5:30 Uh yes, sir. Whenever you are. Ready? Good evening everybody. Welcome to the regular meeting of Vineland City Council on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Arthur? Here.
Councilmember English? Here. Councilmember Vargas? Here. Vice President Gomez? Absent. President Spinelli? Here. This time we will ask the Wallace Middle School uh kids to come up and help us with the Pledge of Allegiance. They are Amari
Nieves, Eliana Carter, Ismael Serrano, Jace Kalawitz, Jonah Lewis, Kendall Gibbs, Leo Hernandez, Veronica Yurgovich, Yadriel Rojas, and Yuritsa Pineda.
I pledge I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [applause] >> Thank you.
Now, get the pictures. Finish it up. Get the pictures. Right there. They got gifts >> [applause] >> Once again, thanks to the Wallace Middle School children, uh safety patrol, looks like, uh for helping us out with the Pledge of Allegiance. It's always great to have
the kids here. Public notice of this meeting, pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, has been given by the City Clerk on December 12th, 2025 in the following manner: posting written notice on the official bulletin board of the lobby of City Hall, providing written notice to the offices of the Daily Journal Press of Atlantic City, Vineland posting
publishing electronically on the city's official website, and filing written notice in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Vineland. Chair will entertain a motion that the pre-meeting conference regular meeting of April 14th and the work session of April 21st, 2026 be approved as
submitted. So move. Second. Any discussion by council? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Councilmember English? Yes. Councilmember Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Yep. Mr. President, I present resolution
number 2026-179, a resolution authorizing the exclusion of the public from a meeting between the mayor, city council, city clerk and staff, business administrator and staff, city solicitor and staff, director of fire and staff, retired fire chief Luigi Tramontana, and the law firm of Madden
and Madden and staff concerning matters relating to litigation in which the public body is or may become a party, and matters falling under the attorney-client privilege, and authorizing the disclosure of minutes of said meeting as provided herein. Chair entertains a motion resolution number 2026-179
be adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Councilmember English? Yes. Councilmember Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. I present resolution number 2026-195,
a resolution authorizing the exclusion of the public from a meeting between the city council, city clerk and staff, business administrator and staff, and city solicitor and staff relating to personnel matters in which the governing body will deliberate and consider charges brought against Elizabeth
Elizabeth Viera, also known as uh Serrano, as commissioner of the Vineland Housing Authority. Chair entertains a motion resolution number 2026-195 be adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes.
Councilmember English? Yes. Councilmember Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. We'll entertain a motion for a brief recess. Chair entertains a motion to declare a brief recess and to reconvene uh following the executive session.
So move. Second. Discussion? Dr. Arthur? Yes. Councilmember English? Yes. Councilmember Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Okay. Make sure >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm.
>> Mhm. >> I will come back to order and we'll call the say we'll call the roll for you. Come back to order on uh for the regular meeting at 6:25 p.m. So moved. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. >> Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas?
>> Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. As to the administrative hearing versus uh excuse me for administrative hearing of Commissioner of the Vineland Housing Authority, Elizabeth Viera Serrano. In regards to charge number one,
what say you? We agree with the charge. Agree. As to charge number two, what say you? We agree with the charge. As to charge number three, what say you?
We agree with the charge. As to charge number four, what say you? We agree with the charge. As to the charge number five, what say you? We agree with the charge. And for charge number six, what say you? We agree with the charge.
Okay. All charges agreed in the affirmative. Mr. President, would you entertain a motion to adopt a resolution terminating Elizabeth Viera Serrano as Commissioner for the Vineland Housing Authority? Need a motion. So moved. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English?
Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. And President Spinelli? Yes. Okay. Thank you. This time we will go into the public portion, Rich. Yes. We'll move to the public portion. Public comment provides an opportunity for the members of the public to inform
the governing body about their views. The governing body prescribes in the city council's bylaws and in New Jersey statutes and open public meetings when engaging during public comment. As such, each individual shall have a 3-minute limit to comment, cannot yield time to another individual, may only approach the podium once during public comment
for any one topic. City Council will not engage in dialogue with the public during this time. Disruptive conduct by audience members may result in removal following a warning, and all participants are expected to adhere to professional decorum. The governing body maintains model courtesy and respect and
requires the members of the public to do the same. First, I'd like to apologize for the delay to the public. We uh had attorneys that were getting hourly fees as well as staff that were on overtime to be in these hearings. Uh so
we wanted to get them in and get them out uh so it would not cost the city more money. Uh if you would like to speak, if you filled the form out, Rich will call your name. If you haven't, when the forms are over, you can get in line and you can uh
come up. >> Mr. President, first I have Ramon Mora Jr., Ramon Mora Jr. followed by Elora Mallet. >> [clears throat] >> Please state your name, where you live. Yeah, my name is Ramon Mora. I live in Vineland.
On April 21st, I gave Vineland City Council an opportunity to denounce ISIS terror on on US communities throughout the United States. With ICE thugs actively spotted throughout Cumberland County with a focus on our neighbors over in Bridgeton and Vineland having a high Latino
population, this should have been a no-brainer to denounce uh their terroristic tactics. But in particular, Spinelli, right on brand with not being a leading voice, punted the responsibility to the mayor. Quote, we have not taken a stance to
help or to not help in reference to ICE. I quote, not taking a position pro-ICE or anti-ICE. On February 12th, Spinelli, you posted on on a protecting pro-ICE post, well
done. Appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council, we have a pro-ICE Vineland public defender. That in of itself is a whole host of ethical and moral issues when a big portion of our population are Latino.
Your inactions of today's era gives room for speculation that had this been the 18th century, the 1700s, y'all would have stood back and even maybe assisted the slave catchers in the 1700s or the Nazis in the past under the guise of I
don't see it, so it's not my problem. Or they should have just followed the law. Let me remind you, it was once illegal to drink from a water fountain or use a bathroom that did not match your skin color.
That was That was against the law. Why should you give a damn about ICE? Because it doesn't just affect Mexicans and South Americans or people of other countries. Under the Supreme Court's blessings, being dark too dark while speaking the wrong language means you could be
detained and arrested. Picture this. You're a dark-skinned Puerto Rican talking to a friend in Spanish outside. We have a big Puerto Rican population. ICE pulls up and asks you for proof of citizenship. They don't carry a passport or a birth
certificate. Why? Cuz they were born here in Violand. They were born in Puerto Rico. They're US citizens. They get arrested and sent to a detainment center or a concentration camp. While And while they take as long as they want to to prove that you're a US citizen,
um and and you being the primary breadwinner for your family, your family's going to go without. Now, your the partner that you have at home is going to be worried you might have been killed or something happened to you because you didn't come home. No
one knows where you're at because when you made the first phone call, they let you maybe once per week, it was a random number, so your partner didn't pick up. And most people think random numbers are just spam. Your kid is traumatized. Elderly parents go without care if you take care of them. You get fired for a
no-call, no-show. When ICE does find out you're an American citizen, and let's say you've already been shipped off to Texas, they just let you go. And now you have to find your own way back to Violand from Texas. Just so you guys know, over 175 US
citizens have been detained by ICE. You guys said nothing when I gave you the chance, except you, Spinelli, which you basically lied saying that we're not pro-ICE or anti-ICE, and we didn't take a stand to help or not to help. You
said, "Contact to the mayor." Do something. Say something. Grow a spine, at least. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Next, Laura Mallett. Laura Mallett, followed
by Mandy Nichols. State your name, please. Where you live. Evening. I'm Laura Mallett. I live in Violand. Um my concerns are comments made couple weeks ago. The comment about COVID not being real. I would like for you to for any of you to try to tell
that to the 200-plus residents and staff of all three state soldiers' homes in that have died from COVID. The the ones in Menlo Park, Paramus, and in Violand. To my knowledge, at least 16 residents
and one CNA have died from COVID. You want to talk more numbers? Okay. Let's talk about how there's at least 7 million people dead globally from COVID. Both of my parents have had COVID. Couple of my friends, their lungs are
scarred for life because they had COVID. There is a few YouTubers, one of them being Physics Girl. She has long COVID, and now, after 2 years of suffering with long COVID, she's now can do stuff. Very slowly, but she can start to do stuff.
To hear comments that COVID was not real really makes my blood boil. To see people panic about masking, about whether or not they're going to catch a potentially kill them because of
possible comorbidities that were not known or now they're known, but at the time they were not. Even I am at risk of COVID before the vaccines.
That is what really has me pretty steamed. To hear that COVID was denied, that COVID is Reminder of this. COVID is not some made-up belief. COVID is real. It is a virus, and it mutates.
And it And all the precautions that we took when lockdown started led to globally the lowest amount of flu cases in the hospital because of all the precautions that we took. So, those precautions saved lives.
The other point that has me mad is how True North had a little fit cuz, oh God forbid, there are unhoused people sleeping in their parking lot. Oh, please. They're ain't nothing more than CINO heathens who don't believe in the word of Christ, except only on paper,
not in practice. If they really cared about the unhoused, they could open up their doors and let the unhoused in if they are truly followers of Christ. And CINO, by the way, is C I N O, Christ
in name only. On paper, yes. In practice, absolutely not. And then my third point is this. To any educator watching this at home, on YouTube, and present.
>> So, I'm just letting you know 3 minutes. >> Thank you. Present. If you are to use AI for your data uh Excuse me. If you are to use AI for your lesson plans, you are nothing more than a third-rate, no-good,
useless, talentless hack of an educator with a fourth-rate lesson plan. Ma'am, finish up, please. I am. Thank you. Thank you. That was all I wanted to say. Mandy Nichols. Mandy Nichols, followed
by Hector Bayez. State your name, where you live, please. Hi, good evening. I'm Mandy Nichols. I live in Violand, New Jersey, Buena Borough. Um I'm here tonight speaking of the Landis Theater. Um I've been involved with the
Landis Theater for nearly 5 years. Um I have personally witnessed what Ray Mamrak built and contributed to the community. Ray is a decorated US veteran who gave everything to the theater and to this community. He never took a vacation.
He provided opportunities for unknown bands, local bands, original acts, tribute acts, and all kinds of working performers. He supported youth organizations, youth plays, and many, many community events. He hosted programs such as School of
Rock upstairs. Ray has now lost everything and then some. And now he's currently living in a small room in the building with his service dogs. And has nowhere to go and is being put out. Um when the city got involved at the
later 2024, city involvement began around same time the golf course project came to fruition. And we found out later the data center kind of was added into all that fun stuff. Uh contractors were brought in to assess the roof, the HVAC, and the interior aesthetics to address
the aging condition of the building, which is a historic and national landmark. There were discussions, constant discussions of a grant to upgrade the marquee to more energy-efficient LED lighting, replacing the gas xenon lighting. Multiple
contractors came out, measured, and submitted quotes. I did witness these myself. I actually have pictures in my phone. Uh money was supposed to be allocated towards event advertising as well, and it never came. He was also told not to book national
acts cuz it's too expensive to advertise for and to fund. Um and then, since all the contracting stuff, I haven't seen anything in 2 years. Um around Thanksgiving, we were informed that the city engineer and a data center
connected investor would be taking over. The initial plan included moving shows upstairs. Um around that, um we took that in good faith. And at that time, we decided to go ahead with the
construction of the stage and removing moving it to a bigger stage to accommodate the bands that we were already hosting downstairs. And to continue to support all of our local creatives. That stage was amazing.
My band played there a couple times, too. There was the constant mention of continuing support. Then the data center meeting happened [clears throat] at the theater, and then suddenly the investor pulled out. Um the initial investment disappeared.
The promise to support the local veteran and the business was withdrawn within weeks of this, especially because of the influence of said engineer. Um speculation, probably looking for a project approval regarding
the data center. Um nearly 2 years passed with no funding for repairs or advertising. Suddenly the $2.2 million grant showed up. Uh this timing coincides with a wealthy investor in the data center involvement. Um suddenly the city's Of course, you
know, we're all rallying as citizens. The investor did kind of back out, but where did the money go? Convention Center showed up. Company built Somehow a company's paying for the brewery that was supposed to be in that same building and now it's not.
This is the same engineer who previously used the theater for little to no rent. Was going through the mayor to obtain the theater, but the data center Finish up, please. All right. So, the damage to Ray I got questions for you guys. Fingers are being pointed directly to Ray. Ray did not mismanage these funds.
There's a no-name internet article that was posted to defame him personally. This is not a true thing. These claims are completely false. The theater was thriving under him. It began after the city got involved. And the rent reduction He's been told to stay silent.
So, I want to know why we can't hear from Ray. Why he's telling me to be quiet. Why he's texting me to not talk about anything. [clears throat] This is our home away from home. This was our livelihood. And now you've taken it away from him.
Yeah, my family's out of work, but took it away from him. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hector Bayez Hector Bayez followed by Maria Cisnebus. Sorry if I mispronounced. Who is I'm sorry.
State your name, please, where you live. Hector Bayez. I live behind the Veteran Memorial Middle School. Okay. I'm just here real quick to say I love Landis Theater. I'm there once a month. I don't know who's taking over, what the
future is like. I'm hearing good things, but I'm also hearing bad things. I'm just asking if you guys could keep it for a tribute bands and other bands because like I said, I love going there. That's all. All right. Thank you. >> [applause]
>> Maria >> [snorts] >> State your name for the record and where you live, please. Thank you. Good evening Council members and the public. My name is Maria Cisneros. I live in Vineland, New Jersey. I'm I'm here today because of
the recent decision to stop funding the animal shelter raises serious concerns. Not just about the animals, but about how we are serving our community as a whole. First, this is about responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Animal services are not
optional. They are basic public service. They protect public safety, support families, and ensure humane treatment of animals. So, the question is simple. What happens now? Who is responsible for animal control
today? When a dog is lost, injured, or abandoned, who will the resident call? Where are these animals being taken? And what resources are available?
These are not hypothetical concerns. And what res- I'm sorry. These are not hypothetical concerns. These are real daily situations affecting residents across our city. Second, we need to address the root of the problem, overpopulation and
breeding. During COVID, we saw a huge surge of black backyard breeding driven by profit, not responsibility. Now we're facing the consequences. Too many animals, not enough resources. So, I ask, how will
the city work with the state agencies to enforce breeding regulations? What steps are being taken to shut down irresponsible backyard breeders? Because we cannot continue a cycle where animals are bred for profit.
Only to later be abandoned or to lose them due to overcrowding. This is not responsible governance. This is not humane. Third, I want to address the lack of a contingency plan. On April 2nd, the city cited concerns about
billing and oversight. If these issues have existed and as stated over several years on your Facebook post, then why is there no plan B in place? Ending a contract does not eliminate the
need for the service. If anything, it increases the urgency for a structural transition. Why wasn't a secondary facility identified? Why wasn't there an interim support ready? The absence of a plan puts residents and
animals at risk. Let me be clear. We all support transparency. We all support accountability. But transparency must come with prepared leadership and clear solutions.
So, today I respectfully ask the council, what immediate plan is in place for animal control and sheltering? What long-term strategy will replace the services that animal shelter provided?
And how will the city ensure that this does not happen again without a transition in plan? Our community deserves clarity. Our residents deserve support. And these
animals have no voice deserve protection. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Is there anyone else that hasn't signed up on the form and like to speak? Please state your name where you live. Robert Nichols, Vineland, Buena Borough.
I work for the Landis Theater. And I just had some questions for myself. So, first off, I've worked for Ray for almost 5 years now. Most of my time's been voluntary because he's a very good [snorts] man. He does a lot for the community. Um
I wanted to know why Jenny Farley was given half a million dollars when I couldn't even get any money for our own township, for our own place in our own in our own city. I've lived here all my life and I've watched that theater change hands for multiple times and watch people destroy that place and
Ray actually tried to make something of it and you're taking it from him. This hurts me deeply. I can't express how bad mad I am right now. The zombie movie. What what benefit did that have to us in our city? Two and a half
two and a half thousand dollars? $250,000 towards a zombie movie? What benefit was that? None. It didn't do anything for our city or our community or our people. Whereas Ray is doing things for our people. And nobody could hear could help him out
in any way. It's a shame. It's sinful what you've done. You've broken the man. I've watched him fall apart. I wake up in the middle of the night every night cuz I'm scared to death what's going to happen to him. None of you are worried about it, are you? It's a shame. It's a sad shame.
Just for your information, I speak to him in the middle of the night sometimes, too. I'm sure. I'm I'm upset. Really upset. I've worked worked for another man who I watched take advantage of this place and you know who I worked for. He takes care of advantage of this city all the time. He's got trucks parked
outside of his place. He collects money for. He's not paying any taxes for that. He's got concrete work that gets done. He gets building puts buildings put up in around his place. Nothing happens to that man. He drives home drunk every freaking day. I watch it. It's disgusting. And I had I had to leave cuz
I couldn't stay take that anymore and I worked for a guy that was honest and upright. It's [snorts] a shame. He offered to give you guys help with the food film studio. And what happened with that? He was everybody's best friend when that was going on and then it all got taken away from him. That
didn't happen cuz the state was going to give you guys a grant for that stuff, too. >> [snorts] >> The Sacred Heart School and Church. He was going to be involved with programming for that. All that was talked to him about and he got all wound up and all excited about it and again, that got taken away. Nothing happened
with that. Every time you promise something to the man, nothing happens. You told him you're going to help him out with housing and all other things. Nothing happens. I watched it. I watched him fall apart. Everything that was supposed to happen from this city did not happen. You could have supported him from day one before you even got
involved with it. You could have supported him. Millville gets support from their city. Does the Levoy Theater not get support all the time? Constantly. They get tons of money. Whenever they don't have things sold out, guess what? The city buys up the extra seats so that they can make up so they can make sure
that that place succeeds. That place will always be there because Millville actually cares about that. Apparently, Vineland doesn't. And I guess if we're not a city engineer who's got all kinds of things that can just approve things for the city that'll make things better for them, then it's not going to happen.
It's a shame. The Waldoboro Brewing. $2 million was given to them so they could build a brewery. First, it was supposed to come to the Landis, which that didn't happen. Then it moved down to the convention center. Who's paying for that? Are we paying for that? The taxpayers of the of the city
are paying for a brewery. Why is the city paying for a brewery to be built in the city? Why? Can you tell me that? Shouldn't the the brewery pay for its own self? I think they should be paying for their own product. They should be paying for their own brewery. You already built one
in Vineland at Monero shoe store. How did that go? That already closed down right after you built it. How much money did you spend on that one? I've been here all my life. I know everything that happens in this city. I've known it all along. I'm done. Finish up. I I appreciate your time,
but thank you guys very much. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Please state your name. Where you live? I'm Diane Garrity. I live in Vineland. Um I have some concerns about this Landis Theater. There's a lot of youth involved in the uh Landis Center. You
don't have a lot of anything else out there for these kids to do. The whole downtown's a mess except for the convention center. But why are you going to not help him? I know one of the special ed kids been
in the program from day one. From a little girl of three and now she's 21. This is her last year. She performs multiple times a year there in their little place. We need things for the kids to do. They're going to all go hang out and steal from Wawa right now?
I mean you have to keep things going. Kids are not interested in a convention center. They are interested in music. They're interested in performing. They're interested in helping. Please do something. Do something that actually will help your citizens.
We would appreciate it. And also with the animal shelter. Dog running loose all over my neighborhood. Animal control's not open on Sunday. What are we supposed to do? There was two German Shepherds running wild killing things.
Where are they supposed to go? Cuz the cops don't come out to pick up the dogs. It's not their job. So whose job is it? I would certainly not like any of my grandchildren to end up eaten by a dog. I also would not like dogs hit in the
road. The one dog apparently is out quite often. No animal shelter to take it to. Can't even start the process to take it from the owners. When the car hits the dog, the car is going to get in trouble. Common sense.
Animal shelters are necessary. Places for children to do things are necessary. Our youth is quite focused on music. All kinds of music. Apparently the Beatles are making a comeback again. I've seen all the shirts. They love everybody. So all these tribute bands,
they're either in themselves I believe one group of kids is playing at Landis Theater shortly. Or they're going to see them. Give them things to do so they're not getting in trouble and hanging out at one of the five Wawas.
Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Please state your name, where you live. Hello. My name is Andrea Land. >> [clears throat] >> I live at uh 2412 South Main Road. I just wanted to just touch on three three issues briefly.
The first one is the new development that's being planned to be built at Lincoln Avenue and Magnolia Road, the southeast corner. Um I was looking through the development plans and I saw at least 50 changes to the building code
where the variances were approved that reduced the size of the building lots. So 30 houses could be crammed into that site. Um Lincoln Avenue Lincoln Avenue according to the Lincoln Avenue Corridor
Improvement Study, Lincoln Avenue has a third highest accident rate. And some of the intersections that are particularly significant for crash sites were Lincoln Avenue and Magnolia Road. That intersection cannot handle any more
traffic. And since uh 2013, we've even added a school onto Lincoln Avenue. And if you come down Magnolia to Main Road, Main Road handles all the traffic going north and south in Vineland. And
now you're going to have more traffic coming into that intersection at um Main and Magnolia. And when I see something like this, it just makes me realize that this city is looked at as a um a building, a company.
A company, a business, not a community. And I think they see um when they see a development, they want to put as many houses in there as they can because that means more property taxes. That means more money for the city. But but people are getting crowded
in and there's going to be more accidents. And it's just not a good idea. And second thing I wanted to mention was just I finally went down to the planning office and picked up the data one, which I thought was an environmental impact
statement because when we went to the town hall in January and uh we asked Charles Antoine Bonet for a environmental impact study. We asked for a study. And he said one was being done as we
speak. But when I went to pick it up, it's an environmental impact statement. It's not a study, it's a statement. And it's 60 pages and it's someone just sat down and started typing and typed out a bunch of
stuff. This is not a study. So once again, Charles lied to us again. He wasn't doing a study. He was typing out a statement. And the third thing I wanted to mention just was how we were all sides
sideswiped by the data center coming on Lincoln Avenue where we thought it was going to be a golf course. And I finally just found out yesterday yeah, Mike Trout has his golf course, but there was another golf course there.
It was the Silica Sands golf course. It was a public golf course. And it was there and it remained open to late 2024. And it was August of 2024 that the planning board approved
the resolution 6652 that authorized the data center. And then by 2025, like I said, that it was open till 2024, late 2024 and then here boom, 6 months later you start building the data
center. Which is definitely we were blindsided by that and that's how that happened. It was it was definitely made to go fast when we wouldn't notice. 3 minutes. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am.
>> [applause] [applause] >> State your name, where you live. All right, cool. I'm Myer from Vineland. Going to say a couple things. First, uh shelter. Feels like we can't have anything nice. I imagine if Ruga wanted a shelter, y'all would get down on your knees and build it immediately. Uh Landis Theater, cool story. A couple
years ago they held this thing called a Bamboozle Fest. It had about 20 to 20 I think it was like 30 bands came through and played shows. And including my buddy's band and local Vineland residents and it was one of the coolest things that I've actually experienced in Vineland that wasn't, you
know, corrupt or trying to kill me. So um yeah. And then I got a question. Uh Mr. Tenuta, are you related to a Peggy Brennan Tenuta? I'm sorry, what? A Peggy Brennan Tenuta? Yeah, that's my sister-in-law. Okay. Um she's a um she's hosting or affiliated
with the event called Big Data Alliance. Uh so that's cool where they're going to have the CEO of Data One come down and speak about how great the data center is. Yeah. Um but I will not going to be a complete jack jackoff this time. Uh I'm
going to thank Mr. English for taking an hour of his time to speak with us after the last city council meeting cuz that that's what's needed. There needs to be communication. There needs to be thoughts. Like I need to hear what your thought process is. >> [applause] >> LIKE I IT WAS ONE OF THE
CLEAREST THINGS OF understanding how we got here. So why not change things now, right? Cuz like there's concerns about more data centers coming. So put an ordinance in. It's already out there. Millville passed it. Ban data centers. Simple. Cuz this one
was a 10-year plan, I found out. Not not uh April vote. This is a 10-year plan, this data center. Um yeah. Why not fix the communication? Why not use the socials? Like there was a Vineland public school budget meeting on like 5:00 p.m. on a Monday and nobody
knew until the day of. And that's a budget meeting for the schools where they're not paying livable wages to the people that live in the schools and they're fighting contracts currently. I think it's important for the community to be involved in that. And again, how many people know there's a meeting tonight? Vineland has 60,000
residents. This room has maybe 50. Like that should be something you want as public representatives. You should want people come down here. Yeah, people aren't always going to be nice, especially when you do dumb things like big data centers. But like you have to want people to come down here for this city to ever be improving. You should want to hear the different voices. You should hear all the concerns, the roads
that are screwed up, the traffic lights that might be covered, all these problems out in this world like this city. Like you don't know what's going on all the time, obviously. I found out the school pick up line's getting too long. So it's basically like you're getting kind of tear gas in the parking lot cuz there's so many cars running and the emissions. The bussing in the
schools sucks. I don't know what's going on with it, but I don't know if there's not bus drivers, but like, bring people down here so they could tell you what's wrong with the city so we could work together and get the city better so everybody could live in it. >> [applause] >> Cuz at the end of the day, this isn't John Ruga's city. This isn't Anthony
Finocchiaro and his 15 affiliated businesses city. This is the city of the Vineland residents where our voices should matter more. Thank you. Thank you. [cheering] >> [applause] >> Anyone else? State your name and where you live. Joanne Freeman
and I live in South Vineland, more specifically two tenths of a mile from that data center. Have any of you, any of you spent any time out there beyond five or 10 minutes
to listen to that hum? That hum gives me headaches. It causes me dizziness. I go to dialysis three days a week. When I come home, I need to rest.
I cannot tolerate having that hum there. Do any of you care about this hum, about the people you affect with this data center? I don't think so. I want to know who is going to buy a
house out there with that hum? Who is going to renovate my house to stop the humming from coming in? I cannot afford central air. Who's going to pay my electric bill? Who's going to pay the increased taxes for the people
that live out there? Who's going to buy those houses? Tell me who? Now, Mr. Tonetta, you know my family, most of it. I went to school with your sister. Okay? Would you put your sister out by
that area? Why didn't one of you say, "Build that data center near my house?" Do you have the right to sleep in peace? Yes, and so do I, and so do the people
out on Sheridan Avenue, Mildred Lane, and Joyce Lane. Now, tell me, what are you going to do? Tell me. I'm waiting. That's the answer. You're not going to
do a damn thing. Thank you. Have a nice night. >> [applause] >> Say your name, please, where you live. Yes, my name is Helen Petraitis and I live in Vineland. And enough said about the data center. The main concern of mine is next month
when the zoning comes. I'd like to know why things are progressing on the property that the original data center, it's growing, yet we haven't been rezoned. Okay, that's one. And I don't know when you're supposed to
talk about things that you've heard at these meetings, but I was at the finance meeting and you spoke about the um the deficit in providing health care for your employees. Okay. Now, I don't know if your employees pay a any kind of a co-pay for
their insurance like most companies make their people pay. I don't know. I don't either. Bobby? Okay. Well, you know, it's just like every Chapter 78 contribution. Okay. Well, I I just I didn't know. We don't know these things, okay? The second
thing was, okay, the windows have to be replaced in City Hall. Okay. How are they going to be replaced? Are you how many estimates are you going to get? Do we have a vote on who you who you hire to do this work? Are you just going to spend our money
from a contractor that gives you a good bid? Okay. There's a process, ma'am, for contractors to be hired. Okay. Well, I we don't know these things. You know, I I sat Okay. Well, I I sat and I sat in the meeting and these questions just swirled
around in my head. You want to put new windows in and I have to put a new roof on. I went to three or four different roofers before I, you know, chose one. So >> Wait. Okay. Well, you know, we don't know these things. All right? That That's all I have to
say, okay? Thanks. >> you. >> [applause] >> Seeing no one, we'll close the public session. All right. Page 3 at the top. Mr. President, I present ordinance number 2026-23, ordinance authorizing the transfer of
certain industrial property to the Vineland Industrial Commission pursuant to NJSA 48:12-13 and approving the sale of said industrial property by Vineland Industrial Commission pursuant to NJSA 40:55B-1 et seq., which is ready for public
hearing. Chair will entertain a motion that ordinance number 2026-24 be taken up for public hearing. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Anyone in the audience wish to be heard
on ordinance number 2026-24? 23, sorry. What is it, Rich? It's 23. It's 23. 23. I'm sorry. I'm just reading what's in front of me. No one. Chair will entertain a motion public hearing on ordinance number 2026-23 be closed.
So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Anyone in the Chair? Yeah. Chair will entertain a motion ordinance number 2026-23 be taken up for final reading adopted according
to law. So move. Second. Council questions? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance number 2026-23, ordinance authorizing the transfer of certain industrial property to the
Vineland Industrial Commission pursuant to NJSA 48:12-13 and approving the sale of said industrial property by Vineland Industrial Commission pursuant to NJSA 40:55B-1 et seq. with a vote of four yays, this
ordinance is hereby adopted. Can I have police uh Yeah. Mr. Franchetta, please submit ordinance number 2026-23 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes. Thank you. I present ordinance number 2026-24,
ordinance authorizing the acquisition of block 1604, lot 1.01 of the tax map of the City of Vineland from South Vineland Little League and acceptance of $82,783.33 from South Vineland Little League to be used for the design and construction of
batting cages at Landis Park, which is ready for public hearing. Chair will entertain a motion ordinance number 2026-24 be taken up for public hearing open to public for discussion. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes.
President Spinelli? Yes. Is there anyone in the audience who wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-24? Seeing no one, chair will entertain a motion public hearing on ordinance number 2026-24 be closed. >> So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes.
Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Chair will entertain a motion ordinance number 2026-24 be taken up for final reading adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion? Seeing none.
Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-24, ordinance authorizing the acquisition of block 1604, lot 1.01 of the tax map of the City of Vineland from South Vineland Little League and acceptance of
$82,783.33 from South Vineland Little League to be used for the design and construction of batting cages at Landis Park. With a vote of four yays, this ordinance is hereby adopted. Franchetta, please submit ordinance number 2026-24 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes.
I present ordinance 2026-25, ordinance reassigning and establishing chapter 224 of the Code of the City of Vineland entitled Animals within the Department of Health, chapter 62 of the Code of the City of Vineland, which is ready for public hearing. Chair will entertain a motion ordinance number 2026-25
be taken up for public hearing and open to the public for discussion. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Anyone in the audience wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-25?
Seeing no one, chair will entertain a motion public hearing on ordinance number 2026-25 be closed. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes.
Chair will entertain a motion ordinance number 2025 26-25 be taken up for final reading and adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion by council? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English?
Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-25, ordinance reassigning and establishing chapter 224 of the Code of the city of Vineland entitled animals within the Department of Health chapter 62 of the code of the city of Vineland with a vote of four years this ordinance is hereby
adopted. Mr. Frenchi, please submit ordinance number 2025 26-25 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes. Present ordinance number 2026-26 an ordinance to amend and supplement ordinance number eight which established
classification and compensation plans for the city of Vineland senior security guard which is ready for a public hearing. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-26 be taken up for public hearing and open to public for discussion. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English?
Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Anyone in the audience wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-26? Seeing no one, chair entertains motion public hearing on ordinance number 2026-26 be closed. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur?
Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-26 be taken up for final reading adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion by council. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council
member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? >> Yes. Ordinance 2026-26 an ordinance to amend and supplement ordinance number eight which established classification and compensation plans for the city of Vineland senior security guard with a vote of four years this
ordinance is hereby adopted. Mr. Frenchi, please submit ordinance number 2026-26 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes. I present ordinance number 2026-27 ordinance [clears throat] ratifying and renewing ordinance number 2023-13
and releasing vacating and extinguishing any public rights in and to the unimproved extension of Cornell Street right-of-way which is ready for a public hearing. Chair entertains motion that ordinance number 2026-27 be taken up for public hearing and open to public for discussion. So move.
Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Anyone in the audience wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-27? Seeing no one. Chair entertains motion public hearing on ordinance number 2026-27 be closed.
So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-27 be taken up for final reading and adopted according to law. So move.
Second. Discussion. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-27 ordinance ratifying and renewing ordinance number 2023-13 and releasing
vacating and extinguishing any public rights in and to the unimproved extension of Cornell Street right-of-way with a vote of four years this ordinance is hereby adopted. Mr. Frenchi, please submit ordinance number 2026-27 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes.
I present ordinance number 2026-28 ordinance amending ordinance 92-65 as amended chapter 103 of the code of the city of Vineland entitled Municipal Alliance Committee which is ready for a public hearing. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-28 be taken up for public hearing and open
to public for discussion. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? President Spinelli? Yes. Is there anyone in the audience who wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-28? Seeing no one.
Chair entertains motion ordinance public hearing on ordinance number 2026-28 be So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Chair entertains motion ordinance number
2026-28 be taken up for final reading adopted according to law. So move. Second. Discussion by council. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-28
ordinance amending ordinance 92-65 as amended chapter 103 of the code of the city of Vineland entitled Municipal Alliance Committee with a vote of four years this ordinance is hereby adopted. Mr. Frenchi, please submit ordinance number 2026-28 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes. Present
ordinance number 2026-29 ordinance authorizing the execution of an addendum to the contract of sale for the acquisition of certain property in the city of Vineland known as block 2201 lot 64 34 West Park Avenue rear and
block 2201 lot 62 Amos Avenue and amending ordinance number 2025-67 to be consistent with this ordinance which is ready for a public hearing. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-29 be taken up for public hearing and open to public for discussion. So
move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Is there anyone in the audience who wish to be heard on ordinance number 2026-29? Seeing no one. Chair entertains motion public hearing
on ordinance number 2026-29 be closed. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-29 be taken up for final reading adopted according to law. So move.
Second. Any discussion? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-29 ordinance authorizing the execution of an addendum to the contract of sale for
the acquisition of certain property in the city of Vineland known as block 2201 lot 64 34 West Park Avenue rear and block 2201 lot 62 Amos Avenue and amending ordinance number 2025-67 to be consistent with this ordinance
with a vote of four years this ordinance is hereby adopted. Mr. Frenchi, please submit ordinance number 2026-29 to the mayor for his approval or disapproval. Yes. Mr. President, I present ordinance number 2026-30 which is ready for a first reading. Chair entertains motion
ordinance number 2026-30 be taken up for first reading. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-30 an ordinance to amend and supplement ordinance number eight which established
classification and compensation plans for the city of Vineland storekeeper one. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-30 be passed for first reading that a public hearing be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. So move. Second. Discussion.
Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Present ordinance number 2026-31 which is ready for a first reading. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-31
be taken up for first reading. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-31 ordinance supplementing ordinance number 2026-16 authorizing the acquisition of 2040
Maple Avenue block 2502 lot 51 by purchase or condemnation for recreational purposes pursuant to NJSA 40:61-1. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-31 be passed for first reading that a public hearing be held on Tuesday, May
12th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. >> So move. Second. Discussion. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Present ordinance number 2026-32 which
is ready for a first reading. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-32 be taken up for first reading. So move. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Ordinance 2026-32
ordinance amending ordinance 96-82 as amended chapter 425 article six section 425-60 of the code of the city of Vineland entitled subdivision plat details and other required data and amending ordinance 2007-24 as amended chapter 425 article six
section 425-61 of the code of the city of Vineland entitled site plan details and other required data. Chair entertains motion ordinance number 2026-32 be passed for first reading public hearing be held on Tuesday, May 12th,
2026 at 5:30 p.m. So move. Second. Discussion. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Present
resolution number 2026-196 a resolution authorizing that the municipal budget for the calendar year 2026 be read by title only at the public hearing for said budget. Chair entertains motion resolution number 2026-196 be adopted according to law. So move.
Second. Discussion. Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinelli? Yes. Mr. President, I present the calendar year 2026 municipal budget which is
ready for a public hearing. Is there anyone in the audience who wish to be heard on calendar year 2026 municipal budget? Seeing no one. Chair entertains motion public hearing on the calendar year 2026 municipal budget be closed. >> So move. Second.
Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? >> Yes. President Spinello? Yes. Go to the consent agenda. Yep. City Council has approved that all matters listed in tonight's consent agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial and be adopted by one motion. There will be no separate
discussion of these items unless a council member so requests, in which case the item will be removed and considered with an individual vote. All matters on the consent agenda have been presented to City Council during either work session or pre-meeting conference and appear on the consent agenda without objection. Their titles will not be
individually read into the record, but will be properly memorialized in the meeting minutes. Chair entertains a motion to approve all items on the consent agenda. So moved. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinello? Yes.
It's time we'll have privilege of floor. Dr. Arthur? I thank the students from Wallace School for coming out tonight along with their principal. >> [snorts] >> And that's it. Vargas? Uh nothing at this time.
Council member English? We got nothing at this time. Me either. Chair entertains a motion uh to adjourn the meeting. So moved. Second. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Council member English? Yes. Council member Vargas? Yes. President Spinello? Yes. Have a good
night. Be careful going home. 7:20. Thank you.