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Township Council Mtg: 10-27-25
Meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council members.
The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, a customary practice to honor the nation, led by the council members present at the meeting.
Roll call conducted, confirming presence of council members and the mayor.
A roll call was conducted to confirm the attendance of council members. Councilman Joanna, Councilwoman Cruz, Councilwoman Charis to Baris, Councilwoman Davis, and Councilman Pollis were present, along with Mayor Mandel.
Proclamation honoring BGR Titans for winning the Travel Baseball Championship.
A proclamation was issued to honor the Bloomfield Glen Ridge Titans for their outstanding achievement in winning the Travel Baseball Championship. The team's dedication, discipline, and teamwork were celebrated, along with the support from their coaches and families.
Proclamation recognizing BGR Patriots for capturing the Metro Division Championship.
The Bloomfield Glen Ridge Patriots were recognized for their remarkable performance in capturing the Metro Division Championship. The proclamation highlighted the team's discipline, commitment, and the support from coaches, families, and the community.
Proclamation celebrating October as Italian American Heritage Month in Bloomfield.
October is officially recognized as Italian American Heritage Month in Bloomfield. The proclamation acknowledges the contributions of Italian Americans to the culture and society of the United States, particularly in Bloomfield, which hosts a vibrant Italian American community.
Proclamation honoring the late Anthony Gallo for his service and contributions.
The council issued a proclamation in memoriam of Anthony Gallo, honoring his commitment to public service and his role in various local organizations. His legacy of service and dedication to Bloomfield was recognized and celebrated.
Proclamation honoring the late Jimmy Gasparini for his community service and leadership.
A proclamation in memoriam of Jimmy Gasparini was presented, highlighting his dedication to community service, his leadership in local politics, and his involvement in civic and religious organizations in Bloomfield.
Presentation on Bloomfield Police Department's reaccreditation for excellence in policing.
The Bloomfield Police Department was recognized for achieving reaccreditation, demonstrating excellence in leadership, resource management, and service delivery. Chief George Richie's leadership in reducing crime rates and enhancing community relations was commended.
Bloomfield awarded Silver certification for sustainable achievements by Sustainable Jersey.
Bloomfield achieved Silver certification from Sustainable Jersey, recognizing the town's commitment to sustainability across various categories. The efforts of Greener Bloomfield and volunteers in documenting and implementing sustainable actions were highlighted.
Doug Grant addresses the council regarding a proposed ordinance affecting rent leveling, expressing concern over accountability and obstruction of the Rent Leveling Board.
Doug Grant, a concerned resident, speaks about a crisis in rent leveling oversight, claiming the proposed ordinance is not about modernization but eliminating accountability. He details a campaign against the Rent Leveling Board for investigating missing rent records, causing financial harm. The ordinance aims to remove whistleblowers and administrative support, and transfer control of rent records, undermining the board's function. Grant urges the council to vote no and restore resources to the board.
A resident shares personal experiences with rent increases and calls for support of the Rent Leveling Board to ensure fairness and justice.
Following Doug Grant, another resident echoes his concerns and shares personal struggles with rent increases and amenities fees in a new development. The resident describes how these hikes forced them to move and how neighbors face similar challenges. They criticize the town's agreements with developers and lack of transparency, urging the council to maintain the Rent Leveling Board's current members and work towards fairness and justice for tenants.
Council members address public concerns about rent leveling, clarifying the ordinance review process and the Rent Leveling Board's role.
The council responds to public comments, explaining the ordinance review process and clarifying misconceptions about the Rent Leveling Board. They emphasize the board's role in addressing unfair rent increases and highlight ongoing efforts to improve ordinance enforcement and oversight. The council reassures the public that comments are considered during the ordinance review, and the process includes opportunities for public input. They urge caution against misinformation and encourage residents to review the ordinance.
Kevin Lyal from the Bloomfield Tenants Organization discusses the lack of rent roll data and the need for transparency in rent leveling enforcement.
Kevin Lyal, representing the Bloomfield Tenants Organization, supports the previous speakers and highlights the Rent Leveling Board's struggles to obtain rent roll data from the township. He describes attempts to engage with the administration that were met with a lack of cooperation, resulting in a lack of data needed to ensure tenants are not overcharged. Lyal calls for transparency and accountability, urging the council to prevent the dissolution of the board tasked with protecting tenants' rights.
Norm Satara urges the council to pause the ordinance until rent roll data availability is confirmed, emphasizing data-driven decision-making.
Norm Satara endorses previous speakers' concerns and reads from the current ordinance, questioning whether the township possesses the necessary rent roll data. He suggests potential issues with data management and calls for a pause on the ordinance until data availability is confirmed. Satara stresses the importance of data-driven decision-making, quoting Michael Bloomberg, and urges the council to provide transparency before proceeding with the ordinance.
Diane Doherty advocates for clearer public responses to concerns raised at council meetings, citing past instances of unaddressed issues.
Diane Doherty changes her prepared comments to acknowledge the council's response to public concerns at the meeting, but notes that often issues raised in public are not addressed or resolved. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, urging the council to provide status reports on concerns affecting the quality of life in Bloomfield, such as flooding and rising taxes, at subsequent meetings.
Kathy De Marino, a Rent Leveling Board member, describes the board's dysfunction and supports reorganization to improve effectiveness.
Kathy De Marino, a member of the Rent Leveling Board, describes the board's chaotic and unproductive meetings and supports reorganizing the board to include landlords for a balanced perspective. She criticizes certain board members for refusing to engage with the administration to resolve issues and stresses the need for new members to move the board forward and improve rent leveling oversight.
Members of the public discuss the proposed updates to the rent leveling ordinance, expressing support, concerns, and suggestions.
During the public comment session, several members of the community, including current and former members of the Rent Leveling Board, voiced their opinions on the proposed updates to the rent leveling ordinance. They highlighted the importance of fair representation and the need for a tenant advocate, expressed concerns about transparency and meeting scheduling, and discussed the impact of ordinance changes on landlords and tenants.
A resident expresses concerns about the removal of historic trees by PSEG and demands accountability and reparation.
A resident addressed the council regarding the removal of century-old trees by PSEG on Luellen Avenue, emphasizing the emotional and environmental impact of the loss. They questioned who would be responsible for the cleanup and replanting of mature trees and demanded that PSEG reimburse the town for the damages.
A resident addresses comments made about Christopher Columbus and emphasizes the importance of addressing racial issues.
A resident spoke against the use of the term 'uncivilized' in relation to Christopher Columbus's impact on indigenous peoples, calling it a racist viewpoint. They stressed the importance of acknowledging historical injustices and invited further discussion on the topic.
The township administrator introduces Khalifa Shabazz as the new township attorney, highlighting her experience.
At the meeting, the township administrator officially welcomed Khalifa Shabazz as the new township attorney, noting her experience and expressing confidence in her capabilities to serve Bloomfield effectively.
Council discusses the proposal to raise the bid threshold by entering into an agreement with a qualified purchasing agent.
The council considered a proposal to raise the bid threshold from the current level by entering into an agreement with a qualified purchasing agent. This change is intended to streamline procurement processes.
Review of the non-discrimination policy required for federal funding for transportation initiatives.
The recreation department's non-discrimination policy was reviewed as part of a requirement to receive federal funding for buses and transportation initiatives. The policy is updated every three years in coordination with New Jersey Transit.
The council reviews change orders for the restoration of a historic building, funded by a donation.
The council discussed the ongoing renovation of a historic building, with a change order required to address unforeseen issues. The restoration is funded by a donation from the Friends of the Morris Canal Society of Bloomfield.
Approval to auction off surplus items including vehicles and equipment from various departments.
The council approved an auction to sell surplus items, which include a recreation bus, fire truck, pickup trucks, lawnmowers, and trailers. This is a routine procedure to manage surplus municipal property.
Proposal to relocate a bus stop on Broad Street due to resident complaints.
The police chief proposed relocating a bus stop on Broad Street from Foster to a location across from Elmbrook, closer to UTI, due to numerous complaints from residents about the current location.
Council discusses proposed updates to the rent leveling ordinance, focusing on governance, transparency, and enforcement.
The council and new township attorney discussed the proposed changes to the rent leveling ordinance, which aim to expand board representation, enhance transparency, and update regulations for fairness and accountability. The changes address governance, predictability, and modernize the ordinance to align with current legal standards.
Discussion on past legislation regarding rent leveling, its intent, and proposed updates to the ordinance.
The meeting discussed the original intent of the rent leveling ordinance, which was to provide a forum for complaints rather than act as an investigatory body. The ordinance aimed to address high rent increases due to new developments. Questions were raised about landlord notifications, exemptions, and compliance penalties. The importance of including explicit exemption details in the ordinance was emphasized to ensure clarity. The updated ordinance aims to include senior citizen components and enforce data submission from landlords.
Discussion on the municipality's compliance with local laws and operations through a best practices inventory.
The best practices inventory assesses the municipality's compliance with local laws and evaluates township operations. The state mandates the inventory, which covers various areas. Achieving a minimum score prevents state aid withholding. The finance department heads this inventory, and the importance of reviewing areas for improvement was discussed.
Introduction of annual multipurpose bond ordinance for general, water, and parking capital projects.
The annual multipurpose bond ordinance was introduced to support important infrastructure and town functions. It includes three parts: general capital for improvements and equipment, water capital for system maintenance, and parking capital for upgrades. The ordinance is crucial for funding various township projects.
Update on federal and state grants for transportation enhancement and intersection modernization projects.
The town received a federal grant for a wayfinding and safety program and a state grant for local aid infrastructure improvement. The federal grant focuses on signage and pedestrian safety, while the state grant aims to modernize a busy intersection near a train station for better traffic safety.
Approval of contract for cleaning and lining water mains to improve quality and capacity.
A professional service contract was approved for cleaning and lining several water mains to enhance water quality and capacity. This work is necessary to maintain the infrastructure, and coordination with the turnpike authority is involved due to the project's complexity.
Discussion on the removal of trees affecting power lines and the program for replacing them.
The PSE&G tree removal program was discussed due to power outages caused by trees. The program involves significant pruning and removal, with a focus on minimizing impact and replacing trees at a 2:1 ratio. Collaboration with the township's DPW and forester ensures appropriate replanting.
Update on the installation of a bus stop shelter for public convenience and safety.
A new bus stop shelter will be installed near CVS to provide a waiting area for bus passengers. This project is part of ongoing efforts to improve public transportation facilities and services for the community.
A comprehensive review of current boards and committees is discussed. Emphasis on updating old ordinances and improving efficiency by possibly merging committees.
The discussion revolves around reviewing the structure and effectiveness of current boards and committees. It is noted that some ordinances are outdated and may not reflect current needs. There's a suggestion to merge certain committees, such as the environmental commission with the green team and recycling committee, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This is presented as a topic for exploration rather than immediate action.
An announcement about the recruitment process for boards and committees is planned. The process aims to be more transparent and applications will be open soon.
The council plans to announce the recruitment process for boards and committees, emphasizing transparency. The announcement will be made via press releases and social media. The public is encouraged to apply, even though not all committees may have openings.
Discussion on the implementation of the new master plan, with a request for a presentation on prioritizing recommendations before the year's end.
The council discusses the need to implement recommendations from the newly passed master plan. They request a future presentation to prioritize these recommendations and outline next steps. The plan has received state recognition, and there is a desire to act on its recommendations promptly.
Various liaison reports are presented, including successful community events such as the shredding event and reusable bag collection.
Council members report on recent community events. The shredding event at Pulaski parking lot was a success, with significant volunteer involvement. Over a thousand reusable bags were collected and donated to Tony's Kitchen. These events are noted for their community impact and efficient organization.
Updates on the Veterans Affairs Committee include preparations for the Veterans Day parade and installation of banners.
The Veterans Affairs Committee reports on the installation of banners and upcoming Veterans Day parade. Details on parade logistics are being finalized, and notifications will be sent out once confirmed.
The council addresses public concerns about potential SNAP funding cuts and outlines community support initiatives for food security.
In response to concerns about SNAP funding cuts, the council outlines ongoing efforts to ensure food security. They highlight collaborations with local organizations and initiatives to extend pantry hours and provide additional food resources.
Minutes from the previous meeting are approved and communications from the Department of Environmental Protection are noted.
The council approves minutes from the last meeting. They also acknowledge communications from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding environmental and land use matters.
Several ordinances are introduced, including amendments to rent control and affordable housing policies.
The council introduces multiple ordinances for consideration. These include changes to rent control and affordable housing policies, as well as amendments related to water rates and other municipal regulations.
Ordinances on topics such as parking for physically limited persons and safe firearm storage are discussed and amended.
The council discusses and amends ordinances on second reading. This includes adjustments to parking regulations for physically limited persons and the introduction of safe firearm storage requirements.
Resolutions regarding finance department reorganizations and budget amendments are approved.
The council approves several resolutions related to the reorganization of the finance department and amendments to the capital budget. These measures are intended to facilitate ongoing municipal projects.
A motion was made to close the meeting, followed by a vote where all members expressed agreement.
During the meeting, a member moved to close the proceedings. The motion was seconded, and a vote was called. All members present voted in favor of the motion, agreeing to close the meeting.