City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, Council President Peline, I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Elwood Park Mayor and Council for September 18th, 2025 to order at 7:00 p.m. On roll call, we have council members Fiso here. Colbeback absent. Samson present. Sheridan here. Tracy here. Council President Peline

here. Mayor Kleti absent. We have a quorum. Okay. Can Good evening everyone. Mayor Kleti unfortunately can't be here tonight. I'm Council President Lorraine Peligreen and I will be running the meeting. So, can everybody please rise for the prayer and flag salute. Oh God, our father, we ask you to bless our meeting which we entrust to your fatherly care and protection. Please remove all selfishness and prejudice from our hearts and implant therein a keen sense of justice and a greater love for you and our neighbor. Guide us in our deliberation so that our decisions will always please you and bring you peace and happiness to our community. Amen. 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.

Okay. Whereas, chapter 231 of the public laws of the state of New Jersey requires at the commencement of every meeting a statement of compliance be read by the presiding officers. Now therefore be advised that the meeting requirements for this meeting have been met by publishing a special meeting notice in the record and Herald News and by posting such notice in the office of the burough clerk as well as in a public place within the municipal building and by notifying interested citizens. Said notice was posted and transmitted on January 3rd, 2025 and published on January 8th, 2025. Chen,

thank you. Next we have approval of minutes. We have the July 3rd work session, July 3rd, 2025 executive session, July 17th, 2025 regular meeting, July 17, 2025 executive session, August 7th, 2025 work session, August 7, 2025 executive session, and August 21st, 2025 regular meeting. May I have a motion to approve the minutes? So moved. Second. Any discussion? Call the role, please. First by Tracy, second by Sheridan, a roll call. We have council members Folo.

Yes. I'm going to um abstain from July 3rd, both work and executive. I was absent. Uh yes to the rest. Okay. Golck, absent. Samson, I vote yes. Sheridan, yes. Choice, yes. Council President Peligraine, yes.

Motion carries. At this time, we have the recognition of outstanding achievements for the library summer program. So, I'm going to call forward council president Lorraine Paligrine and Burough Administrator Police Chief Michael Felgno to hand out the awards. [Music] Good evening again, everyone. say, "Okay, we'd like to call up Sarah from the LI Elwood Park Library. Come on up, Sarah. She's the director there and she runs a wonderful program called Story Time and she does a wonderful job with the kids and they this year they did outstanding reading from the month, I believe June to the end of August." And she's going to tell you, I think there's what, five children or six children tonight that are going to be honored. I don't know if all of them are here, but the mayor and council are very proud of these children. They went above and beyond with their reading, and they definitely are going to be honored. They're going to get certificates signed by our mayor. And so, I'm going to ask Sarah at this time to call the children up one at a time and read uh the achievements that they accomplished. Okay. The first girl I'm going to call up is Haley Bed. It's the award is outstanding achievement in literacy and it's presented to Haley for exceptional participation in the Richard A. Mhola Library summer reading program color our world. Haley Bidd read 338 books earning a spot as the top reader out of 51 participants in her age group. Congratulations, Haley.

So, I'm just going to read one of these certificates because they all say the same thing, but we just want you to hear what the mayor and council think. Right. We're giving you the outstanding achievement award presented to you, Haley, from the barrel of Elwood Park for your exceptional participation in the Richard A. Mhola Library summer reading program. So, we want you to know we're also proud of you and that the mayor signed this. So, this is a very special award from all the council people and our mayor. So, we hope you hang this somewhere. You can frame it and we want you to know you go, girl. We're so good job, Haley. If you want to take a picture, your family wants to take a picture. They're welcome to come up and take a picture.

Haley, do you want to stay for a picture? Stay for a picture. Line up with the other kids. Yeah, it's her sister. Oh, it's her sister. Okay.

Okay. So, the second award is for Jenna Bidd for exceptional participation in the Richard Aho Library summer reading program, Color Our World. Jenna Bidd read read 333 books, earning a spot as one of the top three readers out of 51 participants in her age group. Congratulations, Jenna. Coming. [Applause] up. Wow. Well, this special award for you. Okay. And you can stand together and we'll take pictures with everyone. Who you got next? Oh, no one else is here, but I am going to read the names. Okay.

Just just the same. Okay.

Um the third person is Julian Buenadana. He read 134 books in the pre-K to fifth grade age group. And then in tween and teens, it was Somi Ebuka and Reema Abuka. Somi read 13,569 minutes and she was the top tween and teens reader. The third one is Nate Silderman. They read for 4,432 minutes and they couldn't be here tonight. So, let's give a big round of applause for all the children. And I just want to say something so they hear me. So I just want to say I got to meet Sarah about three times now. She's the director of the library as I I said she is such a wonderful individual and to see I went to their story time thing on uh August 23rd. They had a celebration and the way the children just love her and look up to her and you have been working in libraries since you're 16 years old. Correct. So I said to her on the phone today, I said, "Your love for the library is like my love for the residents assistance program." So we have something in common with how much we love something and how hard we work for something. But this lady, how long are you there now as the director?

Six months. She has done outstanding outstanding work in six months. And I'm looking forward to working with you as all of us are. And we're so proud of the work you're doing so far. So thank you so much. Let's give Sarah a big round of applause. Okay, can everyone come down and please take a picture with the children and Sarah?

Proud of the kids. I haven't read that many books in my entire life. So, congratulations. Ready? [Music] Smile. Two. Okay. [Applause]

Mic. No. Okay. I would like the record to reflect that Councilman Golc is now here. Council President walking slowly. You're fine.

Okay. Yay.

Okay. At this time, we have ordinances on first reading. We have resolution R-284-25 reintroduce ordinance number 25-15 on first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code sections 7-9.1 to 7-9.15 residential parking permit area to allow for the designation of residential parking areas on a trial basis be passed and adopted on first reading. And be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, October 16th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard at which time any persons interested in a set ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

Mike, can you please break this down for us?

Yes. So, um, this ordinance is a spin-off of a ordinance that we had tried to pass or discussed, uh, about a month or so ago regarding the Rosemont section of town. I know there may be some residents here that are either for or against this and and we certainly understand both sides of it. Um, this is a compromise ordinance. uh the initial one was for the entire section and the residents in that section spoke and the majority of of them were not for the entire section being residential parking only. So the compromise was it seems to be the most problematic street is the first section of um Florence Place from Broadway to St. An Street which I believe encompasses about 17 homes. Um, so and and and let me say that I have seen it. Many of the members up here have seen it. It definitely is a problem. It definitely needs to be addressed. And we think that this is the best way to um see if we can get that under control. Um it's not going to hurt anybody. There are going to be about six spaces for the businesses at the beginning of the block. It's a trial period for a year and it does not cost a nickel for anyone to buy um a permit. So, uh we're going to be monitoring it and we hope it works. If not, we could always go back to the drawing board. Uh we ask for your patience and your understanding and for the quality of life um for the residents that it directly affects. This is not a punishment to anyone. It's just something that came to our attention and we're trying our best to address in the best way we see fit. So, that's all I have to say on it, council president.

Uh, thank you, Mike. And also want to say if anybody in the public portion wants to come up and say anything about this ordinance, they can, but not at this time when we get to the public portion. Okay. So, may I have a motion on this ordinance, please? So, move. Second. Okay. Any further discussion from the council?

Yes, council president, if I may. Okay. Um I'm after reading the the entire ordinance in its entirety um I feel like we need to spend more time on this um and see of you know other options that we have maybe for the particular business uh in question here. Um I feel like if we do this on one block the issues are just going to move to other blocks and cause other problems elsewhere. Uh so my vote will be no um for those reasons. I just think that we should, you know, delve into this a little bit more. Okay, you have your opinion. We are going to go to roll call now, please. Can I just ask, Council President? Sure.

Um, I'm going to vote yes to move this to a second reading. An ordinance needs a first reading and a second reading. Second reading, there's always a public hearing uh before the council votes. Um, and I am of the opinion based on the feedback from the last time around the legally the only place the council has to advertise an ordinance is in the Bergen record like in the dead pages that nobody looks at. Um, so my request is going to be that um the bureau send a certified letter to all the all the affected um um addresses within that zone. And typically, you know, if there's a matter before the zoning board, there's like a 200 foot radius around an affected home or an affected property. Um, that's my request that um the that the affected homes and any homes that fall within 200 ft get certified letter notice of the or of the meeting that there's a hearing. And I want to hear from the people that live in that zone. We've had some feedback um from residents of Forn's Place. We've had some feedback from people on other streets. We've had some feedback from people that are slightly beyond the zone. I I want to hear from the people that are directly impacted by this and I think we need to notify them that this will happen and then it'll come to a head and once it comes to a head up or down it either goes or it's got to die because we can't do this, you know, in circles for months. So that's my opinion.

I want to say one more thing before we go. Mike, you went around again with a second letter, correct? to these to that street. Again, not regarding residential parking. That was overwhelmingly in favor of it. Uh the second letter was justformational for a uh a oneway, but that is not on the table here. Right. All right. So, right now, we're going to vote on this. There'll be a second there'll be a second reading.

If I could continue a comment, sorry, something I forgot to say. Another thing that that didn't I didn't like in this ordinance was that the mayor and council could change the scope of this at any time. Um I think that if we were going to do it, it's on a trial basis and then we would have to pass another resolution to get rid of the trial basis to, you know, try to expand it. But I don't want this expanded. I I think, you know, the the residents that were here that night don't want it expanded. Um but I'll be voting no. Okay. Anybody else? Roll call, please. First by Councilman Samson, second by Councilwoman Troy. On roll call, we have council members. No. Colbec.

Yes. To move it to a second reading. I reserve judgment on the second reading. Okay. Samson, I vote yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes.

Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-285-25 on first reading. Introduce ordinance number 25-22 on first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-37.1 regulation for the movement in the parking of traffic on municipal property and board of education property to address noise and vehicle activity in the burrow lot be passed and adopted on first reading. Be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, October 16th, 2024 at 7 o'clock p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

Okay, Mike, can you please break this down for us? Yes, this is regarding the lot directly behind this building. Uh we've gotten some complaints from the residents of Elmherst Street that um businesses are using it after hours, late into the uh even into the early morning hours and it's disrupting their their sleep and their and their quality of life. So, we are going to restrict their um ability to use the lot after hours. Can I have a motion, please? So move. Second. Any discussion? Roll call. First by Councilman Folo. Second by Councilwoman Sheridan. And roll call. We have Council Members Folo. Yes. Kbec. Yes. Samson.

Yes. Sheridan. Yes. Troy. Yes. Council President Pellegrine? Yes.

Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-286-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-23 on first reading. Be resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-21 multi-way stop intersections to add stops on Pulsa Avenue/Bank Street and Martha Avenue/ra Street be passed and adopted on first reading and be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday October 16th 2024 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard at which time any person's interest in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that a b that the burough clerk being she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

Okay, this is self-explanatory. So may I have a motion? So move second. Any discussion? Roll call. First by Councilman Samson, second by Councilman Golbec. On roll call, we have council members Fiso, yes. Golbeck, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Joyce, yes. Council President Peline, yes.

Motion carries. Moving on to our consent agenda, we have the following resol resolutions. Resolution R-287-25, approval of payroll. R-288-25, approval of bills list. R-289-25, amend vacation buyback. R-290-25 authorized vacation buyback. R-291-25 authorized payment estimate number one 2024 borrow road program R-292-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment. R-293-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment. R-294-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment. R-295-25 resolution to refund tax exempt veteran. R-296-25 resolution to refund taxexempt veteran. R-297-25 resolution to refund tax exempt veteran. R-298-25 resolution to redeem third party tax lean. R-299-25 award of a board of professional services contract to TNM Associates for affordable housing planning services. R-300-25 appointment of counselors for the 2025 2026 school year morning care and after school program recreation department R-301-25 approve annual municipal audit report for the year 2024 R-320 302-25 adopt corrective action plan for the 2024 municipal audit r-3 just keep going out okay sorry r-303 3-25 resolution recognizing knockout opioid abuse day October 6, 2025 R-304-25 approve block party request and R-305-25 resolution to approve the consent agenda.

May I have a motion on the consent agenda? So move second. Any discussion? Call the role, please. First by Councilwoman Chroy, second by Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Gabbec, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Choicey, yes. Council President Peline, yes.

Motion carries. Next, we have mayoral appointments. The mayor received a resignation letter from his delegate Carl Roberts and he is moving forward with appointing Peter Peligreen as his mayor delegate for the planning board pleasure of mayor. Next we have departmental reports. We have the library board meeting minutes for June 16th, 2025. And I have a motion to accept the departmental reports. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I Okay, Council President Peline, this concludes my portion of the meeting. I will turn it over to you for council reports.

Okay, I'm going to change it up a little bit tonight. We're going to start with Councilwoman Sheridan, please. Thank you, Council President. Um the only thing I basically have is um the concerts. Um we have our last concert coming up um Tuesday night. Um, we've had good showings. I mean, the concerts that we all picked was very good, very well attended. Um, I think a lot of people are a little bit worried about the weather cuz it's starting to get a little chilly, but um, other than that, um, everybody seems to be having a good time. Yeah. So, um, that's all I have. Progress.

Thank you, Councilman Golivac. Thank you, Council President. I don't have anything to report. Just want to thank the residents that are came out tonight. I look forward forward to hearing what people have to say about all different subjects. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Samson.

Oh, yes, Council President. So, as um Councilwoman Sheridan talked about the uh concerts, it was an overwhelming success this year. Great attendance and from what I can see, it seems that the later schedules working out well that people are enjoying the the actual cooler weather. It does get early, darker. It does get darker earlier, but uh that doesn't seem to be a problem at this point. The police department, thank you, chief, and uh thank you, Lieutenant, for the assistance with crossing and also with working out parking issues. That that's that was a big uh a big plus with that. Um on September 11th, the services were very moving. So, we had the emergency services uh observed September 11th at the fireman's memorial on Molar Drive. Uh those services were very moving and well attended by the emergency service members and very respectful performance by the police honor guard. Again, thank you to the police department. And just uh as an aside, I passed just the other night and those little blue tea lightss are still lit. They were last night anyway. So there they're still hanging in there. So um I attended the bag hunger event on Tuesday at our local Insera Shopright. Excuse me. It was a fun event bagging customers groceries. A huge thank you to the Insair organization for all they do do for our community. And again, we bagged uh we were there, those of us that were there, we bagged with the police and uh it was a a positive um thing with the community and it worked out very well. And it's a this is hung uh stamp out hunger month or hunger observation month,

hunger awareness month,

sorry, hunger awareness month. Uh several improvements have been made at Cherry Hill Park, including tree branch cutting and removal, as well as two new red maple trees planted near the gym equipment. I like the location of these these two new trees. Uh more trees are going to come and the most important part in my opinion is that the trees are within the park confines so that as they grow and they age, even if they're just dropping leaves or dropping leaves on our park, they're not dropping leaves or branches or problems affecting neighbors that uh the the branches aren't going to reach into neighbors um yards because like I said, they're within the park. These first two are right by the gym equipment that was added just a year a year and a half ago. and it'll it'll provide some shade for people working out there as they those those trees grow. That's definitely a positive thing uh to the chief on on a BA side and DPW. I'm a park strongest doing a great job. Council uh Council President Pel Green, that's everything I have. We're moving in the right direction. God bless America.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Fisol.

Thank you, Council President. I just have one thing to report. It's uh it's not a good uh report. uh a few days or yesterday we lost a really important member of our community, Chris Willis. He was a dad, a coach, and a really vital uh community member. Um I just want to send out my condolences to all the organizations as he was that he was part of all his uh former athletes, his family, and everybody who knew him and had a positive impression on and then he had a positive impression on their lives. So, if you um if you can, I urge the community, there's a GoFundMe uh to raise money for him, his family. Uh they're also accepting uh gift cards for food uh that could be dropped off at the recck department. Thank you.

Yes. Go ahead. Uh to be announced at a later date, we are planning a car show and uh the proceeds are going to go to the family. So, uh stay tuned on that. Also, um the residents assistance program gave uh gift cards today to the family and I asked someone to reach out to them that if they're in need of any food during this very tragic time, you know them, Franchesco, please tell them to call us anytime. We'll meet them there day or night. Uh we want to help in any way that we can. So, thank you for bringing that up. Can I Sure, J. add something. Sure.

Okay.

That one. Okay. Um I just want to add um that the um Elmer Park Girls Softball League is going to give a donation to the family on behalf of the girls softball. Thank you. I just have to say as we all heard this horrible news, very sad that I just want to say how proud I am of our community because when we hear of a tragedy or we hear someone needs help, we rally together. And no matter what differences we may have sometimes, we're always here to help. And it breaks our heart when we hear stories like this. And we want every resident to know that if you know of someone struggling or you know of a situation that we're not aware of, please call one of us and and we're willing to be there and to help. And I'm really proud of our community for for coming together during this tragedy. And uh Councilwoman Chisy, you're next. Thank you, Council President. On behalf of myself, my family, and Park Girl softball league, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Christopher Willis. Willis, I know all too well how quickly your life can change. I hope that Christa, Chloe, Peter, and Anthony find comfort in knowing that Chris is reunited with his son and he once again is holding his little Johnny. Hug those he love. On to business. Basketball registration opens online on Community Pass at 12 PM on Friday, September 26th. Wrestling clinics are being held in the rec gym on Sundays at 700 p.m.

I'd like to thank the high school and the rec director for donating mats to the wrestling program. The repairs have been made to the Gall Park floor. The next rec board meeting is October 20th at 7:30 in the game room. My board of ed update. Uh, class of 2026 project graduation is holding a battle in the burrow pro wrestling event at the high school on November 1st. The meet and greet opens at 6:00 and then the bell rings at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The next uh board of ed meeting is September 23rd at 6:30 in the media room. And then I wanted to but they left already congratulate our library staff and all the children who participated in the summer reading program. It's um to take their time during the summer to read and learn when they don't have to is really commendable. So, uh, thank you, council president. Thank you. Okay, it's my turn for my report. My police update on Thursday, September 25th, please join Elwood Park PD for their annual cones with a cop event. It's at Four Seasons Ice Cream Parlor. Location 228 Market Street. Time is 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event is free for all children under the age of 18. Board of Health update. I don't know if anybody's here from the board of health. I don't see anybody here, so I will give their report for them. On October 4th, they will be having their annual Elwood Park Celebrate Senior event. The time is 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at our Elwood Park Recreation Center. It's a great event. They're there to give back to our seniors. Their next regular meeting is on Monday, October 13th at 700 p.m. Their next free rabies clinic for dogs

and cats will be on November 12th at Firehouse Number Four on Mola Boulevard. Uh residents assistance program update. Um this Saturday, September 20th, we'll be having our second annual stopout hunger event. This is in conjunction with our new Elwood Park Chamber of Commerce. Location corner of Lincoln A and Mhola Boulevard. Time is 2 PM. We will march together as a community to fight hunger. We will march to our pantry, the people's pantry on Falmouth Avenue. Donations of the following would greatly be appreciated: peanut butter, pasta, rice, tuna fish, juice, crackers, and canned soups. For more information or questions, please call 2011-796-1457, extension 215, or extension 2013. Together as a community, let's stomp out hunger. My chamber of commerce update, and I know our president is here. I'll just say a few words. He might want to get up and add. The new Elwood Park Chamber of Commerce next meeting will be held 6 p.m. in our local VFW on October 21st. They are currently working on having a few special events. All the information will be confirmed soon. I report I will report that information to everyone. And then lastly, this past Tuesday, Councilman Samson touched on it a little bit. We were at the bag for hunger event at our local ShopRite. Shopright has been donating to our pantry and our entire program to help our residents in need. We thank them for their continued support. And we also want to thank our Elwood Park PD for coming to this event and for supporting this program in every possible way they can. I want to thank the residents, the businesses, and everyone else that donates. This program has been running since 2018, and we truly appreciate

everyone that helps feed our residents. And I want to lastly thank our mayor and council because without the support of all of you agreeing with this program and letting our team do what we need to do to make this work, you always say yes. And so, I'm forever grateful for that. And I want to also thank all of our volunteers that help our residents assistance program and all the communities and businesses that donate all year long. This is a this is hunger awareness month, but this is an everyday all year thing. Um we service 80 to 100 residents per month. And some people say to me, Lorraine, really, did that many people need help? And wake up everyone because yes, people are in dire need of food. We also give out toiletries, diapers, shampoos, whatever people need, we're there. We also have some of our clients have cancer and their doctors recommend organic food that it would be better for them to eat that. So, they take what they can from our pantry and then Mr. and Sarah from ShopRight is gracious enough to donate gift cards for those people that need special items. So, we really want to thank the Elwood Park Shopright. We want to thank Mr. and Sarah who gives gives and gives non-stop to not just our program, but to our entire community. And I think our residents should know that because there's plenty of businesses that make millions of dollars, but there's not a lot of people that give back millions of dollars. So, we're very thankful to have a business owner like him in our community. And uh I just want to say to everybody, it's it could just be the little things you do. You could donate a bag of fruit. You could donate two bottles of uh bo body wash, excuse me. You're making a difference. Don't ever

feel like if you come to our pantry with one or two items, that's not enough. It's enough. Every item helps. So again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I started this program in 2018, and again, with the help of my colleagues, the mayor and the chief and the police force who have been instrumental, it's really growing and we're helping more and more people. So I want to just thank you all for that. And now at this time, I want a motion to open the floor to public comment. Please have a motion to open. Okay. So, anyone on the floor like to make a comment, please come up to the podium. You have 10 minutes to speak. I ask you to please be respectful. We want to hear everybody's concerns and please keep your time again to 10 minutes. Thank you. Please state your name and address for the record.

Jerry, is this on? Can you guys hear me? Red light's got to be on. The red light is on. Thank you. You got these lights here. Remember that?

I did. I did. Jerry Lozo, 99 Florence Place. Good evening everyone. Uh, up until tonight, I've been the name in the face representing the residents of Florence Place from St. Anne Street to Route 4. Our stretch of Florence Place consists of 17 families who have been under constant vehicular attack since November 13th of this year to present. This overload of cars uses our quiet residential street as a parking lot to patronize Route 4 commercial operations. 7 days a week. This constant vehicular attack consists of multiple K turns, backing up recklessly, double parking in our driveways, waiting for spots to open up, and this is all happening at the same time, creating a carnivallike setting. Among the many quality of life issues that this attack poses, the main one is putting our children in harm's way. One of our neighbors had a close call just recently. It's a catastrophe waiting to happen. I know that some of you on the council have witnessed this with your own eyes. There are several police reports on file on of accidents that took place on our street as a result of the parking issue, plus a police report of two landscaping companies almost coming to violent blows because they couldn't get through from the many cars clogging both sides of our street, thus causing damage to each other. The other quality of life issues that we suffer on a daily basis are not being able to park on our own street at all, not being able to have guests stop by, not being able to have parties with our friends and families, garbage everywhere, oil stains all over the street that did not come from any of our cars, constant noise, people screaming at at each other as they walk up and down our street, and the constant sound of car doors slamming, just to name a

few. Those 17 families that I speak of have signed petitions, followed QR code instructions on multiple surveys given to us by our police department. We have been patient through several other attempts in solving our issue. The surrounding residents in the neighborhood have made their voices heard. Now, it's time to hear ours and act on it. What's different about tonight is that several members of the stretch of Florence Place that are affected are here and can speak for themselves if they so choose. But more importantly, they brought their kids. The very kids that are in danger every second of the day. So tonight, we ask that the council vote yes and address to isolate this problem once and for all that exists on our stretch of Florence Place without being influenced by others who have nothing to do with our plight. members of the administration and council, by voting this ordinance into existence protects the burrow from liability should anything happen to one of our children or adults. And in closing, I noticed around the room that there are some other residents from our block that might be here to oppose. And I can tell you that they live nowhere near us. They are more than halfway down the street and two of them are only a few houses away from Willow. So, I'm not really sure why they're here. So, thank you very much for listening.

Thank you, J. Anyone else wish to address the council? Please come up to the podium.

Can you please give your name and address for the record?

My name is Ron of um the owner of 133 Broadway. Um good evening um council. This um matter has been brought to my attention about the parking issue um that is affecting obviously affecting residents but it's also affecting businesses and the businesses that are on Broadway. They're taxpayers. They provide services to the town and to the residents of the town and to limit the the parking in what is already a very limited area would greatly affect these businesses. I would remind the council that the pet store that is probably the crux of the problem here uh lay lay empty for 10 years and that creates blight in our in this community. It reduces property values and it also has a tendency to to uh attract uh unsaavory characters who may seek to um you know to do bad things. The point of the matter here is is that it seems that there's a very few people that are residents that are being affected by the traffic. But this is these people should not control the industry and business in town. They should not ruin people's hard work and people's livelihoods because their inconvenience by having to find a parking space from time to time. I heard the gentleman speak just now and I'm wondering if these businesses that he's complaining about are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That doesn't seem likely to me. So, it seems that these complaints are occurring during business hours where I don't think there will be parties and gatherings and so on and so forth. Furthermore, the traffic moving

forward, back and forth, U turns, K turns, this and that. This is the flow of traffic. These people are looking for spaces. They're driving around the town, whether it be on that street or any other street. They may stop and turn and make a turn and and have to make a K turn. So to pick on this one street because you have a few noisy wheels complaining that they don't have a private parking street is really overreaching and really will harm the industries in the town and it will affect people's property values and the quality of life. So when you are considering this, I would also I would add one more thing. Has the has the uh the board or the town conducted a s a a a study or uh about the traffic flows on this area and on other areas. If the traffic flow is similar to other areas and other streets and blocks, why is this block being uh uh u picked out? Why is it not going what who's to say that this one squeaky wheel is should control this street and and and I would say it's arbitrary to just say this street is now uh too too intense uh traffic and use but the other streets where the other stores are which may also have a similar traffic patterns and parking issues but don't have squeaky wheels living on that street have similar traffic patterns. That to me invites uh litigation by property owners who feel that they're being unfairly uh treated and that they're being un unfairly uh uh subjected to these restrictions. I would ask when you're considering this this proposal that you balance your views not just on the needs of the residents and

the town, but the businesses and the owners of the properties as well. We're we're listening to everyone this evening, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wish to come up? Any other comments? Any other questions? Shouldn't have said that twice.

Good evening. Walter Gomez, 94 Florence Place. Okay. We complain about the people who's coming, especially my family complains that they coming and make a U-turn into our driveways. So, so anytime they come they they just don't go in a little bit. They just go all the way in and they backing up you know and it's not going slowly like uh there's a lot of people there like kids my daughter is always there sometimes we cannot even walk because the people's they come out from nowhere and besides the flow of traffic like the gentleman say before so I moving 5 years ago to Florence place and since that always been quiet and now it's a lot of traffic we cannot even find a spot to park and there are some people coming use the tooth path from one of their cars like uh my wife sometimes come back from work she doesn't have space where to park so that's where we complain about it.

Thank you sir. Does anybody else wish to speak?

Good evening council. Uh I reside in 101 Florence Place and uh um pretty young here uh in terms of living. I've been staying here for like seven eight years now and that part of business was not there when I start when I started living there. Um it's been I believe 8 months 9 months uh and I have three kids and I have a double parking gar uh spot where people can like I I park my two cars up there but when I am at work which I drive to work every day. Um the other spot is empty and most of the people come in and they do a K turn at on my uh parking spot and one day what happened was uh I came with my kids in the car and opened all the door like you know my kids are very young they 18 months 3 year 6 years old and uh that one was 11 right there and knowing them being crazy they opened the door there was somebody really parked like making a ketone rapidly right in front of one of the doors. I'm I'm very lucky that they they didn't hit my hit the door, you know, and it's not only that. It's not only about the parking issue. It's about cleanliness. and and you know we teach our kids at home how to behave and how to stay and how how neatness is critical for not only for my house also for for the town and there's always a wrap like literally I was coming here on my front p thing there's some wrap on on the on the on the front of the lawn and some people just eat and it not there's no cleaniness I know this for a fact that it's not my neighbors cuz they work very hard to to keep it clean, keep it neat. I do work very hard

over the weekend as a as a working father to make sure that everything is clean and neat. And when he said working hours, that even makes me even more angry because Saturday, Sundays are not working hours. And the the the street is very crowded on on Saturday Sunday and there are a bunch of people walking on the the street is like literally like the way Jerry say like it it's it's like a carnival store and and and and the and like the the the the crowd is there the the strangers are around the block which which doesn't make me comfortable as a parent to be you know to to have people like strangers walking in front of my house literally every 15 to 20 minutes and that's what I'm concerned about as a parent and as a as a as a neighbor.

Okay. And that's that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. Thank you.

Does anyone else want to speak? I just want to say one last thing about this. Um we heard you all. We're glad that you came. Um, I know the chief has been working very hard with his department to try to satisfy everybody. Not in not an easy job to do, but we're always here to listen to new comments and all comments and we respect everyone's opinion. We will have a discussion again and uh we will see what we're going to do about this. But right now, I just want you to know for this evening, we did hear you. Um, and we'll see what goes on with this. Okay? We'll we'll let everybody know. All right. So I want to thank you have a comment come by. We're going to close soon. So come up if you have one.

Hi, my name's John Marada. I just want to say to the chief, I wasn't sure who was involved with the lights, but thank you very much for having piercing. I know that's another issue. I have nine grandkids, so There's nothing more important than keeping children safe. 100%. Sir,

on the other hand, what this gentleman alluded to was that if you you put permits in a certain part of the street, other streets, not just Florence Place, will be impacted. The way I see it, I I I was tech support guy for 55 years. I look at things logically and and maybe it's not an option, but the only solution to me that makes sense is find a place, a parking area where there's enough parking spots for everyone to park and eliminate completely the problem on Florence Place. It's probably maybe not an option. Maybe rules can be changed, but there's more than enough space in the Shopright parking lot. On the busiest day, it's maybe half full, tops 3/4. There's more than enough space there to accommodate parking for all the businesses. And the businesses are an important part of our community also.

And so,

yes, it's a it's a balance. And you know, we just want you to know that whatever we do decide to try, if we pass this ordinance, the second reading, and we try it, nothing nothing is in stone, okay? If something doesn't work, we change it. Sometimes you have to try something to see if it works and be a little patient because some of the problems going on on Florence Place that I've witnessed myself up there. It's not just casual cars going up there. Okay. Uh I've witnessed several children crossing the street with their parents going to birthday parties where there's not supposed to be birthday parties at a certain business. So I more than one of us have witnessed things. So I just want you to know we're working on things. We heard your concerns again. We've heard some different concerns and we but I want you to hear whatever we try again nothing's in stone. We can always adjust it. We can try something else. But doing nothing is not an option.

I totally agree. Okay. So we have to our our police department. Excuse me. One second. has worked very hard on this, going up and down the streets, watching what goes on there. I mean, we we might see it twice a week. We take a ride up there. The men and women are out there trying to figure this problem out. So, everybody, let's please try to show the professionals a little bit of respect and let them give what they want a try. If it doesn't work, okay, we hear you. We'll go back to the drawing board. I always weigh things out on the scale. Yes. You you spoke very nice and you're very reasonable.

Not not to say that all the options don't make sense versus finding a parking area. Listen, if if a building was for sale and the town could buy it and we could build a parking lot there, I don't think anybody in this council would say no. Is Shopright's parking lot an option? Uh Shopright's parking lot, we would have to talk to the owner, Mr. and Sarah and I'd be happy to do that because it's way more than enough space to accommodate.

We have a the chief and I and council have a very good relationship with him. I don't know if he would be for that. I don't know if it's a liability. I'm not an attorney, but we can certainly ask and then we can refer to our his attorney and our attorney. And let me tell you something, if anybody would be willing to help this community out with this problem, I know it would be Larry and Sarah. So, um, thank you for making that suggestion and we will discuss this with him. Thank you everyone. Everybody have a good night. Thank you for coming and voicing. Oh, you got somebody else. I didn't see them. I think they're just leaving.

Who does anybody else want to come up before we close the meeting? Please do so at this time. Dan. Okay. Please give your name and address for the record, sir. Uh, my name is Cassim Banks, 101 Gore Court.

Um, good evening, members of council. Uh, my name is Cassin Banks. Some people know me as Cash Banks, but more I'm known as coach. I'm here today as president of the Elma Park Bombers. Longest running youth program in town, dedicated to serving the youth and our community through sports, mentorship, and civic engagement. I come before you not in opposition but in a deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent developments surrounding our food hut facility. Developments that are hindering our organization and jeopardizing our ability to serve our families who rely on us. In May, I as a president proactively inquired about the hut's availability for our upcoming season. We were given an application in March to fill out for the season. At no point were we informed by the school of any restrictions, repairs pending, or conditions that would affect our usage. We planned in good faith, communicated with families, built our calendar around the usage. We planned in good fa I'm sorry. Uh I'm tired. 10 hours of work.

That's okay. particular uh um understand that the hut would be available as it has been in years past. Then in August, we were abruptly informed that we would not cannot use the hut without alterations being made. Commercial grade refrigeration units are required. Install a three compartment sink with an indirect air and drain gap. Compartments must be big enough to submerge largest items requiring washing. sufficient area to dry equipment, utensils, a rack above the drain boards, hot and cold water. Install a handwashing sink, hot and cold water. Install a mop sink to save space that can create creatively be placed under the three compartment sink if approved by a plumbing inspector. Uh proper walls, backsplashes around the sinks that are required as discussed basically like a FRP panel. smooth, but they want the same thing for the floors. No prior warning, no collaboration discussion, just a restriction of usage. To make matters worse, we were told that our organization will be solely responsible for the funding of the hut repairs.

So, this should be this should be uh brought up at the board of education meeting. I I'm doing that as well. Okay.

Okay. Uh despite being a nonprofit, We have no control over the hut's maintenance or even though the hut was donated by a local VFW for both the Bombers and for the Ember Park High School football team, but it sits on school property. Uh we met with the school board and the board of health. We worked out a plan to operate uh this season as stated in my email to my parents and this is why we're fundraising heavy this year. The lack of transparency and communication is not only frustrating, it's deeply unfair. Let me be clear. Our organization is not asking for special treatment. We are asking for equal treatment. We asking for clarity, collaboration, and shared commitment to the youth of this town. We are asking that decisions affecting our operations be made with us, not around us. And almost done. We are proud of the work we all do for the residents of Elma Park. We are proud of the young athletes we mentor, the families we support, and the community we help build. But we cannot do this alone. We need town partnership, not just in words, but in action. We are ready to work with you. We are ready to contribute, but we cannot and should not be expected to carry this burden alone. Thank you for your time and your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Can you please can you please um just leave your phone number over there on the counter and uh someone will get back to you. Okay, I will get back to you

if I Councilman, if I may. Um I hear so I went to the first Bombers game and I heard this issue uh come up there and then I saw it posted on Facebook. Um uh although the bombers aren't part of the recreation department per se, it's it's a private organization, they do hold over 250 of our children uh in their organization. Um, if this council is in agreement, I think that once they, you know, go to the board meeting, I know they met with the board, uh, board members or or somebody from the school district. uh maybe we could help guide along uh those discussions so they don't do it alone as they are something with you know doing something with the board of education and I understand it is uh the board's property but I think the town would you know maybe representative from the council or whoever uh to just guide the discussion along and maybe come to solutions for the longer term because I know this season already it's probably too late to do something uh but for next season and and coming up with a plan for next season uh I think we should help to inside the organization alone.

Councilman, I I agree and that's why I asked the gentleman to please leave his phone number. We can reach out to the superintendent of schools. Maybe we could have a meeting together. I can't promise anything, but we certainly are always willing to work together and uh hear ideas and possibly do something together. But I will get back to you either way, sir. I I promise you that. Thank you. We have one more. Anybody else before I close? Dan, you coming up? Okay. Name and address, sir?

Yes, ma'am. Change the subject a little bit. Uh, good evening. Dan Brazzac, 30 drive. Um, I'd like to discuss an event that I'm planning for Monday, September 29th. Uh, I've had prelim preliminary discussions with our B administrator, and uh, we're in the process of collaborating on a townwide unity vigil. Uh, in light of the recent tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, I want to take an opportunity to try and turn a negative into a positive. Uh, Pam and I attended a few neighboring town vigils, and they were really nice events, and I'd like to do the same here. Uh, this is no way intended to be political. Uh, more of a non-denominational, nonpartisan come together of the community. Um, I don't know how often y'all f follow social media, but there seems to be a lot of tension everywhere, including and especially Elwood Park. I think it's time we come together, take a deep breath, and remind each other that we all live in this community and need to get along. Uh it's okay to disagree, but we need to do it respectfully. Uh I'd like for the mayor and council to be there. Uh and uh for the mayor to speak. Uh I'm also reaching out and I have already been in communication with several other religious and community leaders. Uh as I stated earlier, it's going to be Monday the 29th. Uh we're going to do it at 7 p.m. right at sunset. It's going to be at the band shell behind the rec center. uh once all the logistics are finalized, a flyer is going to go out and we're going to post it all on social media. So, I just wanted to make you all aware of that, invite everybody to the event and uh look forward to seeing you there. Thank you.

Thank you. Can I can I just get the name of the event? It's a we're just going to refer to it as a townwide unity vig. Yeah. So,

and with that being said, I think in the world there's been a lot of sadness. I think as a community it's a good idea to come together, show kindness, respect for one another and uh I would really think it would be a good event and our community could come together. So with that being said, I really want to thank you all for coming tonight. Thank you all for your opinions, for the conversation. We'll get back to those who need answers and I want to wish you a good evening. May I have a motion to close the public portion? So second. All in favor? I. There's no executive tonight. Great. So move to

So we're going to have a motion to adjurnn. There is no executive tonight. So move. Second. All in favor? I. Okay. Thank you for coming everyone. 50. Thank you.