Good evening everyone. There isn't a time, date, location and agenda of this meeting to the extent then known was provided at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of this meeting in the following manner pursuant to the provisions of chapter 231 of the law in 1975. by posting such notice on the bulletin board in municipal building, and by email notification generated by IQ M to the offices of independent press Bloomfield life, Star ledger patch barista net, and tap into blofield curve, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.
stands one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice.
to start the evening off. We have a presentation for 19 dash 35 Broad Street,
some hair on letting the
applicant and his consultant and then our development attorney john Hoffman. They're all going to the meeting at some point. And we are this is a development that we've been working with on a redevelopment planet at Broad Street right next to the college residence halls a few years back in the end, our counselor john hop working with Alex have Laski, who's on the call and I think Christy Bartolo is an architect or designer. So they're here tonight to present to the council a a plan for planned for the redevelopment of this area. Five streets, five buildings joined together and
Mr.
Alex, can you are you able to in here with us see who's going to speak up? Yes. Hi. Can you hear me? Yes to hear you now. Okay. Thank you. Yes. They have me on mute. Okay. All righty. Okay. Let me start video as well. Can you see me as well or not? Yeah.
Okay, well, I'll just speak. Okay.
All right. So Good evening. Okay. I'm excited to present to you this exciting transformation project, which we've been working on Alex.
I'm sorry. Is there a way you can just do that on the phone with Sam because as people come in, we're going to have to do a soundcheck so be quiet for TV 35 and you do that on the phone with him so that we can hear you right now?
Yes. Okay. Okay. I'm gonna I'm gonna call him by phone or asking you to call in via phone. Okay, wait,
okay, this is what
you guys need to talk to somebody like to go over your presentation speak to each other on the phone because we're
going to have to do a soundcheck.
Okay, and everybody's going to be able to deck comes on video is going to be able to hear you. Okay.
Sorry.
I apologized. Members Council and the public. First time we've got a visitation like this on zoom. A little awkward and just give us a minute or two.
Together.
Not quite certain what happened there, but
I'm just telling you right now.
To some somewhere else.
Okay. Hi. Hi. Can you hear me? Oh, I we hear is fine to your video, but I've let you in on the phone. So go ahead. Okay. Okay, so great. So, all right. Good evening. I'm excited to present you this transformational project.
Alex, you can't do it that way. You're getting feedback. So either get off zoom or get off your phone. Okay, I'm on zoom. Now. You can hear me? Yes. Okay. Let me consider it. Okay, great. All right. So I'm very excited to present to you this transformational project that we've been working on for about a year. Now. We've had some very positive meetings with the business administrator, the planner, redevelopment Council and the financial laws. I'm under contract to purchase the site at 19 to 35 Broad Street, which currently consists of a Joyce Leslie store, a cell phone, doctors store and about four other smaller stores. The property is located in a redevelopment zone, and we are submitting a fully conforming plan. The concept is for the development of 86 luxury rental apartments 131 parking spaces, and about 3000 square feet of retail space on the roads. Currently, the project site consists of about 30,000 square feet of underutilized space. It's about it's almost a full acre of real estate that desperately needs redevelopment. So the proposed project runs on both Broad Street and Franklin Street and it's located in the Bloomfield center redevelopment plan. The plan is for e6 apartments, which will generate over 175,000 a year in new property tax revenue, and that it can be used for additional bonding capacity in the township to use for any municipal purposes need. The other benefits are that there's going to be over 200 new construction jobs created as well. Well as indirect economic benefits from the new residents that will live there and spend money in the community. So the plant redevelopment is going to activate this Main Street in Bloomfield, and and live in the center of town. It's going to create much needed housing for the community in the area that's close to the train station. It's essentially going to fulfill the recommendations of the Bloomfield center redevelopment plan, and maintain the aesthetic design of the Bloomfield college building next door. The plan department unit mix is going to be at 5% Studios, and 15% one bedroom apartments, we anticipate a construction timetable of 12 to 15 months from the time that rules are in place. Most of the apartments, as you'll notice, are planned to these smaller studios and one bedroom. So thereby lowering requirements regarding the look and feel for the building is going to be consistent with the surrounding area, including the Bloomfield college buildings, and similar to the green across the street. And you'll notice that medium density residential is a permitted and they encouraged us in the VCR Community Development Plan. Part of the redevelopment plan actually allows for up to six stories with bonuses but we feel like five stories is, you know, hype for this building. And the redevelopment plan also encourages the assemblage of small parcels to create larger, more efficient development sites. So that's essentially what we've done here. And there's a variety of heights and roof lines that are heard in this redevelopment zone. And that's why we're building five storeys to be promoting the variety within the neighborhood builders. So I'd like to thank the business administrator. Now if you walk into the planner, body plan, Development Council and financial advisor, we will voice their support and enthusiasm for our project. And we're happy to move forward with the package that we've submitted in front of you contains sorry, fans, the renderings, some financial information, and other general answers to questions that may come up. So we're hopeful that you'll support this project and move us forward to the next step to be designated as redevelopment as the developer. So we could submit a full site plan for funding for that. Thank you, Alex. Mayer, this point, you counseling packets, the entire plan that he mentioned. What what? Aside from any questions that you might have, what we're looking for, is some sense of whether or not to designate Mr. Constantine, as the redevelopment or service area, then it goes on to the plane. That's what we're looking for. I there is no pilot involved. This is just straight up, conforming use. And so that's that, Michael, do you have anything? Yeah. Thanks, Matt. I just did have a question. We do have john Hoffman on.
Who is has been our redevelopment Council and he and his associates, and partners have reviewed his plans. And I just wanted to ask, Mr. Hoffman a question because the mayor and council operate here as as a development entity, so you wouldn't have to approve and designate the developer as the as the conditional redevelop of this project. And unlike some of the more recent projects we've looked at, where we are back and forth with the planning board and seeking an area in need in the zoning study, and then fat loss and maximum planning work, this is an existing redevelopment area, I think. The presenter indicated that it's phase two glucose center development plan. So I wanted to ask Mr. Hoffman does the plan that he's reviewed, is it in accordance with the redevelopment plan, as well as any other ordinances or multiple new developments inside accordance with the redevelopment plan, the bulk requirements, the parking requirements to mix a residential and commercial which is permitted. The step you're taking now is appointing him as an interim redeveloper under your plan, and we have to come back with a redevelopment agreement for your approval. Within 90 days from the from the data, you would designate them as for redevelopment. That's a plan that he has presented and formed in all respects. Again, at the door, there's a height of four floors, but you can go to six floors. If you accumulate parcels, he's accumulated four parcels. So five floors would be permitted. The parking at 131 spaces is permitted for the number of apartments, which are the bulk of live or studio and there are the things to live in one day. Thank you, john. So my point is, in asking that question about the redevelopment plan is that all the studies and evaluations of the location have been done the reading, so the fact that this fits what's been pre approved for this site and the site around it is important. It's not something that is a square peg in a round hole. It's, it's totally appropriate for this within this plan, and more importantly, we can apply it. And as john said, we would would now work on a formal redevelopment agreement between the developer and cash and that would come back to us as well. Perfect. Thanks, Mike. I just have a couple of questions. For Alex, what was the number of one bedroom studio again? So it's essentially we had 85% Studios, and the rest are one bedrooms. Alright, so we have a 61 units. Here, that's okay, here we go. So we have 86 units, we have 12 that are one bedrooms and exactly 74 that are studios. Can I just ask you, and I'm not actually love that. But what made you come up with that formula for the studio compared to one bedroom? Okay, so it was a combination of having to meet the market demand for smaller apartments, and also what we could physically fit on the site. So, you know, we decided a certain size, and we need to add space for parking and so on. So we had to coordinate and come up with a formula, you know, and obviously, my architect who's on she was also very helpful with coming up with that number of studios versus perfect. No, thank you. Because, you know, we get developers all the time, that trying to force all these two bedrooms, and they don't realize that there's a better market for studio and one bedroom apartments. Absolutely. Yes. Does anybody from the Council have any questions or comments for Alex? I do. Yes. Counselor rock. Yeah. So this is a really important location. For us. It's like the keystone of our Bloomfield. And basically, I think the project looks good. I just want to make a comment about retail storefronts.
I think the I mean, you know, there's a lot of difficulty in renting retail at this time because of COVID. But also, because of online shopping, and we do have some vacancies in the center. I think it's really important for a building like this to have really nice storefronts that are really going to attract people, possibly some outdoor seating some landscape into something that's really going to, to attract draw people in and attract their attention to the retail spaces. We have some vacancies in some of the buildings that are basically a flat piece of glass with a door in them. And I don't think people are finding those as far as rentals. I don't think people are finding those very appealing. So I just want to make the point that what you know, whatever i think i think the retail, the look and the retail, something that's really attractive are going to attract people to these retail spaces, I think is very important to us.
So thanks.
Thanks, Counselor, Rockwell. Does anybody else in the Council have any questions for Alex, we have our attorney jump off and on. Okay, do we need a resolution moving this forward? Michael, Matt. Mayor, what we'd ask his council to look this over the next few weeks, and we would put this on for the 22nd of February for for vote as Mr. Hoffman describing our designated developer. Perfect. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Alice.
NASA quick question.
You know, I think rituals, observation is excellent. And I'm wondering to what degree do we are the planning board Have some ability to to encourage, you know, more attractive, sweet
front
in,
you know,
an aesthetic?
Or is that who, how, who
controls that?
I think that Councilman Davis, I think that's more for us as a governing body are kind of really dive into what could be a good fit over there. I mean, the good thing is, you know, somewhat of a 3000, square feets pretty decent size, but it's not overwhelming, overwhelming. So I think we can do a lot over there, we just need to put our heads together, maybe put a committee together, kind of start concentrating on small businesses in our in the downtown.
I just know that there have been instances where by the atomic, you know, it gets a little bit further down the line. We're told, well, it conforms. And so there's nothing that we can do about it. And I'm just wondering if we can,
you know, keep that in mind? Because,
you know, it's one thing to have either understand the residential and, and, and business dimension of it. But if there's no no real interest in in drawing people in there, and it's really focused on the residential, we keep the empty storefronts, and that doesn't that's not the farm, or are the chemistry of that that area?
Yeah, I agree. Can I ask a question of just a Mr. Hartman, is that something that can be worked into a redevelopment agreement? Maybe not as specific, but just some, some of the guidance that mayor and council talking about in terms of the aesthetic
thing, we could try to work in it?
We can't dictate entirely, but we could, you know, we could have influence as to the type of storefronts
and the question. Yes. Council.
Is that also still within the historic?
Like the historic zone?
I don't think more Councilman Rockwell, maybe on the Franklin Street side, but I don't think so. No, no, it's not. Okay. Mayor, if I may suggest that as far as naming a designated developer, this is the step that we're looking towards. But I think if you want to name a committee of the council to work with Mr. Hoffman and Miss Flynn to on the redevelopment plan, and address some of those issues that would be appropriate. Okay. Okay. Yeah, we can, we can discuss that later. So, there's any before does anybody have any questions before we let Alex and is there Hoffman? Oh.
Okay. Thank you guys. We appreciate your time. And we'll see you in a couple of weeks. Very, very much. Thank you.
Okay. Okay. JOHN, thank you very much for that. JOHN. Go to Yes. Yep.
Okay. public comment.
Do we have anything, Louise?
No, I haven't received any written Mayor will check the phone.
Your view then? I'm sorry.
There are no written communications. We're checking the phone now. Does anyone know? Okay.
All right. township administrator. It's very good. Thank you. Just a little update on the on the COVID. Where we are first of all our numbers have been out saying we thought for a moment there, at least I did that are dropping pretty quickly. The AJC councils around based on just calendar reporting happens. I am pleased that we Mayor worked on a thing with a private company to do testing. So we're doing testing right now seven days a week at what's testing school that's done by appointment. I will I will start to drop off as demand drops but right now the demand is high. So we're, we're doing that seven days a week. I'm very happy that we were able to do that. We advertise that that's on our website. Information is on our website to make that appointment. So we we are for Continuing that program cildo word about the township health department and administering vaccines. But we are I know the mayor's working with governor's office and other mayor's are trying to get that so that we can help out, especially our senior population might not be able to get through the vaccination center easily. That's kind of important here. And I, for the residents that didn't get a chance to see, last week, we did a seminar in the vaccine. That was very, very well, well done. We had Dr. Chris Brunel, on there, and she gave a lot of good reasoning why people should get the vaccine, we're going to be posting the county recently sent out as of six o'clock, all the sites throughout Essex County, so we can get that posted. And people try to make appointments, not just at the county sites, but also private offices that are doing the vaccine as well. And we are a group of mayors, we're trying to work with the governor's office to get the vaccine ourselves with our house health department. First step we're trying to do is for homebound seniors, and then expand it after that, but everything is supply and demand right now. So when the governor's office when the state gets it, hopefully we'll get it and the county gets it as well. So and that's all on COVID.
I'm sorry, overdue.
So you have in front of you a proposed amendment to allow for food trucks. You know, we talked about this last fall, kind of went back and forth on a number of ideas. And so we've come down to a recommendation that we would allow for for five food cup licenses, that would be in specific areas. We kind of we thought about the logical areas that the and away from any, certainly not very the restaurants that are distinct. One at a processing train station, one at the Bloomfield train station, besides at the side, area, mansion, and then one and maybe in the north end, we thought was to put it near the office buildings at at at broad acres. So the the way this would be done is done every year as an option in the sense of bidding for those licenses. This way you get a fair price. That's actually consistent with the law, too. I would have if anybody did, but you do give preference to Bloomfield businesses that offer this service. So it's here for discussion. And, Michael, I guess I should first ask you to add a more meat to that short summary. I think I think you hit the high points about designating specific areas that concern will have infringing on freshwater places, and people who are paying taxes and paying rent in buildings not to be impacted by by the food trucks, although there's a desire to have food trucks, you think limiting them to certain locations would be the most beneficial. And it wouldn't be done as he concession type of bids. So potential bidders would, wouldn't be how much we pay for the item is how much they pay back. And this doesn't take away from those things that are already just being like, you know, like our national night out, porpoise live, where recreation has special events and as food trucks there. That's still that's still a separate part thing we've cleaned up. We talked also about the ice cream trucks with john, and those near and dear to some, and we've cleaned that up a little bit. But we did that last fall when we talked about it. So we think this is a balanced approach. And it's really here for your discussion, because if you agree with it, get on with it so that we have this benefit from it. So two things I think one of the one One of the locations I think should be the Lackawanna train station instead of the Watson train station. And I think that I like the fact that we're making it exclusive for Linfield residents. And then if if we don't have enough then we go back to if we can make a quick Essex County
right after Bloomfield and then
the I think it's very important that one other thing that we should look into is including it you know, if you do if you are one of the five you can have the at the events also with that we have not the year not a separate permit. I think that permit should cover you know, these events as well. Okay. And if I was, I don't I'm not sure if I just started June, or we had said Lackawanna and wants us seeing both train stations. Are you saying just sorry, I didn't hear Lackawanna I'm sorry. So yes, I'm okay with that. Yeah. Okay. I just wanted to make sure I think Lackawanna is a good a good site. Yeah. Yeah. And then I would do it where that if we could do it, where they can rotate as well, throughout the different sites, where, you know, let's say the person was the, the one there, the broad acres, you know, they get that for certain months out of the year instead of the whole year. Okay. You know, just so people just so they get a taste of different because the Lackawanna train station Park might be more busy than the broad acres then compared to, so we kind of everything's worked in there. Right. Right. Okay.
Sounds good to me.
There's, that's all I have. Does any council people have any insight or any?
Yes, Councilman Dell.
I'm just for clarification. A, first of all, I
want to say thank you for addressing the ice cream trucks, particularly by the school. So I know that's been an issue. I've heard about it a lot. So thank you very much for that. The fact the five that you're talking about, is that inclusive of nice contracts, or is that separate?
locked in the numbers? So
the the ice cream shops are separate? or separate? They have
different kinds of whatever.
Yeah, some trucks are just defined differently than I shouldn't trust.
Anyone, anyone else? Anybody else?
Okay, okay. We'll get this together and, and get that out to you soon can introduce on February 22. Okay. Okay. Number three. Number three, they are they this, you guys have heard about this a lot, just from my reports. And also I think this is fairly simple situation where there is a the property line between line eight and greenbrook. There's a fence along that area that needs to be replaced and that in if we were to put the fence on property lines, normally our pets go then then we would have to cut out a lot of mature trees that are have already grown up there long road up there. And well what we looked at we had a survey done which was included in your packet, and basically it's a small strip of land at its widest points is imp that would allow us to put the fence nine feet into our property, the tenant that just leaves a little strip of No Man's Land Between Us greenbook we want to make sure that green growth was if they were interested in taking that piece of land or at least having easement which is what we were recommending now because the company was acquired, we think as subdividing it off would be a problem for us and a lot of paperwork. So we would like to basically enter into an agreement with the green become owners associations to do a easement. Permanent easement there that we're putting the fence on our land, allowing them to maintain that photo strip that's designated in that map. A very long narrow strip, way the fence can be replaced, which is desperate in desperate need right now. So let me let me ask this, how about is there? If we have mature trees that are natural, are they a natural divide of the properties? They are? They are Why, why do we need a fence? Oh, well, there, it's not that thick. It's it's you walk right through it. And, and there's there was a fence there, there is a fence there, it's not down, it's fallen through In fact, trees have grown through it. So it would just be to secure the properties both on for both of us and, and the greenbrook. Home. It was always contemplated flip that fence there, it's just this location is is we didn't realize that it actually would require this cutting block. It I did meet with the homeowners association board. They agreed with it, they thought it was a good idea. And they're we're very excited about the fence. It is within the contractor already had it in which ready to go your agreement? Does any council member have any questions? Councilman Davis?
I'm just so if how do we contractually assure that Oh, how do we assure interest? How do we ensure the maintenance of that easement area? If Is this a situation that's binding going forward? Or is it you know, 20 years from now, they could say we no longer want to do that? Or we don't want to maintain that space? How exactly does that How? How much enforcement in terms of the maintenance aspect of that is is embedded in what we're proposing
it Michael like, yeah, I can answer the easement agreement with speak to that, but define the responsibilities. So would be for the term of however long we've met this, which is it's recorded, it's almost like a deed. So I would run with the life of easement if there was a change in what what we were they wanted to do, we would look to just get rid of that easement do something different, but whatever the terms we put in there, so maintenance replacement as necessary. Now we'll be using that. So
I'm asking this because we've had other situations where things have you know, needed to be maintained, and just making sure that that we have some you know, if ever became an issue that it would be some way that we can assure that it would be addressed in
the record, we want to have some recourse for you. Because you can have you can have things in writing, forget about it or don't know about it. And then don't force it. Like they say this is worth it's not worth the paper it's written off but we haven't at least Yeah, so Okay.
For is something that I've been kind of working on the township engineer. And and
as you know, we have
we we've worked, we've worked very successfully with the state infrastructure bank, called the ibank. And we've done that with our water projects of the interconnection and our water meter program. And also our lead program, which we'll talk about later the service line replacement program, they have now expanded the program to incorporate road improvement projects. Typically they coordinated those those road improvement projects with the newest Jersey Department of Transportation, their their local aid program. So that if if you enter into a program, which would be a three year phase program, they would they would put up the money for us as as funding for the program and then would coordinate the reviews and regulations. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has on road programs, especially in the local local aid programs. And my thought was to oppose the the, from our list that we developed last year, take this case 21 of our roads, and that you had that list in front of you, and that those roads would become our three year road Improvement Program. This would be the largest, most impactful rotary Recruitment Program that we've done, ever that I know of. And we've done quite a bit. But you know, we did run into problems last year with with the obvious pandemic, we couldn't do longer roads, this, what it does is it takes the grant program, and I think programs that would fund this and bind it together and sets in motion a three year program. So that what that does is it really sets it up so that people call in and you get these calls all the time. But when's my road going to be? Done? Well, you know, for the past couple years, then we haven't had the money. Now we have the money we set in place, we do this, we don't. It's like a line of credit. So as we do the programs, as we do objects, and we borrowed, we borrowed the money that gets short term money, and it keeps an outside of our debt load is thought to pay money back, obviously. But it keeps it off our debt load that we shall have to show our annual debt statement. It's my judgment, this is a perfect scenario, in that you get funding, we have coordinated review. And anything that we get from DMV, as far as grant money goes, it all goes all the trappings of this. And you know, hopefully, in two, three years, we have extra line of credit left, and we make it a four year program. What it does for you in the public is it guarantees you know, a couple million dollars worth of road improvements every year. And this is a this is it's a big program, it's $6.9 million, almost $7 million worth of road improvements. And we think this is a good scenario a lot in low interest, money, and coordinated so that the cost of it for professional side is better. And you don't have so much review. That theory requires high pay a full life together combined, they accept each other's review, though it's here for your consideration. What we're asking for, is if you agree with this idea that that entrepreneur and I proceed with ibank and DMT to the other program, that you would ultimately pass resolution adopting. But right now I want to make sure before we go through that work that you're in agreement with this as an if you have any concerns about it. Does any council member have any questions or comments or concerns? I was just curious, is the streets on this based off of I know
the engineering department and worked on a list of like in the streets, just want to make sure that these are the most in need. That's exactly where this list came from. We had a we had a traffic engineer do a thorough study of all our streets. He graded them and graded them. In fact, it's on our website, we took the worst ones. And also in fact in this is Broughton Avenue from LA Chung to Alison Street. That was that we already received a grant for but we could we're not too late to put that into this project so that we get most of that's being funded by the FBI grant. The other are matched up from IP.
Does anybody else have any questions or comments?
Okay, perfect. Right? If there's no objection, then I we will we will get that process together and get that in front of you for final okay. Next two items Mayor are with our esteemed recreation director Michael Sturm is on with us. He has two programs that he wants to discuss. Your mayor and council. What you have before you is our financial assistance program, which is a program designed by our department with the help of our advisory committee, it actually works as a mechanism or a tool to be able to help struggling families in town with the registration fee for our recreation programs. It's a mechanism tool for us to ultimately raise funds. And basically to increase participation, we never want any of our residents to have the financial barrier. I've been burned with the Board of Ed that they would allow us to use the free and reduced lunch meal program as our basis as our sounding board as far as what the what the reductions would be, there's a 50% reduction, excuse me, there's a 25% reduction in a 50% reduction based on reduced lunch and free lunch. So the residents would be required to pay their share. And then the other portion would come from this financial assistance club. And now more than ever, with COVID and people struggling with is it just gives us an opportunity that our residents have an opportunity to increase participation. And with that, okay.
Is anybody have any questions, comments for Mike? Yeah, just one, would it be possible along with the AIM Program to provide a mechanism for donations, there may be families who would like to say, I'd like to make a contribution toward helping the child who cannot afford an explanation can come whatever numbers, you all decide for your advisory group, but a separate line item for that. Yeah, so so we have the ability through our online registration portal, to have a donation before you complete the registration fee. So if I'm registering for my child for an art program for $40, prior to that registration, going through and ask if you want to make a donation towards this point, we can we can implement that. And those funds would then be directly attributed to that account, it wouldn't go through general accountant would go specifically for this financial assistance programs. And with the whole full approval of the mayor and council level also give us an opportunity with our advisory committee to actually run a fundraising mechanism, maybe the golf outing that we do my thing funds from that are like earmark certain funds for that. But yes, they're in our registration process, you will have the ability to use so if you are, it's not mandatory. But if you want to do whether it's $1 $5, or any mechanism to do that, every little bit helps. So my thought is as one person, I'd like to make a contribution towards the fund in general. And you per se, as the director or the committee who are reviewing the applicants can make a decision, because what even the 125 hours per child may be too much for some, but can be said that we have a fund put aside. And from that fun, and again, it can be with a determination like that's kind of where Mike okay, right. So, so with that with that one, there's also a mechanism within this program, that if you said you had a neighbor, or you had a resident that you specifically wanted to donate and not make a generic donation, you can specifically make a donation for a neighbor, or you know, somebody that's struggling, you can make a specific donation for that family. And it doesn't go to the general fund this will be in their quote unquote, family bank that can utilize throughout throughout. So there's a there the ability for generic donations as well as specific donations that's earmarked by that. Okay, my guess my question is, it's a great idea is to market that to the public. So yeah, I don't have to say you do that extremely well, but get it out to the public as soon as we get the approval. And, and I believe my view is that as the mechanism whether it's an ordinance or a forum, once that is done, we'll be able to promote it and get going. Okay, Thanks, Mike. What, what dollar amount Are you looking at to cover, you know, the 5000 10,000 that you think would cover this, making sure no kid that wants to participate, can participate. Currently, right now, we're looking to try and raise the funds as much as we possibly can. We're going to set The Four Seasons, those four seasons are spicy spring, summer and fall, based on the amount of money that we have in that account, when we break them into four distinct four distinct seasons, I would say, you know, I, I don't know the amount of participation or the need, I know there obviously is based on the free and reduced numbers that we have in our elementary schools and our high school. So this would be for participants 18. And under, I would say a number, a good starting point would be somewhere around $1,000, maybe $10,000. And that would be $2,000 per per season. Our, our traditional programs when we're in person are typically between 40 and $60. So that can be a reduction of $30 per family up to a maximum of 25. With our with our online registration programs that currently $15. So it would be seven and a half dollars. So obviously, you know, with our with our COVID tactics now, and our online programming, we've drastically reduced those numbers, we want to make it economical for our residents. But I would say $90,000 would be a great number. And ultimately, I believe our our advisory committee is looking forward to trying to come up with some fundraising opportunities, whether it's a yearly gala, or the golf outing, or something along those lines. Does anybody else have any questions, comments, concerns, and though Diana, we might have to start charging for weddings again, and given the money.
basically done that in the past and not every little bit helps. I mean, we've had, we've had people already, you know, put donations, I don't want to put the cart before the horse. But there's people that are willing and able and ready to do that our our community, as you know, is always willing to step up. Yeah.
And when
Councilman down.
So I want to say thank you, because I know that you spend a lot of time working with this subcommittee to look over this policy. And this has been an ongoing conversation. So really good job. I think one of the things that this does, is I think there's folks that will probably come out of the woodwork once they know about it. Often I think they might just assume that they're not able to participate. Right. So I think once it's advertised, that will make a big difference for folks. So I can understand how it works. So you could say right now, how much you might need. Because it might actually in fact, be more most people know about the product
we're working with, you know, we're committed to doing this as a as our department and I know, you know, with your support, we're committed to doing this and we need to raise more money. We've seen, you know, you see what our department specifically can do as far as fundraising for our summer fund. So in my eyes, this is a legacy. This is something that will last well beyond hopefully my years on this will be something
and it says this is off topic, but quickly, I just wanted to congratulate you publicly on your certification as a park and recreation professional. So nice work. Thank you.
All right.
Do we need to move this Michael to the 22nd?
I got a motion.
Motion. Second. Counselor modelle second counselor gamble. Any questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay, and next up, that's gonna be quick. So we have a municipal Park donation program. And this is something that we've been going back and forth on whether we talked about like an honor garden or a rock garden or have the ability to honor whether it be a loved one who maybe unfortunately passed away, or favorite teacher or some someone on retirement. This again provides a mechanism or a tool for a resident within our community that wants to flood the municipal park bench in someone's honor in any of the municipal parks in town. So this was again vetted by our advisory committee, which has really ramped up during COVID and will continue in 2021. That basically allows for the purchase of the bench the installation of the bench would be a donation of $1,750. That includes the cost of the bench, assembly, delivery and installation. Our advisory committee would have the opportunity to go around and we would predetermine spots within every municipal Park. We have a previous predetermined size and color finish so that we have uniformity throughout the the opportunity throughout the park system. And this would now allow residents a centralized location above one, or to celebrate a momentous occasion within our system loading increases, helps our system and also gives them that ability. Does any council member have any questions, comments? for Mike about this?
idea? Yes, Councilman.
I just I like the idea. And I also wanted to know, is it possible to do some sort of
some of the existing benches at a lower price point.
So there's another opportunity
that has not been addressed. But it's something that we could ultimately go to the drawing board. So if it's something that we feel strongly about, we could do sell, we do want the ability to put new benches in so that we could kind of phase out some of the older benches. But if you would be the mayor of the company supportive of the purchase of the new benches, we could have to go back to the advisory committee and see if there's, we just want to make sure that we weren't concerned that this is something that Matt, we're proud to be with you, we want to make sure that it's universal. So as I say, there is an opportunity for the existing partners, we want to make sure that the plan is the same, and it's the same costs for everyone. And everyone goes through the same, the same mechanisms, the same process to get that done. So if that's something that you would like our advisory committee, to go back to the drawing board, we can look into that.
Not all benches have the ability
to do that. But we could probably come up with something on a lesser of a price point to do so. One thing that we can do the existing benches, I would recommend possibly planting a tree in someone's honor. Or let's say a resident wants to spend $150 or $100, to plant the tree. And maybe we can put like a little tag on the tree, this tree is in honor of this person lived in town, the gal instead of you know, that's something that may be cheaper, and it's, you know, more friendly to the environment.
I was just thinking of something that would make it more accessible for people. So I like that idea as well.
Is that something that you would want in lieu of the park bench? Because I know a couple. I would do both? If we can do both? I think seven what was it 1750? Almost $2,000. A lot of money to spend for bench, you know where I think a tree? Yes. I mean, it's not as nice as the bench. But the tree is, you know, would be symbolic for a family member or something like that. So, so so it's a park bench is is that price point? I guess what I can do is I can speak with quality. I mean, so at the end the the arborist to see what type of trees would be, you know, party enough to survive. And what, that's a six gauge or an eight gauge tree at X amount would be, that might be the $250 option. But we would definitely go I would, I would definitely need help with your words to say where, what style and that's something that we could look into. So we can amend this part vege donation where if this is agreeable to you, I will come back if I can to the drawing board from the next meeting and potentially add that in there. And I'll do my research on cost of trees and what age or what size, the only thing that does come with that is mortaring up the trees, which has to be an additional know if Yeah, I mean, maybe we do it in conjunction where when we do a tree planting at the same time we do it, you know, certain times throughout the year, that might be an option to help out dp who don't want to overload them. But you know, we can do it that way.
So are we talking about? I mean, I guess I'm also wondering, how many trees would possibly be needed?
Sort of,
I'm just trying to measure this, you know, the, I know the idea is to provide some funding, and to serve a way to sort of honor someone's memory. But I'm just wondering, in the mix of things like how many trees would need to be, I'm actually imagining that, you know, yes, a lower price point would be more attractive, but also as maybe many more people who would want it so if we, if we were talking about 10 trees, you know, those are still like that. I'm imagining 250 guys So how many trees will be the I guess I'm gonna say is that it's already moving ahead. On a particular plan, let's like, get a sense of how, what the capacity would be like, because we have to do 100 trees, that'd be great. But we only can do 20 trees, I can imagine, though we actually have
a rush on it, we would be,
you know, Michael will be designing a little platform, I was just a tree at seminary, that could be an option,
Michael would need to get what Paul and the arborist and see you know, what locations or options and how many, how much space and capacity we can ask for if that if we do go that route. There also be there would also be an idea where I would assume the arborist would say there's obviously planting season, so you wouldn't want to plant it in the decade of July or August. So it's a spring and summer. And if we're concerned about the burden of it, maybe what we do is say, Hey, we're going to do 12 to 15, in the spring planting, and 12 to 15, in the in the fall planting is first come first serve. And if you don't hit this calendar year, then you would you would you would go to the 2022 pounds a year to be put on the spring list. And then we can gauge how many how many, what what type of participation or interest that we would have. And then we just have to come up with the cost of the of the tree and then the plaque, obviously, we would want to fix it to the to the brand new bark of a brand new tree. But then we also just we need to be mindful. And I know this is something that the historic Review Board was was concerned about people wanting to do so on the green that there's a natural flow of trees that we just want additional monuments and different things like that there too. So that is
something to be considered as well. All right. And if there's if it's and sort of built in the net price of our costs, we need to look at
how much
watering a new tree, you know that the maintenance of the new trees and the I love the idea of new trees, I'm not against it, I'm just thinking that we the whole lot, I think the whole idea is started with this idea of how do we bring in revenue to be able to enhance that particular area. So if we, if we have a tree that's $250, under the maintenance required, you know, there's costs associated with having to maintain those trees, they may end up being that there's a real minimal amount of revenue that can drop to drop in that. So I'm just I guess I'm just sort of, I don't want to be my thing. I'm an extra treats. But I just want to make sure that we looked at the whole big picture. So that we're not going through an awful lot of effort. And the end result is is in terms of the goal you're trying to reach really, really nominal,
right? Yeah, of course.
I'll be happy to meet with with a with yarders, we can call and come up with some some trees, what they would cost. And when the banking seasons are and what type of watering schedule that would have to include. And if it has to include outside of the normal day where we've got this for a water trough and your web parts to ultimately come back with that number. Maybe that number is 500 News forums. And
still I would also not inclined to do a lot of Plex. And I just said like that might sort of make it a
I Councilman Mendell, did you have something
they did? It's the goal here to cover just the cost of the tree or the cost of the bench. For those that also like another fundraising opportunity.
We were concerned after speaking with with Matt in the center, we were concerned about the price cost of 1750. We know that that is a lot of money. I think it could be potentially used as a revenue, maybe to fund something or to fund that that financial assistance program. But we were very cautious about adding additional funding for that. So that tree might be an option to do that at a lesser price point. But again, that would be up to the mayor and council or however you wanted to do that. I'll do whatever way you want to direct me but I'll try and get that information to you. price was the best price was set to just cover the cost because you know there. I know it sounds like a lot. that's those are very expensive. adventures 1350. The black was 50. And installation was between 303 50 That was our state contracting price for deliberate ventures which is 10 to 15% off of the original cost, which is through our Co Op.
It's It's fine if defenses are also a nice attraction for our hearts. That's lovely. And if you've been having some of these memories really lovely if there are other opportunities that you can build on for funding, you know, like with the trees or something else in the future, that is encouraging.
If it's okay at this point, because I know that there's been a lot of requests, a lot, a number of some several requests to do these benches, and we've kind of held them off. We could proceed with the benches, and then that now, because it has to be done an ordinance, I believe Michael fair in that, then then we would get the trees, you know, shortly, shortly thereafter, the trees can be handled through what they call tree theatres, the green plastic bags that go around the bottom of the tree that help keep the tree watered during this initial planting. We can I think that's all good. All right, perfect. Yeah, come back with us and I look forward to what's best. All right, Matt, want to work up? The next two issues are just two grants that we received. We're just asking you to accept them that's on the assistance of the firefighters grant program and the homeless prevention program. Both of those are programs
moved by Capitol
to get a second. Second. And Joanna, are we questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. X is a there were three three items for professional appointment. We're asking for recreational engineer PPD engineering. There would be a reappointment last year tax attorney to be Anglesey, no lobster or tax attorney. And then special counsel is Eric Bernstein and Durkin. darken. Those were those even after we did the list of things that you will prove that add them to our our list of professions. Okay, I get it. I can't draw out a second council model. Any questions comments? Yes. But their work they should open engineer? I have not heard of that. We use them. Is this the guy that we actually designed the part you know that our artists things like line gate? Okay, I get the soccer field season. This is a specialty item. Okay. Just curious. I've never heard that position. Any other questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. And number 10. Public Safety directors report. Evening Mayor Council, I forwarded all of you a copy of the January 2021 report wants to get a brief summary of what's in the report right now. So far for the year of 20.1. In the first month, we have four total internal affairs complaints. Three of those are external, and one of them is internal. It's a 33% reduction compared to six in the at the same time last year in the month of January. Three aspherical planes one was a demeanor complaint, where an officer had responded to a noise complaint from a citizen. The citizen indicated that the officer was rude and dismissive. We watched the body camera footage and the officer was everything but that he was courteous. It just wasn't going the way the citizen wanted, because legally the officer couldn't do what she wanted. And it was explained to her very thorough, politely and professional. And this was called to the complaint as well as offering an opportunity to come in and watch the video. On the second one was a complaint from a citizen that officer did not properly execute a police report and enter the information that the person said again, go back and watch the video footage from the body camera during a conversation between the officer and citizen. And the officer actually documented the report exactly as to what the Susan had said. It appeared as if she just wanted to change her story at that time. And this is certainly wasn't the way to go about it. Until both of those cases the officer has been exonerated. And third one is a complaint from a citizen of inappropriate activity taking place between police a member of police department a member of Township, a police vehicle. It's currently under active investigation by internal affairs and we're working together with the administrator's office and personally I wanted as well.
It was also one internal complaint and that was for an officer not having his car camera activated at a proper time when he pulled up to the scene that's currently being actively investigated by internal affairs as well as exactly the candle was an odd if it was intentionally turned off, that actually rises to the level of a fourth degree crime. And we'll deal with the pressures of the sun that is necessary. We have four early warning systems for the month of January, both of them or for them derived from from two agents of use of force that was used for forces were both in the month of January. One was two officers use physical force in a compliance hold on emotionally disturbed person to get the person secured on the stretcher and be transferred to the hospital. The use of force Review Board has watched the video and reviewed everything and all there and you just were justified in those blank cells. And the second one two officers were dispatched to to make an arrest for a person who was acting disorderly in the street issued a try to just calm the person down, but he's very combative. And the person was eventually placed on the rest of the compliance old was used on his arms to get them in handcuffs. Like I said, weapons is more viewed in detail by the use of force reviewed, what are the videos and reports and officers were justified. For more great stuff in the month of January were a total of 612. Out of those 612 98 or 32.35% were Caucasian 214 or 34.96% were African American, 164 26% Hispanic, and 37 stops for other. What we're doing that we're going to have prepared now for next month too is we're looking at the locations of stops. It's kind of hard to break it down by original SOPs in what parts of the city are they taking place, but we think we got a pretty good handle on it now on how to get that done through our computer system. So that should be an additional data information that will help you next month. We have 37 arrests during the month of January 27 of those arrests were initiated by calls for service from from complaints. Of those 27. The majority of them were for shoplifting again, shoplifting and warrants. 10 arrests were initiated by our police officers and the rest ranged from disorderly conduct. The DUI was the most prominent one, we got four of those two receiving stolen property stolen vehicle, and two persons that were wanted on warrants. We had our overall Part One crimes every month in January landed at 39 s down three incidents from 2020 from 42% time period. That is the initial crime numbers for 2021. I also included in your package, our statistical data, performance of all the officers and closeout rates and the executive summary at UPS another separate page. On training updates we've transitioned over time Tartaglia from Rutgers over the captain Connie gap originally was Captain spatola, when he was in internal affairs dealing with them Capricorns made the connection with them, they were anxious and excited to have to get rolling. With that, hopefully, we'll have some really good information coming out soon. We also as far as training look into something that I spoke about last month, where we talked about dealing with autistic people in the street, it indicated that we do have a database that we use for people that register for children, what we've identified with a company called the International Board of credentialing and continuing education, who has a particular autism training program for police officers. And we're in the process of getting that on board now. For whatever reason, we're having an issue with them wanting to get a new jersey BRC, we spoke to the combine any financing. It's something that has to be done for us to be genuine person we're so we're trying to walk them through the process of doing it's really simple. It's something that's done online. We also spoke about last month dealing with emotionally disturbed persons. We have a mechanism now to track particularly in our CAD system edps. And also we changed some of our disposition codes. So they can see how many of those jobs that we refer to the health department. for the month of January, we had a total of 23 calls for motion disturbed persons, only 23 and 13 are referred to our joint health department and pull apart these two were handled by emfs. One handled by police when we transport to the hospital that was a combative person, the officers working the ambulance with the with the person to protect the mess. And then the last two were down upon arrival of police officers at the scene. That's it for the executive summary of the report for the month. Open. Any questions? Anyone? Thank you, Director. We appreciate that. Does anybody have any questions or comments for direct through the mail?
I just wanted to thank the director for continuing to be responsive to the things that we're bringing up in particular to the last segment. Councilman Davis had brought up the question about, you know, autistic residents and you immediately responded to that and really
appreciate it.
Thank you for watching, and I don't know, for me, the publican council members, members of the governing body. Can you just give an update on the incident that happened on Sunday morning? Yes, so we hadn't even seen it on Bloomfield Avenue at a place that we weren't aware of it apparently is a second floor location at some type of recording studio. But apparently you're having the parties up here that went past as hours that they should have been open. Some people arrived at the party in a vehicle and tried to get in. The person that was acting as a doorman refused to let them be told no capacity upstairs. Just they weren't in fact, having a small number of people in there, they weren't like men, they were agitated by that. And one of the person pulled out a gun and fired a shot. It did strike the doorman and hand in St. University Hospital in a stable condition. We have identified the people who are alpr systems, and video footage from other businesses in the area. We responded to the location where the vehicle was today and plug it into crime scene and you're going to get a search warrant that vehicle and get all the information we can. We do have leads on the vehicle and the detective Bureau is actively investigating that we expect the rest of the union and we are going to address the fact that the businessman will be as open to return four o'clock in the morning, ensure that that doesn't happen again. Perfect, thank you. Does anything have anybody have any questions, comments or director or before we let him go?
Perfect. Thank you, directors.
township attorney. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Council again, I don't remember one recommending the repeal of an unused ordinance that's in the township code was created in 1993. And created both for the orange street center public utility This was created for the flourish during blowout complex on orange Street, we now have the extra space storage facilities and Home Depot was intended I suppose for uses that according to the ordinance as a rental unit enterprise said section but we've looked into it and functionally and financially The site is nothing used as a public utility, although it still exists in the code. Both those properties are a source of some of the r&d tax. So as we tried to clean up the code, we just recommend that you deal with this section where there has to be condition. Okay. That's that was gonna be my question. Yeah. Right. As we're looking into utilities, this one popped up saying that you are investing.
Can I get a reverse? Can I get somebody to move this?
Move by Councilman gamble?
I can. I can
cancel out any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye, number two? Yes. Number two is discharged in the residential rehab mortgage. The residential rehab loans given a number of years ago, determined that mean period has expired. These were forgivable loans when they were issued as long as people who died and this happened 1000s. Can I get somebody to look at this?
A little bit. With I can't get real.
Take Thank you. Second. Councilman Cruz. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Number three, yes, number three is similar. And that deals with a residential rehab mortgage, but it's not being discharged. This time. The homeowner is still within the term of that loan period. But is refinancing refinancing our primary mortgage. These residential rehab loans are always secondary to the purchase money loan. So we just need to authorize the execution of the subordination agreement so our loan stays in second priorities in their home loan. Okay, take a look this will they Councilman Davis? Second? Second. Councilman gamble. Any questions comments? All in favor? Aye. Thank you. Finance 41 First Street Map. Yeah, we are this is a simple situation that you know during the COVID shutdown back in April, May somebody drop out their taxes and didn't get picked up reported it Eventually, if there was an assessment of interest, we're just asking to waive that in
a minute, move this.
Counselor join a second council approve. Any questions, comments? All in favor? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. township engineer, number one, on this one on this job Mayor want to take this first one tandem with Paul. So we've been working, Paul 99% of Paul working with the EA on issues that started back in 2017, with lead water and issues that everybody's well aware of. And, and they are DDP continues to work towards a goal that I know this mayor and council wish to have that is remove any lead service lines, there's some disagreement that we have DPW takes a broad shot for requirements and basically say, you have when we don't know, if somebody has led a lead service line they just assumed it is that would give us a number of ground 9500 lead service lines, we know that's not true. We've been working with them over the past couple of years, to bring that number down so that our number that they're requiring to be repaired or replaced is a reasonable number 9000 service lines mean that we have to do almost 700 lines a year, we've been at this for about 18 months, we've got about 150 done, what we like to do is is enter into consent order with them and negotiate that number properly. Where where we do a combination with several things, first of all, those lines that we know are our lead lines, that we verify that those are going to be replaced. And we're looking to do between 275 300 lines a year. That's a reasonable number that's you know, that's a couple $100,000 a year we will work with the eye bank to do that. And then we would we would work on a couple of things with testing. Now, I say all that fully understanding only meaning that we are in total compliance on our water quality. Our our tests all come back well under the threshold required, you'll recall that 15 parts per billion, we're way under eight parts per billion actually, in our last test that we did the six months ago, we still have to do more testing. But what what we want to do is continue in a systematic way to replace that service line. We think we you're in the ballpark of around the fault, correct me if I'm wrong about 4000 that we've kind of suspect, although we just let a contract out to actually go dig up look around that. So that that that 300 number gets us keeps us into the margin of 7% Square they're looking for only 4000 is conservative, I don't even think is that man. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you all. And are saying that sign 1000. But we're working this through and what we want to do is is is it enter the center. So we have some certainty about what our obligations are in the future. And in conjunction with that, then we have one more notification to the public. And want to take this opportunity with the public and council you were sent under a separate email that that that document that we're going to send out it's a it's four pages have a lot of information that essentially says what Bloomfield is in compliance practices. These are all the issues that are around water. highly technical, when he recognizes that it's highly technical,
but it's art of regulations both from the New Jersey DEA and the US Environmental Protection. So we have to do, we tried to have that reformatted. So it's more plain language, in fact, paid by us to assist them for the future with plain language notifications. But Meantime, this is what we're trying to do. And, and in conjunction with that is item number two, where we're seeking permission from the county air council to, to secure an eye bank loan of $7 million to do line replacement. Again, this is almost like line of credit, it's not like we're going to run out by borrowed $7 million, or that he or that guy bank will give us a million dollars, it's to fund this project, something that this mayor and council have committed to when the whole issue with lead came into play. And we have, obviously, we all want to get rid of any lead lines that are out there. And this is we're talking about service lines, not what's inside the house, but service lines through response. So this is kind of a conjunction project and a project at satisfies the EDP, which will be negotiating for the next few months. Paul, Did I miss anything? No, that's essentially it. But we do have set for this year, as part of this loan, we are very confident we could probably do easily 275 replacements here, and probably continue that on until we get rid of all it's going to be kind of a investigative slash replacement program we're going to do, we're not just going to look for them and then document and when we find them, we're going to replace them, you know, as part of the same contract. So as we move along, this gets a little bit more aggressive every term so that we finally you know, solve this problem. Again, I want to emphasize, I'm sorry, I'm repeating myself, it was important for everyone to understand we are in compliance, we do we are not out of compliance, or lead or chlorine byproducts or any of the other things that we saw in 2018 2019. That's all been resolved. And thank God and and, and we're going to continue to improve our system, this program that gets us that far. Yeah, and another thing too, just by way of background is clear that the ortho phosphate and torque speed using is working. Basically, the 67 samples that we took this year, this half year, the vast majority of them actually had lead service connections with the fact that the ortho phosphate was working on pretty much coated those pipes sale came in. For the vast majority of said maybe one or two, they all came in well under 15 parts per billion. So there's progress there, but and the hands, you still want to get rid of the legs. So you don't have to worry about this, you know, going forward, but we're definitely I would say we're out of the woods, so to speak at this point. And I think we're moving in the right direction. Okay. Does anybody have any questions for Matt or Paul? Well, one in light of the four page EP document, will they accept an executive narrative from the town? Okay. And then the second question would be, how do we determine lead? lines? How intrusive
is that and how time consuming is, our program has been twofold. One is one is while we're replacing our water meters, the contract with it's doing that it's looking at all the lines has what's called a scratch test. This is scratch the metal to see if it's got lead in it. We've actually found a couple about five the last number I heard about five, maybe 10. Now, where where there was lead showed up and that way we have that goes on our list. The other is contract that we left a couple months ago, a month ago, that a company that's literally doing the hard work of digging down at the curb stop look at it, and they you know, they have the equipment to test, but it's pretty obvious so that that's what we're doing. That's what Paul's referencing is that we would be doing that on a more aggressive scale where we would Investigate in a find, definitely do it. And then finally, the last thing is the E or B, E w, our water department, if they they happen to be in an area doing water repairs or something like to see them, then seek find a lead line then make note that as well. So three, three ways to we're trying to find out. Okay, how many? How many phones? What's the year 1955? The Magic year? Technically 1986 was when lead was outlawed. It's, it's, yeah, the 50s. There, it's, it's hard to say because I've gone through like the lists. And when homes were constructed, there seems to have too many after 1987 that we don't have the best the good news, we don't have any there. But once that homes built from the 20, Stevens a 16th. It's, it's it's usually galvanized more so than his lead. But it all depends upon when the developments were put together. And what that contract or what our water contractors may be put to mains and what they decided to use at the time. Because back then there wasn't a say how to use ladder. Yeah, they used whatever the market, stated. So you, we I got one section to town where half of its lead and the other half copper, and they were both maybe one to two years apart from like 1958 to 1959. And they're you know, that's so it's like cutting. It's real hard. And I've gone through all kinds of records. And it's and I've explained that to the DDP that it's not the bet it's not 100% way to tell, it gives you guidance that make a good place to look the best just about him, you got to look and see.
Does anybody else have anything for Paul or Matt
has something to think about? So
following up on Nick's comment about the executive summary. So even though we can't put an executive summary in there, can we do some sort of like in advance, PR talking about how this four page document is going to come to you. And also just a reminder of all of the things that have been done.
And we're
going
to put it in the box, I mean, we put out so much of this, if people
are going to get the therapy, we're going to get this in the mail, and they're getting four pages, and they're gonna forget. So if we can, you know, people get new ones, like immediately in front of them these days. So if we could do another concerted effort around the time that this goes out, to put the word out, that would be good, or
is there something that would keep us from being able to add an additional page that highlights that document?
They all go ahead? Well, the main thing is we have to release this one form, because it's basically with the EPA, it's basically a template as to what you're supposed to say. But technically, after that, as long as you're pulling it out, you know, more or less, you know, confirms with that information says you can put out your own document, and you know, indicate all this fitting, it's just not one that would give you compliance with the state or with the EPA,
I'm asking something different, I think I'm asking or something that is a template that is completely in compliance. And then something else that's an addendum to that, like a cover sheet,
they can insert.
You know,
the following is as a requirement, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, there's just as you know, up in as an update of these are the kinds of things that have been happening. This is part of an ongoing work that we've been doing, signed with Mayor Michael vinnytsia or something that just it, it seems to me that we continue to do this thing where we we say this is required by by, you know, this is a requirement, a federal requirement, but we seem to sort of, you know, lose, lose that gap in the middle where we say, but we need to explain this in ways that people understand what it is, and that that would soothe concerns and give people much more permission. If you give me four pages of technical stuff. I don't even really know what that means. All I know is that I'm worried about it. So I don't I'm just wondering how it probably would cost us less in Resident concern to add an extra sheet of paper that says or an extra page that says this is What we've done, this is where this fits in that, that. I guess I'm asking, Can we be a little bit more creative in that area?
So obviously, we have the we have what is required to be sent out there to DEA and EPA. Then can Paul, can you work with Diana unformat. And Diana, if Diana could write something up, and let's see how it looks, when you go to send it out to make to, to include it in the same mailing, basically, let's see what we can put together. We'll work with digital media to do that, too. We'll try we got a very short timeframe, we have to have this out by the end of the month. So we'll put that together. Quickly and, and do our best. One brief comment. I think the important word here is we're in compliance. And yeah, that document you can't see that if it can just say we're in compliance, and here are the details. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we'll do that we'll, we talked to the DP about changing their form, they said that they would look at it, but they didn't like this changing things too much. But this is put in as denim. And not kinky pair document. We're just adding another page of our own job. Yeah, I agree. I don't know the full causes. I did send a draft your template when I put a positive spin on it, that they responded and took everything that I put in there as
Yeah, and we're not asking. I mean, we understand that when we add probably for two or three years, we'd have the same conversation, or more. So leave your document alone. Let's add our document on top of that, that helps people understand what's there. So it's, it is consistent. We're not sugarcoating, we are. We're being straightforward, but we tell the story, we get the context about what this means.
All right, we will work on that right away.
And I'm going to add one more thing to that and you're gonna laugh, but it should go on top and it can be in a different like a different color.
Yeah.
Yeah. and easy.
Okay. Okay. All right. All right. So number two.
Well, we talked about
that, okay. Yep. Number three. Okay. Basically, what I'm requesting is an emergency resolution related to our cleaning services. I mean, the resolution, if you read it kind of says that all the company we had, for some reason decided is has been failing miserably and providing services. They haven't been showing up when they're supposed that they've been showing up with different employees who are basically trained. The result of this has been garbage cans that haven't been empty, bathrooms that haven't been properly cleaned. And we went, effort, effort, all the efforts we put into it, and we've spoken to them, they've actually come out and explained it. But there's been no change in it whatsoever. And we're dealing obviously, with a health situation with COVID-19. And we want to try to keep everything as clean and sanitary as possible. This company is failing, and they don't have any willingness to do any better at this point. So I would recommend we do an emergency resolution they've already been released. I want to do is do a temporary contract with another company that will clean better until we can actually bid it out, you know, for an annual contract. Okay, it's just unbearable for the complaints. Can I get somebody to move this move in there? We're by counting the joy now. I can counsel the crews. Any questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. And rejection of right in light of what is discussed, we did not we did do a bid for new cleaning services. Unfortunately, when the bids came in, there were a number of inconsistencies and incomplete items in all three of the fitters that made it impossible to really decide on what would be the most qualified and most potential bid. So my recommendation is that we rebid this so that we can do it within this 90 day window I created so that we can get a new company on board for the year. Okay. Okay, so to remove this second, Councilman David, any questions, comments or In favor, Aye aye, aye. And number five, okay, this, this is a wee bit out, vegetative waste disposal for Department of Public Works received a single bid from nature's choice who have been providing the service desk for several years, the total cost of aid is $159,300, which is within the recommended or normal range for this type of service. I recommend the award the contract and make this choice. Okay, so I'm gonna look at my Dell second captain and join. Oh, any questions, comments? All in favor? Aye. Hi. And number six. All right, the next item is a request for change order for things to valve exercising. During the course of that work. Obviously, things were found that we didn't know were there. They were repaired by the contractor as the work went on. It's a it's a, it's an extra 3480 $2,000.09, which is like 2% over what the actual contract was. My recommendation is we need the approved change order because it's beneficial to all projects.
Okay. With this.
approved, I get a second. Second. Second counselor ngmodel. Any questions, comments?
All in favor? Aye. Okay, count your court. Thank you. Good evening,
Mayor Council. The first item is an item we discussed at the last conference meeting, designating the official township newspaper. in your packet, you do have some information, the required certifications from each of the newspapers, the Bluefield life, they're paid net circulation. This is the printed copy has 385 patrons. And they did mention in their letter that their average digital is 9.3 million. But then they said there isn't really a way for me to tell how many are viewing this under the Bergen website, and that is part of the USA Today network. So realistically, it doesn't give us a lot to go on. The independent press does not track their online viewing. And their net paid circulation for their printed copy is 978 for the 12 month period.
So we'll go buy for 385 in the front with 978.
Yes, for the for the printed copies, that's their circulation affidavits that they are required to submit to us each year.
And both don't track.
Right. Really, they don't really track the online, their online presence. There.
So I understand that I think we're required right to
work for, right.
We're required for print media.
Yeah. Right. So and I'm curious. So neither of these have particularly my readership. Right. And and, and I understand that when you're still required by law to post certain things that we still have to put in print somewhere. How much did we spend on doing that per year? I'm just curious. I would have to check with finance. I mean, it actually it varies every year, because it depends on how long the ordinances are and how many we adopt, and other paid per, we pay per word. So we don't pay for like 385 or 900. So I'm just I just want a little I mean, I think we've made it clear that obviously like this, personally, I feel like this needs to change right in the future. Like I'm not getting the word out to most anyone anymore. But that's not in our control. And just a little bit curious about sort of what what we're paying per
thing the budget on this. Last time I noticed around $10,000
I was I was going to say it was probably around 10,000.
There we thought we we've been trying for the last 15 years is the state. the very reason that you're mentioning municipal officials tried trying by
no good doesn't make it through the legislature.
It is what it is or stuck
Okay, those
when they post these, do they also post them online?
Yes,
yes.
And all of our ordinances and resolutions that are word of contracts are online in our public records, documents. And, you know,
hopefully our other online media, the polls to me, you know, tap into Bloomfield, and so forth in our, you know, other will feel the information project, they do try to, you know, print as much as they can and highlight certain ordinances and resolutions that the council is discussing.
Do we know if when they are posted online? Do they? Are they behind the paywall
on these sites?
I don't think so. I don't know. I could check. I'm not sure.
But I think
both of them have paywalls.
and stuff like that. So I'm just curious to see.
And curious too, about, like, I've noticed independent press that holds pub, like their articles, right. So I'm wondering if they're publishing it at the time of when we're posting or if they're, you know, like, or they're publishing it at the time that we're requesting, that the posted. We do submit everything on the previous Friday for next Thursday's paper. So any, so that it would be you know, anything would be plenty of time to everybody to review it prior to the meeting. And it's, of course, the ordinances we print in full. So everybody has an opportunity to read every word of the ordinance. Right, you know, and publish it, they publish it by their line, or if they wait until Thursday to post everything and put it out in print. I'm sorry, I don't know, I could check for you. And you know, let you know, get back to I mean, the meantime, we're still using the independent press, which of course was designated from last year. So we will continue to use it until or if it's changed.
And I don't they don't they give us a an affidavit of publication. So we know exactly what is published.
Well, now we know what newspaper is in. But I think the council I mean,
the date, don't they have to say was published in this paper on such and such day, right?
Because we asked for what day we want it published.
But I think the council was asking about
online printing and or viewer viewing. So when when is it
online? Is
it on third Friday? When we send it in? Or is it on Thursday when the newspaper comes out? I hope I interpreted your question correctly. Yes.
So if we could just get that answered? I mean, right now we're still with independent press anyway, yes, get that answer. and go from there, and then we'll decide on the before we go into the 25th. Okay. When is the next meeting the 22nd? Okay.
Does anybody else have anything to add?
Okay.
Number two.
Now, Number Number two is a request by the temple near tamid. For a five k race. This is a new request. in your packet, they're asking for the date of Sunday, May 23, rain or shine, and then attached to that you have a route for the race. I did send it over to our public safety director for you know, comments or just so that the police department is aware. However, you know, nothing's been approved as of yet.
So for those who can you can you describe the route and what time they want to go on a Sunday morning.
He had
said in the morning, he didn't give me a specific date. But I think originally in past correspondence, because he did change the date a couple of times trying to see if it was he actually put the date in here. Um, the times of the event will be in the morning, somewhere between 830 with the entire event over by noon, they expect approximately 100 to 200 participants. That was from a previous email and what we've been reading, um, the route is, let's see. Broad Street to Hawk road to Johnson to club around to Claire Street.
I don't know the only thing that I would recommend is I mean, that's a long time if we could just put the hours down. Okay. That's a long time to have Broad Street locked up in that location because you're actually I don't even know where you would send to you. They would have to go up sunset and or. On the other way before, on watch on the big locate the big cut off for that amount of time. Okay.
Okay, I will speak to them.
I'm number three is on this is the seventh year Sacred Heart is having their spirit run, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 30. Also from eight to 12. And the route I don't know if you're familiar with it, they started with a green go down Liberty over Kennedy. by James and cottage, they go through the mount Olivet cemetery, which is a fundraiser for the church, for the cemetery. around back, Kennedy drive and back to the green
usually starts at 8am.
And how long did that JFK shut down for
the police director probably knows better than I do, I would say at least an hour and a half,
two hours. What they do also mayor is it'll keep you shut down the whole time. As the group runs through JFK, they open it back up. And as they're coming around, we have a motorcycle escort that stays in the front during communication. And once they're getting back into the air, they will shut it down again, that small period of time and let them feel. Okay.
And I know the church does coordinate it with the fully field events. Because if there's a junior varsity football game or some kind of event, that's why they wanted to do it early and have you know, basically the race be over before any events and fully tailed. They usually do it on that weekend like the 30th. I mean, it'll be better before.
Yeah, it's always that last weekend, because they came up
with this theme, the spirit race, because they run through the cemetery. And it's a fundraiser for the cemetery the first year, there were definitely problems because it was right on Halloween. I know over the years, the police department has been, you know, really helpful in trying to make sure that everybody's aware of it with signage, and posting, and advertising. Yeah, I'm just thinking that, like a day, we usually have other town events to
other things that we do, but I don't remember if we, in the past have had them if they have coincided.
I don't believe they have I
I guess because it's so early in the
morning, we're off the green by like, you know, 11 1130
before any other Halloween events take place.
And, and for the temple near to embrace the director of the St. George's. If we can coordinate with the like we do with the other rays where we don't have to treat and watch them shut down for too long, a period of time. So
okay, they'll have to definitely get permission from the county. Because I know we have to get permission from the county to for Kennedy drive.
So once I coordinate and let them know about the timing, they'll have to, you know, send a request into the county for the roads open.
Thank you.
I'm sure you're all sick of hearing me talk about communications tonight. So keep this really quick. I wanted to start by just saying thank you for being responsive to our requests in terms of communication. So I know that I picked on you all a little bit tonight, but but you really have stepped up. You know, I think we're doing a really good job. I was particularly impressed with the way that information went out about the snow storm recently. I think we're hitting a lot more people but I did want to just reiterate that we should continue to think about all the ways that we could do to not to people, you know, beyond maybe Facebook. You know, I've noticed people really like sort of screenshotting and reposting things from Facebook. Instagram, if we could consider even having an Instagram page where you can repost the exact same content, whatever graphic you're posting on, Facebook could be posted stuff posted on Instagram and then also think through if there's anywhere else that we can do that as well. Okay.
And
these are reports
counselor counselor gamble, did you have something? Oh,
nothing much to report out from the animal shelter Advisory Committee. They're working on a meet and greet area for the dogs hopefully coming to fruition sometime this year. And then the recreation department, I just wanted to highlight the educational piece that recreation leader Gabrielle futa put together for Black History Month. You know, they've just been doing a great job of being creative and during COVID and putting together some online content that the people can enjoy, and it's going to be a four part series. So there should be three other posting. So a good thing for people to check out and share with their family friends. Okay,
anybody else have anything to
add one thing there? Yeah.
So the library is doing two zoom webinars. The first is on February 10 at 4pm. And it is it is about snap the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. So it is in partnership with the snap outreach phones. And you can actually sign up for it in the library website, neighbor to neighbor network in the Bloomfield Human Services department are donating 10 $25 grocery gift cards, the first 10 registered so I'm not sure how many people have registered so far, but it's a nice incentive. And it gives people an opportunity to learn about the SNAP program and they're also doing an opioid seminar that's separate from the SNAP program and concert with the director School of Medical Sciences and physical health department and blue pill center lines and that is on February 12 from two to three and that you can also register for on the library website.
Okay
and anybody else before we go into closed we're not coming back I just want to know that you know as everyone knows, last week we had a major snowstorm probably the biggest in I think somebody said since 1996 but I don't remember all them ditching this year but it was a large one and in the township we got probably 22 inches of snow so you know our D pw did a great job and I they're continuing to do a great job you know just to give residents an update they're going to be out and about sometime overnight sometimes throughout the day removing snow from our neighborhoods but we just asked for patience because it's a lot of snow and we got hit yesterday with another snowstorm about six seven inches and it looks like we're gonna get hit again a small one tonight into tomorrow and then Thursday again so we ask for your patience we are on top of removing snow in many neighborhoods and in our business districts but please be patient with us it's it's not easy. Moving that amount of snow from the streets. So we're on top of it and we're going to continue to be on top of it and hopefully we don't have too much so the rest of the winter Do I have a motion to go into such an air mattress I made before you do that you you might want to consider going this taking three action items so that when we come back out you know in your clothes and fttn for the public portion. Okay? There's the three items there for incineration Okay, so number one council Mundo
Amana temple. I have 2021 emergency declaration pumps typically building cleaning services.
Second, Councilman Joanne Oh, are there any questions or comments? All in favor. Number two, Mayor council I have a resolution ratifying the resignation retirement or separation or termination of township employee he dashboard and commission of Matthew you are Watkins. Some Okay, second, Councilman Cruz ever. Any questions or comments?
Seems like kind of a harsh resolution. I want
to say no. Well,
I'm planning for this one.
actually did it. last meeting I buried in consent ordinance, but I'll, I'll make my thank you to the mayor Council for over five years of wonderful, wonderful relationship. And although I still have two more, is it a time? I want to thank all been absolutely phenomenal. Wonderful. Thank you. No problem. Can I get a full? All in favor? Aye. Aye. And number three,
Marin Council resolution adopting boards and commissions for the township of Louisville, for planning board to
second Councilman Davis. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye.
