The council meeting began with a public hearing on the Green Acres Jake Law application, where the city engineer, Mr. VY, outlined plans for a playground at McKay Park tailored to be fully inclusive. The project, estimated to cost about $500,000, would be largely funded by the grant covering 75% of the expenses, leaving the city to provide the remaining $200,000. Concerns regarding the safety of the playground were addressed by council members, with an emphasis on replacing damaged gates and installing new fencing as part of the safety measures.

The roll call vote authorized the submission of the Jake Law application, but not without first addressing questions from the public about the survey timeline and the specifics of the Jake Law itself. The city is finalizing the survey to collect public input before the looming grant submission deadline.

During the meeting, Councilman Charles Cobb scrutinized city expenditures, including the necessity of refresher training for Deputy City Manager Matt Watkins, the approval process for specialized services, car wash costs, and the expenditure on criminal investigation training for police officers. Cobb sought clarity on maintenance and support costs for IDM Mia, the term “proposal” in machinery equipment services, and the frequency and cost of door repairs.

Councilman Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig expressed dissatisfaction with spending on after-school programs and parties, particularly criticizing a poorly attended event and the city’s reliance on third-party vendors. He pushed for cost-effective measures and better utilization of in-house resources. Council President Angela David and Councilman Kevin Wilson defended the need for external expertise in areas the city lacks and stressed the importance of negotiating good service prices.

A debate unfolded over the peace pole donation from the Rotary Club intended for Trumo Park. Rick Wilby, a resident, accused council members, particularly Dr. Lisa Wisotsky and Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig, of hypocrisy in discussing peace while supporting Israel amidst the Gaza conflict. Dr. Rosenzweig also opposed the peace pole, stating, “the majority of the world does not stand with Israel,” and accused Israel of instigating a “holocaust against the Palestinian people.” In contrast, Councilwoman Wisotsky and Councilwoman David shared personal stories of experiencing anti-Semitism and racism.

The council also recognized February as Black History Month, with Janet Sharma advocating for senior citizens’ inclusion in advisory capacities for their wisdom. Sharma also emphasized the importance of planning for the Age-Friendly Englewood program to support older adults.

Mayor Michael Wildes, who received condolences for a family loss, encouraged residents to get involved in budget hearings and proposed celebrating Englewood’s 125th anniversary. He also raised concerns about equitable information distribution regarding a police test.

Public comments included various local issues: Michelle from Creskill highlighted sidewalk and traffic problems near Vantage, Dwight Place complained about an unkempt property owned by a developer, and Lancy Basket discussed a neighbor’s water runoff creating hazardous sidewalks. Charney from Leonia brought up the need for addressing police violence and the mental health of officers, and Greg from Elmore Avenue spoke on preserving the historical significance of McKay Park and a city-owned property.

The meeting concluded with residents voicing their expectations for the council to take a stand against racism and discrimination, and Lloyd Ty Ric seeking assistance for an indigent relative.