##VIDEO ID:R7-nD0s1MkI## [Music] everyone please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance i al to the flag of the United States of America and republ for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with andice for all please remain standing for a moment of silence it's always keeping in your thoughts men and women of our armed services notice requirements of the open public meeting will have satisfied concerning this meeting notice schedule was published in the home news tribun the starl November 29th 202 a copy of the schedule was posted on the municipal bulletin board minutes of this meeting councilman Anderson here councilman Bor here councilwoman De Jesus councilman parara councilwoman man councilman Patel here councilman small here councilwoman mcalli here and councilman Spiller here council at this time I'd like to entertain a motion uh to seek uh a president for 2025 Mr ni Mr small I'd like to nominate Corey Spiller for president Cory's been serving since 2015 and I served as our president in 2018 Corey is a lifelong resident of avanel section of Woodbridge where he resides there with his wife Aon children Emily Elizabeth and Connor where he's also a life member of the avanel fire company where he served as Chief and president of the company Cory is an excellent leader who will do a great job in 2025 than you Mr SP do I have a second on the nomination yes Mr Mitch excuse me I second the nomination for councilman Corey Spiller for the position of council president Corey has spent the majority of his adult life working with our community both professionally and as a volunteer our past first cross over 20 years ago when I got involved with the volunteer fire Services his actions then and now as a leader motivates and inspires others for those common goals that better our community some of the many values that Corey displays is strong leadership and a strong family man which is demonstrated in the way he represents and serves our community for he has an unwavering dedication to improve the lives of others excuse me they say I quote the greatness of a community is most accely measured by the compassion and actions of its members Corey it's the honor and privilege to Second your nomination for position of council president congratulations best of luck thank you Mr B are there any other nominations for president any other nominations for president all in favor I iose Cory Spiller s SAR that support the Constitution of the United States the constition of the state of with be faith and allegiance to the same to the governments established in the United States and in this state the authority to people a faithful par adjustment was all the council president your ab that's F sure yeah you get settled this brother for making it comments thank you Mr Mitch I'd like to first and foremost thank my fellow Council mates who have entrusted me as council president for the second time and I'd like to personally thank councilman small and bower for their nomination we're just not councilman but we're all a family I'd like to I look forward to continue to work with mayor McCormack Chief staff erck business administrator simuka and the resue administration Mr Mitch has always been a pleasure to work alongside yourself and the wonderful staff you have in the clerk's office finally I'd like to thank my wife Aaron children Emily Elizabeth and Connor for their support their love and their patience I'd like to take what I learned the first time as a council president observing and learning from past Council presidents and listening to the residents to be as effective as possible as council president we welcome all residents to attend our meetings but you don't have to wait two weeks to have an issue looked into or addressed myself my fellow Council mates the mayor and administration are very easy to to communicate with and to get into contact with we listen to all prompt we listen to all matters and I promise you to get an answer once again thank you and here is to a successful and prosperous 2025 thank you very much you Mr President at this time I'll seeking nominations for the office of council vice president Mr Mitch I I would like to nominate Sharon mall if for Vice President Sharon has demonstrated a strong desire to serve her community for years she has donated to many organizations whether it's her famous not just Bagel her time or simply a listening ear Sharon deeply cares about Woodbridge Township not only because she had the example of her parents serving the community that she grew up in and not only because she raised her children here but most importantly because this is home to her granddaughters Adeline and Penelope in conversations with Sharon I know her desire for Woodbridge Township to continue prospering and being the place where all feel welcome I believe that Nancy smiling down at how fast Sharon took to her Council seat and how she continues to not only support nany's efforts but has paved her own way I have the utmost confidence that Sharon will perform the duties of vice president with integrity and Leadership thank you Mr have a second on the nomination hon I'd like to Second I'd like to Second the nomination for Council M for vice president since being elected to the council Sharon's demonstrated passion and care for all the residents that she serves here in Woodridge Township and she works t as she works tirelessly on their behalf to help them with different issues of concern the concerns they may have she's also a strong advocate for our local businesses in the community promoting them and encouraging residents to Always by local to support them those qualities therefore will make her strong leader as she serves besides our new council president so I'd like to second the motion this me are there any other nominations for vice president any other nominations for vice president all favor R oppose conratulations [Applause] you sh Apollo Solly swear that you support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution the state of the church a fa faith and allegiance of the same the government establish the United States and the midate and the authority of Fai impartially adjust all thank you [Applause] I kle yes you're saw and when you get settled if you'd like to make a few comments thank you very much first I'd like to thank Liz and Debbie for the kind words it was so heartfelt everything you said I really appreciate that and thank you to all my other Council mates for believing in me to be able to do this job for the upcoming year I'd also like to thank the administration for always supporting me for my residents all the issues that they always bring to my attention you're always very confident at getting back to me immediately and making Mak sure that we can make our residents happy I'd like to thank my family for being here with me tonight and Mr Mitch I'd like to thank you for always being such a good Mentor to me and helping me with everything as my time out on the council thank you very much at this point Mr President want to move into the regular meeting beginning with uh the minutes from December 17th did I get a motion to approve them motion second second all in favor I opposed eyes have it we have two resolutions first before ordinances resolutions one and two to confirm the appointments of council president vice president can I get a motion to approve one and two motion second any questions or comments All favor I I oppose eyes have it going into first reading ordinances you have letter listed before you a through H again no second reading just first reading I get a motion that these subordinance be passed tonight on first reading publish in the h r on Friday January 10th with notice of public hearing we held on Tuesday January 21st at 6m motion second any questions or comments from Council yes Mr Mitch I'd like to obstain from letter F please so noted any other questions or comments all in favor I I opposed eyes have it Mr President you have 24 resolutions listed I get a motion by consent now from 3 to 24 motion second any questions or comments yes Mr Mitch I'd like to obain from number 22 please so any other comments all in favor I oppos eyes have thank you Mr M we will now go to the public comment portion of tonight's meeting When approaching a microphone please state your name what section of the township or state that you live in and you'll have a one time opportunity to speak up to five minutes good evening members of the council my name is Nicole patterer I am from the avanel section of Woodbridge um so I'm here to follow up on our proposed ordinance regarding the use of live animal exhibits in commercial spaces so when we were here last Mee meeting we did um bring a proposed ordinance our goal is to SE quest in Woodbridge and to assure that we do not see another establishment like blue zoo or aquazoo move into that space today we have gathered more than 400 signatures um 184 from residents of New Jersey and New York urging this Council to support and pass the ordinance this reflects the growing Community sentiment against live animal exhibits that prioritize entertainment over ethical care and respons responsible stewardship additionally we're work actively working on a broader campaign to prohibit live animal exhibits Statewide so passing this ordinance in Woodbridge would be make the you guys and all of us at the Forefront of this movement you have the opportunity at this point to be on the right side of History by taking a firm stand Now setting an example for other towns across new J New Jersey both the proposed local ordinance and the state campaign aim to put an end to establishments like sequest which have repeatedly posed threats to both animals and the public by moving forward with this ordinance Woodbridge can lead the change in advocating for ethical Humane and Progressive policies that align with our shared values as a community and I would like to um bring forth the signatures that we have from the New Jersey and New York residents when you're done you can bring it up and give it to Mr Mitch if you're done yeah are there any other comments receiving from the public thank you well Jessica mayor vivonetto from avanel and I guess I kind of just came tonight I know I've come a lot and talked a lot but to find out when I was last here the permits at sequest expired on December 31st now I'm waiting for a response um from a request that I made an opena request but do you know where they signed again did you sign off on permits for the farmed animals and for food uh I'm sorry didn't hear the request uh asking the status if any of the permits that might be issued from your talk speaker from the permit from the health department yes so the one permit that we we offer would be uh would be for uh animals to be kept uh and we have our health director here uh David Kinski David has that been issued for this year maybe in the process but it is the issue okay so it will be it probably will be issued as long as they adhere to all of art ordinances that's discouraging um I did want to bring some pictures if I can leave them with you of um us outside every two weeks protesting and we're going to continue and I'm confident we're going to get there I just was hoping that you would be more helpful with the situation thank you thank are there any other comments this evening from the public I'm kuga from Seaside to highlight some violations of sequest which is the interactive zoo at the Woodbridge Center mall I have more pictures here to show the violations from New Jersey fish and wildlife we have Bloody iguanas bloody iguanas bloody iguanas the pig's skin looks like a reptile this pig has a skin condition it's supposed to get ointment every day it doesn't so the skin is all cracked so basically when animals are not well taken care of if they don't have proper vet attention couple things happen they either misbehave for example when iguanas are in a confined space you may not know but they their tails at each other and make slashes so this one here you can see their organ is showing because of the big Slash from another Iguana's tail so this is cruel the confined spaces the employees have come forward as whistleblowers so all these pictures are from employees in the New Jersey fish and wildlife report so there have been several government agencies that highlight all the violations sequ so many have shut down already they've gone bankrupt they owe $380,000 to Wood Bridge owner Woodbridge Center owner spinoso so we're just wondering how you're able to help us because we've got government agencies on this it's taking a very long time with there's a paa investigation New Jersey fish and wildlife USDA wrote them up because their bird environment was not vet approved they on the New Jersey fish and wildlife it said that they're they're falsifying vet records and then you may remember when they transfer animals sometimes they die upon arrival according to the investigation so it's been on new jersey.com it's been ABC News it's all over sequest shutting down just like Jessica and Nicole had mentioned we want to be on the Forefront shut it down before we're required to and I'm so glad the health department is here because in I think it's 11- 8.1 in the Woodbridge code it says can revoke permit if unsanitary you should see the glass it's filthy with algae and scum it's just it's just horrific they don't have enough they don't have enough staff to take care of the animals properly so we're just asking how you can help us council president if you will so council president anytime we receive a complaint about about uh any type of uh cruelty to animals we uh send our police detectives they do the initial investigation and turn it over to the state authorities so that that's our course it's it's the it's what we do on a regular basis when we receive those complaints uh if there's a if there's a a complaint about uh any type of sanitary issue that's turned over to our health department and investigate it that way thank you okay CU we have submitted plenty of complaints and we're here all the time and so we're asking if maybe you can reach out to some government agencies maybe the either USDA or New Jersey fish and wildlife or have the health department go in we're asking the council for some help we need to be on the same team not only just the cruelty but also the spread of disease they microbacteria I don't know if you know all the turtles were put down all the turtles were euthanized because of MCO bacteria so kids can get diseases just like that from touching these animals so is there any way you could reach out to any government agencies or Spinosa the owner of the mall so I believe every single time um we get a complaint we forward depending on what the complaint is it either gets forwarded to the police department in council president I'm I'm going to let Police director hubner speak he he handled once we receive those calls he handles it through his detective Bureau thank so sign reach out to Department of Environmental uh protection the animal health section the um Department of Agriculture um fish and wildlife all of those keep uh referring us to the State Health Department we're in contact with them now you're in contact with them now okay excellent and is there anything else we could do just hang in there and wa unfortunately well thank you for going in the right direction we really appreciate it thank are there any other comments this evening from the public there are no other callor from the public can I get a motion that the public comment portion be closed we go to the agenda motion I have a second second all in favor I I oppos eyes have thank you Mr M we'll now move to the council agenda portion of the meeting start on myself my agenda is order uh now that it's official I just like to congratulate Council vice president PA and I look forward to working alongside with you in 2025 um moving along the agenda uh Council vice president Paul um I agenda is in order I have just a few comments tonight first I have Relay for Life join the Relay for Life team this Saturday January 11th 9:30 a.m. at the wooders community center for the kickoff of the 2025 Relay for Life first lap remember to please help support the we feed program and bring a non- perishable food item uh the Chamber of Commerce mark your calendars from March 6 for the 2025 state of the township address presented by mayor McCormick these tickets sell out fast contact the wiber chamber online for tickets or more information the gallery on Main join the gallery on main for a decoupage uh class on Sunday the 19th uh from 1 to 3 tickets are $25 also the Galler main is accepting applications for new artists please look for the requirements and the details send your inquiries to gallery on Main at tww woodbridge.nj.us the uh Woodbridge animal shelter and the Woodbridge fire department are teaming up together for a fundraising campaign to collect much needed supplies for the animal shelter they're looking for cat and dog food both wet and dry pet brushes nail clippers shampoo and grooming supplies blankets Eye and Ear care products also donations can be dropped off at the firehouse at 418 School Street um I look forward to taking on the uh role as vice president and working with all of my Council mates and congratulations to Corey as the new president and I want to wish everybody a happy healthy New Year and please keep all of our military here and abroad in our prayers and thank them for your service thank you that's all I that thank you Sharon I just also want to say see you had some additions to your family come in yes I did hi thank you C been Anderson thank you council president both congratulations to yourself and to council vice president mall I know you lead us well um I'm going to hold on WTC I'm going to go down to the job bank and uh we want to get this the new year started off right if you are out of work or you know someone who's out of work we have several opportunities listed on our Employment Opportunity Center and I'm going to highlight two of them um but we have uh the New Jersey defense manufacturing Community Consortium BASF and as you know Woodbridge um School District uh always seeking um substitute teachers we have the United States Postal Service Jazzy nails um our house Stone Mountain on Main Street um I just used them recently um great business they're looking for a customer service rep preferably with bilingual um uh skills and also we have uh Jiffy luo up on um route n in Fords uh they are also looking for someone uh you can call 73282 6110 and we're also offering um uh you can go on here and um if you're your son or daughter or or yourself or looking to become lifeguards uh the American Red Cross is advertising a shallow water lifeguard training class for $150 um the information's on there it tells you all of what they're looking for um so please check our Employment Opportunity Center on our Township website I'm going to move down to NAACP uh please go on to naacp.org um lot of information about uh a lot of different um events and activities um also uh information uh if you're interested in what's going on with the NAACP so the naacp.org is where you can go there and get get informed uh speaking of uh uh NAACP we have the um January 20th annual MLK uh Dr Luther King celebration and that's at 6:00 p.m. and that'll be at the acacia center right down the street um 95 Port Reading a uh we will have uh the keynote speaker will be Dr Reverend uh uh Reverend Lawson from First Baptist Church uh we'll have um Phil Hall who's from our our president of the independent Club of Colonia and Glen Morgan who is the Pres uh the uh chair of our Human Rights Commission all will be in attendance and all will be speaking on on that event we'll always acknowledge our children we encourage you to bring our children it's a great event to learn about Dr King and his legacy now we're going to move down to uh middle sex College uh please go on to middx college.edu uh this is the 60th year uh celebration of middle sex college and uh if you know anything about that campus itself that campus was at one time in army barracks it was is also a golf course and uh since uh uh 1964 it's been uh a college and it's gone for a middle sex County College to now middle sex college and uh there are so many opportunities for students if they're looking to transfer looking to start out we do have a graduate here in in our room and I don't want to embarrass Kyle but Kyle was one of our um really highlights last year when he graduated and then became student at Columbia University where he presently goes right now so Kyle thanks for being here for your mom but you came at a perfect timing because I'm highlighting middle sex college but um how are things going as far as you know uh Colombia great yeah all right awesome okay so um and that's all I have uh we're going to um let's see yep that's it that's all I have thank you very much council president thank you council president councilman f a couple items in my my agenda just want to point out over at the community center uh that they wave the Joiner feet during uh the month of January so it's a good opportunity if you would think of joining it in at a at a better rate uh also from the Woodbridge Township Youth Services I have two items family and friends CPR you must be 10 years or older to participate uh Tuesday February 11th at Evergreen on the Min Avenue from 6:00 to 7:30 and Wednesday the 26th February at our Acacia Center here at PT reading 6:00 to 7:30 um there's no cost for this but we do have to register and you can check it with our youth services folks go all um there's also over at Evergreen a have a heart youth night um Fe Friday February 7th from 6:00 to 9: there's a food photo booth and music and again this is their way of uh bringing funds together for the h aart program which I'm sure somebody will at some point and then just in closing as we uh approach the new year I read on a news feed today from our United States Surgeon General BAC H marthy um as he finishes his second term he refers to the essential elements that fuel our fulfillment and wellness and he lists relationship service and purpose uh he said he talks about reentering and moving away from the self-center part of it uh looking to attain Fame power or wealth uh but just remember those words of relationships service and purpose happy New Year everybody good luck to our President and Vice President thank you councilman councilman B thank you council president my agenda is in order just uh congratulations to both you and Sharon get on your appointments again I'm sure you great in your leadership roles like you always do uh like to congratulate all the fire and business officers from kby fors and H that were sworn in on New Year's Day like to wish them all and all our First Responders a safe and healthy New Year that's all I have thank you Council presid thank you councilman Council small thank you council president again congratulations to yourself and vice president Paul my agenda is in order just uh God bless all our First Responders and God bless America thank you thank you councilman small councilman councilwoman my apologies De Jesus thank you council president um I would like to congratulate you and Sharon um wishing you a successful and peaceful 2025 uh I just have one announcement from the baron Art Center the folks Foundation is the songs of America lecture and Life music will be January 30th at 7:30 p.m. you can call for reservations 73263 40413 that's all that I have I would just like to wish all of our residents and everyone a happy healthy and prosperous new year thank you Council thank you Council thank you council president congratulations on your both your appointment chair um I just have one announcement the annual have a heart food drive launched each January by mayor's office the Department of Health and Human Services and the we feed Woodridge food Community has become the most important community and business based food collection program undertaken throughout the entire year this year we're inviting the woodrige Township community to lead even lend even a bigger hand through participation in the 2025 Valentine's day hab aart food driven food drive challenge we're enlisting the the entire wber Community to donate 214 pounds of food or contribute $214 to assist our food pantries to continue their work to help them continue their work providing food and meals to our neighbors the havahart food drive ends on Valentine's Day February 14th the havahart food drive is coordinated by Peter Barcelona chairman of we Fe Food Bank committee all you need to do is call Peter at 73 2 855 0600 extension 5034 and tell him where and when to pick up the donations and our volunteers will come directly to you or you can deliver the food to our wge Township Public Health Department located at two George fed Frederick's Plaza anytime between 9 and 4 Monday through Friday um through the holiday season so many residents were incredibly generous with their donations to help the food banks and now the the holidays have concluded it doesn't mean that our holiday spir spirit of giving should please help those neighbors here through the through the holiday months that's when we need it the most so if you're able to please help and get involved in this food drive and um I just want to Sharon's um son-in-law is here Craig Farrell and I just want to thank him for his service I know he just got back from his deployment so I just to wish everybody happy healthy and peace building year thank you thank you Council and councilman yeah thank you counc m also I would like to congratulate you our vice president and I wish you all happy and Hy New Year that's thank thank you coun so Mr Mitch uh thank you Mr President I'll be brief just thank Mr Anderson for his year in 2024 working together congratulations to yourself Adam vice president under my agenda I have a couple new items that I'm working on with the police department with the recent probably letter CD and E for you on the number one number two myself and the prosecutor and the police will be meeting on that matter this week so I'll advise you after I have we have a prehearing conference uh the rest of my items are in order just one note on number five and you all know this by now that the primary election has been changed the month of June it's shifting from the 3D to the 10th so we're just switching our meeting as well that's all I have thank you Mr MIT mayor thank you council president i' like to be the first one to use the word former president Kyle Anderson uh this was a was a last great year working with you last year I thought you did a tremendous job we had a lot of challenges a lot of difficult issues to face but uh you handled yourself incredibly well and it was a pleasure to work with you council president Spiller uh we worked together already once with you as the president was very enjoyable I'm looking forward to it again have not worked with Sharon the capacity of a leader of the council yet but I'm looking forward to that also uh and everybody I hope you uh work as hard as you always do and we will continue to work as hard as far as we always do for the people of Woodbridge Township happy New Year thank you thank you mayor Mr samuka thank you council president congratulations looking forward to working with you this year I have one item on my agenda I have tax and Sewer over payments thank you thank you sir director Hub we will go to Health Mr col ginsky congratulations thank you director thank you my agenda is in order um just had a few um announcements our mobile health unit um had 3,25 visits in 2024 so they did a great job um a lot of customers uh and we have upcoming three upcoming rabies clinics this year uh Wednesdays 4 to 7 on February 12th May 14th and September 17th that's it thank thank you thank you C president at to Star standard five weekly refund resolutions thank you thank you council president my agenda is in order thank you youer your just now correct for the Board of Health meeting correct so we'll accept that in minutes you're okay with that uh thank you look for a motion Jour motion second meeting Jour have a good night thank you