e e e e e e e e e e good morning welcome to the pre meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Tuesday May 7th 2024 council president council members we have an appointment this morning so I'd like to start on page 23 of the agenda we have an appointment m to the Hispanic commission Miss Miriam Cerna farcus good morning Miss barcus thank you so much for joining us we understand that you are being recommended from the office of the mayor to the Hispanic commission do you have a comment or statement to the council yes yeah I say I have some comments I want I have some words that I prepare myself so if you allow me I will go ahead Okay so so good morning respectable members of the new Municipal Council I extend my sincerest gratitude to each of you as well of the mayor esteem Ras J Barack for the honor of being considerate a member of commissioner for Hispanic Affairs it is with great humility and excitement than I hope you will accept my nomination I recognize the significant of this role in shaping the social and cultural fabric our community my Colombian Hispanic background will contributed to the enrichment of newer Multicultural landscape I firmly believe that diversity is our restraint and with God's help and I'm committed to representing the interest of the community Within integrity and dedication and immensely proud to be part of the vibrant Multicultural a spirit that defines newk a city on the rise with a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions together we be harness this diversity and Propel Newark to forward solidifying his place at the best city in the state of New Jersey thank you so so much Miss farz that was a lovely statement thank you uh questions from Council Members councilman Quintana I'd like to be noted as a sponsor I I know Miriam Miriam I know you over 30 some years and you have done import export and you done a lot of things throughout Newark I think you spent more time in Newark doing things in Newark which it's great and you're always involved so I what better uh recommendation someone to serve who have served and knows the community not just the Hispanic Community but the diversity of our city and you use the word diversity that makes makes it uh important to me because this is what newor is about thank you thank you thank you so much M uh I'm sorry thank you so much councilman Quintana and second by councilman Gonzalez thank you so much councilman uh Kelly you have a comment yeah I just want to say um you can tell from your statement that you love this city I love this city I fall in love the first time that I arve yes and I just want to say congratulations and thank you for loving our city thank you Council quana any comments any comments thank you for the willingness to serve in the Hispanic community and I look forward to your contributions no thank you for the honor thank you Council mccon I just want to say congratulations okay thank you perfect uh well thank you so much and thank you for your uh willingness to volunteer and join this commission thank you okay thank you very much council president council members we are on page three of the agenda I just do want to make a note that uh many council members they are coming in and also to um those that are not here they're currently trying to find a park um because their parking spaces are filled um so they're having the troubles with getting in their parking space so Mr ba once again if we can get some assistance from the traffic division with that because you know council members want to be here on time we want to start on time but if someone's if they can't find a park you know it just makes it very difficult okay not it item five reports and recommendations of City officers boards and commissions any questions or comments from Council Members CNN ordinances on first reading 6fa is an ordinance granting a 30-year tax abatement to Broad Street Ventures urban renewal LLC for a project to convert a vacant Hotel into a mixed use building consisting of 79 market rate residential rental units 20 affordable housing rental units of which five units shall be restricted to tenants at 40% of area median income Ami five units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% Ami and 10 units shall be restricted to tenants at 80% Ami in the East Ward okay any questions or comments from Council Members regarding this item Cena council president council members I just wanted to make note that originally in April 10th the item was sponsored by councilman Silva and second by councilman Gonzalez okay let's make a note of that again with the same sponsors okay public hearing second reading and final passage 6 psfa is an ordinance amending title 8 businesses and occupations to create chapter 41 Intermodal container lot license this item has to be amended on the floor um and even though it's being amended and discussed today it's going to reappear because of advertising so we have to advertise the Amendments okay we want to go through the Amendments I know there was something sent out for uh I'm not sure if every council member got a chance to review it but let's let's go through what the amendments are um just for the public as well oh I know that's right Mr ba uh good morning council members council president Eric Pennington business administrator I'm gonna turn this over to Megan she's our new star up from the Law Department who has uh laid out the changes the Amendments here she is far better equipped to address this than I so all right all right that's a lot of pressure good morning council president council members how are you all doing Megan odella assistant Corporation Council in the Law Department um so essentially the changes are there was a change in the fee structure there's two different types of fee structures there's one that is a little bit lower and then there would be a daily reporting fee and then there's an additional one that is um more encompassing and there would be no report reporting requirements there are a few exclusions the exclusions are for the port authority um and um land that is leased from the from the from the port authority I apologize then there's also a lighting and fire safety requirement that is in the ordinance and that has also um that there are some businesses that will be excluded from doing that due to they um they would put forth uh their safety um plans to the various divisions that would need to be uh notified okay a questions or comments from Council Members councilman Gonzalez yeah there was I received two email emails from some individuals that were questioning let's say the the requirements of the ordinance were those considered in this amendments yes they were considered I've had multiple discussions with various businesses with um most importantly I've had conversations with interport and um hearts hearts mountain and then Additionally the bstate motor Association there were some concerns in they wanted I know the bstate motor um Association wanted us to say what we would and wouldn't do but we can't make any judgment calls if we're not on the property so we can't say that somebody would be excluded if we don't see what's actually happening so when code enforcement does go out and the enforcement process begins there will be considerations with that thank you okay councilman Council that consideration will be based on who who has the the uh right to be on and who doesn't have the right yes so that the first consideration is obviously the ports if you are leased on the ports and you have done all of the requirements then you will not be subjected to the ordinance but there was some a specific um businesses who had asked about having containers on their lots and we don't know what they have on them we don't know what they're doing so code enforcement would actually have to go out there and see what's happening in order to make a judgment call and that determination would be based off who get waved and who doesn't get waved no that determination will be based yes I'm sorry yes it will be based on who would get wave and who wouldn't have to who would be excluded from the ordinance because they're not you know they don't fall under the requirements of the so ultimately an inspection will happen yes and then we make that determination 100% we cannot make um any judgment calls without an inspection absolutely okay um any other questions from Council Members councilman Ramos I know you were uh couldn't get in your park today so you you know running in late but we're on page four talking about some of the amendments to uh the container lot license um there was a long list that came over uh from the administration for changes so there was just going through the explanations of them yeah thank you Madame President Tropic canaman was blocking my parking Scot um I'm sure some of the questions may have been already asked I apologize if I'm repeating myself so we received uh correspondence from you know some of associations who represent um businesses that are impacted by the or um did you have an opportunity to review some of those concerns you know shipping Association other other groups and you know how did the uh City kind of mediate some of those issues and and concerns yes I think the biggest concern um the last email that I received that had stated that there would be an opposition was because they wanted us to make a judgment call without doing an inspection we cannot make a judgment call if there is no inspection by code enforcement and I did not want to make the city liable or say that you know this business would be excluded if nobody has gone out there to um to do an inspection okay thank you any other questions or comments Madam clerk thank you thank you just for the record council president council members this item will reappear at the next regular meeting because it has to be advertised the Amendments have to be advertised exactly okay councilman believe I I sponsored this item yes sir councilman Council you wish to sponsor do I have a second second by councilman Kelly 6 psfb is an ordinance granting a 25-year tax abatement to 19 LV urban renewal LLC for a project to construct a multif family Residential Building consisting of 48 rental units comprised of 38 market rate residential rental units 10 affordable housing units of which one unit shall be restricted to tenants at 40% of area median income Ami two units shall be restricted to tenants at 60% Ami and seven units shall be restricted to tenants at 80% Ami in the central Ward okay any questions or comments from Council Members regarding this item CNN 6p SF C is an ordinance amending title 23 traffic chapter 5 parking stopping and standing regarding certain times for street cleaning by adding Carmen Court to the list in the East W any questions or comments from Council Members Sia 6 psfd is an ordinance amending title 23 traffic chapter 5 parking stopping and standing for street cleaning purposes by amending the street cleaning days on 14th Avenue between Jones Street and South 20th Street in the Central and West Wards sponsored by councilman Kelly second by councilman Gonzalez okay any additional questions regarding this item Cenna 6 psf is an ordinance amending title 25 Solid Waste Management I'm sorry title 15 Solid Waste Management by amending a section regarding to De Clare mattresses must be covered in plastic for disposal sponsored by councilman Silva second by councilman Ramos okay any additional questions Sia resolutions 7r1 a is a temporary emergency appropriation for the sunup Food Service program questions or comments see none 7 r1b is a contract with subrecipient to provide housing assistant and supportive services to persons with HIV AIDS within the Newark eligible metropolitan area questions or comments I see that the the receiving party is in but Lake the area has our area has changed because usually it was up to Elizabeth or something like that here this is for 7 r1b I believe this is with the health department yeah director there's a question about the location The Entity address is listed as but Lake but did they used to be in Elizabeth actually um so this is under the office of homeless services oh I'm sorry that's just another one of my I I just want homeless services to be underneath the health department I don't I don't know why I don't not know why is someone here to speak on it Mr ba you want to get back to us regarding oh I can say um I'm sorry council president uh New Jersey Edge is located in moristown New Jersey and that is part of the eligible metropolitan area um Bud Lake may be their Administration office location okay um I mean uh if we can get a followup uh Mr ba I don't know if the Corp council is coming to talk on it but if we can get a followup um regarding councilman Gonzalez's question okay all right any other questions regarding this item CNN Okay 7r1 C is an exception to public bidding to extend the memorandum of agreement enabling the city of North and New Jersey Institute of Technology to continue strengthening and building capacity within the city to enhance and deliver services to the local community okay any questions or comments regarding this councilman Gonzalez that sounds that sounds beautiful I just want to know H what are the specifics of the of the agreement good morning council president good morning Council of my tippy toes um my name is Nicole hu cabal with the office of sustainability we have a longstanding uh very strong relationship with NJ NJIT in particular Dr Michelle Buel and his uh Team who's here today um a lot of the work that they've been providing is very um customized Consulting really pro bono Consulting to help our our rather small team really get up to speed and strengthen our um ability to amplify our sustainability initiatives in the city so in particular they've been helping us um one with grant writing and helping us structure and conceptualize our projects they're helping us think through data collection modeling as well as analysis so that as we um Advance our sustainability initiatives we're able to actually track our impacts and be able to say how for example uh planting of trees is actually capturing carbon greenhouse gases to actually improve our environment um if we if you need additional um sort of um specificities around what that looks like Dr buffel is available to speak to that let's say I just I just wanted to see if there was let's say a track for nework students to be ER accepted into NGIT for the degrees I I didn't think that it was regarding what what you explained to us but that's beautiful that they are uh they say assisting the city in in they say maintaining and improving the conditions of our citizens exactly okay all righty any other questions seeing none thank you thank you seminar 2A is the introduction of the 2024 annual budget for the Bergen Lines Clinton special improvement district sponsored by councilman Council second by councilman Crum all right I know that this item was defer at the last meeting is everything squared away with this now yes okay great all right any other questions regarding this item CNN 7 r2b is acceptance of Grant funds for the summer youth work experience program any questions or comments regarding this item I definitely just want to give a shout out to um the workforce Department as well as the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce I mean to be able to collect over a million dollar Grant um for this program as we've always collected money for the program every year is just outstanding and definitely you know allows us to give our young people in the city an opportunity um to work over the summer so kudos to everyone that was involved in this item yes Madam chair I was going to ask how many uh young people were we expected to hire this summer yes do we have oh yeah we do have someone here good morning good morning Council Madam president Jason Frasier no work's Chief fiscal officer uh this grant 1.8 million is uh awarded to fund 470 participants uh overall with all of our private and city funding we're looking to fund uh 2,000 and 3,000 participants wow that's amazing thank you lovely any other questions or comments Council MC quick question that the the deadline to apply is passed right it passed it's been extended I think to this Friday extended okay yes oh yeah so when so you guys should let us know that this Friday it's been extended to this Friday okay thank you yeah I didn't see anything go out about that because we talked about that at the last meeting that the deadline was the 25th the last time so if we can put something out to people to get the last minute rush that would be good because I don't we don't know that so I don't know how many other people know that all right perfect any other questions or comments seeing none thank you thank you 7 R4 a is application to the local Finance board for approval of a bond ordinance for the water meter replacement project questions or comments is Ben here Ben you want to talk to this item good morning council president Council Benjamin who M Department of Finance uh yes this resolution is to authorize our application to the local Finance board um for the water Meer replacement project specifics to the projects uh you know I'm sure the department of water sewer could explain but uh we are looking to go in front of local Finance board meeting I believe in the month of June um and in order to prepare for that we need to you know approve our application later on there is an ordinance uh approving for that that we're requesting be you know Advanced and adopted on first reading as well um and it's for again for the specifics of the project I I would defer that to the water and SE Department we're assisting them in to be able to get the funding through the New Jersey infrastructure bank which as many know offers you know favorable interest rates and uh principal forgiveness uh in some instances got it uh any questions for Ben would you guys like to hear from the water department just a little bit more specific about the project come on up director Dean why not you're here good morning council president members Kareem M director water and utility this is a project to replace over 40,000 water meters throughout the city the last water meter large scale replacement program we had was 1994 although every year since then we've been gradually replacing some water meters most of the water meters when they start to fail I mean most of the water meters have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years um and when meters start the fa they don't overread they underere so right now the state is offering a 50% principal forgiveness for us on the clean water side um we want to apply for that and make sure we upgrade with the technology all of our Meers throughout the City Residential and Commercial and both order Meers okay any additional questions or comments council members see oh Gonzalez are the meters going to be able to be read from the outside without having to ER electronically yes so we'll be able to read The Meters from outside different we'll put up a new uh towers around the city and we'll be able to turn your water on and off right from the computer inside City Hall we'll be a you'll be able to read to see how much water you using every hour of the hour you can check your bill thank you okay any other questions CNN thank you director thank you 7 r5a through 7 r5h are contracts with subrecipients to provide HIV AIDS Services A is for Iris house B is Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital C is Neighborhood Health Services D is Ruckers the State University of New Jersey e is public strategies f is Rucker the State University infection disease practice G is Team Management 2000 and H is urban renewal Corporation okay any questions or comments from Council Members CNN 7 r5i is a contract with State entity to provide an evaluation and quality improvement plan for advancing health literacy to enhance Equitable Community responses to covid-19 questions or comments from Council Members CA 7R 6A is waving the 20-day period for the container ordinance I believe this is going to be amended as [Music] well yay n i mean it we needs to be F really because it's like you know well I'll let you chat that's okay Eric Pennington business administrator the the amendment would just be to wave the 20-day period from the point at which the uh second reading of the amended ordinance goes through okay okay so yeah we have to defer this though I think all right so let's just put on thing to defer because I mean you got quite some time to get back with that other item all right so we're going to defer that Council as a whole next item 7R 6B 7 R6 D and seven my bad 7 r6b n d are Professional Services contracts in the Law Department B is hunt Hamlin and Ridley D is elich Petrillo guden Plaza the reason I didn't mention C is because it has to be amended on the floor 7R 6C is also a Professional Services contract however the amount has to be amended on the floor to read $390,900 79 71 oh wow okay that's important that's 10 cents all right got that any questions or comments from Council Members regarding these professional service contracts Madam president yes councilman Ramos when the when the administration gets an opportunity um you know I appreciate especially Corp council's um diligence and you know making sure that we have multiple vendors or or lawyers who are representing the city but but I'm particularly interested in um like the attorneys we use on real estate and development I know Dakotas uh firm seems to be like one of the few firms that comes before us to represent the city on on development matters uh so just out of curiosity for 2023 how much did we expend on that particular Law Firm connected to um representing the city on development matters okay they they are also Bond Council I'm sorry councilman Gonzalez they are also Bond Council to the city so there's two sources of revenue for them from the city yeah so I I would add that as well because that seems to be you know there's only usually one firm that represents us as Bond Council so add that on top of the a number of contracts that they receive on the development side I'm sorry I I only heard half of what councilman Gonzalez said just because of I speaking we we the question specific to DT's law firm and and how much have they earned in contracts from the city and for what purposes for 2023 I know they come before us a lot representing the city on development matters and and councilman Gonzalez correctly pointed out that they're also the city's Bond Council so add that also to the request okay yeah the code is I'm sorry just for the record Kenyata store city of nor Corporation Council so uh Dakota's Law Firm is one of the uh few law firms that does represent us in reference to Redevelopment uh work um I can get back to you with just a email from the council in reference to what they do Al together they do have litigation uh Redevelopment and wne counsel yeah I don't expect you to give us the info today just I know you got to do some homework so just a little just a little and uh I I know that uh one of our new contractors is also here Mr Ray hlin from H ham already I'm not sure if the council had any questions well I don't but does anyone have any questions for Mr Hamlin no thank you for joining us um okay uh next item 7 r8a is a ceremonial Street designation for nasto's ice cream company sponsored by councilman Silva oh oh yummy who seconds it all right councilman Ramos the only ice cream I could I know ice cream is so good there I thought that at one point in time we had have sugar free Amad yes in front of the nastos yeah we had we did uh mad president C we had we had a street dedication at the time and it was by councilman Amador yes maybe you're changing it from Place way is that that be I don't know Council Remos do you know I don't remember that one so yeah Gonzalez the ice cream is so good you could name the street twice I mean honestly I can't keep up with the street dedications but um so many I'm not sure but we'll we'll leave it on and let councilman Sila when he's here tomorrow talk about the need for another one but surely I'm not going to argue about it because I love the chocolate there so um councilman Council you had a a question com that was a good question because there were some blocks that have been named where the signs have fallen off and so when folks come back to try to do a dedication all they're doing is replacing the signs because the streets have already been named yeah well we um Madam clerk if we can double check um the Leger star and see you know where the other Street naming was for this item um and then just connect with councilman Silver's office to you know say if this there's another one you desire to do or you know did he maybe he doesn't know I'm not sure but can't speak for him because he's not here but let's just double check let start to see which where the other one was but that is a good point many of the streets depending on how old they are how long they were done some of the signs have been damaged and fell off we had a situation in the central War just a couple of weeks ago where ugie sign had fell off um and we had you know instead of bringing it back we just had them replace it from traffic and signals at the same location so that might be the situation but we'll have to you know check with councilman uh Silva's office dly noted all right and I just want to stop for a moment and go back real quick cuz I think Lewis is here from uh the our homeless Cesar and there was a question regarding an item was did you catch the question I don't know where you might have been in the building but maybe you were tuned in just get back to it morning council president council members uh louisia director of the mayor's office of Home Services it was for 7 r1b page eight councilman Gonzales had a question about the location the question was this entity is located in but Lake I didn't know that the area included but Lake no that their uh their organization is based in Morris County they've been based there for decades but the uh the almost all the residents that they serve are reside in the city of Nork okay okay all right any other questions for L for Lewis thank you thank you right 7R 8B is a whole harmless and indentification agreement for the public safety job fair sponsored by councilman Ramos second by councilman Quintana all right next item 7 r8c is opposing the pic Valley sewage commission power plant in the East Ward sponsored by councilman Silva do I have a second a second second by councilman Ramos president yes councilman Quintana in terms of this U tomorrow I know myself I know councilman a grump too we'll probably be abstaining because uh this is a vote that will be taken atake Valley within the next month or so so uh I will be abstaining uh because this matter is a matter of that we have to uh vote atake Val we voted prior to this uh we had voted uh on it too uh opposing it a while back so you know it's I abstained prior you know I mean not abstained I voted in favor I will be my vote will be cast at Pake Valley at the given time my vote will reflect as an exstension on the board for that reason I will abstain at this uh at tomorrow's meeting uh just to be noted uh because I've talked to legal councel and legal counsel and Council has advised that be the best thing for me and and that's from as a as a vice chair and as committee as a commissioner okay any other oh councilman Crump I'm sorry thank you council president in in I'm in agreement with uh councilman uh canana I think it's at this point we already already know where we stand on this board on this as this on this Council for that uh uh uh plant that they're looking to build um so I think and there issues of recusing I think they're legal issues that are not quite hashed out and and I want to make sure that if that whether we're supposed to recuse ourselves or not is does not become an issue at the P Valley meeting so I'm also abstaining for that okay doly noted thank you Council MC Crump and Council MC Pana any other comments or questions okay CNN council president council members before we move on I just wanted to note for the record that tomorrow there will be a pre-printed motion on this item as well totally noted 7 r8d is establishing a sister City's relationship with the city of chuni Ecuador sponsored by councilman canana okay questions or comments regarding this item Madam chair just one quick question I I know there was a issue before that councilman canana brought up about making sure that we had paid the the fees and dues but did we handle that yes okay Madam president yes Council quana thanks to the city clerk thank you madam clerk as I brought it to her attention it was taken care of uh there will be a a conference of sister cities International in San Antonio which I will be attending and some members of the uh uh Administration will be so that we could have more clarity on the sister city program versus uh continuing the sister City's agreement uh and then making sure that these Agreements are also uh registered with sister cities International okay and then in terms of research who's who's done research on this location Madame President yes uh councilman Ros and then councilwoman Scott Round Tree I I did Google and chuni Ecuador does exist so you know I'm I'm talking about is he on excuse mad president is he on Fox I'm talking past the Google is there like any real deep you know dissertation that's had taken place you know thank you councilman rainow uh councilwoman Scott round tree that was actually my my question that have we thoroughly um done our research not just what Google stated um we really and councilman canana is it just you that that deals with sister city is there anyone else on the council um that's a part of that committee I know we expressed an interest um because we don't have a Communications Department for the city I mean for the council the administration does but the council does not have a Communications Department so I'm just I know you are Communications Madam clerk but um that's my question is with you and so part of our strategy and the reason why we will be attending the conference is to see the best practices of what of cities are doing in addition to taking a look at our current ordinance which says that everything is run by the administration so even though we put it up so we may have to tweak our own ordinance um but that will be discovered at the end of the month M pres so I'm trying to be clear on this answer so we should not actually be I'm just trying to figure this out you said it's the administration that Fosters the agreement so what happens currently is there's a relationship with the sister city the sister city sends information to the administration the administration contacts our council member gotcha and then the council member puts it up after councilman as a as a past member of the board of directors of sister cities International you know it was a long time because of the funding and all the things H occurred in 2007 so again uh the sister city agreements we as as the clerk indicated there is correspondence for the mayor's office of the giving City that wants to with sister city it comes to the it it's addressed to the mayor's office and then to the council Council if it gets to the council we send the letter to the administration the administration returns it back to the council for a resolution of an agreement between a two sister cities in the actual ceremony it is the mayor who who who signs the document of a and makes it official of a sister cities so that's the those are that's the protocol okay councilman Kelly uh thank you madam president uh is the sister cities part of the trade and the international trade and Tourism Committee is it it associated with that no it's two different things two different things we don't even talk about these there yeah I can answer that you know Madam president I would love to see the sister cities agreements be more than just a paper ER they say we have a lot of relationships with a lot of towns in a lot of countries but nothing happens yeah see I would love to to see exchanges of students exchanges of Education exchanges of let's say sports we went to let's say quena Ecuador I created sister city we went to quena with 14 kids from the city of New York to play soccer for 10 days they then what happened was that the covid came the pandemic came and they couldn't come here we are in the process of trying to bring them over H we are trying to H assist with NGIT to bring students engineering students from quena Ecuador so that they can have an exchange here with SX NGIT so I believe that we have to do to do much more than just sign a paper because signing a paper is easy the the I believe what is complicated is having this exchanges and maybe some assistance technical assistance that these cities may need H we may have the expertise to go to go there and and talk to them but if it is a paper it's worthless yes uh councilman Quintana Madam president the reason why some of the cities are successful are the two successful most sister cities uh because they connect themselves with airports and with with airport three Cities tooma Washington has a big tie with with uh with Japan there's an exchange between the children who play Little League baseball in to home Washington then you take uh Fort Worth Fort Worth has a department within city government of sister cities and sister cities and what they do because of the air the airport and because of the airline there is an ability to to have these kind of exchanges the ports if you take Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has the largest assisted City program because of the support from the port to the airport so these programs work and then on the uh uh uh in terms of universities and colleges it does uh to uh Louisville Kentucky out with the city of Kito Ecuador they have a big sister city exchange of students so it's it's what we designed and how we can get it done but again when you don't have a staff is it is very difficult to establish these programs because you have someone to follow it that has to follow through so um thank you you welcome Council M Quintana any um other comments before I say what I'm going to say okay I think I'm sorry second we don't I wasn't going to move on yet I was going to make a comment but anybody like to Second it thank you madam cler anyone wants to Second this item these sister cities two of okay good thank you councilman Gonzalez you're so kind thank you I I do want to say that and I mentioned this before when we had the whole uh which is no secret we had the whole sister city Fiasco and I think that's the reason why you know lots of the conversation is happening up here but during that time we talked behind the scenes and we talked up here that we really need to create a sister Council committee um so Madam clerk I'm giving that to you because we have got to have a team of people um who a team of Council Members First of all to be able to edit that old ordinance that we have that doesn't even make sense that we're not even following right now to you know get that to the council do some edits to that make it make sense you know right um and I think councilman Gonzalez is absolutely right this is one of the things that I've always talked about like what is the relationship past just us coming here to get a selfie like you know we have to do things past the signing giving out exchanging gifts watching the video and getting a selfie like how do we continue the relationship how do how do we continue to work with many of these you know countries that we've already established a relationship with and those to pretty much come so I don't want us to spend you know we we this was good conversation I think among us but I think there should be a committee with councilman Quintana and and others who are interested to really talk about how do we grow the program and really make it you know 2 Century compared to what other cities like councilman Quintana already mentioned are doing um and we hear about a lot of those collaborations through NLC you know and and all of the things that they're doing so you know if you can take up that League uh Madam clerk can see who's interested if you're interested in being on the committee please you know email the clerk so that we can really take this you know to the next level and make sure that we're doing our due diligence and someone researching these countries researching the information and I mean like you're a researcher like you know we we can all like you know Google like councilman rmo said and pull up what we can but you know someone actually is like a researcher to look into this look into the country look into you know any things that might be barring on us as a city to get in relationship with these countries so we really need to have someone who is skilled it's it's not me because I'm not a researcher um I didn't go to school for that but we need to have someone that can be able to help us do that so I'm going to say you know definitely we should do the committee and you know move forward really move the program forward okay Council M Kelly um it just seems to me it just want to I know that our international trade and Tourism Committee is not really is inactive but it just seems if if all of the sister cities that we're doing is international and we we're trying to build a better relationship with them through tourism and you know why wouldn't it be under the international tourism I mean international trade and Tourism Committee you said it's inactive I mean we haven't had a meeting or oh no we with so I think it's like two different things one we have the greater nework visitors bureau which is that what you're talking about no oh I don't know what the international we'll have to take it offline what the international tour thing is but I think greater nework visitors bureau which is our commission yeah we can definitely try to get them looped in but I think once again if we're not clear up here then we can't pull anybody in about like what they can be able to do cuz I think it would be a great opportunity to get them involved and you know have them come to the table and talk about what they can do some of the things they do relationships that they have and how do we promote those sister cities with through them as well because they have a great marketing um team but I just think we haven't even got past us here like you know this body here so I think we can bring in all of those different you know folks and I'm not sure about the committee you're talking about but we can talk about offline of how we get that inactive or which one you're you're you know referring to but I think getting it straight with us first and the council here getting our things updated between the council and administration I think that's our first right path to go so we're we're clear and tight here and we bring in everybody else we need we just got to bring them in yes all right 7 r8e is establishing a sister City's relationship with St Thomas Parish city of Morant Bay Jama sponsored by councilman kintana Madam president councilman Quintana the corresponding was received business administrator who researched it and uh is dear to him so uh the research was done and and it's all in compliance if I'm not correct Madam cour correct me correct it is all in compliance is that correct yes so uh you know with with Jamaica it's it's very uh dear to the ba and I know he will be very busy with that sister city agreement so okay put on record the ba you sponsoring it second second by councilman Crum all right any additional any additional questions or comments all right seeing none seven or8 f is recognizing and commending resolutions and 7R 8G is expressing profound sorrow and regret any questions comments All Right Next item 7 r9a a and 709b are both appointments of special police officers a are residents and B are non-residents Madam president councilman Ramos yeah with the with the non-residents can um through your chair and the clerk can we verify and I know councilman Gonzalez some years ago sponsored a resolution that we C we cannot add to the non-resident list so I just want to verify that no one was added in 2024 that was not the list in 23 so can we compare the two lists just to make sure they reconcile certainly your mic off that list should be decreasing instead of increasing that list was individuals that were grandfather when we created the ordinance so we want to make sure that that list is declining instead of increasing okay um I think we going to some comments and the other yeah every every person that is a special police in the city of New York excepting the ones that are grandfather have to be North residents and we have some doubts about some individuals that use addresses in the city that are not residents of the city and perhaps we should do the police should do an investigation of those individuals because we know for for a fact that some individuals are not residents of the city okay I think we're going to have some comments from our no comments okay yeah I I don't know if they they they have the information in front of them but it's a simple comparison right you look at the 23 list and it'll show you whatever name show up on the non-resident and you compare it with 24 and if they're additional people on the 24 then they shouldn't be on that list okay anybody else any comments questions all right 7r9 C is exception to public bidding to provide CPR and bleeding control training okay questions or comments from Council Members Sienna 7ar 11a is an application acceptance of Grant funds to provide meals to NK children through the sunup summer food service program questions or comments from Council Members seeing none we've already discussed item 8A earlier 8B is an ordinance authorizing the mayor or his or her design to enter into and execute a corrective deed for the essence County Improvement Authority okay questions or comments from Council Members perhaps we can have someone speak to this item I'm sorry councilman yeah thank you council president maybe that's what I what I think uh we need to ask because because I'm looking at this is something 14 years old and now it's just coming back to us in terms of a corrective deed okay Deputy Mayor yes good morning council president council members Alison lad director of Economic and Housing Development uh council member crumb stated it correctly that this is a error that happened in 2010 that we are looking to resolve in 2014 um what it is is um it was just human error uh there was D that was prepared that transferred 100% of block 2025 lot two and it was only supposed to transfer a portion of that lot so what the item before you is doing is um correcting the deed so that only a portion of lot two is transferred to the Essex County Improvement Authority and we've been in contact with them so it's just correcting an error from 2010 I'm kind of curious did does something trigger this uh come forward yes the the reason why um it was um uncovered was is that there is some work that we're doing with uh the state um on remediation along the Riverfront Park uh space on the Raymond Boulevard Avenue side and so um the ownership uh had to be cleared up in order for uh the environmental consultant to continue the work thank you yes councilman quana mean councilman Gonzalez that's twice today I thought that that we had repay those those funds and that the properties had been retransferred to the city of nework that was when let's say the county issued some bonds because the the city of New York budget was in the deficit and we had to we have to sell those properties to the to the county and the county then ER I understood had transferred the properties back because we had paid um council president on the question by council member Gonzalez I'd have to look into that um this is a small sliver of land that sits in between where the county park is and the city park ownership splits no but let say but my my concern is if we transfer the property and they trans transer it back there shouldn't be any corrective deal needed because they transfer back the same property that we transferred to them that that's my concern okay uh yes council president I'm happy to look into that I did understand that the Riverfront Park was still partially owned by the county and partially owned by the city so this area again is in the middle of where the county and City ownership splits that's true I will verify that in writing um no problem maybe maybe this transaction doesn't have anything to do with the sale by the city of the properties to the county maybe this is something totally different questions or comments M Mr ba you have something yes Eric Pennington business administrator council president to councilman Gonzalez there two separate uh properties the property that councilman Gonzalez is referencing is the old parking lot by beay Stadium which was transferred to the EST County Improvement Authority in connection with bonds that were issued to support the city at a time of fiscal crisis this other parcel that Deputy Mayor lad just referenced had to deal with Riverfront Park and the portion of the park part of it is City owned part of it is County owned it just corrected the deed to the portion as County owned thank you you're welcome okay any other question questions or comments thank you Deputy Mayor thank you Mr ba next item 8 C is an ordinance providing for the water meter replacement project $22,500 th000 in bonds or notes and there's a request for the administration for this item to be uh Advanced and adopted on first okay any additional questions I know we heard from Ben earlier any other questions all right seea that concludes the agenda public comment yes before we go to public hearing any requests or comments from Council Members councilman Ramos yeah just a a status on few um abatement applications we we don't have many in the north W but um there's one that is um I'm sorry I'm trying to research it I know Deputy Mayor lad has been following up we we have a a big Warehouse that'll end up at 2013 marter highway it's a a sieges uh project and I know they have a pending a batement application um they reached out to our office so if we can just get a status I know they're trying to get a ribbon cutting ceremony together they have a few tenants that are um committed to the site so just if we can get a status on that okay um Madam clerk if we can follow up with the EHD department for that um any other requests or comments from Council Members councilman Crump councilman Kelly uh yes uh thank you madam president um Deputy Mayor I just wanted to find out U Deputy Mayor lad I just want to find out um why a Loi from our our bid in the west W pwi was um declined um when they they want to build a center in the west War or just kind of want an understanding of of why and we can talk offline about that as well okay if we can just follow up with a note to the respective Department regarding councilman Kelly's uh question uh for explanation any other questions or comments all right seeing n public comment we are now in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speak please State your name for the record is there anyone wishing to address the council good afternoon Madam president uh Council my name is George Tillman uh before I get into um these agenda items Madame President I sent a video over to uh one of the members of your staff about uh some oil being dumped uh continuously over there on Sur Street between uh West Kenny and Springfield Avenue there's been I guess automobiles out there working on cars but they're dumping oil on those trees over there and I I went to code enforcement they say that's an EPA problem however um that needs to be addressed um going to um the public hearing item for tomorrow 6p SF and B um that project is almost 70 to 80% complete and I can tell you firsthand it's non-compliant no newor residents no 25% local contractors as per the ordinance um I don't know why we're having a public hearing on this tax abatement again on a project that is almost completed and non-compliant so um if we can have an answer to that question also um I sent a email to um the business administrator requesting um some questions to be answered and he said he would and I sent the email to him CC the the chief of staff and I asked uh can you please explain why the nor resident Employment Commission is inactive and two when does the admin ation anticipate on enacting the nor resident Employment Commission into our government system so since the council and no one has asked the question of the administration why this body that is supposed to be due to enforcement and compliance of our tax abatements and our economic incentives is not active I've come here several times we've discussed this and no one has asked that question question I asked it myself to the administration and I expect an answer soon thank you thank you Mr tman can you verify the address you mentioned West Kenny what's the address you it's not it's between it's on Sur Street um it's that whole wall um they be working on cars they're dumping oil continuously on those trees it's I sent that video it's terrible okay well we'll look at we'll look at it thank you so much for that information okay next speaker yeah Madam chair yes I'm sorry I I just know you know Mr Mr Tillman has been adamant about about this issue uh and surrounding it but I just think it's unfair of him to say that no one has been asking the questions or been around it I know uh councilwoman rry has been diligent and and in her search and conversation uh with him about that and you know ultimately if if the the issue is in place uh to hear that kind of concern and descent you know sometimes you do want to give you know people credit who who's been trying to you know work with you to get information and things across the finish line and you know hopefully uh you know our Corporation Council in the ba uh will have some information and and advice uh about you know the commissioner board moving forward thank you duly noted um councilman Council thank you um next speaker hi good morning Deborah mson so let me be the first on this side of the mic to congratulate our council president on what seems to be um unan she's been unanimously chosen to um run for a late great Congressman seat and I'm just so proud of her um I know we all are um I remember having a conversation with her last year that Council was in the end of her political journey and I don't know if she agreed with me then but look what God has done so congratulations um I do want to say thank you to our two Wonder Woman on the council for going down to um Riviera I'm GNA really spend my five minutes addressing that and addressing the Ba's um awful comments um tomorrow but thank you so much for going down there but I I would respectfully um request I know that you you mentioned Catholic Charities and providers coming before you to answer questions but um it should also be um Property Management because with shelter there's always two sides to it there's the provider and um Property Management so when we talk about the rodents and the bed bugs and the leaks and the fight that's all Property Management everything else that's the service um that's for the providers and then real quick I don't have a lot of time um I just had a quick conversation with corporate counsel um and I'm probably going to have to walk over and see Miss Myer but of course there was a fire at 502 Market Street KS groups building um I'm not speaking to the fire I don't know how you know the fire begun how yeah who caused it that's not the issue my concern were all the residents that sought me out so I didn't seek them out because I don't look to you know pray on people's unfortunate situation to push any of my agendas but they sought me out and it's concerning it's concerning because some of the residents who's lost everything um have paid an illegal amount I think I think um for rent for for instance one lady said she had to pay four months um as a guarantor then she had to pay a month and a half security then she had to pay a month's rent and all she got back was her security um and I know that a lot of them are are Portuguese speaking so I know they were Banning together to get an attorney but I'm asking them if they can come down and speak with whoever's necessary um to speak to here to see about um getting that together um and that's the issue that I have with KS group they've hared me they've harmed people before me and they continue to harm people and a lot of them have lost everything um that they had so but I do appreciate councilman Silva I was able to reach out to him they wanted to throw them out the hotel after two days with one day extension he was able to get an extension um and there's so much more with that I'm out of time but again congratulations and God bless you thank you so much Miss mson yes ma'am next speaker let me be the first to say no deserve better and we must demand better you want to know why people don't come out to vote for elections political gangsters a corrupt Network and fail leadership no other way to describe the new Essex County regime something need to change something really need to change with our elections because we are in a crisis and we are in desperate need of help new housing author report is out and all I want to say is receivership reorganization criminal complaints a corrupt Enterprise no other way to describe this fail leadership at no housing authority and you want to know why we're in a housing crisis boom along with the housing director we have here our public officials from top to bottom are dysfunctional functional and an absolute failure they all are responsible for the divide and conquer that's taking conquer that's taking place the crisis that we are facing here in our community you all are responsible for it they padding their pockets off of the war the crime the poverty the housing crisis the co pandemic the grant funding and the list could go on of what we what's going on we need a mass movement we need to join in with them Ruckus students and we need a mass movement like Occupy Wall Street and occupy new like no other mass movement in this city and around this uh country the homeless funding we need to demand and petition the com controller and the Department of Community Affairs to provide transparency and oversight of the new $6 million that just came in that's out supposed to be allocated for the homeless population also on May the 13th we need to be packing the court judge patolo about the bans that have been taking place in our city in our Council meetings we need to say enough is enough and put an end to the band and we need people to be held account thank you so much your time unfortunately has expired um next speaker see none public speaking is now closed any comments to public speaking seeing none anything from Administration all right with that being said I believe that concludes today's uh pre meeting we look forward to seeing everyone back tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. sharp right have a great day everyone yes know e