Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. We're ready to call the meeting to order. Council members, 107.

Good evening, council members. We're ready to call the meeting to order. Council members, we're ready to call the meeting to order. Okay, I was going to put some Good evening everyone. On behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the regular meeting on March 10th, 2026 at 700 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. Madame Clerk, please call the role.

Yes, Council President. Roll call for the regular meeting of March 10th, 2026. Councilwoman Cotton here. Councilwoman Dava present. Counciloman Jackson here. Counciloman Khik, Councilman Mendes, Councilman Omar, Councilman Uden, Councilman VeZ, present, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Council President, I am here. Madam Clerk,

thank you. We have five in attendance at the present and four absent. Let the record reflect that Councilman Khaled, Councilman Omar, and Councilman Uden will be a little late tonight based on um their IFAR obligations. This evening's prayer will be rendered by Reverend Anna Fernandez of Alesia Casa De Leon Partueblo followed with with the flag salute led by Honorable Council Vice President Marissa Dava. Oh, sorry.

Thank you. Buenardes. Good evening everybody. Good evening. Good evening.

Let's pray. Patterson. Jesus. This month we honor the women's and we celebrate women's. Father God, I ask you to give you the guidance, the wisdom, the compassion and the love to all the members of this table that be light in paris that in in the shadow in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. 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. Can we remain standing for a moment of silence for our troops, our veterans, and all that have lost loved ones. Thank you. Madame clerk, we'll take the consent agenda.

Council President, may I read the statement of compliance at this?

Madame Clerk, could you please read the statement of compliance? Statement of compliance with the open public meetings law 2025 through 2026. Meeting date March 10th, 2026 7:00 p.m. Adequate notice of this meeting was compiled and disseminated in accordance with the open public meetings law in the following manner. One, the annual notice of regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council was compiled for the year 2025 2026 on or about July 1st, 2025. Two, a schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly transmitted on or about July 1st 2025 to the North Jersey Herald News, The Record, the Arabic Voice, The Italian Voice, the Pay County Post, Dominicanana News, Laiskea International, Ellis Pasiel, the Patterson Press, the City Post News, Tap into Patterson, The Weekly Bangla Patrika, in addition to any other publication duly requesting ing such notices. Three, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was prominently posted in the lobby of city hall first floor in the place reserved for the announcements of this type. Four, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly filed with the municipal clerk. And five, a copy of the schedule of regular meetings of the municipal council was mailed to any person who requested and paid the fee authorized by the open public records act. Council president,

let's do the consent agenda. Madam clerk, consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine by the council and would be enacted by one motion. The items listed under the consent agenda are numbers 3 through 26. Any item may be removed from the consent agenda by the request of any council member and if so removed will be treated as a separate matter. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Davis, second by Councilman Veles. Council President.

Discussion. Councilman Jackson. So, I don't necessarily need a uh discussion, but what I do need is a moment to review and uh I need a moment to review because um you know this consistent practice that has just been developed of where items have been um changed around andor uh added to the agenda after the fact. You know, it's very disheartening, council president, that you have been a stickler, especially when it's very relevant and prevalent items that, you know, I've made an attempt to get on the agenda and how items are required. There's no, you know, even you even spent a night at the fire uh union hall expressing to them that there's a process and a requirement for the process. And now I'm getting that, you know, items are being, you know, arbitrarily added to the agenda, which is extremely um disheartening. So before we vote, I'm definitely going to need a moment. Otherwise, I'll go outside so we don't have quorum and we can put this meeting on hold. But I'm going to need to a moment to to uh to review if anything has been added since the workshop. the these uh new items that you decided to add onto the agenda that had that did not get discussed over at the workshop is uh is a bit of concern to me. So, if I may

Thank you for your Thank you for your in one second. Thank you for your inquiry. Uh the only item that has been added and I want to congratulate Miss Lena Stokes who is a longtime employee and resident of the city of Patterson who is being inducted um into the community action hall of fame in Washington DC. I got the request from Patterson task force by Miss Janet McDaniels if we can add it because she's being honored uh later on this week and we will not have time to do it. So, if you would like us to remove Miss Lena Stokes from the agenda, Councilman Jackson, we can do that. But that is the only thing that has been added. There's nothing else that was not discussed in this meeting that has been added. Just Miss Lena Stokes, and I know she's watching, as well as Miss Janet McDaniel who called to make the recommendation.

Council President,

Councilwoman Dava. So, I also do want to um let Councilman Jackson know uh we were all in the same meeting and uh there was in there was in the workshop we did not have the MOA uh for the fire department. we needed to have a finance meeting and a public safety meeting and we did do that and that is why on Friday everyone received the agenda which is the same agenda that's before us today and with that the added item and the MOA was added so yes that item was not on Tuesday's agenda that is correct but we were in the same meeting where we discussed that we were going to have the committees and have the item added on Friday and Friday um that's what was So, I just wanted to clarify because that's the other item that was not in the workshop,

council president. Um, but just to reiterate, it was discussed because Councilman Jackson and Councilman Mendes asked about the item and it was stated it would be on tonight. So, it was talked about. It wasn't a full discussion, but the uh MOA was sent to all council members uh some days before for them to review it, but so everyone has it. Council member Le,

thank you. We all know that the discussion was open but it was not a particularly item on the agenda. I just want to uh uh now that we have a discussion on the consent agenda u through the chair um Mr. Ba and madame clerk if it's possible nothing nothing against and first of all I have my glasses because I just went through surgery I don't want to look that cool but it look nice. um is nothing against the hardworking taxi drivers that we have in the city of Patterson. Nothing against the company, nothing against the taxis, but I need the man and clerk to send a letter to all the owners of the companies that owns in the city passing taxi regarding where they're supposed to park their vehicles based on the document that they put that they were supplying parking because they taking residents parking. And if the car get tow during the night, don't call me. Why? They got told there's an ordinance in place. No commercial vehicles to be in our streets and cabs liberty taxis are in that ordinance and they put a contract saying that they will have parking available for their cabs. Nothing against you guys. You work hard. I love you guys. You do a lot of service in the city of Patterson, but also we get especially in the areas in the city that we don't have limited parking. Those cap needs to be in the designated contracted lot that they say they have, not in the street taking residence park. I just want to say that because I see a lot of license cap renewal and is um is um is fitted to say it at this point. Last but not least also, Mr. Ba

uh I receive a lot of complaints. We visit the city uh the office a lot. Ruby and other councilman um around the city uh people are complaining that they cannot find parking to conduct business and city hall pay their taxes. We got seniors, we got handicaps and there's a lot of cars parked around the city with a utilizing the meters with a decal saying city business official from the city of Patterson and a lot of them are expired. So the complaint is they come trying to look for parking and they came and say who are all those cars and they utilizing the meters and if the city is paying parking for every employee to utilize their parking designated spot in the garage to to see if they could cooperate to have more city uh people that comes to pay their bill they could find a parking in and out even customers from those meters. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you for your point of observation. Councilman Jackson, are you okay? The item is on regular, but

No, I'm not okay, Council President. Not okay because you have um been a very big stickler for the entire time you've been the council president on on the process of how things work. Item number uh 40 was not on the workshop. It was not discussed. From what I understand there was an interview process that the it's the entire council body. It is not one individual. The council presidency does not give you a unilaterally uh uh unauthorized authority over the rest of us. And without us the the rest of the council maybe. I'm not sure because I know that you three of you had taken place in the um in the in the interview process. I don't know if other council members was were were informed but I definitely was not.

I'm a part of this council body. we make decisions that should not involve the mayor's office. And the way it feels to me is that the the this precedented position that has been uh uh honorably held by a longstanding group of Patterson residents and people who have long-standing commitments to our community has now been uh commandeered by a process that's been flawed. You've made a you made a very big point that me as a sitting council member that has written legislation has not been able to get items on the agenda. They had to go to workshop. They got to go to committee. They got to go to this. They got to go to that. Now we have items that's being placed on the agenda which is which is very unfair even for the person that's being appointed because because the process has been has been tainted. And uh you know I rested there. I realized that it's not on the um consent agenda. I needed to review the entire agenda because again after we have a workshop committee meeting after I mean after we have our workshop meeting if there are any items that you decide to add or anyone other other council person makes a request to add all council members should be equally informed. I was not informed of this process as a countless other other items specifically you know when you make a fuss about how items required to go through committee ours items are required to go through workshop you're mitigating the process you're mitigating the process that you said is in place so I have an issue with it but and of course I don't understand why a long-standing champion our in our community like Miss Lana Stokes would be singled out as if, you know, she's a champion of the first world war. Why would I elect to have that removed? And it's not a position of someone being, you know, giving someone praise and accolades for the longtime commitment that they made to our community is a

totally different situation scenario than hiring somebody that's going to be one of the most critical positions in the city and and the function functionality of how the city runs. So, I'm I'm I'm I'm fine with moving forward, but I'm going to let you know I'm taking issue with with you and your and your uh your lack of um consistency and how you choose to deliberate these meetings. Thank you. Um I'll address that after executive session, which is the process. Madame Clerk, roll call on consent agenda. Roll call on the consent agenda. Councilwoman Cotton.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to um say that if a item is to be added later that needs to be added, it would never go on consent. It was it would have to be read individually. It would never be put on consent. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Davilla.

The other thing that I'd like to add also, uh the agenda went home on Friday. So, an item just like the one that was sent home on Friday, like the MOA was not on the workshop. And we all know and I'm going to respect what uh exe uh our madame clerk madame president has stated that there will be an executive session to speak on the item that the councilman um is questioning. All right. Uh there is a process. The council president sets the agenda. It's sent home on Friday. This is not the first time that there's an item even as far to go home and on a Monday before the Tuesday meeting. It has been added. That has happened. I have been here for 12 years. Um has it happened a lot? Absolutely not. Okay. Um I've been council president three terms. Did it quite a few times. Um so um I just wanted to clarify that before my vote. Um and and respectfully I'm saying this, you know, that is the process. It is written. we are able to add items to the agenda and in a timely fashion where on Fridays when we receive the packet you are able to read every resolution every item uh taken you know therefore so um madame clerk my vote is yes for the consent agenda thank you councilwoman Councilman Jackson

thank you madam clerk well first of all I'm the last person that needs to be educated in the process I I I often you know have to re-educate these the the people that I sit next to with regard through the process. The reality of it is I just sat in a meeting last week and there's well over half two dozen men that can prove this where council president said that it's absolutely impossible to add an item to the agenda that was given to us almost a week and a half prior to a regular me regular meeting agenda. I have a gentleman that's in the room that was there. She said it could not be done. She said there's a process. It has to go to committee. it has to go to a workshop. I wrote a piece of legislation that would remove the city from the Garden State growth zone that would disallow for automatic 30-year tax abatements for over 500 plus parcels that's in the city. Council President refused to let it on in collaboration in cahoots with council vice president because she's been commandeered. The council president has been commandeered and I'm not afraid to say it. She's being coerced and overtaken by this entire syndicate right where Aean is utilizing his seat. By the way, I'm going to post it. I had to write my own legal brief because I was sued in my own capacity as a count in my capacity as a council person. By law, he is required to oversee any such infractions because if in the event I'm found negligent and or a person is awarded a a a cash or a a monetary reward based on something that I did ineffectively or illegally in my p position, what does that do? That puts

the municipality at risk as well. If a person is awarded of cash uh uh uh monetary settlement based on an agreement whatever or or lack of uh representation that a council person has who by the way is entitled to legislative uh immunity and his office fails to act. What does that do? So I guess they assume that I'm going to just automatically fall in the blade like I'm incapable. No, I'm fully capable. I wrote the brief and I'm going to vindicate, but it's I'm not going to negate not pointing out his failure or his obligation, his duties to oversee not just the mayor's position, but the council's position as well. He's supposed to, although he's hired by the mayor, he is approved by the council. So, all of the activity that's going on and council get making excuses of why our hands are tied and how we can't do certain things. Now listen, I'm regretful that this has to happen because obviously we have an incoming clerk that's has to work with everybody, but this should have been handled the proper way. This should have been a committee of the whole. The public who has to deal with that office should have been made aware of it. Everybody should have been well informed. There should not have been a process that took place in a cloak of darkness and ends up on on an agenda just arbitrarily that mitigates the process that she set forward as the council president

and she's over here acting like she's a dictator like she sets the rules and that's not how government works. That's not how this process is supposed to work. So although they have their team together and the five people that's going to go along, I will not go along without protests. Now it needless to say, we're not talking about credentials or all of those other things. How do you vet that in a night? How do you vet that over one meeting that we're going to have a discussion in executive session? That doesn't happen that way. It's not how this should have happened. So, while all of you in the in the public who's wondering why our community is so dismantled, you have an administration that cannot keep an an executive uh employee base. This this mayor has gone through more employees than any other mayor in the history of the city of Patterson. And you know, Madame Clerk, did did Miss Alexander happen to leave a document that I had prepared?

Pose a question? It's a yes or no answer. Shake and nod your head, madam. Council President, oh, you address it. Okay. All right.

This freaking guy, as many questions as he la last week, he couldn't keep his microphone off, breaking the quorum, talking over everybody. He's refusing to follow the guidelines in which I always follow. Right. But I created a a a plaque that I'm going to make sure at the next meeting to Mr. Mark Seaman, the outgoing BA who was here for a record-breaking time of only 6 months. He stood on uh integrity and stood on principle and got in here and found out the corruption that existed in this in this min in this uh administration and he couldn't even handle he his body started to shut down. He got sick because he couldn't take the corruption that's here. You had a a a a a personnel director that was signing off on documentation that she should not have been signed off on, giving her friends raises. And this gentleman, Mark Seaman, not this gentleman here. Definitely not this gentleman. Mark Seaman didn't find it necessary to stick around. He said, "Listen, I can't be a part of this." And that deserves an acknowledgement. So, I promise you public, I will have that acknowledgement in hand. Even if I'm not allowed to present it, I will make sure it gets presented. Even if he's not here, because someone who stands on principle and stands against corruption while our city's being rampled, trampled over deserves to be acknowledged. And madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Vz. Thank you, Council President. Um I just want to set a little bit the record clear on the workshop. Um there was some item that was discussed and um I believe the one of the duties that any president of the council will have is to work with the city clerk, the administration

to prepare the meeting agenda. And if something is asked for any council members to put in the agenda before it's published on the workshop, that is the discretion of the council president or any president that sit here. That's the rules. Now I will have a problem if they want to put something agenda after it was published. So saying that normal business whatever is in the agenda we could discuss it because in the agenda and we could do the show whatever you want to do but we still have to do city business. My vote is yes to consent agenda.

Thank you Councilman Council President. Um I will address it later. I don't need to address the commentary now but I will definitely address it later. Madam clerk my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are five and madam clerk. Yes. There we go.

Yeah. We're going to have this all this is going to be a long night. I will be speaking a lot tonight and it's a matter of educating the public. I'm not going to let him do that. That is not the process. That is not the process. And if I need to read it again, which it was read on the record a few weeks ago, the process in which items are made make it to the to the agenda. Any council person has the privilege to placing any item on the workshop agenda. All items all such items shall move forward. It is not the discretion of the council president. Now it is an action of the council body at whole. So if the if councilman Jackson is the only one protesting this because council president is commandeered and working with other people and can manage in the cloak of darkness to put an item on the agenda at night, then of course nobody else is going to say something. But that's a lie. That's not the process. Obviously he doesn't know. He doesn't even understand the position that he that he holds. So, Madame Clerk, that definitely needed to be put on record. My vote is once again yes.

Thank you, Councilman. The votes are five in favor, four absent. The consent agenda is hereby adopted. Madam clerk, can we take payment of bills? He's not pay. He's not paying bills. It's because it's seventh day. One second. Council President No, I got them. Payment of bills.

Thank you very much, Council President. Um, the payment of bills are in total of 3,736,561.76. There was no payroll this week. Uh the amount of computer checks were 3,736,561.76. The majority of uh the payments are for uh Phil the additional garbage company and some other small checks. My motion is for payment of bills. Second. We have a motion from uh Councilman Davis, second by VeZ and Mims. Discussion.

Discussion. and Councilman Jackson. So, one, we don't have an outline and of what these statutory uh expenditures are 1.9 million. Can I get an explanation on that, please? CFO, what wouldn't the chair person um outline

1.6 of it? Me one second. Let me look at my notes. No. Um Okay. 1.6 of the 1.9 for statutory is fil and the new company which is instate waste. The rest are grants payments and they're all detailed. But but why are we why are we paying that through statutory? And I guess the CFO can answer. Why not why are we why are we not paying it through um solid waste? Solid waste is part of

CFO. Solid waste is part of statutory other statutory expenditures on the on the line. Yes. Is we we never paid it that way in the I mean I've known I've known that there it's been done periodically because of whatever reason. But in the past before you was a CFO we've never done it this way. It's always been like that. Council it it hasn't been paid through DPW. Tyler waste now. Tyler waste at home.

No, I'm talking about um All right. All right. I I I'll make sure I find it. I'm not going to sit here and dispute it right now without without proof of the allegation. Further, have we gotten any details, council members, with the respect of the the uh assistant that's working overtime that that has been um uh endowed to to receive checks and pay periods of $15,000. Have we gotten an answer on that? Mr. Ba, I asked for a request. I've requested that from you uh multiple times already. Have you,

Mr. Ba? Council, my only recollection on this subject is you've made passing comments during comments you've made at council meetings, a specific request for specific report. I'm I do not recall that and I've been very diligent about writing your requests down. You you you may have been diligent on writing them down, but you have not been diligent with filling them. You've filled maybe one or two. I've I have filled a majority of the requests and any requests you haven't on is because they were open-ended requests that require meetings and a little deliberation. Like for example, what requires a meeting? What what one of my requests? I requested the the expenditure report from the PRC.

I have not received that. I I requested an outline of the overtime by all those officers that have take take home vehicles. Also, also the the municipalities in which they take those vehicles home to. I haven't gotten that. And I also requested the overtime report from this employee in question for the $15,000 in um in one pay period. How are we how we justifiably paying one employee over $30,000 a month? That's not true. Well, if it's not true, then why haven't they taken the measures to dispel the the the allegations? I

I Councilman, this is the most specific you've been on this subject at all. My only recollection is a passing comment over overtime has been provided to you. And just to get back to your original question, what could require more work? You asked the question about sewer connections on a specific on a specific street. That that takes some meetings with who are the who were the principles involved at the project. Sewer connection on a specific street. Yeah. You So this is a request you made. What request? The Gilades conversation. The Gilad conversation. Remember the Gilotty's conversation? It's not a It's not a sewer connection. It is a sewer fee. that that subject that subject because that that operation is not paying

right. So what I'm what your answer is what could require more time that particular subject I'm still working on gathering the details so I can get you a complete answer. So my the point I'm making is any requests you make where there's a document ready or can be just generated within days. I've sent those to you. Whatever you haven't received are things that take a little time to put together. Thank you, Council President. Oh, listen. You wake up.

The while while the entire city has been plagued plagued with overassessed values of three to four times their amount. And there's a large conglomerate enterprise up there facility that has been alleged not to be paying their fair share in sewer. How much time would you need? I mean, it's only you probably only have about 2 or 3 months left here. So, how much time would you anticipate needing to see whether or not they're paying their bill? I didn't ask you for a detailed report on now, that's something that should that was completely simplified. Are they paying their fair share of sewer that they're tied into our sewer lines? We don't have an answer for that. Councilman, when you ask me for a full report on something, I work on it until I have a full report for you.

All right, fair enough. So, I guess I'll receive a report on how long it would take to get the report together. You'll receive a detailed report that gets you the answers you're looking for. You will. I got to give him credit. He's more of a flashier BSer than the C than the previous ones, but I I'll give him the uh the the latitude, but it was not going to last very long. Madam clerk, I mean, I'm I'm I'm clear. Roll call on payment of bills, Madam Clerk.

Roll call on the payment of bills in the amount of 3,736,561.71. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davilla, yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Listen, my good people, my residents of the city of Patterson, this document, this singular document right here talks about everything that's wrong with the city, the way in which we spend money, the way in which we spend money. $1.9 million for one singular payment and the services that we receive are still subpar. You you can't get a report on whether or not a an entity that has been tapped into our sewers well over five years, almost 10 years, we can't get a report on whether or not they're simply paying their fair share of taxes. And you see the operation of how council members are not doing their due diligence and holding people accountable on the spending. This is where the power for of the councils begins and it ends right here with the spending. So these automatic yes votes that we continuously allow this mayor to run away. This mayor has spent more money than any mayor probably in the history of this in the state of New Jersey. He spent more money on all of these things and we don't even they we can't I I've asked there's a number of different things. How much money is left in the uh ARC funding? Where is a detailed expenditure list on ARC spending PRC? There's so many things that has not been provided. I did I I'll acknowledge I mean he's given me I did see the one item with the uh the police that that laid out well over possibly 12 to 15 individuals that's taking home vehicles that only two people in the city should be entitled to take home vehicles. They're filling up with gas. They're taking these vehicles home. We don't even have an outline report on who's paying for this stuff and we're wondering why we're in bad straits. Madame clerk, I'm going to remain diligent. My vote would be no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman VeZ. So, payment of bills, we have different departments that has their different accounts. They make their different payments for any other expenditure they have to do. But the main question here is the $1.9 million other statutory expenditures. We're not talking about statutory agency told. One one second. Can someone please get our council woman? We don't have a quorum. Please ask council. She broke. She broke quorum

for the first time. We apologize public. Uh finish council member.

That's okay. It happens. So we're not talking about statutory agency. Statutory agency function is another things. This statutory expenditure is payment state by law contracts and other obligation financially that the city of Patterson have to make. So saying that I'm certified for the payment of bills. That's a respons responsibility of our service have to get paid. You like it or not, that's administration responsibility to improve. Our responsibility is to vote to move forward whatever they put us on the table. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Council President, my vote is yes to pay our bills.

Thank you. The votes are four in favor, one against, four absent. Payment of bills is hereby adopted. Madame clerk, let's take our second reading ordinances. Items one and two. Second reading ordinance. Public hearing is required. Ordinance establishing all way stop control at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Alabama Avenue Public Works. Resolution number I'm sorry ordinance number 26-006. Second move by Councilwoman Davis, second by Mims and Veles. Public portion is public hearing is now open on the for item number one for item number one on an always stop sign.

Seen a one move to close. Seeing none. Move to close by. Second by council Dava. Roll call to close the public hearing on item number one for always stop sign. Roll call to close the public hearing on second reading item number one. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik, Councilman Mendes, Councilman Omar, Councilman Udin, Councilman Vez, yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Council President, yes. Thank you. We have five in favor, four absent. Item number one is adopted. That's to close the public hearing. To close the public portion. Roll call on item number one. M. Roll call on item number one for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava.

Yes. Council Jackson. Yes. Councilman VeZ. Yes, Madam Clerk. Councilwoman Mims. Yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are five in favor, four absent. Item number one is hereby adopted.

Item number two, Madam Clerk. Item number two is an introduction of the 2026 budget of the Bunker Hill Industrial Park Special Improvement District. Resolution addressing 2026 budget procedure requirements for the Bunker Hill Industrial Park Special Improvement District. Authorizing reading by title only, authorizing budget introduction, directing the clerk to advertise it and schedule a public hearing, and directing the assessor to prepare an assessment role of properties within the district finance resolution number 26104. Second move by Councilwoman Cotton, second by Zava, Mems, and Valz. Public hearing is now open over the um

procedural Bunker Hill. I'm sorry. Item number two. Yes, there's no public hearing. There's no roll call on item number two. Madam clerk, discussion. Yeah. Discussion. Councilman Jackson. So, um this is this is this item is just to publicize their budget for their upcoming vote. Correct. Now, have uh have they undergone the the reassessments as well? Those properties in that in that district? I know the majority of them are all um commercial uh properties but what what what are we the assessment was it only for residential properties or was for industrial commercial properties as well

for the entire city. The assessment is for the entire city. So and these properties undergone the assessment as well. Correct. I'm assuming correct. And there's no substantial changes to to the anticipated um levy or or impact that the these properties would would have that may uh require us to take another look at their their budget. Are you talking about the Bunker Hill budget or you talking about what talking about the Bunker Hill budget? Well, their budget is based on a percentage correct of their assessment.

I understand that. and also on on amounts that they they think they might need. So their budget in 2025 was 160,000. Their budget this year is 150,000. Last year it was what? 160,250. So it's a reduction.

Yes. So here you have a group of primarily non-residents industrial properties, properties that are making, you know, there's a lot of businesses there that do enormous business. There's businesses that take up entire city blocks. And if this isn't an example, because we understand that they dictate the the the purpose and the distribution of this particular budget, but if their budget is based upon a percentage of their assessments and everybody in the community's assessments have gone up, then that would automatically just I mean, I'm no rocket scientist, but if it's based on a percentage and the percentage is increasing, that would mean their budget was increasing and not decreasing.

No, cuz they they base their budget on a total. So, if they say we need $150,000, then they take a percentage of every single assessment and build it that way. So, if they they basically whatever they decide their budget is, then the percentage comes off of that total. So, if they reduce their budget, Yeah. But that um that requires if they if they make a significant change that requires council's approval. So what we're doing now is not necessarily giving them authorization to publish it for their this is our approval. Does this budget have to come back before us? Yes. Okay. Front I understand council president. If I may, Council President, Council President, Councilman, Council Motton, and then Council

I just want to um address Councilman Jackson um about the assessment at the Bunker Hill. Um they were assessed just like regular homeowners, regular people, they were assessed. The only difference with this this Bunker Hill and residents, residents can go before the county board of taxation. Commercial properties have to go before the state of New Jersey if they're going to request uh if they think their taxes are too high. Commercial properties go before the state of New Jersey. Residential properties go before the state county taxation board. So, and they were assessed just like we were assessed. Um so, I just wanted to make that clear that they were assessed um with that and some of them and I know and I know some people here are going to go to the Betate County Taxation Board. Thank you, Council President.

Council member BZ. Thank you, Council President. Uh CFO, are you aware of this SID? CFO, am I aware of the Bunker Hill budget? Yes. And the function of it? Yes.

Okay. So the SID from downtown district I could say it start from Memorial Drive all the way down to um Chiani Street from the cathedral all the way down to Broadway. So this is the SID and the properties around here belongs to the SID and they do the assessment on those property. But can you tell me the how many property is in that SID? Because in the first $150,000 says Patterson SID real estate assessment. How many property are in the SID in the Bunker Hills? Because if you're going to tell me that Patterson SID real estate assessment, this look like a one one small property assessment for $150, $250. And if it's possible, you told the SID individual Bunka Hill to bring and if it's possible, Madame Clerk, you could write this down to for your report that the SID needs to bring. How many property are in the Bunker Hill in those two? Okay. And what was that? No, but I listen. Can I ask in the record for they could deliver when they come? So to see how many properties are in the SID um in that Bunker Hill Bunker Hill and those two park special improvement and um and geographic to see where starts where ends you know to see if that matching the real estate real estate assessment of 150,250 how many property this will include. So that that amount of money. Thank you,

Council President. Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number two. Um, Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So residents, I'm going to try my best not to labor all this stuff out too long, but it is essential that you understand the role of the council, right? We have a large number of businesses that's in a specific area. They create this budget themselves. It's called the special improvement district. We have one downtown as well. So they could determine whatever it is and they the the the members get together and and make this decision. But what I'm pointing out here is the council's lack of oversight. Years past when, you know, we had some more um concerned and skilled council members on the on the council, every one of these SID these special improvement districts organizations would come before us and they would have to do a presentation based upon what their budget is, based upon their their needs, what are they doing, and we would have to approve it. Now, why does that why is that important? Because again, the council has has dropped the ball when it comes to oversight, right? And when you talk about spending, it starts and stops right here in the council. So, I just get a a a an email from uh you know, a a resident that happens to sit on the board in the city. Public notice temporary library services change effective Monday March 16th Patterson Free Public Library will el be will be will eliminate temporary branch implementing I'm sorry temporary branch closures and service reductions due to current city funding constraints. These changes may include limited hours reduced programming at some locations. These measures are necessary to manage current financial limitations while maintaining essential services for the community. Library leadership continues to work with the city officials, continue to work with the city officials

with this council, right, who's done nothing nothing to ensure their full uh uh financial support. Continue to work with the city officials to restore full services as soon as possible. We appreciate the community's patience and continued support. Updates will be shared on the on the library's website and social media channels. Now, when you have a library, an essential service to our community that is, you know, a subsequent uh uh uh service to a population of youth that are being grossly undereducated and undersupported. While the mayor is celebrating cutting rippins and spending $110 million on the stadium, of which that's another report. When he first got here, the very first report I asked for from him was the expenditures on the stadium. Still haven't received it. Still haven't received it. They gave me some nominal uh uh uh uh uh report that the stadium did on their $3 million a year operational deficit while we by the way allowed the PRC an operating entity under the city to give that give the entity that's mismanaging the stadium another $3 million or five whatever whatever the amount was. We have the library saying we are going to have to close our doors and reduce time for services that we could give to the youth of the city of Patterson while people in this council sit here and allow this mayor to run derelik and spend money, give $50,000 pay increases without performance reports. Right. And we think that we're we're doing such a phenomenal job. We're moving the city forward. Moving the city forward to to trash can. Now, I do understand this unrelated to this item, but every item that's on the agenda that has a financial implication on the city is

related. Whenever we have services that's being uh derelict and we're we're we're not providing an opportunity for our youth, we are failing our community. Madame Clerk, vis uh uh uh reluctantly my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman VeZ.

Wow. So, ladies and gentlemen, let me put on on the floor the real facts. Last Wednesday, last week, we have a municipal service statutory agency meeting. I am the chairperson. Ruby Kai is the vice chairperson. Councilman Michael Jackson is a member and Councilman Alex Mendes is a member. I called a meeting in advance because there was some concerns from some residents regarding the library and I stated in public that I was going to do a joint call a joint meeting with the BA and the BA was in that meeting. Council Ruby Ken was in the meeting. I was in the meeting. The director of library was at the meeting. The director of housing was at the meeting. The director or the representative of parking authority was at the meeting. The only person who was not in the meeting was LA uh the museum. So the director Mr. Fleming is the one to speak on behalf also from the museum. He said that he received this letter. I got to protect the person that really sent the letter, but the person that sent the letter did not raise nothing that he stated in this letter in that meeting. and the BA could testify and also madame um councilwoman Ruby Khan could testify that he stated that they building a good relation with administration and they have a good conversation with them and

they working towards a budget that represent the needs of the city in the public library is a disgrace that they take my meeting and they talk highly about everything about the library and then make a show fiasco regarding the situation in library without no reason. So, and then they send it to the wrong person to put the wrong facts. So, ladies and gentlemen, the conversation's on the floor. The budget for the library is being discussed. Okay? And we got to be diligent to make sure that no library gets closed. We're going to make sure that the library get the service that our community need and we are going to be eight responsible councilmans making the right decision for the resident of Patterson. My word is yes to whatever we was voting.

Thank thank you councilman. Councilman colleague we're on item number two for the Bunker Hill Improvement District. Item number two. Good evening everyone. This is the bunker hill. Thank you. With budget pro procedure. Yeah, they do come in front of us every year with their budget by line by line by line by line. Not only the bunker hill also downtown seat. For the record, I just want to clarify they do come. They will come in front of us and they will present their budget line by line and we will vote on it. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Council Council President. And that is accurate. Um, this item is only to publish it. When it comes time to the budget, they do come and they always speak. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are six in favor, three absent. Item number two um is approved. Uh the hearing will be held at a special meeting on April 7th, 2026. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We're going to open up public portion.

Okay. We have approximately 22 speakers that have signed up. I see our amazing union here from ABSME. Um, and our the union president and the leaders from and all of the members of ASME that that do great work in the city of Patterson that are here. Um, and I'm I know uh the union president is first, but I'm actually requesting that all of the people that she um have spoke to them that are speaking that they will all um speak at the same time at the union president's request. Um, I know they have signed up to the public. Um, you have three minutes to speak. There will be a timer that will be on. Um and then at the end of uh public portion I know there's some conversation discussion if you're coming we have Javier if you'll raise your hand. Javier Fernandez our constituent services he's here. So when you have questions and or concerns they are written by a clerk. They're written by BA but constituent services is here as well. And then there are some of the directors that are in the room that are able to respond as well. Madame clerk, first speaker I believe is our union president, Miss Latrice.

Yes, the first speaker is Lorice Tucker. Kindly state your name and address. Thank you.

Lice Tucker, 101 Belmont Avenue. My name is Lice Tucker. I'm the president of ASBY Local 3724. A lifelong resident and employee of 22 years. We local 3724 are the largest civilian union in the city of Patterson. I stand before you today to address the concerns of my 160 plus membership. We have been in negotiations since our contract ended in 2022. We have not had a pay increase since 2023. But we have not we have had other increases included but not limited to insurance twice in less than a year, rent, electricity, food and gas. Our members are the lowest paid employees in the city of Patterson. They're underappreciated. I hear a lot of talk in these chambers about boots on the ground. Council members, we are the boots on the ground. No matter if it's our security, economic development, inspectors, clerks, IT, records, purchasing personnel, taxes, OEM, sewer, sale block, health and human services, municipal court, real flicks, fix, and our wonderful members who put these meetings together in the city clerk's office. We have major input in this city. We may not have the arsenal of the police department or the bravery of the men and women that run into burning buildings in the fire department, but we are heroes in our own right. As a friend who died in the service of Patterson, excuse me, and the in service of the city once said, "We have given our blood, sweat, and tears to this job." Jacob Buyer, this moment is dedicated to you. We still continue to carry your message. Enough about us. This is now more about you. We need your help in bringing ourou over the finish line. Two of four business administrators in the

last year have told us that the state is kicking our back. We don't know who in this state. We won't name names, but we have an idea. I'll just say that. Okay. While we understand the city's need for state aid, we don't get a say so in selling our souls. It's hard to understand why the state would seem punished people who are already on the bottom of the food chain. We have at least we have asked for on at least one occasion to have a conversation with the state monitor. It doesn't seem likely to happen. Councilwoman Mims also so graciously reached out to us to see what she can do to help. I thank her for all she has to do and will do. But I watch enough meetings to know that we need all of you on board. It takes more than just one the head. We need the whole body. Um we are happy to do the work for the city of Patterson and like many of you our motivation starts with compensation.

It is also important to mention that our retirees our retirees who are also counting on these monies after years of tireless ser service to the city. In closing, I ask that you help us get the money that we have already worked for. Excuse me. Excuse me. Nerves. It's okay. Got it. Got it. It's okay. As I already stated, we are boots on the ground and at this pe at this point in time, our feet are bare.

It's time for new boots. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Patrice. Next speaker for Ask Me. Yes. The next speaker is Augustine Sanchez.

Please state your name and address. Thank you. Hello, my name is Augustine Sanchez. I'm with I'm a staff rep out of Ask New Jersey Council 63. I represent the health department. In June 2025, the health department ratified and signed a memorandum of agreement. We've been on hold. We were we were put on hold waiting a decision from DCA. Uh it wasn't until December 2025 in which the city reached out to us and said that DCA finally approved their memor memorandum of agreement in January 20 uh I'm sorry January uh 2026 this council approved that MOA and until today uh 6 I believe 6:15 I received that memorandum of agreement that went after four requests for the ex fully executed MOA since January. This is what your Patterson Health employees go through even after not even after not receiving raises for under this administration for two years. We've had issues with payroll calculations, payroll deductions, overtime calculations, and they're not being resolved. Just today, Patterson DPW finally received their fully executed contract after waiting five months of signing it, not coming into an agreement. The council already agreed to it. The mayor already agreed to it. Everything was settled. We just waited five months to get a a fully executed contract. Ask me. And all of its Patterson locals demand and expect respect. The service they provide the residents of Patterson whether it's with the health department whether it's with the courts the libraries DPW are provided with pride and professionalism. These traits are then

exploited on social media and the credit taken by this administration. It is our expectation that this administration provide better treatment of their employees since it already uses our members successes for political theater. Remember, most of these Patterson employees are pass Patterson residents. On a side note, I do want to say that I did re I did finally receive that MOA from the for the health department from Mr. Goleck, which is quicker than I ever received anything from any of the previous business administrators. We have to do better for our for our employees that serve the residents of Patterson.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Jennifer Champatazi. Please state your name and address. Thank you.

Hi. Uh Jennifer Second Ward. Good evening, members of the city council. I'm speaking tonight on behalf of my family who have lived in our home in this city since May of 2001. We are here because of the ongoing construction work being performed by Halft near our home has been causing severe disturbances and damages that we can no longer ignore. What we are experiencing is not new. These issues have been occurring for nearly 10 years and each year the damage has gotten worse. Despite repeated complaints, the conditions continue and we are now at a point where we genuinely fear for our safety. The ongoing work has been has caused extreme vibrations, shakings, and serious structural concerns. We are regularly woken up by the noise and movement in our homes. On many days, it feels like we are experiencing earthquakes inside our own residents. This is not normal and it is not safe. We are living in these conditions every day without knowing what could happen next. This is why we are asking for immediate attention and proper documentation. This is about protection and accountability. God forbid a home collapses or someone is seriously injured to the continued negligence of Halft and the Patterson. Um, we are here because after nearly a decade, we can no longer wait and we respectfully ask that the city council take this take this matter seriously and help guide us toward real real action. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Amanda Ellis. Good evening, council. Good evening. My name is Amanda. I am also a homeowner.

She's my neighbor. There's five town houses. They are three stories high above ground. Above ground. These homes are shaking. They're trembling. We have cracks in our walls. Pictures falling off the walls. Sofas shaking. Chairs trembling. This is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If we're ill, we can't even take a day off from work cuz it's like we're living in a war zone. The fire department actually came out because I went into my basement. My wall, which is a shared wall with the next owner, is cracked from the ceiling to the floor. Wow.

Now, during this time, they uh they actually advised me that they wanted permission to actually review the total house around the house, everything. I gave permission to do that. They advised me that there's three other cracks and they look like they're damaged to my foundation. Now, my unit was built first. Mine is the first and then they added four onto it. We all pay a lot of money. We're hard workers. Our taxes go up every year. We are very frustrated. We really need help. If something happens and these homes collapse, then you guys are going to be saying sorry for the loss and oh, we didn't know. And things of that nature. We need you guys attention immediately. We need help. We work hard for these homes and we really need immediate attention as soon as possible at this moment, no longer. Thank you for your time tonight. Can we get a next exact exact address?

Councilman Velesz, there's no speaking. No, no exact address. Councilman, the be he's waiting for you in the back. Next speaker, madam clerk. Next speaker is Cory Teague. Point of order, council president. At least an exact address so we know what we're going to do. Corey Teague. So, point of order. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Council President. Considering that you've shown there's a the uh the the possibility of deviating from your predescribed processes. I think you know um this this also when you have other council members that are also looking to get further information. You've put forward a process through your tenure that we didn't want we didn't want to have a open dialogue. We're going to allow um Mr. Fernandez, who obviously is not getting anything accomplished right now. My the point of order is actually that if you're deviating from one process and you're placing items on the agenda, why aren't we allowed being allowed to deviate? Council members are requesting the floor to be able to have an opportunity to speak of of which we all do have the opportunity to do so. and and and yet you're still continuously uh u mandating these these these uh uh these uh uh practices that are being uh targeted only towards certain things. When you decide that you want to place something on the agenda or you want to change up the process, you're not allowing for council members to do the same thing. And that right there needs to be addressed.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Um, our great councilman of the second ward is fully aware he has already been working with these residents. Um, and the information that's needed will be provided. Next speaker, madam clerk. Thank you. Next speaker is Corey Teague. Please state your name and address. Thank you.

Good evening. Corey Teague, Patterson, New Jersey. Just here tonight to alert the community that there are some serious decisions and things being made at the board of education. There is a regular meeting tomorrow even though it's virtual. I did post the information on my Facebook page, my Instagram page as well, so that you guys can follow what's going on and you can be made aware of some of the decisions and actions that are taking place. Once again, please visit my Facebook page to get more information. Um, you can even go to northj jersey.com and look at some of the articles and what's taking place right now. I will say this, parents, more than ever, you have to become active in what's going on with your children's education. You cannot leave it and entrust it to anyone else right now. You need to make sure you're in those buildings are meeting with your teachers, the principles, and so on so that you understand what's going on here. There's also a push back that we are doing. We're organizing with the parents. We're going to Trenton, and we're going to keep this fight going. I've been advocating since 2012 and I'm not going to stop anytime soon. Please visit my page to understand and learn what's going on. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Yes, the next speaker is Cameo Black. Please state your name and address. Thank you.

Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. All right. I came I wanted to ask y'all um who appoints for a public defender for municipal court. The business administrator who we can give we can after you're done then they'll be able to answer.

Okay. Well, my question I asked y'all that because um I filed charges against somebody back in 2023. We've been going back and forth to court since 2023. She had Balomo that was um fighting cancer from the hospital bed on life support. Then he passed away. Now my court date is at a standstill. I mean what works in this city? Nothing works. People is tired of paying taxes. Y'all know this. I don't even come here no more because I feel like it's just it falls on deaf ears. Another thing, Valz, like I said, and I'm going to clarify it again at the AG meeting when you said your um street is safe. I never said our block was unsafe. But what I need to be done, and I'm going to say it again, all those stickers that's expired. They need to get on their job before a kid get killed. People have to stop coming down South Hard making a left onto Parkway. It's illegal. They have to stop doing it. So, I appreciate if you get on that. Another thing in the back of my building, I cannot sleep. They added that deep walk in deep freezer back there. It's loud as hell. I cannot rest. They have to stop doing what they want to do. That's what I'm going to ask you as the council mayor. And I don't need you to go and report back to everybody because right is right and wrong is wrong. I've been there for 15 years and I'm just asking for respect and sleep and rest in the music. Once the sun come out, you got to explain to them. I understand they're celebrating the warmth, but some people we have to work. We got to get up. We got to pay bills. People can't party and drink Modella and Coronas all night. That's out of it. And that's all I have to say. But I need somebody to get back in touch with me. I've been going to court for three years. I'm over this court date.

Something has to be done. And another thing I requested from the judge, the transcript. When does a transcript cost $350? Enough is enough. And that's all I have to say. Have a good night and I hope I do not have to come back down here. Thank you. Ba. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Marina Burke Cox. Marlina Burks Cox.

She left, Madam Clerk. Okay.

This is really phase one of part one to part two when I'll come back next April. And what I'm going to also do is go to the leveling rent board with some of our issues. But some of the details we're going to be talking about when I come back, well, I'll bring fact sheets. I'll bring financial data. I'll bring proof. I'll bring evidence and I'll bring requests for specifically what I need for help and what we need for help. So, the new management order, just to give you a background, they took over the previous lease. Um, this happened, as I said, a year and two months ago, and there was no charge for the assigned parking and basement used for storage at that point. I'm just going to mention that one point because it's relevant. The new management owner started showing up unannounced, aggressively trying to intimidate us to move, offering cash for keys, and he refused to provide a new yearly lease for us. So, we've gone monthto-month. He also attempted to charge us for that parking and basement that many have been using for 10 years. He came at our doors and at my particular door, he came screaming and he started banging on the door. And this has just been their their their mo. Um, they've refused our requests and emails for any security department deposit information now for a year. They've caused fear and panic by giving a master key to all unsupervised unlicensed workers sent to the building. In fact, the incidents include a police were called for one incident because they wouldn't leave. The lights were left on overnight. The doors have been left wide open. The water's been left on. and paints been spilled from basement to basement by migrant unsupervised workers that all have the master key. My particular basement, they came and they kicked the door in so that they disabled the dead bolt by destroying the trim. Um, still haven't gotten repairs for that, although I've sent numerous requests, but they don't believe we own that basement area. So, that's what they

continue to maintain. the master key abuse. Um, this is really an unvetted entry into the basement without any notice and with the biggest risk because it's all to squeeze the long-term tenants out and by stripping our basic amenities and charging junk fees. I see it's very close to the end, but also they've just recently gave us a new lease and this new lease is pretty severe. So, thank you for listening. I'll come back next month. You're welcome. And we'll get a response. We will have a response for you. So if you just wait, they will respond. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes, the next speaker is Lorraine Collins. She left with ask me. Next speaker, madam clerk.

The next speaker is I believe it's artist or Aris. Yes, he's in the back. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Please state your name and address.

Palamino. Mr. Jackson. Salute. I was running for Mary, but I found out halfway four years to my salute. We'll be see you. Mr. Jackson, you are the streets. We know each other from NBA barber shop. That's the way back we go. Councilman, all I want to do is change the streets. As there's homelessness, there's pollution, there's violence, there police and sheriffs can only do so much. What we need to do is every entrance passing have have officer there. So we have safety take off tents from vehicles. That's just that. I see Van Holland girls, they get high. My own twin sister got high and I broke the man who did that to her in jail. I'm tired of passing being named bad city. We are the mecca. We are New Jersey. We started a law in New Jersey. Trump said we kissing ours. He put us to war for what? He has an immigrant wife. Why is he deporting Mexicans? Wake up, Trump. This is our America. It doesn't matter what you stand for. You came to this country for a reason. To support your family. That's why I'm here, sir. I love I love passing. I'm a passonian to the heart. I'm Riverside. I'm Audi from Fort Dad. That's who I am. I'm all passing. Mr. Jackson, I put for salute on you. Your support. I I will talk to you every day. I give you my ideas to change the city because doesn't matter. You say, you're Clifton. Everybody knows who pastor is. We are the Mecca. We stand for everything. We have millions and millions of our country in our city. Yes. Is wrong. Mayor put history stadium over our our people. These people are hungry, homeless. They get high. I see this every day when I go to Eagles to eat. I got kicked out of the warming center three times. A warming center. I got frostbite. Is that fair? All I'm trying to be is humble. I went to sate giddy house to have warm bed. We need the Red Cross in Pas. We need shelter. We need churches to be

open. We need to We need the people to be taken care of. The people who work who pay taxes. I'm sure you could you could spend $100 on on people to get clothing, food, shelter. Mr. Jackson, that's all I have to say. I love you. You have they have my number. We'll talk. Pass it first. We are the Mecca. Make a difference, sir. Love you. Palmino out. Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Next speaker is Francis Harrison.

Please state your name and address. Thank you. Good evening. I have fel uh several things that I wanted to discuss. One of them is a question really. Uh we sit up here and we watch the workshop and we listen to you guys.

You don't have any information from the administration. I'm just wondering if you ever get any of that stuff. And if you do, I think you should tell the public some of the uh information that you've asked for. The data of money collected, the data of people who are whatever your item is that you asked for. And we hear you asked for it. So, we're wondering whether or not you ever get it back. That's one question. The other one is about the library. I don't remember how long ago it was that they finally put the library in the budget as a line item and now we're at the point now that the budget is being chopped away for the library. So we understand that the library is going to close up some of their uh offices and like to know why that is being done. You discuss processing all the time, but I think under processing, we can also put the other word enforcement because every time something is put out there, whether it's a legislation or whatever it is, I want to know when you do these legislations, do they incorporate who's going to enforce them? Because just writing legislations without enforcement doesn't help anybody. The other issue I have is the sewer bill. We just got it maybe last week. It was due out in February. It says on the bill that the bill was due February 2nd. The next payment is May. On the bill at the top of the bill, it it has added February and May together. And it tells you that's what your bill is due now. So, I'm not understanding who set up

that process on it, but that's an issue, too. We keep talking about things that are constantly going on. I have a problem with DPW. It seems as though DPW comes to the board asking for additional money for this, that, and the other thing, but they're not looking at their employees and trying to encourage and then um get them the training that they need. Why can't we have electricians for DPW? If the city has electricians, why can't we have these other um groups that are able to do work and get these guys some training? Spend some of that money inhouse. We looking at the roads that going to be fixed. The other question before it runs out is what kind of material that this company is using for these roads because it's garbage.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. The next speaker is Eddie Olivaris. Good evening, President Name, please.

Mr. Jackson, uh, you keep on asking about those reports, and I am going to tell you that you're not going to get any reports that will open up a window for the administration to look bad, especially Hinchcliffe. Tens of millions of dollars were squandered and they're sitting in somebody's bank account and it is costing us to keep the temp thing open. Could you imag imagine an investment of 100 $110 million and we're losing money on that? Mr. BA, that's a problem. But anyway, that's not what I want to talk about. Last week when I was here and we had the uh the director of public health come up to this microphone and state that um homelessness is not under the purview, does not fall under the umbrella of public health. Everyone here, including that child, knows that that is plain stupidity. And it is concerning when we have a director of public health that does not know that homelessness is part of, you know, one of the things that he has to deal with as concerning. And thank you for coming in, Mr. Omar. That was perfect timing because I am going to address you. Last week in closing, you said something to the effect that I I I shouldn't have taken cheap shots at the at the public health. Mr. Omar, would you please, you know, maybe you stick to saying my vote is yes, Madame Clerk, because anything else that comes out of your mouth is simply stupidity. and to suggest that I didn't say anything about the director because I was afraid. When

I challenge you guys, I challenge you on your mental capacity, on your ability to think, not on physical anything. This is not a pissing contest, but people of Patterson, this is why we are in the situation we're in. It's because we have people like you. And then, you know, he runs and we elect them. We are to blame people of Patterson. Let's stop blaming them. We have Mims, we have Davila, we have Mudin, we have a whole bunch of people that is they're telling us we are going to keep on doing the same exact thing that we have been doing for the last 200 years and yet we're going to get a different result. We going to stay in the uh um uh garden state grow zone. That that would be messed. We we we are not going to vote for uh measures such as buying our own trucks and creating our own um uh sanitation department to clean the city ourselves. And you're telling us you're going to change it by doing the same exact thing. People of Patterson, when you look in the mirror, you are looking at the corporate. It is you. It is me.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Jared Barnes. Please state your name and address.

Good evening, buds.

Good evening, um, council me councilman and councilwoman. My name is Jared Barnes. I'm a graduate of Rosel Parks High School, um, leader of Buds and a veteran of this community. Um we're here again on the issue of the um vape shop ordinance that we wanted to put in place. We're trying to figure out exactly what's taking so long cuz again we put in the alcohol ordinance and that was a lot quicker. So this community is disheartened and um the parents of this community is frustrated because their kids are walking past vape stores and we don't know how many. We don't know where they pop up from. We don't know who owns them. We don't know anything. So, we're here for the parents of this community, the youth of this community, the future of this community to make a difference and get re get answers from you guys because you guys are the only ones that have them and you're supposed to be advocating for the betterness of this community, the future and the present. So, again, um I'm from Mr. Vle's council um from

Thank you. and um a member of Coward Baptist Church. So, we're just here for answers and to get clarification. Thank you for your time and have a good night, Council President. Thank you. Great, great job. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Council President, next speaker, Madam Clerk, we will address We will address afterwards. Uh, just next speaker, Councilman. Council President, Council President, Councilman, we will address Council President, I understand. Councilman Vez, you have not been given a floor. You're out of order. President out of order if I will be out of order if I start speaking without You are out of order. You're using the gaggle. You're learning. You're out of order. But let me tell you something. You're out of order respectfully. And you are the council president. The floor respectfully.

You have to learn. Robert jump in your conversation. You asked for the floor. It's embarrassing to direct. It is embarrassing to it was you to address him. You will be councilman bz. It is embarrassing to our youth. Council, we want to address them the right way. And the right way is exiting the floor to council president and she don't even listen to analogy. You have not allowed me to address you. No, you shut me down without even asking. Council member, shut it down without asking. Next speaker, madam clerk.

Next speaker is Mr. Smallwood. Please state your name and address. Thank you. William Smallwood, City of Patterson. Let me just first say as it's women recognition month, I walk past the sign in the hall and I want to thank whoever put it up. We acknowledge all the women in this city and the state and throughout the world. We say a We also want to say to our Muslim brothers and sisters, Ramadan Karim. We hope you're having an amazing Ramadan. And to Jared's point, he's just trying to make sure we have clarity because we know the ordinance went through. We just want to make sure we have clarity as to if there's going to be an amendment. We want to know what that amendment is and we want the community to be informed of what that amendment is. I think that's what you were going to touch on, but we just want to make sure that it happens cuz these young men who are here have to go to school tomorrow. So, we're not going to be here to have dialogue afterwards, right? So, if we need to set up a meeting with whoever committee I think um Councilwoman Dava, this is your committee, correct? the for the smoke shop. Okay. So, um I'm so used to you having that committee because you had it back in 217 when we did the liquor ordinance.

No talking of court. Same thing I just told Councilman BZ. Right. So, if we need to have a separate meeting to discuss it with you, sir. We willing to do that. But we definitely want to make sure as Jared pointed out that we're able to inform the community of what's going on.

Okay. The other thing is that I was at the Martin Luther King celebration which a lot of you were there. um Malachi's mission and I pointed out I had a flyer that I didn't make that was made by the parents from the community addressing the concerns around the library and I stated then we should not be closing libraries. We should not be losing staff. Um Miss Harrison was there when I said that cuz she did a poem just before I said like I said some of you were there. So I just want to read to you what came out today from the director at the library. Public notice temporary library services changes effective Monday, March 16th. The Patterson Somebody just read it. He just read it.

Jackson just read this. Then I'm not going to read it again. I just want Excuse me. I promise I won't read it again, Elder. Um, but nevertheless, I'm still going to say this. This was said at the Martin Luther King event, right? We need to make sure that we're not closing libraries. I don't know what the story is around the funding. The community needs to know we cannot afford to lose any services that provide um resources to our children. We already have an issue with our board of education closing down schools and thank you Councilman Jackson for speaking at that meeting. So, we need to continue to pressure and put issues around the table around that. But we also need to make sure that we're having discussion and the community is clear as to what's going on with our library. Once again, not only do our children use it, the majority of people that work at the library have been working at the library for years, Pisonsonians, right? So, we can't afford to have any resources or services closing our community to our children. So, let's please make sure that we're informing the community exactly what's going on with that as well. We're going to stay on top of this. This just came out today. So, I know the community will be out here in large numbers to deal with this issue. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes. Thank you. The next speaker is Joel Keys Jr. Please state your name and address.

Tested. I'm here tonight to continue what I have been saying since 2021. We want to bring democracy to Patterson. And to be clear, democracy does not mean voting once every few years and then going home. As Dr. WB de boys, Malcolm X, Kwami Toré, HR Brown, and even Noom Chsky all made clear in different ways that version of democracy is an illusion. What we are living under is corporate imperialism. A system where money, developers, lobbyists, and private interests dominate public life. So tonight, I want to reiterate the new definition of democracy. Democracy is not a ballot. Democracy is the people organizing and mobilizing as a united force every day in every space where power is exercised, including this chamber. That is exactly why Councilman Mike Jackson matters. During several meetings, Councilman Jackson explained the payment of bills protocol and in doing so, he exposed where real power actually lives. The mayor hires the administration contracts. But the council's ultimate authority, its real power, is the ability to pay or withhold payment. When a council approves every bill without scrutiny, you know, madame clerk, my vote is yes. It surrenders that power. When it refuses to separate non-essential or suspect payments, it protects this administration instead of the people. Councilman Jackson has said plainly, quote, "We can separate those items, withhold payment, and demand accountability." That is not radical. That is responsible governance. And yet, instead of joining him, eight of his colleagues have ridiculed him, isolated him, and placed

the entire burden on his shoulders. That behavior exposes something important. If one council member is willing to challenge suspect payments, cozy relationships with developers, and administrative corruption, and the other eight are not, that is not disagreement. That is coordination. That is complicity. That is how corporate imperialism operates at the local level through silence, rubber stamps, and political theater. Councilman Jackson exposes this body because he refuses to play along. He acts like an elected activist, not a politician. He shows desperation because the people are desperate. Families facing eviction, neighborhoods facing neglect, and residents demanding honesty. Let me end where I begin. Democracy is not something we are given by this council. Democracy is something we build together. I reiterate democracy means the people organizing and mobilizing as a united force to conduct social justice activism. And Councilman Jackson, we have an elected activist whose lead we can follow. So let's follow the leader beginning with making him our next mayor. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes, the next speaker is Ariel Leoritz. Leitz, I'm sorry. Please state your name and address. Thank you. Good evening.

That's all right. Good evening. Uh my name is Ariel Leavitz and I grew up in Exit County. Um I currently live in Jersey City. I'm here tonight u as a public policy specialist um with Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States. I've come to urge this council to consider joining 150 cities in New Jersey, uh, as well as over 500 nationwide in passing an ordinance that bans the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. I'm urging this action because Patterson's One Puppy Store is currently breaking state consumer protection law. um is sourcing from out of state puppy mills that no one would knowingly support and has been they've been cited for keeping dogs in cages too small for them in overcrowding um and for a couple of different health code violations as well. On top of this, there's nothing stopping another store from opening in Patterson. And so now is the time to enact an ordinance like this, put an end to the puppy mill to pet shop pipeline, and uh prevent more bad actors from coming in in the future. So 150 cities in New Jersey have passed humane pet shop ordinances because puppy store residents or puppy stores harm residents by deceiving their consumers with lack of transparency, selling sick puppies, and using predatory financing practices. most recently in Union City and Jersey City where I currently live. Um, this has been passed and uh uh there are more cities that are considering this as well. I'm here because no pet shop needs to sell puppies and residents can still find the pet of their choice from shelters, rescues from responsible breeders in our region that sell directly to the public. Um, and I hope that you take this in to consideration. I'm happy to answer questions afterwards and connect with any of you. Thank you for your time.

Thank you so much. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Zakiya Mack. Please state your name and address. Thanks.

Good evening. Zakiya Mack, Patterson, New Jersey. Um, I haven't been here for a while and I tried to give, you know, other people opportunities to come up and speak, but when we sit and talk about the integrity of Patterson, I really like to know what definition you define integrity. Because when we sit here and we're in this council chambers and we have all the council members at each other, that's not integrity. When you have the mayor that goes on national TV to tell residents not to use their pets for parking spaces, that's not integrity. Because who puts who puts their part their pets outside in a parking space? Now, yes, we saw garbage cans, strollers, kitchen chairs, kitchen tables, but I have not saw a pet. But no one has corrected this man on how to present himself as the mayor of Patterson. I'm starting to feel like we are in the D, the DOJ trying to find out who's in the Epstein files because you can't get no answers. No one knows nothing. Two weeks later, you come back. I don't forgot the question that I asked you, but you come with me for the the answers two weeks later. And it it is so mind-boggling as to how we have nine council members and no one sits to correct anything that is not supposed to be in this city. Now, instead of the mayor talking about pets, how about we talk about these buildings that's going up with no parking spaces. How about we talk about the schools that still the lunches is horrible. They don't have no money. We don't have no money. I don't have no money. But we all sit here and argue about what

what have we got accomplished in the eight years that he has been mayor? What has been accomplished? That's an honest question because we done saw the parks being renovated. We saw that every park has been renovated. But guess what? The kids can't use it. Why they can't use it? Drug users, prostitution, and this is what our kids are looking at. I grew up in this city. I didn't have to look at that stuff. I went to East Side High School. Didn't have to walk over nobody. Didn't have to watch them shoot up. So why should I subject my kids to the atrocities that's going on in this city? And we sit here and bicker back and forth with each other. No, you're not right. Yes, you're right. No, I don't think that happened that way. Oh, yeah, that did happen that way. But no, there's another turn to it. And we all are confused. The residents are definitely confused because we don't even know who to follow. There is no leader in this city. None. We don't went through I don't know how many administration. Everybody's leaving. Why? That's a question that really needs to be asked. Why are all these department heads leaving? And until we figure that out, Patterson is always going to go under.

Thank you. Next speaker, madam cl. Yes. The next speaker is A. Robertson. Can you state your name and address? A Robertson. A Robertson. Yes.

Good evening. I guess the culture of the city has been removed. I think this what the young lady is referring to. I came with no agenda, but I do have some issues. There's a food truck, and please, I don't really want to be on Facebook, Corey. There's a food truck that's camped out on West Broadway at the bottom of the bridge, uh, West Broy and Memorial Drive. And those that come down from Westboro will see that food truck. It is blazing by 7 something in the morning. The concern with that food truck yesterday evening after 5 cuz they have to enter into that juncture on the west Broadway side because on the island there's barricades. There was cars parked on top of the sidewalk right before the yellow gate. director of constituent service. Um I I don't have issues with food trucks and being out there, but when there was a gentleman who had a food truck on Van Halton Street, they gave him a hard time a few years back. My thing is, is there a licensing to have food trucks in these areas? And if so, then why something was not looked at? Because my thing is the point of entry into that that yard and it's always packed. Secondly, the dog poop. I think there was a whole bokeen mayor on channel 12 news who was talking about the poop in her city. We got dog poop going. It's massive especially in by the St. Joseph Hospital area. Um do we have cameras? The other issue Cliff Street. Cliff Street in Oxford. No, Cliff Street. Belmont my what? Belmont my Tower where Belmont Towers is. That's Cliff Street and the

other one is Oxford. So I'm going to talk about Cliff Street dumping. I don't know if it's dumping or is it that the residents on Belmont A? Are they Cliff Street? I'm sorry. Are they taking are they moving their garbage across the street where the railing is? So, we need to look at that area to find out if that's garbage coming from the residents or is it dumping because there are tires out there. Oxford Street, when was that street paved and if it was paved and if it was on the list of pavement some years back, we need to look at that street cuz the street is bad now. Um, that's really it. Oxford, Belman, uh the food truck on West Broadway, traffic and the point of entry and um you know more to come. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes, the next speaker is Colette Delane.

Please, I had 30 seconds left this morning at about 7:15 coming off of Memorial Drive on to uh on Memorial Drive on toi street. It's usually a two-lane right and then a hook right. There literally was a car to the left of me and if a car had have been coming down Ellison Street making a right turn onto uh that would have been catastrophic. A car literally behind me zoomed in front of me and zoomed across the light. We need officers uh we need uh unmarked cars out there. You know, one facing CNC street, one on Van Halton Street. So this way when the uh unmarked car calls it in that they could catch them. It's really bad out there. We need the enforcement out there.

Thank you, Mr. Robersonson. Thank you so much. Yeah, you're welcome. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Colette Delane. Kindly state your name and address.

Colette Delane, 902 East 28th Street, Patterson, New Jersey 07513. Very briefly, I would just like to tell you I love Patterson. Everybody in Patterson been here my entire life. Only left to go to college. I'm here and I say every single time I call, not one of you except Dr. Lilisa Mims and Ruby Cotton have returned my phone call. And I've left a message for every one of you never wanted to come down here. I might have even spoken to you once briefly. So the only thing that I wanted to say tonight was if any of you get a message, I really would appreciate if you would call me. These are very tiny things that I'm talking about. I told you Dr. Lisa Mims, I put it all on Facebook about the abuse that I've been going through. I'm in my home for 33 years and I'm thinking about leaving Patterson. I am a nervous wreck in my house. They're at my house every night destroying it. My car, my kids cars, my kids are teachers. They moved out of Patterson. Okay, I'm not stupid. I graduated at the top 10% of my class. I had a scholarship. I know how to pay bills. The taxes are so high. I tell everybody, I give you every time I bring to keep my house. I don't want to live here anymore. You can go on top of my roof and put holes in my roof. You could put holes in my porch. You could do the same thing to my main dwelling. The insurance doesn't cover the porch. But all this vandalism and I am the only black person on my block. I got neighbors saying they don't want any on the block. When do we start living like that in Patterson? You throwing trash all in front of my house and I had a heart attack. I take nitroglycerin every day. Three blood pressure pills. I live alone. There is no dog. But all I can tell you is that if I call you, could you at least consider calling me back? You spoke to me, Riley. What did your secretary

Sophia said? Nobody likes you. How dare you? I'm born and raised here. I've only asked for help. Somebody call me back and tell me who I can talk to. You get every dime of both of my pensions and my social security money. And now you taxing me out of my house and I'm living in filth. Who throws garbage all over somebody's house? Did you hear what I said? Just call me on the phone. I'm leaving messages constantly, especially for you. And you leave a message for less saying I called you. No return number. You have Where is he at? Omar. He's been to my house just fast talking. Do I sound like I'm illiterate? Just returned my phone call. Right, Riley? You helped me with Sophia. How dare you speak to me disrespectfully. My tax dollars pay your checks. You don't deserve a $50,000 raise. Those women that were standing here with Absby, they deserve the money. What's going on in this town is an atrocity and everybody's on the phone talking about it. Do better. Do better my psonians. Just call me back.

Thank you, Mr. Lane. Last speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes, the last speaker is Michael Price. Oh, wait one second, Mr. Price. Cuz Elvis was You were right. He was earlier. Elvis, um, if you'll come to the mic. Elvis was on the list. He was number uh 16. You're absolutely correct. I'm not sure how you got skipped, but Elvis, if you'll come first. You are number 16.

First, um, my name is Elvis. Elvis Dorm from the fourth war. Um, please Patterson, someone need to help her. Um, let's take care of her because we don't need no more house owners, taxpayers to leave Patterson. Um, I want to say this. Earlier today, I was sitting here um council the council man of the fifth wall, Lewis VZ was saying um it's no parking when the visitors come to visit city hall. Um but councilman, me and you being in downtown all the time, we eat at the same restaurant, Grill 77. We have plenty of parking. We have a parking ronin from here, the Patterson Parking Authority. They could park there. If you could go to New York and park in the parking lot for $30, why you can't park for $4 or $3? Make it make sense. Okay. We got plenty of parking in the downtown area. Okay. And Councilman Lewis Valz and Councilman Michael Jackson should be the main ones that know that because y'all control the downtown area. Y'all the council. I also want to say to the camera, my YouTube channel is Pisj Good News. My YouTube channel Pattern NJ good news. My Facebook page Elvis Good News Dur Ham M Elvis Good News Dur Ham. I also want to encourage everyone to come and do your spring shopping and Easter is shopping downtown Patterson, New Jersey. We got a big parking garage on 65

Elderson Street, 65 EL Street, downtown Patterson, New Jersey. I'm the senior maintenance there. And we got good security. Our security guard come in at 100 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. So you safe when you go when you go off for work, you can come do your shopping. You are safe in that parking garage. God bless you. Good night. Thank you. Last speaker, Madam Clerk. Speaker is Michael Price and I just want to extend apologies to Mr. Durham. I overlooked your name. My apologies. Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Price.

Good evening. Um, it's been a while since I've been to this meeting and I would have to tell this council one of the reasons why I stopped coming to these meetings is because I just can't continue to waste time where I feel like the public has literally been shunned from coming here. We should be able to come to this meeting and speak freely within two or three minutes. We should be able to. I'm a taxpayer. I'm a shareholder in this city. So, I I pay for those salaries. I pay for all the filth that we're leaving on the streets. I pay for all that stuff. I do that. Me and my family. That's what we do. I'm not a lawb breaker, so the police aren't looking for me. I'm not the person, but we've got some problems going on in this city with this council, with this administration. And just I want to circle back to this the signup sheet. I don't know what's going on with this signup sheet. I came in this room, I don't know, maybe 10 to 15 minutes after the meeting started. the list wasn't even here. This cannot be. We have to get back to allowing the public to freely be able to speak. You can't hush us when we pay the bills. So, I don't know about all you guys, and Councilman is not there when he talked about the tax appraisal and a tax appeal. I want to know how many of you guys got a tax bill with your name on it. I got one. If you don't have a tax bill with your name on it, you can't address the tax appeal because you don't feel the pain. I don't mean that to be disrespectful. I'm just telling you, you're not a shareholder.

So, non-shareholders don't get allowed to vote at the shareholder meeting. It's just the truth I'm telling you guys. It's not my opinion. It's a truth. So, and to the public, I want to tell them we've got so many quality of life issues going on in the city of Patterson that have not been addressed. So, if someone comes to you and they say, "Vote for me," you need to ask them to show you the report card and what you've done since you've been in the seat. And I can tell you, parking on corners, every corner, pick whichever one you want. Pick whichever one you want. I wish it was the lottery. I could walk out of this out of this building and make any turn I want. I guarantee you there are four cars on each corner. Nothing's been done. Call the police. Nothing. No response. Or or they call you back an hour later. Do you still need me? What? What are you talking about? Do I still need you? How about do you still need your job? Just go do your job. That's it. I don't need you to come to my house or when I call you, you call me back to go, you still need me. Is that still an issue? How about you go over there and then you come back and you tell me whether it's still an issue. Come back and tell me, "Hey, Mr. Price, it's not an issue." That's useless and it's failed management. We cannot continue to do that. Mobile car washes. I have sent you guys email after email after email after email about mobile car washes. It's still going on. They were on 9th Avenue when I came here tonight and they set their vans up on the side of the street, put their chairs out and set up shop like it's legal. And guess what else? I shouldn't have to call the police. You know why? The police should be driving by there. Should drive by there every so often. Just drive by. And if I send a complaint to this council and this council tells

me, I'm sorry if I went over the time. I I did ask for extended time, so I don't want people to think I'm being disrespectful. But if I put a complaint into this council about an issue like that over and over and over and over again and it doesn't rise to the top and make it to the police director, there's something wrong. When the police get ready for their roll call in the morning, there's certain items that should rise to the top. I don't care about shootings. I don't care about stabbings. I'm a taxpayer.

I am your business customer. When I leave, you're out of business. You have to always remember that when I leave, you're out of business. And guess what? The developers don't live here. You gave them tax breaks. I said this council gave him tax breaks because when Councilman Jackson wanted to remove us from that growth zone, you guys fought it. You have to pay attention to what's going on. I don't care if you say the city has to follow what the state does. You have to at least get on common ground and say this is not making sense for the taxpayers. So, we're going to say we don't want it and allow them to come and say we're going to still do it because we're the state. But at least put your name on the record saying I don't agree with this.

That's what you can do. I just have one more thing.

Zoning and planning. I I promise you I will wrap up because I could go on for 10 minutes. This list is so long. But again, I shouldn't have to ask for more time to speak when the meetings were cut in half for you guys, but your salaries weren't. Planning and zoning. I came here a couple years ago and I said the planning and zoning meetings need to be made public. You guys haven't done anything. You haven't done anything. How dare you ask us to support you, but you didn't do anything about that. The reason why I'm saying planning and zoning, and I'm speaking not only to you guys, I'm speaking to the public. The reason why this city looks the way it does is because the zoning board and the planning board are rubber stamping everything. They're giving variances to everyone.

And I got a certified letter the other night about a building in an area where I live, which is R1 public. R1 means residential only. I got a letter to go to a hearing on the 19th. I'm expecting to see every one of you guys there with me to support me at that hearing. Price. Fix it. There are no more speakers. Can I have a motion to close? Seeing none. Move to close. Clo motion by Dava. Second by Cotton. Roll call to close public portion. Madam clerk. Roll call to close the public portion. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, so there's a few items that definitely need some attention. Um, first of all, to the residents that that from the condos that live behind um

uh Jr. Halft uh that has been that has been reported. In fact, uh, Councilman Khik said to me, he sent the inspector. I don't understand what the results of that have been. The only I I've reported it to to the B to the not this BA, but the former uh the city attorney, the former who's just recently resigned, um, the director of economic development. And the only inspector that would go out there would was uh was the zoning officer. In fact, the the the zone doesn't is not called for that specific use. So that expansion then required for for a specialized vote. So it's going to take an administration that's going to be willing to hold them accountable, including that that that uh that um school uh uh driving session that's going on on your block as well. So it's been reported multiple times. Uh, I did get back the um results that the street that was vacated was not a legal street. I think we talked about that already that according to the city maps and although it may have been a functioning pass through, it was not a legal street, but the the property that was taken and expanded upon does not have the proper um uh uh uh uh approvals. So unfortunately, yes, this council does have the ability to move if we move collectively, but I I don't think I have to explain to you what's going on there. The administration has to take action and this council has to hold the administration accountable for doing so. I'll continue to give you the reports that I do get. Um, and hopefully after after this upcoming election, we won't have those problems any longer. But uh those matters have been been forwarded to all of the people that have the

authority to make those those changes and they have chosen not to do anything. So I just wanted to make sure that you're clear on that. Um to the young lady from Lily Street, I I would definitely definitely like to get your information. That is a a new habit that's happening citywide. That's another matter that I brought forward because according to the city ordinance and code, it is unlawful as a city attorney sits there um gloating about not not um uh uh being diligent on enforcing the specifics on certain the selective enforcement. It is unlawful for any land uh landlord to charge you for parking. They cannot charge you for parking. It's unlawful. According to our city code, in order to charge for parking, you have to have a license. And if you're a landlord that owns a parking lot, you have to have 25% more than what's being required by the facility that you live in. So, I want to get more details. I'll give you my direct contact information. I'll come over, give you my cell number. um and I will do the do the best that I can to make sure that we hold them accountable for not um charging you for parking. Now, the other side of it, breaking into your home and kicking your basement door in, again, this is a matter of an of enforcement. And I don't expect that you'll get anything different from the current sitting u BA corporation council or this mayor for that matter. There's these types of of violations are taking place citywide. Landlords are violating people's rights. They're violating people's constitutional rights and in a position where the city attorney should be standing in the way of people coming in here and violating our rights as in the case of these the people that are

sitting here in the front. They're their rights are being trampled on. So, you will get my support. I I'll I'll come visit. We'll make it public. We'll do the best that we can to um to advocate for that. I the the young lady that I don't know if she's still here. I need to get her contact information as well. I never got a phone call from you. I don't know if you're watching, but um I never received a message. I'll give you my cell number as well. You can call me at any time. And uh I completely agree um with those with with the sentiments um relative to uh brother T relative to the library. Listen, we can say what we want to say. The director from the library has been here complaining, taking issue with the fact that his budget has been cut for quite some time. There is a line item designated the tax designated directly for the line library and we have cut everything that has to do with services that's needed to be rendered to our residents. We're not being accountable for all this overspending on on contracts. The $30 million garbage contract, $35 million garbage contract, the $110 million in Hinchcliff Stadium is still not accounted for. Um the just recently we've uh uh you know we're going to see another deficit with when we're going to be required to have more trans transitional aid. You see what's happening now. Things are coming to a head where contracts that's continuously being agre agreed upon. He's being backed into a corner in an election cycle to have to agree to these contract extensions and it's going to put us in more of a deficit. But the last thing that should be cut, the last thing, the smallest budget that we have on our budget is recreation and what we what we provide in our children with through the

library budget. And it's shameful that we we sit here as a council and allow for these things to take place and then sit there and act like we're we're not being a part of it. Um lastly, brother Price, you will have my support in that meeting, the upcoming uh uh uh u um planning board meeting. That planning board that's completely appointed by the mayor is rogue, is derelict. They have done more harm to this community than anything else. What I say, what I'll say to you is this. I am on the ballot to be your next mayor in the city of Patterson. The Garden State growth zone expired in 2023. This council failed to take action to renew it which was required. Just like they claim it doesn't say that we could opt out, it doesn't say that we can't. And further whenever an agreement is made upon the state, we did we we was forced to do it when Dominic Stampon sat in that chair when the state made amendments and adjusted the the sound ordinances. They came and they required the municipality to take a vote on the renewal and acceptance of the new state implemented um uh uh guidelines when it came to noise. It is absolutely no way that a project such of this nature that's going to have such a ram ra enormous ramification on on the uh the validity or the vitality of our community is not going to require council vote. And lastly, I'm going to say this. Everything they say is a complete lie. It's a forest because they continuously talk about how it's automatic. It's state approved. No. Even th those those items that go through the Garden State Grove zone, they require administrative approval and they all I I believe his name was uh not a hire. What

is the other person? He worked under Tiffany. He had to rep approve all these uh items uh yeah sec. So all of these these tax abatements that's been approved, all of these pilot applications because they've been selective with that as well, there's been a very small number, a minority number of them that have been not approved. But every other one, so long as they're making contributions, you can trust and believe that they're being approved. When I and after May, we're going to backtrack and every single one that did not have a CO by 2023 will no longer be a part of that program. that you have my promise on. Uh madame clerk, my vote is yes.

You councilman Councilman Khalik. Thank you madam clerk. To the second word uh constituents we have spoken outside. Our con constituent services director is involved as well. We reach out to the county and we'll get it resolved. We're looking for solution and we will get a resolve. I'm pretty sure they don't have the permits cuz there used to be a restaurant there. Cas. Um, excuse me. No, you said something. No, no. Okay.

I'm not attempting to do anything.

I'm not attemped to anything. Councilman, don't don't don't listen. Don't don't listen to what you hear. You got to check the facts. Like $110 million Syria Patterson spent in this stadium. That is not the fact. Fact is Patterson gave some tax credits, tax incentive to a developer to bring onto the city of Paris to develop the stereo. It is a outside entity is not city of Patterson and and the the lease they have is with the school board. The city of Patterson has nothing to do with it. We just that section of the city uh I mean visiting now compared to eight years ago. We just gave the the the administration has some tax credit. They just gave it to the outside entity so they could come in and build this. It looked beautiful. I welcome everybody to go visit the stadium. We're going to have a soccer team there as well. They're going to start playing uh this season. Cosmos international well-known player Pelle used to play for that team.

You said the name Pelle. Everybody in the world know him. I want to go back eight years ago again. Over 1,400 abandoned property everywhere in the second world. Every street corner I to see that houses boarded up. You will not find one. We do have issues but we got to work together to solve them instead of pointing finger at each other. We do we do have a problem there on crossb. We will get bottom of it with the help of every entity, every help that we could get, we'll reach out to them.

If we got if I could solve the problem, I'll do it tomorrow. But it's not on my hand. I don't think it's even on the on the hand of the mayor. You got to go to various department, various roadblock out there. So, we'll we'll go past everything. Uh once again, thank you for coming to the C city council meeting. We do appreciate all of your inputs. My vote is yes, madame clerk. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, good evening, Patterson. I apologize. I came a little late. Uh, and I didn't hear all the public portion. Um, but I want to say thank you to all the public for just coming and expressing your concern. I was unaware about your case. I give you my car. If there's anything that could be helpful, please reach out to me. And I I always say thank you for for you to take time out of your time because people losing faith about our city. people. Um I I hear the lady um that was that is been here for 33 years. A lot of resident that been here all their life, they they moving out of Patterson. They moving out of Patterson because they're losing faith out of Patterson. We have people Paris is not affordable anymore. We have people uh uh that have to uh leave two and three family, one apartment in order for them to pay the rent. We have people with two job and still they can make enough money to pay the high rent. And with the high taxes that we have in the city, we have people that living with fixed income. All the life in the city, they're moving out. We pushing them out of the out of the city. It's not they don't want to leave, but we pushing them out. Now counting the new assessed value where 14 property were assessed without the person going inside the property. The mayor knowing, he never say anything about it. So we have a mayor that that is out of touch with the city. And and and and I'm not saying this. I hear this every day. the garbage, the condition of the city, uh you know, the lack of enforcement in the city. We paying high taxes and high rent and what are we getting? Nothing. Zero. So, but we need to speak up. We really need to um I'll be helping resident with uh tax appeal, reach out to me. If you have any question, if you if you need to know how to do it, if you don't know, I will teach you. I will help you. Uh because enough is enough. We got to take action and we got to push back. We definitely have to do it. And um definitely I want to say thank you to every resident that came here uh because this is our city. This definitely is our city. Um thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to apologize for coming in late. I did have to attend a family matter. With that being said, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Uden is yes, murderer. I'm sorry. Your vote was yes. Thank you. Um, Councilman VZ. Okay, he's out. Council President. Yes. So, to the public, thank you for um, thank you for Well, Councilman is coming, so I'll wait for my commentary. He's coming.

I'm not going to take too long what I'm going to say. I listen to the all the concern of the residents especially those that came with uh quality of life issues. I read I I wrote my notes especially to Miss Cameo Black. I will address the issue uh regarding uh the back of her house. Um and that's that's working together. That's working together. uh to the young ladies that came uh the reason I was trying to get the address because you came to address the whole council and um it's good to know because probably the councilman needs probably a help he's working and probably I could go there and look myself you know it's a collaboration that's why I asked for the address but I guess they you give it to the record and we will get it later my secretary will give it to me

no yes I got you Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate. So, last but not least, ladies and gentlemen,

last but not least, I've been sitting here since 2016. Mr. Ba, Mr. U Cooper Council, my colleagues, I've been sitting here since 2016. If you look at all the tapes that being broadcast when we used to have four council meetings, now we have two in a month. We could agree and disagree. We could have differences. I could have differences with the administration left and right. I told one of my colleagues, if anybody in this council should be mad at this administration or whatever, it could be me. But I'm a man. I take it as a responsible legislator that was elected by the the people of the fifth ward to represent the fifth ward. But at the same time, I don't have no borders to serve. If I had to go to anybody ward, I will do it. But I will advise that council member that I'm dealing with a situation to help them out. But I cannot sit here and say that 365 days a year have been the worst of the year. I have to be honest. We had good and bad days. We got days that we have cried together. We got days that that probably we have match mad each other. But because it's political season now, nothing is working. Nothing is good. Nobody's doing the work. Everybody's disconnected. Meanwhile, when they was on power or they some have something to say, everything was good. The park was getting fixed. The lights on the park

was getting on. The roads was getting paid. But nobody can stand and say, "Thank you administration for listening to my concern. I have done it before. I have done it before two or not. I have said in this day I could be mad with anybody in administration but I could I have to recognize that I cannot work by myself and whoever managed this city is called the administration is called the mayor of the city of Patterson is called the BA and if something gets done in the city of Patterson no matter who's the mayor no matter who's the BA we need to work together because that's what the residents want. You could have differences in politics. You could hate each other, but please don't hate each other because if you die, you want to go to heaven, right? But let's not eat our own vomit and say something today and tomorrow everything is okay. If you're going to say the city needs to move forward, bring the plans. Bring the plans. Let's work together. And I always ga sit here and I got to try to unify the community because the community is ty and seeing one to the left and one to the right. Meanwhile, the community is getting hurt. Saying that, council president, thank you for the courtesy. My vote is yes to close the public portion.

Thank you, council. Council president. So, to the public that is present and the public that are watching, all of your concerns, all of your um questions will be resolved by our constituent services or our BA. If they did not respond tonight, they will follow up. Councilman Khalik is the councilman of the second ward. He's very responsible and he really is an excellent council person. So, I would recommend that you work with him. He represents the second ward and you have three of us that represent at large, but he is directly your council person. All right, madame clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, council president. The votes are nine in favor, none against. The public portion is now closed.

Madam clerk, we're going to take the two DPW items, item 38 and 41. Madam clerk, okay, one second.

Item 38, 41. 38. 38 and 41. Okay. And 41. One second. Item number 38 is a resolution authorizing award of contract to J&J Electrical Construction and Design Inc. for general and emergency electrical work and installation services bid number 26.05 for the Department of Public Works. This is a public works item resolution number 261 140. So move

moved by councilman second by Dava and Khali director has already went over this in the tense last week. So less time to uh vote. Roll call madam clerk. Roll call on item number 38 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davala. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Councilman Khik. Yes. Council Mendes. Yes. Madam Clerk. Councilman Omar. Yes. Madam Clerk. Councilman Uden. Councilman Veles. Yes. Thank you. Yes, madam clerk. Mr. President, thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number 38 is hereby adopted. Item number 41, Madame Clerk.

Item number 41 is a resolution authorizing the water of contract to Johnson Controls Building Solutions LLC for engineering and design services for electrical and HVAC at the Patterson Museum under Sourcewell contract number 080824-JHN for the Department of Public Works. Public Works Resolution number 26 col 143. So moved. Moved by Davis, second by members. Roll call. Discussion. This item was discussed last week. Madam Chair, I have a question. Council President. Uh discussion. Councilman Mendes.

Uh director, this question might not be directly to you, but but the V8. I know there was uh I know we were in litigation for many years with the Patterson Museum and it's my understanding that the city took control full control of the uh Patterson Museum. So where we are with that? Can somebody um give me some clarity of that because I know Pattis Museum um cor one second Mr. Ba if you don't have that information can you just follow up with that information but Mr. But director, correct me if I'm wrong. the that lease for the for the upper floors.

I'm speaking there's not council council members. The question that I asked it was directly. I'm not speaking with nothing no legality. I'm talking about a lease that was expired and the city got regained control of the museum before my vote. I need some explanation clarification about that. This is not expired yet. So there that question is being answered. It is not expired yet. It's not expired yet, but it's it's soon. It's within a year or two. I don't know the exact year, but it's not as of today. It's not expired yet. But it's my understanding that I went to court and we the the court ruled in our favor and we have to control the museum. Is that a case or that's not the case?

Um this is part of the uh the court order that we're doing now for the Listen uh Mr. VA if you could just ask some give me some information about that because I know we're spending millions of dollars on the on the museum and we're not getting a dollar at the museum. Uh we're not based on my understanding we have no control of the museum and it's a beautiful building. It's an amazing building and but we just invested on that building. So I would like to know I need a full detail about what happened with the Patterson Museum. I just make a comment. Thank you. Roll call madam clerk. Council president. Council president. I think I think I miss you. It's got to be respectful that you allow the VA to answer my question. Let me speak. But you have done twice in a minute.

Let Let me speak. You You asked a question. I was getting ready to have the BA respond. Let me speak. Mr. Ba, um it is um it is our goal to to take uh control of that building back when the lease expires. Uh, and that's why all this work that we're doing with with with upgrading the building um is is all built around um when that lease expires for that building to be ready for us to to to be used. Maybe a children's museum, maybe something along those lines. So, um the lease is still there, but we're working to upgrade the building because one day we will have operation control and we want to make maximum use of that building. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman BZ. Yeah, as a statutory U chair, we had a conversation with the museum director and um everything's moving along. Um I believe that this is a contract that's supposed to be moving forward uh to make to necessary repairs. The only part I know CFO is not here, but he could answer me later. uh the concern of uh uh one of the lady that came uh requested some payments that was behind um and I would like to him to respond back to me if those payment was fulfilled and that's the only thing that I had concerned but uh uh the museum is still moving forward and uh a lot of repair have been done by DPW and have saved us a lot taxpayer money.

Thank you. Roll call, madam clerk. Sure. Roll call. Item number 41 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Davo. Yes. Councilman Khik. Yes. Council Mendes. Uh, director, thank you for the job that that you have done at the museum. I'm fully aware the museum is one of the most beautiful building that we have and one of the most historical building that we have with a lot of space for us to utilize that building in so many different ways for our children for in order for them to be in touch with the history of the city of Patterson. So, I cannot wait for the city to take full, you know, full potential to get the full potential out of that building. Uh, and I hope that the city keep the museum in. That's my hope. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. My vote is yes, madam. Thank you, Councilman. We don't want to reinvent the wheel. Let's move forward the AC and making sure that we do the proper things. My vote is yes to this. Thank you, Councilman. Council President, my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number 41 is hereby adopted. Thank you, madam clerk. Item 34, 34,5 and six. Madam clerk, what?

34 35 36. Item number 34 is a resolution authorizing the city of Patterson to enter into a public health shared services agreement with Bloomingdale, Clifton, Pake, Ringwood, Wayne, and County of Pic Health and Human Services Resolution number 26 colon 136. So moved by Councilman Colleague, second by Councilman VZ. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number 34 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Dava, yes. Yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes.

Councilman Valz, um for the future when we do this to renew or whatever chair agreement um I I'm still waiting for the comparison, but I guess we could do it on the next uh shot. you know, if they going to do the new share agreement comparison with Ex6 County and other municipality, how much are they charging out of out of P County? I'm talking about to see if we could level that and get the the real revenue from them. Uh my vote is yes on this. Thank you, Councilman. Council President, Council President, yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 34 is adopted. 35.

Item number 35 is a resolution authorizing an award of contract to St. Joseph's Hospital Regional Medical Center for the provision of medical services in connection with sexually transmitted diseases, STD, health, and human services. Resolution number 26, colon 137. Moved by Councilwoman Dava, second by Councilman Khik. Roll call on 35. Roll call on item number 35 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Dav, Councilman Jackson, Councilman Khalik, Councilman Mendes, yes. Counciloman Omar, yes. Councilman Veles, yes. Council President, yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 35 is adopted.

Item 36, Madame Clerk. Okay. Item number 36 is a resolution authorizing award of contract between the city of Patterson and RDE systems support group LLC for continued implementation operations of a Patterson Pake County Bergen County Ryan White webbased outcomes measurement system for the Department of Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Resolution number 26 colon 138. Moved by Dava, second by Councilman Omar. Roll call on item 36. Madam clerk, roll. Roll call on item number 36 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Thank you. Council Morman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

Yes. Councilman Khalig. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes. Councilman Omar. Yes. Councilman Vez. Oh, he's here. Okay. Yes. You said yes. He said yes. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Council VeZ. Thank you, council president. Yes. Votes of nine in favor, none against. Item number 36 is hereby adopted. Item 37, Madame Clerk.

Item number 37. Item number 37 is a resolution authorizing a contract with Gold Type Business Machines, Inc. under Bergen County co-op bid number 23-17 for the purchase of computers and monitors for the police department police resolution number 26 col39. So move second moved by Councilwoman Davis second by Council Member Le. Roll call on item 37. Madam clerk. Thank you. Roll call on item number 37 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Khik. Yes. Counciloman Mendes.

Yes. Counciloman Omar. Yes. Councilman Uden left. Okay. Councilman VeZ. Yes. Council President. Yes. There was a eight in favor, one absent. Item number 37 is hereby adopted. Item 33. Madam clerk. 33. Item number 33 is a resolution approving a new agreement with Patterson Fire Officers Association sponsored by Councilwoman Dr. Lisa Mims and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Marissa Davala fire resolution number 26 colon 135. So move moved by

second councilwoman Dava and Mim, second by Uden and Valz. Roll call, madam clerk. Okay, roll call on item number 33. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Davilla, yes. Counciloman Jackson, yes. Councilman Kh, yes. Counciloman Mendes, yes. Counciloman Omar, yes. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman VeZ. Thanks, Scott. We got here. My vote is yes. Thank you, Council President. Yes. Thank you. The Va nine in favor. Item number 33 is hereby adopted. Item 42 and 43. Madam clerk, I'm sorry. What was that number again? Sponsor.

42 and 43. 42 and 43.

Item number 42. There's a resolution approving renewal of 32 taxi cab registrations for Baby Green Taxi LLC of 886 East 24th Street Patterson mail and address and 471 East 25th Street Patterson parking location. City clerk resolution number 261 144. So moved by Council Davis, second by Veles and Mendes. Roll call on 4. Discuss discussion. Councilman Veles. Tissue. Anything is tissue just be for me approve. Okay. It's a renewal. Uh

but in the past they used to put the package uh where they going to be uh putting the uh the cars. Okay. You got it. 471 East 25th Street

parking location. Okay. The the reason I'm the reason I I brought it up again. Nothing against caps owner, you know, taxi owner and employees that works for them. This is the perfect sample what I was talking before, saying before the mail address and 471 East 25th Street, Patterson parking location. So that means to be able to operate a taxi company, they have to have a contract or lot to park those vehicles, not use city street to park the car overnight or all day long because they taking residents parking. So hopefully they understand that they comply because not the police is enforcing it and your car could get tow saying that. Thank you, Council President.

Nothing against roll call. M roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number 42 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton 42. 42. We're going to vote now. Yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Counciloman Jackson.

Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Before I vote, uh, that's that's something that needs to be addressed. I know that the taxi cab enforcement person has changed um, uh, quite some time ago, but this needs to be a matter that the PD is addressing as well. um target all the residents cars and you know these there the cabs parking overnight in crosswalks on corners the way Mr. Frank's talking about is something that definitely needs to be addressed. But um relative to this renewal, Madam Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik. Yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Omar.

Yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Uden. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. So, as I requested to earlier today, u madame clerk, um please just remember to send a letter of the requirement that they need to park their cars in the designated based on the resolution say that they have parking for those vehicles. Okay. Thank you. My vote is yes. Thank you, council president. Good idea, Council Member Les. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor. Item number 42 is hereby adopted. Item 43, Madame Clerk. And before we um go into that, we're adding Councilman um Councilwoman Dava and Councilman Jackson. Item number 43, Madam Clerk,

as sponsors. Okay. Item number 43. One second. Council, it's not in the title. Okay. We don't have the item. All right. Item number 43 is a resolution celebrating Lana Stokes 2026 induction in the community action hall of fame sponsored by council president Dr. Lisa Mims and councilwoman Ruby N. Cotton city council resolution number 26 col 145. So moved. Second. Second.

Moved by council president Mims and Cotton Jackson Dava. Second by VeZ and Odin and Omar Odin and just for the record is sponsored by council president mems counciloman cotton council woman Davala and councilman Jackson. Roll call on item number 43. Madam clerk. Okay. Roll call on item number 43. Excuse me. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you madam clerk. Let me say congratulations to Lannister Sto on this community service award. Madame clerk. My vote is yes. Thank you councilwoman. Um, Councilwoman Dava, congratulations. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Um, although I I the the ladies of the council have decided to place this this thing, put this thing together. Um, Miss Stokes, it goes without saying, you have been a champion in our community for quite some time. This is a well worth um worthy acknowledgement. And although the uh the the game must continue, your predecessors are doing a phenomenal job. Your input, your your enhancement to our community would definitely be missed greatly. So, um I hope you're enjoying retirement, Madame Clerk. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik,

my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council Mendes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Welld deserved. Congratulation. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Omar. Congratulations, Miss Stoke. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Uden. Yes. Councilman Vez, congratulations. Lana Stoke, uh, 35 years of service and moving forward. Uh, congratulation. God bless you a lot. I would say yes. Thank you, council president.

So, I want to thank the Patterson task force and u, Miss Janet McDaniel for reaching out to me to um, inform us that Miss Lena So was being inducted into the uh, Community Action Hall of Fame down in Washington DC. Although we won't be present to present it in person, madame clerk, I would like to have this matted in pink and we will ship it to Miss Stokes to her um address which I will provide to the clerk's office. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you, council president. Nosa nine in favor. Item number 43 is hereby adopted. We will do uh 28 through 32. Madam clerk,

thank you. 28 through 32. Item number 28 is a resolution honoring an 89year Patterson legend, matriarch, trailblazer, and community leader Shirley Jordan, sponsored by council president Dr. Lisa Mims and councilwoman Ruby N. Cotton coun city council resolution number 26 col 130. So moved. Move it. Second. Moved by council um president Mims and Cotton. Second by Uden Davilla and um Mendes. Roll call on item number 28.

Roll call on item number 28. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I didn't want to say um 89 years for our legend in our city, Shirley Jordan. I know your family, all your children. We was at East High School together. We did all this, everything, a lot of things together. I just want to say congratulations. 89 years. Thank God. With that being said, Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Dav, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Yes. Thank you. Councilman Kite, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Counciloman Omar, yes. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Vez,

before I vote, the uh gentleman that just woke out say thank you to all the council members regarding the vote uh tonight for the MOA. Okay. So, my vote is yes on this.

Thank you, council president. So to Miss Jordan or Mama Jordan who I have known all of my life. She's really good friends with her mom. I want to thank her daughter Natalie Jordan and the and this the family for reaching out to me in honor of of celebrating her 89th birthday which they will celebrate in the month of April. um this item as well, Madame Clerk, frame and matted in pink, um to be ready um by Monday, the latest, so that we can present it to her at the 89th birthday celebration. Miss Jordan, you know, I love you. You're like a mom, second mother to me, and I appreciate all your wisdom and guidance. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 28 is hereby adopted. Item 29, Madam Clerk. Item number 29 is a resolution celebrating Christ Temple Baptist Church's 75th anniversary and its contributions it has made to the city of Patterson, sponsored by Councilwoman Ruby N Cotton, Council President Dr. Lisa Mims and Councilman Michael Jackson. So moved second. Moved by council council president Mims Cotton and Jackson and second by councilwoman Dava and Valz I believe it was and Mendes. Roll call on item 29. Madam clerk, I'm sorry. Seconded by Dava, Councilwoman Dava, Vez. VeZ and Mendes.

And Menddees. Thank you. All right. Um, roll call on item number 29. Councilwoman Cotton. Wait, Madam Cler. Oh, 29. Yeah. Oh, okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say congratulation on Christ Temple Baptist Church's 75th anniversary. U Reverend Weldon McWills and my dear good friends um Dr. K. Banks celebrating 75 years for Christ Temple Baptist Church. With that being said, Madam Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Davo, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik, yes. Counciloman Mendes, yes. Madam Councilman Omar, thank you. Congratulations. My vote is yes. Thank you. Councilman Uden. Yes. Councilman VeZ. Yes.

Council President. So, I just want to say congratulations to the Christ Simple Baptist Church on your 75 years. I go way back with Dr. Turner, Lady Denise Turner. Um, I hope she's watching. If not, I will make sure she's aware. And now, the pastor, uh, Pastor Welder McWills. 75 years is truly a milestone. We will be at the celebration. We're looking forward to it. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 29 is hereby. And madam clerk, this item will be matted in purple. Okay. Item number 30. She wanted purple. She inbox. She emailed me.

Yes. I can't hear you. We need it by Friday. Friday. Okay. Yes. Item 30, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Item number 30 is a resolution honoring 75 years of historical overview for Lambda Upsilon chapter of Omega Sci-Fi Fraternity Inc. sponsored by Council President Dr. Lisa Mims, Councilwoman Ruby N. Cotton, and Councilwoman Marissa Davis, city council, resolution number 26132. So move moved by the fragrances of the council, council president Mims, Vice President Dav Cotton. Second by the cologne of the council, Councilman. Roll call on item number 30, Madam Clerk.

Roll call on item number 30, Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Congratulations to the Omega 75 anniversary here in the city of Patterson. Madam Clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. Uh once again, um I'd like to say congratulations. I celebrated over the weekend with council president. I know your presence was there. You were away. Uh but it truly was a a nice evening along with, you know, um especially celebrating um brother Een. All right. Um it was nice to have him there, right? He's been probably the longest standing uh Omega Sci-Fi brother. Um, and so you could just see the brotherhood, the sisterhood, and truly I just want to say thank you to Senator Benji Wimbley for inviting me to have a nice night. So, congratulations. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson, yes. Thank you, Councilman Khalig. Yes. Councilman Mendes, yes, Madam Cler. Councilman Omar, yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Veles, yes. Congratulations,

Council President. So before I vote, I want to say to the men omega of omega sci-fi, the lambda epsilon chapter, so excited to celebrate 75 years. Coleman love red and purple. U madame clerk, this item should be matted in purple. Um and we're going to invite the men of Omega Sci-Fi to come in April and we could present it to them here um at city hall. We were not able to do it as I told Senator Wimberly because we were voting on it tonight but in the April's meeting we will invite the men of Omega Sci-Fi to do it in person. My vote is yes madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor. Item number 30 is hereby adopted.

Item 31. Madam clerk, number 31 is a resolution designating the week of March 25th to March 31st, 2026 as Bangladeshi Heritage Week sponsored by Councilman MD Ford Uden City Council resolution number 261 133. Council, Council President, we requested to add Councilman Khalik last week, but I don't see his name there. It should be uh Councilman Khalik as well as a sponsor. Uh motion by council man uden and councilman khali second by davala mems second Mendes roll call on item 31 madam clerk. Roll call on item number 31. Councilwoman Cotton.

Yes. Councilwoman Dava. It's always an honor to celebrate. My vote is yes. Thank you. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Counciloman Khalique. Yes. Council Mendes. My vote is yes, Madam Cler. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. Councilman Uden, yes, madam clerk. Councilman Vez. Yes, Madam Clerk. Council President. Looking forward to celebrating with our brothers and sisters. My vote is yes, madam clerk. A nine in favor. Item number 31 is hereby adopted. Item 32, Madam Clerk.

Item number 32 is a resolution memorializing and honoring the life and legacy of Pastor Meredith Reverend Mildred L. Farra sponsored by council counciloman Luis FZ and co-sponsored by councilwoman Dr. Lisa Mims, Councilwoman Ruby N Cotton, and Councilwoman Marissa Davala, city council resolution number 26134. So second moved by Councilman Vallet, second by um Mims Dava Cotton and Mendes. Roll call on item 32. Madam clerk, roll call on item number 32. Councilwoman Cotton.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say to the family uh um to Reverend Mildred Farra, absolutely wonderful, wonderful person living in my fourth war most of her life. I just want to say to the family, I send you my deepest condolences. Um and we wanted to make sure that we recognize her and honor her life and her legacy here in the city of Patterson. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. Madam Clair, Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Vez,

so those that had the chance to have a conversation, a hug from a merit to pastor, Reverend Mildrel Far. You know, it means a lot. You know, it means a lot. And uh she lived a life well served living for the ministry. And um my condolence once again goes to the family and to the church member and board member for New Christian Tabernacle uh church in the fifth ward. That's a church of everyone. and now they're going through this blessing and difficult moments because when you serve for the Lord and you go and transition for another place that means you did a great job. So uh the service are going to be Friday, March 13, 2026. Visiting hours will be at 4:00 in the afternoon. Memorial Tribu at 7 at the Christian TA New Christian Tabernacle in Madison Avenue and 18 Avenue corner. Okay, you can't miss it. And then Sunday, March 15 is going to be the viewing at four o'clock at Candlelight Cantana at 6:30 at Gilmore Memorial Tabernacle and also in the entertain and it's after that Monday March 16. It will be at the Laura Grove Moselium and Todawa Road in Todawa, New Jersey. And the reason I'm saying if you want more information you could uh go to the Facebook page of New Christian Tabernacle Church and you get the information if you didn't understood what I was saying. So once again my condolence to the family and um let's celebrate her life. Saying that um madam clerk um if it's possible to rush this framing I need it for Friday with color

purple in the back. Yes. Okay. Um and I know that some colleagues has some compromise uh event that day. Um I will excuse them too if they're not there, but you know um I just want to put that on the on the floor. Okay. My vote is yes to this. Thank you, Councilman. Council President,

thank you to uh the family, the Ferrar family. Um, our families, the Brown McKenzie, Singleary Gamble family go way back um to the south with the uh Farrar family. And I just want to say to the children, the grandchildren, and all the family members, my heartfelt condolences go out. Um, there's so many times that we have all been blessed or touched by the church with the purple doors. um been in to hear the amazing singing and songress um songstress that she was her legacy and family faith um and love and how she always pushed to ensure that the family was united and strong in the faith. So, with that being stated, um, to the family, I've already reached out to the family, but I want to put it on the record that the matriarch may not be here, but her legacy will never leave. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Council President. The votes are nine in favor. Item number 32 is hereby adopted. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Item number 27. Madam clerk. Okay. Item number 27 is a resolution confirming the appointment of Daniel Golbeck as director of the department of business administration. Administration resolution number 26 col. Moved by Councilwoman Taba and Mim. Second by Councilman Mendes and Valz. Second.

Roll call in Cotton. Roll call on item number 27. Madam clerk, roll call on item number 27 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes.

Councilwoman Dava, I have said it numerous times in various meetings. Uh I have had the pleasure of uh knowing who you were uh through your council presidency and your your uh your years in service in Elmwood Park. uh you being an assistant be in another municipality um I believe that um out of many that I've known sitting in that seat um I believe that you are very qualified you're up for the challenge uh you've been mayor as well for previous small amount of time uh but I think that in in you having the experience of having these different hats I I believe that you truly understand where we sit versus someone else who has not had the experience to to sit here. So, I appreciate you. Um, as I stated, everyone starts with an A with me. And as long as you continue to do the work, the work for the people, um, I am going to definitely stand in support and your appointment is an appointment made by the mayor. It is confirmed by us. Uh, and I think that you are the if if I can have recollection in my 12 years. Um, how long have you been here now? I think about close to two months. Maybe this is the shortest that I've ever seen um someone getting confirmed, you know, coming before us because there's always been uh somewhat push back. But with that said, you know, congratulations coming on board and taking this challenge. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. One, that's inaccurate because through the code is required that every person is confirmed within 60 days. It is required. It's part of the code. Um uh two, um everybody's entitled to their opinion, but um I can't help it that the council has been derelictked. There's been plenty plenty of people who haven't been confirmed. But I'll say this, you know, I'm I'm I'm tempted to give the benefit of the doubt, but I've done that many case occasions. I've had the pleasure of the gentleman sitting next to you come to me and say, "You know what, Councilman? I'm here to do the right thing. I'm here to do my best by the community." And yet, every single night, I have people who come here. I have a young lady who is texting me now because her apartment is being overrun with with mold. Um people living in excruciating conditions of which you are directly responsible for. You're this now the signing authority. I don't know maybe it is. I haven't had a real deep discussion but uh just by a nod of head. Have you ever served as BA before for for a municipality such as Patterson? No. Um what I do know is when the mayor of the city in which you were formerly at or live in u um go publicly create make statements um of the presumption of corruption of which I would normally not feed in. But this administration here is by far the absolute most corrupt administration that has been in in any municipality for that matter. When you have four corporation councils, when someone who people who grew up here, Khalifa Shabbaz and Farah Urban would would choose not to to no longer work here because of what's going on. And now, I'm sorry, it

was three corporation councils and four BAS. The last BA in in a record time, I really, you know what, and somebody sent me a text today. I'm going to go to Paripany. I'm going to present him with this acknowledgement and let them know that he is a stand-up person. The fact that you're willing to sit here and indulge everything else and I've given you an opportunity. Some of the most critical things that I've been asking for, you've neglected to provide to me. The PRC, 40 plus million dollars in derelict u um uh uh uh unaccounted for unaccounted for funding. $110 million in Hinchcliff Stadium uh uh expenditures. I've asked you for that and I still haven't gotten it. I don't expect to get it. So, you know, I'm not going to spend too much time because listen, maybe I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful that you will surprise me and to you can ask anyone else that's involved. Whenever I'm stand corrected if I'm wrong, I will apologize. But I don't anticipate that. You will not get my support in this appointment. Um, it's just another uh uh proven uh scenario in which this mayor cannot find anyone to to to come and work for him. And why you decided to do it, you know, that's still to be seen. But madam clerk, my vote is emphatically no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Maybe some of these people left because they did not have their way. That's why they had to leave. Um, welcome. It's been two months. You have been great. We have a good working relationship. I'm looking forward to four more years. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Council Mendes.

Thank you. Thank you so very much, Madam Clerk. Uh, Mr. VA welcome welcome to the city of Patterson. I I just I would like to encourage you to just be as much person possible provide as much information as possible to the public when people come here asking for information looking for answer please take note write it down when answer back to the people we belong we we working for the people you know we employed by the people so just keep that in mind all the time just clar thank you councilman Omar Mr. BA, I guess it's official. Welcome to Patterson. Uh you these past two months I've had the pleasure of working with you and I have nothing bad to say. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you, council. Congratulations.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um one thing I I can state um very loudly, which is your professionalism. I have seen that uh in multiple occasions we have rebuttals between administration or BA versus council members. I I see since you started here I mean you you stay very calm. you you're listening to us with high full attention which I truly admire and what I see that every time you have no answer you always said that I'm going to send an email and I'm taking my my part my experience that anytime I request anything I got back from you so I truly appreciate that and also taking time sit down personal level discussion which is important because again a city cannot move forward when we think that council versus administration It has to be council and administration has to work together. Yes, we we do need checks and balances. It does not mean we are standing on two sides and fighting against each other. So again, um welcome to the city of Patterson. Um I would love to take you to the Gilades one day. All right, my voice. Yes.

Thank you, Councilman Councilman Valz. I like when my colleague on my right side uh say is official, but what about everything I say overturn all the votes? So, oh, I love what I do. So, communication, action, results. I say thank you BA because before even reading the article, you gave me a call

and it was a Sunday. That's communication. Communication since the time you've been here, you have a open policy door policy or whatever. Sorry before they correct me. You know I don't not too good in education but you know I could knock the door open the door you always there to answer my calls and to since the time that you've been here so and action whatever have asked you have been delivering with results. So when I read your resume, I could tell the community that before you sitting there, you understand us and I understand what Councilwoman Mandav was stating. Before being a councilman, you was a community leader and then you turned into a councilman and now looking at your resume, you are well high educated with degree. So me saying no, no, not who say that? Just say vote. No, I got the right to amen my do my freedom of speech. Uh, you know, um me saying yes is not just to confirm you. It's a yes of let's work together. Let's move the city forward. We could agreed and disagreed. That's part of that the process. But when we agreed or disagreed, we need to put in practice the first word communication.

And I know you're going to do that. So saying that, anybody had doubts or what I why we voting, you could come and ask or Oprah his back his resume. If the press don't have it yet, I think so. But um congratulation. Please fulfill the list of 120 things I already asked you. I'm just kidding. My word is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Council President.

So, I just want to say I've had the amazing opportunity to know our BA as one of the youngest elected officials in Elmo Park as a councilman. And then he was a mayor, lawyer, and his resume goes far above and beyond uh qualifications. And that's just skill sets and uh his background and qualifications. But it comes to a different part when it comes to your character. And I just want to say um that when you came in, you met with the leading ladies of the council. We gave some advice as to what will be needed. And I think Councilman said it best. He talked about communication, action, and results. And in order to drive this car through the administration, for the city, for the employees, and this council chamber, you have to put your foot on the gas pedal. Some days you'll drive the car fast, sometimes you'll drive it slow, but at the end of the day, you have to drive the car for Patterson to get to where it needs to get to. I commend your two months in. Ask me stated tonight. They spoke about how you sent some information to them already. Um, and that's what it's about. We have to continue to work together in order to get things done. And with that being stated, you already know I support you 1,000%. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Council President. The votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 27 is hereby, and I would like to have the BA respond. Congratulations.

Thank you, council members. Good evening, Patterson. Good evening, council. Um, thank you for your support, your vote of confidence. Um, um, I'm humbled by this opportunity to lead uh, New Jersey's third largest city. Um, um, and, you know, I've I've listened to a lot of the council's feedback these two months, even before. Um, and I share your sentiment that there's a lot of work to be done in this city. A lot of progress has been made under this administration. I'm confident in stating that. But there is work to be done. Let's not kid ourselves. That is that is the truth. and I'm looking forward to working hand in hand so that we move the ball forward month after month for a better Patterson. Thank you. Thank you.

President, just real quick, I had a commissioner who's watching said, "Please tell my friend," and that is Commissioner Ever Razer, congratulations and God bless you. Thank you. So, at this time, we're going to prepare for the executive session. Madame Clerk, can you read, please read item 39 to go into executive session?

Sure. Item number 3039, resolution for executive session. Resolution authorizing municipal council executive or close session in an adjoining and or joining the city council chambers to discuss formal requirements reappointing a city clerk. Whether current personnel can be appointed appointment of outside applicant and conclusions reappoint city council resolution number 26 col 141. So move moved by Councilman Valz, second by Councilman um Khalik and Mendes. Roll call to go into executive session.

Okay. Roll call to go into executive session. Uh Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khik, yes. Councilwoman Omar, Councilman Mendes, I'm sorry. Councilman Mendes, yes. Yes. Councilman Omar. Yes, ma'am. Councilman Nuden, yes. Councilman Vez, yes. Council President, yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The The votes are nine in favor, none against.

We are in executive session. If there be anyone present that is not affiliated with this item, we ask that you exit the chamber at this time and you may reconvene uh when the executive session has concluded. Thank you. And to the viewing community, we will be back after executive session.

Are we going back?

Madame clerk, can we have a motion to close executive session and reopen the regular meeting? Yes. Let's finish agenda. Let's go home. We have a motion. So moved by Councilman Khaled, second by Councilman Mendes. Roll call. Roll call to close executive session and reopen the um regular meeting. Uh Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davilla. We're closing the executive session and reopening. Okay. Did you vote? Councilwoman Cotton? Yes. Thank you. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalif, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. I'm sorry. Councilman Nen, yes. Councilman VeZ.

Yes. Council President. Yes. Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor. None against. Executive session is closed. Madame Clerk, let's take item number 40 on the non-consent agenda. Okay. I'm sorry. 40. Item number 40 on the non-consent agenda is a resolution appointing Edith Gil who has achieved certification as a registered municipal clerk to the position of municipal clerk of the city of Patterson city council resolution number 26 colon 142 second action be taken moved by council medava second by memsz Mendes roll call on item number 40 madam clerk

roll call on item number 40 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you. Let me just say, Madame Clerk, everything was said. Um, I look forward to working with you. I know it's going to be wonderful. I'm always in the office. I'm always going to be here to help whatever I need to do to help you. With that being said, Madame Clerk, congratulations. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Davo, I am very happy that uh this is the last item on the agenda, right, Council President? Yeah. Uh, and I won't apologize for the time as this is part of the job.

Uh, but I do want to say welcome. Uh, you had a great interview. You come with great qualifications. You live in our neighboring town in Pake and um, there's so much more that I can say, but I think, you know, in executive session, we spoke during your interview as well. And uh as I stated before, I am happy that you are up for the task. So we welcome you. My vote is yes. Thank you, Council Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Um Miss Gil, let me say this. Um I am It's been a pleasure just hearing somewhat about um your uh your previous endeavors. Um, I'm sure you've watched enough Patterson Council meetings to prepare for tonight. And um, I'm sure I don't have to tell you in most caa most occasions, I am the one opposing vote. But I say this to all of my colleagues and all those who challenged me in my positions of opposition. Tell me where I'm wrong. Tell me the times that I wouldn't know I was wrong. I mean, it's sometimes it takes years, but you often hear the echoes. Well, you know, and Councilman Jackson was right and etc. But in this case, I I definitely think that um there's a possibility that um you may be exactly what um this city chamber needs. Uh an outside party who can be um um independent as the clerk's position allows that freedom. and um someone who might be able to to uh exhibit a level of integrity that Patterson is desperately in in need of. So, I'm optimistic and I will definitely give you a uh an opportunity to um show us exactly what you're made of and I'm looking forward to, you know, seeing Patterson become uh a better situation than what what we're dealing with now. So, madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalig.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh, first I want to thank our council president so for putting forward a thorough um process of interview step by step and I think we have the best candidate um possible and I am looking forward to working with you. So is all of our council colleague, even councilman Jackson. I want to congratulate you. As long as you keep our council of the dean, Dean, councilwoman Ken happy, we are all will be happy. Congratulation. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Hey, thank you, Madam Cler. Uh, Miss Gail. Um, first of all, welcome to the city of Patterson. I learned long time ago that when people elect you to serve as a leader, you you you have to work with every person. Everybody doesn't matter if you like that person or not. It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with that person. I truly believe that going against voting against everything that doesn't mean that you're doing the right thing. It doesn't mean that you're making progress. Being against everybody doesn't mean that you're doing that you're making progress. For you to be a true leader, you have to be able to sit with every person in the table in order to make progress. And that's the type of person that I am. I could work with everybody in the room. I could sit down with any person if it's good, if it's the right thing for the city of Patterson. And that's my take. I'm very impressed with your resume. Um, and I really think and believe that we that you're going to do a great job for our city. The city of Patterson is a city that going through a lot a lot of struggle in our community. Uh but definitely there will there's a light at the end of the tunnel and we welcome you. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think I echo what every single council colleague has said. Congratulations, Edith. I look forward to working with you. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you, Councilman Nuden.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Mr. Gil, you have enough votes already. You don't need my votes because it's already done. But one thing I should mention that you have great people, you know, in your surroundings. You got Deputy Clark, so many secretaries, hardworking people. And one thing I can say loudly and clearly that every time you walk to the cler's office is very welcoming regardless. They're very busy, but they're welcoming and if they're very fair. We might have a lot of debates. You will I definitely know believe that you have researched on this. You have watched council meetings. We have lot of debates, arguments. But one thing we know that our clerk is always fair. Every time you requested something we we saw our request in place. I believe that you'll continue this and make sure that you offer the exact same examples to was created by this cler's office. Welcome to the board and let's work together to move the city forward. My

thank you councilman. Councilman um VZ. So, Madame Clark Gil as I say, communication, action, and results. That's what every corporate or government agency like to see. If something goes wrong, we start again with the communication. As you probably know, probably know or read around, I'm a passion and compassion with the residents of Patterson. And I don't put more stress where stress it is. I try to work with everyone. Um and yes, you know, we have to learn something that we all human and we all make mistakes, but we had that room to make a different. I want to apologize for now to the gentleman next to you. If you get laid home, it's not our fault. It all depends. The president we has had to conduct the meeting and she does. Yeah, you run the meeting. So, we come out early. Um, but last but not least, I cannot miss Miss Rally. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the hard work you've been doing since the passing of Mrs. Jacqueline Murray. You carried this council. You did what you have to do and you pray for us and that's really important. I'm grateful for your work and we're going to continue working because you got a lot to give. I want to say thank you. Thank you for your hard

work and representing the council and the city in the good and the bad. So, thank you once again to you with my vote. Even as some people say it's not needed, yes is needed because voting yes is means that I could be working with you. So that yes says welcome and I'll be working with you. My vote is yes, madam cler. Thank you, Councilman. Council President,

so I I'm glad that you added that to the end. I do want to commend the work of Madame Clerk for stepping in when our former clerk was sick up until her passing and then even after. We're not saying um bye cuz you're still going to be here doing a great job. You'll still be here. But I just wanted to put it on the record that you are truly appreciated. highly respected and you bring balance to the uh city council and to the clerk's office. To Miss Gil, thank you so much for even wanting to come to Patterson, choosing to be a part of the wonderful diversity that our community has and the richness of the culture that is here. Are we a perfect city? No, because we're not perfect. Are we the greatest city in my eyes? Absolutely. Do we have issues and problems? Yes. But the more we come together and give solutions and work collaboratively together and unity and strength and teamwork, this city can be the best city on this side of heaven. And so I welcome you to the city of Patterson. I look forward to your leadership. um as recommended to our BA that they would provide you with the list of the corrective action items so that you could take a look at those items to see where we need um improvement. Um I do want to put this on record before my vote. I recommend that you do a uh like a meet and greet with the staff to to introduce yourself even before you start so they'll get to know who you are, you know, to build that relationship with them because sometimes when someone comes in from outside, it could be something that lowers the morale in an office. But I think based on just your

humility um and your stance and your education and your background, I think that you will know how to bring that to a place um where you all can work together. But I just recommend just do a meet and greet so they can get to know you, show them how you're going to work together with our um deputy clerk and do some great things. With that being stated, madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 40 is hereby adopted. And at this time, I would like to have Okay. Council President, if if I may. Yes. So, we're going to have our um deputy clerk speak. Then, right after, we'll ask um our uh new municipal clerk to come. Thank you, Council President.

Yes. May May I very briefly? Yes. Corporation council. Thank you, Council President. I'll be very brief. Uh the law department works handinhand with the clerk's office regularly.

Yes. Yes. And I wanted to take an opportunity to thank Miss Riley and all her staff, but really Miss Riley of her stewardship of the clerk's office and the time, effort, and dedication. There's been a lot of long days, a lot of long nights in the clerk's office. Everything from elections to issues. And um you've been very diligent, and I just wanted to publicly thank you and recognize you for your service. And the law department, myself included, look forward to continuing to work with you. And given the relationship between the law department and the clerk's office, I welcome Miss Gil and we look forward to supporting you and um ensuring we do everything we can to make you succeed in your new role. Thank you. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Yes. Like to um welcome Miss Gail, Madame Clerk, um to your to your new office here at Patterson. Um I'm really relieved that you're here. It's a lot of work to be done um in in this city and in the clerk's office, but I I'm I'm so grateful that you're here and that you accepted the position, and I'm looking forward to be your being your supportive arm in the clerk's office. God bless you and thank you to our new muni municipal clerk if you would please come um and have some words to the community at large.

Good evening everyone. Um, first, thank you uh to this body for your vote of trust. I look forward to serving Patterson, to everyone here present um that's helped with the process. In particular, um I'm actually very pleased and so happy inside Jumping with Joy that this governing body acknowledges the work and thanks Miss Riley and her staff for all the work that they do. Um because being a municipal clerk is not a one-man show. You we are backed, right? And we are only as strong as our team is. So I certainly look forward to working with the city clerk staff here. Um and to our residents, welcome. Right. Thank you for welcoming me. Um I look forward to starting here on my first day. And just as I've expressed before, I'm here open. um willing to put my best foot forward as I do with everything that that really I try to do. Um so, thank you and I look forward to again serving Patterson.

Thank you so much, Miss Gail. Welcome aboard. At this time, we're going to ask for a motion to close. Move to close to close the meeting. Moved by Councilwoman Davlin, second by Council Mendes. Roll call to close the regular meeting of March 10th, 2026.

Roll call to close the regular meeting of March 10th, 2026. Councilwoman Cotton, thank you uh Madame Clerk. I just want to say to you um to our our Madame Clerk to Phyllis Riley, I want to say thank you for everything that you have done, for all the work you've done with this with your staff. And I want you to know that I truly appreciate you. And you know that I was always here and will continue to be here for anything that need to get done. And I just want to say um thank you for your services that you rendered in this in our time of need because we were in a time of need. I also want to say a few things before I before I close out. I want to thank all the speakers that came out tonight and for those who are watching our council meeting. You know, I thank you all for speaking and thank you all for coming out. Um this weekend has really been very very busy for me. But I want to say congratulations to my pastor. She's not my pastor, but she's a good pastor of my friend, Pastor Janelle Tisley York, who celebrated 10 years of her pastorial anniversary. I didn't I want to say also, you know, I I I get a lot of calls from different things, but I want to say to all the people out there who are caregivers, who are taking care either their mother, their father, their children, I just want to say I must send I have special prayers for people who have to take care of someone. Um, I know how it is. I did with my mom and I just want to say to you all out there, I'm sending you all my blessings cuz it's not easy being a caregiver and still having to to work and do do other things. Also, it was very special for me and I'm going to finish because I really didn't say anything uh today, but I had the pleasure this weekend of going to Selma, Alabama u to celebrate the 61 years of Bloody Sunday, which was March the 8th. And I went there with my dear friend Jamie Bland, Jumpstart Community Training, National Action Network. Had the opportunity to meet Reverend Al Sharpton. I had the opportunity to sit

and chat with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's son, Martin Luther King III. To me, that's very special when you're able to reach out and touch someone like that that you know has been part of history. So, I enjoy going there. This is my second year. We c they celebrated 61 years. The crowd this year was extremely extremely big. Um, and of course the Reverend Jesse Jackson family were there. Um, I had the opportunity to see them to see them march across the Ever Penency Bridge. I also want to say one thing that if you want to hear me speak, I would be at Second Baptist Church on March the 22nd and they had asked me to come for Black History Month for they want me to tell my story about my husband Edward El Cotton Jr. who was also a councilman who was also DBW director who was also deputy mayor to Pasc Carell who was always also the aid to John Genti um I just want to also say to people there that there's a lot of events coming up and one more thing to me is very important I would be celebrating a black history contest that I have been doing for the last 12 years is with Rashana Elder interfaith performing arts we were doing it Thursday March 12th at the museum and it's called um it's called our black history art essay contest and we'll be at the museum and let me say something to people children are very special and we must see that they are u one of our winners and if you could come is March 12th at 4:00 at the museum but one of our winners is a little person who has no hands and she won the art contest she drew her portrait with her mouth mouth and her feet. And I think that everyone should want to come out to see how this little one was able to do that. So, there's a lot of events coming up. Please, everyone, if you would like to come out, say county African-American is

having our event on March 28th, uh, 26 years. Um, the African Heritage Parade Committee is having their lunchon on March 14th. They'll be honoring people. Christ Temple Baptist Church will be doing their anniversary, their 75th anniversary on March the 14th. If you think you're interested in coming out, please come out. You can see me. But there's so many things that's going on. Let's stay positive. Let's keep a positive mode because people need to see positive and not negativity because it makes them feel good when they see positivity. One more time, Miss Edith Gil, thank you for joining us. You know, I look forward with all our council members. We will be working closely with you all. So, with that being said, happy to be on board with you with Melinda up there. Thank you. Good night. All my council colleagues, good night. Like I said, there's a lot of people out there that's looking for help and hope. Let's do what we can. My council colleagues, have a good night.

Everyone out there. Have a good night. Happy women's month to all the women out there. God bless you all. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Dav.

Thank you very much. I'll begin by saying happy women's history month to the leading ladies of this council along with our deputy clerk and our secretaries. Um you know we definitely are the backbone uh in our city. So and to our newest clerk uh happy women's uh history month to you as well to all the women in our city and to all the women in our nation. Happy Women's History Month. Uh women's history is every day, 365 days a year. Uh thank you to all of the um members of the community that came and put forward, you know, their uh displeasures. And I say that in a way because a lot of times, you know, if you don't come to us, uh we don't know everything. So, the fact that you are able to come before us and we um hopefully will be able to bring resolution to uh some of the things that we're spoking about here today. Uh in addition to my council colleagues, uh I want to thank each and every one of you. Uh because of each and every one of what you do, I feel that I become better every day. Uh, and so you are all important in your own way and I wanted to just publicly, you know, thank each and every one of you. Specifically to the leading ladies, uh, Council President and Councilwoman Cotton, um, experience, as Councilman Bellis says, cannot be improvised. uh you know working uh day in day out uh working in the community as an advocate and then becoming a legislator it is not the same thing and yes we can advocate

but we are here to legislate and so um I'm thankful uh I'm looking forward you know to the next 64 days uh May 12th will be around the corner and I am looking forward to coming back and continuing the work uh that we have started. Um I'm not going anywhere. I'm born, raised, educated in the city and it is important to see that people that live here, that are born here want to serve here. So, thank you very much uh to our BA. I'm happy that you have been confirmed. Uh like I said, you know, previously uh I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm happy that finally somebody that sits in that seat is someone that understands us and this side. All right. Uh Mr. CFO, it is very important. We took action today on an item that uh was signed off by DCA in the end of January. it came to this council. Uh and we want to make sure that it is done expeditiously. Uh I think that um you heard the other uh union come before us asking and you know it it saddens me you know that they come here because there's nowhere else. They've tried and tried year after year after year. And so coming to this council, I wish that I I could be sitting in the negotiation side of things. Uh but with that said, you know, I will leave it there. Thank you to our officers, Melinda, Raphael, Diana. Thank you for all that you do for me. Last minute stuff. I appreciate you, Diana. Okay. Uh but thank you so much. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Good evening. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman

Jackson. Yes, Councilman Khalig. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Um, Mr. Bier, we Mr. Bier, can you hear me?

We just had the snowstorms. Um, the street are clear now. Weather is getting better. Potholes, those bulk pickups. and the street sweepers. Make sure they're on time and they're on schedule. I don't want to call back and forth. Those are the only three things. Not only me, I think whole entire city of Patterson asking for walk pickup. Make sure they pick up on every blocks, potholes, and the sweepers on schedule. Thank you. Good night everyone. And my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilman Omar um Menddees, I'm sorry.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, first of all, I'm a clerk. I want to say thank you, Miss Phillips. Thank you so very much for for the amazing job that you have done as our clerk. Uh, just um you've been a blessing for the city of Patterson and you're not going anywhere. You're going to stay with us, just serving the community. Uh we love you and we thank you to our new clerk. Um so, welcome to the city of Patterson. We're looking forward to work with you and get the job done on behalf of the Patterson resident. That's the reason why we're here. They elect us um to work for them. Um that's what we're doing. Uh also, let me congratulate on International Women's Month. Congratulation to all the women's in the city of Patterson and and in the war. So, you you are the only human being uh you know that give life. So you you belong to uh you're the backbone of this community uh the balance of this society and especially happy international women's month for my wife my mother Anna my wife Johanni and my daughter Maya Mendes um so um Patterson there's a lot of work to be done Patterson a lot of work to be done with ready I want to say thank you to all those resident for the love and the support that they've given me I'm excited every time I go out I just want to say thank you thank you you know my number reach out to me 973 3 9301436 and May 12 is around the corner. Alice B is 1A to be your next mayor of the great city of Patterson. God bless you all and have a good night. Patterson,

your vote is yes. Correct. He didn't vote. Absolutely. Yes, Madam Cler. Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh I'm going to be I'm going to try to be as brief as possible. Congratulations, Miss Gil.

Look forward to working with you. And Miss Phyllis, thank you for all you've done. You've been a tremendous help, not only to the rest of the council members, but me, myself, me being new, and you showed me things that I probably wouldn't have known, and I really do appreciate it. Um, and as you guys know, we are in the final nine or eight days in Ramadan. I'm losing count. I want to thank everybody for coming out yesterday, to our uh to our community if to our council colleagues who did show up. Councilman VeZ, Council President, Councilman Mims, Councilman Khik, thank you guys. The community really appreciates it. Um and also we won't have a council meeting next week or till after April but I want to wish everybody a Eid Mubarak

and um six ward residents look out there will be an announcement coming soon for Eid celebration. Thank you. My vote is yes madam clerk. Good night. Councilman um Councilman Uden Councilman Uden. Uh thank you madame clerk. Uh again, uh thank you for everything you do for the city of Patterson. Um and I believe that coordination between you and Mrs. Gil, we're going to have wonderful Clark's office that's serving the resident of the city of Patterson. Um and welcome to the board and congratulations. Um corporation council, I'm not sure he's here or not, but where's he at?

Excuse me. BA Mr. Ba Corporation Council is not here. I'd like to address something very important. Um I saw

uh Mr. Ba I'm sorry to uh distract in the last minute. U I'm just trying to uh address something very important. Uh recently we passed an ordinance uh which is chapter 421 smoke shop and tobacco stores. And the reason behind was that we wanted a cap, no more smoke shops um in our city or no more by our schools, the uh institutions of workshop uh or worships. uh to do that we we're very excited to introduce an ordinance but that some of the wordings in the ordinance created a lot of issues and confusions in the community. In the last two meetings um many business owners showed up to the council meeting shared their concern and when we are walking knocking doors and talking to the business owners and they're addressing more concerns and as I am trying to address something from the email um so when we passed this ordinance there was 60 days were given to uh apply for the uh license tomorrow is the last day when last time the one of the or two of the uh business owners came here we we actually answered that we are working on it and uh we'll find other options to

the time

to correct uh council president I'm requesting some additional time on this um and it's for all of us so so we and I definitely want to tell the business owners and I'll talk to the um uh director of the health and human resources to see if we can be flexible on the timing and what else can be done with this. the major issue that I would like to address and when I read again and that's really u concerning um and let me address few stuff that I would like to mention that which is highlighted by the business owners um so it says that owners of the um of the premises should carry all the receipts all the um documents of purchase at the promise in their in their and anybody from the health and human resources or his agent can uh visit unannounced and they must be ready to present all the documents. Now concern from the business owners that if they are not there at the business the employees are there the employees do not have access to all the documents of of a of a business. So their concern is if it is an unannounced visit and employees are not able to provide documents then we are in wrong side we have to pay the penalty. That's one of the concern. Second concern is it says all the employees must read and sign on the documents that they understood the ordinance they understood the rules and regulations. Their concern is there are so many employees um working there they are not uh you know uh okay to sign on the documents of the owners because they don't know what what it says and of course language various another another issue

just a point of order point of order yes go ahead council

I in the last council meeting I am always going to reiterate Robert rules of order we are in the close out of voting session you have two minutes. Your two minutes has passed. You're now going into seven minutes. These are items that should have been possibly brought up earlier. I'm respectfully asking you to bring it to a close so that we can close out so all of um our clerk and secretaries are able to go home so they can come back in the morning. You have two minutes. Everyone else has did it then that time. So, Councilman Uden, could you please wrap up so that we can close out this meeting on tonight? Council President, I requested additional time just to uh close it and I'm not sure we got seven minutes. Maybe I'm a minute.

It was not granted. It was not council president with this rebuttal. We are not saving time. We're just No, it wasn't. Could you just wrap up please? The third thing is is concerning. There are multiple occasion I'm going to send email as well. Um uh Mr. BI that uh in occasion that the owners or employees cannot provide the documentation the inspector can um discard or throw or damage those materials.

These are the few things are very concerning and tomorrow is the last day. We promise to the people that we're working on it. So I'm going to send email send email to the director of the department to make sure that we a little bit flexible and work on this because we are very excited to fix the issues but we are not harding our business owners especially small business owners. Thank you council.

So when council president uh again respectfully that something I wanted to address earlier but since we went to the executive session I even spoke to the uh corporation council that we all council members should be on this cuz the business owners are concerned about it. It's not about particularly It's not about me. It's about all of us, council president. We are saving time. That's true. But we are serving the people. If we need to sit here for a little extra time for the people again, uh, thank you. And I'm going to send details. I can't even speak. There are so many things other things to be addressed, but I mentioned only three. So, I'll send an email um shortly right after the meeting ends. Um, and uh with that being said, uh I'm uh yes to close the public um or join the meeting, I guess. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Vez,

you could send an email with all the 20 items. So, okay. So, qu quickly to the resident of the fifth ward, we're going to have a uh fifth war spring cleanup. Uh and the meeting point will be at Juan Pablo Darte Plaza, March 21st, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Lunch and breakfast and lunch will be served. So, please contact my office or me if you want to join. Congratulation to uh to all the female women international month and to councilman Davila. She said that women's day is all year round uh except one day but we always come short is father's day. They never do something good. Okay. So yeah. So and sure. So a political statement 30 second. I I got one 25 minutes to go. So political statement, I'm watching. I'm listening to every platform for the councilman at large that we have in the city. I'm watching following Facebook, listening to them even that you don't call me or whatever, but I'm watching. I'm listening. I know you had to go to your base and ask for your base for votes, but this is a diverse city. We have a melting pot in the city of Patterson. So try to reach and be inclusive in your platform. If you don't have if you're not inclusive, don't knock my door or either call me if you're not going to think that your platform is inclusive. and just a wise uh statement to all of that. Before you promise something to the resident that you're going to do,

read theou of the city of Patterson with the state of New Jersey and read the statutes of the law and it will tell you what you could do or not do. So that's a wise um advice. Thank you. God bless you all. My vote is yes. Thank you, council. Thank you, council president. I just need and I just one second. All right. I just have one more announcement. Um I just want to say to the audience out there u we're doing a kid bizaar. So, if your young people order, council man, I'm talking. Just wait one second.

Uh, we're having a kid bizarre. If your young people have uh wants to start their own business or they're selling something, we're having a kid bazaar sponsored by Chanel Red at the museum on April the 4th. It's free. We so far have 30 young people from the age of 11 to 17 that want to go and business for theirself. So, please come out community at the Pass Museum April the 4th. children between the age of 11 11 to 17 which wants to start their own business and they're selling their own products that they made. Chanel Red, thank you for coming up with this idea. Kids are thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Council President.

Yes. So, very, very briefly, thank you to the community for the opportunity on tonight. We were able to get through a lot of items that pertain to the city. um and our residents. Um that's not my time. I just started talking. Um and pertaining to the city and the residents, I also want to say to um our deputy clerk, our secretaries, the police, our synographer, our um television guy, Raphael, our BA Corporation council, um our CFO, and to my council colleagues. Um thank you so much for your due diligence. I want to say when it came to the municipal clerk's process, it was fair and equitable. Um, we made sure we did things by the book, there was a nominating committee that was selected and we processed everything by the book, very fair, very detailed. It was outlined. I sent a full outline when it first started um so that no one could question the um whether it was a biased process. It was totally unbiased. It was fair and equitable. And I welcome our new municipal clerk who will be starting on April 1st. Um, Miss Edith Gil. Um, and one thing she did not say, she doesn't live in Patterson, but her family lives here. I'll add that to for you. So, to our community at large, continue to pray for each and everyone. Pray for those that are grieving, those that are sick that are going through. And I want us to lift up a special prayer for Miss Beverly Harden. She was our McDonald's Gospel Fest winner a couple years ago and she's been going through some challenges and I want to make sure we continue to pray for her and so many other people that are sick um and shut it in our community. Madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, council president. The votes are nine in favor, none against. This meeting is adjourned. Good night, Patter. Tonight Patterson.