e what turn on your M good evening everyone welcome to the regular meeting for violence city council starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday February 11 2025
roll call please Dr Arthur Mr English here Mr Gomez here Mr Vargas here Mr Spinelli here please stand for the pledge 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 liy and justice for all public notice of this meeting pursuant to the open public meetings act as we given on December 11th 2024 by the city clerk in the following manner
posting written notice on the official bul board and Lobby of City Hall providing written notice to the offices of the Daily Journal in the Press of Atlantic City and filing written notice in the office of the city clerk of the city of Island CH a motion that the minutes of the premating conference and the regular
meeting of January 28th 2025 and the work session of February 4 2025 and the special meeting of February 5 2025 be approved as submitted we move second any question by Council
being none Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes public comment provides an opportunity for members of the public to inform the governing body about their views the governing body prescribes to City council's bylaws and the New Jersey
statutes on open public meetings when engaging during public comment as such each individual shall have a f minute limit to comment cannot yield time to another individual may only approach the podium once during public comment for any one topic vulgar offensive language is prohibited and city council will not
engage in dialogue with the public during this time governing body maintains model courtesy and respect and requires members of the public to do the same just a note if you are here for ordinance number 25-9 or
25-10 there is a public hearing and during that public hearing time you will have time to speak if you choose uh prior to that you will have our professionals from the city or planning and the uh attorney from the Planning and Zoning Board here to
testify so that may clear up some issues because some of the letters and things that we receive uh didn't sound like everybody had clear idea what actually was going on or not so that may help you uh make a decision one what want to
speak and two uh what actually is going on rather than trying to figure it out because I know sometimes the legal ke that go out are a little bit different than normal English so uh if you choose to speak on those two uh my suggestion
is wait to the public hearing and then you can give your opinions doing it if it's anything else we will open uh Public public comment during this time uh for any other issue anyone like to speak other than
one those issues you can come up here now all right seeing no one we will move on that's my man I have ordinance number 20255 an ordinance to accept a portion of property to be added to a street
known as Southwood Drive which is ready for a continued public hearing chair want attain a motion that ordinance number open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur yes English yesz yes Vargas yes yes is there anyone in
the audience who would like to be heard on ordinance number 25-5 seeing no one chair will entertain a motion public hear ordinance number 25-5 be closed move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes
Gomez yes haras yes yes CH a motion that the ordinance 20255 be taken up a final reading and adopted according to law so move second any questions by councel seeing none Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr spelli yes ordinance number 20255 in ordinance to accept a portion of property to be added to a street known as Southwood Drive this ordinance is adopted Mr Petroski please submit ordinance
number 25-5 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval yes thank you you're welcome I have ordinance number 20 25-6 an ordinance authorizing a pilot agreement for project tax exemption for various applicants which is ready for a public hearing chair entertains a motion
that number 25-6 be taken up for public hearing and open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes yes is there anyone in the audience who
wishes to be heard on ordinance number 25-6 seeing no one chair entertains a motion public he on ordinance number 25-6 be closed move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr
spelli yes chair entertains a motion ordinance number 25-6 be taken up for final reading and adopted according to law move second there any questions by Council see none Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr spelli yes ordinance number 20256 an ordinance authorizing a pilot agreement for project tax exemption for various applicants this ordinance is adopted Mr patoski please submit ordinance number
25-6 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval yes sir thank you you're welcome I have ordinance number 20257 ordinance appropriating $1,225 th000 from the capital Improvement fund for various improvements to the water utility in and
by the city of a in the county of Cumberland New Jersey which is ready for a public hearing chair entertains motion that ordance number 25-7 be taken up for public hearing and open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur
yes Mr English yesz yes Mr Vargas yes Mr yes is there anyone in the audience who would like to be heard on ordinance number 25-7 seeing none chair Will Rain a motion at the public hear ordinance number 25-7 be closed no move second Dr
Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes spelli yes chair a motion that ordinance number 25-7 be taken up for final reading and adopted according to law so move second any discussion by
Council seeing none Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes ordinance number 20257 ordinance appropriating 1 mil 225,000 from the capital Improvement fund for various improvements to the water
utility in by the city of v in the county of Cumberland New Jersey this ordinance is adopted Mr patoski please submit ordinance number 25-7 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval yes thank you you're welcome I have ordinance number 2025 d8
ordinance amending ordinance 9265 chapter 103 of the code of the city of Island entitled Municipal Alliance committee which is ready for public hearing CH a motion ordinance number 25-8 taking off public hearing and open
to the public for discussion we'll move second Dr Arthur no uh Dr Arthur this is just for the public hearing okay change your yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Mr
Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes is there anyone in the orience who wish to be heard on ordinance number 25-8 seeing no one chairain a motion public hearing on ordinance number 25-8 be closed move second sorry Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Mr Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr spelli yes chair entertains a motion or number 25- be taken up with the final reading and adopted according to law no move second Council have any
issues Z Dr Arthur this is a no no Mr English no Mr Gomez no Mr Vargas no Mr spelli no ordinance number 20 25-8 ordinance amending ordinance 92 -65
CH 103 of the code of the city of hland entitled Municipal Alliance committee this ordinance is defeated I have ordinance number 202-997-5862 d94 entitled B2 business Zone standards section 425- 295 entitled B3 business
Zone standards 425- 298 entitled in1 industrial Zone standards in accordance with resolution 6667 of the city of vland planning board which is ready for a public hearing Shar attains a motion that the ordinance number
20259 be taken up for a public hearing and open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur yes yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas at this time we'll ask Kathy
Hicks she's already up there uh to give her testimony into what's actually going on with this ordinance um for those of you who don't know me my name is Kathleen Hicks I've been the city planner since 1987 I have multiple degrees in planning
I am a licensed planner in the state of New Jersey I am also a member of the American in to certified planners um excuse me you have to speak louder because people can't hear you in the back okay would you like me to
repeat I think you're okay to go ahead uh without repeating that only because it's your background okay thank you um I'm going to provide you with a bit of a summary um in examining our land use ordinance our board solicitor Mike molinsky and
myself we discovered a number of issues um one substance abuse counseling and treatment was a permitted use in a B2 business Zone we consider B2 to be a neighborhood business in my professional
opinion that's not a suitable use to be embedded in neighborhoods um a second issue was we did not address mental health counseling or treatment in the ordinance at all all I felt we needed to add that because
there are more facilities um dealing with that today and um I likewise felt that would not be appropriate in a P2 Zone either the third our solicitor had done extensive
research with the ordinance and um determined that the permitted use in zones stated business or professional office and nonprofits did not fit within that definition so we therefore had no
land use category that allowed the nonprofits so we had these three issues that we needed to address so how I proposed resolving that was to create two New Uses one being mental health
counseling or treatment the second being service off office and service office would be non bus and was predominantly done to capture those nonprofits um I then had to deal with
the zones where these uses would be permitted first off the problem with the B2 neighborhood um zoning districts we proposed a change and this has all been endorsed by the planning board and is being made as a
recommendation to City counsel first off with um substance abuse counseling or treatment it would not be permitted in B1 business which is primarily Landis Avenue and B2 business
zones likewise the newly created mental health counseling and treatment would also not be permitted in B1 or B2 now then where to put these uses now
substance abuse counseling and treatment is already addressed in the ordinance um we're proposing taking it out of B2 but it is currently allowed in B3 B4 and Industrial business
um I likewise propose making mental health counseling and treatment a companion use and it would be permitted in those same zoning districts then there is the new um land use category of service office it would
also be permitted in those same zoning districts in addition to institutional one institutional one is down near the college the hospital and those are the proposed changes so it's basically an effort to
try to insulate and refine the uses permitted in B2 which is neighborhood business and then I'll create two new uses that were not addressed in the land ju ordinance and put them in appropriate
Zs thank you so as a result of your testimony before the planning board in November uh the planning board listen to your recommendations and adopted a resolution uh 6667 recommending to council to amend M
valus law in accordance with um the proposed changes U that you just testify to correct correct and you have uh you've seen resolution 6667 you probably helped prepare it with Mr molinski and you also
saw um ordinance um 225 20 25-9 uh which talks about changes in the zones and removing uh certain uses such as the substance abuse from the B2 zones and that mirrors the resolution uh that
was prepared by planning board 66 s correct yes it does and the second ordinance that we're going to be getting to and I'm just going to touch on briefly is really a definition section and you've talked about that as well uh that the definitions that you just came
up and dis discussed service office medical office um mental health abuse counsel I'm sorry abuse counseling Treatment Center professional office all def that that yes and something I did
not mention I clarified those two um definitions that they are outpatient only correct and just just briefly um the um the B2 business Zone standards the purpose and I believe you wrote this
some many years ago long ago uh indicates um it is the purpose of been Stone to recognize and preserve commercial areas which are specifically intended to provide convenient service to surrounding neighborhoods because of the necessary interface with residential
zones it is important that negative impacts be minimalized or minimized further says it is important that zone requirements and design standards not be sacrificed to allow overdevelopment or improper utilization of properties as this would negatively impact upon the
character in the commercial area and the stability of joining neighborhoods that that gamble is essentially the reason why you felt that uh those uses were not should not be committed in the B2 zone is that correct correct all I
have thank you Kathy thank you second uh person testy is Mike molinsky he's the attorney for the zoning and planning board Council Mr molinsky you are presently employed not only with city of
VI that other municipalities in their professional capacity representing land use boards as well as the municipal governing bodies is that correct that is correct and you've represented the city of vinand uh land use boards both land zoning and planning
um well before today last year is that correct this is correct this is my second year representing the Planning and Zoning Board and um in your official capacity you appeared in November uh when planning board testimony pull the put the mic up
yeah can you hear me now there youy that Captain just presented yes I did your firm was was there when when she testified to that effect and your firm was there when the planning board um adopted resolution
6667 correct yes I was present that night uh Miss Hicks uh explained each of the lanus amendments to the board uh and then the board at that time agreed that they were furthered the master plan uh
thenone supported the master plan and ultimately at their December meeting adopted an ordinance or a decision of resolution recommending uh that these land use amendments be recommended for adoption by mayor councel and ordinance
20259 which was up for a publicar heing tonight you've seen that as well as ordinance 202-10 which we're going to get to shortly uh and they accurately mirror the recommendations made by board in your resolution
6667 yes they accurately reflect recommendations uh in the resolution adopted by the board which was decision of resolution number 6667 and in your opinion uh as an attorney that has represented planning boards and has um performed planning L
use work in other municipalities um you concur with Cathy hicks's uh recommendations to the planning board that those uses uh would um best removed from the B2
zones uses being the substance abuse and the counseling services uh yes I concurred with uh Miss Hick's determinations and also my planning board concurred with Miss Hick's determinations after hearing her explaining each of the luse Amendments
and going through in detail with the board and they made an informed decision at that time that each of those L amendments should be adopted thank you thank you very much thank you hopefully that helped some people a little bit understanding exactly what is
going on as far as these things are concerned uh at this time if anyone would like to be heard you can step up to the microphone state your name uh you have five minutes to State your case and
um uh can you hear me yes sir all right for the record my name is William aedo aella um please take notice that audience number 202 5-9 I oppose it reason why is because
substance abuse people and mental health the people that suffer from mental health you're making it difficult for them to have transportation to get where they need to get B1 and B zone
are are more convenient and more suitable for them to get the treatment where B Zone one and two are at by um putting this audience number 202-9665
[Music] want to ask a few questions um so if these facilities are being permitted in zones IB we're surrounded by IB on Butler Avenue we got 15 to 20 25 homes
on Butler Avenue we're surrounded by Zone IB so allowing these uh treatment centers next to our homes is I don't think that's a good thing I mean you know it sounds industrial business but but we're
surrounded by IB it's not like it's in the industrial park or anything so I just wanted to ask you know bring that up that it's right next to R5 anything else sir that's it thank you very much appreciate
it good evening my name is Denise rone this is my husband Anthony good evening president council members we're here this evening out of a genuine concern for ordinance to account the diversity of our city members it's truly an enormous
responsibility my husband and I have been residents of violent for close to 35 years we have firsthand seen violent evolve and we are very aware of the complexities that now exist as a result of Changing Times And while the needs of
our community are Ever Changing many needs continue to still remain simplistic and very basic in their own right substance abuse and mental health issues are concerns that app plague all communities and Ving is of no exception
we commend you for your Insight and your plight to bring services to those in need the proposing zone changes will undoubtedly impact many residential areas that border B3 zones throughout our community the effects will be vast
with great potential to negatively impact the established neighborhoods that many of us have called home for years neighborhoods like ours that support children families and recreational resources violence
foundation and its stability is only as strong as the neighborhoods and the residents that support us residents like us while centers treating alcohol and substance abuse are more frequently being located within residential neighborhoods more Property Owners
Across the Nation are making a stand the concentration the contention is that this too will bring higher crime rates into their neighborhoods like you we don't want our neighborhood children to be unsafe for example Southwest Swim Club is a valued part of our community
that provides a host of invaluable services to many families across Vinland the swim club's property is border to B3 longward University in Virginia conducted a study of MLS data from Central Virginia to estimate this very
impact of substance abuse treatment centers on nearby home values their research found that the home located within eighth of a mile from a treatment center on average had an 8% drop in the value when stacked up against comparable homes that were farther away the decline
in home values is even greater and further reduced property value by up to 17% when the treatment center specifically treated opiate addictions like heroy and morphine perhaps mental health counseling or treatment centers would be
better established close to nearby hospitals and medical facilities to provide a spectrum of services to those in need while maintaining the very Integrity of our residential neighborhoods violent is unique to most communities throughout New Jersey
because of its plentiful acreage and the unlimited possibilities that this in and of itself can offer as noted in violent chapter 425 which I heard referenced here earlier this evening lanu Article 15 zoning B3 business owned standards it
states and I quote it is important that the Zone requirements and design standards not be sacrificed to allow overdevelopment of properties as this would negatively impact upon the character of these business areas and upon the quality of life of the
adjoining residential areas end quote this very character and well-being of a given Community can also be negatively impacted by altering the established uses of specific land zones we
respectfully ask that these proposed zoning changes not be implemented at this time in an effort to preserve the character and the Very well-being of the already established small businesses and residential neighborhoods that we call
home I truly do thank you for your very kind consideration for your dedication and for your commitment to vinin and its constituents like myself and in closing I understand that these established um
these zonings are important to everybody and everybody has a place within this community I think just switching up from one zone to another still exists There's issues there are neighborhoods there are residential homes so I thank you for
your very consideration this this evening thank you very much thank you I Anthony rone I just going to be quick U maybe perhaps you can propose an adendum if B3 backs
up to a residential area and exempts the treatment center thanks for your time thank good evening my name is John anelli I am the current CEO of the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA um I am here today representing our
y uh representing the 150 employees that I have and also representing 26 board members and over 4,100 members um I would like to share some of our concerns we have with this proposed program that will take place adjacent to our
YMCA everyday r y welcomes hundreds of children teens and families into our programs including preschools before an after care and recreational activities that bring hundreds of children into our building every day our facility is a safe haven where young people can grow
learn and Thrive however the pro proposed location of these programs less than 500 yards from our doors raises significant concerns that I believe waren serious consideration we want to be
clear we do recognize the importance of harm production efforts and we support initiative to address address the public he Health crisis however the location of these programs so close to the facility that serves children is deeply troubling for several reasons first is the safety
risk anytime there is programs such as this that take place in the community there is naturally a concern around discarding needles or other materials in the public areas any increased risk presents a direct Hazard to children while playing outside our building and
using surrounding sidewalks to get to and from the why we use our property for children to play in our parking lot routinely host special events for communities such as healthy kids day back to school events our summer camps we have 60 preschool children and over
50 kids that come to our before and after school that does not even account for the hundreds of kids that come to play sports at the Y or take swim lessons we also are concerned about the community the impact that it has parents
entrust us with their children's well-being and many have already expressed concerns about how this decision will affect the confidence and our ability to maintain a secure environment additionally we worry about potential loitering and increase in individuals struggling with addiction in
the mediate area and the overall perception of safety for our families and staff these all could potentially harm our business and Lead parents to choose other options for their children while we acknowledge the need for services we strongly urge city council
to consider relocating those programs to an area better suited for this type of intervention such as healthare such as near Health Care Facilities other social service agencies or law enfor enforcement Partnerships that could offer safer and more effective implementation without placing Young
Children at Risk this is not about opposing harm reduction efforts it's about making thoughtful Community conscious decisions that protect both vulnerable individuals struggling with addiction or other concerns and children and families who rely on our
YMCA therefore we respectfully asked city council to reevaluate the proposed location conduct the public safety impact assessment as there are other child care facilities in close proximity as well and we're collaboratively with Community stakeholders including the
YMCA to find Solutions and support public without support Public Health without compromising Childs safety thank you thank you very much good evening I'm Ken egot and I've had a house in a B3 Zone all my life and
I'm an old lady and uh I think the other gentleman's suggestion before me might make some sense just an amendment that you don't have any of these treatment centers within one mile of a residential house not so much changing the zones but
you know uh when you have children or grandchildren and everything needles around and people dealing with big problems they don't need that just an amendment where it you know still in the zone should proed but like the gentleman
before me said maybe you know a mile from not closer than a mile to someone's house thank you very much thank you man hello marjerie Ingram um I just have a couple questions and I just want to say that I know that nobody wants it in
their neighborhood um but just a brief statement that these people need help so maybe something can be worked out but I'll give you a quick story about the
Hendrick's house which is on Roosevelt Boulevard no Roosevelt what's the road Avenue on the boulevard my neighborhood and they came into town about 30 40 years ago nobody wanted it
Hendrick's house Hendrick's house in case you don't know is for addicts and they H they they live there they're they come they live they get their act
together it's temporary and again nobody wanted it but it's been peaceful this is a little different and that brings me to my question um the one thing I didn't
understand is sorry about that what are these newly defined service offices what are they I just don't know what that means means I can I can go through the definition it
you want to read it for you read it into the record uh definition of service office any office primarily engaged get closer all right I'll follow instructions um any office primarily
engaged in providing assistance as opposed to products to individuals business industry government or other Enterprise it's because they're not a business office or a professional office this definition was intended to capture
the nonprofits So when you say products I mean the concern is that they're going to have uh places for addicts to get needles and that kind of thing is that what our concern is
here these yes yes okay so then when you say when you say opposed to products they're not going to be able to do
that to hand out needles no that that is not what this definition means it means that a service off office is not um in the business of providing
products like uh for example you know a plumbing business they're doing Plumbing it's a business use you can have offices providing products um like a lawyer's office would do wills and deeds Etc there are products
um so so so if it'sing out so a business can't come in and give needles to different people but a nonprofit cour nobody from the audience excuse me sir you'll have your
opportunity if you'd like to speak I'm just trying to get clarification here that's all so what this is saying is that a business can't come in and profit with products that would help an
addict but nonprofit no this is saying that we've created a definition service office to capture nonprofits because they don't qualify under the definition of business or professional office do
you want no nonprofits in the community would be the issue because they do not fit in any of the definitions we have for offices and like we have many types of offices listed in land use ordinance but of them captured what a nonprofit is
where they're not producing a product they're not being paid for services um because we also have what is called the de development definition book that we fall back on which more clearly defines what
services so this is just trying to give a land use category that a nonprofit could fit into it's not has nothing to do with can they offer product can't they offer you know as you're alluding to needles or things like that that's not part of what is
being said by the definition okay well that didn't help me a whole lot but okay so I'm just GNA go through my next question um is there somebody or an organization
of some of some type requesting to open up one of these what did you call them service areas offices at this time I I can tell you that the history
regarding this uh really began uh with the existence of um an office in a B2 Zone but as it it as it as we reviewed it with Mr molinsky his concern was for example that in a B2 Zone as it existed
a meth Clinic could just plop right down next to the YMC or any other B2 Zone and so we needed to reexamine our B2 zones to determine um because it's certain it's a transitional zone between
residential and a business for example it would be a a use such as Wawa where somebody can walk out of their house and get a cup of coffee but as we took a look at that I mean it it began as a result of the operation of an
existing business but it got beyond that when we determined that we really needed to take a look at the Zone itself the B2 Zone um and determine what uses should or should not be prohibited or permitted there and from there um we went a bit
further as Miss Hicks was testifying regarding um tightening up the definitions of um business office creating the new defin defined term as service office so no and yes the answer okay I'm understanding a little five
minutes is up can I yield somebody's minutes that's not the way it works sorry I just got I just want to finish because I got you know she she took two or three of my minutes so I think I should get hers back I'll give you another minute thank
you so I'm going to close here um if I'm understanding from your definition what you're saying is that um I'm going to just do it in layman's
terms meth clinics can now be not that they're opening a meth Clinic okay everybody relax but they could go in this newly defined service area or offices or some
sort of Clinic that helps the addict with product which would be needles that they use that program that's out there and they would be able to go well there there are certain zones that permit that
uh up near the hospital um I'm not saying that that's what would happen in a b free zone but in the institutional Zone up around the hospital there are actually there are already no I'm just
okay so let me end it now because I know my time is going to yell at me in a second um the concern is I do understand the people with the residence and I have a business that is not in the zone but
across the way is where they could come and make these offices I don't have too much of a problem with it because I understand the issues of mental health and
addiction and again going back to nobody wants it in their home or in their neighborhood I understand that my concern is for you know the one person that is in my area that has a
house most everything else is business maybe just a suggestion maybe anybody that wants to come into a neighborhood or cross the street from me would have to get a
variance so that we would have another opportunity to um voice our opinion instead of just doing this thing that allows him to come in without us having a
say I'm done all right thank you good evening Luigi Trana president of the board of w of directors of the YMCA I'm here to support ordinance 2025-the as this eliminates Our concern regarding the proposed location of the needle
exchain facility to be overseen by South Jersey age Alliance in vicinity of the YMCA while I deeply respect and support the critical work being done to address the issue of substance use and to promote Public Health I believe that placing this facility in close proximity
to schools and the YMCA raises significant concerns for our community locations near educational institutions where children and families frequently gather should prioritize creating safe and supportive environments the presence of a needle
exchange facility in this area could potentially expose young people to negative influences and situations that may be inappropriate for their development furthermore the YMCA is a center for community activities and programs aimed at fostering Healthy
Lifestyles having such a facility nearby might deter families and individuals from utilizing these important Services it's essential that we find a solution that balances the important objectives of Public Health init initiatives with the need to maintain
safe and supportive spaces for our children and families I encourage the South Jersey AE Alliance local officials and community members to work collaboratively to identify a location for the needle exchange facility that minimizes potential wor to our youth and residents while still addressing the
vital need for harm reduction Services thank you for your consideration on this Orin this hopefully this noow stop thank you after Mr marachi we have some people online so I'm going to give a couple of those people an opportunity so uh and
then we'll get back to people in the room I'm only going to be a few minutes go ahead I would like to say that all the Talking that I've heard the one thing I have to say is don't allow it to
happen we don't need that type of I I condone them I appraise them that try to help those who have fall into the cracks but they do not belong next to a
facility that the YMCA has for youth those of my generation we advocated health and Recreation and I still do that
I was born in this city a lot of years ago and I request city council you to deny this request because we have two complete different entities
that are going to be side by side they don't work together it's like day and night so please deny this request thank you thank you
all right Mr branched uh we'll get a couple people from online please yeah sure uh if you wish to publicly comment on the uh ordinance and you are participating remotely please raise your hand and at the top of your computer screen or at the bottom of your cell
phone we will uh call on you and you could unmute your mic and speak the first one that I'll be attempting to uh mute here will be Babette RoR so
see all right B if you unmute you should be able to speak there we go I think that came off that we got you Al righty yes my name is Babette RoR I am a harm reduction health nurse for South Jersey AIDS Alliance and
I have been employed with the alliance for almost 14 years working with those who use substances people who trade sex for drugs or money and the mentally ill as well as the homeless in 2024 the state of New Jersey promulgated a process for eligible entities to apply
for home reduction centers in various municipalities in New Jersey harm reduction centers engage directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission improve physical mental and social well-being and offer access to healthare
Services which could include substance use and mental health disorder treatments the principal manner in which HIV is transmitted is through IV drug use because Cumberland county is one of the top 10 New Jersey counties with a high HIV prevalence rate and Drug rated
deaths from overdose rates uh there these are pressing issues in V so we apply apped for and were approved to open a harm reduction Center in Finland the New Jersey Department of Health statistics showed that Cumberland County has the third highest rate of chronic hepatitis C in the state at a
rate of 84.6 persons per 100,000 in your population New Jersey harm reduction centers including the center we run in Atlantic City provide many services such as those we now perform in addition to Distributing syring and needles uh the life-saving drug NOOA which most of us
know as Naran to those who are using drugs we also make every effort to link people with substance use uh disorders to treatment since its Inception in 2007 our Atlantic City harm reduction Center is the example by which other New Jersey
harm reduction centers are modeled we have a reported 100% return rate for our used syringes 100% return rate Distributing sterile syringes has been scientifically proven to reduce the trans of HIV and other bloodborne
diseases such as hepatitis C and while all of our clients who may access sterile syringes will not have HIV they are deemed to be at risk for such our program model fully aligns with the Nationwide ending the HIV pandemic
initiative and the New Jersey Department of Health's integrated HIV prevention care plan the strategies and activities in our program focus on the diagnosis and treatment of persons with HIV prevention of new infections and assisting our New Jersey Health Department with quickly responding to
HIV clusters the effect of your new ordinance is to prevent us from providing substance use counseling or treatment to those who are using substances and as written the ordinance seems to discriminate against those who are using
drugs it seems to us that the ordinance treats drug users differently than those P persons who are not currently using drugs I I feel it's really important to hear those words because those people that we are seeing
are your neighbors and not only are those syringes coming from somebody who accesses it from a a syringe Access program but they're next door to you they're across the street from you already we are not bringing them to your location um thank you for your time and
I'll let the next person step up thank you ahead Rich all right I'm now going to Jill o Jill o would have to unmute good evening um Mr President Dr Arthur and
gentlemen my name is Jill o zerus but you can certainly call me Jill o I've been involved with the South Jersey AIDS Alliance since before it was incorporated almost 40 years ago I've been their attorney and a board member
having served as board chair for several years and still a member of their executive committee I'm also a former partner of your uh zoning board Council Mike molinski um our organization has always
been dedicated to the fight against AIDS we are not a drug treatment center we started in Atlantic City as I said almost 40 years ago using the modalities that were in existence at the
time to provide education case management and other services to those with HIV and AIDS in the time that we've been in existence those modalities have changed and they
now include harm reduction because it has been found that while HIV and AIDS was primarily um a scorge of those that were you know homosexual men it also wound up
um becoming a scorge that affected um those with a drug addiction we started providing services in 20 2007 and we stayed until 2010
we left violent in 2010 not because there wasn't HIV and AIDS and um not because there weren't activities of people that could cause HIV and AIDS but because our funding changed so we
weren't able to provide services there we came again to vinand in 2017 and we're currently um in a location of which you're concerned um but I we've been providing Services nonstop from
2017 and we perform and we currently provide all types of harm reduction at that location understands that the South Jersey AIDS Alliance is a preexisting use um and we have peacefully coexisted
with the YMCA and other business owners for over eight years we are not coming before vinlands planning or zoning boards or city council asking for approval to perform harm reduction we
already have that approval and we are providing harm reduction because I have a quick question for you ma'am uh you've been there for eight years but you have not performed um a
needle um distribution in the last eight years is that fact oh she muted oh she muted herself again all right hold on to it rich next to next person all right we're going to
Stephanie MZ now's back she can answer the question all right hold on Jill are you there are you able to answer that question posed by our attorney um I I don't know that I I
don't want to I I was speaking um and I do have my my the balance of my five minutes and I'd like to do that and I'd be certainly delighted to speak with your attorney no no you you made a statement ma'am and I just had a question with regards to it yes you had
indicated that you have been next to the Y for the past eight years and provided and providing harm reduction services for that 8ye period however the license you receive to distribute needles is not from eight years ago it's from last year
isn't that a fact that is correct Production Services are not only uh harm reduction services are not only needle exchange there are a whole panoply of services that Miss V Victor has has
spoken about so are we providing needle exchange we current are we have in accordance with our license and only for a few months and your your application with the state indicates that you're going to be Distributing 200,000 needles a year
isn't that a fact I I can't speak to our application but no I do not believe that we will be and do you believe doing that I can't speak to the application you you do realize what a B2 zone is it's a transitional zone between residential
and Comm commercial and the the least most intrusive commercial uses are permitted in that zone is that correct you have you read that ordinance h i I'm I'm here as a I'm not here as Council
for the South Jersey AIDS Alliance I'm a board member and I'd like to be able to comment I'd be certainly delighted to have a conversation with you um after after uh this hearing but no I'm not I'm not going to be engaging in in legal
disc course with you if I could if I can continue as you provided courtesy to others I would appreciate the courtesy back I hear you I'm just indicating that this is a zoning regulation it's not it's not determining whether your use is
a good bad or indifferent use it's a question as to whether the use is a permitted use or should be a permitted use in a B2 Zone Okay so a as I've said um we are not the purpose
of the South Jersey AIDS Alliance is not to be a drug treatment facility our purpose is to provide a whole raft and posted services that assist those with or at
risk for HIV and and that we include case management emergency financial assistance support groups medical transportations and and and while we are not a mental health facility of course
when we provide services um for those with or at risk of HIV invade and all right ma'am I don't want to interrupt you but uh your five minutes is up and we're going to move on we have a room full here and we have a whole leaderboard up on the uh internet so I
appreciate what you're saying and we understand your point thank you next up should be Stephanie Mazon if you could unmute your mic Stephanie one more time for Stephanie mazone move
on okay go to the next Rihanna hello everyone my name is Rihanna ncas and I'm a case manager at South Jersey AIDS Alliance in our Atlantic City location we as an agency have been providing services including
Mental Health Services and counseling and working with and providing services to those dependent to drugs since at least 2017 and that has been in the same location since we are now during that time we as an agency have worked
cooperatively with both the county and the City Department of Health it appears as though the city has concerns regarding our agency continuing to provide services where we currently are located we would appreciate if people could elaborate on what those are what
differentiates a B2 Zone from a B3 Reon and why would your concerns be alleviated if we were just a few blocks away I would like to Now read a letter of support from a person who could not be here today my name is Jennifer and I'm a New
Jersey resident with 16 years of soety from heroin before I got sober harm reduction Services kept me alive and safe from disease and overdose without them I would not be alive today the people at these facilities loved me
until I could love myself this new legislation would prohibit a sh from operating Vinland has the potential to cause irreparable harm to your constituents affected by the opioid
crisis it not only would prohibit SJ from offering their life-saving services but other treatment facilities that would help your residents also wouldn't be able to work within these zones in your it is unjust to deny your residents these services that literally keep
people alive people who are just like I was as a result of places like s sha I now and I am now an addiction therapist and a social worker with two master's degrees harm reduction did that for me and I can do it and it can do it for
your residents too thank you for listening thank you very much and we're going to come back to the room here for a few seconds uh we're trying to go back and forth try to give everybody a a chance who's over next good evening good evening I
apologize I have something and I brought my own antibacterial wipes to clean everything that's harm reduction my name is Georgette Shelton I'm the CEO of the South Jersey AIDS Alliance the South Jersey AIDS Alliance
was established 40 years ago in the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic the services that the South Jersey AIDS Alliance provides are science and evidence-based and have changed over the years as new treatments and challenges
emerged sja is not a drug treatment organization as you heard several of my colleagues say we currently provide services in Atlantic Cape May and Cumberland and soon Salem counties South Jersey AIDS Alliance first began
providing services in vinand in 2007 through 2010 and then again back in 2017 and we are there still today we pay Market rent and our building is assessed for vinand property
taxes we are located in the vinand B2 Zone we currently have 13 employees at our violent office out of 39 overall we employ six vinin residents we can contribute we contribute to the economy as we frequent
the stores and restaurants in the area surrounding our office we are good tenants and good neighbors we are part of and we are integrated into the vinand and Cumberland County communities I or others on my team
either attend or serve as members of the vinand municipal Alliance the overdose fatality review team the Cumberland County Prosecutors mental health working group the Cumberland County provids advisory committee on alcohol alcoholism
and drug abuse and the Cumberland County medications addiction Breakfast Club just to name a few if adopted we believe that the ordinances will prevent us from providing effective harm reduction services to violence
and to the county we know that vinand has been hit hard by homelessness poverty mental health and substance abuse this is specifically why we have a location here in vinand all of
the clients we serve in all our programs fall into one of these categories our whole purpose as an agency is to help those in need we were the first organization in 1985 in South Jersey that brought people together who were
living with HIV when everybody else shunned them we have always helped people find the service they need and we will continue to do so sjaa is here in Vinland and we want what is best for this community we are
here to stop the spread of disease to stop overdose we are here for the residents of vinin the most vulnerable residents if harm reduction services are taken away from the community how do you
think that will affect the people who use our services how do you think that will affect vinin as a city have you thought about how these ordinances will affect other organizations and the people they
serve one way we currently help the city is to make sure that people have Naran and our educ ated on overdose prevention another way is to make sure there is no needles in school zones or Parks or places that people go did you
know that our staff go out every day and look for syringes and do syringe sweeps we do not want to see syringes or drug paraphernalia out on the streets any more than you do and we make it a
point that we find it and clean it up do you know someone who is using drugs do you know the pain they go through every day do you know what their families go through I do I am thankful
for people who are nice to the people that I know who are using drugs that are nice to the people who are homeless I am thankful that they can get clean syringes and nor can so that they can keep them themselves safe and
alive until they are ready for treatment if and and if and and if and if they are ever ready for treatment Georgette wind it up please we're at the five minute Mark okay I'm going to clean go ahead harm
reduction I don't want anybody else thank you next hello everybody my name is Robert Lord shell I am the operation managers at our vinin office and have been working at South Jersey AIDS Alliance for over 10 years the New Jersey
Department of Health statistics show that cumland County had 1100 cases of HIV and AIDS in 2021 almost 70% of those with HIV or Aids were male and the rest female approximately 32% of those Cumberland
County residents with HIV or Aids were infected as a result of injection drug use while 30% were infected as a result of male-to-male sexual contact additional 5% were infected due to infection drug use and male-to-male
sexual contact although new HIV infections related to injection drug use have declined dramatically in New Jersey Crumblin County remains one of the top 10 counties in New Jersey with a prevalence rate of 400 plus persons living with
HIV current NJ do statistics demonstrate that out of 635 cases reported in Cumberland County 113 of those cases were required through injection drug use the largest programs we have in violent are support and related Services those
people living with HIV and they include case management emergency financial assistance support groups Medical Transportation food pantries and Mental Health Services many of our clients are disabled and on Social Security
Disability we see approximately 90 clients per month and some of them for multiple Services persons with HIV and AIDS face significant societal stigma we pride ourselves providing confidential assistance in a stigma-free
environment the effect of your new ordinance is to prevent us from providing mental health services to our clients many of which have AIDS because we are in a B2 Zone these ordinance seem to discriminate against against our providing Mental Health Services what
would been acceptable for us to provide physical health services as written it appears that our clients can come to our office and get Case Management Services and emergency financial assistance yet the same person during the same encounter in her office
cannot assess Mental Health Services What policies are you trying to further by seeking to limit us from providing Mental Health Services for people with or at risk with HIV or Aids thank you for your time sir don't leave I have a question for you do you do you
understand what the ordinance is all my questions have to be deferred to Georgette Watson George Shelton my CE would you like to talk to her no you you understand that this is a zoning ordinance and it it's determining where you can go not if you can go for example
a gas station is not a permitted use in a residential Zone the question is whether this use is permitted in a B2 or a b3e Zone it's not limiting you or prohibiting you from doing anything it's where you can go do you understand that that's what the ordinance is
doing I already stated George Shelton my CEO respond to any questions thank you next sorry I know you were up there before I apologize hi my name is Angela trus I'm going to keep it simple and sweet my daughter plays violent pigtail
League at Memorial you're talking needles God forbid t-ball Ages which are what five my 11-year-old you have older kids I'm out in that field All Summer Long a needle
gets loose and a child gets it stuck AIDS anything hepatitis it cannot happen and I already reached out to Violent pigtail league and I will make it known if this gets ped because I will
not let my daughter play on Memorial Field because it's dangerous and I totally respect drugs kids not a mix that's all I'm going to say thank you and I hope you guys really take
consideration for the children and for the school you have all ages at Memorial ahead man hi my name is Jen Thorton I'm a team leader at South Jersey a AIDS Alliance
and the violin and a violent resident of almost 18 years the violent harm reduction Centers located on the intersection of Landis and Main Road transportation systems are at our doorstep our office services shares a building with marville
Treatment Center Complete Care is an fqhc that provides primary care and located walking distance from our fix site many of our clients are on fixed incomes and or SSI proximity to transportation system is important so they can access our
services what distinguishing characteristics are there in B2 districts that make the services we are currently performing such as mental health services drug counseling treatment and other to the contrary legitimate land use purposes I would
like to read a statement from Nicole Sage who is also a team leader for South Jersey AIDS Alliance Nicole works at the vinyl location every day my name is Nicole Sage I'm a team leader at South Jersey AIDS Alliance in Vinland I'm also
a person long-term recovery from oate use disorder I entered recovery in 2008 from a syringe access program in Philadelphia I was experiencing homeless and misusing substances for over 10 years at that time I really didn't
believe in the world would change but it did and I'm grateful for the syringe Access program that helped me create this change there's a good chance that I have not entered recovery if I did have direct access to treatment from the
syringe Access program syringe access programs were the only place I felt comfortable during many years of my addiction the staff that worked the syringe Access program treated me with dignity and respect they cared for me unconditionally until I was able to care
for myself the syringe Access program helped me not only not contract contract HIV HCB and hepatitis B but also functioned as a gateway to other services which is why it's so hard for me to understand violent city council's ordinance I'm currently I eventually
went to college earn my degree in public health from the University of Pennsylvania my end goal was to work at a syringe Access program so I could get back to the community as others once did for me I've also earned my Master's Degree and paliative care and that I
would work with and care for others with serious illness and emphasize on end of life care with people who use drugs harm reduction in the form of syringe Access program saved my life thank you thank you and we three people that are standing up we're going to give you your
time and then we're going to kind of cut it short because we just got word that the weather is getting very bad and the roads are bad so we're going to try to get everybody home safe that's harm reduction as well ahead thank you this will only take a
minute my name is Dave strit Matter I live at 216 West Butler Avenue uh my neighbors and I came here tonight because we were kind of like wondering what is this ordance all about because it was kind of nebulous didn't take long for that to become clear
um my wife and I take a walk around the block uh Butler Avenue down the boulevard to Sherman Sherman down to delce delsa to Butler and back home it's about two miles I can tell you that uh I see needles all the time and the last
thing I want is to see more so I would uh oppose this ordinance being adopted thank you good evening my name is Rachel Campbell and I'm operations manager with South Jersey AIDS Alliance I've been
with sjaa for 25 years now Cumberland county is one of the latest jurisdictions to be added to the federal high intensity drug trafficking areas program in 2022 alone there were 76 drug related deaths in cuming County the
demographic profile drug related deaths and violent reveals certain Trends the majority of victims are between the ages of 25 and 44 indicating that the opioid epidemic and Drug rated death impact a broad range of individuals in their
prime years the data also tells us that there were 389 Al lockone administrations in C County with more than half 201 of them happening in Violin all three targeted cities violin milville and Bridgton are in the top 25
New Jersey Georgia jurisdictions for drug related arrests by Resident municipalities the data shows the severity of the drug epidemic in comberland county and violent in particular intervenous drug use increases the risk of HIV AIDS and other
bloodborne diseases given all this data and the increased risk of death and a spread of HIV and other blood bloodborne diseases to Violent residents what is it about this time now that made you decide to change your ordinance
I would like to read a letter written by a colleague and friend of South Jersey a Alliance dear members of the violent city council I writing to express my strong support for the South Jersey AIDS Alliance and its critical harm reduction
services and violin as an advocate for public health and Community well-being I urge you to reconsider the proposed ordinance that would restrict or remove these lifer services from their current location for years sjaa has been at the
Forefront of harm reduction providing essential resources such as syrin access HIV and hepatitis C testing overdose prevention education and linkage to treatment services these programs not only save lives but also reduce the
burden on Emergency Medical Services decrease the spread of infectious disease and create Pathways for individuals to enter recovery when they are ready the opioid crisis has been devastating effects has had devastating effects on our communities and
organizations like SJ AA play a vital role in addressing this public health emergency with evident based evidence-based strategies restricting their services will not eliminate substance use disorder and violin but it will make it more dangerous for limiting
access to sterile supplies no oxun and supportive care that can prevent fatal overdoses furthermore harm reduction Services benefit benefit the entire Community studies consistently show that these programs do not increase crime or
drug use but instead Foster healthier and safer neighborhoods cities across the country that support harm reduction initiatives have been have seen reductions in overdose deaths infectious disease transmission and health care cost I urge you to prioritize public
health and Compassionate Care by allowing sjaa to continue their invaluable work removing or restricting harm reduction services will only EXA exacerbate the challenges faced by those struggling and substance use disorder their families and the greater violent
Community thank you for your time and consideration I hope you will stand with public health experts social service providers and those with lived experience to ensure that sjaa remains inv violent and continues to serve these in need sincerely Susan
long lssw executive director of angels emotion I would also like to add um I understand the concern about needles being in Violin I understand as the gentleman just said before to I did did that there are noodles in Violin but
also I would like you to know that with the syringe Access program in Atlantic City we have a 98% return rate meaning the people who use drugs do not want the syringes on on the streets either we give them out and we give them a safe place for them to return them and and
the other 2% that is on the streets as Georgette mentioned our staff goes out and pick picks them up so the syringes that you find on the streets on Butler Avenue we have people who can go and pick them up and that is not a problem for us thank you thank you very
much yes sir hey pa uh my name is Dan Adams uh to the lady that was wiping everything and the gentleman uh after her thank you for what you did but what we're saying is it's not needed in our residential
area okay we have twoo many schools especially the YMCA and our children if you want to come into our city go on the outskirts of the city where the residential area is
less okay it's not needed next to the YMCA our churches and our schools thank you for using our businesses and our our restaurants but it doesn't entitle you to be in our residential
areas so I'm not saying not to come I'm saying don't don't go in my backyard and don't go next to my YMCA okay that's all thank you thank you and we're going to uh end the public comment at that point because the
weather is really getting bad so I uh we the prosecutor's office would like to then submit for a written statement for consideration can give it to Mr Tanetta and we'll put it into the record thank you thank you we're going to continue no ma'am we're taking a vote
tonight you want to Contin we going to have to continue the public hearing okay we will do a continuance next council meeting me if Council wants to continue with to the next council meeting then that the next council meeting will continue with at the
last we will put it on the agenda I have no I don't make the agenda so I can't tell you that I'm sorry all right the chair will entertain a motion that the public hearing on ordinance number 202-955-5335 d10 ordinance amending ordinance
996-4021 270 entitled word usage definitions to clarify the term office and substance AB use counseling or treatment center and to consider other types of offices as defined terms in accordance with resolution 6667 of the city of Island
planning board which is ready for a public hearing chairl entertain a motion that ordinance number 202-10 be taken up for a public hearing open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Vargas
yes Mr Spinelli yes anybody like to be heard on this ordinance see none chair want attain a motion to public hearing on ordinance number 2025 d10 be closed no move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez
yes Vargas yes Mr spinal yes chair entertains a motion in ordinance number 202-10 be taken up for final reading and adopted according to law so move second Council discussion if you're going to have a conversation could you please go outside
so we can finish this thank you very much I appreciate it roll call Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes ordinance number 202-10 ordinance amending ordinance 964 as amended
chapter 425 Article 15 Section 425- 270 entitled word usage definitions to clarify the term office and substance abuse counseling or treatment center and to consider other types of offices as defined terms in accordance with resolution 6667 of the city of Island
planning board this ordinance is adopted Mr Petroski please submit ordinance number 20 25-10 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval yes I have ordinance number 202-1184 52 as amended chapter 123 Article 1
Section 123 D1 of the code of the city of Island entitled Police Department composition membership regulations which is ready for a public hearing chair entertains a motion that ordinance number 20251 be taken up for public hearing and open to the public for discussion so move second Dr Arthur yes
Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr spanell yes any like anybody like to be heard on ordinance number 20251 seeing none chair will entertain a motion to public hearing on ordinance number 202- 111 be closed no move second
Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr spelli yes chair and obtain a motion that ordinance number 20 25-11 be taken up for a final reading adopted according to law no move second any council
members see none Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr spelli yes ORD sub 25-11 ordinance amending ordinance 201852 as amended chapter 123 Article 1
Section 123 D1 of the code of the city of Island entitled Police Department composition membership regulations this ordinance is adopted Mr Petroski please submit ordinance number 20251 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval yes thank you I have ordinance number
225-1120 5-2 be taken up for first reading so move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes spell yes ordinance number 2025-the the execution of contract and
other documents necessary for the acquisition of block 122 lot one and block 122 lot 3 chair entertains a motion ordinance number 20 25-12 be pass for first reading that a public hearing be held on Tuesday February 25 2025 at
5:30 p.m no move second council members discussion seeing none Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes I have ordinance number 20 25-13 which is ready for a first reading there attains a motion that ordinance
number 20 25-13 be taken up for first reading we'll move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes ordinance number 2025 D13 ordinance authorizing the transfer
of certain industrial property to the vonet industrial commission pursuant to njsa 40a colon 12-13 and approving the sale of set industrial property by the industrial commission pursuant to njsa 40 55 B-1 at SEC chair obtains a motion
that ordinance number 2020 20 25-13 be passed for first reading that a public hearing be held on Tuesday February 25th 2025 at 5:30 p.m. so move second discussion by Council see none Dr
Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr Spinell yes I have ordinance number 202-429-2244 okay so we have a motion and a second for 20254 Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr
Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes 202- 14 an ordinance to amend and supplement ordinance number eight which establish the classification and compensation plans for the city of Island various titles of IBEW Local 210 unit one unit 2 unit 3 nonunit 2 non
three and appointed officials car entertains a motion and ordinance number 20 25-14 be passed for first reading and that a public hearing be held on Tuesday February 25th 2025 at 5:30 p.m. second discussion seeing none Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Mr Gomez yes fargas yes Mr spell yes I have ordinance number reading no move second Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Mr Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr spell yes ordinance number 20
25-15 in ordinance to amend and supplement ordinance number eight which establish the classification and compensation plans for the city of Island tentative title local government 10103 chair entertains a motion that ordinance number 20255 be passed for
first reading and that a public he hearing be held on Tuesday February 25th 2025 at 5:30 p.m. so move second discussion seeing none Dr Arthur yes Mr English yes Gomez yes Vargas yes Mr Spinelli
yes Mr President I have uh all the idols all the items on the consent agenda chair entertains a motion that uh to approve all items on the consent agenda so move second Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Mr Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr Spinelli yes that's all all the formal business I have Mr President thank you Mr pki Dr Arthur anything oh just as a blood drive on the 18th at the library for anyone who would like to
give blood from 11:30 to 4:30 that's it be safe going home councilman Gomez no councilman English nothing at this time Council not at this time I just thank everybody for coming
out and voicing their opinion we'll continue this discussion uh a couple weeks and we'll make a hopefully a prudent decision thank you very much need a motion to adjourn the meeting so move second Dr Arthur yes Mr
English yes Mr Gomez yes Mr Vargas yes Mr spelli yes thank you everyone