Council - Regular Meeting

coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our Nixl alerts yet? Nixl keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our Office of Emergency Management, so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to888777. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news@ hackansac.org.

Are you ready?

Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group, 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1st through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt. All right,

for now very invigorating. Okay, calling this meeting to order of the Hackinack City Council. It is Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. It is 5:33 p.m. If we can have the call to order, please. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 104-6 at SEC, notice of which was sent to the record in the Star Ledger and was posted on the municipal bulletin board. Thank you. Roll call, please. Mayor Gaines, here. Deputy Mayor Tumi. Councilman Carol, here. Councilwoman Clark Collins, here. Councilman Diaz, here.

Thank you. Can we please rise to the flag salute? I pledge algiance 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. Thank you. If I can have a motion to approve the minutes of the March 3rd, 2026 council meeting. I'll offer. Second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. I'm going to ask for a motion for a resolution to go into executive session to discuss ongoing litigation matters involving attorney client privilege, including tax appeal settlements. um matters involving the purchase, lease or acquisition of real property and any pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations. Can I have a motion, please? I'll offer. I'll second. All in favor? I

I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, we are going to go into executive session. We will be back as soon as possible. Estimated around 6:30. Thank you. Coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our NIXL alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our office of emergency management so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to 88877. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.

Are you ready? Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group, 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1 through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you, but you'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt.

coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our Nixl alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our Office of Emergency Management, so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to 88877. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week, you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.

Are you ready? Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group. 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1st through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt.

Coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our NIXL alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our office of emergency management so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to88877. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.

Are you ready? Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group, 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1 through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt.

coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our Nixl alerts yet? Nixel keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our Office of Emergency Management so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to88877. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.

Are you ready? Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group, 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1st through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt.

coming soon to Hackinack. Have you signed up for our Nixl alerts yet? NIXL keeps you up to date by text and email with instant updates from our Office of Emergency Management, so you can get important information when it matters most. Get alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, road closures, severe traffic, criminal activity, and local events. Signing up is quick and easy. Text 0761 to888777. That's 0761 to888777. Don't wait. Sign up for Nixl alerts today and stay connected to what's happening in Hackinack. Stay informed and connected with everything happening in the city of Hackinack by subscribing to the Hackinack weekly newsletter. Each week, you'll get the latest updates on city services, events, important announcements, and more delivered right to your inbox. Signing up is quick and easy. Just visit the city website to join. And if you have something to share, the newsletter includes a community bulletin for local announcements and events. Send your submissions to news at hackansac.org.

Are you ready? Hackinack, get ready. Our annual Easter egg hunt is back and it's bringing all the joy. Join us Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at the Hackinack Recreation Center for a fun, free afternoon the kids won't forget. Start times by age group, 3:00 p.m. for preK through kindergarten and 400 p.m. for 1st through 4th graders. This hunt is for children only. Parents, we love you. You'll be cheering from the sidelines. It's free. Just bring the kids and bring the energy. See you at the hunt.

Okay, thank you. Welcome back everyone. We are out of executive session. Thank you for your patience. Um, we do have a number of proclamations and presentations today. Um, our first is for education and sharing day and I'm going to invite the rabbi to come down and um, receive this proclamation as well. Thank you.

Okay. So whereas education the cornerstone the cornerstone of a strong and free society determines what we know and shapes who we are in that light education is more than the mere transmission of facts and figures. Rather it must prepare children for a life of responsibility and purpose forming and strengthening their moral character. And whereas a global spiritual leader and leading advocate for the advancement of education, the Rabbi Rabbi Mahm M

Schneersonen, thank you. of righteous memory stressed that a moral and ethical education empowers every individual to realize their full potential and make the world a better place. Such an education can nurture the unity of diverse peoples through encouraging increased acts of goodness and kindness imbued with the awareness that even a single positive act of an individual can change the world and usher in an era of global peace. hand. Whereas March 29th, 2026 will mark 124 years since the rabbi's birth. From childhood, he envisioned a world of peace and tranquility for all and advance the sacred responsibilities and ethical values known as the seven nohide laws that have formed the bedrock of society since the dawn of civilization. to to honor the creator, respect life, reject violence, act honestly, value family, promote generosity, and build a just and moral society. And whereas education and sharing day is observed every year on the rabbi's birthday in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions toward the improvement of education, morality, and acts of charity around the world. A day to pause and reflect on our responsibility to ensure our youth have the foundation necessary to lead lives rich in purpose and fulfillment through service and good works. Now therefore, I, Casim Gaines, mayor of the city of Hackinack, do hereby proclaim Sunday, March 29th, 2026 to be education and sharing day in the city of Hackinack and call upon government officials, educators, volunteers, and citizens to reach out to those within your communities and work to create a

brighter, better, and more hopeful future for all.

There you go. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mayor. Thank you and very special honor to be here. We are doing it this tradition for many years here in Hackinack for the past I think over seven years especially what happened today and we all of course praying for the victim and uh together whatever the city and the police is doing. We know that one key of preventing crime is education and getting people from a very young age the recognition of their potential, their purpose, how God values every person's life, how each person is precious. So this day is very important not only it's being celebrated all around the world by all US presidents, all congress and senate every year. So this day is a day for us to all to think about educating the next generation and to make sure that everyone is empowered. They know the mission, the godly mission, and their job to make the world a better place. So, thank you very much, mayor. I know education is a key matter for you. So, God bless you, and God bless all of you. Thank you. Before you leave, I'm going to ask for the council to come down and take a quick picture if you don't mind. Here we go. our deputy mayor and councilwoman leave. I'm going to ask them to come back down

please before they slip away because we are also recognizing international women's month this month as well and it's not just for these two it's for all the women in Hackinack throughout the world so please it's for a little bit for all of you but I'm going to I'm going to stand with them today so whereas American women of every race class and ethnic background have played a vital role in the founding growth grow and advancement of the United States, often in ways that were unrecorded, undervalued, or overlooked. And whereas women have been leaders in every major social reform and civil rights movement in American history, including securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in advancing movements such as emancipation, abolition, labor, education, and public health to help advance liberty, freedom, and justice for all. And whereas women have played and continue to play critical economic, cultural, and social roles in the workforce as leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, first responders, advocates, innovators, caregivers, public servants, and community builders. And whereas women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions to promote the welfare of others and often provided the majority of the volunteers for these endeavors. And whereas Women's History Month is observed annually to recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of women whose courage and resolve have contributed to the character and success of our nation and communities around the world. And whereas the city of Hackinack is home to generations of women whose dedication and leadership have cha shaped the character and progress of this community. And now therefore, I, Kasim Gaines, mayor of the city of

Hackinack, along with the members of the Hackinack City Council, do hereby recognize March as Women's History Month and encourage all residents to celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of women like our councilwoman and deputy mayor who continue to lead and inspire us all. Thank you. Open it up. All right. All right. Thank you. All right, reports and presentations from professionals and department heads. Um, I'm going to ask for Frank Belli to come forward and just give us an overview of our new website design. We want to make sure that all of our residents know where to find all the vital information. Our website has just undergone a facelift. So, I just want to ask Frank to come down and uh give us a little bit of a guided tour through the website. Thank you.

All right. So, uh, early this month, we we launched a design refresh of the city website. Uh, for some historical context, back in 2020, we did a full like redesign, like a major redesign of the site. Uh, we switched vendors at that time. So, now we have kind of full control and full uh, in-house control of the site before it was kind of templated. Uh, so the the goal now is to make the refresh and sort of like a like a phone update almost as if if you will. So it's kind of the same meat and potatoes of what we used to have, but just generally looking a little bit nicer. So uh the key aspects of this refresh was to use uh liquid glass and material 3 design languages from Apple and Google to make it kind of uh familiar to residents and people that use those modern apps and devices as well as making it simpler. So the single pane as you'll see we've reduced the use of columns uh so everything's kind of a single pane now uh which helps out with mo um mobile friendliness and then obviously I said mobile friendliness the design acknowledges the fact that now about 50% of our users are experiencing the site on both mobile and desktop. So that has changed over the years as well. So there's a couple pages I want to just talk about first and then uh we'll go through it. So, so the first would be the the header now follows you. That's a new touch and the header has been completely redesigned. So, as I mentioned, there's a um liquid glass theme on everything. Uh there's now more organization. There's icons. Uh there's categories. Everything's very interactive. It pops up as you move over it. Uh the homepage itself has been redesigned as well. So, like I said, it's a single pane now. Uh you could see upcoming events. You could see our headlines. Uh you could see our notices and flyers and quick links. Um each quick link notice or flyer is signified by the icon. So whether it be a PDF, uh

an image, a website, you'll see different icons that match what the item is so you know what you're clicking. And then if you wanted to see agendas, dockets, or minutes, you could see that at the bottom here. So, that's kind of the general redesign of the homepage. It used to be split, but now it's one single pane. Something else I wanted to talk about was the calendar. The calendar was kind of not a great design before. It was I designed it so I could say that. Uh, but now it's a little I think it's a little bit better. Uh, a couple things we implemented. You used to not be able to see what happened historically. It used to just be a forwardlooking calendar. There was no historic context, so you couldn't see previous events. Uh, that has now since been replaced. So you can actually go backwards. Um obviously can't go back past February because we hadn't implemented at the time. But now you could see historical things that have happened. You can click on those things. You can get taken to those pages. Um and then you can also look forward obviously. And then if you go really far, you click today and you can go back to today's date. So that's a simple quality of life change that was made to the calendar. And then um all of these you can get clicked on and you could get brought to that page. So this is the page for today. The events have also been uh completely changed. Uh we added this ability to add the events directly to your calendar whether you're on Google calendar, Apple calendar or Outlook calendar. You could share the event to Facebook uh Twitter or X threads or via email. And then there's also you could watch the live stream from these pages. So, uh, another page that the clerk's office and I talked a lot about was the public notices page. The public notices page is something new that we created. Uh, this is where all public notices will go. Um, everything is timestamped, so you could see when they were posted and how they were posted. And again, that same design language follows where you'll see

whether it's a PNG, a Word doc, a PDF, that all follows. So there's ordinances, public notices, bids and RFPs, and planning and zoning notices as well. Another area that we got a lot of feedback from was the uh boards and committees pages. Two pages in particular uh that were very content dense were the planning board and zoning board pages. They had a lot of files and before it was like traveling through a maze because of how many files. So the if you've seen the page before and this is your first time seeing it again, uh you'll see that it's it's much cleaner. Upcoming meetings are right at the top. That design language from the previous calendar I just showed follows through to here and then everything is organized. So this used to be a long list of stuff. This can now truncate and you can open up files and presentations and historical applications. And then below that same language that design language follows with agendas, minutes, ordinances, master plans. And then after a certain period, if it gets too long, you can shuffle through pages so you're not endlessly scrolling as it was in the past. Another big thing that we talked about with boards and committees uh was the join a board. This is something that I worked again with the clerk's office with. So you can actually submit an application online now. as opposed to filling one out in person, which has been much nicer of an experience. And I think there was something else I want to show. Oh, something that's very near and dear to my heart for no particular reason, uh, is the new newsroom page. So, prior we had one page just for news and one page just for the for the newsletter. Uh, now you could see everything all at once in one spot. Uh there's this little button that pops up that if you wanted to subscribe to Hackinack Weekly and get really funny emails into your inbox every week that

are also, you know, really well written. Uh you can get that shameless plug. Uh there's also all the the press releases that we post. Uh and then if you scroll down, this actually mirrors what the newsletter looks like. And then you can click on these and you'll see our newsletters. This is the one from last week. So, um, just generally trying to simplify things, make things easier to find. Um, you know, and we're always open to feedback. So, if you have anything you want to see, let me know. You can email it at info@hackansack.org. Uh, and then something else I just flipped over to the search now has quick links. These are actually the most searched things on our website. So, now they're right here. So, you don't have to type it in. You could just kind of just go to these things. So, that's that. That's the new iOS redesign. The goal is to do this periodically so it's not such a drastic change to kind of stay up with it. I already spoke to the department heads to tell them if there is anything they want to reduce or change, let me know. So we might see more implementation of changes throughout the years just to keep with design trends and stuff like that. So that's it.

Can I ask a question, Frank? Absolutely. I don't want to put you on the spot. Yeah. Um is there May? Sure. Let's put you on the spot. Um so if you can go to the calendar just for a moment. Yep. So, um I'm I'm a little behind on my prescription here, but I think from what I can see, it looks like there are all the committees and council meetings. Is that is that right? The whole board meetings. So, um I don't know if it's possible to build this or if it's possible to add this as a feature, but if someone wanted, let's say, to see all the events that were happening at Hackpack

without clicking through to a new website, is there a way subsequently at some future time? Yeah. to add something where if someone could pick push a button and they could have hackpack events populate on this calendar or recreation department events at this calendar or health department events at this calendar. So we could do uh a calendar sorting so we could sort by event. So actually all of those events are also here. So here's our Black History Month lunchon. Okay. Um so that was here. Okay. So you could see those things. But um yeah, so we could add toggles similar to how like Apple calendar, Google calendar works. You could toggle on those calendar or something. Color code them. Yeah, that was something that I did want to implement is do a color coding. So we could do that as well. So yeah, absolutely.

I just didn't know if it was feasible with Okay, the way the new site is pretty much anything we can make feasible at this point. So that was kind of the the joy of going in from where we were with CQEN now over to WordPress. It's completely we can design whatever we want. So yeah, anyone else questions? Hi Frank, how's it going? Uh, first congratulation. Oh, thank you. A job well done. You know, you are the technical sav here.

That's why I'm going to ask you this question. Um, is there any possibility given the fact that we have so many different segments of population here? This is a little melting pot. uh that we can have that software translator that you we already have it. I didn't even mention it. So, right here, if you go over to the globe, you could select between Arabic, Chinese. Already have it. Chinese, French, German. We actually only had it before. I forgot to mention that we I forgot to mention we had it before for just Spanish, but we are able to get the whole site into a slew of new languages as well.

So, we have different languages. Uh we have about eight languages here. I think we have to collect through. Thank you so much. And then the other thing is now that um it's set up through if you have your default device set up to a separate language, so say it be Spanish or say it be Chinese, the site will automatically translate. So it won't actually show in English first. It'll show in that language first. Uh because it's through done through Google Translate. So great. Thank you. But now I'm stuck in Spanish. I have to go back to original because I can't see it then. All right. Perfect. That's it. Any other questions? Thank you. No problem. Thank you, Frank. Okay. Tough act to follow. City manager.

Let me get back to the room to switch over to the camera to you. Oh, wait. Hold on. Wait. Let's Let's uh

Okay, you're good.

Thanks, Frank. And I would never attempt to compete with Frank's skills, but uh usually it's me calling Frank saying, "Frank, I need you down here. Hurry up." Um, real quick, just a a quick update. Um, I know there was a little bit of, uh, dissatisfaction in the community about softball and our softball program. And I just wanted to give a brief uh, history on what happened there. So the recreation department opened up the softball registrations on December 24th as well as baseball. So the and the softball registrations were open for over 10 weeks until the end of February where we were forced to close them because at that point we have to commit numbers to the leagues that we're joining and they can't wait any longer. Um so we closed the registration. Uh understood that there was a very very low turnout. Uh we talked to the league. We kind of begged them to to please extend our deadline so we could make one more last ditch effort to get uh more girls for the softball program. And they did give us a few days uh through the hard work of all the recreation department people. They hit social media, phone calls, the schools, we were able to almost double the enrollment that we initially had. So we were able to field teams at all level and commit them to the league. So I just want to give a brief explanation on what happened there. It was no fault of the recck department. It literally was I think people just procrastinated. But I'll just like to remind everybody these registrations are open for 10 weeks. You know, we would hope that you could put it on your calendar and get the registrations in on time so that we can commit to these leagues and get the kids playing where they should be playing. Um so that was just a softball update. Um just another couple city updates from events that happened in the city. Uh on March 14th, the upper the Main Street Business Alliance hosted their first annual St. Patrick's Day bar crawl. Uh I had spoken to them before the event. They were hoping to get 30 or 40 people for it. Uh as it turned out, they had

330 attendees pay to attend, come to downtown Hackinack, spend the day. It included a a free shuttle bus uh up and down Main Street. And it was a phenomenal event. They were thrilled with it. There were no incidents at all reported. Uh it was primarily young people um and all the businesses reported increased foot traffic and sales. So that was a huge huge event and very successful. Um on March 18th, a new community pantry was unveiled at Johnson Public Library. The initiative proposed by Sylvia Brown, a Girl Scout from Troop 5880 to help address food insecurity in Hackinack, where 2788 families rely on SNAP benefits. Her first pantry is located at the Eminem building on Hol Street. This is her second one and we thank Sylvia for her continued contribution to the community. Uh uh on March 6th they had uh hosted the Black History Lunchon. The event was a great success with over 175 residents in attendance. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by 14 parish Caribbean in the city here and everyone had a wonderful time celebrating together. Uh at Hackpack March programming, I'd ask you to visit Hackpack website for full event information. But just two highlights are the Ruth Bower Newatter gallery which is at Hackpack and Bragging rights sketch comedy which is also taking place at Hackpack. And that was all of my report. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. At this point we are going to open up um I'm going to ask for a motion in a moment to open up to public comment on agenda items only. This will be um for any item that is on the agenda. We're going to ask that you come forward, state your municipality, and state which um item, what number item on the agenda you are speaking to. Um if you would like to speak, but not on an agenda item, there's another public comment in just a little bit. So, just sit tight. But if um can I have a motion to open to the public on agenda items only? I'll second. All in favor? I

I Any opposed? Any abstensions? Any member of the public wishing to speak on any agenda item or one more thing before you speak. I don't want to cut you off. Sorry. There's no more clock so I'll keep time for you. It's still three minutes. If once the time Oh, you're good. Okay. So, once the time comes, I'll let you know. Okay. Thank you.

Uh good evening everyone. Bridget, I'm speaking on number four. Uh, Frank, great job as far as the website, but now since we have the tabs and moving forward, is there any way you guys can put on that as well job opportunities that are here open in the city so that way the community knows because everything is more inter, you know, meaning inside. let community know when there are job opportunities so they know from the outside so that way they can apply for you know job job positions so I'm hoping that we can actually do that uh moving forward. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak on an agenda item? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public on agenda items only. No. Second. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Moving on to new business. We have no ordinances for second reading today. We will be um introducing some ordinances for first reading. Resolution number 84-26. Resolution 84-26, introduction of ordinance 05-2026, an ordinance to amend chapter 170 of the code of the city of Hackinac Vehicles and traffic to update various parking regulations. This resolution requires um a roll call. Can I have a motion, please? I'll offer. Second. Okay. Roll call, please. Deputy Mayor Tumi, I.

Councilman Clark Collins, I. Councilman Carol. Hi. Councilman Diaz. Hi. Mayor Gaines.

Hi. Be it resolved that the above ordinance being ordinance 05-2026 as introduced does now pass on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on April 21st, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the city council. And at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and that the clerk be and he is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance according to law with the notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage.

Thank you. Resolution 85-26. Resolution 85-26, an introduction of ordinance 06-2026, an ordinance to increase budget appropriation cap and establish a cap bank. Thank you. Can I have a motion, please? I'll second. Okay. A roll call, please. Deputy Mayor Tumi, I. Councilwoman Clark Collins, I. Councilman Carol, I. Councilman Diaz. I, Mayor Gaines,

I. Be it resolved that the above ordinance being ordinance 06-2026 as introduced does now pass on first reading and that said ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on April 21st, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the city council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance and that the clerk be and he is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage.

Thank you. Okay, moving on to the consent agenda. Um, I'm going to pass it back on to you.

The following items are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any items requiring expenditure are supported by certification of availability of funds. Any item requiring discussion will be removed from the consent agenda and consent agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes including any exceptions and/or additions. The consent agenda a agenda includes resolution 86-26 resolution authorizing payment of bills, resolution 87-26, resolution authorizing tax refunds, resolution 88-26, resolution adopting the Bergen County multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Resolution 89-26, resolution authorizing 100% veteran tax exemption for 34 Emerald Street. Resolution 90-26, resolution authorizing 100% veteran tax exemption for 277 Prospect Avenue, apartment 10B. Resolution 91-26, resolution authorizing veteran deduction for 159 Davis Avenue. Resolution 92-26, resolution authorizing raffle licenses. Resolution 93-26, resolution authorizing Anderson Street Historic District Neighborhood Preservation Program, year five of the implementation plan. Resolution 94-26, resolution authorizing the place-to-place liquor license transfer for JNG Suns LLC for license 0223-33-011-00007 to be located at 89 to 91 Main Street. Resolution 95-26, resolution awarding bid contract for Spring Valley Avenue pedestrian safety project. Resolution 96-26, resolution awarding contract to Athletic Field Care LLC for care and maintenance of city sports fields. Resolution 97-26,

resolution authorizing the release of the maintenance bond for 18 East Camden Street, also known as the current. Resolution 98-26, resolution authorizing the release of the performance bond, safety, and stabilization bond, and remaining escrow funds for 320 South River Street. Resolution 99-26, resolution authorizing the release of any remaining escrow funds for various projects. Resolution 100-26, resolution authorizing the adoption of the Hackinac school traffic guard policy. Resolution 101-26. resolution authorizing approving, I'm sorry, the governing body certification of compliance with the United States Equal Opportunity Commission's enforcement guidance on the consideration of arrest and conviction records in the employment decisions under title seven of the title civil rights act of 1964.

Thank you. Motion to adop to adopt the consent agenda. I'll make a motion. I'll second. Okay. Can we have a roll call, please? Deputy Mayor Tumi. I, Councilwoman Clark Collins, I, Councilman Carol, I, Councilman Diaz, I, Mayor Gaines, I. Consent agenda passes.

Thank you. Okay, at this moment, um, we will open back up to the public. This is for general matters, kind of the open gym public comment. Um, once again, just as a reminder, when you come forward, please state your name, your municipality, um, and I will keep time for you. You will have three minutes. Once we get to the three-minute mark, I will very politely ask you to bring your point to a close. Um, and I just ask that you very politely oblige me in doing so. All right. Um, if I interrupt you, I please, you know, I apologize in advance. All right. If anyone Oh, well, sorry. Can we have a motion to open to the public? Offer second. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Any member from the public wishing to come forward?

Good evening. Marty Smith, Prospect Avenue. I'm a member of the city's condo co-op advisory board traffic safety committee. like to bring an issue to your attention that we think needs to be addressed and that pertains to merge points that we currently have at two locations here in the city. The first is located at Summit Avenue and Essex Street for northbound traffic. There is a merge point on the north side of Essex Street. Currently, there are three lanes of northbound traffic at that location for northbound traffic. The interior lane currently is a dedicated left turn lane. The two remaining lanes permit traffic to go directly across Essex Street to the merge point, which is a potential danger point. We're recommending that the middle lane be made a through lane to the north side of Essex Street where the merge point is located and that the right lane, the curbside lane, be made a dedicated right turn lane. That would eliminate the merge point on the north side of Essex Street. The council would have to work with county on this because they're county roads that are involved. The second location is on Polifly Road at Essex Street. Also for northbound traffic at the merge point again is on the north side of Essex Street on First Street. We're recommending currently there is a dedicated right turn lane at that location. The other two remaining lanes allow traffic to go directly across Essex onto First where the merge point exists. We're recommending that

the interior lane be made a dedicated left turn lane with the center lane being allowed to go directly across Essex Street onto first which would remain the only lane going to that location and which would eliminate the merge point. The other thing I'd like to bring up is we were discussing at the last meeting the question of an ordinance about pedestrians talking or texting on their cell phones while crossing the street. Um I don't think the council has come to a decision on that. Mr. Freeman mentioned that even if we didn't have an ordinance, a police officer could still issue a citation uh for that thing that they're doing. But I'm wondering if a pedestrian were to challenge this and go to traffic court and say to the judge, "Judge, can you tell me what ordinance did I violate in doing this? I'm wondering if councel could tell us what he thinks the judge might say.

What I'll what I'll do is I I know sorry um Mr. Please, mayor.

No, no, no. I just I just want to say I'm I'm not letting Mr. Malageri off the hook. I'm just saying Mr. Malageri will speak speak when we ask him to. So So um so all I'm going to say is we'll we'll take the comment. I I understand the point. Um my understanding and what I'll ask the manager to do is um that an additional ordinance would be redundant because under our existing ordinances we PD is able to issue a citation for um for cell phone you know walking and texting. Um but what we'll do is we'll just confirm because I don't Mr. Malageri is good but I don't think he has every ordinance at the tip of his fingers so I don't want to ask him to do that. Um, but what I'll do is make sure that for the next meeting we have that ordinance for you.

Okay. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you.

I'm Rich Serbo, Spring Valley A. And look, I want to bring up Spring Valley A another time. I' I've talked about this for years uh that people are speeding up and down uh Spring Valley Avenue. It's not policed. There are no police uh on on that road. Nothing. And and it's the buses are speeding. It's not just passenger cars, trucks. Uh check out uh during rush hour what's happening on Spring Valley. Okay, that's it. Now, the other fella that was just explaining the what was it? the calendar and the uh the digital stuff. And I just I'm just going to lay a warning out there that reliance on all this technology is moving us backwards. Okay, it is it's awful. This digital nonsense uh doing away with verbal communication is ridiculous. It's There's a book out too if you want to maybe follow up and read it. It's called the digital delusion. It's a joke what's going on and where they're going to take us with this. It's moving us backwards. Please uh try to get that book. You It's not at the library. So, they won't have it in the library. I guess they don't want anybody to read it. Maybe uh but it's it's a good book to read. The digital delusion. Okay. we need to be uh verbal uh people uh not digital u you know so thank you very much that's it

thank you Mr. Serbo

thank you My name is Margot Cooper of Stanley Place here in Hackinack. Good evening to Mayor Gaines and to the city council. We Hackinack homeowners have questions. TAR application. Matter of fact, the date, when will the TAR application be put on the remaining half of the repair streets on Stanley Place? We have three blocks. Now, our streets are two-tone. It looks kind of tacky. That's one item. The owners of buildings in the pilot program we believe are contracted to make financial deposits into the pilot account. We would like to know what is the present balance. And our last question, how many lawsuits are outstanding here in Hackinack? We understand there are quite a few unfortunately. And how will they be paid or how have they been paid? Basically, those are three questions for the time being. Can't think of anything else, Mr. Mayor,

that's it. That's it. Oh, those are easy. I was joking. Less than three minutes. I know you you've got time. In fact, I'm going to ask you to do I'm going to ask you do me a favor because I was I was writing myself something down. Give me that last question one more time because I want to make sure I don't miss. Okay. The uh last question. How many lawsuits? Because we've been How many lawsuits pertaining to what?

Hackinack. Different categories. We're aware there are different categories. People are suing the town for money. We've heard that for quite some time, but unfortunately we have no idea how the lsuits are being paid, where the money comes from. Is there a special account that is applicable for the payment of the suits? We have no idea and we would like to be more cognizant as to what is going on pertaining to the suits. Hopefully they have diminished but that's our question. We want to know what's what.

Okay, fair enough. Thank you. Thank you, M. My pleasure. Thank you. Always good seeing you. Likewise. classy people. What can I tell you?

Good evening everybody. Peace and blessings to everyone. Brown need to share Hackington. I want to speak on a few people that just came up real quick. I agree with Bridget about putting job opportunities out to the public. The young man that was sitting here um talking about First Street and Polifly, that has been brought up before with the previous council. Nothing was ever done. Um, and so something else I was going to mention about somebody else who spoke, but I want to go on with my agenda. I want to thank the public works, the DPW for their hard work this uh this winter. They did a phenomenal job. I thought they were just coming up and down my road because they was up and down so much on Hay Street. There was black top even though cars got snowed in. Um, it was just part of the process. So, you just had to unsnow yourself. But they did a good job. I called in about a pothole after the snow had cleared. I was on my way to Shopright. When I was on my way back, I told my brother to come help me bring the bags. He said, "Sis, don't come down Hannes." I said, "Why?" He said, "The trucks out here." I said, "Trucks for what? They weren't there when I left." When I came back, they had filled that pothole. It was you were able to drive down the street and this was in a matter of within a half hour that I called DPW. So, they were there on the spot. So, I want to give them their kudos for taking care of business this winter. I know there was a lot of complaints probably but not from me not from the Hayne Street area. Um I wanted to thank the council especially our liaison for a successful black history lunchon lunchon. It was wonderful magnificent is what I would call it. Um I want to give a shout out to 14 Parish restaurant which I heard them this evening again and again I want to thank DPW because they cleaned up they they set up they cleaned up and they even helped us serve. So, they were wonderful, magnificent, multitaskers. Give them guys a raise. Taxes. Okay. What I'm really here for this evening is to talk about ADUs. I don't know if anybody is familiar with

ADUs. Okay. Excellary. Yeah. In New York, they call them as ancillary um properties. Um that's not the proper name. The name is accessory dwelling units. So let me just read from the Mont Clair ordinance what the accessory dwelling units are. An accessory dwelling unit is a residential living unit with complete independent living facilities including a kitchen bathroom located on the same lot as a one or two family house. It may take various forms of including a detached unit, a unit that is part of an ancessory ancessory structure such as a detached garage, which I know we have some grandfathered in here in Hackinack, or a unit that is part of an expanded or remodeled dwelling. They have these accessory dwellings in several locations in New Jersey. I wrote them all down. Let's see where I put them. M Sh, I don't want to cut you off. I'm going to give you Miss Cooper's 30 seconds. So, you have a little like another minute. Go ahead.

Okay. Um, so anyway, I have the ordinance for four different locations. Montlair, South Orange, um, Montlair, South Orange. Oh, and TAC, our neighbors, and New York City. So, I want to submit them to the city clerk. They are dwelling units on our property. It would help us to keep our seniors in their home. It would help increase property value taxes and it would also give an opportunity to our children and our families to build generational wealth. I myself, my kids said, "Mom, I don't want to live that close to you." I said, "Fine. So, I can rent it or either what I would love to do as a foster mother of 25 years here in the city of Hackinack. I would love to rent it to a foster family or a foster child to give them an opportunity to move forward in life. So, I'm going to submit the ADU information to you. Perhaps Hackin Sack would pick up the ordinance. I'm speaking it into existence and um I know things take time, but if you look it over, I'm sure you'll feel as I feel about trying to get these uh dwellings in place. So, I'll give this to the city clerk.

Thank you, Miss Sharie. And hopefully it'll come about. And thank you. Thank you. We'll take a look at it. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else from the public wishing to come forward? Good evening, council. Um, I just have a question. Sorry, just your name for the record. Victor. Thank you.

Um, we are talking about um having a event for Junth. Uh, what is it? I'm hearing that there's a problem maybe with financing. I'm just hearing that. So, I just want to know, are we still in the process of um having that event? I can answer that. Yes. Who said yes? I just we are working on Junth at the rec center. So, that is one of the issues we're going to be discussing or items we're going to be discussing at our next board meeting. So, okay.

Yeah. Um, and speaking of Junth, I would like to see more involvement from the community to truly understand what Junth stands for. Um, historically, it stands for a um the end of slavery in Texas, but what about Hackinack and and our vicinities? What's the true history of our city? So, if we can maybe I can talk to Miss Clark, Miss Collins. So we have a true representation of Juneen here in Hackinack. Thank you.

And Mr. Gatus, before you leave, I just want to make a recommendation, too. Um the council woman mentioned that there are recreation board meetings there. There's an established board, but the meetings are open to the public, so anyone can go, anyone can listen to what the board is discussing. Anyone I think I assume I I believe Sonia, correct me if I'm wrong, there's a portion for maybe public comment or you might be able to raise your hand and be heard. But while these plans are being developed, um whether you speak to the council woman offline or someone else on the board or you're certainly invited to the meetings. Okay. When is the next meeting? Um it's always the first uh week of the month. Can you share your microphone? I'm sorry. Sorry. It's the first um Wednesday of each month.

Okay. So I believe that April 1st. April 1st. Okay. April 1st. Okay. All right. At uh 6 6 pm the meeting starts. I'll be here. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else?

Okay. I'm back again. Bridget and I'm here to talk about certifications. I did do an Oprah on some of your employees on certifications and some of the people um who are in positions that uh either your leadership or department head or whatever um your human resource certification they say none is required. Well, when I spoke to DCA they said that's a municipality thing. But let me explain something to you because I did work in human resource. So the thing here is when you're talking about a human resource, they should have a certification cuz you're talking about New Jersey laws, legislation, you're talking about benefits, you're talking about things that should be held close to the vest when it comes to privacy. So, your person that you have down, um, Cassandra, and I did speak up on this before you guys got voted in on the other council about her having a certification. Yes, she needs to have a certification. She's getting paid a lot of money, taxpayers dollars, and she needs a certification, and we should not, we should hold ourselves or you guys should hold those kind of leadership roles at a higher standard. So, I think that needs to happen. Tim, I know you're working on yours, honey, so don't worry about it. Got you. Allison, I know you got yours. The other one is your recreation person. Your recreation person does not have a certification. Her certification has expired 2014. Now, she must be reertified under the National Park and Recreation. And I spoke to DCA. They no longer do the certification that she has. it falls under the National Park and Recreation. So, she must take a test to be certified to be in her

position, whether she's a department head or whether she is the supervisor of the department. So, I'm just letting you all know that I'm making this all aware. I did speak last time about transparency. You need to have more transparency. And Miss Sonia Clark, you are the liaison. You should have known that as well. That is what you call research. That is what you call looking into things. So my thing here is I like to see these people get their certification because they are getting paid way too much money to be just in leadership roles and not have certifications because if it looks like me, I would have to have a certification. But if it don't look like me, there's the other flip side of it where they don't have to have certification. So I want to see certification.

Hold. Okay. So, I'm just that's all I'm letting it out, putting it out here, you know, on this platform to let people know that we need to have certification and Hackinack needs to hold theirelves to a higher standard when it comes to putting people in leadership roles. That's all I'm saying. Okay. Thank you. Understood. I just want to state for the record as well before you leave. Yep.

And and by the way, always nice to see you, too. I hope you didn't feel slighted because I said it to Miss Cooper before. So, but I I just want to state two things. Number one is we aren't able to discuss personnel. So, we hear you. We hear what what you've said, but in terms of us making a comment and responding on personnel issues, that's not something that we're able to do legally. So, I just want to state that. Just I don't want anyone to say we didn't say anything. No, no. I I already I'm not saying you I already know that you can't discuss personnel, but if you did the research

No, no. I I hear I hear what you're saying. I don't want anyone to have the impression that because we're not responding. The second thing that I just wanted to say about that also, hold on please, is that we do not hire, we hire the city manager, we hire the clerk, and those are the positions that we directly hire. So while I hear you and again this is not a response about anyone in particular but I just want to make very clear that one thing that we can do as council people is ask questions receive answers um we can do our due diligence in that way

but outside of that we do not have the purview to tell anyone to take a test to do this to do that when it comes to personnel and I know that I know that do you know that but I just want to say that for the edification of the public so that the public understands what our limitations are here we can ask and that's and and we do but I just want to be clear in terms of what our limitations are the person you have in your personel I understand that m

have the certification I hear you I we've heard the comment and I thank you for it thank you very much anyone else from the public wishing to come forward yes and just to make sure I'm not sure if you were in the room before so I just want to state um state your name, your municipality, and then um I'll give you three minutes once the three minutes comes up.

Richard Mueller, 70 Lewis Street, Hackinack, New Jersey. Okay. I'm coming here today to talk to you guys about parking issues on uh Anderson and Lynen in that area and asking if you could look at a solution possibly for some of that because there's very very little parking. It's very limited, very tight now that that lot's closed and they're developing that lot maybe. I don't know what's going on with that development, but um my question is, can we look at street parking along that property and opening up parking spaces there? It's affecting the local businesses. Um I'm a member of the Elks Lodge there. We've had people actually parking in the driveway during the day and stuff like that because there's no parking over there. Um we would appreciate it for the extra parking if we could get a little parking out of it. Uh but we're not looking for it to be our parking. We're looking for it to be public parking.

Um, my questions are, could we get public parking there along that street along Lyndon? Yes, I know it's going to slow down traffic. That's probably a good thing. Going down Lyndon into Anderson. Um, if you've ever been at Anderson trying to get out of the intersection, you know how fast those cars come down through there.

Um, I know you guys, whoever does this study is probably going to say, "Oh, you know, it's going to slow down traffic on Lyndon. Maybe we should slow down traffic a little bit on Lynon. Um, I think it would be a great idea. I think it would benefit the businesses there. If you need me to start a petition or something, petition the council for that. I don't have a problem with that. Um, I'm looking for it for the greater good of the whole area because I actually live on Lind on uh Lewis Street and frequent those businesses and uh it's a real issue if you go into those businesses to try and find parking there. I think it would help them. It would help that whole neighborhood. My thoughts are if we could do parking 2hour intervals from 7:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.

and leave on street parking for the rest of it. Okay. We'll ask um the manager if we can have traffic look at look into it. I think it would really benefit that whole area. I missed right.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, anyone else from the public wishing to speak? Yep. Please. And again, when you come forward, just state your name, your municipality, and you have three minutes. Good evening. My name is Rudy Himenez, and I say hi everyone. Hello. And I coming about the problem today afternoon the family the guys. So,

and I'm the aunt. So, my nephew, he's in a bad situation right now because he was stabbing. One of the other bank it was hurt. He's in surgery right now. He's he has about three hours and he got blood transition also. This happened for a while. This start um in the high school. We try to be you know keep in touch with the high school people over there and the only respond that they say oh uh we can we cannot do nothing because this this happened at street out on the street but the problem is inside to the high school and end down on the street.

So you cannot say oh this is not my problem. So we withdraw our nephew from the school because this continue happen. We already went to the police department to put too many complaints. We show pictures. We show barriers. We show a lot of proof. And all the say, "Oh, we just investigate all the time when we trying to have any respond, any answer." And they say, "Oh, we we going to find out. Just just wait for our call. We going to call you if we got something." Today my nephew was starving seven time. This is so sad. Yes.

So you going to way that those kids over there think that there are not teenager or kids think that they're are adults acting like this in the middle of the day

2:30 p.m. in the morning. They don't care. They chasing him for a while. Even they went to my sister house with a sk a mask a scanning mask. I don't know something cover. We show videos. We call the police. The police appeared over there 30 minute after they was on the on the BMW, the black BMW with a play. You know the play that you printed out that is fake. I just recall the car and they just come came 30 minute after. What happened? They left. And what happened today with my nephew? What happened? You guys need to do something because we pay a lot of taxes

for the police department and they appear when everything happened and I heard that they was close by when this happened. It was it was close to here. This is so sad. So they're going to have more powerful powerful than the police department. I think about they have more security about the school the the high school and middle school more security please hackers are too expensive that's I pay a lot of taxes too it's not that good my guys go to to a school I don't know what happened in the in the school so problem in the street so more security please I don't want that for for nobody I don't want a situation for nobody.

Thank you. Thank you. And our our sincerest blessings and well wishes to your family. Truly. Truly. Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? Okay. Seeing none, motion to close to the public. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Deputy mayor, please.

Okay. Good evening, everyone. I'd like to begin by thanking everyone for taking the time to attend tonight's meeting. We truly appreciate your continued engagement here. uh like to say congratulations to all the recipients uh of this evening's proclamations. On behalf of all women, we appreciate the recognition. It means a lot to be acknowledged during women's appreciation month. I'm grateful to be part of a community that celebrates and supports one another. Thank you to Frank for his extensive makeover of our website. It looks great. Great job, Frank. And I'd like to um take a moment to um highlight another cultural event that's going to be happening in um at the Hackpack starting April 1st uh throughout the whole month. I recently received a personal uh invitation to it and I thought I'd I'd bring it out and and share it with you. Um so throughout the month of April, the Hackinack Performing Arts Center will be hosting an art exhibition featuring local artist Ever Blanco Valverde. The exhibition will run from April 1st through April 30th with a special reception on April 9th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for residents to come together, experience local talent, and celebrate the arts in Hackinac. As a fellow member of our community, Ever's work reflects the creativity and diversity that make our city so special. I encourage everyone to stop by, show your support, and take part in this event. And once again, thank you all for coming out. And um

we're really sorry for what happened to your nephew. U and and we wish him really well. We'll pray for him. Thanks a lot, everyone. Have a good evening. Thank you, Councilwoman. I'd also like to start off saying to Rudy and your fa family um my sincere um um I mean just hearing that having children for children myself uh it's it's heartbreaking. So prayers to you to you all.

Um tonight I'd like to share a highlight from earlier today. The council had the pleasure of meeting with New Jersey Governor Mikey Cheryl at Iconic Coffee here at 157 Main Street. We had a thoughtful and productive conversation with her, including her ongoing efforts to help bring down the cost of utilities for residents across the state. During our discussion, I raised Hackinach's interest in moving forward with the solar landscape initiative. As many of you know, representatives from Solar Landscape rep presented at our last council meeting outlining how their program works and how it could reduce utility costs by roughly 30% while integrating directly with your PSCG bill. It's an exciting opportunity for our community and we look forward to continuing that conversation. Um, I'd also like to thank Frank uh for doing an outstanding uh redesign on the city's website, making it more accessible and user friendly for all our residents. He is also the person who brings us the weekly news uh city letter weekly city newsletter which keeps our community informed and connected. Frank, thank you for your dedication and your talent. Please make sure you check out the new design at hackinstack.org. And if you haven't signed up for our newsletter, you can do so by simply entering your email address. Thank you all for being here tonight and for your continued engagement and the work we do together for Hackinack. And as always, get home safe.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Carol.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh she took half of my speech away. Uh yes, we were here today at uh 157 Maine, iconic coffee, and we greeted the governor. Uh she came in with her staff. Uh we had a cup of coffee, we mingled. Uh yes. Uh one of her biggest highlights is solar energy. Uh Councilwoman Collins and I, we discussed it with her. So that's something that uh we could look forward to. Uh it was a good day. Uh every most everybody was there. Um to you guys, I uh all I could say is uh God bless him. I hope that everything works out and his health to a healthy recovery. Um I don't know all of the particulars of what happened but we are here as a city and a government to uh protect our kids and protect the schools. So I just want to say that um our parking problems there on Anderson Street uh we have not uh forgotten about that. But like I said, I made a comment before. I missed my ride aid and my chicken magician over there and and the laundry mat um is since closed. That's going to be a new building. So, parking is a problem. Uh there could be a possibility of parking on one side of Lynden Street. Uh but both sides know. Um well, I I can't say no. I'm sorry. Um, we we'll look into it. So, I want to thank you. Uh, that's all I have. Thank you for coming out.

Thank you, Councilman and Council.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, well, this uh session was very light, most of most of it until uh we got the uh again the information about your nephew. and we feel very sorry about it and uh we'll keep in in our prayers and rest assured that uh as a city administration we do whatever is necessary to make sure that things like that don't happen. Okay. So, uh, with that said, uh, and before we wrap things up and head out, I just want to say how great, uh, it is to, uh, finally welcome the spring season uh, together. Uh, we already can feel the energy picking up in town. And personally, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out and about. And speaking of getting out, please keep an eye on our official website, especially now that we have a a brand new uh to show you. Okay. Uh we got a fantastic lineup of live concerts scheduled from now straight through the fall and it's going to be great series. So don't miss out on these dates. Also uh if you find or if that this uh session tonight was informative uh please we asking you to bring a friend or a neighbor alone next time. Uh we would love to see this uh room full of people uh sharing ideas uh sharing proposals because that's what uh

the city is all about you know listening to feedback uh implementing ideas uh together. So, we love to uh uh also uh to say thank you uh so much for being here tonight and for staying engaged with what happening in our community. So, thank you once again and God bless you all. Good night. Before I go, I'm I'm going to apologize to our city manager. Usually, I give him an opportunity before we speak to sweep any comments that he wants to um respond to. I don't know if you have anything that you want to ju

just a two quick updates. Um, actually, Miss Rucker, the um employment the job postings are on the city website. They're just they're under the personnel department, so you can find them there. Maybe Frank could put them in a more conspicuous place. That might be helpful. Um, what's that? It's on the home page.

It's on the homepage as well. Okay. Thank you, Frank. Um, as far as um talking about personnel, uh, Cassandra Sashadri is our personnel director. Um, she I've known I' obviously I've been working in the city of Hackac since 1983. So, I've worked with quite a few personnel directors and I can say Cassandra is one of the hardest working personnel directors that I've ever witnessed here. Being able to to handle over 500 employees, full-time employees, is quite a task and she does a phenomenal job. And I will also add that she does hold a master's degree from Fairley Dickson University. So, it's not that we don't look for certifications, ma'am. As far as uh Lisa Marie Sheiley, our recreation superintendent, uh she holds a state certification. She received that in 2014. That's when she completed the coursework. Every two years she has to get reertified by doing continuing CEUs, which she does, and we have confirmed that.

Yes. So, sorry. Sorry. Wait, wait, hold on. Hold wait. Hold on. What I'm going to ask is if you can I'll wait till you finish it and then I'll ask you personally. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Rocker. Thank you. That was all my updates.

Okay. All right. Thank you. Um All right. Just a couple of things. Um first I want to uh once again I think Miss Sharief mentioned I think a couple people might have mentioned but the Black History Month lunchon um was not only well attended, not only well executed, but it was also quite delicious. And I will be honest with you and say I was rushing a little bit and uh the council woman asked me if I was hungry and I said no no no which is what I always say and she said I'm going to make you a plate and she did and I wasn't even in the mood for that food until I smelled it in my car. So I don't I don't remember the name of the business if you want to shout them out one more time.

Parish for Parish. They were they were quite delicious. But seriously, it was a well a well um organized event. And I just want to say thank you to uh the recreation staff, the recreation board that I know was really active in assisting and um to everyone who attended very well attended. So if you attended um thank you. We had some elected officials and members of the clergy there as well. So, um, additionally, um, just to echo what everyone said again, we had the opportunity to see, um, Governor Cheryl was here today, um, at Iconic Coffee and this was something that, um, was really great because, you know, one of the things that we have said many times from this deis is that we are the county seat. It's important for us to work with the county. Um, we are also the most populous municipality in Bergen County and it is also important for us to have a good working relationship with the folks who are in Trenton. And so, uh, the governor came through today on her way to a number of events, but we were joined by a number of members of the legislature. Um, and she had the opportunity to meet with Mariah, who is the manager at Iconic Coffee, um, small business here in Hackinack, blackowned small business here in Hackinack on Main Street. Um, Lavar, who is the owner, um, was away on business, but you know what, it was his loss today. Um, but she will be, um, invited back and we had a wonderful opportunity to, to have some words, um, with her. So, uh, we just wanted to highlight that as well. The, uh, St. Patty's pub crawl was a wonderful event. I was there for all of

about 15 minutes, but it was incredibly packed. My goodness. Um, got quite overwhelmed, so it was very nice. Um, and if you missed it this year, please, um, come out in the future. And um the one thing I just want to mention, there were a couple questions about that Miss Cooper had. I do want to address one thing about the road paving. Um typically I would throw that to Ryan Westerra um to answer that, but there there was a schedule for um road repaving and there is there that schedule still exists and that schedule will still be acted upon. What did not cooperate was the weather and so um I think do wolf place got done some of Clinton got done I think some of st but not everything got done and then the weather kind of put the brakes on things literally but things will things will resume so it's not that we don't want to leave the stripes if it's supposed to be fully done um Ryan has gone through when if it's PSEG does half the road or the full road or whatever the case may be and I'm not going to get in I don't know the particulars of Stanley Place but I will say that we started and then we had to stop because of weather but it will resume. Okay. Um and uh there are other things that were mentioned. I'm I'm sorry. I'm going to just kind of bypass some things. I really just want to address um you and your family. Um there is no nothing more important that we do than to make Hackinac a safe and secure place for everyone. And I know that um you know it was mentioned that we pay a lot in taxes and that there's a certain responsibility that comes with paying a lot of taxes for the for everyone to do their job. I want to be

very clear. I don't care if you're a renter. I don't care if you're a homeowner. I don't care if you pay one cent in taxes. I don't care if you pay a million dollars in taxes. Actually, I guess I do care if you pay a million dollars in taxes. But no one should be assaulted on the streets of Hackinack. Period. Especially not a kid. Especially not a kid. I'm sorry. So what? of them will be that they join the basketball team. So what I'm what I'm going to say

to that is I presume I know that there is an investigation that is ongoing. That investigation obviously is outside of our purview and you know that. But the things that we will do is make sure that from our jurisdiction, we are putting whatever procedures in place with not only PD but fire, with all of our first responders to make sure that everyone in Hackinack is maximally protected. What we are not going to do is say if the issue emanated in the schools, that's the school's problem. That's not what we're going to do because the schools are part of Hackinack 2,

right?

And so if that means that the manager has to communicate with the superintendent and figure out how we can make sure that issues that perhaps emanate in the schools don't spill out into the street, then that's something that we can take on by having good open communication. But I just want to make it very very clear. Everyone that sits up here cares about children and cares about safety and cares about security. We have parents sitting up here. We have educators sitting up here. We have people in law enforcement sitting up here. We have people in fire. And so what happened is a tragedy and it should not have happened. It should not have happened anywhere. But what we can do is certainly pray for you and your family. We can wish everyone the best and we can also do what we can to make things better for tomorrow. And that's that's what we try to do. I I mean this so sincerely. We care. We can't solve everything overnight, but we hear every single comment that is made. The good, the bad, the confusing.

We hear every single one and we try and figure out how we can help. And so we pray for you. We wish you the best. We hope that there is a full recovery. Um, we hope there is justice and beyond that um I don't know there's been a lot of weirdness in Hackinack. You look at the paper, you look online, there's a lot of weirdness and we need to um to do better. We need to do better. So, I just want to thank you for raising that and and say God bless you. And with that, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjurnn.

I'll offer that. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you.