Don't really like this. But it's not Those are Right. >> Unfortunately, there's plenty of sticker name. Yeah. Yeah. I don't want to discourage.
Well, you want it sources. You go back again. How many times have I told you? That's a different That's all for Well, actually Yes.
It's not possible. I don't know why my name is trusting Otherwise, it's just not worth extra. This is not
my name. I try to be lowkey. like six. I'm just saying One thing with
beautiful. We got something. I was wondering Appreciate it. You don't want to know Perfect. [clears throat] Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided through the posting,
mailing and filing of the annual notice of regularly scheduled meetings of the town council on December 10th, 2025. The notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building provided to the Westfield leader star ledger and filed with the clerk of the town of Westfield. Miss Louny, may I
have a roll call? >> Mayor Bernard >> here. >> Council members Gilman >> here. >> Tom >> here. >> Becker >> here. >> Kefir >> here. Sanders >> here. >> Here >> please rise for the invocation which will be given by councilman Ben. And
then remain standing for the salute to the flag. >> As we begin this meeting, let us take a moment to appreciate the privilege and responsibility we have been given to serve our community. Let us seek the highest ideals of honesty, integrity, and compassion in our interactions and decisions. May our differences inspire
dialogue rather than division. And may our shared goals unite us in purpose. Let us move forward with open hearts and minds committed to the well-being of alliance to the flag of the stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good evening and thanks to everyone who is joining us tonight, both here in person and via the live stream on the town's YouTube channel. As always, the replay of this meeting will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and TV36. Public
comment will be accepted in person only. I'm going to make a few brief remarks before we begin tonight's legislative agenda. Uh after the incredible turnout and energy at match night on Quimby, we are very excited to cheer on Team USA once again on Wednesday, July 1st. The festivities will start at 700 p.m. with
the game kicking off at 8:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing many of you there. A huge thank you to the Downtown Westfield Corporation for creating and organizing this event, as well as our police, fire, public works, and volunteer rescue squad for the extensive planning and public
safety coordination that will make this evening possible. Uh, moving on to Tommocus. We appreciate everyone who provided input on the propo proposed Tomas park design plan. Our partners at Dresnner Robin are in the process of reviewing the community feedback that will help shape the next
steps of the plan. We anticipate a report to be presented to the project steering committee in the fall that will identify the areas of greatest interest from our residents. From there, they will present their final recommendations to the recreation commission and the town council at public meetings where
funding and timelines will be finalized in anticipation of work getting underway in 2027. Now, moving on to one Westfield Place. Uh given the recent milestones in the Sachs global bankruptcy proceedings, I would like to share a few of the latest information that we have. While we would
love to be giving a substantive update about the future of One Westfield Place project, the reality is there isn't really one to give just yet. Tonight's updates primary primarily relate to the legal proceedings that remain underway so that the public has the details about Westfield's role in that process. As
I've previously reported, the town retained bankruptcy council to protect Westfield's interests throughout these proceedings. Most recently, we took additional legal steps to preserve our rights under the existing redevelopment agreements and to ensure that any obligations owed to the town are
properly addressed as part of the bankruptcy process. This includes the repayment of $153,000 to us by Sachs, which the bankruptcy court has agreed to include as part of their obligations. At the same time, we have remained in
close communication with Sax regarding the future of the former Lord and Taylor property. Sachs has indicated that it is exploring all options, although they have also made clear that the entirety of their time and resources are currently deployed on the bankruptcy
proceedings. As a result, no significant pro progress or changes regarding one west place can be made until that process is complete. Sachs has secured $500 million of exit financing, which the court has approved, and we expect them to formally emerge from bankruptcy
in the coming weeks. They are also fully up to date on their property taxes in Westfield. While this bankruptcy has created uncertainty around the one Westfield Place project, it also presents an important opportunity for the STEM. The landscape has changed significantly since the project was
originally approved and this process opens the door for us to evaluate what makes the most sense for Westfield today. It is important to know that this entire town council is aligned on exploring changes to the original project. Although the Lord and Taylor
site is privately owned, the existing redevelopment plan and redevelopment agreement provide the town with an important role in shaping its future. As a redevelopment plan moves forward, we will have the opportunity to consider modifications that better reflect
today's economic realities and the needs of our community. That could include changes to the scale, mix of uses, design, or other aspects of the project. Because of the bankruptcy, no final decisions have been made. I want to
reiterate that our goal will be to ensure that any future proposal is responsive to the current marketplace conditions and delivers an outcome that serves Westfield's long-term interests. We expect to have greater clarity in the coming months regarding redevelopment of the property and we will continue to
keep you informed as significant developments occur. We have a very brief legislative agenda tonight with key highlights being the annual renewal of liquor licenses, a resolution authorizing an award of contract for our 2026 road improvements,
and a resolution to submit a grant application for a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant to pave Road Street. Lastly, this entire town council extends our congratulations to the class of 2026. We wish our graduates all the best in their next chapters and a safe
and happy summer to all of our students. Let us begin. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the town council conference executive and regular meetings of June 9th, 2026. >> Councilman Pcker. Second. >> Second.
>> Councilwoman Gilman. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? This motion is carried. Now it is time for open discussion by citizens. Anyone may come up to the microphone and speak to the council on any subject which this council has jurisdiction.
Please state your name and address for the record and limit your comments to 5 minutes. >> Courtney Shell, 511 Summit Avenue, Westfield. Um, mayor, I think you just said the bankruptcy court approved $153,000
payment to Westfield. Um, I've been looking at the docket daily and I haven't seen that. All I've seen is that there's a pending um objection filed by the town's attorney asking for a cure payment
um that uh has not been resolved yet. So, you might want to check on that because I don't think there's been anything definitive ordered by the court on that. Um, I'm glad to hear that the town recognizes that there's been financial and economic changes over the
years since the project was approved and that they'll re-evaluate um particularly on my my interest in the financial level. questions about the financials from day one and um you know the rental markets and all that and I think it's important that the council
look at it today as opposed to back COVID days when this whole thing went through which was completely different rental market everything was was different back then um and um finally I just want to say that
the court did confirm Sax's plan based upon its projections its financial projections Um, and just in my experience of 30 years in bankruptcy, courts often approve plans and say they're feasible based upon projections and the
projections tend to be not pan out. Um, and there's been a lot of public criticism by experts on Sax's financials saying they're completely unrealistic, not sustainable, and there's no way Sax is going to make it. Um, and just good
example, Wraid. Write aid's on its second bankruptcy in two years. The court confirmed their plan two years ago and said, "Oh, yes, this is financially feasible." And now I'm representing clients in their second bankruptcy case. So, it's not unusual. I just caution from a practical view just because the
court said that they're going to survive and that this is financially feasible. You know, take that with a grain of salt because history shows that for a lot of bankruptcy cases, that doesn't really pan out. Just because the court says, "Oh, yes, it's going to work." doesn't really mean anything. So, I caution
everybody to look at all the economics, look at Sax's financial viability going forward. I mean, we do you do have the option to ask for adequate assurance and bankruptcy. I'm not sure if that was ever given. I know that that was one of the objections the town raised that they
wanted adequate assurance and I'm not sure if they ever got that. Um I do note that the contracts are assignable inside or outside of bankruptcy and there are financial assurance provisions I believe in those assignment provisions. So it's important I think for you all to keep
that in mind when you're going forward to make sure whoever does do the project does have the financial wherewithal to complete it so we don't end up with more delays, more bankruptcies and you know this can go on and on for years. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Hello, Carla 603 Lawrence Avenue. So, I was happy to hear in your comment that you'll be perhaps revisiting scope, scale, and uses to better meet uh the needs of the town today or whenever this
is complete. And so I am hoping that you come up with a process for community engagement that is really more robust than what we saw the last time so that people can uh give their input early on
before there are actually sketches and and design. So that's what I would ask um as you guys contemplate this and continue to move forward and know that Westfield Advocates has a lot of folks that have great skill set that can help
and we're free. >> Thank you. >> Seeing no others, I close this portion of the meeting and move to bills and claims. Councilman Vancou. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to move bills and claims in the amount of $492,31751
cents. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Second by Councilman Saunders. Uh any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion is carried. Uh next on the agenda is reports of standing committees, beginning with finance
policy. Councilman Ventur. >> Uh thank you, mayor. I have six resolutions I would like to move as a package. One, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund recreation department fees. Two, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund dumpster security payment. Three, resolution
authorizing the chief financial officer to draw a warrant uh to replenish postage meter. Uh four, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to amend change fund. Five, resolution authorizing affordability assistance grant pursuant to the town of Westfield's affordability assistance
program for a tenant of an affordable housing unit at 3302 Echolane unit 3302 six resolution authorizing schedule for payments of bills and claims. >> May I have a second? >> Second by Councilman Delmala. Any discussion? All in favor?
>> Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Councilwoman Gilman, please move the items for public safety. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have two resolutions I would like to move as a package. One, resolution adopting the Union County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan 2026.
And two, resolution supporting bus stop locations along Route 28 as recommended by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. >> May I have a second? Second by Councilman Armento. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? This motion is carried.
Councilman Pcker, please move code review. Thank you, [clears throat] mayor. I would like to move a resolution to approve annual renewal of alcoholic beverage liquor licenses. >> May I have a second? >> Second by Councilwoman Adoir. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion is carried.
Councilwoman Adoir, please move public works committee. >> Thank you, mayor. I have two resolutions I would like to move as a package. One, resolution authorizing an award of contract for 2026 various road improvements. and two, resolution to submit a grant application and execute a
grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the 2027 West Grove Street and East Grove Street improvement project. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Councilwoman Gilman. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion is carried. May I
have a motion to adjurnn? >> Kefir and second. Councilman Gilman. And he check.