e e e e e e e e e e e the notice requirement provided for the up open public meetings law has been satisfied notice was properly given said notice having been transmitted by The Courier news on Tuesday January 16th 2024 as well as posting on the city's website clerk can we have a roll call council members Briggs Jones present Cherry present McCrae present sesum present Wyatt present vice president Graham pres council president hakay present all members president ofum please rise for the pleasure of Allegiance and remain standing for the invocation United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all humbly we ask God The Giver of peace and the lover of Charity to give the entire family of Nations true agreement with his will and to Grant the light of his Spirit on all those who work for justice and peace amen amen amen [Music] may I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 13th so move second okay all those in favor say I I any opposition or extensions okay the motion is approved uh we'll start with presentations this evening uh the first one will be recognizing our wonderful marching band for their participation in the gun violence March um councilwoman go right ahead all right good evening everyone all right we can have um Mr Williams and our superintendent rashan Hassan come to the front please okay you guys stay right on my side thank you okay good evening mayor Matt city council president fellow Council colleagues esteemed guests and planfield residents tonight is my privilege to present a resolution to Mr Gary Williams director of the planfield marching band on behalf of myself and city of Playfield I'm honored to recognize Mr Williams tireless dedication and commitment to the band's Excellence through his leadership the planfield marching band has become a source of Pride for our city inspiring countless young musicians and entertaining our community with their talent and passion Mr Williams hard work and devotion have made a lasting impact on our city and we are grateful for his service but I also want to personally thank Mr Williams for their participation in my gun violence March which was a testament to his commitment to our community's well-being and I am deeply grateful for his support by saying yes to that request Mr Williams demonstrated that his dedication to our city goes beyond the marching band therefore I am pleased to present this resolution expressing my sincere appreciation to Mr Williams and the planfield marching band and then also want to say I just wanted to make sure that I recognize the superintendent also as well and I know back in I think it was September or either October I think it might be October because I tried to attend all the home football games and so when I went to the band director I had mentioned it to him and he said oh yeah why not he said let's see and we'll check the schedule but he told me the protocol to ask this person and this person and I said okay I will do that so I did and then of course he's got a million things going on just like me but that's okay though um being busy is a good thing so then I did go to the superintendent and um he said yes also as well so I just wanted to present this resolution to you all to let you know that I appreciated that you all saying yes and then after they marched and led the uh the band after the band March and led us with the uh gun violence walk they also went and left with them packed it up sweating and everything and went right to Monclair to March as well so I'm telling you that that shows a lot that our children are dedicated that the director is leadership with the with you know under the uh also the superintendent and everyone that has to have something to do with this so I just want to let them know that I appreciate them that's why I kept saying please come cuz I wanted to present him present this uh resolution on behalf of them just showing up and just doing what they need to do and I'm not going to read the whole thing but I will say whereas the Plainfield marching band has a long has has long been a pillar of our community exemplifying excellence and musical performance dedication and community service whereas on June 1st 2024 the planfield marching band participated in the gun balance March lending their powerful talents and inspiring music to The crucial cause and whereas the man's volunteerism is a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact on our society demonstrating that music can be a force for Change and unity so I'm going to skip down to the bottom and it said be it therefore resolved that the Plainfield city council extends its heartfelt gratitude to the members of the planfield marching ban for the exceptional volunteerism and unwavering commitment in advocating for for a cause that affects us all be it finally resolved that the planfield city council encourages all citizens to celebrate and support the planfield marching band for their continued contributions to our community and their role in promoting positive change through the universal language of music thank you what let's come up thank you so much okay we have one uh additional presentation uh Proclamation for job for Americans graduates uh we'll be presenting that one uh that that will be handled by the mayor um I had the privilege to speak at their graduation or commencement um and it was a wonderful so mayor floor is yours well thank you council president and I want to commend councelor Terry Briggs Jones and the governing body for recognizing the talents of the planfield school district margin band and I must say that we today enjoy a wonderful partnership with the school district thanks to the leadership of superintendent rashan Hassan we thank you and we appreciate [Applause] you so this time I'll ask you to join me again up here and you can bring um anyone that you choose to bring that's that that is affiliated with the Jag program bring the family so this is the proclamation from me to the school district recognizing the students from the Jag program we had the opportunity just a couple weeks ago to welcome the students and the leadership of the Jag program to City Hall and several students we probably have about maybe 30 or 40 students that came to City Hall met with each department director with division heads and had the opportunity to explore what government is all about and to examine some of the possible careers that they could aspire to as well as to recognize the importance of Civic engagement and so it was a joy it was a pleasure we had fun and I had the opportunity to meet with PR students for probably about three or four hours and they were very engaged ask them very great questions and I can tell you that the future of our city is in good hands and given the leadership that is being provided by the school district today and the partnership that we enjoy I know that it will only get better from here so I want to say to you superintendent pan as well as and I forgot your name who lead the J okay but Dr to I also want to commend you for your leadership as well it takes a team in order to make it work and none of us none of us that it by ourselves not one of us and so it takes all of us and I am so grateful for the work that the school district is doing in advancing education in our city and providing opportunities to our young people I am not going to read this Proclamation I will only say that now therefore be it proclaimed I Adrien o mat mayor of the city of planfield do hereby commend and recognize the positive impact leadership skills and commitment to Excellence of the planfield Jag program on the students of Clan Fields Public School District and so if you don't know what Jag stand for it stands for jobs for America's graduates and that is what it's all about making sure that they're prepared to go on to great careers in government public service and to to decide what they want to do for themselves while serving their local municipalities counties and states and so with that I present you superintendent with this Proclamation and I appreciate you and I appreciate all of the members of the Board of Education as well as your staff and other support thank you thank [Applause] you on behalf of the planfield public School District uh Board of Education our commissioners Mrs Hane and Wyatt board president Mr Victor uh L web vice president uh we extend a heartfelt thank you to uh the city of playing field the council uh mayor Adrien omap and his administration for the continued support of our students our Scholars we embarked upon this journey to uh roll out uh our partnership the jobs for America's graduates about two years ago it started with our 4ye of of planning and we knew early on that we really needed to have uh just a different type of experience for our students to help them learn executive functioning skills to also help prepare them for what life has to come we know that our students are the current leaders but they will also assume the mantle and take control to be the Future Leaders of our community and of this world uh by establishing this partnership I think we continue to break down barriers and to do things that some people don't believe our children are capable of this is one of the strongest Partnerships that we've established here in planfield public school district but as I stand before you as a superintendent of schools I can tell you with 100% certainty planfield public school district is nothing without these young men and women who show up each and every day to represent our community so again thank you for this recognition and rest assured there's more to come from the Jag program here in Playfield Public Schools thank [Applause] you superintendent Hassan said everything that there needs to say I'm just going to bring greetings on behalf of planfield board of education but also to say thank you to Mayor Adrien omap and the city council for again recognizing our students it's very important that we continue to rec recogniz them not only within the school district but within the city overall so we appreciate the city of planfield recognizing our students because it's important that they know that we always support them and that we're behind them 100% and no matter what they do they are our future and we believe in them so again thank you mayor Matt and thank you city council we appreciate the support we appreciate the partnership that we have developed we hope to continue to move plainf forward together in the best interest of our youth thank you [Applause] very [Applause] okay thank you uh we have ordinances MC 202 24-24 through mc20 24-33 which are scheduled for public hearing and final passes for the regular meeting as advertised uh we'll move next to the legislative body items R 25624 through R 26124 uh I ask my colleagues if we have consensus to add these items to the voting meeting yes yes okay all those in favor say I I I any opposition or abstentions for the legislative body items okay hearing none those are added to the voting meeting all right we'll start with the mayor uh business administrator items uh business administrator would you present your items please thank you council president uh we have three items on this evening the first one is a resolution authorizing advice and consent for the reappointment of director childis as our OEM coordinator and he's been doing that for quite some time now the second one is advice and consent to the appointment of Angela Davis for shade tree commission and the third is a resolution authorizing the renewal of our contract with New York Life this is for our short-term long-term and life insurance for city employees and this is the same vendor we've used for many years they just used to be called siga okay any questions from Council colleagues yes I have a question right ahead Council woman for r264 d24 I see that Angela Davis is an employee of the city 264 263 right yeah PL in shade shade tree change 26324 263 263 d24 I see that Angel Davis is an employee of the city but I see that um in the application it says that an employee cannot be part of the commission that's correct it's the out so we researched this and the application is outdated it's about 20 years old I read through the whole code there's nothing that prohibits it and so it's just an outdated application that doesn't mean anything and we'll be changing that okay thank you and then for r264 d24 I see that there was an increase in the premium I know that in the increase in the budget uh minority Insurance increased what was the increase from last year from year-over year you know I don't have the I don't have the dollar figure for last year because it was a three-year different amount but I will get that for you it's a very small P like small almost nothing of what our full budget is because even over three years it's only 222 so it's like 75ish thousand a year um but I'll find out the exact percentage increase for you thank you further questions okay do we have consensus to add these items to the voting meeting so move yes okay all in favor say I I I any have exensions or opposition all right add these to the voting meeting all right Department of Finance please present your items good evening all good evening director I have uh um three items for your approval uh 26524 resolution authorizing approval to issue a lean placement on Cyclone properties in the amount of 7,674 34 266 d-24 resolution authorizing fees for phone in credit card payments um what that is is we currently have some residents that's calling and make credit card payments over the phone and we charge $1 but the credit card company charges us more um we spend we lose about the city loses about $50,000 per year so we want to increase this fee but it should not um really affect residents because we have put in place many other payment options that they can use um and then resolution 26724 the resolution authorized an approval to amend the budget inserting four items of Revenue and appropriation this is chapter 15 159 do you have any questions that's the question I have for my Council colleagues I have a question go right ahead Council SES regarding uh 26624 is there any consideration to just eliminate the telephone payment since you mentioned that there are other options and in the resolution I think you referenced that it is very time consuming um labor intensive for your staff so to just eliminate it we can but there are some residents that we've asked we've told them that there are other options in place but they still insist that they want to use it and we don't want to take it away from them if they want to use it but the city needs to cover its costs thank you anyone else okay do we have consensus to add these items to the voting meeting yes yeah okay all those say I I any abstentions or opposition hearing none these may be added to the voting meeting uh we next move to the police department director good evening good evening council president uh good evening members of the council I have uh two items for your consideration uh R2 6824 is a resolution authorizing the department to purchase five Chevy malib from pelo Chevrolet not to exceed 133,000 5375 R 6924 is a resolution to enter into a contract agreement with above all lines which is a uh City entity to remodel for the remodel and renovation of three bathrooms at the planfield police department in an amount not to exceed $2,750 that's all I have okay any questions from Council colleagues yes go right ahead Council regarding 268-2454 that is correct that's a typo okay and then regarding 26924 the renovations for the bathrooms um are the bathrooms currently ADA Compliant and if not with the renovations will they be made ADA Compliant uh the bathrooms are ADA Compliant the actual building is on a waiver uh because of the situation with the steps here at the court would you know you can get in through the um front door of the department the issue is is that there's no elevator in this building so it it creates a problem with being ADA Compliant but the bathrooms themselves will be thank you director you're welcome ma' anyone else council president yes councilman W uh yes director will the vehicles be used for the patrol no these vehicles will be used for extra Duty jobs extra Duty jobs okay we have a commitment we have to honor there so they're all going to Extra Duty jobs okay all right thank you yes sir anyone else okay do we have a consensus to add these items to the voting meeting yes okay all those in favor say I I I any opposition or abstentions hearing none please add these to the voting meeting okay thanks all right the Department of Public Works is next director good evening good evening Mr council president members of the council Department of Public Works as one resolution present uh resolution 270 there's 24 resolution for 19 leans toing $1,873 43 for clean properties good questions all right do we have consensus to add these to the voting meeting some Mo uh any opposition or abstentions all right go ahead and add these to the voting meeting as well let's see uh Economic Development go right ahead good evening council president Council um the first resolution 27124 this is to enter into a no cost agreement with flobber this will allow us to allow to add the pay by Tex service to the app that for people that don't have smartphones they will be able to pay by tax the next resolution 27 2 to 224 this is to conduct a non- condemnation Redevelopment study for the two properties the first one is located 342 to 352 Leland Avenue the next one is 1135 to 37 North Avenue these are both owned by vision of God Church they made the request for us to do this study in connection to looking at resolution 273-2422 74-2 4 this is to direct the planning board to develop a Redevelopment plan for the two properties one being 614 to 620 Lee place the next one being 534 to 536 South Avenue the next resolution is also to develop a Redevelopment plan to clarify this would be for condemnation this is for the condemnation of three properties one one being 701 to 711 King Kensington Avenue the next one 7:15 to 725 Arlington Avenue and the third would be 501 to 515 West 7th Street if you recall in a August Property Maintenance condemned the property based on health and safety of the occupancy meaning that the tenants had to vacate this would be a different condemnation this is based on a property so a Redevelopment study was conducted the planning board found cause to condemn the property and is now recommending that to council that would include imminent domain Powers the imminent domain of ownership is a separate process that will take an additional six month after we go through this process so where we are now is that it's being recommended to council to prepare the plan it will have to go back to the planning board to develop and approve and recommend the plan then come back to counil and it will have to go through two readings for adoption so we are looking at a total of 10 10 months for this the final resolution is to amend and restate a Redevelopment agreement between SRV Redevelopment LLC these properties are known as the city village properties this started with the 321 East thir Street property this is to adjust the number of units they have also agreed to add 20% Workforce affordable units totaling a to total of 237 affordable units we are adjusting the parking number it will be a total of 1,5 parking spaces and a little over 50,000 square fet of commercial retail that concludes my presentation council president thank you let me just ask about the um 27524 um U you know it's condemnation so you know many would be concerned about uh condemnation powers and ensuring that the city when uh you know only condemns in instances where it's absolutely necessary um can you first talk about procedurally whether the council voting on this is the actual condemnation or is it just to declare it a Redevelopment area a condemnation to Redevelopment area so this is to authorize the planning board to develop a Redevelopment plan this will not give us imminent domain power yet we still have to go through that procedure okay that that was the additional separate 6 months so in your view what what instances would you recommend uh condation what what uh what prongs or key things would have to exist for you to think that condemnation should be appropriate well first this it was the property was condemned for property maintenance violation for health and safety issues the property owner is not been responsive in improving the property so this gives the city the right to assume the property and go through the imminent domain power so uh so we haven't heard anything from this this owner no council president I'm sorry I have to interject this point uh if this matter is currently under litigation um I would recommend that if there are additional questions uh with regard to these properties we we can exclude the public and go into closed session um but I would if we want to talk about the process generally we can certainly do that I would just refrain because I don't want to uh Prejudice Us in any way in the ongoing litigation okay I didn't realize that it was a a subject of litigation okay all right so I that you answered my questions regarding uh the general process and uh and when you like to um cour Council may I answer the question about when we go through a Redevelopment study how the property owners are notified absolutely that's fine anything anything process related I don't think would impact our litigation in any way thank you go right ahead so be when we do a study of any property we notify the property owner through certified mail to let them know that we were going to do a site visit okay uh my colleagues have any questions about any of the items uh brought by Economic Development thank you council president that same issue um what's the time frame um for condemnation is that sure so for us to go through the process of going back and forth between your approval and the planning board's approval conducting the study developing the plan it takes roughly um 6 months then it takes another six months to go through the emminent domain process thank you Council vice president yes uh regarding um r272 d24 n 273-4 the property owned by visions of God in that area on Leland and North uh I believe that that area is in a flood zone um and there's a lot that cannot be done because there is an evacuation plan and so the purpose of these studies is to actually do do what when we know so much about that area as far as what can't be done so the purpose of the study to is to determine whether or not the area is in need of Redevelopment so our first criteria is just to judge whether we can move forward with Redevelopment of the area so it is in a flood zone um in terms of approval of the different uses one is going to be based on the city but it's also subject to the appro of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection right right um I guess I don't I I don't know if this is a question for you but do you see them making any changes to the area as far as uh is it is it is it does it does it deserve to be in the flood zone you know has anything changed will they change their mind at some point or is it just going to always be in a flood zone so the flood zone is uh decided by the data from the American um engineer Corporation Corporation of Engineers and that is left to the discretion of the Department of Environmental Protection okay yeah I remember being on the zoning board many many years ago and there was an elaborate plan for residential development there and it was really nice but it was struck down because of it being in a flood zone so I I hope that but um we can really do something with that area thank you I'm done any other uh colleagues have questions council president go right ahead Council SES yes I I had several questions um prepared however um thank you for speaking up and letting us know that it's in litigation um I do have some un Readiness however why are we voting on this to move forward if we don't know the status of the litigation of those questions were not answered for us but here this is proposal is in front of us to vote to move forward with this and we don't even know the status of the litigation I can do Council may I address that um specific when the questions were raised about the uh status of the properties cleanup habitability those are questions that I I would refrain from discussing because of that that is basically the essence of the litigation if there's questions about what's on the this resolution which is really really about whether or not the council would like to send this to the planning board to do a review to determine whether or not it meets the the statutory criteria for designation of an area need to Redevelopment those questions are all appropriate um all I all I would recommend is that you refrain from any questions doing specifically with the habitability of the properties so I I'm sorry I don't know your questions I'm happy to go offline if you have specific questions I can answer them for you um or we can being that this is the infancy stage of Redevelopment council president we can always have a subsequent closed session on this matter if you'd like I hope that helps okay no it it definitely helps um I don't know if I'm prepared to vote on this only because there's questions that I need answers in order to make a vote um feel free to stop me I don't think um the questions are out of line but if you feel anything that's in the gray area feel free to stop me I'm just going over the timeline itself so I know initially we condemned the properties uh because of the state that they were in correct I'm okay with that uh yeah not but this that's a different condemnation though that's yes you understand yeah so that's not any condemnation that would come out of of a Redevelopment designation yes so I'm just trying to go over the timeline itself so we condemned the the property at first because of the state that it was in correct that's correct yes all right and then the second part we attempted to receive uh go through the legal matters to have receivership from Cyclone however we were denied in court from that question correct that that matters we were preliminarily denied uh but that matter is still pending in court okay so now we're proposing to designate these same properties under condemnation with development plan and so this one it just seems suspicious it just seems suspicious okay I think if there's any opportunity for a closed session at any point in the future we'd be welcome to do that yeah okay coun president yes I would like to propose that we going to close session for the specific purpose of discussing this item Wayne would you like to do it after the recess that'll work before we come back from the recess sure go close session and recom okay don't were there any other questions from Council colleagues um I just had a general question just a general question go right ahead um for 272 D20 4 and 273-4 um when you were saying they were going to put under the um directing the planning board to prepare need to go and plan just a real quick question will there be any more Apartments put up as a result of this uh partner so for 272-2473 that's on everything that's listed for Block 405 that's Leland Avenue related is one property owner so vision of God church is in partnership with that property owner okay so there won't be any more Apartments but up oh you said Apartments Apartments so this these are two one is to develop a Redevelopment plan so the uses in that plan haven't been identified the resolution 7 27224 is just to study the area so we haven't had made a decision about what the uses are going to be that's going to be recommended in the plan thank you council president uh after after consultation with the administration we would uh respectfully request that the uh Chambers be cleared uh for a Clos session immediately or at any point prior to any vote on this matter um if the council president would allow that for a closed session until this and and to allow for a closed session to discuss this matter until it is resolved yeah that'll happen after the recess thank you okay any other questions regarding this item all right so we'll remove uh the item in contention from uh the mo the we'll vote on that separately uh besides that one which number was that for reference let me see r275 d24 okay so is there a consensus to add all other items besides r275 d25 to the voting meeting and consent agenda yes yes okay uh any oppositions or extensions okay we have it Department of Health and Social Services please go right ahead get even council president uh the department has three resolutions uh 277 is recognized in June 20 2024 as men's health month R 278 is a resolution authorizing the submission and acceptance of a grant from the New Jersey Department of Corrections for reintegration services for returning citizens um and that is is aimed to reduce recidivism and not to exceed $100,000 uh the four points that that this grant is highlighting is holistic uh Support Services which is case management education and skills development mental health and counseling services and Community engagement uh resolution 279 is a resolution of the city uh recognizing June 19th which is also juneth as CLE cell disease uh World CLE cells disease day and on that day we uh City Hall will be lit in red and we're asking people on groups families congregations to take pictures of themselves in front of City Hall uh while is lit and red and then we will uh have those sit back to the city and create a collage those are my resolutions okay any questions from Council Members okay do we have consensus to add these to the voting meeting yes yes yes all right any opposition or abstentions council president I abstain from 278 d24 having filed a recusal with the state ethics board okay that shall be noted what number is that 27824 so that'll be be voted on Sear okay all right Department of sewer and solid waste good evening council president Council I have one resolution for your consideration tonight 28-24 it's a resolution to award a contract to Copa services this is to renovate the watchong pump station and for main replacement project in amount of 2,526 18890 okay any questions from Council colleagues hearing and seeing none do we have consensus to add this to the voting meeting yes yes all right any opposition or we know that director Louise absent for an extended period of time due to illness I just want to welcome him back to the council [Applause] meeting thank you app thank you and wish well thank you thank you so much okay uh that should be added to the uh voting meeting consent agenda uh we now move to ordinances on first reading uh ba uh please present the ordinances listed yes okay we have five ordinances on this evening the first is an a traffic calming measure that we're looking to implement before we stop at West 6 and Lee then we have um three Redevelopment ordinances the first one is an amendment to the financial agreement with to West the second one is an ordinance adopting the TN North a Redevelopment plan um and the third one about Redevelopment is granting a tax exemption with respect to certain properties identified on the tax map as block 624 lot one and designate designated in the city tax records as 123-11 South a um and also that and that ordinance is also authorizing the execution of a financial agreement with IOP planfield um then we have an ordinance to update the shade tree replacement and removal ordinance this is we're going to just differentiate the process of removing a street tree versus removing a non Street tree so it's just updating that to add that information okay Council colleagues Council M white just automatically know I was going to say something I saw your hand motion for the mic all right on what is it MC 20 24-37 um so my question is when are we going to draw the line yet again we have another 30-year tax break for a developer um I begin to feel like a Oprah win it's like you get a 30-year tax break you get a 30-year tax break everybody gets a 30-year tax break um and just a quote I did hear in the past that we have over a billion dollars in investment I'm in the city processes have been changed to make things more smoother in the city of playing field long gone are the days where it's difficult it was difficult to do business in the city of playing field so why are we still offering Max incentives in order for developers to come here that's the point that's I don't understand that Mr President president I will I will respond sure go right ahead and the answer is very simple we have an opportunity to redevelop the city or we can choose not to we have vacant abandoned blighted sites across our city and we have an option to do something or to do nothing and if we want x% of nothing that's okay but if we want x% of something big I think that's better it's better for the city because it transforms blighted spaces into places of beauty inviting causing people to want to come into our city and if there's an opportunity for the City without development to collect $2.5 million over 30 years without development as opposed to development and collect $35 million I will choose development and $35 million and that is what I will continue to present to you the members of the governing body it makes sense to us to to our Administration that we continue to go down this path of economic Redevelopment because it generates millions and millions and millions of dollars in revenues it transforms blighted spaces into productive places and provide opportunities of employment it just does everything that the city wants and if the council doesn't want Redevelopment if it doesn't want $35 million over 30 years as opposed to 2,500 then I say you should vote it down but if you want development and if it makes sense for the city to have $35 million over 30 years versus 2.5 million I ask you to please vote in the affirmative council president go right ahead yes just one more question so my question was why a 30-year tax incentive for a developer so I understand 2.5 million over 30 years versus what you say 35 million was the number so do we have the number if it was conventionally taxed at with development as well so 2.5 is as it is now but this is a proposal for a new development so if that was taxed the conventional way what is that number and the answer is simple the project wouldn't get done financial institutions wouldn't fund the project the space will remain blind today and today the project will not get done simple if you look across the city at all of these projects that have been done over the last seven or eight years whether it's South Avenue whether it's North Avenue Front Street South Second Street wherever these projects have occurred without the only incent that municipalities other than class one municipalities such as nework and Jersey City they have other incens other ways to incentivize development and to generate revenues from taxation we don't have those all we have the other 562 municipalities except those two class one municipalities the only incentive that we have to SP development is a payment in taxes we have nothing else okay so my question is not being answered so I know that this is done on a Case by case these are negotiated Case by case so every time that it comes before us we have to give the max a 30-year tax break to developers that's the only way our project to get done ta we give incentives for development and so if if if you are thinking of of if you're thinking in those terms then we are not we are not we are looking at and if it's semantics then so be it but we provide economic Redevelopment incentives to the plethora of developers that have been coming to the city to help us to transform the city and we do that because we know it makes sense and that without those economic incentives to developers they will not come the projects will not get done and we'll be driving across a city with blighted spaces that would dot the landscape and that's not what this Administration wants and I hope it's not what the government body wants I had a question for MC I'm sorry go no go right ahead are you for MC 202 24-37 mayor when do you project stabilization for this project is it usually in year two or is it usually year three and being a new Council woman you know help me it occurs in near year three so thank youse okay all right do we have consensus to add these items to the voting meeting yes yes yes with the exception of MC 20243 okay can that one be removed vote on separately yes all ordinances are very separ so there it is consens okay all right we'll now motion for a uh five minute recess entertain a motion some okay all in favor I all right council president will we be having a closed session recording stopped after come back okay e e e e e e e e e recording in progress can you please read the resolution uh for us entering into executive session whereas the open public meetings act chapter 231 Public Law of 1975 authorizes a public body to exclude the public from the portion of a meeting at which specified topics will clearly endanger the public interest or where the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals whose activities or Affairs are to be discussed would be clearly in danger of unwarranted Invasion and whereas the matters about to be presented for discussion clearly meet the circumstances test of such act now therefore be it resolved that the municipal Council of the city of planfield in the county of union now adjourns its public session to reconvene an executive session for the purpose of discussing the following contract negotiations be it further resolved that the discussion and executive session will be disclosed in the minutes to be released at the next regular city council meeting provided that consideration of the subject matter has been closed or that where such matters adversely affect the rights of prospective current or past public officers or Personnel of the city of planfield such individuals have in writing requested the disclosure Ure of such discussion at a public meeting and provided such public disclosure will no longer clearly endanger that public interest be it further resolved that the public is now hereby excluded from the executive session for pending litigation I could just for pending litigation okay thank you uh so e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e in progress okay under understand a motion to return to regular business so move second okay all those in favor say I I I okay any oppositions or extensions we are back all right we'll first move to resol Solutions public hearing second reading and uh and final passage consideration of public hearing second reading and final passage Madame Deputy please read MC 2024-25 title and further certify that the ordinance has complied with the statutory publication requirements MC 20242 24 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union amending and supplementing chapter 5 Animals specifically article 7 rules and regulations concerning animals requiring the proper disposal of pet solid waste it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 floor is now open to any member of the public who would like to speak regarding this ordinance specifically M Jones let me know if there's anyone online uh but hearing and seeing none I'll close the floor for public hearing on this ordinance may I have that motion the close move second okay may have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage and if adopted the ordinance shall be published as required by law so move second second okay clerk can I have a roll call council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hakai yes that is unanimous this ordinance has been ad adopted on second reading and final passage okay Madame Deputy please read MC 2024-25 by title and further certifi to comply with the law MC 20242 is an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 16 vehicles and traffic Article 5 limiting the use of streets to certain class of vehicles subsection 16 colon 5-1 trucks over 4 tons excluded from certain streets it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay the floor is now open to any member of the public who would like to speak on this uh ordinance specifically floor is open hearing and seeing none online I entertain a motion to close public hearing second okay uh have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage so move second uh clerk may I have a roll call council members brid Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes Graham yes council president hakai yes that is unanimous this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final passage Madame Deputy MC 202 24-26 please MC 202 2426 is an ordinance for a four-way stop intersection at Stanley place and west Fifth Street and three-way stop at Charlotte Road and Mayfair way to amend and supplement chapter 16 vehicles and traffic article 7 through streets stop intersections stop and yield intersections designating certain four-way stop and three-way stop intersections it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay the floor is now open to any member of the public who'd like to speak regarding this ordinance specific specifically hearing and seeing none I'll entertain a motion to close public hearing so moved second okay may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage so move second roll call clerk council members bricks Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final passage okay Madam clerk MC 202 24-27 please m m c 2024 27 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union adopting the Tod South Redevelopment plan Amendment dated May 2nd 2024 it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay the floor is now open to any member of the public who would like to speak regarding MC 202 24-27 hearing and seeing Nana entertain a motion to close public hearing second okay and now may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage so move second okay roll call please council members is bricks Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hakai yes this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final passage thank you MC 202 24-28 please MC 2024 28 is an ordinance of the city of planfield County of Union New Jersey adopting the West End industrial Corridor Redevelopment plan Amendment dated May 2nd 2024 it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay the floor is now open to any member of the public who'd like to speak regarding this ordinance specifically hearing and seeing none I'll entertain a motion to close public hearing move second second now may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage move second roll call please council members bricks Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes ordance to been adopted on second reading and final passage thank you madam clerk MC 20 24-29 please MC 2024 29 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union adopting the West Front Street and Clinton Avenue Redevelopment plan Amendment dated May 2nd 2024 it is hereby certify that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14 2024 floor is now open to any member of the public who'd like to speak regarding this ordinance specifically hearing and seeing none I entertain a motion to close public hearing so move second okay now may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage move clerk roll call council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final passage okay clerk uh MC 202 24-30 please MC 20243 is an ordinance of the city of planfield County of Union New Jersey adopting the 9th Amendment to the 197 scattered sites Redevelopment plan dated May 2nd 201 24 it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay and now's the option for that public hearing and there any member members of the public who'd like to speak regarding this Orin ordinance seeing and hearing none I'll entertain a motion to close public hearing second okay now may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage move second may we have a roll call council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sass Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hack yes sord has been adopted on second reading and final passage thank you Madame clerk MC 202 24-31 please MC 202 2431 is an ordinance of the city of planfield County of Union New Jersey amending chapter 17 the land use ordinance Article 13 section 17 colon 13-20 deposits and escrow payments to Professionals for review of subdivision site plan and variance applications before the planning board and Zoning Board of adjustment it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 okay the floor is now open for any member of the public who'd like to speak regarding this ordinance hearing and seeing none I'll entertain a motion to close public hearing so MO second okay and I'll now entertain uh a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage second roll call please council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hakai yes that is unanimous this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final passage okay clerk MC 24-32 please MC 2024 32 is an ordinance to chapter 9 licenses permits and regulated activities creating article 16 film permit required it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 public hearing uh on this motion will be entertained now hearing and seeing none I'll entertain a motion to close public hearing move second question now may I have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage there was a move there was a question oh who had a question yes I have a question on that um the MC 2024 J 32 um I took some notes earlier um I wanted to know about the rates I I know there is certain rates for it permits but I wanted to know about the rates in the surrounding areas do we have any um rates that is comparable with um other municipalities and also who decides on the rates for the [Music] permits I don't have any other uh rates available to speak to but essentially you guys decide on the rate we bring it to you and then you vote on it okay all you said you have none to compare no I compar no okay that's it okay we have a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading final passage so both second okay clerk may we have a roll call council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes that is unanimous this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and the final passage Madam clerk MC 202 24-33 please MC 202 2433 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union amending article 12 department of public affairs and safety police chapter 2 col 12-9 assignment for off-duty private or quasi public functions it is hereby certified that notice of a public hearing on this ordinance was published in The Courier news on May 14th 2024 floor is now open to any member of the public who'd like to speak regarding this ordinance hearing and seeing none uh entertain a motion to close public hearing some Mo second okay now I'll entertain a motion to adopt this ordinance on second reading and final passage so move second roll call please council members Brigs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Grim yes counc president H yes that is unanimous this ordinance has been adopted on second reading and final Passage okay that concludes that uh we now uh move to public comments limited to resolutions motions and ordinances to be introduced on first reading total of 30 minutes has been allocated for the such public comments each speaker will be given three minutes if you would like to call in the number is on the website uh or listed uh on the screen in YouTube uh please give your name and address for the record identify the resolution ution and ordinance that you wish to speak about the floor is now open thank you good evening Maria and Sari Watchung Avenue are you entertaining questions about our 265 and 275 you went into session about that not questions but you can give public comment about it comments yes yes okay uh 26524 uh a lean for 70,000 if I'm correct Cyclone owns the majority of the properties up for condemnation 70,000 is a drop in the bucket that wouldn't even renovate a couple of the floors um in fact the attorney P May well eat up most of that on R 275 maybe I don't understand the differences in condemnation but if it means taking down down the entire structure at least three of these structures I'm not familiar with Kensington um our solid brick built early 19th century you still see many of them in cities Milburn Summit even New York City uh Bergen County these are solid structures I would wonder why they can't be internally gutted and renovated rather than totally taken down um I don't believe anything as solid or frankly as attractive once it's cleaned up could be rebuilt um my last comment to ad24 it seems to me that there is always major work going on at the Watchung Pump Station and I just wonder when the last major renovation was done the expense of 2.5 million I hope uh uh is going to go out for a long period of time that's it thank you thank you name and address for the record and the resolution good evening Gale Jones 512 sty Avenue um mine is in regards to mc2 2024 d38 the first reading and nowhere in that does it have uh Amendment um anything's told for developers to uh trees to be put in for development or what happens to a developer that takes down trees when the developing is happening I'm on the shade tree commission I was there when we wrote it out and it is not in it so I don't know what happened between the time that we wrote this out to say that a developer has to be assessed for this because if we're doing this plan and I agree with councilman Wyatt about the fact why are we saying 30 years why not 20 years if you're coming in because as you know all these apartments that are going up there is no trees around and they've taken down dozens of them and there and if they does the developer now fall into this new Amendment saying that they have to replace trees where is the where is it happening with developers because it says corporations but developers we specifically said developers had to be addressed in this this issue and it was not done thank you thank you Nancy p 1129 Myrtle Avenue I also want to talk about MC 20 24-38 I call it the tree tax um the way this is reading it's putting a lot of onus on an individual property owner um it seems to be more on a resident than as Miss Jones talked about developer you do have a definition for person meaning any individual resident Corporation utility company partnership and firm or Association but there's nothing in here that talks about um business owners or or or developers uh but the definition for Resident means any individual who resides on a residential property or contract or hired by the individual who resides on the residential property where a tree regulated by this ordinance is removed or proposed REM removed I know that the state is probably mandating this but um it to me it's a tree tax uh a lot of the trees on my property my father and myself never planted them they were dropped by the birds and they just grew and grew and grew so now I'm going to have to um you know apply for a permit depending on the size from anywhere from $75 to whatever it is $150 take down a tree on top of taking it down so I would hope that you would look at this and and add more definitions for developers and business owners because they also have trees that they're going to take down if you're going to make me take do a permit and you're going to give me a tax they should be taxed also thank you thank you okay hearing and seeing none I'll entertain a motion to close public comments so both all right all okay all those in favor say I I the opposition or ABT okay public comments uh for Resolutions is now closed Mr clerk would you please read the consent agenda yes council president the consent agenda items are identified as resolutions 256 through 274-2451 and resolution 28-24 not on the consent agenda resolutions 275 24 and resolution 27824 okay we have a motion to approve the cons consent agenda second all those in favor or you want a roll call roll call roll call please go right ahead council members bricks Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes consent agenda items have been approved okay please proceed with the nonconsent resolution 27524 is a resolution directing the planning board to prepare a Redevelopment plan okay any questions have a motion in a second so move second we have a roll call resolution roll call on resolution 27524 council member Brig Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt no vice president Graham yes council president hakai yes six in favor one opposed resolution passes resolution 27824 resolution authorizing the submission of a grant from the New Jersey Department of Corrections okay can I have a motion in a second so move second can we have a roll call council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum abstain Wyatt no vice president Graham yes council president hakai yes five in favor one exstension one in the opposition resolution passes okay next is that it that concludes resolutions all right let's see okay we now move to items on first reading Madame Deputy please proceed MC 2024 34 an ordinance for a four-way stop intersection at Wet 6 Street and Lee Place way to amend and supplement chapter 16 vehicles and traffic article 7 through streets stop intersection stop and yield intersections designating certain four-way stop and three-way stop intersections okay I'll enter a mo entertain a motion to adopt this on first reading some move second okay uh may I have a roll call roll call MC 2024 34 council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes ORD has been introduced on first reading okay thank you uh Madame Deputy please read MC 202 24-35 MC 2024 35 is an ordinance authorizing the First Amendment of the financial agreement with to West urban renewal LLC with respect to certain property identified as block 245 Lot 1 and block 247 Lots 1 2.017 a portion of 8 and 9 through 11 on the official tax map of the city I'll entertain a motion and second okay may we have a roll call roll call Mt 202 2435 council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president gram yes council president hak yes this ordinance has been introduced on first reading okay Madam Deputy 202 24-36 please MC 2024 36 is an ordinance of the city of planfield County of Union New Jersey adopting the to odn North Avenue Redevelopment plan dated June 6 2024 I entertain a motion in a second so move second okay can we have a roll call roll call MC 2024 36 council members Brook Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president Haw day yes this ORD has been introduced on first reading okay Madam clerk MC 2024 37 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union granting a tax exemption with respect to certain property identified on the city's tax map as block 624 Lot 1 and designated in the city tax records as 123-11 South Avenue planfield New Jersey and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement with IOP planfield 12 123 South urban renewal LLC can we have a motion in a second so move second can we have a roll call roll call MC 202 2437 council members Briggs Jones yes Cherry yes McCrae yes sesum yes Wyatt no vice president Graham yes council president hak yes six in favor one opposed ordinance has been introduced on first Reading Please read uh MC 2024 d38 MC 2024 38 is an ordinance of the city of planfield in the county of Union creating chapter 177 article 9 section 49d titled shade tree replacement and removal to establish an application process for the replacement and removal of shade trees I'll entertain a motion in a second question go right ahead um is the administration willing to entertain uh adding the business owners developers the language that was spoken about at the M before next month um this ordinance is related to Property Owners we actually have different requirements for developers that's required when you go through the site plan presented to the planning board so there is a requirement for open space and planting and the shade tree reviews all of their developments okay thank you okay uh roll call please need a motion in a second second roll call council members bricks Jones no Cherry yes McCrae yes cess yes Wyatt yes vice president Graham yes council president hak yes six in favor one opposed MC 2024 38 then introduce on first reading thank you total of 30 minutes has been allocated for all public comments each speaker will be given three minutes um if you'd like to call in the number is listed on the screen and in YouTube please give your name address for the record the floor is now open excuse me council president yes as we await uh them coming up to the floor I would like to amend my vote I made a mistake and wrote down the wrong one you want me to wait for that go go ahead okay R 27824 I said no I meant to say yes on that one I wrote the wrong one down sorry for the confusion that's 27824 you're changing your vote to yes yes okay okay welcome the floor is yours good evening good evening Maria and S watch after you um first thank you for continuing the pledge to the flag and in invocation it really is a very unifying feeling so I appreciate it thank you now we go into what's not so unifying it's that time again the sports Hunters of Union County are repping up to use our few remaining green places Cedar Brook Park Green Brook Park and potentially Cushing Basin for their sport hunting every year for six years now three very privileged employees of County municipality get to use our site they are not Plainfield residents with the trees dying in our Parks the open space it becomes very visible you can see the hunter in his tree stand they bait the deer they sit in their tree standand when the deer come they crossbow the rate of failure of a crossbow is 50% that's a hunter quote not my quote last year the county required that Plainfield approve hunting in the Parks it was never brought up at Council all of the investigation I attempted to do did not show it brought up anywhere else so come December the county put those ugly yellow signs up in Green Brook and Cedar Brook and assigned there three guys and what we saw during the winter was blood flesh the fur of deer on December 1st right near Cushing two de here were seen with the arrows in them the walking wounded we have no idea what became of them it's really time it is not helping it's not correcting and we are trying to be Humane please stop the hunting thank thank you [Applause] CL anyone else [Music] move a little closer to the mic Proxima microphone closer to the baffle gracias the Guatemala gracias thank you you can provide the letter to our city clerk Nancy p 1129 M Avenue um all the boards counselors mayor everybody uh administrators all the commissions and Boards in this city they make decisions that going to impact a future generations and I really want to um commend tonight um recently I was at a couple of board of adjustment meetings and I really want to commend the Zoning Board of adjustment because they have been asking some um really good questions there's a lot that's not in their purview but um and I can't go into the cases because they haven't been um settled yet but it's been very disconcerning to me to be there um to hear that um construction codes have changed since I was a kid I always thought you needed to have when you built a building you need to have two egresses well that's not necessarily the case um and I do commend the uh Zoning Board of adjustment for bringing that to my attention and um because of that I did reach out um to um fire officials and also code officials in the state and to find out that it is true that you know we really need to have one means to egress I mean it's very concerning to me as a resident that that's the way the code reads yes you do have to have be able to uh exit a a bedroom window but technically you only have to have one means to egress and um it's it's Public Safety wise I mean considering we lost a firefighter I think that's why it was on my mind so much and um it's just very um disconcerting that that's the way the law is across the state of New Jersey and if there's any anything that you could do to really look at that I'd appreciate it but I do commend the board of adjustment for at least um it's not really in their purview but um they did ask a question of two different Architects and two different developers about that and if um if there is a suppression system put in it's okay but the law really needs to be looked at and changed as a matter of public safety thank you thank you hearing and say do we have anyone online yes we have one person virtual okay individual that's virtual you shall be unmuted uh we've just closed public comment in person floor is now yours hi Lea Bor 10:46 Hillside have uh I F with a suggestion I'm watching on YouTube um what I would suggest is most people don't realize when they're on hold when they've entered the meeting ID number that they actually have to do extra steps like um dial nine to raise your hand dial six to unmute so I commend you for holding the meetings online however um the instruction s on YouTube Don't indicate they just follow they just indicate Follow by pound so for people who don't don't know about the additional information it would take an extra line just to add that um on the crawler or where you have at public comments please call blah blah blah okay thank you for the suggestion okay uh if I still have some time uh just a question as to how our pets are doing with title shot if anyone wants to comment if not I understand okay is that the remainder of the the finality of your comments yes sir okay thank you for your comments thank you okay public comment is now closed um uh director Brown if you want to speak briefly about title shot um whatever you have uh to say a report to the community I don't have a I don't I don't have a report to present no not not a report uh certainly we've gotten no complaints but we are working closely with title shot to make sure uh that they are compliant and they're doing what they can and what they can do to make sure the pets either go back to their owners or are adopted we have been working with the community uh to try to come up with best Solutions and we are making some Headway there as well okay uh any lingering uh responses the administration want to get I don't recall any but president excuse me I think the ma'am The Madam had a question in the the beige jacket did she had a question I believe a question yeah I think she had a statement or question okay well we had public comment but that was your opportunity did you did you want to say something during public comment okay I'll I'll reopen public comment for you ma'am you have three minutes name and address for your for the record my name is Shirley Davis 18 Kinston Avenue where my husband Charles and I both live I was here several months ago concerned about my particular neighborhood since that time it has the issue has elevated concern if you remember that I said I was a little bit concerned who and what and how it's going on in my neighborhood we don't know who lives there we know in the morning cars are gone at nighttime there's a magnitude of cars on the particular block there's not many hones on that block the cards represent not only the that many but of the whole block four block area I am still concerned I have talked to my city council second ward and nothing has happened so this is why I'm back here today I love planfield I've been here a very long time my three children had wonderful education they are outstanding professional people I want to stay here but I once again as I said I am concerned you see my age I am a senior citizen I cannot understand why the city of planfield allow people to come in and live in the basement live in the garage it's not what planfield should be all about a beautiful historical garage tur into a three Family House inexcusable for the city of planfield I care do you care that's why I'm here again I would speak to the second ward council person again and I'm hoping something will happen the only reason my husband Charles Davis is not here we are one is he do not feel well so I'm here to represent Charles and Shirley Davis and I hope that you hear what we saying thank you very much well thank you for your fine representation okay public H is closed again and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting so second all those in favor say I I all meeting ajour for