go around talk to every member of the council >> they want council member I said you
>> can I make a suggestion here >> this is not something I want you on right now >> sorry you don't want to have this discussion because the facts facts of the matter I have never restricted anything on the agenda >> but now I'll restrict It's wasn't on the agenda. Thank you very much.
>> And I have asked for if someone could call for >> Mrs. Dependado on the >> Mrs. um sign out front flips really fast. I don't know if I'm the only one that feels that way, but every time I'm reading it, I get like halfway through the digital sign. I get halfway through
the thing and then it's gone. Am I the only one that It flips fast. Can we slow it down at all or no? >> I don't know. >> I don't know. Michelle, I think Michelle >> I can talk to Michelle. I think she handles that. >> Okay. >> I think she'll >> Thank you. Yeah. Just maybe a for us slow readers like
want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving and that's it. Thank you. And I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but I the garbage initiative I think has some merit, but I think it
has to be discussed more than just the meeting that we had because we we all I think had some concerns with the numbers and the information that was given. Can we just have it as another discussion item at the next
meeting to discuss this out? Because I do think there are members of the public in this community that are struggling and they can't afford to pay the $8 or $900 a year for their garbage pickup. And if
we can save them, you know, $400 or $500, I think that I think it's a service that I think we need to look at deeper and make sure that there is not a lot or any that is pushed on to the rest of the
taxpayers. I I've had this conversation with the mayor. I enjoy my time going over to Skuma with my dogs in the truck. I'm going to continue to go over there with my garbage. For me, I live on that side of
town. It's not as much of a trip as it is for the people in Highland Lakes or Berry Lakes or Clifford Lakes, but I do think that it's a program that we should vet out fully and I don't see
anything wrong with even getting people to sign up ahead of time to make sure that we have enough interest. The survey is great. The survey provided us with a lot of information, a lot of comments, but unfortunately, people could say
they're going to use something and until they actually sign up, it could just be hot air coming out of their mouth. So, I mean, I would be all for uh an ordinance that had in there,
you know, the program doesn't start until we have 250 people sign up or 200 people sign up, whatever number that is. But I do think that it's something that we need to look at. I don't think we should just throw it away. I think everyone sitting up here, and if I'm if I'm speaking out of turn, please let me
know. I think all of us know that there is there is some some merit to having this program for our community and um to go ahead and just discard it or argue
about it or push it through too fast I think is just I think it's wrong. I think we need to give it the time that it needs and discuss it out fully before we keep on arguing about it. So >> and I would be fine with with having
this discussion but >> I never said >> it's my and then all of a sudden it just taking off. This is the problem having discussion. >> Then I'm I'm asking it I'm asking it for it to be on agenda next meeting for as a discussion item tonight. Well, this is what I was hoping that we could have put
it on the agenda and and had this discussion tonight. >> So, I'm asking for it to be on the next agenda and that's that's all I'm outside of that. Everybody have a good Thanksgiving. >> Um, I echo Mr. uh Sparta's sentiment. I
would like it to be a discussion item at the next meeting also. Um, further, I I think it's important to have free communication. the mayor is is free to contact whoever he wishes on the council. Um I I don't think that's a problem. So I just wanted to to make
that statement and I think the council members are free to contact the mayor um regarding that. I I agree that it is um definitely could be a a costsaver for members in our community and I wouldn't want to um
limit that if we're you know just because we're not able to discuss it in a um in an open manner. So, I hope we'll be able to have that on the agenda next week and we'll be able to move forward and work collaboratively and um and come
up with some good ideas that we'll be able to work out a plan that will benefit the community. >> Thank you. >> And happy Thanksgiving. I thought it would be appropriate to
compliment the owners of the place by the tracks during the recent shutdown by the federal government. uh the owners of that facility that store uh were able to provide service to
many of our uh residents who were unable to be funded or supplied by that program. So, thank you very much to the owners of by the tracks. Your service to the community is recognized.
Um speaking of service to the community, uh what I the last member at the last uh meeting I said I would call bring up the issue of volunteers
on a regular basis. So, if we have any individuals who are uh in favor or looking to join a uh volunteer uh community uh program, certainly
fires, firefighters and uh first responders are a great place to devote your time. They are uh they provide an excellent service to our community and in doing so you become part of a a very
vibrant part of our community. These people go to uh regular meetings, they go to regular training classes, they are certified and at the end of this period time they they are uh
well recognized by other members of the community. their uh your uh associates as well. Um other than that, I wish all of you a very
happy Thanksgiving. Don't eat too much. And I will advise you that the uh meeting of and last meeting in December will be cancelled in favor of
uh Santa Claus. Thank you. May I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? I'm sorry to the have a motion for adjournment. >> Move second. >> Mr. Higgins, second by Mrs. Jerry. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. >> I. >> Motion I. >> Happy Thanksgiving everybody. >> Happy Thanksgiving Peter. >> I am 25 of us. I don't have that many. Um,