Village Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah.

Good evening. What a nice night. Nice to see you all here tonight. This is the, hold on, I'm getting feedback. Dylan, can you help me out here? I'm getting feedback from the computer.

She's taking over for you.

Second row.

I'm good? Thank you. This is the Village Council regular public meeting. The date is July 15th, 2026. The time is 7.30 p.m. And Dylan, I am still getting feedback. Technical difficulties. Here we go. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall. by mail to the Ridgewood News, the record, and by submission to all persons entitled the same as provided by law of the schedule, including the date and time of this meeting. Notice of this meeting was also posted on the Village of Ridgewood's legal notices page. Roll call.

Councilmember Mortimer.

Here.

Deputy Mayor Perrin. Here. Councilmember Weitz is absent. Councilmember Winograd.

Here.

Mayor Valdez.

Here. Will you all please join us in a salute to our flag.

of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

First, we're going to do a little business. I move the bills, claims, and vouchers and statement of funds on hand as of June 30, 2026 be accepted as submitted. I second.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd.

Yes.

Baggianos.

Yes. I move that the village council minutes of May 6th, May 13th, and May 27th, 2026, having been reviewed by the village council and now available in the village clerk's office, be approved as submitted.

I second. Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Baggianos.

Yes. and we have a proclamation, but I don't think that that person is here, so we are gonna jump into.

No, Pam asked me, sorry. Kara is coming, so we're gonna wait and do that last.

We're gonna do that later, right. So we have a lot of fun stuff, so I'm gonna ask the council to join me in the well so that we can get started on this. We have a lot of great athletes. We have a really great program. We have great coaches. And we have great parents and fans supporting these kids. It was only yesterday, it seems, that my kids were in your seats doing the same thing. So this is very meaningful to me and to the members of this council. So right now, I'm going to call up the Ridgewood varsity baseball team. Come on up, guys. And before I forget, I'm gonna ask that all the teams stick around until we are completely done, because we're gonna get a picture with everybody. How are we doing here? You got that? Good. So, this was very exciting to all of us. We won our state championship with a win over Kingsway High School by a score of seven to six. The game was played at Rutgers. This is our third state championship in the last seven years. They were also selected as the Bergen County Records, excuse me, the Bergen Records Group 3-4 Team of the Year. Let's give them a round of applause. Gentlemen, we are all so proud of you. make Ridgewood shine, you make us proud wherever you go in the state. And so I am, on behalf of this council, on behalf of all the residents of our town, just want to say congratulations and thank you so much. And we have certificates for every one of you recognizing what an incredible achievement this is, even though you kind of make it mundane doing it three times in seven years. But really great job. So with that, we do something called the wedding line. which we're going to do, actually, we're going to take pictures first? Let's do pictures first. So everybody, let's get some pictures here.

Come back.

Can you hear Paul? Yeah, that's how it works.

and yet they have no trouble executing a seamless double play. Okay. Gentlemen, every one of the members of this council want to congratulate you. I'm going to hand you your certificates. If you can walk past me and shake hands with everybody, we would appreciate it.

Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you.

And I just realized, of course, their coach, Kurt Homan, who is in the room, did not come up because that is Kurt's way. Let's give Kurt and this team a big round of applause. You know, if we had one state championship team in the room, that would be a really big deal. But there's more. So I'm going to call up. the boys varsity lacrosse team and their coaches. Come on down. On June 13th, 2026, at TCNJ, after being tied at halftime, we have nothing but close games here, the Ridgewood High School boys lacrosse team defeated defeated Southern Regional High School 13 to eight in the state championship game. This was Ridgewood's 12th state title and its first since 2023. Give him a round of applause. Let's get some pictures. Okay guys, you saw how it was done. I know it's lacrosse, but it's the same as baseball this time. Follow me.

Thank you. Thank you.

I said there was more. We're saving the best for last. Let's get the girls' varsity lacrosse team up here. See, the boys didn't get the memo that this was a formal function. We are so proud of you, I can't begin to tell you. On Saturday, June 13th, also at TCNJ, the RHS girls varsity lacrosse team defeated Cherokee High School resoundingly 12 to four in the state championship game. This was Ridgewood's ninth state title and his first in 2023. You guys did a great job, really, really amazing.

Thank you. Okay.

I want everybody who's standing up here before, I want everybody who's standing up here before, and or moment, come on.

I think we're gonna need, I think we're gonna need throws here. Okay. Here we go. Ready? Give everybody one big round of applause.

Mayor, Mayor, Mayor Vaggianos, could you give the extras to the coaches? I did not. That would be great if you would.

I had extra players who were not here. Thank you.

together a sensory-friendly event, because people with certain neurological disorders, like buses and other things, have trouble with noise and crowds. And so there were families who had never seen our amazing Fourth of July . And Cara and Jesse and Siobhan put together an event where we had an empty storefront, a former Parisa East, at the corner of Bridge Man, New York, and Grove Street. Got that all in there. The building provided parking. And these families, for the very first time, were able to enjoy the kind of life and way that we enjoy every year.

So, before I begin, I will say that if you live in a group of a lot of people, and you have access to this town, what do you need? Do you have to have access? And by that I mean Access serves a whole bunch of different people, and you're looking at two reps here, and while 4th of July is just one thing we've done, we've partnered with many of the police and fire to make sure that people of all abilities, all different abilities, feel included. And this month is considered Disability Pride Month, and I say with great pride, I am very proudful to be the liaison and work with people like Jesse and Kara and so many others who are not here. So I'm going to read this proclamation. And just remember, if you're lucky, you live in a town like this and get to work with great people like I do. Whereas Disability Pride Month, an annual observation, celebrates people with disabilities and recognizes that the importance of the ADA which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is celebrating its 36th anniversary this month. ADA challenges the harmful idea that people with disabilities need to conform to the norms to live meaningful lives. And whereas Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities, It affirms that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity, and not a deficit or a condition to be fixed, and that people with disabilities have lives that are full, valuable, and worthy of respect. And whereas more than one in four adults in the United States, approximately 70 million people, have a disability, This month calls on everyone to promote inclusion and ensure people with disabilities are accepted exactly as they are, without conditions. Whereas the AHRQ's National Council of Self-Advocates, which is comprised of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, IDD, and whose purpose is to ensure that people with IDD have a voice in the AHRQ's advocacy programs and services, including their full inclusion in society. Selecting the 2026 Disability Pride Month theme, The World Works Better With Us. This theme celebrates the positive impact of disability inclusion and encourages society to continue embracing accessibility, representation, and empowerment for all. And whereas disability rights face growing threats in education, employment, healthcare, and public life, this year's theme is a clear call to action. It pushes back on ableism, which discriminates and bias against people with disability, as well as their exclusion. Whereas Disability Pride Month for those who are disabled is about being accepted on their own terms. It says disability is not something to hide or fix and that everyone deserves inclusion, rights and respects without having to earn them. And now therefore it be resolved that the village council of the village of Ridgewood does hereby proclaim July 2026 as Disability Pride Month in the village of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and urges all our residents to be inclusive of people with disabilities by not allowing them to be erased, ignored, or pushed aside.

I just... Yeah, sure.

And I'm sure most people are familiar with the LGBTQ pride flag, but this one doesn't get as much press. This is the disability pride flag. And there is a color for every type of disability, the red being physical, the gold being neurodiversity. White is invisible and undiagnosed. Blue is for psychiatric and emotional disabilities, and green is for sensory sensitivities and even also vision and hearing. The black is mourning those who were excluded or died as a result of their disability, but It's 2026 and we're working and this village is so friendly to people with disabilities and I have to say personally I'm here speaking on behalf of my daughter who is nonverbal not as her not as a spokesperson for the disabled but as a parent and an ally and I'm just so grateful to this current council and our mayor for being able to include all those people with all a spectrum of disabilities into community events. So thank you.

And I have to give a special shout out to Jim Schimmel who is a lifelong resident of Ridgewood who owns the building and made every accommodation to ensure that these families had a wonderful day at no charge And he actually went to great expense to take good care of them. So let's give it up for Jim Shimmer.

Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

Okay, one last round of applause for Cara and Jesse. And we're not done yet, because the hits keep coming. Tonight, we have the honor of swearing in three new police officers to our force.

This is very, very special.

And we're going to begin with David DiNicola. David, if you and your family will come up. David, who would you like to hold the Bible? Shocking. Here we go. Okay. And I would like all of David's family to come up. Here you go. Okay. Left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand.

Perfect.

David, if you will repeat after me, I, David DeNicola, I, David DeNicola, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will faithfully, and that I will faithfully, impartially, impartially, and justly, and justly, Perform all of the duties Perform all of the duties Of the office of police officer Of the office of police officer According to the best of my ability According to the best of my ability So help me God So help me God Congratulations

It's my pleasure, wait, wait, we're not done? We're not done, it's not official until it's signed. Don't read it, just sign it. Way to go.

Do it again, give it up for David and his family. And never forget, when somebody wins a state championship or somebody becomes a police officer, it's a family's achievement because nobody does these things alone. So let's move on. John Riker, come on down. It's a police academy inductee coming up. And who is this? Hi, Layla. How are you? How old is Layla? She has my favorite hairstyle of all time. And you are? Allie, so nice to meet you. You saw how this works?

Come on over here.

Okay, this is gonna be tricky. Yeah, here, no, touch this hand on the Bible and raise your right hand and if you have to, let go of the Bible.

Repeat after me.

I, John Riker.

I, John Riker.

Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the constitution of the state of New Jersey.

And the constitution of the state of New Jersey.

And that I will faithfully. And that I will faithfully. Impartially. Impartially. And justly. And justly. Perform all of the duties. Perform all of the duties. Of the office of police officer.

Of the office of police officer.

According to the best of my ability.

According to the best of my ability.

You gotta see her following this thing, it's great. So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

And let's hear it for Layla.

Hi, Layla. Oh, I thought that was you making the noises. I know. Brian Scatini, come on down. You saw how this is done, right?

Okay, here we go. You got this.

Okay.

I, Brian Scatini.

I, Brian Scatini.

Do solemnly swear.

Do solemnly swear.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

And the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

And that I will faithfully.

And that I will faithfully.

Impartially.

Impartially.

And justly.

And justly.

Perform all of the duties.

Perform all the duties.

Of the Office of Police Officer.

Of the Office of Police Officer.

According to the best of my ability.

According to the best of my ability.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Congratulations.

A round of applause.

For those of you who don't normally come to meetings, they don't get better than tonight. That was really special. All these state championships, like I said, swearing in police officers, oh my gosh, that's just so good. So now we're going to get to the Less exciting stuff. Yeah. We have one more? Oh, we do. No?

Have the chief come up. Have the chief come up. Chinzo.

Thank you. And my big mistake, we are also giving our Officer of the Year award to one of Ridgewood's finest, and I'm going to turn it over to Chief Lyons for that.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So last year we started a new tradition in the Ridgewood Police Department called the Officer of the Year. And basically what we do is we have every officer have the opportunity to vote for what officer they think made the most contribution to the police department. Now I've been privileged enough to stand up here and give awards for life-saving, for major arrests, some very major wonderful things. You've been here for a lot of those as well. We are very lucky to live in a place where our officers do phenomenal actions each and every day. So we're good at recognizing those exceptional moments. This officer has his fair share of those exceptional moments. But he's being honored today for a slightly different reason. He's being honored because every single call he goes on, he makes a difference. Every call he goes on, he takes the utmost care. He is the epitome of a community policing officer. He truly cares about each and every person that he interacts with. I'm not going to go into specific stories, but let's say that one of the tipping points of why he was voted by his fellow officers was there was a person who was having some issues and they called us and he went over and of course he did a phenomenal job assisting. He then also, upon his own, decided to check up on that person a few separate times while on duty to make sure that they still didn't need anything. No calls for service, no nothing. He just simply called out with our central dispatch and said, hey, I'm going to go check up and make sure this person is okay. That's pretty phenomenal, seeing as we are busy and he's running around, and he's using some of his downtime, where most people would relax, to go check on someone, unprompted. That is the kind of officers we have here in the police department, and I think it is extremely well-deserved for this officer. Not only has he participated in those phenomenal events, but each and every day he sets the standard of what the Ridgewood Police Department strives to be. We have a lot of phenomenal officers. He definitely sets the bar. So I am very happy to announce that this year's Officer of the Year is Officer William Malone.

Hello, everybody.

Thank you all for coming out tonight. I really appreciate it. It's one thing to be recognized. And like the chief was saying, I do put 100% in everything I do out there. But I wouldn't be able to do it without the men and women standing behind all of you. A couple of people I want to thank. First and foremost, my fiancee, Diana. She's my reason why. She's there for all the heavy days, all the easy days. She's there for everything. and I wouldn't be able to do anything I can do in this life without her. So thank you. I appreciate it. I'd like to thank my family as well and her family. My family was there throughout the police academy, and obviously that's no easy front. So they did everything for me, and they're always there supporting me as well. So I'd like to thank them. To all the other officers back there, I've been here for about five years. I did not learn everything quickly. I did not learn everything easy. I ask a lot of questions. Sergeant McKeon back there, I had him last year on Squad B. He knows I ask a lot of questions, Lieutenant Chuck as well, but to all of you back there, I wouldn't be able to do any of this without you guys. You all taught me everything I know, and you're the reason why I'm so excited to get out there and do my job. So thank all of you.

You know, take a moment to think, how many stories do you watch on TV about all the problems with police departments all across the country? This is not that kind of department. This is a very special department with very special leadership that brings our young police officers upright. So let's give the department a round of applause. And with that, we will now go to the less exciting stuff.

Great job. Thanks for reminding me. Oh, and don't forget about the access room.

And don't forget about this officer of the year.

And don't forget about the pictures. Yeah, great job. I am the front man, but as you can see, I am a less than perfect runner. Oh my gosh.

It's warning.

It is definitely warning. You're not cooking?

No.

Then I don't want to wish you that.

I run cold.

Are you teaming one? I have one.

And we are back, and I want to take a moment to thank the people who don't just come for the fun stuff, who are here for all the stuff, because we need that. And so with that, let's go to comments from the public.

We need whistles. I don't have one.

You and I definitely have different phones. I don't have one.

Okay. John Fry, North Irving Street. John, if you could get a little closer to the mic.

Absolutely. How's that? Much better. Very good. So as you all know, I got involved in the Kensington deal going on just about a year ago. We started with that here in the council meetings.

Is your mic on?

Yeah, it is. It is.

It's still a little noisy. If you could get closer to the mic, and normally it's... And yell.

And yell.

Okay.

So a year ago, I got involved in the Kensington whole conversation. That led me often to also into flooding and that became, because that's my immediate neighborhood, and from that I started to learn a little bit about how the fields are and the flooding aspects of things and became aware and started studying a little bit about the artificial turf and indeed the absorption levels of the artificial turf for water which affects us in that area. Now most recently, I started looking at and hearing about the artificial turf, and as you read the articles about that and all the different studies, one of the things that impressed me and scared me somewhat is the temperature aspects of artificial turf. So I went off and got myself my little blazer thermal heat gun, and I've been going down to the field on a regular basis, to Steven's field and over to Vett's field, and will continue to do so, but just the initial things over the last couple weeks as in today, at 1.20 this afternoon, the outside temperature was 94 degrees, and over on Stevens Field, sampling in a bunch of different areas, the temperature ranged from 137 to 139 degrees on the field itself, as far as the artificial turf. But then when you went to the grass area, back primarily where they have the different obstacle course types of elements back in there, it was 97 to 100 degrees. The relationship that I've noticed is it varies about 40 to 50 degrees between the grass and the artificial turf on a typical day. It's the temperature variance once you get to midday of the day. There was an article today, somebody mentioned on Facebook today, I know we're not all following Facebook, but I happened to be having a slice of pizza and looked at the Facebook and lo and behold, wasn't there a conversation going about a team playing out there doing one of the sports programs. I'm sort of glad everybody just left because they probably wouldn't be happy with this part of it. But indeed, they were there playing, having their games, and the comment was, why didn't they come over to Vets Field where the temperature, the field was empty. There was nothing going on. And it was a sports camp that was going on. I know you guys have difficult scheduling programs and all of those types of things. I'm aware of that. But indeed, when I came over today myself on Vets Field, the temperature was 96 degrees. So 139 degrees on Stevens, 96 to 98 on Vets. Seems like we should be opening up that as a conversation for in the planning of sports. When things are available, we should take advantage of the open fields for the health and safety of our people. There are a whole lot of other things I know about the artificial turf that are issues, and we'll probably get into that Okay, Heather. So we'll get into that when we get to the Schindler Project. But right now, we should just pay attention to the health of the people that are playing on the fields.

Thank you, John.

Thank you.

Good evening. Michael Ngo, Ridgewood resident. I wanted to talk or actually ask about the Ridgewood Movie Theater. If I remember being here, the initial conversation was they were going to buy an option or pay an option of $250,000 that I guess the town was gonna put up. And then the cost of the building was gonna be something like two and a half million if I remember correctly. And then there's gonna be another approximately $50 million in renovations of which they were gonna try to get a grant for. And if I remember correctly, the grant was going to be for 80%. So I'm not sure if it's 80% of 50 million or the grant is different. But I saw today on social media someplace that the renovation costs, in theory, is 75 million. So my question is, how much is the town actually going to have to shell out for this project, number one? And number two, who is going to pay for the upkeep, maintenance, and the day-to-day expenses of this project? Thank you. Thank you, Michael.

Cynthia O'Keefe, Ridgewood resident. I wasn't actually going to say anything this evening, but John brought up some good points about the artificial turf and the heat. I happened to work from home today, and I went out to let my dogs out, and the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, in addition to the heat, and I see people playing over on this field, It's shocking. I could barely breathe and kids should not be out. Somebody should employ some good judgment and say, hey, maybe not tonight, maybe another night. That being said, there was a woman from Sustainable Montclair who actually went over across the street from her house And again, she lives across from Woodman Field. I think she's called into a few of the council meetings. She actually baked an egg during one of the really hot days last summer, baked it on a piece of artificial turf that she cut out. So she's smelling hot plastic all day long, in addition to the whole host of other things. And last night, there was a webinar with Dr. Sarah Evans, who also wrote to all of you. So you have her letter on file. She's from Mount Sinai, and she actually did this webinar last night. And, you know, artificial turf is one of the largest contributors to microplastic pollution, in addition to the whole host of other known... Negative consequences for our environment it ruins ecosystems now this evening you Had the the new officers swear on the Bible to be fair just and impartial And that is the same oath all of you took when you were sworn in so I'm going to ask you Are you being fair, just, and impartial? Or are you just caving in to the whim of a group of people that are demanding turf? Because you know what you're doing is wrong. It's ethically and morally wrong to put turf next to private wells, to put children on hot plastic on a highway. And yet, you all think this is fine, right? You all think this is a great idea. But people outside of our little bubble here in Ridgewood, I can't tell you if I have a nickel for every single person that says this is the dumbest project they've ever heard of in their life to put children on a highway. And you heard Kathy Noem last week or two weeks ago talk about a real life experience where children said to her, I don't know, that doesn't look safe to me that we're going to be playing that close to a highway. and you have this little wall and this little berm and you think it's all going to be okay, I think it's a recipe for disaster and I've told you I've objected to this project from day one. So I really hope logical minds and you will employ some good thinking because you know, forget about just the turf. Putting children on a field on a highway is just a horrible idea. So I don't know, you know, you're going to fall on your sword because that's what you're going to do. But I don't think you actually listen to the residents of Ridgewood. And in several years that I've been coming to these meetings, I haven't once ever heard you say, we're going to change our mind. You just keep plowing ahead. That's what you do. Thank you.

Thank you, Cynthia.

Ann Loving, Ridgewood resident. I just want to correct one thing that the previous citizen said. We have heard a mind change because during the candidates' debate, the current mayor stated that grass was a no-brainer, definitely grass over artificial turf, and that mind changed.

Thank you, Ann. Anybody else from the audience? Seeing no one, we're going to go to our hybrid access. Susan, you're up. You're on mute, Susan. Here we go.

Yeah. Hi. I apologize. I have my dog with me right now.

All good.

OK. I'm Susan Ruan, I'm a Ridgewood resident. I want to thank the village council for tonight's disability pride month proclamation and finding ways to include our children in the community. I would like to follow up regarding my husband's comments at the last village council meeting. His comments were trying to encourage the village council to create an inclusion committee to explore more inclusive housing for the town. Last night, my husband and I attended a Ridgewood special needs parent group. There were approximately 15 to 20 parents of young adults at the meeting and each parent expressed concerns about inclusive housing. Ideally, the parents would like their young adults to remain in Ridgewood since they are most familiar with the community. Nonetheless, many of the parents of the group are applying to Bergen County United Way Housing and Malwa. The complex will soon is soon gonna be finished and it's currently accepting applications. However, it only has the 11, one bedroom and four, two bedroom shared independent living units for individuals with developmental disability. My son lives in the Bergen County United Way Housing in Ramsey. When the building was opening, there was over 50 applications for the six units. I only expect a similar application to apartment ratio for the Mahwah housing. The parents at last night's meeting were a very small representation of the many Ridgewood parents who are in similar situations of finding inclusive housing for their young adults. Thus, I am highly encouraging Ridgewood Village Council to create an inclusive committee. When reviewing the Access Ridgewood minutes, I only found one discussion about housing in August, 2025. Their main focus in Access Ridgewood has been finding inclusion programs, especially for young children. Special needs parents in Ridgewood are very appreciative of all the work Access Ridgewood has been promoting and doing. However, I believe a separate committee needs to be created, which can concentrate on young adults and older adults needs, especially housing. On a separate topic, what are the plans for the old town garage on Franklin Avenue after remediation is completed? Could that site be developed for inclusive housing? Thank you.

Thank you, Susan. Anybody else? Seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment and open it up to the council to address questions. I'd like to take a moment to address Michael's questions regarding the Warner Theater. And you asked very important questions. So I'm very close to this project, so I'll give you all the skinny on this. The option price was $250,000. If we... Purchase the theater, that's great. If we don't purchase the theater, the village is out $250,000. The purchase price, and I may be off by a dollar or two, I believe was 2.6 million. Anybody remember that? Yeah.

That's what the bond ordinance was for.

2.6 million over and above the $250,000. That would be purchased by the Ridgewood Arts Foundation, who is the applicant for the grant. If we get the grant, if they get the grant, they will reimburse the village for the $250,000 and the village will have no money in this project at any point. Could something happen down the road? Could, who knows? But there is no plan for the village contributing anything beyond an option payment. The grant, The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has what's called a CAFE program. Don't ask me what CAFE stands for. But essentially, in our instance, it's to renovate old movie theaters that are no longer viable like ours. The maximum amount you can apply for is $75 million. which is 80% of what our architects and engineers estimate the cost of renovating this theater will be. Amazingly, they estimate the cost at $90 million. I know, it's frightening that it could be that much, but it is. And we have cost estimates to support that. And when the application is reviewed, believe me, the NJEDA will go through that with a fine tooth comb because they're not handing out $75 million unless it's well supported. The balance would be raised from private donations, not from the village. The plan going forward, if we get the grant and renovate and raise the additional money, is to partner with an existing performing arts center company, someone who knows what they're doing, who has a track record. This is a business all unto itself, and there is no one that I know of in this village who is capable or experienced to do that. So we have had discussions with some performing arts center companies, there is some interest, I'm not gonna name them right now because it's all very tenuous and it will all depend upon getting the grant. Once we get the grant, it will become very real and this will proceed down that road. But the entire plan relies upon our getting an existing performing arts center to run the theater. I hope that answers all of your questions, Michael.

Mayor, if you could, there's a lot of inaccurate information about this of late. Can you just talk a little bit about the consulting team that the Ridgewood Arts Foundation has teamed up with to prepare the grant application and the expertise that's involved there?

Sure. So just because, again, handing out $75 million is not something that the state of New Jersey and the EDA do lightly. The application process is beyond arduous. And the Ridgewood Arts Foundation hired a team of professionals, of architects, engineers, fundraisers. It's eight or nine different companies. They have experience in doing this. They've done this in many other venues. But essentially what we did was the city of Westfield applied last year for a similar grant. It's a slightly smaller theater to convert their theater into a performing arts center. And they had a team of professionals. We hired their team. They had done this. They had done this in other venues, but they did this specifically for the EDA grant. The cost of, just to give you an idea of the magnitude of this, the cost of hiring these people was about a little over $300,000. That was all raised by private donations and at no cost to the village. But just to give you an idea of the magnitude of this application process, it took a very long time. And the current status is that We are awaiting the NJEDA to reopen the application window. It has opened and closed and opened and closed, and we are awaiting it to reopen. We anticipate it will likely reopen in the fall. Our application, or I should say the Ridgewood Arts Foundation's application, is ready to go. It is push button ready. The moment that that window opens, they will be submitting the application.

And Mr. Ngo, it's the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program. So the NJEDA actually has this program structured for these types of improvements. And if you look their website up, it does give a description of this entire program. And I think the most potent line is the CAFE program focuses on development and rehabilitation of cultural arts facilities as a key component of the state's economy. So this is specifically structured for a project just like we would have with the Warner Theater if this were to go through.

And thanks, Keith. I can never remember what CAFE stands for. No worries. So any other comments on this or any of the other questions raised today?

wanted to comment on access so a couple things access does discuss housing and we've brought some speakers in from Bergen County a couple key points because I did receive some phone calls today asking some questions none of our current housing is done where the municipality decides to build the house we it's all of our special needs housing is done in conjunction with the community partner like Unai did way. I personally continue to meet with anybody, you know, the same thing I see Mr. Fry, where a developer would approach people who are interested in expanding community-based homes. I've had two meetings, we've reported that back at Access, I'm going to keep meeting with them. But we need these community partners to purchase the property, develop it, and have it happen. And we haven't found that. So we're very open to that. And access is, Suzanne, you're always welcome. It's the third Thursday of, yes, third Friday of each month. And we do run hybrid because obviously with disabilities. I also want to say that this year we've expanded our events and we're no longer just... When I took my seat on Access, there was this tendency that was elementary school age kids. We've run 10 dinners for all ages. This summer, we've run a movie theater and a bowling socialization for all ages. We've partnered with local churches and religious organizations to ensure that we promote social inclusion for all age groups. Additionally, we are partnered with the STEPS program right now because two things that are always discussed, actually three, jobs, socialization, and housing. And we are currently working with the STEPS program to rehab the kissing ball. So when you see new, beautiful holiday decorations, that will all have been handcrafted with our special needs population. We are always open to more. But we need more people. I mean, we're running more events than I've ever seen in my time at Access. And the best ones were when SpecWire was in full effect and we did the art show is when we have a third party. So we're open and amenable to any ideas that come with people because the dinners and all these events do make, you saw two people from our access committee because most of them are caregivers and we would always welcome some extra help and if anybody wants to come when we meet with any of these groups, I would welcome that. I think we're gonna bring somebody back in October. I did reach out to them because this morning I got these questions but access is the third Friday of every month. We're suspended until August and we are open to all ages and every type of issue ranging from housing to inclusion and jobs and employment. And again, if you have any idea, that'd be great and we would welcome more participation because we have a lot of events going on right now.

Anybody else? I do, Mayor. One, to Susan, we did reach out to community partners and we're having that dialogue. We've taken the information that was shared at the last council meeting by Mr. Ruan back to community partners, and we're looking to facilitate some additional dialogue with them based on the concerns that have been brought forward. I don't know, Siobhan, if you want to add to that.

No, I mean, after the last week's meeting, I did reach out to them again, and we're going to meet in September, and I was hoping they would just come to talk about their mission in October more with access, but I don't think they have any site picked yet.

Right. To Mr. Fry and Ms. O'Keefe, I did see that Facebook post, John, that you mentioned. I just want to clarify that that activity, as far as what I read, was on Board of Education property. So we don't have any governance over what is scheduled on the district property. We just have governance over what's on village property. I can tell you that when we went through the heat wave two weeks ago, give or take, I had specific conversations with Nancy Bigos, our Director of Parks and Recreation. Our primary programming during the day is summer camp. We do do drop off and pick up off of Maple Field, but on those extreme heat days, we are not using the turf for any activities that involve those children who attend the day camp. Actually, if you drive through on a hot day, you will see that the children are strategically placed in the shade, especially out here on Maple, on Vets closest to Linwood. There's a lot of tree cover over there and the children are set up in groups in those shaded areas. So as far as our summer camp program goes and as far as our scheduling of events, We are very conscious of the extreme heat and the temperatures, making sure that the children are hydrated regardless of what surface they're on. But on those days, we only use MAPLE for drop-off and pick-up and not for any type of formal activities, just so you're clear on that. With regard to the work over at Shedler, I can tell you that it was funny because we were on a call today with some of the folks talking about the Shedler project. And the primary contact that we have from North Star, who is the remediation company, mentioned that he had gone across the highway to grab some coffee for the crew that was working there. And he even commented on the call today that, you know, when you look across the street, it's an impactful view, right? And you can see the work that has been done there, the remediation that was required by the DEP, And if you're driving up and down 17, current existing conditions would lead you to believe that there's a lot of access to that property. So the only thing I'll caution folks on is the design that Suburban has put together creates a new berm. It will not visually look like the berm that existed before that needed to be removed. It is going to be a combination. It will not just be a dirt berm, but there is going to be a berm. There are going to be retaining walls. There are going to be additional guardrails. There is going to be fencing. And there's going to be landscaping that creates that safety barrier that is so needed. Because when you do look at it now, it is daunting. I don't disagree with that at all. And I think that one of the main drivers that we have brought back to our weekly Shedler calls is this concern about safety and the proximity to Route 17 and trying to do everything we can to make sure that this is a safe environment for an active park. So I just wanted to be clear on that as well.

That's all I have, Mayor. Anybody else? Seeing no one, let's move on to our manager's report.

Thank you, Mayor. First, I want to congratulate our police officers, David, John, and Brian, who graduated from the Bergen County Police Academy and are now full-fledged members of the Ridgewood Police Department. I also want to thank, I also want to welcome, I should say, David, Clinton, and Joe, who are our three new recruits who were sworn in this morning and will start at the Academy tomorrow morning. I'm very pleased to say that with the three new recruits from this morning, and they will not come on full-fledged as police officers and be able to act on their own after their field training. But with those three police officers that were sworn in this morning, that will bring our ranks to 49, which was our target goal. I can remember being here in the fall, I believe it was, of 2023 in a closed session meeting, which actually took place in this room, and the chief was advocating strongly to try to get our ranks of the Ridgewood Police Department back up to the recommended number of 49. And I'm pleased to say that with the swearing in this morning of those three officers, we have now achieved that. I do want to mention that air quality is a serious concern right now. We've gotten updates from both the OEM director here in Ridgewood and also some communications from the state police through the county OEM offices. We are asking those who are compromised to be cautious, to stay indoors. I do believe that we're going to be contending with the air quality issues that are created by the Canadian wildfires for a number of days, and we want people to be smart and be attentive to their own health and make sure that they're staying indoors in an air-conditioned environment as these issues in Canada continue. With regard to some improvements around town, pleased to report that we are complete with the Habernickle bridge repairs. The surface over the bridge is smooth, safe, and pedestrian-friendly. Once again, I want to thank the engineering division for their work on that. The Tate Crosswalk on East Ridgewood Avenue, as it's become lovingly known as, is under construction by Smith Sande, who is our paving contractor for 2026. Once they are complete with that project, they will be moving on to North Monroe, where we are going to create bump-in parking along the frontage on Monroe, along Citizens Park. That will establish, I think, just over a dozen new parking spaces off-street. Because right now, when I leave here and there's a ball game happening at Citizens Park, people are taking up half of the lane heading towards Godwin. This will allow people to have access to bump-in parking and they won't be blocking part of the lane as you head up Monroe towards Godwin. So that will be the next work effort after the crosswalk is complete. We have work ongoing on the fourth floor of the Hudson Street parking garage with the installation of the safety barriers on the fourth floor. I expect that work to be complete by the end of the week. And we are also in the process of making the improvements to the skate park over at Graydon. We have a $100,000 grant from the Department of Community Affairs, which is paying for that project. The new surface has been laid and we're waiting for some equipment to arrive to be installed. The big announcement I have tonight is that the Maple Avenue road resurfacing project, which is a Bergen County project, not a village project, has been moved back to a start date with milling beginning on July 20th. So that project will begin on Monday. We will have approximately five days of milling and approximately three or four days of road resurfacing in the next two weeks. I want to stress that that is all weather dependent. So please look at our social media pages, look for updates in emails and other forms of village communication. We will be communicating on behalf of the county to the wider community as to the schedule as we get closer and work through that two week period. We also met this week with PSE&G, who is scheduling a gas main upgrade project in the Stevens Avenue area. We impressed very strongly on PSE&G that Stevens Avenue and Corella Court Both need to be complete before the start of school because that will have a major impact on the drop-off and pick-up at Hawes School. And then some of the smaller streets, Jemco Place, Woodbine Court, South Van Dien, Amsterdam Avenue, and Lucille Court, that'll be the back end of the project because that'll have less impact if it runs into the school year. Just a few reminders, two-day-per-week irrigation schedule is in effect. Odd-numbered addresses for irrigation are Tuesday and Saturday, and even-numbered addresses are Wednesday and Sunday. Our senior bus schedule continues to be expanded from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. If you'd like to make a reservation to use the senior bus, please call Beth Spinato in the manager's office. The Guild continues to host their music in the night on Friday nights downtown through Labor Day. The grade and pool season runs through August 30th. We will then be closed for that first week in September, but reopen for Labor Day weekend on September 5th, 6th, and 7th. The Cashaw Shell Summer Concert Series continues each Tuesday and Thursday night. Tomorrow night is the Dad's Night Band, which everyone's very excited about. And those concerts continue through July and August. Chamber of Commerce continues to host their Farmer's Market on Sundays through November 1st from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the train station on the west side. Music in the Park is hosted on Saturday evenings at Venice Square from 7.30 to 9.30. This Saturday, July 18th, is Smash Funk. The Guild continues their Movies in the Park Wednesday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Van Ness Square. Wednesday night, July 22nd, is The Little Mermaid. Chamber of Commerce Super Sidewalk Saturday sales begin on Thursday, August 6th, and will run through Saturday, August 8th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. There will be maps for the sales available in front of Memorial Park on those sale days. And lastly, our upcoming council meetings for August. August 5th is a work session. August 12th is a public meeting. Both begin at 7.30 p.m. And that concludes my report, Mayor.

Thanks, Keith. Let's go to council reports. Frank. I do not have one. You do not have one. Nope. Okay. Then we will go to Siobhan. I'm guessing she does.

I don't. I call Devin. I do not have a council report.

Let's all take a moment.

Wait a second.

Mark the date down.

Here we go.

Pam. I have three things to report. I sat in for Evan at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Monday night, and that was very interesting. There were three applicants, and it was interesting to see how the HPC functions and makes suggestions and works with the applicants. Also, Green Ridgewood conducted the public hearing that is necessary for the town to approve the community energy planning grant. It's a planning grant, as it says. and that was on Thursday night, and we didn't have a big crowd, but they were full of ideas, and that's what the point of this hearing was, to get the public's input on energy initiatives, whether it be for conservation or going for renewables, and so it was a lively session. And then on Sunday, I attended the park work day, which went from 10 to two at the Grove Park. If you've never been to Grove Park, as a result of this group of 20 people, the trail is completely blazed, that it is completely marked so you won't get lost in our biggest park. And I want to thank the Parks Department, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, which provided the leader for our group, and also the AM Rotary Club, which sponsored the event. We had a real robust group and I highly recommend doing this work. It was really fun. We created a new trail, actually. Because of a downed tree, they just created a new trail. The main trail is the white trail, but also they delineated We delineated the spurs. There's a spur that goes out to the Saddle River pathway, the bike path. There's a spur that comes out to Grove Street, and that's where the trail begins. If you want to go to this park, park on Berkshire at the corner of Grove Street and walk east to the trailhead. There is a sign there. and we collected a lot of beer bottles and dog toys and a sled. The next one is going to be at King's Pond and that will be Sunday, October 4th, 10 to 2. If you're feeling handy and want to get outdoors, come join us. There is a sign-up flyer. Well, it's not out yet, but they do ask for advanced sign-up. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor.

And I will just say that if you really want to see what these parks are like that are in our town, give Pam a call. She's given me a tour of a couple of them, and I plan on taking a tour of Grove Park very soon. She called me the other day, and I'm very excited to go on it. So reach out to Pam. And with that, let's go to our regular agenda. And we'll begin now. I move the first reading of Ordinance 4105. I second.

Mortimer?

Yep.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. Vaggianos?

Yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read Ordinance 4105 by title?

A bond ordinance providing for various water utility improvements in and by the Village of Ridgewood in the County of Bergen, New Jersey, appropriating $728,000, therefore, and authorizing the issuance of 691,000 bonds or notes of the village to finance part of the cost thereof.

I move that ordinance 4105 be adopted on the first reading and that August 12th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd.

Yes.

Vagianos.

Yes.

There are no public hearings. Resolutions. The following resolutions, number 26-190 through 26-202, are to be adopted by a consent agenda with one vote by the Village Council. It will be read by title only. Title 59, approval. Lease of real property for the co-location of wireless telecommunication antennas and support facilities on the water tank and property located at 133 Glen Avenue. Award contract. Lease of tank and ground space AT GLENN AVENUE WATER TANK, TELECOMMUNICATION ANTENNAS AND SUPPORT FACILITIES. AWARD SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT, SCADA SYSTEM, PROGRAMMING, WIRING, AND STARTUP SERVICES. AWARD CONTRACT, 2026 DISTRIBUTION MAIN IMPROVEMENTS. AWARD CONTRACT UNDER STATE CONTRACT, VARIOUS SERVICES FOR HAWK COMPANY EQUIPMENT. AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT, HYDRAULIC MODELLING. AWARD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT, energy consulting services, remote net metering projects, authorized shared services agreement, paving of several streets with Midland Park, authorized change order, construction phase services for 2026, water main replacements from the West Glen booster station to Glen Tank, authorized change order, professional services contract, engineering services for preparation of lead service line replacement program, authorized acceptance of project completion, ravine PFAS treatment facility, authorized acceptance of project completion, West Glen booster station, and refund overpayment of water bill. May I have a motion?

So moved. Second.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. And Vaggianos?

Yes. I move the first reading of Ordinance 4106. I second it.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. Vaggianos?

Yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read Ordinance 4106 by title?

An ordinance to amend Chapter 265 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood, Vehicles and Traffic, as Section 265-42, Reserved Parking Spaces.

I move that ordinance 4106 be adopted on the first reading and that August 12th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin.

Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the first reading of ordinance 4107. Second.

Mortimer.

Big yes.

Perrin. Yes. Perrin. Winograd. Yes. And Vaggianos. Yes.

Yes, I have to tell you, the sequence without whites in there just keeps throwing me off. So ordered. Will the clerk please read Ordinance 4107 by title?

An ordinance to amend Chapter 265 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood entitled Vehicles and Traffic.

I move that Ordinance 4107 be adopted on the first reading and that August 12, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

I second the motion.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the first reading of ordinance 4108. I second.

Mortimer.

Yep.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read ordinance 4108 by title.

An ordinance to amend chapter 222 of the code of the village of Ridgewood. Power tools, manual tools, motorized construction equipment, landscaping and yard maintenance equipment.

I move that ordinance 4108 be adopted in the first reading and that August 12th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

On behalf of many of my neighbors, I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the first reading of ordinance 4109. I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin.

Yeah, there's one word that I want to discuss, so whenever I can do that.

Okay, Winograd? Yes. Vagianos?

Yes. So ordered. Will the clerk please read Ordinance 4109 by title?

An ordinance to amend Chapter 249 of the Code of the Village of Ridgewood entitled Streets and Sidewalks, Section 249-1, Ice and Snow Removal.

I move that ordinance 4109 be adopted on the first reading and that August 12th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

I second the motion.

Before you vote, what is the change? Okay, the word situate, does anybody know what that means?

Which paragraph?

A and B. It's in both paragraphs. To me, it means located, and I don't know if you want to change it, but it doesn't change the meaning, but it makes it easier to read for a layperson. For instance, in A, the word situate appears in the third line. And what did you want to change it to? Located. Located. Does anyone have any objection to that?

No.

And in B, it's the second line. Located would also be a little more reader-friendly.

Matt, is this an insignificant enough change because it is the second reading so that we don't have to start over?

It's the first reading.

Oh, excuse me, first reading, never mind.

So just make a motion and we'll just...

I move to change the word situate to located in paragraphs A and B. I'll second it.

Okay, so this is to vote on the change. Mortimer?

I'm voting yes because I really think spilling out that there has to be a 20-inch passageway on the sidewalk is important.

This is just for the amendment.

This is the vote on the amendment.

Located. Okay. So you said yes. Yes.

Yes. I'm wondering who got Latin fancy here.

Yes. Okay. Now I have a motion and second to adopt it on first reading. So this is to adopt it on first reading. Mortimer. Mortimer.

Now I'll say that I'm glad that this is spelling out there's got to be a 20-inch passageway on the sidewalk, so I'm voting yes.

Okay. Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vagianos.

Yes. I move the first reading of Ordinance 4110. Second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vagianos.

Yes. So ordered. So ordered. Will the clerk please read ordinance 4110 by title.

An ordinance to amend chapter 263 of the code of the village of Ridgewood entitled valet parking services at section 263-4 entitled operating requirements.

I move that ordinance 4110 be adopted on the first reading and that August 12th, 2026 be fixed as the date for the hearing thereon.

Second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yep.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yep.

And Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the clerk read ordinance 4099 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Vaggianos.

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4099.

An ordinance to amend section chapter 190 land use and development of the code of the village of Ridgewood. at section 190-123B to modify the conditional use standards for institutional uses.

The public hearing is now open.

May I say something?

By all, let me, actually, let me close the, let me get, let's finish this up. Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. I second.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes.

Winograd? Yes. Baggianos?

Yes. Pan?

Okay, this amendment allows houses of worship greater latitude in allowing other tenants to use their property, but it is limited in what we're adding here to the residential areas. And when we went before the planning board last week, they suggested that we open it up to all zones in Ridgewood. And if you do that, then you bring in Christ Church, Mount Carmel, Methodist Church, and I see no reason to leave them out. And I think to add that, well, we can't add it now, So can we bring it back for another amendment later? Absolutely. Okay. Let's do that. I think you all received the letter from the Planning Board.

That was a discussion we had.

I had anyway with the Planning Board attorney was that we would approach it to get this through, to help them help the institutional uses for the beginning of the year, and then amend that as we go forward. Yep.

Yeah, thanks, Pam. I think that's a very good point. Yep.

I move that ordinance 4099 be adopted on the second reading and the final publication as required by law.

I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd.

Yes. Baggianos.

Yes. I move the clerk read ordinance 4100 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. Second.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. And Vaggianos?

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of Ordinance 4100?

An ordinance to amend Chapter 256 of the Code of the Village of Bridgewood, Taxicabs and Limousines, at Article 2, Limousines, Section 256-19, License Card and Section 256-22, Insurance Requirements.

The public hearing is now open.

good evening mayor and council boyd loving ridgewood resident i'm just curious how many licenses have we currently on file for taxis and limousines in the village of ridgewood currently none none we do have an application in under what circumstances would somebody have to get a license from the village of ridgewood when they're physically locating their their headquarters in the village of ridgewood correct okay so that is the only such not when you're picking not to pick up or drop off in Ridgewood, only if you're physically locating your business in the city of Ridgewood or village of Ridgewood. And we have no licenses currently on file, but we have one application?

Correct.

Thank you so much.

You also need to have a physical office space in the village or in the town that you're operating out of. So I can tell you that from a prior experience in another municipality, we had many people, and Heather and I have shared war stories over this, that tried to operate the business from their home. The reason for the licensing is to prevent someone from operating from a residential district. You want this licensing, this licensure process to be in place because they have to have a bona fide office, places to park the vehicles, all the things that the state requires in order to seriously regulate this activity from happening in a residential zone.

If I might ask, what happened to the license that we gave out to the person who bought Ridgewood Taxi? Did they turn it in?

Ridgewood Taxi isn't no longer...

I know, but somebody bought the company. We did not issue them a license because they were located outside of the village.

Right. They're renewable annually. So we just did not renew it again.

So if their office is located in another municipality, they would be licensed by that municipality. Well, they did have an office at the railroad station, and they didn't renew the lease.

They no longer do.

Yeah, that ended a long time ago.

So when they moved out to Hawthorne, they no longer needed a license from the village. They would be licensed by the Hawthorne clerk. Okay, thank you very much.

And in addition, the zoning officer also has to review the application of the limousine licensee before it's approved.

Not to prolong it, but this was a real problem throughout the state of people trying to willy-nilly receive licenses to operate their businesses out of a home when it came to servicing licenses for taxis and limousines. So the fact that we have zero is actually a good thing because it can be an intrusive business, let's put it that way.

Anybody else? Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. I second.

Mortimer?

Yep.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd?

Yes. Vaggianus?

Yes.

I move that Ordinance 4100 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law.

Second the motion.

Go ahead.

Good.

Ready?

Before we vote, I know Pam had a comment.

I do. On the fifth line down, in this first paragraph, it says, it refers to the aforesaid statute. I went back to the code and there was no mention of a statute. So I don't know what they're referring to here. So either we could figure out what should go there as a citation to a statute or take it out. Because I couldn't find anything that was mentioned before.

It's the final reading, too.

I didn't write this one, so I don't know what I was referring to. I'll have to take a look at that.

I think that was the wording in the code. But in any case, I mean, without having the code in front of me, I can't determine whether or not further up there was maybe the statute was mentioned. Yeah. Could you take a look at that? I will.

I don't know that it's worth delaying passage of this. Okay. But... Take a look. It's kind of confusing. Okay. Thank you.

Again, Matt, I assume that this is a de minimis change if we had to make it?

Well, if we take it out, it would be... Put it this way. If we put the statute in there, it would be wrong. If we take it out, it should not change the...

The intent and meaning.

But the effort here would be to leave the wording in there and just recognize the statute and add that .

Got it.

That's something we can do.

Good. Okay. Let's go to a vote.

Okay. We seconded it, yes.

Yep. Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Guess who seconded?

Yes. Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. Vaggianos?

Yes. I move the clerk read Ordinance 4101 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. I'll second this one too.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Wernigrad? Yes. Adjianos?

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of Ordinance 4101?

An ordinance requiring the standardization of elevator fire service keys within the village of Ridgewood and mandating the use of the Yale 3502 key.

The public hearing is now open. Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed.

Second.

Mortimer.

I think this is super important and it's going to save lives. I'm surprised we didn't have it, so I'm voting yes.

Perrin.

Yes. Winograd.

Yes.

Vagianos.

Yes. I move that ordinance 4101 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law.

Moving up and down, I'll second this motion too. Mortimer. Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the clerk read ordinance 4102 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be opened. Second.

Mortimer. Yes. Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Vaggianos.

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4102.

An ordinance to amend chapter 145 fees of the code of the village of Ridgewood at section 145-6, enumeration of fees relating to code chapters.

The public hearing is now open. Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. Second.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd.

Yes. Vaggianus.

Yes.

I move that ordinance 4102 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law.

Second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin.

Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. I move the clerk read ordinance 4103 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be open. Second.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggianos.

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of ordinance 4103.

An ordinance to amend chapter 145 fees of the code of the village of Ridgewood at section 145-4. departmental fees and at section 145-6, enumeration of fees related to co-chapters, amending fees for the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Shade Tree Divisions for adopted tree and donations of memorial trees and benches.

The public hearing is now open. Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. Second.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. Vaggiano's.

Yes. I move that ordinance 4103 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law.

I second the motion.

Mortimer.

That, because I actually was in the PRC board when we put this together, and it is woefully outdated, I'm voting yes.

Perrin.

Yes. Winograd. I want to thank Yuna and Keelan for bringing it to our attention, our two interns, and I vote yes.

And Baggians.

Yes. I move the clerk read Ordinance 4104 by title on second reading and that the public hearing thereon be open. I'll second this.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. Vagianos?

Yes. Will the clerk please read the title of Ordinance 4104?

An ordinance authorizing the special emergency appropriation pursuant to NJSA 48-4-53 for the preparation and execution of a complete program of reassessment of real property in the village of Ridgewood.

The public hearing is now open. Seeing no one, I move the public hearing be closed. Second.

Mortimer?

Yes.

Perrin? Yes. Winograd? Yes. Vaggianus?

Yes.

I move that Ordinance 4104 be adopted on the second reading and final publication as required by law.

I second the motion.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Vaggianos.

Yes.

Resolutions. The following resolutions, number 26-203 through 26-227, will be adopted by consent agenda with one vote by the village council. They will be read by title only. Award contract, administrative agent for affordable housing services. We sit and replace resolution number 26-133, award contract, sign truck signal division. Title 59 approval, NJDOT grant, South Pleasant Avenue resurfacing phase two. Award contract, NJDOT grant, South Pleasant Avenue resurfacing phase two. Title 59 approval, furnishing and delivering of crossing guard services. Award contract, furnishing and delivering of crossing guard services. Award contract under state contract, 2026 Ford F450 regular cab truck signal division or contract under state contract body worn cameras police department or contract under educational services commission of New Jersey cooperative purchasing system in ground vehicle lift for streets department or contract under educational services commission of New Jersey cooperative purchasing contract 2026 Ford F450 F550 steel service body signal division. Award contract under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract, Plow Blade for Ford F-450 Truck Signal Division. Award professional services contract, social worker, health department, building department, and police department. Authorize execution of shared services agreement with Midland Park, Fire Prevention Enforcement, Kukan Enterprises, Inc. Authorize 2027 NJDOT grant application, resurfacing of West Ridgewood Avenue Phase 2. Authorize refund of tax overpayment. tax exempt veteran, 566 Shelton Road. Adopts a Village of Ridgewood Community Energy Plan, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Community Energy Plan grant. Accept donation, irrigation for children's sensory butterfly garden at the stable. Declare property surplus parks department. Declare property surplus streets department. Authorize implementation of a procurement card, P-card pilot program. alternate number two member to Zoning Board of Adjustment, appoint student intern liaison to Green Ridgewood, appoint student intern liaison to Ridgewood Green Team Advisory Committee, appoint member to Citizen Safety Advisory Committee, and appoint member to Shade Tree Commission. May I have a motion?

So moved.

Before I second, I'd like to commend you for reading all that. Second. Thank you.

Mortimer.

Yes.

Perrin. Yes. Winograd. Yes. And Vagianos.

Yes.

So the following resolution, number 26-228, will be considered separately and read in full. I believe Mayor Baggiano is going to recuse himself from this.

I am going to recuse myself because I was not at the public hearing where the applicants stated their case. So I am recusing myself from this matter. Okay.

Whereas the village council of the village of Ridgewood created a special improvement district by the passage of ordinance number 4053, and designated the Ridgewood Business Alliance, Inc. as a district management corporation for the SID in accordance with NJSA 40-56-65 to 40-56-89. And whereas ordinance number 4053 listed all properties included within the Special Improvement District. And whereas after notice and public hearing, the Village Council approved the 2026 Ridgewood Business Alliance budget by adoption of resolution number 25-422. And whereas the village tax assessor prepared the special assessment role setting forth separately the amounts to be specially assessed against the benefited and assessable properties within the district. And whereas the assessment role so prepared was filed in the village clerk's office and was available there for inspection. And whereas by mailing on December 16th, 2025, the village tax collector notified the owner of each property listed in ordinance number 4053 of the amount of the special assessment to be paid on his or her property for the year 2026. And whereas by mailings on various dates, including May 14th, 2026, the Village Clerk notified all said property owners of their right to object to the special assessment in writing and to appear at a public hearing before the Village Council at Village Hall on June 8th, 2026 at seven o'clock p.m. regarding objections to the special assessments. And whereas in compliance with the above Reference laws of Village Council received 26 written objections and conducted the public hearing on June 8, 2026, whereas on July 10, 2026, the Village Attorney, on behalf of the Village Council, sent letters to the owners of the following properties denying their objections. 20 East Richard Avenue, Block 3809, Lot 1. 310 Spring Avenue, Block 4011, Lot 2. 553 North Maple Avenue, Block 2904, Lot 19. 555 North Maple Avenue, block 2904, lot 20. 595 North Maple Avenue, block 2904, lot 27. 1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 4205, lot 7.01. 60 South Maple Avenue, block 3706, lot 6. 112 Oak Street, block 2009, lot 1. 215 West Ridgewood Avenue, block 2113, lot 17. 35-37 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 3805, lot 17. 54-56 Oak Street, block 3805, lot 5. 579 Franklin Turnpike, block 4703, lot 20. 200 South Broad Street, block 3905, lot 6. 210 South Broad Street, block 3905, lot 7. 555 Route 17, block 4703, lot 8. 265 Ackerman Avenue, block 2314, lot 6. 158-162 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 3704, lot 4. 240 Paramus Road, block 4806, lot 1. 1250 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 4205, lot 11.01. 1172 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 4205, lot 6.01. 1156 East Ridgewood Avenue, block 4205, lot 5. 5 Robinson Lane, block 2001, lot 14. 947 Linwood Avenue, block 4807, lot 2. And whereas due to pending litigation, was the property owner, the village attorney, mailed notice to the legal representative that the village council takes no action at this time and reserves the right to accept or deny the objections once the litigation is resolved with respect to the following properties. 223 North Van Dien Avenue, block 3301, lot 51. 505 Goffel Road, block 2507, lot 2.301. And 505 Goffel Road, block 2807, lot 2.302. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood that it hereby approves the amounts of the special assessment amounts as set forth in the assessment roll and ratifies its responses to the objections as described above. May I have a motion?

So moved.

Second.

Mortimer?

So I'm very much in favor of making sure that we're doing what's right for our downtown, and I 100% believe that the SID is going to make a big difference. And with that said, as the SID was being developed and we were up here discussing it and we talked with our consultant, I was told at that time that things need to be adjusted if we so decide. And I've always been uncomfortable with some of the... the assessments, especially for the not-for-profits, and especially after listening to the objections and reading them as well, I just do not believe that I can in good faith vote yes, so I will be voting no. Okay.

Perrin? Yeah, we did send out these letters, and I feel that this is appropriate, and I vote in favor.

So I feel that the downtown district has needed the SID for a long time. I'd like to encourage everybody to participate in downtown this summer because it needs it. I want to thank everybody who helped and had a hand in it, especially Ms. Pamela. I'm going to vote yes, but I do welcome amendments that will be reviewed later this year, and I'm just grateful to this team and everybody who listened, and I vote yes.

And then Mayor Radjanos is recused.

And let's move on. I'm sorry? Comments from the public?

No, no, no.

What's that? Resolution. You're done.

Okay.

Let's go to public comment. Boyd A. Lovering, Ridgewood resident. I'd just like to know what the outcome of that was. Did it pass or did it not pass? So perhaps once my comments are finished, you can... It passed.

It passed.

It passed. So three votes weren't required.

2 to 1.

Okay, thank you. There were two resolutions tonight that were approved by the council in the consent agenda dealing with the paving of South Pleasant. It's my recollection that there was an open issue with respect to South Pleasant and that was parking in the bike lane. I know we took money, we took a grant for that paving and there was some question about whether or not we would have to return the grant or make some changes of some sort because people are still parking in the bike lane even though they're not supposed to park in the bike lane. So I've got a question as to where that stands. What's the story with the parking on the bike lane and when we're not supposed to park in the bike lane? And also with respect to the resolutions that were just approved for more paving to take place, Are there going to be bike lanes on this stretch that is going to be paved, or have we stopped putting a bike lane in on South Pleasant? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Boyd. Anybody else? Seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment and open it up to the council for response.

Mayor, I'll address Mr. Loving's comment. So you are correct. The bike lane, as it was established on the first phase of this project, was in the parking lane. After discussion with the council, council made a decision not to create any parking restrictions so people could continue to park there because obviously there was some public concern about that. So at this point, that stands with the status quo. Phase two, which was awarded tonight, the bike lane will be outside of the parking lane. And then once that project is complete, we'll do an assessment of how to readdress the bike lane in phase one. So that's the game plan.

Anybody else? Seeing no one, we close public comment. I'm going to entertain a resolution to go into closed session.

It be resolved by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood that the Village Council meet in closed session on July 15, 2026 at 7.30 p.m. or soon thereafter as the matter under agenda can be reached. And to take closed session, be held in the caucus room on the fourth floor of the Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Be it further resolved. Does the matter to be discussed in closed session include legal matters including Belvedere v. Ridgewood and personal matters to include Finance Department Village Manager's Office? These matters are allowable under NJSA 10.4-12 at SEC. Be it further resolved that the minutes of this meeting shall be made available to the general public when such matters have been deemed completed by resolution of the Village Council. I have a motion.

So moved. Second.

All in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Thank you.