Council - Regular Meeting

Everyone, on behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the workshop meeting of April 7th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. Madame Clerk, please call the role. I'm sorry. We have to wait for Councilman Udin. We do not have a quorum right now. He just stepped out. Madam clerk, roll call.

Guys, guys, start calling. Yes, Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say welcome to your first meeting. U Madame Clerk Gil. Um Oh, yes. Mom's I'm here. Thank you, President. Thank you. Council Vice President Davila present. Council member Jackson is absent at this time. Coun.

Council member Jackson is walking in and present. Council member Khalik is absent. Council member Mendes absent. Council member Omar is absent. Council member Udin I'm here. Councilman Vez, present, madam clerk. And council president Ms. I am here, madam clerk.

Six members present. We have quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, can we go on to payment of bills, madam chair? Oh. Yes. Statement of compliance, madam clerk, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you.

Statement of compliance. Adequate notice of this meeting was compiled and disseminated in accordance with the open public meetings law in the following manner. The annual notice of regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council was compiled for the year 2025 2026 on July 1st, 2025. A schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly transmitted to the North Jersey Herald News, the record, the Arabic voice, the Italian voice, the P County Pulse, Dominico News, Laiskea International, Les Bale, the Patterson Press, the City Post News, Tap into Patterson, The Weekly, Bangla Patria In addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop was also posted in a prominent place located in the lobby hall of the first floor of city hall and a place reserved for the announcements of this type. The schedule of the regular meetings and workshop session for the year was duly filed with our office and mailed to any person who requested and paid the fee authorized but by the open public records act.

Thank you madam clerk. Um payment of bills.

Thank you very much uh council president and council members. We have before us um a summary of dispersements uh in a total of 37 million $5772,74.93. Um there are two payroll weeks uh a total of 12 million uh $110,776.37. If you look at the computerized checks, there is a total of 25,461,928.56. There are two board of education payments. Uh total is 13,417,455.84. In addition, uh solid waste, other um statutory expenditures in a total of 1,927,85.38. And in general government, there's 7,33 uh,37751 uh the breakdown of the general government is of 5.8 8 million for insurance and 600,000 uh for workers comps and then there's uh smaller um uh payments done. So the total between the computerized checks of 25,461,92856, two payroll weeks totaling 20 12,10,776.37 total a 37,572,74.93. My motion is for payment of bills.

Second discussion. Discussion. Council member Alz uh through the chair, council president, uh through the chair to uh CFO. Uh this payment of bills is not is against or in favor of we have a item in the uh workshop agenda um regarding appropriation. Uh this is appropriation to cover this payment of bill or is already we got the money in the bank. CFO, are you speaking about the temporary appropriations? That's for next two months. Not for this one. Not for this one. Not for this payment of bills. Okay. Thank you, Council President.

You're welcome. Roll call. Madam Clerk, Council Member Cotton, yes. Council Vice President Davila, yes. Council members Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So to the members of the public here, we witness the baseline uh fact of why exactly our communities in the condition it's in. You know, I couldn't help but notice just as pulling up in front of city hall with garbage blowing around in the streets like it's never been before. It's almost like tumble weed in a in a Dallas uh uh ranch city. Right across the street, there's people sleeping in in corridors with piles of garbage hanging on top of this of of of them. The city's at at the all-time worst. The council's only authority comes from its ability to scrutinize the spending of the of the administration. That's it. This is it. And we're just a a simple yes and go vote for close to $40 million in appropriations. No questioning, no uh uh auditing. We saved almost $4.6 million to the assistant director's assess assertion several weeks ago by doing bulk pickup in-house. We haven't hired one new employee. We haven't extended purchased any new equipment to help with these with these endeavors. We have people campaigning on on a team you could trust. We can't even trust the fact that the money that's being spent like crazy is going into the spaces where we are where where they're claiming it's going. The city's in the in the in the worst condition it's ever been. When I started here as a council person, the municipal budget was 225 million. Now we at $330 million, almost $und00 million more. And what are we getting for it? Absolutely nothing. There's no way. No way. I can I I mean, I haven't supported

this stuff anyway, but I've been alone. We haven't held this administration accountable when it comes to the services, the lack of services that's taking place in the city, and it's only going to continue to get worse. People, elections have consequences. Pay attention to what's going on. Madame clerk, my vote is no. We're not in vote yet. We were in discussion. We're in vote. We're in the middle of a roll call. Okay. My apologies. What what was I what was so funny? Nothing's funny. No, I there was people who were chuckling, I guess. You know, they're not paying as much of attention as they should be, I guess. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Council member Odin,

my voice. Yes, madam clerk. Council member.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Uh to the members of the public, the garbage situation of our city that we have in the city of Patterson is being taken care of our department of DPW day in day out. They've been working hard to making sure that our city catch up with all the illegal dumpers and everybody doing the inresponsible of dumping and not keeping their property clean, sidewalk clean. So the DPW is working hard to maintain our city clean regarding the homeless and situation that we have with homeless. Let's take our time invite for the the community that we have a homeless reconnect day. I believe it's going to be tomorrow at Calary Church. Uh let's promote that. Let's let's promote that we have a program and it's going to be working from Calvary Church this next uh tomorrow Wednesday and moving forward and moving forward we are paying the bills and we have responsibility to pay the bills and uh administration and the CFO did the diligence to make sure that anybody that submit a payment that we are here to vote for that payment of bills. So saying that our responsibility is that let's move forward. My vote is yes

and council president memes. Thank you. I'm glad that we're moving forward to ensure that the school board is paid as well as our employees. This is two weeks of payroll. I'm excited about that. The flyer will be posted. I heard Elvis. I don't know where he went. Um we'll post the flyer Elvis. So we'll give the details. I'll pull it up for the homeless connect at Calvary Baptist, 575 East 18 Street on tomorrow. Madame clerk, my vote is yes. Five in favor, one no. This item passes mad. Council president, may I? Council member,

uh, council president, um, I just, if it's possible, I requested a, uh, two minutes to do a small presentation. If it's possible to do it now or just give me one minute. Okay. Okay. So, M Council President, one one second. Couns uh uh Councilman Jackson, and then I want to give some items that will go on consent per the council members that are out. And just for the community, we have uh Councilman Khalik and Councilman Omar who are not here tonight. They're not feeling well. So, let's keep them in um our prayers. Councilman Jackson, and then um I'll give you their items to go on consent.

Thank you, Council President. So um relative to the vote the uh uh vote on the bills list and I could not help but my hear colleague talk about being responsible in in payroll. I asked for a report Mr. Ba several months months ago with regard to this payment to the consultant for the CFO. Now, I forgot the document, but I have obtained a copy of the invoice for a $15,000 payment for one pay period. And at that rate, that means we would be paying this person close to $300,000 to do work that the CFO is failing to do. I've asked for a report on that. I do have a copy of the document, which I will make public and I'll bring here to the next meeting. What's what's the status on the report for this uh this this payment to the uh consultant?

Um Mr. Ba, can we address that at a later time since it's not on the agenda? Can we come back to that? It's it's it's a it's a it's an association or has everything to do with what we just voted on the bills list. We're paying and in this item that all of you have have allowed to slide through on the agenda on these agendas. We paid this woman $15,000 for two weeks period of work and we can't the public doesn't deserve a a a outline or a report on this. So I'm not saying they don't deserve it. Um do you have that information, Mr. Ba?

Um so Councilman, when we spoke on the phone about a week ago, you called me about another issue. You you mentioned this. Um, the finance department does use a consultant as do many of our departments. Um, I will get you the exact breakdown for the last year, but it is nowhere near uh $300,000 annually. So, I don't know, you know, I don't know, you know, I get the extrapolation from one invoice. Um, but, um, my understanding is it's far less than than the expense if we were to hire a full-time employee with benefits uh, to supplement the department. Um, so um, I will I'll get the vendor name. I'm not aware of what the what the LLC is or what the what that is. Um, but I'll provide you uh with two years worth of

It's a vendor who's apparently has an address in Florida. And uh I mean I would I want a a a significant outline of what we're paying per per hour for somebody to be accumulating. We have people who, you know, Councilman Bles talking about DPW workers, some of these workers who can work for six months and not make that kind of money. And we're paying a consultant who's here for a few hours every uh every other every other night in excess of $15,000 a pay period. And that's something that we should be concerned about. There should have been an open public discussion with regard to that because if the person who was doing the job who's also being paid a six-f figure salary is incapable of doing the job of which this council has the ability and the authority to to pull his uh his his uh uh assignment. You know, this council is just not doing what it's supposed to do on on behalf of the public. So, I look forward to that that report and next week I'll definitely have that document to make it public.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Item number um 23 um will be on regular. Item 24 will be regular. Madame clerk, Mr. President, item number item 23. Yes. Yeah. Item 23. I just want to add a co-sponsor uh also my colleague here uh Enemy Uden onto it. 23. So 23 corporation council please add councilman udin. So 23 is regular 24 is regular 59 is consent 61 is consent

and if there are any issues with our city clerk items. These are all taxi registration renewals and 59 is consent. One second. No, I you you're mentioning I need to know if there's I haven't got the 59. Someone we're on 59. You're too quick fast. 59. Yes. 50 59 consent. Yes. Okay. No. Yes. That was per the request of the sponsor. All right. 59 will go on consent.

Yes. That's the uh council I called. Items 14 through 22. These are all taxi cat renewals through the city clerk's office. All the paperwork is up to date. Ralph license 14 through 22. Everything is up to code. Do any council members have any issues? Which one is that? City clerk items 14 through 22. Uh, council president. Yes, council member through through the chair to madame clerk. Um, madame clerk, if it's possible, um, I know that we getting resolution approve renewal taxi um, taxi um, yeah, taxi caps taxi cap of licenses to set

that you could send a letter that we have. I know the the the clerk has to remind every owner of CAPS on the city of Patterson that they have to park their car overnight or whatever and they're establishing that they put on paper that they have a garage for those vehicle because I'm receiving residents complaint that um taxis are taking residents parking and um and it's not fair for our resident especially we don't have a lot of parking in the streets. So to send them the letter that they have to park in that designated um description or describe parking lot that they put in the contract that they supposed to. Thank you council.

Thank you. The city councilman um um Jackson. So madam clerk just want to add a little context. So what council member is talking about is completely correct and I'm not sure if it may be different practices in other places. So I'm just going to make sure I put it on record. In order for a cab company to receive a license, they have to have off- streetet parking for all the vehicles. And it's not happening. In fact, uh I'll forward you multiple pictures every single night. These cabs are parking on the street. They're parking illegally, parking across the um the crosswalks. And um it we used to have someone who was responsible for taxi cab enforcement. Um

who who took over the the position? They still have the two. It was Pedro. He Pedro was I think Pedro retired. They only got two inspector now. Pedro retired. Yeah, he's retired. It was three. We have Oh, sorry. We It was three.

One second. We can get that information as to who, but there are two inspectors, but they could provide the name to who is here, but there are two inspectors. I mean, so I would like to get an outline of their their um their job uh uh descriptions if they're because these these infractions are taking place at, you know, 1 2:00 in the morning. I'm sure these inspectors are they doing sessions or rounds at that hour, you know, um and and taking complaints from residents, making sure that they're not parking on the street cuz it's not being enforced like everything else in the city, as a matter of fact. So, if I can get a report, madame clerk, about the inspectors, who are the inspectors, what is their um job description and roles times that they they're assigned to work and and follow up on these infractions.

Council President, thank you. These items will be on consent. Council President, regular council. So, council, all the cab items regular. Madam, one second. Thank you, Councilman Le. Item 14 is consent for the raffle ticket and then 15 through 22 will be regular. Yes, Council Member. So, from this point on on the workshop when they when they put all this um um regular

um regular or they move it, I'm going to call a discussion on the item that you're going to put forward because I want to say something and I don't want to go back and forth. Uh through the chair, Mr. BA. Um, this is one of the things that I'm being calling I've been talking to uh our public safety director and also I did publicly uh mention it. We we got two good taxi inspectors but they on foot. they don't have a car and um it will be good that uh once again uh locate a vehicle for them. They could be more proactive. They bring to the general funding of the city of Patterson a lot of money going after those illegal cap drivers or pirates how they call it. You know it's it will be good that uh overtime will be good for them. card will be good for them. And then if they give him motive time to go out there and enforce illegal cabs and this type of uh violation at parking overnight, they could do it also at night and it will be beneficial for the city. They if if you look at the uh at the court proceeding probably in every Friday, they catch a lot of pirates uh taxi pirates in the city of Patterson. So they bringing revenues to the city of Patterson. Thank you. So,

thank you, Council President. Thank you, C. Councilman Jackson. So, Mr. Ba, is that is that accurate? The two inspectors don't have a vehicle. Mr. Ba, um I don't know how long that has gone on for, but currently the the taxi inspectors are are on foot. They're on foot. Yes. So, what what do they do? Walk around the city looking

We have We have We have many Well, if they had a V. So if and when we get them a vehicle, which I'm working with director Speedial and other department heads that have vehicles, they'd be limited to using those vehicles strictly to get from point A to point B around the city. They can't actually do any enforcement with the vehicle like a police car. So they're they're they're limited to the geographic area of, you know, down downtown here where we have city buildings that they can step into, take a break or whatever. So So they're they're limited to this geographic area unless they choose to by personal vehicle change areas. So wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. So you're saying that if a inspector is working right

with a city vehicle, they're limited only to the downtown area in which they can enforce do their job for tax currently. Currently because they don't have a vehicle assigned to them. They're limited to this area because this is where most of our buildings are and our, you know, our our administrative buildings are. But why would a taxi cab enforcement person be working in an administrative building? What what could they possibly be doing? My my point being they are they are 12 12-month employees like in the winter, right? You can't expect someone reasonably to be outside for eight or nine hours. So because especially if he's walking, correct?

What? So what is he doing? What are we paying two inspectors for? And they don't have a car. What are they doing? Could you explain like their job their role and their their job description walking around the city? I mean, how what is a taxi cab enforcement agent supposed to do as he's walking around the city? Can you explain that? make that kind of clear for me.

They they they walk I see them myself. They walk with the book. They they they observe violations. They observe idling that occurs where it isn't supposed to. They you know they they have by virtue of their position the right to to write you know certain citations or summones and and bring them to the you know feed them into the municipal court and then that process unfolds. So giving them access to a C city vehicle would just allow them to be able to jump between the different, you know, commercial corridors where there's the most taxi activity in the city, not strictly just downtown where most of their activity is currently. Uh so currently the two of them, they walk around the block. That's what they're doing. Walk. My understanding that's that's been going on for a long time. Yes.

And they bring in they bring in revenue for for the resources they have. Um, you know, they they you know, one inspector has been with the city for over 20 years. Um, so they Can we get a report on how much revenue they've been bringing in since they've been walking around the block? Can I get a report on that? Is that possible or is it not going to happen? Like I I can get you court revenue on those specific taxi citations. Yes. All right. Great. Thank you. And also, Mr. Ba, to hear that uh taxi inspectors don't have vehicles is very alarming. So, that needs to be addressed immediately. Um, I'm not sure why that's happening because in the past the taxi inspector did have ve a vehicle. So, I'm not sure what this new practice is.

Council president, I could I could update you on that. One second. But we have to make sure that it's addressed. Not for that, but I'm just saying we have to make sure it's addressed. As we were speaking, um, one of uh, the department heads in texted me that uh, they found a vehicle within another department. So, so we are working through that problem. So, one vehicle has been assigned to just provide an update to the council on that. Um, yes, Mr. Ba. Um, item number five. Um, Madame Clerk, first reading, ordinances establishing a commercial loading zone for Baskam Corporation Products on a portion of Oak Street.

Was this item five? Was this vetted in your committee? Madame Chair, Council Motton. Counciloman Cotton number five. Was it vetted in your committee? Yes, Madame Chair. Oh, I'm sorry. I was part of the committee. That's why. Yes. Yes.

Yeah, he's good. Director. Are there any questions about a commercial loading zone? No, we good. No. Yeah. Where where where is this on? Oak this is to uh there was an issue there. So this is to establish and to fix the problem. Director, you have to turn your mic on. It's on the corner of Beach Street, you know, in Oak Street. It'll be on the Oak Street side, I believe.

Uh 31 ft away from the the the corner. It'll be right in front of his property Monday through Friday. He wanted it Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 7 pm. We cut it down from Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. What? So, what is it? What are they loading? It's um distributor. So, whatever he distributes to local um bodega, candy store, stuff like that. And cuz it's a relatively residential area right there, right? Right there is all all commercial property. You have the grocery store. You have the uh the little deli on the corner. Um and then right next to him is the the warehouse which he has two bays already. It'll be right in front of his bays. Very good. Thank you. You got it.

Thank you. We're going to take our fire items if our fire chief and our deputy will come forward. Um I know these items were vetted through our public safety committee. Um madame chair, items 36 through 38, if you can give an overview. She just she item 36 through 38. Just a brief overview. Good evening. Good evening, council president. These items were committee.

So these items were vetted through committee. Items 36 through 38. Uh one is for the purchase of radio and accessories. The other is for the equipment for turnout gear for the fire department and the other one is a software upgrade for the emergency entrance system for the fire department. Do any council members have questions pertaining to the fire department? Yes. Everything's okay for consent. Oh, good consent. Thank you. Thank you. Uh fire one second. Um, chief item number 37

for $132,000. What um fire equipment exactly are we is this for? That's for the 22 U recruits are in the academy to outfit them from head to toe with the uh fire protective equipment. I I apologize. I thought it was something else. It's fine. Very good. Thank you. Thank you, Chief and Deputy. Have a good night, everyone. Yes, you too. Um, police department. Madam Chair, these items were also vetted. Um, public safety committee. Yes.

Director isn't here.

So, council members, um, just like the fire items, um, were vetted in committee um, a week ago. Uh items 44, 45 and 46 and 47 were as well. These are police items. The first item 44 is a resolution authorizing the city of Patterson through the Patterson Police Department of uh department to participate in the Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 program to enable the Patterson Police Department to request and acquire excess department of defense equipment. Um, item 45 was a resolution authorizing participation with the state of New Jersey in a safe and secure communities program grant administered by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Office of the Attorney General. 46 is a resolution authorizing the award of contract to Safeware, Inc. for the purchase and delivery of one Skyio XL 10 Dock and accessories for the police department under the source swell contract number 080922-Saf in an amount not to exceed $161,8.

Thank you. Item 47 is a resolution authorizing a contract for the purchase of three Ford Police Interceptors. uh all-wheel drive for from the American Ford under the Bergen County Co-op Contract Purchasing System CK-04 bid number 24-43 for the police department in the amount not to exceed $140,72620. A lot of these monies are coming from for forfeite funds. Yes. Any issues to

consent? Is the council members okay with moving forward with these items for consent? Then council president, 44, 45, 46, and 47. Yes. Would go on consent? Yes. Thank you. So, council president, item number 47 needs to be on regular.

There's no way I don't care what I I need an outline of what's going to happen with these vehicles. Uh via the report, last report I got, which doesn't outline what was what they're spending on gas. You have an enormous amount of ranking officers that have take-home vehicles. So now we're buying new vehicles and where there's officers that's on patrol that don't have vehicles. You got officers coming in. They they have to wait for cars, swapping cars, doubling up on cars. We're buying new vehicles. We should outline within the agreement of what we're paying for these vehicles for. and we should have a full report on the the gas consumption that's been utilized by those take-home vehicles. You got officers that live up in Franklin and live up in in in Sparta driving cars home every day. They don't even work in the street. They come out here, park the car in the back while officers don't have cars while they just use a a vehicle to take back and forth, you know, transporting their families and stuff like that using city gas to do it. and we have no oversight on that on this. So that item needs to be on on on regular please.

Thank you. So 44, 45 and 46 or consent. 47 is regular. Madame clerk, let's do community development items if you will come. Uh 25 and 26. Director for 25 and 26. And these items were met and vetted through our um community development committee. We did have a meeting um and thank you for the information. Can you just brief the council? So 25 is to revise the budget that was already approved by the council a few months a few years ago. We were not able to utilize the funds for the repairs for the library. So we're going to use it to do road resurfacing.

The library will reapply for 26 months. Can I hear? I can't hear. Can you hear? Could you just speak into the microphone? Sorry. The library was not able to utilize their funding that we awarded. So, they're going to apply for 26 funding. We're we're going to use the 24 and 25 funds to do road resurfacing. Council president, you got

for that for um director, can you please send a copy of that email as to what really happened in uh almost the loss of those funds? So the council members can see uh the continuous uh dialogue in relation to what really happened. So the council members are well aware that it wasn't based on your um on your side, but there was a constant uh request for some time and we almost lost this these funds. Yes, Councilman.

Thank you, Council President, Madame Director. First of all, thank you for being here. A long time I don't see you, right? But one meeting a month workshop and regular but CBDG money was received through the federal government to your department, right? Yes. Correct. Uh it was CO 19 care act.

There's two resolutions. One is for CO 19 and one is regular. Um, in the past when when we was receiving the $68 million and everybody was receiving funding for for CO 19, I always question where is the book on instruction to spend this money to one second. Councilman Bles 26 is CO. This item 25 that she's sp speaking about is not CO. This is CDBG. So, I just want to make sure you're speaking on task to what we're talking about. Oh, we thought we talking about 26. Sorry. No. 25. Sorry. Okay. So, you'll come back. We come back. Okay. Councilman Jackson.

So, Madame Director, um, respecting the council president's um, uh, request for an email. I mean, I respect it as well, but I think the public deserves an answer on that as well. We have um, notices that the library was going to have to close certain um, spaces. Can you explain Can you outline for me what what exactly happened? why the why the library failed to utilize these funds. I couldn't actually explain to you why the library did not use their funds. I can tell you that we've had many meetings with the library because they were having issues with hiring an engineer, awarding a contract, uh deciding when they were going to shut down the the libraries.

I can't speak on that. That would have to be uh director Fleming. As far as we're concerned, we presented the CD department presenting a resolution back in 22. We amended it in 23. We gave them 24 and we amending it again today because they still have not utilized any of the funds that we gave them. The the library has the library. So, and this seems to be a pattern because I know that there was an it was also an issue with the YMCA in which funds was taken from them in excess of what uh $2 million or was it

I I have no idea about the YMCA. The YMCA did a home project with me and they did not complete the project according to the time frame. That has nothing to do with CDBG. That's a home project.

Okay. Well, although it may not have anything to do with this particular matter, right, the library has a great deal to do how it impacts our young people and how they are um, you know, they they subsidize their education as well as the YMCA and how they, you know, aid, you know, our young people and how they do the same, whether it's education or athletic outlets and things of that nature. It seems very strange to me that uh money that can be had a significant impact on the community through a community service agencies specifically the one that we're responsible for with the library. So how much what was the what's what was the amount that they failed to utilize?

612,000. The library failed to use 612,000. What was it originally earmarked for? The library. Okay. it. Obviously, they have to have had an approved project, right? It can't they just can't say you take a 650 to give it away to They give us an application. We vet the application. We present it to the C council. The council awards the a contract and then the entity has to go out and do the dis the business $600,000. Director, what was this supposed to be utilized for for construction of two libraries? Actually, three. Director, I don't understand why how is this getting um escalated? I'm simply asking the question. I'm not escalating. I'm trying.

I'm asking the question not just for my own edification but also for the purposes of the public so they can understand how community block grant money comes into the city and all of and and consistently is diverted for some other act activity that we should we should have been paying. We need stronger partners. That's the only way I can put it. We need stronger more knowledgeable partners. We tried really hard to help director Fleming on the path of doing the construction. We started with the small library in um toa that failed miserably. He had to pay out of his own pocket. We are a reimbursement. So they pay first and then we reimburse. We looked at all of

So what was the failure? How did it fail?

He did not procure properly. We gave him all the tools to procure and he didn't procure properly. So we cannot move forward. We ask permission from HUD once we get procurement in place. We have to send a notice to HUD that we follow all of their rules and then they give us permission to spend the money. So, you can award it, but I can't give out a dime until HUD says it's okay. He did not do that. So, we scrapped that project. That was only 26,000. We moved that money into the next two projects. It took him from 2022 to 2026 and we still have not completed the project. if I let it stay on the books, there's no money. It's going to be available for anything. So, we asked him, "Do you think you can do this as of November of last year?" He said, "Oh, I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be doing it. Don't worry." January, we get a letter from HUD saying, "What's going on? You're we're about ready to give you your 26 allocation. You didn't spend 24 or 25." I said, "Okay, we got a little issue. COVID happened. We got people leaving." Gave all kind of excuses. They bought that. Then Hudswift uh shifted how many people they have in Newark. So I have a new crew. They're looking at everything. And when I talked to Corey, Mr. Felman, I'm sorry, Director Fed

Fleming. When I spoke to him in February, he agreed, I'm going to give it up. I will apply for 26 funds. I said, well, now the funds that we gave you, it's probably not going to be enough. You need to apply for more because the amount of the materials are going to be higher. So, you might need a million dollars, but you really need to get your consultant to narrow it down because we probably won't be doing two projects. We only have enough money to do one. Okay, Barbara, don't worry about it. I will do it. He's not even here today to explain to you. Who? Director Fleming. Oh, Council President, one second, Mr. Ba. And that's why I made the request.

Um, director, please send that email strand so everyone sees that you're not speaking. they can see all of the details clearly in writing. Mr. Ba,

I just want to add to to what the director said and the director's very very diligent about meeting deadlines and not losing federal funds. So when um the director brought this to the to the surface that this project is not going to get done by a certain date. We had a meeting. The director came with her staff with the library director. We all walked through the most optimistic timeline on that project possible. and we all concluded in the room there was zero chance that the project was going to get completed by that drop dead date by the federal government. So, you know, we're we're left with limited options to be able to spend down this money by a certain date and we encourage the we encourage the director to, you know, resubmit and get involved in the next uh process. So, uh from my perspective on the city's end, everyone did their due diligence uh to the best that they could.

Mr. Ba, Madam President, if I may. So, what was the the outline of this specific project for 600 plus thousand dollars? What was uh what was the objective to um to complete? So, the main library needed the step the steps done and repointing of the break. The the southside library needed the retaining wall done. So, that has probably doubled. The price he gave us was 389. It's probably double now. That was in in on Main Street in South P. Okay. And uh

yeah. Well, I mean the difficult the challenge here is I mean you know we we hear about these things you know um when when it's too late when obviously the money's going back. So now we're we're not returning this money. The 600,000 is going to be utilized for road resurfacing. Yes. Where uh it's in the resolution in the Hillrest section. There's various sections of the city. Six sites. Prince Street, Harrison Street, Jasper Street, Hollesman Street, First W, Second War, Roser, and Courtland. They have the begin and end. But do you want me to read it into the record? No, no, that's fine, madam. Council President, Council President,

um, Council Mott and then Council Member Lass. Thank you, director. Um, um, we have two years here. We have 24, we have 25. Yes. Um now for year number 25 I thought that we had um an extra two years or three years that we can spend the money um from HUD. Um and what I see here is that that um for year number 2025 I think that we needed to keep that money there for home improvement rehab enough for the homeowner rehab program. Say that again. We have more than enough for the homeowner rehab program. When you say more than enough, what you mean more than enough? 800,000 plus.

All right. But right now, we have 335,000. We're removing that, right? So why we can't leave it there? That's what I'm saying when you say we're asking again. It has to move. So we're asking to remove No, no, wait a second. 2025. It's only one year yet. It's not even a year yet. I understand. So why we have to move? Because it's not a year yet. Why we can't hold it like we hold held other years? like you're talking about 22 23 24 you know I mean so for 2025 we can't hold the 335,000 for another year to go with the 800,000 for the rehab the 800,000 includes the 325 for what year for 25 24 and 23 we have 800,000 yes

my question is why we can't hold the 335 you said we have enough but I don't think that's enough I I think it's more than enough because we are asking because we have plenty We have plenty of uh homeowners that can use money to help fix their You still have to qualify and we're still going through that process. There's plenty of people that's going to qualify out there. I know they are. It's going to eat up because the average the average cost to do some rehab on a house is about 2530,000. I agree. And they don't they can they have to stay there for 5 years. This way they don't have to pay the money back. I agree. But we're still going through the review process. You say what now? We're still going through the review screening process. Did Did we hire the consultant firm?

We did hire a consultant and and everybody that goes down to the office um they're they're put on a waiting list. Anyhow, we have originally we had 700 people waiting on the waiting list. How many? 700. 700 people. So that's why I say so you say we can't use the 335. We still need contractors to fix the houses. Right now we only have four. Okay. You got four contractors. That's it. That's all it qualified. The when the Trump administration came in, they changed the process of everything. Okay.

So, we had to adapt to everything that they changed. This program was running smoothly before the Trump administration came. Once they came in, we had to change all kinds of rules to qualify people. We have not been able to qualify as many as we did prior. And that's because that and the reason why you're not able to do that because HUD is changing their requirements. I just Yes. And what are some of the major stumbling block that you're facing with people not qualifying? Most of them is probably the income. They've changed the income a great deal of it. Their income.

Um you know what do you have the breakdown of the I know one thing they need the deeds they need the surveys. They need um the income. They need how many people live in a house they need. Right. That's part of the screening. But we do all of that. We receive all of that. So you're saying most people are not qualifying because of their income. Right. We found a few that actually qualified and then learned that they actually own multiple properties. This program you cannot. You can only own one. The one you live in. Right. Okay. Can you get that to me, please? All right. Thank you. We're going to put this item on Oh, Councilman. It'll go on regular. Council. Thank you, Council President. Man, uh managing director um this is time sensitive. Yes.

Okay. We had to uh appropriate the money uh and before the end of what year? This year. The reason why this one is timesensitive, we only have a small window to do road construction.

Correct. So that's where I'm going. In the past, I don't know if council uh uh chair from the finance is could agree with me on this. when there's a resolution that involve two committees in this case involving the department of community development but the project is determined to DBW and this did not came to DBW committee now I'm satisfied because they requested some some street to get pave Right.

The reason I'm saying why they don't come and bring that recommendation to us to the committee DPW because when I look at Prince Street Mhm. Prince Street is not residential. The length of Spring Street is the same length of Madison Street, Bee Street, and 17th Avenue between Madison and Rosa Park. Why I'm saying this, those street really need repayment. Now I look at Prince Street,

who will doing a favor? Though our commercial not and and not not I'm not saying your department but when you look at they have to pave a street and you know and I look at the map and I go through there and I see the U-Haul companies here industrial is here uh the not even residence park through there only to cover a couple potholes that they have there. Meanwhile, I have Madison Street with crack uh a pot of big pose street that been calling every time to there's a crater out there and 17. Why they cannot bring a recommendation uh council president in the future if thanks god we got the money CBG but at the same time the discussion should come uh Mr. BA in the future to the department the committee that is involved also if they asking for street in the department of engineering asking for street repavement or whatever they should come to us and say listen we want to do this we want to request this what you think council members uh probably we could see more street that are needed for repayment not an industrial area uh that a lot of people were not even parking

so let me so council president I just a recommendation Because people are going to ask me why they repaving that street that is not residential. It don't have a lot of it don't have not even three potholes or four potholes but that street in Madison Street that I have residents that calling me when they going to do this street when they going to do this street. I lobby for the fifth ward. And when I see when I see one street in the fifth ward I say wow Prince Street from War Street to Slater Street. And when I look at the map is a is a industrial area. Who's going to deterate those street? The same trucks that go through there. Why they don't go adopt the street? And if they come and adopt the street and pave it at the same time, why we have to uh spend that money there. I just saying that you know.

Thank you, Council Member Le. So, let me address that. this council and I was a part and there's many other council members that made a request to DPW to do a master assessment of all the streets of the city. We approved the list. This council did. These streets are on that list to ensure they get paved. It went through this com council. It went through DPW committee. Mr. Ba, can you please send that list again to all council members? Prince Street is terrible. I know you're talking about the other part, but if you come from uh what is that? Ward Street on that street has a lot of potholes. So, I get it when you talk about the other part that's whatever, but there is a residential part of Prince Street that does have a lot of residents,

but it's not it's not going there. It's ending in Slater and Wall Street. If you look at if you look at a U-Haul company and in front of this industrial building, there's no residential there. No, I agreed after Slater up to um No, it will it will we will make sure that it's ex it will be for the entire strip. We cannot do part of a street and not the whole it's not a county road. It will be a part of the entire project and it did come before this council. The whole list please send that list again so everyone can see the list of all the streets that need to be paved in the city of Patterson. This item will be on regular.

So, council president, may I please through the chair, Mr. BA I know that the streets that I'm talking about Madison Street be street and um and you look look around here but those trees they are really bad. If they not in no list please try to put it in a list because my residents cars are getting damaged. the potholes cannot be covered every week because it rains it comebacks again and um I and I just want to you know I understand that we already pay 90% of a my street but the 10% is left over is back

thank you councilman item 20 item uh Councilman Jackson then this item will be on regular 25 and then we'll go to 26 items definitely be on regular Jackson

first of all it's not a request if the council stands firm on the selection of streets and roads then that's what happened. Otherwise, it doesn't get approved. But the the answer to that question is simple. It's election season and it's in the industrial uh uh residents that's making these contributions to c to uh campaign. So, it doesn't surprise me there's plenty of streets. Governor Street was on a list years ago and still hasn't been done. The governor between straight and and bridge still hasn't been done. It was been promised it was going to be done for quite some time and here we are doing the street, you know, in in the in the light industrial area to to the point that he's making. But I mean, it doesn't take much to get these things passed. We got rubber stamping going on here and they decide how they're going to do certain things. They slip these the make certain promises on the campaign trails and this is how it happens. This is corruption 101. Why we're using HUD money to do it. And it's uh it's very clear while residents are riding around, you know, avoiding reverse speed humps, uh the businesses, people that don't live here, they get their blocks, their streets, their roads paved right away.

Thank you. Thank you. Item 26, madame clerk, it is a um to our director is a item for a resolution number 23488 authorizing budget revision number eight to the 2019 2020 one-year annual action plan for the use of leftover CDBG covid-19 care act funding. Director, yes, this is the last 21,000 that's left in this grant. After this is done, the HUD will close the grant out. Uh is going Sorry, Council President. Council member Le. Yeah. So, uh Mar director, so we using the funding for what now for this one?

It's for services and it's being done by Mr. G's kids. Okay. Okay. I I got it. Um because you mentioned the library and I thought it was in between this. No, but that's okay. No, no. I thought when I heard when I heard you saying library in the past, I thought it was containing this, but that's okay. 26. No, this has nothing to do with the library. Councilman 26. It would be on regular. Madam clerk, why? Why? 26 on regular, would you like it to be on consent? Consent? Yeah. She Anybody have an issue with it being on consent? Consent. Consent. Okay. It's on It's on regular. Why? A councilman once they request it regular, it goes on regular. uh finance items.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

You know, we have squandered, well, let me not say we, they have squandered more money in the last several years. The car's act dollars. How are we going to just put this on regular? We don't even have a report, a full report on what was done with all the money that came from before. Where's the $80 million that was that was allocated? We don't have a report. We're just going to continue to approve this stuff with no expenditure reports. You guys are ridiculous, man. This is exactly why we're in the streets that we're in. Where's the report? I know you find it amusing, Councilman O Dean, cuz you're an automatic yes vote on everything, but this is ridiculous. How we just going to continue to spend money, spend money, no benefit to the public, no no account, no accountability to the public while we're we got a developers making millions of dollars. No, no reports on HCO Stadium spending to this day. To this day, you guys just Yes. Yes. Yes. No problem. Sure. Yes. It's ridiculous.

Thank you. This item council president this item is on this item

this item is on regular madam clerk in regards to thank you director item 26 is on regular madam chair for finance could you prepare for items 27 uh 27 through 20 uh through 35 for uh licenses and entertainment uh councilman Uden and then councilman. Thank you council president um respected uh committee members in presence I I try to be on the topic I don't want to bring this different items when I speak on particular item if you speak about particularly item number 25 26 these are timesensitive and grant money is if you don't use it you have to return it we want to make sure that any any grant we received we are utilizing properly as director mentioned about the crisis of communication between the library director director and herself we don't want to lose any grant that we have received and that that particular items we want to make sure that we utilizing in the in the timesensitive manner. So I I definitely wanted this moving forward. I don't know what councilman Jackson particularly mentioned about my name is supporting everything. I always stand firmly whatever best for the resident of our city of Patterson. Uh, thank you. Uh, Madame President,

Council President, Councilman Jackson, Councilman, maybe you care to give us an example of some of your your activities and standing firm on what you've been an autom. You've been a rubber stamp, dude. What? Give us an example. What have you championed? What have you held firm on? This is a the car's act dollars is millions of dollars. Millions. How about the reference? You're you're a fellow council person. How about the person the staff person being paid over $15,000 in a pay period? You can't make one one representation on one thing that you've supported. Oh, I apologize. You you you reduced the handicap parking spaces from 18 ft to 14 ft. Council I I do recall.

Thank you for giving the credit. Council President Council, we're moving on because we're not going to do the back and forth. Councilwoman, Councilwoman Dava, please allow him to give Councilman. I'm not I'm not running for mayor, councilman, otherwise I would go into the debate. Doesn't matter if you're running for mayor. Being a responsible council members, no back point of order. Point of order. Council members, madame chair for finance, can we move into items 27 through35 so we can move into allowing the public to speak? Items 27 through 35, which are all Thank you. licensed.

Thank you very much. Um, council president, uh, council members, items 27 and 28 are a resolution addressing a renewal of an entertainment license as well as a dance hall license uh, for Moranza Enterprises, uh, also known as Zona Urbana. It's in the fifth ward. Um I always do um ask if there are any issues uh pertaining uh if if any council member in within their wards as you know there's three of us that are at large representing the entire city but if there's any uh um constituent complaints you know I always do defer to the council member uh in addition if there are any of these um license holders who are renewing who have issues with ABC that is a separate entity that they will take up with the state as well as the uh local ABC. Um so items 27 and 28 are for renewal of entertainment and dance hall. Uh items 29 and 30 are a resolution addressing the same entertainment show license renewal for Kings, also known as Bonfire, as well as a dance hall license. again. Um that is in the third ward. Uh council councilman Mendes um just like councilman said there was no issues with 27 and 28.

No issue at all. 29 and 30. Uh 31 um is a resolution addressing the renewal of a florist license. Um and for the following lences which is Flowers versus Flowers LLC that's in the fifth ward 414 Main Street Floristia Mia 513 Market Street also in the fifth Lowe's Home Center in the third ward on the clean boulevard and flower license Lowe's. Yeah. Oh sorry. So um council president, council members 27, 28 and 29, 30 and 31. If that is okay, it can go on consent. Consent. Okay. 27 to 35.

Well, we have 32 to 35. 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 will go on consent. Yes. We'll move forward to items 32, 33, 34, and 35. 32 is a resolution addressing a renewal of an entertainment show license for Carlos AAS known as Brothers ANC uh pizza chicken. Uh this is in the six ward uh 3422 a uh item 33 is a resolution addressing the renewal of a junkyard. Let me just keep with 32. Um any council member uh councilman of the six ward is is not here today as he is sick.

He's okay with them. Um I am going to move to put that on regular as he's okay with both of them. Well, there's only one. It's there's only two. 32 items. Oh, he's okay with both of them on consent.

So 32 will go on consent. 33 is in the sixwood as well, but that is not an entertainment or renewal license. That is a renewal for a junkyard license for David Zerger, Zagger Brothers, Inc. that is in 69-83 Getty Avenue, 6 ward. We move forward for consent. 34 is a resolution addressing the renewal of a coin operated uh amusement device license for Santiago Miguel. That's one table. That's on 50 CNC street. That's in the fifth ward. Uh, Councilman um, um, any complaints, any issues, uh, requests, uh, it can go on consent. If there is any questions, we can move forward and put that on regular. Is the owner for, um, the renewal for uh, license for Santiago Miguel here?

No. Okay. Uh, Councilman Vez, Council President. Yes, Councilman Veles. Um, I think that 50 Shiance Street uh Chansy Street is in the corner of um, let me go for a minute because normally I never even if it's if it's the one I'm thinking that used to be La Fuente Bar any chance. Let me see. Just be with me for yet. La fiesta. Hold on. Yes. I'm gonna tell you why. So, would you like this on regular or

we can move forward? Put on regular and have them come in. So, 32, 33, and 35 are consent. Why are we rushing? No, no, no. We haven't got to 35 yet. Oh, well, 32 and 33 are consent. 34. Council No, no. The the the question the question I just had is because this this business is under La Fiesta but we are uh putting the license under a person name Santiago Miguel. Would you like it on regular or you would you like it removed? I don't know if that's the rules that if you want to pull it and we'll bring it back and bring it to the clerk to get all uh leave it leave it in regular until madam clerk can you please possibly

like previously stated 34 will be on regular 35 okay very well no put in consent put in consent she could get she could get me the answer on the week until next week we're going to I have a question oh you got a question okay it's going on it's doing business okay so 35 and there's a reason if you look at the rest of the paperwork there there's correct I have some questions Correct. Um 35 is a resolution addressing a renewal of a motor vehicle junkyard license for HP International Trading LLC uh also known as uh Gazoline Ally. 251 Presidential First Ward. This item will go on regular. On regular. Okay.

Thank you. Health and Human Services. The director is here. Yes, he is here. We have items 30 39. Yes. Through 43. One second. 39 through 43. And you also have 62. Item 62. So uh before council president Yes. before um the director of health and human services speaks. I do want you to know that we did have committee. These items did go forward. Um our chair is not here. I am the sitting vice chair. So just wanted to make that that statement. Thank you. So 39 is director.

Good evening honorable members of the council. Number 39 is an amendment to the code blue funding that we get from the county to increase for the January through March aotment. Number 40. Dr. Prasad is here if you have any questions. But this is the renewal of the last year of the bid for surgical supplies for the clinics at the division of health. This is the last year of that bid. Number 41 is the resolution accepting the setup grant for the Wick Senior Farmers Market. As you know, we offer seniors $40 vouchers for fruits and vegetables at approved sites that are set by the state.

$40 per person, $80 per couple. The $2,500 is the setup for us to buy labels and paper and things of that nature. I'm sorry, director, can you outline that for me, please? Can you outline that for me? The senior wick program that we've been offering for a few years now. Wick, it's called. Yeah, wick. So we offer seniors $40 vouchers to purchase fruits and vegetables. Last year we gave about a,000 a,000 vouchers,000

vouchers, thousand vouchers. The $2,500 of the grant is just for us to set up. So we buy paper labels um to be able to because it now it is a QR code. So in the past you used to be a print out with a paper voucher. Now it's a QR code. So, so the seniors, are they capped by how much they can uh $40? $40. $40 per person, $80 per couple? That's the entire That's for the life of the life of the program. That's not

No, no. Every year for as long as we have the program. So, this usually occurs in the summer. As you know, farmers markets come out and individuals are able to go and purchase uh like from City Green. Uh there are some approved vendors in the city in the farmers market down south Patterson. Uh so they're able to take that QR code to those vendors and get $40 worth of fruits and vegetables. There are vendors like City Green that double the points so they can get $80 for the $40. So this there's a list of people who receive this uh this voucher. We have a list of the individuals who have received them. Yes.

How are these individuals selected? they can come to the to the human services office at 125 or to senior services on Fifth A at Riverside and apply. So, um it's not it's not a matter of uh a specific list being renewed every year. No, no, no. Every year we we we'll share the flyer when it's ready with the council. It'll be shared on social media. the senior services staff will share with all the senior buildings and then individuals just start coming in either to my office or to senior services. Understood.

And I want to commend you because you ex you extended the marketing piece to make sure you go through the buildings. The seniors love it. I'm really excited about what you're doing with um with with this program. Um 42 42 is the Wait, 41 is going to go on consent. Yeah, we're going to do them all together.

42 is the resolution authorizing the acceptance of the partial HIV emergency relief grant and minority AIDS initiative. So, as you know, we come before you, we do the acceptance of the initial partial award to the different service providers and then later on the year we then adjust that based on the level of services that they provided. There is a list at the back of the resolution that says what agencies and what kind of services they provide. 43

43 is a resolution authorizing the city of Patterson to apply for and accept grant funds for county as well as allocate matching funds for the prevention of alcohol and substance abuse. This is a municipal alliance grant as you know is a small grant that we do programming uh with students from John F. Kennedy High School and uh other youth programs. It's a very small grant $35,000. Yes. Um council and item 62 and 62 Dr. Prasad is here. Well, before we go there, item 39 through 43. Council members, are we okay with consent for these items? Consent.

Uh 39 through 43. Consent. Council President. Uh one second, Council Member. Yes. Okay. Council member, um just a quick question. Uh number 41. Um, how much we used to receive before in that grant? The same amount? It was higher. So, the $2,500 is just a setup. It's just for setup. We we purchase office supplies with that. Oh, so it's not I'm talking about the senior farmer market nutrition program. Correct. We get about the same amount of money. Last year we got $2,400. So, you use it for office, not for give it to the seniors.

No, no. That that money is for us to prepare for the program. So we buy labels. If we have to buy a computer, if we have to buy a printer, that money comes out of that 2500. I say nutritional program for for senior. I thought Yeah. The 2500 is just like seed money, internal cost. Mhm. Correct. Yes. Uh all consent 62. 62 is a resolution authorizing a split award of contract to various vendors for consultant and evaluation services. This is from our lead and healthy homes hazard inspection services for the division of health. So it is just splitting the award to various contractors

for uh lead and healthy homes. Yes. Which I appreciate. This is a a program I've been one second. Councilwoman Davo. I've been at uh some of the presentations that you've been doing at the grandparents and the senior sites and I know they're using this program and it's free of charge. So to the community at large, please reach out to the health department 973-321277 for these programs that are available at no charge to test lead and to abate the problem in your house, Councilwoman Dava. So I just wanted to add and thank you very much uh for that. Uh now they'll be able now that they were able to split this contract, right? We're going to be able to do and assess more um to do more units.

Excuse me. Now that we're able to split the contract, we're able to do more units. More units. Yes. So, I just wanted to put that on on record. Thank you, Council President. Councilman Jackson. So, this is a bit troublesome for me. Anytime I could read a document and it can have uh very contradictive um wording, healthy homes. So, and this is an ongoing problem, director. I don't understand um what we need to do to to cure it. Last night over at at

possibly 10:30 p.m. um Brother Keys, Professor Keys, and Dr. Fields, we had the the unfortunate uh opportunity to have to go visit a resident and what's going on. Even the live video that I did a few weeks ago on Fair Street, these homes are far from healthy. These homes are inundated with mold, with uh lead and and brother Keiths, if you can outline when you do get an opportunity to speak, and I know you probably already had a pre prescribed uh uh speech, but the condition of this resident's home where these slum lords are telling residents, look, I'm this is I'm not going to do anything. the the amount of mold that's impacting. You have a woman that's that's on Fair Street that's saying her handicapped child can no longer live in her home. He has to find refuge someplace else. She um was there to provide, you know, household services to her. And while we I mean, it's cute. It's nice. We doing these things like this. were taking grants and things of that nature while people in our community are living in squalor and every the first thing I asked her did you report this where'd you report it health department CI if if if people suffering from mold ingestion is not a public health matter then I don't know what else is if if people are being allowed to collect rents and leave people living under these circumstances where there's constantly water leaking. I mean, all you had to do is look at the video I did a few weeks ago and to see the amount of mold that's building up into in people's houses and not think that that's a

matter of a healthy home environment. Like, it it's it's it's sad. It's not even laughable. was sad that we have people being paid, profession, so-called professionals that are allowing for residents to live this way throughout the city. So, I I mean, I have a big issue with that because I'm getting phone calls and obviously nobody in in within city departments answer to me, but I will not sit still and allow people to live this way. They should not be landlords who especially non-owner occupied facilities should not be allowed to uh uh uh have people living under these conditions. Well, you can answer state what you're going to state in public.

Let the let the public hear how it's okay for you to allow people to live under these excruciating conditions. Council President, director, healthy homes, this program, this grant that we're here for is lead. Yes,

mold is not something we investigate because there is no state statute on mold and Dr. Prasad can elaborate on that, but we make those referrals to community improvements because they can investigate it because usually when there is mold, it's because there is moisture, there is a leak, there's water intrusion or protrusion. They can investigate that. And as I've discussed that with the councilman before and with others, you can feel free to call our state legislature and have them introduce a law that does give us the power or the tools to be able to investigate and prosecute that. But right now, we do not have a state statute that mandates us to investigate mold. Is there a state statute that regulates rats and the overfest infestation of rats in in the uh in the state ordinance?

Dr. Prasar, we attend to um that through a city ordinance. That that doesn't answer my question. Is there a state statute regulating the infestation of municipalities when it comes to rats? No. No, I'm not aware of any.

Oh, but but we still take rats as well. We we should we we act as we should. We do, but we don't. We are being overran with rats in this community now. But just as a public health director just because there is no cuz other municipalities are doing it and I've called you on dozens more hundreds of occasions with reports on rat droppings, mold. These are issues. That's real issues that people in Patterson are being forced to live through. Well, we address those issues. You address what issues?

Our inspectors um you know inspect homes that complain and also we bait the um catch basins on the road streets. So So we addressed these issues. Mold and rat droppings. You I think you're talking about rat droppings. Not mold. Rat. No, I'm talking about non-healthy home environments and mold is a factor for ch for people who have children. Mold is a factor.

I understand that maybe it may not be a factor for you. You don't you don't have to live under that those kind of conditions, but residents in our community is being subjected to that. You know, I mean, there's there's many different circumstances just just like the employees that have within the health department had to be sent home because they're being forced to work in the environment that has no heat, no air conditioning, yet we're spending, you know, we have CDBG money to being sent all over the place. What I'm talking about is a lack of your concern as the public health officer in the city that people are living under duress in infested mold conditions. and they're if they're calling me, I know they're calling your office and they're just getting turned away. So, what are we doing about people that are living in unsafe health hazardous conditions? We're just we're just passing the buck saying that we that there's no state law, so there's nothing that we're going to do. We're going to continue to let Patterson be abused by outside developers that come in and don't take care of these issues. Councilman, um,

as I mentioned to you, you move from you move from rat to mold or mold to rat and back to mold. So, let me let me let me put some order to this. So, with regards to the mold, I think um, director Ramirez answered you give you the right answer. He he he addressed that already. So, I think we we put that to rest. Um, with regards to the rat infestation, we have a city ordinance that address this. Um, and that's what we enforce the city ordinance as it relates to rat. So, if you have rat in your house, you can call the health department and we will send an inspector. And um once we determine there's rat, if you're the owner of that, well, if you're the tenant or you're the landlord, you're responsible for fixing that problem. If you don't, then summons are issued. So, um I don't know what else I can tell you, but we address that.

Did you issue a summon to the city for the rats running around in front of the built the city hall? We I just explained to you that we bait the catch basins. Okay. All right. So, we who who we let's move on because obviously obviously the the uh you you you're blowing off a matter that's very critical. What I'm talking about is

and I'll give you the address if you don't have it. The young lady posted multi I posted a video of of a home that's completely infested with mold. And you're saying that so what? It's not a concern of yours. This woman's health, not just her, but the thousands of residents in the city of Patterson. I went to visit another house last night. It was on Highland Street. That people are calling me because they're calling your office and they're getting no resolve. They're forced to live in squalor in molded conditions and you have no answer for it. you as a I mean there hasn't been anything that's been presented to the council. I mean normally the administration writes all the legislation that the council just yes votes yes for anyway. So if your office has been been getting overwhelmed or ignoring enough calls for mold why hasn't why hasn't it been addressed?

Let let me address let me address it direct again uh director Ramirez addressed it. There is no state director Ramirez. He's the director. He's not the public health officer. Okay. So, you're responsible for the conditions and the safety of the public. You are. You're the one with the doctrine. You're the one that's responsible here. He can answer any question he wants to answer. I'm asking you, where is your accountability to the members of the public that I'm getting calls from that I got to go visit their homes and they're being overrun. Do I need to show you personal video from this? I mean, I wish we could use the projector here because we have members of the public that are being forced to live in conditions that's unsuitable.

We'd be more than happy to meet with you, Councilman, if you have further questions. Yes. So, um, director, please send some information. Maybe put like a public announcement out to the community. I'm the department that actually handles mold, which is not your department. I mean, if there's some legislation that needs to be drawn up, that way we can put it together as a council for mold to be addressed in a different way, we can do that as well.

Why don't President we get a report from the BA from the administration on how many violations for mold that they've been that have been issued? I mean, for the for the public health officer to just blow off a question with regard to the public health conditions, public safety is is absolutely ridiculous. This is what we this is the people that we have that we're paying six figure salaries to that ignore, you know, the conditions that people are living in. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, Council President. and and um my question wasn't directed to the director Ramirez or um our health department um person in charge Mr. for what is the phone number that the resident of the city of Paso need to call when they go when they going through that situation when they living in that condition living in apartment mold uh water leaking from pipe uh and and and so what is the phone number that need people need to call because right now there's not a clear path or a direction for the resident of the city of Patterson when they going through that situation. I've been in apartment that I mean horrible places that are on in horrible impossible to live in the in that condition. Uh and they don't have a clear path. They don't have a phone number that I have a person to go that need to be fixed. Here in the city of Patterson, there's no one number that they could call for people to address it right now. If that's if there's a number or a person responsible, we have to put on record because there's so many there's hundreds of resident here in the city of Patterson that they go that they living in a horrible and in a plot of a condition in those apartment and nobody's holding those landlord accountable for the job that they have to do which is fixing the apartment and make sure that people live in a decent place to leave. All they do is charge rent and if people go behind in rent they just they go through the eviction process and that's what people going through every single day here. There's not one department here that people could call and say, "I'm going through this situation and the then this administration will address it." Not one.

Thank you, Councilman. So, let me put it back on record because they stated it very clearly. There is a department. It is community improvements to the public. The number is 973. We're council members. We should know these numbers. 973 321232. It was clearly stated for mode. You reach out to the community improvements department. The number is 973 321 1232. I didn't have to look it up because I give it out all the time. That item will um go on regular. Um Madame Clerk, I know we have a special meeting, but we only have I've been giving that number to Council President. There's no answer to that. You don't have the floor. We have 16 people for public portion. President,

Madame Clerk, we're going to open up public portion. I know the public has been waiting for a while, so I want to open up public portion. One second. Councilman Jackson would like to open up public portion to the public. Um you have a threem minute time limit. The clock is on. There is someone that which I have already spoke to the clerk. Uh she reached out to me earlier. That is the process that you reach out in advance to ask for extra time and that time has been extended to them. But please stick to the three minutes. Uh there are 16 speakers. Um once the three minutes is over you will the buzzer will go off and I will clearly say next speaker. Madame Clerk, please respect uh the the decorum and the protocol as we move forward. Um after Councilman Jackson, Madame Clerk, the first speaker, please.

Very good. Council President, just wanted to point out that any mode certifi uh uh qualified professional has to be certified. They have to be certified. I'm not sure if anybody within CI is certified for that for those aspects, but the fact of the matter is we have a health officer here who's responsible for the conditions of the public's health and conditions that the the fact that they overlook and and and disregard conditions that thousands of residents are being in in inundated with is concerning. I appreciate the moment. Thank you.

Thank you. Um, madame clerk, just right before the first table, uh, item 34 is tabled. The councilman of the fifth war acts to table it until he gets more information. Um, uh, first speaker, public portion, madam clerk, is Mr. Kemper McDow. 34. First speaker is Mr. Kemple McDow.

Thank you. Good evening, council, council president, mems.

So, I have uh two items I'd like to speak on. Um have the council consider. One is pretty much an inquiry as to when will the council or the city uh begin creating a new master plan, a full master plan or a re-examination plan? As you know, our full our last full master plan was done. I believe in 214 2014. And I'm not sure when our last re-examination plan was created, but I know it's uh it's been maybe six or eight years ago. Uh this is critical uh because right now we're pretty much operating without a plan, without um a sure vision of how we want our city to look, how things are governed. Um pretty much the uh plan is being kind of ad hocly changed and created from planning board meeting to zoning board meeting. You know, whatever a contractor or redeveloper can come up with and they get their votes to get that passed irregardless of what that zoning may call for. For example, I attended one of the zoning meetings uh a couple weeks ago and there were two items, two projects on the agenda that were totally out of the realm of that particular zone. One was for a R1 zone. They wanted to build a two family house. The zoning board said this is not permitted. You must go for a use variance. The other was a uh 11 unit apartment and a R2 zone where it was last a three family house. So these projects the only way they can go forward is if they were granted a use variance. A use variance totally changes the zoning rules for that particular property. The problem is you change for one, here comes the next person. Yeah.

And you know if you've you've been fronted with this in the past where somehow someone built that building this high and someone came and said I want to build mine this high and they said you said no. Said well you let him build it or she build it that high. It's setting precedence. So I would encourage you to uh get the re development um the um master plan on the move. I believe the last time I came up, you were in the process of hiring a consultant to kind of go through the process of of doing that. Um, and I also encourage you when that plan development starts that you have a nice robust community input process because this is the vision of the city without the, you know, and nothing against the experts and the planners that work for the city and what have you. Uh, this is the city. This is the community. It's not just a outside investment. It's our home. So we should be part of the uh planning of that. Second thing is

one minute. Mr. McDall, your time is up.

Next second speaker is Valerie Freeman. and it was a request made. She does have extended time. Thank you. Welcome.

Yeah, I probably need it, but thank you anyway. Good evening, um, Madame President and the council. I'm here to address one person, Mike Jackson. Um, what happened last Wednesday at the school board meeting was wasn't called for because I discussed with you, you asked me before what was my stance on the school closings and I gave it to you. My my position won't change until anybody can tell me where's the fairness in all of this. Last year we had almost 2,000 students who had to move who had to move to different locations. Those parents came with the same concerns, the same fears, and the same cries. But there wasn't an outpour of push back like we see today. I don't want to pull the race card or say that it is because the majority that are fighting this don't look like those who were forced last year to do it. So I'm not going to go there. You use your own judgment on that. But I will not respond the way you might expect because I have outgrown that. But what I will say after being one of your strongest supporters, trying to convince people to see you in a different light and play paying close attention to the little side attacks.

I no longer believe you have what it takes to lead this city. I can say this with confidence because of your egotistical behavior. your leadership would be a serious liability to this city. And I say that because how you speak, what you say to people can't go. A mayor cannot behave in those in that manner. So I wish you good luck on your endeavor with your mayorial race. and to the candidates for at large. There is no need to attack or tear down anyone to get your point across.

Just simply simply run your race and run it to the best of your ability. Yep. The outcome for you is better than tearing down and attacking. You can hold somebody accountable without trying to tear them down. Good night. You all have a great evening and thank you so much. Thank you. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Next. Next speaker is Leah Mora.

Good evening.

Good evening, city council members. My name is Leah and I'm speaking tonight on behalf of my mother, Linda Moore. She is unable she is unable to attend, but her commitment to Patterson does not pause for a scheduling conflict. We're here tonight to address a glaring lack of accountability from this governing body. Recently, my mother officially presented an email and emailed every single one of you on March 17th, proposed a resolution and two drafted ordinances. These documents are actionable solutions designed to directly improve the quality of life and safety in our city. To briefly summarize what is sitting in your inboxes, first the proposed resolution is the street sovereignty and traffic calming pilot program. This is at its core a critical child safety initiative. By developing modern traffic safety technologies at absolutely no cost to the city, it directly addresses the severe high-risisk dangers of reckless driving and speeding through our school zones. It is a proactive zerocost measure designed to protect our kids and secure our neighborhoods from gross negligence and preventable tragedy before you're in action forces your hand. Second, the first ordinance is the youth Wellness and Community Peace Act. This establishes yearround supportive safety hours for minors from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. It is a non-punitive approach to keep our youth safe and maintain community peace. Finally, the second ordinance is the public safety and anti-concealment ordinance. This implements necessary regulations on facial covering and motorized conveyances to actively deter criminal activity and protect our residents. My mother did the heavy lifting. She did the research, drafted the solution, and sent them directly to you. Yet, since submitting them, she has received not a single piece of feedback. Not even a

basic an acknowledgement that the emails were received, aside from two verbal confirmations. Tremendous accountability is required to lead a city. Ignoring actionable zerocost solutions brought forward by an active resident who is doing the work is the opposite of leadership. We are here tonight to ask for it on the public record. Why are these proposals being ignored? My mother expects a formal response to the resolution and two ordinance by the end of this week. Patterson deserves leaders who engage with real solutions. Thank you for your time. Thank you. And her sister is the next speaker, Victoria Mora.

Victoria Mora.

Good evening, council members and good evening neighbors. My name is Victoria and I stand before you today because children like me should never have to live in fear or degrading conditions in our city. Yet we watch it break. There are people getting away with crimes because they hide their faces in ski masks and cover their identities. When people hide their faces, they believe they can get away with anything. That makes our streets dangerous and it makes children like me feel unsafe in our own neighborhoods. In the short time living here, there have already been nine shootings by where we live. And I now have PTSD. No child should have to grow up counting shootings instead of memories. Nor should we be getting hit with illegal fireworks. And it is not just the violence. We should not have to live in a city where families witness people urinating and defecating in public and even our yards while paying high taxes to live here. That is degrading. that is unsafe and that should never be accepted as normal anywhere. We have active state laws meant to protect communities, but when they are not enforced, lawlessness spreads. Some great officers shared with our family about the broken windows theory that when small laws are ignored, bigger crimes follow. That is exactly what we are seeing now. Illegal dumping, dangerous driving, people hiding in masks, open disrespect for the law. These are warning signs of a city being allowed to fall apart. Council members, leadership carries responsibility and when protection is delayed, priorities shift and enforcement is inconsistent. The result is that many families are left living in fear conditions that to many of us feel like the results of gross gross negligence in leadership. Why must families live? Why must families live under these extreme and frightening conditions while surrounding towns are able to maintain order and safety? Why are we being failed left and

right? Councilman Uden, you were present when our home was cherry bomb bombed. Councilman Jackson, you witnessed how sensitive information was disclosed by the police that placed us at risk. These are not stories. These are real dangers affecting real people. And many wonder how much more must happen before this crisis is treated with urgency it deserves. Must tragedy come even closer to lead leadership before real change takes place? Please stop talking. Please start passing laws that protect children, support officers, and restore order. Stop the delays and excuses because they are harming us. Accountability matters. Safety matters. Children matter. Please remember what Matthew chapter 12 verse 25 says as well as ma Matthew chapter 3 verse 27 says and proverbs 21 verse 15 says a city cannot stand when lawlessness is ignored. A community cannot thrive without justice. Humanity cannot succeed without accountability. Fix the broken windows now before more children are hurt. Before more lives are lost. Because we are not created to be statistics but kingdom builders. We are children. We are families.

Victoria Moore, I'm sorry your time is up. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Wow. Very good. Next up, we have Teddy Martinez.

How you doing? So, I'm going to try to do this as quick as possible because I was reminded by the council president that we only had three minutes and I feel like this important, this item is more important than three minutes. We're talking about the safety of our children as you just heard from two children. So, I'm going to read from my uh prepared remarks to stay on focus because I don't want you guys to stop me on this important item of the ch the safety of our children which it seems like nobody really listens to to what's as I was reminded that I have three minutes as I said this issue deserve more course about this because it it's about saving lives right and but before I again I want to address something directly I agree with Val Freeman when she said the things about Mike Jackson because Michael, I'm a papa. Bro, you inviting people to fight at 50, at 60 years old. That's the You want to be mayor, bro? Invited. You should have invited me when I was 25 years old. That's when you should have invited me. But you smart. Yeah. Okay. I know you wouldn't have though. But I'm not here for that. I'm looking here for this. Michael Jackson stated that people need to be held accountable. But sometimes accountability start with ourselves, bro. And since my past keeps popping up, you keep propping up my past every time we speak. You want to talk about my past, but because I choose to rise above it. And in a city like Patterson where most people in this audience are sitting council, they have family members or someone who who have passed.

You keep trying to weaponize my past against me, bro. We And you want to be married. Come on, bro. So because that doesn't define them, growth does. It doesn't define me, growth does. As you see, and get with the community because I correct a lot of your mistakes cuz all the lives that you do is fake. Wow.

It's fake. I I correct a lot of them. So get with the citizens. You You go around do the lives. That's that look good. But I know but and also I just want you to know that I do have a valid driver license and I do know the password to my phone. All right. So across the city, as the young lady stated, businesses and families are seeing things they're concerned about safety. These are concerned about the individual concealing their identities while committing crimes. That's why you all have a copy of the legislation. Uh Council Mendes is going to you going to speak to it later.

I spoke to Mims, I spoke to Councilman Cotton, and I spoke to Mike Jackson. They all say they agree with it. So, let's see this, you know, this amendment, this ordinance get passed. Uh, if we don't pass it, I got to go back to what the ice cube say. Either you don't care, you don't know, or you don't show what's going on in the hood. And respect, that's how I feel. That's how a lot of people in the community feel. Not fully seen, not fully heard, and not fully prioritized. But that's why we're here today to close that gap. And as Mike stated, it doesn't take much to get things done. So why we have to keep giving push back on such important ordinance of face covering? So the ordinance is about balance. It's not about getting any. It's not about targeting anyone.

All right. So thank you, Mr. Martinez.

Next speaker, Miss Robersonson. I'm going to be providing a list of yellow school buses in the area. Jersey Kid Transportation, Joshua Tour, First Students, JMW Financial, York Trans, RMA Transportation, American American Star Transportation, Scholastica Bus Company, Fox Transportation, J Carpalino, Carpelino, Royal USA, Alden Transportation, American Star, We Care Trans. This is a list of many that I noted in one day on my commute to work as early as 7:15 in the morning. The phone number should be displayed along with the bus number. Who's responsible for verifying the insurance information? Why are so many children's being busted to school? How is it being paid for? How are they being vetted? Where's the information being kept? How often is it it being checked? How would this transaction impact the 26 27 school year with the supposed redistric redistricting? And will the amount of school buses on the road increase? That's that. Road and traffic, disregard for signage and going against traffic patterns to make it convenient while endangering pedestrian and other drivers. Vehicles seen coming from Courtland Street, left onto Barkley Street, which is a oneway going towards Main Street. Will turn right on Chadwick, left onto Camden. In some cases, vehicle has been seen going straight up towards Marshall Street. The point of entry is Barkley Street. Cameras. Are they working? Where are they? Manhole covers. Mil Street towards Market Street. Asphalt separating the cover, which could mean that it wasn't layered with bricks. DPW, how much was used in overtime for cleanup? Uh also uh to Valle's point in terms of

taxi and taxi enforcement, I brought those issues up several months ago name and providing a list of all taxi. Why are we talking about it now and to find out and none of the stuff that are being brought before the council is never ever addressed to the community. But it's good that you brought it up. Where's the enforcement? We don't even have vehicle for enforcement. So, how is enforcement going on with the taxi drivers? Why? Where are their lots at? We need to get a list. Provide us with a list because if the list if they don't have garage kept uh uh provisions for their uh delivery services, why are they allowed to be out there? Um that's it. and in ter in the overtime. Oh, and also I provided a list of of dumping um to the constituent uh director of constituent counsel. We don't know if that's dumping. How do we know if it's really garbage? Uh I also provided Miss Mims with a picture of uh personnels picking up mattresses, putting it on their truck. I hope it's not. I can't name the name because we are visual on cameras. Some stuff need to be off the camera so that we can be diligent in our reporting.

Thank you. Thank you, Miss Robersonson. Next speaker, Mr. Olive.

Good evening, Patterson. Um, Mr. Jackson, you know what the Bible says about the the the trees that bear fruits? They get stoned. There are an awful lot of people that are afraid to being kicked off the gravy train and you can expect them to come over here and attack you. Uh regarding uh Miss Freeman, Valerie Freeman, um I as a uh former uh board of education commissioner absolutely oppose the closing of those schools. Absolutely. And I commend, shout out to Kenneth Simmons for suing the board of education. Excellent. And I told him last night I will be standing shoulderto-shoulder with him because I think it's a detriment to the city to close those schools. The population of uh of the city is increasing and we're closing schools. This is the answer. This city is in the hands of dummies. But people of passion, you know, we have candidates running for the three seats that are up claiming that they can clean the city in a couple of weeks. Here we have a council of nine members, eight of which vote in unison so they can pass any legislation they want and still they have not been able to clean the city. Uh, Miss Cotton has been in office for over 16 years. Dav has been in office for over for 12 years and they haven't been able to do a damn thing about the filth in the city and they're claiming that now if you give me four more years this is what we need people of Patterson if you do not uh uh get these people out. It's you to blame. But the I understand it's simple to explain why it is that the city is dirty and it's

dangerous and it has nothing to do with these buffoons that we have here. It has to do with the mayor until we get rid of the the buffoon on the second floor and s we are not going to fix the city. So people of Paris listen to me. If you want to fix the city what we do is elect Councilman Jackson for mayor. This is the only chance that we have. Even if some of these people are replaced and Andra Sai is facing office, nothing will get fixed. He's shown us already he can't do anything for this city. So, I'm going to say it again. When you look in the mirror, don't uh start looking for the culprit because you're looking at the culprit. If you vote for these people, they have shown us already that there's nothing that they can do. They don't have the capacity to clean our city or to make our city safer. Mr. Jackson, keep going. There are a lot of people behind you, including me.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Next speaker is Chanel Fields. Good evening, council. Homeless Reconnect Day. What's a homeless reconnect day when most ride right by the homeless every day, pretending that they are not there? What's a homeless reconnect day when you have a filthy mayor who is more concerned about eliminating the aesthetic appearance of an eyesore by fencing the homeless out of an encampment area in a day rather than picking up the real eyesore of trash all around the city weekly? What's a homeless reconnect day when I begged for notifications of warming centers and QR codes to temporarily be placed around the city in preparation for and throughout winter and my request was ignored over and over by the council to the point where someone froze to death the following week. You know, my biggest problem with the council is that it feels like many of the council members love celebrating failure. And we have to stop celebrating failure and write real legislation that will fix our city. Every time somebody dies in this community, we fail. So celebrating homeless reconnect day is a joke when you should be connected to the homeless and showing them daily that you care already because then you would never have to prepare for what you are already actively doing daily. Next, I want to talk about what kind of inheritance will you leave the youth as I discuss the cost of a careless vote. Voting is not only your right, but it's also your moment to participate in change. It's a responsibility that we have for the voiceless. Please consider our children. To the black and brown community, we cannot continue to treat voting as if it doesn't matter. Remember the reality is that every time you walk into a voting booth, you are making a decision that

will shape your streets, your schools, your safety, your taxes, your future for your children, your niece, your nephew, your auntie, your family's future. And here's the truth. Most people don't want to hear. If you're if you vote wrong, you don't just make a mistake, you create serious consequences that can last for years and sometimes generations. Bad leadership never shows up overnight, but it shows up like cancer that quietly and sneakingly creeps in slowly. Schools lose funding. Streets be rem become or remain unsafe. Opportunities for jobs can disappear. Voices of the elders and the youth continue to go unheard while their needs remain unmet. And sadly, in a black community, we rather bicker, backstab, and talk about each other rather than wake up. By the time our people wake up, the damage is already done. They come here and do ignorant stuff like what you saw tonight. And if you don't if they if you don't vote, you vote wrong. You don't come you don't get to complain about broken systems if you help put the wrong person in charge in the first place. You don't get to say nothing ever changes if you didn't do the work and understand who you were voting for. There is no time to sit out of this election. Tonight proves it. Silence is a vote. Ignorance is a vote. A careless choice is a

Mr. Fields, your time is up. Good job. Next speaker, madam cler. No. Okay. Good night. Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk. Next speaker is Marie Leon. I apologize if I'm Pastor Leon. Leon. Oh, she's not here. Good evening, Pastor Lagon. Good evening.

I was hesitant to bring my babies down here after watching the council, but you did good. So, uh, my young people have something to say. Come on. Three minutes. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. counselor.

Okay. We're from Bethl AM Church, a historic church in the city of Patterson. We've been back there for one year. Excuse my mask. We've been back there for one year and we're trying to grow. These young ladies with another group tried out for the McDonald's Gospel Fest. out of over 50 contestant, they won and they are on their way May 9th to the um for the to the McDonald's Gospel Fest and they are here to solicit go.

They are here to solicit your help in getting them there. Uh Councilman Mendez, we live in your war. Cash App dollar sign Betha AM Patterson. If you got zel 862434 7438 Councilwoman Cotton, the church is in your war. You got all the information. I want to thank the gentleman here for just giving us a donation and just hearing them talk. We look forward. We always talk about let the you know the young people in Patterson they're doing something positive and I would like for the council to support them and whoever else in the audience would like to support them please support us May 9th they're going to come back with the trophy. So, Pastor Lagon,

this is Serenity. She goes to Tech and this is exer. What school you go to? School 20. School 20. Thank you. Pastor Lagon. Pastor Lagon. Could you um tell exactly the amount that's needed for the girls to go? What is the uh Well, how much do they need in total? Well, we have to rent a Uber and we have calculated that in order to take them and feed them and get them back. We are asking we trying to raise $2,000. Okay. Cuz 15 of us gone. Consider it consider it done. Thank you. It's done. Madam next week, madam clerk, counc president. Next next speaker after madam next speaker.

Next speaker is Julio Melport. Julio. Julio Melport. Are you Julio Malcourt? Yeah. He's my brother. But his name brother. So my brother signed for me. It's okay. No. No. Is your name Julio M court? No. No. His brother signed up for Oh, okay. It's for So what is your name? Did you put your name on the record? What What's your name? What's your name? Hi, my name is Germa Belgar. Okay, so your name is on here as well.

Okay, so your brother's not speaking. So madame clerk, number 10 is not speaking. We're moving on to he's number 12. Lewis Maldonado was first. Okay. So, Lewis is first and then you're next. Lewis Maldonado. How you doing? Um uh a lot of us came because um we received a letter for a public hearing that was supposed to happen on the 4th, but we all got it on like the 23rd of March. And it's about um 82 Mil Street. There's like a a truck garage there. They're trying to get a use variants to um add a a car sales part and

so um we keep getting this stuff late. We've called many times like whenever there's been violations and they always get like some type of heads up. They're always parking their trucks on top of the sidewalk. We don't get no parking out there. We have oasis down the street. They've gotten to the point where they've having to put cones up on the street to protect their parking. Then us who live here, we don't get no parking. Then they take all those disabled trucks. They park them on Jersey Street. Um we don't we have no type of like we've called the cops. We've we I've had to call the cops at 2 in the morning to get an unregistered car that had no plates or nothing off the street so I can park after work. Makes no sense. Um we've got pictures of the violations. They're asking for permission for first of all from I've done my own personal research and according to the zoning law they they need a to have any type of repair facility they need 30,000 square feet and that thing's barely 2,000 ft. They work on cars outside of the place.

Kids have to walk in the street in school. I'm just like rambling off of everything. I've got pictures of all these violations and the guys that work there. They don't live in the area. They don't live in our city and then they sit here. They live far and then they sit here and then they they threaten us with violence. And when we respond with violence, if that happens, we're called to be the bad guys while we have videos of them pulling out guns on people with no no type of weapon on them. And I have pictures on me just in case. So I have two gentlemen. They're waiting right in the back. Mr. Javier Fernandez, who's constituent service and our corporation council. So if you go with them, they will take care of it. Okay. They will handle it. Okay. Thank you. Uh and you're all together, right? Okay. So next speaker,

are you on the list? I don't have you. to meet him. Okay. So, you're with them as well. Okay. So, do you want to speak or do you want to just go to Sure. Yes. Well, you're not next though. But if you No, Elvis wouldn't mind. So, if you'll come now, Angela Sepa. Yep. You want me to come first or you? You're GMO? Okay. GMO's first and then we'll let you go. Okay. GMO.

Yes. Just to remember uh we have too many years doing the same thing the same complaint for the same truck mechanics do they doing the same thing blocking the street sometime they blocking the tree because when they have to move out the trucks they blocking all the street from the Oliver to all the way down to the light so it's crazy you know and I think we have to find the solution already because you know we have too many years in the same thing plus now They wanted to make a dealer just on the side, a dealer car. So they want expanded. It's crazy. We don't have a a parking for the neighborhood and it's a lot of disorder over there. So you know, please we asking to you for help to ask to the neighborhood.

Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Hi. I live on board street and I own a home on uh Mil Street and my tenants have no parking because they save parking early in the morning for their trucks. So the residents that live in that area, it's horrible. It's so congested. They double park. Um even when we do go up to, you know, the owner and say, "Please, can you move the co can you move the trucks?" They're so they get mad at us. So, as you know, we're we're all neighbors and we just want that area to be safe.

Kids play there. Um, Oasis, like I said, Oasis gets there early in the morning. They have the safe parking because when the trucks come in, they take up all our parking. No problem. They're going to take care. All of you, if you'll go off with that group, Council Jackson, Councilman Jackson, Councilman Jackson, one I know. One second. And they shouldn't even be able to be to do business in this. to all of you if you will go to D the director of constituent services is there he will take the information they will deal with it and they will come visit so he's right where you Javier I saw him back there Mr. Fern, if if you'll go with him, he'll be able to take the information, get copies of the pictures. When he does nothing about it, I'll come over.

He'll come tomorrow. Just say also that on the 4th or whenever uh last year, you guys told him he had to wait. They went and built whatever they No, he'll he'll he'll address it all. Thank you, Elvis Dorham. Elvis Dorham, next speaker. Thank you.

Elvis Dorm, fourth war, Patterson, New Jersey. Just want to say this to everybody in the city of Patterson, New Jersey. To the ones that got a problem with me saying Patterson number one, the power of Patterson, the city of gold. If you got a problem with me saying that and you don't believe this is a great city, move out of my city. Now, let me go to the announcements. Wow. City council at laws mayor election is May 12th. I want to encourage everyone to go out there and vote. Our ancestors fought hard for us to vote. My two candidates is Lisa Mims 13B, Marissa Daria 15B. Okay. On Saturday, April 18 at 4:00 p.m., Elvis Dorm Outreach Music Production is having a Springf Fest Gospel Smackdown at Before Church, 2-4 Auburn Street, Patterson, New Jersey. Pastor Marie Lagon is the pastor of that great historic church. It's going to be featuring White Wolf, um, Dennis Watley, and many more. Also, Council President Lisa Ms will be in the building. Doka Donuts is coming to the fourth wall on the corner of Broadway and Wilson Parks, Buddha Bar. Get ready, y'all. Also, a blackowned

restaurant, a sea to the soul restaurant is coming to the fourth wall on 356 10th Avenue in Patterson. I just want to encourage everyone to go and check out my YouTube channel, Patterson NJ Good News, Facebook, Elvis Good News, Dur Ham M. God bless you and peace. Thank you, Mr. Elvis. Next speaker, Mr. Abed Tabat. I'm sorry if I mispronounced, but Mr.

Abeda, council at large candidate. Is your mic on? There we go. So, let's start again. 2B or not to be.

I think 2B is the right the right choice. May 12th, uh, council at large candidate betata. Let's just give a shout out to my daily podcast, you know, Patterson first daily drive. Guys should tune in. It's the hottest show in Patterson. driving to work every morning and I get to speak to the Patterson family because what we need to do is create a family atmosphere in the city for the city to move forward. If we don't create a family atmosphere and everybody's fighting with each other and this neighbor doesn't talk to this neighbor, you know what, with my family I talk to and I could relate to them. But whenever it comes to if it's just an acquaintance, I could care less what happens with them. So, let's create that family atmosphere, people in Patterson. Let's try to make a difference. Listen, this election is going to either going to make or break the city. It's very important this election because we're in a we're in a state I mean, if everybody looked at the agenda today, they're going to be voting on more temporary appropriations. It's already May. It's already April. and 30 days from now we're going to have an election. We don't have a budget. How are they going to do the tax bills? Are they going to take the tax levy divided by the total number of properties in the city and the people that got re-evaluated at $300,000 more, they're going to be at the same percentage as the person that didn't get re-evaluated because it's going to be very difficult for that. I mean, if we can't put together a budget within four months into the year, we're not going to calculate who's gonna get a lower tax rate than the next guy. And then it's going to be basically lawsuits because disenfranchising the residents. We're

charging residents more for a property that got reevaluated while the other properties didn't get re-evaluated. And then you still got your 30-year tax payments, people. There's there's a property on the tax abatement. They started in 2019 for 30 years. That property was built and occupied in 2011. Wow.

So that was 2 years before the Garden State growth zone was even passed. But hey, 2B or not to be 2B should be the the only option on that ballot. People make sure that's your first option. Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk, is Mr. Joel Key. Next final next and final speaker, Mr. Joel Keys.

Testing, testing,

Joe Keys, Patterson. The May 12th election is not about choosing a mayor. It is about choosing what kind of leadership we believe in. It is about understanding the difference between corporate democrats and elected activists. Corporate Democrats are comfortable with the system as it is. They manage it, protect it, and too often benefit from it. They speak the language of progress, but operate within the boundaries of power. They seek consensus even when that consensus comes at the expense of truth. But an elected activist is different. An elected activist does not enter office to protect the system. They enter to challenge it. They don't measure success by how well they get along with power, but by how consistently they hold it accountable. They do not stay silent when something is wrong. They speak even when that speech comes with a cause. That is who Councilman Jackson is. At council meetings, we have all seen the pattern. When Councilman Jackson raises concerns, asks hard questions, or challenges decisions, the response is not honest debate. Instead, it is distortion. His words are taken out of context. His arguments are reshaped into something easier to dismiss. His character is questioned rather than his points being addressed. That is not leadership. That is avoidance. There's a principle in Exodus 23 and2. do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. Yet, what we often see is a majority moving together, not toward truth, but towards comfort and self-preservation. Councilman Jackson stands apart from that. He stands in the tradition of

those who refuse to go along just to get along. Like Micaiah in one Kings 22, he is willing to stand alone and speak truth even when surrounded by opposition. As the warning in Amos 5 and10 suggests, we see how often the one who tells the truth becomes the one most resisted. But let's be clear, standing alone is not weakness. It is courage. In Isaiah 1:23, we are warned about leaders who abandon integrity for self-interest. That warning reminds us that corruption is not always loud. It is often systematic, normalized, and defended. Patterson does not need another manager of the status quo. We need a leader who will challenge it. We need an elected activist who will fight for transparency, demand accountability, and refuse to be silenced. So the choice is clear. Do we want comfort or do we want courage? Do we want performance or do we want principle? I choose principle. I choose accountability. I choose an elected activist. I choose Councilman Jackson for mayor Casey Melvin Eddie Oliver. Thank you,

Mr. Keys. Your time is up. Your time is up, madam. Um, can there's no more speakers. Can I get a motion to close the public portion? So move. Can I get a second to close public portion? Moved by Council President Mim. Second by uh Council Cotton. Roll call to close the public portion.

Council member Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to say um thank you to everyone who came out this evening to um um speak on items on the agenda and different items that we had here. Um I heard from the two young ladies um which were excellent, Linda Mo and Dora daughters um speaking about the violence um that's happening in our community. Um I know that we will be probably looking into this. I know we will be. Um, I just want to also say that um um for for for those that there's there's so many different uh issues that that's happening and um different departments that I find that do different um different activities or different thing. Our zoning board, our zoning department, our community improvement department. Um, I just want to mention too that there was an item on the agenda that no one really talked about and um, I know that she does excellent work with our seniors uh, and that's Mr. G's kids. And I just want to say that she does do an excellent job with our seniors with providing services um, for things that they need that nobody never really mentioned about what what what she does. But uh, Regina Gracie, she does an excellent job with Mr. G's with providing her service. Uh, I just also want to say too that um it's important that um we do help out when we can and and do what we can. Um I always encourage us to um support our children. Um even when my children had finished playing sports, I still visit schools. I still went to back in the day passing Catholic East High School, Kennedy High School. You know, we need to support our community. We need to support our children at all times. My, as I always said, my daughter's a head coach for John F. Kenny softball team, first female, first black in the history since 1965. Um, those are those are things, you know, it's a lot of things that are are happening in Patterson. You know, we got

a young lady, Shade Green, getting ready to fight uh April 17th at Madison Square Garden. Those are good things that's coming out of our community. Um, you know, I I mentioned my grandson ran track for Trans Cities Track. Apologize, council woman. All right, I'm finished. But I just want to say let's, you know, we can support and do what we can to help each other. So, let's continue to do that. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes to close the public portion. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And let me forewarn you. Um I would appreciate the the uh commentary, but it won't won't um won't um stop my uh addressing the public. One, uh let me uh take a moment to uh to to point out a few things. First of all, understand this. Val Freeman is not a friend. She's family and uh still would be that way. Well, let me explain something to the public. When it comes to uh people who stand forward to represent the public's interest, the public's interest is the priority. Not family, not friendships. The public's interest is the the priority. And what's very disappointing about my sister Freeman is that she's not allowing me to hold her to the same standard that she hels holds me to. There was a time when it was a vote for Councilwoman Cotton to become mayor. I still have the recording sitting on my desktop, not because it was a level of accountability. is because the length of the threats, how people made personal threats towards my business, because of my uh my choice of which later everyone came back to apologize to me because I stand on truth. I stand on fact and I stand on integrity. It's not about a relationship. I don't care if my brother is in the seat next to me. I don't care if my son is in the seat next to me. If they're making a vote that's detrimental to the public, I'm gonna hold them accountable. Now, let's be clear just to the public. Just to the public, because I never once

disrespected Miss Freeman. I never once talked out of character. I questioned her vote. She did not like that. And her response was, "Don't address me. Don't ask about my vote." And I'm going to say this. When you're a public figure, whether you're elected or appointed, the public has the right to question your vote,

especially when it's questionable and when it's detrimental to the public. My children graduated from Norman as they are when I'm telling you that I can never repay the services that they receive. my son on down all National Honor Society. I apologize, Councilman Jackson. Very good. That's nice to to hear, Madam Clerk. I appreciate it, but I'm not done. My daughter, each council member only has two minutes. No, that's not that's not correct. As as for your voting, those are your council rules. Clerk, I appreciate you informing me, but I'm but I'm not finished. Thank you.

I defer to the chair then. Yeah. So to to to the parliament to the parliamentarian

one second council Jackson you have requested many times for the parliamentarian to rule she is the parliamentarian you requested that we have a clerk that you voted yes for who has given you the standards based on our ordinance and Robert rules of orders during time of voting each council member has two minutes she said the same thing to council cotton she abided to the rule and she voted the madame clerk as you've stated yourself is a parliamentarian. She's given you what the law is written as far as our ordinance is concurrent and as well as uh Robert rules of order. She has stated to you what the order is. You have always requested parliamentarian to rule and she has done just

I'll take that advisement but right now my address to the public is more important. So I need your vote Councilman Jackson. It will come madam clerk. It will come. Patience please. So again, never once did I disrespect Miss Sister Freeman. I didn't call her out of her name. I I challenged her on her vote. Norman is where being the 70%. Council President, I'll post a question, please. Yes, your question is posed. Uh and the parliamentary has previously requested your question is posed. If there is no vote, we will move to the next council person for their vote. Very good. I'll speak next at my next

Councilman Mendes. Thank you, madam clerk. Um, thank you. Uh, first of all, uh, let me just say thank you to all the resident of the city of Patterson for just getting in front of this chamber to address the the resident of the city of Patterson. And, um, within my two minutes, I will address some of the concern from the residents. Uh, and I would like to speak the first speaker that spoke about the condition of of the u apartments that we have in the city of Patterson. And I say this again and I'm I'm going to say this again. There's no one department here that really address the concern of the situation. We had to go back and sit in the table after the election and go over um we have so many families senior people that living in a deplorable condition apartment with mold uh leaking water ceiling about to collapse and I've been calling and and there's no solution for that. We got to go back into the table and and find a solution whether we need more inspector in those department and and allocate a specific team of people to address the situation because we have a lot of landlord here that they don't take care those building we have family living in those deplorable condition I've been in those apartment I've been in those building I'm making those phone calls and I and I've been going through that um I know the closing of the school has been a huge concern also as well uh I want to say thank you to Alice Mendes Jr. for fighting against that alongside with Kenneth Simmons. Closing the four performing school, it's not it's not an option. My three kids attend Norman as well. You know, my son has graduated from uh his university, school board member now. My daughter is in Washington about to be a doctor. We have great great students in our city, but for closing those four high performance school is not a choice. We we we playing with people's future and we got to we got to go back to the table and I really hope that we go back to the table and reconsider that because we have a lot of families suffering because of that right now. Uh whoever make that decision, you don't know our city, you don't know our community. I know Teddy Martinez came in front of the council to

speak about a some sort of a legislation about the face Mac and uh um so I I I really I like the idea. I mean people don't allow that in other municipality and you see people in a nice weather with their face totally covered around the driving around the city of Patterson. I really uh I haven't have a conversation with him. He left but I would love to entertain it and hear from him because I I that's a safety concern for me particular for me um you know we definitely have to uh pray for our city. There's a lot of changing that need to be happen in our community. And in closing, I'm so excited to see our children getting in front of the mic to speak about Thank you. in closing. Speaking about enforcement kids, keep coming. Keep coming. I'll come back. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes, Mad Clerk.

Councilman Udin.

Good evening, Patterson. Thank you to all these speakers for sharing your concern. And as always mentioned that regardless your uh comments go in our favor or not thankful for coming here and making your voice heard. Um so many uh things are addressed and one thing I particularly want to mention that two of the young ladies spoke here the daughter of Linda Moa and she mentioned that I was in presence and a situation. So let me give you the context when I have um you know experienced and witnessed something that is very was very uncomfortable. Um so my team and I do night to patrol and on that particular night we're patrolling in the fourth ward of the city and we were in the neighborhood of Linda Moa and uh absolutely there is a block you know um black party was taking place. I called Plat Police Department right away. They showed up by your deputy um quicker uh as less than 20 minutes. However, um there was a sound of shooting. I'm not sure that was actual or not, but again, this is what's happening. One thing I always mention that yes, we do have very um low number of police officers in our department. However, this council body introduced a new police contract where we can attract more police officers. And I again I want to again um uh uh emphasize on the matter that we need to address those issues where our residents, our children feel safe to walk on the street. Um again um uh thank you everyone for sharing. Someone spoke about the dumping situation. I spoke to the uh I spoke to uh Mr. Ba about this um trash collection of bali trash and we all agreed to uh make it progress and let's see if we can

bring back our old trash collection policy back or we can have um and and particular day to collect trash from Councilman Odine I need your vote. Well, it's so quick two minutes. Can I take 30 more seconds? You took more than two minutes. I I respect that. Um but let me just finish that particular portion. Uh and also again dumping situation that we last few incidents councilman your vote my vote is yes madam clerk your vote two minutes count councilman.

Thank you madam clerk. So to the uh public councilman please to the public that uh came here expressed itself about the taxi enforcement I just want to give you a little bit of uh um some notes here. Um, I was the councilman that amended the taxi ordinance to include that every taxi inspector um had the right to title 39. So that's why you see them going after uh pirates uh taxis and giving those heavy fines and they are bringing revenues to the city. Of course, they are walking because they don't have a vehicle, but they are walking to enforce the taxi ordinance and thank you BA for clarifying the work. Um, there's some people that spoke about who's better, who's good, or who's bad or better in this next election. I one thing I got to say to the resident Patterson, let's pray for this next coming election because if a lot of people they come here to this podium and they come here and speak and they want to reinvent the wheel and they just want to say things because it's election time. Pray for this election because if you pray hard and and the right way, we could put the right person in in back in office. Um they are uh a simple thing. Mr. Price through the chair, Mr. Price uh just text me that his street I believe is 29 uh between 9 and 10. He the people are moving their cars for street cleaning but the street cleaning is not going through to check what's going on in that area. Uh last but not least the mill 82 Mil Street Mr. BA and madam clerk uh is a continuous problem there. I've been addressing it um uh for the past uh two years. Uh they removed the park no

parking zone sign uh no parking sign on the right side. The state prohibit to park on the right side of that street. So I requesting to put back the signs and paint it yellow and also the zoning enforcement is going to be addressed also with police. Thank you madame clerk. Thank you. Your vote. Oh my vote is yes madam clerk. Council president Ms. So I will be very brief. Oh. Oh, council. Sorry. Sorry, you weren't here when I when I went through, but Oh, okay. to uh close the public hearing. Council Vice President Davila.

So, we're closing the public portion and I won't repeat what all of my colleagues here because I think they've expressed um and addressed most of the um constituents and everyone is important. But I do have to say, you know, Councilman Jackson, your aid has an obsession with me. uh everywhere he goes he mentions my name. He should really take his own um what he uh told you today about the lowhanging fruit and you know continuously he has to come in attack and it's everywhere I go. So I want to thank you for elevating me Mr. Eddie Olivares. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And secondly, I'd like to also address Mr. Durham. Thank you so much. Uh we've been working for many years together. I know he is not here uh but I want to thank him because you know he is someone that comes weekly to our meetings uh now twice a month he works in the community he's in the community he goes to church here in the community and he truly understands how important it is to continue the work that us the council that are running for reelection are doing. So, I want to thank you for that. And to everyone else that has poured support uh towards me, uh truly uh thank you for that vote of confidence. Thank you very much, Madame Clerk. I'll make sure to be sitting okay uh for future um when called. Uh thank you very much. My vote is yes to close the public portion.

Council President Memes.

Yes. So, I just want to say to the public that is viewing and the public that is here, thank you for taking your time out to come. There's always so many concerns. I'm so grateful we have constituent services here um and I can speak on behalf of constituent services. He goes the very next day. I've spoken to him on the phone in relation to but I just want to put the uh code on record in case anyone questions the two-minute rule. It is in Patterson code section M as in Mary rule 14 subsection 6. So if any council member would like to read it. Also, I want to address because I normally don't respond to these things, but on tonight, I see that uh Mr. Teddy Martinez has went on Facebook and said, "Council members, we we um we see it where you are." I'm not sure what that means. Tonight, you came, you spoke about an item that you would like. It has to go through various committees. I didn't speak at all, so I'm not sure what you're referring to. I don't know if it's because you wanted an extension of time and did not follow the process. There is a process in Patterson uh city council decorum um and it is that you call ahead of time for additional time. You are not the only other person. I thank madame clerk for presenting parliamentarian procedures and rules to make sure everyone is following. Madame clerk within my two minutes my vote is yes.

Thank you. Public hearing is now closed. Thank you madam clerk. We um have now closed the public portion. Council president. Council president. No, you can't. No, council president.

Council president, are we we have items that we did not go over? Are we going to recess um the workshop agenda or was everything I was getting ready to do that madam? Council President, we're going to come back to the Yes. Okay. Council President. Councilman Uden, is it pertaining to moving into We have a special uh council president. Yeah. Uh just before uh we move forward um I would like to request that I need that what about you two minutes for closing the public portion timer. Two minutes. It is the two minutes is a Robert rules of orders. It is per u parliamentary decorum and is also part of our law um book.

I'm just requesting the timer should be there so I would know that my time is ending so I would paste my wording in correct manner. Duly noted. Thank you so much. Madame clerk he doesn't trust your watch. Please put No, no, no. Don't don't uh the wording is totally wrong. Council President, I never never said never said I don't trust her. I trust her 100%. Pacing of my wording should be according to the timer. Council President, point of order. Madame clerk, now council members, out of respect, everybody was given more than the two minutes that are in your council rules.

If it is your choice, I can put the timer. Please put the timer of 2 minutes and set it at set it at that time. Mad clerk on behalf of the Patterson Council. Council President, Council President, Council Member, Council President, Council Member, what is fair is fair. Let's start our special meeting in in on the right in the right foot. Having the two minute on the clock, it will help you to manage your time. It's all about that. It's not that council don't trust our clerk. It just he would like to use the two minute in a better way, and more effective way. Let's Let's move on. Let's move on. Thank you, Council President. Oh my god. Councilman Jackson.

So, so the issue here, Council President, is that there's a public portion so that the public can have an opportunity to come here and hear their concerns be addressed. You know, there is a such thing as customs of the council, which this ma this clerk would have no idea about. So there's there's parliamentary procedures and there's there's uh matter of our code but there's also customs and practices of the council which of of which is many of it is is being altered and I understand the reason why but Mr. McDow's concerns wasn't addressed and then allowing not for not allowing commentary for public's concerns is yet again muting the public's issues. So to the public, take note. Take note on how your concerns are not not of interest of certain council members and how certain council members have continuously chosen to take stances of opposition when it comes to addressing the failures to the public's concerns. If the if everything was was so peachy and all nice of which you guys are describing it, then no one would come to the podium to complain. But but the the sad thing is people have refrained from coming to the podium because they understand that their concerns are going on death ears. So, yet again, here's another opportunity to hear the public's concerns, be able to address those things, and yet it's being um muffled and muted as usual. So, I just wanted to make that point. And uh all right, we we can move forward to close.

Good evening, everyone. And on behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the special meeting of April 7, 2026 at 8 8:00 p.m. which is starting at 9:05 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. Madame clerk, please read the please call the role. Workshop. Roll call for the special meeting. Council member Cotton is absent temporarily. Council Vice President Davila present. Council member Jackson here. Council member Khalik is absent. Council member Mendes. President. Council member Omar is absent. Council member Udin.

I'm here madam clerk. Council member VeZ. Pis. Uh present. Madam clerk. Council president Ms.

Um I'm president. Madam clerk. Can you please read the 48 hour notice? Notice of the time, date, location, and agenda of this meeting was transmitted to the North Jersey Herald News, The Record, The Arabic Voice, The Italian Voice, The P County Polls, Dominicano News, Laiskea International, Lespial, The Patterson Press, The City Post News, Tap into Patterson, The Weekly, Bangla, Patrika, in addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices at or about 11:00 a.m. on April 1st, 2026. Such notices were posted on the bulletin board in the offices of the clerk here at city hall. Thank you. At the time of 7:15 when the list was pulled, not sure why it was reallocated. There were no speakers for uh the public portion pertaining to these items. U madame clerk at this time, see no one move to close the

Thank you, Council. President. So the list is pulled before the meeting was even called into order. No, but it was on there. So what time was the list pulled? You're saying she says at the time the list was pulled. What time was the list pulled? The list. So the list first of all the list has been out out on the day since 6:15. It's always out at 6:15. I didn't ask.

The list was not the list was not pulled until about 8:30. 8:30. It's It's 9 It's almost 9:30. So, the list was pulled for a public hearing of this meeting an hour almost. Councilman Jackson, if there are meeting any speaker wants to address any item on this agenda, we are more than welcome to allow someone to speak if they want to do that. But that's not how that's not how a public meeting works. Well, that's how a public meeting works. Okay. Well, council a public meeting. This is a special meeting. Council president, no one has signed up for this. And I ask a parliamentarian. Now we have a parliamentarian. You don't just truncate a person.

Point of order. Madam clerk, since you're the parliamentarian, you don't call you don't just truncate a person's time to what's at what's on this agenda. If we call the special meeting and you place items on the agenda, this is not a a public hearing for council members item. We actually do have one person that did sign up for the special meeting. The list was pulled at 8:45. So he just signed up. Okay. We have one person. One person for items in agenda, right? So for the person that will speak, you can only speak to the item on the agenda in the three minute. That's not how it works. That is not I'm sorry. That's not how it works. Public portion, you can speak on any item.

One second. Councilman Jackson. No. No, it No, it's not one second. It is point of order. You're attempting You're attempting to to circumvent if this meeting was was was was publicized. It's open to the public. You cannot No, no, no, no. Council president, first of all, first of all, Councilman, the items are signed here is a rules to begin with. You guys have strategically instead of planned on next week's agenda, you you strategically placed these items for councilman Jackson. The one person

and now you're making an attempt to truncate the public opin. The one person that is listed to speak can speak on any matter that he or she chooses to for 3 minutes. I'm well aware. So, Mr. I'm well aware what I'm trying to do here is educate the council president in this you don't you don't have to educate me when you vote I do obviously I do with your no obvious madam clerk can we start with the can we start with the public Mr. or a badge. A bed. Tabitha, you have three minutes. To be or not to be,

that is the question. So, if we're going to go by uh our our city code, right? So, rule number 12 under K, it says the order of the council proceedings is prayer, pledge of allegiance, roll call, hearing of the citizens. So, public portion is actually number four on the list. Why are you waiting till 9:00? What's the You know why? Why they put it at number four is so the residents could actually address items on the agenda before the council gets to decide. Do we put it on regular or do we put on consent?

In common practice of the council, I believe it was 2016. I don't know if council uh VP Davilla was the president at the time, but it was a person comes up and speaks and then it goes back and forth because it's on YouTube. No,

understood. But I'm just saying that the council will actually respond to the constituent, the family member as I like to refer to them as. Um, and they would address their concern right there so they're not waiting because today is only 16 speakers. I'm sure next week is going to be like 35. You got 16 people running for council plus four mayors. So, um, but I did have a question about the actual special meeting agenda. What can is it possible whenever you publish this to actually write the dollar amount of what that bid was? Um, so people could actually see where the money in the city is actually going because we're just all right. I understand road reservicing happens, but it's not good to take credit and say that because of you it happened. I'm sorry. It's a a body of it's a council of nine people that actually vote on these items. Whether you're you could be absent that day and they voted and that road resurfacing project got approved. But I mean, at least the people I hope the people that are watching are actually paying attention because I mean, everybody else got their heads dug into their phones. But thank you, uh, Council VP for paying attention in the SID district, Bunker Hill. I mean, if you drive down, I believe it's Railroad Avenue, right next to New Jersey Transit, Railroad, right? I work for New Jersey Transit. I It's I It's a sight for sores. They got their jersey mafia blocks and then just signs sticking out. It doesn't look good. These businesses are actually paying for a service. Where is it? The board that's not doing that.

The railroads. It's not even It's not It's not good or it's not good for whoever drives down the Bunker Hill District to see that. Another thing is more police. That's it. We just need more more police. Thank you. Thank you. There's no more speakers. Motion to close. Move moved by council vice president Davila. Second by mess. Roll call to close the uh public portion of special meeting. Council vice president Davila. Yes. To close. Council member Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, you're absolutely correct. When I was initially elected, the public's concerns were always addressed. things will stop. They would make the BA address him. What you're witnessing now is a blatant attempt to silence the public's concerns. To paint the picture of all of these grandiosis things that's taking place, which by the way, all you got to do is ride around the city. You'll see the condition of the city. Members of the community, please take note. There is absolutely no way that we can continue what we get to to getting continue with what we have and expecting something different. If you think it's bad now, it's only going to become worse. Madam clerk, my vote is yes.

Council member Mendes.

Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, before my vote, um, I I truly believe that I mean, you know, we we we here we we're elected by the people. Uh, and what I take that very I take a lot of respect for people that taking time out of the time to just come here, wait until 9:00 to speak at the public portion. And it's our our responsibility to just answer someone's question and that's going to leave a a really that's going to be a problem that 2 minutes rules or it's going to be a problem. I mean we collectively need to have a conversation and and it standard time whether through a legislation to at least 5 minutes uh for council members uh to address the public. It's very it's very sad when people come in front of the podium asking for asking question and we as an elected official they elect us that we they are the reason why we're here. So and they expecting us to they're expecting some answer then the mayor never came to one of those meeting. He doesn't sit there and actually most 99% of those question are for the mayor for the administration because it's all about enforcement. It's all about uh so it's not about legislation that we're putting in place. So I I I'm recommending us to come together and extend the time uh legally to allow the clerk to you know to be online in line and allow us to answer some of those question that our resident asking us. My vote is yes madam clerk

council member. Thank you madam cler I have full trust on your clock as well. So here's a fact that I want to mention that

the public comes here for luxurious 3 minutes to speak and for example today only I would say about 10 people spoke but we are not able to address everyone's concern in 2 minutes. I respectfully request to reconsider this timing because people ca came here came here those who came today or come here regular uh meetings just to share their concern and hear back from us uh as their elected officials if you cannot address their concern so what's the point is it discouraging us discouraging them not to come into the council meeting this another thing that we have to bring to the consideration Um and again uh council president uh madame clerk my vote is yes to close the public portion. However this 2 minutes time is not enough to address the uh public and especially today's a very short number minimum uh less number of people came to the public portion part other days sometimes we see more than 20 people speaks how can address 20 30 people in less than 2 minutes. So uh even though it's a parliamentarian rule but again anything can be adjusted if needed based on the demand of the population demand of the speakers in this chamber. My vote. Yes.

You got 35 seconds. Councilman Vez.

So I just make it quick here. Madame clerk. Um just simple and easy. Listen. We had 16 individual that came to speak on the public portion. 16 individual that came and raised their concern um and used their free speech and used the public portion act and um public meeting act um and that's important public portion but I could say that of the 16 individual uh that came only like three or four came with concern that matters this council the remaining came to slander um political attacks

and um personal attacks. Do I have to entertain that? No. That's why I make a list of the concern of the community and I address it accordingly. And if I got the chance to go back to the list and ask it for the name and address, I even go to their houses or call them to see if the issue has a merit to take it care right away. like the problem at 82 Mil Street. I got on the phone

and work from here. I don't wait till tomorrow. You want to address the concern, the real concern because let me tell you something. Freed of speech is good, but look at this meeting when they come here. Slandering political agenda, attacking personal agendas. I'm not here for that. You want to come here, bring counel and how you want to see this city, I will entertain that. My vote is yes, madame clerk and council president memes.

Thank you. Council member, you um you're on point because there were 16 speakers and every uh meeting I take the list and I go through the list to identify what were concerns that were taken up by our constituent service and follow up to make sure they're being addressed. But one thing I want to request, Mr. BA after all of those things are followed up on. We talked about in the past, can we just have a all the questions that the public had to be placed here on the podium as well as madame clerk that they're on our city's website. Any of the public portion concerns that are concerns that need to be addressed that we can say they were responded to or answered by whatever department so the public can know that we're taking their requests very seriously. With that being stated, um my vote is yes to close the public portion.

Public portion is now closed. Madame clerk, on the special meeting items, let's move to special meeting item number one. Item one, resolution honoring Bishop Dr. Luis Paneiagua for his service and contributions to community and public safety. This is sponsored by Councilman Veles and co-sponsored by Council President Mims and Councilwoman Vice President Davila. Second. Second. Moved by Councilman Veles, second by uh Mems and Davila. Roll call on item number one. Madam clerk. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Council Vice President Davila.

Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes, Councilman Udin. Yes, Councilman Valz.

So, before I vote, I just want to congratulate uh Bishop Dr. Louis Paneawa uh born in the Dominican Republic. Uh when I sent this uh resolution to draft that same week, he received a medal of the peace from OU and U of here in New York City, Manhattan. Um and that was a big accomplishment for him. Uh congratulations. Keep on doing the work as a champion, as a bishop, and preaching the word. Uh like always, um this is this is something that um I'm proud to uh sponsor because as councilwoman always uh men says, give the flowers when they could smell them. Thank you colleagues for accepting this and on behalf of the council I will give be giving to them on the next regular meeting and the presentation he will come and pick it up. Thank you council. Uh madame clerk my vote is yes

and council president means thank you uh my vote is yes. Great job councilman bles.

Madame clerk uh there's a public hearing on the introduction of the bunker. You need to read the uh vote. Sorry, I was numbering them, but with seven. Yes, this item passes. Thank you. Okay. Item number two. Um, Madame Clerk. We have a public hearing on the introduction of Bunker Hill Industrial Park Special Improvement District for their 2026 budget. Move it. Second. Second. Seeing none, move to close by Council Cotton. Second by Councilman Mendes for the public hearing. Yeah, this is to open the public hearing. Right. Yes. Seeing none, move to close by Councilwoman Cotton. Second. Hello.

Oh, you're here for the Bunker Hill. I'm sorry. I didn't see you. Uh uh Chanel Hills, my apolog.

Uh with regards to uh Bunker Hill, my question basically is to find out how soon are they going to pave that area. when you come through there, there's non-stop potholes to the point where you could pretty much fall in it. It seems like to me um the only time we get the uh paving done is during election time. We have suffered greatly for the last I would say four years with potholes through the city. And now all of a sudden, because it's election time, it's this street is getting done, that street is getting done. But in the meanwhile, who reimbures the residents? Um, people have had their axles cracked on their car and had to get a new car. Once your axle cracked, that's it, you know. And not only did the axle crack, it it busted the uh compression compression and the radiators in some of the cars, but this city, there really needs to be a class action suit for the level of tires that we've had to go through because of these um potholes. We have this derelic mayor that really does not care about anything other than parks.

That's all he cares about. and we suffer greatly. Not only that, it's a tremendous uh taxing to the car under the chassis part of the car. Everything suffers tremendously as far as the maintenance of the car. It's one thing for gas prices to rise. It's one thing to do regular oil changes and things like that, but when we suffer the burden of potholes, and I don't think you guys realize how serious it is because when we're coming down through that section, we literally have to veer on opposite sides that we're supposed to be driving on just to escape certain potholes. And that's the difference of causing a actual car accident. And I don't know how important that is to you. It shouldn't take an election time to put pressure on the mayor to say, "Hey, now it's time to fix the potholes." It's been time to fix the potholes to see it. I mean, I don't know what message um the residents need to see uh to show that the mayor does not care about Patterson. He really does not. Any mayor that's comfortable with you riding down the street with monsterized potholes that children could physically fall in, something's wrong. And that's all I have to say about that. So you know the most

second move second sir you have to hurry up speaker for Bunker Hill. Are you going to speak on Bunker Hill? Of course I'm going to speak about Bunker Hill. Hello. How are you? To be or not to be. Got to take that. It's pretty funny. But yeah, I'm here to speak about Bunker Hill. That's why I got up. Uh the street that I was referring to was Weight Street.

Yeah. um where there's just jersey barriers I don't know stacked up and it it's it's a sight for Soris businesses are paying for basically extra cleanliness they get to choose whatever they want that's why they have the whole board for the SID I know every I would say prior to Councilman Mendes tenure as the president they used to always have a a hearing about their budget and the president used to come up here and You guys used to actually question him. You know, you grilled him on where's the money going? But did that happen? I didn't hear anything. Unless I missed it. Maybe I was I was worrying about Shakespeare and stuff. I don't know. But guys, remember 2B. That's the only option. Thank you.

Thank you. There are no more speakers. See? Move to close by Councilwoman Davis. Second by Councilwoman Cotton. And roll call to close the public portion. Roll call. Public hearing. The public hearing for Bunker Hill. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to be really quick, but we did discuss something in uh DPW committee meeting about uh Bunker Hill Street. So, I'll have to really look it up because we did talk about something. We got some state funding from the state of New Jersey for Wake Street in that area. I will look up I will find the information because I know we did get some funding for that. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Council Vice President Davila. So before I vote and and I just it's my understanding that the SID this is an extra extra monies that is collected I mean and we only collect it. So there is a board and we really don't have no say if they want to go ahead and you know beautify the area and put you know plants and all that that's on them right we just pretty much uh right Mr. CFO collect the monies for them. Is that correct? Okay. Uh madame clerk my vote is yes to close the public hearing on this item. Council member Jackson. Yes. Council member Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. So I I just I will go over with them before my vote and at the end I need an answer from uh our corporate um Mr. CFO. The downtown um improvement district total budget is $150, $250. Right. So out of that so we have for security service 40,000 maintenance 88,000 landscaping 12,000 um executive administrator salary is zero so we're not so there's nobody getting paid for this improvement district so I didn't answer so I want to make sure that we don't have a mistake here marketing $1,000 maintenance supplies professional service $3,50 office administration $250 insurance $3500 Paul is 750 and Mr. Lanner 700. That's a total of 150,250. So, so there's nobody getting paid to administer to run this improvement district. So, with that before my uh at the end of the roll call, Mr. CFO, just correct me if there's no mistake on this budget. Uh without being say, want to correct my vote is yes.

Councilman Udin, yes. To close the public portion. Councilman Vez, we're going to close the public portion. We go have a discussion later on well with this resolution. My vote is yes to close the public portion. Council President Memes. Yes, we're disclosing the public portion. Uh points well taken by the people that spoke. Um this item, Council Mendes, is Bunker Hill. We're not talking about the downtown. No, I'm talking about Bunker Hill. No, you mentioned downtown State. Yeah. Bunker Hill error downtown 300 and change. So, um my vote is yes. Public hearing is now closed. Uh, can we read into the record item number two?

Item two is a resolution ratifying and adopting the 2026 budget of the Bunker Hill Park Special Improvement District. It's authorized by the finance committee. This is resolution number 26153. So move discussion. Moved by Councilwoman Mandavis, second by Valz. Second. Cotton Mendes. discussion an order in discussion. Council member council president.

Thank you, council president. Uh I don't know um through the chair, Mr. Ba or CFO. I I I requested to tell me how many properties are in this um special improvement district because the assessment the real estate assessment of the SID comes up to $150,000 $250. I think there's a lot of property there. Um the

if assess if we're going to talk about assessment that Bunker Hill have more is industrial area without assessment. Huh? It says here Patterson SID real estate assessment percentage. So so how okay my question was how many property are in the SID of the Bunka Hill? Mr. CFO Mr. CFO 143 blocking lots. Okay. 100 what? 43 block and lots. 143 parking lots. Block and lots. Blocks and lots. Blocks and lots. Oh, block and lots. So, do you have the assessment of every block

of every property? Yes. And uh based on your experience, how much they say is the assessment of the total? It's 125. 125 million 015800 125 million Mhm. Okay. So, and the percent of that will be uh what percent? 1% 2% what you mean what they get taxed? Yeah. It's their their assessment the property's assessment divided by the total assessment. Yes.

4%. No. So if your assessment is not Mr. CFO, could you just speak into the mic and quote the formula cuz it's not the exact assessment for all properties. Please if your assessment if the property's assessment is a million dollars, it's a million dollar divided by the total. That's how you get the percentage. Then you multiply that times the assessment to get the amount. Plus they are paying the uh regular taxes through the city of Paris. Correct.

Correct. Um, but I ain't got that information, right? So that's why I'm asking this information. The other thing is um, do any of those property old taxes in the city of Patterson? Are there a reader? Have you done the analysis? I would have to verify that for you. I don't have the information. Okay. Uh, this is timesensitive. Yes. Why, Mr. CFO? go. Um, this already delayed. Their payments, their taxes really should have went out for February, May.

All right. So, um, I know is then now it's time sensitive, especially we have to cut those tax bills and make sure that the money they get it for they could continue doing what they do in the area. I noticed a big difference since uh 2015, I believe. They put a lot of uh gardening, you know, beautify the area. They put new signs in the area where you go to Bunker Hill. Uh but I would like to have u CFO you could send me email with u with that question answer talk to the tax assessor's office um how many you know those property how many they owe taxes uh to the city of Parson. Um, and last but not least, I know it's not probably a part of this, um, also to tell me how much GTI I believe it is.

Uh, the dispensary that we have in in the third ward, how much taxes they owe us, okay, since two two years just in case we had to collect this money. We had to balance the budget. Point of GTI is not a part of bunk. I know that's what I say, Council President. That's what I say. is not part of it. But I just want to put the question for he could do the same. I I want to know how much GTI owe us in taxes to council president. Councilman Mendes.

Uh thank you, Council President. I I think that Mr. CFO, the reason why I open during my um closing on the public portion with this question was because to highlight this budget um and it has nothing to do with the assessment. I know the hundreds of millions of dollars are those property assets are the highest number. Those are factories. But I think that this is the only budget that I will feel satisfied to vote yes out 100%. Because before way back, if we remember, if you go back, there was a uh an executive administrator salary was $25,000. Now it's zero. This improvement district, it has nothing to do with the regular tax section. They come together all the those business and they allocate a portion, a very small portion of the taxes in addition to have additional service. So it has nothing to do with the city. This improvement district they allocate an additional tax section to have um additional security maining service which is $88,000. Bonking Hill is that industrial city is part of the third war part of the fourth floor. But I I truly I feel confident and I feel satisfied with that because they including most of the money the largest percentage uh is on maintenance and security right in Bunkin Hill and that really helped the city uh not like other improvement district that we really have to sit down and have a serious conversation if we really love our city and we got to turn that city around. So, so I just closing with that. That was the reason why I asked a question to highlight that they not paying nobody to run this seat.

They just wanted the area to be beautified and safe. Thank you. Roll call. Madam Clerk, Council Member Cotton, we're voting to approve this. Is that where we finally are? Yes.

Okay. Let me just say that the Monkey Hill is in the fourth ward, a little part of the third. um the the two of the companies that um and you can see how the budget came down because two of the businesses owners, they're retired now, but they still own the businesses and they're actually um running the Bunker Hill um Sid. So they they do an outstanding job um trying to keep it up to date, trying to keep it beautified, um doing everything that they did. So that's why their budget is not uh as high as it has been in the past. So, um I think the Bucker Hill actually do a great job with the actually they're the only I can't say special improvement district, but industrial they're industrial. They'll have nothing else in the industrial as Bunker Hill said. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Council Vice President Davila, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Council member Mendes, my voice, madam clerk. Council member Udin, yes. Council member Vez, yes. Council President Memes,

let me say this, and I don't think it was put on the record, but I want to commend Bunker Hill for the awesome work they do in their special improvement district plan for years, the cleanliness, the the just what they do in that particular area. I've said in the past and I'll say it again, it should be the model for every SID in the city. They do a wonderful job with the way they operate, the way they make sure that they have security and different things in place to secure their businesses and make sure their uh workers are safe and in that area is kept clean. Um, Mr. Ba, possibly we can have them be the model for the SIDS in all of our areas in the city of Patterson. With that being stated, my vote is yes. They're only they're only indust.

Thank you. Item number three, madam clerk. Always three. Item number three is a resolution authorizing the award of contract to JA Alexander for road resurfacing portions of 19th Avenue, Beckworth Avenue, and Robert Street. This is bid number 26.13 for the engineering division of the department of public works. Resolution 26154. Second. Moved by Councilwoman uh Davala and Mendes. Second by mess. Roll call on the repaving of streets. Council member Cotton, do you have number three? Cuz I don't have number three. It's on the table. I want to see it because he was gonna um

I'm sorry. Yeah, because he was supposed to list on there. I'm sorry. Um this the three streets and I wanted to know the the um between what two streets? Between what two? 19th, Beckad, Robert Street. I needed to know what they were between like what street? We're we're in roll call now though. Open the discussion. No, we're in roll call. All right. It don't make no sense. It really don't. I don't know what you say. Your vote. Your vote. No vote. Council Vice President Davila.

My vote is yes. Council member Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Just another example of the shuffling of millions of dollars. There's a half a million dollar contract and it had to be done on a special meeting agenda. Oh, I forgot. The mayor's knocking on doors and when people tell him he can't put a sign in front of his house, he says, "Oh, I paved your road." So, he needs to uh have more streets to be able to tell people that he paved their road. forget how much we're spending and how much we're wasting, how much overages we're paying for, you know, and then the the uh the aiding of this effect or this effort through uh various council members to make sure we create a special meeting just to put these matters on the agenda. uh despite the fact that we desperately, you know, need road resurfacing, Madame Clerk, just in the in the spirit of not um uh pulling the wool over the sheep's eyes, my vote is no,

Council Member Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm I always been in full support of resurfacing and I do have the right to take credit because I'm sitting here and it's with my vote that this legislation will pass. When those road are getting resurfaced, I will go there. I will inform the public. I will do my live video and I will do the whole night yard because I'm not sitting here just because I'm sitting here because people elect me to be here and fight for and not voting against resurfacing and whoever voting against resurface I will encourage you to change you know the way because you do have the right it's not the mayor only that have the right to take uh credit be without us that will never happen without the council this will never be done and to my third world resident the 19th Avenue. It looked like a roller coaster in the third war. I have one of my constituent pay $17,000 in taxes. And the and the road, the pose I was right in front, they're horrible. People have to just drive around to I would never say no. And I will be out there encouraging people and and doing my video. No, I'm not ashamed. And I have the right to take credit for that. Uh with that being said, let's get the job done. And my vote is yes. Councilman Odin.

Thank you, Madame Clark. Again, um with the collaborative action of the council and the administration were able to repave so many streets throughout the city. We know that many of our streets are crumbling and we are pushing for repay uh patching the potholes. I have to think that we were able to patch many potholes. Remaining potholes should be emphasized. But again, I am in full support of repavement and we want to see all the streets around the city should be repaved in the near future. So my vote is definitely yes. Councilman Vez.

So the script of election time is the Thank you administration, thank you Mr. BA, thank you DPW for listening to the concern of the residents and we as a legislative body has support your initiative. That's supposed to be the message. My vote is yes to this. Council President memes. So, you know why it's easy to vote? Yes. Oh, council cotton. Yeah, she decided to pass. Yeah, we know. Counciloman Cotton.

No, I did pass. I'm sorry. I did pass, Madam Clerk, but I did get some of my answers that I needed. U Madam Clerk, my vote is yes. recorded council president memes.

So to the public first I want to just make sure you understand. So a lot of roads were approved during the winter months by this council. Wasn't just the administration. I know it was election time. It wasn't just the mayor. Many council members advocated for for and lobbyed for roads to be repaved. We voted on it. got approved and now the weather's breaking and now it's getting ready to happen. It's not because it's election time. It's because those roads are in in horrendous conditions. We have approved 1676 roads to be repaved in the city of Patterson and River Street will be done by August. Not about elections, about doing what's right by the residents. And thank you to the coun my council colleagues for fighting for that. Madame clerk, I will be happy. I'll come out there in the video. Uh, Councilman Mendes on 19th AB. We have a lot of seniors that live over there on Beck with and Robert Street. My vote is yes.

Thank you. Six yeses, one no. This item passes. Item number four, Madame Clerk. Item number four is a resolution authorizing the award of contract to JA Alexander, Inc. for the 2026 citywide road resurfacing program. This is bid number 26.12 for the engineering division of the department of public works resolution number 26155 moved by council uh woman second by mess Mendes and Uden roll call on discussion discussion council Mendes

thank you madam uh thank you council president on item number four uh where's the list of draw that will be um covered the 1,957 7 is $772,000. Mr. Ba, could you give the various list of the uh several awards that will be covered in this listing? Mr. Ba. Sure, Council President. Um, and I'll just state them out loud for the record. Uh this bid award is covering Maitelland Chadam to Chamberlain Emerson Chadam toa Lynwood from Chamberlain to the dead end Roser Chamberlain to dead end Patterson Front Street to dead end Marian Street Union to dead end Dayton Street Caldwell to McBride.

And if I could just add council president um the reason that we're awarding these two tonight is very specific. Jay Alexander is in the city starting other projects this week. Previous bids that this council awarded. Yes. So, putting this on this agenda is to is to maximize efficiencies. They're out there. We award them tonight. Contracts can be done and signed for by the end of the week, early next week. And it's just purely efficiency. Thank you. Uh um thank council president for the question. Um you know um thank you. Thank you Councilman Jackson.

Thank you. Thank you, Council President. Um, Mr. Ba, do we have a a calculated uh length of roses being paid for this amount of money? Back to Yeah. Um, that would be in the big in the bid specs. So, I could provide you that information. There were six biders on this project and six return. Well, six. That's how many submitted. So, I don't count someone asking for the packet necessarily.

So, how many how many uh miles of of roads are we paving? That information will be in the big document so I could forward that to you. But I'm voting on it now. If you'd like, councilman, in the future, I will come prepared with exact um measurements of every road that's being awarded to be paved. I haven't heard that request before, but I'd be happy to incorporate it.

How have you never heard that request before? How do I quantify what a million dollars is getting me if I don't know how much we're paving? That doesn't seem like common sense. Do you send your kid to the supermarket with $100 and not know have an idea of what they should be purchasing and how much change should be should should uh be required?

The item goes through public works. It goes to the engineering department. If that department felt that even the lowest bid of six was um inappropriate because of the number that came in, they'd be they'd be recommending a rejection. So it's not necessarily about if DPW of a committee person finds if it's appropriate if there's a collaboration amongst the biders and I'm just speaking hypothetically and they're taking turns on being a lower bidder as a member of the voting body. How am I to know how much we're paying per square mile or how much we're paying per square foot if it's not included here in this packet when we're voting on

My apology, Councilman. I've watched seven years of meetings and that has question has never been raised by by yourself.

I've asked this question. You've watched seven years of meetings. Then you missed a few. You definitely missed a few. This is a frequent question. I'll make sure I find it. This is a very frequent question that I ask. Anything that pertains to to to money that we're spending, I'm trying to delve down on how much we're spending per per unit, per foot, per whatever it is that we're spending. So, you've watched seven years of meetings. That's uh that's rather entertaining. If you would have watched seven years of meetings, you would you would have been better prepared tonight. How do we quantify if let's speaking hypothetically you tell me how should I quantify and make a comparison to the two if there if I don't have a unit based price

again I should just vote yes in in the future if if the council desires receiving the actual bid submission and wants to be involved to that granular detail we can make that available but this goes through purchasing it goes through the DPW W director. It goes through our engineering department through the administration and onto the agenda and all all all members have signed off on this. We reject bids. We we're rejecting the east side historic steps. Those came in way out of whack from from what it should have been. So So there's a there's a review process and it has gone through it.

Councilman Jackson, if I may, in your line of questioning, uh you are you sit in the DPW committee meeting. So, you've been I was going to ask Councilwoman Cotton, you've been tenured slightly longer than I have. To your recollection, we are never in we've never been included the big the bids within the packet that we have before we vote. Never. We have we ever had the bids included in the packet before we vote? Yes. Always. But, but wait a minute. He just watched seven years of meetings and he said it's never been done before and this question has never been asked before. My my apologies. I asked a question because incoming.

So I have one I have one person who says yes, it's been included. We have one of the assistant clerks that that can that can confirm that these that these specific kinds of questions and items are normally included. How as a council are we expected to vote on bids and the bids aren't even present present in the in the in the uh

So Councilman Jackson to to your point. All right. And what council president just indicated and I will get up right now. Council President, um those things are discussed and those bids, everything is discussed in committee. When it comes to the workshop, what is on the list is the amount of people that picked up. I know you, Mr. Bay indicated that you only care about you know who submitted but we always there's always how many picked up which is in the body of the resolution how many submitted and the top and just the list of the amounts but there's never been packets never in my 12 years sitting here. Thank you very much. That is an absolute forest. That's a lie.

He wants to know how much per president council president you've never seen bits included in this thing. Madam clerk, through the chair, if if I may, can you please enlighten that the committee process is not a part of the the the process in which the council functions according to our code and according to to our our guidelines. The committee process is a process in which the council chooses to assess, but is it is not a required process. We're here voting. This item was put on a special meeting agenda. special meeting agenda, meaning there there should be additional more inclusive information that's included with this package. And you're telling you're trying to tell me you watched seven years of meetings and you have and through through your perusing of these meetings, you haven't come across any meetings where we have the the bids included into this.

That's not what I stated. What I stated was you your yourself and other council members have never questioned this bid. How much does it come out to per mile? That has never come up. But if that is a if that is a statistic that's important to you to make your decision, you'll be you'll be getting that going forward.

Council president. Okay. So, yet again, members of the public, we have council members bragging about supporting items, right? and he one of Councilman Mendes actually bragged the other night about supporting an item at at um uh the old Fifth Avenue site of which to negate the commentary of the BA of which even then I specifically outlined the cost per unit cost per square foot. I'm always out asking for the cost factors and in that case where we allowed the developer to build for $400,000 a square foot where the average rate of build is $100,000 $100,000 a square foot is absolutely ridiculous. So here we have one bill for $500,000 and one bill for over a million dollars. So, a a quick and easy assessment would say, "Okay, we should be getting double the amount of what we got for the 500,000." How can you calculate that? I'm just supposed to take your word for it. How can I calculate that if I don't know how many miles of roads specifically? And you what you should do is go back to when Joey Torres was the mayor because Joey would very be very specific with the outline of how many square miles the city was and how many miles of roads were being paved. So to to I don't know I mean well I guess you said seven years. This mayor's only been the mayor for eight. You need to go back a little further and watch a little further because the the commandeering of the council process I have to know how much I'm spending. I have to know that in order for me to vote on on an item and support on it, how can I do that if I don't know how much we're spending per mile, per square foot? That's really what the the cost factoring should be.

It should be per square foot. How many linear feet council coun has? So, you're all going to tell me that I've never asked the question of how many linear feet has been is being paid. All right. Well, nobody else is paying attention, but it's a very question that I think is very relevant. How many linear feet of roads are being paid? But you're incapable of answering it. Of course, council member. Thank you, Council President. That's why we got a purchasing agent. Thank you, Council President. As a purchasing agent, that's his role.

So, um, we'll say before the committee meeting has four members. We all know our responsibility to come and attend committee meetings. Uh and why it's important to attend committee meetings because all these trees all this resolution all this award contract is discussed at the committee meeting

and if I have a question for the for the director in the moment and he don't have the answer he will look right away and make a call to the BA or the CFO or the uh or purchaser agent and even the attorney that uh oversees the uh the committee to bring us a highlight of what's going on with the project the role reserfing etc etc. We even ask for scope of work. They give it to us and we know what's going on in in certain project. Now um it's simple and easy you know to find out six without asking the BA about six rows an estimate of less than three miles how much will cost us probably a million dollars or a little bit more to repave. just to give you an average of miles that probably six street will have six street will have less than three miles. So um it's clear enough to say that the process the procurement process the bid process uh I never and since I'm sitting here never receive a bid process after they uh award that process they come seal um they never attach it to a resolution. The only thing they attach is who's the lowest bidder on the on the the people that are competing, how many pick up the application, how many submitted it, uh the bit the bits and who who was the low bidder and sometime the lowest and the lowest and the lowest. So Mr. B, I am pleased to listen to you today and to hear that you watch this meeting seven years. So, I know you well prepared to answer us back in a professional fashion and I'm pleased for that and you know

and you know that um you got an open door policy that u every time I have some questions I even call you a lot to clarify things that sometime we want to save time to be here uh not delaying the process. So thank you saying that council president uh we not voting we not voting right that council we will later council

Mendes thank you thank you council president um I mean you know just to answer to answer council Jackson when it come to the fifth avenue project I've been in the river soak section for 20 year I've been a homeowners that's one of my properties been there and I've been living there for 20 years and I'm very I'm proud of the fifth avenue complex I support her and if God give me the opportunity uh to be the mayor and the resident of this city I'll concentrate my effort on affordable housing based on income because that's what people need. People are struggling in this city and I will go all the way with affordable housing and bringing the right partner into the city of Patterson going back into the resurfacing. Um I think that council Jackson question that very valid Mr. Ba uh tried to provide that information as soon as possible as much detail as possible. We as a legislative body, we have the right to get into full detail of that. But I understand that the law um the what we getting is who is the lowest responsible bidder, how many people participate in the bidder and by now that we have five vendors out it was very compatible based on the number that I see. Uh so I'm I'm satisfied with that. But the question that I have for you Mr. V uh Mr. VA is who is in charge of uh um supervising the road resurfacing here in the city of Patterson? Who is responsible now out of the engineer department?

Mr. Ba

um our engineering department has you know has road inspectors has various support staff that that that manage it and I know we have a there is a consultant that I know you know engineering company so I I I don't want to speak out of turn and tell you the wrong thing but there's a lot of people involved both internal and external. So the qu the question the reason why I'm I'm asking you this question is because I don't see any person representing the city doing a lot of the resurfacing projects and trust me I'm there in the morning and the afternoon I love to see the I love to see council members just a minute I love to see the job the way they doing it I'm not an expert in that but we have people in the city that they should be they are responsible to oversee the project I don't see them doing the resurfacing I need to see the personal in charge. Now, I mentioned this in other meetings on River Street on the River Street project. We hired in in a third party company to oversee the project. I've been in River Street many times and during the resurfacing of the first phase. I never see that person. I saw that person once and the agreement that we voted on here was that there will be a person on site all the time. That never happened. It happened the first time only and I met the person that I was there. After that, nobody passed by and we paying a third party company to oversee that project. That really concerned me because we're spending a a huge amount of money to resolve the the situation with our roles, but I don't see the person in charge responsible for this looking at this project that need to change. And last uh in closing back when when Councilman Morris was here, I had the opportunity to collaborate with him and uh and on a legislation to make sure that the utility company that are fixing the road with the PNCG, Pay Valley Commission fix the road with the same standard of quality that they that that they need to fix it. So we not we're not

following that. We fixing the road 42nd. Two months later they came in they open a road and they just patch it and and a month later we got a huge pothole there. So we investing money and those utility company they destroying our road. So we need to hold those utility company accountable for the job that they need to do for the type of material that way the way they need to fix it. So and administration they haven't done that ever with those utility company. I hope to see a change of that. Thank you council president. Thank you. Roll call on item number four. Councilwoman Cot and Councilman Jackson and then roll call. Madam clerk, um we do have an engineer in the DPW department. Uh I'm not going to mention his name, but he's the overseer of all our road be paving.

Yes.

Um I have called him many times for roads that are being done. So we do have an engineer um in our engineering department, Councilman Mendes. We do have an engineer and I will tell you who he is uh because he do oversee the road paving. Um the only other issue because I had a couple issues with the engineer. Um there's a lot of um not a lot but just some streets with that metal plate. Um and I usually send him out to see and he can normally tell by looking at it like whether it's public service or whether it's Verizon or or whether it's the water company. And you'd be surprised how the engineer can look at something and know who did the work. So I will share you that with all my council colleagues. our engineer that oversees our road repaving projects. Thank you,

Councilman Jackson. And then roll call.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, uh, first of all, uh, Councilman Mendes, I would venture to say almost 90% of all questions I ask are valid. So, I don't definitely don't need you to validate whether or not my questions valid. The fact that we should point out is that the item that came right before it that was not questioned, it was just voted upon. And as co coach I mean uh uh is uh you know so ignorantly uh acknowledging his presence in the workshop. I mean in the committee meeting we all know that there's a restriction on how many members can can attend. So instead of pointing out the fact that I don't come waste my time with you in there playing if the information was provided in committee, then your job as one of the four is to provide it to the rest of the council. I shouldn't have the BA telling me, "Oh, next time I'll get it for you if you think it's important." Because if it was in fact discussed in the committee meeting as you're trying to, you know, elude to so ignorantly allude to by the way, then you would have the information. One of you committee members would have the information to answer the question that I'm asking. The very baseline question of any time you're spending money. How much am I paying per unit? It's a very baseline question in anything. You ask it if you're buying oranges. You ask it if you're buying tires. You ask it if you're buying anything. If you're spending money on something, you should know what is the per unit cost. How do you not know that if you don't know how many how many what's the measurement of roads that you're resurfacing? So, Councilman Mendes wants to sit here and point out another failure on River Street, complain about it, but yet come and just vote in the affirmative without even

asking any of the questions. Then talk about how many why you got to talk when I'm talking. I mean, I don't do that. I know I make you feel so uncomfortable by calling you out on your in your incapability of understanding what we're doing here. But here we are approving a million dollar, people. This is not $10. It's not $100. This is a million dollar. And we can't even tell us what we're getting for it. Nobody here can tell us what we're getting for it. Oh, we're getting new roads. so he can knock on your door with with with a flyer saying how much he how he paved your roads. But those same apartments that he's bragging about, he doesn't want to talk about how the developer walked away with a $50 million developer fee before putting one shovel in the ground. He doesn't want to talk about how how uh uh inventory was reduced by 60 to 70%. How every single person in the city's calling now for because there's no inventory with apartments. how he's bragging about how we did that. How they and and they put subpar units there for $100 million.

Council President, oppose a question, please. What do you Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member L. I'm not yielding the floor. I have him on I I have the floor just like he did to to to ramble his ignorant rhetoric. What I'm talking about is factual. Mr. President, the question that pertains directly to he's not directing the item. directing to slander a councilman. And it's not about slander. Your incompetence is not slander. It's a fact. We oppose the question. You said you were in a committee meeting. President said you were in a committee meeting, but you don't post the question. Council President, talk to get a calculator and get the percentage.

Point of order. Your uh request is taken. Madame clerk, roll call, please. Council President, I didn't yield the floor. I still have Council Member Cotton. I still have the floor. He's now telling me to take out a calculator. How can I take out a calculator if there's no measure? Council President, can you answer my question? Councilman Jackson, a call to question was posed. We are now enrolling. It doesn't matter if a call a question was posed. I have the floor. He doesn't just if if I'm stating measure of fact. It's not I'm not off topic. I'm asking how much how can I utilize a calculator when we don't know how much we're paying

and we don't have how can we do to his point I want to pull my calculator out I want to talk to to discuss how much we're spending per year but we don't have it your points are well taken they said they would provide that information but we're still going to move forward the vote roll call council member cotton yes council vice president Davila Um, before I vote, I just want to just state this. We have a purchasing agent, procurement officer who is certified by the state.

A lot of this is vetted through a bidding process and that it's presented. Then it goes to committee. Councilman Jackson, you are right with all the questions that you're asking. But if you attend the DPW committee meeting where you are a member, you are able to ask all of these questions and grill them there and then come back and share with us because I'm not part of that committee to be able to then understand exactly what you're saying. So no one is saying you're wrong, right? You have the right to ask those questions, but you could ask them in the committee where the other council members and there are some that are not here because they're out sick. So I just want to make that statement you know because you when you speak this way you make all of us or you try to make us look incompetent and that's not the case again there is someone who is our procurement officer the person who goes over all of this we have a DPW director we have a deputy director we have supervisors we have engineers they all sit in the committee meetings so you know with that said you know let let us be more respectful your passion for our city. I could see it. I understand it. Okay. But let let us let us also talk about the fact that you don't attend these meetings. If you attended them, you are able to then ask and bring us the information that's necessary. Um at this point, I am going to support this. anything that's going to be for the betterment of our city and of our roads. How can I sit here while I'm knocking on doors or listening to constituents talk about the conditions of our roads and then I vote no? Absolutely not. This money is aotted for this. I'm going to move forward. I heard what the streets were. Um we I represent the entire city while others just fight for their wards. When we vote, we vote as a whole. All right. So, with that said, u Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Well, let's be clear. I don't move on passion. I This is This is logical. How do you spend $110 million on a stadium that someone else spent $14 million for? And yes, Mr. Saleis is a certified purchasing agent, but he's not an expert in road resurfacing. He's not a he's not an authority on how much the normal cost for repaving is.

Just like he's not he wasn't an authority on how much it should cost for per unit.

This is not about whether or not we followed the rules of procurement. That's what he that's what he looks for. He doesn't look to see if we're being taken advantage of. That's the council's job. The council's job is to vet this out. And let me point out, not only did I in the past attend every single uh committee meeting, there was still no change in that. So, yes, I've made a conscious effort not to participate in your games because we go to committee meeting, I grill these questions down, and they still come here and vote in a different way. So, what am I to do? I'm here to inform the public. I'm here to show yes, you're right. It is an irresponsible vote. If you're spending a million dollars on something that should cost $300,000, but then you're telling the public, I got to go out now and beg the state for $70 million in transitional aid because I wasn't responsible in all of the little things that added up to the deficit. Then, this is where how we get there. by not be holding him accountable. How do you expect he comes here? There's always been the bid all three bids included in the package. But now he watched seven years of meetings and it's never been done before. So listen, I mean it's not it's I guess me voting no is something that he's not accustomed to seeing because I vote no all the time and madame clerk my vote is no.

Council member Mendes.

Um thank you madam clerk. Uh just for the record and all my resident in the city of Patterson, I'm very proud to support the reconstruction of River Street. I lobby during my two term as council president. I lobby I work hard and I say yes all the time the whole night yard councilman Jackson River Street passed by the first word and he vote no and he never support that project. I'm very proud and I will campaign in support of that project because that's also my work there. That river street is been is one of the worst street in the whole state of New Jersey. resident are crying for years and it's gonna get done because of the effort of this council and I'm very proud in my two term as council president and here I never say no to resurfacing project and I'm very proud and I'll take credit for that also as well and the and the fifth avenue complex that's been my neighborhood for 20 years and I'm a homeowner I'm a taxpayer there with multiple property and I take pride to have the fifth avenue complex I invite people to go there and I said if I became a mayor we're going to see a lot more new project like the fifth avenue complex so I'm very proud about my record and you run when you say that the purchasing agent doesn't know about this. Yes, he got to go through all the bid the specification. We have six company the um the lowest bid for this project was is the number is 1,95,772. The second person was 1.139. The third one 1.359 1.4 and on and on and on. We got the information here and the purchasing agent, he has a license from the state. I'm not talking about the administration. I'm not talking about who's doing that. He's responsible for this and he's not going to put his license at risk for the city of Patterson or for this mayor or for any other mayor. Let's put it that clear. Now, my concern is about the person in charge of going on on reviewing this project. I need to see the person in charge. I'm not an expert on resurfacing. I go there because I support this but I'm not an expert. I need to see the person in charge of this

project on site and that's my concern and absolutely my vote is yes madam clerk council member. Thank you madam clerk. So one more thing that we understand

uh and we believe that we have many issues that need to be addressed. We need to continue fighting for more street repayment. And as the campaign trail taking place, we see a lot of negative campaign that we are going to standing by the potholes or standing by the um the street that that needs to be addressed, needs to be repaved and we try to use it as a political agenda. But again when it comes to push for more repavement as we have done um I would say a tremendous progress in last uh 3 years we need to keep pushing for this. I understand your political agenda could be different but not stopping the progress. I am in full support of this progress. I'm in full support of all the street repavement and we have to continue fighting for this. When we as elected body complain about things like this, then what about the population of the city? Then is to complain and we need to address their complaint and and answer correctly. And I I am full support as I have done that previously to repave all these streets and I'm definitely in support of these streets that already in bid. My vote is yes, madam clerk.

Council member BZ.

Thank you madam clerk. God. So, I just going to be simple and easy. No matter if it's high, if it's low, if it's good, it will benefit moving forward the city. He's still going to vote no. The answer is never going to satisfy him. We could save in a contract and they come to the council to rectify the contract and to change order because we save money in the project. He vote no. So I don't understand. Some councilman want to throw us back to the era of the dinosaurs. Trust me. and they want to move forward the city with so plan that they don't even realistic because if you was against anything since you've been sitting here what you have to offer to move forward the city of Patterson ladies and gentlemen I don't question nobody expertise especially in in in their um u position I think the uh purchasing agent is well qualified certified and educated and certified every year to make uh make sure his job is doing according to the law. But we here to make sure that our city is run fiscal responsible and making sure that whatever they put it in front of us. We supported to see our city moving forward. Once again, no matter how you paint the the art or the picture, they still going to vote no. So saying that I'm proud that everything that I have voted has been given back to the community. You like it or not? My vote is yes.

Council President memes.

So just some clarification. I heard a comment in regards to council committees. Council committees are important and they're part of our code. So to the community and to my council colleagues, look it up. Patterson code. Council Committee um standing committee section five-20 committees are very important when it comes to these items. No one on this day is is smarter than the other. When you go into committees and you're sitting in that room, maybe there's something that others are not thinking about and you come in so you can get the best out of whatever the discussion is. So when you come before the council and the public, everyone is speaking the same thing or maybe there's some stuff they need to add or take away. But that's why committees are so important that you attend the c the committee meetings. Very very very important. The other point I wanted to make and others have made it but council cotton and dabble you're exactly right. There is someone in engineering. His name is Ben. The I don't understand why people don't know that he's here. You got to reach out. Send an email. Go down to that department. Fred has been gone for a while but Ben is here. He does it. I know we do have pro a project manager for River Street, but I'm going to put on the record that we need to put someone specifically on all of these streets that are about to be repaved specifically look into getting a project manager on a pdium just to oversee those projects to make sure that they're done properly from curb to curb and the right way they're supposed to be done. But that being stated, Patterson, your streets are are filled with potholes. You've talked about it. is posted on social media and that's what we're doing. We are voting to get those streets done. It's not about politics. It's about people. Madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Six yeses, one no. This item passes. Can I get a motion to close the special uh meeting? So move. Moved by council. Second, second. Okay. Second by council Mendes. Roll call to call the special uh special meeting on April the 7th. C. Council member Cotton. Yes. Council Vice President Davila. Yes. Council member Jackson. Yes. Council member Mendes. Yes. Council member Udin. Yes. Council member Alz. Council President Memes. Yes. Public special meeting is now closed. Um

we're we're resuming back to work. We're resumeuming back to the workshop. Yes. Um before we go into workshop, Councilman Veles has asked um for a special request to do a presentation. Councilman Veles.

Yes, Council President. I just it's not going to take too long. Um I made a a little simple note here. I don't want to make a mistake. Um, I always uh appreciate anybody that make a difference in the community and work towards our city and no matter what position they have. Appointing people to commissions are real important and where they decide to resign and leave. I always going to be appreciate of the work and the time they they put in the uh office that they was appointed. this time I appreciate I wish him well. I wish him a good uh retirement uh good health and um I decide to do a plaque. Unfortunately, he's not here. I cannot even announce him to come because limit of communication. I want to keep it that way. But I appreciate the work that he does that he did as a uh rent levery board commissioner. This this plaque goes to Ernest Rucker for your dedication and commitment to the community. enjoy your retirement from your councilman. Louis Vallet, fifth war councilman, the people's congressman gave March 25th, 2026, the date that he decide to retire. and it has a beautiful beautiful ID uh uh plaque on it uh beside his name and I know he's going to remember this because everybody has a value in life. So man clerk uh through the chair please give this to Honors Rucker for his dedication and work that he did in the community and I value his work. Ernest Rucker thank you for your service. Um, enjoy your retirement and take care of your health. God bless you. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Um, Madame Clerk, can we take item number 60? Our director is here. Item number 60

economic development item number 60 is economic development. How are you, director? Resolution approving the Patterson Urban Enterprise Zone Division of Department of Economic Development to utilize $43,396 of UED assistance funds for administrative budget for the fiscal year 2027 July 1st 2026 to June 2027. Can you please give a brief description um for this item? Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity. Uh my objective

council president if I may um before um our our um assistant director begins um I want to thank you they held a meeting. Okay. I was not present in that meeting as I had a visit. So um I just want you to know that there was a committee meeting held. It was chaired by the chair uh councilman um Khik and others were there but I was not present. So I just wanted to let it be known. Thank you. So there was a committee meeting. Thank you uh council vice president director.

Thank you. Uh my objective is to introduce in the submission of the proposed that you have in front of you to the urban enterprise zone uh with the state in the amount of $43,396. Uh you have seen in front of you a detailed budget breakdown of line items and how we came to that amount. U it is straightforward. All items that have been submitted today will have will be submitted to the state of New Jersey with all uh the proposed items with the full backup. Every single item by the state requirements make sure they have quotes.

Thank Thank you, director. I did see that uh the greater percent uh percentage of those items are for salaries. I did see that in there. Um any council members have any questions? Council Cotton. Council Cotton. Yeah, I see. Um I'm looking at the contract here. I mean looking at the you got two. You got four clerks threes. Is there four clerk threes or what is it? Clerk three. FTE three. No, say I mean clerk three. FTE. I see four of them. No, there's three clerks, ma'am. Huh? Three clerks. I see three on my paper here. I see four actually.

No, it should be combined. Huh? Two of them should be combined. It's 25 grand a piece. So, they were somehow split in half. Oh, okay. So, they were So, you got Okay. So, why why do you need three clerk threes? We currently have twos. The administrative budget from last year allowed us to have one extra person that we're looking to hire for this year as we uh propose growth. We currently are aggressively pursuing uh revisiting, not revisiting, but making sure that people resign back into UE and there's going to be a lot of footwork being done one-on-one.

Uh so you're saying um now this is this is the money that's coming from the uee from the state of New Jersey, but um this is just for this this for this is just to run the uee, correct? Right. This is just to run it. Now, how much is the other funding that we actually going to get? Do we know yet? This is just strictly just for administrative budget just to run the office. Say that again. This is just administrative budget. That's it. Right. Do we know how much we going to get yet for year 2027 approximately between all the projects combined? Uh 7 plus million. How much? 7 million plus. 7 million plus. Correct. That we should get for year going into 26 27. Correct.

Okay. All right. So this is just the 496 is to run the department. That is correct, ma'am. Uh and then looking forward, um they haven't released it yet. I know, but No, I mean the state of New Jersey has not released how much? Well, we're roughly thinking 7 million, but the state of New Jersey has not released that yet. No, not yet. Various various projects have been approved uh through the state of New Jersey. They do have a backlog in releasing the funds. You have a what now? The state of New Jersey currently has a backlog in releasing the funds for projects that have been approved. Oh, okay. Okay. I see. Okay. This is just a reminder. So, you we'll I mean, you'll let us know when the other actually when the state of New Jersey is going to release the funding for

that is correct, ma'am. It goes directly into the finance department has been approved. It'll go directly. Okay. All right. This is just to run the department. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson, and then Councilman Mendes. Thank you, council president. So, um, brother Washington, I'm not sure what to call you at this point because I know that we have some, um, I'm not sure what your seating current seating role is, but the, uh, second whereas, it says the urban enterprise zone program. No, let me see. Um third wares the director of urban enterprise and the director of the department of economic development have recommended approval for this item. Who might that be?

At this current director is myself. You're your you're your both rules. Yes sir. So so you you've recommended this for approval. Yes. Okay. Prior prior to the actual makeup of the full budget, this was in conjunction with Director Lenny. Unfortunately, she's no longer with us. Uh but it was in conjunction with the staff, myself, and Director Laney. And it has been fine-tuned to what you see in front of you. All right. So, $4,000 in travel costs. Can you let me know what that's for?

Sure. One of the things that we were able to highlight was the last year some of the traffic calls including going to Atlantic City and there should have been no reason why the city of Patterson should have been the one to hold that bill. Therefore, I make sure that in this current budget that those items for travel expenses such as the League of New Municipalities and other uh training uh seminars that will be attending will be taken out of the money that comes to UC and not to the city of Patterson. So, $8,000 for who to go to Atlantic City? Currently, it will be the staff members.

Well, you don't have $8,000. This is conference and training traveling. Officer and training is 4,000 and then travel cost is 4,000. That is good. That's a total. Yes. You guys are flying a private uh uh copter there. $4,000 to drive to Atlantic City. No, sir. If you It's a budget.

Well, it's a budget. But last year, if you look at last year, last year's registers were at $65 per night at the hotels in Atlantic City, which would have been $1,000 alone. So we're estimating for Atlantic City of three individuals, right? Plus another conference that I do want them to attend uh which is the uh governor conference for uee where they do get extended training extensive training in how to uh properly in uh get allocations for the UC and for the city of Patterson. Okay. So that's $1,000 estimated to your assertion for Atlantic City for the league. And how much would that conference cost?

The other conference was estimated to be around $4,000. $4,000. Yes, sir. And where would those costs be um expended? Like for $4,000 for three individuals for how many days? Two nights.

$4,000 for three individuals. It's for he No, he says we're not talking about the league. So he's talking about another uee conference. Three individuals in a semi-presidential suite at at uh let's say $400 a night. They're higher than that. Okay. How much are they? 275. I just said $400.

I just said $400 a night. Council members. Council members. I just said $400 per night. Council members. Council members. So So that's $1,200. Listen, look, I I I know that you guys are just anxious to be a yes vote on all this stuff, but uh I apologize for for for getting in the way of anybody's parade. furniture and equipment. $15,000. What are we What are we purchasing for $15,000? Well, we're estimating that once we hire this new individual, they're going to need computers. They're going to need laptops, uh furniture, anything that we might possibly need.

Okay. So, what happened to the furniture and things of that nature that was purchased last year for you? It's still there, sir. So, you need another 15,000. What was B? What was purchased last year? How much did we spend last year? What furniture was brought was purchased and how much did we spend? Give me a second if I may. And you can just give me rough estimates. I don't need exact numbers. Hello.

And director, this is for the year, correct? Correct. This is for the full fiscal year. Hey, got to take care of my position. Sorry. Sorry.

Actually, last year they spent a total of $17,000. 17,000 on what? I don't have the detailed item, sir. I wasn't involved with the uee. Uh director Dipler is no longer with us as well. So if you want, I will definitely get that information for you.

So we spent $17,000 last year, right? I'm just going to use it as an example. I'll take the clerk's office and the the council secretary's office. Outside of maybe some computer upgrades, I've I haven't seen any new furniture being purchased since I've been elected. I think these chairs might be the the newest things that we purchased and that's because you know whatever the other chairs were actually better but you spent $17,000 last year on things something that you don't even know what. So, what are we anticipating spending the $15,000 on? Whether it's computer systems, I can get the full background. Well, wait a minute. So, it's whether it's there's no specific target.

The specifics could be attached and if you want, I'll forward that to you. It will be submitted directly to the state of New Jersey. Who who created this budget? It was in conjunction with the current administrative clerk that we have in our office and provided all the details. And and can you remind me again who it was approved by or who is this um is being uh uh suggested by? Yes, it's me, sir. You? Yes. But you don't know what the $15,000 is actually being requested for. I don't have the detail in front of me as regards how many chairs, how many phones, how many laptops, or whatever it is that we're going to be purchasing with that amount. It is a lot less than last year. I'll tell you that much. Council President,

cheers. Help him out. Council President, so chairs, phones, and etc. I mean, listen. All right. I I'll let you guys do your thing, man. Just keep on. Councilwoman Dava and then Councilman order coffee $600 sign. All right. Whatever. Do your thing. Counciloman Dava. Council. I so assistant director Washington uh it's my understanding this is your office budget correct correct

all right and within that there's traveling and all the other stuff itemized there right there specific questions asked but I don't think we've ever had this line of questioning um in this manner um the monies that comes from the state and again I I know I mean I know you stated that you did this but I'm um I'm almost sure that there must have been some conversation with the administration and with the BA who's the signing authority um the urban enterprise zones we know where the monies comes from okay and I know that there's specific things um that we can use it for and what areas we can use it for right so what I'm looking at right now is your office budget including travel and everything else correct Correct.

Okay. Just just that's all. Council President, Councilman Mendes, Councilman Veles. Thank you, Council President. Uh, director. Um, I just got a quick question on the uh on the uh clerk uh type clerk type type three. This is So, you have clerk type three making uh $25,000 on the uh two position of clerk type three making $25,000. That's a part-time job.

No, sir. There's three clerks. There's $50,000 each uh per the other items are for their uh their package, health insurance, etc. So you you have the first two clerk uh three they're $50,000 like I see two position and if when you go down to the next line you have two position of clerk type three 25,000 each right those are they're French benefits sir I'm sorry French they're French benefits they're health insurance etc. Okay. Uh and and so you put this budget together, director, right? Correct.

And what you're looking for is you you need our approval to go out to the state and get this money from the state from CDBG funding, not taxpayer dollars. No taxpayer money. This city

Yeah. I'm just going to make this comment, director. I'm very concerned in term of the salary that that our employees are making. Um I'm in full support of really increasing the salary of our staff. The biggest problem that we have in DPW is that we have DPW employees making $32,000 in a full-time job. They cannot even pay a a a decent apartment with that kind of money. And that's something that we really have to look into that the main reason to have CDL driving those truck is because we always missing the employees, staff, supervisors, inspectors because we're not paying st we're not we cannot compete with other municipalities. So we really need to have a conversation. If we want to get our city on track the right way, we have to pay. We have to be compatible. That way our driver with CDL, our staff, they stay in the city of Patterson. They come here two months later, they go to any other town. They make more money than Amazon down the city of Patterson. So that's something that we got to work hard on it. and and I appreciate that you putting that budget together because you were the first director in the last couple of years that are in front of the council having discussion about you on budget. I remember back in the day was the VA and I'm expecting that to see that with all the different department because you the one that know your department better than everybody else. You're the one that knows what's what's needed and this conversation need to happen. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you. Are we okay with this item going? No, I I ask the floor council president. Thank you. Uh Mr. director. Thank you. Uh first of all, I believe the state is in the uh calendar fis uh calendar year, right? In budget, right? From January to December, the state. No. And and no, not the state. We changed calendar to be able to be level with the state, right? No, we changed to Canada. We was f we was um No,

you you you went backwards. We went backwards. Yeah. Oh, so I hope we don't go backwards on this one. So, so director, this is your budget from year 27, July 1st, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Correct. That's correct. All right. So, is, you know, I'm not too lyric probably. I didn't went, you know, don't know a lot, but I believe you presenting a budget here for the whole entire year. Correct. Yes. Right. So in other words, you're not going to spend and travel in just one day four $4,000. No. Is between the year. That's correct. Understood, right? Easy. Simple. You're not going to spend $4,000 in just one trip to Atlantic City.

No. Right. No. Good. So, we understand that. So, if you divide that in six time going to Atlantic City or conference or whatever, probably we had to go more and ask for more money because those conference are expensive, especially the state hotels. Um and in the one for furniture, right, is is furniture is for the amount $15,000 for the whole entire year. You could buy a desk today and probably get breaks in six months. We had to buy another one, right? Was so simple, right? So in other words, this is a request to present it to the uez state level. Correct.

That is correct. So hopefully that hope hopeful hopefully the governor understand the need that we have uh in the urban urban enterprise zone um and those business that they are in the urban in UE zone get the benefit of the service that for many many years this department was defunded and um you know there's a lot of business in Grand Street uh they are in a UEE zone there's a beautiful building there that they selling. It used to be a restaurant before. Hopefully, anybody that comes in and purchase that building, be a member of the UE zone and get benefit through it. By the way,

the staff that you have is doing a great job making sure that the UEE is realized in the city of Patterson. I cannot complain. They on top of things. They out in the in the street working up and down. And I commend them because they doing a great job. Before everybody was criticizing whoever was there now you there now and I I believe we moving in in the right direction. Mr. BA hopefully when this uh money prays uh that they see that the state that you put in a proposal to the state that they see that we need more the state could say you know what let's give him another blessing and they

thank you council and thank you council president great great point Councilman Jackson this item if it's okay with everyone we can move it to consent consent Councilman Jackson we already discuss it regular So contrary to and I know many people find enjoyment with uh

anyway I I'll leave that alone. Contrary to earlier commentary with regard to whether or not I'm a an affirmative or a negative vote against something is is completely false. I vote for anything that I believe is sufficient and um uh is relatively good for the for the community. I mean, I'm not even going to ask any questions, but my secretary who's been sitting there, she's been a secretary well before I was a council person, and I've been a council person now, I think 12, 10, 12 years, whatever it was. She has the same desk she's had over the last 12 years. Now, we're going to spend $15,000 from last year. You don't even have a clue. Um, well, you didn't have an you didn't have an answer for me when I asked, "What are we purchasing?" You named Well, phones and computers. Well, you go on the other page, there's an additional expense for technology. $8,000 for devices, $2,500 for phones. So the $15,000 that you're saying was for was furniture you specifically described and when you when you when you ask me like how do I how is there a measure of trust? I mean you're telling me I asked the the the initial question was who is the director of uee and who is the director of economic development that is states here under whereas that is approving this? You said you are. I ask you are you firmly familiar with the budget? You tell me yes. I ask you about certain expenditures. You tell me what they're for. Apparently what they're earmarked for or what presumed to be earmarked for. And then someplace else in the budget, there's line items for

those items that you're talking about is is there for. So all that nonsense that he's talking about about how much traveling for the whole year and if a desk breaks and probably and probably this probably that. I'm not here for the price. I'm here to ask and be responsible to the spending because let's talk about the failures of UE. Let's talk about these uh solar garbage cans that's supposed to communicate, which we still have never gotten a report on the communications with those garbage cans. And DPW, every single one of those cans that I walk by every single day is full to capacity. You can't the door stuck open because there's trash that's just overrunning those cans. And we spent millions of dollars on those cans. Millions. Not like

so millions. I can't help it that I'm trying to be fiscally respon it is the really the sole responsibility of the council but everybody's trying to help you out here make it through this this as if as if as if it's a hearing and you can't even tell me what $15,000 is being spent on. But I'll rest it there. Thank you. The public's wondering why I'm a no vote. That's it. And you can't even negate what I'm talking about that we have $15,000 a lot for something that we don't know what it's going to be spent on. Thank you.

$8,000 on computers and devices and then another $2,500 on cell phones. Who's paying no cell phone bills? $2,500. Thank you. Council clerk, I have a legal question. Please, I have a legal Okay, councilman. One second. You good? Come back. This item will be going on regular. Correct. Um, which really should be on consent, but one councilman requested it. Uh, council president. Yes. Uh, to corporation council. Is it's my understanding that a member of the council has a delinquent a delinquent loan with the UEE. That person is entitled to vote in this item.

No, it was a conflict. Who would that person be? Corporation council. What's that? Who would that person be? I asked if a councilman have a delinquent in a loan for uee or you know do they should they vote in this um in this item corporation corporation council. Yes. Thank you council president. Um thank you councilman for that inquiry. Um I need more information regarding the facts of that particular matter. If you send it over to the law department, we'll be happy to take a look and issue a formal opinion on the matter. Thank you. Who oversee the who oversee the UE funds?

The director. Okay. So, um are you talking about a loan or something? Yes. So, uh I will I will I will have a sidebar tomorrow with you. Okay. And um I will give you the details. You don't know what he's talking about. And no, Councilwoman, you will be surprised. Thank you. Uh I will give you the details and then before next Tuesday then we will make the rule.

Thank you. Thank you councilman director. I want to commend you for doing a forecasted budget for your department. It is very very well respected to forecast out a budget to ensure that your department fully operates without taxing the taxpayers should be commended and not criticized. Thank you so much for coming on tonight. Item number six. Madame Clerk. Thank you, director. Good night. Item six is a resolution authorizing the word of contract to purchase copy paper for various departments. Copy paper. Does anyone have an issue with

consent? Number six is consent. We use a lot of paper here. Item number seven, authorizing a contract with Barnwell House of Tires for the per purchase of tires for our vehicles all throughout the city. Number seven, consent. Consent metal clause item number eight council president got a question number seven when it says uh re department and division of the city of passing and mount seed that's for the tires and that's includes also the tires for PD it's for all departments

no because I believe the police budget their own repairs and tires that I just want to make sure says various departments let's find out if It will also include the PD cards. We'll find out before the next. Yeah, please. Because then there would be like two two budgets on it in in one expenditure. Thank you. Consent. Number eight is the award of contract to PNA auto parts for the purchase of automate automotive parts and accessories um not to exceed $80,000. What's the number? Number eight. Consent. Question. And also I want a list of

Yeah. BA I want a list of how many cars are still sitting in that auto shop auto parts you know I believe the amount of vehicles getting repaired to see what is the uh the inventory that we have. Thank you please. Number nine resolution authorizing additional appropriation for the contract with DCI medical services for alcohol and drug testings for employees. This should be a no-brainer. Consent. Consent. Consent. Consent. Yes. Can we include the council? Number 10. Resolution authorizing award of contract in Ricardi Brothers under uh Mars Corporative for paint and paint supplies. Consent.

Consent. Uh author regular for what? Number 10. Council Jackson asks for the purchase of paint on regular regular number 11. resolution authorizing contract for a public defender. As some may or may not know, the public defender passed away. So, we need to um do a new public defender. And we know needed public defender. The public defender concern number 11 on consent. You can you just send that information um through an email not openly uh discussion discussion discussion

discussion. Councilman Jackson. So the uh the corporation council corporation council corporation council So can can you help me understand this? So this is an award of contract.

So this is a uh we're we're contracting an individual and or a firm. Uh just very briefly uh thank you council president for uh opportunity. Just very briefly u because my office prosecutes and this is a public defender. There's an inherent conflict there. So we don't directly uh manage and supervise and procure the public defender that goes through the BA's office. So the BA is prepared to speak upon that and he can uh share his details. Thank you. So, so the the the individuals that put in, they put in under their entity, their incorporated entity. Um, generally speaking, public defenders handle their own matters, but um when they submit a package, sometimes there are other attorneys in the office that that they represent would be uh substitutes. One of these gentlemen currently handles DUI cases uh as a public defender. So, he's expanding his his his his scope. Um and um um there's definitely need. Last month, there was a a member from the public who questioned this council why her matter was being delayed and delayed because lack of access to a public defender. So, this has been vetted with the with the chief judge just strictly on the business side of it. Um and it will, you know, this is something people are entitled to and we have a responsibility to to provide those services.

So, okay. So, um, but the council is getting ready to to actually put this item on consent. So, where how many different firms were interviewed or individuals were interviewed for the uh position? These were the only two submissions for public defender. Only two submissions. Yes. And um so I'm sorry, this is item what? 11. And as as opposed to a standalone contract, um it's being split in half to two different firms. So I think both the city and the public get more benefit out of that.

So it's being split amongst two firms. Correct. On page two of the uh on the resolution, it breaks that down. Yes. Councilman Bolas. No, go ahead. I'll come back. Mr. President. Yes. I don't see a form that always I believe is the um the letter statement that the question maybe I could help

that we always read about the paytoplay um you know you know that some of this there's a there's a form of waiver whatever paytoplay that they they didn't give no donation in the past to any political whatever um you know that we have the paytoplay thing and it was always state the the declaration of I believe it is um they they when we put out RFPs we put out whatever is consistent with state law.

So when it comes to campaign contributions there's a state law that was passed several years ago the ELAC transparency act that usurped all local ordinances on that subject. I I understand that. But in the past when we go to do in the contracts or whatever in the back it says uh there's a uh a statement on a playtoplay and uh they they verify that the person never contribute to any uh political figures here in the city of Paris or whatever whatever I I can't speak to was done in the past. I just know several years ago when they did the major reform of elect the state took over basically assurpped all local pay-to-play type things. Okay.

So, so this was an RFP so that every all the legal requirements were put out and whatever whatever the state requires there's forms related to Bellarus to Russia. There's all sorts of forms and and certifications that anybody who submits has to put forward and represent and if they don't meet those they're they would be disqualified. So, so council president through uh through the chair to uh legal um corporation council um don't we don't you supply uh or appoint prosecutors from the office? Are we short or this is for special? No, this is a replacement. I said it in the beginning. The person passed away.

Yeah, but you didn't you didn't we got two persons. So, two person passed away. Two. They're using two different entities to give more um to to be more advantageous to the community. So they have a pick of a lot of people. That's what they just stated. Any of this uh uh prosecutors are going to be assigned to the community court. They're not the same people. They're not going to be assigned. So different. Okay. All right. Thank you. So this item we have already stated. Councilman Jackson. Okay. So just just so I'm clear, Mr. Ba. So this came through your office, right? I I'm You said you worked in collaboration with the assignment judge.

I as part of coming to the city, I met with the chief judge about the the needs of the court and that was right around the time that a public defender passed the public well one of the two public defenders passed away. So the purchasing agent put out an RFP, gave me the results and I provided my recommendation. So, one of the two. Now, does that mean we fired the the the remaining one or is he staying on? Now, we're going to have three of them.

There's there's two. Um, one was strictly handling DUI cases. Marata, Mr. Marada. Um, and the other individual was doing some public defending work. Um, so now, you know, they both responded to the RFP. That's the total budget and it's being split in half. So they're between these two gentlemen and their entities, they have to service all the public defending needs for the city of Patterson. So So we we had one gentleman who who unfortunately uh passed away. The other person who was there, was he contracted as well? He Yes, he must he must have been appointed sometime in the past,

but his contract expired. This is just going to this is a new contract to take over the current activity completely. Yes, that's a fair statement.

All right. So, um, h how are they billing us? And I know corporation council said he he would look into this, but I'm trying to make sure that we place it on record. How are we paying for this? Are they is it an hourly billing scenario? I mean, I know most attorneys, they charge by the hour, but I'm assuming that this is some type of But it doesn't include this in the packet. I'm looking through all of the details here. It doesn't talk about specifics like what are we paying for? How are they are they uh responsible for seeing a certain number of clients per week, per day, or are they billing us billing per hour? Uh I'm I'm just curious of how we're rendering the service to the public.

I don't want to speak out of turn, so I'll get you that information in advance of Tuesday, whether it's building or whether it's a flat amount. All right. Yet again, The so the contract that you're responsible for negotiating, you have to acquire that. I'm not negotiating a contract. There were two responsive proposals to something the city's legally required to provide its residents and it's not doing so to the best, you know, to the full extent that the law calls for.

So, um, and and lastly, corporation council, I understand that, um, you said there's an inherent conflict. Why is Mr. Stampone the one that that is that that that approved this corporation council? Uh Mr. Stampone didn't approve it. The letter in the back says approve Dominic Stampon ESQ Patterson law department seated Patterson Historic City Hall etc etc. The last document on this uh on this uh

I'll explain. So Mr. Stampone is one of the attorneys in the law department responsible uh for contracting and liaisoning with the purchasing officer. So when things go through p the purchasing office and they're approved by purchasing purchasing sends a reszo down or the details down just on the details and the intricacies of purchasing law. So what Mr. Stampone is approving is the legal process in accordance with purchasing laws. Not he's not approving the individuals. He's not approving them specifically. He's not involved in the RFP process. He's just advising our purchasing agent that the purchasing agents process is in compliance with purchasing laws. Understood.

Thank you. Thank you. Uh consent or regular council members? Regular. Regular. Item number 12 is the renewal of contract with DOT designing for the purchase and delivery of t-shirts and accessories for our recreation department. Give me account. This is for a recreation department in preparation for uh the summer program number 12. Yes. How many? Is is that a renewal? It's not to exceed. It's it's not a renewal. They went out for a bit and uh it was um council president was uh it's a renewal. It's a renewal. Council

Yes. number item number 12. for contract.

One second. Council means Sure. We'll wait. Councilman Mendes is looking to see if he has questions. Okay. Consent. Council President. Consent for our children. Council President. Councilman Jackson. How many t-shirts are we providing? up to $100,000. But I understand it. But how many shirts unit prices are on page two of the document? I'm sorry. The unit prices are on page two of the document. Item 12, page two.

The pricing and the unit is on page two. The details are listed. It's not only for recreation 535 t-shirt 535 adult 535 so $535 of per t-shirt that's uh that's price you know very comparable doesn't the the document doesn't say I paid more $7 how many shirts because it's an amount not to exceed not to exceed so in theory if you took a h 100,000 and divided it by five $5.35. In theory, you would have your maximum amount of shirts. 18,000. I don't know how to do math, but so that's the answer. Up to 18,000 shirts

for different departments, ladies and gentlemen. But the bulk is, right? Different department, but I mean day in the sun, we we have what? 10,000. All right. Yeah. Uh well, consent or regular for for this? Regular. Regular. Number 12 is regular. Item 13, resolution authorizing, of course, we know this is going to go on regular. The improp uh this is what we do all the time for the two months, April and May. I'm going to put this on regular emergency emergency temporary appro appropriations. One second. Let me just read it.

Councilman resolution authorized calendar year 2026 emergency temporary appropriations for April and May of 2026. Councilman Veles. Uh, council president council president uh to CFO. Thank you. Um, so this appropriation is going to be for two months January through May. Correct. April and May. Oh, sorry. April and May. Um,

where are we getting this money from? We're doing two months of a budget. Huh? We're doing two months of a budget. Two what? Two months of a budget. Okay. So, the $70 million that we going to do tax uh uh uh tax um note is going to be covering this or what? That's cash coming in to cover our bills. Okay. All right. So, this this will fund the budget for five months of this year.

Okay. Okay. Uh we understood, right? Everybody understood that this is something that we do every every year. Correct. Um, now let's let's let's clear the the the the atmosphere here a little bit. Somebody mentioned that we are begging the state $70 billion. It's my understanding we don't beg the state $70 million. It's my understanding that in the time I've been here that NEBA CFO sit down and look at the needs of the of the city um and projects and things they want to do and they ask for a certain amount to the state to see if we could get awarded uh the amount of money. In the past, uh, you asked $33 million, $30 million, and they gave us 27 and then two two two $2 million, uh, extra in state aid. Um, can can you clarify why we we really need $70 million if if if the explanation I give is

there's a wish list that you had to submit, right? Correct. Council, Council Member, just so we voted on the 70 million. This item that we have in front of us is the emergency appropriations. No, no. Somebody mentioned here earlier that we are begging the city to for $70 million state aid. But Councilman, we want to stick to what's on the agenda. That is not on the agenda tonight. We approved that last week. We're This item is for the appropriations. I understand that someone may have stated that but we have to say the task so we can finish this agenda. So, so why we didn't clarify that when they somebody put assumption that that that something that's not even true. We don't beg to the state.

Yeah. And life sometimes not responding to assumptions. You don't need to like the facts are the facts. Council President. Yeah. But some people will make campaigns on that. I know. But you know, Council President, facts versus fiction. Councilman. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Oh, thank you. So, Mr. CFO, so we are in April. Um, right now I we changed from fiscal year to calendar year to be able to start, you know, in January and they start putting the budget together. So, when we planning to have the start with a budget hearing and so on and so forth, our plan is to introd introduce a budget in June and adopt in July.

Yes. the biggest piece of information is the TA number and until that until we get an idea or that number it just there's nothing to put forward because that'll determine a lot of things. So

I mean I I I think one of the main reason why we changed from fiscal year to calendar year was to be able to uh correct the problem and uh to adopt the budget early in the year and now waiting until the last inning uh where there's no more room to move around or cut and we are in the same situation. I understand that we have to wait for the state to let us know how much is the funding that that that they're going to give us, but it's really concerning. It's really concerning because at the end it happened in every and every budget have that we wait until the last we spend most of the most of most money and there's no room counc I I let me just make a comment too. So, just to put it on the record, the they the state does not approve budgets until June. Correct. Mr. Ba, when when do the uh state assembly approve their budget?

Um, by virtue of being a TA town, our budget has to go through that process. So, it it's it'd be impossible to adopt to adopt a budget right now.

So, just that point. So, um I I just think that sometimes or maybe times in the past we've done budget like pro trying to be proactive without having the real dollars which will really cause the city to be at a deficit. I think it's more advantageous for us as a city to really understand what the numbers are. We know the governor has mentioned that she's going to do an increase in TA. We're not sure what that number will look like for this particular uh municipality, but it's a good thing. But we still have rising costs in health care and other things that that will um you know bite into those numbers. But I think

doing it too early and not having those numbers could put the city in a setback. So I think doing it more towards June where we'll get a TA letter so we'll know exactly what that number looks like and then we can move forward to what the I realistic one second realistic um percentage of of increase would be for the taxpayers. So I think um just waiting and doing it more around that time I think is more advantageous.

So council president thank you council president. I was you know the state giving me a fine for not supporting the budget back then but listen I it's it's something that I mean the finance of the city concerned me a lot council president. I mean we going these people going there. I mean we have people concerning about I mean even losing their property because the taxes that that they paying this reassessment is almost pushing people out of the property now but I do I we have work to do here in term of the budget hearing I understand in the past we add a number the number that we're expecting all on and start going through the budget hearing with the director uh what's the need of all the department we are we're in April uh soon we're going to be in May and I and we don't have any budget hearing on the schedule we don't have anything we have we have a lot of work to do in term of the finance of the city so that's my question I understand that uh uh you know we got to wait for the state we have to wait for the number but it luckily we got to do our job within in in house all those department we have to go back and sit down with directors I understand the last time the VA sit with us and it is what it is is the number I like to have that conversation with each director so that's something that's what I'm talking about u doing that work and waiting for the state to say this what we We will start that in June. We will um have budget hearings with those directors that will happen in June. We just want to make sure that we're not having an elongated budget hearing process, which equates to not really having valid information. We're going to do it. We need to do it um in in a in tandem with when the dollars and cents are coming forward so we know exactly what that looks like. So, we're looking to push that until June. Um and we'll send all those dates out to the council members so that everyone is here for those particular hearings. Um this item will be on regular Madame Clerk. Let's move on to Councilman Jackson.

So I just wanted to point out I mean first of all we we went from the uh fiscal year to a calendar year almost eight years ago and not once not once has this budget been presented in a timely fashion. Not once.

Now all of a sudden and you you vote in the affirmative of all these little things that add up. So before I even get into that, I don't even want to, you know, pose any contention of whatever that madam clerk, can I send a request to you, please? I I would like a copy of the municipal budget over the last 12 years every year. Just the just the total amounts. I don't need to see the full budget. if I could get the, you know, totals from you over the last 12 years each each year and then we'll address dinosaur. But, uh, you know, I I don't I don't know what we're going to do to the public. We're going to have this there's already being projected.

It was going to be a $70 million TA request and we're still allowing, you know, frivolous spending. But anyway, I'll rest it there. M.

Thank you. Item number 48. Uh this is a site access agreement um for the installation of two monitor wells near east 37th. This is something that's always done through DPW um to ensure that there's pro um proper pressure in that area. Um and the DPW committee, Madame Chair, did meet on all of these. They met on all of the director left because he's on vacation and the BA said that he will cover. He's off. But they did. I the for monitoring because I asked him No, I I told him it was okay cuz he's on vacation. He's off.

He's on vacation. 48 monitor wells consent a regular regular item 49 monitor well connected to the first item is in is in the resolution monitoring wells determines the pressure gauge in a particular area before any work or construction gets done very clearcut nothing unorthodox it's something that always done so these are monitor wells the colors

48 and 49 are connected consent or regular council members regular well one council member says it regular item number 49 authorizing a bids road resurfacing program for the uh division of engineering department of public works item number 50 regular regular is going out to bid see when I say consent you say like right it's a bid I

consent 51 52 This is to go out to bid consent. 42 52 is regular. This is for sidewalks. Uh that was requested by the first w residents on uh Clinton and Church Street and Westside Park. Second ward regular. Um 52 item 54. It's for emergency sewer main repairs.

52 on consent. 54

54. Council members consent or regular? Regular. Regular. 55. Why are we rejecting? Why are we That's why we put on regular so the director can speak next week.

This is a sewer main repair and replacement awarding contract consent a regular council members. Regular item number 56, which is something that has been asked for for a very long time. I'm happy to see this on the agenda. It is a resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the city of Patterson and the Patterson public schools regarding the use of facilities for emergency shelters. This is something that we've been requesting for a very long time. I'm glad to see that on here. I know our OEM coordinator, Mr. Troy Ears, is watching. Um, and I'm really happy that we got to this place. Councilman Veles. Um,

I just want to know, council president, because um, what committee this went through? Um, authorizing between the city of Patterson, Patterson public school. What what committee this went through? It didn't went through the educational committee. I know the office of man manage management is on it. It should be uh uh fire right between the city of public. It went through it went to public safety. It's been a conver a conversation that's been going going on for a very very long.

So okay. So um here says for emergency shelter service, right? At what cost? for the cost. Yeah, there's no charge. Mr. Mr. Ba, would you like to speak to this item? Yes, this is there's no fee. Yeah, there's a talk. I guess if there's any um and this item would need to be on regular because I have a conflict. I would not be able to vote on it. So, it stays here. Okay. Insurance. Okay. MBA, I got two questions.

Yes. Uh there's going to be a cost on this. Uh uh are we going to be uh um paying for every time we need a shelter for emergency? Uh talk about Yeah, that's why because it says 30 days we're in a notice. You want to put it on regular? We can ask our OEM coordinator to come.

I'll be sure someone's here to speak in depth on it. But Councilman, theou is there. So anything with dollar amounts or it's, you know, it's a it's pro it's a proposed contract, so it's it's all there for your consumption. So and and the other thing is is is also concerning. Let's make believe we have a emergency state an emergency the city and with a snowstorm. Are they willing to open the school for homeless? That's not a woman. Uh that's a good question. No, no, hold on. That's a good question because if if the county has one woman center council council person

and then and there's an emergency state an emergency in the city of Patterson. Now, this says here regarding to use a school facility as an emergency shelter. If if if this state emergency and there's a a blizzard or snowstorm like we had before, uh are they going to allow us to use the um the if it's considered as an emergency, they could allow us to use how many school we could how many school we could have. So, council member, if you read in the second, whereas it states that it said it will be utilized for residents that are displaced by disasters and other emergency events. So, all of that will be included and that will be a part of the framework that is set up um in place. But yes, that's a part specific here the school what school we take him. um you know

ex exhibit A has the five locations exhibit A has at the end of the proposedou there's an exhibit A that are the designated emergency shelter facilities all the amount of money here too standard hourly rate the following hourly uh rate should apply to sign the staff member co consortian staff $120 per hour security personnel 120 per hour. What kind ofou is that? We had to pay them to use the facility.

But councilman, if you're using if you as an individual rent out the schools, you have to pay for I understand that, but you know, yeah, you have to pay the when they going to give us council. That may be a side that might be a side conversation. it is. Yeah, they when it comes to contractually putting in place, we cannot be in a pos or you can have those a sidebar conversation to talk to the uh BA corporation council, but there are set fees that are in their policies and procedures in the school district that talks about exactly what these fees are.

So, so council president u this that's why you know uh we this is timesensitive. Um, I we could put it on regular and we could discuss it. Uh, Mr. will be here next week. I think it needs to go on regular. I don't think you would take your time, Councilman Mendes. Let me let me say this, right? Um, we talking about five schools here, right? And we talking about an amount of money to pay the staff and whatever, but It's an emergency status of the city and let's make believe the governor says right now open all the school for this emergency storm. Are they going to charge the state for the use of funding? Uh where we getting the funding for this if if something happens let's make believe tomorrow Donald Trump decide to get a big war we had to you know but uh

so Mr. Mr. BA, where are we going to pay this from? I I recommend that OEM um they have a budget. Miss Mr. Ba, I'm recommending that we have the OEM coordinator, Mr. here next week. Yep. This has been um being advocated for a while. I'm glad to get to this point, but I really want to get all your questions answered, but they will be answered by him because he has specific budget for this. But let me tell you something, council. You was in here in in in this in 2016. Uh theou with the school district expired in 2016. I'm I'm aware of that.

Oh, you're aware. Uh and I'm sorry. I apologize that you don't need to be here to know something that's happening. But um and we still have to have a a committee a a meeting as a whole, right? To have a meeting with the board of education to put in paper all thisou. And we and now we coming with this one only when we have uhou for recreationou for facilities for that and we haven't go back and revisit thatou the late crystal cleave u uh was part of the meeting that I conducted when I was at a committee educational committee matter of fact who's the chairman of the educational committee oh god so when you call for a meeting for for for Alisa, you know, get this meeting with the board of ed. Remember, they're talking about $7 million

deficit in budget, laying off teachers and all this stuff that people are talking that we should be talking, but my brother, my councilman, we're going to put this on regular and those are some great um discussion points which are separate than the emergency sh I would like to have it on regular, madam clerk, and let me set the record clear. I'm not against on nothing that comes from OEM. I just want a clarification why we are moving forward this week. Madam cler just to restate this item will be on regular myself and councilman Uden will need to recuse oursel from this item for next week. We will not be a part of this. So we're not going to council

Mendes. Thank you council president. I think that I reviewed the whole all the the eight pages of this legislation and the only um charge that I see here is $120 per for the for the security for the um the staff at the school. I I I truly believe that we have to utilize those building those building belong to the people of the school. So it's on regular we're going to hear from our OEM coordinator but we do need to have that joint meeting uh council president as soon as possible and and it doesn't speak about um warming center doesn't speak about the shelter here uh because that's that's another topic separately. It's really sad that Patterson being the third largest city in the state of New Jersey, we don't have our own warming center and the only thing we have is a church at the end on the border of the city of Patterson. That is not really a warming center. That's a basement. So, uh, I truly believe that we need to have a conversation on that. Um, but you know, I'm I'm okay having that on regular, but just putting on the record that we need to have a very that joint meeting need to happen with the board of education. Thank you.

Uh, thank you. Um, council, wait one second. Councilman Odin was first and then Council M. Thank you, Council President. Uh, so well, I I really like the fact that we are going to have some kind of shared agreement somewhere,

but we need to see more of this where with Patter Schools. Why not we use their recreation recreational purpose? We can use the gymnasium overnight. We can use their parking lot when the uh streets are snow covered. I I'd like to see more of this. However, however that when discussion comes, someone needs to be accountable. Someone needs to answer the questions. Um, as an example, I I like to see that kind of agreement taking place. However, uh we need to know why the uh custodian or the security personnel is getting paid $120 per hour, which is not normal. um rate of these custodians that work in the school system or the security guard. So someone uh needs to be here to answer those questions. Why is that number for um and and what's the what's the uh rationale of using those particular schools not other big schools like JFK or uh Eastside High School. So these kind of questions should be answered. On top of this uh Mr. Um uh madame president that I also feel that we and I don't myself that I definitely can vote on this item because I am not in administration of patterns public schools. I'm just a teacher. I don't make decision for patterns public schools. So I think I should be okay to vote. I I'm I'm I'm relying on legal advice from corporation council for sure.

But I'm pretty sure on the record I don't like to recuse myself on such kind of important decision. an employee of the district, I will recuse myself. So if you choose to work for the district, you you recuse yourself. So So let's do this. Council President, how this got to the agenda? How this got to One second. It will be on regular. We will have OEM coordinator come next week. Yeah. To talk about it because we have questions. He will be able to answer them very respectfully. Mr. Troy ears will give you all those details. Okay. Council President, this went to public safety committee. Finance. Finance.

It went to finance. Okay. Why we don't do this? This is not a time sensitive item. What can we do next? Can we do it at a educational committee? No, we need to when he comes next week.

That's what I'm saying. Is educational committee. So, it includes f council president. I know that we did this last week. Uh the the library was trying to get a contract approved and a finance involved, right? But I as a statutory chair, I say no, pass it and vet it through finance because I knew finance was involved. I think this should be uh vetted through committee uh education committee. We get the committee members in education. We could ask all this question before if you want we could call. Well, Councilman, I'm going to keep it on regular and I'm going to have Mr. Detroit ears come next week so he can go over in details um next week. So next week is a regular meeting.

It's unregular. The item we said that a while ago is unregular. Yeah, but why he didn't came then to the workshop? All right, let's move forward. Item 57 is the contract for our our security guards. Oh, I'm sorry, Councilwoman Cotton. I apologize. Councilwoman Cotton wanted to um elaborate on number 56. Um, and I just want to have to take everyone back back to 20 uh 2012 when we had hurricane Sandy that hit the city of Patterson. Uh, not the entire city was was was was in the disaster. Uh, actually it was that um the the north side of town of the first wow.

Uhhuh. That was so when you have disasters sometime it doesn't affect the entire city but it affects certain areas. So what happened was my mom lived in Presidential Boulevard and I had to get my do my best to get her out of there and and that's when you need the shelters. That's when you need the schools for that side of town. You won't say that you need the entire city because it didn't affect my side of town when I had to try to get my mom from from that side of town because um the river. So, so, so when you look at um sometimes disasters is not affecting the whole city. So, when those people who lived in um and Councilman Presidential Bull at the time, some of some of those people did not have nowhere to go and they needed a shelter. And then again, you had some people who who had somewhere to go who have families living on other side of the town that they can go to. So that's the purpose of designating areas or designating schools for those that do not have anywhere or no one that they can go to. That's the purpose. You don't have to disaster does not sometimes affect the entire city. It sometimes affects certain areas in the city. So and I just needed to bring up uh hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Thank you, Council President. It was bad. Thank you, Councilwoman. Item 57 is the crossing guard contract. Are we okay with this being on consent? They've been waiting for a while. They're getting 2% as a part of their negotiations. Uh the ratified vote. Can we get the ratified vote number, Mr. Ba, please? Yeah, I'll have that for next week. Absolutely. Do you have how many voted? Yes. I I don't have that. This is this is this is from past from before I started this.

Um can we just make sure that we have that for next week? Um this is for the crossing guards. They uh negotiated settlement at 2%. This will be on consent and we will get the ratified vote total next week. 58 is the competitive uh price to solicit proposals for consultant service for our city employees pension plans. Uh this is to solicit uh proposals. What number we 58 for the city employees pension plans. This is to solicit proposals. Item 58. Uh, would you like this on consent or regulars just to cons to solicit proposals? Consent. Who was before? Consent.

Consent. Consent. Who was on there before? Uh, I'm going to elaborate on this one. Yes, Mr. BA. Please.

So, we have a a new personnel director who's really hitting the ground running. Um, a lot of our contracts get settled well after expiration, so there's a lot of retro involved. um and um some issues have come up with retirees and a little some discrepancies with their pension. So, we've resolved a few that have been brought to us, but we're being proactive to try to get a company to come in, grab a a specific set, and see whether there's a a trend and a pattern that needs correcting or whether these are one-offs. So, we're just we're being proactive to make sure that we don't have to deal with the state and pensions down the road with any problems.

Thank you so much. Uh thank you so much. This item will be on um consent. Um and the agenda is now done. Mr. Ba, as we go to move to close the meeting, the uh workshop meeting on April 7th. Um one, I want to thank the public. I got two requests from um our public um amazing uh individuals that told us that the date was wrong on YouTube, but Raphael, thank you so much. I know he's updating the date on YouTube to make sure that people want to watch tonight's meeting. they don't think that it's uh in July. So, I'm grateful that that was corrected. Secondly, Mr. Ba, I want to put this on the record. We've talked about it. We need to look back into the bulk contract. We need to get some information on that um so we can start working on that towards uh May's meeting so we can have some discussion in our committees um pertaining to bulk. Uh we have a big issue in our community with bulk whether it's because people don't know the process don't care about the process whatever that looks like but we have to start the process of conversation around bulk.

Is there a motion to close the work wow Councilman Mendes I like that Councilman Mendes um motion second by my brother Councilman Bles and Councilwoman Dava. Roll call to close the workshop agenda of April 7. It is now 11:39. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Council member Cotton.

Sorry. Thank you, U Madam Clerk. I just want to say um good night to for everyone everyone who came out to speak, but I do want to make a shout out to my uh legislative aid uh Jamie Bland. Uh she's being honored tomorrow at the Sheran in Time Square with Natural Action Network with Reverend Al Sharpton. She's being honored along with the president of BET. She's being honored along with the president of the FICA Soccer World Cup. Um she's being honored with some heavy hitters. And I want to say Jamie Bland, congratulations. This is all your hard work that you have done. They have recognized you um with National Network Boost on the ground um jumpstarting starting starting a jump start program for our young people, our adults. Um, so I just want to say you deserve this and I'm looking forward to sharing your um, glory um, tomorrow night at the Sherin at the 35th annual National Action National Action Network with Reverend Al Sharp. This will be 35 years that he's been doing this. Um, and we're going to be there with you tomorrow. Thank you everyone out there to all my my u my madame clerk. Thank you my deputy clerk Phyllis, Miss uh Madame uh Madame Clerk Gil, my good secretary Sophia, and to you all on the other side of me on the right, my VA, my corporation council, my thing and my council colleagues here. Good night everyone. Have a good evening. Like I said, let's support our community. Let's do what we can for our community. Let's support our children. There's so many activities that's happening now. With that being said, madame clerk, um my vote is yes.

Council Vice President Davila,

thank you very much. Uh Council President, Madame Clerk, uh your first meeting. Um I want to thank you for your professionalism and and really uh uh bringing back what I would say um is what's needed and uh decorum in the council and everyone understanding their roles. Um, in addition, you know, to my colleagues, you have a a great, uh, weekend. Uh, I know we have our regular meeting next Tuesday. Um, I want to definitely, uh, give much thanks to my aids who have been working very diligently, uh, coming to the meetings, taking notes, and sitting in the audience and, uh, letting me know, wow, you really, because they know what I do during the day. and then coming here in the evenings. Um, but we chose I chose to be in this position. I continue uh uh to work um with fairness uh with integrity uh transparency and I look forward to all of those that continue to elevate my name. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good, bad, or indifferent. I am looking forward to another four years. I'm running with my running mate, council president, and I know we're going to continue doing God's work and the people's work. Um, you know, to everyone that came here, um, this evening, uh, your pleas are heard, uh, through the administration, we'll make sure that through constituency, uh, our head of constituency, uh, services, uh, if anything, through legal, that we will uh, definitely push forward. And I know that madame clerk, all notes have been taken. So I'm looking forward to receiving, you know, everything that was uh indicated today. So with that said, good night, Patterson. Thank you,

Council Member Jackson. Yes, Council Member Mendes.

Uh thank you, Madam Clerk. Um uh to all the Patterson residents, uh we've been uh since this assessment came out, we've been helping a lot of homeowners in the city of Patterson to through a tax appeal process. We've been helping over 120 family filling up the tax appeal at no cost, totally free Patterson. I have my staff working with all the homeowners um that arrive to my office. My location is at 414 Broadway. Um so you have until May 1st to appeal your taxes. So if you have any question you could call my office 8628236664. You could reach out uh to me. My cell phone number is uh 9739301436. I would like to encourage all the homeowners please look at that assessment. I see property that the assess uh value for the land. The land value went from 50,000 to 250,000. So you got to look into that and the only choice that you have to fight those high taxes going to be through a tax appeal. So take advantage uh and it doesn't cost anything with my office with my staff. We fully dedicated to help our family all the way until May 1st because we need to fight back. This is our city. This is our home Patterson. Uh so once again I want to take this time also to thanks all my resident for the amazing support that I've been getting. It's insane. Thank you so very much. We're getting more signs coming back. We're getting ready for Mayor Line 1A. uh pass and council president today we we we support there was a lot of resurfacing legislation council

no I'm talking about the legislation that we support council president the the the um a lot of resurfacing uh legislation on the floor I never say no during my two term as council president I've been supporting all the resurfacing including river street all my third world resident we fix from east 34 to east 40 and we continue there's around eight more on the list plus the one that we approve it. Now, our community, they're crying. There's potholes everywhere and we got to take policy. I'm sitting here and I'm taking action on that. God bless you, Patterson. Um, and my vote is yes, Madame Cler. Within the two minutes, council member,

thank you, Madame Clark. One more time, Patterson. You gave me the title councilman at large in 2022 and I am honored to serve you as your councilman at large and since I was elected I stood strongly firmly against the uh tax hikes and we were able to introduce a budget with the minimum requirement 2%. I stood for the UN and supported all the um critical road repairment and as evident today we have approved the bid for more street repayment and I want to continue this with your support on May 12. As you know that vote by mail is all underway already arrived. Make your voice heard. Vote 4B for four more years. Thank you and I am honored and thankful to you. My vote. Yes, madam clerk.

Council member Veles.

Madame clerk and or legal. Um before closing this meeting, I would like to request if it's possible a letter sent to sport social service. I have a lot of complaints uh with uh the EBT uh funding that they are uh receives are receiving that they being uh clones or cars or whatever, you know. Huh? Did they fix it? Oh, so they fixed it. Good. So, uh, hopefully we don't get no more complaints about that. But Marissa Dava and Councilwoman Mins, they elevated your name today. Why? Because they make me think what I had to say. I hope I say it in one minute and 23 seconds. Marissa and Mims had leadership. Marissa and Mim have experience. Marissa and Mims has accountability. Marissa and Mims are committed. Marissa and M have proven leadership. Marissa and Ms are ready for leadership. Marissa and Ms are focused in the leadership. Marissa and men are dedicated for the community. Marissa and Mens are unstoppable. Marissa and men are for the people. Marissa and men's are community first. Marissa and men's are voice of the people. Marissa and men's will continue four more years in Patterson. My vote is yes to close the polling person.

Council President Mims, can I get a amen on that one?

Do I have some Eminem candy? I could just put it up. Marissa Mms. So, to the viewing public, first and foremost, I want to say thank you so much for the great support and your love. We're out here on this campaign trail. Um, and I'm telling you, I feel your love today. The lady that I saw in Dunkin Donuts, you made my day today. And I just want to say to you, you are exactly correct. The work we have done will always speak for us cuz Patterson knows who has answered their calls and who's been out there and they know that we will continue to do the work. Councilwoman Dava, I openly, publicly, I've done it many times. I endorse you. Um, and I know that we will be coming back four more years. I want to thank my council colleagues for their support. and Councilman Veles, our brother, you knocked it out the park. And it sound like Councilman Mendes gave me an endorsement tonight. He said, "Council President, I support." So, whatever that is, but I I just want to say to the public, to all of you that are supporting our reelection. Thank you so much. Um, Patterson, you know who fights for you. I know sometimes there's other stuff that goes on and I want to say this in closing.

Please don't mean if people are coming to the microphone calling people um bamboons and all types of stuff at the microphone, all types of names. City of Patterson, you know what to do. We don't need people to come to the council that will be arguing. Let's keep a professional decorum. Let's continue to move this city forward. Patterson, best days are ahead. Madame clerk, deputy clerk, secretary, BA, CFO, corporation council, police, Raphael, everyone, council colleagues, have a good night and may God always bless the city of Patterson. My vote is yes in less than two minutes.

Council uh workshop agenda here is hereby adjourned. 11:49. Good night Patterson.