Council - Regular Meeting

And p.m. Madam clerk please call the roll.

Councilwoman offered here. Councilwoman cotton is present Council vice president that the last president. Councilman Jackson is president councilman colleague president.

Councilman man does the best press on the court.

Councilman Omar president clerk Councilman the last president clerk.

Council president man, I am here ready to serve.

We have form.

Madam clerk statement of compliance please.

Before I read the statement of compliance, just a small announcement. We are having technical issues since last week with Optimum Channel 77. There's something with the audio feed. It's still in the works. That is the only place where we're having that technical issue. Everywhere else, they hear us fine. In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and JSA 10-4-6 at SEC, adequate notice of the time and place was included in the annual meeting schedule adopted by the Council at its reorganization meeting held on July 1, 2026. Set notice was posted in the City Hall's bulletin boards, posted to the City's website, and transmitted to the official newspapers designated to receive such notices in addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices.

Thank you. At this time, Councilman Mendez, thank you. He's asked me to lead the prayer, and then I believe Councilman Mendez will do the flag salute, correct? Everyone please stand.

Who's praying? Who's praying? Oh, sorry. All right.

Let us pray. God, our Father, we thank you because this is the day that you have made, and from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, your name is worthy to be praised. God, we thank you for a great opportunity to be here to do the business of the city of Patterson. We pray for the mayor, every council member, every employee, and every resident of this great city. God, we pray that this meeting will be decently and done in order, according to 1 Corinthians 14 and 10. God, we thank you because this is the city of righteousness, and great things are happening in the city of Patterson. Can we do better? Yes. Are things the greatest? No. But we serve a great God. And because we serve a great God that heals, that delivers, that sets free, and that is the righteous judge, he can make all things well. And God, we are blessed to know that we are under your tutelage, under your covering, and under your protection. And this is what we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Amen.

We have the American flag to our right. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please remain standing for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. You might be seated. Madam Clerk, consent agenda.

Council President.

CONSENT AGENDA ARE ITEMS 6-26. ALL MATTERS LISTED ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE BY THE COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. ANY ITEM MAY BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT BY THE REQUEST OF ANY COUNCIL MEMBER AND IF SO REMOVED WILL BE TREATED AS A SEPARATE MATTER.

SO MOVED. SECOND. Councilman Kali by Council of vice president of the second by Council president Mims and the last the last that a more Councilman come in and then that I don't I don't I don't number 15 seen I'd like to have it as a regular. It's in a 16 we will vote on that.

13 and 1615 and 615 and 16. Roll call, madam clerk discussion.

Discussion Councilman Jackson said we move in touch and so as a point of order to the chair, madam clerk. I'm trying to get some clarity based on parliamentary procedure and policies and practices of the Council. I'm trying to figure out when does the council have the authority or any council member has the authority to work unilaterally outside of the scope of a collective decision.

Councilman, that is not on the agenda.

It's a parliamentary question.

It's not on the agenda. It's not on the agenda and we're moving forward. We're not moving forward.

This is a discussion about this item. No, it's not. It is. It's a collective vote.

It's a collective vote and it's a point of order.

Madam clerk, I would ask you respectfully to answer my question relative to this the these items that we're voting on now as we're voting on these items of the Council doing it collectively for point of measure to the public when does the Council have the authority to to act in unison to unilaterally make decisions that impact the community.

I don't think that I understand truthfully what your question is Councilman you're asking at what point can the Council as a body make a decision.

I didn't say as a body, I said individually a unilateral individual decision When is it allowed to be made? We're voting now, collectively, we're voting on the consent agenda, which we all discussed and agreed upon. The actions and duties that take place within these chambers is a council action. I'm asking you as a parliamentarian, when does the council have the authority, any council member have the authority or ability to act in unison?

Madam clerk, we're moving forward. Roll call, Madam clerk.

Wait, wait, wait. Madam clerk, point of order.

Roll call, Madam clerk.

You're going to allow Madam clerk, as a parliamentarian, you're going to allow my question not to be answered? Roll call, Madam clerk. I'm asking you a parliamentary question that's very relative to every vote you take.

One thing that I would like to point out, when there is a point of order on the floor, it is through the is up to the council president to decide. Afterwards when someone calls a point of order when someone calls a point of order, everything essentially takes a so you know to not continue what you're saying is I call point of order is in Council president has the decision of whether or not my point of order carries merit. i am saying that count according to council rules it is council president to acknowledge if there is that point of order if if we proceed if there was something wrong that was said how we move forward from that point of order thank you those rules have been there respectfully councilman though to get back to your original question i'm sorry i'm still not understanding what you're asking thank you roll call madam okay you'll understand it when i file an ethics complaint fine

Because it is your obligation and your duty to make sure this council functions within the confines of the bylaws and the laws. The council president does not have the authority to unilaterally pass over a legitimate request. Anytime I make a point of order, if that's the case, the council president can control order and control operations of anything that's being done illegally, as in this case. As in this case. Well, you're telling me that you that you're acknowledging in your own allowance in an agreement with the county president making a decision role that bears the burden of the council in totality matter or role is that what you're saying roll call now you're saying you're sitting there as the as the clerk the license clerk and you're going to allow for the council president to make a unilateral decision that impacts the entire community on her own behalf without council but I don't madam clerk roll call.

Okay, I'm going to I'm going to proceed with the roll call. Yes at this time there are no rules that are being broken this is a roll call for consent items excluding items 1516 roll call, madam clerk 1315 1516 roll call, madam clerk 1516 for the record. Councilwoman offered. Councilwoman cotton testing.

Councilman cotton consent agenda.

These are for consent agenda items 6 to 26 excluding 1516 1516 she said 15.

Council McCartan.

Thank you madam clerk my vote is yes.

Council Vice President Davila.

My apologies. I understood 13 and 15, but it's 15 and 16. My vote is yes.

Yes, 15 and 16. Thank you. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's be clear to the members of the public. What we're watching right now is a blatant disregard of government. The council works as a body. Any decisions that take place in this chamber, any decisions that take place that has a regard to the city that has anything to do with the council, it must become before the public as an official act. There is no council person. I don't care what position they hold. They think they're wearing a queen's crown or a king's hat. There is no person that bears more authority over any other council member. The practices and policies of the president is merely to hold the order in which the meeting is held. The council president does not get to determine whether or not a point of order has merit. That's the job of the parliamentarian. But we know that she's been coerced. We know that she's been hired on the hand of the mayor as the assistance of other council members. And it is to do exactly this. to make sure that this team you cannot trust has full control and bearing. And you know what it's going to do? It's going to cost the city money. It's going to cost the city money, because we violated the First Amendment. And we'll get into that more as the night goes on. We violated somebody's constitutional rights. We cannot. Am I in approval of some certain things that were said? Possibly not. But guess what? Everybody has the right to do so. And the outline in the letter that was sent out talking about it was threatening, there was never one threat made from that podium. If there was, why wasn't that person placed under arrest the night of the event? But this is what we're doing. This is the black on black crime that takes place when people, instead of making sure that the constituency has their rights protected, We get in line to violate those rights. And we bring our aliases that should be holding the line and making sure our rights are protected, but they work in collaboration and conjunction with this illegal behavior. We're going to hear about this all night tonight. My vote is no.

Thank you. Councilman Kalik.

Thank you, thank you, madam for what the person who always bring up race is you come from and Jackson since I've been sitting here for what more than a year years almost past 8 years and you should you should do what you preach my vote is yes for consent agenda.

Councilman Mendez, yes, I think I'll send you the money clerk. Councilman Omar.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just do want to point out for the six board residents, on the consent agenda is a resolution for road resurfacing in the UEZ, which you will hear about later. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Velez.

Through the Chair, Madam Clerk, thank you once again. We are voting on a consent agenda. A lot of good things are happening, but I just want to clear the public here a little bit. Under Robert rules order the presiding officer in this case the chair, the president of the Council rules on a point of order. A member raise it by saying point order the chair recognize it the point and normally respond with either the point is well taken or the point is not well taken that is the facts. That's why I always keep the robber's rules of order in my desk. And it's sad. It is sad. I know people have rough days and a rough day. But to take it up in our clerk, I never sold this before. People going after the clerk and her person said, And she has a license. She's certified by the state of New Jersey and the most high qualified that we interview in this city. We had to stop the nonsense. We are here to follow Robert Roode's order. If you want to clap his nonsense, you could do so. But this is the facts. The chair acknowledge the point of order. And if somebody want to challenge that point of order, then you take it to a vote, and then we vote it up and down. That's the Robert Roosevelt order. Saying that, let's do business. My vote is yes.

President Mims. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Opposed any questions please by the fact that second madam clerk. Post a question vote on the post a person this month to go.

Roll call on that question. Councilwoman offered yes. Councilwoman cotton. Council as president Davila.

Oppose the question.

to stop the questioning, correct?

Yes. Yes. And there's no discussion in oppose the question.

Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Yet again, yet again, he's incorrect.

There is no such thing as a council vote like one of the water point of order that has been broken and a if a really good question and I was like that's been broken. There is no the and I was just as a rule that I'm Clark and that he's talking about is obviously question he's probably there is no debate and a pulse of probably drink we all know he does a roll call with and I know this is the kind of activity is taking place.

They're not trying to tell you know this will not happen tonight is when I was no discussion and this will not happen tonight will have a very very long night, no we will not we have a very long night and Councilman I would like to see the Council would try to take action to bar me from the announcement and then.

What is just going to go. Councilman Omar the vote is yes, my clerk.

Councilman the lines.

The state and the city of Paterson residents to serve a better conduct and meeting my what is yes.

And then yes call the vote now for. Motion is approved. Call the other vote now for.

Consent agenda items 6 through 26 are here by adopted.

Thank you I'm Clark number 15.

RESOLUTION 15 IS A RESOLUTION ADDRESSING A NEW ENTERTAINMENT SHOW LICENSE FOR NAGUERO SPORT BAR LLC IN THE FIRST WARD 439 TODOWA AVENUE. THIS IS RESOLUTION 26-394 AND IT IS FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEZ. IS THERE A SECOND? Second the second by a man and as a discussion counts, my colleague and the councilmen that think thank you.

Council president, my council colleague this location is the old Corona bar. Right in front of school 5. It's been closed for more than 2 years, I believe there were many issues in their place. Since it's been shut down, it's been very quiet in that neighborhood area, in that section by Redwood Avenue. I used to get many complaints about it. I've seen this place open for a month or so. It's been open already. I think they don't have an entertainment license, but they are probably selling liquors and the bar is open. Mr. Bia, Is this a new ownership, or what is going on with this place, or the old owner? And there were many tickets were given previously, as I recall, serving minors. Drugs, prostitution, even stay suspended the license for that entity previously. Mr. Bia? Mr. Bia?

Councilman, I don't want to speak incorrectly, so I'm not in a position to discuss the specifics. I would not have an objection to holding this item if you feel it requires further vetting.

Council President.

This probably went through a finance committee meeting that perhaps you were not at, but it went through the committee process where the supporting documentation was part of it. But I don't want to speak.

Council President.

I that's Florida.

Yeah, it's a resolution with councilman and that's within the resolution of think about the president I understand that there was a lot of issues with this. Stop this man back in the day a lot of legal activity. I don't know if he's a new owner. I don't know who's running the business now. But in order for me to vote, I would like to have all the information, proper information. And if he's a new owner, we would like to see the new owner to have a conversation with the new owner and make sure that he's going to be a good neighbor in that section because there was a lot of illegal activity way back. So I just need to know if there's a new owner. And if that's the case, he should be present. Thank you.

One second, Mr. Bia. Councilman Velez.

Madam President, to the Chair, to the BEA, and Mr. Pabushi, and my Councilman Mendez, and Councilman Kalik, the application is split by itself. As my colleagues stated, that in the past, yes, for the past three years, it's been closed. addressing abc issues and and state mandatory penalties it was resolved that's why it's under new under new owner the license abc was entertained by the abc locally uh board uh you can see it attached in the back is under a new name okay it's under A new owner okay, the license of ABC is under new owner. The property had been cosmetic fix is not what you used to see before. And they requested the new entertainment license that that that and new whole license because you could have music in your establishment, but if you want to bring bands or you want to bring a DJ, a simple DJ, you're required to have a new entertainment license. But the records here shows there's a new owner on premise, there's a new license given to Oh, they purchased probably the license or whatever. The state allows them to sell the license, and the license is under Noguero Sport Bar, and a new owner established on the license. It's up to you guys, sorry, up to you colleagues to move forward, but I don't see nothing here that prevent a new business owner to take a bad neighbor in the past and put it in the right place. So far, I have seen the place. I've tried to there. It looks different. and I believe any issues there ABC will probably tested here, but it's not saying that comes president which you will fall for both.

Council vice president that a lot.

Thank you very much so you know I don't I don't think we should be moving on. I think that a councilman colleagues. Question is valid. um i do not know it is this application in front of us they go through licensing and it does say new entertainment and dance hall that is correct councilman colleague's question if i heard it correctly was is this person is this the same owner And so I would I would question that I know that you don't have it in front of you that is something that would have to go to Mary and look at the previous ownership under the other name and then it come back to us because you know we have seen that that happens in in in our city that CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS PASS ON, YOU KNOW, THEY BECOME A SILENT OWNER AND PUT NAMES UNDER OTHER INDIVIDUALS, BUT IT STILL IS THE SAME ESTABLISHMENT, JUST WITH A DIFFERENT NAME. SO, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WOULD SAY THAT THIS SHOULD BE TABLED FOR RIGHT NOW UNTIL WE GET THAT INFORMATION. I'M NOT READY TO VOTE ON IT. IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES, THAT'S DIFFERENT, BUT WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, I WILL VOTE, BECAUSE WE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES IN THAT AREA, A LOT OF ISSUES. That is where I stand on items 15 to 16.

Councilman offer.

I have a question. I'm looking at the last page which have 2 incidents that happened just months ago. Am I correct one of them. I don't know this is an entertainment life, I don't understand that the motive vehicle.

Council President, two calls.

Yeah, the last page, I'm not sure why, and I don't, B.A., if you can check into that, I don't know why they have their personal accident report attached. It should be things pertaining to the license, but I do...

No, it's because that this is the think as a president when people have accident dispatch tax and give us the axe the address are you located on yet that probably my house is there and they could be my address I got to find a lot of calls a service director to that but nothing pertaining to THE ESTABLISHMENT, OF COURSE, ACCIDENT, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT, THEY GIVE A CALL OF SERVICE TO THE ADDRESS IN THE AREA, SO IT'S GOING TO SHOW THAT I COULD STAND IN EVERY CORNER AT EVERY BUSINESS HERE THAT HAD PROBLEMS AND KEEP ON CALLING POLICE AND TELLING THEM THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND THERE'S REALLY NO PROBLEM HERE.

So just back to the point I was going to make, Mr. B.A., perhaps that's something that should not be listed as a part of the calls to service if it does not directly pertain to the entity itself. This is a new applicant, a new person, so this should not be included. So that could be something we could talk to OIC about and Public Safety Committee.

Council President. Council McCott. I don't think that when they do call of service, they go by addresses. When they get there, they do not know what's there. They just go by address 459. I got a call. I guess it was a motor vehicle accident. I think that whatever issue that they had before that, this has been on the agenda for a whole week. somebody could have called and asked for calls of service from the previous owner which was shut down for two years already. It's been closed for two years. So I think that they should have called for service for two years ago to see what happened or show us now that this was a problem location which we have nothing in front of us. We don't even know If the owner is the same if they may not be they may be related they may not be related, I don't know like how we know if some as a cousin of how we know when they go downstairs to license and I don't understand that so I can't see why we need to stop this thank you.

Thank you councilman Jackson.

So first of all, in accordance to the ABC policy and practices, anytime there's a call for service that's in the area, it doesn't matter. There's plenty of times that the area can be getting calls for service that has absolutely nothing to do with the business, but it winds up on the report. My question to council members and their concern, I get it. There was a derelict owner there. But obviously there's a new owner. The place has a facelift outside, which looks completely different. The place used to be dilapidated, used to be covered with graffiti. They have a new sign. They've spent money in there. They've gone through the process. This Council does not have the scrutiny of of of of scrutinize the applicant on things that they have no control over holding them accountable for past activities does nothing but open up the city for potential lawsuit if you look at the interior pitches because they don't have anything else is a new business they spent a substantial amount of money in this place. looking to revitalize what has been vacant and what has been derelict for maybe 10 plus years. I don't understand how it is especially considering when you outline that the everything is supposed to go through a process is supposed to be vetted to committee is supposed to be talked about a workshop how we get here in a voting session now and council members want to pull it for a vote. That in itself opens up a question of scrutiny, and it opens up the city to litigation. But I'm willing to pay.

Council President.

Council President. Councilman Khalid, and then we can determine whether they're going to.

Like I said before, do what you preach. You have done it many times, you pull the item from the consent agenda. This is only the first time I'm doing it because I wasn't here last week at the workshop. Do what you preach, Councilman Jackson. And this entity is right in front of a school. Grammar school. And like I said, for the last two years or so, it's been quite in that section. Otherwise, every weekend is a chaos over there in that corner, in that section, basically. So I request, Council President, to pull these two items. We'll have a discussion with the new owners of NSE. That's my request. See what we can do. Thank you.

I just got on the councilman the last correct there is a request on the floor to police who I don't know because there's a move that there's a for there's a person a second on wait a minute.

Well that there's a motion on the floor yet, but before that was a motion by Councilman Kali second by Councilman double to put items 15 and 16 discussion Council of the last and then Councilman that thank you can suppose that once again let's set the record clear not because the certificate ownership of the building and the House is on the previous owner of the bar means that he's operating that bar Let's be clear not because the building the owner of the building is the previous operator of the bar means that he's operating the bar that's one thing second. I trust in our ABC enforcement in the city of Patterson and their board. They not going to invest money in fixing the establishment for operation if they didn't came to the ABC and if the previous owner was sanctioned by the state Of course, he cannot operate. He could sell the license to another person. He's the owner of the building and the property could be grandfathered with another name and operation because they went through the ABC rules and regulations. An entertainment license is just to make sure that they are compliance when any ABC agent goes there and entertainment and cover, charge cover.

That's what was on. We of past operate they went to the system local now has a risk in the south and i think we should not judge operating uh this was back again and then We all that were creating problem. I was not the councilman. Now, before, and let me say this, this owner, that it was a big and forth. She owns a on Union Avenue. So I just. So. The record. Because now. Two business. Or with the app. Oh, this one. And I don't think it's fair for. Of that business. Thank you.

The second.

I guess.

Now that. Zabla removes her second, and Councillor McCulloch removes his motion. Councillor Mendez, and then roll call.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. We need to have something clear. Just by the simple fact that we just take any item out of the agenda, that doesn't mean that we're going against the application. So we're not denying the application by taking the item out of the agenda and have a conversation with the new owner. I understand and I have confirmation it is the new owner. in the city of Paterson, but it's very important that the councilman visit the business because we cannot take the call for service in the past. It's a new owner, but we got to make sure that he's a good neighbor because Paterson is one of the oldest state in the state of New Jersey. We have a lot of business of residential zone, so he have a residential, a two-family house on the right side, And it's a neighborhood so we got him we got to make sure that he's a good neighbor we got to make sure he's going to work with his community to make sure that everybody live in peace and he's going to be able to do business the right way. That conversation need to take place and it's a new owner I think that we can move forward but the council have to make sure that he's going to do the right thing.

Council President. Wait one second I'm a little confused. Because it was mentioned that this is the same owner. So if it is the same owner, then there's a serious problem. On the certificate, it is not the same owner that there was a concern with. There's a totally different name on this application.

The owner of the property is the same.

But the person that applied is not the same. So we can't put that on the record that it's the same person that applied under someone else's name. That's a problem. application is not under that same lady's name. This is a totally different name on this application. So I heard what was stated, but that's not what's under the certificate.

Once again, that's why I clarified.

Others are before you, but I just want you to look at that. It is not the same name. That's why I brought it up.

the owner and feed the mean the owner of the properties total different of the right to take it. I the problem is as a typical cup of sea. But their friend the rise, but now the building.

Council of the last Councilman that says the floor is only different government that's he spoke on.

I just conclude, and what we have to pay attention is the name of the application on the ABC. Correct. If you're planning to open a bar and maybe council a building, and his name is going to be on the application because the owner of the building, for whatever reason. Please, let's pay attention to the application itself, not the building. The building had nothing to do with the license. And I conclude, Council President, that we could move forward.

Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT? COUNCIL, MY COLLEAGUE. I DON'T WANT TO PROLONG THIS. I SEE IN THE COUNCIL WE HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION. I REMOVE MY MOTION. YES. WE COULD VOTE UP OR DOWN. THIS IS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OR TWO FAMILIES AND THREE FAMILY HOUSES AROUND THIS ENTITY. ALSO RIGHT IN FRONT OF SCHOOL NUMBER FIVE. BESIDES THAT, I SEE IT'S A SMALL LITTLE PLACE. On the description number 12 they're going to have dancers there. What was that what kind of this is it is you see number 12 on the application. I don't know to they're going to have dancers there so I'm just wondering of course that's the people that go down some of the last.

Council members I rest, yes, the House of the Jackson and the matter vote on item.

is not a it's not an arm of enforcement it's not an enforcement agency come here and predetermine gonna commit an offense it's a brand new owner has not several hundred thousand dollars money into to have this place vacated. We should have made an investment. You can't come the final hour, pull the license, and then make an accusation of what are they going to be doing. It's like a cop pulling you over saying, well, I think you're thinking about speeding. There's no probable cause in the action. You can't just come here and say, well, what the previous owner's done, and then place judgment. And then what's more concerning is that, oh, it was the last owner, the one who, oh, yeah, by the way, I got reports that there's minors drinking. But now we want to back when a backtrack on it because we know that again jump into conclusions making a wrong assessments if it's here for a vote is here for its same license is not the code of conduct is not for loud noise is not for and if there's anything else the council wants to do it and collectively the license should have been called from a B C but you make a trip. We will transfer they went and they went there's a process you have to get you have to get background checked you have to pay the money there's an entire process you got to go through not only with the local abc board here in the city that's appointed by the mayor you also got to go through the state abc clearance they've done all of that and here you you have council making decisions or it's not their liquor license entertainment license well if you don't play the game and so realistically what kind of business is somebody have they don't have access to look up to it to look to a to a to a statement license. So you're hindering that there. Enduring ability to pay the bills tendering the ability for them to pay taxes and you put them in a detriment that's what that's what this action would have done so. Another educational moment.

Thank you we have a motion by the lives of the second by Mendez roll call item 15 out of court.

Councilwoman offered. I vote yes in favor of the business proceeding. Councilwoman Cotton.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just needed to say to the audience that we have not issued any liquor license since the 90s. Actually, we got about because we have implemented new regulations where you cannot open another one within a thousand feet of one. You cannot open one by church. You cannot open one by school. But these licenses that we have now have been around since the 80s and the 90s.

There's nothing... And they do take their license from... For anybody who wants... Like.

Things that you cannot do. So now people are very careful when they do buy these licenses because you can't place them 1,000 feet by a school, by a church. So there's many things there. So this business has been there. This liquor license has been there for a while. It has changed owners, but it's been there. So that means they have not moved it nowhere else. So with that being said, Madam Clerk, this business is starting new. They've done nothing. And my vote is yes.

Council vice president Davila so. I will stand on when I indicated the 2nd for Councilman colleagues motion because I did want to get more information concerning who the owner was I kept looking at the name and know councilman velez stated that this individual was here she was put through the ringer there's so much stuff that um occurred and and and you are correct councilwoman cotton if that liquor um establishment closed down and they sold it and and the person moved and try to bring it back to couldn't bring it back and so it is the standing liquor lice there we not is. Is a new applicant looking at that the CEO does have so that means they don't own the building on the establishment. He likes. There's no infractions, and let me tell you that they will be definitely under the microscope because of the area that it's in and because of the previous issues, but they're not to be held accountable on previous issues. They are not the owners.

I move forward and support the new entertainment license. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Jackson.

Madam Clerk. was responsible.

Let's say we would do something responsible. What would we do? We would put measures in place that can hold people in situations like this accountable.

But this will impact other people looking at the CEO from the previous owner. If you're required for new businesses, what does that do? A lot of the illegal actions.

If you're required for a new city issue, every single change of hands of an apartment, so before when it was a two-bedroom apartment unit, now it's a five-unit. part may build them without proper. Her meeting and things that you would have these kinds of problems because now you would have the business that had to come downtown had to apply for a certificate of occupancy the application would have the previous on a sick sick sick sick. If we do that we're getting in the way of people that's. Plenty. Well, but and the jump and hold a business accountable for something is never even done. Typical that is an antics man could my vote is yes.

Councilman colleague.

Thank thank you. Madam clerk. I said it before is a residential area residential zone. I think for quality for the residents, I think we should move those businesses to the commercial corridors where there are other entities are open late night. I think it is the wrong place. At the beginning, whoever gave them the license to operate from is right in front of the school. And I know for a fact the corner would become a mess. I mean, I have seen it for the last 20, 30 years.

I support the application. My vote is no. And we can invest when people try to open a business.

Being Patterson, the third, one of the oldest cities out of business that they are grandfathered in. They are on zone with schools around. They've been there for hundreds of years. So what can we do with those type of businesses? This is a new business. The building belongs to somebody else, maybe the owner, but the new owner has nothing to do with that. I truly believe that we need to have, we have to make sure, we have to monitor those businesses, make sure that they will be a good neighbor, make sure that they will... Act and work according with the law in terms of that business. And they have to be a good neighbor. We cannot move those businesses from one section to another one, unfortunately, because of the way the structure of the city. They're grandfathering, and they are within the law to be there. But they have to be good neighbors. And that's my whole take on this. We've got to make sure that they understand this. And let's follow those call for service that are related to the business, not to the area outside. So let's give it a chance to this person to open this business. And let's take it from that. And last but not least, the entertainment license, the dance floor license, it's needed in case they're going to have a DJ or any entertainment. They cannot have music or entertainment without those two licenses. It doesn't matter if the business is small or big, they need that requirement. And I truly believe that this is a privilege for a person to have those two licenses. So they have to act within the law. And we have to stay on top of them. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Omar.

This is a new applicant. This is a new business owner. My vote.

Count.

Clerk so. Patterson police and ABC enforcement.

He booked for enforcement. I'M LOOKING AT THE APPLICATION STATED THAT THEY DON'T OWN TAXES. THE BUILDING BELONGS TO AN OWNER. THE RENTER HAS THE RIGHT TO RENT THE PROPERTY. AND ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO CLEAR THE CHANGE OF USE IS WHEN YOU NEED A NEW CO. IF YOU'RE NOT CHANGING THE USES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, IT'S CALLED CCO, CONTINUAL CO. I don't see no problem. Everybody has stated their comments. Let's wish them luck. And by the way, no matter what happens, this corner is in the curfew ordinance. They're supposed to close at 12 midnight. we need to go revisit that curfew ordinance and refresh everybody around how many property are in the curfew because every time we got to deal with business look at the list they had to close at 12 midnight so so i don't know i don't have short memory everything that happens here but i just want to refresh everybody mind that this property this corner is in the curfew ordinance of operation of business saying that my vote is yes to this application

Council president and my vote is yes. This item is adopted item 16, madam clerk.

Item 16 is a resolution addressing a new dance Hall license for not a sports bar LLC also in the first word at 4.39 total what Avenue this is resolution 26 colon 3, 9, 5, and it is from finance.

Second.

Moved by Council Member Les, seconded by Council Member Mendez. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Same item, same business.

Councilwoman Alford? Yes. Councilwoman Cotton?

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think I need to say that I REMEMBER I HAD THE QUESTION BEFORE ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE AND DANCE HALL LICENSE. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE WHEN YOU HAVE A DJ OR A LIVE BAND IN YOUR CLUB. THE DANCE HALL LICENSE IS WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE DANCING ON THE FLOOR, LIKE YOU'RE DANCING. SO THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE TO COME. NOW, YOU HAVE SOME ASSIGNMENT THAT DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT. SO THEN THEY DON'T NEED TO APPLY FOR DANCE HALL ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE AT ALL. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, MADAM CLERK, MY VOTE IS YES.

COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT DAVILA? YES. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman colleague, no. Councilman Mendez, yes. Councilman Omar, yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman Velez.

In the application stated that they will have dancers, they need an entertainment dance license. My vote is yes.

President Mims.

My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Item 16 is adopted.

Item 55, Madam Clerk.

Item 55. is a resolution authorizing the endorsement of the NJ DEP application of 606 so to Main Street LLC for the proposed 7 story mixed use building project at said location, this is from public works and its resolution 26 colon 4, 3, 4, move that can move by Councilman the last second by Council vice president and mems roll call on 55 for DPW Council.

Discussion Councilman Jackson. There was there was a full discussion and you asked a few questions Councilman Jackson in the meeting if you have more that director if you could come to the might but there was a full discussion that lasted 30 minutes on each item and you requested they all go on regular and not consent.

THE PROBLEM COUNCIL.

Yeah, no, I'm waiting for it. Why does this need our approval? All DEP applications need council approval.

But but I'm I'm asking specifically for this this application.

What is this. These are the new buildings or at a 9, 2, buildings that need a DP approval for added to the source system for the sewer, yes, also a connection fees of pay.

Yeah, I thought I had asked for a report on the on the the the sewer connection fees in the in the pay. Mister be a.

MR. BA.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SINCE THE LAST TIME WE ADDRESSED THIS ITEM, IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT IN 2024, THE COUNCIL CHANGED THE LAW ON SEWER CONNECTION FEES. AND THE LANGUAGE NOW READS UP SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF ON OR BEFORE THE ISSUANCE OF THE CO. SO I'VE REQUESTED OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AN OPINION ON THAT MATTER AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WHAT THE IMPACT OF THAT IS TO these you know what what that did to those projects that were you know when this law passed how does it affect projects that were ongoing so when that when that when that comes in that will be the official position of the administration will share that with the council. But we're interpreting a law the Council changed.

So, yeah, we know that the Council made adjustments to a law because there was a specific developer that was delinquent at over $2 million in connection fees. But I asked specifically, were the sewer fees paid for this? The director told me yes. So I was asking for proof of payment. I asked for that during the workshop. I never received that.

You're stating that last week you asked for proof of payment on these applications? Correct. Just so I'm clear, you're stating that last meeting you asked for proof of payment on these four applications? Correct. Okay. I'll have to check that.

You have to check whether or not they made a payment.

Whether you made that statement, because I don't have any recollection of that request. But I could be mistaken. But the director has represented that payment has been received. So if that ends up not being the case, we'll let the council know. But that is the position of the administration, that these applications before us are compliant with the law. Governor?

It but we're we're now it's it's here before us now for a vote to see it before us now for a vote we if it hasn't been the case well that we've already voted on so what's the point is just is no different than I asked you for a complete report on those unpaid sewer fees because it was a payment plan that was a lot it on the 2 million dollars you promised me then that he was going to get me to get me those get me an updated report on those I did that didn't see that either. The the the report asked about just now in the end and then down to direct the city sent you say he didn't send it to me.

On these 4 applications are engineer has stated that all certifications everything for this application have been fulfilled by the government.

Director, is your mic on?

Yeah.

Okay. So, Director, trust me. I respect you greatly, and I understand that you are conveying what definitely has taken place, but I've grown to have an enormous distrust for this administration as the back to the back and forth circle talk that to be a just gave me I do not recall me asking about this payment the last week do not know means payments.

These payments for these 4 directing I don't know I know you asked for that the on the 2 million. Though the back fees but not specific to these 4 items you did ask for for some if everything was paid and I told you then yes, they were paid in our engineer has confirmed that they were.

Don't worry, I have trolls that watch the YouTube. I'll make sure I capture it and send it to you both. But regardless, I mean, this is something that is a one-pager that's here. This is stuff that should be presented. We're taking a vote on it. And it's a requirement by developers to pay their share fair. the fair share in and it's not included in here so I don't know what he's talking about like this should be no expectation of it and if it if there was if there is going to be an allowance to say okay the Council yet the Council did what did manipulate a vote. And we did do that because there was a delinquency illegally done where all those properties that was built without having the proper certifications and prepayments should have been torn down. But this council gave concessions to other people, to developers, and we allowed them to go forward, and they still haven't made those payments. And we don't have proof of that. Listen, I'm just asking for what we're entitled to. I'm asking for proof of it. I've asked this gentleman multiple times. He's failed to give it to me. So... All right. Council President. Council President.

Director, once again, on the record, I heard you say that all of these four items that we will discuss, they all have, they're paid and up-to-date, correct?

From our engineer, yes. Everything is completed on these applications.

I thought that's what you said. Yes. Councilman Mendez and then Councilman Velez. Yes.

Director, if you could speak a little closer to the mic. I just can't hear you. It's kind of hard for me to hear you. But let me go to item 55 because we have four different pieces of legislation because the connection with the NJDP application, that's a normal process for any new construction. So if we start, we're going to have a long night tonight. But speaking about 55 and the other three, For the engineer piece, everything is submitted properly, correct? Yes. Can you elaborate a little bit about 55? Now, I just want to make sure that my vote will be an educated vote. I understand that. I remember the last meeting, there was a request for the list, not for this specific item. Right. But when you include those four items that we're voting on that list, that way we could have that information. If you apply for the condition for the NJDP, you have to make those payments regardless whether yes or no. That's a normal process.

Definitely. I don't know. It's clear. What else do you want to elaborate on this? For the record, I don't have the specifics, how many apartments, what's going to be there. I don't have that. Our engineer handles that. We just handle the sort of connection fees in these applications.

My question to you, again, is all the paperwork, all the proper paperwork are submitted at the clerk's office for this item, correct?

Yes.

Thank you. See, that sounds better. Appreciate it.

Mr. President. COUNCILMAN VELEZ, COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT DAVE VELEZ.

SO, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION, SPEAK MYSELF AND THE WHEREAS, IS CLEAR ENOUGH. THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING AN INVOLVEMENT PROJECT, APPROXIMATELY 21 FEET OF NEW 6-INCHES PVC SANITARY LATERAL CONNECTED TO MAIN SEWER 16-3 BEFORE THEY DO ANY WORK. They need to get an application from NJEDP to make sure that everything is going to run smoothly, everything is going to run good and properly, complying with the state law, and then they can move to the project. This is a process. But one thing I have to make clear here, this council, this council here do not vote for projects we don't we don't approve projects out there and let me say this clear only because the finance department not all the engineering department or the building department that time was not doing the work properly means the developer was not willing to pay SO WHEN EVERYTHING WENT IN ORDER AND EVERYTHING GOT INTO ORDER, WHEN THE STATE TOOK OVER THE OFFICE OF UCC, THEN EVERYTHING WENT IN ORDER AND REALLY IT'S NOT MILLION DOLLARS. THE B.A. STATED LAST TIME THAT WENT DOWN TO ALMOST $400,000. I DON'T KNOW WHY POINT FINGERS AT ONE DEVELOPER. PROBABLY IT'S THE OTHER FIVE FINGERS POINTING AT THEM IS THE ONE REALLY BENEFITING THEM. WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS APPLICATION AND MOVE FORWARD TO VOTE.

Council vice president that man Clark we're going to vote the director of that along thank you very much Council president and I'm just going to just be clear.

I think we all have to do a better job of reading our e-mails the process and we have a workshop. We have notes being taken not only by the clerk the assistant, the deputy, and or the BA. And soon after that meeting, day two, before we get our agenda, we get an email. And in that email it says, council request from each one of us, whoever makes a request. And that was emailed to all of us last Friday. by our deputy clerk Phyllis Riley. And all of Councilman Jackson's requests are there, except what he just said today that he requested. So that is a document that is there. Madam Clerk, I'm not sure within the minutes when you put them online if the requests go online as well. But this is a document that has been done. So in looking at here every Council person and their request there is various requests from Councilman Jackson so if you look at your email from last week you would see it there that it is not there, but other request either so I just want to make that statement, thank you roll call out of court, 55.

Councilwoman offered yes. Councilwoman cotton. Council vice president that we love yes. Councilman Jackson?

Because this is the same issue we had with the report that was last given to the council back when we were on Ellison Street, where there was a large number of units that were tied in to the sewer. They had not paid their sewer fees. I asked for a report from the VA, which she has not provided to us, where we were with the collections of those sewer fees. So where are we with all of these items that's on the application? The same director. I don't have that in front of me. Same director. I don't have that in front of me, but I can get that to you. I mean, listen, listen. I don't come here 12 against one every single night because, well, I actually, listen, I'm a fighter. I've been getting jumped all my life in real fights. Like, this is light. This is light. I'm here to defend the best interests of the public. When you have a derelict action taking place when buildings are going up and residents don't have the same courtesy as people who don't live here, and you over here defending them. He lives in their house. He over there defending them. This guy right here lives somewhere else. He talking about, oh, you made every account on that, but I didn't see that. I told you. I got a team, and everybody wants to see this city improve, except for the people sitting here. Because if the people sitting here really wanted to see the city improve, it would improve. And for all of those of you out there talking about, oh, it's the people, it ain't the leadership, no, it's the leadership. We got nothing but liars here, pathological liars. People who are narcissists, who can't even make a simple assessment of whether or not something is fair. What are you talking about? Mr. B.A., can I get my request, please? I'm entitled to it. It is according to the code. If I make a request, I should have it, point blank. I shouldn't have everybody else talking about I didn't and the clerk and everybody else who's trying to put blame on the clerk. I'm my own person. I'm my own person. I'm responsible for my actions. Be responsible for yours. The city's being overrun, and you guys are sitting here watching it, allowing for it to happen. Thank you. Madam Clerk, my vote is no. Okay.

Councilman Khaliq?

Yes, for item number 55.

Councilman Mendes?

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think that in government, everybody has a responsibility, every department. is responsible to do a job and to perform. The reason why I asked the director if everything is in place for item 55, if all the documents are submitted, all the engineer parts are complete, that's his job. That's not my job. I rely on him. And then right at once he's finished, I rely on the clerk. And after that, the document is finished in front of me, then my job is to vote and give my vote of confidence to this item. Government is simple, sometimes we make it difficult. Government is simple, once again, sometimes we make it difficult. And I'm very responsible with my vote. And Mr. VA, in all fairness, In all fairness, is that an answer? It's a statement. In all fairness, would this governing body ask you for a request? Please submit that request. Please respond to that request. Let me tell you, we all look bad over here because we have one person that is assuming that we all in bed with what's going on. And this is nothing illegal. This is the application from the NJDP. Anybody that is building at the City of Paterson need to fill out this application, need to apply and pay a fee. Everything is submitted and you have record of that. So when we ask you for information and you're not submitted, you're making all of us look stupid and look bad. And you put the perception out there that this governing body is doing something illegal. I'm not. I'm here to do the people's business. And I'm voting effeminate on this because I know what is this process. This is my business. This is my expertise. I know exactly what it is. But when people ask you for information, it's your job to deliver and submit it. is I'm very disappointed about what is just one clerk.

Councilman Omar.

Thank you, madam clerk one item number 55 correct fit item 55 so just for the public, I'm going to read the statement of purpose of this resolution, the purpose of this resolution is to prove the submission of the treatment works approval application to the NJ DEP for the 7 story makes use building project that 600 that 6, 0, 6, mainstream the city of Patterson director, thank you for answering the questions but what is yes, man clerk.

Councilman the last.

Listen loud and clear. When we're doing city business, I try to keep personal agenda out of it. That's why I say focus on what I'm trying to do and say. My mother said, since I was a kid, I instruct you always Humbly eat white rice, beans with an egg on top of it. And not rice and beans with a stolen steak. And I follow that. So if you don't understand what I said, think about a stolen steak and humbly eating white rice with an egg on top of it. So I'm proud that I'm the councilman of the Civil War, living in the house that I live, that I pay, and I'm proud to say that I continue serving The rest of the city passing with dignity, but just want to say this and loud and clear Mister be a last meeting when that discussion between the sewers and all that baloney. I request a a full report for 2.3817 Avenue. I haven't received it at the same time I request a full report from 80 off street that I believe the owner is Mister Jackson. I want to know I want to know if the sewer and fee are paid up to date, and including the violation that the property has, okay, and what court is in that property right now. So saying that, and that's facts, that's government. That is in the records. I don't make things up so ladies and gentlemen this is a rule this is what the directors been working on for many many years we have seen application here for years so saying that is now says my what is yes.

President Mims.

Before I vote Council members and we're asking for the core from the public we definitely have to have it here. making back and forth jabs at each other it's just unacceptable the public is waiting to speak these items were properly vetted last week in workshop it is time to vote and move forward so we can hear from the public madam clerk my vote is yes thank you item 55 is adopted item 56 madam clerk

Item 56 is a resolution authorizing the endorsement of the NJDEP application of Washington Avenue Patterson LLC for the Washington Avenue apartment projects at 18-24 Washington Avenue. This is a resolution 26-435 from the Department of Public Works. So moved.

Moved by Council Vice President Davila, second by Velez and Mendez. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Councilwoman Alford.

YES. COUNCILMAN COTTON. YES. VICE PRESIDENT DAVILA. YES. COUNCILMAN JACKSON.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. SO THE FIRST THING IS, THERE'S MANY OTHER MICHAEL JACKSONS IN THE CITY. I expect that people do their homework better. I mean, they got plenty of money to get privatized, to follow people around. I mean, do their homework a little bit better. And, you know, putting things up on social media, things of that nature. Listen, if there's any taxes that's due on the property, I'm sure that somebody has the ability to buy them, do whatever's necessary. I mean, now we have an enforcement arm over here. He was fired from the building department before, and now he wants to be a building department official. Make up your mind what you want to do, sir. Madam Clerk, my vote is no.

Councilman Kelly.

Councilman Mendez, I think about a current item over 50 states is another a J D P application for a construction Washington Avenue, I'll see the location for his 18 dash 24 Washington Avenue, another regular business would have to say about what is just.

Councilman Omar, thank you, madam clerk, my vote is yes.

Councilman the lens.

Another application, the same process. Thank God I don't have 30 cases in court, 24 hours to get an attorney. My vote is yes.

President Mims? Yes, Madam Clerk.

This item is adopted. Item 57, Madam Clerk. Item 57 is a resolution authorizing the endorsement of the NJDEP application of 26 Ryle Avenue LLC for the two proposed apartment building projects at 28-42 Ryle Avenue, resolution 26-436 from Public Works.

So moved.

Moved by Council Vice President Davila, second by Mendez and Mims. Roll call, same application process. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

COUNCILWOMAN ALFRED? YES. COUNCILWOMAN COTTON IS TEMPORARILY ABSENT. VICE PRESIDENT DAVILA? YES. COUNCILMAN JACKSON?

Just for a point of clarity, this is why I had these items pulled. Because the information was never there. So I asked for it to be pulled so we can vote, because everybody else, they had to put this on consent. Sure, no problem, you're just gonna vote on it, you guys won't even know anything about it. Seven story buildings, getting approved without any scrutiny. Madam Clerk, my vote is no.

Councilman Kalik?

Yes. Councilman Mendez, I think about a current out of 57 is all the NJ the P application off of the connection on 28, a lot of you know, but this is what it's just been a clerk. Councilman Omar, thank you, madam clerk, my vote is yes.

Councilman the line.

We went to the ground. The groundbreaking of that section and those going to be beautifies going to be good. So this is the first process they had to do to move forward and my voice is.

President Mims. My vote is yes.

Item 57 is adopted. Item 58, Madam Clerk. Item 58 is a resolution authorizing endorsement of the NJ the P application of Barack a home LLC for the proposed 5 story apartment project at 7, 7, 9, dash, 7, 8, 5, Main Street. This is resolution 26 colon 4, 3, 7, from public works.

A move. Second. Moved by Council. Second. Second by Mims and Mendez. Roll call on item 58. Councilman has a question about that one second Councilman offer.

I want to just clarify this is for the installation of the 73 foot.

Pbc piping know this is for the application for the DP. Same at the just yes.

Okay Councilman offered to say yes. Council vice president of the land, yes. Councilman Jackson.

People, pay attention. This is it right here. Yes, no problem, yes. All these applications rolling through, that's pushing you out of your community. Pushing you out of your communities. No asks. No demands. No, you want permission to build, we gotta have X, Y, and Z. None of that. Let's cut the ribbon. Let's celebrate this crack champagne bottles over over. Over a couple rocks. While we pass out checks for donations contributions. And we ruin the city of Patterson. This is it right here. This is it. No presentation that the public have no we're going to do the planet where we've got that covered we let them go virtual. We care less Council to let you guys sit up and wait we all know yes, anyway, we don't care what the public has to say about this don't care. How many of us got to come for the Mike falls only a 100 people is 20 to 200,000 people of course this is how to view it. And this was happening to our community, slowly being destroyed brick by brick and dollar by dollar going into somebody else's hand. Because you know what's going to come along with this? Another 30-year tax abatement. Another 30-year tax abatement. This is sad, man. This is a sad day. Let me tell you something. I watched other council members in other communities. They lost race. They tapped out, buy a house someplace else. I'm going to be here night in and night out, putting my foot in every single one of these tailpipes every single night, whether they like it or not. I'm going to defend the young people in our community. I'm asking you people what has he given you how many jobs as he created every single person on his staff is not a resident of the city of Paterson even the clerk now is not a resident of the city of Paterson Councilman when did that ever happen?

Thank you Councilman Jackson.

This is what we're doing we're running over the city and we're going to leave nothing for our young people to have when they come out of school. My vote is no.

Councilman Khaliq.

Yes Madam Clerk.

Councilman Mendez.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. It's important to bring some clarity on this item, item 58. First of all, we're not voting on anything related with the planning board. I was totally against the planning board going virtual. I was very vocal about that, and I spoke about this at the last council meeting. They should go back in person. That's like blocking the community for expressing themselves any development need the input of the community and we all live in the city of Paterson and this city belongs to everybody. I've been very vocal about that, alright, and this is my position on this. We're not voting and we're not making a decision on any planning board action. This is a city council business. And on this application, what could definitely happen if somebody has a project and they just apply for the NJDP application for connection, and we deny it just for no reason, that's the best way to start a lawsuit against the city. That's what I repeated again that Everybody has a responsibility in government. Everybody has to do a job. And if every department does the job correctly, when it gets to Madam Clerk and comes to us, whether you like it or not, whether you like it or the color or not, you have to do the job and you have to do the right thing. So there's nothing related with the planning board here. My vote is yes on item 58, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Velez?

Thank you madam clerk once again engineering planning has a look into this application to comply with and the the he they need to connect new pipes to our sewer before was smaller probably now is bigger because the state is here. Let me say this loud and clear every time people say you live in this city you contribute to this city we talking against police officers that had the right to comply with the 2 years of residents and more whatever they want we're talking against employees, a city of Paterson low employees that probably has a opportunity to purchase a house in a place but have guaranteed work here. You're talking against people that spent 12, 15 hours working in our city, trying to take care of our constituents like Matt and Claire does, like the best attorney in the state of New Jersey that we have here, that he could get money out there and not be here with his expertise in federal court and state court. We have a BA that has an experienced elected official, mayor, and now he's the BA of the city of Paterson. I understand the struggle that city of Paterson is going through. Meanwhile, I got to say that eight council members are wrong. He's the only one right, but we make the city move forward. Meanwhile, he haven't even bring an idea to move the city forward and dividing our community. It's the worst. My vote is yes to this.

Councilman Omar, we are on item 58.

My vote is yes, Madam Clerk, thank you.

President Mims.

My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. What is the other request?

Item 58 is adopted.

Madam Clerk, let's go to item number 52.

ITEM 52 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO REAL AUCTION LLC FOR HOSTING ONLINE TAX SERVICES FOR THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS RFP NUMBER 2026-30, AND IT IS RESOLUTION 26-431 FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

SO MOVE DISCUSSION.

MOVE BY. I move by. Madam vice president double a second by Councilman the last discussion.

Then you've got a clerk through the chair CFO last on the workshop, I ask a question regarding the next process after we approve this we are going to say notice again.

CFO.

Yes, come and there will be for notice to send.

For noise and all in the cut telling the taxpayers, the city pass and if they are delinquent on a record correct or they'll be 2 millions and to a potent on the paper and also that notice will have a day due date to put up today, if not it will go to sell correct. Thank you, Council president.

Mister civil can you provide the delinquent list of the council members please.

yes roll call on item 52 madam clerk councilwoman alfred yes council vice president davila yes councilman jackson yes councilman colleague yes councilman mendez yes one clerk councilman omar yes madam clerk Councilman the last yes, but a clerk president Mims, yes.

52 is adopted 53 which is connected to 50 to 50 3, madam clerk.

53 is a resolution authorizing the tax collector to conduct an electronic tax sale. This is resolution 26 colon 4, 3, 2, and this is from the finance department so move move by the P doubt was second by Mims roll call on 50 3, madam clerk.

Councilman offered.

Yes. Vice president Davila yes. Councilman Jackson. Councilman colleague, yes, Councilman Mendez, yes, Councilman Omar, yes, Councilman the last yes, but the president means yes, 53 is adopted.

I don't that the format of court.

54 is a resolution authorizing the amount of tax sale fees charged to delinquent properties due to the tax sale this is resolution 26 colon 4, 3, 3, and this is from finance so move second discussion move by Council VP tabloid second by men's this item is still connected to the tax cell of discussion Councilman that's.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. On the forward ask, it said the council decided to charge $25 per notice mailed, which will be assessed specifically to cash subject count, whether in delinquency, cost notice. So how much you were paying before if now we charge you $25? Same, $25.

So the cost associated with the tax sale is charged to that person. So again, there's two mailings to each individual taxpayers. There's two postings on newspapers. There's the actual cost of real auction doing the tax sale. That cost is charged to the delinquent taxpayer instead of being charged to everybody.

Thank you, Council President. Council President.

Council Member Les, and then roll call.

We will call a council member. Okay, thank my through the chair CFO. This is a new item. Now we have been always every time we do tax sales right correct. Yeah, I have seen the $25 and before it was yeah, correct.

That kind of CFO councilman Jackson and then roll call mental.

We're charging the delinquent taxpayer $20 for each notice?

For the notices and for the cost of the tax sale. So real auction is going to have a charge.

So it's $20 plus an additional fee.

No, no, no.

It's $25. $25 for notice only?

For notices and whatever the cost of real auction. So all that costs.

So it's just a $25 fee? Correct. One $25 fee? Correct. Not $25 per page being mailed?

No.

Correct.

Understood. Thank you.

Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Councilwoman Alford? Yes. Council Vice President Davila? Yes. Councilman Jackson?

Yes.

Councilman Kalik?

Yes.

Councilman Mendez?

Yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Omar?

Yes.

Councilman Velez?

Let's have the record clear that this only goes to anyone that is delinquent on their taxes. My vote is yes.

President Mims? My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Item 54 is adopted. Item 37, Madam Clerk? Yes.

Item 37 is a resolution creating a hometown veterans banner program this is sponsored by Council president Mims this is resolution 26 colon for 16 and this is from the City Council so most that could move by Council president Mims second by Council VP Davila discussion and Mims discussion council of the last and then the I mean VP Davila and Mendes I'm sorry the last one, yes, the last. Yes, Council member last.

Council person so we approve in the past to install the veterans banners from on the main street.

No in the past I sponsored to approve veterans way on Main Street.

We're looking to do the ceremony in November, but we haven't done it was 2 years correct and they were in there and that recall the conversation was to include banners into the

Yeah, but there needed to be a process, and there was no money at the time. So this will be a part of UEZ. It's in the UEZ zone. Oh, UEZ? Yes, and it's outlined in the... So there is a committee in place. We have one of our amazing veterans that will be speaking to a public portion today. One of our amazing veterans miss Cofield will speak on behalf of the committee that is working diligently and there will be a process and an allotment to all of those people that are patersonians that have served sacrifice and fought that are from Patterson.

How we saw this question we union now for to clarify some stuff here. How we could when you say committee. Are you talking about City Council committee or committee from us.

no the committee um is myself as the sponsor of this item and they're all veterans there is about 12 people on the committee that are all veterans we also have um one is sitting here we also have the representative from passe county that represents veterans and the representative from the governor's office that represent the veterans we want to make sure that we get a robust list. We have people like Mr. Tony Vincere who's watching, Ms. Cofield, Rochon Davis is on that committee, Jackie Benson is on that committee, her mother and father served, and they are all watching to see this item.

No, no, I understand that the viewers are watching, but, you know... I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING A BALANCED DISCUSSION, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE OUT THERE, NOT JUST PUT A BANNER AND THEN NOT CHANGE IT, YOU KNOW, THE WEATHER, THE DAMAGED BANNERS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

SO LET ME EXPLAIN. Let me just give some clarity. So if this is approved on tonight, what will happen immediately after tonight, there will be a flyer that will go out with the QR code for individuals to register. It's connected to a Google form. It will ask for their name, their ranking, their status, medals, various things that are on there. There is a committee in place that will probably vet it thoroughly to make sure it's Patterson. It will be very diversified. That's why the committee is diversified. to make sure there are over 300 polls that have two banners on each, so we're looking for a really, really great amount of veterans that serve. This will not happen until May of next year, so they'll have until December 31st of this year to apply. I think it's a great program. This idea came from the community. The veterans came. We had a meeting two years ago. We've been working on it for a couple years, and now we're here at this.

So, for example, In the Fifth Ward, I have a monument of Civil War monument for Patersonia that died in that. And for me, they veterans too. They died and they served our country. But what about if I know there's a veteran that passed away?

That's fine.

And I want to can I put the that's my so yeah, it doesn't matter if they're living or they're deceased, they are because they certainly and let me include the yeah, let me make the record figure I'm interested because my father serving Vietnam, I have a nephew. There's going to be a veteran that is serving 30 years in the Army, so we could do more for them, more housing, more things that the veteran could be proud. But this is a start to honor them. And when we go and drive through those streets, they could see that. We are here free because that.

Thank you council president so just to add the the the locations are on Main Street from Crooks have all the way down as well as Memorial drive. It was voted on that in in the committee there was some votes to make sure that we say all the way to where.

from crooks have all the way down to was brought way and then also I'm more real and this is going to be you easy funding, yes, I recommend that you easy put it in every you easy quarters, well that had Marcus 3.

I don't have the polls, unfortunately, I know what you don't have the they don't have the polls with the picture polls are already there I got those polls and they don't have these polls.

I got those polls in the fifth.

Well, Councilman, I'll invite you to our next meeting. Yes, please.

I would like to see that. Especially the Fifth Ward has history with the armory. So having banners would be good.

Thank you, Council President. Just let's make sure that once the process is established, let's put it out there to make sure that every Patersonian, every veteran get the opportunity to participate and be out there in those banners. So keep my song in your prayer, my song. That was in South Carolina with the Marines. I mean so we got it we had it we have to honor respect a veteran all year round only one thing only one week all year round.

Thank you, Mister president we're ready to welcome president councilman Jackson.

So just one quick question this recognition is for Patterson residents only correct, yes, not people's.

Parents are not that the initiative is called Patterson hometown heroes is for Patterson.

READY.

YES, WE'RE READY TO VOTE. MADAM CLERK, ROLL CALL. COUNCILWOMAN ALLFORD.

YES. Vice President Davila. It would be an honor and it is an honor to stand by this resolution. For me, it's close to home. The man who, although is not my biological father, who is 95, is a Korean veteran. And to all those others that are still living, to those that are serving that, you know, one day from Patterson, you know, it's just an honor. So my vote is yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I want to be clear to everybody in the public. One, you'll never, ever see me. Never. I moved it. I'm the one who... Never. I don't care who does it. If it gets done, it gets done, especially something that's so honorable as this. Ms. Cofield, you already know we work together on this closely. And Mr. Ventrari understands that. So someone said earlier, I don't bring any ideas to the table. I wrote this exact piece of legislation outlining the same streets. And the council president refused to put it on the agenda. I wrote the exact legislation, just like I wrote the class twos that's on the agenda tonight. I wrote it before, but it's okay, because I don't care. You'll never see me. I moved it. Listen, as long as it gets done. But the point of the matter is, Now it's worthy of getting done. And see, this is how we stop progress within our community. But there's a lot. What I'm going to do is I'm going to put forward a list of all the things that I wrote that the council refused to act upon, get council president to write it for her name. I mean, well, they're going to write it. They're going to let them put their name on it. But I just hope that they do their homework and understand what it is in its entirety. Madam Clerk, my vote is yes.

Councilman Cully?

Yes.

Councilman Mendez of what is just going to go. Councilman Omar practice support this my vote is yes, I'm clerk Councilman the land.

To all the veterans, thank you for your service. To those that served our country and left a life for us, thank you. And let's pray for the family that are remaining. And if you're from Patterson and you gave your time in Patterson and you served the country, you deserve to be honored. My vote is yours.

Councilman kind were on resolution 37 this is a resolution creating a hometown hero hometown veterans banner program. President Mims.

So let me say for the record, I don't ever have to use anyone's resolutions or ordinances because I operate and do what I need to do to corporation Council. This item has never been presented to this Council ever not once twice never corporation Council can attest to it. This item never came for I've been in meetings with this call Phil and the whole that team for almost 2 years this item never came before this Council and if there was something someone thought about and they never told us it was a thought when you want something done you put pen to paper you get it done you sponsor and you bring it for for both is nothing about thinking about something is about getting it done and that's what we're doing tonight. To the veterans, everyone watching, Ms. Cofield, I call you my veteran advisor. And to all of those people that are on the committee and those that will be a part of this, please look out for the flyer with the QR code to start registering. Registration deadline is the 31st of December. and the unveiling will be next May for Memorial Day, and the banners will be out from May through November. That is the universal time that other municipalities do it, and I want to thank the committee for making the unanimous votes and the necessary motions in the meeting to make sure this was something that should move forward. Madam Clerk, in honor of all of our veterans and Paterson hometown heroes, my vote is absolutely yes. Item 37 is adopted.

Thank you madam clerk madam clerk, let's move on to item number 27.

Item 27 is a resolution acknowledging the contents and effects of the memorandum of understanding between the state of New Jersey and the city of Patterson for transitional aid in calendar year 2026, including any applicable supplements. This is resolution 26, 406 from the administration.

So moved. Second. Roll call item 27, Madam Clerk.

Councilwoman Alford. Second. Yes. Councilman cotton. Vice president Davila. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

No.

Councilman colleague.

Yes.

Councilman Mendez.

Yes.

Councilman Omar.

Yes. Madam clerk.

Councilman

As I stated in the workshop, we're facing some challenges. We read the MOU. The community had to understand that those MOU are strict, and we had to do a tough decision moving forward. I'm saying that. My vote is yes.

President Mims?

My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Item 27 is adopted.

Item 28.

Item 28 is a resolution authorizing the award of contracts to various vendors for request of qualification for general engineering services for the Department of Administration. This is through RFQ number 2026-32. Is resolution 26-407 from the administration?

So moved.

Second. Moved by Councilman Mendez. Second by Councilwoman Mims. Roll call, Madam Clerk.

Councilwoman Alford. Yes. Councilwoman Cotton.

Yes.

Vice President Davila. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

Yes.

Councilman Kalik. Councilman Mendez.

Yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Omar.

Yes.

Councilman Velez.

Yes.

Councilman Jackson.

President Mims.

Yes, madam clerk.

THIS ITEM IS ADOPTED. ITEM 29, MADAM CLERK. ITEM 29 IS A RESOLUTION APPROVING ONE NEW LIBRARY AUTOCAB REGISTRATION FOR GONZALEZ TRANSPORTATION LLC OF 185 ROSA PARKS BOULEVARD. THIS IS RESOLUTION 26-406 AND IS FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

SO MOVED. MOVED BY COUNCILMAN MENDEZ, SECONDED BY DAVALA AND VELEZ. ROLL CALL, MADAM CLERK.

QUICK DISCUSSION. discussion councilman jackson i made a request in this item as well a report on on their uh their um from the tech taxi cab enforcement

Craig that you made a request to look into how the residents and obviously spread out the word of the complaint process which is something that we are looking into.

But I'm talking about relative to this. This company in their their violations.

their violations. We sent out the request of the request was for their violations. I don't have the memo in front of me I have to pull it up, but we did send that out that's not something that goes to my office. We have to further inquire on it it goes to your office correct the application process of it not if people are violating or enforcing it, etc.

Well call on Clark.

Councilwoman offered.

have a question before voting so how long would it take to get that report.

I can answer, but we can certainly you know if Council wants to not move forward with this item obviously my office would try to look into it and I'm going to know and I got the report.

No for me until we get the report. Okay, so your vote right now is no.

Councilman cotton.

Vice president Davila this is for one new application. This is not a a renewal. Normally the 3 knows that's where you get the reports. And so it is only one and I know that through the license and department into the club's office is that it is all the information is there. I don't. know that there would be a report if it's a new application coming before us for one card. So with that said, my vote is yes to move forward.

Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So this is an additional card to an existing company. So they have a track record. It should be a report. We understand those of us who actually live in the community understand that these taxi cabs are parking illegally all over the place. They're parking overnight when they should not be parking overnight. They're covering fire hydrants. They're covering crosswalks. They're taking up parking spaces on the street where we already are inundated with no parking. So, I don't understand what you mean. It's one card. It's an additional card to an existing license that should have a track record. And this is what we're talking about. It's a failed process. Lack of oversight and no accountability. This is why people are consistently allowed to break the law because there's no accountability. In fact, what it is, the accountability is very much so selective. So, no, I mean... I don't even know whether or not I should I could support this not because there's no reports and when there's a history of no reports being provided you just imps a simple rubber stamp yes vote. They know they don't have to provide the reports, but if this Council was responsible and making sure we held the administration accountable held the clerk office accountable for these reports. Then we would have answers, but we don't because we don't hold them accountable, we just It's a stamp that I'm not, I can't purchase that stamp. My vote is no, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Mendez.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I think that this border report, this is an enforcement issue. We have a law in place. Commercial vehicles should not be overnight out in the street. The police department, I know they started enforcing the law in the third ward. My counselor and I, we drive around at night, and we're holding people accountable. And the third ward, if you live in the third ward, you know that you're not allowed to park those commercial trucks out because we're going to have a conversation. I will knock on your door for the first time. I will have a conversation for the first time. Second time around, you're going to be ticking and towing in the third ward. We've been doing that. Francis and I, we've been working because parking is very limited in the community. So that's an enforcement issue. And the police department is handling that, but I really hope that they stay on top because Parking is a big concern in our community. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Omer.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilman Mendez is correct. That is an enforcement issue, and the applicant, he provided all the necessary documentation, and he paid the appropriate fees. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Velez.

So in front of us is one application, the second one will come in a few minutes. The body resolution says that he's applying for a new livery auto cab registration for this person. He put an address where he's going to park this one car. It's his house, has parking. IT'S NOT A COMPANY. HE'S APPLYING BECAUSE HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT'S GOING TO USE A LICENSED LIMOUSINE. IT'S ALL DIFFERENT, A TAX SEED OPERATION. IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE and they could do Uber and they could do Lyft. I don't see a problem. This individual decide to purchase a car based on this and turn it into a limousine service, one car. He could use his address at home and has parking in his backyard, legally parking, legally driveway, okay? So this car, It's not going to create a problem. The next one either, but the third one, that's the one that they're supposed to do, or the statement that I brought up in the workshop. Now they're using my pitch to make the sensational moments on it. But this case is a limousine, one car. My vote is yes.

President Mims? It's no. My vote is yes. This item is adopted item.

But this is 30 a lot of that one item 30 item 30 right now for item 30 is another new a new individual applying to be a cab driver item 31, madam clerk. I mean item 30.

item 30 item 30 is a resolution of pro approving one new library registration for late in J board goes of 1, 5, 7, 1, 5, 4, Jasper Street. This is resolution 26 colon 4, 0, 9, and it is from the clerk's office so move.

Mo by Council member last second by Councilman Mendes just got discussion Council Councilman offer.

My question is in the past, what are past practices? Do you normally provide for new livery auto cabs? Do you normally provide any type of reports and then For the additional livery, do you provide reports normally in the past?

So for new livery, they don't provide because it's not the cab company. This is a new driver applying to become a driver for that company. But in the next item that we're going to go through, then there should be reports for the next item. This is just someone new that wants to drive a taxi cab for the company. But the next item that will be after this one is one that should have reports attached. And if there's no reports, then... Council President.

Councilman Velez. Once again, let me clarify the resolution like the one before. This individual has a car already. He went to Motor Vehicle and registered. This is a process. I didn't talk to the individual, but this is a process before they come here. He purchases a car. He want to turn that car into his life to work and do this you know bring money to food to the table he goes to motor vehicle motor vehicle have to issue a limousine of license by motor vehicle and placard to be able to operate that they need to come to the county clerk and apply and they had to submit after they get this They have to go back to motor vehicle, and then when they give it an OL license plate, that means limousine vehicle. This is an individual, like any other individual, we have done it for individuals from the 6th Ward. They purchase one car. They want to have a decent job. And some of these people work for corporate's office only. They're not asking for rides around and this and that. There's only one vehicle that's going to be used. And, Council President, please. And also the whereas stated what kind of operation he's at. They say limousine. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, but I know you're saying Council president please but I'm giving you the look because you just reiterated what I stated.

Councilman Jackson was out of the house and I say you saying that this person is going to have a life house and a lot of that was going to have some of that has the floor Councilman Jackson.

Well, the disappointing part, I don't have to like someone to understand that when the process is being done wrong, it doesn't matter if you said it already. If he wants to reiterate it in his own language, whatever the case might be, he has the right to do so. But more importantly, what we're moving away from is stepping away from the facts. This is one 94 one something Jasper Street is a residential area. It's already illegal for commercial vehicles to be parked in that area period. In fact, I made a judgment adjustments to the to the to the cold. because I felt that when it was individuals in fact the individual is right across the street from this location. He has a small plumbing business had a truck that was continuously being being issued summonses on his private property much like this. So we made it adjustments to the cold to raise the the the weight the tonnage for vehicles Now they made that they would be lowered it when that does these was here we lowered it so low that it doesn't matter if you have a a mini Cooper is going to fall under the the the guidelines so through the chair, Mister B a corporation Council. This needs to be looked into because it's it's unlawful according to our ordinance you cannot Park commercial vehicles. in residential areas cannot Park, I don't care is in your drive because what he's doing is he's taking a driveway space away from a resident in a already overly overly congested area. That's that's a fact I'm not sure obviously you know things get done because there's no there's no oversight of it but my vote will be no one is when the time comes to think you know what will call the president.

Thank you, Council President. So the commercial parking ordinance states that you cannot park commercial vehicle from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. at public streets. It's not saying that you cannot park your vehicle inside your house. Now, if it's over the tons, that's that list then those on the department will issue notice because there's ordinance zoning ordinance that to have it commercial overweight vehicles in properties told their friend okay. He was the one that increase it and then came back saying let's decrease it because people need to make a living in the city of thank us for us.

That's the president health, Michael Lee.

This resolution has nothing to do with parking. This is required by the limousine or motor vehicle to have this certification from the city council to have it in the vehicle. Limousine service, you don't just pick up anybody from any corner. The person who making the reservation, they have to make a pre-reservation. They have to call in and make a reservation. So this is required by DMV to have the certification from city where the business is owned. The business owner register in 154 Jasper Street. So nothing to do with the parking. If you park on the street, His car will get ticketed or whatever ordinance we have in place. We are speaking about totally different thing. This is for the driving purposes, for the registration purposes, for the driver to have it in his vehicle. This is not a regular taxi company. This is a limousine company. You make prior reservation. They cannot pick. people up from anywhere and this is for the driver and the registration requirement that's it this is that's all.

Thank you roll call, madam clerk. Councilwoman offered. Councilman Alford.

Councilman cotton. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you madam clerk, I'm looking over the the document if it and if that is correct, I have no issue apologizing but according to the document is exactly the other one auto caps says auto caps doesn't say library limousine service limit limousine known as limousines and bill. Yeah, but in order to have a library license in the city of Paterson from the clerk's office, you're required to have all street parking is a part of the application process otherwise it would include an address if they're required to have all street parking if they had 10 vehicles they have to have 10 spots that has all street parking and has it be a designated space and it's supposed to be in a commercial districts not supposed to be in someone's yard taking up. Parking spaces from residential 10. If if if this is a limousine company and I'm wrong, I mean I would definitely the track and and apologize, but as of right now that's where I see my boat is no matter clerk.

Councilman colleague.

Also, I just want to clarify, I have seen previous application with the one limo vehicle provided the parking. They have rented a parking spot for the parking authority, and it was attached to the application. I have seen that as well. So that is missing in this application, actually. But you know we've got to let the new business law in city of Paterson. My word is yes.

Councilman Mendez what is just going to go.

Councilman Omar my vote is yes, but clerk Councilman the lens.

One limousine tax license is fair to operate in the city of Paterson, and also, I googled the address, they got sufficient parking in the house, and that's permitted by rules. They not parking the cars in the streets. My word is yes. This particular limousine, Ms. Harrison, I don't know, but Councilman Mendez stated that he has a problem with the taxi parking in the third ward. And there's a lot of single-family houses with a lot of driveways. I don't know which one he's talking about. That's okay. My vote is yes.

President Mims? My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Item 30 is adopted. Item 31, Madam Clerk.

Item 31 is a resolution approving 2 additional library registrations for Eric taxi and car services LLC of for 68 dash a market Street and 21 dash 23 East 19th Street, which is the parking location. This is resolution 26 colon for 10.

Can I get a motion in a second discussion. I have a second can I get a motion. What was that one item 31. I didn't hear by council that cycle will by Councilman second by cotton men that and the last discussion Councilman out for.

This item number 31 is for 2 additional rain. So in additional we should maybe have some type of reports. I vote is no. No discussion.

So yeah, that's just. Councilman on and that's I think as a person may just let's keep my back. We have a lot of senior that use are tax the company around here you'll be surprised every time you go to a senior bill do you see 3 or 4 that the cap waiting for senior to driving around the rate is one of the cheapest rate that we have our taxicab that you know around the city. So as I mentioned before enforcement, it's a problem. We saw this was somebody breaking the law that had nothing to do with all with us that have to be taken a toy. We set it out and clear not commercial vehicles should be part on the street overnight. The police have to do the job everybody government have to do the job and we do in our job here. Thank you. Council president.

Councilman Jackson.

So Madam Clerk, there's no report with this application either? No.

There is customarily no report. I really don't understand what kind of report. Traditionally, when applications come through my office, they fill out, of course, an application itself. They're required to submit insurance information, title information, et cetera. All of that is vetted by my office. And once in paper, everything is good to go, it proceeds with a resolution.

Well, for future reference, and I'll make note of the meeting recording and email it to everyone involved so we're clear that it is an official request being made. We have taxicab enforcement officers What do we have taxicab enforcement officers for if we don't have reports on performance evaluation? He's talking about seniors. I'm fearful for seniors taking some of these cabs. Maybe not all of them, but some of them. It's a hustle. It should be you to turn on the meter, no, no, no, you give me $7 for this place that place. If is there complaints like does do the reds residents feel as if they have some place to turn. Obviously if this customary on just approving this stuff and let allowing people to just get away with murder leave their vehicles part someplace. We should have reports for what's being approved. And specifically because your office is the one that's handling these applications, I understand that I'm not going to put too much emphasis on it because it's a new process for you here as well. But everything should have some kind of report tied to it. If somebody's making a request for renewal, for additional application, we should have some type of report What else is the tax cap enforcement agents for if we're not going to have reports? But anyway, I mean, I digress because what we said prior, everybody made the excuse that, oh, this is a new application. We have no reports. Here's another one. We have no reports. It's a custom that needs to be changed.

Roll call, Madam Clerk. Item 31. As you present. Cap Casanova love.

Thank you. So madam clerk to share a minute or this is the first time that we request in for any kind of report wrong doing take us whatever to taxi companies through our office, I would recommend that and I know that the tax enforcement division um requires that the taxi companies submit their plates number to for the records right so to see if they could get because public safety runs that office to see if they with the list of license plate they have register and and log into the city license department for taxi they could request the paterson police department to run their place for each company and then they probably could get a full report of how many taxi drivers tickets or they got because with a name of a driver, they change names, you're not gonna ask for a abstract for those drivers, but the license plate, if it's active, you run the plate, it will tell you how many violations they have, and they probably could submit a clear report on the case. But we never asked for a report, this is the first time, because we saw the action and questioning where they park,

UH IS VALID WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY OPERATE IN SAFETY SAFELY IN OUR CITY THANK YOU MADAM MADAM PRESIDENT ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK ITEM 31 COUNCILWOMAN ALFRED NO COUNCILWOMAN COTTON VICE PRESIDENT DAVILA YES COUNCILMAN JACKSON NO COUNCILMAN KALIK

We have we have so many of the same resolution over and over every year when we knew it some com or additional. Time come that will not be more than whatever number of license plate that we have in city clerk and they're awarded number of place to the each company if they're adding dating to their original fleet. That's exactly what they do it. My vote is yes.

Councilman Mendez.

But what is just like a thank you.

Councilman Omar.

My vote is yes.

Councilman Velez.

This particular applicant has an office at 468 Market Street. Never saw a car parked there, a taxi car. They have an office. Never saw that. Never seen a car parked in front of the office. Way back there was a company in Market Street and there was issues and they moved. and the problem will resolve but still in the in the resolution say the mailing address where they receive it the mail and also state where they parked their car and they have sufficient parking so saying that they have qualified with the application and i think that these are low level uh work people are doing to bring food to the table by what is yes president mims my vote is yes madam clerk

Item 31 is adopted.

Madam clerk, we have one first reading item and then payment of bills and then we'll open a public portion item number 5 for first reading.

Item number 5 is an ordinance of the city of Patterson amending chapter 435 article 3 entitled the street openings and excavations to revise and expand the contents of permit applications establish additional duties and responsibilities of permittees and increase penalties for noncompliance this is an ordinance from public works on first reading.

So move. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Zavala. Second by Mems Mendez and Velez. roll call item 5. That's a move roll call item 5, madam clerk.

Councilwoman offered. Councilwoman cotton. Vice president Davila yes, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you madam clerk. So This is another waste of time, another feel-good piece of legislation, right? There's no outline descriptions on requirements. That's already spelled out by the DOT, by the way. I failed to bring it with me, but definitely outlined relative to requirements. Tasking, as a matter of fact, just today, just today, I had to call the PD because a contractor was on the corner of North 3rd and Clinton. They had barricades out there saying with road closed, no police officer. By law, they're required to obtain a road closure permit and they're required to hire an off-duty Patterson police officer. It's a law. It's already... Locked in. They blatantly disregard. You know what this legislation says? We're going to tell you, you got to take pictures. Before and then after. One of the officers just outlined and the director pointed it out, on 24th between Broad and 12th, the sinkhole is so big, very soon somebody's car could just take a ride down that street, 24th between 12th and Broadway. Enormous sinkholes. But here we are, instead of being responsible, hiring staff inspectors to be there to make sure that they put the right aggregate in the ground make sure they don't feel back fill it because even these big companies that don't appear CNG they violate the city of Paterson because they know is no. Anything goes in Paterson. But this is it right is what we get. I'm good my voice now.

Councilman coming.

I voted yes, but I'm good.

Councilman Mendez.

Well, quite honestly, I mean, I don't know where to start with this legislation, but as maybe some members of the community remember, I've been speaking about River Street for a month and month and meetings because when we got into the project, into the River Street Reconstruction Project, we approved a third-party company to oversee the project. I never saw that company on the side. And every time you see repaving, I'm there. I love to go and see how they're doing. I like to ask questions to the people, to the contractor and the company. I never saw that entity there. But with that being said, it's not Our job is to make sure that we put legislation in place. The administration's job is to enforce those legislation. I'm not going to say no to a piece of legislation because I'm not too sure if they're going to enforce it or not. That's their job, and the community needs to watch what they're doing. In most of the cases, I would say 80% of the cases, people come in front of the podium and they scream at us, they're upset, and 80% of the things that we're talking about, the administration was responsible. But I understand that's the only venue that the peoples have to express themselves. And I totally get it, and I agree with that. But with that being said, enforcement is the key. 9th Avenue, it took us over 30 years to fix 9th Avenue. And 9th Avenue's been fixed for, I would say, maybe two months. PNC already opened in 9th Avenue in three different locations. PNC and G and Passaic Valley Water Commission. And you got to see the pothole that we have right on 9th Avenue. But it took us 30 years to fix it. Congressman Bill Pascrell, may he rest in peace, he died. And we couldn't fix it just when he was alive. Now it's fixed. But guess what? The utility company went and opened the road again in three different spaces. I mean, that's a crime. You know, we're throwing taxpayer dollars out of the window. So we've got to hold this entity accountable. I'm voting yes on this, absolutely. And I'm going to work with whoever. I'm going to keep talking about this. When we start fixing River Street, I was talking and I've been talking, they already opened River Street. I will take a picture and I will show the people the picture where they opened. Now our job is to make sure that they go back and fix it.

That's our job to do it.

That's the administration's job. And the only way is by putting legislation like this in place and make sure that the administration does their job. With that being said, my vote is yes by the clerk.

Councilman Velez.

Every project in the City of Paterson regarding road resurface and repayment and any construction that taxpayer money is involved, the City of Paterson resident carries a performer's bond. So if you know what is a performance bond means, means that that road is covered for two years and the contract is obligated to come and fix it back and forth if they open it again. In this case, probably they had to go back in, but they have, based on ordinance, they had to put it back the way that they... find the road in this case in this ordinance if you look at the ordinance when it was written way way back it had no teeth this ordinance based on the explanation of corporate counsel in the mr va last week is increasing the fine of those individuals that open our roads without permits and by the law. It's also had more teeth on it. How we could prove that the role was in certain condition. A reading a tell them that the ordinance says that now you have to prove that what you doing a before and after trust me it will work. Residents will say this role was paid. I got the picture. When you come back in the open is supposed to be the same way that they took that picture or better saying that this is an order that we put T funny. Councilman Davis knows the underlying of any ordinances that it means that we added more strict rules to make sure that those that want to do work in the city pass into the right way and this also will prevent violators people saturday and sunday doing work connecting sewer to those to the streets and all that stuff without permits this is a a good thing my word is yes president mims

Madam clerk this item is much needed one thing corporation Council. These items have been discussed many times over to community members activists have fought for this and now we're here to support it. Madam clerk my vote is yes.

Item 5 is adopted payment of bills, madam clerk. Thank you council as president.

I'm sorry, madam clerk.

Thank you so much, Council President. Before I move with the summary of disbursements, I would be remiss if I did not say we are beginning Hispanic Heritage Month as it begins today, September 15th through October 15th. And today we will be taking action on the honorees that we will be honoring here in the chambers. And I know Madam Clerk will discuss that a little more, but I just wanted to say happy Hispanic Heritage Month. unidos somos mas so with that said summary of disbursements um in the total of 14 million six hundred and nineteen thousand four hundred and one dollars and forty two cents that is the total it was a payroll week so it was a little over six million one hundred and twenty five thousand two hundred and twenty nine dollars and nineteen cents In the computer checks, there is a payment to the Board of Education of $6,903,348. In addition, capital funds, $797,989. with $0.91, which the majority of that is towards River Street, making that a total of the computer checks of $8,494,172.23, payroll $6,125,229.19, making that a total of $14,619,401.42. My motion is for payment of bills.

The second local amount of court.

Councilwoman offered. Yes. Councilwoman cotton. Vice president Davila yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, madam clerk. This is just for a note for the public and why I have such little faith in what happens. Previous item, people talked about, well, it's going to work. Said the same thing about the garbage cans, that we pay $4,000 per garbage can for it. It's supposed to send emails. I MEAN, THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS. I'VE NEVER ONCE SAID, YOU KNOW, OH, YEAH, YOU WAS RIGHT. EVERY SINGLE TIME, OH, COUNCILMAN JACKSON, LIKE, YOU WAS RIGHT. OF COURSE, BECAUSE WE DO SENSIBLE THINGS. WE ALLOW THESE THINGS TO GO THROUGH, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE EXPECT THAT THE PUBLIC IS STUPID. LIKE, WE JUST SIT HERE AND APPROVE THESE ITEMS, LIKE, THIS BILLS LIST WITH NO LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY. To say that it's not the council's job to hold the administration accountable, this is it right here, the bills list. This is exactly how we hold them accountable. This is how we do it. But everything that gets presented, it's automatically approved. And I take my hat off to this mayor. He has ran a complete job. The most successful man in commandeering the council. It's a band of puppets. Madam Clerk, my vote is no.

Councilman Khaliq?

Yes, Madam Clerk.

President Mims so to the public who is here watching. We're voting to pay the employees. 8 million dollars, I know some people don't like to hear it, but it's facts and we're also voting to pay the Board of Ed which we this is a responsible thing to do services rendered need to be paid. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Payment of bills are adopted. Thank you, madam clerk. We're going into public portion. We have 22 speakers. Each speaker has three minutes. Once your three minutes is done, we will move on to the next. We have constituent services here. Mr. Javier Fernandez, which every week when there are residents that come to the microphone that have complaints or issues, he always addresses them. It was duly noted that people come to the Mike and no one addresses it constituent services is here every single week the items that need to be addressed the city issues he addresses them the other items that are outside of that it is not. I'm calling up our first speaker miss Khadija Jenkins. He is not on the list. Miss Jenkins, you are the first speaker. You are out of order. A police officer, could you please remove him? Khadija Jenkins, you are the first speaker, is off. Excuse me, Mr. Mejia, you are not on the list. You are not on the list. You are out of order. Mr. Officer, please remove him from the microphone. You are out of order. You are not on the list. There was a decorum. You are not on the list. 7.30, the list was pulled. You are not here. Mr. Mejia, you are out of order. Point of order. Point of order. Point of order. Point of order. How is he out of order? He's absolutely correct. He is not on the list to speak. He is not. So the list was pulled. Councilman, your point of order is not granted. It was not pulled before an hour. And he wasn't allowed. Why is residents... It was not. Yo, this is a... This right here is a shame. Ms. Jenkins, Ms. Jenkins, first speaker. Yeah, I know. Thank you point of order miss Jenkins is our first speaker. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening miss Jenkins, I apologize for that good evening.

I'm good evening. My name is Katie Joe. Excuse me, we have a speaker at the Mike tonight and say what are we doing environmentally for Patterson as a whole.

I know organizations like one second miss Jenkins order. Could you please reset her time.

I just wanted to ask tonight what are we doing environmentally for Patterson as a whole. I know organizations like City Green are doing work and I know there are projects happening in specific parts of the city but when we look at Patterson as a whole, our flooding concerns, our infrastructure OUR WATER QUALITY AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, WHAT ARE OUR OVERALL PLANS? RUTGERS HAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES IN PATTISON FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING BIOS WELLS, RAIN GARDENS, RAIN BARROWS, STORM WATER PLANNERS, AND PREMIABLE PAVEMENTS. THESE ARE WAYS WE CAN CAPTURE AND ABSORB WATER BEFORE IT EVEN REACHES OUR SEWER SYSTEMS. SO WHERE DO WE CURRENTLY STAND WITH THOSE PROJECTS? WHAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, WHAT HAS BEEN FUNDED, AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE? I WANT TO ASK ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD. THE CITY CODE ESTABLISHES AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND OUTLINES ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN MEETINGS. TO MY ACKNOWLEDGMENT, THERE HASN'T BEEN A MEETING SINCE AROUND THE COVID TIME PERIOD. SO WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF HAVING A DEDICATED ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE CITY. BECAUSE THESE ISSUES ARE CONNECTED TO TREE CANOPY FLOODING, WATER QUALITY, OVERDEVELOPMENT, STORM WATER, AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURES, THESE THINGS CANNOT BE LOOKED AT SEPARATELY. I ALSO WANT TO AGAIN ASK ABOUT THE MASTER PLAN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PLANNING BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS. STATE LAW REQUIRES A GENERAL EXAMINATION AT LEAST EVERY 10 YEARS. SO WHERE ARE WE IN THAT PROCESS? WHAT IS THE TIMELINE? AND HOW ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS GOING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THAT PLAN? AND LASTLY, I WANT TO PUT AN OPPORTUNITY OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A GRANT-FUNDED TREE PLANTING PROGRAM LOOKING FOR HOMEOWNER SCHOOLS, GROUPS, PARKS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS THAT MAY WANT TO PARTICIPATE. THE PROGRAM EVALUATES THE SOIL, THE SITE, DETERMINE WHAT SPECIES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDES THE PLANTING SERVICES AT NO COST TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY RESIDENCE. THE EXPECTATION IS SIMPLY A TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT TO WATERING AND CARING FOR THE TREES. We are looking to plant between March and May, so if you're interested in having trees planted at your home, school, business, or community space, I encourage you to reach out and participate. I also wanted to say to people, with time moving forward, please pay attention to the Board of Education election coming up in November. and for 2028 election for other council members i know we can't change who we have for council at large but we can't change the other six members for the coming years so please people start paying attention to that now so we can get some better outcomes and more voices that are for the people thank you thank you very much next speaker madam clerk next speaker we have charles ferrer

Good evening, good evening.

So I want to finish from last week. And here's my message to the planning board people. If it's too hot in the kitchen, step down. The gentleman put some stuff out that I'm researching if they're violating the law of have to go to the D C a whoever have to go to to make them do these meetings and public that's what will be done. When you're afraid of the residents, you don't belong on any board. Okay. Some of you served too long. You've destroyed this city. And another thing I want to talk about now, I'm looking at this. So everything's on the consent agenda and stuff like this. If we follow the agenda, that means that the public could speak about the things on the consent agenda before you vote on them. Roll Avenue, whether you're just voting to give them the okay on the application to tap into the sewer system and stuff like that. Let me tell you something. I was at that planning board meeting. That should have never been approved. Many of you don't even know what was approved. They approved 131 units. They reduced it with one parking space per unit. So there's a husband and wife and there's two cars. The wife parks on site. Where's the husband parking? Taking some residents parking space on Marion Street or Jasper or all those streets over there. So this is what we're doing in this city. We're inundating, we're overpopulating, we're making stupid decisions along with allowing them to apply for tax credits, developer's fees, and then tax abatements where they'll sit there and pay the tax on the land, but not the improvement, and the residents pick up the balance. That's why we can't fully fund anything. That's why we're on transitional aid and all kinds of craziness because we have not, since Garrett Heights, gotten the money that we should be getting so that the residents can enjoy life here. When I started seeing senior citizens coming to the board meeting saying, we can't pay no more. This is a problem. But it's not going to stop As long as we continue to allow developers to come in here. And get away with everything. You want to invest invest pay your fair share. Every owner that owns a home they get the tax break. I do they have to pay they have to pay this and then they have to cover every developer that has more money than most of the residents in Paterson will ever see. How is that fair? And just for the record, I just need to know. Because I'm not sure. So somebody please enlighten me. Thank you. Your time is. I understand my time is.

Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker is Kevin Henry. Next speaker.

Good evening. Good evening. Kevin Henry, Third Ward. Good evening. I would like to talk about our mayor. To be honest with you, I'm very disappointed in our mayor, Andre Serre. And the reason for that, because I watched the news on Sunday, and he said that the clogs of the drains where I live in 33rd Street were clean, but In my street, over 10 people lost their cars over the flood. My house, my grandparents' house were all fabulous. Our basement got flooded. And the basement, it was rising up, rising up, all the floods. And it's just very disappointing to see the mayor on a news channel saying all these things. But there's no progress happening in Paterson. And another note, also homelessness is a serious problem in Paterson. Homelessness is a very serious problem. There was one person yesterday at my house, homeless person, started urinating in front of our house. And I don't know how this mayor, because I've been watching the press conference on my phone, on Facebook. And they say, oh, real fix, doing this, doing that, and all the type of stuff. And I just have to say, does he just go around the city to see what's going on? Because it's very disappointing to see all these homeless people in the city not getting the resources that they need. And it's very disappointing. And on another note, I spoke to Billy about the drains and the clog. And he's going to fix that up tomorrow. But parking is out of control. Parking in this city is just ridiculous. And then not only that, you can't even find parking in this city. You have to go to a next block. to find another parking, but your house is like two blocks down. It's just... My grandfather always told me, because he migrated from Jamaica in 1990, and he said, like, these issues back then, they weren't happening. And, you know, I go to PCC, I see Maritza Davila, the president, and, you know, and I see the next generation coming up, and I see, you know, we have to go through this. In the city that we have to go to this. And it is really unfortunate that Patterson has become this. And that's what I need to say God bless you all have a good night.

Good to see you Mister Henry that speak about a car. Next to me so I was shown.

Good evening. Kimisha Rogers-Jones, Patterson, New Jersey. I'm tired. I'm hungry. And we wonder why sometimes you see people's faces or they come up here a little frustrated. This isn't part of my statement, but I want to know why we don't follow the agenda. Why is the community forced? want to sit through you guys bickering and just extending the meeting for no reason. If you're not going to follow the agenda, why do you even make one? Why are we even making one? We were supposed to be public portion minutes, hours ago. And now we're here. And then you wonder, then the community wonders, why are the people so frustrated? I'm hangry. I'm hungry. I'm tired. I worked all day. And I come here and I got to deal with this. Like, this is ridiculous. I'm like over it. You guys are just like, are you here to help us or what? Like, I'm confused. Community. You know, last week was terrible. And I saw a lot of people posting about the nonsense that happened at the meeting. And you guys put so much attention into the negativity, but I didn't see that attention to the issues that were really brought here that day. You know, and I know... I'm so annoyed right now. And even tonight, because my message is to my community that I love dearly. I know some of you are watching tonight probably looking like, is it going to be drama? Is it going to be this? And I'm going to be honest. I don't even care why you're watching. But do we have your attention now? Right? I don't care what brought you here. I'm glad you're here now. Right? Because at the end of the day, it's going to take more than social media. It's going to take more than this arguing and this back and forth. It's going to take us as a community to really step up and stand up. What we're seeing here, we don't have to deal with. Like, our concerns are real concerns. The overdevelopment, the flooding, the infrastructure, the way that our government is running. Do we have your attention? I know some of us came for the drama, but I need you to stay for the fight, for the community. Stand up! All right? Like, at the end of the day, a lot of what we're seeing and what's being allowed is because we haven't really stepped up as a community. But I get it. You guys, some of you were re-elected, newly elected. But you guys still have to answer to the people. And what are we doing? Community, I implore you, please, don't look at this as just a reality show. This is our life. And people are laughing at us. And some people are laughing at us all the way to the bank at our expense. Community, stand up for your city. Do not allow this nonsense to continue. And we got to hold, because accountability goes both ways. And I'm looking at some of you guys. You don't respond to our concerns, but you respond to shady messages on Facebook. Like, where's your real support?

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Jones. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Next speaker is really having a man.

I think she left she left now for.

I last speaker is any only about it.

Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Ms. Rogers. Thank you. We're all frustrated with you, with you guys. You are useless to us. Lisa, you asked us for respect. Not from me. Not going to get respect from me. But I want to thank you, Alex. Thank you. Tonight, you said publicly that you think that the meetings should be held in person. Maybe you should talk to some of, I thank you, I really do. Maybe you should talk to some of these cowards, your colleagues, that are afraid to say the same thing. Oh, he looks like he's lost. He's probably had no clue what I'm talking about. Anyway, people here talk about parkings. They talk about the flooring. They talk about everything. And yes, it is. Councilman Jasvink did present that resolution to honor the veterans. But it's OK. I mean, do as long as it's done, like he says. That's really all that matters. He also talked about and introduced, he wrote the legislation for the class two offices. I understand that we are doing it now. So two out of two, not too bad. There are others. You've got to keep going. He has also spoken about taking over the housing authority. It's an emergency. We need to take it over. You guys need to take it over. It's our housing authority. So that's his, he suggested that too. Take the mantle. Do it. I would be happy. Also with the developers charging for parkings illegally. He's also talked about that. Do it. There's a whole list. I can help you. I can give you a whole list of things. But you're not going to do it. You're only going to do what makes you look good and does not go against the investors. At the end of the day, they own you. And so you're only going to go as far as it helps you, but does not hurt the investors. And so I would say with the class two officers, let me tell you what's going to happen. The class two officers, this is the administration that appoints, that selects the people that are going to become officers. And even Luis Velez's wife may end up with a badge. Because that's how they do it. You know? You got a colleague. All of these people, their families are going to end up. That's how they do it. And so I am talking now to Mr. Florio. Mr. Florio, this will affect you not at all. So make sure that, because everything goes through you and the other investors, make sure that the family members and the friends of these people do not end up on the class two officers. They're useless.

Thank you that's become out of court.

Councilman Danny Davis Councilman Davis Councilman Davis Councilman Davis.

Thank you. Good morning that good evening. So tired, I am. I DID COME HERE TO SHARE SOMETHING, AND I WANT TO THANK MS. ROGERS FOR BRINGING OUT SOME STUFF. LAST WEEK WAS DESPICABLE. AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FROM NOT ONLY PEOPLE IN PATTERSON, BUT SOME FRATERNITY BROTHERS OF MINE THAT LIVE OUT OF STATE. THIS MORNING, I RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM THE HIGHEST RANKING member of my fraternity, and that's our grand boss list, just asking what's going on. And we sit here. One of the things that I did, and I'm not saying I did everything right when I was sitting in your seat, but you should give the attention to people when they're up here talking and not on your cell phones. That's number one. We got to talk about respect. Respect has to be given and run. So on both sides, Ms. Rogers mentioned something. On both sides, you know, That's where we've got to start out right there first is respect. You want to be heard and we want to hear you. We should hear you. There's a lot of stuff that's happening in our city that requires us to really pay attention and see what's going on. And residents need to come out, but also council members, talk to your residents to find out what is going on. I actually see a video about that flooding, and I didn't even know where it was. I thought I was somewhere in the ocean somewhere. I mean, it was that deep, that high and bad. And it was found out it was on the 11th and 25th Street, 24th? I couldn't believe it. I was like, no way, no way. So yes, I think part of the cleaning, yes, Residents need to be, need to take care of their property too. Whether they're renting or owners, they need to be fined. They need to get these people fined because we have a big problem with cleanliness. It's just so nasty. And then parking, that's another issue. These commercial vehicles don't need to be on the streets, period. No commercials. I don't care if you've got one fleet, ten fleet of cars. Your commercial, you should not be in a residential area parking, particularly overnight. I can't even find a park. Got to go four blocks just to get home. So please, Patterson, wake up. And I'm talking on both sides. I'm not here to bash you all because I won't do that. I will come to you personally if I have an issue. But residents, You can come to this House, which is your House, but you're not coming in here talking any kind of way and be disrespectful. Don't feed into disrespect for them, and they shouldn't be feeding disrespect for you. So it's both. I just like the corn. I agree.

Thank you, Councilman. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Next speaker is Darlene Morris.

Good evening, everyone. First, I'd just like to commend the entire, well, not quite the entire, but most of you, because in the 51 years that I've been married, I've never agreed with my husband as much as you've agreed with each other during these few short years that you've been on this board. um and i and that's probably why i'm still married um but um i want to address something that i believe is getting lost in the outrage people come here to assuage their anger and their frustration people are tired i i've watched this go over when i saw the flood and andre making light of it even made a joke even and i put it on facebook There's no joking in these situations. These are people's lives. And I don't understand how when you make decisions, you can only see right here. You can't see down the road on how it's going to affect people. I've heard a lot of tremendous discussion about what Cameo said, when that's like down here compared to the problems that people are facing daily. But, you know, they want to argue about what Camille said, but nobody said anything about Florio trying to disparage Councilman Jackson. So only when somebody comes, you allow the developer to try to disparage a councilman that's fighting for you, that's here every week. I would have given up a long time ago because I feel like things are futile here. You never get a report about What exactly is being done? You don't get reports of how it's being done. So everybody's kind of being treated like a mushroom. keep staying in the dark and fed shit because that's how mushrooms grow. You have to give people information. People need to know if things are ever going to change or if it's going to stay the same. What they need, when Mr. Irvin was here, he had been here before because I remember his sister was here before. Talking about the same, this man had to sell his house. He's trying to take care of his children. How do you kick people in the teeth like that and then say, you know, we want to honor the veterans You're not honoring the people that's working right now, people that are trying to live. I really take issue with those things. I don't want to be emotional about things. But I know if I lived here, and people say, well, darling, you don't live here. Chanel don't live here. Well, half of these people don't live here either. But I lived here for a lot of years. I was born and bred here. And I still care about this city. And that's why I drive over an hour to come here and address the concerns that people are calling me about down in South Jersey. Because at least I try to help them through the situations that they're going through. And I wish you would too. But the one thing I feel confident in The Bible says the sins of the father will be visited upon the children up to the second and third generations. And I hope when your children are hurting, you will.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Next speaker is Joel Keys, Jr.

Testing, testing. What we are dealing with in Paterson is not just politics, it's not just personalities, it is a system working exactly the way it was designed to work. Sociology teaches us that you cannot understand behavior unless you understand the system behind it. And the system we are living under is capitalism, driven by what Dr. Leonard Jeffries calls ICE, individualism, competition, and exploitation. We are taught to compete against each other, step over each other, and measure our worth by what we have while our communities fall apart around us. We are told to chase status, climb the social and political mobility ladders, and become the super individual. The influence of capitalism's values to achieve the status of the super individual is reflected in religion too. In Islam, Allah is the super individual. His competition in Christianity is Jesus Christ. The believers are not in this together. They are all individuals competing with one another. There's no collective movement to heaven. Even that is individual competition. What good is it to rise alone while your people are still struggling? What good is individual success when the collective is still suffering? That is exactly what we see. A few people make it. A few people get power, get money, and get titles. But the community? Still hurting. Still underfunded. Still ignored. That is not failure. It is the predictable outcome of a system that was never designed for collective success. If we refuse to examine that system, if we refuse to question it, investigate it, and challenge it, we will keep getting the same results. We would keep offering surface level solutions to deep structural problems. So let's talk about leadership in Paterson. The mayor, the senator, the assemblymen, the other eight council members, the BA, the CFO, the corporation council, and Madam Clerk, they are all operating within the same system that rewards self-interest, personal advancement, and political survival, choosing commerce over conscience. But Councilman Jackson, is the exception. He is not chasing status to become the super individual. He is standing on principle. He chooses conscience over commerce, even when it is difficult and even when it comes at a personal cost. Promoting individual success while preventing collective success is the design of capitalism and that's why we witness individual millionaires and billionaires flourishing while the collective remained marginalized, disfranchised, and exploited endlessly. Will we continue accepting a system where few rise while the many are left behind? Or are we finally ready to fight for something greater than individual success? Thank you. For a future rooted in collective.

Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Thank you. Next speaker.

Next speaker is Elvis Durham.

Mr. Elvis from Patterson, New Jersey. Before I get started, I just want to say to the Councilman of the Second War, Councilman Khalif, I want to say thank you for getting my son a job, his first job. I really appreciate that. The UEZ In the city of Paterson, New Jersey, Mayor Andre Sayer and the Paterson UEZ invite you to gather and grow Paterson UEZ for Market, a free community event celebrating Paterson businesses. Saturday, October 3rd, the whole Main Street, Ward, and Broadway will be blocked off. 12 p.m. and to 4 p.m. It's going to be vendors. Oh, my God. Good food, DJ, giveaways, and more. So the whole Passaic County, city of Patterson, wherever you're from, come out and support the downtown Nevia and celebrate with us. The White Sutton and the New Prayer Wheels presents an old-time gospel program. Appreciation to Reverend Dr. Betty J. Montgomery. Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 187-189 Pearl Street, 187 That's 189 P-E-A-R-L Street, Patterson, New Jersey. The doors open at 3 o'clock p.m. The concert starts at 3.30 p.m. This is a free will event. Everybody is welcome. There's going to be a lot of surprise guests going to be in the building. Muhammad Fish and Chips. Coming soon on 184 Governor Street, Paterson, New Jersey. My YouTube channel, Paterson NJ Good News. My Facebook, Elvis Good News, D-U-R-H-A-M. Good night, God bless you.

Good night. Next speaker, Ms. Jalen.

Why do you make history to feel it's a social service? Why do you have to live in it to feel it's a social service? It's all right. It's all right. Here we go.

What's up, it's your girl Jalen. Y'all know what's going on. Invading City Hall yet again. All right, hold up. I really don't come here to speak to the council. I come here to talk to the public because it's obvious they don't care about the quality of life in Patterson. Why do we need another sports bar? Like, if the vision is to make us a tourist city, why can't you guys attract other type of businesses that showcase us as a melting pot and a better quality of life? Like also, can the community have a say in this? There shouldn't be a sports bar, let alone two, by a school in a residential area. Like you guys are voting for the demise of the quality of life. We don't need another sports bar, liquor store, smoke shop, dispensary. Let's get some Pilates studios or boutique gyms. Let's get restaurants that promote clean eating or different cuisines and culture. I'm sick and tired of eating the roast gondolas and roasted chicken, okay, because that's what's in proximity. I feel like I live in South America or something and not New Jersey to melt and pop. I'm sorry, but here it is, another business that's going to make me feel like an outsider in my own home state and home country. And I'm not saying all Hispanic owners are rude and racist because I love the sports bar by my house, but that colorism morphed into racism once they crossed that border and I've experienced horrible customer service because of it. I don't know, I just feel like there are some of my people that are trying to bring businesses to Patterson, but it's always something wrong with the application. Why not give a workshop to educate my community on how to go about it? Is there a seminar that we can go to? My people have evolved. Not all of us live a ghetto and ratchet lifestyle. We can have upscale businesses that cater to black culture. Hell, it's ghetto people in every culture. My bad. Sorry. It's ghetto people in every culture. My people shouldn't be the only ones judged on our bad apples. I shouldn't have to go all the way to Exeter County to get some black culture. New Jersey, Passaic County is a melting pot, but I don't see my people represented anywhere. But I'm off the culture discrimination. I want to say with all the smoke shops and businesses that promote substance abuse, It just shows what the leadership thinks of our communities. They don't live here, so why should they care of the quality of life? You don't see any of those businesses in their neighborhoods. We have to be wary of our own aiding to the issue. Why can't we have a strip like Miami or Myrtle Beach where all the bars and stuff are in one area? We don't even have police power to handle all of the bars or apartment buildings that's bringing more people over here, and our infrastructure can't handle it. So to the community, please join my virtual community meetings Mondays and Thursdays via Zoom at 7 p.m. I'm not all talk, noise, and anger. I'm about that action. Again, I'm passionate, not mad. I'm dangerous, okay? And it's time we organize. In closing, in closing, hold up. It's time that we organize. So come with solutions and resources because it's time to take our cities back. And non-residents are welcome too. Follow me on IG, TikTok, Jalen's... Jalen's World.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker is Tyshauna Kennedy.

Hi, you know me. I saw a 20 I signed a settlement agreement June 22 where's my money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, past the time to pay me 60 days was up all this 21st with my brain.

Talking to my do you know about this talking to my do you know about my lawsuit or you don't we all voted on a year.

Yeah, I voted on it. Oh, I sue John 2020. I signed a settlement agreement June 22nd stating right here that my money would be paid to me within 60 days. I breached the contract. It was over August 21st was the 60 days. I have a settlement enforcement to the judge as we speak because I don't no longer want that $100,000 because I had to wait. So now y'all got to come up with some more money. But if it's not, if I don't get my check within two to three weeks, I'm going back to trial. And y'all have no win at all in trial. So you're going to be paying way more than what I settled for. So I just want to know where my money at.

The lesser so corporation Council could you speak to miss Kennedy on the side please but he can't do that but he'll come and speak to your cars. He can't but I do you have extra copies.

I do I watch I want to see I can see if yes, OK so for you just get out of prison.

Very briefly to you well not yet because we don't want to break it so give it and then

Just wait.

We'll have someone come to you.

Council yes, next speaker because I was aware and because the speaker is aware and public. Order now the order is no usually you that speaker as a president, Mister can of my question to give us a document through the chair we have the council been the last point of order I've already addressed that so we will address accounts of the last out of Mister Hopkins is the next speaker. The one. The record that you can give us already instructed them to give us the paper Mister can of Hopkins is the next so you take it.

I'm here for the same thing we know my money in over 60 days right now. Been over 100 days, you know what I mean? I'm still waiting on our money. You know, I got my release form. City still, they didn't pay me. It's over. I don't want to take that. I'm going to take it to trial. So I would like to know what's going on. I don't see nobody posting nothing. Nothing is going on. Everybody ignoring everything. So I like to sit down and talk to someone. What the hell is going on? That's what I want to know. Where's my money?

So if you just wait, Corporation Council will respond. After just just wait a few minutes he will definitely give a response okay. You're welcome next speaker, madam clerk. Yana King. Those okay. Aisha McKenzie.

Hello. This is my first meeting. I would like to say this town is a joke. You guys don't do nothing for the residents. Can you speak closer into them okay, this town is a joke guys and she. The housing sucks here you guys are building all these apartments asking for $2,000 in the hood. I watch I went to court when I got evicted I watch how they sat there and took all my stuff on my apartment I had nothing slept outside social services never helped me what you're going to do. Outside for a month and had to go to work. The only person that helped me on council was Mike Jackson. That I can say. For a month. Y'all need to do something. I'm still trying to go to court to get my shit. Excuse my language. The judge denied me twice of getting my stuff. What are we doing in this city? We got all these drug addicts on the streets. What are we doing? That's all I need to know. That's all I have to say. But this city is a fucking joke.

Thank you by Mister Fernandez could just please get the information from this Mackenzie next speaker miss Francis Harrison.

Francis Harrison good evening. I'm here as a community actives with the concerns of the community. every meeting whether it's a workshop or regular council meeting the public comes before you with their concerns and it doesn't seem as though any of this is being put into your mind to handle we hear you ask council dpw finance for reports do you ever get these reports Because if you do, the public would like to know what these reports say. We never get an answer to the stuff that you're asking for, like we don't get an answer for the stuff that we're asking for. You do these resolutions that are really meaningfully without enforcement. So we really like to know when we ask you these things, the first thing we hear from you guys, it's the administration, it's the administration. We'd like to know, really, as a council, what is your power to push back on this administration that's doing all the disservice to us as a community? We have an issue with even trying to conduct business in this town. You come down to City Hall, nowhere to park, but you have businesses that are putting out orange cones to save places for their business right out in front of City Hall. We come down here trying to come pay our bills or see somebody or whatever we're doing inside of the people's house, and we can't find a place to park. It makes no sense. You have these resolutions that are out there, commercial parking, double parking, DPW, making sure you put your garbage in a container, all these other things that are out there that are not being enforced. But we as taxpayers, and I'm going to say the highest paying taxpayer, Third Ward, these are the things that we're dealing with and every time we come before you guys with concerns this is what we have to deal with and what i'm talking about i know that's not that important because i didn't call to say it was so bad the way they talked about the president of the council so i'll just get up and walk out but it's okay and then we're here welcome to louis valet show Okay. Everything he has to make a comment about and let him know that me and Mendez are not joined at the hips.

Thank you very much. Madam Clerk, next speaker is Dr. Chanel Fields.

Mm-hmm.

Good evening. Hold on a minute.

Did it break?

Good evening, good evening. Oftentimes you can tell everything about a city when you observe and examine its mayor when a tree produces bad for we must first examine the route. Nobody ever really blames the fruit much like this administration we have to examine the integrity of this entire Council body its administration, but especially the mayor. The public portion is your mirror, reflecting every behavior we have witnessed in this council chamber, but at a higher, more amplified volume that you may not always be able to easily digest. If you don't like what we the public are reflecting, fix the view amongst yourself towards us first. Every bad pattern of behavior comes from outright lies, the chaos, the gaslighting displayed in these council chambers is horrendous, and it sends a direct message to us and our community that only certain people and certain concerns matter. You failed tremendously, council president, at leadership because of your ineffectiveness to teach others how to lead. I do feel that you as a president could become more effective with proper training. At the end of the day, no one will ever want to follow an imposter that has been gifted a role. Being a true leader consists of more than perks and holding a title of being a president in charge. It's actually about being someone we can trust to take care of all of us who are positioned in your care. True leadership sets a temperature it creates clear communication real outcomes as solutions to resident issues, but you have failed to clearly communicate and outline any real feedback to our non developer community as it pertains to residential issues of concern. Someone once said, how we walk with the broken speaks much louder than how we sit with the great. My biggest issue is with this council and this crazed concern that seems to be wanting to be seen in pictures with the said greats while the city continuously suffers. When people become When people come before this council week after week with pressing matters that include homelessness crisis, drug epidemics, food insecurities, you all fail. When you don't give them real answers, you fail. When you stop making them feel seen, you fail. When you skip over their concerns, you fail. When you brush them off saying, seek constituent services please, you fail. Every time you cut us off on our last sentence and inhumanely disrespectfully say next person please you fail so stop asking us what's wrong with the speakers ask us why we the public what we are the public are trying to show this derelict administration about itself last week we heard the term House. And I will not repeat that language, but I will address the underlying concern. The belief is that this legislative body is too busy often doing bidding for John Curry, the mayor, and the developers of the city while we bleed dry. When the public is kept out of the loop from understanding the ordinance week after week, it historically resounds the word slavery as if we were on plantations being put to use by the sambos that keep us in place to be ignorant about the decisions you guys make over our lives. Lastly, I'm going to close. Councilwoman Mims, you owe BRAC Funeral Home an apology and they're waiting for it. If not, I will be filing ethics charges. You owe Libra Sanay an apology and she wants it.

Dr. Fields, your time is up. I'm sorry. Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next up, we have Eugenia Byfield. Eugenia? Eugenia Byfield. OK. Next speaker, Madam Clerk, Brittany Hunt.

Hello, everyone. Hello. So before I begin, I'm actually going to read three quotes. One comes from a personal conversation that I had with one of our respected former council members. And then two were posted on social media. To see what goes on in that Council chambers doing every single meeting is very embarrassing. It's heartbreaking. I'm sad to see this at the sitting on that Council for 20 plus years I would have never imagined that this is what it will come to and it's not just the residents is to Council members soon. And that was quoted by again one of our former Council on women. Is there a means. The second is there was a time when my entire family was sit together to watch the council means not anymore. I refuse to let my sophomore grandson watch our city leaders as well as the speakers saw the lack of respect embarrasses me that was posted by miss Sandra King, she's another community elder. And then this last one this one is from Alex Alvarez It's a shame that my 15-year-old son always asks, why can't we just move to get away from this circus?

That's a 15-year-old's words.

I come before you all tonight with respect to everyone within reach of my voice, both present in the council chambers this evening and not. I'm here because not only do I love the city of Paterson, but most importantly, I care about its residents. And although many of you may disagree with me, I truly believe we can strengthen the way we work together if we better the way we communicate with one another. Very often conversations may become heated here in our Council meetings. People speak over one another, misunderstandings arise, and disagreements even become personal. Unfortunately, when that happens, it becomes difficult to focus on the issues that matters most. I'm not here to place blame on any one person, neither residents nor any of the elected officials. But it's about recognizing that we all have a role. To the residents, I say to you all, we all have rights. We all have the right to show up, ask questions, seek answers, and even become angry at times when we show up. But when you do show up, show up with a purpose because your voices matter. But it's not what you say. And it's not, it's not what you say, but it's how you say it. It's how you use your voice. To the members of the council, you all have been entrusted with leadership. You guys are our governing body. But leadership involves more than just holding a title. Thank you leadership about more than just holding the title. You all are supposed to set the example for us that's how the next generation.

We've got to be fair, yes, and I'm leaving.

Thank you. Thank you both ways both sides.

Thank you miss on. Next speaker, Mister teller.

Michael Taylor is the next speaker.

Good evening Council. Michael Taylor, parent of the year of all Patterson public schools. When I was given the title parent of the year, I wasn't just speaking for my daughter, I was speaking for all the children of Patterson. I also had the pleasure of coaching Patterson girls softball, Patterson girls basketball. Also had the pleasure of working at school 6 for 7 years under the supervision of doctor for more doctor the legend doctor for more pass. So when I say I worked at school 6, I worked at school 6 as a custodian I'm not just was only custodian I looked out for the chill all the children in the 4th Ward. That's what I'm here to do tonight speak up for the children of past get back to the children of past. This message not only go to the City Council does go also to pass and what education. The president state of Patterson is the children the recreation. October 23 3 years ago, the mayor say I had a meeting that great falls community center saying that there was going to be a recreation center bill from the ground up. Mike Jackson was there. This is that was there because the mayor was there that you want to do what I'm getting that It was supposed to be a white guy who had money supposed to build a recreation center from the ground up. With that saying, the mayor is saying the recreation centers that they have in store for the public is already built, two buildings already built. So what I'm getting at is I got a 10-point plan for the children of Patterson that I want the Board of Education and the City Council to adhere to. First of all, the four school closures that went down, those are the four recreation centers right there. And I need to say that again to force school closures those 4 buildings, I've seen school a is being neglected already do not let that building just sit there and go rock. That's the recreation centers right there. With the even if you build the buildings. in the buildings that you already have built, in the buildings that you're gonna build in the future. I would like for the youth of Patterson Healing Collective to be employed. I got, I got, 8 more I would like to counsel respect me to let me have my time more time to give you my 8 more top my city, my my apologies, Mister tell about we have to be fair other people want more time and we did not give it needs to be fit this day so next speaker, madam clerk. Mister Tyler your time is up.

Mister. Mr. Teller. Mr. Teller. Mr. Teller. We have to have decorum in the chambers, Mr. Teller. Officer, please.

Mr. Teller. Thank you, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Teller. Thank you. Next speaker and final speaker, Ms. Deborah Hannibal. Thank you.

Next speaker is Marcenia Caulfield.

Oh, Ms. Caulfield. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Teller. Ms. Caulfield. I miss Cole fell. Good evening, this call for a good evening, everyone.

Good evening, Council President men's members of the City Council, those who answered the call to serve those who stand on guard today and fellow residents of the city of Patterson. I'm or sending a cold field, the United States Air Force veteran. Greater love have no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends is the very core of military service, placing the mission, the nation, and the safety of others ahead of personal comfort and safety. I stand before you tonight on behalf of all of my comrades from every era, gender, ethnicity, and branch of the military, the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. We are here to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Council President Mims for sponsoring the Hometown Heroes Banner Initiative. This initiative means more to our veteran community than words can fully capture. By lining our streets with the faces of those who served, the city is doing something truly profound. It salutes not just the years of dedicated service, but in many cases, the ultimate sacrifice made by Patterson residents. These banners do far more than say thank you for your service. They look at the men and women who served, who made the ultimate sacrifice, the wounded, both visible and invisible, and loudly declare, we see you, we hear you, and you matter. By hanging these tributes across the city of Patterson, you ensure that our residents' sacrifices are never forgotten and their legacy walks with us every single day. For too long, outside narratives have tried to define our city. But this initiative ensures that all who speak the name, Patterson, New Jersey, will know that something good, honorable, and beautiful actually happens here. It shows that Patterson remembers his heroes and takes pride in the people who protected her freedoms. We counted it an honor to wear the uniform and defend our nation. Today, we counted just as much of an honor to continue serving our community right here at home. Once again, thank you, Council President Mims, for recognizing our veterans, preserving our legacy, and ensuring that our stories are woven into the very fabric of Patterson's future. God bless my comrades, the city of Patterson, and the United States of America.

getting thank you so much. Thank you. Last a final speaker miss Deborah Hannibal.

Good evening. Deborah Hannibal Patterson, New Jersey. Council president council members, madam clerk secretary the administration. Is your registration up to date. Today is National Voter Registration Day. And in a city where only 20% of registered voters participated in the last election, we cannot afford silence. No one gets to sit this one out. The hardest vote to protect is the one that is never cast. I'm asking each of you from now until election day to ask two friends, are you registered? Everyone in this room has the power to strengthen our democratic process. How? Check your voter registration. Have a plan to vote. Vote on the first day. That was called early voting. Now it's the first day. Become a poll worker. Do not leave a polling site if your name is on the list. If your name is not on the list, ask for a provisional ballot. The largest voting block is for those age 25 to 45. So please make sure your children, grandchildren are registered to vote and that they turn out. Now I would like to read something from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. But it's not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots or verbal outbursts or tirades, I added that. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without at the same time condemning the contingent intolerable conditions that exist in our society, Reed City. These conditions are the things that cause individuals to feel that they have no other alternative than to engage in violent rebellions or outbursts to get attention. And I must say tonight that a riot, a loud outburst, is the language of the unheard. We do not need an overseer. to stand here, to sit there and just enforce the three-minute rule when the people that place you in that seat, that pay your salary, are begging to be heard. We don't need an overseer. The days of the overseer are done. We don't need somebody to take away our opportunity to sign up and speak. Leave it here. If you're not going to do the order of the agenda, allow us to speak.

Thank you miss Hannibal. We're grateful all the speakers have spoken can I get a motion to close public portion so motion by Councilman that second by Councilman. Roll call to close.

Councilman offered your season.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I want to thank everyone for taking out the time to sit through and and be here with us this evening and wait to speak. Khadijah's no longer here, but I am interested in knowing more about the tree planting for homeowners, information that can be disseminated to the different homeowner associations. Love to see your answer. She asks, how will environmental concerns be implanted in the new master plan? Very good question. I believe his name was Kevin. Kevin, hi Kevin. A question that you had, not a question, you had expressed some concerns about homelessness and I think it would be good for us to expel the plans. We hired a new person that's like a homelessness czar. to expel the plans of what that role is gonna entail, and maybe it will align with some of your concerns. That hire happened about 30 days ago. Also, So many notes. And then I hear residents over and over speak about reports. And maybe that's something that, if not here, that's something that can be posted online, a way that we can get information to residents. Because I understand the frustration of wanting It is online? Okay, so then maybe we could use some marketing that would allow us to give information to residents about where it is online. Sometimes it just takes a good marketing campaign to get people involved in receiving information. But I do want to recognize the Veterans Banner Program. and give a shout out to my brother, who is a veteran, and all the veterans in the city, that we do appreciate you. But again, and I want to thank Ms. Oh, thank you.

Your vote, Councilwoman.

Your vote.

Yes. Councilwoman Cotton.

Thanks. I just want to say to everyone who came out here tonight to speak, everyone on the agenda, I think we all hear all the issues that's happening and things that are going on. As I stated before, I'm here every day and I return phone calls. So if you call me, I'm returning phone calls. I just want to say, Camisha had talked about the trees, We've been working on a project for probably the last six years on Fair Street where we were trying to turn that into more like a rain garden. And every time it was getting off the ground, the funding was taken away. So I think that it's probably going to come back again soon. I'm not quite sure. And it looks absolutely beautiful with the rainwater dropping, coming in, and so forth. So I hear what she's saying. I get more calls about taking trees down THEN PUTTING TREES UP. and you know and sometimes i say when we did barber park and we did you learn about you learn about grass you learn about trees that don't take much care you learn about grass i don't need to be cut as much but those are things that but you know that i've learned from that also uh miss francis harris you know every chance i get i send you that cso um meeting that they have and if you would like to be on that cfo meeting and what it does is try to give you a plan of how they're going to get through this process on this billion dollar project um it's not just patterson it's jersey city it's newark it's it's a lot of cities that got to combine so and every chance every time i get it i make sure that you get that i just want to say also today you know everybody You know people come here and you know and and and I say sometimes they come here and they just want to talk to a council person and I I don't say to nobody that you're not from the 4th board and I want to talk to everybody thank you so that means that madam clerk, thank you and my vote is yes.

Councilman Jackson.

Thank you madam clerk try to be very quick here because the process has been common did sister Rogers, you're not respected the salary. And that's the that's the issue relative to homelessness, the mayor went on a tour doing a Bloomberg announcement when homelessness is at the worst it's ever been yet he's promoting this success without any more again no reports. relative to the trees i know that was uh khadijah that talked about that the state and the federal government instituted new legislation that requires all municipalities to continue with the reclusion non-pervious surfaces right now in new york city they're getting ready to cut pathways in the middle of their streets to create um pervious surfaces grass trees in the middle of the streets go on clinton street I know forth with the took out all that the grass areas and repaved all that and we pay for by the way on behalf of the developer who owns all the houses on that block. Lastly, In 1971, Corporation Counsel, there was a decision made by the US Supreme Court. Now, US Supreme Court overturned a judge's and the appellate division's decision of 5-4, where Justice Harlan said the decision, while a particular four-letter word being litigated here is perhaps distasteful than most other in the genre, it is nevertheless often true that one man's vulgarity is another person's lyric. What just happened, what the council president is taking arm against a citizen, removing and denying that person their constitutional right of freedom of speech. I'm telling you that I'm going to pay for the attorney, spoke to the attorney today personally on this lawsuit. This corporation council has been the most unsuccessful. You see the young lady coming here talking about they sued us. Dave Gilmore was the same person that was denied this opportunity to speak at the public microphone, and look what happened. It cost the city a million dollars. And this one is going to cost, you know what? I'm happy for Cameo. I'm happy that it happened. I don't support... necessarily all of what she had to say is not how to make a level of conduct, but she has the right of freedom of speech.

This is an American accent.

This is America council for council president and we say some you are a pathological liar. You're a pathological lie and the fact that you you've taken arm against a citizen who's not already that's how the first and council and then you believe that's right on the class. Speaker. You can dress it up all you want to. You're ugly on the inside. I don't care what she said. Your treatment to people is unwarranted. You can dress it up. You can put everything on it. You can put makeup on a pig. It's still going to be a pig at the end of the day. and can call him and then black the party utilize the term pay and that's really can it was an expression of their freedom of speech can I get this young lady's freedom is out so many changes so how all should be ashamed of yourself and that's Councilman and Councilman and that's