Council - Regular Meeting

[clears throat] Council members, good evening everyone. On behalf of the Patterson Municipal Council, I welcome you to the regular meeting on December 16th at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is now called to order. Madame Clerk, please call the role. Council, do we have a quorum? See? One, two, three, four. Who's the other one? Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Where's my attendance? Okay.

Yes. Roll call for the regular meeting of December 16th, 2025. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava. Councilman Jackson. Where is he? Councilman Jackson. Okay. Councilman Khik, present, madame clerk. Councilman Mendes. Good evening. Patterson, present clerk. Councilman Omar, present, madam clerk. Thank you. Councilman Uden, Councilman Vez, thank you. Councilman Jackson here. Councilman Dav Councilwoman Dav. Thank you, Council President. Here, Madam Clerk.

Thank you. We have um is that seven, eight, eight present, two absent at the two absent at this time. Sorry, it is now 7:04 p.m.

This evening's prayer, I believe he's coming up the steps, will be rendered by Iman Muhammad Kenani from ICPC, flag salute led by Councilman Ibrahim Omar. Madame clerk, if we can just can we read the um statement of compliance and Oh, he's coming into door. Okay. So, tonight's prayer will be rendered by um Imam Muhammad Kantini from ICPC. Flag salute following by Councilman Ibrahim Omar. Test.

[snorts]

Peace be upon you all. God bless you. Happy holidays. We pray to Allah to bless our great city batter soon to be the city of all people and to be with the best leaders working and serving everybody regardless our faiths or colors or ethnicities. May Allah bless our councilmen and women and bless all our citizens and the people of Patterson to be united as one family to work for each other to pray for each other. May Allah bless our great nation to be united and to work for all people to be one community, one nation under one God. Oh Allah, we love you. We thank you for this opportunity to be brothers and sisters in the family of our father Adam and our mother Eve. So give our city safety, security and righteousness for all our children and our citizens. May Allah bless this gathering and this meeting to have the best decisions and to be just and fair fair for everybody. Amen.

Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands force for all and if we'll remain standing for those who have lost loved ones and for all our troops that are serving and have lost their lives. was in the line of duty.

Thank you. Madame Clerk, can you please read the statement of compliance?

Sure. Statement of compliance with the open public meetings law 2025 2026. Meeting date, December 16th, 2025, 7 o'clock PM. Adequate notice of this meeting was compiled and disseminated in accordance with the open public meetings law in the following manner. One, the annual notice of regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council was compiled for the year 2025 2026 on or about July 1st, 2025. Two, a schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly transmitted on or about July 1st, 2025 to the North Jersey Herald, The Record, the Arabic Voice, The Italian Voice, TESA County Pulse, Dominicanana News, Laiskea International, Ellis Basiel, The Patterson Press, The City Post News, Tap into Patterson, The Weekly, Bangla Patrika, in addition to any other publication duly requesting such notices. Three, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was prominently posted in the lobby of city hall first floor in the place reserved for the announcements of this type. Four, the schedule of the regular meetings and workshop sessions of the municipal council for the year 2025 2026 was duly filed with the municipal clerk. And five, a copy of the schedule of regular meetings of the municipal council was mailed to any person who requested and paid the fee authorized by the open public records act. Council president.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, we have a special presentation by Council Vice President Davala. Good evening. Good evening. Can you hear me?

Good evening, everyone. Good evening Patterson to my council colleagues and to everyone here today. Uh today it gives me great pleasure uh to be able to present this resolution to someone who I call my sister. Uh a sister in God, a woman that I've learned a lot from. Uh many times uh we have people that are influential in our lives, right? and sometimes we don't tell them how much they mean to us. And this individual um is leaving our assembly. She's a daughter of Patterson. She's been a woman of faith, a woman of integrity, a woman, like I said, that I call my sister. So we the council I sponsored a resolution along co-sponsored by our council president councilwoman Khan the leading ladies of the city council along with our council members and it was unanimous support to to honor to honor you for all the work. I know that you're not driving into the sunset, right? I know there's still a lot of work that you're going to continue doing because you've never stopped working. You've never stopped working for our community. And I commend you. I commend you for being that great woman, that leader, that mother, that wife, that sister, that cousin. Okay? I don't I I don't think I've ever seen her mad ever. But I want to bring you up and I bought you flowers because my council president always says it is great to give the flowers while you can smell them. [applause] And and we honor you today. [applause] We honor you, our assembly woman. You know, I know that there's

going to be a void. There is because there's only one of you. But I know that you're leaving you're leaving a legacy there. And I know that you know our assemblyman elect Kenyatta store is going to do a great job as well. And we're going to be right there the same way we supported you. We're going to support him as well as our assemblyman Alab Deaziz and our senator LD35. I know is special and I know you ain't going nowhere. All right. But we love you. We congratulate you and thank you for all those rides and those mental health sessions that I needed with. We we serve together on the state committee, right? And she would be that person. Well, all right. Now, Marissa, so let's talk about this again. No, no, no. Or that phone call, that advice. So, you know, we love you. I'm going to pass on so our council president can say something as well as our councilwoman Cotton. And then we want you to say a few words before I present. Okay. to my LS. Thank you for everything that you have done. You have paved the way for so many of us from the first time I was elected. I'll never forget I had you and Assemblyman Benji Wimbley, who's now the senator, swear me in at the same time. That picture is still in my office. I'm going to cherish it forever. You know, I'm going to still call and bother you. And I I always remember and I have to say this when it came to the Hinchip Stadium project when we were at Kennedy High School and I saw you almost in tears to ensure this project got done. I will never forget that is what sealed the deal for my yes vote. And I want to thank you for advocating and making sure Patterson always got the funds and the resources needed to get everything done. You know I love you. I appreciate you. And look, I'm going to be calling and blowing your phone up. Thank you, Council Cotton.

Thank you. Um, thank you, Council President. Vice Council President, I just want to say the Sumpter family, we go way back. And you know, and I know that um with your family being in the city all these years and and I remember you saying a few times when you were small how you would help out Big Eddie when he's running for office. So, I know he's super proud of you. I am super proud of you. The city of Patterson is super proud of you. I know you're not going nowhere. You're just not going to be there, but eventually you going to be somewhere else.

And I know it's going to happen. I always say follow God's footsteps. He will lead you. He will lead you to the right place. He will lead you. So just still continue to do what you're doing. And I'mma blow the phone up too. And I just want to say that I just you are an absolutely wonderful person. Our community needs people like you. And I want to say best wishes. Other things are about to happen. Yes. And we all gonna see it eventually. God bless you. I love you dearly. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you to to my beloved uh Patterson. Uh know that I will always be a daughter of Patterson. Uh to each of the council members, thank you for seven terms of unanimous support in running for office. [applause] to the city of Patterson. Thank you for uh your unwavering support. It does my heart proud to see young people in this chamber. Uh because I was once that young person as Councilwoman uh Ruby Cotton mentioned where Vera Ames was on the poster and Merrily Jackson. Uh so to see you three ladies and and all of you gentlemen of uh color, culture, and ethnicity, it does my heart proud to know uh that we are leading our community. To uh Harry Savales who uh we go way way way back to planning board days. Um and uh to Phyllis, thank thank you for just being in my spiritual corner. Uh this work is not easy to the community. uh to serve is to serve with purpose. Uh there is no stipen uh that covers the cost of time from your family. To my family uh if and when they listen uh they know that I love them. Uh they know that this journey has not been mine alone. Uh to the city of Patterson, our best days are ahead.

The grit that we all have and I'm going to say this right and the passion Yes, that we bring to the table to lead our city into the future is necessary. Uh but respect uh should always be the order of the day. So, thank you so much for not finding it robbery uh to uh give me this moment with my beloved city.

Congratulations. Yes. [applause] Thank you. So,

Thank you. Um, I just want to put on the record, Councilman Udin is he's not feeling well. He called me. So, let's keep Councilman Uden in our prayers. He was on his way here. Um, and he's not feeling well. We had someone that was supposed to do a presentation on tonight and they were just rushed to the hospital. So, let's keep them in prayer as well. Payment of bills. Um chair, thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Council President. Uh we have before us the summary of dispersements uh for the amount of 26,225,224.32. Uh I'm glad to say that there are two payments to the board of education totaling uh 13,417,455.84. In addition, there's also two payments uh for insurance. Um that's for our employees as well as retirees. uh making that a total of 10,883,25968 cents. Uh this week was not payroll. Uh so once again the computer checks are a total of 26,125,224.32. My motion is for payment of bibs.

Second. Motion by Councilwoman Davos, second by Councilman Khalik. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Discussion. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam President. So, the first order of business, Madame President, just for a point of clarification, I was asked a question by someone in the audience today with regard to the bills list and how items on the bills list get to the agenda. Um I'm sorry. Get on the bills list and and what is the provision or parameters surrounding uh the removal of certain items. Um so I noticed that we have uh Mr. Ben David here. Um just for a point of clarification through the chair. Mr. been David, is it possible for you to outline the um and I don't want to, you know, make it too broad, [clears throat] but with regard to having items separated and removed from the uh from the bills list, can you lay out the process for that, please, sir?

Corporation council, I've never heard had that question before. I'll have to give it to you at next meeting. Okay. So, let me rephrase the question. If a council member should request for an item to be removed or separated for an individualized vote from the bills list, do you not know the process for that? Need a second. Corporation council. I under Robert's rules in general, uh, any count any member can make a motion for something. The motion can pass or fail. What what is required for the motion to pass or fail?

Every I and the motion is the majority of the person's present. There needs to be a second motion second of course and the majority persons present. It would be to have any item removed but any item is is has the ability to be separated and removed. Correct. I've never have re I've never received that question before, but that's how Robert's rules ordinarily works. Okay. And and with regard to um items being added and um taken from the agenda, I'm sorry, the process in which items make it to the agenda based on the city code, which I'm sure you're familiar with. Yes.

Any member of the council generally has a has the right to add something to agenda at least a week in advance. If it's less than a week, the council president adds it. So any member of the council has the right to add any item to the agenda so long as before the working the workshop the week prior. Correct. Yes. Although there is such a thing as council president removal afterwards based on the code based on Robert's rules of orders. We had this question a few years ago that yes the council president can remove.

Okay. Council president removes items. We understand that which that's a that's a matter of debate because according to the code it says all items that are on the workshop agenda shall move forward to the regular meeting agenda. But we won't debate that right now. Mr. Ben David, my question is any of those items that are being requested to be placed on the agenda by a council member. Is there a requirement based on the code for any item to be signed off by a director? That's that's not an absolute requirement. The director's signature is for the benefit of the council. However, there's some very simple question, Mr. Benavid.

Does does an item that a council member requests to be placed on the agenda, is it required to be have approval by a an employee of the city, a director of a department? The only example that I know for sure would require approval from the director would be a contract. the council can't put its own contracts on because under the Faulner act contracts have to be negotiated by the administration and then approved by the council but ordinarily the the if a department does not sign off on something it can be noted in the record but it's not a veto

so simple question Mr. Ben David, an item that's being added to the being requested to add to a workshop agenda, does it require a director's approval? A contract does other items ordinarily not. So unless it's a contract, does it require a director's approval? Generally not. Okay. Does any item required to be present in a committee meeting? The committee is not an absolute requirement. The committee has the power. I'm asking you based on the code, Mr. Based on the code, an individual may add even without a committee. Let me read the code to you. Yes.

On the Friday preceding each regular meeting, the council, the clerk shall prepare with the approval of the president the agenda for this ensuing meeting. Such agenda shall include all matters proposed by any member of the council, not later than the preceding work session, and such other matters required by the standing order of business. This agenda shall include consent agenda items. The consent agenda item shall include all resolutions deemed as to be routine. Routine being the key word or procedural in nature and or resolutions pertaining to related subjects. Those those matters included within the consent agenda shall shall be enacted upon one resolution at the council meeting. Any member of the council may cause any matter contained within the consent agenda to be removed, therefore enacted upon separately as per yes. The bill's list as well by giving notice to the clerk or the council prior to the formal action of consent agenda. When a request is made to remove a matter from the consent agenda, that m that matter shall be uh considered as part of the consent agenda and shall be enacted upon separately at the same meeting of the council. In the event the president should add any matter to the agenda, he or she shall notify each member of the council immediately. And in any event no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting, the clerk shall forw with delivered the copy of agenda. The each council person at his or her place of residence or such place as council person may previously in writing designate. on Monday prior to each meeting the clerk shall post the agenda in the prominent place near the entrance of the clerk where there's a period nowhere there Mr. been David did I hear anything about a committee? So I'm asking you according according to the code this is our municipal code adopted based on Faulner act. Is it a requirement for an item to make it to

the agenda that it must be have committee approval? No, but the council president can always move it to committee after it's on the agenda. The the council president cannot always do move it to committee. We're talk the council president does not endow with any any privileges or pri priorities that's not enlisted here in the code. Council President made a comment that she was going to post a code that outlined that an item that was being requested to be added to the agenda. Mhm. Required committee required approval by a director and also required the signature by corporation council.

All those things are best practices. We're not talking about best practices. We're talking about the requirements by law. None are absolute requirements. None are requirements. If the council so chooses to vote on an item, speaking hypothetically, yes. To vote on an item that corporation council refuses to sign off on, does that make that item illegal? It be it's not a matter of illegal, a matter of I think we try to keep things orderly. I mean, are you talking about just giving something in on plain paper for a vote? Yes.

No. If a matter is vetted through the council and the council decides that this matter is adequate and corporation council disagrees for whatever whatever reason, does that make that item illegal? Does the council have the right to approve legislation without corporation council signature? Corporation council is not a veto. No, it's not a veto. So again, yes or no answer. Yes. Does the council have the right to pass legislation without corporation council's approval? May not be prudent, but it's not illegal. Yes or no answer, Mr. Ben David?

It may not be prudent. It's not illegal. But can the council approve an item without corporation council signature? Yes, it's possible. And it has been done in the past. We've gotten to lawsuits over it. We may be able to get into lawsuits. I'm not disputing that because the council is supposed to take advice, not consent, legal advice and direction from corporation counsel. Yes,

that's provided. Corporation council is moving in a direction that's favorable to the community. If the council so sees fit that an employee of the mayor's staff is not moving in a direction that's advantageous or beneficial to the public, the council has the ability to move without the consent. What I'm getting at, corporation council, Mr. Ben David, is that council president totally lied at the last meeting. She outlined a process that is incorrect. It does not require for any item that I place on the agenda to one have the the the signature of corporation council. Two is not required to have the sign of the the approval of a director and is not required to go to committee.

Well, first of all, I I wouldn't consider I'm not finished. One secondation council one small detail. If if if you believe she's mistaken, that's not a lie for for starters. Right. When someone intentionally says they're going to post the code, I'm looking at the code. I'm waiting for the post. It has not been posted. That is not in that is not inadvertent. That's intentional. And if someone gives information that's misleading to the public, sir, that is the definition of a lie. No. Corporation council. One second. Corporation council. One second. I'm not finished. I I didn't say you were. I'm just asking him to just wait a minute.

Furthermore, any item does not require a committee. It does not require a director's approval. And Faulner Act is intentionally set up that way to create the balance separation of government between the administration and the council. If the council so required for a staff member of the administration to approve something that would give the mayor unilaterally unilateral power to keep the control our agenda. If it required for a developer I mean for a director to sign off before any item made it to the agenda that would give the mayor the ability to control the agenda.

Well, the purpose of those signatures isn't a matter of veto. It's a matter of uh for the council's benefit to show that the department has reviewed the matter, approves [clears throat] the matter, shows that the council's benefit, the corporation council reviewed approved. They're not veto powers. I'm not negating that, Mr. McDavid. What I'm saying is I brought an item forward last week at the workshop. Yes, it was outlined to the public that it did not make the agenda because I did not follow the process and the procedure. You know just as well as I do. You've been working here a very long time. There's items that come upstairs the week of the regular meeting that may not that did not make it to the workshop yet and still they make it to the regular regular uh agenda.

I believe that was within the council president's discretion. We had this issue about three or four years ago. Correct. It's within the council the council's discretion. Council president it's not no it's not it's not outlined for the council president because if five council members saw fit to disagree with the council president then what happens Mr. been David. That's true. In most matters under Robert's rules, it's not most matters. It's the singular matter. Now the council information council members corporation council president but corporation council. Yes,

this will clear it cuz I'm not sure. But let me say to the public, the item clearly is written on here. So Ben David, maybe this copy should be given to you as well. Your item, Councilman Jackson, came on a word document. We as the council body do not vote on word documents. We vote on items that on resolution paper or ordinance paper. And it clearly says to corporation council [cough] approved as to form and legality on based of facts set forth and requires a signature. So we cannot say that it does not require it because it is outlined on the document. So, I'm going to pass this to you, Mr. Ben David, so you can recant what you stated and you can base the facts based on the law of what we vote on every week. It is required and it is stated on the item. This is not what we're voting on. Young people, I want to apologize because I did promise you we will get you first and we will do that so you could go home. But Mr. Ben David, could you look at that item? Yes. Because this would be admissible in law. And I wanted to be clear that we do not vote on word documents. We vote on items that are on resolution paper or ordinance paper that are assigned a resolution number and then it states the fact it says approved as to form and legality. So it is legal on basis of facts set forward and it's signed off by corporation council. So Mr. Ben David I give it one second I'll give it back to corporation different things council council. No, he's a he asked the question. Can an item come forward and does not require corporation council's signature? Can we vote on that?

It would not be illegal to vote on it, but would not be prudent to vote on it. Okay. It's not prudent. Um, council vice president. So, I just want to just finalize this one thing because, you know, Councilman Jackson continues to say the council, we're a body of one. Yeah. Okay. We're a body. So, when we vote in this case, he's being specific to himself. He's trying to bring in an item, okay, that did not go through its process, right? Yes. And so he wants you, but he continues to say the council. So if this council, it could go through the whole process committee, it could go through legal and you bring it on and this council doesn't support it, it doesn't move forward. Am I correct?

That's right. All right. So the council has the right to approve or not approve. That's right. All right. And the council president does set the agenda with the clerk. Yes. Correct. Yes. Okay. Council member to just clarify that because council member when Councilman Jackson speaks, he speaks of the council and the item that he's been trying to put forward is an item he wants to put forward. Right. Not the council. Yes. He

councilman briefly and then can we do payment of bills because we want to so the young people can go home. Councilman BZ and then payment of roll call. Madam clerk. Thank you, Council President. Um, I'm going to try to stick in the payment of bills. Um, through through the chair to U CFO, uh, if you could answer this for me, I appreciate. And now and today, um, does the real fix in the city of Patterson still exist? Yes. No, no, no. Let let him let him answer. Um, CFO. Yes. Yes. So they still got funding to run that program. Stand by. Huh?

Yes.

Okay. So last month council members attended the leader municipality and they only had only I believe one day of hotel pay or no they had to pay for their hotel. they have to um the only thing that the administration pays is based on DCA is the registration. Okay. And uh and one night correct but to be able to get informed in the in Atlantic City and League of Municipality they had to invest from their pocket to be out there. I didn't went because I I don't have that luxury to go. Um, I noticed here in a payment of bill that the director or whoever is in charge of Rio fix [clears throat and cough] is requesting a reimbursement of 4,000 and change money back from the grant for attending class or training or whatever. you know where the um you know where's the privilege to do that if he getting paid to run a program that is called slashreal fix because I don't see the real fix out there um now he charging the grant for reimbursement for uh whatever he did out there and where he went if he went to Atlantic City he went to Las Vegas. Do he went to I don't know. But here it says reimbursement for training and

and conference. Training and conference. CFO. I'll look up. I'll look up the information. That's the problem. Who you going to look up? Now, do you have the bill there that he's is requesting reimbursement for? Yes, I do. Okay. So, can you tell me where he went? That's public information. I have to look it up. That's public that you got the bill there. He He submitted a bill saying that he went to a conference $4,000. He won reimbursement when he went to that and where he went to. It's public information. I'm looking it up right now, sir. I can you look at before I make my decision making the payment?

Yeah, if we can come back so I can just look.

Last but not least, council president. And and last but not least, I'm going to take the opportunity. I know that we had six month uh uh Mr. Mark Simmon. He was six months as a BA in the city of Patterson. He sat there and worked with you going back and forth with the payment of bills and making sure the finance it runs smoothly. Mr. Mark Simmon, I don't I don't I don't know why you leaving us is is between you and your family and the administration, but thank you for your six month of service. you try to use your best to communicate with us and I'm grateful for the friendship that you brought up to the council and through your office and not disregarding uh Mr. Uh Harris Savalo that had worked before with prior administration with Jeffrey Jones being assistant BA we we are grateful for the job that you've been doing. So saying that uh council president I want to know where this this Mendes very brief um thank you council president just just one quick uh observation Mr. CFO uh through the chair to CFO page n out of 10 um just I need some uh you have uh nine uh charger from a special meeting cost the total $850 each charge that's uh the total that's a total of $7,650. if you could give me some detail about what type of event uh are we paying for. Um so um I'll be waiting for that. Thank you, Council President.

Mr. CFO, that's for the lawyer for the special meetings for I believe the planning board. I'm sorry, for the planning board. Okay. All right. Thank you, Council President. Thank you. So, um, Madame Clerk, can we Is that one item, Councilman Bles? I I wish we could strike that item until we get real information, you know, but we cannot do that, right? Yes, you can request to remove that item from the agenda and if you could get that information before the meeting, we'll come back to it. So, just make that motion on the floor.

Yes. I I I want to remove that into further further more information regarding that where he went, why he's asking reimbursement for $4,000 and change. Thank you. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Roll call to remove uh the $4,000 payment until further discussion later on tonight. Um roll call to remove uh the $4,000. Madam clerk. Yes. Roll call to remove the $400 from the payment of 4,000. $4,000 from the payment of bills list. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Davo. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Khalig. You said yes. Yes. I think he said yes. Councilman Mendes. Yes. M.

Councilman Omar. Yes. Councilman Uden. I'm sorry. Councilman um yes. Yes. Councilwoman Cotton. Real fix. Sorry,

she's asking for your vote. Your vote. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. My vote is just, madam. I'm sorry, council president. Yes. Eight in favor, one absent. Um, roll call on payment of bills. Roll call on the payment of bills. Um, totally. I have to get an an amount um changed. Yes. All right. So, correct. Who's going to do the math for me? Oh, give us the amount subtracting that $4,000 and change. 22,125,224.32. Roll call. Madam clerk, I'm sorry. What is the amount? 22,100.

It's not 4 million. 4,000 4,000 million. Says 4,000. Say it's 121,000. 16 26 million 18 cents. 26,25,224 and.32 cents 26,20 I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry,000 [clears throat] 26 million for him, no I want him to give me that. I'm not I'm not okay. What is the amount? I'm sorry. 26,221,224.32.

Thank you. Okay. Roll call on the payment of bills in the amount of 26,121,224.32. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davala, yes. Councilman Jackson,

thank you, Madam Clerk. [clears throat] To all my young people in the building, I'm glad you had an opportunity to uh I know it's prolonged a little bit, but it's important. Your civic understanding is very important. It's part of the reason why Patterson is a position that it's in. So, we're voting on a $26 million budget of which $13 million is going to the schools. In 2017, this right here, this short list was the list of abatements that we had in the city. Some were extensive, 90 years, 99 years, 50 years. There's people who came before the council callously doing certain things in this front of the city and they they still recipients of 50year uh tax abatements since the last seven years. This is the list of tax abatements. Every single one of these properties, not one of them pay contribute to that $13 million. In fact, every single one of these properties pay 0 in taxes. If you're a homeowner in the city of Patterson and you're not on this list, that's because you're not being included in the process. The item in which I was trying to bring to the council was to take us out of the state program that automatically gave an allowance for anyone doing a a construction project to go right into what's called the Garden State Growth Zone. And Councilwoman Dav is correct. It is not the council president. She does not have unilateral authority. It is the council. So if I'm bringing an item forward of such importance to take us out of this pro this uh program so that we can stop being steal from and and people could just de develop here and not pay zero for taxes. I would think is anybody in here disagreement? If there's one person in the audience that disagrees with me that's a resident of the of Patterson, I won't continue to

fight to bring this forward. Just one. If I get one hand raised, but yet I can't get one person to participate on this side of the council. It's very important. We have elections coming up in less than four or five months. this strenuous list. Again, here's the list that existed for well over 50 years over the last seven while council members say they answered my questions. I'm good. They can have whatever they want. We have an item on the agenda tonight for 194 units. The developer came to the microphone last week and said that he will be paying for the parking for the city, I mean for its tenants. The letter that I received of support from the parking authority, it reads as follows. The authority can provide the required parking at these locations. Daily or monthly fees will be paid directly by tenants and visitors in accordance with our standard rates at each location. I know some of you young people are going to be leaving early. Watch it when you get home. Watch council members votes. As the council president before she was the council president, she used to say clearly, "If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist." They came to the microphone. They made a promise that they did they did not uh uh uh believe that they were going to have to deliver on. If this council does not start holding people accountable, you the residents will continue to get pissed on, continue to get illegally evicted. Your items will be tossed in the garbage. Your concerns will not be the concerns of theirs because they know they could come here and do whatever

they want to do. So you guys heard it here. You heard council president say, "Oh, there's a it says I don't care what it says on that document." That document is not what's in the code. The law doesn't lie. The law is the law. As corporation council said, this council has the ability, the authority. as as the the gentleman who was callously disrespected last night, who's very well respected around the world, who's been a councilman and a state assemblyman for over 20 years, said, "The council has the power, not one councilman, not just Councilman Jackson. It's going to take all of us to want to do the right thing for the public to cut out the bleeding." So, what I do here is not for the council. Their positions have been made clear. Mr. Baron said it last week. They they they let you come to the microphone can complain a little bit. They already have the intent. My job is to educate you all to let you know what's going on here. How many of you before last couple days knew about this list? How many of you knew about this list? How many of you knew that the that all the properties on this list pay zero dollars in taxes for the first 10 years? Then the next 20 years is 5% each year. How many of you out there homeowners have the same privilege? How many of you are happy with this? Again, if there's one, if anyone texts me tonight and says, "Listen, mind your business. Leave it alone." I promise you, if you're a resident of the city, I will leave it alone. Just one person. Thank you, Madam Clerk. My vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. [applause] Councilman Khalik. Thank you, Madame Clerk. I want to go back seven years. Yes.

Just think about seven years back. Remember all these abandoned properties over 1,400. It was a eyesore in city of Patterson. And our state legislator is not city. We did not make that legislation. our state legislature did in state in Trenton so that city of Paris could come back again. We were drowning 7 years ago in the second world today you will not find one abanded property. Go back seven years, you'll be every other corner you will see a one or two abandoned properties and there used to be a fire almost every day on those properties. Also, it's been 7 years and the developer, it was their incentive to come buy of those pilots so they could bring back this uh city. Is the state legislature did it is expired on I believe 2023, but it was extended to 20 2028.

2022 years from now, you'll be all gone. Now, Councilman Jackson want to visit bring the legislation in front of the council properly. We'll we'll look into it instead of blaming the other council member. We'll look into it and we made our conscious decision yes or no votes. And at the same time, he want to write a legislation to give a a U building 99 years uh abatement. He he wrote it and he brought it to the council. So he talking from the two side of his mouth. Where? Check your email. Where?

Not now. You did last year. Where? Show it. Councilman Jackson has the floor. Last year you did. Don't Don't just don't lie. Don't do what council president does. Point. Councilman Jackson. He has the floor. I'm speaking. Councilman Jackson. Councilman Jackson. He has the floor. No, but he's lying. I'm not lying. We could go back. Show me your email. Councilman Jackson. We have young people in the room. He has the floor. go back and we could see the video. I don't got to show you nothing. Everyone knows. I'll show you. I'll show you. I'll I I have to look into a lot of videos to find it. And which is the fact which which is the fact I'm speaking to the public.

So, so, so, so, so which is the fact? It was a live meeting. It was a live meeting. it is on the and since since I've been a council member since 2016 and this this body we voted on only three abatements only three only three go back and look at the record how this council body voted anyway I'm I'm done with that um my vote is yes for payments of bills. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. It's going to be a long meeting tonight. Guess uh uh but I I think that just for the viewer, I mean, for some clarification, we're mixing a lot of topic here. What we have in front of us, it's just a payment of bills. Uh and in payment of bills, if you have any question, if you have any concern, you could ask the CFO, put put that item to the side, the line item, and go back and review it. And if you feel comfortable, you could vote no. But if you review this payment payment of bill at home, the largest portion of the payment is for the board of education 13 million 13.4 million. After that, we have rental assistant program to be paid uh training, repair, equipment, building repair, medical supplies, and so on and so forth. Regular business for the city. Let me clarify that before I vote on this item. With that being said, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes for payment of bills, Madam Clerk. Councilman um Fez,

uh real important to clarify the payment of bills. Uh rental assistant payment went out. Uh housing relocation for individual that comes to the city, especially to human services uh office to relocate them to hotels when they don't have heat or any other situation. uh payment to the board professionals to be able to move uh any any uh things in the board they need to get paid and active and retirement employee uh uh bills that are in this payment of bills. So, and I'm proud to say that if we could move a lot of items like I did with this point uh 4,000 payment um it would be good and beneficial for accountability uh to the Jew. Uh that's what we voting on payment of bill. So my vote is yes or I miss it.

Thank you council council president. My vote is yes. Madam clerk, thank you. The votes are seven in favor, two absent, one nay, I'm sorry, and one absent. Payment of bills receive by adopted consent agenda. Madam clerk, we're just taking item 17 out to vote on after. And then right after that, we'll take item two for our young people. Consent agenda. Madam clerk,

all matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the council and will be enacted by one motion. The items listed under the consent agenda are numbers 7 through 41 with the exception of item number 17 which will be voted on separately. Any item may be removed from the consent agenda by the request of any council member and if so removed will be treated as a separate matter. Second move by council uh woman Davis. Second by council president mess and council member Le. Roll call on consent agenda. Second second um council Mendes. Roll call. Madam clerk. Okay. Roll call on the consent agenda. Councilwoman Cotton. Yes. Councilwoman Davo.

Yes. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Councilman Khik. Yes. Madame Clerk. Councilman Mendes. Yes. Madam Clerk. Councilman Omar. Yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman. Yes, Madam Clerk. Council President. Thank you. Yes, Madam Clerk. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. The consent agenda is hereby adopted. Item number 17. Item number 17 is a resolution reappointing Janette Dones as a commissioner of the Patterson Parking Authority sponsored by Councilman Shaheen Khik City Council resolution number 2579.

Second. Second. Moved by council councilman Khalik. Second by council dava. Council president Mims. Councilman BZ and Councilman Mendes. Roll call on item 17. Madam Clerk, roll call on item number 17 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Counciloman Khalig, yes. Counciloman Mendes, yes. Counciloman Omar, yes. Councilman Vez, yes. Council President, yes. Madam Clerk, thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 17 is hereby adopted. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We have our young people here. Um, let's do item number two, madame clerk.

Item number two, second reading ordinance, public hearing is required. Ordinance creating chapter 421, article 3 of the Patterson code to be entitled smoke shops and tobacco stores. Sponsored by council president Dr. Lisa Ms and Council Vice President Marissa Davala co-sponsored by Councilman MD Forward Uden, Councilman Lewis VeZ, Councilwoman Ruby N Cotton, and Councilman Alex Mendes, Health and Human Services, Ordinance number 25-030. So move second. Moved by Council President Mens, Council Vice President Davis, second by Councilman Mendes. Ro

public hearing is now open. Council vez and council member for item number two for item number two for smoke shops. Uh Mr. Rocker Addison. Uh first of all, I want to congratulate those who work on disorders. But I see uh from a conversation I had with you maybe a year and a half ago, two years ago. Our major problem with smoke shops is marijuana,

which I've seen in the last few meetings where we want to bring in the Department of Health and so forth. I don't I believe we still have to have a conversation with our police chief which has not happened or is this beginning. I will always support anything that's going to save children and children's lives but I want to make sure that we don't get confused here. I'm not supporting anything that is not well thought out and we make sure we cover all the bases. The marijuana that's sold in these places are bringing home 30 to4 to $50,000 a day in revenue and the ordinance that's on the books that you just are about to vote to put on the books does cover the vaping some of those items. But yet a 13-year-old can go into the same smoke shop and buy a bag of weed.

Not anymore. So the bottom line the ordinance I read the orders quite well. The ordinance needs teeth. A lot of your ordinances need teeth. They're they're nothing on but on paper and if we're not going to activate ordinances that we can actually manage and there's a real consequence to it then what is the purpose of working on for two years? So, I do support these young people and their effort uh to control the vaping, but I would like to see us come back to the table and make sure that the marijuana that is sold is is taken care of. All right. Thank you. Um any more speakers, Madam Clerk?

See move to close. Move to close. Council Mendes, second by Councilwoman Dava. Roll call to close public portion on item number two. Madam clerk, roll call to close the public hearing on item number two. Councilwoman Cotton, Councilwoman [clears throat] Dava, just to address that quickly. Um, you know, these items go through public the public safety committee as well. And just so you know, there's been quite a few smoke shops that the police has handled and you know, they've confiscated drugs, money, and so forth. So, I don't want you to think that it's not happening. It's happening. My My vote is yes. Uh to close the public hearing. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

Yes. Councilman Khalig, yes. Council Mendes, the power is in the people. Thank you to the youth for being here today. Our vote is just to close, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman. Omar, I'm sorry. My vote is yes, Councilman. Yes, Madam Clerk. Council President, yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. The public hearing is now closed. On item, roll call to vote on this item. Roll call to vote on item number two for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman Davo. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Hats off to all you young people who um found it necessary to take matters into your own hands. this is how you operate with the confines of government. You make sure that the people that are voted in are held accountable and that's exactly what you guys have done. I'm proud of that. So, uh, Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khalik, my vote is yes, clerk. Thank you, Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, Madam Cler. So, once again, I want to say thank you to all the leaders that got involved in this fight and all the youth. Uh, the power is right on the people. We got to we got to take our city back. There's too too many smoke shop in every corner. Every day there's a new every day there's a new smoke shop putting our children at risk on the way to school in and out. What they see is a smoke shop left and right and we got to control that. So absolutely yes on this legislation. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. Yeah, I I want to commend all my colleagues for getting across this and also all our youth for being here continuously to get this done. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Vez. Congratulations to all the youth that step forward and also the community and also the faith base that stepped forward through with their comments to make sure this uh pass. Um this is going to direct u address the smoke shop and tobacco stores. Um there was a big is uh concern regarding grocery stores but I they I don't think they fall into the smoke shop um um regulations. So, uh, my vote is yes and congratulate you to the youth. Thank you, council president.

So, to Mr. Rucker, the points that you made were a part of our conversation not just in health and human services, but also with OIC and the public safety. This item also, it talks about marijuana as well in the smoke shops, but it also says no more smoke shops in the city of Patterson. There will be no more. So, that's what this ordinance is. Um, I want to thank the council members. This has been a work in progress for about two um two and a half years and I'm glad we got here. Thank you to our young people, Mr. Smallwood and all of you for doing all of your great work. Um, Madame Clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Council President. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number two is hereby adopted. Thank you. [applause] Item number one, Madame Clerk. Item number one, second reading ordinance. Public hearing is required. Ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a CAP bank NJSA4A 4-45.14 calendar year 2025 administration ordinance number 25-029.

So moved. Moved by council president Mim second by councilwoman Davala. Public portion is now open. Public hearing. Public hearing is now open for item number one. Is there a motion? Council President, I'm sorry. See now move to close. Is there a second on the public hearing? Second by Councilman Khalik. Madame Clerk. Roll call. Council President. Council President. H how are we going to vote in this item? CFO is not in his seat. I'm sorry. He's coming now. Yeah, but she she just we

we're not voting yet. I understand that. But the public may have questions after the CFO outlines what what we're what's going on here. We can't we can't have we can't offer the public an opportunity [clears throat] without the the this the CFO outlining what's

going to the public the process of ordinance is going to effect. It goes into a first reading. This item has been on the agenda since September. We went into a full discussion and workshop where we had a full conversation. our the administration openly talked about the cap what it was came through the uh second reading in our meeting for regular it was voted on and then we had to wait a period of time and now we are here if there are any questions that will come up between us council um we can ask them at this time but there's no one here from the public we have a first a motion and a second madame clerk roll call to close the public um hearing on item number one

roll call to close the public hearing on item number one for second reading. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davo, yes. Councilman Jackson, no. Councilman Khalig, yes. Counciloman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. Councilman Vez, yes. To close the public portion, the comments. Yeah. And Council President, yes. To close public hearing. Thank you. The votes are seven in favor, one no, one absent. The public hearing is hereby closed.

Thank you. Before we vote, Mr. CFO, can you give a brief overview over item number one, uh, the cap bank? Could you, um, give a brief overview for the viewing public as well for council members? Mic, is your mic on?

So, the cap ordinances, the budget allows you to raise 2.5% in cap. This allows you to raise three and a half%. It's an exception to the law. Um, as long as council votes on it, we're allowed to go up to three and a half%. Um, the reason we need more than 2% is because of inflation. Insurance goes up 20%. And the law only allows you to the exception in insurance is only up to more than you can't you can't do more than 4%. So 4% in cap um insurance goes over the 2% 2 and a half% law. So the cap will let us take that insurance price up to the 3.5%. And again this is for a budget that we passed at 2%. So, this just allows us for the incap to go up of 3.5%.

Thank you. Um, and I know we have some other questions, but I want to give a big shout out to Mayor Raz Baraka who um pretty much introduced this and a lot of municipalities are following it. So, big shout out to Mayor Raz Baraka, uh, Councilman Mendes, and then Councilman Bles. Uh, thank you, uh, Council Press. So, Mr. CFO, what you're telling us just to what you're telling us is that for for the future budget, we're talking about 2026. Is this will allow us to go over the 2% to the 3.5 up on the taxes? No, this is for the 2025 budget. For 2025, we already passed. It will allow us to go over the two to 3.5. Yes, we should have passed this with the budget in the last meeting.

That that's because that that's my question. I mean the budget, we already passed the budget. So we we working backwards here. So this to be together with the budget. So yes, this should have been passed with the budget, but unfortunately this was pulled in one of the meetings and then it had to be advertised. So it couldn't be in the last meeting. So we had we have to do it in this meeting. Very interesting. Thank you, council president. I mean so is me or you? Thank you council president.

Council member. So, um, CFO, um, it's hard for me when when you when you speaking, you like mumbling and some sometimes I I I miss something right in plain and slow motion. Can you tell me why we need to increase from 2.5 to 3.5 insurance CFO insurance inflation and salaries

and you saying that oh inflation insurance and salary? Okay. So the previous year we did it the previous years. Um no

no so we are and here say it's clear that the state local finance local government say that the municipality could only do it at 2.5 mandated by the state 2.5 unless the administration come to us to give you a blank check to increase a 3.5. It's not a blank check. You passed the budget with 2%. One second, CFO.

Because you're saying the inflation, insurance, and this is going up, but you haven't present us the real numbers of what's going up. I know you're going to say it was in the budget. Well, I didn't I didn't vote in favor of your budget. I think it was inflated. I think there was it was a mismanagement but we are right now council six months away from Maine the municipal election in other words they asking us to increase the cap to 3.5 in other words for they could appropriate and spend. Now if that's not a blank check without telling us what we really really really need the money for and in the past they work with a 2.5. I don't think in six months from here to May they need 3.5. That's how I see it. It will put a control in your spending. It will put a control and where you want to go farther. Now once again they put enough to us because us the council make the decision if we want to go over the state mandate the state mandate 2.5 they have done it before with a 2.5 um I think that why we should move forward with 3.5 if they have worked before he stated they work before what they receive and they do the cap that's hours.

Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll caller number one, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number one on second reading for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you. Um U Madame Clerk, I just want to say to um our CFO um we can leave it at 2.5%. We can leave it at 2.5 then something's not going to get paid. Something [snorts] is not going to get paid. We're in the m We're in the middle of voting. You cannot respond. I know. All right. My vote is no. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Okay. No. I'm the same, right?

Councilman Kik. Yes. Yeah. But he Councilman Mendes. Um, thank you, Madam Clerk. Um,

Patterson, we have a mayor problem when it comes to taxes. We going through a lot in the city of Patterson. Let me explain to you why. I understand that what we have in front of us. First of all, this should be this should be passed before the budget or right next to the budget. It doesn't even make sense approving the budget and then bringing this right after. I'm I'm extremely uncomfortable with this. It process everything take it's a process. So I mean the process is wrong from the beginning. But I want to share with you last week there was over 1,200 property 1,200 taxes that was sold over,200 people in the city of Patterson are underwater because they can't pay the taxes and that's the reason why you have over 200 property you know selling their taxes and those people now they have a lean on their property and they are at risk of losing their property. Now, let me just tell you why. I just going to give the screen. I don't want to I want I don't want to give the specific address. I went into the Garden of State Malays and I said, "Let me take a look at it. This number doesn't reflect the last tax increase. There's a property on 17th Avenue, a two family house that the taxes is $18,48. A two family house. Another property in East 33rd, 13,500. Another one is 33rd 15,500. East is 33rd 16,600. With that amount, it's almost impossible. A two family house. How much you going to have to rent the second floor? People are going through hell in the city of Patterson. So, this is a serious problem that we have in the city of Patterson. We have to think about twice before we increase a dollar on our homeowner, whether sewer, whether taxes.

With that being said, my vote is done. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman. So, the administration submitted introduction budget with a 5.6 uh tax increase. They lower it to 3.5. This council I voted in favor of a 3.5 tax increase budget. Now yes you did the two sorry then they came down and put a 2%. Okay.

I stated in that day that the residents of Patterson would not be even happy if they even put 2% tax increase in the properties. You know why? Because it all depends the value of the property. If it's $500,000, the tax is going to be more than f what they expect. If all the property was $199,000, they will be probably happy because it's not going to go higher. The other thing is that the administration did it was the re-evaluation of the property. That is an automatic tax increase to that property. Okay. So if they happy that they passed the budget, I voted against the reevaluation is another penalty for our taxpayer. They not getting the service that they supposed to get uh based on the tax uh that they are paying. Uh but I'm not going to give a blank check to administration 3.5 uh 2.5 they could do it as they stated before. If they cannot do it, that's poor management. CFO had to step up with administration to make sure to bring the real numbers to the resident power. So my vote is no to this.

Thank you, Councilman. Council President, council, um I'm sorry, Madame Clerk, as I sat here and I talked with my CFO, I already received my tax bill. It's already been calculated in there. You're not going to get another bill. It's already in there. It's already been sent out already. Yeah. So, I didn't understand that in the beginning, but now it's already calculated in there. I got my bill already, which I got to pay by Friday, December 19th. Uh, so I'm changing my vote to yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council President. Councilwoman, Council President.

Yes. So, let me let me give clarity. The reason why this was removed, it wasn't removed, we couldn't vote on it. We didn't have a quorum because people left. But this item is we this council votes on appropriations a lot of times because they don't want to approve a 5.6% or 3.5. I commend people like Mayor Raz Baraka and former mayor Steve Fulop who said this is a way that the city can continue to get their tax bills. The taxpayers are not asking where your bills. It allows them that um where the council doesn't have to continue to do that but they still have to pay back. So it's not like you're giving a blank check to the administration because everything is done and regulated through the state law. It is state law NJSA 4A4-45 col14. This was something put in in place by our state legislators who I commend for their great work and thank you mayor Raz Baraka for pushing it. My vote is yes madam clerk.

Thank you council president. Madam clerk. Yes. I want to reconsider my vote please. Thank you, Madam Cler. I'm I'm sorry. I'll be very brief. So, to the public, this is very important. Um, and and I apologize. I will post this as well. Oh, wow.

Right here in front of me, I'm looking at the transitional aid application for the city of uh Atlantic City. City of Atlantic City. their their pilots that's listed their pilot payment is $4.1 million. The the payment that would be required to pay if they did not have a pilot would be $4.5. It's a differential of I didn't quote the exact numbers but a little more than $300,000. That's all their pilots. is a differential of $300,000. When you go through this list, there's one item, one item. You see all the items. There's over 400 plus items. There's one item on the list that is currently paying $364,600 and without a pilot, it will be paying $2.97. So, let me say that again. With the pilot, they're paying $364,600. And if they did not have a pilot, they'll be paying 2,978,700. That's one item. If you did the math on the differential, it's well over $2.5 million on one item. You would never have to deal with a cap. You would never have to do anything else. If you calculated this list, it is well over that's one item over 400 that are here. You have council members voting no to raise the cap. That's

required because we won't cut the budget without it. They already voted to approve the budget, but you won't take arm against the 400 plus items that's costing the city well over $und00 million a year. 100 million over hund00 million a year that's in this packet. So that's not responsible governance. That's people just misleading, being misleading, and not rendering the truth of what's going on. We cannot not support a cap that you've already supported the budget for and yet still be derelic on everybody else. This is one item and I'll show it to whomever wants it. This is public information here, but it's be you. It's the chances of finding it is slim to none because they're burying it in things like this. I apologize, Madam Clerk. My vote is no. Thank you, Councilman. Council President,

my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are five in favor, three against, one absent. Item number one is hereby adopted. Item number three, Madam Clerk. Item number three on second reading, public hearing is required. Ordinance establishing all stop control at the intersections of Cumberland Avenue and Crosby Avenue and Cumberland Avenue and Chamberlain Avenue Public Works. Ordinance number 25-031. Second move by Councilman Khalik, Councilwoman Davis, second by Council President Med, Council um Mendes, the public hearing is open now on item number three. See no move to close.

Motion to close public hearing by uh Council Mendes. Second by Councilwoman Dava. Um roll call to close the public hearing on item number three. Roll call to close the public hearing on item number three. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khik, yes. Councilman Mendes, yes. Councilman Omar, yes. Thank you. Councilman Vez, yes. Councilwoman Council uh President, yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Public hearing is here by closed. Item number four, Madam Clerk, have to read the roll call for All right.

Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number three for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Davala, yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Kh, yes. Councilwoman Mendes, yes. Counciloman Omar, yes. Councilman Vez, yes. Council President, yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number three is hereby adopted. Item number four, Madam Clerk.

Item number four is an ordinance authorizing acceptance of the conveyance of excess land for the New Jersey Department of Transportation for redevelopment as a public playground. I'm sorry. This is first reading, Madam Cler. So move. Is that first reading? Yes. Second. First move by councilman. Okay. So, first reading. Yes, it's first reading. Yes. Moved by Councilman Veles, second by Councilman Mendes and Council President Mims. Roll call on the first reading item. Thank you to my senior for this item. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Okay. Roll call on item number four. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Discussion. Councilman Jackson. Where? Olive Street, Route 19 behind the U, there's a charter school there. [clears throat]

Talking about the open space, correct? So, uh, this is the the vacant property, the the the the open lot where currently is being access occupied by homeless people on Route 19. Correct. Correct.

Yeah. And um so I mean I obviously this thing is I don't have an issue necessarily with what with the what with the future plan is but um considering that this property has been owned by the uh the NJ DOT all this time. Is the Mir property property across the street owned by the NJ DOT as well? Correct.

So what are we doing? We're holding them accountable for maintenance and and and cleaning and uh refurbishing and and etc. I I understand it has nothing to do with this, but this property has been an eyesore. It's been derelic for all these years. We've allowing a state entity to neglect it and now we have a church that's going to take it over. But what about the other properties that they own? I mean, we can move forward. That's just my question I wanted to get clarity on. That's fine. Thank you. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call on item number four for adoption on first reading. Councilwoman Cotton.

Yes. Yes. Okay. Councilwoman Davilla. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Thank you, Madame Clerk. So, one, let let me be clear. I'm not necessarily favorable for this this item only because of the the the area in which it is. It's on it's in the entryway of the city of Patterson. Um I do acknowledge that it's it's going to be a much better uh much easier on the eyes, I'm sure, but it's still going to require some fencing. It's going to require some safeguarding, which I I think that it just

doesn't quite lend. But considering what it was, what it has been, and the fact that we don't even hold these agencies accountable for the derelict, you you know, uh they would never do that in another municipality. Let the state just go derelict on taking care of property that they own. But uh here we are tasking another agency to do the job of someone that someone has been neglecting for years. But anyway, madame clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khik, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Um,

thank you, Madam Clerk. But definitely before my vote, I I do have to agree with Councilman Jackson on this on this boy. NJ do DOT, they've been they've been on this property for for decades, forever. But they we never hold them accountable. and and it happened also with with with NG transfer BNCG and so many other entity that are coming PSNG they break they open our road they don't fix it the way they're supposed to fix it it's something that is is is affecting us in in all the different ways by not holding people accountable for the job that they have to do but I'm very happy to see Mossino taking over he's a blessing for our community and I know he going to do a great project and clean the main entrance of the city of Patterson once and for all because it's really bad as soon as you get what you see um in that location. My vote is yes, madam clerk.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you, Councilman Vez.

In the conversation since 2016, Holland P Academy used to be there. Now is u another uh um charter school. Um they're going to move forward. Uh they already have a partnership that they are going to beautify the area and um fence the area. um and also in the conversation with man senior is that um is going to bring a playground to that school and to the neighborhood. Um and he going to make sure the neighborhood uh also be part of utilizing uh that playground saying this um I think it's a great idea. Uh now what I'm concerned is soon as that is fenced soon as is beautified what the administration is going to do when those homeless those individual don't have no place to go where they going to push them making sure they don't push him a little bit further into the wards try to get solution real solution for those that are encamping out there with all homeless in the city of Patterson. Uh, my vote is yes on this.

Thank you, Councilman. Council President, my vote is yes. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number four is adopted on first reading. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of January 20th, 2026. Madame Clerk, we're going to item 42, but I'm going to make the request again. I did it in the beginning. Where is the heat? I'm asking once again, it is freezing in the chambers. So if we can check to see what's happening. He did. He came. He he turned. Item 42. Madam clerk. 42. Item 42. 42. 42. We have a new boiler.

Come up. Refer. Oh. Item number 42 is a resolution authorizing tax collector to recall third-party leans and purge erroneous taxes on lot 6 in block 5303 also known as 308 Dixon Avenue owned by city of Patterson administration resolution number 25604 moved by council um secondwoman Davis second by council Mendes roll call item discussion this uh council.

Thank you. It's a small discussion, just a question here. It [clears throat] says is owned by the city of Patterson. Then I go to 308 Dixon Avenue. Okay. and um is showing that I don't know if that property is 308 Dixon Avenue, that two family house is a city of Patterson property or is the the vacant lot that was there that belongs to the city of Patterson and they did a new roadway to be able to construct those property in the back. I I just want to know what is it? Because if I go 308 Dixon Avenue, it goes directly to that two family house. Now, if it's the rightway, the street, new street they did uh made to be able to go back there to that new property. I don't I want to know where the process went to be able to access that street to the back. Um I I don't know you follow me. Councilman Mendes on this clify.

Uh Mr. Ba, I know you probably because we talking about we talking about number 42 and it says the property owns by the city of Patterson and and and based on the Google map here 308 Dixon Avenue is that big nice beautiful house. Mr. Ba. So on June 2019, the property was sold to the Baskin Corporation. Yes. Read page four. So the Baskin Corporation owns the property. Okay.

And Councilman, if you read page four, it's clearly outlined the details that is how much they how much they sell that property for that two family house. Beautiful. I would have to look up that information. Councilman, so uh I move to table this item. Um we need more more information. How how the property how the property got sale? 308. So there's a motion on the floor to table. You have a second. Um roll call to table. Madam clerk. Yeah.

Roll call to table item number 42. He he said because they don't have the information as to the the sale of the property. That's his reasoning. Councilwoman Cotton probably I just want to know how they sell the property. We don't know how much they sell it and all that stuff. You know the I didn't it's not possession you working realtor. I didn't knew that the city could sell property just because they want to sell them and then come back and say well we're in the middle of roll call. Roll call. clerk. No, it's roll call to table

lean on the property. They should not had a lean on it. And now you got to give this money back to the person who paid the lean, but we going to table it. Okay. Okay. Whatever. You still I mean your answer is yes. I got a couple purges coming up and they make mistakes. I'm council. She's Oh, she said no. She said no. No. Okay. No to table. Okay. No. No. Yes. Yes. Oh, you said yes to table. [laughter] Okay. Councilwoman Dava. No. Councilman Jackson. Pass. Counciloman Khik. You're voting to table item number 42. 42.

Yes. My vote is no, madam cl. No, table. Councilman Mendes. They can't explain it good enough. Definitely the information is not all there. This is a a lean is the property owned that piece [clears throat] of property the city by lean, but um you know it's not time sensitive. They could bring all the details, all the information and we'll be we'll be able to vote and make a smart decision. My vote is yet to table it. [snorts] Councilman Omar is absent. Um, Councilman, yes. Table. Yes. Okay. Council President, my my vote is no table. No. Okay. All right. The votes are Hold on. Jackson. Oh, Councilman Jackson. I'm sorry. Oh, not. I'll take my vote back.

Okay. Thank you, Madam [clears throat] Clerk. You know, to the members of the public, this is clear. This is clear. First of all, the item says uh

the item says to recall third party lean and purge erroneous taxes on lot 6, block 55 5303 aka Dixon AB owned by the city of Patterson. Owned by the city of Patterson. We don't charge ourselves taxes. So we wouldn't have to purge taxes. Then the information comes out that is not owned by by the city of Patterson. It's owned by somebody else. Right on the top the first whereas between 2007 and 13 the developer built six homes on subdivided lots 10 11 12. Six homes. I wonder if I mean this is where you it's like you don't have enough. I wonder if this item is on this list, right? And then you have council members. In fact, they're being coached. Oh, just vote no to to table. Why would you not want to table it? Why not? Unless unless a fellow council member can I mean I think by now many of you can acknowledge that I'm I'm willing to change my perspective if you can get render some quality qualified information as I've done in the past and and I'll apologize if I'm wrong here you have we're trying to take care of the best interest of the public. If you have a piece of property that was sold by the city to a developer to the point, one of the one of the council members made this point, when are we in the business of selling property? And if we are, why aren't we selling it to a resident to become a homeowner? Listen, your best interests are being ignored. [clears throat] This is not about you. This is about campaign donations. This is about

developers that's coming in to, you know, continuously rake over the community. Why would we not want to table an item such as this for further investigation, further discussion? Or again, if one of the council members has the information that's pertinent to this, why wouldn't they share it publicly? Madame clerk, my vote is yes, the table. Thank you, Councilman. Yes. Council Omar Council Omar's back. Councilman Omar. My vote is know the table.

Okay. All right. He he didn't even read the the the document. No. No. Councilman, I I feel Councilman BZ, we are in the middle of roll call and any council person. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Madame clerk, I am I'm sorry, Councilman. I'm sorry. Yes, I'm the last vote. You give your vote. You didn't call me yet. You didn't call me yet. Yes. I I want to reconsider my vote, please. Councilman Vez. Council President, I want to reconsider my vote before you vote. Councilman Veles. Thank you, Council President.

Listen, this is more deep than what you think. It's not only that they saying it's a city property, okay? I'm still questioning way back how they put those property back there with less than 10 feet wide driveway that the fire department cannot even go back there.

Okay, I'm still questioning way back I mentioned this to one of the board I came here to question how those property went back there. I know councilman um for the second wall I respect uh that's the award I did a drive-thru way back how those probably got developed back there look at the picture not even one car you don't have two ways driveway there at all and a fire goes there and those cars are parked there is going to be a lot of people dead okay now that's one thing that that's why I question now to come from a conference and come and say no just because no without reading what we have in front of us is an insult of my discovery. So once again

it is an insult and and you right you got the right to vote. You got the right to vote but Councilman Jackson made a good point on it. Okay. and and every and not and not every time we agreed on it, but let's be honest. Let's be honest. And then they call us that we're not doing the right thing for the city of Patterson, that we're not fiscally responsible. Now, how and once again, the question is valid. CFO didn't answer how they sell this property to this individual. Where's the money? What's the price that they sell it? What? For $1. I didn't know that was we was realters that we could sell properties.

No, no. I want to recon. So, you know, I gonna continue to say no for this one. And if something else comes the same, I'm going to continue to say no. So, my vote is no on this. Your vote is no. Okay. Can I? Oh, sorry. Yes. To table. [laughter] Sorry. It's like a motion here. Council President. Council President,

I want to reconsider. I'm doing this for the re considering my vote for the first time since I've been here. But I have to put some clarification in here. In front of us is a is a very clear we purging the text third party tax lane 2007. I wasn't here when the this redevelopment happened and what has happened it happened already. This is a third party lean on a tax and you went through the process. We have to refund this money from the third party $2,000 or so. That's what in front of us. But we cannot go back in 2007. How did that uh did the subdivision or how did they approve this project? This resolution has nothing to do with that. That's why I'm vot I voted no on uh tableabling this item. Thank you,

Council President.

So, let me be clear. In the document, and I don't know if it's there, but I'm going to make sure um Mr. Rocker, I'll give it to you. On the last two pages is very clearly outline what happened, what took place from beginning all the way to the end. This went through our legal department. The the lawyer that represented um assistant corporation counsel John Amolo, his name is here. All packets go out to council members. You didn't just get here and you're sitting here to vote. We had a workshop and now we have a regular. So, we can't insult council members and say you just sat down and said whatever. We've had this packet for a month.

We we had it a month. So, madame clerk, my vote is no to table. Thank you, Council President. The votes are four in favor, four against, and one absent. Council President, Council President, um, Corporation Council, it's four and four. Council, are you reconsidering for real or you just want to talk? No. Did you say uh council president will I'm just I'm asking a question because the public council president will second council a comment bring a reaction

council lev I'm just asking a question cuz we're trying to get through items so the public can speak. So you've already asked you have asked once to speak and you did and you kept your vote the same are you I I I'm I'm happy that you acted that way with me. Why you don't tell that to Councilman uh Jackson when he go to record his message? You see, they choose and pick here, right? So, because you're doing it for the

Let's be fair. Let's be fair, right? Let's be fair. So, so what I was going to say, Council President, and and and and and she read the votes already. Okay. If if this is a property, if this is a property now not owned by the city pass, I will request Mr. BA to see if you Well, we have we have uh uh uh the UEC inspector or director or inspector to go to the to go to the property or DPW inspector because they need to do a real driveway. They didn't cut they didn't cut the the curb, you know, things like that. So, go inspect to see if that driveway is legal to go back there, you know, because listen,

and to see if they paying their fair share of that driveway. You know what I'm saying? It's like make sure. Thank you, Council Member. The votes were four and four. The item is not tabled. Madame Clerk, roll call. Oh, we going to do it again. Thank you. Roll call on item number 42 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton.

No. Okay. No. Okay. Councilwoman Davo. Yes. Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. To the [clears throat] public, please be clear. My agenda always is just to address you. Educating members here is uh is a challenge. The owners of the said property is uh 576 Valley Road, Wayne, New Jersey. Um 318 Dixon Street. It is on a 30-year tax abatement list and [clears throat] 308 is an is has an easement in the property. So, you know, the purpose of the council is to protect the public. Protect the public. If you believe that's what's happening tonight, you got people making all kinds of excuses of why this thing was here. You spend so much time fighting so many fights and putting out so many fires that Yeah. You know, it may come to a meeting, but you should be able to make a decision on on the on the on the fly to say, "Listen, this item deserves more attention. Let's look at it." You know why? You know who's who's being victimized here. It's a families of people who possibly own their house for 30, 40 years that the tax bills don't go out in a timely fashion because the council fails to put the budget in place. So now certain things get missed. There's there's taxes that are missed. Now there's a lean in the property. these sharks that are in the water. Yeah. They buy taxes. Don't even know what they're they're they're buying and then two years later they're taking your grandmother's house.

Does it I mean, yeah. Essentially, it's it's it's a matter of business in some some from from some perspective. Some people say, you know, [snorts] man, it's nothing personal. You know, it's just business. But for some people, it's very personal because they're being put out of their homes. So, does the council have a requirement to go back se seven years or whatever the case might be? No. No, we don't have a requirement much like Mr. Ben David outlined. What's not required? But do we have the ability? Absolutely. Should we have the responsibility? I'mma ask you. I'mma ask you at home, you the public who voted for people who are sitting in these seats. Should the people in these seats have at least the slightest bit concern to worry about what's the circumstances behind someone losing their property at the very least especially in this climate we should have that should be at at at the highest of priorities. What's Wait a minute. Somebody lost the property. I wanted to understand fully what happened. Not have some misleading information in the agenda to say this property was owned by the city of Patterson. We're purging taxes. And then when you look through the fine print, well, it's a it's a cluster of lots and some that was taken by foreclosure, some taken by, you know, and then to make matters even worse, what we're doing right now, see, and I'm I'm I'm arrested here. I'm not I apologize for going on, but I'm trying to get you guys to see what I'm talking about. Not one resident of the city. In fact, Councilman is correct. He's incorrect from his numbers, but yes, I wrote

legislation for a 60-year, not a 90-year, a 60-year pilot for Brooks Slope, which consists of 240 Patterson residents that own those facilities there. There is no profit margin being stolen, no developers fees. I wrote the legislation so that Brooks soap residents could be supported in a reduction of their taxes of which obviously you see we so easily give away to non-residents. I failed to get the support from Councilman Shaheen Khaled and his cohort, the previous councilman, the current state assemblyman Alb Deaz. He fought extremely hard to stop that pilot. But I can't get one of them to help me fight against 400 of them. And yet, we're going to vote yes to approve a purge. A purge means to wipe out the taxes for someone at 560 576 Valley Road, Wayne, New Jersey.

Not for Patterson, but for someone who doesn't live here. We're going to wipe out the taxes for them easily. Oh, more discussion. No, no, we don't need more discussion. Count the votes, people. Look who's voting how. Madame clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Councilman. Council Kh.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Everybody knows my yes is a yes. No is a no. If I'm against that abatement, I am against that abatement. If Brooks Slope could get it, why not Garris Heights? Why not all the other entities out there? How about I live on Sherwood AB? I make I make I make a U community of 20 30 40 whole block and ask for abatement. And then then what's going to happen if you do that? continually you you form a apartment or form a something like that.

So, so it's like

I don't support abatement. Everybody knows it. I'll fight for it. So, I'm not going to talk from both side of my mouth. It's simp it's it's simple simple as that. Simple as that. We are voting on a ping. We always do that. Pars taxes two $2,000. There was a issue mistake. That's what are we voting on but we're going to bring up unrelated other issues. He got baitment on another properties somewhere else. I didn't vote on it. He got the team. I'm can't hate on him. He got the team. He got the resources to do this business. Build come in city of Patterson, buy abandoned property, build something. And the state allow them to get many intensive federal money. This money them I don't know how to do it. If I knew I would I would be in their business too. I cannot hate hate on them. My vote is yes for this uh item 42. Madam clerk.

Thank you Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Um thank you Madam Clerk. Uh I'm I'm very cautious when it comes to um um a lean and and and because you know once you once you are under the water with the with a with a lean that somebody own your property because they pay those taxes that you behind or whatever the number is that the percentage is extremely high and and it and and it's you have a big possibility of losing of losing your property. um those 1,200 family that that lost their taxes because somebody bought her, they going to they got to go through they got to go through a very tough time in order for them to get that property back on track. So that's the reason why when I hit I support to table this legislation because you have 308 Dixon Avenue and you have a a building project with three different lot 10 11 and 12 it doesn't hurt to put a a legislation back to get more clarification. uh definitely doesn't hurt. That really help us to make a smart decision and it help us to and it bring more confidence into the resident of our community. Um definitely my vote is no madam clerk.

Thank you councilman. Councilman Omar. My vote is yes madam clerk. Thank you councilman. Normally the resolution will state how much we purging. It don't say it. They put a document in the back. we had to discover was the amount the amount purchase 12,965 18 cents. Yes, I read my documents and um that's why I'm voting no at this. That's why I'm voting no. Thank you, Council President. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you. The votes are four in favor, four against, one absent. Item fails. Yes. Item 43, Madam Clerk.

43, resolution calling for the immediate release of Laoya Cordia, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE Custody and urging the Department of Homeland Security to end retaliatory detention practices that infringe upon First Amendment protections. Sponsored by Councilman Lewis VeZ and Councilman Ibraham Omar. City Council resolution number 25 colon605. So move. Moved by Councilman Veles. Second by Councilman [snorts] Omar. Y somebody want to talk about roll call. Madam clerk. Anybody want to talk about it? Roll call. Madam clerk.

Roll call on item number 4. I'm asking the two sponsors. Do you want to say something about it? Because Oh. Oh. We don't I have no idea who this person is discussion and my email I must have got a thousand email regarding this person. Yes, that's that's a fair that's a fair question. No, y'all got to tell me that's a fair question. My phone that's a fair question. My phone I got at least a thousand emails. Correct. At least I mean everybody did but you two guys sponsor it. Tell us about it. Okay, let me tell you. So out of out of the 500 700 emails that I also received, okay, that's it.

I went over the request of letter of or resolution support to this young lady. This young lady for exercising her freedom speech. Okay. She was arrested in the process that she was going through being legalized in the United States. So as we are a city that we are a welcome immigrant city, I decide to draft this resolution to support this young lady. That is not a mandate of the rules, but it's a support of moral that people deserve

to be in the United States. Thank you, council. Not only because Thank you. They express their self not because they agree or not agree in things that happen in the United States. They should be penalized and be encased and that give it a second chance to move forward with their family. That could happen to anyone of us. I could look Latino today, tomorrow I could look Arabic and they probably could have put me in detention center. Yes, but I probably have the luxury to come out fast. Thank

we going to support it. The resolution speak by itself and I I think it's well to deserve to support. Thank you council president Councilman Omar. So first I want to say I want to thank everyone for reaching out to us. You know we got your emails. We've reached out to all our offices and uh this is a Patterson resident who's been in confinement for over 200 days. Correct. I just want to reiterate that and it doesn't matter where she you know she went to a unfortunately she went to a protest right was detained and has been denied bond twice twice so she has yet to have a fair trial and her first amendment rights judge granted her twice

twice and then there's this some kind of ICE law that I'm unfamiliar with but regardless she has been in confinement for over 200 days uh she's having health issues, mental issues that ICE unfortunately is ignoring. And this is a national effort that Senator Booker, Senator Kim, Nelly Po, uh, Congresswoman Nelly Poe, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, so many other federal reps are behind this effort. So to the people who have emailed us and reached out to us, thank you. Because this resolution is basically just saying that we as a city council, as a body, are in support of her release. That's it. Yes.

Thank you. Thank you, M council president. So just uh corporation council the item reads resolution calling for the immediate release. Um I want to put a recommendation on the floor for the item to say resolution calling in support of the release or the immediate resolution immediate release it. And just just for clarity, Councilman Omar, uh bond was granted by the judge twice. it was it was granted, but they will not release her. So, I just want to put that on the record, but I want to say that instead of saying we're calling for the immediate release that we're in support of because there's other state legislators and on the national level that are the same. So, I just want to put that on the record. Madame Clerk, roll call.

Okay. Roll call on item number 43. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just wanted the sponsors to explain um you know um supporting this um um item here that we have here tonight. So and I'm happy that you um explained it. Councilman Omar, Councilman Valletz, Madame Clerk, um my vote is yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Dav, yes. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Khik, yes. Councilman Mendes, my vote is yes. Bonu.

Councilman Omar. Again, I want to thank all the efforts that have been into this. Uh, all the emails, they've gone to us. Every council member has gone, over a thousand emails, and I'm happy and proud to support this resolution. And I want to thank my council colleagues for supporting this resolution. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Vez.

Thank you, uh, Councilman Omar, for allowing me to start uh this process and joining to the process. Um if uh the council agrees uh to be the co-sponsor of it, uh I will put him as co-sponsor also uh um in the resolution. So um saying this this is a a a is a resolution. It's a support. We don't want to see people that comes to the United States to fulfill their dreams being blocked by any any any policy that is not in the books. So saying that, free Palestine. God bless. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Jackson. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. The items um the votes are I have not voted, madam. Sorry, Council President. I don't know why I'm forgetting you today. My My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 43 is hereby adopted.

Thank you. Item 44, Madam Clerk. Item number 44 is a resolution honoring the life [applause] the life and legacy of Maestro Raphael Ithier Natal 1926 through 1925. founder and music director of L Grand Combo de Puerto Rico. Sponsored by Councilman Lewis VeZ, City Council resolution number 2560. Moved by Councilman Veles, second by Council President Mims. Roll call on item 44. Madam Clerk, roll call on item number 44. Councilwoman Cotton, yes. Councilwoman Dava,

yes. Councilman Jackson, yes. Councilman Khalik. Yes. Councilman Omar. Um, Councilman Menddees, I'm sorry. Yes. Yes. And Councilman Omar, yes. Councilman Vez.

So, I just want to say this quick. Uh, honoring the life and legacy of Elstro Rafaelier Natal, born in 1926, uh, deceased this past week, 2025. He was the founder founder of the music and director of El Gran combo de Puerto Rico. And uh those that knows Grand Combo, they've been traveling all the way around the world bringing the salsa and um bringing that type of music to um to the world. Uh one thing that reminded me is uh Councilwoman M always say they give the flower when they are live. They they used to sing a song.

We didn't had the chance uh to give him this when he was alive. He passed away when 99 years old and still play the piano. So um to Mr. Rafael Mestro, Rafael Eel Natal, and to all the Puerto Ricans that know them in the country, and the world, my deepest condolence to the family. And yes, my vote is yes. Thank you, council president. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are eight in favor, one absent. Item number 44 is adopted.

Item number 45. Item number 45 is a resolution of need in support of the application of Hudson Blue 24owner LLC to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in connection with the development of an affordable housing project in the city of Patterson Economic Development Resolution number 2560. So move second move by move by councilwoman Davis second by council president mems. We're going to go into discussion. Discussion. Councilman Jackson.

I move to table this item, Council President, till we can get some clarity on uh on the contractual agreement with this item and the parking authority as presented. I have a uh I have a print out from the parking authority s signed by Mr. Perez that totally goes in in difference. You want to pass that to Councilwoman Cotton? They have I don't I don't Oh, you don't need to see it. Don't need to see it. You're going to just vote yes anywhere. No, I don't need because we had a discussion in economic development.

There's a motion on the floor to table. Is there a second to table number 45? There's a motion on the floor to table. Is there a second? I'm not. Is there a second? It fails. Madame clerk, roll call. I thought I thought Oh, Lord. No, that's what he wanted it. Roll call, madam clerk. Discussion. Oh, discussion. No. No. But you No, but he's council president. But Mr. Rocker, she doesn't care. Mr. Rocker, she doesn't care what the public think.

But Mr. Rocker, we're going into this public speak. Point of order. Let's point of order. Point of order. Point order. But Mr. Rocker after Mr. Rocker after public Mr. Rocker bring it up after public Mr. Rocker. There's a discussion on for Councilman Jackson. I have a question. Okay. Discussion. Councilman Khaled. Council president. Councilman colleague. One second. Yes, I I do have a question about this uh parking authority agreement as well. Uh can somebody direct can you can you um

give me an answer? See is clearly state on this paper that um the tenant will be paying the um to the parking they will be getting the lead from the parking authority. As far as I understood that as he's right there. As as as far as I understood from our uh meeting that um owner of the property would be paying that fee, not the tenants, right? As far as I understood, but I see otherwise. Can you clarify that for me, please? If I if I may. Um

Mr. Can you identify who you are? Adam Fels and Gross on behalf of Hudson Blue um owner LLC the letter point order point order for a minute council president he's I know point of order point order when we go to take testimony in the past we used to swear in the individual No that's not this board that's planning board no we have done it before in the past no that is when you're voting on an application we're not voting on an application to have a Listen, I have experienced that before because what happened, council president, council president, we have done it before in our hearings and when we uh uh uh

just allow corporation council to rule on the point of order so we can move forward. We never take testimony. We never take anybody in. We're not in a public hearing. Mr. Adam, if you could just respond, please. Okay. I will come back with my Mr. Adam.

Sure. Um the letter that was issued in August was before the HMFA application was started. We have pledged the the owner has pledged on the record and is continuing to pledge to pay for it for the tenants. I believe that the HMFA application requires that the HMFA rules. Um we are have already set in motion to schedule a meeting and as I stated last week, we will enter into any type of agreement with the parking authority that is required. We've already had conversations with the parking authority about getting that in motion. Um, and we plan on meeting with them, entering into anou or any type of agreement that is required as I stated last week. Um, and yes, I know that the um, letter issued before the HMFA application was began said the tenants are going to pay for it. as part of the HMFA application that we're asking for the resolution of uh need and in support from the council, the owner has pledged to pay for it instead of the tenants.

Correct. That is part of what the HMFA application will allow. Yes, Councilman Mendes.

Thank you, uh, Council President. And and, uh, as you hear before in the beginning of this project, um, openly say that I'm in full support of affordable housing. We need our senior need affordable prop housing where they could stay and leave and you know this space but my concern my number one concern was the parking. Now we have a letter coming from the parking authority specify the parking will be paid by the tenants. So what do we do? What do we do in this matter? Because I'm sorry just a minute. Um what are we doing now? We have nothing in writing that is specify that uh Hudson Blue will cover the cost of the parking in writing right here sitting. I I'm very I'm very open on on I'm very open on my business. I'm here to do the right thing for Patterson to make the right decision to help my community and I especially have a listen. Yes, we need affordable housing based on income at all the level not only for senior. A lot of people getting evicted because they can't afford they can't pay $2,500 per for an apartment. We know that, but we got to do things the right way. So, where's the letter coming from you specifying that you guys going to be responsible 100% for parking? That really is stopping me right now from taking action.

Yeah, we we can certainly we can certainly send a letter that if the HMFA application is approved, we will pay for the parking that is required by HMFA is our understanding and it's recorded. And I said last week, excuse me, sir, I I I I said last week, we will enter into any type of agreement with the uh with the parking authority. If the council needs a letter uh reaffirming what the owner pledged, we will c we can certainly submit a letter. Absolutely. Okay. So, there is a motion on the floor to table once again and there was no second. Madame clerk, roll call on item number 45. Council President, Councilman Jackson.

So, here's the issue. 13 and a half Van Halton when it was initi in initially uh put together or um what is the one right next door? Uh the the Cogna Mills Cogna Mills at one point in time used to have police officers working security detail there. It was a requirement of their agreement. Currently, nobody understands when that agreement was made. 15 years from now, 30 years from now, these this this project will still have a tax abatement because they're obviously going to fall into the same provision of this. So, they'll they'll get added to this list so long as we don't come out of the Garden State growth zone, right? Yeah.

And no one would be sitting here on this council. Nobody's going to remember that they said that they would do that. Someone's I mean, obviously, it's a little bit easier now. You can go do a YouTube search, but nobody's going to remember that there was an there was an a a handshake agreement made. There has to be a contractual agreement between the city. I I just don't understand how it consistently and she goes over to the developer to have a discussion with him about you know what which what her thoughts are on it. It's crazy.

Council president I I want a second I want a second and let me tell you why you have lied to us right now. You say that N you say that NJHFMA requires that developer pay for parking. So let me let me understand let me say let me say there's understanding. You know what that is? Yeah. It says here that it's not it's not demanding you guys to pay for parking. So So there you said a second but there was not a motion. So are you making a motion failed? I have a motion. So a motion is back at the table. Second um and let me say madam clerk we say let me say what the condition

let me say the condition of table because he said that he's have an agreement with the parking authority before this come before us. I want a contract signed with parking authority honoring those parking that is paid by you. That that's fine. Roll call to table, madam clerk. Roll call to table. Item number 45. Councilwoman Cotton. No. Oh. Council, turn your mic on. Turn your mic on. So, this will get on record. No. When we vote, then I'll explain.

Go ahead. I'm not tableing it. Councilman Jackson, many people out here need affordable housing and we can't get nowhere to live. Well, the calls I get, first of all, let me address this. Calls I get every day for housing. Why don't you say it then? Council calls I get every day for affordable housing. I Councilwoman Cotton Council Cotton Council Jackson has the floor.

Right. So Charles Baron came here last week from Brooklyn to explain how they stopped gentrification in East Brooklyn to explain how when developers came in with proposals for what they call fair market rate at the MAMI that he went down and made sure that those rates was $500 to $600. Not for people only making under $26,000 a year. 27 20 whatever that is. If you're making under 20 20 $26,000 a year, you can't take care of a household on on that number. So to quote off the rates for $700, that's basically talking about people that that don't work. Then what happens is you receive a subsidy. you receive maybe like, you know, some uh social security or or possibly even a welfare arrangement, which is now running out after a certain period of time, right? If you go out and get another job, you don't qualify any longer for that rate. How many people do we know they can't go get a job? They can't have an additional income because they're now going to be expected to pay the 1,400 a month, not the 700 a month. This is not affordable. This is not affordable. You must not be looking at the at the at the court system with all the the the outlandish evictions that's going on every day. We can't just continue to let people beat us over the head and come here and callously lie to our faces, tell us this is what's going to happen when that wasn't the intent. Oh yeah, that letter was written a long time ago. Where's the agreement with the city? Where's the agreement for our residents? It's non-existent.

It's just more of this, more of this. This is abuse right here. Lastly, I'll say this. How about the fact that the upper floors in that parking garage that they've made a commitment to are all uh um condemned? They're condemned and they cannot legally be utilized. Is the developer going to make a commitment to do those repairs in that parking garage? No. What's going to happen is because they, as he said in his in his uh uh his delivery last week, we only anticipate about 100 tenants needing parking spaces. So, out of 194, only 100. Listen, man. Ladies and gentlemen, please watch what's going on. these elections coming up and all the things that they're telling you they've done, they've done nothing but sell you out. Sell you out. This right here is not Why is no other municipality, in fact, Camden, uh, uh, Trenton, um, Atlantic City and Pake, Pake, here's their agreement to opt out. Pake said, "No, we're not letting you do this to us." I talked to the mayor the other day. He said, "No, no, no, no. We don't do that here. We're not giving you the first 10 years for free. We let everybody come here and have it. We're prostituting our city.

We're prostituting our city. We let everybody have it. Madam clerk, my vote is no. Hell no. Your vote is no table. Yes. Yes. You [laughter] appreciate that, Council President. My vote is hell yes to table. Thank you. Um, Councilwoman Davliner. Thank you, Madame Clerk. So, which side are we on? I'll come back. I'll come back. Af affordable housing or not? We we here to the public to the public to the to the public. Councilman Khaled.

Yeah. Right. Okay. So, and right who ami is not set by the city. I'm still waiting for Councilman Jackson to bring me the resolution from Brooklyn where they are paying like $300 or $400 per apartment. I'm still waiting for on that one. I'm I'm I'm still waiting on that one and I fully support that resolution. Okay. And uh these rates are set by the state. There's no parking agreement. Park parking agreement clearly say states the gentleman is right here.

Gentle gentleman. He said it. He said it. I'll take his word for the public. The council man. I'll take the I'll take it. The council. Let him speak. I will take his word for the councilman has the floor. [laughter] Oh man. They're going to spend 100 $16 million and you cannot take Hey, it's it's it's my vote,

you know. I mean, we we previously we approved [cough] 84 units. This is 194 units. We went through the process. It went through the planning board. It is approved. We are not we are not voting on a on a on a project. We are we we we are voting a support letter. So that could that we just voting on the support of a letter. We just voting on the letter. That's basically what it is. My vote is no to table. Thank you, Councilman. Council Mendes.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh I'm just going to say that we have to be very [clears throat] careful what we do with our city right now. We forcing our resident to break the law because there's no space to park. We have no people there parking right on the corner, right on the blocking sidewalk because it's there it's very limited parking space in the city and my fear is that having 200 plus unit with not a guaranteed parking space for those residents. We know the community that we serving. We know that a lot of our resident they live paycheck to paycheck. they not going to have additional money to pay parking and that was my requirement. I said listen sitting here it will be irresponsible from my for me by supporting a project that is not guaranteed that those tener will have parking space to park their car. Imagine you 5 10 years from now that that agreement could fall into the crack right now this city and we we should be supporting projects that have on-site parking period. We're not at the stage of that redevelopment now that that we need help. Patterson is overpop populated. We have over over 200,000 people living in this city. Believe it or not, I drive around here every day like all of us. So now we got to make sure that every project get that parking on site. And now I was hoping to see that a specific agreement and all I see is that something different. I can't support this. I can't sit here and say, "Okay, I'm going get let me give it a benefit of the doubt. I'll I'll feel extremely guilty tomorrow if I see that what they presenting it was totally wrong. With that being said, my vote is yes to table it. [applause]

Councilman Omar, my vote is no to table. Madam clerk. Okay. Councilman. So [sighs] this is simple and easy. He just stated there that one of the requirement of the H MFA.

Oh, but I live in the NJ because he used the HF, right? So, everybody knows it's the NJ director. So, the N New Jersey HFMA, he stated, you could laugh for whatever you want, man, but I got to tell you what he stated. He stated that one of the requirement from that agency is that they supply free parking. Right? So I went to the same agency that he stated in here says here in affordable housing or mixed use development including those using NJMFA support parking provision and cost are usually negotiated in the development agreement or local government body approvals not a mandatory N A NJ NJ HMFA financing condition. So in other words says here that parking obligation are normally set by local zoning okay laws and negotiated project agreement by the agency and us. Now why we tableabling this director? I'm talking to him. I know why you anxious to prove this, but I'm talking to him. What we doing today is because the local governing body is the one dealing with you. You got to come back and say this is the contract for free parking for every resident there because the law says that you're not obligate. They don't obligate you to get the finance to get be given parking free parking. So you could turn

around and say, "Oh, let's tell the council that they getting free parking and then when the development is up and the resident comes because there's nothing written aboard, you're not obligated to give it free. So because you staying a compromise with us and the residents of the area and the city of Patterson in a good will, you're going to come back. We're not denying this now. We tableing it until you make it good. Come back with a agreement with parking authority a contract saying that when the project's fulfilled and finished, that contract is going to take set and residents are going to have free parking. I'm not against affordable housing. I don't want to see that abandoned building there. I don't want to see squatters dining in there. I don't want to see homeless living in there. Of course, we want to see a beautiful project, but at the same time, we want to see the residents taking advantage of parking and affordable housing at the same time.

That is that's a deal. [clears throat] Done deal. My votes is to table this. Yes. Thank you, Council. Councilwoman Dava. So, you know, we had this item removed. It went back to committee. We had a thorough conversation and once again we're here. We have someone who's doing a transcription right now of this meeting. This is also a televised meeting that can be held in court if need be. No, no, no.

So, so I I am just going to say this just like everyone else has their right to vote. I have mine. I always say I stand on my convictions. I vote my conscience. I cannot say that I am not going to support having them go and having a letter of support for them to go and see if they can secure the monies to complete the project. That's what this is about. This is not I don't need to see a contract right now. We said it in the committee in the in the uh economic development committee meeting. He's put it on record here as well. There were other council members there. So, I cannot and I'm not going to allow for this not to move forward because I voted against it. I'm not voting to table this. I am in support of making sure that we have affordable housing. Okay. Right now, you know, it's been years, nothing is there. I mean, what are we doing? We just want people to just not come here and invest their monies. So, you know, with that said, I'm voting no to table this.

So, council president, can I reconsider my vote? The public? Yes. Can I reconsider my vote, please? Now, council president, thank you for for allowing me to speak. NJHFMA does not universally require developer to pay parking cost for tenants. All right?

They could come here and say yes. at the end if we don't have something written and they could say no it's not a requirement council president council president with all respect we're not saying we against of your project we're not saying that if you honor my word let's put it on paper let's put it on paper the the the the law says the rule says that it's an agreement between the governor body and you now let's make believe tomorrow I'm in a my office. I'm not here. Okay, that agreement goes down [clears throat] the drain.

I'm not here. It's not written. If you want something, you want to give something secure and you and you got a good intention. Thank you. Thank you. Let's do it right from now. You know why? Because then at the end of the road, if they not here, at least we did something good for the res. And that's my board. Thank you. And let me say this, council president. Have you noticed how many meters that section have the meters? Meters pocket meters.

About 100. Correct. So you telling me you're going to have forcing them to pay meters when you say you're going to give them free parking and then you could turn around and say it's not a it's words. I trusting you words. But it look good in paper. look good in paper. So once again, I'm not against affordable housing and I stated before, I don't want to see a building empty with squaters and this and that, but let's do it right. This is timesensitive, sir. If this is time sensitive, no, you could wait for next year. Bring the

Thank you, madame clerk. My vote is no to table. Thank you. One, two, one, two, three. The vote fails, madame clerk. One one second. So the votes are five against and one, two, three in favor. Yeah. The vote fells. Yes. Madam clerk, roll call on item number 45. Roll call on item number 45. Councilwoman Cotton.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. even though they're going down to the FM FMA, they may not get the money. They may get the money. Um, the amount of [snorts] calls that come in for uh the amount of calls that my my niece is in Florida and she lives in an affordable housing and she lives where her income pass a certain amount. Yeah. It has to she has to either stay there or she moves out. And that's what this is. That most of the time I find that most of the time the people that move in a development like this already may be set in a job already and they already unless they want to move out and get somewhere else they'll they'll move out. But with the the amount of um calls that that I think all of us get for affordable um is needed. I um I just want to say that even though some people um [snorts] do not understand like and you know and I think that people need to start talking to their federal elected officials because some of our federal laws needs to be changed because when you look at zip codes where certain zip codes get more than other zip codes or you look at certain states get more than other states. I have been to as they recall housing projects which the federal government really eliminated housing not throughout the entire country but in certain parts of this country. I've gone to Tennessee where you have 400 units. They didn't need policing because they police. They didn't need security because they secure their self. So we need to make

sure and try to get our state federal elected officials to make them understand HUD. HUD HUD is the one that's came into Patterson and and and and told them to tear down CC Alabama Riverside because they were just spending money over money over money fixing it over and over. So this company may not get this money. They may not get it because with the things are coming down the way it's coming down now is that I'm not sure what's going to happen. And you know and let me tell you something. the board of education. I just got a win of it and I'm not sure, but the federal government education has just eliminated funding to the state of New Jersey for community schools. We got about five community schools in our city. Five that need we got 11 community schools that have been cut from the federal government. They're not sending us to the board to add no more money. They say we're done. So, this is just to get a letter in to see if they're going to give it. They may not get it. So, with that, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Dava, my vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilman Jackson. To whom much is given, much is expected. And then again, to whom very little is expected, very little is given. Um when you when you go before the planning board relative [clears throat] to our code, it's um it's required by statute that for every apartment there's a certain number of parking spaces that are required legally. If you don't have those parking spaces, then you can't build, right?

[clears throat]

And that's not saying that, well, I can put up the the space and then require that the tenants that live there have to pay for parking. If any of you are wondering why there's a line outside at 5:00 in the morning in front of the parking authority for periodically once a month, that's because all of these buildings has been allowed to build because we need affordable housing. and uh they're forced that the the the residents to go to the parking authority and have to contract with the parking authority month to month to purchase parking. Go ask any of those residents that's on that line how affordable their housing is. Go through the uh the new Fifth Avenue development and ask them how affordable it is. Go to the towers where people are being evicted now at an alarming rate for numbers that exceed 25 $30,000 per tenant. How do you how could you make that kind of make it to that that type of d u um delinquency if it's affordable housing? The deal is you have to if you have to have an expectation for what you expect when people come to do business with you. One of those expectations should definitely be when you come before the council, come with the the the information, right? And come with, you know, um honesty. If I wouldn't have presented this letter again from the parking authority, they would have just led us to believe that there was an agreement in place and we're going to pay for parking. And to say that you this there's a synographer. You could take it to court. They'll get there and say, "Well, yeah, we thought we were going to be able to do it, but it our numbers don't don't

work for us." If you enter into a marriage and you're a millionaire and you failed to sign a prenuptual agreement, your honor, she told me that she would never do this to me. Yeah. Well, I'm sorry. Well, the law says that she has the right to do so. And she could has the right to change her mind unless you sign an agreement. Or I should have I shouldn't have done that because man, that's kind of sexist. Your honor, he told me he didn't need my money. And no, if you didn't have agreement, ma'am, I'm sorry. He has the right to do what he's supposed to do. The way this council is supposed to function is by way of of agreements. If we don't have an agreement, there is no understanding. There's no such thing as a handshake agreement between outside developers. Come on, man. Tell me one project one. Just name one uh that that that that we don't have any tenant disputes. Name one. Even the ones that we do these deals with. Penrose Royman. These are all the same ones that they all cheer led and and and and rallied for. And this dude is making boatload of money. Now, I don't even know. I haven't even seen the projections on this project. I don't know what the performer looks like, but what I do know is that area is does not need another 194 units where they they're supplying zero parking spaces. They're pro providing an opportunity to contract with the parking authority. That's by the way under 1,000 ft. That's by the way when it's raining and snowing, we got a loading area for

194 tenants. By the way, we only expect only a hundred of you to even have enough to be able to afford a car. [clears throat] It's just disrespectful. And um I'm not favorable for the disrespect. Madam clerk, my vote is no. Thank you, Council Councilman Khalig. Just vote. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman Mendes.

U Thank you, Madam Clerk. I I I truly believe that, you know, voting on 194 multi- residential units with our guaranteed parking, it's something that I mean, it's it's disrespectful for our residents. It's bad. As bad as it is right now, you got pe people that have they have to drive around 10, 20, 15, 20 minutes to get parking. Some they have to park three, four blocks away from their residents. There's no parking right now as it is in the city of Patterson. Invoting in this type of project without a guaranteed parking is it's something very dangerous and one day we're not going to be here and what we're doing now the action that we're taking now is going to affect the city for the next 40 50 60 year. Let me remind you all that we have we have uh agreement in place that they not I mean we're not enforcing and we're not holding our partners accountable in the city pins with heritage place they the contra say that they have to provide uh security 24/7 they went down to 24 hours a week now I don't see them around I have problem with the with the garbage collection with the maintenance of the complex I have all kind of problem and that's their up their responsibility and that's an agreement that we have on paper here. I have nothing on paper in order for me to make a decision that will protect our residents. It have to be in writing. I have to have to be an agreement. It'll be impossible if that project pass without guaranteed parking. It's going to be a chaos is that's not going to be on my shoulder. My vote is no, Madam Clerk. Thank you,

Councilman Omar. My vote is yes. Councilman VeZ.

So the heritage place I was driving once through there and say why we installing a ladder handicap in three rows and when I went behind the buildings all the parking space was empty. So I asked one of the residents why you not parking inside and the senator spot. Oh because the administration is asking charging for parking. So individually I went call Irma Gorum right away and say I want to see the agreement between the developer and housing and us. They're supposed to not charge parking. So they eliminate that. I don't know if they refunded or the individual was paying. But listen, when we go to do things, we got to do it right. This is a business district area slash historic area and is visited by a lot of tourists moving forward. If we don't put parking to those residents is going to be bad and we don't want that. We don't want that. And I put an example. Count the meters around the area, the traffic flow, all that come to place. So simple. I know what's going to happen. But my vote is no. Because tomorrow, if I'm not sitting here, at least nobody could come and say blame me that I don't guarantee them parking. So saying that, my vote is no. Thank you, Council President.

So, let me say to the public, [clears throat] we are not voting on the project. The project was approved already. The only thing we're voting on is letters of support for these entities to go before the F um FMA and the EDA to get funding. If they don't get approved for funding, all of the questions and all the comments that are made here means nothing. So, they have to go and got get the funding. If the funding does not go through it, it's a muted point. All of those questions, I'm a former planning board member. All the questions they have are valid, but that should have been brought up in the planning board meeting. That is a part of planning board and what they do and that's their purview. I'm grateful that the council asked questions. I I applaud them. But these items are only for that. If this does not get approved when they go to these two different boards, it's not one board, it's two different ones. If the money is not there, then they got to find money somewhere else. So, that's out of our hands. They have to find the money to build. They're not coming before the council or the city to say, um, I need you to give me money or I want you to do this for the money. That is not before us. Now, if they need additional things later on, they will have to come back later. But that's not what's before us. The letter that we have was done in August through the parking authority. What will happen is if they get funded, right? Because if they don't get funded, you don't have to go and make an agreement with anybody. So once they get funded, you'll have this agreement in place. This is not the only letter of support we've done. It is not the only project that they've done the same agreement with parking. I spoke to Mr. Tony Perez. This is not a new process. I don't know what happened now. It's always been the same process with Mr. Tony Perez. So, I'm going to make sure I'm I'm putting my vote on the record, Madam Clerk, for the letter of support. My vote is yes.

Council President, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Council President, that's a vote. Um, I want to consider my vote for a minute here. Who's the local I want to ask you, who's the local government? Excuse me. Who is the local governing body? We're in the middle of roll call. I say asking question and answering. You said you already voted and I asked for the floor as to consider a vote and I'm okay because they have Yes. So you're reconsidering. Yes. Yes. T uh uh Council President, who's the govern the local governing body? In the middle of roll call, there's no back and forth. No, I'm asking you. No. In the middle of roll call, Councilman, there's no back and forth.

So, okay. So, she everybody understand that the local governing body is us. They know. So here the rule says the rule says NJHF MFA says financial condition for example some have to be for example there's not condition on on parking but the governing body could make an agreement with the developer to request parking as mandatory not for the development because development is already approved. It's for the letter of support. If they asking for a letter of support from us, let's demand them something. If they want a letter that cost millions of dollars of loans, a simple letter of compromising that the parking is going to be free.

Simple. They're going to get millions. And you know what they say, the easy part. You don't know if they're going to get approved. They got Jews in the state. They know who going to talk in the state to get approved. They got Jews in the state. They already made the calls and they tell them, "Do you need a letter of support from the city of Patterson?" No, they like, "Nah, they're not mine. They're going to give it to them." Let me say this. You know, you know they want you know how they don't give them the you know how they don't give them the finance if we don't give them the letter of support.

If you know the only way they don't get the finance if we don't give them the letter of support. Thank thank you counc.

So this is this is elementarymentary say we are the governor body. We just telling them listen we not against council president. We not against the beautiful project. Well, in picture looks beautiful. Okay. But at least compromise for parking to the seniors of the fifth ward that live in 51. I'm allowing for your parking. I'm allowing for not congested streets. A truck kill a pedestrian through that street the other day. So, thank you. They're gonna approve the money. Don't worry. Thank you.

You'll see. The votes are five in favor, three against, one absent. Item number 45 is adopted. Item 46, same item. Number 46, resolution of need in support of the application of Hudson Blue 24 Owner LLC to New Jersey Economic Development Authority in connection with the development of an affordable housing project in the city of Patterson Economic Development Resolution number 25608. So moved. Second. Moved by Council President Mim, second by Councilwoman Davala. Roll call on item 46. Roll call on item number 46. Councilwoman Cotton. Councilwoman Dava, Councilman Jackson,

what's the difference? What's the difference? Limbo Limbo [clears throat] Patterson,

this is your this this is your indication. Shane, I know you have many opportunities to watch sit sit and watch uh Norc's um council meetings and you don't see NORC just giving it away like this. We just give it away. This is crazy. They they they laughing at us. They're laughing at us cuz they know they got it in the bag. They have a few people. And mind you, this is allegedly an hundred $100 million project of which none of the money comes out their pocket. This is all subsidized money and we did not make a request for anything. We should be making a request for something. contribution to a school, help us, you know, forget all that. Just donate to a park. And and I've shown this same council many nights, many, many times before. 20% of the project, make them build a school in the area. 194 new units. They're bringing all people, new people from outside, right? Where these kids going to go to school at? Every single school in that area is still overcrowded. Every single every single school in that area is overcrowded. And don't forget that they're going to go on this list of where to get the first 10 years of zero taxes. So that means the first ones that get cut out of the equation is the kids through the schools. If [clears throat] you think your actions don't have ramifications on the public, we're blaming it on, you know, I got certain people on in in the uh on on these social media chats. Oh,

we got to bar kids from wearing ski masks. Why are we stealing from their future? We're allowing the money to be extracted, all of the the the the revenue to be extracted through these high-scale overpriced developments and we're not even holding them accountable. No other community, you can't find this list and no other municipality in the state of New Jersey. You can't find it. Can't find it. It's impossible. Camden said, "No." Sake said, "Absolutely not. We're not letting you do this." all of the the the the municipalities that went on that list. Camden, Trenton, Jersey City, uh Patterson, and Pake, we're the only ones with this kind of list because we let that happen. People come in here, we make no demands. We we just turn it over to them. Madam Clerk, I'm sorry. My vote is no.

Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, Madam Clerk. This is a 55 plus senior affordable housing project. 55 plus and and and and the contract for the parking is coming. They promised us it's going to be 274 across the street. Um the parking lot going to be reserved and it's going to be free for the tenant. They said it on the record.

Um and I would like to see uh in Jersey City. I haven't councilman Jackson. And I'm just requesting you which developer built that uh school in Jersey City. Uh I would I would like to get that information. I did my little research but I couldn't find any. If you have that information, you've been repeatedly saying that for years that developer build a school in in Jersey City or something. I would like to see that as well. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Council Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. I I think that we have a very sensitive discussion about this matter. Um I mean our our homeowners, they don't have a break. I mentioned just a few minutes before a property right on 17th Avenue pay $18,000 in taxes. A two family house, they don't get any break. So we got to be mindful of the decision that we take that was going to impact the resident on a negative way or on a positive way. And as I mentioned before, getting into a project like this without guaranteed parking is going to be it's going to be horrible. It's going to be tre it's going to it's going to impact the community in a very negative way. And and that's a no no for me. My vote is no, madam clerk. No. Thank you. Councilman Omar,

my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman,

so I'm not gonna I'm not going to delay this more than it's supposed to. Everybody know where it goes. But I don't need to go to Union City to to see what a developer is doing over there or Jersey City or whatever. I care what's going on here. I know that there was individual that came here to request the same letter of support and asked me if the same program that they say they're going to put in that building after the completion of the cont the development are there. They not. But yes, you have another developer in the city of Patterson that rescued those program and put them in their places. And I could mention the program because the program is well conducted in the city of one of them is grandparent grace and grandchildren grandparents. It's in 77 Park Avenue. Who's the owner? Find out. Go to um um uh Rosa Park and u the dead end jump start where Jump St is at. Who's the developer? Go find out. Everybody knows that everybody criticize but yes he give back to the community and put those individual there but this gentleman and donate a lot of people nonprofit for to be able to perform their programs. But this developer the only thing that we want is is make sure that he bring a compromised contract that says when the program is finished or when the development is finished they have parking. so far is not proving that. You want to stop the uh abatement, let's start demanding from now what it's supposed to do with the community. Don't wait 30 years after and say let's cut this and cut that. So my vote is no to this.

Thank you, council president. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. The votes are five in favor, three against, one absent. Item number 46 is adopted. Madame clerk, we're going to go to public portion. We have 18 speakers um for public portion. Um as we ask for respect on this side, we ask for from the deis as well. You have three minutes. Madame clerk, please start uh the timer and let's call our first speaker. Yes. First speaker is Ernest Rucker. Please state your name and address.

Ernest Rucker. Patterson. I'm assuming respect I'm going to give you. what just happened a few minutes ago and council president you're the first person to tell me if it's not written and don't apply what you've allowed to happen here today has been going on for years a developer comes in says I'm going to give you ice cream and cake not written for years

not written and when they get to where they're at they give you nothing but stone and heartache what some of y'all have done tonight has shown me. You have no idea what your community needs. None. You're just sitting there looking cute, waiting for the next vote. You made up my mind tonight. [snorts] I'm here tonight, baby. We came here. Nobody support affordable housing as much as I do. But I want the right affordable housing. I want y'all to have that decency to say, you know something, this is not timesensitive. Let's bring this back and have a discussion. Don't try to have the vote before the public speaks. That was cruddy. That was cruddy. Think you can shut people up so you can make the deal say we can leave? That trick is passed. Godamn it. Gone. We watched what you did with the six board council person before he voted. You whispered. Who the hell do you people think you really with? We're tired OF IT. WE'RE TIRED OF YOU. YOU JUST GAVE SOMETHING AWAY. AND SENIOR CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BE IN THAT BUILDING. OH, you love your seniors. No, you don't. You love their vote. I'm going to be watching elect report. You better tell development to give you the money later cuz if I catch that money in your account, I'm going buck wild.

You want me to be respectful? When the are you going to be respectful? When are you going to DO IT? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PUT YOU THERE? Vote in your conscious. You money homie son of a You have a cotton.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. [applause] Next speaker is Dr. Chanel Phills. Please state your name and address. Dr. Phils Patterson Fire Department for the last almost 20 years has watched a fireman, more specifically Herman Irvin, run toward danger to save lives only to be discarded when his own life and health were voluntarily put at risk by this department. After nearly 20 years of service, just five months shy of a full career in the line of duty, he was wrongfully removed. And currently, his pension is in jeopardy. What's obvious is the fact that Herman has earned the right to his pension with his daily sweat, sacrifices, tears, and scars. This isn't just cruelty. It's discriminatory. It's reprehensibly dishonorable and deplorable and a betrayal of the so-called brotherhood and everything that the fire department claims to stand for. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, American Disabilities Act, and the federal law, an employer cannot refuse to hire or fire an individual with a disability who qualified to perform without reasonable accommodation. Why have no accommodations been made? Did the council know about this? If not, why isn't this a federal law? This was a man who grew up believing that believing in that brotherhood that we speak of. He believed that if you gave your all, the city will have your back. Instead, the department's administrative union has turned its back on him when he needs it

the most, destroying a lifelong dream and leaving his children and family to carry the emotional and financial fallout of that betrayal. Patterson cannot stay silent. Our community must rally and show up at council meetings, demand transparency, write letters, and organize to support, and refuse to let this be buried. The administration has a duty to act now and reinstate his benefits and honor his pension and acknowledge the line of duty impact on his health and correct this injustice before it becomes another stain on the city's conscience. If we allow a hero to be abandoned, we send a dangerous message to every first responder and that is your life only matters until it costs the system something. Patterson must do better and it must start now. You know, little changes never look or seem big on day one. Patterson, listen to me, cuz I'm going to say it again. Little changes never look or seem big on day one. But I can tell you as a successful business owner, every real moment in history of our lives started small. Every victory you can admire begin with somebody like me deciding that they were done being silent. Somebody decided that they were done waiting. Somebody decided that this city was worth fighting for. Are you tired of being silent? Are you ready to fight for Patterson? Let's fight for this fireman. Let's fight for our place in the city. We are not a guest here. We've been here. Patterson did not fall apart overnight. And it won't be fixed overnight either. This doesn't mean we get to keep talking and sitting back. This doesn't mean we get to shrug our shoulders like it doesn't affect us because if it hasn't yet, it will. Patterson, you don't have to keep accepting dysfunction as normaly because when one neighbor speaks up, that's a little change. When one parent shows up to a schoolboard meeting, that's a little change. When one resident says,

"Not in my city, not on my watch," that's a little change. A little change stacks up big after a while. Little changes can stack into accountability. Little change can stack into transparency. Little change can stack into safer streets. Little change can stack into stronger schools. Little change can create cleaner neighborhoods and more importantly it can stack into leadership that finally remembers who they work for. Don't let anyone tell you that your voice is too small. That lie has been used on Patterson for decades. The truth is our silence is what keeps current systems in place and comfortable. Roar like the lion you are Patterson and speak up. Speak up and showing up is what's going to make the move. You don't need a title to make change. You don't need permission to care. You don't need to BE PERFECT EITHER. WHEREVER you are, whoever you are, you just need to be present in this council. You just need to be present in your neighborhood. You just need to be present in your church. I'm almost finished. You just need to be present in your mosque. You just need to be present in your community. You just need to be present, parents, in the school. Change always looks messy at first. It looks slow. It looks uncomfortable. It looks like push back, but that's how you know it's real. Patterson has always been rooted strong with a city of builders and fighters and creators and survivors that take no mess. This is the silk city that has powered a nation that has raised generations. And we refuse to allow these poor leaders and greedy developers to make our color disappear in this city. So today, I'm asking you not to fix everything, but I'm asking you to do one thing. Speak once where you used to stay quiet and show up where you used to stay home. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Next speaker is Reverend Hannah Irving. Good evening. Please state your name and address. My name is Reverend Hannah Jocelyn Irving. For 19 years, every time my son walked out the door to go to the firehouse, I worried whether he would even come home.

Now I worry about something else. I worry whether my son who has been diagnosed with seizures will suffer another one. I worry because my son is no longer has health insurance and needs medication to keep his seizure levels under control. I worry about my granddaughters because they if they get sick, there's no coverage to help them. And why do I have to worry? because the city of Patterson firefighter cheer chiefs in the back as well chose to leave him his employment status in limbo. my son Herman Irving just six months before a possible retirement while he has an active worship workers compensation case pending. The city choose not to accommodate his disability despite the clear projections of the American Disabilities Act which states that no person may be forced to resign to be terminated due to a disability especially one caused by his job or employment. So I ask you, what crime has Herman committed? He suffers from seizures induced by PTSD caused by 19 years of service as a firefighter. Is that a crime? Is that grounds for discipline? In 19 years of service, my son has only one reprimand. Check his records. They may go back and try to write some up now because I only said there's one and it was verbal. If anyone says otherwise, I challenge them to check those records. We hear the rhetoric. We hear the whispers. We hear the slurs, the negative remarks which say, "Is there really something happening to him? Is he really sick? Is there really a work workers compensation case? Are the seizures real?" Let me tell you about real.

On January 2nd, 2024, just hours after seeing his neurologist, I was driving my son's vehicle with his daughters in the back of the car when I looked over and I saw my son in a seizure mode. He's seizing. I'm driving. The girls are in the back screaming for their daddy because nobody knew what was going to happen. Did you hear those screams? Did you hear those little girls crying for their father? Do you see me shaking with tears streaming down my face, trying to keep my eyes on the road? I saw him. I observed it. It wasn't fake. It was a real seizure. The statistics statistics are sobering. In 2023, the US Fire Administration reported that firefighters were more likely to die by suicide than the line of duty. This reflects the overwhelming emotional and psychological toll firefighters silently endure. Studies show that approximately 20% of firefighters suffer from PTSD, a rate significantly higher than the general population. As a mother, as a mother, I stand here before you today to fight for my son. Just as many of you have used your political positions of power to fight for your own family and children. Patterson, you are wrong. You all are wrong. Where is the love that you're supposed to have for your neighbor? John 13:34 says, "Love one another as I have loved you." Do you really read the word of God? Do you really study the Bible? Do you know what scripture has to say?

Where is that love for Herman? Patterson suffers for a lack of love syndrome. And it begins in the office of the mayor. It comes down to the council and then TO THE SUPERVISORS AND FIRE CHIEFS OF WHICH are are their supervisors and boss. People of Patterson, wake up. Through it all, I know just one thing that the will of God that I serve, the will of God that I love, the will of God that I know will prevail,

he will prevail. And you ALL WILL REALIZE ONE DAY WHAT YOU did and how you did it. YOU'LL REALIZE ONE DAY HOW HE suffers and how you all think it's A FAKE OR A FRAUD. It's not. It's real. He deserves what he's supposed to get. 19 years. Was it that bad? WAS HE THAT TERRIBLE? Did he offend you? How much of How many of you has he helped? I'm telling you, people of God, be be very careful. The Bible says, "Touch not my anointed." Amen. I'm an anointed mother of God and I pray. And when I pray, it works and it happens.

I'll tell you this. Be careful who you touch. Be careful who you mess with. BECAUSE THE GOD IN HEAVEN that looks down on us to stay knows what you've done. He knows what you all HAVE DONE AS WELL. BECAUSE SOME OF YOU WERE NOT SO NICE EITHER. OKAY. Some of you were not so nice. Behind the back of her, you pat him on the back. Oh, good guy. Good guy. Hey, brother. What's up? But what do you do when you get into the meetings? What do you get do when you hunt each other on the shoulder? You know what? God is real. Life is real. And God does not like ugly.

People of God, Patterson, you're ugly. You're ugly because you are not being fair and honest to not only Herman but to any others who are afraid to come before you. Thank you my God. Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. [applause] Next speaker is Herman Irving.

Please state your name and address. Good evening, Herman Irving. Um, can I get these out uh to the council members? This is part of what I need you guys to see.

I'm no longer speaking from a place of hurt alone. I'm speaking from a place of profound disappointment. After my previous appearance before the city council, I intentionally chose not to engage with the public or with the media, even though they wanted me to. I did that out of concern that my words could be taken out of context and used against me. Unfortunately, during my hearing, my statement to the city was in fact referenced and relied upon in the decision to deny my appeal. I was not reinstated. No accommodations were made. I was not afforded the same level of consideration, dignity, or respect that has been extended to other firefighters in similar stances or worse in the past. This isn't a statement of resentment to what happened with them. This isn't me trying to compare myself to them. It's a statement of unequal treatment. This past Friday, I was formally served with papers from the Patterson Fire Department. papers that said that I'm in risk of losing my pension, my eligibility for my health benefits as well. Prior to my hearing though, my attorney informed me that if I issued an apology expressing my regret for addressing the council the way how I did the last time, it might lead to a possible resolution. I said hell no.

And this concerns me though. Are we not able to speak openly about perceived injustices without being discouraged or penalized? To members of the council, I ask you this. Do you believe that I should have made that apology? No.

I ask you another question. I hope this is put on the record. Before the committee decided on my future, was any effort made was any effort made possible to allow me to go out of here with my benefits? Did anybody even think of picking up the phone to call me and asking me to come down for a meeting, asking me what was going on with me? Just for clarity, I didn't I I had no plans of staying longer than what I was supposed to. I just wanted to get to the time that I needed for the benefits for me and my daughters and go. It's never been about money. It's never been about money. It's been about the benefits that I worked for almost 20 years that my daughters deserve.

I want to put on record with the papers that I gave you all is my workers comp claim. December 27th was when it was filed after I fought to come back and I was denied. I went and saw the workers comp physician on May 27th, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. The case remains open and pending and I have my hearing tomorrow. So if anybody says I don't have a case pending, they're full of it. What really hurts me though is that I know you guys. We all rocked together at some point. Held went to events together. Went to dinners. I know all you. So why why not reach out to me? Do I really got to CHASE AFTER YOU GUYS WHEN YOU KNOW THAT I'M GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT I'm going through? Did I got to worry about people at my own job who I call my brothers talking about me saying that I'm full of it? that I'm struggling every day, having nightmares, taking medication, making sure that I go to the doctor at least twice a month to make sure my keer levels are within range SO THAT WAY I don't seize out, that I can't even raise MYSELF UP ANYTHING HIGHER than this because if I do, I could potentially go into one. But everybody thinks I'm faking it and everybody thinks I'm full of it. [snorts] To the members of the Patterson Fire Department, I pray none of you guys go through this. Some of you have have supported me and I thank you for that. And some of you have not. But I will say this, know the facts, not the rumors. How we speak about each other, especially in public

or in formal settings, reveals your true character and how you are. To Chief Alisa, I [snorts] supported your appointment as a fire chief, as did many others. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I've always felt that way, and that will never change. We had the meeting, we spoke, I asked for accommodations, and you said it wasn't possible. But I knew it was possible because I was doing my homework from the beginning. And I knew that with the American the Americans with Disability Act that you can't take that job away from me. I respect your faith in your values. I respect that you're a fa a man of faith. The scripture say, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Well, love me the same way that you love everybody else. It's not personal. It's never been personal. It's about me standing up for me and my family the same way how any other person who is in my position would stand up for everybody else. To Mayor Andre Seya, you stated that you've had no direct involvement in this matter. However, as the appointing authority, you should you should have chomped at the bit when you found this out, not go to News 12 and say, "I he didn't come to me. You were my college professor. You've known me for over 25 years. So why do I have to chase you down? You've called me on my birthday almost every year and told me happy birthday. When I ran for school board, you were at my campaign kickoff speaking on my behalf. So why do I have to chase you down that? I thought we were friends, Andre. I thought we were friends.

It's bigger than me, guys. I'm not mad at you guys. I'm not mad at anybody. I'm just hurt. I am. I'm hurt. I'm not trying to ask for more than what I'm supposed to get. I don't want the moon and the stars. I just want what's right for me and my family. I want what's right for not only the other family, not for me and my family, but for any other firefighter or police officer that goes through what I go through that they don't run through the same problems that I'm running through right now. Many people try to stop me from speaking today, guys. Patterson, many people try to stop me. Why? What do you have to fear? Why do you want to keep these issues in the dark? Cuz I'm not. cuz I'm ready to bring all these issues to the light because everybody deserves the opportunity to finish their career if something unfortunate happens to them. I'm not seeking conflict, guys. I'm willing to find a resolution. I don't want to put the city in a financial burden. But if you guys aren't willing to follow the acts, the policies, and the agreement that this government has established, it might go that route. But I don't wanted to because I love this city. I was born here. I was raised here. And when everybody said for me to leave because there was nothing left in here, I still stayed here because I love this city. I have friends here. I have family here. And I still have council members here that I love and respect regardless of how you treat me because I was raised to love everybody no matter how they feel about me. May Allah's peace and blessings be upon you. [applause]

Thank you. Uh, next speaker, madam clerk. Next speaker is Michael Jackson. [clears throat] Please state your name and address. Thank you. Good evening. Michael Jackson Patterson. Uh, I am the acting assistant director of public works, but I'm not here as a public works director. I'm here as a citizen.

This past weekend, we did an event for young men. Uh we had a lot of people involved. The Bronze Heat, Willie Peterin, a lot of different organizations and a lot of different men that stepped up to show these men that we're these boys that we're there for them. For a long time, I wanted to come back to this council. I haven't been here in a very, very long time. But these boys compelled me to be here. This city is lost. We're not talking about the things that truly matter. We've lost what community really means. Our culture has become one of all negativity. This is not something that can go on for much longer. What do our children have to look forward to? They have to know that we're here for them. That we want the best for them. That the quality of life in this city should be what they need it to be. Now, the men that were there are going to continue to mentor those children. They're going to continue to supply them with the things they need to succeed in life. We weren't all born with mothers and fathers. We didn't all grow up with mothers and fathers. I am one of those kids that did not have a father. But I had Arthur Een. Some of you might know him as Buddy. He was my neighbor. He nurtured me like he was a father. Down the street, I had James Chambers. He nurtured me like a father. Around the corner, I had Reverend Richardson. He nurtured me like a father. The community has lost that way. It takes a village and we have a huge one. So why aren't we doing what we're supposed to do? At some point in time, we have to show these kids that it doesn't matter that you grew up without a father because we are here. You can call me at any time if you need help because these kids deserve that. You want to see them come off the streets, you want to see the masks come

off their face, show them some love. These kids don't know what love is. When are we going to show them what it is? I'm here to bring back community. You might see me clean the streets. That's because I care about the community.

I care about these children and where they walk every day. None of them should have to walk through trash. None of them should have to wonder why there is trash. What happened to the days where we went to schools and showed the kids why they shouldn't litter? Showed them what it's like to live in a good neighborhood. The entire city of of Patterson can be a good neighborhood. But we have so much division. You live in Hillrest, so you're better than I am. You live in the Manor, you're better than I am. That makes no sense to me whatsoever. We are all Pisonsonians and all of these children deserve to have a great life. Thank you. [applause]

Well said. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker is Commissioner Eva Razac.

Please state your name and address. Okay.

Eva Razac from the city of Patterson. Um, well, where do I start? Well, first of all, Mr. tremendous. Let me say thank you for reappointing me and thank you for ladies and gentlemen voting for me and trusting me. Um, wow. Yeah, I'm going to go I'm going to go with this route. But my man just said about the kids in Patterson, guys, if it doesn't stop if it doesn't start with us now, our kids and their kids and their kids are doomed. I bump into a lot of kids all the time and they're like, "Miss Eevee, how come they don't listen to us in the schools? How come they're not doing things for us?" And you know what I tell them? I remember years ago um there used to be programs here that the um the Dominicans started that program where they were teaching kids how to act in a meeting, how to run for this and that. We've forgotten that. And you can tell that there's a lot of our residents that are here, man. And they've been here sincerely and they care. You guys got to start making a difference and stop fighting among one another that I'm doing this and I'm running for this and you doing that. You can run for whatever you want to run, but you know who has the last word? Not you. You, you, or you, the man up there and anybody who gives you the votes. Everybody's running for mayor this and this and that. We need this city to become what is meant to be. Because I remember walking in these streets when I was a kid and you couldn't walk butt naked and nobody would look at you. Go outside now. You go into a a a Dunkin Donuts, you can't even open the door. You go into a bank to get money out, there's people sleeping in there. What are we doing, guys? Our residents are screaming. The taxes are going up. People are getting evicted. Landlords

are suffering. But the tenants are too. And you want to know something guys? I'm going to say this. Anybody can appoint me to sit in anywhere. You guys know that I don't How is it? I don't lick. I'm Eva. Eva's going to do what Ava feels like doing. And you can see me here and you can see me there and you can see me there. And I if I told you that I'm going to give you my vote, get it going. I don't get paid. Eva doesn't sell her soul, but I got something to tell you. Our residents here, they give a And sir, I'm sorry that you're going through that cuz I went through something like that. I'm still going through it. But you know who has the last word? Not nobody down here. The man up there. Because when you work and you get hurt in work and they get rid of you, I know what it feels like. It I'm feeling it. I'm feeling it. But you know what the man said there? You know what? You keep walking. So guys, ladies and gentlemen, you city people, our mayor, everybody here, let's let's unite. Let's stop BSing each other. Let's not I'll take it real quick. Let's not fight with each other. Let's look at these people outside and see where can we really help. Not just to help and get a picture on the Facebook while I'm here and I'm doing this. I don't have to tell what I do. Do it out of your heart. And once again, if you don't fix this now, all the lies and all the mischiefs that you guys have done, you know, it's going to come back to bite you

cuz God doesn't lie. And that's why Miss Eevee gets her butt in trouble because I am real. I'm not fake. I have mentioned that to a few of you guys recently because somebody say, "Oh, Miss Eevee, your face. This is the same one you're going to get. If you don't like it, that's your problem." But I got something to say. our residents. Don't you see how many of us been sitting here since there they care and they're going to keep coming and they're gonna keep coming and the more we look different with each other? We all for one agenda, freedom, respect and love and we all need it guys. So please, mayor, please, mayor, mayor, please listen to the people who are speaking to you. Just all of us, let's kumbayage. I guess some that word. Thank you, commissioner.

Hold on, baby. But let's get it together and let's see how much each of you guys could put together and we can put together and we make this city a better place. Once again, thank you, Mr. Meister. Again, thank you and I know I'm doing a good job. So, kudos to Thank you, Commissioner. Next, next speaker, Madam Clerk. Next speaker is Eddie Olivaris. Please state your name and address. He's He's not here, madam clerk. Um, next speaker is um, Balal Hakeim.

Please state your name and Oh, okay. Thank you. Address something real. and uh belake. Um I'm going to just I wanted to start out a whole another way tonight, but I'm going to say this here just from the door, you know. Um uh this city council has become a political wh house and as councilman emmeritus Charles Baron mentioned and they don't care. You can come up here just like the fireman came up here. got forgive me just a little emotional behind us here and you just sit there like really that's what you're going through? You know what he going through? I have eight daughters.

Eight. Okay. Sierra can you start my time over cuz that I'm talking to the one. Please I would appreciate it. Madame clerk, just to make it on the record, um we could restart his time, but it wasn't on my side. It was on that side that the um touch it was off. But can we um Yes.

All right. Thank you so much. As I was saying, those of you that just were seeing my lips move, u this has become a political wh house. And you know, pimps and John's have searched in the metro area and they couldn't find the whole house. So, they came to Patterson and found a political wh house because that's what many of you have become, political And you can sleep at night because you have no shame. I'm going to read something that a Christian woman had written and it says, "Pride goes before destruction, a halty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." It's in Proverbs 16:16-19. Caution to those who self-exalt and believe that one is above others are in divine authority. As I said, I have nine daughters. Angela, Sierra, Rukaya, Sumea, Mayuna, Saud, Ranasha, Tanzania, and Nazera. The last three are my bonus daughters because as you know, Abdul Ali just passed. So, his daughter is our daughter. She grew up with my daughter. So, we will be looking out for her as long as we um are alive. This is the last council meeting um until we go into the uh we go into the new year, right?

One more. One more. Oh, it's one more. Okay. Well, I'll see I'll see what I have for that. We have to and this is for Psonians during the election season. We are going to have to elect new people. We need to elect activists, activists

to these seats. They have a heart and that care because this council for the most part has been in a hip pocket of other interests and not the interest of the people. It is very very clear. And as I said before, I travel out of town and people wondering what the hell is going on in Patterson. Like you got Mo, Larry, and Curly uh are running things, you know, uh the uh the uh uh uh the person from the Wizard of Oz, you know, don't have a brain. You can't think these things. Things are clear right in your face. The last meeting and I'll be closing out. We were very very uh um disturbed by uh uh um um uh uh the rudeness and you know we uh we were very very uh um uh loud. Um some people did reach out to me. There was a young man reached out to me early in the morning named Garrison Thomas. He was a minister. I told him to send me his number. I called him. I called him. I didn't get an answer back. He was asking me to come and uh um that I should apologize. It's on my page. I didn't come to apologize. I look for an apology from those that I cast my vote for, to represent me, to fight and stand for my interest, and to find out that you become nothing but a a political and prostituting yourself for the highest h the highest bidder. That's all I have to say tonight.

Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk. Yes. The next speaker, Zeli Thomas. Please state your name and address.

Good evening. Zeli Thomas, Patterson, New Jersey. Um, outside tonight it is 27°. 27 degrees. I'm not sure if people at Patterson know if the room knows um a few weeks ago a homeless person living in a camp passed away from freezing outside. We live in a country of abundance and resources. We shouldn't live in a world where people are dying outside. That's the real crime. The real crime is the fact that we live in a world, we live in a city that has resources and we keep those resources from people. The real crime is the fact that so many people want to get in an apartment but can't afford an apartment. The real crime is people want to stay in their apartment or stay in their homes and they can't. They can't. And we had these young people here early today who advocated for a piece of ordinance to get passed to keep smoke shops from coming up into the city. And we applaud that. We applaud these young kids for doing the right thing. Just as we tried to champion that young girl in Columbia University for doing the right thing, using her voice, using her body to talk about a free Palestine and she gets deported and detained by ICE and we say we're in support of her, in support of her release because she's doing the right thing. We support people doing the right thing. So why can't we support our own people doing the right thing? Like

our firefighter, Brother Herman,

we tell young people, do the right thing and good things will happen to you. We want to celebrate those people. He's one of ours who did everything that he was supposed to do in life the right way. And instead of helping him and ensure that he gets those rewards, we keep those rewards away from him. That's the real crime. So, we can't keep pointing fingers about what crime is in a town without talking about the crimes that's happening here. That's a crime against humanity. We need to be standing for all our brothers and sisters and ensure to get the resources and support that need. He's so close or was so close to be able to retire with his pension and benefits. Why can't we just give that to him?

Why? What's it cost in the city? Nothing. We owe it to this brother who saves so many lives, who protects this city, protects our families when we're not home or while we're sleeping. We owe it to him to ensure that he gets the resources and support that he needs to stay healthy because we don't want nothing to happen to him or happen to his family. So, I'll say that I'm in support of you, brother, and I always stand behind you no matter what. Whether this council chamber is filled or just me and you, it'll just be me and you. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, Madam Clerk.

Yes. Next speaker is Xavier Harris. Please state your name and address. Thank you,

Xavier Patterson. Uh, it's been a while since I've came and spoke and even been here, but I always paid attention, watched closely, and it's kind of like disheartening to to see and bear witness in person and over the television how you guys act. Role models are people who supposed to set a precedent and act a certain type of way. And I just feel like as role models for the whole city, nobody sitting in the chair is doing a very good job with the most love and respect possible. I just want to say you guys have to do better together individually. It just can't remain like this. You can't want change but set a precedent for failure to the youth. You preach and you preach and you go on and on about how you care about the kids, but you're not leading or showing them the right things or setting a good example whatsoever. I had something prepared, but all that kind of went out the window as I sat and I watched you guys have a pissing contest against one each one another. Uh, boast your egos against one another. It's just like it rubs me the wrong way. And I have tons and tons of respect for everybody sitting at the desk because being a leader isn't easy. And I look at myself as a leader, but I always I always have to see and look at people who came before me and mold how I am to to do better. That's what being a real leader is. You take notes and you pay

attention to people who came before you so you could set a path for the ones who come after you. Um, I also wanted to say it's like a domino effect whether you guys see it or not. Your actions, your maybe votes. You kind of like set a precedent with that vote of saying not to table it. You set a precedent of, yeah, we care about affordable housing, but we don't care how the affordability is going to come about. Uh people having to pay for parking is going to hurt their pockets. The kids are going to be watching their parents struggle to afford a simple parking spot which is going to cause a little kid who could be worried about getting a scholarship to a football game to do something that he normally wouldn't do like stand on a corner and sell a drug for a dollar, get a gun and go rob a place. Like you guys don't understand. And I'm kind of getting really emotional because I was that kid at one point in time who lived in affordable housing and I seen the people around me struggle and everybody's not as strong and doesn't have the support system that I had to stay in school and go to college and stay on the right path. And a lot of my friends are incarcerated because they didn't have the mental fortitude that I did to do the right thing. They picked up a gun. They chose to rob someone. They picked up a drug. They chose to sell it. So, it's like your votes. Yeah, you guys say y'all don't have the final say, but who you support and what you support matters. And a maybe, a if, a when, it's not the time for maybe when or if.

It's like now. Let's do something now before it's too late before this kid decides to do this. It's just really disheartening and it bothers me and I'm pretty sure it bothers everybody else to see people who lead act other than how they supposed to act. The word was decorum. The word was respect. The word was accountability. You guys praised Miss Sumpter and she used the word respect. But you can't praise someone and in the same breath 10 minutes later be disrespectful to one another. And that's all I would like to say.

Thank you, Mr. Harris. Next speaker, madam clerk. Next speaker is [applause] Errol Carr. Thank you. Please state your name and address. Mr. Carr,

good evening. Um, Carol Carr. Um, Madame President, this evening I would like to address the honorable council in the capacity of the president of the passing library board. When I came to this city um 45 years ago, I came to a city that was about a third of what it is today in terms of its population. However, I came to a city that was populated with libraries. There were libraries just about every corner of this city. That tells a story. It tells me that the people who were in charge were very mindful of the importance of the library service. Today, Madame President, we have four libraries in the city which is almost 200,000 residents. The library service been getting supplemental support from the city. Although the library service gets its direct funding from

a taxes. What has happened over the years is that whenever the support in taxes goes up, the supplemental that we get from the city goes down. The city been supporting us to the tune of $850,000. Um, budget year 2024, we got $850,000 as supplemental from the city and we were promised that we would stay level in 2025 and this was a commitment made by the administration. But what has happened is that we force our operation to remain below state level to accommodate the administration. But what happened in 2025 budget year? They pulled from us the $850,000. we are getting zero from the council from the the the municipal um operation. What that does it throws a monkey wrench in our operation. We just cannot continue providing the services that the city needs. So right now we are operating with 42 staff members by state the size of our city. We should

have we should just madame madam chair I understand but this is this this is very important because it it's about your budget. It's about our operation here. I'm just trying to bring to the to the public information that they might not know. So I do understand. So please I will get I will get over this. People spoke a lot you know and we give them the BL. Please please I'm not going to bore you any you know for much longer. Right now we have a staff of 42 by state. based on our size we should have 65. We forced to operate with that marginal number just to keep going. We cannot continue operating like this. So what is going to have to happen if we do not get the support from the city? We will have to close branches. We will just have to close branches because that's the only way out of this. So, I'm appealing to the council. I'm appealing to the administration. Look at your numbers again. Try to find some ways of supporting because if we don't, then we have to close um some of our um branches.

Thank you, Commissioner. Next speaker, Madame Clerk. Yes. Next speaker is [applause] Norberto. I'm sorry. Kuru Tumai. Thank you. Sorry. Please state your name and address.

Yes. Good evening members of the city council. My name is Norberto Grito. Um before I continue I would like to share with you this information please each members well I am a business and property owner of the city of Paris. I am here because uh there is a situation that I want to bring to your attention that's becoming very dangerous and unacceptable. Uh my property has access through 18 Taylor Street between Bridge Street and River Street. This is a very narrow two-way street and it is being illegally continuously blocked. There is a three uh six month ago like three new business car service open at this this business they parking vehicles in parallel in both sides of the street on the sidewalks and as a result pedestrians cannot walk vehicles cannot uh pass even if there is some emergency vehicles will be blocked in the event of any emergency. Those vehicles are not temporary. Many those vehicles have been parking for months and some some are completely completely damaged and without license or plates. You can see in those pictures that I've been to you, this street is being used as a private parking lot or storage lot.

And the sidewalks where the people supposed to work is completely blocked. And I operate trucks and buses and my vehicles cannot safely safely getting into my property. Can getting in and getting out getting out. This is a public safety issue, not it's not a private uh dispute. When I bring to speak with this business owners, they acting very very aggressively. They don't understand this situation is a clear violation of a parking laws, uh say work construction laws and public safety regulations. I asking this body, this important body to the city to send someone to inspect it those those cars or those business uh towing those uh abandoned vehicles without registration or plates enforcing enforcement against sidewalk construction. They instructed completely all those sidewalks. This a this has to be ongoing monitoring system. Uh business are welcome to Paris but no one has the right to block streets or say works. Uh this is emergency uh assess this is a process I hope so you can understand that situation that's a dangerous situation. That's a public public safety issue there. And please I will ask you all of you see you can uh take some action against those uh business that they not following the rules of the city. All right. Thank you.

Thank you. Is Javier here. Okay. [clears throat] Next speaker. Madam clerk. Yes. Next speaker is Amina Aaden. She left. Madam clerk. Okay. The next speaker is Amina. That's not Amina. Amina left. We're from the same organization. She had to step out. She asked for her behalf. So, no. But you didn't sign up though. But let us go through the speakers and then I'll bring you to the end. But let's do that. No, they did not. I have the list in front of me. They did not. No. No. I can I can wait till

Yes. Just Yeah. Let's out. Jarro, you're fine. Next speaker. My next speaker is Chris Small. Please state your name and address. Thank you.

Good evening. Good evening. Good night. I'm Chris Christopher Small. I'm an educator. I'm a teacher. I'm a coach. I'm an accountant and an advocate. And I didn't really come here tonight to speak. I really came here tonight to support uh Brother Smallwood and the kids of Sanc Kufa. And I'm so happy and so glad and so proud that they got their ordinance passed tonight. That's one of the best things I've seen and heard all night. but also came to support brother uh Irving because I uh saw and watched his story last week and how could you not support him? My heart goes out to him and his family, especially his mother and his daughters. Uh his I was moved by his mother's speech tonight cuz I have a loving praying mother and I know she would fight for me like uh she's fighting for her son. But while I'm here, I decided to take uh advantage of the opportunity to speak. So, I just wanted to mention one thing before I got out of here tonight because I also watched uh Dr. Phil speak yes uh last week at the last meeting and uh she mentioned some things that I kind of been working on and kind of really touched home. So I just want to mention that while I'm here. Today is Tuesday December 16th but two weeks ago was Tuesday uh December 2nd and that was Giving Tuesday which occurs the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and has become one of the largest fundraising days for nonprofits in the US. Uh, Giving Tuesday um is a day where individuals and organizations are encouraged to donate and volunteer and engage in acts of generosity, shifting the focus from holiday shopping to charitable support. So, in honor of Given Tuesday, I'd like to announce the launch of Super Bowl Sundays, which is a grassroots community-driven nonprofit organization that prepares free and hot meals for the homeless, uh, primarily soup. So, uh, we'll be starting the Sunday after Christmas, December 28th at 80 Ward Street. So, we're looking to work with churches, charities, and community groups and other volunteers to help support the cause, help support the city, and help support the unhoused in the homeless community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Smalls. Mr. Aljara, Madame Clerk, Mr. Aljara will speak. His representatives, he's included in this group um to speak. Mr. Ali, Mr. Ali, Aladari, please state your name and address. Thank you. Thank you very much.

My name is Ali Algera. I represent here uh with Care Action New Jersey. We are the largest and one of the leading Muslim advocacy organizations in the Garden State. I rise today to speak about one of Patterson's very own. Her name is Laha Cordia. She was taken by ICE this past March and remains detained today. I'm here in support of the resolution and would like to thank the council for voting on the resolution for her immediate release. It is a call that was already echoed by Senator Booker, Senator Kim, Congresswoman Poe, Congresswoman Macgyver, and Congresswoman uh Watson Coleman. Lat is not a headline, not a case number. She is a daughter of the city of Patterson. Like nearly half of the city, she's an immigrant who made Patterson her home. She is a Palestinian woman who came to this country in 2016 seeking safety, opportunity, and dignity. The same reasons generations of black, Latino, and Muslim families came here and built this city. Like many, she believed she was doing the right thing, pursuing lawful status, following the guidance she was given, trusting that honesty would protect her. That trust cost her her freedom. In 2024, as the world watched a genocide unfold in Gaza, Loa raised her voice. She joined peaceful protests calling for an end to the violence and occupation of the Palestinian people by Israel. That act of conscience should never be criminalized. Months later, she did not hide. She did not run. She voluntarily showed up to an immigration appointment with her attorney, believing she would be she would clarify. Instead, she was detained, transferred thousands miles away to Texas, and remains locked away despite an immigration judge twice ruling that she posed no danger, and she should be released on bond. This is not an

isolated story. We have seen ICE in our neighborhoods, Latino families torn apart, Muslim communities surveiled, black communities punished for their presence and their voice. And this brings me to another name Patterson knows well. Irmin Irving, a son of Patterson, a longtime firefighter, a public servant, a man who put his body and mind on the line for the city, only to be denied dignity when he needed care. Pushed aside just before retirement and forced to fight for justice from the very system he served. Different stories, same system, same harm. A system that dis A system that disappears a Palestinian daughter for speaking out is the same system that discards a black son after years of service. This resolution matters because Patterson has always been strongest when we stand together. [clears throat] Passing it says that we reject cruelty. We reject the punishment of conscience and we stand for dignity, due process, and humanity. Thank you again to the council for passing this resolution and to make this clear that Patterson does not abandon its daughters or its sons. Thank you. [applause]

The next speaker is Miss Tulie. [cough] Please state your name and address. Thank you,

Miss Tulie. 207 Broadway. I'm putting together a peaceful protest outside of Phillips Academy Charter School located on 124 Madison Avenue on Friday, January 16th at 3:00. My cell number is 973-5108212. For two years now, the n-word monkey, black monkey, has been used to taunt, harass, intimidate, and bully students of color alongside alongside sounds of ooh ooh ah have been raising and I have been raising my voice about this conduct for some time regarding Dr. Davis and his derangement concerning his leadership. Dr. Davis, aids in the beds, discontin this continuous uh racial divide at the school. Um he doesn't classify himself as a black man and he has clearly asserted to me that he doesn't like people of color. Um my daughter was recently physically attacked by a 500 lb teacher for trying to report a racial bathroom attack by an older student. Teachers are mandated reporters. And I've been a teacher since 2001. And I I know this to be a fact, but it's not so at this school. Um, this protest will be about change, demanding that black children are not dehumanized in a very place meant to educate them and protect them. It's about proudly, loudly, and peacefully saying enough is enough. In addition to new new leadership, my daughter remains a constant target because I exposed Dr. Dwayne Davis for having a social media posting where he used a special needs 10-year-old child to convey a nasty, disgusting, sexually explicit message. He continues to roll up his sleeves and attack my 10-year-old daughter at

unawares. He also has a number of staff members to assist by calling her scallywags and whatever he can do to make her stay at the school as uncomfortable as possible. uh the discrimination, the retaliation, the harassment, the derangement of Dr. Davis has to end. I I'm asking that we come together um in a peace pro peaceful protest. And again, that is January um 16th. My number is 973-510-8212. And Malcolm X said it best, the hardest thing to do is to wake up an organized group of sleeping people. And we've been sleeping on this for a long time because he continuously allows children of color to be taunt and badgered with these name callings. And for whatever reason, folks from other races in other countries, I I don't know what's being taught at home, but just to continuously keep calling children uh and monkeys and black monkeys and nothing is done about it for two years, we're we're going back. We're going back in time and it's now is the time that we come together to raise our voice and and stop this and we need new leadership. And when I showed you all who he was for posting that social media, that told you what his character was about. Who mocks a special needs child? Who uses a special needs child to convey such a nasty, disgusting message? We need to get this filth, this trash, Dr. Dwayne Davis out of the city of Patterson. Thank you.

Thank you. No more speakers. Um at this point before that happens, I would like to call our deputy chief up and his team to make um remarks and then we'll close public portion after that. Evening. Uh I was advised by uh by legal that um any of the personnel matters cannot be discussed in the open forum. Uh they have to go into an executive session. So if you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them, but it has to be done in executive session. Thank you. Duly noted, we will talk about executive session and put that plan in place. Okay.

To u make sure that any personnel matters are discussed in in that man. President Council President President Council President Councilman Jackson.

So I have a question that has nothing to do with personnel matter um or discussing the individual involved. Um I understand it was a ruling that was recently made who exactly um and from what I understand it was an it was an outside attorney and it had nothing to do with the fire department. From what I understand has something to do directly with the administration um corporation council. I don't know if you you want to clarify. I'm just trying to understand the recent ruling that was made. Who exactly was the party that made this ruling? Corporation council.

Thank you, Council President. Um so if I understand Councilman Johnson's uh inquiry um and again uh personnel matters need to be discussed in executive session um with the properly uh rights noticed individual but generally speaking um there is a third party um hearing officer. It's usually a retired judge that hears um um third last step disciplinary matters and uh conducts a hearing, hears from both sides and then renders a decision as to whether or not that third party believes there is cause for whatever contemplated action. Um I don't mean to speak in generalities, but I'm

No, generality is fine. I'm just trying to understand this third party hearing officer who is a former judge who has experience in legal matters and things of that nature was hired by whom? Council, thank you. Um, that person is uh uh hired or contracted by the city. By the city, correct? Not not the city fire department, but by the city by the min through your office, council person council. No, it's not directly through my office. It's through the city generally,

but if if the city's hiring legal a third party legal um representatives, it doesn't that normally go through your office if we have a a third party hearing officer in many cases. I'm I'm just trying to understand exactly like how is this I don't want to understand the specifics or the rulings just how exactly did the process go? Who hires them? Who's responsible? Who does he answer to this third party hearing officer and who is he actually representing? Council president, may I? Yes. Very briefly. Thank you.

So, this third party is is a contractor. It's it's not uh employed by the city to provide any legal services. It's to uh be a neutral third party in hearing um a contemplated disciplinary or other matter and to um conduct the hearing a neutral hearing to hear from both sides and then ultimately render a decision that um is given to the city and that's how that process works.

Last question and then we can discuss have further questions um down the line. So therefore, if it's a third party uh uh third party legal, it wouldn't be representation, but it was uh decision um so a third party representative hired to to to make a decision. Um on what authority is this third party given this ability to make this decision? I'm sure. So, the decision is more of a recommendation and it's not a decision. So, he has no authority. He's more or less given a recommendation. Any council president? Yes. Corporation council.

Thank you, uh, Council President. So, that is correct. uh Councilman. Um that person hears the matter, provides an opportunity for notice and a hearing from both sides, and then ultimately makes a recommendation as to whether or not the contemplated course of action is sustained or sustainable and should be pursued. Or sometimes they make a alternative recommendations. Sometimes um they do not agree with the contemplated action that the city is um pursuing and um it is my experience that every time the city follows that neutral party's recommendation whether or not it's in line with what the city had initially contemplated or deviates from it. And I apologize I know I said it was the last question. Is there some type of procedure that was followed, legal procedure that's spelled out by ordinance and by or by statute that required the city to obtain this third party representation to to aid in rendering this decision?

Corporation council. Yes. Thank you, Council President. Um there's no requirement that the city go through that process. Um, the city could have, for example, the head of a department undertake that process, but the city pursues that in order to obtain the neutrality

in some of these contemplated actions, make sure it's a sterile environment, make sure there's no biases there. And so the city's not necessarily required to do that, but the city does undertake the expense in order to ensure as much as possible a fairness and an opportunity to be heard and someone neutral coming in, reviewing the evidence, hearing from both parties, and then making a recommendation based off of that.

Thank you. So, as previously stated, we're going to move to close the public move to close the public portion. One second. We're going to move to close the public portion. In our next meeting, we will have an executive session behind closed doors to get further details so that if there's any questions that need to be asked or answered, they will happen at that particular time because we have to make sure that it a notice goes out to that effect. Councilman, Council Mendes,

uh, Council President, I noted that you announced a a executive order meeting. um to discuss uh any question that we want to do to the fire department uh uh administration. Um I I believe the corporation council stated on the record that uh parties have to be rights. Correct. Corporation council

generally speaking and again this is general. I'm not getting into any specifics of any person, their employment status with the city, whether they're current or former employee, but generally speaking, when city council is going to discuss an employee or an employment related matter, they are obligated to rice notice an individual um uh pursuant to that. Correct. Uh second question uh corporation counselor. I believe the um um question that Councilman Jackson regarding the outside uh attorney or professional are the same individual that we approved the list of outside counsel

corporation council. Uh thank you council president. So this individual is not on outside counsel list. They don't provide legal services to the city. Generally speaking, it's a retired judge or some other person with significant experience. Um uh my understanding is that they are um they're not employed by the city. They're not on the uh outside council list, but they're discreet contracts. I believe they're paid below the very [clears throat] much below quote

the threshold for going out to bid or anything like that. And it's a very discreet thing. So when these things come up um we'll request availability from people whoever's available um will then be selected and then they're paid um you know what can be characterized as a nominal fee for their services of conducting the hearing listening to the evidence and then issuing a recommendation for the city. So in in the executive meeting uh that moving forward we've got to have executive meeting for it and we're going to discuss or questions what is the paname uh what we could ask what we can ask to make to shoot to to make the right decision if the employee had to be rice or not

because uh to be fair to be fair [snorts] the employee came here exposed a lot of um his statements to the public is public. Uh given the respect that the leadership of the fire department uh are here, but they was advised that it had to be an executive meeting. How extent that conversation could be that merit a rise before they even even start to discuss anything [snorts] regarding any employee of the city. how how extent we could go because you know we've been in executive meeting and we have discussed only legal matters that are to take action after where we discuss it. But in this case we're not going to discuss a legal matter. We going to discuss a personnel matter and what extension they going to have the right to answer the question without violating the employee right to address also at the same time.

Corporation council if you can send out the parameters prior to that meeting correct as those guidelines. Can you do that please? Councilman Mendes.

Uh thank you. I mean and I understand that this is a personal matter. Um um and and brother I you know we know each other for many years like you're like family and we really care. Um definitely really care. We cannot have this open debate because of the situation but we definitely behind you. We want to know how can we help sometime is not up to us but but we here and personally myself I want to get a full detail about what happened. I'm looking forward to have that meeting. But the question that I have uh corporation council and I think that it's question is it's an open um I mean question that is doable uh to ask at this point. If the result if if the part is not satisfied with the result, can they request a different judge to to review the case and go over

cooperation council? Yes. Thank you, Council President. Um, generally speaking, um, Councilman, uh, the the process is such that because it's a recommendation to the city for the city's contemplated action, there are no appealable rights associated with that. Again, generally speaking, not speaking about any specific situation. Um, so that's the answer. So, we look forward to that. Mo um roll call to close the public portion. Thank you so much. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Um motion to close by Councilwoman Z. Second by Council Mendes.

Roll call, Madam Clerk. Roll call to close the public portion. Councilwoman Cotton, I'm sorry. Okay, I couldn't hear you. Councilwoman Councilwoman Dava going to start talking. Go ahead. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, first of all, um the provisions of rice is not quite that that way. In fact, um uh uh if there's a a a necessity, corporation council for a motion for rice, but I would be willing to make that motion. But uh the rights notice gives the employee the right to make the decision whether it's should be an executive session and closed doors or an open meeting. So that decision is based solely upon the person that's being raced. you have the option to have this session publicly which you know because obviously what what's discouraging to me is the fact that we hire a third party who then renders an opinion therefore that means that the ability to make a decision lies upon this board I mean this this this body so the outcome ultimately is going to be those same people that you talked about that you have these long-standing relationships with those same people who should have I don't care the circumstances and I understand there's multiple sides of every story when a person is put in 19 and a half 19.5 whatever semi-ear then however it is it doesn't mean that you a person should be um uh stripped of their ongoing continuous lifelong benefits and and I that's that's that's my position that I take there I I should have said this first and I do apologize, Dr. Irving. Um, I did not show you the the the the proper respect that um I should have. Honestly, I I truly did not recognize you. We've only met once once before. It's quite some time ago. I know your children very well. In fact, Vine is more of a what who I would call a friend than your younger boys because he and I when as kids, we were um always

together with Troy Bailey. and I didn't meet these guys until later on. Um, but nonetheless, they're still very much so um friends. But I I I truly apologize to you and you have my utmost respect. Um, you know, but it's it's just not it's not um it's not surprising to me. I mean, there's always going to be issues, various issues, and and um you know, it's it not the first time it's happened. I mean, Rashawn Tisd once before and DPW who had a heart attack on the job was being um was was in jeopardy of being stripped of his of his benefits. And it wasn't until it was only because Jane Warren was the mayor at the time, Jane did what was right. She did what was necessary. you you receiving your benefits has no no ramification on what happens at the fire department moving forward and I think that we should make sure that that happens. Um on other matters uh uh brother Carr, listen man, you you come to the podium consistently. You've you've been an advocate. I think um I think your softspoken well mild manner approach um maybe you might want to go back and watch the meeting, watch Mr. Rucker's delivery take a mixture of in between. [laughter]

You are

I'm just I'm just um um make I'm just making light. But but listen, this is a serious matter and the fact that we continuously and again as I'm going to continuously lean on this brother as Charles Baron talked about this council has the power. So every time when they talking about well it's not us it's the administration specifically our endowed power is no more greater than when it comes to budgeting when it comes to moving lines around and we're cutting budgets that's going to be there to service our young people yet we say we care about young people. we would allow them to come forward and make uh uh pose resol uh uh uh legislation to stop smoke shops, but yet we're not putting those other, you know, um items in their way. And I would be remissed if I failed to mention this cuz brother uh Fleming, you weren't there at the time. Prior to you becoming the um the director of the library services, I had just gotten elected and I met a gentleman at Apple. We were talking quite a bit about, you know, doing some things in Patterson. The library on North Main was was then abandoned and uh he helped me put some things together and put a proposal together for Apple to come in and they were going to help us put a technology center there. members of this council saw fit to move against me although it's my ward elected to give it to somebody else and you see what's there so to Mr. because point where we had libraries on many corners. Here we have a derelic building now sitting near eyesore you know uh was it was burned recently because obviously you got squatters and

things of that nature there where we could have had a beautiful brand new technology center there but that came by way of this council. Um, so anyway, I mean, listen, you're going to, as normal, as usual, you'll have me advocating, but it's going to take more than one council person to do so. Um, Miss Tulie, I think she she left. Listen, this is disgraceful. And, uh, the brother who left in the back, um, the Muslim brother, what what is his name? Huh?

No. No. The the the the Palestinian brother, Mr. Ali. And and brother um Omar, I I think I it seems as if you guys are friends and I'm saying I I know you watching Miss Tulie out there. I I'm I'm in full support of every community every community that's ever mistreated. I'm in full support. The only one thing that he talked about that I have to point this out and I'm not not because it's a it's an issue because I know you know everybody doesn't quite understand. He named all of those races of people and backgrounds of people and how everybody came here to this country with the vision and viewpoint of the of the American dream. I just would like to remind him that black people was not did not come here with the uh viewpoint of the American dream. Black people was brought here under duress. Black people stood for 400 years, 500 years in in bondage and slavery. black people was forced to come here and fortunately um some very prominent black people fought for liberation, put their lives on the line. Many black people was hung on trees and castrated and mistreated for centuries so that other people can come here and have the right to protest, to voice their opinions, to live the American dream, to live free. Right? So I urge all of you when you see a young mother like Miss Tulie coming to the microphone painlessly every single night and not getting the support. I would hope that we all the everybody that's asking for support for other people that we don't forget about this young black child that's being mistreated, that's being called those same derogatory names that

black people have endured for years. And it doesn't matter that the word is being utilized in songs and music as as as supposedly a term of endearment. Now what matters is that this young girl does not deserve to be treated this way. So I'm hoping that you know everybody that's here pledging or asking for support is willing to reciprocate that support. Reciprocate that support for people like brother Herman Irvin reciprocate that support for our communities that's consistently being um trampled upon. So, um, yeah, I I'll rest it there. Madam clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you. Your vote is yes.

Thank you, madame clerk. Um, I want to thank the council president for arranging the executive session. Hopefully, arrange that for our next meeting. I just want to see um our administration and the fire fire department to do the right thing. Um it's the first time I heard about it the last week when uh uh Mr. Harmon came in front of the council. Um so and the from the judge it was a recommendation it could be changed I mean through the discussion I think it's very important that we do have an executive session and we hear the both side of the story discussed for the positive. We don't want to see um any more negative on any of our department. Forget about fire department. Fire department be a positive for city of Patterson for years. Everybody praised our fire department. Let's keep the positivity. Um and and let's have a have a good discussion. That's that's all I'm going to say. And also Mr. car. Thank you for coming uh and addressing your needs. At the same time, Syria Patterson, we are 30 million over $30 million in deficit.

Every year we ask for the state for transitional aid money. So money is very tight. Some of the council member want to give everything to every department. They want to raise their salary from 50,000 to 150,000. it's not happening.

We are still negative over $30 million each year to balance our budget. Um, so I think at the same time you could work with the administration, we could work with the with the council and come to a middle on a common ground and so at least we could survive our dayto-day and keep the libraries open, keep servicing our city. Nobody. We not You're not going to get everything 100% what you need. You're not going to get We know it. You know it. So, let's let's work on a common ground and move this city forward. My vote is yes to close the public question. Madame clerk. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Mendes.

Um thank you, Madam Clerk. Um before my vote um I just want to take this moment to thanks all the uh resident of the great city for just came coming in front of the this council and express their concerns you know brother I earing um you know I know I don't know all the details as you know I have a lot of respect for you for my former colleague uh Chris Iring and um but during that um close section we're going to get to the bottom of this and you know we have a lot of respect a lot of love for your family uh and and we definitely get to get we're going to get to the bottom of this and I just 19 you spend 19 years serving and protecting our community and and and you know we deserve to say thank you and make sure that you got you know the benefit that you need to protect your children and to move on with your life you know so um you know you put your life on the line to protect our community have a lot of respect to our fire department so we're going to have a discussion as I'm as my councelor Ki mentioned there's changes could that could be A based on our decision and we're going to we definitely going to have a conversation. I truly believe in to just sit at the table and and coming into into an agreement. Absolutely. And we're looking forward to that council president with that with that special meeting. Commissioner, I know you've been a fighter for library. I always spend a great you know I always have a great time when I go when we sit down and talk. I mean it's a great project what we're going to do at Heritage Place. I know you working on the funding on the staff. Um, I mentioned before that we definitely have to be creative and find a way to support the library one way or another one. You know, we definitely have to and and every time every time, you know, at the public portion when we see our community coming, they they talk about the same thing, the lack of enforcement. One of the last speaker came in and he showed me a bunch of picture about uh, you know, a bunch of car with no plate, blocking driver, blocking the sidewalk. Please, please, Patteradison, enforcement is a key. I never see so

many panhandling like now. I was by Marcus Street going up. I saw like three one on each block and I'm like listen those are the kind of thing that affecting our city. When you go to Clifton, you go to Horthon, you go to Pro Park, you could go any city around, you don't see those kind of thing. We got to do better. We have to do better. And I understand that and it had nothing to do with the budget. Has nothing to do with the budget because we gave the administration the resources for the administration to take care of that. As I mentioned before, our tax our taxpayer, they suffering. I mention a property on East 17th Avenue paying $18,000 in taxes. That doesn't include the sewer. That doesn't includes the insurance. It's almost impossible to keep the property with that kind of taxes. Our taxpayer is suffering. They losing their property because they cannot pay those high taxes. So, we got to do better. We got to do better with what we have right now. any decision that we make right now, any decision that we really make is going to affect our city in a positive way or or in on a very negative way. Let's pray for our city and let's work together because I know that we could do better. The things that I see here in Patterson, you don't see that things in other in other city. And if I see it, everybody see it. If I see what's going out, everybody see it. So, everybody has a responsibility. Just let's do our job. Let's do our job. My vote is yes, PL.

Thank you, Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I want to thank all the speakers for coming out here. Um, I'm looking forward to that executive session and so we can have an open dialogue and let's continue to pray for our city. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Councilman.

When we all sit in the table, like council president say, we need to be part of the table. And when we sit in the table and we start putting out our ideas and our thought and our worries and all the above, then we commit in the middle and do the right thing. The right thing. The second section is a is a initiative that we have done before with other cases. when we go to take action, we discussed it before. um taking action. What we should look into and this is the governing body like if we going to have an executive section. We also do a formal resolution and action after the facts is lay on the floor on the table because discuss the matter and not take action is like doing nothing. It's taking action. We listen both sides. We haven't done we haven't done it before. We have supported resolutions for early retirement in the past. So there's a lot of things that we could do but we have to discuss it. We have to discuss it and um it's not what you say how you say things. Brother Herman has come here open. He's the only one that have experience. I cannot say I

went through that. You know your experience. You know what you're going through. They probably have their thought, but sit down and talk and get a resolution, positive resolution on it moving forward. Um, regarding the library, uh, Councilman Jackson expresses himself regarding the first war library. um a nonprofit came to us that had had a better plan because the city didn't had the money to rebuild that library. And Councilman Jackson had a plan is his ward. But this nonprofit sat down with administration cut a deal and the library sitting still there with no action. Corporate council is not here. I was going to ask corporate council it's possible the madame clerk could write this question for me for action later on. uh if it's possible knowing that the nonprofit that

he sold it but there's a memorandum understanding on it there's a memorandum understanding on it between the library and the nonprofit he sold it for $1 I believe it was right so I think there's a memorandum understanding if if if and that memorandum understanding between the the the individual and the city is not fulfilled probably we could get it back. I don't know. Right. So, I don't know. But that's a question for I like council person. You're trying to answer questions that I'm trying to do to corporate council. Get the legality of it. I know. But there's a memorandum understanding in that sale and the sale was for $1. There's a memorandum understanding. If the memor understanding have not be fulfilled,

then we probably could take action and return it back and then give it back to the library. The library will get the funding necessary to put it back in the ward. Now, is the law the law said that we have to fund the libraries? The state law say that we had to fund the library, not defund the library. And by law, the city of Patterson and the taxpayer pay library taxes. Okay. So CFO if it's possible can you tell me in a memo whatever email based on the tax increase that we have done in the properties based on the revenue of taxes that we have received from from the library taxes. How much was this past year? Because if I go to compare the abandoned property that we had, the new property that we have now that are bringing revenues to the city of Pastor, especially those property have been assessed in a high market value. They bringing more taxes, revenues to the city pastor. So in other words, the library taxes should increase. Now sooner it comes in the library taxes how much have been come last year and how much you have delivered from that library taxes to the library for they cooperate. If you collected $5 million for example in in library taxes in one year let's

for example I expect that you say in the budget we gave the entire money that was collected in taxes to the library. So I want to know how much was collected and how much have been given to the library uh uh in every every year especially last year and this year. Um I had the opportunity and I go and continue going to their board meeting. Um that board meeting is impress me the way that they conduct the board meeting and they lay out everything that they've been doing. library. Not only in the library is a conjunction uh meeting with the museum board and um and and and is beside they have food but you know they they conduct a good mirror and congratulation to the board because to be able to talk about the library sometimes you have to visit the library and sit down and listen to them. Library is not only books. Library is not only books. Um and that's that's what I was going to say regarding the budget uh coun um ma mr b8 the regarding the tyler street um that Mr. um that Mr. Um, Norberto Kurumi spoke here. He has a big property there. Uh, in the past I have sent a traffic division to the area. They have toll few cars because no plate abandoned vehicle from a a mechanic shop or shop there. But it cannot be just one day. It had to be continuous until they learned that they cannot uh operate that way. Uh I know it's the first word but um they have um reached out to me. I have sent in the past about two months

ago enforcement. They have doing enforcement but they get comfortable and keep on doing the same thing and it's not fair for the taxpayer of the area to um have that kind of uh situation in their streets. Um Thank you, Castle President. Um, thank you for the public that came here. Um, those that are not made comment what they said, I took no notice uh note on it and I will address whatever is government and whatever is not government. I will pray for it every day. So, thank you. My vote is yes to public portion. Thank you, Councilwoman Cot.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to thank everybody that came out tonight to speak. I just want to um make a few comments. Um I really can't say much on about um Herman Urban. We've been friends for many many years. Um I just want to remind my council colleagues that you know you can go into executive session but you don't have to go into executive session because once someone is rights they have the right to say yes or no. If they say no in executive session that means it's in public. I think that everybody's watching can hear. You have the choice. The person that's being rice has the choice

of how they want to have it handled.

Um, and I know that it's going to come up, so I don't want to say too much on that, but um, also, um, you know, every people had talked about, um, uh, even the situation at East Side High School. My son went there in 1999. And we're still having the same problem there 23 years later that those kids can't cross Market Street to go to the fieldhouse to practice and play football. Um they have to be you know people remember me, my husband, my daughter picking up all kids, taking them home, bringing them back. So it it it's been there for a while now. Also, I want to say also that um um they talked about the Garden State growth zone. The the the reason why the state of New Jersey came up with that was because when the city of Patterson, not just Patterson, but Trenton, Atlantic City, Camden, Newark was hit with that mortgage crisis where you have blocks of abandoned properties. there were blocks of it. I could remember um and nobody wasn't doing anything to and you're talking about this was 29, 2010, 2011 and no one was doing anything. And that's how the state came up I think because of of that there was an issue on one of the blocks. There was blocks that didn't maybe have maybe two or three families living in entire block. I remember one house caught on fire and I had to get the homeowner I had to get the state of New Jersey involved because the insurance company did not want to pay her to get her house fixed because she was in a block that had all abandoned houses. But she had an insurance policy that

said replacement cost. So even the houses on the block was only 50,000 but it cost them 275 to replace her house. She was had the right to get her 275,000. Even no other house was on the block that anybody was living in. So I say to people all the time like you know when you know that someone is doing wrong with you, you got to do your best to fight. You have to do your I have to send people almost every day go over to 77 Hamilton Street request to see a judge and some people go over there and they'll sit for six, seven hours waiting to see a judge knowing that they got a receipt that they paid their rent, knowing they got a receipt that they did what they had to do. And sometimes I find that but you have to you have to like go there. You have to yourself go there. You have to fight. You have to say, "No, this is how this been done." And you know, they also talked about affordable housing. You know, I know people now, you know what? People have ruined it for people. People have ruined it for other people. You have people that got two families and three family houses that do not want to rent to anybody. They don't want to rent to section 8. They don't want to rent to TR. They don't want to rent because they they they had so many bad experience. But I say to people, everybody's not like that. And you know, even though um you know, we we we needed that um Garden State growth zone to bring our community back to life because our community was not in life. And what happened was

you've been talking.

I don't care. Everybody else been talking. I don't want to hear it. Well, anyhow, I'm let me finish. You know what? I don't I don't interrupt nobody. I don't say nothing to them. How dare they? How you just like don't do that? You know, I want to say to people like you have to if you're not sure about something, do your best to find out the best way of doing things. Um, and let me just say too about when you have an administrative judge, most cities and most companies have an outside firm because they have to be not sided with anyone. They have to be neutral and they use outside people or they use outside firms. But there's so many things that can be done. And you know this, you know, I talk about um TRA, I talk about section 8. And I tell you, you know,

even though people not not many people want not too many people want to take um TRA or section aids um you know, and I can tell you what's the name and everybody talks about him, Charlie Florio, but he takes those. The purpose of TRA is to help you get on your feet. To help you get on your feet to get better. So you have to think about that. So I just want to say you sit somewhere all all night and you listen to everybody talk and then they want to stop you from talking. You don't do that. Cuz what I'm sharing with you all out there is information. If you're not sure about something, you know, reach out to Councilwoman Cotton because I'm going to do my best to find information or find the right person that you need to reach because I know what it feels like to get switched from phone to phone to phone and you can't find the right person to talk to and you need to get to the right one. And I'm going to do my best to find the right one that you need to get to. So, with that being said, um, everyone, thank you for watching. have a good night even though we're not finished yet. Um, and God bless you all. Thank you, Madame Clerk. My vote is yes.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Council President.

Yes. So, I'll I'll be very brief. So, to Mr. uh Nabberto, OIC was watching the meeting and he has the information. I sent the information to our officer in charge um Pat Murray. So he has the details of the what you sent us in the file folder um and he has I sent him screenshots so that is already sent to him um to Mr. Irvin he's he came up before and you're right we are all connected there's no we think we are we are we don't have for all the details the right thing to do is do an executive session so that everyone is getting the same information at the same time unfortunately we don't hire and fire so I want to clear that because people think the council can make a decision we cannot in the executive session we will have a discussion to find out but we cannot put a resolution ution to say reverse or that is not in our purview. So I don't want you to hear that and think we could do that cuz we cannot. The council cannot hire or fire. We do not. That is not in our job description. It doesn't happen. So I don't want you anyone to tell you that is not true. We don't. But I do want us to have a executive session which we will have um and I we'll make sure that that information if it's right we'll get the uh details from corporation council which will be sent to all council members and there will be an executive session so that we can get the full understanding of what's happening what's going on. when you first came, I'm like some other council members. That was the first time we heard it. So, we will do executive session, which is the right thing to do from a council's perspective to ensure that we're all on the same page, that we're not here, there, and all over the place. Um, I'm not going to go into the details, but I will ask this because I requested a copy. Um, and I will ask um, Madame Clerk, if you can give a copy of the resolution for the

North Main Library. That property was not sold for a dollar. It was sold for $40,000. So, I want that resolution sent to all council members so when things are being stated, people will know the truth and that is not no. One of the councilmen um it was 40,000. So, please send that out information out. Madame Clerk, my vote is yes. Thank you, Council President. Uh the votes are eight in favor, one absent. The public portion is now closed.

Item number 46, Madam 47, Madam Cler. Item number 47 is a resolution authorizing award of contract to Gada Recycling Company, Inc. for the disposal of solid waste for the city facility. Option number two for the city of Patterson, bid number 25.18. So moved for the Department of Public Works public works resolution number 25609. Moved by Councilwoman Zavala, second by Mems, Omar, and Valz. Roll call, madam clerk. complete. Roll call on item number 47 for adoption. Counciloman Cotton. Thank you. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Jackson. Councilman Khik. Yes.

Counciloman Mendes. My vote is yes. ML. Thank you. Yes. Council Omar. Yes. Council. Yes. Yes. Councilman Jackson left it. Okay. All right. So the Thank you. The votes are seven in favor. Two absent. Item number 47 is adopted. Item 48, madam clerk. Item 48. Love you. Take care. Stay blessed. Thank you, Mom. Item 48, madam cler. Second. I'm trying I'm trying to locate it right now, council woman. I'm sorry.

She's skinny now. Item number 48 is a resolution authorizing the first option year renewal contract with Phil Co. Pardon comp for the collection of solid waste no bulk re bid uh 22.17.1 for the department of public works public works resolution number 25610 move by council Dava second by mems can't amend you get a chance to move it they don't make sense second by move by councilwoman daba and bles second by memsz cotton in and um it' be roll call. Madam clerk, no, don't put me on. Roll call on item number 48 for adoption. Councilwoman Cotton,

you know, there's no need to go into no long story with this because we've been talking about this for it been off and it been off and it's been off. It's been off and it's been off and we should have never even gotten this far. It should have been passed ever since October. It should have been passed because now we're here January 1st and we have no garbage company and we cannot we cannot do that. January 1, we got to have a garbage company. So with that being said, my vote is yes. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Dava, yes. Thank you, Councilman Khik. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Mendes. Yes, madam. Councilman Omar. Yes, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Councilman Vez. No matter was approved on October or now or at least we doing it before December 31st. There should be no interruption of service at all. So we're doing the right thing is for garbage collection. They got contracted for garbage collection. Residents of Patterson don't put sofa beds anything out there. They do not pick up those items. Call DPW. Make sure you make an appointment. is easy now through the app and make sure you call your councilman if you cannot uh fulfill that application through the the website. So my vote is yes. My vote is yes, madam clerk.

Thank you very much, council president. The votes are seven in favor, two absent. Item number 47 4 is adopted. Item number five on first reading ordinance, madam clerk. Thank you. Item number five, one second. It's an ordinance amending chapter 183 construction codes uniform of the Patterson Municipal Code pertaining to certain fees. So moved. Second. Second. Moved by Councilwoman Mim. Second by Councilwoman Dabler. Roll call on item number five. Madam clerk. Roll call on item number five on first reading. Councilwoman Cotton.

UCC Colts. All right. Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Councilman Khik. Councilman Kh. He's Oh, sorry. Council Mendes. Yes, madam clerk. Yes. Your vote is yes, Councilman. Okay. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Omar. My vote is yes, madam cler. Thank you, Councilman. Um, what is this for? This is for item number five. And what is the title? UCC construction codes. No. Madam clerk, my vote is yes.

Oh, counciloman cotton. Councilwoman Cotton. My vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Council. The votes are five in favor, one against, two absent. Item number five uh is adopted. Item number six, Madam Clerk. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of January 20th, 2026. Item number six, Madam Clerk. One second. Item number six, Madam Clerk.

One second, Councilwoman. Item number six is an ordinance amending Patterson Code section 407-18 addressing sewer use charges which have not been adjusted for the inflation since 2021. So moved second. Roll call item madam clerk on item number six. That was moved by you and seconded by moved by me. Second by dabler. Roll call madam clerk. Roll call on item number six. Councilwoman Cotton. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. Yes. Thank you, Councilman Khik. Councilman um Mendes, no. You said no.

No. Okay. Okay. Councilman Omar, my vote is yes, Madam Clerk. Councilman VeZ. What is the item? Item six, sewer sewer usage charge. What's the title, ma'am? Sewage usage charge. Ordinance amending Patterson Code section 407-18 addressing the sewer use charges which have not been adjusted for inflation since 2021. We didn't open a discussion but I'm going to leave it for the second. I just want to know um how much in percentage is going to go up for the next meeting? Uh 2% uh $30. They cannot taxpayers not getting hit left and right. My vote is no. No. Okay. My vote is yes. Madam clerk,

thank you very much. The votes are four in favor, two against, three absent. Item number six is adopted on first reading. Second reading will be held at the regular meeting of January 20th, 2026. All items are done. Motion to close the meeting. So move. Moved by Councilwoman Davis. Second by Council President Mims. Ro call to close the U meeting of December 18th. Madam clerk. Okay. Who motion and who second? Motion by council boss is not going to get second by roll call to close I couldn't hear council councilman can't hear council president motion to close wait a minute I didn't get the motion motion to close the meeting

by councilwoman Davis second by council mess roll call to close the meeting roll call to close the workshop session of December 16th 2025 councilwoman Cotton the sewer pass. Thank you, Councilwoman Dava. God bless you all. Thank you for watching. Councilwoman, everyone have a good night. My vote is yes, madam clerk. Thank you. Oh, man. I vote is yes. Good night, Patterson. Thank you, Councilman Jackson.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. I just want to congratulate everyone, all of all of the uh the uh the individuals that made the list. It's like, you know, we had the 100 top 100 players at Kennedy. Tonight, I I I disclosed the the top 400 uh tax abated pilot driven properties. I want to congratulate all of you who made the list, who made the cut. I know it really wasn't very challenging to get there. All you had to do is come in here and swindle the city and you make the list and cut the city from over close to hund00 million a year. And I want to um put that pressure on you, the voters, to understand what's going on here and the council to understand what's being given away. And it's up to you. You are the last uh uh opportunity that we'll have to put an end to this crazy nonsense. Madame clerk, have a good night. Yes.

Thank you, Councilman. Council Councilman Omar Council Council Mendes.

All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I I didn't have enough opportunity to talk about um or ordinance number six about the sewer, but um and I and I know this on first rate to get it passed, but I think that and I understand that all DCA um uh and the construction also legislation as well. But I I was analyzing when I was reading my package last night. I just sit down and start going over what's going out the reality of the city of Patterson. And we cannot deny the reality. I'm in real estate. That's all I do for business. And I when I see a property, a four unit that go that that that have to pay $19,000, $20,000 in taxes on Market Street. It's really painful. But not only 19,000 if four units. You got to put those 19,000 plus $1,293 on sewer right now at this time, not including insurance. That's the reason why we have thousands of unit people that they cannot pay their mortgage because they're under the water. And those people, they might lose their property because right after two years, they could do a foreclosure on that property. We got to be mindful of what we doing here. And that's I mean taxes and and and what our tax base is going through is very difficult is very painful. We got to find a way different way to balance the book to balance our financer in the city because it's not about this is not city government anymore. It's not. A lot of people talk about enforcement. Enforcement is the key for us to bring Patterson back on track. You got people parking car left and right without plates. blocking driver, commercial truck parking overnight, people breaking the law every day. Let's bring Patterson back by enforcing the law that we have

in the book. Let's clean our city. Let's organize our city, but let's not think about the taxpayer every time we need to balance the budget. It's really painful. And I'm what I'm looking here and the number here, those 18,000 and that two family, the 2% is not reflected in that on in those taxes. So, the number will go up. also as well. So, it's very very painful. Once again, I want to thank, you know, the resident of the great city of Piso for coming here. My council Khali, we finished the agenda. Thank you, council president. I thank you so very much. And um I'm going to take a quick time. I know uh we finished agenda and uh so we conclude our city we conclude our city business. I've been very quiet uh in the last couple of months. I've been getting a lot of a lot of phone calls um

about the next election. I've been very quiet um just waiting and listening to the resident request and I just want to say thank you to all the resident of the great city of Patterson. Thank you for for the love. Thank you for the vote of confidence. Um I'll be very quiet. I'm not saved. I'm running if I'm not running. But it's incredible the amount of phone calls that I've been getting. I'm I'm just I'm just blessed and I want to say thank you to all those phone calls and not the reporter. I respect them, but I count the reporter all the voters of the resident of Patterson. Back in 2022, over 4,000 people, they went to the polling side to choose me. Um, you know, to support me for the mayor race. Way over 4,000.

You say he they reelect me back in 2024. And I just want to say thank you. I just want to say thank you. So, so there was a person that called me today before I got into the council chamber and he it's a great constituent that I respect a lot and um and I told her listen I'm going to give you the answer at the council and the answer is yes. I'll be running for the mayor race on 2026. You will see me you will see me on the ballot and this race is going to be is about the people. I have the name and address of all the people that reach out to me. Another copy of

phone number conversation and I got to keep that really close to my heart. I promise you I got to keep that really close to my heart. For the last three months I haven't say anything. I've just been working loving the resident of the city of Patterson doing what I love the most work for the people. But all those phone calls all I have I have everything on the book and I and this election is going to be about those people. It's going to be about them. I just want to say thank you. God bless you, Patterson. [clears throat] So, and my vote is yes, madam clerk. Good night. P. Thank you very much, Councilman Omar. Thank you, Madam Clerk. So, this is our last meeting in in the chambers for this year, right? For the year. Um, I want to wish everybody No, it is next week is virtual. Virtual

virtual. So, I want to just wish everybody in case I don't get to see you or you're here for me. I want to wish everybody a happy holidays, a merry Christmas, and uh and a happy new year. Uh, it's an honor to serve. And good night, Patterson. My vote is yes. Thank you, Councilman FZ.

Thank you, Madame Clerk. Um, uh, CFO, Mr. Ba, u CFO, I was looking at the at the documents that you gave me, uh, that Mr. Ed Boss uh, is claiming refund for 4,000 and change. Uh, I was doing the math. It comes up to um it comes up to 4,3348. What I don't understand is if Ed boss is claiming refund for 4,000 and change and and he went to Poland pudding care at the center is a conference why a person had to travel with him for one day and come the next day two person had to travel and claiming only Ed boss is claiming the money for them for both of those individuals. You understand where I'm coming from, Mr. Ba? So, Mr. Ed Boss requests refund for 4,000 and change and the bill the money is going to him only, but he's paying for other two people that only went for one day fly in and fly out. It it don't it don't it it if it's not a requirement that he had to travel for the the conference was for three days.

We just we'll take care of it. The conference was for three days. No, the conference was for three days. At the last day, one two people traveled and came the next day. Why they carrying a booth? Why didn't the first day? Well, I I got to I got to I got to keep it here and I will look into this deeper. Yeah. But things have to be examined. Uh Councilman Mendes, he left. Yes, sir.

Oh, Councilman Mendes, thank you for joining the mayor race. I will see you at the debate. We could have a one friendly debate in the city of Patterson. Ladies and gentlemen, everybody knows I'm running for mayor or not.

No, no, we not. So, as you notice, they could say whatever they want, but then they rush everybody at the end. So, saying that, I know council president is going to rebuttal back. I know that. Okay. Thank you, sister. You're good. I know that. So, this is going to be my last meeting tonight in this year. Uh because Anna could come to the for the probably to the uh Zoom. Yeah. So, um happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Stay safe. Enjoy your family. Promise is not uh tomorrow is not promise.

Hug each other. Let's pray each other for Councilwoman Davilla. and I know why. So, u that God give you threat and and support and everything that you're going through. All right, sister. Uh Omar,

I got to say publicly again, sorry for my wrong interjection before. Okay, so saying that, Mr. Ba, thank you. And last but not least, Mark Simmons, thank you for your six months of service. Thank you for real. I was gonna get used to it to you because the way that you transparent government, it was the best one. So, I appreciate you enjoy your family and you're your newborn and uh I know you're going to do good wherever you go. God bless you all. Good night. Thank you, Council President. What's your What's your vote? Oh, my vote is yes.

Thank you. So to the viewing public, I want to say happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Quanza, happy birthday, happy anniversary. Special shout out to our council vice president. Her birthday is Friday on the 19th. My birthday is the 27th. So happy birthday. Just wanted to give that birthday shout out to the community at large. Let's continue to love. There's so many people that are sick and that are really going through some serious challenges. um whether it's immediate, family, extended, so many people have lost loved ones. Let's keep praying for each and every one of us. Madame clerk, my vote is yes.

Thank you very much. The votes are seven in favor to absent the meeting of 1216 25 is hereby adjourned. Council president, would you want to make that announcement for them? Yes. So just quickly the it the 4,000 that was removed. We have a better explanation by the close out and then the our meeting will be next Tuesday virtually at 6:30 for the closeout. Thank you and good night.