Good evening. I call to order this regular meeting of the Aona Township Council for Monday the 9th of February, 2026. Madame Clerk, would you please read the Open Public Meetings Act compliance statement? >> The notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act have been satisfied
with respect to this meeting of the township council. The meeting time and date were included in the public meeting notice along with the public internet link and telephone calling information. said notice of meeting agenda was posted in the municipal building and sent to the official newspapers of the township the Verona city grove times and the star
ledger at least 488 hours preceding the start time of this meeting. The agenda and handouts can be viewed online at vereronj.org/countsil meetings and a public comment period will be held in the order it's listed on the meeting agenda and instructions on how to comment will be provided at the
appropriate time. >> Thank you madam clerk. Would you call the role please? >> Councilwoman Holland here. Councilwoman McGrath >> here. >> Councilman Roman >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy >> present. >> Mayor Tambboro >> here. >> Mayor also present. Township attorney Brian Loya. Township manager Kevin O. Sullivan. Deputy Township Manager
Michael Krauss. Myself clerk Jennifer K. >> Thank you madam clerk. Would everybody please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> 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 allible. >> All right, Mr. Coltray doesn't look like he's here today, so I'm going to hop right into the mayor's report. Um, I had the pleasure of attending the Verona Board of Education reorganizational
meeting. Uh, it was great to see our new board members, Serena Kenote, um, and Matt Pera, get sworn in. Congratulations to Mrs. Frisco for being reelected for the manyth time as president of the board. So, thank you, Mrs. Frisco, for
your service and uh and to Mike Boon for being elected vice president. Uh that really is a good group there at the board of eds. So, I thank them for all of their work. Um and it was a pleasure to attend. I had the honor of being a
judge at the Verona Junior Women's Club spelling bee, which was a great event as always. So, I'd like to thank the uh the juniors for putting that on. Um it's just showcases good things happening in our schools and and I always commend the
the fourth and fifth graders for getting up on the stage and it takes takes some guts and uh it's nerve-wracking to judge for sure. Uh but it was uh it was a great uh afternoon as well. The UNICO held its annual Sunday gravy
dinner uh which the opportunity to attend as well and it was sold out which was great to see. Uh it was nice to see some other members of the council there uh with us and um UNICO provides a lot
of funding to not only high school students in the form of scholarships but also into the community. Um, so it was a pleasure to support Unico and and please if you weren't able to attend the dinner and would like to contribute, please contribute directly to UNICO. The planning board uh met and has a series
of special meetings coming up in order to meet our affordable housing timelines. Uh and some of the items discussed at the planning board are on the agenda this evening, including consistent city reviews and uh on um uh redevelopment plans, area needed
redevelopment, and um uh some zoning changes. The last week we had the first mayor's call for 2026. Mr. O Sullivan and I were on the call. Uh Governor Cheryl attended the call as well, so it's great to have her support. We got
some good updates from the county um and the governor uh especially on the gateway tunnel project which does affect a lot of Verona residents. So I am pleased that the state is attempting to secure all possible funding for that
project. Um and I wish them luck as they continue to do that. And I would like to thank all of the agencies involved in our storm response. Uh we've had a bit of a snowy winter and we had a pretty significant storm. Uh so I'd like to
thank our Department of Public Works who makes look like it never snowed. Our police department, our rescue squad which had three ambulances in service, our fire department which had uh people in house as well. our office of emergency management um staffed an emer
emergency operations center uh which I had the opportunity to um do a six hour 7 hour shift there as well helping to coordinate that um and it was the the first major incident for our new OEM coordinator Conor McCann and he did a a great job um in that as well. So, thank
you to everybody, not only from the town for helping, but everybody who helped their neighbors uh clear snow and kept an eye on each other. And so ends my report. Uh Mr. Oullivan, >> thank you, Mayor. Uh I will try to give the highlights of my reports, move
through it quickly as we have a a lengthier agenda tonight, but um I will hit the highlights and I'll move through a couple of uh special presentations uh for this evening uh regarding our drinking system. Our Fair View Avenue well project is scheduled to uh resume
construction within the next several weeks. We have a progress meeting on February 10th of this week. We'll get a more specific schedule. We'll hold a neighborhood commun uh communication meeting based on the proposed schedule we received that day. Uh Clarive pump station project is scheduled to resume
construction tomorrow. Uh that is uh primarily for work outside of the roadway. uh and the uh Clarage HOAs have been notified of the same. Uh regarding some of our storm water items, there's a number of items that I
reported on, but uh of highlight is the fact that uh Verona was accepted into a grant-f funded study of flooding conditions being managed by the Center for Natural Resources at NGIT. Uh we'll have a resolution at the next agenda uh to affectuate that um that grant
program. Uh we will be joining Cedar Grove, Little Falls and Woodland Park which are have recently joined that program and effectively we will have uh live flood monitoring cameras uh in um strategically located areas throughout
uh Verona to allow us uh to assist us with emergency management purposes and then long-term to assist with predictive flood modeling and potential flood solutions. So, that's a nice um piece of news since our last meeting. Uh regarding a few of the road projects, um
couple couple county updates. Uh we are meeting with uh the county first. Uh we have a pre-construction meeting with the county at the countyy's facilities on February 10th. That is for the upcoming Fairview Avenue person signal. They've awarded that contract for I believe it's
12 signals throughout the county. uh will be attending for the Fairview Avenue personnel Avenue signal. Uh we are also meeting uh more directly one-on-one with the county on February 11th for discussions regarding Bloomfield Avenue. Uh we will be discussing with them a number of
elements which include speed limits on um county roads uh their pending grant application for new signals on Bloomfield Avenue and uh the ongoing efforts behind Verona's streetscape project to make sure that we are coordinating uh with the county and uh
we're collectively working in the same direction. Uh unfortunately no updates on Everfield. project still remains um effectively frozen because of the snow and the temperatures. Um uh and then a quick update on two of our
community service projects. Uh our age friendly audit and action plan. Uh the the survey went live last Wednesday. Uh the target is 200 responses. To date, we already have over 100 responses. So we're getting a strong turnout on responses for our age friendly audit.
We'll continue to move that forward. And in the coming weeks uh we will uh start to kick off uh the inclusive healthy communities efforts as well which will follow a similar pattern where we will prepare a survey push that out to the public and take a full audit on uh how
to make Verona more uh a more inclusive healthy community. Um, other than what I presented in my report, uh, there's a, uh, I we have Ms. Prrisco here tonight to provide a quick
update on some of the pool data. Uh, if I can ask Pam if you could step up and just give a brief update on the pool. >> Thank you. So, before I go Oh, sorry. Thank you. Before I go into um the pool, since you mentioned the um the age friendly survey audit, I would like to
um also say that Kathy Mortara, the president of our senior club, has been handing out several um copies hand um for people to do. So, I have a stack in my office as well of, you know, that have been completed and she took another
20 today. So, she's been very helpful in getting that um survey out to the public. So, I have really good news to report, I think. Anyway, um our office I would like to first um thank everyone and I would like to thank my staff. Um
Mary Farrell, Mike McMahon, and Leslie Sullivan and Courtney Hoffman. She's been in our office two days a week and helping us the past two weeks. Um our non-resident membership is basically sold out from referrals. We have
collected $94,000 as of 5:30 this evening. So, I'm very happy to report that. We have a few pending um that we're just waiting on phone calls because um somebody referred somebody that was not a member yet. So, we're just trying to work with those people. So, we have basically two spots that are
open as of right now. Um our other information on memberships itself we have as of today at 5:30 we have 242 family memberships signed up. We have 24 caregiver caregiver members um 10
couples uh one disabled person uh 11 individual adults five parent and child and 91 senior memberships. So, and there are some that are taking part of the payment plan option.
>> So, good news on that. And also, as to our sponsorships, um we're getting more and more coming in. So, so far we've collected um $18,250, 10,000 of that being from u Mr. Polyino
from the fire department. I would like to thank him again for that wonderful donation. So, and we also have some pending. they were waiting on W9's from us or we had to send them a voucher um or an email just saying. So, we've been working on that as well and I plan to
follow up further once we come down with the the out of town resident memberships. So, all in all, I think um my office has been very busy trying to get this accomplished, but I think we're doing a great job and I think that the
pool is going to be exceptionally well this this summer. So, I look forward to it. So, thank you for having me. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Mr. Frisco. >> Thanks. >> Just as a a point if I can, you know, the the non-resident referral program was an idea that came out of resident
feedback. Um, and it just goes to show how resident feedback can be so helpful to the council. Uh, and it was a pleasure to talk to those residents who suggested that. Um, but it seems like our residents are really are are buying into that and uh I'm just so glad that
that was successful and and it really helps to reduce our efforts to have the market and spend money marketing to into other communities. Um, but it'll be great to to see the pool in such good shape. So, >> I look forward to future numbers. >> Sure.
>> Uh, Councilwoman, >> uh, yes, thank you. I agree with that. That's really great news. So, thank you for that. I want to go. I'm so excited that the age friendly survey is released and that you already have a hundred respondents plus several more paper copies and it was a pleasure, you know,
working on that committee. I'm also really excited about the in um um the inclusive healthy communities that's focused more on those living with disabilities. Um and I know that as part of that initiative, it's important that those residents living with disabilities
become part of the planning committee for that. Is there going to be a public application process or referral process because I know we know many members of the com the community that would be great to be on that committee. Um but I
just want to clarify what the process will be to get involved in that initiative. So, we we were actually I just had a discussion with uh our project lead at NJ Future this afternoon about next steps and how we make sure we
include those with lived experiences in that process. Um he kicked out a couple uh a couple different ideas. We're going to schedule a meeting with uh with Pam and her office later this week to make sure that we are casting a wide net to
make sure we are getting uh a a comprehensive group of different uh individuals uh on this committee. We are looking to expand it from the smaller group that we initially started with. Um so we are looking to fine-tune the how we broaden that which groups we
specifically target and then also opening it up for a general um a more open process. Okay. >> So we are working for looking to move forward in that direction >> and please obviously as you always would let the council know because again we have wide networks in the community and
I think I think there are some people in our networks that would like love to apply that would be great. Thank you. Just one other just to comment on on your report uh or just in general, Mr. Sullivan. I know we have a couple pretty big presentations coming up in the next
meeting. um as far as the uh several items including the public safety building. Um and I was hoping that we could get those materials like you know yes not on Thursday night you know before so we have plenty of time to review even if we're waiting on some of
the documents back we could have >> as soon as possible everything so we can really go through that that would be very very helpful because I want to make sure that we've had the opportunity to to fully review all those materials to be able to ask questions and make comments as appropriate >> understood
and anything else from Mr. Sullivan's general report. Mr. Ryan, >> uh just a thank you to uh Mrs. Frisco, the recreation department, the recreation committee, and everyone in the township administration for the good news on the pool. Um it just goes to show that when we have a big challenge like the pool's finances that uh when we all kind of put our heads together that
it uh we can start working on it and uh I hope we keep our foot on the gas all the way up to uh summer and that we have a really financially successful uh uh season at the pool. So, just thank you for your efforts and for that report. >> All right, Mr. Uh so I'll just move
there's a couple other specific items. Uh one item that is not a specific presentation, but uh it is our 2026 community development block grant application discussion. We've uh typically received approximately $100,000 in grant through the Essex County CDBG annually. Uh we are
obligated to hold a uh or to establish part of a meeting where we just discuss what that application is. Uh in the current year, the application is for providing an ADA accessible parking lot and entrance way into the Commerce Park
parcel. There were some uh resolutions in a prior meeting to start preparing concept plans for uh what um best use of that uh that property could be. the CDBG application, which has preliminarily received positive feedback from from the
county already, uh is for the application of grant money to help fund the ADA elements of that project. Um this is uh part of the CDBG application process. There's also a uh coinciding
resolution authorizing the grant application uh on the consent agenda tonight. So, I just wanted to make sure I specifically pointed that out and see if there's any questions from the council on that. >> Have any but should we open the hearing? >> Yes. >> Yes. All right. This time I open the
public hearing on the community development brock grant application for 2026. Madam clerk, would you please read the public participation statement? Also, send us our screens back if you can. >> Okay. >> We don't we don't have anything on our screens. >> All right. Okay. Anyone from the public
wishing to speak on any matter, please raise your hand. I mean, wishing to speak on the community development block grant projects for the 2026 calendar year, please raise your hand by pressing the raise hand button on your monitor. If you're dialing in by phone, please press star 9. If you're attending in
person, please approach the lectern. When you're recognized, state only your name and township of residence for the record. Um, addresses will not be redacted for any purpose. You'll have four minutes to address the council. There will be no cross dialogue during this public hearing.
>> All right. Seeing >> Sorry, there's nobody. >> Okay. There we go. >> There we go. >> All right. Seeing no public participation, I hereby close the public hearing on the CDBG application and we will address that um as part of the consent agenda unless you want it that
pulled. Now Kevin, >> no I think consent agenda is is okay for that. >> Okay. Uh moving on to the next portion of my report. Uh we also have some items on the agenda tonight as you had uh mentioned earlier related to affordable
housing matters. Uh the town planner is here tonight to give a quick summary to the council for the public's purpose. Um >> uh good evening everyone. Um so as you know the township settled with we had uh four interveners and we settled with all
of them. Um and we're moving uh forward as per the statemandated deadline as you all know. Um so tonight uh the one thing that we we will have uh we are introduction is uh the redevelopment
plan for 176200 Bloomfield which was settled with DMH2. Um then we'll also be um amending the TC zone as per um the special adjudicator and the court's report. Um as you all
know we've been working on it since 2024 but um we've uh halted the process because of the new um statute. So that's number two. number three. Um I think on uh Jan 19th uh you um uh directed the
planning board to do a area need of rewrapment investigation for Richfield reach richfield regency. Uh the planning board met on I think Jan 22nd. Um I prepared a report and based on that um
the planning board uh felt that it satisfied two criteria as per the redevelopment law and recommended that you designate it as an area in need of redevelopment. So tonight uh you you will have to um adopt the resolution
designated should you choose to. So that's it from me. Uh did I miss anything else? uh the two ordinances and the resolution. >> I I just mentioned that uh 176 uh uh TC
zone and then the uh Ridgefield Regency uh resolution. >> Are there any questions from Siobhan on any of these items? >> I have a specific item regarding the drafting of the TC zone ordinance. I don't know if we want to do that after
opening or no council. Go Um part of our discussions uh ghost kitchens um I it's defined in there but they're not listed under the prohibited uses. I thought from our discussion here that was our intent to >> we actually wrote shared kitchen except
uh except um ghost kitchen in in the ordinance. >> I just searched it and the only uh word ghost in there is the definition. >> Oh boy. I I know I don't we might have a we might have a versioning issue here. >> Yeah, let me just give me a second.
>> We have a little Yeah, we might just have the wrong version of this. >> Um no, no. Um here's the thing. If I'll go back and look because I remember this very specifically uh from October 2024, we were very, you know, it was very clear
that we want to ensure and I think I had that language and I'm just surprised I don't have it. >> Yeah. under the permitted uses it's um shared kitchen, shared workshops and shared textile spaces something. >> Okay, I'll add that sentence. I am so sorry. I don't know what happened because there were a lot of iterations
that went around. Um so I'll make add that sentence. >> Okay, that'll be great. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay, hearing none. Um, Mr. Sullivan, do you want to the council to move these up?
>> I I would uh ask the council walls uh we have our professional here uh to consider these as out of order from the agendas listed uh for the purpose of being able to allow S
to leave and get off the clock. >> We like you, Sand, but we may should we take formal action to alter that ordinance to um for L well we could do it on discussion okay for um I1 and I2 so I'll
hear a motion to change the order of business to consider I1 and I2 for introduction and then following I1 and I2 resolution L8 >> Mr. Mayor, can we do these separately? >> Yeah. No, they'll all be done separately. I just want to move the
order of business to >> So moved. >> Is there a second? I'll second it. All those in favor? I >> I opposed. >> Okay. All right. The next item on the agenda then is ordinance number I1 for introduction. Madame clerk, would you
please read the title of this ordinance into the record? Adopting the redevelopment plan for 1762 200 Bluefield Avenue, block 202, lots one and 23 rehabilitation area. >> Thank you, madame clerk. Would somebody move the ordinance, please?
>> So moved. >> Okay. Moved by Council Roman. Is there a second? Well, seconded. Seconded by Mayor Tambbor. This time we'll open for council discussion. Uh Mr. Roman, did you want to put your point on the record for
>> Mine is for Mine is for I2. >> All right. Not. >> Any other council discussion? I deputy mayor. >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, I'm going to recuse myself from this uh discussion because I live within 200 ft of this property. Okay. Thank you. And Councilwoman
Holland. Yeah, I think there's typographical errors in the sixth and eighth whereas clauses because it's actually block 202 instead of 2011 on page. >> I see it.
>> Thank you. >> Madam clerk, did you get that? >> Yeah, and I get it. It's further down as well. Yeah, it's the it's the last whereas and the sixth whereas sixth and eight. >> Okay. Anything else?
>> I just Okay, hearing none. We will amend that ordinance for >> you recuse yourself on >> I know but a quick correction uh on page four you have Bloomfield Avenue and Westfield Road. It should be Westfield
just >> that's in the in the plan. >> Page four button >> that too. >> What's that? >> Oh the redevelopment agreement. >> That's in the redevelopment plan. >> The in the agreement. Yeah. >> S did you get that one? Okay.
We have a lot of west related roads in town. Okay. All right. With those corrections, let's call the role. The corrections will be on for second reading.
>> Um, Councilwoman Holland. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. Mayor I1 will be numbered ordinance
2026-03. It will um be sent to the planning board for consistency review. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next item on the agenda would then be ordinance I2 on first reading. Madam
clerk, could you please read the title of this ordinance into the record? Amending and supplementing the standards of the town center zone district in chapter 150 zoning of the code of the township of Verona. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Would somebody move the ordinance, please? >> So moved.
>> Motion's made by councilwoman McGrath. Is there a second? >> I'll second this one, too. Why not? Second is by the mayor. >> Council Mor. >> Yes. I'd like to move to amend the uh proposed ordinance as such to indicate our intent to disallow uh ghost kitchens
as a uh as a use within the zone. I will second that as well. Any council discussion on the motion to amend the ordinance hearing? None. Madam we just do all those in favor. >> I >> I opposed.
>> Are you opposed? >> I was in Okay, motion carries. The ordinance is amended. It has still not been adopted. Any other comments on this? Uh, sorry, it hasn't been introduced. Yes. >> I just have a process question. So, is this going to the planning board?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. That was my question. >> Okay. All right. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman McGrath. Yes. >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackabo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambboro. >> Yes. >> Mayor I will be numbered 2026-04. Pass is introduced 50 and will be sent
to the planning board for assistance to review. >> Thank you. And I'll hear a motion to adopt ordinance L8. I'm sorry. Resolution L8. Thank you.
>> So moved. The motion is made by Councilman Roman. Is there a second? I'll second this one, too. All right. Uh, this time I'll open for public comment on resolution L8. The same public comment statement applies.
Comment is limited to this resolution only. This is just for everybody's edification. Uh the resolution designating 420 Bloomfield Avenue, which is currently Richfield Regency, as an area in need of
redevelopment. Hearing no public comment, I close public comment. Any council discussion? Hearing no council discussion? Madam Cler, could you call the role, please? Councilwoman Holland, yep. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes.
>> Councilman Roman, yes. Deputy Mayor Makavoy, yes. >> Mayor Tambboro, >> yes. >> Mayor L8 will be numbered. Resolution 2026-028. >> Okay. All right. And back to you, Mr. O'Sullivan.
>> Okay. Next on my list is uh it is uh bringing back the discussion on the completing green streets. Uh there was a memo uh that was circulated to the council uh which uh summarized previous discussions that we've had uh regarding
the complete and green streets draft policy in September of last year. Uh that that policy was amended. There was a summary memo. Uh I know the uh both uh administration the town engineer uh
Boswell engineer which is represented by Mike Kajiano tonight and neighborhood traffic safety committee met collectively to review the current version. I know the neighborhood traffic safety committee is here and would like to uh address the council and have a a
brief moment to um speak to the complete and green streets policy that's been circulated. Hi everyone. Um I'm Elizabeth Hines from Verona and I am co-chair along with Abby Jericho of the neighborhood traffic and safety committee. Um so thank you Mr.
Sullivan. Um and to all of you for putting this back on the agenda to talk some more about. Um, this policy has been kind of a pet project for the neighborhood traffic and safety committee for a couple of years now since before I was part of the committee. Um, and it's something that
we think is really important for Verona and something that we're really excited about. Um, and that's for a number of reasons. The first obviously is that it will help make our streets and our sidewalks safer, more accessible, more
functional for Verona residents. Um the policy again isn't about any one particular trafficcoming intervention. It's about approaching our transportation and planning decisionmaking in a way that prioritizes the needs and safety of all users of the
transportation network rather than just thinking about moving vehicles around as quickly as possible. So it's kind of saying that people come first. Um, but it's also a critical tool in our planning and redevelopment toolbox because it allows us to point to the policy. Um, and require that new
development is in line with it even if that new development is on Bloomfield Avenue or another county road. Um, because for instance, things like lighting, the location of curb cuts, building facades, they all make a big difference in how a sidewalk functions
um, for the folks who use it in various ways. So the policy gives us a chance to make that a part of the conversation. Um and then there's the green piece of all of this. As you're talking with developers about say storm water infrastructure about treatments to
reduce localized flooding, you get to kind of lean on this policy as backup for those conversations as well. Uh having a policy on the books also better positions us for funding and technical assistance opportunities and frankly it just helps us be taken
seriously when we talk to planners and engineers to the public about this stuff when we're talking to and working with Essex County on a part of our roadway network that falls within their purview. So I know that good planning is very important to this council. Uh so maybe
the biggest takeaway of all of this is that having a complete and green streets policy is planning best practice. So if we're serious about doing planning right, then this is one really big piece of that puzzle and its existence is going to, you know, again help you and
have you something to to lean on as you're thinking through these other big planning and transportation uh decisions. Um I think that the opening line of the draft resolution um really captures the heart of why we think um
that you should adopt this policy and it's that having safe, convenient, accessible, equitable, healthy and environmentally and economically beneficial transportation network for all users is a priority for us. It's
kind of our declaration that these things matter and that they will be a part of our collective decision-making process. So, thank you all again for letting us bring this back um up tonight. I know Boswell is here to answer any technical questions. Abby and myself and Paul Mkovitz are also here um
to answer anything um that you want to hear from the committee. So, thanks again. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Did you want to have anything to say? Ed,
>> I appreciate you giving me the chance. >> If you could just come to the mic. >> Thank you very much for uh having me here tonight. Um, as the the traffic and safety committee and and Kevin were saying, we spent some time working on these revisions and talking over what we
thought was best for the township. Um, I do think the piece of legis uh the ordinance you have before you is in Verona's best interest and I'm here to uh answer any technical questions you might have. So, thank you again. Thank you.
>> Any questions on the the policy for our experts? Any comments? Question could be anything. Questions? >> I council Roman >> I'm sort of still where I was. You know, we talked about, for example, speed
bumps, and I see that, you know, speed bumps and speed humps have been crossed out, but speed tables are still in here. Um, chicanees, uh, again, we there was a chicane proposed and a public a demo
done on a chicane, a public survey done, and every basically the the response from all of the people that lived on the street where it was proposed was profoundly negative. Um there is, you know, mention of lane width reduction of
um curb bumpouts. Every time I've seen a curb bumpout implemented in any kind of urban area, uh it just it forces traffic into oncoming lanes and basically reduces the utility of a road for turns to actually become more dangerous. I've never actually seen one that's been
implemented that puts a reasonable turning radius in. I just, you know, I have this kind of philosophy that the majority of our streets that we control are profoundly residential in nature. Um, and the least amount of traffic
control uh possible should actually be on those streets. Um, traffic naturally slows down when you have a street with a minimum number of controls on it. Uh, you start striping it, you start making it look a little bit more like a highway, um, and traffic
will treat it like one. Um, everything I've read about traffic engineering says that the the two things that really work on a street are uh lots of street trees and allowing parallel parking on the sides of the street. I just I look at residential streets, which is again the
majority of the roadways that we control, and I have this feeling that really the only traffic markings that really belong on them are stop signs and crosswalks. Um, so I'm just a little bit concerned that this might be a case of pushing for sort of overengineering of the roadways. Um, and might have a
negative effect, uh, and that we've gotten a lot of, you know, I just don't want to make it policy that we have to pick something out of this toolbox all the time every time we do a road project because I, you know, again, the streets where people have concerns are county roads. So, >> thank you, Councilman.
>> Any other questions, comments? Councilwoman McGrath. >> Um, thank you. I mean, um, obviously, Councilman, you're entitled to your opinion, but just refresh me. You're not a traffic engineer, right? >> No, I'm not.
>> Okay. So, I mean, at the end of the day, I don't think this is forcing us to do anything. It's just a set of tools that we could pick from. Of course, every single project is going to need approval from the planning board um, and or the zoning board. So, it really is just a
toolbox. It's not a mandate that we have to do all these things. Um, and correct me if I'm wrong if we're driving and safety committee. So, it's just it gives us options and it prioritize safety of both our drivers and people who work in our work in our town and it can be used
to then advocate shows seriousness to the county if we adopt this in our conversations with them. And we know how much Bloomfield Avenue matters to everyone. Uh we can't implement traffic calming measures on Bloomfield Avenue. We don't have that control. But this is
like an intention. Um and so you know our engineers this is a very standard policy that hundreds maybe even I don't know thousands thousands of municipalities have adopted nationwide. This isn't forcing us to do anything,
but it is a declaration that we're putting the safety of our residents first. Um, and you know, I see things that you mentioned that are actually crossed out. So, I'm a little, you know, confused because I'm looking at this red line memo that we've got. So, I see
speed humps are cut out. I see speed tables are cut out. >> Speed tables aren't passed out. >> Speed tables are in speed cushions and humps are >> Well, I'm looking on page 11. And I'm seeing speed tables were sticking out. Is there another reference to it somewhere? >> Paragraph five. I'm sorry. I'm
>> paragraph five. >> Yeah, paragraph five. Um, speed cushions/humps are cushions and humps are in red line. Tables is not. >> Okay. >> I do apologize for that. I I did remove
speed tables from the checklist section. If it's still in paragraph five, which I believe it is, that should have come out to I I'm sorry about that. >> It's also in it's number three. >> Oh, >> under traffic calming. So, you took out speed tables as number nine, but it's
also listed as number three. >> Number three. >> And that needs to that needs to be removed as well. Sorry, the these aren't pageated what we have in front of us. Uh, I see if uh I did. Sorry, got to
formate my sentence there. >> It was my intention to pull them out. I know you guys deliberated, too. Did you have any on the speed tables? I'm sorry to put you on the spot there. I didn't realize they were still in. I I do apologize. >> Um, but I think to me the list of things
>> Liz, if you could just go to the mic. >> I sure can. It's okay. Um to me, so I think just in case anyone couldn't hear, um we don't remember whether we talked specifically about speed tables or not. Um I think the more important thing I
know for me personally, it's not the list of things that are in there. It is really about again declaring our intent to make this part of the decision-making process when we're making decisions about transportation and development that it's not just about cars that it's
about all of the network users. And I don't like I'd hate for us to miss out on this opportunity because we're like caught up on specific things because I don't even feel like that's the important piece of this. It's really about the approach. um to making these
decisions. >> Thank you. >> Do you want to be recognized? Councilman, please. >> Yeah. Just I mean the language here that I'm looking at in paragraph five says transportation projects shall strive to include where appropriate and then it goes through this whole list of items
here. Um you know we talked about the last time around we had kind of talked about roundabouts and realized there was no place in Verona where you would realistically want to put a roundabout. Um I mean chicanees for example in in my opinion at least a chicane I looked I I read some other complete streets
policies including NJ dots um and the design of a chicane in a lot of these I feel like is more contemplated to be in the orientation of the roadway where like when you'd be designing a new roadway and you would jog the roadway deliberately. There really isn't any place in Verona where we could do that. The chicane that we tried doing here was
a um painted marker that would force traffic into an oncoming lane which I feel >> yeah it was an abject I think everyone it was an abject failure I think that everyone across the board on that like why leave it in here >> um you know I've heard from people where
we have road diets people confir you know concerned about potentially imposing a road diet on Bloomfield Avenue and what that might do to the speed of traffic through you know the Bloomfield corridor Um, I don't know. It's just all if you if you say that these these transportation projects shall strive to include this whole list
of items, that kind of implies that when we do a roadway redesign that we should be looking at this and trying to find things like that we have to pick something out of the toolbox and put it in otherwise we didn't do our job. >> Okay. >> Um, that's the the challenge that I have with it. Like I just envision I look at
our streets and I just go the the fewest on the residential streets the fewest markings on the street are the best. Like for example if you were to come we we at a one point in time proposed a policy where we would disallow parking within whatever it was 3 ft of a driveway and we proposed um painting
hash marks on the streets to indicate where 3t of a driveway was and residents did not want that. >> No I wrote to you all in opposition of that. Yeah. So that's again same thing. >> Yeah. The the residential streets I'm just in favor of maintaining the least
amount of marking on them to be functional and meet traffic safety standards and not to try and put sort of artificial traffic controls on them where I think that those streets are not necessarily where we have a speed policy. I don't mind doing things like more visible crosswalks >> for example. Like I see people that are
doing better marking of crosswalks. I think that that's >> a reasonable thing. But again, just I feel like we need to maintain the character of the roadways to make them feel like residential streets. And that's, you know, that's just my and I don't want again, I'm not a traffic engineer. I don't want to pick this to
pieces, but I, you know, that's what I what I want to avoid the tendency to do is to start striping the residential streets a lot. >> Yeah. And I I think that um am I allowed to just talk back and forth? >> Eventually, you can you can sit down and we'll just comment, right? But go ahead.
No, I was just going to say that I think maybe revisiting the way that that is stated is fine. Uh like would it was you know something that we should should think about. I did just want to say though that to me and this probably lots
of people will disagree with this. I think slowing traffic on Bloomfield Avenue is a good thing. We don't want to create congestion. We want to slow it in an efficient and consistent way. And some of these things, and I know that this again falls in the
county's purview, so it's something that we have to work together with them on, but could help do that. >> Do you need Liz? >> No, I don't. >> Why do you have seiz? >> I think it's fair since the councilman
is so passionate about maning the character of the streets that we ask that that is worked into that phrase is worked into the policy in the appropriate place. And so and again like I think I think we can reach a middle ground and I'm also happy to offline
with you or if you would like to offline directly with the neighborhood traffic and safety committee because I think we all agree that we want our pedestrians in particular our children who are walking to school. We're a walking school town like we want to put safety first and this provides just a framework. It's not a mandate.
>> Okay. So I think there's a way that we can like if you want to work directly with members of them or with Boswell to to specifically add some language so that your fears are are then you know satisfied because I think we're close
>> and I'm sure that we agree. >> Just before we go I just want to remind everybody that they need to address the chair of the meeting not each other directly. So Councilman Roman if you'd like to respond and address the chair. I would be happy to do that. I'll give an example of how this was scope limited at
the NJ DOT level. NJ DO's policy is only for streets below 35 miles an hour. And you look at an NJ DOT and the number of streets that they control that are under 35 miles an hour is probably very few. Um but they they specifically picked
classes of roadways to apply traffic calming measures to in order to maintain roadways for what they are and the appropriate uses. Um so something like that just you know we could find some intent uh so that we apply this only where it makes sense and for you know
like one of the things I don't really see us doing in this town is upgrading our roadways at any point in time to you know turn roads into collector roads or other other things like that but we might sort of you know policy block ourselves from doing that. That might be something reasonable that we don't try and speed up the existing streets. like
that would be language that we could potentially put in there so that we don't try and, you know, make what is a residential street a collector road or something along those lines. Um, I don't know. Well, I I'll I'd be happy to discuss it with the NTSC and see what they think. I'm going to address myself
at this point. Um, I guess so. We're at a position where the traffic safety committee has provided a recommendation. I don't think we need to go back and forth with the committee at this point. They provide a recommendation. We need to legislate at this point and do what we can. We could use the committee for
expert advice, but at this point the recommendations here at the council, it's not negotiation between the council and a committee. That's not how it works, right? Um I have a couple concerns about just number one, um yes, I think removing the speed tables is
important. Um I have a significant concern with the way that this is just drafted in general. um because it says in some places we'll strive we'll strive we'll strive to include right and then
there's an exception area that says may not be required to accommodate the needs of particular user group design engineer summarizes writing that so I have a concern with we have we'll strive in one place which is not binding upon anybody
okay striving means you just got to do your best right then in this other part there's this whole exception area. Okay. So I think we're in an interesting piece where we're not really providing clear direction. So I'd like to know from the town administration
what what you see is the the purpose of this is this legislation because that's my next point. Is this designed to provide a, as Council McGrath was talking before, a toolbox of items, or is this designed to
be a mandate that things have to be met unless they can be demonstrated they can't be met because this policy right now is conflicting in its language. >> So, uh, so mayor to answer that question, I think it's it's a little bit
of both. for public municipal projects. The intention is that this is a toolbox of uh of different traffic calming efforts that can be utilized on public projects. Uh but having this policy also
allows us to um be a little bit more strict in private developments even though there are not a lot of large parcels where you're going to have large subdivisions and and roadways cut through parcels in Verona but it allows us to effectuate that uh a little bit more strictly on private development as
well. Okay. So my then point is I think we need to I don't I have no problem with having a list of of possibilities, right? That's for the town to use. I do have concerns with the way that this is
drafted. So number one, by resolution, we can't require a developer to build a development in roads in a specific way. That would have to be done by ordinance. And as of right now, this is not put in place as an ordinance. So that is a
completely separate process. The way I would look at this is if we wanted to have two different things, right? Where we would have a resolution that the council passes on an annual basis that talks about
municipal projects and you have the toolbox method in the municipal project component. Okay. um because I'm not sure I want to um put future councils in the position where they'd have to change an
ordinance if things update on as we're doing. But if we pass by resolution, this is our intention on municipal projects that this is items that we will be looking at for municipal projects. What we're doing is putting ourselves in a position where we are putting out
there what our intentions are and and what we want to do. And then we would need to change the zoning code or that could I think it's zoning right Brian to on the side. Yep. We would need to change the zoning code to include the
specific requirements that we're putting forth for a developer. Right? So, we have a potential place where I where there might be roads coming in um you know in a future development over on Grove Avenue that could potentially you
know we have to decide like so this could have um some bearing on that. I think that's honestly probably the last place where we might see a road put in right in town. So we're doing kind of a lot of work for developers when there's a low probability we're actually going to have more development than that. But
if we're doing this and it helps us with one development, then I'm fine doing it and helping with one development if we get what we need out of that. All right. Um, so that's another piece of this. And I think at that point here is your requirement as a developer include in the zoning code. Note in the zoning code
that the municipality is exempt and the municipality would follow any standards uh done by resolution. um then I think we have that because another piece of this I think is we make if we put the municipality in sometimes
there's a cost factor and it gets confusing for people like are we putting this in or not. Um so I'm as somebody who walks you know four miles a day in this town um routinely except when it's negative 89 degrees outside and then I
only walk two miles a day. Um I think that there's a there's certainly a a need to have some design standards for rows in and I think that this policy in general is good um in that. So um you know with the speed tables out that
helps with the um the chicanees out I think that helps as well um because we don't want to put things in there I I don't want to say to developer like you have to put these things in that we know that we don't want right because they haven't worked in other places. Um, there also appears to be like an
exception process in here. So, if we do break this out, there's like a a transportation project not be required to accommodate. And there are a bunch of exceptions which I think are generally okay, but I would like to add the township council as the final arbiter of
any exceptions um because it's our legislative intent on this and I think we should be the appellet authority on that rather than the township manager. I mean if the tension manager approves an exception that's fine. I think they should also have the ability to come to the council. Um because that could also
become part of a negotiation over a development that we have later. Um so those are just some some process things and then further I just you know once again I think that say take curb bumpouts for example I think there's a
place for a curb bumpout. Missing point curb bumpouts are also known to cause flooding. So like they're not the right thing for everywhere. So I think that if we do a resolution for our roads as we make them and we say okay
these are things that we will consider and if appropriate instead of saying strive to but if appropriate we'll include make it very simple right for us then you have that as an ability. So I think that the the concepts of this are
not problematic to me. I think most of the the language on on certain things is not problematic to me. However, I think the the way this is drafted as a resolution how and how there's no differentiation between a municipal project and developer project. Um, and
then I think the the other part of this is, you know, as most residents know, most of our main roads, as Councilman Roman pointed out, um, are county roads, right? In fact, the municipality controls no traffic lights. Every traffic light in the town of Verona is
either a state or a county traffic light. Um, so it goes to show that we have this. So I think what we can do is if we pass a resolution relative to municipal projects, we can pass a resolution and transmit it to the county as this is how what we are putting forth
as our design standards. We could have a meeting with CI and we can talk to the county about how we would like to see that. Um, I think this is going to be important, you know, as the county looks at doing some uh the changes on Pink Avenue and things like that moving
forward to have some a some combined intent of the council there as well. So, I would say let's split this into two items, ordain one, resolve one, um, and get the process moving because I don't really
otherwise have a have a problem with these things. As long as the township council has the, uh, the final say if a developer has an issue because we don't necessarily, you know, want to create an environment, we're putting the township manager in that position. Um, and as it
stands right now, the unless it's ordained, the planning board and zoning board can't do anything related to this in their hearings, right? Because they have no legislative intent to follow. So, that would be my suggestion and come
back with with those two differences. >> Okay. Is that >> Yeah, I' I've taken notes on all the comments. Um, I know Mike has been taking comments as well, so we'll we'll make um modifications. We'll circulate
to the council and uh we'll get uh a round of final feedback before we bring it for uh the next public meeting. Okay. >> All right. And to the um and it'll be I think it'd be helpful at that point to to pop that in new business since it's
so different at this point. Um but to the neighborhood traffic and safety committee I just want to thank you for all of your work. Um I sat as a leazison on to that committee and I feel like in the last couple years the committee has expanded its um its recommendations on
policy and that's really helpful to us to have a starting point and this is what committee should be doing. So I thank you for that and uh and I hope that we can just put all this in the just in the right format and move from here. >> Thank you. Okay. And thank you to the
committee for their work on this. I don't mean to just because I have a difference of opinion on the policy doesn't mean I don't appreciate the work that uh goes into it. I appreciate the robust discussion and how much time goes into the discussion. I'm sure we can find some common ground. >> Okay. Agree.
>> All right. Um is that it for you, Mr. Sullivan? >> That is it for me. >> Well, you've had 50 minutes of this meeting, so maybe we should give it to the council members. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor M. >> Oh, no. Deputy Manager. Oh, sorry. Did you want to say something, Mike? Or
>> uh I will save my comments for new business with the three >> with all those revisions. Yes. Because you have so many things. >> All right. Deputy Mayor Makavoy, council member reports. >> Since I didn't say anything on the last one, I would thank the traffic and
safety committee also for your time on this. uh it does have some really good points and anything we can do to protect walkers, runners, and bikers in this town uh is something we should do and move forward with. So, I'll have more comments on the revised version, but
enough was said tonight. Uh a lot of uh echoing the mayor's uh report. Uh I did also attend the board of education swearing in. Uh and I congratulate the two new members and congratulate the uh chair and deputy
chair there. Uh and a huge thank you to our public works and our police department and fire and rescue squad for the wonderful job they did during this last storm. Uh Verona is far and above. I hear from so many people throughout this county how
well we clear roads and get people uh from one place to at least getting through Verona uh is a lot easier than many other towns. I was in several other I won't mention them but it was just disaster to get through after the storm. Uh, I thank the Verona Rescue Squad for
feeding me yesterday morning before the Super Bowl in the afternoon in the evening for their pancake breakfast for all they do for the town to uh do their fundraiser was a great event that they've been doing for many many years. So, I thank them for that. And uh again,
another organization that fed me was Unico. Uh I appreciate that. They do so much for this town and give back. I forget what the number they stated how much they've given uh in all their years but it was such a huge number and all their fundraising goes back to a lot of
uh students in Verona for scholarships and other uh I can just mention the light in front of FM Brown that this uh the walking uh signal there the crosswalk signal that was uh $15,000 I think or maybe $12,000. So, I thank them
for all they do for this town. And that is all I have for this evening. >> Thank you, Councilman Roman. >> Thank you. Uh my comments may be a little bit repetitive, but uh would also like to uh congratulate Unico on very successful Sunday gravy dinner and uh thank them for all of their uh
contributions to the town and all of their service. Uh that was a wonderful event. Uh also was able to attend the rescue squad pancake pancake breakfast. Um a wonderful organization and so many people came together to uh uh help them out. And then uh also my thanks to uh
DPW. I did send a note to uh Chuck after the storms. Uh Verona really does uh snow removal very well and our DPW crew. Um you know they were out plowing during the storm after the storm and then cleaning up after. And in fact they went back on Bloomfield Avenue and uh removed
snow just to get the parking spaces back. Uh I think it's something that we do extraordinarily well. So I appreciate all their efforts. That's my report for this evening. >> Thank you Councilwoman McGrath. >> Um thank you. Um, I had the honor of attending Governor
Cheryl's uh, swearing in, which feels like a long time ago because we've had lots of snow and ice and deep cold since. But, um, it was a pleasure to be included in such a monumentous day, uh, which was held in Newark at the performing arts center. Um, and to watch
her being sworn in and to be able to represent Verona at that event. um it um was steeped with history um and uh was really a wonderful ceremony and very efficient as well. So um it was a great
um opportunity and and I wish her a lot of luck with her administration. Um I do want to say that um while I could not make the last neighborhood traffic and safety committee meeting, they um clearly they talked a lot. I did want to thank um Paul Mikowitz for his
service as chair. Uh he stepped down as chair and now Liz um Hines is co-chair with Abby Cherko. So I want to thank you all for your s service and I know you had a very robust conversation about future um with the police chief about future things that are coming down the
pike. I won't spoil the surprise for the council but it was um in um our executives report. So that's um going to be very exciting. Um the shade tree committee met tonight. Um and as was uh not mentioned specifically but was in
our memo from the town manager. Um they are going to reapply for a grant. Uh they uh didn't receive but they got constructive comments and can reapply. That's to plant um 400 trees throughout the township which would be tremendous if we got it. And they talked what?
>> Tremendous. >> Tremendous. Thank you for that edit. tremendous if we uh got that grant. Um uh so I really um hopeful that uh the relication will happen soon and they are uh working on their strategic plan um
which is the next step um after the tree survey which happened earlier this year and then finally it went to the corona rescue squad breakfast. Um, I don't actually eat breakfast, so I was a cheap um, attendee, just donating and not
eating. But I had a great time. I got there almost at rope drop um, and had a great time talking with the youth that were volunteering and um, all of the long-term volunteers. And I'm glad to hear it was a great success. Um, thank you so much and thank you DPW for all of
their hard work with the snow removal and to all of our first responders. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Hall. >> Thank you. Um, good evening everyone. Uh, I just want to thank the residents that are here this evening, especially for taking the time out of your busy
schedules and for braving the elements to get here. Um, I know it's been very cold lately. I'll acknowledge um some of the recent activities here in town that I was part of. Um, first of all, I had the opportunity to join my first MYAK committee meeting. Um that was very
meaningful for me as I had been part of the uh team that established that committee initially so and I was recently made their liaison. Uh among the various initiatives that they are working on this year is the age friendly grant activities that Mr. Oullivan was
talking about already um this evening. I also want to thank the neighborhood traffic and safety committee for coming here this evening and putting forward the complete streets recommendations. because I do think it's incredibly important and there is a lot of work that needs to be done for pedestrian
safety in our community. Second, um, and if you've come come to these meetings before, you won't be surprised. I do want to discuss the extreme cold temperatures that we're experiencing. As you know, I think it's important for residents to understand their rights during this time of year. Currently, the
law establishes a winter shut off moratorum which prevents residential utility shut offs for eligible customers. notably it um protects lowincome residents but also those facing um financial hardships like you know sudden unemployment or illness. So
and the intention is so that these essential services like your home heating um remain active during the winter months because um you can it can be life-threatening to lose heat during this time of year. So, as a second point, I do just want to bring to
residents attention um the severe strain that we've been experiencing on our electric power grid during the extreme cold that we've been experiencing. So, our entire region of the country has previously been long on generation, but that's no longer the case. So today we
find ourselves in a situation where we barely have enough generation to meet the extreme demands when we have these extreme and prolonged uh temperature swings. So whether it be like the extreme cold that we're currently dealing with or in the summer typically
it's those extreme heat waves that we've experienced. Historically we've always been a summer peaking electric grid but that is no longer the case. We have had some very extreme peak events during the winter and we've had one of those recently. And what that's actually
happened is that we've even had the extreme situations where the head of the Department of Energy had to issue emergency orders within the last two weeks where large load customers, so your commercial and industrial um
organizations that have their own backup generation, notably you're going to think about data centers. They have their own backup generation. There were orders issued that if it got too tight, they were going to have to push them all to their backup generation to make sure that our lights could stay on. So that's
really extreme because we're teetering on the brink of brownouts and blackouts and that, you know, these load shedding events and see my earlier statement about how that can be really extreme and lifethreatening this time of year. So why am I talking about this at a local
government meeting? And it's because our basic actions here at home, in our businesses, even here in the public building can really make a difference. And I want to make sure that there's public awareness about that. So, for example, we can undertake specific
energy efficiency actions here at home. So, your thermostat should be approximately 68° when you're during your waking hours. I set mine at 67. It should be lower when you're sleeping overnight. You can put on layers in your
home. Um, you should make sure that curtains and furniture are not blocking your air vents. You should seal air leaks in your house with caul or weather stripping around doors. You should make sure that your curtains are open during the day. So, your curtains aren't
supposed to be sealing whatever air leaks you might have around your windows. They need to be open so that you can be solar heating your home. You need to be charging your electric vehicles midday or overnight. um you should shift your appliance usage. You should really unplug devices that are
not otherwise in use. And I'm saying that because we are at a point in our nation's history where we are going to start seeing situations where there are extreme load shedding events. And I think it's important for us to
understand that we can take these small actions at home and that can really help to avoid that kind of emergency situation that that could very likely happen and we were planning for within the last two weeks and it's happened before like a couple of Christmases ago
we were right on that brink as well. So, this is not a new situation, but it is something that residents likely don't have a lot of awareness about because it's happening at a regional and national level, but it's also not a lot of people are paying attention to their power usage. Um, in particular, also
this is going to help with the affordability crisis that we're all taking that we're all experiencing, right? I imagine that a lot of people are going to be extremely sticker shocked when they get their next utility bill. So, just some things to keep in mind. Thank you very much. That
concludes my report. >> Okay. All right. Moving on to public comment. This time I'll open for public comment on any matter any member of the public wishes discussed. Madam clerk, if you can read that statement again because we
had a couple people hop on Zoom. >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak on any matter, please raise your hand by pressing the raise hand button on your monitor. If you're dialing in by phone, press star 9. If you're attending in person, please raise your hand before approaching the lectern term. Once recognized, clearly state only your
name, Township of Residence for the record. You are not required to provide your street address. However, if you do, please note that these meetings will be posted on the township's YouTube channel and addresses will not be redacted for any purpose. You'll have four minutes to address the council. There'll be no
cross dialogue during the public portion. After everyone wishing to speak has been heard, the council may address your comments and or questions. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Miss Sales, >> Jan Sales, long res longtime resident of
Verona. Um, I just wanted to talk about the pool. Yeah, I know Pam mentioned right now we had the 242 family memberships. Um, in 2025 we had 755. In 2024,
we had 815. Um, do we do we I'm gonna jump. Do we think it possible that we can get to uh the 2024? Um, and also another question I had a few uh how is the marketing
group that's established to ensure that we reach those numbers? Also, um miscellaneous revenue, how are we doing with that? And last two questions, events at the pool. I know there was a list of things that we were going to do
uh at the pool off season and during and what are we working on now because I know some of them needed to be done like yesterday. So, thank you for your attention. >> Thank you, Miss Sales. >> Josh.
>> Hi everyone. Josh Jacobs, Verona resident. Uh thank you for uh welcoming us here. It was really encouraging to hear the discussion with the uh neighborhood traffic and safety committee. It was uh as a resident, it is really nice to see that there are efforts being made and whatever we can do. There's so much out of our control
with our county roads that it's nice to see that what we can control we're making effort on. And I know that your uh township manager is meeting with the county on Wednesday. Um to echo that, is there anything else that we can do on Bloomfield Avenue? As you know, there was a few accidents. Uh you we're still
averaging about an accident a week or so. Uh four car accident outside of my storefront. Once again, one car length from, you know, potentially hitting right through my window. Um you know, there's a speed issue there as I travel up and down the roadway. You can go up
and down. I I can count five, maybe six park mobile signs. Uh and on that stretch of downhill, there are zero speed limit signs. So, is there anything that we can do to add signage, to add flashing lights? I think a small budget of $40,000 would take care of three
flashing speed limit signs reminding drivers to slow down as they approach that natural, you know, downhill stretch, which uh you know, increases speed. So, I think a small budget uh would kind of get us to a little bit of a safer place. As we know, reduction in
speed can from 35 to 25 can reduce fatality fatal crashes about 80%. Um, so I'd like to see some of our efforts here uh like the neighbor traffic safety is committee, you know, doing on their local roads on the county roads as well. So, um, love to see if there's anything
we can do there. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. Going to Zoom. Denise. >> Okay. Hi. Can you guys hear me now? >> Yep. Go ahead. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh Denise Fella. I am a Verona Township resident. I'm just
calling in um because I wanted to comment on the uh new housing development that is um was approved. I think it's 880 Bloomfield Avenue. It was approved a couple meetings ago. Um and it my
understanding is that it's been approved as a pilot um funded development. I would encourage the township council to coordinate with the school board and the uh superintendent of schools to work
together to develop a plan that does not completely cut the school board out of not only planning but any pilot funds that could come from that development. Um, as of now, the school board received zero dollars from pilot funded um,
developments in town. And the last time I looked at the 2024 budget, the township received approximately $1.5 million in pilot funds uh, through all the pilot developments in town. Um
and although many of these developments do send children to the schools, the school district receives no funds for those children. So the burden is then shifted to the taxpayers and the budgeting um of the school board. So, I
would encourage the township council to reach out early and communicate with the uh school board and superintendent uh to develop um an appropriate plan for that uh area.
And just one more thing, since someone mentioned the marketing committee for the town pool, I I am just a little confused because I do I thought that the township did have a full-time public relations person
um that's on staff and that we pay a salary for. If we have a full-time public relations person, why is that person not in charge of marketing for our town pool? Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other comments? Hearing none, I close public comment. Um, Miss Als to your question about the forecast for membership. I know that uh the administration does look at the
numbers and make targets and analyze where we are in comparison to everywhere else and it's something that I've asked to be provided numbers as comparison in previous years as we move forward but we're still kind of in the early stages of registration. So um as we continue
but um we've asked for um actuals this round at this date versus last round on another date so we can get a better idea of the forecasting related to that. Um as to Mr. Jacob's point you know I I agree
with you on Blueford Avenue. I will be interested to see Mr. O Sullivan's conversations and how that goes with the county. Um related to that, I think the the county does need to step up and um
put some put some more uh traffic calming mechanisms there. Um and you know, part of it unfortunately is we're dealing with human behavior and it is pretty clearly marked that 25 mph zone. the township a number of years ago did
actually pay to pave to um paint 25 mileer zones going in and then of course the county repaved the road. So that was money well spent. Um but it's something we could consider doing again but everything has a cost that cost what 15,000 or something to do
>> that there it was approximately that cost and the county did come in to restripe after their paving but uh striping does fade over time. >> Yeah. Now we we had like it written on the pavement like 25 m an hour ahead
>> in the lane. Yeah. >> Yeah. Right. So you know that's one of those. So if we could talk about that or even talk to Sanjie tomorrow and see if they can paint that in because I think that's helpful. People do catch a little bit of air there for sure. So it would be helpful to have that. Um going to uh
Miss Rosella. Um, we can't really get into the pilot discussions in public at this point because this is still a negotiation with the developer. Um, so I I can't uh specifically comment on it, but um I'll just kind of leave that and
uh but it is my intention to ensure that the school board is uh is included as I've mentioned to their officials. Um and then as far as a marketing committee, Mr. Sullivan, did you want to take a whack at that one?
>> Sure, mayor. Thank you. Uh, there was an application window for the committee um for public members. Uh, that committee uh that that window closed, I believe it was last week. So, we will be organizing the committee and having kickoff meetings for the pool marketing
committee uh in the coming in the next several weeks uh maybe late February or early March. Um and at that meeting we will have the benefit of a number of voices in one room to help identify better areas to market and publicize the
pool for our uh public information officer to be able to get that messaging out to the public. So it'll be a collective effort of all the the individuals in that room. >> And I think going on that there was a question about you know why does our um public information officer not lead it?
Our PIO is involved in that. One of the things we heard from public feedback was that there are a lot of people wanted to help that have some background in this and wanted to help keep the pool financially afloat. So, we're really using resident resources to expand our abilities, but our PIO is the leader um
on the marketing piece, but if we can have some residents with a marketing background, uh we have had people who have volunteered to staff tables and things like that that at events that dramatically increases our our footprint as far as being able to and our breath
as far as marketing. So, um that's why we're doing that. >> Correct. >> All right. Um, moving on to hearing adoption or amendment of ordinances. Madame clerk, the next item on the agenda is ordinance number 2026-01.
For adoption, would you please read the title of this ordinance into the record? >> An ordinance granting renewal of municipal consent Comcast of New Jersey to LLC to construct, connect, operate, and maintain a cable television and communication system in municipality of
Verona, Essex County, New Jersey. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would somebody move the ordinance, please? So moved. >> The motion is made by Councilwoman Holland. Is there a second? I'll second the second made by the deputy mayor. This time, I'll open for public hearing.
>> Mayor, I just uh I have to recuse from discussions with uh this due to various dealings with Comcast. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilman Roman. Um I will open for public comment, public hearing on this item only. Same public
comment statement applies. Who wants to talk about Comcast? I do not have cable. I can't talk about it. Hearing none, I close public comment. Council discussion. Hearing none. Madam clerk, would you
call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. Mayor Tambbor. >> Yes. >> Mayor Horn passes vote four to zero with
refusal. It'll be published according to law. >> All right. The next item on the consent agenda is or sorry the next item on the agenda is the consent agenda which includes one set of minutes as well as now it'll be 20 resolutions because
we've removed L8. Uh does anybody want to pull anything from the consent agenda? Councilwoman McGrath. >> Yes. I would like to pull what was previously um L 6 and seven, please. >> L6
and seven. Okay. And I would like to Well, now I lost it. Uh L9, please. Right. >> I'd like to pull one and four. >> Okay. Well,
>> should we just do them all individually? >> No. >> All right. I'll hear a motion to adopt K1, L2, L3, L5, L 10
through 21. >> Yeah, that's right. Is L9 pulled? >> Yes. >> Yeah, I pulled L9. >> Oh, five to 10. Yeah. Okay. Would somebody like to make that motion?
>> So moved. >> Motion's made by Councilwoman Holland. Is there a second? I'll second it. Second. Thank you, Councilman Roman. This time I'm going to call for public comment on any consent agenda items, even the ones that were pulled. We're going to do it all at once. Same public comment statement applies.
All right. No public comment. I close public comment. Any council discussion on 2, three, five, and 10 and up. Uh I just had a question for the town
administration. You could just explain the um the bond aggregating and why we're doing that. And >> sure, it's uh it's prior authorizations which are being aggregated. their uh temporary bands which are going to be
going out for permanent uh bond sales uh later this month. >> And is there any disadvantage to doing this as far as are we getting any better rates on bond anticipation notes or anything like that that we might be disadvantaged by doing this? >> Um I know that our CFO and our uh
financial experts um Acasia Financial have been reviewing and trying to time the market appropriately with the most appropriate time. uh they have identified that it the current time of of going out now is appropriate. Uh so they didn't they didn't identify any
disadvantages. >> Okay. I uh I just wonder I guess my my wondering out loud is that you know we have the potential for uh the the the Fed target rates to go
down um which could potentially bring bond prices down. And I just my guess my question on that is, you know, if we have bond anticipation notes and we can bond this later when interest rates go down, um would that save us, you know, could save us tens of thousands,
hundreds of thousands of dollars in in uh interest potentially. But at the same point, if we feel like the the bond prices are not going to go down that significantly with that change, which sometimes they don't because we're already getting pretty good bonding rates. That's I guess the question that
I have on on these um because sometimes that's the advantage of having a note out versus going to bond entirely. So >> was that was that considered in Aazia's uh thought process? the the current
market was certainly considered as part of that analysis. Um, and it's it is a little bit of a balancing of trying to forecast how much the rates may or may not go down, how much savings there may be there, and then also based on where the
rates are currently, um, the coupon that's received as a part of that bonded package could also balance out what that consideration is as well. So all things considered, the uh acia financial did recommend that uh with bond council that
the recommendation is to move forward at at the current time. >> And it does save us some administrative cost as well to bundle these. >> Correct. >> Okay. Council Roman. >> Um resolution 14, the pickup truck. Uh
is is can you tell me why the this particular function of government requires a $55,000 pickup truck? >> Can I add to that before, >> Mr. Mayor? >> Sure. Thank you, Mayor. >> I I believe in the past we also talked about repurposing a vehicle for this
department when we went through the budget last year. >> Uh so I just add it to the answer of the question. >> No, this this was actually approved in the in the capital plan last year. So this was an expenditure approved during the capital budget last year
specifically for this department. >> Correct. This is this is this was >> why it cost $55,000 is a different question. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So >> this was the a pickup truck approved in capital. The price of the truck um did
come down from what they had originally um requested. Their total request was also reduced during the capital process and they selected a less expensive model to then do more upfitting if I remember correctly.
>> Does this price include the upfitting >> or just the like this premise for do the upfitting or is the upfitting going to be another >> x number of thousands of dollars? >> I'll have to get an answer for you on that. I don't know it off the top of my head. I if I what is the specific use of this
vehicle? Is this I this is a enforcement and inspection function. Are they you know transporting equipment or are they simply you know driving around town is we like code enforcement has used sort of light SUVs in the past. We repurposed other vehicles. I know vehicles are very expensive right now. This one just kind
of raised a flag um for the use versus the cost. The the rationale from what I remember in the budget process was they were specifically looking for a pickup truck so that they could put soiled gear >> in a separate compartment than the passenger compartment. So when they do
fire investigations and enter an area that has had smoke damage or there's chemicals or something like that, they did not want to transport here. And as of right now, they don't have the capacity to to do that. Um and then there was some, you know, some other pieces. Um the one thing I will say
about this department specifically is they are a revenue generating department. Um and if they do the the uh the lead um inspections will be more of a revenue generating department. Um so and they've never had a new vehicle for
this purpose. So I would anticipate this vehicle probably lasting 20 years 15 15 20 years. So just you know putting it that way. But this is a discussion we had in in capital but pickup trucks are apparently very expensive. You know, you can get a Ford Ranger for 38K. So, okay.
So, I would just ask before we execute the purchase if the township administration review what is being bought, >> right? And if we could really look at the uh the upfitting cost and make sure that it's not, you know, a
little it's not luxurious, right? >> We'll get a summary to the council. >> Okay. >> So, it's pulled to or tabled. >> Well, no. I mean it's still on the consent agenda. So it's just a comment I think from Mr. Roman to >> I would just ask that you use your discretion in whatever we I'm okay with
funding a pickup truck. I just the dollar figure was a little eye popping. >> Oh, okay. >> Understood. I'll we'll get a summary to the council before the the purchases is complete. >> Any other council discussion on any of the >> I have a question on L10. >> Deputy mayor L10. Go ahead.
>> Uh in in this we call this Verona Commerce Park. We're talking at the end of Commerce Court. >> Yes. >> Okay. I know there's different We've been calling different projects different things. This piece of property, aren't we referring to this as the Pekman Park?
>> Uh, I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page. Maybe we should change it here so we know which one is which. >> We can certainly change it. We've had um >> I don't think we've ever officially designated it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think we've called it different things. It's it's been on the open space
um the updated Rossi. Um we can we can name it both in this resolution. Commerce Park, also known as Pecman Park, and then we can clean up the final make sure it matches the Rossi uh in the final application as well. >> Commerce Park sounds like a you know a
place where you have like businesses and light industrial. So yes. Well, and I know we just had the Eagle Scout do's project there and he was referring to it as Pcman Park because that's what we >> I like Pekman Park and Peekman Park also includes some of that land that we own adjacent to the brook. >> Correct.
>> So, it would probably be better to call that all Peckman Park. It's a well noted deputy mayor. Anybody else? >> Okay. >> Madam Clerk, could you call the role on the consent agenda items?
Councilwoman, >> sorry. >> Yes. >> You're you're voting on the resolution with the amendment to the name. >> Correct. >> Yes. Well, it'll be an also known as Yes. >> Yes. >> So, you're voting as amended just so all the council is clear. >> Correct. >> And that verbiage with Pecman Park will
be in the final resolution. >> Resolution. >> Perfect. >> Thank you. Sorry, council. Um, not clerk. >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbora, >> yes. >> Those resos will be numbered uh 029 through and including 048. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No, I'm sorry.
Forgive me. 029 and um to 043. I'm sorry. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. Would somebody move resolution L1, please? >> So moved. >> Motion's made by Councilwoman McGrath.
Is there a second? I'll second this. Any council discussion? >> I would like to recuse from uh L1. >> Noted. Any other council discussion? Madam clerk, would you call the role?
Except for Counciloman Holl. >> Sorry, let me just note that. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Cambro, >> yes. Um,
this reszo should be numbered 044, but I think I made a mistake. So, the previous numbers >> so many I can't read my own writing. >> Okay, I think you're right.
>> If it's 28 plus, >> you know, >> I'm sorry. Yes, it is 044. >> Okay, you're good. >> All right. >> Spot on. Would somebody please move resolution L4? So move. >> Motion's made by the deputy mayor. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Second's made by Councilwoman McGrath. Council comments on L4. >> I'd like to recuse myself from L4. >> So noted. Any other council comments? Madam clerk, would you call the role, please?
>> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. Councilman Roman. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambboro. >> Yes. >> L4 will be 045. >> Thank you. Would somebody please move resolution L6?
>> So moved. >> Motion is made by Councilman Roman. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second is made by Deputy Mayor Makavoy. Any council discussion on L6? Okay. Hearing none. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please?
>> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> abstain. >> Counciloman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. >> So L6 will be numbered 046.
>> Thank you. Would somebody move L7, please? >> So moved. Motion's made by Councilman Roman. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second made by Deputy Mayor Makavoy. Council discussion. Council. Anybody? No. Madam Clerk, could you call the role, please?
>> Councilwoman McGre, I mean, sorry, Councilwoman Holland. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes. Mayor Tambboro. >> Yes. >> Mayor L7 will be numbered 047.
>> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Would somebody please move L9? >> So moved. >> Motion's made by Councilwoman McGrath. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Seconds by Councilman Roman. Um I asked this be pulled. Start discussion. Um
there was a question that that I had the uh environmental commission um brought up as well, so I just wanted to pull it. And the question was for this grant application it says to returf but we have not just wanted on the record
that there's not been a determination. So this could cover either a grass field or a turf field. >> That that's correct. the the grant application, the narrative with the grant application is non-specific on the type of final field surface
>> because I know we've had some pretty thoughtful conversations um on this and um I've stated my opinions on this before and that's that we should not be putting another jerk field there especially
next to the uh the wells that were designed to take the chemical out of the ground that the turf fields leech into the ground. So, just a >> throwing out there the >> Yeah, >> that would be a little that justosition would be a little hard to swallow. Um, all right, Madame Clerk, could you call
the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. Counciloman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. >> Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. Yeah, somebody moved it. >> Mayor Tambour, >> yes.
09 will be number 048. >> Okay. Moving on to discussion on proposed ordinances. This would be amending chapter A565-1 schedule of fees blasting
A565-3 administrative other fees and A565 uniform construction code fees. Mr. Krauss you are recognized. Um, so the fee schedule includes
several amendments that I'll briefly cover. Um, when individuals make payments online, there are transaction/convenience fees that are charged, uh, they were not previously ordained.
This corrects that. The, uh, highest percentage is, I believe, 3.4%, 4% but that is for a um a new software the public information officer is using to assist with
sponsorships. The one thing to note for the council um when individuals register for recreation events they do not pay the convenience fee.
So that does decrease our revenue. Uh there is a special service fee proposed by the police department. Um this is for Oprah requests for bodywn camera footage that require significant effort.
Uh it is estimated that every 1 hour of footage that is reviewed requires 3 hours of work to redact. The number of body worn camera footage requests has uh increased in the recent
past. We do not have a we have not tracked the data. Um but one employee did h or has been tracking it since December. They stated that they've spent 140 hours since the middle of December on
redacting body cam footage. Uh, another concern with the increase in requests is that individuals are using these to generate views and revenue on Instagram, social media. Um, a specific example the
police department gave is individuals request um arrest records and they are then um requesting body cam footage of uh unfortunately females being arrested uh specifically for DUIs and things like
that. Um there are several other municipalities um that are charging this. Um the rates vary from 50 cents a minute to $80 an hour. The fee that we are proposing is the fee
that the lowest paid employee who can be assigned a task would be that would be the fee. The next fee is the residential certificate of compliance which is a fire prevention um fee. It is currently
being charged is based on DCA fees. Uh we just did not ordain it. The next fee is a commercial certificate of compliance. Um this would be a new fee when business is open. Um fire prevention would go in and make sure
that uh they meet all of the um necessary safety measures. Uh uniform construction code fees. This is just clarifying that the certificate of continued occupancy is not a UCCC document. There is no change to the fee.
And the last one is a increase in the fee for final readings uh for water. The recommended increase u will bring the fee to $50. In coming up with this fee,
the f uh the final reading fees from North Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Caldwell, West Caldwell, Essex Falls, Rosland, Paripony, and East Hanover were reviewed. We are still below the average of $55 in these communities. And
Monontlair is currently considering increasing theirs as well. This will also match uh or more closely match the cost that we incur for a final reading which is approximately $50.
>> Questions for Mr. Cross. >> Councilwoman McGrath. >> Um thank you. So just to go back to the body cam um piece. So and I had asked the question about like seeing some data.
So, we have no records of Oprah requests that required body cam footage. Like, we have no count of how many OPER requests we fulfill. >> So, the >> that require body cam footage.
>> The police department may be able to generate the number of total requests, but not the specific hours spent on it and by which employees. >> Okay. Well, even a number of over the last two to three years, how many Oprah requests involved body cam footage would
be, I think, helpful for the governing body to understand the scope of this and to back up the assertation, which I don't doubt, but to show, you know, the dramatic increase in these requests. I have no doubt that they take a lot of time. I heard, you know, the horrendous
example that you referenced and about the monetization of body cam footage, especially on social media pro platforms, but we also have to balance and while this is a new element of the law, the Oprah law, we do have to balance, you know, transparency requests
and um, you know, there have been critics of this new Oprah law that, you know, have that the fact that we can charge these fees. So, we have to balance both. So I think some quantification would be helpful at least as a place to start and then for our um
town attorney you know again it is a balancing act. So I feel like I read somewhere like the first hour would be free or something like are we how are we balancing the fact that the public has the right to information with the fact that there are individuals out there
that are abusing this and it's very timely and costly because this is a very complex thing to do. So the township did create a policy and is it the first hour >> that's free? >> What happens is the the charge the
charges that you're seeing here the special service charge clicks in after it becomes um a long period of time and I believe it was was it an hour >> I believe I believe there was consideration in the policy for that. So there's there is consideration and
that's that becomes an extraordinary. So these aren't just simple asks where you have a 10-minute video uh that then has to be reviewed even if it takes you know 30 minutes. So there was indication of that. So the charge that you're looking at comes after once it there's a
triggering event in the policy that makes it an extraordinary request. And by extraordinary doesn't mean that it's a wrong request or anything like that. It just means you're asking for a significant amount of video. Um like Mr. Krauss was indicating if you ask video for a DWI stop. Sometimes there's
multiple police officers and with field sobriety testing and whatnot that could be two three hours worth of video. And then you multiply that by two or three sometimes more officers on the scene at a time and now you're looking at you know three or four hours of video times three hours for each hour to review and
redact what needs to be redacted. So you're looking at you know 15 hours you're looking at two days of work complete work just to answer this one request. and that's when it becomes extraordinary. >> Uh but the certainly the administration can share that policy with you. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> May I have a followup? >> Um is a person who is charged with a crime or formulating a defense are they entitled to video as discovery rather than Oprah? >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, that was going to be my
question on whether an individual who was in the video could have the video without charge. But the problem is if somebody, let's say it's um obviously if there's a criminal charge, it has to be part of discovery and and whatever. Let's say the person isn't charged
criminally. They think that they have been mistreated or something like that. uh as a result and stop and it's they are deciding whether to engage in some kind of um legal action or or internal affairs request or something like that is can we exempt that if a person is in
a video as the subject of video allow them to have the video >> well what I would recommend there is that we um add additional verbiage to the current policy that's already drafted on how this would be applied >> um to allow some discretion for things of that because if we try to
>> um >> ordain ordain that it's difficult because there's so many different variations of what could possibly happen. Um but certainly there there can be times when we can wave this under the certain circumstances. You can just leave the discretion to the chief and and the
township manager. >> Yeah, I don't want to discourage people from getting their own record. I think the problem they're really trying to solve is the is the corporatization and monetization of this which is really the issue. But if people are there, they should have access to the record. And
that's, you know, it's one of those things. If people are making money off of it, it's the cost of doing business, right? Um, but I'd like to see that in writing before I would approve any change to the ordinance um as a as a
policy. All right. Uh, any other questions on the fees? Yes. >> Yes. uh our uh leadbased paint inspections. >> We haven't gotten to that one. Okay. >> Yeah, that's uh hard to see.
>> Okay. >> Um just one other item on >> on this as well is uh on on the credit card, it says up to 3.4%. Can we just make a note in there? The
actual actual charge to the the township up to 3.4% goes up to 3.4%. suggest that we could charge somebody 3.4% if it only cost us 2%. So just have it actual actual cost of the township up to 3.4%. Something like that.
>> Y just so we have that there. Same thing with the uh AC and and whatever. All right. Um, moving on to uh 1B,
which is the zoning code piece. Any comments? Any additional comments on this, Mr. Cross? you kind of covered in your summary, but >> this is just um basically ensuring that fire prevention gets into um new
establishments before they open. >> Okay. Um there the what they're just reading this there are references to the zoning officer, then fire prevention, and then the construction official. And I just want to make sure that this all works.
Like who's in charge? I it looks like it's the zoning official, but zoning official is like can require of the the construction code official certain things and of the fire prevention bureau certain things. So I just want to make sure that that's
um that's clear with the last so the the contact for the public would be the zoning official >> in this case. All right. Any other questions, comments on 01B? Okay. Any objection with moving that to
first reading? No. Okay. And nobody had any objections with just some basic uh um information moving 1A into second reading or to first reading.
All right. Going to 1 C which is the lead uh based paint. Deputy mayor M. >> Uh we're referring to inspections. Do we have someone licensed in our department now or
>> uh the entire staff of fire prevention recently completed the training to do the visual inspections. >> They cannot do the more advanced XRF inspection. There's a I believe it's like a $15,000 piece of equipment needed to do that. Okay. But we have
we have in this the XRF lead inspection for 150 per unit >> that that was the existing fee that was there previously. I don't believe that was changed. >> So if we're not >> uh because >> supplying that or we don't not able to
do that. Should we be pulling that out? I believe that was in there as it was a fee that Lou Environmental would charge for completing the XRF inspection, similar to how they were charging or how they do charge $250 for a visual
inspection. >> So, this often says up to So, what's the actual fee? the uh the fee that fire prevention is recommending if they bring it in-house would be $150
for a visual inspection and $200 for a reinspection. >> Okay. >> So, I guess my question is can we just write those in the ordinance rather than the up to because like people to open the code book and be like this is what the fee is. That's just my personal
preference unless you have an objection. >> We can clean up the language. The intention on this was to afford fire prevention the ability to solely assume this responsibility from L environmental while LU environmental still will perform some of the inspections. U we
could clean up the language to to specify that uh contracted vendors would be at that price and then the in-house fire prevention inspection would be at the other fixed price. >> Okay. Well, that that's good. Actually shows we're saving people money. I may also flag the language on on six.
Um $150 per per lead free. Um if they find the language there is kind of messy. If if they find lead doesn't mean it's more expensive. Is that per inspection? >> The lead free is the certificate. Um if
there I believe if they find um lead then they must remediate it and then there has to be a second inspection done to come into compliance. >> Okay. Then maybe we per per inspection where results are found leadf free or something like that just
better language because per lead free is doesn't really say what that is. >> That's the actual certificate name. >> Okay then can we capitalize the lead and free >> something and Android certificate. >> Yes, certificate. Yes, lead.
>> Okay. Any other comments on lead? >> Okay. All right. Okay. Are there any objections to moving this to first reading? I'm sorry. Did you have a comment? >> No. I wanted to just go back to something in previous business. I don't have a comment on this. >> Okay. Any objection to moving this to
first reading? >> No. No. Okay. Counciloman McGrath. So, I just want to clarify because we when we talked about the last one, you said um and I wasn't sure if we went back and we verbally agreed to move the fee
ordinance to first reading. Did you just say that or >> Yes, pending the data that you asked for in the uh >> Yes. I would want to see the policy for the body warn. >> Correct. I asked for that as well. >> Yes. And so that we agree on the policy before we move the ordinance.
>> Yes. Yes. That's the direction that they give to the manager. Okay. >> We'll provide uh any OPRA data requests, the total counts that we can and then we'll provide a copy of the um the policy with a couple of minor edits
based on comments from tonight. We'll provide to the council this week so there's uh time before the next meeting. If there are any objections, >> then we can u keep it in unfinished business. But otherwise, if the council is okay, then we can move it into first reading.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Right. Is there any other new business? >> Hearing none, I'll open for public comment on any item any member of the public wishes to bring forth to the council.
Hearing none, I close public comment. We previously adopt a resolution to go into executive session. Mr. O Sullivan, will any official action be taken? No. >> Okay. We'll see everybody in a couple weeks. Happy President's Day.