##VIDEO ID:gSR-mr4puxw## good evening the October 23 2024 council meeting of the Long Branch city council will now come to order rad call Mr dangler here Dr V here Mrs whis here Mr via I'm here let's please stand for the pledge allegiance I pledge allegiance to the flag United States of America from the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible in liberty and justice for all yeah uh before I read the mission statement I like to extend up and have a moment of silence for Mary Jane s Dr Mary Jane s [Music] councilwoman thank you I will now read the mission statement of the city council of Long Branch mayor city council under Administration are committed to cultivating an environment of mutual trust and respect our values the diversity of our community we will strive to enhance the quality of life for all who live here by making Long Branch and a desirable place in which to live and prosper we will treat all members of the public with respect and expect the same in return certification please I hereby certify that this meeting has been published in the newspaper in accordance with the open public meeting act and posted as required by law thank you and council president if I can just um at the top uh at the top of the meeting um um as as you know we now have a vacancy as a result of the passing of councilwoman telli um so there's a statutory process on how how we fill it part of it is set for set part of it is copied into our Municipal Code but so we understand what the process is because the um be be because the vacancy occurred less than the 60 days before the general election the time for the election to replace and fill the vacancy will be a year from this November so it's November of 2025 um in the interim Council has 30 days from the date of the vacancy to fill that vacancy for the interim period so whoever you whoever Council appoints to fill the vacancy now will serve from whenever they're appointed until the date that the election 2025 is certified that that's kind of the process that's that's required by law and I I'll just make a note that we have on our agenda uh that we're rescheduling the November 13th meeting to November 6th and the purpose of that is so that we have another meeting uh within the 30-day time period obviously we don't have anything on the agenda tonight to fill the council vacancy but it it would be in order to consider that for the next meeting thank you Mr raino you're welcome reading and approve of previous minutes I need a motion to approve the minutes of October 9th 2024 so move second roll call Mr dangler yes Dr vot yes Mrs Wiis yes Mr Vieira yes motion passed consideration of ordinance public hearing and final consideration ordinance z-1 1924 an ordinance designated in an handicapp parking space at 3:15 Chelsea Avenue this ordinance was introduced on October 9th 2024 and designates the handicap parking space on the north side of Chelsea Avenue in front of 3:15 Chelsea Avenue I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance only so move second all in favor I I if any member of the public has any comments to make on this ordinance only please come to the podium stay your name and address clearly for the record you'll have five minutes and may only speak once on ordinance 01924 see there's none I need a motion to close so move second all in favor I I this is the second reading of ordinance 19-24 I need a motion to adopt in a second and the final reading and advertise according to law so moved second Road call Mr dangler yes Dr vot yes Mrs whts yes Mr Vieira yes motion passed ordinance 020 d24 a bond ordinance providing the various 2024 Capital Acquisitions and improvements for the city of Long Branch in the county of Mammoth state of New Jersey appropriating 4,946 101 therefore including a state of New Jersey Department of Transportation Grant in the amount of 1,130 101 and authorizing issuance of 3,745 th500 on bonds or notes of the city of the finance department and cost them therefore this ordinance was introduced on October 9th 2024 and provides for various Capital Acquisitions on improvements consisting of facades assessment and the repairs to the City Hall preliminary engineering and Architectural study for the municipal owned property various Recreation upgrades and improvements at various Parks throughout the city and repairs and improvements to various roads and sidewalks throughout the city the City will be appropriating 4,946 101 of which 1,130 101 will be reimbursed to the city from the New Jersey Department of Transportation State Grant I need a motion to open the public hearing on this ordinance only so moved second all in favor I hi if any member of the public has any comments to make on this ordinance only please come come to the podium state your name and address clearly for the record you will have 5 minutes may only speak once on ordinance 0224 Vincent leor 33 Ocean terorist Long Branch section three of this ordinance B preliminary engineering study and Architectural study to municipally owned property 850,000 Mr Martin what property the former s Sanda section three subsection C various Recreation upgrades and improvements at various parks located throughout the city what parks pardon pares well yeah which ones no list no specifics I don't remember top of my head no you have four weeks to provide me a list and I got a list today at 3:00 Mr Martin why is the useful life of Section 3 subsection C 15 years that's what Bond Council assess the useful life of the improvements more so than the roads of 10 years section three subsection D repairs and improvements to various Road sidewalks throughout the city as more fully described on a list on file in the office of the city clerk appropriation of 3,44 6101 including the do Grant debt authorization 2, 336,000 after four weeks I got a list today that you provided the clerk at for your clock your response with Second Avenue Westwood Avenue and various other streets as funds are available could you please explain Mr Martin the 2, 336,000 is that for Second Avenue and Westwood Avenue exclusively no not exclusively no no then what are the various other streets as funds are available you repeat that what are the various other streets as funds are available uh funds are available we have plans to C you I place some drain over there why and I provided that on the list today at 3:00 which was supposed to be on file with the clerk's office for the past 4 weeks we're have the F for that after we go the bid for second West but there's still potential streets that should have been on the list there's potential for lots of streets if we have the money for it well you specifically State various other streets as funds are available and this list is supposed to be available in the clerk's office for the past 4 weeks and why only get two streets as of 3:00 today from persistence repeated persistence for the past 2 weeks all right 70 1 million 325 section 20 cost professional fees again rewarding the palom pay to play gravy train I waited four weeks for a list to this ordinance the list of streets the list of parks was not available to the public for review for in the city clerk's office as described in this ordinance I'm requesting a no vote see there's no one else in this ordinance any motion to close the public motion so move second all in favor I I I this is the second reading of ordinance 20-24 I need a motion to adopt on a second and a final reading and advertise according to law so move second roll call Mr dangler yes Dr vot yes Mrs witus yeah Mr Vieira yes motion passed ordinance for introduction ordinance 0- 2124 this is a first reading on ordinance 2124 entitled ordance authorizing the amendment of The de and easement for 907 Ocean Avenue block 59 lot 3 in the city of Long Branch summary this ordinance amends an existing easen along 97 Ocean Avenue block 59 lot 3 to delate a 20 foot wide easement area across the property for the purpose of the construction reconstruction and maintaining steel core and Stone jety Works as require and detailing by Long Branch zoning board resolution 28- 23-21 I need a motion to introduce on the first reading advertise and post accordingly to the to law and set the public hearing for November 13th 2024 council president if if I may just by way of explanation so this is a companion to the resolution that is on the agenda uh which is resolution R 26-24 um in 1938 the city entered into uh various easements with property owners the sole purpose of the easement they're essentially construction easements so they would allow the city to go across these properties for the sole and exclusive purpose of constructing reconstructing M and maintaining the steel core and stone Jetty works that are obviously along the beach so since since that time um the city while these easements have been in place um the property has not actually been utilized by the city for those purposes but it encumbers the property um as a result of a zoning board application the zoning board agreed to and by the way the easement across the property is undefined it doesn't have a meets and Bounds description so it's it's difficult to tell from the deed which part of the property it would actually apply to um so in order to bring some certainty to this the zoning board during a zoning board application um agreed to a plan that specifically delineated the easement so it doesn't reduce any of the access that the city uh currently has it just defines it as a 20 foot wide space along um along one side of the property it's a the map is attached to the deed of easement that is attached to resolution r60 so you can see it the reason why we have an ordinance and a settlement agreement is because the settlement agreement uh sets forth the terms the ordinance is necessary where it's necessary for us to accept the easement by ordinance so the ordinance effect effectively effectuates the settlement agreement so um if you councel has any questions but as I said the access that that the city currently has is the access that the city will have it doesn't it doesn't diminish in any respect uh that uh it just delineates what part of the property we would go over thank you Mr R I have a I think add a motion toce ready so moved Che R call Mr dangler yes Dr vote Yes Mrs whts yes Mr Vieira yes motion passed thank you public participation for Resolutions and general comments I need a motion to open the public portion of the meeting for all comments so move second POS if there's anyone in the audience that has a comment to make please step to the podium and stay your name and address clearly for the record you'll have five minutes and may only speak once questing one minute notification Vincent laort 33 terorist Long Branch at the October 9th council meeting resolution 241 city council hereby excuses the absence of councilwoman Mary Jad Sy from attendance at meetings of the city council for the period of October 9th 2024 until such time that she returns to City Council meetings end quote and this counc on October 9th approved the resolution excusing s's further absences I brought up at that meeting njsa 46-3 requesting Council get a Judicial determination on sen s's mental or physical capability of serving Council wouldn't do it despite the fact that during the week of October 6th Sy lost cognition why she even recognize people around here from firstand experiences she didn't know who was in our presence and yet this Council went ahead and gave further excuses for her absence within 4 days of that resolution Mary Jane Sy was dead so where's tonight's resolution on Sy where is it excusing her from attending meetings for a period of tonight October 23rd until such time she returns from the dead where is it you people made fools this Council made fools of the people of this city you showed no respect you exemplified the zeni of the Betrayal of public trust for better than a year nobody has to question what junk government is anymore you people exemplify it Mr R know what your cqu at the beginning concerning the election at the November 6th meeting is that meeting scheduled to be an executive section meeting upon which the council will determine interviewing candidates the answer is I don't think there's an agenda for that meeting now but as of right now that is going to be our regular meeting um so I don't think there's an agenda for it as of yet why did you state the election would be a year from now because approximately in November instead of May when we have a municipal election we do not have a municipal election next May the next municipal election is actually in 2026 so it would be the next general election and the next general election is a year from November so that's when it would be there wouldn't be a special municipal election absolutely not the statute doesn't call for that it would only be at the next regular municipal election and the next regular municipal election in Long Branch is in May of 2026 so your appointment will last for one year the council's appointment will last for one year correct it'll be from whenever it's made until the date that the um election in November of 20125 is certified oh how they take they take office immediately how convenient resolution 260 the settlement agreement concerning the easement the modification of the easement the plaintiff gives a $110,000 settlement payment for improving public access to the beach front at at designated locations provided by the city's Public Access plan Mr ano how does one use that easement to get to the beach currently nobody does because that easement is for the city for only for construction purposes for the city so it's not right now that easement is not a public access easement that is an e it's a construction easement solely for the purpose of the City maintaining constructing or reconstructing the the the jetty all so one minute notific that's what that's what the that's what the 1939 deed says it is specifically limited so the public has no right of access across that property right now the public has been using it for better than 40 years they have a right away on that I know I've used it as well it's an established right of way no it's not for Public Access that's not how rways are established Mr laort if you walk across my lawn every day for a week you don't get to own my lawn the answer is that's not Municipal Employees used it as an access to the beach for surfing and fishing that's don't tell me the territory I know Mr Ron it's been used as an access for better than 40 years doesn't make it estblished it doesn't make it an EST no it doesn't Mr leapor we can there is a constitution in this country you you don't listen to it and you don't know it you don't understand Mr laor you want to talk about rment wall Mr rain the illegal revent wall put over that EAS your time is all Mr bone talks now your time is up because your failed former director of Planning and Building allowed a rment wall junk government okay okay good evening Nick deagle yelmo 580 Patton Avenue newly moved back into Long Branch um continue to be outraged over the 21% increase in city taxes I thank mayor palone for having allowed me the access to sit with the uh tax assessor who did go over things and much to my amazement uh he pulled up the city and showed just like anyone can access and I'm sure the entire Council knows you see the valuations of each household and how much the taxes are assessed and uh it's astounding because here I am I moved a year ago and my taxes just went through the roof so the 21% was over the whole year the reason I me mentioned at the last meeting that it was 42% because I was responsible for the entire year which was not made available beforehand but let's move forward the thing that astounded me is you look at the city and you hit and forgive the the saying and I'm going to harp on it A Tale of Two Cities the the city that pays entire taxes and with all due respect Mr Rhino the the the rest of the pure Village is completely Whited out there's no valuation on all those properties nor is there any uh idea of what they're paying whether it be taxes minus the education whatnot it doesn't matter if someone can look up and see what my house is valued and the taxes why can't I wind up seeing that do I have to open that to be able to see it why can't the rest of the community have access to that if you go on Zillow you can't wind up seeing that and I understand my good friend Mario that everything in life has an increase in taxes there's no question about it but how in God's name are you going to retain the people that are paying the full taxes the full taxes I say um in this town as opposed to those that are paying partial and and all of you know for a fact that in the Pier Village the education component is not being paid adequately and equitably across the board so we know that there's going to be a shortfall it's not it's not uh it's not a secret there will be a huge shortfall educationwise there's going to be changes with the fire department how in God's name are you going to want wind up taking care of taxes lowering taxes being able to account for those I request two things number one to make accessible the valuation of all those properties that are completely Whited out with whatever proportions they're paying number one number two what does the council propose to do to try and cut cost lower taxes and incentivize working people to live and not move out a Long Branch because with this rate I'm inclined to sell and move the hell out and I don't think you want that but perhaps the council can educate me otherwise let's have accountability transparency that's all I ask for I think it's overdue thank you thank you thank you anyone else I need a motion to close the public participation portion of the meeting so so move all in favor I I oppose I want to ask Madame clerk if there are any changes to the list of resolutions resolution r262 d24 resolution appointing Dr need a vote as Council vice president has been added to the agenda thank you we can take a list of resolutions as a consent agenda so moved second R call Mr dangler yes Dr V vote Yes Mrs whtas yeah Mr Vieira yes motion passed applications is none miscellaneous good of the order I usually turn it off but today I'm going to do a little different I'm going to go first P pass resolution r251 d24 extra mile day I'm going to read that resolution for you the city of Long Branch is a community which acknowledges that the special vibrancy exists within the entire Community when individual the citizens collectively go to the extra mile in personal effort and volunteering volunteerism and service whereas the city of Long Branch Community which encourage each citizens to maximize their personal contribution to the community by giving themselves heartwarming and with total effort commitment and conviction to their individual Ambitions family friends and community and whereas the city of Long Branch is community which chooses to shine and light on the celebrity individually or organizations within the community who go the extra mile in order to make a difference and lift up the fellow members of your community and where is where is that the city of Long Branch acknowledges the mission of extra mile an American to decrease 550 extra mile a day cities in American is proud to support the extra mile day on November 1st 2024 now therefore be result that the city council and the City of Long Branch do hereby Proclaim November 1st 2024 to the extra mile day I urge each individual in the community to take time this day to not only go the extra mile in his or her own life but to also acknowledge all those who are inspir inspiration on their efforts and commitment to make their organization families community country or World better place to live today last week we lost our vice president our Council my mentor my great friend City and uh city council mayor would like to dedicate this resolution to Dr s she was a great person to be up here and she was a great mentor my for me so that I like to um councilman thaner thank you um thank you everyone for coming and also uh my prayers and thoughts are going out to Michael S and the S family certainly uh losing the matriarch of of the family uh it's a tough time and uh just know that uh I'll be praying for the family thank you good night Council on the V thank you council president I just want to join in with the recognition um of our dear colleague councilwoman s um who truly was a role model for so many of us in going the extra mile and in all of the contributions that she made to our wonderful City may God bless her and may she rest in peace thank you councilwoman V councilwoman Wiis hi good evening um I just wanted to say as we all know Mary Jane was a truly remarkable woman who loved and served our country and loved and served our community of La Branch for over 30 years I have always had a great deal of respect admiration and love for her and she will truly be missed thank you good night thank you councilwoman Wht us mayor palone thanks council president I just want to add a few words about my dear friend Dr Mary Jane Sy Dr C was the longest sitting council member in the history of our city and Mary Jane always put the interest of Long Branch first she wanted to make a difference and she did she embraced the diversity of our community and was always an advocate for everyone she was fair loyal honest funny and would always tell you the way it is she was a mentor to me as members of council to all of the members of council she was a true patriot a great mom and we all will miss her thank you council president thank you I need a motion to adjourn so moved second all in favor I I oppose good night