I'd like to call the meeting to order adquate notice of this meeting has been provided as required under chapter 231 P1 1975 specifying the time date location login or dial information and to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court and two Municipal Library bulletin boards Municipal website providing a copy to the official newspapers of the township and by filing a copy in the office of the Township Clerk in accordance with the certification by the cler which should be entered into the minutes in order to ensure a clear record of the meeting can be made and that all parties are heard in organized fashion all members of the public that are participating remotely will be muted during the meeting the township will provide for public comment periods for both remote and inperson attendees separately if a member of the public wishes to speak during any public common portion for remote attendees please raise your hand this can be done either on Zoom app or by pressing star N9 on your phone when is your your turn to speak you will have receive a prompt to request to unmute please click on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute and begin making your comments all members of the public will have three minutes to speak and should ask any all questions they may have during that period at the conclusion of your three minutes remote attendees will be muted again inperson attendees will also receive three minutes to ask any and all questions and may then take a seat at that which time the council Administration will respond as necessary should you have any further comments or questions the township council is always available by email and phone and you can always call the mayor's office during normal operating hours each member of the public shall only have one opportunity to speak during each public portion as the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on individual line or login user account we ask that we ask that if you wish if you wish to speak that you login or dial in separately so that we can recognize you as a separate individual Mr Cedar would you please take the rooll councilwoman kill here councilwoman carmichel here councilman Espinosa here councilwoman Lombardi here councilman Rouse here councilman Shaw here council president Ern here please stand for the flag salute I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all item number five comments from Administration and Council regard adjournment of any matters on the the agenda none at this time okay I see none item number six open to the public consent comments regarding item number 11 consent agenda for remote attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by pressing or by phone by pressing star9 when it is your turn to speak you'll receive or hear a request to unmute yourself please click on the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please please state your name and address and know that you have 3 minutes in which to make your comments the council Administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions this is for remote attendees first council president there are no remote attendees with their hand rais regarding this agenda item I'm going to close more question for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address know that your you have three minutes in which to make your comments you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration will respond will then respond if necessary this is for consent agenda item number 11 I see none I'm going to close the public portion item number seven ordinance on a second reading amended chapter 21 zoning open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Mr C you please read the ordinance be it resolved by the township Council of piscat Township New Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance supplementing chapter 21 zoning of the revised General ordinances of the township of piscatway County of middlex state of New Jersey was introduced on the 9th day of November 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 16th day of November 2023 now therefore be it resolved that the offet ordinance having had a second reading on December 19 2023 be adopted passed and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of Passage approval in the official newspaper be a further resolve that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023-24 this is open to the public for remote attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by pressing star n when is your turn to speak your receive or hear a request to unmute yourself please click the promp or press Start six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please state your name and address and only you have three minutes in which to make your comments the council Administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions for ordinance on number seven council president there are no remote attendees with her hand raised regarding this agenda item I'm going to close remote portion for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments you may then you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration will respond if necessary I see none I'm going to close the public portion in person do I have a motion motion I have a second second C did you please take the role councilwoman kall yes councilwoman carmichel yes councilman espanosa yes councilwoman Lombardi yes councilman Rouse yes councilman Shaw yes council president Ern yes item passes on a second reading item number eight ordinance on a second reading amending and supplementing various chapters of the minicipal code and this is also open to the public is the resolution adopting ordinance C you please read the ordinance be resolved by the township Council of PCAT Township New Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised General ordinances of the township of pasaway County of middlex state of New Jersey amending chapter 2 Administration sections 64 and 8.12 chapter 7 traffic sections 8 14 17 and 25 chapter 15 short-term rentals section 2 3 8 and 9 chapter 16 housing and rent control sections 2 4 6 and 12 chapter 19 fire prevention and protection sections 10 14 and 15 chapter 20 land subdivision Section 5 chapter 21 zoning section 6 and chapter 24 site plan review section 5 was introduced on the fifth day of December 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 7th day of December 2023 now therefore be it resolved that the offer at ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th 2023 the adopted pass and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of pass or approval in the official newspaper be a further resolve that this ordinance shall be signed number 2023 34 this is open to the public for remote attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by pressing by phone by pressing star 9 when it is your turn to speak you receive or hear or request to unmute yourself please click the prompt or press star 6 on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments the council Administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions council president there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item I'm going to close the remote motion for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address and know they have three minutes in which to make your comments you may may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration will then respond if necessary see none I'm going to close the imperson portion do I have a motion motion do I have a second second seeed you please take the RO councilwoman kahill yes councilwoman carmichel yes councilman espanosa yes councilwoman Lombardi yes councilman Rouse yes councilman Shaw yes council president Ern yes item passes on a second meeting item number nine ordinance on a second reading amending and supplementing chapter 7 traffic section 40 control of the movement and parking of traffic on public and private property to assert title 39 jurisdiction on 135 Flemington Street this is open to the public resolution adopting ordinance Mr CED you please read the ordinance being resolved by the township Council of pcad Township New Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised General ordinances of the township of Piscataway County of middlex state of New Jersey amending chapter 7 traffic section 40 control for the movement and the parking of traffic on public and private property to assert title 39 jurisdiction on 135 Fleming Street was introduced on the 5th day of December 2023 and had passed the first reading it was published on the 10 10th day of December 2023 now therefore be it resolved that the aers said ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th 2023 be adopted pass and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of Passage or approval in the official newspaper be a further resolve that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023 35 okay this is open to the public for remote attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by or if by phone by pressing star 9 when it is your turn to speak you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself please click the promp or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments the council Administration will respond if necessary if you have completed any comments or questions council president there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item going to close a remark potion for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address and know that you have 3 minutes in which to make your comments you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration will then respond if necessary I see none I'm going to close the Imp imperson portion do I have a motion motion do I have a second second second Mr SE did you please take the RO councilwoman kahill yes councilwoman carmichel yes councilman Osa yes councilwoman Lombardi yes councilman Rouse yes councilman Shaw yes council president Erin yes item passes on a second reading item number 10 ordinance on a second reading granting Municipal consent for the operation of cable television system in the township of bcat CSC tkr LLC cable vision of Ron Valley and this is also open to the public as a resolution adopting ordinance Mr C please read the ordinance be it resolved by the township Council of Piscataway Township New Jersey that an ordinance entitled an ordinance granting Municipal consent for the operation of a cable television system within the township of Piscataway New Jersey to CSC tkr LLC doing business as cable vision of Ron Valley was introduced on the 5ifth day of December 2023 and had passed the first reading and was published on the 10th day of December 2023 now therefore be it resolved that the offic at ordinance having had a second reading on December 19th 2023 the adopted pass and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of Passage or approval in the official newspaper be a further resolve that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2023-the attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star 9 when it is your turn to speak you receive or hear a request to unmute yourself please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please state your name and address and know that you have 3 minutes in which to make your comments the council Administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any any comments or questions council president there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item a remot person for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address and though they have three minutes in which to make your comments you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration with them respond if necessary I see none I'm going to close the inperson portion do I have a motion motion I have a second second seeed you please take the rooll councilwoman kahal yes councilwoman carmichel yes councilman espanosa yes councilwoman Lombardi yes councilman Rouse yes councilman Shaw yes council president ER yes item passes on a second reading item number 11 consent agenda for efficiency items have been Consolidated into consent agenda to be voted on together the materials of these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately I see none do I have a motion motion do I have a second second CED you please take the rooll councilwoman kahill yes councilwoman carmichel yes councilman Espinosa yes councilwoman Lombardi yes councilman Rouse yes councilman Shaw yes council president Ern yes item passes item number 12 announcements and comments from officials um yes I just like to um wish those who are celebrating a happy K Quanza um and we are also coming up on um the Christmas holiday so I'd like to wish our residents who are celebrating Christmas um a very um Merry Christmas um and a very Happy New Year to all of the residents of Piscataway thank you councilwoman car Michael car for councilwoman Gabrielle kill thank you Council councilman mosa from our family to yours Happy Holiday they someone and please be safe out there thank you councilman lardi I would like to uh publicly thank the um people that were all out the other evening for all of our water rescues in town so I'd like to clearly thank all of our emergency services our fire departments our rescue squads our DPW and our Police Department for um putting in all of the time during all of those water emergencies while we were sleeping I don't think people know half of what was going on in middle in the middle of the evening Council Lombardi um I have family in California who actually reached out to me saying our town was on the news in California um and she was asking asking how we were doing so it was pretty bad oh thank you to all them um on behalf of all of us and everybody Merry Christmas and happy Quanza thank you councilman Ralph oh yes just like to wish everyone uh citizens our off officials and everyone uh happy holidays and a blessed holidays and safe holidays God bless thank you councilman sure Merry Christmas to everybody and happy New Year and I want say same thing for first responder for helping out the pisar resence for this strong and they always good about that for helping out the com our residents so thanks to all the people thanks business M Tim da uh just a reminder that the Township offices will be closing at 12 o'clock this Friday and next Friday and will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day and the reorganization is on January second thank you mayor Waller thank you council president I just want to reiterate what uh councilwoman Lombardi said about uh our First Responders and our professional staff at the mismo between Fire EMS and um OEM out there uh the last 48 hours out there and we're still uh cleaning up from some of the remnants from the storm on Monday uh overnight so thanks again and I also want to thank Council president uh Frank G for chairing the council this year it's no it's not always easy being in that center chair uh thank you Frank for all your service this year and as uh many of the other council members had said about uh the holiday season I just want to remind residents just be safe while traversing the roads uh for the balance of the holiday season and hope see everybody next year thank you thank you mayor C attorney robore no comments thank you and I just want to wish everybody a happy holiday and be safe out there okay item number 13 agenda session for January 2nd 2024 reorganization ordinance on the first reading amended and supplemented chapter 21 resolution adopting ordinance and then we have the mayor appointments followed by the annual regular appointments and then we have a resolution authorizing return of escroll fees uh 416 Victory Boulevard 20 cely Avenue 12 Water Street and Brotherhood Street resolution authorizing return of engineering and inspection fees uh that's on 550 Williams Street and Blackford Avenue 330 South randville Road and three Lake View Avenue resolution authorizing return of Street order opening Bond block 1042 5205 Weatherspoon Street resolution authorizing return of cash Bond block 4102 101 Circle Drive resolution authorizing multi-party traffic signals agreement New Brunswick Avenue and booster Boulevard resolution authorizing transfer of Lial license 1217 from MVB Wine and Liquor to Stelton liquor LLC by rate resolution authorizing return of safety and stabil guarantee block 511 South Washington Avenue and then we have the appointments of council committees Public Safety Public Work finance and Personnel item number 14 Remote open to the public for remote attendees if you wish to speak at this time please raise your hand either on Zoom app or by phone by pressing star 9 when is your turn to speak you receive or hear a request to unmute yourself please click the prompt by press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your com comments the council Administration will respond if necessary after you have completed any comments or questions council president I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute thems hi my name is Rahim Hashi I live at for everen court hello am I good to start go ahead thank you ladies and gentlemen mayor Waller esteemed members of the piscato township Council and fellow residents thank you for the opportunity to address you today my name is Rahim Hashi and I'm a senior at piscato high school I am before you today not just as a student but as a concerned member of this diverse and compassionate Community today I bring forth a plea for Humanity and compassion a call for Action that transcends borders in politics I urge the piscato township Council to pass a resolution calling for a humanitarian cease fire in Gaza the situation in the region has reached a critical point with over 19,000 Palestinians losing their lives the numbers speak volumes and the toll on innocent lives cannot be ignored President Biden has described the bombings as indiscriminate echoing the sentiments of towns Across America that have already taken a stand for peace Piscataway is a Melting Pot of cultures and backgrounds a place where diversity is celebr cated many of our residents are directly affected by the conflict in Gaza with families torn apart and lives lost in such trying times it is our moral duty to extend a hand of support to speak out against the violence that has caused so much suffering this resolution is the least we can do to demonstrate our commitment to peace and Humanity the International Community has already spoken on this matter 153 countries in the United Nations have called for a humanitarian ceasefire and passed a resolution if the global Community can unite for the sake of humanity surely piscato can follow suit let us set an example by putting aside political differences and embracing our shared Humanity as a representative to the piscato Board of Education I have witnessed firsthand the impact of global events on our local community Muslim and Jewish students alike are fearful for their safety and messages of discomfort due to one's identity are far too common it is within our power to create create change to Foster an environment where all residents feel safe valued and respected this resolution is not about taking sides in a complex geopolitical struggle it's about reaffirming our commitment to humanity it's about acknowledging the pain and loss that so many of our residents are experiencing it's about standing in solidarity with those who seek peace and Justice let us not underestimate the power of our voices our actions and the influence we hold as a community by passing this resolution we send a strong message that pescato stands for peace Justice and the well-being of all its residents together let us be the change we wish to see in the world thank you so much and happy holidays thank you thank you Rahim I'm asking the next individual with their hand raised to unmute thems David a Valley Lane good evening Council good evening item this is the consent item 11 B for Bravo C for Charlie D for Delta are these vehicles adding to the total that the town ship has or are they replacing vehicles that the township had Dave is that all you have oh you want some more okay item f for Fox to um the tax assessor List have we the township ever used this person before do e heck and item number M for Mike budget available for anyone who wants to copy last Le I P for Papa Q for quec R for Romeo s for Sierra those are all brants like to know what's the amount of those different items that's it thank you David so the vehicles are all Replacements uh we've got uh some old vehicles that when the new ones come in we will sell that auction um unfortunately with deliveries right now it's taking upwards of about a year to get in dump trucks and things like that so we're bidding it we awarded it early and hopefully we'll get it by the end of this year and then whatever we replace will be bid out for auction next year uh for resolution F yes Charles heck works with us on an annual basis for the most part uh helping with some of the appraisals that's going on to make sure that we keep current with our appraisals for M for the temporary budget you can get a copy of that from the clerk's office she'll be glad to give it to you for P P is for it's for the federal Congress save America's treasures and it's historic preservation fund money for the metler boat OD Dean house this was awarded through Congressman Pal's office and that one is for $500,000 Q is for ecological Park this was put into the budget by Senator Smith and this goes through uh D and that's a $500,000 Grant and that's going to be used for the ecological Park R is for piscatway promote safe Street Grant that's from the state of New Jersey that's for $69,950 and Sierra is the 2023 drive sober drive sober or get pulled over uh end of the year holiday Crackdown it's for drunk driving and it's currently going on so recommend to your friends that they drink at home and that's for $10,500 thank you council president there are no other individuals with their hand raised for this agenda item I'm going to close remot potion for inperson attendees if you wish to speak at this time please come to the podium state your name and address and know you have three minutes in which to make your comments you may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council Administration will then respond if necessary sir before you start you have to hold the button down and you have to continuously hold it while you speak okay okay thank you good evening everyone uh khed Zed uh resident of Piscataway 11831 hosan West um I'm here today to urge the council to uh introduce and pass resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza uh we are calling for a cease fire because hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk and if we don't achieve that ceasefire we need human unarian Aid to be delivered promptly the federal government holds uh immense diplomatic and Appropriations powers to save Palestinians and Israeli lives International organizations like the Amnesty International United Nations World Health Organization US agency for International Development usaid the International Rescue committee and many other organizations have called for ceasefire in order to prevent a further loss of life of civilians and to be in accordance with the international humanitarian law and 66% of American voters support a ceasefire according to an O October 20th 2023 data for Progress poll and they want to see the US leverage its diplomatic relationships to prevent further violence and civilian death we are urging the council to call upon our us Congressional delegations to join us in one urging the Biden Administration to immediately call for SE ceas fire uh to urgently end the current violence and calling upon the Biden Administration to promptly send and facilitate an entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza we are also calling requesting the council to condemn all forms of racism bigotry and discrimination and support its uh its residents once this uh uh resolution passed we are at we are asking the council to quickly forward copies of the resolution to the president of United States and our congrat delegations um I also uh prepared a a quick draft uh resolution that I'd like to pass on to you um if you don't mind and unfortunately I only made like five copies so if I like to give you that if you please look at it and consider passing that resolution uh there's a crisis going on in Gaza and The Holy Land right now lastly I wanted to also invite everyone we are inviting a uh an author an activist who will be coming to our town and uh mik pled Israeli American author and activist he will be coming to piscatway on January 6th and he will be talking about crisis in the Holy Land uh moving forward so I would like to invite everyone I will reserve a seat for you on that event I will be emailing you the flyer uh please uh consider coming to that event on Saturday uh 5: to 8:00 p.m. uh January 6 I would like to see you all there so we can discuss this situation in the Holy Land it affects us all thank you very much thank you thank you my name is hi good um council members my name is rahan Ahmed I'm I resident of piscar for last like 2000 since 2005 for last 18 years I live in 20 20 and Hillside Avenue um I'm here to Echo what brother Khaled and uh Raheem uh mentioned that there's a crisis going on there's a genocide going on with our tax dollars uh uh for all of us and I urged the council to call for ceasefire and uh send that uh resol solution to the Cong uh to the lawmakers in New Jersey so that they can you know hopefully uh call for ceasefire as well thank you so much thank you thank you thank you anyone else wish to speak if not I'm going to close the imperson portion go ahead uh good evening everyone my name is Sayad Hashmi resident of for Ever Green Court piscatway I'm uh part of this uh Township since 2008 so it's been 15 years uh since I moved in this country uh thank you for giving me opportunity to talk here so I stand before you today as a concerned member of our community urging you to consider and pass a resolution for a humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the situation in the region is there where we know that more than 19,000 people has been killed and the numbers are moving more and more every day and this is not just a distant issue it's hits close to home for many of our fellow piscar resident who have family members suffering and being killed in Gaza uh at the same time piscar being a diverse and compassionate Community cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow human beings it is our duty to act in the face of such Injustice to be a voice for those who cannot be heard and the numbers really speak um the volumes you have and the tall of the innocent lives and those cannot be ignored uh the International Community as you heard earlier that 153 countries uh they recognize that the urgency of the situation and passed a resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire if the world can come together for the human life or political differences then surely piscatway can do the same uh this resolution is not about taking sides in a complex uh struggle it is about reaffirming our commitment to humanity and it is about acknowledging the pain and loss of so many residents who are experiencing let's put aside political differences and remember our shared Humanity let us be a Beacon of Hope and compassion in world that so often seem divided passing this resolution is the least we can do and it is the right thing to do I implore you as team members of the council to pass this resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire in Palestine let us be a community that stands for peace Justice and the sanctity of the human life thank you very much good evening thank you anyone else wants to speak well first I'd like to comment I have to close the public portion okay go ahead I'm going to close a public portion I'm G to comment okay um first let me uh start off by saying thank you for all of you coming out this evening and uh for the student from the high school that spoke earlier um let me always say say that the Piscataway council is for all the residents of Piscataway we advocate for everyone here um we traditionally do not get involved in foreign policy but we do not condone what's happening here um we clearly hope that it's resolved as soon as possible and we don't condone the holding of hostages or the killing of innocent people so we don't condone any of that and we will clearly um take a look at your resolution but as I said we're usually we're here for all the residents of Piscataway and and I believe you you know that thank you Michelle and the mayor would like to set up a uh meeting with some Representatives when when he sending the flyer includes some contact information and we'll work on setting it up for you thank you for coming out coming out thank you for coming out okay do I have a motion to adjourn motion motion we have a second second all in favor I meeting adjourned thank you for coming thank you have a good night