Council - Regular Meeting

regular meeting on January 20th, 2026. Madame clerk, can you please do roll call? I've been around. It's called the beautiful Sophia. We have five words. Bless [snorts] from the roll call for the regular meeting of January 20th, 2026. Councilwoman Cotton, Council Councilwoman Dav, Councilman Jackson, Councilman Khik. I'm here, Madam Clerk. Councilman Mendes, ready to serve. Madam Clerk, present. Councilman Omar, present. Madam clerk.

Councilman Uden. I'm here. Madam clerk. Councilman Vez. Council President. Here. Madam clerk. Thank you so much. We have six. Okay. Thank you. We have um six present. Seven present. Okay. And two absent at this time. Councilwoman. Madame clerk. Tonight's prayer will be rendered by Pastor Curry. Following will be the flag salute led by honorable councilman at large MD Fared Buden. Can I introduce you? Uh, thank you, Council President. Can I introduce the pastor quick? I did that already. Okay,

it was done already. Um, Pastor Curry is here. If he would come to the mic, everyone stand please. Thank you. Thank you all. Let us pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you today, God. We thank you, oh God, for your presence. We thank you for all those who are in attendance today. We thank you for all those who are sitting in a seat today. We thank you, oh God, for great minds and collaboration. We thank you, oh God, that you're doing a new thing in the city of Patterson. We thank you for the leadership, oh God. We thank you for all those who are called in this position to serve you and to serve humanity. We thank you, oh God, that we will impact and bring change to our communities. We thank you, oh God, that we have been called to serve the people. And Father, we thank you, oh God, for all those who are in position today. We pray oh God that you will give them minds to understand the things that you are calling them to do. We thank you oh God that we pray for collaboration and peace. We pray oh God that you will give us understanding and revelation oh God in the things that you have called us to do. We pray oh God that you will minister to us today God. Lord God give us hearing ears to hear and seeing eyes to see. Father we just pray oh God that we'll be submissive to your will and not our own. Father, we pray, oh God, that you will raise us up and strengthen us, oh God, for the challenges that are ahead of us, Father. And we pray, oh God, that we come against every spirit of discord, division, strive, oh God. And Lord God, that we will stand strong on your word. We will believe you at your word, God. So we ask, oh God, that our God shall arise and the enemies OF THE LORD SHALL BE SCATTERED IN THE name of Jesus. So Father, WE JUST PRAY FOR EVERY COUNCIL leader in this place. We pray that you will cover them, keep

them, protect them, watch over them. OH GOD, LORD, GIVE THEM, OH GOD, THE WISDOM and the understanding that they need. Give them grace upon grace, oh God, TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS, OH GOD, BUT COME TOGETHER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNDERSTANDING, OH GOD, THAT WE'VE BEEN SENT HERE BY the people and for the people. And Father, we just pray today, God, that you will move in this place, oh God, that we will HEAR EVERY TESTIMONY, OH GOD, THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN UNISON, OH GOD. AND LORD GOD, WE WILL BRING FORTH, oh God, TRUTH AND REVELATION, OH GOD, EMPOWERMENT, OH GOD, NEW IDEAS, OH GOD, OF COLLABORATION and unity. We speak peace IN THE CITY OF PATTERSON. WE SPEAK PEACE AMONGST OUR BOARD MEMBERS IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. OH GOD, WE BIND THE SPIRIT OF DIVISION AND DISCORD. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WAY TODAY in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. And amen. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all. Can we have a moment of silence for all of those that have lost their life? Our veterans, our widows, our community members, leaders, families, victims at this time. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Please read the statement of compliance. Statement of compliance with the open public meetings law 2025, 2026. Meeting date, January 20th, 2026. The time is now 7:05 p.m. Adequate notice of this meeting was compiled and disseminated in

accordance with the open public meetings law in the following manner. One, the annual notice of regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council was compiled for the year 2025 2026 on or about July 1st, 2025. Two, a schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly transmitted on or about July 1st, 2025 to the North Jersey Herald News. The record, the Arabic voice, the Italian voice, the Paya County Pulse, Dominicanana News, Laiskea International, Ellispiel, the Patterson Press, the City Post News, Tap into Patterson, the weekly Bangla Patrika in addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices. Three, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was prominently posted in the lobby of city hall first floor in the place reserved for the announcements of this type. Four, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly filed with the municipal clerk. And five, a copy of the schedule of regular meetings of the municipal council was mailed to any person who requested and paid the fee authorized by the open public records act. Council president.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. We're going to do consent agenda, but we'll vote on um number 18 separately. Consent agenda. Madame Clerk, uh, council president, can we move item number six out of the consent agenda to treat it as a regular item?

Six and 18. Consent agenda. Madam clerk, section number 18, right? Yes. Okay. Consent agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the council and will be enacted by one motion. The items listed under the consent agenda are numbers 6 through 43 with the exceptions of item 7 and 8. Any item may be items six and 18. We have seven and eight. They have it. Six and 18. Yes, we will do them later. With the exception of items 6 and 18, any item may be removed from the consent agenda by the request of any council member and if so removed will be treated as a separate matter.

So moved. So, so council president moved by council president me second by uh councilman khali council president discussion councilmanz yes I I I want to I want to move number seven to regular um also okay number seven we will seven will be regular and also uh in the discussion do you say you move number seven uh six to both separate uh councilman Mendes requested that number six okay So, um, okay, let me just go over it because council president. One second. Council member has the floor. Just let me see if there's another one here.

Uh, number I'm sorry. They sent us both. That's why when we rush workshops and put everything consent, then we have to go back and look at it. Thank you. [clears throat] All right, I'm good with it. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Council President. MD Uden, uh uh item number 20, we requested uh to introduce separate. Okay. Yeah. Well, I item 20 you said. Okay, that's fine. 20 will be separate as well. 20. Roll call. Madam clerk, one second. Council President,

Councilman Jackson. Yeah, I I need a moment to review because uh there's there's there were items that I requested to be pulled off and I need to make sure because at this point the trust factor is is minimal. So I need I need a second to review if you get if you they can be pulled out to be voted on later but not removed unless we put them to the floor at after that. You can remove them and then do a table later, but they can they your item can be removed from the consent agenda to be voted on later if that's your request.

I I understand that. What I'm saying is I made requests for items to have been removed at the workshop and I'm making sure that those items has not gone through. when when we looking at an agenda that encompasses um 57 items and more than 40 plus items are under consent. I mean it's it's a concern. So I I need I need 30 I need 60 more seconds if if I may. Any other council member have questions? So, to the viewing public, while we're waiting for Councilman Jackson, um as we're waiting, just to um as we're in the middle of discussion, just so the community um is clear that we have um a disc a presentation that will happen um at some point this evening by St. Joseph Hospital um in um in between um and there were a couple questions in regards to food trucks. it is not on the agenda. That item has not come out of workshop. Um, and there are there's a lot of discussion that's still required before that comes up. So, that is not on the agenda. I was stopped as I was coming in the building. Um, so it's not on the agenda and will not be discussed in tonight's meeting. So, I just wanted to put that out out one second. Council BZ, it is not on the agenda. Someone uh asked me that tonight. It is not here. It was um on the agenda for discussion only last workshop, but there was nothing attached to it and um it was requested that it's removed because it was not clear and we did not have clearance from the various departments that would have to provide enforcement and do some other things. So until that it's it's clear and it's ready to move forward, it will not come before this

day is. So council president, please may I I like uh your advicement about the it's not an agenda. It was not an agenda. It was in the agenda in the workshop last week. I said I said that it was removed after um some food truck owner. No. Uh hold on. Let me speak. We got to interrupt you. Uh some food truck owners raise concern out in the public. Okay. They had the right to come here in this public portion and express if it's in the agenda or not in the agenda. They had the right to come and express to say that statement. It's like saying, "Hey, it's not in the agenda. You could leave." No, we need to listen to you

because if it's in the agenda or not the agenda, we need to listen to all food truck owners. If it comes to the agenda, Council President, if it comes to the agenda a month from from now, we still want to listen to you, Council President.

So, one second. So, let me say it again. And maybe Councilman Bles did not hear me. I stated it was on the agenda for discussion only because the information was not included. There was no discussion. It did not move forward. It requires additional uh conversation in committee. I don't stop anybody from speaking. Council member, if they're here and they signed up, they have the right to do that. I am just putting it on notice because it's not on the agenda only because it was on for discussion and that information was not ready to it wasn't even on the agenda. We can't discuss something that's not attached. So that's what happened. It had nothing to do with it being on social media. Council member I have the floor and I'm saying correct.

I have the floor. So you don't have the council. I have the floor. So, anyone that would like to speak, we have a public portion where you can sign up. We'll be more than happy to hear you at public portion when that time comes. But as stated, it is not on the agenda, but you can be more I'm more than happy to listen to your concerns.

So, council president, when you say it's not council me, when you say it's not agenda, council president, I don't like I don't like when you say it's not in the agenda. So why I have why I have 12 pages [music] of a draft resolution, a draft ordinance to amend the food trucks. So you have everything. You have that tonight. You rece you receive it, too. No, you have that tonight. You receive it, too. No. Do you have it tonight? No. No. You receive it, too. I'm saying you receive it through email. Council President lie to the people. We cannot lie to the people. Council member Le,

you receive a email with an ordinance to amend the food truck uh food truck in the city of Patterson. And now she going to say no. And they they need documents. The documents was emailed to you. It was emailed to everyone in the city of Patterson. 16 council other people receiving. The thing is is that they playing with it. They playing with it to the people get off guard. they come and put it in the agenda to not listen to the community when they're concerned and then push it and to the to the to let me say this let me say this president first and foremost council Mendes I didn't put the item forward to play with it

you was going to put it forward no I was not you was going to put someone else on the council is sponsoring the item it is not the council president they brought it forward the item is not ready to be come forward the council president and Who was going to sponsor it? Council, let's put in the floor. Who is going to sponsor it? The council that president, why are we discussing something that's not on the agenda? It's not on the agenda. Okay. Council president. To the public. So, the public will come in express to the public. The public will express

because there's the item was on for discussion only. And I'm going to post it on social media so you will see that it wasn't on to move forward. It said in parentheses for discussion. For discussion does not mean it's moving forward. That's how it was. Council President. And so I want to say that um last statement and then we're moving forward to vote on this item.

Thank you. Thank you, Council President. I think that this is the be the beginning of the meeting. So So we going to have a very interesting meeting today. But Council President, um I know we there's a few food truck owners here. And yes, I would like to encourage each food truck owner to please sign in because this is the time we we we want to hear what you're concerned because even though the item it's not on the agenda, it's important to have a discussion. Absolutely. Before we take any action, I don't believe I don't think that we have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the chimney truck. They've been here for for a while. So to the food truck, uh they've been here for a while. So we don't need to reinvent the wheel. But we like to know what is the problem. What do they try to do? because you know we're here to serve and protect our community and working with our business owner

and also perfectly also the liquid store owner and bodega's owner and supermarket owner they want to come and say thank you councilman Mendes madam clerk councilman um Jackson

very good so um let's start from the top items number 2122 regular Regular 32 33 regular 34 35 36 regular 3940 regular 4243 regular and uh I have a question before we vote I can continue to you know allow this on to go forward or we can have a more in-depth discussion um shortly and that is for the the resolution authorizing a water contract for number for item number 43 for emergency sewer lateral repair and I I thought we already had director I thought we already had a contract with um Jr for lateral repairs. Are we have we exceeded

so the amount? So, Madame Clerk, all of those items, we'll remove them and we'll come back for a vote separately. So, Council President, once again, I was saying if I can get an answer on 43, we don't have to labor it. We can continue on on um on on consent, but uh you know, this this item needs some clarity as some of the others. He's he's speaking. This is a new It went out the bid already. Okay. All right. 40. Um that that item 43 can stay on. Um Okay. So, Madam Clerk, did you get all the items?

Okay. Uh roll call to vote on all of those items except for the various items that are mentioned. Okay. Roll call on the consent agenda. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Dava, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um you know, uh it's great to see the young man in the audience. he he can sit here and um I I guess I'll get his feedback later, but it's a rather disappointing. We have, you know, a fairly lengthy um um document. Um and the majority of these items are being shuffled and pushed through on consent agenda so that they're not discussed. Um you know, the policies and practices of this council is extremely alarming. as a sitting council member who has made multiple requests both in writing and in um in in by verbal request on record. I have not been able to get um an item on on the workshop agenda, let alone the regular meeting agenda for a presentation. And um you know, not that I'm not I'm I'm not uh uh inclined to be curious about what's and interested in the pres presentation. It's just amazing that I can't get an item to be presented on a workshop and now here we are having a presentation during a regular meeting. and Councilman Omar, respectfully, brother, please, this is not, you know, you know, I have no um admiration or or let's say um uh additional admiration for anyone to the left of you, but it's with every council's purview, council person's purview to have a full discussion on whatever matter he sees fit that his community is bringing issues to him forward to. It's not surprising, but it is disappointing that you would take a position to then talk to the council president about an item that someone else, another council person for that matter, is discussing and it's not on the agenda. This council takes up multiple items that's not on the agenda. We deviate all the time.

You'll have your your opportunity during during your vote. Just a voting set. I know you're still you're trying to get acclimated. This was in committee. He was present. Just well it doesn't it doesn't necessarily matter if a council person such as myself okay who understands that the committee process has been commandeered by those who are endowed or subjected or under the the the trance of certain people and I want to make sure that the public has an understanding of this of these actions if I'm bringing it to the public light for public disclosure and public uh uh

ear it is my prerogative to do so. You as a fellow council person to then try to derail any other council member's position when let's say if you so ever should take a position to fight for your for your for your ward. I don't think any other council person should take a position of opposition of view and say hey why are we even entertaining this person's um position. It's not very in my opinion. and I'm giving you my opinion, but uh for that matter, you know, um it the as as of late, this being a council presidency seat is more or less a a race to see who can finish council meetings the earliest. And it's not necessarily about what's best for the community and how this money is being spent and and and oversight. So, with that being said, um I did have a moment to review it and I do appreciate it, council president, because you should inform your um your council colleagues if they have an issue with me asking for 60 seconds or so to review it. I'll request for every single item to come off consent and we'll sit here and go through each and every one of them. And I, you know, I I I would venture to see to think that you guys won't enjoy that. In fact, I know some of you would just leave early. But with that being said, Madame Clerk, I'm comfortable with moving forward. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik,

great to see you. Um, Councilman Morris, um, you've been here, you sat here for many years. None of these items were um, shuffled through in the agenda. You know, the process as well as anybody sitting in here. went to the comm committee went to the workshop then on the workshop we decided put it on the consent agenda and this regular agenda was sent out to us on last Friday today is Tuesday some of the council member want to come here see it last second go through the agenda what am I missing what am I missing and they want to remove everything so it's a long process and um for this consent agenda My vote is yes and what I said is fact. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Uh, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, just let me reiterate. I know there was a lot of back and forth before, but before my vote, let me just say this. This is the people's house. The council chamber is the people's house. If there's an issue with the any community, with any business owner, whether the item is for discussion or not, whether the item is an agenda or not, if there's a resolution or not, the mic is open for the resident to come in and express their concern. Um, Jimmy truck owner, business owner, bodega, you name it. This is the people's house. So, and the door is open for every person that wants to have a to want to comment on the three minutes to express their concern. It is extremely important to get the community involved before we make those decision that affect business owners and residents. With that being said, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Staying on topic. This is voting on the consent agenda, right? Because everybody's all over the place. Okay. My vote is yes for the consent agenda. Council Councilman Newton. My vote is yes to consent agendas. Thank you, Councilman Alz. I'd like to rebut my colleague here that we all over we have a free of speech and talk about what we want when it's time to speak about it. So saying that, we're going to move forward the consent agenda, but the public always have that microphone to express itself. So my vote is yes to the consent agenda. Council President, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. The consent agenda is hereby adopted. Item six, madam clerk. Okay. Item number six is a resolution authorizing the award of contract the gallows trophy shop for purchase and delivery for trophies and plaques for the department of administration the city of Patterson administration resolution number 26 col018. So move second discussion. Moved by uh Councilman Colleague, second by council president Mims. Roll call. Um discussion by Councilman Mendes.

Uh thank you. And I'll be brief. C uh council president. Uh by the way, where's the CFO? It's not um and and Mr. VA. Great pleasure to meet you. First time we meet. I was not here at the last meeting. I was in Trent. This is great. It's great to see you here. But is the CFO coming? The CFO here. He just ran to get get a

because this question is specifically for him. We have this discussion way back. We approve payment of bills every week. Um and every time we hear business owner, small business owner that do business with the city crying and struggling because they don't get paid on time. Can we correct that? And this is one of the example this this person this vendor every time you know we have to produce uh every time we need our their service he's always crying concerned that they don't get paid on time that need to be fixed. We've been talking about this for years and years and we never get it done. So if we approve a payment of bills every week, there's no reason why those people that do business with the city, they should not be paying on time. Please, Council President,

Councilman Bas,

so good point, Councilman. Um, the same thing happened with Ellison PL uh Ellison uh photo back here, etc. and some small vendors that we had locally that we had to support. But my main question will be CFO or BA if you could or Harry Savalo I don't know if it's here but when they honor this contract uh we only get the resolution to to support the award contract to them in the item any line item in the contract that say that they could stop uh receiving order because they not getting paid. uh uh or corporation council. Can you can you please um if you could if Oh, welcome uh CFO. Is any any chance unless it's a legal a legal respond back is any any time when we honor in this contract uh to the small vendors that we have in the city of Patterson, especially this one and others that complain always that they not get the payment on time, they had to wait six months or whatever, they render a service and they expect to get paid in a fashion manner, you know, fast. But is any chance in the contract says that they they could stop receiving order because they not getting paid

CFO? I'm not aware of that being in the contract council. If there's something in the contract says, "Okay, if you don't get paid, don't come and bring me work." Yeah, I'm not aware if there's wording like that in the contract. Okay. Um, so, so you could pay them and they could receive the work anytime and hold the payment and they could still receive the work and you could still hold the payments. CFO, we try to pay small vendors as quickly as we can. Councilman, you try to what? Pay small vendors as quickly as we can. So, why it takes 6 months?

Uh, I would have to look into this situation. I'm not sure why this one took six months. you know the situation you know to tell me you don't know the situation of a gallow trophy that he is sharp putting those uh poss and making sure that he receive a email about the order that the city makes or we makes or whatever or recreation do you know he he's in top he put everything he put all the POS together all the proof that he did the work why take six months to pay them that's small business in the city of Patterson you imagine the big ones Can you tell me why,

you know, if we honoring a contract, we have to honor at least a closure in the contract that says it's going to take a month to pay. It's going to take something, I don't know, 30 days to pay and you don't know and you work with every payment in the city of Patterson. So CFO just for this particular item since there are concerns with payment um can you please check to see if there is a concern I know it's being stated but if there is a concern with payment we need to know all the council members need to know how long they have not been paid why they haven't been paid to get a full description because I know you're not able to see it right there but we need to understand if they have not been paid and I I heard a six-month statement I'm not sure if that's the exact time, but we need to know not just for this entity, is there anyone outstanding, any invoices that has not been paid? That information needs to be provided um to to the council. Those are some great points made by the councilmen, but if you can provide that information, um this right here is the contract for them to start. It's not about payment, but that's a good point that was raised by the two councilmen.

Council President, Council President, Councilman Odin, and then Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Council President. Uh Mr. CFO. Um I believe I made the visit about last week and they sent me the most updated bill which [snorts] is not actually much about uh little bit more than I think uh $1,000. Um but the question is regarding are we switching from Alison photo to gallows? I believe that's not the case. They do two different things or two different things, right?

Two different vendors. So when we have two different vendors, so exactly what I want to restate that last time when we make the payment that was about $67,000 was was was not paid for since 2023. And last time when I made the visit last week which I paid out of my pocket for last whatever citation I got from them. But they also showed some bills that not from just from this year last year from since 2023 is from the council from the administration as well. So when we're welcoming another uh small business which is right here we don't want to see the same thing they're suffering sending emails requesting the council members and also it's offensive when you are going to order something and they say we cannot do this because you did not get paid and I believe that many of the council members have that experience. I had that experience. I went there, they said, "We cannot do this because we not get paid." So I I paid up front. I said, "Listen, I cannot go back because of the payment that he did not make."

Yeah. So I think that should be you should take a look at the serious because this is not big amount. It's a small amount and also this our local business that we want to make sure that they survive here in our city. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Council President. I mean, Councilman Udin, you're on your way out and you're just realizing that a vendor doesn't provide the same service of uh it's amazing. Um, and if there is a vendor from 2023 that hasn't been paid, I mean, that needs to be brought to our attention right away. So, before I I continue, Council President, I know the BA had his hand up for Valz. I think he wanted to add some context of what's to to the uh to the to the discussion. Well, before he adds, Councilman Jackson. So, there was a discrepancy for Ellison photo which I brought to when I became council president to the attention of the CFO and then they provided the documentation and on that very day once we cleared up the discrepancy they were paid. I have a copy of that check in my office but there was a discrepancy with the loca the vendor and the city and it was clear but that was back in

2023. It wasn't 23, it was 24. But I have it in my office and maybe the CFO can send it to everybody, but it was an error from it was a configuration on the paper where the number should have been an eight and it was a seven, whatever the number was. But why wasn't that brought to the council's attention? And that should have been brought forward for a vote. Whenever we we reconcile our books at the end of each year when we when we come here and we move money around and we allow for line transfers and then we have a bill who through his department and his incompetency without any reports to us and we just going to go ahead and pay the vendor because the vendor showed they're not they've not been paid. That's not that's not appropriate.

That's no that's not what happened. They provided we voted on it. Right. So they were there was I don't know what happened with the paperwork but the paperwork that they had in their office we didn't have it here. So when we went back to look through the bills list which they looked through it showed that it was paid once they identified that it was paid. I don't know what happened with the glitch through administration. So the check if there's if there was payment made they were paid. They were paid. Yes. So we didn't write another check. No. All right. I'm sorry. Mr. Ba if you may if you will please. Council President Mr. Ba.

Yeah. Just on the conversation about paying our bills on time. Um I've noticed in my couple weeks here that it's a it's a it's a subject that comes up and it's not a subject that we just push to the side and put lightly. Um we are still working on getting all of our funding from last year. And you can imagine that payroll um health insurance there are priority lists in terms of our obligations to our employees. Um, but until we're made whole for the year 2025, um, this is why we get these kind of follow-ups, but we do everything in our power to square up with services rendered to the city. Well, we appreciate you lending an opinion um which is not very um uh doesn't hope carry much much merit because as this council moves forward periodically. We don't just vote in a in a in a in our on our bills list within a totality. They come before us in a bills list and we approve them as we move forward. So when we make appropriations to the budget, we approve these items to be paid. Therefore, those items we approve to be paid, we expect for them to be paid on time. We don't expect to hear, well, we didn't get the funding because once we once we create the appropriation, that means the funding that we was expecting is there. If we did not have the funding, we're not going to create the the appropriation, especially if we're going for emergency appropriations on on those items that you're referring to when it comes to payroll, health insurance, school, county expenses, expenditures, and etc. But if we're sitting here, we're making a budget uh decision on paying the vendor, then it is the job of the CFO to to let the council know as well as the BA, which you know, you can't bear much weight in that as of yet. But you should be letting us know that at the current moment, these vendors are unable to be paid because we don't have the sufficient funds to pay them. is not

brought before the council and we're appropriating funds to be paid and then all of a sudden somehow the uh the management within his office isn't adequately adequately enough handling the situation. By the way, I mean I'm expecting to get that list that that I said sent said to you last time, which I did not include the the the uh the the part-time night employee that we have that we're paying well over 200,000 $200 an hour to work in his department as well. So, we would like to get a report on that and I'm wondering whether or not her payments are being made uh timely.

So, Councilman, just just to answer you, my my statement was not that um that there's a a cash problem. What I'm saying is that we have a unique situation. If our budget was strictly property taxes, um this would be a very seamless thing, but the the the state money is more complicated. It comes on the back end, and that's the way they they facilitate it. So, it's just a challenge that we face and other transitional aid communities face. I know I know it's a very general statement, but it's a true statement and I'll leave it at that.

No, it's a statement with an attempt to mislead the public and saying that the council appropriates for bills to be paid and we don't have the money uh set aside to pay it. Before this council should take any action on any bills to be paid, we should have sufficient funds in the bank to pay them. And if we don't, we shouldn't be paying part-time night employees $200 $200 an hour. We should hold people accountable for the job that they're being paid to do and make sure that that our vendors that we're that's rendering a service is getting paid. Now, on a completely different note, madame clerk, uh, and council president, I think this is something that the council should take notice to this this appro this um this item uh for a uh this bid proposal, does this include the amount of money that each council member is is allotted to spend with the with these vendors as well?

Are you referring to item number six? I'm sorry. What item are you referring to? We're on the same item. We're on item six. Yeah, item number six. Correct. The $45,000, which by the way, it meets the threshold, right? We're at that that's the maximum threshold before going out to a public bid. I would have to check that. CF 54. 54. 54. Mhm. Is so it's been raised. Okay. So regardless, we all have $3,000 to spend. Mhm.

And if we I believe that's a sum of possibly $75,000. So that would exceed the the minimum bid threshold if this vendor is getting any revenue from any of the council's allocated $3,000 funds. That's putting us over that bid threshold. So, uh, does this does this bid or does this, uh, contract include what is designated for council members within our budget as well? Councilman, 3,000 for nine members is 27,000. Plus 45 is how much? No. What do you mean plus 45?

This this bid this this contract amount is for $45,000. Am I not correct? Yeah, but they base that on what was spent the year before. Mhm. Okay. So, that would be part of that 27. But you might not spend all 3,000 of your money. Maybe a councilman spends three, maybe another one spends one, maybe another one.

Well, over the last 10 years, I think I might have spent a thousand. And you and and you guys have been taking it from my account and use it on whatever. But it doesn't mean that other council members, they have their offices are filled with trophies and plaques and all kinds of things like that. So, my point is, does this amount include the $3,000 that's designated by the eight other council members or is this going to be above? Is would that be above and beyond? No, it wouldn't be above and beyond. So, the vendor is not getting anything from this particular line item and then also receiving payment from council members as well.

No. All [clears throat] right. If I may, Council President, thank you. Council Motten, if I may, let me just help you out a little bit. Um, if I go around the corner to to the trophy shop and I want to order a trophy or something, it comes out of my uh expense account. Correct. This most of the time this money on this contract basically is covering recreation um recreation things. Trophies for the cheerleaders, trophies for the basketball team, trophies for this. This is what that is. So, I would I would personally have to go around the corner and say, I want to order a trophy. I want to order a plaque. I want But and he builds it and he'll have my name on it. Ruby Cotton.

It has nothing to do with the trophies for the kids for basketball. Has nothing to do with that. Right. Has nothing. Council, Councilman Councilman Vazen and Councilman Jackson. Yeah. I I think that councilwoman hit it on on the nail. Um CFO, right?

CFO, you manage our budget, you know, you work with it and everything. I know that our office has other expensive um line item. Um police has recreation have all the department has other expenses. What councilman Jackson is trying to say I don't know if if it's the same that he says administration of the city of Patterson in front of department administration city of passing. So if this is only mainly if the mayor orders something or this is uh mainly if recreation is also included here or any other department is included here because if he's getting 45 cont uh N see $45,000 and then from other expenses account from the council he get times whatever we order we going to we going waste all that money, right? So,

where's the contract that he said that he could do that job for us? Okay. Council President, what I know, but there's a contract for that, too. So, uh, so I could go anywhere and spend it, council president. Coun, you're finished, Council Member. See, I don't spend a lot. Are you done, Council Member?

You're done, Councilman Jackson. So, I don't think my colleagues completely understand the way this thing works. Um, it doesn't matter who makes a request. This is the city of Patterson. Accounts payable come from the city of Patterson. It doesn't matter if it's a request for trophies for recreation. It doesn't matter if it's request for trophies for the mayor's office, plaques, or whatever the case might be. It is from the city of Patterson. If it comes from the council's account, just because it comes from that line item, it comes from our budget. Therefore, if a vendor is receiving payment in excess of $45,000 or 54 with the with the uh CFO outlined, then it's required to go through another process. So, my point in asking the question is because to Councilwoman Cotton's um uh uh point, if she goes over there separately and she has a separate account, then ultimately he's still being paid. And if those payments are made in four or five dispersements and they're not assessed within its totality, we could be breaking the law. And the fact that the the the the implication or the assumption that we would not break the law, that's absolutely absurd. We break the law all the time. And you know, people just scarf past like, "Oh, it's no big deal." So, I'm asking on record now to put the CFO on notice that if there is in fact an excess of payments that have been made to this one vendor, um, however, then this that's a concern. So, however you guys want to proceed, we know the story already.

Thank Thank you, Councilman. Roll call, Madam Clerk, on item number six. Roll call on item number six for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. All the ones that I checked. I gave you I gave you a Counciloman Cotton. Roll call. Item six. I didn't take six. Councilwoman Cotton, they called She called you for vote. Item six. Six. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. um to the public, if if these little sessions don't outline just how serious of an issue that we have here within our finances, then I I can't tell you what what what should. I mean, um this is always a concern and and through the chair, uh Mr. Ba, I know I'm asking a lot, but you know, to whom much is given, much is expected. I would like to get a report in the last two years of what we paid out to um both this company as well as the um the uh framing company AC across the street. I don't their name slips me at the moment but Ellison Photo and within its totality if we get all the all the payments that we've made over the last two years uh I would appreciate that. Madame clerk my vote is yes.

Thank you council council Khalik. Thank you madame clerk. Uh we've been using using this um company for many years. This is not a 45 is up to 45,000 not to exceed 45 thou,000 as we need it specifically recreation department ordered the trophies from there. I don't think any of the council member I I don't recall using that entity for any of the plaque or any of the trophies since I've been here. Uh so most of this um stuff is for recreation. Uh my vote is yes madame clerk. Thank you Councilman Mendes.

Uh thank you madam clerk. Uh Mr. CFO SA I pulled item number six just to the concern because of the concern of all those vendor that do business with the city. So I hope um I hope that we address that problem. It's not a major budget that they have but there are small business owner from the city of Patterson that they depend on every dollar to continue moving their business. So with that being said, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Vez,

like I always say, we always vote for a payment of bill. Uh but that don't guarantee you're going to get a check tomorrow. Um CFO is responsible to print those checks after we uh vote for payment and bill diligence to uh deliver, send by mail or advice to pick them up. It's not it's not fair for those small business in the city of Patterson that are struggling right now with taxes and and other things to be waiting for payments. Um and this is not only small business uh also big contracts uh waiting for the payments uh people that supply um um service to the city of Patterson even waiting for payment after the service being rendered and they need to survive. So saying that my vote is yes. Thank you, Council President.

My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are um eight in favor, one absent. Item number six is hereby adopted. Madam clerk, let's do item seven. Are we doing um seven? Item number seven. Yes. One second, please. Oh, it's cold. Item number seven is a resolution approving the memorandum of agreement between the city of Patterson and Patterson PBA local number one SOA August 1st 2024 through December 31st 2029. So move so move.

Moved by council president mim second by councilman um Omar and Uden and BZ. Roll call on item number seven. Roll call. Is somebody going to talk about this or what? Discussion. Yeah. I don't know what this is to our BA. Can you um This is the PBA contract for local number one. Uh can you give a brief discussion on the an overview on this agreement as well as ensure that the ratification is attached that the membership voted and I would like to hear what the vote was from the membership. Council Mr. BA please. Normally they take the comments from us and then

Thank you, council president. Um to address your first question, the membership vote was 75 to1. 75 to what? 75 to1. [laughter] Um 75 to1 was the ratified vote from the membership. Correct. These are the percentages. 75 yes, one no.

Yeah. at a high level. Um the um the percentage increases were um 2% or lower. Um there was retroactivity that will um go back to when the contract first expired. Um if and when this if this passes tonight, the uh the new uh the the increases would take effect at the uh following pay period and then the retroactive piece would be dealt with over a one to two month uh span. Um the DCA reviewed this contract, found it, you know, to be um satisfactory to to their standards. Um and uh the conversations with the union were very amicable. Um and um both sides are happy to be able to move this forward.

Thank you. Um I know this item um was here previously. there was some concerns um and then uh you brought it back with the ratification which I think is important so that when voting on these items we understand the percentage as well as understand what the the vote count was from the membership of the S SOA the uh officers from the Patterson Police Department council president uh discussion council and then councilman Jackson um I don't know in the past uh Mr. BA, we used to have the uh contract attached to the resolution. Councilman, Mr. Ba, theou was part of last week's packet to my understanding where

the the theou should have been attached to last the last work session. Um the contract was in the packet, right? It was theou so once theou is passed then the physical contract the old one is taken and the new numbers and terms are plugged in. But the the the document um outlining the the agreement would have been in last week's work session and there wasn't any discussion from the council at the time. So you say how many members are the S SOA total? 76 members. The the the voting that was the voting no no that's how many how many members are in the soy? Approximately 95 council 95 and 75 what? Voting members.

It was represented to me that the vote was 75 to1. Okay. When they met to uh agree on to through to through the to the chair u to CFO do we owe them money from the previous um contract? Mr. CFO. No retro. No, just from this contract from from this one. Yes. And um and this is not this is the I call it the white shirt and you know but what about the other union the local one the not the sergeant the lieutenant captain this is Yeah. Yeah. There is a group there is a group that we have a dispute of about 80 officers.

So we we will continue with that dispute and spending money and and and attorney and going back and forth. the states say and they you know they say okay why we we still disputing that uh there's a difference in numbers sir still yes we almost have a year saying the same thing dispute dispute and they still file grievance and all that stuff and they win the grieving they go back and appeal it spending more m more money doing that the grievance hasn't been heard yet when is going to be heard I don't have a date but it is coming up I I can email you that date so those officers not going spent another year waiting for your dispute. No sir.

Uh so that's why you know some that's why police officer leave. That's why they tired. You know they need to bring food on the table to the family. They're Pisonsonian starting with their salary is so low that you know and then we going to still hold their money because there's a dispute with numbers and and they win every grievance they have. So I don't know why the administration hopefully with this administration with the new BA he say let's stop the announcer let's do this because the the ball is in your court and and sometime can you please help him if he you know something like that because we need to resolve other than this now we in the contract from 2024 to 2029 and still from the S SOA but in the other contract for the police we we cannot be playing uh they they wake up They they they still serve us. They proud to be serving Patterson with with the uniform to protect us, but administration had to be a little bit more conscious when it comes up to the uh law enforcement.

Thank you, Councilman Bless. Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Council President. So, how delayed was this contract? Like, how when was the last time they um they had a contract uh dispute and an agreement? A year and a half. Mr. BA, we're talking about the the S SOA. The S SOA um the term um the new term is August 1st, 2024. So, it's been out of contract for about a year and a half.

Year and a half. Okay. So, we have so to to Councilman um Veles talked about these are Pisonsonians. I mean, within the S SOA or the fire department, I believe they have three Pison residents that's there. Within this S SOA, we probably have about the same. These are these are the the the ranking file officers, which by the way, by no means am I depreciating their value, but what I'm talking about is a uh disparaging treatment amongst the officers that actually live and are from the city and those and employees as well and those who are not. Now the S SOA are the highest paid officers within this within the city and 71 I'm sure there's probably in excess of 275 regular officers so it's more than triple right so we have not gotten to their contract yet yet and still the the the um employees that work in this building have been out of contract for over four years four years. So, here we are bending over. And by the way, let's not forget that the obligation should be held more on the on the attorney general who by the way took the the department over because you guys have failed the community and from that aspect. But these S SOA officers, almost every captain in the department has a take-home vehicle and almost every captain and battalion has they're utilizing gasoline on the city, which all there's there's some that live in Brick Township. There's some that live in Ocean County. There's some that live in Waniku. There's the majority of them don't live in Patterson. They're all taking take-home vehicles home. And here we are

doing the negotiations for their contract first before we take care of the employees who are the least paid, who are underpaid, overworked, mistreated, disrespected, they don't have take-home vehicles, they don't get to pull up their car at the pump by the fire hire house when when the PD pump runs out of gas. I mean, Mr. Ba, you stepped into it, man. I'm going to start giving it to you full time. What is what what's the hold up with the employees who work in this building who [snorts] are who are not paid as much? What's going on with the negotiations for their contract? Mr. Bi,

Council President. Uh so, Councilman, with respect to this building, I have a meeting tomorrow with the union leadership. So, I intend to pick that subject off wherever it left off. I'm 100% aware of how long they have been without a contract. So, that is a priority. Um why would [clears throat] this one have been a a priority first? Th this one this one was negotiated prior to my start. The the both sides came together. All parties have agreed. So it's ready to be implemented for budgetary. Why isn't the MOA of all the items council president and this falls on your shoulders? We have agenda item items 1 through 57 all here with this item being missing from our list. Which item?

Number seven. It's not here. No, they just handed it to me. It It's not here. But there was an error on there was an error where it wasn't brought up and we just made sure they handed it. This is not theouou. This is just the item to vote on. Theou was in the packet, but this packet right here, council president, number seven is excluded. I'm not sure. That's something you would have to ask uh the clerk's office. If I may, the theou was on last week's work session agenda. There was no discussion um from the council on that subject. So it moved it moved to to this agenda. Um there was a little confusion with the resolution being inserted. But this re resolution reflects theou.

So it's this this resolution with all due respect I mean you might be able to get that over somebody else did not reflect theou. Theou which the corporation council cannot be trusted in in in um deliberating or giving opinion on the law either. It is the lines of in within the document that are very important. We're getting ready to sign on the dotted line for an agreement an agreement between us and them. Not you. You don't live here. You don't have to pay this bill. Understand? But let me but

I'm sorry. One second. One second. [clears throat] So to categorize it as it was in the in the last and it didn't get a discussion, that's even more reason why it should have been included in the in the electronic um uh uh documents here so that we can when we do have a time because whether or not we rushed out of here, we got out of the last the last workshop meeting very early. my my my my good friend over there would tell you we would spend hours here at 2 or 3:00 in the morning making sure we we went over things with the fine tooth comb. I can't help it that other council members aren't interested in doing that right now, but it's still the obligation of the administration to make sure the document the contract that we're agreeing to should be here

and and council. So one second, Mr. BA because the clerk's office updates the information into um our files. So, we would have to give that information to the clerk. The BA doesn't upload the documents. It's the clerk's office. It's not the council president either. So, I know this item, they came and said they didn't see the document and they bought it. While theou is not here, we don't upload into this and it should be here. You're absolutely correct.

So, I'm not going to let you guys do that. I'm not going to let you go take the bat and and get put it on somebody else. The clerk, who by the way is in an acting position, who is still getting her her acclimated to the role, the clerk's office is grossly understaffed. The clerk does not do the hiring of the competency of the level of people that's there. She she has not even been allowed to do the screening that goes through the administration. So if there's an item which they come upstairs all the time and I saw uh I was present when corporation council came up there the other day by the way I had you know jokingly asked him was he included my items that I requested for him to write and review. He did not. He brought those items shoved it in the clerk's fa position placing the full accountability and and responsibility on her. That's not what we're going to do here. We're not going to do that when her when her staff is grossly understaffed. It is the is it is the point of the administration to make sure that the body has the the necessary documents for us to follow through on. If thisou is not included, we going to sit here and point the finger at the clerk. That's that's a a very childish um maneuver. It it is the responsibility of the administration. If they they knew this item wasn't discussed within totality, it should have been included in the document in the in the docket. Can any one of my any one of In fact, when we started the discussion, I'm going to talk to the public now cuz I I can't talk to them. When we started the discussion, Councilwoman Cotton said, "Is anybody going to talk about this? I don't know anything about this." That was her words.

Then that's right. Councilman Omar, can you outline to me what what's in the in theou that you're getting ready to just vote yes on? Anybody here? Can anybody outline what's in theou? We're getting ready to vote on contract. This is agre an agreement that we have no and then this is what they're going to give you later on. It's it's in theou. We have no choice. This is where we mill out who which one of you took place in in in the negotiation process within theou. We're agreeing to it. It's the council's responsibility. Which one of you Which one of you had some input in in in it?

Which one of you took paper and put took pen to the paper and said, "No, no, no, no. We can't do this." Which one of you protected those employees that so that we don't get the complaints later on? Councilman Odin, what's going on? You you real quiet over there, man. You got your gel in your hair going on and all that stuff, bro. What's have you do you can you tell me any one of the line items that's in theou councilman Udin? No, of course not. All right, listen. Carry on. Yeah, go ahead. Madam clerk 95. Madam clerk to vote. We're ready to vote this contract on the contract that the membership voted on. The membership voted for this. Madam clerk, roll call on item seven, please.

Roll call on item number seven. Councilwoman Cotton, 75 out of 95 people wanted this contract. My vote is yes. 75 out of 95. Councilman Jackson to the public. Yeah. Well, let me explain what's happening to you.

So, council members who are responsible for any contractual agreement that is made between the city and anyone else, employees, vendors, they're supposed to protect the the taxpayers. When I say they, I meant we. We are supposed to protect the taxpayers to make sure that we don't enter into an agreement that's not incumbent to the best interest or not against the best interest of the public for not one of them to be able to tell us what's in the agreement. And then to say to use the excuse that 71 of them, of course, 71 of them voted in favor. is probably heavily leaning towards their benefit. Like they get take-home vehicles permanently even after the uh the AG doesn't pay for it. There's all kinds of things that could take place here for us to just vote yes and be a I I'm sorry, brother. I can't I can't help this. To be a Omar,

just to be a a rubber stamp to this. And listen, I I mean, this is no shade on the p police department. police. I'm not talking negative about I see some of the cops back there. I'm not talking about negative about police officers. I'm talking about my obligation to the public to make sure that any contractual agreement is feasible to the public's best interest. That's it. That's it. It doesn't It's not partial to non residents. Not No. We appreciate everybody that does the job. They should be paid accordingly. I think that they should be paid their value, but we should have a clear understanding of what that is. And at the time, I can't support this because I'm not just going to vote yes on a document that nobody can explain the benefits to the city or even to the benefits of those officers. I I can't support. Madam clerk, my vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalig. Yes. Yeah. I I'll vote. I'll vote. Yes. But I wonder when was the last time Councilman Jackson played a role in any of the contract. The negotiation goes on.

Says zero. We have in the administration. We have a team including the corporation council BA. They go through the contract. We do go over it. I wonder when was the last time he read a contract. Al aubet none. He comes here just try to go through the agenda. What's going on? Let me pick something that I could speak about and and put some uh uh uh untruth to it and and spew some venom out there to the to the public. That's that's his job. Okay. He hasn't read it cuz he don't care. He ain't he ain't look at it. And I'm not here to explain it to him. He's nobody's nobody to me. decorum in the chamber officers. He's nobody to me. I'm not here to I'm not here to explain it to him or anybody

or anybody. The the the union they voted 75 to one and our administration even DCA went over it. They are satisfied with it as well. Who am I to say no? My vote is yes, Councilman Mendes.

Uh, thank you, Madam Cler. Thank you. Uh, what a great way to reinvent the wheel. Let me just read the resolution again just in case we kind of lost. This is a resolution approving the memorandum of agreement between the city of Patterson and the Patterson PBA local number one, the union. So, we already hear the voting record. Yes, I went over it. This has been a very a lot of back and forth about this contract. This is not new, but when you have a union that a majority of the union go in full support of this contract, I mean, we have lawyer in our in in our side. It's been a very back and forth. What else can you do? So, I'm absolutely of course I'm voting. Yes. And by the way, I'm I'm in full support of my Patterson Police Department. Absolutely. Yes, madame clerk.

Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, C. I'm glad all parties can come to an agreement and I am also in full support of our Patterson Police Department. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Oden.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. So, we discuss on the workshop session. We discuss every item in the committees with full understanding and we come to voting session to make sure that we're ready to move forward and that's exactly the process takes place. We love to entertain people and people understand that in the city of Patterson sometime people are disgusted that we fight on nothing not for the people's interest and that's exactly what we are doing here when in the committee meetings we have seen so many absentees [snorts] so many council members are not even attending the uh committee meetings so many council members do not want to talk when camera is not there and when camera is there we love to entertain People understand that situation. We'll have to talk. But if you love to talk and fight, fight for the people's interest. Situation like thisou, we know this. This came not just straight to the boarding session. It came m after multiple discussions. Every item on the agenda had taken place at least two three times back and forth conversation and we're here to vote on it. If you have any straightforward conversation instead of asking question and show that asking question does not show you are knowledgeable. So again we we need to fight fight for the people's interest not for our ego not to show that I'm more knowledgeable than other council members. Not really. We are elected by the people and people know who is doing what or not.

Yes sir. and city of Patterson. Thank you for trusting on us and allowing us to serve you. With that being said, my vote is yes to this MOU. Thank you, Councilman Bles.

Wow. So, in front of us as everybody knows is the memorandum standing between the union and administration. We don't sit on table and negotiation with the administration and everybody knows that but when it comes up to um approving contract memorandum understanding between city employee and administration this should be processed soon as possible for our employee get them benefit that they are requesting or they are bargaining for. I always say to the union's members and to every everyone out there, no matter what the union is from police down to DPW, um, ask more for they could give you what they want because sometimes asking less, you get less. So, um, I'm I'm moving forward with this. They deserve more. I don't care they live in Patterson. They don't live in Patterson. They are men and women in uniform. They protect us. They love Patterson. We bother them a lot with calls. We want quality of life here, quality of life over there. We want a unit here. We want a unit over there. Um I think they deserve more than that. What the administration um settled with them. Um hopefully moving forward the administration understand that we needs to lift the morale of every single city employee in the city of Patterson. Every single city employee of the city of Patterson. There's some people from this side they cop haters. They are fire haters and they vote no every time for anything that is benefit for them. or some or sometimes or sometimes sometime they have a court day

tomorrow and they so frustrated they don't want to vote even in favor of that. So um or they push over officer they disrespect them or whatever. We here to support every man and woman from the Patterson Police Department and every man and woman from the city employee of the city of Patterson saying this this is why they agree. We're here to put a stamp to support it. they are the responsible party, the administration is a responsible party to fulfill that OMOU and making sure that retro uh is budget in the next budget meetings uh to be able to not uh beg them to pay them and they sit home waiting for that check. They need to support a family too. Saying that, I will support the Patterson Police Department and I will support anything that they want in the city of Patterson. Saying that, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Council President.

So, let me just be clear. There are 95, this is for the superior officers, not the privates, right? So, it's 95 superior officers. 76 showed up to the meeting to discuss what was negotiated by the union leaders that they voted for, the BA, the CFO, and whatever lawyers were present. After discussing the terms and coming to a settlement of the negotiation of the contract, they vote whether they like it, don't like it. 75 people that showed up out of 76 people voted yes based on the terms of which was agreed upon by their union leaders, our BA and the CFO. to the public. Council members cannot retract anything that was voted upon. They may not like it. They could vote it up or down, but you can't sit here and say or even tell the police department or any department. As a council member, I'm going to fight for XYZ.

You're not in negotiations. You don't have the authority and you don't have the power because you're not in the meeting. You can say you would like to have certain things and you can make requests to the BA. But any promises you make to any department saying you can do it no matter no matter who you are sitting coming it won't happen because it's done through negotiations. Council members are not in negotiations. We don't participate in them. The unions are in there as well as the administration. the the membership and I when I came on in 2018 I made the request please attach the ratified votes to every one of theUS that way we'll know where it stood because there were some issues in the past that we didn't know how many people wanted it some people said they didn't so from this point on we know exactly how many people said yes we see it was the majority majority rules based on the terms and the agreements that are in theou I stand in full support of our uh police department whether superior office or privates is what you voted for and what you agreed upon. I stand in full support of that. Madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, council president. Yes,

please. I apologize and I and I I I don't I'm hoping this won't happen often, but I I doubt it because I cannot sit still and lie for a for a non-factual for non-factual context to be given to the public. This council holds equal authority to the to the administration. The way our government works in Faulner, it is mayor strong, council strong. The mayor does not get to do anything that the council does not have the ability to weigh in on. Just like the mayor has his cabinet members, it is his choice. It's his selection. when this person proves to be no good for the city, the council has the ability to say, "No, we're not hiring him. Go find someone else." It was done in the past. It was done in the past. We have a gentleman sitting in the front row who was a part of that when a mayor who had done something that the council did not feel was best for the community. They brought him to the table commu committee of the whole of which this council has never exercised that right. We have the right to do so in any contractual agreement if it's not best suited for the public's best interest. How could we know what's being negotiated and what's being agreed upon if no one here knows what's outlined in theou for him to say I just sit here and come and look through documents. How many nights must I uncover something else that we're being taken advantage of if I'm not reading? If I'm not reading, I can read and I can write proficiently. I write my own legislation, which you've never done. Well, I'm not going to sit here and

allow for anyone to put the context on the fact that what they vote on is sufficient enough. That's not how this works. The council is supposed to be responsible to whatever is whatever is agreed upon. You don't let if your partners in an arrangement, you don't let your partner go out. Now, if there's a trust, then yes, maybe two partners work well together, the business is thriving. Our business is failing. I don't know if you guys have understood that we're failing. We're begging the state every year for money. The streets are dirty as they've ever been. We're paying people that we and Councilman Vallet says we need to pay them more. Well, if we wasn't allowing ourselves to be gouged out by all these other other contracts, then maybe we would we would be able to pay employees more, but we we're unable to. But we're not even participating in the process. The process is we vet. Yes. Let them go behind closed doors. If we don't like it, no. You know what? We want to hold the committee of the whole in public session so you the public can have an opportunity to view what the issues are. But no, they want to do everything behind closed doors. They want to talk about how this is how the process works. This is not how the process works. All you have to do, I know they're not on YouTube, but you can go back and track some of those old council meetings. Watch how the council held the administration accountable. They didn't just give him a blank checkbook and let him go out and do whatever he wanted to do. That's not how this works. So I say to you, elections are coming.

Performance of the people here. Call a question. Council president, you already voted, please. Is there is there a second on the call to question? Second. Madame clerk, call the votes, please. What do you mean call a question? You don't just I'm I'm still voting. I'm voting. There's no call a question. That's not how this works. It does [snorts] work that way. How does it work that that way? Explain. Call a question and vote. That's what I'm saying. I'm voting the same way you were talking when you were voting. I have the same privilege. You're He's interrupting himself. You are repeating yourself. Repeating yourself. No solution. It doesn't matter if I'm repeating the question. You stop and you vote. That's it. You You ask for change of vote. You stop what you're saying and you vote. That's call the question. That's it.

It's not call the question. It's not what it is. Whatever you want to give interpretation it is I don't know what kind whatever you want to give the interpretation what rules you're trying to deserve respect you got two hours speaking about something you come and vote no come and ask to change your vote it's not going to change it's going to be the same thing is you want to make your own statement again and taking TV land time when people here want to when people here what I'm not speaking to you people want to hear want to move forward with a real council president all we have to do president I have the floor So I have the floor unless there's a a point of order being called. I have the floor. I don't I don't understand.

So there is a call to question on the floor and the second the call to question where in the middle of roll call. You've asked for the floor based on our statute and our code in Robert rules of order. When you do a uh when you want to retract your vote, you have two minutes to do that, Councilman. And I understand that you have How much time did I use? You've used a minute and 30 seconds. Where's the clock? The clock doesn't wasn't running. I'm supposed to take your word for that. It's a minute. You You've been lying quite quite a bit. How am I supposed as well? That's why you're taking extra time. What have I What have I That's why you're taking extra time. What have I lied about? Councilman, we're ready to move forward on this.

Well, if it's going to be a call of question and the clock's going to be set, I expect the clock to be set. I don't expect for, you know, for me to have to trust. Madam clerk, to bring to quum, can you call the vote and we'll come back to Councilman Jackson later. Call the vote, Madam Clerk. I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. I'm not finished voting. Oh, Councilman, can we go to Councilwoman Dava, please? Madam Clerk, Councilwoman Dav, your vote item number seven.

Uh, before my vote, uh, Council President, with all due respect, I do want to apologize for being late. Um, I should not have to enter city hall and have Councilman attack me out there and accuse me of things in front of the food truck owners that were out there. So to to call me in the matter and the disrespect out there. All right, I will not tolerate it. That's number one. Number two, I should not have to say why I'm late, but I am going to share. My son has been in a hospital for three months. Three months. And to have him say that I don't show up to a meeting because I don't want to take action on items is a lie. It's a lie. He brings the TV media here who only listens to him. And I told the journalists, be a good journalist. You want to know the re the truth? Talk to every council member here, not just one-sided. So, I'm sorry I had to take that point of priv privilege, but I was attacked when I walked in. This is why I've been out there for 20 minutes having to defend my position on something that he created.

So, with that said, I apologize. I'm the one person along with others can't speak for my other colleagues. I read the agenda. We have committee meetings. And with that said, item seven, okay, is an item that has been vetted that at the end of the day, if it goes through and there's an agreement made and it comes before us and and it's ratified. Am I correct? It ratified to

75 to1 vote. It was ratified. then then where I stand is in support of the majority. It may not be 100%. I was a union president. I had to sit down. Okay. And and half the time, you know, the 250 members, if one 10 people were like no, we had to go with the 240. So with that said, Madame Clerk, uh, Council President, thank you. My vote is yes. Council President, Council Mendes.

Thank you, Council President. Council President, this is the beginning of the meeting tonight. We have a lot of members of the community that they came for public portion. We haven't started the agenda. We haven't done payment of bills. We have a few director here. Please let's be respectful. Council Kali, can we try to conduct this meeting and try to go over the agenda? We're going to have to put a 2 minutes rule and in order for us to finish at a decent time. So, or let's open the public portion. Let's address the public and then we come back and we could stay here to 2 a.m. if that's what we wish. I have no problem with that. But can we agree to conduct this meeting

in a matter of respect? I understand council colle but we got to say this because we're not going to finish. Is this respect for what happened here? No. You go to any other municipality and they're civil. They agree and disagree with respect. They they're respectful all the time. No. It's a it's a show that we have here and every Tuesday. Yes. Call the role. Madam clerk. Roll call on item number seven. I'm sorry. I haven't voted yet. Thank you, Madam Clerk. First of all, I'm not going to let you negate your irresponsible behavior. Two minutes on.

Whenever there's a an agreement on a contract, you should know. Did you read the MOU? Did you would you have an opportunity? Okay. I I'll take your word for it. Nobody else could outline anything that was in it. Councilman Cotton said, "Oh, we didn't we going to talk about this? I don't know nothing about this, but everybody else seems to be aware. I'll just rest it here. Me, members of the public, you can see what's going on. Madame clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Councilman. The votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number seven is hereby adopted.

Madam clerk, um can we do item eight, which is another union contract. Item number eight is a resolution approving the memorandum of agreement between the city of Patterson and AFSCME council 63 health local 430 January 1st 2024 to December 31st 2027. So move second. Moved by council president me second by councilwoman Davala. Um Mr. Ba, could you read the uh the items of this agreement and the ratified vote that took place with the membership of the union?

Sure. Council President. So, um, this thisou actually came together in July. Um, I don't know, maybe because of transitioning with the administration, it didn't come forward to the council. Um, I'll I'll I'll read the one pager into the record since there's a lot of talk about theou. Um, this is from the city's labor council. Um, as you're aware, the city of Patterson's report summarize it. Okay. Sam, yeah, I'll I'll summarize the memo high level points. Um, just so I'm not reading direct from the from the attorney disclose that.

So that's that's that's on the record. Um, key points, uh, amended language adding language clarifying that employees have an initial 90 days to use compensatory time and another 90 days to use the time if prevented from doing so. Um, the contract was amended to end retirement benefits for employees hired on or after the agreement is signed once they become me eligible for Medicare. So this would not apply to anyone currently working for the city. This would be new employees. There was language added removing the automobile allowance for visiting field nurses and health inspectors when city-owned vehicles are available for use. Basically, um we're going we push our employees to be able to use city resources before looking for reimbursement for their own personal use. And uh on the financial aspects, um this contract is retroactive back to January 1st, 2024. that year is a 2 and a.5% increase. Um, except for employees with a base salary of 35,000 or less, they will receive a 1,00% increase, which is which is larger than the 2.5. In 25 is a 2.5% increase. In 26, 2.5% increase in 27, uh, 3.0% increase. Madam President, I apologize because this contract predates sometime I don't have an exact membership vote, but it it it obviously passed. Um and and historically these are higher percentages than the DCA has approved. Yes. So this this group um this group did well considering the restraints that that are placed on uh union negotiations.

Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk, on item number seven. Discussion. Discussion. Councilman Jackson.

So um I'm I'm just curious. So the agreement first of all let let me just outline this and I'll only read whereas the collective bargaining agreement between the city of Pattis and the AF am a AFS CME council 6 local etc. Oh, whereas the attach attached memorandum of agreement was entered into between the city and and and might I note where it says whereas the attached memorandum which is not attached by the way which council president has made such a a a stickler point on how my uh legislation that I'm adopting is not on the appropriate paper yet these items are not attached. So we're we're what we're doing is we're for we're allowing for the future employees of of that department to forego the benefit of of the retirement.

Mr. Ba, thank you. Council President, the union has agreed for so after the effective date of this um agreement, new employees once they become eligible for Medicare and of their of age and continue to work for the city, they would have to transition onto that and and off of the city benefits. Okay. So that's a concession that they made probably to get themselves above two. Correct. That's the concession current employees made for future employees. So they're not affected by this. That's I mean that's that's that's very common in it's just a yes or no answer.

Yes. It's common in contract negotiations to to get future savings. They're ver they're much more likely to do things that to people who aren't here yet than to their own. That's how we get

Yeah. But the whole point of the matter is as this the municipality as we move forward, we should be looking to make sure we protect the best interest of our employees as well. We're what we're doing here is allowing a a a a future concession that could potentially hurt someone because what if the Medicaid doesn't cover all of their issues? What if Medicaid doesn't call cover all of their medical issues? What if we have an employee down the line that has a has an issue and they have to turn back to partial payment or or something of that nature? It would it would seem to me that proper negotiating even with even on on the on the behalf of the administration is to protect the interests of its own employees. What we're doing now is we're allowing for current employees to not have any regard, which I understand because their their job and responsibility is to make sure they take care of themselves, which is no no problem. But we should be saying, okay, let's take care of you, but also look at what's favorable down the line because how many people go get a public job and then don't expect to have a benefit when when they retire? And what if they're what if they're ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare, right? is as it falls now. It Medicaid and Medicare may not even be in place by the time future employees come on. Anyway, it I I mean the does anything that is is what I'm saying making sense or is it is it far so far?

No, council. I I don't personally disagree with your point, but this is just this is the product of of ne this is the product of negotiations. In the long term, this contract provision as a financial matter will save the city money. There's other perspectives to look on this. will save the city money, but down the line we're going to have more disgruntled employees who are upset with the conditions of the work. And what it's going to do is it's going to continue to force us to hire from the low end of the work pool because nobody's going to want to work here because they understand that the benefit that they're getting at a much smaller municipality far outweighs and is much better than working at the third largest municipality in in the state. It doesn't make sense. We're abusing our own employees for what? for we're not saving any money. What what what what savings are we are we realizing? In order to get a a more quality service, you have to be willing to pay people fairly and not not say, "Well, we'll pay you guys now, but we'll screw the people that's coming down the line." Doesn't make sense. And that that's only because those employees that are negotiating are being forced to do this because they've been getting mistreated for so long. You have the the other union we talked about for four years. They still haven't had a contract. Of course, they're going to agree to almost any terms that's that gets them more money. Anyway, I rest Mar President.

Thank you, Councilman Mendes.

Thank you. Um, M. Uh, Mr. V8, as you know, and I want to I want to I want to reiterate this before. I mentioned this before. We're not on the on the table of the negotiation. So, the union and their team of lawyer in the city, they meet and there's there's a lot of back and forth and this is the product, the finished product that we received. As a legislator, my only concern is the support that the union is giving to this project. Uh saying that members of the union be forced or something. I don't even want to get into that because what I understand is when the union agree on a contract, the union is the one that represent the body, the entire all the employees and they want the best for the A employees. So, and I know I want the best for all the city employees. I want the best for all of them, but I have to respect the the decision of the union when I have it in front of us. I would love to stay here and have and go back and forth, but I know that's not my duty. Even I want to it sounds good. It sounds great, but once we receive this document, it's a finished product of month and month and sometime years of negotiation between both party. My only concern is the union agree. What was the percentage? We're good to go. vote. Yes, madam clerk. Let's do We're ready. We're ready to vote.

Roll call. Madam clerk, you voted. Roll call on item number eight for adoption. Councilwoman Dava. Item number eight. Councilwoman Dava. Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Obviously, [clears throat] some people don't understand the role. It's not just to vote on whatever somebody else said was okay. There there's a responsibility here. It's not just, hey, whatever they put in front of you to vote yes on, but again, this is part of the reason why the city's in the condition it's in. Madam clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Councilman Khik. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Omar. Uh, he's not. Councilman Councilman Mendes,

my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Councilman Uden. Yes, m. Okay. Councilman VeZ has recused himself. Yes, he has. Okay. and Councilwoman, uh, Council President, so ask me. I see you watching. Uh, finally, we've gotten to this point. You worked really hard as a union leadership and with your members to get to this point for the things that were really important to your membership, and we are now here. My vote is yes to support our union leaders that fought to get what their membership needed. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you, Councilwoman. Um, we have five in favor, one against, one abstension, and one absent. Item number eight is hereby adopted. Payment of bills. Madam clerk.

Thank thank you um council president. Summary of dispersement uh total for uh payment of bill for tonight is 32,481,323853 out of it uh 15.7 million county taxes. We have a payroll of 5.6. Also we have Pic Elisour uh bill of 4.8 8 million and we have um many vendors got paid as well. Um I recommend this payment of bill to move it forward.

Thank you. Second discussion discussion council president. Councilman Mendes.

Uh thank you council president. Uh through the chair to uh Mr. CFO on page number six. We're not enumerating the page of the um I don't see any number of the page, but that's it's number six out of the out of this um out of the payment of bills. There's four payment for Sevita LLC uh in total of $15,44. Um that's the first time I see this payment. But on um on this on this agenda today, we have resolution 52, which is a uh resolution authorizing and award of contract to sevita LLC for consulting service um to administer the CDBG homeowner rehabilitation program. Is that's the same company that we have?

It's the same company. Okay. Okay. So So we So we currently doing business with this company. Is that the first time? Okay. All right. Just want to make sure because we we have to approve this new contract which is item 52 and I see that we have payment of bill for 15,000. I know it's for shelter and all the items but I just want to make sure that we're not voting on the new contract without proving the new contract. Are we agreeing? Okay. Yes. Thank you, Council President. President Councilman um Jackson. So, two items. Um,

uh, Mr. CFO, $8,600 to access self storage in Helen. What are we storing? Madame clerk, I'm sorry. What was the question? The what's being stored for 8,600 for access two of three. What's being stored? Councilman Jackson is asking what's being stored. Okay. uh boxes of storage from uh various departments um including um board of education including the court um court I don't I don't understand but these are these are backup files that was being stored here

there I don't know what they are exactly uh Bonifas has been the one that's you know he noticed everything everybody bringing in their boxes for storage at access and um the clerk's office had been paying for it on a monthly basis. It was over $3,000. That was before I came on board. Um, and she decided to not pay because she felt that everyone else, all of the other departments should be responsible for their storage. And so we asked them to give us a itemized list of everyone that's been storing and how much money is being owed. and we got the information and I gave it to the BA on today and um we're at like $65,000 64 I'm not sure exactly

$65,000 in storage what just for the year? Yes. No, it's from 2024 to to the present. 2024 to the present. So approximately $70,000. Um all these buildings that we own in the city, we have to pay storage for for what I mean. Can we get a um a more a better outline or description? You said that that they that they were sending a report on what I I don't know what's in those boxes. Uh Councilman, they will not allow us to go into the facility until we pay off the bill. You're supposed to also $8,600 is the kind of restore our store. So So it's $3,000 a month. 64. I'm sorry. $3,000 a month.

3,000. Yes.

And that's just just this one. I mean, I'm sure there's probably Okay. So, if I can get some some clarity on that moving down the line, Madam Clerk, I I'd appreciate it. Um, m Mr. CFO, with regard to the um the building that was just recently built on um off of Union Ajacent to Geladis that that had to pay to tap into our sewer line. Where's the Where's the payments from that building facility to the city? How much have they paid us to date since that building has been up about what 5 years, 6 years now?

I would have to look into that, council. I don't have that information here. I'm sorry. I don't have that information in front of here. So, so I mean we have a four plus almost a $5 million bill that we're paying to the sewer utility. Where are we with collections? I mean, we we had this has been gone going on for well over 10 years where all of the surrounding municipalities, Prosper Park, Helden, Totoa, Wayne, you don't know how much they they've been paying into the uh paying us for their sewer utility.

Off the top of my head, I believe we only have two that pay us. Every every other one tapped out of our system. Tapped out? What do you mean? They don't use our sewers anymore. How is that even possible? They they they they built their own sewer line. They took their line out. I'm not sure, but I believe, like I said, I don't have that information in front of me, but I'll I'll follow up with an email.

Director Rodriguez, any any insight on whether or not some uh neighboring municipalities have put in place their own sewer connections? No, sir. And um so this building cuz I do remember it was an issue when they when they were making the connection. So do we not have anyone who's responsible for collecting on these sewer fees? Which um which which department head or division head or who's who's overseeing these unpaid sewer um collections?

That would be you. That would be you, Mr. CFO. You you're over uh sewer collection, aren't you? No, I believe engineering is responsible for sewage payments for those. Engineering is collecting fees now. When does engine What other fees does engineering collect? They collect for Yeah. For Exactly. for connections. But they have usage and that's a big building. That building probably has like three 400 units.

And do they um do they are we treating them the same way that we're treating everybody else? Are we look are we get getting their water their readings? And we have we have residents in the second ward that have separate meters for their for their lawn service for their irrigation systems that they're being charged sewer fees for. And we're allowing a building that has hundreds of residents to get away without paying sewer. Is that what we're doing here? I don't believe that's correct, but I do have to follow I don't have the information here. Councilman.

All right. So, Mr. Ba, I mean, when when when when do you think it's reasonable? We don't have another meeting until next [clears throat] month. I mean, is it after this mayor doesn't win the next election? Like, when when do you think it would be? Cuz I I mean, I'm the request has to actually go through you to him. I mean, I don't have any confidence in him fulfilling this request, but I'll put the burden on you. When do you think I'll be able to get this the results of these uh unpaid sewer bills? Council President, may I? Mr. Bi, Councilman, do you have a spec The more specific information you give me, addresses or what? Not here, but the quicker we'll be able to look into it. I I don't have enough info based on what you said so far. So,

do you know, are you familiar with Giladis? Vaguely. Vaguely. Yeah. I thought you were from the area at least. There's a lot there's a lot of uh there's a lot of uh corners and interesting places in Patterson. So, uh I'm certainly making my way around. So, hopefully next meeting I won't be stumped by uh Yeah, Gilad is like a landmark. If you don't know Giladis, then um I I don't know, bro. But uh so it's on the It's on the It's on the border of Patterson. It's not It's not a Patterson facility. So, it's not in Patterson. No. Oh, okay. It's a it's a neighboring town. They built they built a large building, right?

And they they're running their sewer lines through our sewer. They should be paying us based on usage. So, I [snorts] want to get a full report on our collections and how much they paid. And because I don't trust what what would be told to me, I would like to see copies of the checks and however the payment payments were made, whether that via electronic or whatever payment uh uh options that they chose, I would like to see those payments and how we came about the amount that that was uh that was that was paid if that's not too much to ask. Thank you, Council President. Council President, Council Member Lass,

just a quick question. The last page is uh CFO. The last page is our professional for legal service. Last pages.

The last page councilman is uh sewage payment. No, no, no. Last pages. I know the sew has only two item. The last pages it says uh for example u uh sprior associate and has pena has a lot of people. I don't want to disclose the name but they are legal service page. job. I believe if you look at page uh five out of nine as give you an example from five out of nine page number five out of nine or page four out of nine are those all legal services outside you were talking about um 9914 on the left side so those are um I gave you the page number

those are tax reimbursements for legal service for properties. Uh, Saber LLC. Do you recall is the legal service? Counselor. Again, that's those are um county those are county reimbursements. Councilman. Oh, county reimbur. Yeah. Through legal through those companies. Yes. Okay. All right, council. Ready to vote. Roll call. Madam clerk. Council president.

Oh, council McDava. So, just for clarification, uh, madame clerk, so council president, I'd like to address madam clerk, you indicated in terms of storage, you said BOE, so board of ed. Are you is it specific to election things that are the responsibility of the clerk's office or are we holding storage for board of education because that that's confusing to me. I don't think that um it was initially for the board of ed. I think it was just for the city clerk and maybe uh the various departments within the city. But um the city clerk was footing the bill

for the board of education. No, not for the board of education, but the monthly bill. And Okay. No, no, I understood that. I just But you said BOE and so I want to make sure because I know they have a board, they have their budget, which is almost it's like over $800 million. So, you know, when you mentioned BOE and that we're paying storage, I want to clarify that that is not the case that it's probably and again, if it's the clerk's office, then it probably has to do and if you mention BOE, maybe election stuff, which is the responsibility of the clerk's office. No, that was the information I received from access. Okay. So, we we need to clarify that because we need to make sure that we are not footing a bill that um we which I don't believe we are. I just want clarification

and for the court. Thank you very much. The court is Thank you. Roll call, Madam Cler. Yeah, the court is under us. So, roll call, madam clerk. Okay. Uh, roll call on the amount and payment of bills in the amount of 32,481,23853. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davin, yes. Councilman Jackson, no. Councilman Kh, yes. Councilman Mendes, thank you, Madam Clerk. Voting on bill. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Omar. Yes, madam clerk. Councilman Uden. Yes. Councilman VeZ.

We have sewer charges four four plus million dollars to pay. County taxes 15 plus million to pay. Open spaces 30 $25,000 for them. Outside legal council, whatever is 1 million point and service pay by grants. And um I want to say thank you to the Patterson Police because they've been using their grant wisely and in the community. So my vote is yes to payment of bills. Thank you, Councilman. Council President, my vote is yes, Madam Cler. Council President, I'm sorry, Councilwoman Cotton, are you changing your vote? Yes. I have to abstain. So Councilwoman Cotton has to recuse herself. So if we can retract her vote.

Thank you. Okay. Thank you. So the votes are seven in favor, one against, one recused. Item um payment of bills is hereby adopted. And council president, thank you. At this time, we have a presentation by uh Vice President Kim Mars from External Affair of St. Joseph Hospital. Council President, if I may, I'd like to correct the um the votes for item number eight. It was five in favor, one against, one recusal, and two absent. Thank you, Vice President Marvis. Welcome to the chambers

and we're looking forward to this presentation on tonight. This is just for a presentation, not for discussion or questions, just for a uh presentation. Thank you, Councilman Morris. Oh, nice.

Thank you. Thank you, Madame President. and I truly do appreciate the council extending me this courtesy to address you this evening on a matter that's truly critical to not only St. Joseph's health but to the constituents of Patterson for those of you who may not know me I'm Ken Mars Jr. I am the vice president of external affairs at uh St. Joseph's Health, uh, the city's largest as well as the county's largest employer. Um, and St. Joseph's Health operates two hospitals, including a trauma center and children's hospital here in Patterson and over 100 sites of care across northern New Jersey. We are also the second largest safety net provider in the state of New Jersey. And I'm truly here to address a situation that you might have read about in the press regarding ongoing negotiations between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and St. Joseph's Health. Our contract with Horizon ended on October 31st of 2025 and as a result we entered into a mandatory 4 month cooling off period. During this time, the hospital and all physician offices have remained in network under our former contract and we continue these negotiations with Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shell in good faith. What that simply means is that if you have Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shell, you can continue to have services rendered at St. just up and I know many of you particularly city

employees have Horizon Blue who cross Blue Shield as a provider but it's important to note that if we do not reach an agreement by March 1st this will mean that 90,000 of our patients could lose affordable in network access to care including more than 32,000 Medicaid patients We are encouraging Horizon members to contact their insurer using the phone number that they can find on the back of their car and request that St. Joseph's Health remain in network. Medicaid patients are also being assisted in switching to other plans in the St. 's health network so that they stay in network and staff are on site helping patients to avoid disruptions in care. If you or your loved one is with Horizon New Jersey Health Medicaid and would like to prevent disruption in care and change your plan, please call New Jersey Family Care at 1800 701 0710 or you can reach us St. Joseph's Health at 9737542150 for assistance in switching your Medicaid plan. I ask that the council stand with our residents, our health care workers, and our safety net hospital and call on Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to continue the dialogue that we can hopefully reach a fair agreement that keeps St. Joseph's health and network. I

am confident that both sides will continue to come together towards a resolution that benefits all. Madame Council President, esteemed members of the municipal council, I'd like to again thank you for this opportunity and your time to address you. Obviously, this place brings back memories. Council President,

thank thank you, Mr. Vice President. And before [clears throat] our council members, I want to thank you for the awesome presentation. I know we will be working on a resolution to present to the council for February or March as we already uh talked about. We will bring it um to committee and then we will bring it to the council to ensure that the uh recommendations from St. Joseph Hospital are clearly identified. So, I just wanted to mention that to the uh council from our vice um pre um vice president of the hospital and former councilman of the great city of Patterson, Councilman Mendes, and then Councilman Jackson. So, who's councilman? Councilman Jackson. Council Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Council President. Councilman uh Vice Mr. senior vice president. I I did get a number of calls from from from city employees who are concerned that they're and their take on it was that they can no longer um have their services or their needs met at St. Joe's Wayne or St. Jo Patterson that they're being told by their supervisors that if they have a medical emergency that they must um go to Hackinack, Chilton or um I forget the other hospital that they or valley. Yes, it was Valley. So um one the question is is that the case? Is that true? And two um is this something that I mean because that I think that's a that's a that's very alarming and concerning. So even if Horizon is not is not should the city be participating in these negotiations? Should we not consider outsourcing or looking for a different provider if our provider is not going to be uh you know localized with with our local hospital and servicing the needs of our employees. Now I think this is something that that should be a a a a group discussion

because it's obviously is our employees that's being impacted. So, how how does that does that play out? Is that is that sound right? Is that what they described to me?

Thank you for the question, uh, Councilman Jackson. So, let me begin by saying that is not correct. As I stated earlier, we are in a four-month cooling off period, right? Which means that anyone who currently has Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield can continue to reert receive services at St. Joseph's University Medical Center, which is our Patterson location, St. Joseph's Wayne, or any of our affiliates. However, if we do not reach an agreement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield by March 1st, we will be out of network. Right. So, for those employees, I would encourage them and those supervisors to contact Horizon.

Yes. And tell them to come to the table and negotiate with St. Jose is so there there's no disruption in care for those individuals. No, I I understood that and I think I I appreciate that cuz I want the employees who are probably watching to hear it directly from you that that is not the case at least for the next four months.

That's correct. But after the four months, if these negotiations aren't favorable and it's not worked out, that means um if they want to receive services, they're going to have to pay out of network services or they're so so is it the case that those hospitals that they're referring to, Chilton Valley and and Hackinac, are they in network for our employees?

Well, I can't really speak to who's in and out of network at other healthcare institutions. But I will tell you that if we are unable to reach an agreement by March 1st, we will be out of network with um Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield, right? And so that's why and I encourage those folks who have Horizon Blue Cross Medicaid that they actually change Medicaid providers so they can continue to receive those services if we happen to be out of network at St. Joseph's Health, right? because it's a matter of access truly because not everyone can go to the Chiltons or the Hackinacks and things of that nature.

So, so and I I I'll rest it here after this comment. I think that this is very important and I I I completely respect and uh appreciate you coming forward especially to make it known widely to the public. But this is definitely one of those moments that we should have had some form of committee review to have a discussion because one um this council voted to make a decision on on this particular provider with state provider, you know, which was a mistake in my opinion. And um two now that we are paying a great deal more for these services and now employees are not going to be capable of receiving services as well. This is something because again and this is only because I don't know maybe it's on the behalf of the hospital. Maybe the hospital's asking for too much money. I mean they they do have to pay you.

I will assure you that that's not the case.

Well, okay. I don't want to I don't let me let me retract [laughter] not to say that that's that's the uh that is the case but I think that that all of that we should all interested parties us as a municipality and looking to protect our employees best interest obviously St. Joe's Hospital is the largest employer in employer of the city in the city of Patterson. So that that means a great deal as well. We should be protecting the integrity of the hospital of the business of the hospital. So I think that um you know we should be a part of those discussions. We should understand like what is what is the issue so that each of us can be making those pertinent calls to uh to the provider as well. But we should we have to understand the specifics before we can do so. It's not just like whatever it is make it happen. Um,

well, Councilman, I mean, the role that you can actively play now is to inform your constituents as well as the city employees if they have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield is to contact Horizon. That number is on the back of the car. I would encourage them to contact Horizon and encourage Horizon to negotiate fairly, right, with St. Joseph's University Medical Center, who's, as you stated, the largest employer not only in the city of Patterson, but in Pate County to ensure that unfettered access to highquality healthc care continues, and that's a role that both you and the city employees can play at this moment, council president. Thank Thank you, Vice President Morris.

Council President, uh, this will be the final question. It was just to present [clears throat] Councilman. Thank you, Council President. Then we're going to go into roll call. We're going to go into public portion. Thank you, Council President. Uh through the chair, uh um Mr. VP Morris from St. Joseph. So St. Joseph is still honoring up to March 1st. That's correct. Correct. Um are you aware if there's any if you could tell me if this is only St. Joseph or any other hospital in the area doing having this problem? Again, this is St. Joseph's Health and the St. health system that are currently in negotiation with Verizon Blue Cross and Blue.

Correct. Um, legal is not here but you know our main hospital um and I say the main hospital in the county is St. Joseph and um and there I don't know legal is not here but probably he could give me a legal opinion on that. So let's make believe March 1st. Um hopefully get to agreement. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield is smart enough to understand that we are you are St. Jose is the main um um emergency trauma center that we have in the county and it's a life-threatening to have people transported to another hospital in a life-threatening situation. And not only that, um, who's going to forth the bill if I go to the hospital? And because St. Joseph is a compassionate hospital, need to take care of that patient, the people are going to be caught up with that bill because you still have to charge the service.

So, um, I I I wasn't listen to all your message regarding from the beginning to you. You made it uh clear. I'm going to try to translate your message after the mini the mini finish to translate it in in my in my system to put it in Spanish your words

and and and put it out there for people who understand what you were saying and also if it's possible Omar could do it in the Arabic section you could do in the Bangladesh uh language and and and spread it uh because the message have to be sent St. Joseph is our trauma center and um and I will not like to see no one in a trauma situation going in a heavily traffic row rating route 4 or whatever to go to another hospital and they die because we don't have the service in in in

thank you in our city uh saying that u if legal could could put together not only now hold on I could ask because you asked for a resolution ship. But I want to ask legal, I know he's not here, but he probably going to listen later on if he could give us at least legal basis to continue pushing and I will have not just a resolution. Resolution will be a memorandum. Okay, here this is what we want. But if we have to raise our voice to go to court and express ourself to support to support uh St. Joseph, um I think it's a step forward that we have to do it. So, I just want to make extremely clear that we will never turn a patient away that comes to care either to our facility or emergency room or one of our clinics.

What's important to note though, however, that if we're out of network with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, then that patient will have to pay out of network charges. All right? And that's what we we're truly trying to avoid because you and I both know sort of the the the economic situation with most folks um in this in the city of Patterson. And I also tell you that if either of you have a constituent that has additional questions relative to this matter, please reach out to me and be happy be happy to answer those questions. Thank you. Final point, Councilman Cotton, and then we're going to open up public portion.

Okay. Um thank you, Council President. Uh let me just say um uh Mr. Mars about um

um the negotiation between you between St. Joseph Hospital and Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield. I'm not quite sure if you can share that information with us. Um what they want to pay you and what you asked them for. I'm not sure if you can tell us that. Um I just want to bring one point up if I may. Um, and I always said to the insurance industry, um, you go to the hospital, your bill could be 750,000. Horizon might pay 75,000. But now, if I had no insurance, I'm on a hook for 750,000. They don't let us negotiate like an insurance company. We can't negotiate. So, I'm not quite sure. And I did get some calls too about um um my previous employees. It happened with us and but they negotiated. They finally got to it. And I want to encourage the employees to call the insurance company

for them to to negotiate. They need to negotiate because let me just say to the audience, sometimes that payment is real low. Like you go in for open heart surgery at $500,000 and they might only want to pay 25,000 and that's what you get $25,000. But if I had no insurance I I'm on the hook for 500,000. So I encourage the employees out there to reach out to Horizon to negotiate to come to the table. So I'm not sure if you can share what they offer and what you looking for. I'm not sure if you can share that with us. say maybe not in the public, but like you know, and I I remind some of of some of my colleagues, we had eight employees that had hospital bills hitting a million dollars

um that we had to make sure that we bonded money for um to make sure that they were [clears throat] covered. So, uh if you're able to share that with some of us, I would be happy to see that. M So, Councilwoman, I would just simply share this with you. We will continue to negotiate with Horizon Blue Cross in good faith. Okay. Yes. If at any time that those negotiations take a turn that we feel is not in the best interest of our patients and so forth, I will be back, [laughter] you know, and explain to each and every one of you where we are in those negotiations.

Thank you, Vice President, for that great presentation. Madame Clerk, we're going to do item 5. We're going to do item 53, Madam Clerk. I'm sorry. Item 53. Thank you. And then public portion. Item number 53.

Yes. Item numberif item number 53 is a resolution regarding the historic Van Halton House in Westside Park in support of all necessary steps for the transfer of ownership of the house and its immediately surrounding area to the county of Pake for the purpose of rehabilitation economic development resolution number 26 col065. So move. Moved by Councilman Khalik of the Ward, second by Council President Mims and Mendes. Roll call on item 53. Madam clerk, roll call. Second by Cotton as well. Roll call on item 53. Roll call on item number 53. Councilwoman Cotton.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. This has been a long time coming. I'm glad to see that we have Queen here in support of this resolution that we can have somewhere to put our black art up, black work up, black history up in this building here. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Khik. Yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, so this item, item 53, I have a very extensive conversation with our John Franco, our the person in charge of historic preservation. Um, he got me up to speed with this matter. Uh, and definitely I know Mr. Vanchett is in full support of this. Basically, uh, we giving the county this building. The county will be responsible to restore the building, not demolish, restore the building. I understanding that this is one of the oldest building in the city of Patterson. It's even older than the city hall. It was built on 1741 and it was rebuilt due to a fire on 1831. So, it's such a history. What what I would love to see once the building is is is back to uh renovating back to the community is I would love to see a museum with our veterans, a section for our veterans, a section for the history of Patterson, our African-American history. So, I'm looking forward to see the students of Kennedy uh high school and and Patterson public school in general to take advantage of this historical landmark that we have here on Westside Park. So, with that being said, my vote is just yes on item 53.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Nuden. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Before I vote, I just like to restate and make it clear that if any misinformation spread in the community that we are not speaking about the entire Westside Park, we are speaking about that particular uh property that is going to be ownership of the county. So, um I I shared the message that some people are thinking we are talking about Westside Park. Not really. We are talking about the historic Manhattan house and that should be preserved and that the ownership is going to taken over by the county. That's the only thing we are doing here and I am in full support. My vote is yes.

Thank you Councilman Omar. We're voting on item number 53. Thank you. Councilwoman Dava. We're voting on item number 53. Yes. Thank you council president. So I just want to thank Mr. John Franco for your persistence and your due diligence in in pushing and allowing the administration to understand the importance of items like this self. Mr. Van Cherry, Mr. Philip Philipelli Jr. and also I forgot your name already.

Teresa, right, Joyce Carbo, my good friend. Sorry about that, Miss Carbo. But I want to say that, you know, there's a next step. This will be there will be a lot of veteran stuff in this place that is a part of the project that they're working on at Westside Park. Um, and so I'm looking forward to all of the great information that will be there in collaboration with our veterans and all of the new uh stuff that's going to happen in Westside Park and the renovations. So, I'm looking forward to it. Madame Clerk, my vote is absolutely yes. And thank you to the county for always being a partner and making sure that we do not forget history and our veterans. My vote is yes.

Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 53 is hereby adopted. M where vote? She's calling the role. Madame clerk, can you finish calling the role? Yes. So I came before she called the votes. She I came in before she called the votes. She called it. She called it. She said eight and one after. No, no, no. I came sit here before your vote. You voted. She didn't call the votes. So, I had the right to vote. Madame clerk, did did you not call the vote before you announced it? Before he came and sat there, you were speaking as he was walking in and I called the vote. You did call it after you. Yeah.

Okay. So, the vote was called as we stated. The vote was called. Councilman, she called the vote. Thank you. At this time, public portion is now open to all of our speakers. Madame clerk, they have three minutes. Um, as on this side, we ask for uh respectful uh decorum between the two. Um, and we're asking for our speakers. There is no additional time that's being given. You have three minutes to speak. And after that, we have our constituent services here um to answer any requests or concerns that the public has. Um, and I just want to say that the list stays out. We tonight we pull it, but if someone comes, uh, tonight it was pulled at, uh, 7:26 and we always watch and I work work with the secretary to see who comes. If you come after 7:30 at that point, 7:45, 8:00, it's it's too late. We leave it out for an hour which is enough time and we have a lot of speakers so it shows that a lot of people did come in in the appropriate time to speak. Madame clerk, first speaker,

the first speaker is A. Roberson. Kindly state your name and address please. Thank you.

Good evening. Guess what? I got it now. Good evening. Um, my hope as a citizen of Patterson, I want to know that the department heads is out and about ensuring the safety and maintenance of the city. Um, I want to thank the director of con constituent services, but we need uh community development, DPW, traffic and road garbage and what have you. Those um, uh, officials probably should be at the meeting so that we could address some of these concerns. Um the city um lacks a total number of signage and inaccuracy signage and a total number of inaccuracies. Staff whoever is responsible should be out riding through the wars to assess the needs department all the departments that were listed. Has anyone looked into the number of taxi fleets um to for accountability? The food truck. There's a food truck that's um parked in on West Broadway and Memorial Drive where the the bridge where Afinalo brothers used to be. When cars are going into that area, they are turning in off of West Broadway. If they're coming down Memorial Drive past the police department and right onto West Broadway, they're making a left into that drive. I think that's a safety hazard. The real fix program is that program out there picking up constituents who are, you know, dealing with substance abuse, homelessness, and what have you. We have a real serious problem. The purpose is to find some stability. This meeting, I've been making a conscious effort to, you know, show up here. Um, there's a lot of repetitiveness, a lot of redundancy. We need to move forward. People want to come. People want to get out. Um,

we must do better. We want better.

Um, I'm going to do something and I hope Oh, damn. I didn't mean to do that. Excuse me. Excuse me, city. I'm going to find it and I'm going to play it even if I have to play it from afar. This is what happen when there's a lot of distractability in these meetings. People are making an effort to come out, voice their concern. We're not getting any answers. We need answers. Our department heads have to be more prevalent in the city. We need to be riding. We need to be riding these wars to see where the needs are, where the needs are, where they need to be met. We have signage going up for, you know, Hitchcliff Stadium, but you ride streets, you don't even see street numbers. You don't see street names. You ride Temple Street. There's not a street sign on Circle A. Um, North Third Street, uh, North Ninth Street, like all over the city. We need to do better, be better. I'm going to play something and um I had it ready but you know the distractability in this meeting um is a deterrent and I don't want to be deterred because I have made a conscious effort to come out here daily and consistent but I'm going to find it and I'm going to play it's going to be a disruption.

Thank you but it's going to be worth your listening. Thank you Miss Robinson. Next speaker madam clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Joyce Corbo. Corbbo. Corbo. State your name and address.

Joyce Corvo, Patterson, New Jersey, Amethyst Lane. Um, I'm the Historic Preservation Commissioner Chair. And this is Commissioner Frank Philipelli. And on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission, I just want to thank you all for adopting this resolution. What you've done is allow us to continue that great name that everybody uses in speeches, the great historic city of Patterson. Because now what we have to continue to do is not only use this in speeches for sound bites. We need to do this in practice. And now we can continue to preserve why we are called the great historic city of Patterson. And to the public out there, I just want you to know that you're not just saving an individual building here with the Van Hen House. You're making an investment in Patterson's identity, in heritage, tourism potential, and community pride. Because once this is restored and rehabilitated by Pay County, it'll serve as a cultural center and it will proudly complement the newly renovated Westside Park. And here as a cultural center, it can provide the rich history and stories of the past, details of the early Dutch settlers to the area even before colonial times. Its ties to the Revolutionary War and Councilman Mendez, you said a lot of what I was already going to say, so I won't repeat it, but there's ties to the Revolutionary War, George Washington, and the farmstead, which was worked by enslaved individuals. and then also the significance of selling this land to the society for the establishment of useful manufacturers and so much more so many more stories. But if we were to lose a resource like this, we would never be

able to replace it. So, thank you again and thank you for your continued support and safeguarding not only the Van Halton House but the multitude of historic resources here in our great city of Patterson. We look forward to you working to continuing with this resolution, moving it forward, working in a timely manner with the administration in P County so we can see this fully re realized. Thank you, Miss Carall. Next speaker, madam clerk. Speaker is Joel Keys Jr. Please state your name and address. Thank you.

[clears throat]

Joel Keys Patterson. The following is an essay written by one of my former students who chose to remain anonymous. He said, "The message is more important than a messenger." He wrote, "Tonight's videos and speeches hit me in a way that was hard to shake because everything talked about, the stereotypes, the racism, and the silencing still plays out right in front of us today." Hearing Carlos Andres Gomez and Denise Froman talk about identity made me think about how often black and brown voices get policed, reshaped, or warded down just to make other people comfortable. But the city council speeches took it to a whole different level. Especially when you broke down how leaders, black, Latino, Asian, whoever, are pushed to subscribe to antilack interests just to survive in politics. It made me angry, but also motivated because you can literally see how the system is built to keep black power diluted, silenced, or divided. Whenwami Toré said that no one has real power unless it comes from the organized masses, it reminded me why black empowerment is dangerous to any system that thrives on keeping people disconnected. Everything tonight made me feel like silence isn't neutral. It's surrender and our voices matter more than we think. What stayed with me the most was how clearly you expose colorblind racism for what it really is. The updated version of the same old system that was never built for black people in the first place. Watching how Councilman Mike Jackson gets misunderstood and targeted reminded me how often black leaders get punished just for refusing to bow their heads. It

showed me that representation alone isn't enough if the system demands you abandon your people to keep your seat. True black empowerment comes from telling the truth, standing firm, and refusing to apologize for fighting for the community. And it also comes from us regular people being willing to organize, show up, push back, and build a kind of collective power they can't ignore or silence. My biggest question is how we keep that fire going and how we turn this anger, this clarity, this truth into a movement that actually shifts something not just in speeches but in real life. If you want it even more raw, more personal or more activist sounding, I could turn it up another level. Just say the word. I got some radicalized students like that. It's more of them. This the speech I was going to say when Charles Baron came here and you saw me flip it because something happened that changed it. Thank you.

Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Eddie Olivarez. State your name, please, and your address. Good evening, Patterson.

Eddie Olivarez. Um, I'm going to start with this uh statement uh made by uh Luis Veles who said that he hopes that with the new PA we can fix some of the problems that we have here in the city of Patterson. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Mr. Veles. Expect nothing from the three amigos over here. They're not going to fix anything. When the the day that we remove Andrew Zad from office and replace him with Councilman Jackson as mayor, that's the day I am telling you people watching. I am telling you that is the day that we will start fixing the city. In the meantime, we have to deal with this. The uh the city attorney cannot even tell us the legal definition of sha. This is what we have representing us in the legal department. It's It's pathetic. It really is pathetic. Anyway, um uh to go on um every time that with the exception of Councilman Jackson, every time you guys uh cast a vote, you cast a vote that is in your best interest and those around you, your friends. And this is not the first time that I've said this, but people of Pettison until we realize that we are responsible. These people, they have already served notice. We know we know they are not representing our interest. They're representing their own interest. And so it's it's on us. We are responsible for it. Um I've said it. um I in the past um

if you are happy with the situation here in the city of Patterson and you don't want anything to change your candidates are for mayor Alex Mendes the bouncer or Andre say those are your choices if you want to change it and make it better then the only choice is Councilman Jackson if you're happy with what is going on and You don't want to change it. We have Marisa Labila keep her. She's going to make sure that nothing changes. She already told us that she's going to be consistent and so consistently she's going to be voting in the best interest of the uh large developers that finance her campaign. Then we have Lilis Mims and we have Udin. If you don't want to change anything, vote for them. Otherwise, uh, what you do is vote at the top of the ticket for Councilman Jackson and vote for me. Thank you.

Wow. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Tony Vani. Please state your name and address. Thank you. Bounc. Good evening, Mr. Van Cherry. Welcome.

Thank you. Happy New Year to everyone. and uh Tony Van Cherry, Maitland Avenue, Patterson. And I want you to know that this whole meeting I spoke with Sandy Lazara uh our commissioner and the commissioners of S County have been so supportive of the Veterans Council, the city of Patterson, and she said great news. So, um I want to speak about how proud I am of my great city. I've lived in Patterson 73 years. Ann and I have lived in the second ward for 71 years. Not telling you uh how old she is, but we grew up in Westside Park. Our children grew up in Westside Park and they went to the schools surrounding Westside Park. I want to compliment the Patterson Restoration Organization, Judy Joyce, I mean, who's been my neighbor for a thousand years, because where their heart is, their heart is really into this. And the city of Patterson is lucky to have somebody like John Franco. When I was superintendent of the parks in the 90s and 2000s, we worked together well. My whole 22 years was in the park system from ' 86 and we disagreed on a lot of things, but you know some we always came down to the right thing. We agreed on the right thing. He's out there all the time because I've been out there with him when I was working and when we were retired and we are lucky to have his experience and his heart and he's also a Viet veteran of the Viet not not the Vietnam war the United States Army. So I again I want to thank you the council for always

being there for not just the veterans but the people of Patterson and just thank you so much. You made a you made a good night made us have a good night tonight and God bless every one of Buddies. Thank you. We love you. One of our Patterson legends, Mr. Venterry. [applause] Next speaker, Madam Clerk. The next speaker is Frank G. Filipelli. Hey everyone, Frank Filipelli. Frankie Flip. I am the real Frankie Flip, not the little boy here. No, he's the quiet one. Listen. Anyway, uh I'm glad you all voted for the uh Van Hound House. Um um

uh way before most of you sat on there and probably before you were out of grammar school in the late 90s I was part of and still am a member of the old-timers sports award uh sports uh association and that there that building was our hub right it's shameful that we waited 5 years to do this okay secondly I'm not really a big fan had given Patterson's stuff away to the county. We gave our stadium away. We gave our armory away. We gave our police department away. We give everything away because of the lack of leadership. Okay. But [applause] after 5 years of the building burning down allegedly from fireworks, you're more likely to get hit with a straight bullet in Patterson than to burn a house down with a bottle rocket. Let's keep it real. But anyway, I'm happy that we're going to redo this building cuz maybe if we didn't give it away and kept it, it's called creating revenue. If you follow any of me, I want to create revenue. The old-timers now hold our meetings every month and we pay places to hold them in. $100 or whatever. It could be a great community center, hang the the arts, the the the youth guidance could have their meetings there instead of here. The art pack could have them there, but I don't know. After the county owns it, instead of the state giving $4 million to the stadium again, they could have gave it to our, you know, TJ Best was like, "That's pork belly tax money, Frank." Man, you moved. Why are you coming here talking nonsense? I'm tired. I'm coming here and I'm letting everybody have it. Everybody's going to get it. Third, uh, hold on a second. And not only that, to stand here and say that the council has nothing to do with contracts, shame on you. Shame on you. You don't negotiate them. But it's a

checks and balance situation. This is an election year. If the mayor, who's running for reelection, told all the white shirts that give big donations cuz they're retiring, "Hey guys, guess what? What do you want? $90 million? You got it." And and 75% of them said, "Hey, that's a great idea. You're here to represent the people, not the unions. It's a checks and balances. I'm not saying I'm I hate cops cuz that's what happens. Fergie Flip hates cops. No, I'm a taxpayer paying $15,000 a year and you're here representing a union. Shame, shame, shame. Anyway, the other thing, $65,000 in storage. I'll tell you what, give me 40 G's. I'll build you a building myself and I'll save you the money. Before I leave, I want you to check out the the You want to talk about waste, Mike? Check out the the the scaffolding that's been up on the museum for over 15 years. You think that scaffling's up there for free? You think it's up there for free? Go take pictures of it, Odin.

Thank you, Mr. Fel Filipelli. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Next speaker is Miguel Francisco. kindly [applause] state your name and address please. Miguel Francisco.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Miguel Francisco. I'm the owner of Miguel Hogdaw in Paris. So my concern is about the amendment that trying to pass on behalf of us. So I just want to to know why this is changing. like we we try to help the city with everything, taxes and everything, but now they're trying to make some change on our businesses without talking to us. Like what is the point of view? Like let's say one of the thing that they want to change the the the time of operation for us supposedly from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. That's not a business for us. So like let's say I would like to know who is the sponsor of this amendment that we can have a seat or have a meeting together with the food trucks and we can we can discuss we because we agree with some of the point that you're presenting on the amendment and others it's like we would like to know or to show you how the works how it works like how it's running a food truck because probably the person who is sponsor this amendment doesn't have all clear details about our business. So we would like to invite you or the person who are involved this one that we can because the details behind a food truck like the city right now just increase the license double the price like every time that we have employee we have to pay more money for the employee plus the background plus the authorization to work in the food truck with the employee. So it's a lot of spending right now that is on us. So instead of the city working in favor of the small businesses looks like they are they are against us. So another things like I heard for this amendment is the police department asked the the council to change the hour because it's a lot of crimes happening at night and I called the police department to ask for the record what they based to say that the the crimes increase at night because of the food truck and they don't keep any

record on that in in that matter. So we want to be clear in both sides like we can ask you can ask us oh okay we're trying to change this okay we agree on this we agree on this why we disagree with some points because it's affecting our business like after 11 p.m. is the business for us. Like some works in the morning and like working after 11 doesn't affect any restaurant or any other kind of business. And if you see like most of the thing that happen at night, it's not a fight and a food truck. We have to be careful for the crimes in Patterson. We are not causing any crimes to the city by paying taxes. We are helping a lot of people over here because right now I have one person working with me, but I have another food truck frames that they have three and four peoples. So what's going to happen with those people? What happen? what what going to happen to our business. So I invite the the sponsor of this amendment to invite us a meeting that we can discuss all the details like maybe do you don't understand and we can you know get in agreement and work together for any matter on this concern. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Miguel. Next speaker madam clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Melvin Hernandez. He he left. He was here. Okay. The next speaker is Caesar Valdevig. He left as well. Next speaker, madam clerk. The next [clears throat] speaker is Sonia Delwick Delise. Thank you. Good evening. Please state your name and address. Good evening. Good evening, council members. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Um, you all know me. I'm the council president for the liquor stores and bars association in Patterson. And this is the vice president. Do you know me?

Raphael Cruz. We are here representing the small businesses that are being affected right now with the cigarette license requirements within our city. We need clarity as we have been told that the ordinance was originally placed for smoke shops only. [snorts] On that note, inspectors have been to the board to the board of health have been going to liquor stores and nonsmoke shops businesses telling the businesses at the owners that we are going to get summons for not being in compliance with the city ordinance. I spoke with councilwoman Davila, Councilman Velis, and the director Joel Ramirez from the board of health. They have indicated that the ordinance was at this time with legal and that they will work with the amendment to reflect smoke shops only. In that matter, I believe that in the meantime, there has to be some type of communication between the council members and the board of health. Uh to avoid any inconvenience between the board of health and the businesses, um we need clarity. Uh we're having the council uh the uh board of health members come to the stores and I don't want to say harassing because that will be a tough word, but they're pretty strong with these stores telling them if you're not in compliance, you're going to be summoned and we're being told otherwise. So we need to all be in the same page to avoid inconvenience. That's all we're asking.

Okay. Thank you. Agreed. Thank you, Sonia. Good to see you. Likewise, next speaker, madam clerk. Yes. The next speaker is Juan Santos. Please state your name and give your address. Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Santos.

My name is Juan Santos and I'm the owner of Level Small Shop Quality Small Shop at W Enterprise. I've been in business for three years and this is the same situation dealing with the ordinance. That is a new appliance for us to pay $1,200. And as people don't understand that the same license applied to us, applies to liquor stores, applies to grocery stores. For example, one license is cigarette license. Cigarette license is you're allowed to allow to sell cigarettes and stuff. Vape license, you're allowed to sell illequid cigarettes. Now dealing with any other paraphernalia like backp and stuff like that to grow marijuana we pay a separate tax which is let's say for instance if I go spend $1,000 this week I have to pay 30% to the state of New Jersey just for buying those cigarettes just to buying anything dealing with uh tobacco paraphernilia same thing with dealing with vapes let's say for instance this is a vape if I go buy this bait right now in a in in a in in manufacturer, distributor, I will have to pay 30% tax on the same thing. The only thing you have to have basically kind of clarify everything that if I go to this business right now, right now here this is my my paper that I paid 30% and taxes on all the the cigarettes that I have in my possession. But you don't need a license for this. But I still have to pay 30%. Same thing dealing with the with the illquid. Eli liquid. I will have to file report every month explaining how much of those e-liquids are sold. And this should be applied not just to smoke shops to everybody in general that sells whether it's cigarettes, whether it's e-liquid, whether it's uh cigarette paraphernalia. They never tell me anything about they

have us having meetings about uh they want to do this to small shops or this. We should all be treated equally but at the same time let us know what's going to happen. Okay, this is a new thing. Do you have certain concerns to differentiate whether it's a liquid store, whether it's a grocery store, it's a a gas station. We all sell cigarettes. We all sell illquids. We all sell vapes. But if y don't understand how it falls to each business, y'all will never be able to understand to kind of come with clarification what's really going on about the taxes that we pay, the license that we pay. I pay $35,000 every quarter in one small shop only. That's my payment. So it was no right that you're having a meeting about anything and not let all business owner know what's going on

legally. That's what I pay anywhere between 25 to $35,000 every 3 months in taxes to the state of Patterson. And that's all I want to know. Like there's clarification to all the businesses, not just me, but a lot of people I understand myself. I know sp English in Spanish, but a lot of people is Spanish own. They barely know how to speak English. Yes. And that's what my concern. Thank you. If you'll just wait. We have other a couple other speakers because there is an amendment to that that was already sent to legal. So if you just wait a couple minutes, we'll speak to that in a few minutes. It was already sent for review. Next speaker, madam clerk.

Yes. The next speaker is Everett Hines. [applause] Everett Hines. Okay. Next speaker is Francisco Perdomo. He left. Okay. The next speaker is Valal Hakeim. Please state your name and your address. Thank you. Make them

cold outside. Uh below Hakeim

Patterson, it's very cold outside. I was thinking about some of the people that don't have nowhere to go in be warm. Uh first of all, I want to just say this here that um um I understand the um uh the passion of Councilman of the First World War, Mike Jackson when we talking about negotiating uh contracts and looking out uh for the um the best interest of um the um the city employees. you know, I understand his um his concern and I think we although uh the council members are not in the negotiating room, you know, to just demonstrate that you know, you do care about how things are going or you know, you know, that that means a lot just to hear from you if you if you really understand what's going on. Um, a lot of the contracts that people have now in these here unions, the the locals are based on negotiations that happened years ago where this one gave this away, had this taken out, so the people just left or what they have right now. So, it's, you know, it's always very hard in those negotiating rooms. Very, very hard. So, I wanted to um uh uh say that when is the next council meeting?

I know what's the date. I wanted to know. It was the 10th. February. It's the 10th of September. Okay. No, I need because I need I wanted to make an announcement. I wanted to make sure that make that announcement. The third. Okay. Well, um the other thing I wanted to um uh mention $65,000 um Excuse me.

Yeah. uh $65,000 in storage at Access. You know, I just went up to Access today um representing someone that was out of town on a storage that they paid for and then come to find out that Access sold all of their stuff. Sold it. Yeah. Sold it. They I I have the invoice where they paid in everything. The other thing I wanted to uh mention, you got to go fast here because that time be going fast. I don't seem like you speed it up, but it just be moving. uh director Dave Gilmore. I can't bring it up enough. You know what I mean? You know what was done to that man, you know what was done to that man and you know the council um being um deaf as as a as a body and not um after this man was um uh vindicated. You know, I just can't um you know it's is it's it's deafening, you know, it's mind-blowing. The last thing I wanted to say is this here that on February the 1st, it's the first day of the annual um Black History Month as we know it. Um uh the Alami Breath Power Coalition and Buds Incorpor and BUDS will be sponsoring um a program um at the um I want to just get the address because I don't have it in my head. Thank you.

Um that's uh February uh the 1st. That's at 2:00 [clears throat] p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Um um the address is 685 East 35th Street. That'll be at the um um that you know the Heritage um the Heritage Building. It's going to be a fun field day for the um whole family. Um I do know that you're having some activities down here at the council, but from the community that is one of the things that we're sponsoring and two other projects. One is a a brand new film that we didn't show on Martin Luther King Day yesterday. We show others, but it's a new film called The Two Sons of Georgia and another film called 7 a.m. about the history of uh the Negro Lee that they always talking about and um spoken with both of the producers. So, those dates will be announced to you and uh that's it. I have something else here, but

thank you, Mr. Hakee. Thank you. Next speaker, madam clerk. Yes, the last speaker is Veronique Watkins. Kindly state your name and address. Thank you. [clears throat]

Um, like I always say, and I complain about the parking and the overdevelopment. Thank you, Miss Cotton, for helping. Uh, my car was towed the other evening. Why? There's no parking over development. This is the second time my car has gotten towed within months, not even six months. But I go back to say about the overpop populating, the overdeveloping that's going on. As Miss Cotton know, we had a water main break maybe two weeks ago. My neighbors couldn't go to work. Um, and it goes back to the overdevelopment. If you've got 2,000 toilets flushing at one time and now you've incorporated 5,000 toilets, what do you think this sewer system is going to do? The sewer system that is already failing. So now you're bombarding bombarding the sewer system that's already falling apart. They fixed it. Thank you for keeping us informed, Miss Cotton. It was fixed about 8:30 and then soon after it broke again and it wasn't repaired until about 1:30 in the morning. So God forbid if anybody really had to go to the bathroom. So like I said, I don't understand. I would like to make it sense with the city engineer or the people that constantly are approving these buildings. There's overdevelopment that is saturating our city. You cannot get to one side of the city to the other.

That took 10 minutes. Now it takes 25 minutes. It takes me almost a half an hour. I live off of Summer Street. It should not take me 20 minutes to get to 19. It makes absolutely no sense. And I wish my understanding I don't know everything about politics, but I I think that the council plays a part in who is on the planning board. I don't understand how come they cannot be reeled in because this is unacceptable. The building that they're building right there across the street from Family Dollar and there's a supermarket there on the corner and then there's garbage not even a block away. How is this all going to make sense when people are trying to get to work? Now, everybody's going to be pulling out of that parking lot to make the right to go at that light, then make a left by the city, by the college. Tell me how that all makes sense. You've got traffic that's going down the street by the dollar store. Then you got people going across town. I Please make it sense. Make sense. And then like I said, the garbage that builds up on the corner that's not even a block away. So now you've got I don't know how many apartments that are going to be put there, but it's at least what good 20 25. You expect one person living in there, two people living in there in an apartment. How many cars? How many average one family has one car? Husband, wife, college student, three cars. where these people are going to park, how many toilets are going to be flushed. I'd like to know how this is all going to make sense and how this is going to benefit the city of Patterson when there is no infrastructure in place. Please, if you can tell me, I'd like to know. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Varaneique. There are no more speakers. CN move to close. Move to close by Councilwoman Davala. Second, Councilwoman Mems. Roll call to close public portion. Madam clerk, I need a dinner. Thank you. Roll call to close the public portion. Councilwoman Cotton. Oh, yeah. Councilwoman Cotton. She said yes. Yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava.

So, quickly, I I'm just going to uh state this uh before I vote. There were quite a few uh um constituents uh business owners. Um the unfortunate thing is you know when information is not um given in a in a factual matter. Um but I will just say this for right now. Uh for the individuals that came and spoke on behalf of the ordinance that for smoke shops. Um soon after we started receiving phone calls, council president, myself, I can only speak for the people that spoke to me that called me. Um, we made a phone call to first the director of the health and human services department in addition to the OIC and then I specifically approached in person our corporation council uh because in having the conversation clearly there was uh some um there could have been more clarification and I believe that you know I believe that our hearts are in the right place in terms of having children parents parents constituency come before us to talk about the amount of smoke shops that were being just coming resurrecting in our city without us having any control and this is why the council as a body took um action. So when some people say whoever was the sponsor, it was not a individual sponsor but the address of concerns that come through our department heads, our chief of uh of police, our OIC, our director, the human services department, legal counsel, we all come together, they bring it before us and then the discussion happens. All right. So this had been for quite some time. Councilman Udy, you know, he came many of times. I started this, you know, and it really started with Councilman Vevelis a few years ago, right? So, this has been something the can that's being has been kicked, right? Every council

member has had a say. All right. And it came before us, you know, it came through a different workshop, I'm sorry, committees, then workshop. It was taken off. It came back. It was taken off. So, this is not something that just resirected out of nothing. Um but with that said, I believe that um when we take action on something and we look back and we say, you know what, maybe there can be a change and we believe that there can be. And so right now that is in the process. Okay. And it does have the support from the different departments who put it before us. Okay. um because I think that everyone does have to be on the same um the same space and um to be very honest, you know, we did take this action, but we do realize and I can say personally and now speaking on myself when looking at it, you know, clearly there could have been more clarification in terms of those businesses that um specifically just sell cigarettes, right? There's a state license of $50. Um but there is going to be a fee. So, I'm not saying that there isn't. I'm not going to lie to you. There is a fee, but it clearly is not the intent. It wasn't the intention. This intention was to be able to um kind of like just um what's the word I'm looking for? I'm looking for the word to be able to kind of like no longer uh regulate. That's the word I'm looking for to regulate. And in this case, other municipalities have done it. Other municipalities have said only two smoke shops. They have their feet and then that's it. the town of Patterson, our city did not have that and this was pretty much for regulation. All right. So this way now the police department the the the uh inspectors are able now to go out. Okay. And they have a reason they have something in place that they can and this was asked by them. We can't go and tell a business you can't do this when there's no or there's no law in place. All right. So those things are being rectified. you

know, in terms of other discussions about um some of the individuals that came here that are are small business owners specific to food trucks, you know, it's unfortunate that the information went out to you without the proper process. We should never, this council should never take a document that's being worked on and you sit in a committee and you take it and you just put it out there, you know, in a chat to a whole bunch of people without it going because it should have never been in workshop because it was an item that was being discussed again bought from the different departments bought to the different departments at at the the different committees for example public safety, finance and other u uh health um the Department of Health and Human Services to have a discussion that went to legal. How it went and it was released was beyond me because it had to go back to a committee and in the committee the discussion to see if we will put it here for everyone to discuss because we understand, right, that this this is this is jobs, right? So, we have to understand also that the the OIC his number one responsibility is public safety. To be very honest, he's not his thing is public safety. So he's going to come before us and put something. We have the Department of Health and Human Services. We have finance. So there's a whole bunch of things that happened and in this case that should have never ever ever been released to a group of people without it being vetted properly. All right. So as you can see it wasn't discussed. I mean I know that there was and this is why I'm speaking on it because addressing uh the constituency. Um but it's something that right now hasn't even it's not come in a workshop. it was removed because it should have never came right and uh it's going to now have further discussion and we will determine then if we move forward the council president along with the committee and everyone will determine do we have an issue in the city absolutely

can we blame crime on on food trucks absolutely not okay it's a whole I mean if you look at it's a big equation of of the reasons for that uh I'm not an expert in in I'm not a police officer I stay in my lane I'm not a firefighter I'm not a health inspector sector. All I know is that I live in this city. Okay? And then when constituents do come to us, we have to kind of like put things in a balance. We have our business owners, business owners who live in the city of Patterson, who invest in our city, who employ city employees. We have the constituency of parents, right, that are raising their children. I had a gentleman last week come up to me. He goes, you know, do you think it's fair, you know, to have my 14-year-old be able to go into a store and buy illegal vapes? you know, so you got to understand it's a it's a balance and we here as a council have to kind of like come to the middle and and and look at all of of the different factions. So, you know, with that said, um council president, thank you for this opportunity. There's also others here that that spoke today, but you know, with that said right now, um I'm going to vote yes to close the public portion.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madame Clerk. [clears throat]

What you're witnessing here is a result of our failure. Our failure as a community. I don't agree with any of that. What was just spoken about. All three of these individuals over here, they don't have a stake in the city. They don't live here. They're extremely two of the most highest paid employees in the city. who is the ones who drafted this resolution that you guys have had an issue with the people who you guys have voted to support. You go to their functions at the Brownstone, buy tickets for them. They were absent to represent your best interest when the vote was cast. See the OIC, yeah, his main priority might be public safety, but the health officer, his main priority is money. So, they talk about the fees that they were raising. The mayor, his main priority is money, trying to raise money on the backs of our community to close his budget to pay individuals that don't live here exuberant salaries. Uh, one of you had one of you said, and I'm not sure if it was you or and I apologize for saying you, and I don't recall your name, but um, one of you commented about the enforcement, the enforcement, and you talked about the council's um, methodology behind it. This item was presented by the administration. it. He they may come and ask a council member to sign it as a sponsor, but it was completely drafted and sponsored or put in place by the administration. We then all supported it at the at the time of it of it of its uh

introduction when we talked about it. If you go back to those meetings that was televised, I asked them all these diffic these questions. One, why do we have to raise fees? That's the first thing. Secondly, and more importantly, you know, we have a homeless situation here in the city, right? So, the city has a a program where we pay for people who might potentially be be uh evicted from their home or what have you. We send them to three specific hotels. Wayne, the days in, there's a Daisin in like uh I forget the town that is, but it's far. It's close to um uh uh uh Edgewater. It's somewhere in that in that area. And then the other one is the the the hotel right on Broadway, right? Wayne took the license from the hotel that was in Wayne. The days in is no longer in operation because the city of Wayne said, "You're not functioning along the lines of how we see best fit for our community. We're going to take your business license." Here we have a blanket legislation that's punishing everybody for a few businesses that may not be doing what they should be doing. We're faulting all the businesses for selling to 14y olds. So, as was stated, right? Instead of holding individuals, individual businesses accountable, just like ABC license holders, if you have x amount of infractions and you have costs for service, etc., I'm going to take your license from you. But no, we want to continue to collect fees. We're going to raise the fees on you and then implement uh uh enforcement or or um not even enforcement, but indoctrinate some some legislation on all the businesses. The first thing I complained about was the inability of the health officer to be

the one enforcing these measures. His he doesn't have any idea what's going on in these businesses as the people who are voting in this doesn't understand the $35,000 per quarter that you have to pay. your licensing fees, your workman's compensation insurance, your your payroll expenses, your uh uh cost of goods sold, the shrinkage that you may have because products that that go bad, they don't understand all of these elements of business. So, callously implementing a new a new fee doesn't doesn't have any any impact on them. They think, "Oh, you know, we haven't raised fees in in so many years, so to go from $300 to $900 is feasible." Food licenses now are like three times the amount that they were. And when you come and and and and and expect an inspection, the guy comes in there, he's acting like a police officer, acting as if he understands the business. He doesn't even know what's going on. he's mistreating you and they they we're hitting you with three times the fee amount. You call for for an inspection. If he shows up, good luck, right? So, we're not going to talk about and and hold the administration accountable for how many employees are we hiring? Are they, you know, performing the best way that they should. We're going to enforce these things on the on the uh on the businesses. Now, relative to the food um trucks, uh so I I know that there was a there was a measure in place with regard to which we we've been I've been fighting on behalf of this for quite some time where you have to have your employees background checked and all of the other things that you have to go through that they have no clue on. Now, I don't understand how at at one point in time there was a

limit on licenses and when you have you you spend all your your your money, you open up a business or you buy a truck and do whatever, then they they issue licenses to anyone else and now it dilutes your investment. When they allow the the the smoke shops just went crazy. No, no problem. We just let they don't we don't do that in any any other community. No place else can you do these types of things. And it's basically because of the poor leadership that we have sitting here. You guys sat here and witnessed it tonight. How contracts that come forward, we don't even vet them. And then there's a knee-jerk reaction when they get backlash because everybody's blowing their phone up saying all of the same things that I said to begin with. And my my answer to that is you get what you support. You get what you vote for. I brought a measure forward to remove us from the Garden State growth zone, right? I have yet to been able to get that measure on the agenda. Every single council person here is working to continue to keep that measure off the agenda. That is something that would have made this city hundreds of millions of dollars. So instead of implementing that on a whole list of outside developers where we used to have a list of only tw 12 to 15 pilots, now we have well over 500 500. And I'm going to post it very soon because there was a measure on Lafayette Street where we we the the council whoever sponsored it voted or sponsored to expand what's called the redevelopment zone because whatever's in the redevelopment zone you can build without having to have special um approvals. You don't have to go before the board of adjustments, the planning board. You can do certain things. You could be short on parking spaces. So they all sat here and lied. We don't

know. We need development. We don't know who it is. And it was a lie. Everybody sitting here knew exactly who it was. We voted to expand the the the development zone to go across the street for some for another project to take place. So, some people may say, "Well, how's that relevant?" Well, if we're collecting fair and equitable equitable taxes from all of these large scale developments, we don't have to go and target our businesses that's doing paying their fair share in a in an economy that's really suffering. Really suffering. We're not even going out and talking about talking to the restaurant owners on how their numbers are down from 5 years ago. We're not even going out and talking to the bodega owners and how they have to now compete with the with the food pantries because people are doing so bad that they don't even have money to come in the store and buy the basic necessities. So they ra they have to get in line and look and pick and choose which churches each night have a food pantry just so they can feed their families. They don't even understand that. They're not they're not even asking themselves that question. We're just going to continue to raise fees, continue to allow this mayor to have an open blank check to go out and give money away. And and I think um somebody said it tonight, we we are sitting here while $4 million is being poured back into the stadium. I ask any of you, all of you who have businesses here, who live here, who pay taxes here, how did that $110 million impact you? How did it help you? How did it help your business? We spent $110 million was just supposed to be an injection into our [clears throat] into our economy. How did it help your business? Were you able to take, you know, go park your food truck outside of that stadium and make money from from the from the the the the traffic that is generating? No. No. Because only specific businesses are going to get that allowance. Listen, I I said it before we voted on

it. I said it while it was being drafted. all of these issues that we're having with it now. I talked about it. Now we're having a knee-jerk reaction. And uh there was a comment that that the council woman talked about how we don't know and or how the draft should not have been released. That makes no sense. Let's not release the draft to the people that is going to impact most. Let the people who know nothing about the business, who know nothing about business period, let us make the decisions on what's going to help you or hurt you most. Why shouldn't we release the draft? Why is it so top secret? If there's a draft that's being drafted that's going to impact the businesses, why didn't the administration say, "You know what? We have a draft uh resolution. Let's put it out to the public. Let's not let's put a meeting together of a committee of the whole. Let's sit here and invite all the stakeholders and allow them to give their input. No, I'm most powerful. I'm making the decisions. I don't care what you say. I'm going to vote my conviction. You don't have to. I don't care how it impacts you. This is what I'm doing. That's what you guys are getting. To say we shouldn't release a draft to the people that it impacts most, it doesn't make any sense. Why not speak to the people who are going to pay the fees, who are going to endure the fines, who going to have to be responsible for the employees that are charged because PD rolls in there and cites somebody who sells an illegal product. Why not have a discussion with them first before it's before it's voted on? Why not give it to you in draft in draft condition? because that would make too much sense to do. Madam clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, first and foremost, let me just say thank you to all the speaker that came in front of this council uh to address their concern. Um, let me just start with um I want to say thank you to Sonia. Sonia, I thank you for being here and uh and addressing this council with this matter even though I've been very aware about what's going what was going out and with a lot of the business owner in the city and I'm very concerned because the respond that I've received is that there's some business owner that they've been threatened there's people inspector going into those business with with attitude threatened business owner and it's difficult to do business in the city of Patterson our local business they have to go through a lot in order for them to make a follow there's so many challenges and and let me say this this legislation was not created to go after bodega liquor store and and and and that type of business it was not it was not because 99% of the profit that I make is not related with this tobacco or other stuff when we when we agreed when I when this was present it was not to go after those local business the mom and pop store the bodega store it was not and the first thing that this administration did they after everybody. They even after this a young a a old lady that have a little boy they got that she she doesn't do even she doesn't even sell cigar and they went there and they told her you got to get this license you got to pay for it and then and in another business there was a person another person but the person went into the business and told the owner listen you better you better get this license renewal otherwise I will remove I will take the state license away and you will never say any tobacco and and and they threaten people and I'm I'm impressed. It's unacceptable. It's just so it's horrible what happened and that legislation need to be amended. I don't care. Honestly, that legislation

was in place to control the smoke shop. I'm this is my opinion. There's smoke shop are open up everywhere and we have we need to have control of this city. Listen, all the municipality, you go to your city and you talk to former mayor Steve Fulip, he will tell you how many business they have in your city on each category and if God give me opportunity in the resident of the city of Patterson to be mayor of the city. You will see you will know how many barber shop you have, how many beauty salon, how many liquor store, how many bodega, you need to take control of your city. We have no control of our city. We know that a new businesses open up. When you see that the movement that they just renovating and what's going on, what what type of business are they opening? You don't we don't know. That's unacceptable. We cannot run a city like this. This city is totally out of control when it come to business. So that legislation was here to get some control of the smoke shop. Quite honestly, we have to find a way because there's too many. It is my opinion. We have to sit down and have this conversation. But this was not it has nothing to do with liquor store bodega and everything else and they are harassing those business owner and listen you know how many lawsuit we've been getting here is it's just incredible the amount of lawsuit that we've been paying in this city because that type of behavior. So we must correct that. We must bring that legislation back. Make the amendment and if you somebody harassing you call call your council member put it up there. I want to know. I don't know who's who is that person, but I would like to know who is that person because let me tell you, if you never been a business owner, you have no idea how hard is to wake up early in the morning to open a business without knowing if you're going to make a dollar that day. You don't know. And it's easy to talk about business when you never been a business owner, where you never own anything. It's just

horrible. So, that have to be corrected. All I'm saying is that listen and that's going to be that's going to change and if you guys see the person that's doing that and inspector listen first of all we got to be respectful in the city. One thing is enforcing the law and another thing is just I mean abusing people messing with people's life that's there two different things you got to be respectful if I'm as an inspector that doesn't give me the right to get into your business and disrespect you disrespect your family. If I'm a police officer that doesn't give me the right to disrespect you, your family, I got to get into get into your business with respect and talk like a human being. And in the city of Patterson, the lack of the respect, the lack of customer service, it is just out of control. I mentioned two things that if God and the people give me opportunity to be mayor, you're going to see listen I cannot understand how you go to all the municipality and people treat you with love with respect and they help you and if they cannot help you they direct you to the person that will help you. But here in Paris we cannot accomplish not even that which is unacceptable. So I'm just waiting to see the amendment. If you have any business owner, if you get an inspector to threaten you, listen, let us know and let everybody know. Put it in Facebook, put it on blast, get a video, do what you got to do because that's not right. It's not right. That's not the way to enforce the law. So, with that being said, to the business owner, we got to wait for the legislation. And in my opinion, and I'm going to fight this all the way to the end, none of you should be involved included in that. None of you. that it was to address smoke shop that they popping up every day and economic development. That's their responsibility. If somebody open a business as a city, you need to know what kind of business you open before you open the door. It just common sense.

Thank you. Thank you. But nothing work in Pis and let's not get it twisted. I I I think that and with a chimmy truck, listen, I mentioned in the beginning that this is the people's house. If you feel uncomfortable, you have all the right to come here and express yourself. There was a legislation moving around. Uh I wasn't here at the last workshop. I cannot speak on that.

I don't I respect my colleague. I don't take sides, but I'm a very effective and I'm always say that I am an a effective legislator. I don't play around. I don't use this seat to play politic and I try to do the right thing by everybody. But when it come to the chimney truck, we don't need to reinvent the wheel. Now, in the food truck, in my opinion, the only thing that needs to be done with the food truck, we have to put a cap. We have to stop giving out license. All right? It's already gone. But guess what? We need to work with the people that we have with the business owner that we have because as I mentioned before, you have no idea how hard is to stay there to try to make a dollar until 3 3:00 in the morning. Thank you.

Just be there and you will see. So guys, you have our full support. Thank you.

Nothing to worry about it. We're going to have the discussion. I don't think that we have to start making reinventing the wheel. Absolutely not. And I'm looking forward to, you know, have that discussion with the time arrive when the legislation was to the floor. I don't feel bad with council me. I told everybody and I say I was there and I said, listen, I love to see people coming into the chamber. I love it to have a healthy and effective discussion as and especially business owner that you guys are the backbone of this community. And I'm going to say this, it's easy to attack the people that making a dollar here. But you guys are the only one that in every business you have two and three employees. So that's that means that you have two or three family eating from your business. But here in the city, give me a minute, council president. I will I will close. There's other council member that took a little longer than me. So, but you have people that those family they eating from your business, but the it's hard for the city to work with you. When there's a problem, the first person that they attack is a business owner. If there's a call for service and you corn, they go around and you will see the report at the end. We got to be very careful because all of a sudden you see that there was a problem with your business when you never had a problem.

So, with that being said, thank you.

Don't worry about that. We got to work it out. We're going to fix this. But in in closing, there was a person that came on a on a public portion and spoke about that we gave out the police department. No, no, no. We didn't give it out. The state came in and took the police department away for the administration because of the lack of leadership. The reason why I'm voting yes on on some contract, it doesn't mean that I'm in Kumbaya with anybody is that I know when is the right thing to do. When you have a union that they've been debating to fix a contract and they agree, who are you to come and say no, that's no, it doesn't work that way. It is that's not government. It sounds great on camera on TV, but we here to do the right thing. Listen, the city is filthy. I agree. This city is out of control. Yes, I agree. Dumping everywhere. I I agree. Absolutely. Election around the corner. If you want to some you want something different, you got the power in your hands. But when we sit here, let's do let's do business. Let's make the right decision.

Thank you, Councilman. With that being said, Madam Clerk, thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I I'll be very brief because I I see what's what with the direction it's going. Let me just make myself very clear.

We're not here to hurt any business. We're not here to go after any business. No. But I since we were talking about business, I think it's clear that we need a compromise. So, I am willing to compromise and all my council colleagues are willing to compromise. But I just want to remind you guys that noise, parking, I mean obstructing the street, uh residential areas, those are all factors. So, when we make an amendment, it's not to hurt anybody. No, it's to serve our constituents. And also, you know, it's not just the constituents, it's also small business owners. You guys are small business owners. So are they. So, let's try to find a compromise. With that being said, my vote is yes, Madam Clair. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Newton.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Good evening, Patterson. First of all, thank you so very much to everyone who came here, share your voice, and those who are watching us online. Thank you for staying engaged. Uh, first of all, I'd like to thank the former councilman and the vice president of St. Joseph's Health, uh, Mr. Ken Morris for coming here before us sharing important information uh regarding our community's health. Uh we heard that um uh Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield is scheduled to um expire his contract with St. Joseph Hospital in March. and he emphasized and he shared this important matter and brought to the light that all the residents that who rely on Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield including myself, we have to make direct phone calls to the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to make sure that they renew their contract so that we can continue our services. Again, um thank you to uh former Councilman Ken Morris for being here and sharing this important information. And I would like to see that with the support of the community members, we can see that contract is renewed in March 2026. Secondly, I want to briefly address the ongoing situation regarding the food trucks in our city. Food trucks definitely bring benefits, provide job opportunities, and also it adds to our culture of our city. That's 100% I agreed to it. However, we also must acknowledge the challenges that bring to us sometimes and we we get phone calls from our constituents that sometimes uh food trucks left on the street from the morning to operate at night. Sometime

they operate overnight to you know cause a loud noise. That kind of uh you know uh complaints you always request. At the same time, when food trucks, uh, parks right in front of our traditional market, those are paying taxes, those are paying utilities in our city, they're taking business away from our traditional market, that hurts our small businesses, too. So, when we talk talking about the amendment, we have to reconsider these facts. So we cannot just say we are against food trucks or in favor of food trucks but we have to bring the food trucks in certain way that are not hurting our traditional markets. So again those who are food trucks owner just know this we are we want you to survive but we want of course to our small businesses the traditional market not to get hurt by our operations. Before I close, I'd like to mention something that I woke up with an email from um one of the members of Hillrest Neighborhood Association and also some of the misinformation circulating in our communities. Um, regarding that why do not elected officials tell the people that when ICE is coming to Patterson, they are playing the blame game is that the mayor or the council members are hiding information or choosing to stay silent. And so let it be clear that local elected officials do not know when uh federal immigration enforcement coming to Patterson or scheduled to come whether they are here or not here. So I think we have to stop spreading rumors to the communities that elected official remain silent or decided to not to uh

disclose the information. As you all know, this today is a new day for for the state of New Jersey. New leadership started with Governor Mikeel and we can expect that with our leadership, we can see that our rights reserved. She protects our community members like city of Patterson, one of the largest cities in the state of New Jersey and are the most immigrant of more than half of the of our population from different were were born in different countries. I would like to see we are protected but we're not addressing or pointing finger that elected officials are not giving information and let me tell you what 8:00 in the morning I opened an email stating that our ICE is going to raid by JFK high school that rumors is there so what happening is that the parents are scared to send their kids to the school people are scared to go to go to go to their work that kind of misinformation we should not circulate in our communities is we have to stand together to make sure that our people are served properly and informations that is correct that should be informed cuz most of the time the rumors spread faster than the facts. So with that being said Patterson stay engaged but get the real information not what he says on the anonymous social media accounts. With that being said Patterson thank you for allowing us to serve you. My vote is yes, madam clerk.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Um, it's a common phrase that our businesses are struggling or whatnot. Um, I want to welcome everybody to second word. See if you see any storefront are empty. I think the the businesses are booming in city of Patterson. At the same time we have to academate them. We have to be friendly to them. Um the issues that we see in front of us you know we have to work with the work with the u owners of the business and make sure they run their businesses uh smoothly. Um that's all my vote is yes to close the public.

Thank you Councilman Councilman.

Thank thank you madam clerk. So I just going to try to be quick. Uh first of all, last week I stated that people that comes and wishes to run an election and uh put their name in the ballot, they have the right to do uh to run an election and come here to the podium and bring their ideas and platform to make our city better. But when you see individuals once again, when you see individuals coming to this podium slandering, harassing or criticizing personal uh agenda against anyone from this administration, against anyone from this council, the voters of Patterson are not stupid, naive. You think they going to vote you in to make a change in Paris when you don't have no solution from that podium to resolve this issue of Paris. Questioning the education from our legal department, questioning the education of the BA or anyone in this side is on call. So bring another platform, bring another thing to present to the residents of city pattern and try to bring solution. But now Mr. Olivirus slash aka no solution. Please change your statement. Please change your statement. And at least at least you stated something right. Vote for the top of the list. We still don't have a ballot number. We still don't have a ballot number. We don't know who's going to be first, second, or third. Hopefully, you won in the election, you are going to be in the ballot. Probably you're going to be number 25. So, saying that corporates council deserve respect. Anyone in administration this side deserve respect and this had to stop. Council president,

you are the president. You are the president to say put the gaggle down and say you are out of order, sir. If you don't stop, then we had the right to remove them. We had the right to remove them. You know why they haven't put me council president for nine years? But I will not stand that that situation here. But okay, that's no problem. We could do other things. So, let me address one thing at a time. And and I'm going to I'm not going to speak with the proof because I don't like to talk without proof. On January 13, 2026 at 6:34 in the afternoon, there was an email sent by one of our secretary. It say food truck ordinance document attached assistance still needed and it was for discussion in the last pass workshop for discussion. The email was received sent to Council President Lisa Mims, Councilman Jackson, Councilman Khalik, Councilman Omar, Councilman Alex Mendes, Councilman Foring, Councilman Ruby Cotton, Councilman Marissa Daba, and myself. The email was sent to us, attached the ordinance completely through draft from legal from administration, vetted in a committee and they drafted for discussion. Are we good there now? Right. is my responsibility as a legislator elected by the fifth work residents. My responsibility,

the same thing the state does when they go to present a bill through committee and they discuss it. They do a discussion to the voters. They say listen there's a bill in committee and this is what are going to be discussed and then they go move it from committee and take it to the first reading and legislation uh floor and they what they do they advise us what they have there they ask us for letter support they ask us for uh opinion so my responsibility is if there is a draft and it was already discussed in committee My responsibility is to tell the people that are involved this is what they have that they looking for to approve in the city of Patterson. So I didn't wrong to advise anyone that owns a food truck in the city of Patterson. Nothing wrong. Why they should be out there. No, I didn't broke the law. I have my dual responsibility that if they draft that they gonna hang up Louisville, they probably not gonna discuss it. They're gonna say hang him up. But if something's going to hurt the taxpayer of the city of Patterson and something's going to hurt the business of the city of Patterson, I have the due diligence to discuss that in a form of forum, in a form of chat, in a form of onetoone, in a form of knocking the doors, making a flyer to let them know that this is going on in the city of Patterson. Are you are you with me? That's my responsibility because the bad thing is going to happen is it's going to happen like what happened with the sewer fees when they created the municipal sewer utility. Um

yeah, sewer fee. Everybody was crazy. My sewer fee is high. Flavio Rao, you know what he did? He came and resend the ordinance until they didn't get it right. They didn't brought back the ordinance. So we don't want to work backwards. We want to do the right thing. And there was three things in that ordinance from food truck that is new. New new because if you look at the ordinance of the food truck, it address any complaint right now. For example, a food truck parks in front of a business that sell food. The ordinance says that you cannot be parked there. Why you want to reinvent the wheel? Now they put three parts change operation. One that the food truck agreed in a meeting that we had in that office. Councilman Mendes was there in that meeting and the board of health director was there and it was the human services uh director was there in that meeting. All food trucks, all of them agree and a cap are licensed. But then here comes they want to restrict them in hours operation. Instead of operating during the night, they want to operate from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night. That's new. Of course, I had to let them know that that's going on because they don't operate during the morning. They don't sell breakfast. So, there's other business that sell that during the day. The other thing it was um prohibit them to park in meters. I understand there residential area that has meter. So if South Patterson has a problem that food trucks are in residential zone in a meter, the residential so overseas supersedes the

meter. So the ordinance says that you cannot park already in a residential and resident zone. So address that in South Patterson. But how you going to restrict the meters in downtown when downtown is a business district? a 24/7 you could operate in downtown no matter what the ordinance says it. So before doing that let's sit on the table and not reinvent the wheel. So let me say this. Yes, I was for to the for the food truck operation thing to cap the license, but the administration saw that they could see and and I'm talking about this VA, right? The administration saw, oh, we could make money out of it. So, now let me put more money on the license. Let me put more money in this. Let me put more money that thanks God it's not going to be in discussion. Not now. you will see Nana now probably July after the election because now they know there's a group that is organized to say no it's not fair and let me say loud and clear I have eight witnesses in that lobby in that lobby when allegedly councilwoman Davila say that I disrespect her eight witnesses and the only person that was cursing at me and calling me all these words was her. I respect females. I respect female. Go to the camera. Let me tell you something. Councilwoman, go to the camera for what?

Council members, I I'm not going to hold No. Tell me Tell her not to disrespect me. Council members, we are in roll call. So, no. No. So, tell them to disrespect me. That's right. So, tell her to not disrespect me. Oh, yes. I could go to the cameras. Yeah.

Yeah. Neves hold the cameras and he could hold the tape for a year to take me to court. Yes. But yes, that camera don't have sounds if you know that. So a witness a witness knows more that what you say here trying to belittle something that you that you was not trying to have the statement to hold it out there. So saying that never disrespect you, never going to do I never going to be the drama queen. Okay. But one thing I got to say is I say the truth. I never disrespect you. And that's was on call to say that disrespect you out there. Um and that will put a a a a period in the uh uh food truck situation. So my responsibility. Yes. Second smoke shop. When she stated that I started Yes. You know how I started about four years ago when the cannabis was approved recreational. I included smoking cannabis in public in ordinance and council and and legal help me draft that. Okay. To no smoking cannabis in public and treat it like drink it in public. All right.

And it started like that. Then it came that we needed to regulate smoke shops and down the road regulated smoke shop. You know who was the sponsor? This gentleman here that that young lady over there in the end not the end um not not Ruby Council um Dava and Councilman um look at the ordinance says in the top who was the the sponsor of the smoke shop. Now, Councilman,

the smoke shop, the smoke shop was mainly to address regulation and zoning and to limit more uh to limited the count of smoke shot we have in the city. But you know what the administration did? Oh, hold on. We could make money out of this. Thank Thank you, C.

No, no, we could make money out of this. Okay. And they put a fee. go back to the tapes on workshop and I'm going to bring it all of them and I'm going to expose them in my social media what I say and I spoke to Councilman Mendy my council Mendes could testify on this every time we had a discussion about the smoke shops and we saw the fee and we saw the word generate tobacco I raised my voice I say why we have to go after the supermarket you know how they did it any store that sell any business that sell tobacco. They didn't put supermarket. They didn't put bodega. But they did it general. Now,

now they jumping in the wagon. Okay. Saying that they doing a amendment. Okay. When I was vocal on it. When I was vocal on it. Now you want to do the right thing for the smoke shop. I got to do like Flavio did when things was not working with when they draft something that was not working. And we not going to wait a month, two months or three months. Thank you, council. We not going to wait two a month or three month. Not say don't say thank you until until I finish because you're going to say thank you when I say this. Thank you councilman. [clears throat] Let's correct Chicago through the chair into this and through this ordinance. We're in roll call

into this ordinance and I and I'm using my time to speak. If this ordinance is not going to work, it's not working until we amend it. All right. Until we amend it and really an amendment falls in bringing uh the ordinance to resent the ordinance until we get it right from the workshop. Let's do it that way. Then we go sit down with the owners of the workshop and get their uh uh um uh input on it from the liquor store, from the bars, from the grocery stores, from the supermarket. Let's resend the ordinance. Let's sit down with them and say this is what we want to do. What you think about? Probably they got better ideas.

Thank you council. [clears throat] Probably they got better idea. And let me say this. How many miners go to your store uh uh smoke shop to buy product? No, you cannot respond. Councilman, we are in roll call to close public portion. You cannot enter. I'm not saying one second. Point of order. Point of order. Councilman. Okay. Yeah, you pointed to the you pointed to the business owner to respond. I am putting the Okay. So, let me speak.

I want to see how many miners general go to your store and buy or liquid store or the none. Miners, you know why they operate the business the proper way. Now, if a dog goes there and buy it and give it to the minor, that's another thing. That's another thing. They don't want to live the reality. And you know who have the education first? Me as a parent. Me as a parent had control of my kids. What they smoke, what they bring home, what they carry in the book or whatever. They was just want to reinvent the wheel. We appreciate if they was so conservative. If they was so conservative public of the quality of life, I would adjust the closed public.

The Democrat would not approve the the marijuana if they were so conservative. Come on, let's not pre Next item. Madam clerk, we're gonna go to item item number.

Last but not last but not least, last but not least, last but not least, um, Councilman Mendes, I I I like your your energy. uh and and you and you really stated that if God give you the opportunity and the voters of Patterson uh give you the opportunity to be the mayor of the city of Patterson, just one thing I want you to just go out and think that you said that you will cap how many restaurant, barber shop and all that stuff. We are a city of opportunity. We want welcome every business to come in. We need to make sure that people come and invest in our city. So think about that because we need to balance a budget if you become a mayor. So the only way we could balance the budget if new business comes in if new owners comes in and more barber shops comes in and more health salons comes in and more liquid and more business. Let's be proactive and let's do the right thing. So ladies and gentlemen, this is my speech, my time. When I when Councilman Jackson with all the respect that he had to speak every time, she don't do that to him.

You spoke because they scare him. But then when I'm talking the truth, they want to stop me. They want to stop me. Saying that, council president, my madam clerk, my vote is yes to close this beautiful public. Let's see how many minutes she going to speak. Let's see how many minutes she going to speak. None in favor. One second, Madam Clerk. To the public, here we go.

And I want to be clear. I I want to be clear. From this point on, as we're going into voting, per our E360 code, when we're in the middle of voting, the council members have two minutes. When we go into doing that, Madame Clerk, I would like the timer set to the two-minute rule that is a part of the law. If they choose to want to break that law, I will quote it based on it is in our E3 policy.

No, it's it's in our code. It's in our code. It is a law in our code. I will quote it openly. We And one thing I will say to the public, we've already talked about Sonia and different ones that have come, business owners. That item is already sent to for amendment. It will be in committee for that. There's some work that still needs to be done. We've heard all the discussion. We heard the election pundits. We've heard my I'm running for this and I'm running. We heard it all. The public is watching and we're here to do city's business. If you want to do a podcast, you want to do a Facebook live to talk about you running for something, be our be your own guest. But in this chambers, we're here to do the city's business.

And it's embarrassing to the public, the ones sitting and the ones watching to hear all the talk over and over. They heard you the first time. We get it. But then you go into your platform for running for something. This is not the place for that. If you want to run, we have no issues with you. I have no issues with who would want to run. The uh in addition to that, there's a problem with the uh system. It will be repaired in the morning cuz I want to put that on the record before council members say, "I got to leave cuz it's cold." We've been sitting here for almost 4 hours in the cold. So, if anyone chooses to leave, that would be their prerogative. But I'm gonna stay here to finish the city's business. That's what we're here for. You can't talk all night. Then we become the city's business. Now you want to leave because you cold. You wasn't cold when you talked for like 45 minutes and an hour about stuff. And I get it. You want to make your point, which is fine. But to the public watching, I'm not going to do like you saw others. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Council President. All right. Now, I'll be brief. I'll give you the floor. I did not give you the floor. No more no more than 30 second council president and you know I'm not one second one second can you call the vote madam clerk the votes are nine in favor nine against the public portion is hereby closed and I will say this one second council before you speak I am stating because I know you're going to make a rebuttal to councilman not at all or whatever your rebuttal is but what happens is as soon as you make a comment then the person's going to comment back not at all council thank you council president very brief

we addressed That's the issue with this license. You have 60 day. Don't pay it. We have 60 day to fix this problem. Don't we got to come back? Is that going to be after the election? It's going to be it's going to be now. So if they go to your store and they force you to renew the license, say no, I got 60. Don't pay it. Let us fix the problem because the problem was created here, not here. The administration create the problem. So we're going to fix it. And in closing, I never say that I'm going to put a capital those business. I mentioned chim truck. So attention Patterson I mention you you case. Thank you. Let's continue with item number four and then we'll go into council president. It's going to fix I'm sorry it's going to be fixed tomorrow. Honestly pis is extremely cold.

It will be fixed tomorrow. Council president. It will be very brief. Councilman Jackson. Item number four. Madam clerk. Can we get that ready briefly? Council Jackson. If not I will do the same thing. It's time to get to the city's business.

Two very quick points. I don't think it's wise or advantageous to advise a business not to pay his licensing fees and jeopardize the fact that we don't get it done because of opposition. If you would have read the legislation thoroughly prior to approving it to begin with, we wouldn't be in these positions. Now, secondly, council president, I I would I take uh humbridge with you with with your comments because you have an issue with other people, which by the way, I never promoted anything about my candidacy. But if anyone else has chooses to do so, you consistently up here promoting what I did, I did that, I did that, then you want to take issue with other people. We cannot This is not a dictatorship. This is not this is not a third world country and this is a this is this is democracy that we have we are protected by the first amendment. If anyone wants to come up here and talk about whatever it is that they want to talk about they have the right to do so.

Thank you councilman. So and that is true. Um they can u madam clerk item number four. No no no you're not going to do that. See see that's the kind of you don't have the floor. You granted me the floor. I have the floor. I still have the floor. Madam clerk, I still had the floor. Item number see, this is what I'm talking about here. Madam clerk, you cannot just implement. This is not martial law. You can't come here and implement what you feel is most suited, madam clerk, because we wouldn't even be in this position if you weren't doing what you're doing the same way you're keeping item agenda. And then [clears throat] tonight, because I'm not finished critiquing you and and your poor performance. Item number four. Madam cler,

you gave Councilman Morris opportunity to present something, but you continue to deny me an opportunity. I'm putting this request on the record again. Madame clerk, can you please send the council president a memo at the next workshop? I would like to have time to present my item that I've been drafting and I'll say it to the record. There's already a presentation. Madame Clerk, item number four. Council President, item number four. Item number four. What's the presentation? Madame clerk, do you have a list of the presentation that's that's scheduled for next workshop?

Item number four, Madam Clerk, is there is Black History Month and there are presentations. Madam Clerk, item number, it's 10:49, right? And you going to do first reading when second reading has a public hearing requirement. Item number four, if we stop talking, you could get the president. You talking more than me? No, you the president talking more than me. I just telling you it's 10 council member Le. You just said you don't disrespect women. You just said that it's 10:50 and I think a recommendation to do the second reading because if you stop interrupting we could do city's business. Item four she's a reason for a council president meeting item four madam clerk.

Item number four on first reading is an ordinance converting the intersection of Trenton Avenue and Illinois Avenue from two-way stop control to always stop control to improve public safety. No public hearing is required. Second move by council um councilwoman Davis. Second by council president Mims. Roll call on item number four. Madam item number four on first reading. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. You councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson is gone. Councilman Khik. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Mendes. Item four. My body on item four. Thank you Councilman Omar.

I'll be very brief. Uh thank you to the Department of Public Work. I can't say nothing. Council President, one thing. I'm I'm sorry. One thing to the to the to the six ward residents. Yes. Florida Avenue. It It's been a nuisance. We've had car accidents. I can count three the past month and four. Okay. Well, I'm still going to explain myself. Still good talk. I might My vote is yes, Madam Cler. This is Council Council to his people. Councilman Uden, you need to explain it. My vote is yes or no. Thank you. You need to council president. Yes, madam clerk. Thank you. Okay. The votes are seven in favor, two absent.

First um item number four is adopted on first reading. Item number five, madam clerk. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of February 10th. Thank you. Item number five, Madam Cler. Wait a second. Wait a second. I'm sorry. You said February 10th. Yes. They said that's a workshop. No, February February I said February is a February 10th is the workshop. The seventh February 10th is a regular meeting. No, February 10th is a regular meeting. February 3rd is the workshop. No, the 10th is the workshop. Madam clerk, Madam Clerk, please tell them, stop by the I thought I saw February 3rd.

February 3rd is the is the workshop and the 10th is the regular meeting. Okay. February 10th is a regular. I said February 10th. Council President is saying February 10th is a workshop. It's not a workshop. February 3rd is the regular meeting. February 10th is the voting session. Right. Item number five, Madam Clerk. Item number five. Item number five. Item number five. Let's move on. It's just a date. It's a date. It's the 10th. Item number five. Item number five is a first read in order. She stated it. It's the 10th. But no, you say the 10th. Second, the third. Can't understand what Ruby said. No, it's not, council woman. No, it's not. No, it is on her calendar. It is the 10th for the vote.

Madam clerk, what's on your calendar? Again, ma madam clerk, item number five. Item number five is a first reading ordinance. Ordinance converting the intersection of Trenton Avenue and Florida Avenue from two-way stop control to always stop control to improve public safety, public works. Um, second. There's no number. Move by council. Second by council. I'm sorry I didn't get I didn't get that. Moved by councilman Ibby. Second by Dava and Mims. Roll call on item number five. Roll call on item number five on first reading. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Khik. Yes.

Councilman Mendes. Yes. Madam clerk. Councilman Omar. Very brief. First, I'd like to apologize to council president and to the six ward residents. I've already mentioned about Illinois, but also Florida Avenue. Uh I'm glad that we can get this done. We have heard your concerns and hopefully this can improve uh safety and traffic. My vote is yes, Madam Clair. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Newton. Absolutely. Yes. Thank you, Council President. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number five is adopted on first reading. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of February 10th, 2026. Thank you. The next three items uh require a public hearing. Item number one, madame clerk, second reading, ordinances.

Item number one on second reading, ordinance authorizing acceptance of the conveyance of excess land from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for redevelopment as a public playground. Administration ordinance number 26-00001. Public hearing is required. So moved. Second move by me, second by Omar and uh Mendes. Public hearing is now open. See no move to close. Second. Move to close by Mendes. Second by Udin. Roll call to PL close public portion on item number one. Roll call to close the public portion on item number one. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes.

Councilwoman Dava. Excuse. Okay. Councilman. Yes. Councilman K. Thank you. Councilman Mendes. Uh, my vote is yes, Madam Cler. Free to vote. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Councilman Uden, yes. Council President, yes, Madam Clerk. The votes are six in favor, three absent. Um, public hearing. Public. Yeah. Yes, sir. Roll call to vote on item number one. Madam cler, portion is closed on this item. Roll call on item number one. On item number one for second reading. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Council, Councilman Khik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. Councilman Uden,

yes. Council President, yes. Thank you. The the votes are seven in favor. Uh, two absent. Item number one is hereby adopted. Thank you. Item number two, Madame Clerk. Item number two. Item number two, it's an ordinance amending chapter 183 construction code uniform of the Patterson Municipal Code pertaining to certain fees. Economic development ordinance number 26-002 public hearing is required. See none. So move to close. We have to move the item first. I'm sorry. We have to move it first. Correct. Public hearing. She said public hear.

Well, public hearing. public hearing. No, no. We need a motion in a second and then we have to close public portion. Is there a motion? Yes. Move. Motion by councilman colleague. Second by council president. Councilman Uden. Second by mems. Public portion is now open. See none. Close. Close public portion. Councilman Uden. Second. Mems. Roll call to close public portion on item number two. Roll call to close the public portion on item number two. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Uden, yes. I'm sorry. Councilman Omar, yes, madam clerk. Okay. But Councilman Uden, yes. Uh, Council President,

yes. To close public hearing. Thank you. We have eight. Eight in favor, one absent. The public hearing is closed on this item. Roll call to vote on item number two. Madam clerk, roll call uh for item number two. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davala. So, I have been an a person that truly understands um that we have certain mandates uh we have anou minutes but we also have a responsibility

and it has to come the state on one side tells us to do something and on the other side then

we we don't comply. they don't comply with issuing permits in a timely fashion. And so after care careful consideration and having and seeing a lot seeing a lot being written being called on addressed um we need to do better with our city. The fact that the state has taken over and we have still yet to get it together in that department. We need to really look to really um get the department with all that it needs, all the employees that are necessary and give by law what is uh uh expected for every person that comes before uh that department. And you know at this time I supported the first reading. I think it is important that yes, we do need to increase fees. I I truly believe it. You know, I was here today ready to vote. Yes. But I realized, you know, as I went to the ladies room and I was walking back, I didn't even know. I didn't know. I thought we were actually still on item number one. I realized that in in good faith, I cannot from one way say yes, I'm going to support this, right? And we still that department continues to have, you know, numerous uh uh um outstanding permits that have not been issued in a timely fashion. We have to do better. Um I think this item should come back. Um, council president, um, I will say I did address the mayor. I thought that maybe this item should be pulled at the time because in my heart I believe that this item is going to fail today. And I know that my counciloman Cotton, right? Um, understanding that we have

we have a mandate, but the bigger mandate is the people that come to us that live here every single day. And when I see that the state has taken over and has not been able and I'm that person I come to the middle but I realize that you know we are not really uh uh um there yet in terms of of being doing what's right for the individuals that come for those permits. You're supposed to have 21 days not 6 months but you know and still that the state has taken over we still are not able to do that. So with that said um at this time I am not able to support this um item in second reading. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. First of all, after the uh the thrashing the assistant director took last week with no answers, you guys don't send anyone here to answer any additional questions.

He's running 211 Marian Street. 211 Marian Street. They built an entire house in their backyard. the director was notified about it. The UCCC um uh officer, enforcement officer was notified about it. That's $10,000 per day potential fine. But people are all of the illegal construction going on alone. If we just target that, the city would make 10 times the revenue. But instead of doing that, we're going to target those people who want to do the right thing. the number of people doing work without a permit, just that alone. And part of the reason they're doing work without permits is because it's too expensive. People can't afford it. People could barely afford their taxes. They barely can afford their their their home expenses. So they're resorting to doing things illegally by putting by building illegal additions, illegal basement apartments and things of [clears throat] that nature because the administration is failing to do the enforcement on those people doing this illegal construction. And and now there's another house on the same block on Marin Street that did another addition. They started right during the Christmas break and already finished the entire project. They're slapping these things up like it's no tomorrow with no enforcement from the from the uh administration. There's absolutely no way I can I can support another fee fee hike with these guys just only making sure that their paychecks get padded. Madame clerk, my vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik, my vote is no, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council Mendes.

Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um just looking at this legislation, if you go to page number number three, I mean so you have a um a water boiler tank from $50 to $200. Um so and and that is the type of increase that we have um active solar from 7 from $75 to $300. Most of the resident that apply for to install the solar panel and the roof they can't they can't afford they can't do it because the bank give you 60 uh six months with the loan for you to complete the pro the work you know what happened in Patterson people are not getting the service because they cannot get the permit at the building department and we planning to increase it from 7575 to $300 that department it just it's failing like a lot of the staff in the city How we will fix it? Get the amount of stuff the stuff that you need. Train the people and do what all the city do. When you go to all the municipality if they they have a day and the time for every permit in order for you to get a permit to fix your sidewalk, you got to go through hoops here. It just it just doesn't work. And now we have a a large scale of feed to to the resident of the city of Paris. Absolutely not. Let's fix that department. We're losing millions of dollars of revenue because of that department. And a lot of a lot of people they're against the wall. They can't they they they take the risk to do their job without permit because it's almost impossible to apply for a permit. And I feel bad that when my when the resident call me, I have to start calling the director. I have to start calling everybody. What about the people that don't know me and don't have my number or any other number? What happened with those people? What happened? Let's think about that. My vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. My vote. Yes. My vote is no, madam cler. Thank you. Councilman Nuden, my vote is no, Madam Cler. Thank you, Councilman Vez.

So, this item was being discussed for many, many, many months. Oh, thank you. Okay, that's not for me. Uh, so many many month. Matter of fact, since July or August, they've been talking about we need to increase fees and fees and the finance shares. Every time that she was talking about freeze, we had to do it. We had to do it because we in transitional aid. We need the money. We need the $2 million. We need this. We need that. Today, look where it went. The pressure of conscious. The pressure of conscious. You know why? Because they knew that they were hurting small developers. They was hurting big developers and they was also hurting homeowners. [snorts] Homeowners why to get to this point me I was telling them it's going to hurt everyone. That's why I voted no in the first time. Mendes voted no on the first time because we were sitting down and saying how much burden we going to put to the taxpayer of the city of Patterson. There was an article that came out that the city made two million I believe four million of the uh tax sales

2.5

2.5 revenues and they celebrating that they gained 2.5 million in revenue for tax delinquent you know but they don't see behind that there's people struggling out there's people that losing jobs there people that they cannot support to bring the food to the table. Now today they proud to say tomorrow I voted no. See it fails. But what about all those months that we've been telling them this is going to hurt the small homeowners in the city of Patterson. This is going to hurt the small developers. This is going to hurt the big developers. You scaring away the people from Patterson if you do this. But it's election time now. They're going to say we are hero. We are hero. So thank you for the colleagues that voted no to this ordinance because at least the pressure make them use their council to vote no. This will teach them before bringing administration wills

council talk to the people first and legislate for the people first. bringing government to the people, not the people to the government. Thank you. Saying that, I'm proud to say that I never supported it. I will not supported it today. And if it comes after July with a new leadership here that will come new leadership, I will either support it. My vote is and I hope I don't get fined by the state because I voted no. Uh my vote is no.

Thank you, council president. So to the public, the only vote that counts is the final vote. First reading, sometimes you you can support it to move forward for further discussion, but the vote that counts is the vote that puts it into law, and that is the vote on tonight. Madame clerk, my vote is no. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one against. I'm sorry. Yeah. Eight against, one in favor. Item number two is hereby adopted. No. Item two failed. Fails. I'm sorry. Fails. Fail. I'm sorry. Item number three, Madam Clerk. I'm sorry. Item number three, madam clerk. Fails. Another one.

Okay. Item number three. What's those that had second reading ordinance, public hearing is required. It's an ordinance amending Patterson Code Chapter 47-18 addressing sewer use charges which have not been adjusted for inflation since 2021. Finance ordinance number 26-003. Second move by Councilwoman Davis, second by uh Councilman Uden. Public hearing is now open. Second move to close by Council Davis, second by Councilman Uden. Roll call to close the public hearing on item number three.

Close the public hearing on item number three. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman Davlin, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khik, no. Okay. [laughter] I'm sorry. It's 11 something. Um, my vote is yes to uh close the public. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Yes. Thank you. Councilman Omar, yes. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Vez, yes. To close the public portion. Council President, yes. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor, none against. The public portion is closed on this item.

Roll call on item number three. Madam clerk, roll call on item number three for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Discussion. Discussion. Councilman Jackson. Any move? Thank you, council president. Once again, I don't understand how do we even have an item like this before us without doing an audit of what we're doing, how the sewer is performing.

The CFO has no answers to no none of the questions about who's who's paying, who's not paying, how much are we collecting from these uh uh we we most of you guys are sitting on the council. We've been having the same argument for the last 10 years that all of these surrounding municipalities are utilizing our sewer. They're not paying and yet here we are going to implement more fees on our residents. These fees, in fact, all of the the uptick in fees should should have an impact on these these these uh additional users. But we're not doing it. We're not enforcing it. We're not even we're not we don't even know what's going on. We get no reports from the administration and we're not holding them accountable. How are we voting on this? I I just doesn't make any sense.

Council President, roll call. Madam Clerk, on item number three, Council President, Councilman uh Uden. Okay. Uh thank you, Council President. Before we move forward, um I want the Mr. BI to um if you can state the synopsis of this ordinance and also can state that what's the consequence would be especially when it's mentioned about $2 million transitional aid that could be um there's a chance of losing that money. So if you can state that for the knowledge of our residents. Thank you Mr. Ba.

Thank you council president. Councilman, generally speaking, the sewer sewer utility was created so that those the these fees cover the operations of that um of the sewer operation in the city. Uh and what happens is um our cost to move the stuff over to Payic uh sewage increases every year. So it went up roughly 10% the PI Valley sewage piece. So in in a sense it's a pass through so that that the sewer utility covers the the the the sewer expenses and that we're not using the general budget to supplement the sewer.

Uh the second part of your question was the consequence um to these two votes. Um the DCA's position is that um if the UCCC and sewer did not pass that they would withhold the final $2 million of the 2025 transitional aid and then at that point they will um expect we'll start the year with a structural deficit and they'll expect or hope anticipate whatever the word is for the council to make that up as part of the property tax levy in 26. So the way they're representing it is, okay, you're going to we're not going to send you what we because we're owed more than two. After these votes, we should get a nice chunk and be down to the way they're representing it is that the 2 million will be tacked on to the 2% next year. That's what they are. That is the position the state is stating to the council and the mayor and the administration.

Thank you, Mr. B. Council President, I have an additional question uh to Mr. BA. So just to clarify that if a sur bill increase 10% what average uh increase will come quarterly uh to our residents any average number you are expecting per household can can increase mister

so the the breakdown um in terms of one family home would go up $36 a year that if it's passed as proposed from 359 to 395 5 a two family home 682 to750 that's a $68 annual increase 3 family $970 to1067 for family 1293 to1422 which is a $129 increase. So um council president I understand you want to take over but we before we vote we want to make sure that

whether accepting this harding our people or losing $2 million is coming even more painful way or not. So we have to make sure that we are making knowledgeable and and and I would say right decision for our people. It could be very politically correct to say no straight, but tomorrow we have to experience more painful experience because of losing that $2 million. And as you know, Mr. Be that when you sit down, I said no, but even senator called me said, I think you should rethink this what could happen. So I want to make sure that the people of the city of Patterson know exactly what could happen because you are we can look that maybe $30 to $40 can increase quarterly uh to our sw bill and I I I particularly would say that I don't want to see another increase 100%. But what if we lose the $2 million is it going to be even more painful as a resident as a homeowner I I have to consider like many other residents in the city of Patterson. So I think that was important. Thank you, Councilman. Just for clarity, I'm not trying to take over. I was trying to see if you still had additional questions. Madame Clerk, roll call.

Council Cotton. I just Thank you, Counc. Madame Clerk. I believe this item was put in effect, I believe, in 2021. You weren't even here, Councilman. U You wasn't even here yet. And I said to them, and I said then that that and I start I tried to say to Councilman Flavio like don't do structure size, do usage.

We I I try to convince everybody do usage. I have a house next to me, same size house with 15 people. Mine's have four and we're paying the same price. You don't pay the same price for water. You don't pay the same price for electric. You don't pay the same price because of structure of your house. Whether it's a one family, whether it's a two family, the two no votes when that was introduced was Councilwoman Cotton and Councilwoman Mims. Everybody else voted yes when I kept saying and we both kept saying go back to usage. My water bill every 3 months is about $120. My neighbor water bill and I asked them, "How much is your water bill?" $300 and something dollars. So I think that if we would have did usage from the get-go, we wouldn't even be here now because we would have had enough in there. And then I have another house next to me. It's only a husband and wife and his water bill is not even $100 a month. But now he's a one family. He got to pay the same structure. and we try to convince. And now what's going to happen now is that it's going up $30. The state has said if we don't pass this, they're going to take the $2 million out. Jeff Jones, I remember what happened to you when you came into office in 2010, Jeff Jones. You would had to lay off 125 police officers. We still have not recuperated from those 125 police officers as of yet. So with that being said, I need to let you know that we I did my best to make them do usage. And I said to um the administration whenever we can come back, we need to take a good look at

this and change the structure of this and not go by structure size of the house, but go by usage. The electric bills are not the same. The gas bills are not the same. The oil bills are not the same. the water bills are not the same because of the size of your house whether it's a one family, two family, three family. And we try and try to say let's go usage and not structure size. And I need to share that with your community because if we did usage, I don't think we would be here today. I think there would have been enough money in there to cover the expenses that we needed to cover. Thank you, council president. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call.

Oh, roll call. Roll call on item number three for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. And I don't want to, but I'm voting yes. Okay. Councilwoman Dav.

So, um I I I I do have to say, Councilwoman Cotton, you are correct. Everything you stated, you are correct. Um but the council did take another action. Um it was led, you know, by the then council president. Uh but with that, this is not about pointing fingers. Um I am going to say this the previous one I did not vote yes for right uh the UCCc fees in terms of this where we are right now and understanding that the costs continue to increase right in terms of soar seeing that you know the it's a minimal fee uh compared to the other fees um I would have to say that yes before I vote I would like to see maybe in the future because this was something that we spoke about many times in finance to really rethink and reook at possibly usage. But at this time and understanding, I'm I come to the middle, right? I said no to the other one, but I I'm going to stand firmly and say yes to uh the sore um the sore ordinance today. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Just more irresponsible governance. This is all this is. This is this is a bully ball because if they would have done it right, we wouldn't

if we wasn't allowing for, you know, all of this inappropriate spending, we wouldn't be getting forced by the state. And we're we're entering into these agreements without even reading them as you heard from earlier tonight. So when the time comes for them to hold the string, the purse strings, they're forcing our hand. But I'm not going to sit here and and and allow us to be backed into that corner. Um there there's been tons of inappropriate spending and there's no oversight over this utility. Um I don't recall uh the the vote on this. Uh Councilman Cot and I have to go back and take a look at this.

I I left it. I said my I know I I know I was in opposition of just about one 95% of everything Flavio Rivera brought to the table and this was like one of his one of his crash babies. Anyway, Madam Clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Councilman Council Kik. My vote is no, Madam Clerk. Okay, Councilman Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. Um I and I'm just going to say that everything is connected when it comes to the finances of the city and and I really have to talk about this. Last month you know 16,623 lean were sold on those two,200 property more or less uh lean on the sewer on the taxes. So the city collect $2.4 $4 million to that. So we have over,200 property that are under the water because they couldn't pay the taxes. And this is the reflection the different on a two family between 682 to $750 increase. That might be the difference for that person to lose the property. I make the example. I bring four different property in the last meeting on 17th Avenue is 33rd is 24 is 17th Avenue the taxes were $14,000 13,000 on 33rd 16,000 on this 24 and 12,000 plus a sewer people are struggling in the city of Patterson the high taxes it's something that this is beyond politic we have family losing their property every single day because they can't afford it today I had conversation with one of the homeowner that have a lean on the property for $10,000 because he couldn't pay the taxes on time and he came here with $8,000. He was $2,000 short and the city told him, "No, you can't. You have to pay the money on full in full or we're going to sell you you your you taxes." So, he has a $10,000 lean on his property now. That's the reality of the people that live in the city of Patterson. People are losing their property because they can't afford it to pay the high taxes and the high sewer

that we have already. A three family on the sewer besides P Valley Water Commission bill $750 a a three family $1,67 that's something out of control Patterson. I cannot support this. We have to start talking about how [clears throat] we going to fix the city but not by hitting our tax pay every single day because they losing their property. We have people moving out of Pison every single day because they can't afford it. And we have padonia that they've been born and raised in Patterson being in Patterson for over 40 or 50 years and at this time we forcing them to move out of the city because of this situation. With that being said, my vote is no matter clerk.

Thank you Councilman Omar. Thank you madam clerk. So, to me, it's very simple. We have two choices here. Do we raise the sewer fees for all the properties and spread the burden, or do we risk losing $2 million and hitting the taxpayers with possibly a 6% increase? It's a $7 increase per quarter. I I I think you said it's $38 for a single family and then $66 for a two family. The fiscal response to do is to support this. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Uden. Thank you madam cl Patterson just know my stand always regarding the uh property taxes even in introduction I voted against 5.6% initiality second time 3.5%. because I do care about the struggle of our city. But tonight, just let me be clear that I definitely and I believe that we do not want to see another increase on any fees and especially when talk about SW uh uh storage usage uh fees. But there are two two choices whether we have to raise that 10% was it quarterly average about uh you know $20 to $30 depends on the property sizes or losing $2 million transitional aid which our city is desperate about. If we lose that money we have to target on our properties. I am conflicted but responsible here. I'm not actually supporting just SW bill increase but I would say I'm supporting to get this $2 million transitional aid with a responsible council member. I do not want to see that coming back in a more painful way. So I believe that with that calculation and I did last two plus weeks I did multiple calculation multiple sit down just to make sure that which way would be right decision for our people. After all the calculation I feel that this is going to hurt less than raising taxes or losing $2 million.

So Patterson again I was always against raising taxes [snorts] but again when I'm supporting this today I want to make sure that you are not harding more painful or number is going to go higher. So I I am um I wanted to make sure that you were informed, you were not misinformed cuz when last newspaper articles came and was vaguely saying that 10% increase on the property taxes and somewhere in the body of the u you know articles talked about that we might lose that $2 million. So one of our council colleague mentioned about the um news articles. These days news articles became kind of like perspectives not the facts the how someone is thinking about and one of the one of the reporter actually I stopped responding to him because I feel that every time he wants to see something negative comments from us when he writing something positive and I'm talking about the uh when I stopped write writing back to him cuz when our last BA left the city and he asked me to write a comments and I gave a positive comment I don't see my comment on the newspaper I called him back. I said, "Listen, if you are not happy with my comments, you are not putting it, then don't ask me."

Thank you, counelor. If you ask me question and if I said it, then I want to see my comments stated on your newspaper. So again, if you articulate it, make sure that mention that we don't want to lose that $2 million. That's why it supported this increase. So with that being said, my bud, thank you, Councilman Councilman Veles. [clears throat]

So look at the whole picture here. Um in 2021 when we resent uh the original uh utility uh sewer utility ordinance was because it was volume ordinance the uses of the water how many water you use and and and and etc etc. In that time a lot of resident was complaining that a one family house was paying more than a two family house and nobody realized that one family house don't have illegal basement don't have illegal attic a one family house but a two family house is a two family house is converted into four family house because they using the attic they using the basement they use more water in that time the bill was coming high people were saying it's a lot so Flavio resent the ordinance and we adopted the method of fees. Okay. So if you look as it is right now, if you look at fixed fee by meter size is one thing. If your house has a meter of 4 in, it's going to be that. But if you go to theart residential, if one uh one apartment, two apartment, three apartment, that's the fee that they're going to get. Now that's what they're going to get. Um the administration uh in the article came they said that they they they did good money with the tax lean sale. So I don't think I'm going to be worried about losing $2 million because they already gained $2 million in tax sales. So looking at this $30 something dollar you could put it this small councilwoman Davila and uh cotton say that her neighbor is four two family or it's the same am but you cannot control how many people live in the house for 16 days but they going to waste more more water they going to waste more more um if you have more

people in your house but uh at the same time this is putting a burden no matter what the administration responsibility is if they don't get the $2 million They already got 2 million of tax sales lean that they recover. Um they just need to adjust the overspending in other expenses and try to bring a responsible budget to move forward. I know what's going to happen after this. They probably going to bond $2 million to cover in and to balance the budget. But um saying that I voted no from the beginning. I'm going to continue voting no for any Oh yeah.

Councilwoman Cotton. Council woman look at look at council woman look at the vote on council member le your vote please on December on December 16 councilwoman you're right and 21 council woman council woman let me clarify the record 2021 I voted for changing for volume to set fee okay so let's be clear and it was better council cotton allow him to vote so we can move forward your vote please your vote and they could agree your vote on on December 16, 2025, I voted no for this increases. Today, I'm voting no again. My vote is no. Councilman, council president.

So to the public, when this was first established, as council cotton stated, I had some concerns and my vote was no when it became establishing because I felt that we should have been built by consumption and not by volume. It is the same conversation back then. If you roll back the tapes, I voted no at that point. We're at this this state. One thing I have to point out because I hear it stated at times. Well, it's only a small amount. We only have 23,000 people approximately 23,000 people paying taxes to cover the entire city of Patterson. So although it seems like it's very minimal is is a lot to a taxpayer that just got a big tax increase. So, Madame Clerk, I'm not supporting this. Um, I didn't I'm not just saying it here. I've been saying it even in committee meeting. I just cannot support this item. Madame Clerk, my vote is no.

Council President, can I please ask for reconsideration? Yes. Councilwoman Davala, C.

Councilwoman, I'm actually asking you for reconsideration. I'm asking in terms of the other item as as as we've sat together in these DCA meetings in finance. I I would ask an understanding that your vote just like the position that Councilwoman Cotton also stated. Um you know she was not in support but she does understand that we do have a fiduciary responsibility and are we okay with with coming in with a deficit of those $2 million? So, I'm asking if you can consider we voted no on the other item if if if we you can consider um your vote.

So, thank you VP for that consideration or the request, but I'm going to stick with the residents on this one. I'm going to make sure I stand with the community um as it relates to this increase and I am definitely not going to support it. Um, I've spoken to many residents that are almost at a point where they're losing their homes and their properties, and I I just can't support it. Madam Clerk, my vote remains a no. Thank you. The votes are four in favor, five against. Item number three fails. Thank you. Item number 18, Madam Clerk.

One second. Item number 18. Yes, I'm looking for it now. Thank you. 18.

Yes. I don't see it. Did Did a von yet? One second. Council President,

item number 18. 18 out of the way. Oh, okay. You want to b a separate? Oh, a separate. Okay. Okay. Thank you, council president. Item number 18 is a resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of Beum Khalida Zia, former three-term prime minister of Bangladesh, first woman prime minister of Bangladesh. So move. Second. Moved by councilman Khalik and Omar. Second by councilwoman Dava and Mims. Roll call on item number 18. Madam clerk.

Okay, ma'am. Roll call on item number 18. Councilwoman Cotton. Um, is this sponsored by Council Kh? Uh, Councilman, I'm sorry, Madam President. Um, did you see a letter that was written to everybody for what? About not celebrating. Are you asking for a discussion? No, I'm saying did everybody received a letter from someone saying that they were surprised that we did not have a Muslim heritage celebration? It's on the agenda for vote, Councilman. Oh, this is We're on number 18. This is not This is This is item number 18. Oh, it's on the agenda. Yes. Okay. I'm tell Did anybody see the letter?

No. Council members, we're on item number 18. We're not Everybody been doing all this talking. I'm asking a question. Did you remember getting We're in We're in roll call, council cotton, so we can't respond. So discussion. Okay. Discussion. Go ahead. Okay. Well, everybody would have gotten a letter. Would somebody please answer him? I did answer the person. Would somebody please answer this gentleman or lady? I'm not sure about the Muslim celebration that we're going to have. Council council president. She emailed everybody. I know we had roll call, but they email everyone. So, can somebody please answer besides me? Councilman [cough and clears throat] Khalik, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman Davlin. Councilwoman, I don't think we'll have to respond or make any inquiries. 20 is there to uh and it's being sponsored by Omar, Councilman Udin, and Councilman Khik. But we're not on item 20, but understood what you were saying. Uh item 18, Councilman Khik, thank you for bringing this forward. We always love to celebrate um diversity, community. My vote is yes. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. woman. Um, Councilwoman, uh, Councilman Jackson. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Khalig.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. This is the resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of Beum Khaledia. She was the former three-time prime minister of Bangladesh. Also, she was the first prime minister, woman prime minister of Bangladesh. She was an uncompromising national leader whose patriotism, dedication, and service to the nation will always be remembered. In her funeral service, estimated over 2.4 million people showed up and gave her a respect. My vote is yes, Madame Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Uh, thank you, Madam Clerk. I mean, sorry. Uh, Pison, I do apologize. It's freezing here. This system was it was fixed in last year, last summer, and it's it's freezing, Patterson. Yeah. This is it's horrible. It's colder inside than outside, Patterson. So, we don't have we have no heat on the chamber, Patterson resident. And it was renovated recently. Oh my god. But I'm we got to stay. We got to stay. We got to conduct city business. Congratulations, Councilman Khal, on this honore. Um, you know, uh, my vote is yes, Councilman Omar.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is yes. Thank you. Um, Councilman Udin, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Vez, my deepest condolence to the family, to the community of Bangladesh. Um, you know, honoring people that really paved the road for Councilman Khalik to be here, for you could be here is is is important. Paving the road and um and I think this is an honor to to live the legacy and and and memorize her work and and and the job that she did in her country. Um is well noted and u my vote is yes.

Thank you, Council President. Yes. Congratulations and my uh deepest sympathies to the family. Great um pick, Councilman Khaled. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor. Item number 18 is adopted. Item number 20, Madam Clerk. 20 seconds. One second, please. Heritage. Item 20 and 21 will be next. So, we'll have all the paperwork cuz Eie came up with

you didn't say anything. Okay. Item number 20 is resolution commemorating Muslim uh heritage month for the month of January 2026 in the city of Patterson. Second. Second. Second. Second. Sponsored by Councilman Khali, Councilman Omar, Councilman MD Udin. Second by councilwoman Dava mems uh vez roll call on item number 20 and councilwoman cotton roll council president if I can if if we can just allow council member veles to be a co-sponsor and also council men

and the remaining rest of the council co-sponsor by the remaining council members. Roll call madam clerk on item number 20. Smart move. Roll call on item number 20. Councilwoman Mottton. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm g make sure I sent uh I answer this gentleman or lady who emailed us that we are celebrating Muslim Heritage Month. Thank you, U. Madam Clerk. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman Davilla. A few weeks ago, uh, Councilman, uh, Omar reached out to me and, you know, as he is our newest member, uh, spoke about this, um, and spoke about Muslim Heritage Month. And, um, come here. One of the greatest things that we have in this city, once again, as I stated before, is the diversity. We love um, to celebrate, commemorate different um, ethnicities. And so it gives me great pleasure to be in full support and be a co-sponsor of this. My vote is yes. Thank you. Councilman Jackson. Yes.

Councilman Khalik. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Uh my vote is yes. Mad clerk. Councilman um Omar. Uh thank you madam clerk. Thank you to all my colleagues and uh thank you to the governor because in 20 well the former governor uh in 2023 he commenced that J uh January would be Muslim Heritage Month. And a big thank you to all the uh my Muslim brothers and sisters for enriching Patterson with your faith, your generosity, your resilience. As Councilman Davis stated, diversity matters and it also builds unity and we're going to continue to learn from one another. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Nuden.

Thank you, Madame Clark. So before I vote since uh the former uh governor Phil Murphy signed uh this resolution is uh u January is the month of Muslim heritage. Uh we the city council also doing the same pass resolution when one of the council member mentioned about the recent emails. If any emails ask for inquiry that whether we are celebrating or we are having any resolution or not, we can answer the question. When someone ignorantly said that I'm disappointed that you are not recognizing Muslim Heritage Week when the item was on the agenda last week, it means that someone is not actually doing the inquiry. Someone is actually want to get attention. So I don't think that we need to get too much attention to such kind of um you know uh someone that who uh uh ignoring the fact and just expressing um the uh uh disappointment for no reason. So that's why I decided not to reply certain emails. So with that being said, I am I am fullheartedly uh in celebration of Muslim heritage in the city of Patterson and I like to see a celebration takes place as well. With that being said, my Espark.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Vez, one of the things that we have to learn is as an independent government, Councilman, as an independent government, we are Patterson. We are a city of diversity. We are city of diversity of religion and belief. Don't wait until a governor assigns something or the president assigns something. We could think together here, assign us here. So I think it's a blessing that we celebrate and we honor every religion and respect everybody belief. So saying that my vote is yes. Thank you council council president.

Thank you so much. I just want to say Patterson is a better community because of our diverse um cultural pot of greatness that that lives here in the city of Patterson. I had an opportunity to uh go by uh Kennedy High School uh this afternoon and I saw the wonderful display in their school that I want to just highlight uh Kennedy High School for all of the great display of the culture, of the clothing, of all of the artifacts and so many different things that are there. Uh that wasn't two minutes. Uh but madame clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. The votes are nine in favor, none against. Item number 20 is adopted.

Yeah. Item number 21, Madam Clerk. Okay. Item number 21. It's a resolution of the city of Patterson authorizing the submission of a request to the New Jersey urban enterprise zone authority for Patterson UE thermoplastic striping striping project and the city's urban enterprise zone in an amount not to exceed $495,750. So move second move by Councilman Colleague, second by Mims and Councilman Omar.

What number is this? This is item number 21. Um item 21, this is for the striping. Uh UZ has some extra dollars. You know, we need we've requested that. Council member Leisure, a big proponent of making sure we have the signage on the ground for the stop signs and all of that. And I'm glad that we were able to allocate some fund for that, Madame Clerk, and the urban enterprise zone. So, I'm really excited about this. It's been discussed in committee u many times and now the money is here. Very excited about that. Item 21. Discussion. Discussion. Councilman Jackson. This is uh this is embarrassment.

Oh, you got your your key to that. It's all right. I don't how could we spend half a million dollars on paying outside company when we can easily buy a machine and have this done inside in in house. This is Yo. I mean, it's crazy. You can buy a machine from anywhere. You can They have some on sale for $266, $18,000, $25,000. Um,

like 20 of them. Thermoplastic equipment. Okay. It's This is not rocket science. This is painting striped lines. We're spending half a million dollars to pay somebody to come in and paint stripe lines. We got our guys painting stripe lines all the time with regular paint. This I'm sorry. Oh, I'm saying you should see some of the work I've seen from council members. Allow him to speak so we can vote. Please

I mean what it's just like let me talk about it just so you can vote. You guys all know you're going to vote yes. This is ridiculous. says, "How are we going to spend $500,000 on striping?" The most expensive machine that I'm seeing is $25,000. The most expensive I'm sure even if we spent $100 grand, they have a truck here. A striping truck. Let me see. How much is a truck? Throw them. I mean, there's no price listed for the truck, but even if we spent a half a million dollars for a truck, at least we could strike the entire city. And this is crazy. Go ahead. Just go ahead doing what you guys are doing. Councilman Councilman Khalik, before you speak, in the document itself, Patterson, you've been complaining, advocating. There's a long list of areas that you have requested and every ward of the city that is attached. We will make sure uh we will give it to the public so you can see it. You've requested it. This is thermoplastic um striping which is more dur is more durable than the formal just paint that normally goes down. We have to make sure we put some more durable equipment down on the ground so it can endure the weather, the hazards and the conditions um that it has in the past. And that is why we're going a different route to make sure that we're not doing it over and over again. Councilman Khalik and then Council.

Thank you, Council President. It's a state contract. It's not only striping. Obviously, Councilman Jackson did not read everything. It's also the stop sign with the flashing lights on it. Okay. Is the equipment cost the I forgot is a breakdown on the attachment as well. Um, so it is not just the striping. It is the stop [snorts and clears throat] signs as well and they'll put they went through the whole ue easy zone and um is listing of the of the street where they're going to put the stop sign on is uh is attached as well. Thank you um council president

councilman. Okay. So so let me let me uh give you a little bit more information. This is an application they had to submit to uee to get the funding. Let's pray that they understand that we want to bring pedestrian safety in our city and that we identify UEC funding that they could help us with this. The other thing is we going to have like 18 or 20 intersection in the first ward that will be benefit on this because mainly are around schools and senior building etc etc. So saying that you know it's good. Let's move forward.

Let's let's vote. Madame clerk roll call. Roll call on item number 21. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you madam clerk. Um and you're right council colleagues. I get a lot of calls that that needs lines, that need stop signs, uh that need the yellow curbs and um this company here um will be able to get that done. Madame clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. My vote is yes. Councilman Jackson,

I'm so happy for technology. So happy for TV people being able I I have a constituent that just sent me a a a message 167,05 for the truck. It is absolutely absurd. It's ridiculous that we would I don't care where the money comes from. If it's a grant, we're going to just You can't spend it on

We're not We're not creating jobs. We're not creating more jobs here in the city. We're giving jobs away. So, we're talking about those who we have instead of hiring more people at at in that that division where where the director clearly came here the other day said, "No, there's plenty of vacancies, we save four plus million dollars on on u on doing the bulk. We're going to spend a half a million dollars to pay somebody else to come in here and do thermal striping." Like, wow. Whip whoop. Big deal. a half a million dollars that's leaving our city to pay somebody else. We could have jobs that's created locally and this is what this is what you're supporting. This is what you're voting for. Madam clerk, my vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik, once again is not only striping. We're buying a lot of uh up to date stop sign with the flashing lights on all the UE ue. They probably close close to cost probably more than $300,000 and we haven't gotten the quotes yet. This is just to apply to the state to get the funding. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Um, thank you, Madame Clerk. So, what we what we have in front of us is a resolution submitting the request to the state to apply for the funding. So when we put the request, we have to be very specific and and in detail on how we're going to spend that money. So So I'm not, you know, in I'm agree with Councilman Jackson in what in this sense not in we're not not with this idle because you see we putting a package together submitting with the state and we cannot use this money to purchase equipment and to do A B and C. We can't do that. Once we get the money, it have to be it have to be used the way we presented to the state. But in one way, we have to find a way to get some equipment to do some work in house. One of the thing that we have to do is we have to signalize the parking. We have to paint the parking. We have to start by district by word organizing that. And I want to be part of the DPW committee. I know council president removed me from the DPW committee. I'm not part of the DPW committee. Yes, council president. I'm not there no more. But I have I have a few item council president that I want to bring it forward to the department of public work and I want to have the discussion at the committee. One of the one of the item is to uh invest in some money and purchase the equipment like C Jackson say not hiding a company because we got to do this citywide. You go to Union City all the park they painting silize and all that. Here people they park the car in the middle to save another spot for another person. it it really creating a lot of problem. So have we have to organize that but I want to see that job done in house. I understand that this is something different and I'm and I'm in support of this because it's an application to the state and if we get the money it have to be spended the the way we we as the state to do. So with that being said my vote is yes madam clerk.

Thank you councilman councilman Omar. My vote is yes madam clerk. Thank you [clears throat] councilman nuden. My vote is yes mad clerk. Thank you, Councilman VZ.

Paul planning, we're going to be $2 million short. We cannot buy a truck right now. We cannot get hire people right now. We cannot do that right now. So, at least this application will put in advance that we could use the money with a private company because if we hire people, buy trucks right now, it's going to be more than $2 million in in in as taxpayer go down because salary, you know, benefit employees that cost money, right? So saying that we going to be $2 million short this money if they give it to us at least we advancing something in two we plan later on to put it in house my vote is yes yes councilman yes yes council president

so this is something that's definitely needed and just to uh to uh give the facts for council men I did not rem remove you from DPW you were never placed on the committee however if you would like to participate in the DPW committee Councilwoman Cotton is the chair and there are many times when she's there alone or maybe only two people. So if you would like to be in DPB committee meeting, please reach out to Councilwoman Cotton, you know, you can be in there. She's sometime by herself. She needs somebody and a partner to be in the meeting. So you have that open door cuz others don't attend. My vote is yes on this item. Madam clerk,

thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 21 is adopted. Item 22. Thank you. Item number 22 is a resolution. Yeah. All these of the city of Patterson authorizing the submission of a request to the New Jersey urban enterprise zone authority for Patterson UE solar powered stop sign project in the city's urban enterprise zone in an amount not to exceed 279. Move, 643.75.

Second. Moved by Councilman Mendes, VeZ, and uh Davala. Second by Council President Mims. Roll call on item 22. Madam Clerk, roll call on item number 22. Councilwoman Cotton, these are the flashing stop signs. Everybody move. Yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. Yes.

Counciloman Jackson. Thank you, Madam Clerk. See, this is where you know the people that sit here and talk blow hot smoke out their tailpipe have no they don't have any clue what they're talking about. He just This guy right here just said that the previous one for $495,000 included the flashing stop signs. Here we have a separate line item for $279,000 for flashing stop signs.

This guy over here talks about you can't buy anything wooded. You can only hire people. If you could buy flashing stop signs, why can't you buy a machine striper? What sense does that make? You can't use UEZ funding to buy equipment, but you can buy flashing stop signs. No, they won't let you. It doesn't where? Show me in where it it it's written that you they don't let you. This is ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense. I'm going to let you pay a contractor half a million dollars to come paint stripe lines around the city, but I'm not going to let you buy a striper.

It doesn't It doesn't make sense. We've purchased all kinds of things with UEZ. The garbage cans, the recycle bins, those flower pots that that's sitting over there in storage somewhere, the ones that got beat up. Uh uh uh the the the light signs. You can't buy a striper. What sense? Show me where it says that. Do not believe anything that comes out of the mouths of these people that's sitting here because this is what you call poor management. Poor management.

Instead of purchasing equipment so you can stripe lines forever and hire people inhouse to do it, we're going to go pay somebody else to do it for half a million dollars. Then then when somebody comes and and and chops up the road and it needs to be done again, they're going to come right back to to the council to ask for money from your tax dollars. This is ridiculous. We do these these signs. I can support this, but half a million dollars for a striper is ridiculous.

It's ridiculous, bro. Yeah, you you're absolutely correct because all the nonsense you were talking about had made no sense whatsoever. But when do you ever make sense? Well, occasionally you do and I support it when you do, but now you you you have no idea what you're talking about. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Khalik. I'm sorry, Councilman Mendes.

Okay. U Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um I mean once again, Patterson, um this item um um item number 22 is a resolution. So with this money with 279,643 is a UE money the resolution is authorizing the submission of a request to the state once you make a request to the state once you put a package together Patterson you have to be very specific remember those sign those stop sign the city have to purchase with the city budget through the public work but this time around I agree because we're going to use dollars now the difference between my approval to this my support to this legislation and the performing that the USC director and the team do is totally different. I'm saying yes because it makes sense because it's the right thing to do because you you cannot request money to buy stop sign and they buy the machine [clears throat] and build it. It doesn't work that way. When you submit a proposal to the state, you have to be specific on that and you have to spend the money the way you the way the requests say on the state. Clearly, once again, I'm not against doing working house. I truly believe that this city we should train our public work employees to do uh those line to paint to you know to do this type of work because we could we could create more job. they could get better pay and we could continue hiring local resident every I mean we all get this uh call asking people of Psonia asking us to help them get a job with the city we all do that so public work could be a good department the right department for us to train the workers that we have to move them to the next level and bring more people in absolutely look at the the the the uh the bulk that it's a mess

they disgrace, but they not doing that correctly. It is not DPW false. It's the lack of leadership from the administration. It's not public work faults. I totally know that. But going back to 22, you will see it's not true. Don't believe that. When you put a request to the state, you have to spend the money the correct way. All right. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Newton. Yes. Mineral Clark. Councilman Vez, [clears throat]

first of all, I want to say thank you uh to DPW, Superintendent of Traffic, Bobby Statururo, for the traffic uh uh engineering that we have in the city that went diligence through every UEZ zone, UE zone, uber enterprise zone to identify the need of first of all the striping of the four corners crosswalk or pedestrian safety issues that we have in the city. Now this goes alone and they identify that the money could be used also in UE zone to install not just a stop sign reflected stop sign with lights or whatever. The only thing that don't have a h a hand to stop you. You had to stop but at least they identify the need of every sector of uee including the first word. Meanwhile, we plan to get a new truck, painters or whatever and train them. At least this funding is out there to utilize it in the city of Patterson when other city are doing the same thing. [clears throat] And if you want to see progress, go to Norberen, Union City, and you see how they invest uee funding in a small city, in a small town. If they do it, we could do it. VA cash everything that we could cash out there to invest in our city and let's move it forward. You have a council at least in this side me and others to support it. My vote is yes to that.

Council president. Yes, madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor one. Madam clerk. Yes. I want to reconsider my

very quickly. First of all, let's not forget the UEE director that came here that could not answer any questions whatsoever about whatever is going on over there. Now, you're going to take, and this is just a matter to to the members of the public, we're going to take the the word of council members of what we can and cannot do when it's obvious like time and time again, I got to sit here and scald them over the over the incorrect uh uh quotes that they're giving each and every time. This right here is an example of poor management right now. It it is true. My my my toes are freezing in this room. We over spent for the boiler. This new boiler downstairs. We spent like it's something ridiculous. I don't even remember the number. Like $90,000 for a boiler that should have cost us $8,000. 90 grand. And we don't even have heat in this place. But these are just poor decisions that we continue to make. the stupid decisions that we continue to make spending money when we're going to call companies to come out here and overcharge us. We're getting overcharged for everything. This is why we're bleeding. This is why we got to go out and beg the state for $4 million because we can't afford to pay for anything cuz we keep these little things keep adding up. This is ridiculous. Madam clerk, I apologize. I I can't um sit still and listen to this rhetoric with these lies that people are telling. My vote is no.

Thank you, Council President. You Item number 33, Madam Clerk, I didn't announce the votes. The votes are You had to The votes are seven in favor, one against, and one absent. Item number 22. Item number 33, Madame Clerk. 33. Let's go to 33. Number 32. Item number 32. 33. 33. Okay. Sorry, Councilman. You can choose to me. Item number 30 is a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the city of Patterson and my home pathway. So move second. What is this?

33. That's roll call. Madam clerk. I'm sorry. Discussion. Discussion. Councilman Jackson pulled it off for a reason. Where's the uh where's the agreement? I don't even have what I don't even have the um resolution. Where's the memorandum mr ba? Mr. BA item number 33. Nothing information [snorts] is in the is the body. I um reading off I don't have the backup here in front of me. I would imagine that it was concluded in the work session last week as as an item leading up to this meeting. But you were you weren't here in the work session. I I was here. How can you imagine you were see you you were you were absent for that portion of it?

Gen generally speaking, right? the process is things are listed for work session with the backup. We know what the process is, but what what's what was the actual occurrence? Did we have a full discussion about this thing that I missed last week? I I don't recall I was here for the duration of the meeting. I don't recall this being a full discussion of the council last week. But do you have any Can you outline this for us? What's What are we doing here? I don't have any I don't have I personally don't have any color to add other than what's in the body of the resolution. So who's the who's the chair of health and service health and human services? Councilman is in the second whereas section it outlines what this is. It outlines I was there Mr. B the meeting at what cost?

This is connected to the financial empowerment center. This is the to when it comes to the counseling the homeowner readiness tools and community programming for residents that are fixing their credit. Uh first-time home buyers. This is the component that goes in conjunction with the financial empowerment center to make sure that the residents of Patterson are able to get on track and to increase their credit scores and able to fulfill the requirements of the firsttime home buyers program with community development. Mr. President and if I may as a vice chair if I can just state that in the body it also specifically uh the one two three fourth the fourth whereas thisou represents a good faith understanding of collaborative intentions and is not intended to create legal obligations or financial commitments. It's for one year.

U council president. This is Council Member. Yeah, this has a sensitive um sensitive. Why sensitive? Why is sensitive? She don't know. Let's put it for a vote. No, no, no, no, no. We No, no, hold on. I I want to make the right decision. Mr. Ba, Mr. Ba, uh Mr. Ba, we want to do the right decision. It looks good because it's going to empower people in the community, etc., etc. But it it would be healthy to uh table it to the next workshop and and and get theou are you making a motion to table? Yeah. Motion to table. Yeah.

Okay. So um at this time we would have to uh go into a vote. There's a motion on the floor to table. Um and just so that we're aware motion by Councilman VeZ and a second by Councilman Mendes and Jackson. Just so you're aware, we just had an initiative which is a part of the next couple items we have to vote on for the Dodge Fund Dodge Foundation grant dollars. If this item is removed and it it is not approved on tonight, what happens is all of those individuals like Mr. James Brown who gave his testimony and all of those those hundreds I think it was about 800 people that are getting funds will be shut down tonight. So I'm putting that on the record so that you'll know and they are watching. So let's go on the motion. There's a motion on the floor to remove in a discussion for the financial. You may one second.

You want to remove your council president. Council president I I will remove my listen if this is a time tens I will remove my motion to table it and open the discussion. But I need a full detail about yeah um the uh the the disagreement that we're getting with home pathway. So it's full detail. So yes so discussion so Mr. Ba so hold on let me I was in the discussion you don't have no he doesn't know he I want to clarify the this resolution is theouou whereas clauses specifically say that this is this is theou so whatever the council is voting on is to the extent of the four corners of this page. Yes,

which as Councilman Davis stated is it's about good faith, collaboration, and is not creating any legal or financial commitments for either parties. So, um I don't, you know, see much risk in the council moving this along if it's part of the larger package of getting the funding from the Dodge Foundation. So, where where come through the chair where where this home pathway is tied up with the other one that she 34? Let me see it 34 for a minute. Where is it? 34. I just want to see and marry them to see if one support the other. So because right now you're telling me

so this will not create no financial burden to the city, right? And I agree on that the pathway. But then she's saying that if we don't approve this one, they don't get the funding this side. So which one is is is the part that I want to know because here says here says

if this one is tied up the 33 is tied up with 34 right and if we don't approve this one and not saying that we don't approve it we're table and to see okay you specify that the memorand understanding is not going to change it's here it's printed here if I pull that memorand understanding it's only going to have this what I say here right it's only one page with four or five whereas if I pull out if I asked for the copy of the memo and understanding that you translated to and and MBA not putting they translated that memorandum understanding to one two three four five whereas so if I request

and we move forward today and I request that memorandum understanding and it's more that five six pers and there's a compromise thing that is tied up with number 34 that you're not going to you're not going to take money from the city and the city is not going to be responsible no financial burden to the city but in 35 we talking about money in 35 we talking about $150,000 okay uh 34 so councilman let me counsel let me just bring some clarity

item number 34 there are about five or six nonprofits in the community based on some of the cuts from the big beautiful bill from number 47 that they were going to lose funding. the city through the administration, they had to apply for some funds to assist entities like Pastor McComes and the Family Success Center, Eva's Village, some other of our nonforprofits to ensure that they would not lose funding and the employees, the city residents that Patterson residents that work in these programs would not lose jobs and and we would not lose funding to have those resources in the city.

But does it say we have a village here? One second. So 34 the Dodge Foundation based on the application and the interview process they are they accepted the grant and we have to support we have to vote on that after this item. This pathway is only the remediation tools that will be utilized to coordinate counseling sessions to coordinate when someone makes an appointment to get a home ownership class for a certification process. It is only a tool or resource that's used. That's all it is. There's no fee. There's no charge. That is all that is. So the company the company Dutch

Dodge Dutch I think it's not Yankees but Dutch Foundation is getting $150,000 from December 2025 to December 2026. There is no log of how many people they see every day. There's no log how many people they really help. There's no log. They take $125,000. You're telling me that this individuals are going to come here uh what's his name? Hope or whatever it is. Uh it's going to work for free and um they not going to get nothing. Um exactly. You know, so you got to tell me. Okay. And this is a a little bit a little bit understanding on this. BA

BA a little bit understanding this why why we need to do a memorandum understanding for them if they're going to be working for free and they going to get the money. You don't think that? Hold on. You don't think this is a like a contract for them to pay them or whatever and and you don't want to it's like a it's like giving money through the back door uh to a company that they pay them because I want to see now I want to see the memorandum understanding. So Mr. Ba please give an explanation and it's clear the item is here is a grant.

It's no money from the city. It's a grant. It's stated in the in the information. So I got to say like Jack is a grand allow the BA to speak Mr. BA please. So um my general understanding is the financial empowerment center has been a a net positive for the city and the funding for that was in doubt and the Dodge Foundation has stepped up to cover funding for several more years. So the 300,000 is coming from Dodge Foundation to the city to keep this going. Where do Foundation have their main office? I I I'm not in a position to answer where their main office is.

So, so this is this is see this is something see how many people you know that have gone to the financial um uh or purchase house they this is councilman. This is not the Dodgers Foundation first time assisting the city of Patterson. Before it was through before it was through NJCDC and then before that after after that it was um Patterson. Um NJC is still a partner. They're still a partner other council president. Would you still like to have council president? Uh, council president with with all due respect

when we talking about 34 right uh 33 say

I was okay to ask for time to to read the memorandum standing to see where it fit and we move forward but when when you have council president saying um if we don't approve this then the whoever get the don't get the money whoever came here don't get the money who don't get the money. If there's a personnel working on it, nobody should get money. It's a personal working orientating people for free. You paying the salary of people sitting there to orientate them how to fix their credit etc., et council president. I agree is a grand. Okay, let's waste it. But we want to see the result of it.

You know, you look look let let me let me let me make it clear. Now the mayor walk with a banner at every every event even to the Martin Luther King event. He walked with a banner talking about empowerment center. Now thanks God he not taking the the the banner to a funeral. But what I'm saying is that you promoting something. We want to know theou what this is had to be tied up to this one. If this is they going to be working for free. I I want to see that moment my understanding.

So we we have on the floor a motion to remove it by councilman. Councilman has removed it. We have a second at this point. Second. There's a second. Yes. Roll call to remove the item. Roll call. Madam clerk. Roll call to remove item number 33. To the next workshop. to the next workshop. Councilwoman Cotton. She said no. I'm sorry. She said no. Thank you. Councilwoman Daver,

I I I truly don't understand how is it that every time that something good comes our way for the city of Patterson, specific for our constituency.

Some council members just don't get it. I don't understand it. And it's obvious to me that they don't do their homework before they come here. They don't investigate. They don't ask questions. They want to come here. It goes through workshop. It goes through committees. It goes through so many things. My god, why? Something so simple. Something so simple. The Financial Empowerment Center has been helping over 2,000 people fix their credit. This is going to assist. It's there's no monies involved in terms of the city having to pay or being held liable for anything but to assist those. This uh uh um entity would be assisting with the home the the um the empowerment center and assisting and in in obtaining the funds that come through organizations like the Dodge uh uh foundation and other foundations. I don't understand it. I truly don't. I do not want to vote for this item to be removed for the next workshop. Madame clerk, my vote is no to remove from uh today's agenda. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Khilman Jackson, I'm

I don't understand it.

I don't understand it. I don't understand how council members don't think that there should be supportive documentation here. I don't understand how council members don't think that it's one it's one page document. Where's the where's the where's the where where's the the the the outline that Councilman Woman Mims talked about that said that one item impacts the other. She she she placed some statements on record to say that if we don't support this tonight, we're going to lose the funding. Where's that at? And what harm does it make when we're sitting here just trying to do our due diligence? How much money have we already squandered from UEE? How much money have we already wasted? How come the director of UEE came here and couldn't answer one one question? I I apologize UEZ. I know I'm talking about UEZ, but it's the same thing. When when it comes to this, you just made a statement. 2,000 people

bring forward the redacted um uh uh pages of all these people who's who have credit increases. How many homeowners have we created? How many first-time homeowners have we created? If we if we impacted 2,000 people and 2,000 people have positive in increases in their credit score, how many of them became homeowners? Where's the documentation? Where is it? You're the one saying that that is you you don't understand it. So, where is the stuff? Can you provide it? Do you have names for any of these people?

No, you don't have you don't have that information. So to say that somebody's sitting here trying to be responsible and trying to at least hold those people accountable that's that's bringing in these funds and you don't even have the information either. You can't see what what should have happened is you should have been able to outline and explain it to us, but you can't. You're just here ready to rubber stamp it, ready to vote yes. And that's why we're in the position we're in. So we're wasting money. We're wasting resources continuously. And this is where we this is where we are. While people make get big checks off of the city of Patterson, all these nonprofits is making all this money. And what do we have here? Go right outside and look how many people are sleeping outside in front of city hall. Go on the corner of of of Ward and Main Street. There's a woman that has a permanent residence here. Permanent residence in front of someone's store. Who's doing something about that? But we that's that we bringing in all this money on helping people change their credit, but we can't help somebody get get an apartment, get a get a get become a first a homeowner. No, we don't.

They haven't produced anything yet. Anything. Would you want us to continue to vote for this stuff blindly? My my vote is yes. The table, madam clerk. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khik,

my my vote is No to table. No. Okay. Thank you, Councilman Omar. I mean, Councilman Mendes. Sorry.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And let let me just be clear. Um and and I I in the beginning I supported the motion to table and not because not because the mayor going around with a banner, you know, all over the place. I'm running for mayor. I'm running and I'm I'm going all the way. And you know, there's a fight. But not I'm here I'm here conducting city business. If it's the right thing for the city I will approve it. If it's not I will absolutely not. But I got to tell you asking for information. Something that has been going out for years in this council is that people put legislation in front of the governing body understanding that there's no need for additional information. Understanding that there's no need for uh a report on a program. Um, I would like to know how many homeowners or how many first-time home buyer, how many people have been successful in this first-time homeboy pro home a homeowner program. I would like to know how many people fix their credit. It doesn't hurt. Honestly, it doesn't hurt. We're talking about 300. And the reason why I remove it, it's clear. It's one page agreement, but we're getting $300,000 uh from December 1st, 2025 to December 1st, 2027 to spend it uh through the Dutch Foundation. It's my understanding um Mr. VA that there's no money involved from the city side that we don't have we don't have to allocate any additional funding that the only uh the only fund is $300,000 through the Dutch Foundation. That's the only reason why. Now I asked how timesensitive this is because if we could have a more healthy discussion about the agreement with home pathway it will be helpful for me it will help me to make a smarter decision if you give me the opportunity to have a more discussion at the workshop I will ask you can you bring me a bring me a report

how many people fix their credit bring me a report about the first-time home buyer program because yes it's money that we having is a 300 $00 grant. But yes, we could use that money for something else. If there's a need in other area like our homeless our homeless population that has been going through it's just out of control. So we have an entity that that is working for the city of Patterville, but at the same time I would like to know the result. So my vote is yes to table it. Thank you Councilman Councilman Omar. My vote is not to Councilman Uden Council

Uden. So what is she talking about?

I totally agree that we need information that how many people are served or not. But my what what what I'm trying to understand the intention that why do I have to just know right here by sitting in the council meeting? Why not its interest grow every day that how this organization is serving the city? This financial empowerment is there. I understand the mayor is selling this product here and there saying that this was done and not but if we are so curious we could ask the administrations to answer the question during daytime through the email. We don't have to entertain this on the public right in front of the camera. We don't have to do that. I understand this so many people may be getting benefit out of this um you know financial empower center but if you really need to know the numbers and and and exact benefit out of it we could shoot an email to the BA and BA uh I mean through this request would you please send me an email as soon as you get the information that how many people are served to the um empowerment center um that would be beneficial but what bothers me that when we try to just ask those question just in front of camera and we wait for next Tuesday to come to entertain this matter again why not we shoot an email to the departments and find an answer I think that would be more professional way to moving forward but again I am well we can support or not support that's different matter but I like to see that is going to voting session so I'm against um to table it my vote is no

your vote is no Okay. No to table. Okay. Okay. Councilman, how do how does my home pathway make money?

Wow. I just Googled the company. Wow. Um, first of all, let's understand this. Of course, 34 is tied up with 33. You know why? because the Dutch Foundation is going to give $300,000 to the city of Patterson to the financial empowerment center. Okay? And in the 34, we had to accept the money to be able to move forward because they're going to take $150,000 and give it to the pathway to do and perform the job because the Dutch Foundation is not going to come here and do that. The Dove Foundation is going to give $300,000 to the financial empowerment center and they will be paying the service that this individual is going to be doing now.

Now, so once again, thank you for the Dodge Foundation, okay, for the generous donation. We will set a million like uh Bloomberg did, right? But we just want to know in the memorandum understanding after we approve this what's going to be the the the function when how many time they're going to spend here how many days they're going to spend here how many people they're going to see every day we don't see it and let me say this let me say this let me say this uh I'm not tableabling this because I'm not supporting it I just want more information ba just simple that you know and and and and and and basically we going to say probably when that information comes in and say you know what now we going to hold them accountable because the information is there but right now they cannot give us a list how many people really have been benefit on this people are being benefit on this um you know and and and see if they really are helping black and brown community in our You know, we had to look into all that. I'm not against empowering people, but we had to empower them the right way. At the end of the day,

their power do not last. Yes. To table. Council president. Yes. Okay. They be here. Council member, you have been here different years with different names. You have a point of order. You have voted. It is now my turn. If you want to have a discussion with Councilman Cotton, you can turn your mic off and walk down to her. You have just voted. Now it is my turn to vote. Your council president is getting to your head a lot. No, it's not getting to my head. You just voted because you didn't tell her that. You just said earlier in the meeting, you don't disrespect women. You don't I've been talking. I'm not disrespecting you. I saying that you told that to her. She's the one yelling from over there. You don't have the floor. Point of order. She's yelling from over there. Point of order.

You don't have the floor, Cal. Point of order. Okay. What is the point of order now? Point of order is this that we are in the middle of voting. You already voted and the council president has the floor. Why do you continue to disrespect? Wow. Council president. Uh let me tell you a merit this council president. Why you don't tell that? You just told that to Councilman. Councilman. Madame clerk. We need a new council. Yeah.

Oh yeah. Take me out. So, Matt, um, to the public, I'm not going to table this item. When I was at this council supported the financial empowerment center unanimously. So, in order for it to continue to function, it requires funds to help residents that are at 300 credit scores get to 800, 400 to get to 600, whatever that looks like, to make sure they have stability and to be able to purchase homes. Over 2500 people were they 2500 people were serviced last year. Many people got a lot of benefits, their credits were increased. We heard a lot of their testimonies and people are still going to the financial empowerment center. We in this case are receiving a grant and when they when someone says it's not time sensitive, you have to read your documents. The public is watching and one when we're speaking to all watching Streets of Christ from the first ward. Council member Le just asked me if I would bring someone to come. You are on national television recently giving your testimony. I am asking you to come to the council meeting so you can speak directly to Councilman Boez or call him in the morning cuz he's saying he wants to see one person. So Mr. James Brown, I would like Mr. James Brown would like you to come. Roll call. Madame clerk on item number 33.

I'm going to speak when I vote. Don't worry. All on item number 33. Councilwoman Cotton. Is a motion on the floor? Who motioned? Anybody motion? Okay. This table. Roll call. Madam clerk. 33. Table. Um, item number 33 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Cotton to vote. Councilwoman Cotton to vote on item 33. Councilwoman Cotton. To vote. I'm sorry. Yes. Councilwoman Dava in 2025. There you go.

We had 1,846 people assisted by the financial empowerment center. Who text you that? The mayor. Okay. No, Councilman. The mayor. I don't have to have the mayor text me information. All right. I'm getting it specifically from the financial empowerment center itself. Oh, that's conflict. vote.

So, but with that said, once again, and and I want to thank you, uh, Councilwoman, Council President, because this definitely is about continuing what has been started with this council approved. All right. I I I so appreciate our partner NJCDC because it is through them. I appreciate our director of health and human services that understands the necessity to go out and he assisted with this grant to be able to go out there to be able to get these monies. I appreciate the Dodge Foundation that will be assisting not just the financial empowerment center but in addition New Destiny and all these other uh nonprofits that will be getting assistance as well. You know, this is yes about uh uh helping you with uh uh increasing your credit score. It's about moving you to the next level. Buying, you know, being a first-time home owners, uh, a home buyer. It's it's about many things. I can tell you and I can attest because I've been not through the Financial Empowerment Center, but by someone who said to me, "If you want to fix your credit, go this way." It was just one individual who gave me a book and said, "Read this and follow it." And I did it on my own. Now, I have a college education. I have a master's degree. I'm in higher education, right? I did it by myself, right? But going, there are people that need someone, guidance, counseling, and you go in here, no questions asked, anything about your income, but what do you need? Let us assist you. And this is why I'm in full support. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jackson,

one thing that stands out is certain council members talking about they have receipts. So where's the receipts? Where these people at? Don't bark off numbers. And we have and then we going to bring one person forward who has not purchased a new home, who has not. I mean, listen, I'm sure there's some benefits to this, but how much are we investing in it and what is the return? Every single thing we do here should be accompanied by reports. We don't get any reports on anything. They just tell us what they want to want what they think we want to hear and we just supposed to go along with it. I cannot support anything that's not substantiated with any significant precedent evidence. Madame clerk, my vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik, my vote is yes, Madam Cler. Thank you, Councilman Mendes.

Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. So, um um I think that, you know, so some council members think that when we ask for information, we we work against a project. Uh and that that's definitely wrong. I think that we should ask for even more information and we understand that we voted support of the empowerment center but we need to have a report on how effective it how they doing. I'm in the real estate business. I don't know the first property that it came out from the a first-time home buyer from home from this program. So we have the right to ask question. I'm not I'm not I'm not gonna I don't want to go against a $300,000 grant that have nothing that the city have to add any portion on. I understand that, you know, I don't I'm not I'm not naive. I understand government, but at the same time, we have to think about what we doing because when some council member ask for explanation or request or information report, it feel like we all over again. um you know and I'm I'm not basing my decision based on politic uh but at the same time I'm going to ask for a full report on how many firsttime home buyer new first-time home buyer we have from this program from the empowerment center how many people fix their credit name address uh you know I need a full detail on how effective let me close with this we all remember the business empowerment center we all remember I'm not going to just name. I just I just need the data. When I mean with details, I need a effective data. We all remember the uh business incubator. Do we know how much money how many millions of dollars we put we put on the business incubator and it failed. So we need it's all we have all the right as a legislator to ask for whether

it's a grant whether it's not supported all that. We have all the right to act. Councilman, council me, your time is up. Please vote. And and by and by the way. Yes. Absolutely. If I support a project and it fail, I give the benefit of the doubt. It's not, you know, it's my it's my responsibility as a legislator to support a project and this administration's responsibility to make it work. Don't don't get it twisted. We can't. It's your responsibility. Nobody know just because it's your responsibility to Councilman Jackson. He has this legislation every single item. We are on item 34.

Every single item you support. Hey, have some respect. I have the floor on this item. Item 33. My vote is yes on item 33. Your vote is yes, Councilman. Thank you. 33 or 323. Flip flop. Omar. Thank you, Councilman Newton. Thank you, uh, Madame Clark. So,

look, I heard when uh, every time mayor speaks and I see so many of our council members stand by, he mentioned numbers that how many people are uh, benefited by. But I say one thing that first time to me about financial empower center when there was a testimony by one of the lady he posted on the social media who gave her testimony that how she was benefited by the empowerment center but again yes we we can we have right to know that how many people comparatively the investment that we are making that getting benefit out of it. I think this is not the first time we raise the topic. I think one day um I forgot the name of the uh person that who is involved to it about the homelessness situation. He answered few questions. We may not satisfy with that answer but again um I feel that financial empower center is something that at least we can navigate people toward too who is going through financial crisis who do not know how to build the credit cuz we can see as an educator in the city of Patterson I can see there are so many of our students and former students making good money but they do not know how to take care of their credits so that's another advice I think we need counsel And if I'm not knowledgeable about the um organization called my home pathway and I'm I'm pretty sure that the the organization who's um certified and counseling about financial uh situation and how someone can repair the credit and become the home buyers. With that expectation, I like to see thatou taking place. And uh before I vote for the second item, I have some discussion of course, but um thisou my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman VZ. Go to the workshop meeting last week.

And uh when we started the workshop meeting, it was one, two, three goes to where? Three, four, five goes to here. Five, six, seven goes to here. And um a for no that she didn't finish and and the problem is that and I asked that at least read the title because the residents over there know don't know what 1 2 3 is 5 46 is but now we are here in 33 and 34 right now we're in 33 you know when we want to make this request BA you're going to notice this our professor Davillaa is going to say that we didn't homework work. Our professor Dav is going to say that she had two masters, she's got a doctorate or whatever only because we ask questions because we ask questions and we want to make sure that it's vetted the right way. So because we don't have a master and doctorate in education and we're not professor so we should not get educated. But in one thing is that she sit in two committee here. One is is she said in a human services committee and also in the financial committee and she just say do your homework. She responsible to highlight the counseling workshop what this means. Now at the end of the day because we don't get all the details of it because we not in that committee. She tried to slander you don't have education, you don't have this, we have that and whatever. That happened a lot. You're going to notice that you could go to the videos. We want you going to bring the facts or you want to say something that really matters to the city of Pas then the people on the other side don't know nothing. But she knows everything. I just want to know the rate of dropout of PCC and people

that transfer to Bergen Bergen College because her duties on PCC are failures. So saying that so saying that that's why she got traffic to pake that's why she got traffic to pake councilwoman Davala let him speak so one thing I got to say is that questions are question and I think it's due notice that we want to know where the money is going even it's not our money but it's vested in the resident city pass and the data will help to make sure that other people is attracted to bring more money even donated to this type program saying that because I didn't got all the information intel of this uh resolution. My vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Council President. So, I just want to say to the public, we are here voting on items. We should not be here to take jabs at council members, say who's not doing their job. When it comes to items on the agenda, every councilman is open to ask questions. If you if you should have asked it at the workshop, you had every right to ask a question, say item number seven, item number whatever. And you did not do that. So to come and say it wasn't rushed. If you wanted to stop it, you could have. Don't make excuses in the following meeting based on the way that you're going to vote.

We're here to do the city's business. I will repeat it again. If you want to talk about a particular item on the agenda, we can do that. That's what the workshop is for. But workshop is for that. We should not be talking at workshop then back to the regular meeting saying the same thing. The community heard you last week. So at that point, madame clerk, I'm going to do what they didn't do. I'm voting uh yes for this item. Thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two against. Item number 33 is hereby adopted. Item 32, Madam Clerk. 32 34. Item 32, Madam Clerk. Item number 30.

I had related questions. Any um so resolution authorizing the award of contract to language line services inc for the for in-person interpretation and document transcript transcription services under the New Jersey state contract for the fire department fire resolution number 26 col0. Moved by Councilwoman uh Davlin Mim, second by Councilman Mendes, colleague and Uden. Roll call. Discussion. Discussion on item 32. $120,000 for translation.

I'm sorry. I I I I didn't get any information on this uh this item. So, can someone outline what are we paying $120,000 for? So, um, don't everybody jump at it at once, council, um, woman Davala. So, I I I want to say this, right? These these items are discussed in committee. There we go. And with the directors and the chiefs and this is important because I think the overall Oh, I'm sorry.

Apologies. I said that these items are discussed in committee. We have the chief of fire. We have the chief of police. We have the director. Uh the committee obtains this information. It's sent through email to us. Um it goes through workshop. Right. But I I I do want to say this. I can pretty much give you an overall that it is, if you're asking me the amount of money and why it's the amount of money. This is what the chief requested in terms of the translation services. It is a state contract. It is something that we've done in the past. And so when it comes before us, right, I do expect Mr. Ba that the directors and the chiefs are here because they can better defend, right? I could give an overall and just read exactly what's in the reso. All right. Um, so

well, they weren't here just like they were not here. So th this item, right? Because what was asked was what is this item? This item is for their language line. When people are calling into dispatch and they maybe there's a possibility that it needs to be interpreted by a different language, they use this system for that. That is what this item is for. That is what's c what Councilman Jackson asked. Um and I know that was his question. Councilman Jackson,

my my my point is I I understand that this is a translation line and I'm sure that um we have a a plethora of people who call who need those assist that assistance. But do we have a report from last year of what you know how many callers are we taking on? How how often is the service being utilized? Do we have a report on anything that we're paying for? Is there a report on on on on the effectiveness of of this this particular service of the company? I mean, I I definitely understand I trust the chief's judgment, but do we have a report? Cuz initially, I pulled it off because as I'm going through these items, they're on consent. So, not understanding fully, I didn't, you know, if the discussion is had in committee, the the purpose of committee is to bring that discussion to the to the full council,

right? and to to throw it on um on uh on consent was not appropriate at the time. So is there is there an accompany report? Do you guys who were all in committee did they come back with the report for how many calls of service that we had for for last year or anything? I believe it was in the amount um and I don't want to be quoted on it, but we it was in the amount about like 30,000 40,000 phone calls. I think it was probably more to the translation line 30,000 calls. Well, no, not specifically. I think the

Well, this is what we're paying for. So to the to to the BA, can we just give clear definitives to Councilman Jackson going forward on the report based on the call detail report from the fire department as it relates to this item or any other item that has been requested that will be needed um in the future. Council President, Councilman, so you telling me that let's believe somebody called 911 or 9 321 1111. We don't have bilingual dispatchers. Not for every language. That's a This is for every language. Council for every language. Okay, I got you. Now,

we have 77 dialects in the city. So, I'm sure we don't have it for everything. So, the the the company is located in California, 4 hours different. The There's another company that uh this went through RFP. No, this is a state. Oh, it's a state contract. And there's no state contract in the state of New Jersey that does the same um work. Any state contract? State of New Jersey. State contract. This company is from California. It's a state contract. Okay. It's a state contract, but it's California. So,

it's California. Are they do they have a state contract in New Jersey that could surrender this service? Right. 100 and they had to go to a state of California to surrender. Council President, very briefly, mayor, Mr. Ba,

um, the CFO just looked up last year's report, about 100,000 was expended on these services. So, the number 120 is a not to exceed amount based on last year's experience. And to answer your question about the location of of this, I would imagine that anyone in this business is a 247 business regardless of what coast they're on. So the state contracts are open to bid to all companies throughout the United States. And these the this group to to get the state contract bid, you have to you have to come in with the best proposal and the best price to get that exclusive contract. So I would imagine they're a 24/7 operation. I'll confirm that, but I I can't imagine how they would stay in business by having limited hours. It's called the cooperative agreement. That's exactly what it's called. Okay. So let's go to California.

Madam clerk, roll call. Roll call on item number 32 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Counciloman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. Councilman Ugen, yes. Councilman Vez, thank you, Mr. Ba, for clarifying that the state contract is open for every state. That's that's good to know. My vote is yes because the finance sha. Council President, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are nine in favor. Item number 33 is 32 is adopted.

Item 34, Madam Clerk. Number 34. Okay. Item number 34. It's a resolution authorizing the city of Patterson Financial Empowerment Center to accept grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation uh health and human services resolution number 260 46 second discussion move by councilwoman Davala second by council president mention councilman Odin donations

thank you council president so um Mr. BA, you have heard enough questions, argument, discussions regarding that the $300,000 that coming from the Geraldine Dodge Foundation is going to the pathway home pathway is there's nowhere it says that it said that we are getting money that $300,000 to empower center but nowhere is mentioned that this money is going to the my home pathway. aware that the theou you just voted in. Can you please clarify that matter? So before you clarify that is not what I said,

right? I said the home path that we just voted on is the process in which they will schedule the counseling services and to put in place the scoring system for people that have their whatever their credit score and a methodology to use to track it. That's what I said. This item is specifically outlined. One second. Cuz you said I'm not addressing you con suppressing anyway.

No, but you said it was said. The BA didn't say it. I did. So that's why I'm addressing it cuz you said it was said. This particular item is very clearly outlined in the document as to who will receive the benefits. Eva's Village uh family success center. It is in the document who will receive and it's not just 300,000. It will actually total 2.6 6 million in the grant that will be provided to these entities that would have been sliced funding based on things that were reduced based um from the the bill that came through on the White House. That's why this item was applied for. They interviewed uh the city received it and these um nonforprofits are very excited that they can continue on helping people in the community. So, I wanted to bring clarity because you asked and that's not what I stated. Uh, council president I'm sorry for um uh not what you what I have stated ex exactly but um what I in general uh question to BA I did not actually mention your name or I didn't actually address you at all uh but general question to the BA is that the argument that took place right here that we are going getting intoou andou uh which is the home uh my home pathway that we just voted for item number 33 three and we were discussing that we are u you know sending this money over to them that was kind of confusion there but I don't see that kind of wording is there that's exactly what I'm stating cuz I don't want to give the public the misinformation that we are awarding or getting to thisou and we are going to spend this money from Dodge Foundation to the home uh the my home pathway this is not what exactly that contract stand It is the and and that's why I wanted Mr. Ba to state it that the found the money is

coming to the S power center how this is going to benefit the resident of the city of Patterson. I wanted that from you to come cuz look when we the politicians are speaking the council members we we are stating the way it favors us or favors our next elections. So I want you to state it to make sure that the public get the correct information from you. Council President, may I Mr. Ba?

So, um I I didn't make a statement that that's that statement was made somewhere passing tonight. Doesn't matter doesn't matter who. Um but um um the the the the resolution that already passed regarding my home pathway explicitly said that this is a good faith understanding of collaborative intentions and is not intended to create legal obligations or financial commitments. Amazing.

So, the council passed that. So, um, if there's any attempt subsequently for any money to move from Dodge or the city to my home pathway, I I will make the council aware of that. I'm not saying that's in the plans, but based on these two items as they stand, um, my understanding is there's no transfer of money to that other organization. That organization is helping us deliver this product, getting people the resources they need. But I I I hear the council and um, I I will have a report within a week to kind of fill in some of the gaps that were discussed here tonight. Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Roll call on item number 34. We on 34, right? Um, Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davala,

I once again, you know, we were council president and I were in the church where there was um all of these nonprofit entities. uh our director of health and human services explained how we applied for for this application. NJC is a partner. NJC is going to be obtaining the funds to be able to hire uh financial counselors. All right. And with that said, it's my understanding um that NJC has raised over $200,000 um themselves. All right. So, um, once again, I I'm just appreciative, thankful. Thank you for investing in Patterson and our constituency. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Uh, Councilman Khalik. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. My body is yes, Madagar. My vote is yes, thank you, Councilman [clears throat] Nuden. Yes. Councilman Vez,

I got to trust the legal department that they doing the right um thing here. Um accepting this donation. Uh looking here the dust donation foundation is a private philanthropy foundation 5013C and such organization typically grant fund to other nonprofits educational institutions or community collaboration not directly to any government identity given directly to a city operating budget or candidate will be outside typical foundation practice. So in other words, if we are the first city receiving funding from the Dutch Foundation, we okay. They always donate to nonprofit organization out there. So saying that, judging that everything is done the right way. So um we're going to move forward to offset that donation $300,000. My vote is yes.

Thank you, council president. My vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 34 is hereby adopted. Item 35, madame clerk. Item number 35. The resolution. Hold on. Resolution authorizing an award of contract to Collaborative Research LLC for consulting services to provide technical assistance clinical quality management services for the division of Ryan White of the Department of Health and Human Services RFP number 2025-30.1 Health and Human Services Resolution number 26 047.

So moved by Councilwoman Dava, second by Councilwoman Mims. Roll call on item 35. Roll call on item number 35. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davliner. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Ryan White. No. Councilman Khalig. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes. Councilman Omar. Yes. Councilman Uden. Yes. Madam Clark. Councilman Vez. That's regular, but like always, I voted yes. Council President. Yes. Votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 35 is adopted. Item 36, pad clerk. Yes.

36. Item number 36, a resolution authorizing an award of contract to collaborative research LLC for consulting services to provide quality assurance monitoring services for the division of Ryan White of the Department of Health and Human Services. RFP number 2025-31.1 um health and human services item. What's was the resolution? Hold on one second. Let me get the resolution number. Resolution number 26 col048. Moved by Councilwoman Davala. Second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call on 36. Madam clerk, roll call on item number 36. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Council Councilman Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

No. Okay. Councilman Khik. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes. Councilman Omar. Yes. Madam Councilman Uden. Councilman Odin. Are you voting? Yes. Thank you. Councilman VeZ. Council President. Yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 36 is adopted. Item 39, Madam Clerk. Item number 39,

resolution authorizing submission of a grant application and agreement to the New Jersey Department of Transportation local freight impact fund. It's item number 39 that is a public works item resolution number 26 col051. Moved by councilwoman Davis, second by council my colleague. Roll call on item number 39. Madam clerk. Roll call on item number 39. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava. I Mike, I'm sorry I can't hear you.

Okay. What was your vote, Councilwoman? Your mic is She said yes, Madam Cler. She said yes. Thank you so much. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Khik. Yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes. Madam Clerk. Councilman Omar. Yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Uden. Yes. Councilman Vez. Absent. Where is he? She's not here. My vote is yes. My vote is yes, madam clerk. He's not here [snorts] outside. Councilwoman M. I voted yes, madam clerk. That's got to be a post at nine in favor resolution. Item number 39 is about item number 40. Madam clerk, he can vote for

item number 40 is a resolution authorizing the solicitation of bids for the 21st Avenue streetscape project bid number 26.10. 10 for the engineering division of the department of public works. Public works item resolution number 26 col052. So move moved by Councilman um Mendes and VZ. Second by Councilman Omar. Roll call on item number 40. Discussion. Councilman Jackson. What what are we doing here? We just we did the streetscape on 21st. What what where's the details of what's what we're going out to uh for a bid for? The sidewalk.

What are you looking for? The sidewalk. The sidewalks. Council President, if I may, just to answer. Councilman, it's the sidewalks between summer from Yeah. from Madison down to summer. This was something that was started, I believe, before my time here. So, so sidewalks are the responsibilities of the property owner. So, we're going out to bid to pay for this for for what? What money? is up. It's only three three feet. Where where's the money supposed to be coming from to pay for this?

We got sidewalks on Main Street that need to be repaired. We have sidewalks over the entire city. We have we have a uh the the Washington Street where we that's our property more or less. the the entire farmers market district that that can that need desperately needs a makeover. There's all kinds of locations in the city. We just recently did the 21st Avenue um you know uh uh uh streetscape and we're going back. We're double dipping. We're going back before any other place gets any any attention. Was located last year. We're talking about sidewalks. Sidewalks. Sidewalks.

I I believe the funding was already allocated years ago, right? Yes. Yes. Yes. The funding is already allocated. Yes. Correct. This is just the finish. From where? Where's this funding funding? I wasn't on the council on that, Mr. CFO. I want to say there's a grant for this, but I do have to look it up. It was grand, right? [snorts] It was from the transportation trust fund DOT. Yes, he's D. I think this is from like 2021. Council members, council members, 21, right? Council members, to the CFO, could you please provide that information that has been requested uh to the councilman in regards to uh the grant funding that was approved to finish this project?

Says nothing here about no grant funding. Please send that information to the councilman. Council President, may I council? Uh I recall that um when councilman Abdel Laziz was the councilman of six ward,

there was a a project approved uh study and everything and the parking authority even it was involved uh to do the new landscape of the sidewalks. Um and because even that the sidewalk is owner is part but we have it responsible 3 ft before the the owner that is is is responsible that we could do it and then landscape is going to be a little bit a little bit into this out of the streets and all that stuff. It's a nice beautiful project. I believe that even I believe some ARP money also was involved in this way back for the study for for them and then department of transportation did something to give some money. I deli took pride of this project. The the u the association of of uh business owner 247.

Thank you council is waiting for this. So let's not delay. Let's move forward. Thank you. Roll call. Madam clerk. Roll call on item number 40. Councilwoman Cotton. Coun. Yes. Where is she? She said yes. Okay. I didn't see her. I'm sorry. Councilwoman Dav. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. What's amazing, but not but expected, we have eight council members here prepared to vote yes. No, none of them can tell you where the money came from. He shows me an old article of $500,000, which we all know $500,000 doesn't go long at all. All of the work that was already done on 21st Avenue, but yet we're going out to bid. This does not outline anything about some previous grants that was not approp fully appropriated or fully expended. It says nothing about that. We're going out to bid. But my point is, if there was money that wasn't utilized and now we're going to do the sidewalks for free for the for those business owners, most of which who don't reside in the city, but we're going to redo their sidewalks when there's other parts of the city that desperately needs attention.

Well, here we go. Madam Clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik, my vote is no, Madam Clerk. No. Okay. Councilman um Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. So listen, on item number 40, we go right now. We're soliciting a bit. Uh I recall the project, but once we get uh once we get the result of the bid, we're going to we're going to be able to uh decide how the bid is coming back and then I will make my final decision if I approve it or not. And by that time, Mr. CFO, please. Uh, all right, Mr. CFO, please by that time send me that information. I I'm I almost remember the agreement on the project, the 21st Fin. I I don't remember this. I don't remember the exact amount, but I want to make sure that is included with this within this project. So before we get the answer on the bid, I need that information to make a informed decision on uh whether we approving the project or not. My vote is yes, just for go out for a bit.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Thank you uh Madame Clerk. This money was allocated in 2020. Uh I want to thank Mayor Andre Ser. I want to thank our former six ward councilman and now our assemblyman Albaziz for starting the work and I look forward to overseeing the work and thank you councilman for clarifying that information. With that being said, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you councilman Uden. Wow. Holy moly. Councilman Uden. My vote is yes. Thank you Councilman.

So 21st Avenue between Madison Avenue and Summer Street is a mixeduse zone. 21st Avenue if you look on top of all the business are residential. to say that they don't live there. They live there. The people if you go and Oprah the tax record I know business owners that live in Patterson that they own property in 21st Avenue

and I know people that raise their kids in those property that call business. Okay. So they need to know a little bit the area a little bit um to say they don't they don't live in Patterson. So beside they live in Patterson. Not that's an entry from Route 80. Had to be beautified. They needed it. And I haven't finished them. I haven't sewn. Okay. Ring it. My vote is yes. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. The votes are seven in favor, two uh against. Item number 40 is adopted.

Item 42. Madame Clerk. Item number 42, the resolution to amend resolution number 24 539 authorizing award of contract to Land Associates, Inc. to provide the design and construction documents for the renovation and addition to the building at 125-13 Ellison Street for the Division of Engineering of the Department of Public Works. Resolution number 26 col054 public works. Is there a move? Moved by Councilman Veles. Is there a second? Second by Councilwoman Cotton. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Roll call on item number 42. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilwoman Jackson. I'm sorry. I apologize, Madam Clerk. They they sent the spy over here to distract me. Spy. She [laughter] came over here with no answers. No answers to the questions. That's a good one. I'mma pass till I until you come back. Where are we on 42? Yes. Yes. Councilman Khalik, my vote is yes for no cler. Thank you. Councilman Mendes, my vote is yes, mad. Thank you. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, madam cler. Councilman Uden, yes. Councilman Vez,

I want to pass. I'll see if I don't if he convince me to vote no. Councilman Jackson, some people have no original thoughts of their own. [laughter] Um, so I mean here we are. It's a one pager. We're resolution authorizing the award of contract for loan associates. The award of contract for for what exactly? What are we doing here? We uh if I may No, wait a minute. I'm the chair. I can tell them what they're looking for.

Doesn't matter. You sure enough? Send a text. Where you going? Yeah. You got to let me down. Yeah. You need to announce it. Come on. All right, guys. Come here. Let's continue. It's 1:13 a.m. It is cold here. No, we got a lot to do. We still got a lot more. It's cold, man. You have to go. We still got a lot more. Go away. You don't feel the Yeah, I feel kind of It's chilling here. It's chilling. We still got corn. We could move forward. Councilman Jackson, continue, please.

Hey, C. Council President wasn't his idol. Can't do the next item. We're in roll call. No. Councilman Jackson, understand the process. Council Jackson, would you like to pass? I did pass and it came back to me already. Council, would you like to vote? I'm looking for the uh the the the contract amount. Contract amount. They're going up for bid. He's going to make design resolution authorizing the award of contract. That's right. That's a good to lane associates to provide. Okay. If there's an award of contract, it says authorizing the award of contract for the discussion.

Okay. So, they you think they're going to do that for free? They're going to consult how to do that for free. I mean, it has to be that has to They requested a six-month extension with money without money. Councilman, Councilman Jackson is has the floor. We want to know the money. We're voting. My vote is no. Okay. Councilman Veles

is due notice here that in the warehouse says that the land associate is requesting six month extension uh to be uh contract uh until June 30. Uh BA you we need to be a little bit more specific on this. going to vote no because if you could extend the contract in amount of money had to be reflected here what the extension is because what I'm afraid is that they're going to come back saying amending the contract to a prize that they already render service uh my vote is no council president no thank you

vote is no okay you said no thank Yes. The votes are six in favor, three against. Item number 42 is hereby adopted. Item number 40. No, that won't have any. That was 42. Item 43. Madam clerk. 43. No one number 43. Oh, second. All right.

Item number 43 is a resolution authorizing award of contract to colonelli brothers incent and the director answer question.

Yes, that's what was stated. It did. Okay. That's why I couldn't find it. Okay. It's fine. Okay. Thank you. It's fine. It was supposed It was fine. It was supposed to be on consent. Madam clerk, can we just read the item into the Can we eat? It was supposed to be on consent, but can we read into the record since it's on consent and we can vote it through? Item 43. Item number 43 on consent resolution authorizing award of contract. The Colonelli Brothers, Inc. for emergency sewer lateral repairs bid number 26.02 for the division of engineering of the Department of Public Works. Public works item resolution number 26 colon055. So move

moved by council le second by councilwoman Mims. Roll call on item 43. Oh cotton. I'm sorry. I didn't move by council member. Second by council cotton. Roll call on item 43. Madam clerk. Roll call on item number 43. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Counciloman Khalik. Oh he's gone. Councilman uh Mendes. Yes. Thank you. Councilman Omar is yes. Councilman Newton. Yes. Councilman VeZ. Yes. Thank you. And Council President. Yes, Madam Clerk.

Those are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 43 is adopted. Item 52, Madame Clerk. Okay. 52. Item number 52. Not yet. Well, item 52. Number 52 is a resolution authorizing an award of contract to Sevidas LLC for consultant services to administer the CB CDBG homeowner re rehabilitation program for the department of community development RFP number 2026-14 community development

resolution number 26 col06 moved by council second by council Mendes roll call on item number 52 roll call on item number 52 counciloman Cotton I'm sorry. I'm sorry. She voted already. She voted. She said yes. She did say yes. Council McCoten, did you say yes? Of course. She said yes. It's in the document. Yes. I'm sorry, but council council mad uh her she said yes. Okay. But you're No, she was just saying her microphone is is voted yes. Okay, she voted yes. Thank you, Councilwoman Davlin.

Yes. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

So, here we are shuffling it through. We've been having a very difficult time with these contractors that's been [clears throat] getting hired to do these homeowner re rehabilitation. We had a a contractor, I mean a a resident that participated in this program and has had nothing but problems and issues with the work that's being done, you know. Um, who's vet who who vetted this this contractor? Councilman, we're in the middle of roll call. We're in the middle of voting.

He voted no. Madam clerk, Councilman Jackson voted. Councilwoman, he voted no, Madam Clerk. Thank you very much, Councilman um Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. this this program, you know, the rehabilitation program for the department of economic development is extremely important for Patterson resident. I've been promoting this program. I know um I have a a few third world war resident um that they've been getting the benefit for uh to renew the the roof, the siding, the windows. Uh and it's money up there. If you own a single family home, you get $15,000. If you have a two family house, you qualify for $30,000. And if and if you have a three family house, you qualify for $45,000 to repair, to change, you know, to fix your house, whether there's roofing, sighting, window. So, we we have to continue promoting this program. I'm just going to say this. I know the director's not here. Um, and I know um CVITA, it went out for a bit. They are the lowest and responsible bidder based on their qualification. And I know there are place on South Carolina. Um, you know, it doesn't matter the state, but I just want to make sure that that we clear about the community that we serving that we need people on the department in house to help our resident go through the application. We have a lot of senior, we have a lot of homeowners that they don't understand the process. I just want to make sure that the department uh has some people uh ready that Barbara Mlan has some people ready to help those resident with the application and to navigate through the process to make sure that they get those funding to fix their property. My vote is yes madam clerk.

Thank you councilman Omar. My vote is yes madam clerk. Thank you councilman nuden. Yes. Councilman VeZ, you know, when we when we speak about contract and um making sure that money is really invested, I I I believe the economic development uh department is doing a great job. I look at the request of proposed evaluation worksheet. Um all the evidence are here, the scores and everything. So, um I don't think that department is going to be playing with uh CVG money or or any federal funding money just to throw it out the drain. So, my vote is yes to support this. Council President,

my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 52 is adopted. Item 54, Madam Clerk. Sure. 54.

Item number 54 is a resolution authorizing tax collector to recall third-party leans and purge erroneous taxes on lot six in block 5303, also known as 308 Dixon Avenue, owned by City of Patterson Finance. Resolution number 26 col 066. M moved by Councilwoman Cotton, second by Councilwoman Davala. Roll call on item 54. Madam clerk, roll call on item number 54. Councilwoman Cotton4. 54. Yes. Your vote. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. Thank you, Councilman Jackson. Yes.

Council Mendes. Um uh yeah, my vote is yes, Mad CL. How old is plation about? My vote is yes. Madam clerk, councilman nuden. Yes. Yes. Councilman. Council president. Yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 56 is adopted. Item 55. Madam clerk. I need one of this. Give me. Give me. Item number 55.

56 will be next. Resolution authorizing solicitation of bids for the 2026 citywide road resurfacing program bid number 26.12 for the division of engineering in the department of public works public works resolution number 26 colon 067 second moved by councilwoman councilwoman Dava and mim second by Mendes Uden and roll call discussion gracias

uh Uh before discussion, Council Jackson on page two, the streets are outlined. Maitelland, Emerson, Lynwood, Roster, Patterson, A Marian Street, the second word list. Second word list. Finally, we're getting over to that section. Councilman Jackson, the amount you have, but of course it's there's a solicitation of bids, but there has to be a certification. It's a sale bid process.

So, so um through the chair, Mr. Ba, Mr. CFO, can you give me I need the last two years what we spent on ro resurfacing each year. a full report on what we spent on road resurfacing each day. Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number 55. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson.

So again, um this is another one of those items that I'm I I I believe we're grossly overpaying for. This is a service that we should be inhouse doing this stuff in house. Um, moving forward, we're going to change the way things are done here. My vote is no, madam clerk. Thank you, Councilman Khalik. Councilman Khik. Thank Thank you, Madame Clerk. Thank you for my council colleague. I believe you will pass. Mhm.

You know, the road resurfacing is very important. Uh, we always complain about about it, but the meeting [snorts] Uh, I'm not going to go there. My vote is yes. Thank you, Council Mendes.

I thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm not only supporting my third war, I'm supporting resurface on the entire city of Patterson. I'm supporting the second war as well. Every resident deserve to have the work done. And let's remind all the t all the resident of the city of Patterson that nothing happened without this city, this council approving it. Uh so take take pride and take credit for that as well because it's uh 127 in the morning and we here uh putting approving and voting in this project to make sure that those pro that those street get resurfacing. My vote is yes. Thank you Councilman Omar. My vote is yes m Thank you [snorts] council Uden.

My vote is yes. Councilman Vez. I'm happy that past year 90% of my street have been paved. Is fair enough that second W gets this uh repavement. I'm saying that 90% of my work got paved. I just saying that's fair that you know you your ward get uh paid because I'm tired getting potholes over there in my flat tires, you know. So that's good. My vote is yes. Thank you, council president. My vote is yes to pave the street. Votes are eight in favor, one against. Item number 55 is now adopted. Item 56, let's hope this goes smoother. Item number 563 authorizing I'm sorry, which one is that?

Item number 56 is a resolution authorizing the solicitation of bids for the road resurfacing portion of 19th Avenue, Beckwith Avenue, and Robert Street. Bid number 26 colon 2 26.13 for the division of engineering of department of public works public works resolution number 26 colon 068 second move. So moved by councilwoman Davis second by mems Mendes and roll call on item number 56. Roll call on item number 56. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davlin,

I'm just so excited to see that these um the solicitation of bids are going out for uh these streets. I was just on Robert Street and let me tell you, it's not called Robert Street, but Rocky Road and I'll leave it at that. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Pick out many streets, Clinton Street. uh uh Garfield Avenue, tons of streets that's can be categorized as rocky roads, but we keep keep spending way too much money to have these uh roads resurfaced um incorrectly and it's not having it's not being done properly. My madam clerk, my vote is no. Councilman Khalik,

my vote is yes. Councilwoman Mendes um the resident of the third war 19th Avenue is on this list. 19th Avenue from Breland all the way to Route 20. Stay tuned when the weather get better will will be done. My vote is spent clerk is yes. Thank you. Councilman Omar to the residents on Robert Street. We are finally addressing one big concern. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you Councilman Uden. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Vez. [snorts] So, you know, I I I support a lot the uh speed resurfing, but this Bethwick Avenue is an industrial area, you know, um

portion portion up to the dead end to to all the way down from the bridge of Route 80 all the way down to the end. It It's a dead end. Okay. Best way goes through behind classic No, that's the one side of the room. You take Becky has the floor. So I know what I'm I know what I'm talking on the right side. On the right side you have a bunch of uh industrial area and the left side you had the highway. Beckwith Avenue leads you to res.

It says here Batthew Avenue, sir. I'm reading right from 21st Avenue to the dead end. So that's under the bridge going to the dead end on 24/7 making a left all the way down to the dead end. So that is a D is an industrial area. That's a good idea. Uh I would like to be a if it's possible u to the administration make the approach especially those industrial area Beth Avenue between 21st Avenue you know behind the uh uh the boys and girls club

that's beswick that the one they talking about dead end area is industrial to see if the administration could go and talk to them to see if they want to do the road and because mainly our trucks that go through there. So there's no residential. So to see if they want to do with the city and we've saved the money, but saying that, my vote is yes for now. Council President, when we're paving streets and the community requested, it's not a lot of discussion. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. Both are eight in favor, one against. Item number 56 is adopted.

Item 57, Madam Clerk. Item 57. Item number 5. 57. It's a resolution authorizing an award of contract to deblock environmental services for water waste collection system operation services for the city's combined sewer system. uh RFP number 2026-13 public works resolution number 26 col069

so moved moved by councilwoman cot and second by councilwoman mems roll call on discussion councilman Jackson so uh I don't know if if VA knows this is this for the vacuuming services that's going on in those uh in who's the chair of DPW W Council McCarten. So, this is the currently who's the company that's doing it? What is it? I'm sorry. Same company. Same company.

No. So, so this is the company that's vacuuming the um the the waste collection across from Wendy's. I'm not sure if this is that company, but we've had this contract for the past three years. So, what are they doing? You're asking what this resolution is doing? Yes. The the block is a is a licensed water professional. So, they're they're they're like above and beyond where our councilman

Yeah, but you can't hear. They are above and beyond what our municipal engineer and DPW can do with our sewer system. So, I mean, our our people's capabilities are they're they're limited to an extent. So, any anything above and beyond that, they're our go-to source. So, every every municipality has a licensed water professional. Any municipality that has a sewer oper a sewer system that they operate themselves has a a consulting company that that they work with. When it comes to something that is more than just your basic fix or your basic tweak that that told me nothing about what are they doing if I may if I may what are they doing I know I know something about it please.

No no no this is really like the combined sewer combined sewer and what happened is that like I said before we're never going to see in our lifetime our combined system separated. Um but as the road as they repair sewer lines they are separating it but the federal government requires us to to file reports. Well federal government and the state of New Jersey requires us to file reports on every time we do any kind of uh line change or we um um separate our sewer line combined and whatever they require someone and this company is a company that we have always been using. They have the uh in our engineering department, we do not have anybody that can file the reports or file the permits that we need that the federal government and the state of New Jersey requires us to have. This is what that company does. This company here,

which I don't understand what you outlined. I think that maybe the next time. So, are they a consultant that's writing Yeah. uh reports? Yes. They're not collecting waste water. Oh, no. They're not collecting. They're not collecting. It says wastewater collection. Yeah, but they have to file the reports and next time maybe the next time there's a street opening that the sewer main done break. Well, maybe we can go look at it and then you can see how they can they still got to do the reports. They're they're filing reports. So, they're fixing the sewer main.

They're not fixing it. They're filing the reports that we need to fix. So, this is this the same company that a few years ago that that was that was uh when they said we we were paying fines for sewage overruns and when I asked for the report on the dates, they said, "No, no, Councilman, we we just pay an average on yearly." So, there could have been no sewer overruns and we're paying a company $300,000 instead of putting monitoring systems in these these This is why I'm asking. So, we have multiple companies in the city making money off the city. We have vacuum companies that's here every morning when we own our own vacuum trucks. We have uh monitoring companies that's here to monitor the whether there whether or not there's overflows and whether or not we're we're spilling into the violating the Clean Water Act and spilling into the river. So, I'm asking specifically, what is this contract for? Because the state of New Jersey and the federal government requires us to file reports and this company does that for us. They're not picking up waste. They're not doing none of that. They're just making sure that

now now therefore be resolved the municipal council of the city of Patterson as follows. that the contract wastewater collection system operate services for the city combined sewer system uh be awarded the deep block environmental services for Huer Woodland Park New Jersey doesn't say anything about reports that the mayor and clerk are hereby authorized ex to execute this agreement with the DB block that the that the city clerk directed published notice that a copy of the contract his resolution shall be available for view but is there there's no contract cont. There's no copy of the contract here for me to review it and I and I have to um vote on it.

So, um you had two bids and um DB block was the lowest bid. You had Remington and Bernick engineering firm. The these are basically like engineering firms that [clears throat] has the expertise, the licenses that the state of New Jersey require, the licenses that the federal government requires for them to file reports. I can't as a person and you can't file reports cuz we're not licensed to file reports. So, all right. I I'm not going to No, I want I want I want the VA please get the contract that we have with

council council councilwoman as a chair. It's obvious that you have no idea what this is for. The first whereas it says whereas there exist a need to contract for wastewater collection system operation systems for the city combined sewer system. It doesn't say anything about reports pursuant to the advertising four vendors request proposal for two proposals for were received for wastewater collection system operation. I'm asking what is this wastewater system collection operation like? So Mr. BA Mr. BA, we have a CSO, yes,

plan that was approved by this this council. Could you please provide that information to Councilman Jackson to show him exactly because it's is not just for reports is actually for the outline of the Cso plan that we're required through the New Jersey waterways bill that um is a bill if we're not in compliance with it, we would have to pay $10,000 per day as a municipality. Could you please provide the details of all of that outline to Councilman Jackson and the rest of the council members so that everyone is fully aware of when these items come before us that they know that this is a part of the Cso plan on the long-term plan that we have in place to ensure that when it floods in our city like in areas like

[clears throat] um 19th A and different parts of the city that's on this plan that this is in place. So if we have to go um and to remove the drainage that this allows for that to happen. So if you can provide that to all council members. Um we haven't reviewed that in a while and I think it's important just to give an send the information so everyone's on the same page. How does this allow that to happen? Council President, he he will send that Mr. B. We're prepared to I'm aware you're asking the question. I'm asking you how I mean I'm asking you to outline it not just for me but the public that's watching. How does this item that we're ready to vote on now that was just clearly being shuffled through.

How does this item impact what you're talking about for that? Mr. Ba, he doesn't know. He doesn't have he just got here. He doesn't have any idea. For all intents and purposes, the block is your sewer operator.

That's that's that's the answer. We have a municipal engineer. We have DPW day-to-day staff. But this company is equipped to handle a sewer system that is the size of the city of Patterson. All these road paving uh projects that that the council move forward to initiate these funds are they're they're drawn down on because they need to get involved in every one of those projects. They have to map out the sewer pieces. They have to do do you know recommend installments. So their their work is is continuous. And this is a not to exceed number. This is not a check for 306,000. This is based on as needed, when needed, and and you can imagine that they're needed quite often because things happen all the time. Our municipal engineer who left a couple weeks ago and we're working to replace him and our day-to-day DPW staff. Sure, they do an incredible job, but there's only so much that they are trained to do.

So, that's that's the position. Yes, Councilman Mendes.

Thank you. uh before I mean the scope of the work is not on the body of this resolution and I understand that especially in the third war 19th Avenue uh 18th Avenue 17 Brilland I have a major problem with our sewer system there uh we've been we've been working for for years to restore that uh you know I cannot say no but it's but it's important to get the full scope of the work that they planning to do from January the 1st to December uh for 306 6,000 was what's going to be doable do what what does 306 covered because the number is there for a reason and the the 306,000 figure is out for a reason. They're looking to do A B C and D within a year. So that's what I need to know. Okay. Thank you, Council President. Council President Council President

Councilman Veles. Thank you. So I don't know if I'm missing documents here uh but this was a RFP uh Mr. VA normally when our fee uh is they go to bid right and I don't see who was the lower who's a lot the the highest bidder here only I see the score of performance um where is the u because only two individuals pick up well at um four individual pick up two participate

and um you know what was the amount of the lower uh the highest and um and it's not no it's not here that's why I don't I don't see it here um you know normally we have higher lower and you know in the paper we don't see it how much um the Remington Mr. BA the Hold on. The Remington uh Reese engineer how much Mr. BA uh let me finish my question. Have you asked them how what is the amount?

Let me finish. What was the uh the lower you know what was the the amount that they put for the RFP?

So So my understanding is that the um Thank you, Council President. That uh this is not bidding in the traditional sense like a road project where the lowest qualified bid. This is a um RFPs are tech are typically which bid is the most responsive to the the the proposal put out. So usually that's on a scoring basis based on whomever the committee is. So it's not that analysis the dollars and cents can play into it, but it's not like a traditional public project that's bid and the lowest quote gets it. So, so this this company is going to be overseas or super or whatever the the like we used to have framework grown here way back with another company and he was the engineer in that time through this company. if this company is going to do what he used to do when he was in that company like he's the one certified to work with the the the CFO you know the u the sewer and all that stuff