Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on April 16 2024
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Apr 16 2024 · Council
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Speaker 0Known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal Building Municipal court and the two municipal library bulletin boards municipal website, providing a copy to the official newspapers of the Township. And by filing a copy in the office of the Township clerk, in accordance with a certification by the clerk, which will be entered in the minutes. There will be public comment periods for both remote and in-person. Attendees Separately, each member of the public shall have one opportunity to speak during each public portion, as the technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user account. We ask that if you wish to speak that you log in or dial in separately so that we can recognize you as a separate individual should you have any further comments or questions. The Township is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor's office during the normal operating hours. Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call?
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael. Present. Councilman Espinosa. Present. Councilwoman Lombardi? Here. Councilman Rouse. Here. Councilman Shaw. Councilman Rin. Here. Council President Cahill
Speaker 0Here. And would you please join me in a salute to our flag
Speaker 2To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Speaker 0All right, that brings us to number five, which are comments from administration and counsel. This is regarding adjournment of any matters on this agenda. See none will close. Number five. That'll bring us to number six. This is open to the public for the comments regarding item number 10, which are the consent agenda items. If you,
Speaker 1Oh,
Speaker 0Sorry, just
Speaker 0Hang on one second folks. I just have to read some statements here about the public portion. So we're gonna open it up first to remote attendees and then secondly to in person. So I'm gonna read this portion for the remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. If you have completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised for this agenda item.
Speaker 0Okay, thank you Ms. Cedar. So we'll close the remote attendee public portion and that'll bring us to the, for the public who is here in person. If you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions, and the council or administration will then respond if necessary. Just as a reminder, this is for item number 10, which are the consent agenda items. Okay. Seeing none, then I will close the public portion. That'll bring us to number seven, which is an ordinance on second reading. This is to exceed the municipal budget appropriations and establish a bank. It will be open to the public and it is a adopting ordinance. Ms. Cedar, would you
Speaker 1Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled calendar year 2024 Model ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits, and to establish a cap bank, NJ SA 40 A four dash four 5.14 was introduced on the fifth day of March, 2024, and had passed the first reading and was published on the 10th day of March, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the after said ordinance having had a second reading on April 16th, 2024, be adopted, passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2024 dash nine.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. And now we'll open this up to the public. And again, we're gonna open it up to remote attendees first, and then we'll open it up to, for the folks who are here in person. So for remote attendees, if you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request To unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. After you've completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you, Ms. Cedar. So we'll close the remote attendee portion and we'll open it up to the folks who are here in person. If you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will respond if necessary.
Speaker 3Yeah, 29 Robert Road. I would just like to understand where would this money be spent on and what's the net load coming to the taxpayer? If you're increasing the appropriation, that would be spender. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. If you want, I mean this is Tim, you're more than welcome to answer, but I just wanna clarify that every year we have to create a cap bank because we do not know what the state is going to give us. So, and is that roughly correct? Yes. Beginning of July. So if maybe you wanna clarify a little bit more.
Speaker 4So it's done every year. What we do is we're allowed to go to a certain cap, but if you don't go over that cap, what you're allowed to do is carry our cap forward. So that's what we're doing here. We have not exceeded the cap. We carry the cap forward to next year in event that we need to go over our cap next year. It's what's considered a cap bank. So it's part of the budget process.
Speaker 3I, I mean, just a comment that if right now, if I, if the state does not have money and you're increasing the money and even with the, the taxation and, and I look at, I will, I'll come in the public section later, but there is definitely a deficit going on. So I don't know what you're increasing this money for, and I'm sure you're doing this every year, but I would like to go for zero based budgeting because frankly tell you the truth, I'm looking at these numbers and it doesn't make me comfortable. And a lot of stuff that I've seen, and in terms of maybe your numbers are reading, right, because many MBAs now are very good at putting Excel sheet together and put window dressing numbers. When you look at the action on the street, those numbers never translate into meaning. And I can, I can attest to that on Redwood Road, ether Road and the road conditions for that, our taxes doubled and I don't know what the money goes for, but even when they fix the pothole in a month, the potholes are still there. I mean, it just resurfaced. So I dunno how this pending works, but it, it's, it's, it's like this. If you want to fix stupid, keep on fixing stupid. But look, taxpayers don't have money to just waste.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Patel. Is there anyone else from the Publico who would like to comment now? Please come to the podium. State your name and address. Note. This is regarding number seven, which is about the cap bank scene. None, I'll close the public portion on that item. Ms. Cita, would you, you do I have an offer
Speaker 1For Councilwoman
Speaker 0Lombardi? Do I have a second? Second. Second. Councilman Espinosa. Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call vote.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman Rin? Yes. Council President Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes. And the ordinance passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number eight, which, so in ordinance on second reading, this is authorizing execution of financial agreement with Clawson RP owner Urban Renewal LLC. It'll be open to the public and it is a resolution adopting ordinance. Ms. Would you please read the resolution?
Speaker 1Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey. That an ordinance entitled Ordinance of the Township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, New Jersey, authorizing execution of financial agreement with Clawson RP Owner Urban Renewal LLC, pursuant to the long-term tax exemption law Njs A 40 a 20 dash one EC was introduced on the fifth day of March, 2024, and had passed the first reading. It was published on the 10th day of March, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved that the offer had ordinance having had a second reading on April 16th, 2024 be adopted past and after passage be published together with the oath of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. Be further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2024 dash one zero.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. So we'll open it up now to the public for remote attendees. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand on either the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request To unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time, please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with our hand raise regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. So we'll now open it up to the public. For those who are here in person, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions, and the council or administration will respond if necessary. Scene none. I'm gonna close the in-person. Public portion on item eight. Do I have an offer?
Speaker 1Offer Carmichael?
Speaker 0Do I have a second?
Speaker 1Second.
Speaker 0Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call vote.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman Rin. Yes. Council President Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes. And the ordinance passes on second reading. That'll bring us to number nine. This is an ordinance on first reading. It is amending chapter seven with traffic Section 14, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets. And it is a resolution adopting ordinance. Ms. Would you please read the resolution?
Speaker 1Be It resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled Ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the Township of Piscataway, county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey, amending Chapter seven traffic. Section 14, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets Be and is hereby adopted on the first reading that it be published in the official newspaper. And that a second reading of public hearing be held at 7:30 PM Prevailing time at the Piscataway Municipal Building 4 55 Hose Lane, Piscataway, New Jersey on the sixth day of June, 2024. Be it further resolved that a copy of this ordinance shall be posted in at least two public places within the Township prior to the day of the second Reading and final passage. And a copy of this ordinance shall be made available at the office of the Township Clerk for any interested member of the public.
Speaker 0Thank you. Ms. Cedar, do I have an offer? Offer Carmichael. Thank you. Do I have a second? Second Espinosa. Thank you. Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call vote.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Rin. Yes. Council President Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes. And the ordinance passes on first reading, and that'll bring us to number 10, which are the consent agenda. Items for efficiency items have been consolidated into a consent agenda to be voted on together. The materials for these items have been distributed to the council in advance of the meeting at this time. Are there any items that the council would like removed from the consent agenda to be discussed or voted on separately? Okay. See none then I'll ask for an offer.
Speaker 1Offer.
Speaker 0Do I have a second? Second, Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call vote.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa? Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman. Rin. Yes. Council President Caho?
Speaker 0Yes. And the consent agenda items pass. And that'll bring us to number 11. This is the public hearing for calendar year 2024. Municipal budget. Ms. Cedar, will you be reading the budget? No, just the, this is just the public hearing. Okay. Very good. Okay, so we're gonna do remote attendees first. And then, so for the public hearing piece of this, I'm gonna read the statement for the remote attendees first, and then we'll open it up to the public for those who are here in person. So again, this is number 11 on the calendar year 2024, municipal budget. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When is your turn to speak? You'll receive or hear a request to unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. After you've completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Cedar. So now for the folks who are here in person, if you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions, and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.
Speaker 3Sorry. Okay. Just, I'm sure there is, there is a process that gets involved with the muni muni budgets, but how much of the budget that you create for every year is based on petitions with actual signatures from members of the street that requires whatever appropriations for spending or is just like a wishlist project comes in? How does it go? Because to me, I have never seen a, a spending plan that was spent, sent even in newsletters that we are going to do this such and such improvement. There is a hearing for this. If you have a, if you have any suggestions or whatnot, please go ahead and, and I've seen many projects over the last 10 years that people found out at the last minute or in last three or four weeks or, and in many cases, and then they had to rush through things.
Speaker 3And then we find out, even I think in, in February, we got a newsletter. Obviously we lost the case about the Washington Avenue, but in that it was written that the taxpayers would be spending some money for whatever the cost that was involved with legal affairs. And I was like, taxpayers, I mean that to me. I was just taken by surprise. So anyway, questions, stuff like that with respect to budget that I don't fully understand nowadays how this thing works. And to me, the looking at the state of affairs, whether it be state, county, munis, or to federal, if everybody's paying taxes and, and still people don't have money. And I'll just tell you by this, like if, if student loan has to be forgived and you're collecting record taxes for education, something is not right at every level of government.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Patel. Is there anyone else from the public who wishes to comment, speak and we'll have,
Speaker 6Oh, that's, seems like we could maybe get better technology. Anyway, I'm Staci Berger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway. I am trying to find these, trying to find the page so that I can direct your attention to it. I had two quick questions. One was, is this accurate on the health insurance sheet? Two, I guess I have three questions, two questions on the health insurance sheet. The, the Township does not participate in the state health benefits program. Is that correct? Okay. Is there a reason for that?
Speaker 0See, we all have to hold our buttons down. I apologize. It's
Speaker 6Like a hassle for everybody.
Speaker 0Yeah, I know. I think and I, I'm not gonna be the expert. We've, yeah, we, one answer. I know we pay a better rate, right?
Speaker 4Yes. We pay a better rate than the, than the state has when we go out for it competitively.
Speaker 6Because in the remarks about, I can't find it in the front sheet, maybe I'm missing it, but in the remarks in the front, it looked like that was an issue that you thought might be a future problem. There were little, little xs on the user-friendly budget, which maybe is the, I'm sorry, the pa sorry, places where you thought that you might have revenue issues. And one of those was the health insurance. So I was curious if you had rebid that or looked at whether there was a savings to be had in the state health benefits program.
Speaker 4Yeah, there's no savings in the state benefits.
Speaker 6The other indicator that I saw there, I just wanted to confirm it, was that everybody on this council takes family health insurance from the Township, that taxpayers expense. That's what it lists on the user friendly budget. I'm sorry, I'm not this, if you wanna have a debate, you're more than welcome April 27th. But if there was, there's a user friendly sheet on the budget, on the website budget, and it indicates that there are seven council employee members, several seven council members who all use the health insurance program and that they're taking it as family health insurance that Ms. Carmichael's shaking her head, but either the budget is wrong or I'm misunderstanding it. So if you could go, it's not in here, or at least I can't find it, but it's, yeah,
Speaker 4I think back and forth. It's not, it's not true. So I think you're misunderstanding, you're misunderstanding the budget.
Speaker 6It's hard to manage these pages and the button at the same time. Could somebody just clarify who's taking health insurance and for which members of their family from the health insurance that the taxpayers pay for or partner decision?
Speaker 7If it's in, it's in the budget. So you can read it there.
Speaker 6Okay. But you just said it wasn't in the budget. So if it could you point me to the page
Speaker 7Raj? Well, you said it's seven pages I
Speaker 6Not
Speaker 7Pages. I can't do it on, on the dot. When you ask me a, a question like that, we can, we can follow up tomorrow and I can, I can review it. So
Speaker 6Does anybody, I guess the first question is, is everybody on the town council taking health insurance from taxpayers per individual individually?
Speaker 4No, they're not.
Speaker 6Well, it lists seven and there's seven people. So either your information is wrong on your budget. It also says
Speaker 0Ms. Cedar, I I mean it Ms.
Speaker 6Miss Cedar is right there. She's lovely. Thank you for all your help. She,
Speaker 0She is a lovely, a very lovely person.
Speaker 4What, what I suggest for clarification, you always can Oprah, you can always get Oprah the information.
Speaker 6Well, it's in the budget. It's on, hang on a sec.
Speaker 0I That's okay. It was three minutes.
Speaker 6I mean, you're all here. You could just answer.
Speaker 0All right, Ms. Berger, your three minutes are up. So if we wanna let somebody else in the
Speaker 6Water, I mean, I do, I have another question, which is to just confirm that the revenue that we've lost from the warehouse pilots is about $7 million. I don't know. And that
Speaker 7In, in terms of the
Speaker 6Third question on the budget.
Speaker 7And so in
Speaker 6Terms, do you want me to ask all my questions first? Usually you want me to,
Speaker 7Well, we, we've hit the three minutes. So some
Speaker 6Of that was back and forth. Well,
Speaker 7That's why we a always ask people to usually not ask questions, expect and answer. You ask all your questions and then we can respond. Okay. Well, you
Speaker 6Tell me what you, how you'd like me to proceed, Mr. Goomer.
Speaker 7So, so you could, you have, you have time coming up. There's another public portion so you can speak then and you'll have those three minutes then. So you can continue to ask you questions next time, just to ask all your questions. And then we can respond in that way. We don't have to worry about stopping the timer, starting the timer et Okay. Or
Speaker 6We could just have a friendly conversation. It doesn't
Speaker 7So, so that,
Speaker 6I'm just trying to make sure that I understand the budget. Okay. And there's some things that are clearly in the, you know, you can user friendly page that are on your website that you're saying are incorrect. So either and there's filed incorrect paperwork or you're not telling the whole
Speaker 7And Ms. Berger, there, there's a time period where the B budget was being up for over a month. Now you could have easily called the, you know, the finance department, the mayor's office, et cetera.
Speaker 6Okay? But I'm here now what, like when I can do stuff is not really
Speaker 7Business. But you're asking for, you're asking for an answer immediately after you ask the question. Without us this hearing,
Speaker 6It's the public hearing. I, I'm a member of the public. I have the right to come here and ask a question. Ms. Berger.
Speaker 0Ms. Berger, we Raj. It's okay. I apol apologize though. You, you are three, there is an open public portion at the end. Anyone else in the public wishing to come up in this time? Please note that you have three minutes in which to speak. Seeing none, I'm gonna close the public portion in-person public portion. That will bring us to number 12, which is a resolution amending the calendar year 2024 Municipal budget. Cedar, do you wanna read them? You got your water
Speaker 1Be it resolved by the Township Council of Piscataway Township, New Jersey. That whereas NJSA 48 4 dash eight, the local municipal budget for the year calendar year 2024 was approved on the fifth day of March, 2024. And whereas the budget hearing on said budget has been held as advertised and whereas it is desired to amend said approved budget now therefore be resolved by the Township Council in the Township of Piscataway and the county of Middlesex City, New Jersey, that the following amendments to the budget approved budget of calendar year 2024 be made current fund revenues, anticipated revenues surplus anticipated from $12,549,375 to $12,861,353 and 80 cents. Total surplus anticipated from $12,549,375 to $12,861,353 and 80 cents. Miscellaneous revenues, section F, special items of general revenue anticipated with prior written consent of director of local government services, public and private revenues offset with appropriations. 2024 distracted driving crackdown you drive, you text, you pay from $0 to $8,750 2024 Arts and history grant agreement, Middlesex County from $0 to $5,000 recycling tonnage grant from $0 to $78,464 and 45 cents total Section F. Special items of revenue anticipated with prior written consent of director of local government services, public and private revenues from $54,019 and 5 cents to $146,233 and 50 cents subtotal General General revenues from $31,052,726 and 27 cents to $31,456,919 and 72 cents. Amount to be raised by taxes for supportive municipal budget. Local tax for municipal purposes, including reserve for uncollected taxes, $49,965,645 and 13 cents from that number to $49,968,695 and 31 cents.
Speaker 1Current fund appropriations, general appropriations operations within caps computerized data processing other expenses from $195,000 to $250,000. Liability insurance, other expenses from $1,900,000 to $2,150,000 Piscataway Television Studio. Other expenses from $78,000 to $88,000. Total operations, including contingent within caps from $48,331,917 to $48,646,917. General appropriations operations excluded from caps, public and private programs offset by revenues. And it's the same of what I previously read with regard to the 2024 distracted driving crackdown. You text, you drive, you pay from $0 to $8,750. 2024 Arts and grant art and history grant agreement, Middlesex County from $0 to $5,000. And the recycling tonnage grant from $0 to $78,464 and 45 cents total public and private programs offset by revenue from $454,019 and 5 cents to $546,000 200, I'm sorry, $546,233 and 50 cents Total general appropriations excluded from caps reserve, I'm sorry, from $27,677,613 and 74 cents to $27,769,828 and 19 cents reserved for uncollected taxes.
Speaker 1$1,928,086 and 66 60 6 cents. And that will now be 1,000,009 $928,115 and 64 cents. Total general appropriations from $84,792,887 and 40 cents to $85,200,130 and 83 cents. Dedicated sewer utility budget. Dedicated revenues from sewer utility operating surplus anticipated from 4,310,000 to 700,000. Total operating surplus anticipated from 404,310,000 to 700,000 connection fees. 100 from 155,000 to 200,000 total sewer utility revenues from $15,314,385 and 50 cents to 11,749,008 $385 and 50 cents appropriations for store utility operating other expenses from $3,415,500 to $2,550,000. $550,500. Capital improvements, capital outlay from $2 million to $0 statutory expenditures. Social Security System, OASI from $215,000 to $165,000 total general appropriations, 15 million from $15,314,385 and 50 cents to $11,749,385 and 50 cents.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. Do I have a motion?
Speaker 1Motion Councilwoman
Speaker 0Lombardi. Thank you. Do I have a second? Second.
Speaker 8Councilman Espinosa.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll
Speaker 1Call vote Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa. Yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman Rin. Yes. Council President Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes. And the resolution to amend the calendar year 2024 municipal budget passes. And that'll bring us to number 13. This is also the public hearing for the amendment of the calendar year 2024 municipal budget. So we'll open it up to remote attendees at this time. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you'll receive or hear a request to unmute yourself. Please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. After you've completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, there are no remote attendees with their hand raised regarding this agenda item.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. So we'll close the remote attendee public portion and now we'll open it up. This is regarding the amending of the calendar year 2024 municipal budget. If you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make, make your comments. You may take a seat after a completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will respond if necessary.
Speaker 6All right, I think I have this down. I hold the button still. Staci Berger still 2 33 Ellis Parkway sheet. You, the sheet I'm specifically referring to is the user friendly budget, page eight, where it shows that, and I apologize, one person is not taking full healthcare benefits, but they are taking single coverage at to the tune of $14,000. And no disrespect Tim, but I run a statewide nonprofit association and every year we have to zero budget and we compete. We, we ask for competitive bids and we have a great healthcare program and we pay less than that. So I'm happy to share my information with you. It's a high deductible program. And by the way, no Cahn, no concerns about people getting healthcare. Everybody should have healthcare. We should have medical me, Medicare for all. So everyone has healthcare. But since you objected to my question before, it does appear that six people are listed as having family coverage on at the taxpayer's expense to the tune of $38,000. 840, I'm sorry, $38,846 and 28 cents per family. So I just wanna make sure that that's accurate. So
Speaker 9Are you insinuating that we shouldn't get health coverage?
Speaker 6Well, there is a state law, Councilwoman Lombardi that was passed in 2011 that grandfathered every other town, pretty much in the state that said if you're in the state health benefits program, your employees cannot, your elected officials cannot get healthcare coverage. So you all opted not to participate in the state health benefits program and opted yourselves out of that, out of that rule. Which
Speaker 9I think, I think I put a lot of hard work into this town and I think I should, should be eligible for healthcare.
Speaker 6I'm just, I was trying to confirm earlier, do you wanna come to the side of the podium, Ms. Lombardi, please
Speaker 0Continue.
Speaker 6I'd love to. Everybody should have health insurance. I'm okay. All I'm trying to make sure, I'm just trying to make sure I understand the budget because in every other municipality around the state, elected officials do not get health insurance unless they're full-time Employees. When we filed an open Public Records Act request for the time sheets, that should go along with your, I'm, I'm sorry, does everybody have a comment about my comment? Do you wanna have a debate? We we're, I'm happy to have a debate with you, but this is my three minutes, so if you don't mind, you can all be quiet and Well, there's a lot of commentary from the council, which would be fine if they wanted to have an actual debate. But, but when we wanna have a conversation about things, then we're told we only have three minutes. So you can't really have it both ways. I mean, there's the word for that, but we don't have to go there. I understand. I didn't say you were right. I I understand that. But since you didn't, you told me I was either misinformed or willfully inaccurate previously. I want to come up and make sure that I'm correct and since I was not given the opportunity to clarify that. And you said that you didn't take health insurance and now you're saying you do take health insurance. I would just like to get a clarification that six members of the council use family health insurance at Taxpayer expense.
Speaker 0Okay. Thank, thank you Ms. Berger. We are answering questions regarding the amendment of the calendar year 2024 that Ms. Cedar just read.
Speaker 6Okay, so yes or no? Sounds like some people are pretty confident that they do.
Speaker 0There's no ill will here, but this is what
Speaker 6Oh, there's plenty of ill
Speaker 0Public portion is four.
Speaker 6Okay, so can someone answer the question or do I, was I supposed to call Raj a week ago before I had this question?
Speaker 7Ms. Per as was in indicating instructions. Ask all your questions.
Speaker 6That's my only question.
Speaker 7That way we can make sure you have
Speaker 6Mr My only question at this time
Speaker 7Is that okay if that,
Speaker 6I wanna confirm that six members of the council have taxpayer funded health insurance outside of the state law that required that if you took state health benefits program insurance, you were not eligible for that unless you were full-time.
Speaker 10This is about the amend.
Speaker 7So, so Ms. Berger, first of all, the, the Township is in compliance with the law. We're not part of the state health benefits. Right, because you went the other, the other, the other inaccuracies. You're just assuming that all other townships are not, are all part of the state. Many towns do not. Now you're correcting yourself, you're saying many You said all before. I'm not familiar. I just want to correct the facts.
Speaker 6I'd be, I'd be happy to do survey.
Speaker 7I'm just correcting the facts that it's not all other towns and now it's many other towns. There are other towns not
Speaker 6Familiar
Speaker 7Plan and the Township, you know, any of that too fine with the law. And is continuing health benefits to, to elected officials as they have done for probably 50 years. Is there a policy how long before my, at least before I was health
Speaker 6Benefits? So
Speaker 0Council
Speaker 10President please, this is about the amendment
Speaker 0Open up to anyone else in the public who would wish to make a comment. Please come to the podium. State your name and address and note that you have three minutes in which to make your comments.
Speaker 3Hi, 29. I just heard about the amendments but I I didn't get the details. Or is this actually increasing the funding or reducing the funding or it's funding What project in this town for this amendment. I just didn't get it. 'cause it's, it's all, you're in April, I guess the budget gets finalized by December. So you want more? Is that, is that what I'm hearing?
Speaker 0So the budget actually, just to clarify, will not get finalized until the end of June because it takes the state that long to really in fact tell the townships what funding they're gonna give us. And then that's when we can actually implement the budget. And again, that sort of goes back to the reasoning to having the cap bank. This is sort of interim if I'm gonna put in layman's terms, but you know, Tim, if you just wanna clarify that. Well, I,
Speaker 4I, I'm not sure that Mr. Patel see how municipal budget seems. He is a little foggy on it. So we start planning for next year's budget. We actually start in August of the year prior. We have meetings with all of our department heads. We look at all of our capital needs. We finally get the budget together for about early January. The state tells us when we're allowed to introduce it, when and when we have to pass it. So we follow the state guidelines, we introduce it, it's introduced back in January. Now we're approving it in April. So what we do on the amendment is anything that's changed since January and that includes any grants that are coming in, any revenues that are coming in, any state aid changes. We're changing that tonight to reflect the real numbers. So the numbers that were introduced were our guests and now tonight we know what the numbers are. So we're amending the original budget to reflect the true numbers that, so there's no increase or decrease in, in Texas. It just goes, this is just an amendment. So when the budget's adopted tonight, it has the current numbers in it. That's what tonight's amendment is for.
Speaker 3The reason I'm asking this, is there a change? Because typically the activity used to happen by December. Everybody were aware of it. Now it's, I am sure it's rolling every six months now and state. So to me the way the current process of budget works is basically state is using Muni as a hostage.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Patel. Is there anyone else in the public wishing to speak? You may do so at this time. Please come to the podium. State your name and address and note that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. Okay, scene none then I'm closing that public portion. Okay, this will be number 14 then. This resolution for the adoption of the calendar year 2024 municipal budget. Ms. Riter would Cedar, would you please read the resolution? Thank you.
Speaker 1Be resolved by the Township council members of the Township of Piscataway County of Middlesex. That the budget here and before set forth is hereby adopted and shall constitute an appropriation for the purposes stated of the sums therein set forth as appropriations and authorization of the amount of $49,968,695 and 31 cents for municipal purposes. And $3,774,516. Minimum library tax summary of revenues, general revenues surplus anticipated $12,861,353 and 80 cents. Miscellaneous revenues anticipated $17,845,565 and 72 cents. Receipts from delinquent taxes. 750,000 amount to be raised by taxation for municipal purposes. $49,968,695 and 31 cents. Amount to be raised by taxation, minimum library tax, total revenue, I'm sorry, minimum library tax. $3,774,516. Total revenues $85,200,130 and 83 cents. Summary of appropriations, general appropriations within CAPS operations including contingent $48,000,646 and no. $48,646,917. I'm sorry, this print is small. I apologize. Deferred charges in statutory expenditures. Municipal $6,855,270. Excluded from CAPS operations. Total operations excluded from CAPS $7,983,174 and 50 cents.
Speaker 0Capital
Speaker 1Improvements $8,146,728 and 69 cents. Municipal debt service, $10,468,275. Deferred charges municipal $1,171,650 reserved for uncollected taxes. $1,928,115 and 64 cents. Total appropriations $85,200,130 and 83 cents.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. Appreciate that. Maybe get you a lamp over here. It is a little bit dark and dim. Okay. All right. So that is number 14. Do I have an offer for Councilwoman Lombardi? Do I have a second Councilman row. Okay, Ms. Cedar, would you please take the roll call vote.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Carmichael? Yes. Councilman Espinosa.
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Lombardi. Yes. Councilman Rouse. Yes. Councilman Shaw? Yes. Councilman Rin. Yes. Council President Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes. And the budget passes. Okay, that'll bring us to number 15. This is announcements and comments from officials. Councilwoman Carmichael.
Speaker 11Thank you Madam President. I have two. I wanted to just remind everyone that we have a Piscataway Community Cleanup event this coming Saturday at 9:00 AM at Riverside Park, four 30 River Road. And you would've need to sign up either as an individual, as a group. And the Township is providing cleanup materials and light refreshments.
Speaker 0Thank you so much. Councilman Espinoza.
Speaker 8Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing. I'll be there and I will be taking the family was, it's gonna be fun. I I really recommend everybody going and doing our part for Earth Day. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you. Councilman, esp, Vanessa and Councilwoman. Michelle Lombardi who has clean up is back for years, right? Clean. She has run this for years. So maybe you'd like to expand on that? No,
Speaker 9I'll, I have a couple of quick things. First I'd like to say thank you to Daniel and the entire finance team for your hard work and due diligence in making this a very tight and exceptional budget. So I thank you for everything that you've done for us to get this budget heading in the right direction. So that's number one. I'd like to offer sincere condolences to the family of Fred Cassidy who passed away in our town. A long-term resident of our town. I actually was very involved with Fred back in my super teeth band days, but he was very involved in the rotary club and the library I believe. So our condolences go out to Fred Cassidy's family. The library's also having their book sale right now. The cleanup is back. And we also have a shredding event at the literally field, which is going on at in tandem at the same time as the cleanup from eight to 12. If you have shredding, that needs to be done. That's this Saturday. And back to the cleanup instead of the little league field. It is at Riverside Park. So we do have a change in venues this year. So we hope everyone gets out to do their part for Earth Day and, and cleaning up their environment and getting the community together for the good of our environment. Thanks.
Speaker 0Thank you. Councilwoman. Councilman Rouse.
Speaker 12I, I'm just still excited about Councilman Frank and a little, it really, really was nice. I don't get a chance to make too, too many, but keep up the good work. I do have a godson who I had to bring out there and teach him. I thought he taught me. But it was nice to see so many people and how you honored one of my longtime Sunday school students, Marquis and it
Speaker 13Just was a feeling day for me. Thank you Frank.
Speaker 0Thank, thank you. Councilman Ross Councilman Shaw.
Speaker 13If you know your family or your friends need something motor vehicle and if you don't get the appointment, we have a 25th and 26th April Motor Vehicle mobile unit coming at Senior center. So use this facility. And secondly, I agree with Misha for the Fred. I work with him 16 years in a board of trustee. He's a really nice person and helpful the community for library. So very sorry for the family.
Speaker 0Thank you. Councilman Chaill, Councilman
Speaker 14RI just wanna say little League Opening day was a huge success. We honored two great people that were in the Township and we have over 250 ballplayers.
Speaker 0It was a lot kids. It was very good. And it shows the health of the program, which is great. Mr. Mayor,
Speaker 10I just wanna piggyback from what Councilman Shawn Councilwoman Lombardi said about Fred Cassidy. He was also Mr. Rotary Club too and many ran the taste of Piscataway for a number of years and valuable in person on the library board of trustees. And Fred's gonna be very much missed by a lot of residents throughout the town. I would like to thank the professional staff for, for the budget as well as the input from the council members. It's not too often as, as a local leader, you get to say that this is seven plus years where the tax rate's gone down. Especially, you know, we're in the state of New Jersey, we, we know things are expensive, but I like to think a lot of that has to do, we had an increase of over almost I think 230 plus million dollars in commercial development that went towards this year.
Speaker 10So we're on the right glide path. I know some people don't agree with that, I disagree with it. But you know, at the end of the day is anytime that we can make it more affordable to the residents, both seniors and working couples or kids and things like that, it's a good thing. We, we provide a lot of services for the 24% that we're in charge of from police to part of fire inspections to public works. I know there were some questions earlier today about some of the roads they're gonna be renovating this year. Ethel Road West. That should be finished by the middle of May. We're waiting for the utility companies to finish up with Sutton's Lane so we can mill and pave those, those roads and internationals still underway. All that costs money for all the renovations of, of the streets are very, we probably have about maybe about a hundred million dollars worth of road projects out there, but we're only probably spending seven or $8 million a year out there as far as our budget.
Speaker 10But we try to do the best. We have a very nice park system in our community. We have 27 beautiful parks and we're the envy of the central New Jersey when it comes to our parks. That's all part of the 24% tax rate. We also have a lot of program initiatives that we do with our seniors and our school children through our public outreach committee about vaping and awareness of cannabis and opioids and things like that. Our police department, we do a lot of work with the community, with our police department through C community, excuse me, community watch programs and public safety. So there's a lot of moving parts as well as the senior center, which offers some of the most state-of-The-art programs is recognized by A A RP and obviously, and we have the separate sen senior housing utility there and we have full occupancy over there and all the renovations that we're doing in the building and a lot of, a lot of great things going on in our town. So thank you to all the council and
Speaker 0The and the solar project that's coming.
Speaker 10Yes. And the Solar project, which is the largest solar install project in central New Jersey this year.
Speaker 0That's great. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Tim Dacey, no comment. Thank you. Yeah, I mean I'm, I'm not gonna spend a lot of time here. I just go what everyone has said about coming out on April 20th. I knew Riverside Park, other organizations have targeted that park specifically because of the river people dumped tires, all sorts of things in the river. I, it's crazy. I lived by the Delaware River for quite some time and used to like swim and I can't even imagine, you know, why people dump that way. But it's good to see that still
Speaker 9Cleaning all of the parks. It's just that we're gonna disperse from
Speaker 0River. Oh you are? Okay, awesome. But I like the fact that it is right over at that park. 'cause it is kind of a focal point for a lot of groups too, who are aware, of course the river and all that goes there. And I wanna thank the professionals too. I mean they put in a lot of work, a lot of long hours to, to create this budget to you know, keep us looking very fiscally conservative at, at what we spend town and trying to do the right thing by the residents. We certainly are a town that likes walkability. Not everybody likes sidewalks, but we've found every time sidewalks go in, in residence or even towards areas where it leads you to retail people walk. And I think we have large groups, communities of folks here who do appreciate that. I think just the other day somebody was complaining to us when we, when was there a sidewalk gonna be put in so they could get to their home on a busy street to the local park.
Speaker 0So we do believe in that and yes it, it does cost money, but really thank you to the professionals because they do a yeoman's job and they do really the heavy lifting. So just again wanna thank them for that. So that's it for me. Let me just get back here now folks. Sorry about that. Okay, so that'll close number 15. And that'll bring us to number 16, which is, which will be the agenda session for the May 2nd, 2024 meeting. The first item on there will be a resolution authorizing return of escrow. These are for various blocks. Block 52 0 1 lot 6.02, block 53 0 2 lot 1.01 block 8 0 5, lot 31 block 52 0 1 lot 6.02, block 47 0 1 lot 5.05 and block 58. Oh one lot 12.01. And did I just read them all? Yes. And are there any comments or questions or concerns about that item? None seen. Thank you.
Speaker 0Seeing none, that'll be on The last item here on the agenda. Session is going to be a proclamation. This will be for Emergency medical services week. Any comments or questions on that? Okay, scene none. That will be on. And that closes number 16. So that'll bring us to number 17. This is open to the public for the remote attendees. And I'll just read the public statement here. If you wish to speak at this time, please raise your hand either on the Zoom app or if by phone, by pressing star nine. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive or hear a request To unmute yourself, please click the prompt or press star six on your phone to unmute yourself at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. The council or administration will respond if necessary. After you have completed any comments or questions.
Speaker 1Council president, I'm asking the first individual with their hand raised to unmute themself.
Speaker 15Hi, this is Jessica Kratovil, can you hear me?
Speaker 0Yes, we can. Thank you.
Speaker 15Yes, I'm at 1247 Brookside Road. And I just wanted to mention that it seems like when you all were speaking to Ms. Berger earlier, you neglected to press your buttons. So for the recording, we missed some of the unprofessional statements you made back to her. And I just wanted to say, I don't understand how you can behave this way with a member of the public who has come to you with a legitimate question regarding the budget. Now I know you're all very afraid of Staci Berger, but to comport yourselves this way at a public meeting is frankly embarrassing. And I know that you're all very proud of the parks, but that enormous set of warehouses that you've built across from the ecological part is not going to make a positive improvement for this town, regardless of how much money you've gotten from the developer. That's the end of my comment. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. Is there anyone else from the public wishing to speak from the remote attendees?
Speaker 1Yes. I'm asking the next individual to unmute themselves. Hold on.
Speaker 0Go ahead.
Speaker 16David Akins and both Valley Lane. How are you counsel this evening?
Speaker 0Hi Mr. Akins, how are you?
Speaker 16Okay, what I'd like to know the latest update for locations to hold the planning and zoning board meetings. As you know, it used to be held in public works.
Speaker 0Mr. Akens, did you have any other questions?
Speaker 16That's it. I may have after you respond, but that's it for right now.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Akins. I I know we're working on the lo the physical location, right?
Speaker 7Yeah, the township's working on a physical location that they can fit the, the equipment and, and a population there safely. Right now it's still remote and by law we've had many discussions that all the municipal attorneys around the state are, are discussing. I know the legislators are discussing it, but right now, legally the the Township can do it remotely. And, and we are, and I think, you know, the conversation has been that it's actually being better for the public to do it remotely. They've been able to see the exhibits more closer on their screen and being able to hear better and, and have more access to to the, to the conversations.
Speaker 0Yeah, I mean that is a, it's a small space. I think the of it dedicated. Okay, that's great. But in the meantime it is fully accessible via phone or Zoom app or watch on TV, I believe. Thank you Mr. Akins.
Speaker 1I'm asking you the next individual with their hand raised to unmute themself.
Speaker 5I
Speaker 0Go ahead. Thank you Mr. Rick. Council
Speaker 1President, there are no other individuals with their hand raised.
Speaker 0Thank you Ms. Cedar. So that will bring us out to the folks who are here in person I, I will read the public portion statement. If you wish to speak at this time, please come to the podium, state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comments. You may take a seat after completion of your comments or questions and the council or administration will then respond if necessary.
Speaker 17Hi, Haley Crow, nine Woff Ave. I'm currently acting secretary of the Piscataway Youth Progressive Organization and we have emailed and called multiple times to Mayor Wahler to invite him to our debate on April 27th. It is a fair debate between the two or should be between the two Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. We've gotten no response so I would just like to take this time to make sure that you hear our invite and formally invite everyone, it's open to the public and invite the council members. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank you
Speaker 7Council. I'd just like to say to know in regard to that, you know, this is a municipal government meeting so we, there shouldn't be any discussion of politics or campaigning here. So I'd ask the council and Mayor to refrain from any comments.
Speaker 0Thank you counselor.
Speaker 3Again. Hello?
Speaker 0You gotta just hold it down. Yeah, I know. Okay.
Speaker 3Well, so again, I, I see a lot of healthy debates and then and dialogues going back and forth, but I would just like to say few things as I was looking through the budget, there are three or four, I've been living here for a long time. So I'd like to congratulate you for the four iconic in institutions in this town that works really well. One of them is public works institution, which is PWD. I think they do a fantastic job with recycling. The other one is the library institution that works very well. The YMCA that you built, I think that had hiccups last year, but it's working very well. What's not working is the road department and I dunno what they're doing. And the other thing, the second problem that I see in the town is basically many government officials are telling that the job numbers are great and the economy is doing great and whatnot.
Speaker 3I'll tell you the story at the gram level, I have a small house that I'm renting. The person is not, is delinquent 35 days in, in, in, in rent. He pays on time. That's not the problem. The concern that I have is he's younger than me. He has a family to support. And when I was this young age, I wasn't running around for the money. And I see many people nowadays, they work two to three jobs and they still can't meet family obligations. So then the question then becomes this, if people are working and if things are not working, who should be held accountable? The government, the bank, the corporation, or which institution we should hold accountable and responsible. The third parties I see in mayor's newsletters, many time that the town is good and the taxes are doing great and whatnot. It's all spin stories.
Speaker 3And I'll tell you why, because many buildings on this hose lane are empty office buildings that wasn't there before. That includes telco and many other humming institutions that were functional. There were many warehouses that are empty today. So the promises that were made in last 10 years for all the tax breaks and all the tax revenues that we are doing, fantastic job. I'm sure there are a lot of good, great stories, but I also want to make sure that we also look at truthfully and objectively what the facts are and some other, the facts are are changing. So I wanna make sure that we, we portray those facts to public and find an open way to debate about it and solve those problems. The other aspect of this is when we are talking about a lot of money for like your land taxes, funds, education, and whatnot, many times I've seen that if parents are paying lifetime property taxes and whatnot, and then still they have to take additional loans and the college institutions are now crossing 80 to 90 K for this college, and institutions are taking research money from the government, from corporations, from private companies, and still they, they don't have enough money.
Speaker 3That means the question should be asking where are they spending money on? And I think that's across all the institutions. And I'm not singling out you munis as an institution. Now the question should be which institutions that we can trust and which institutions really are performing well. And those who are not performing, they better come to the podium and public meeting, explain to themselves just like what we are doing. Thank you.
Speaker 18Thank you Mr. Patel. Good evening. I'm Gina Register, 78. I wanna thank everybody who participated in making River Road Truck free because when I'm first moved here, there were a lot of get outta my neighborhood. We went out was a almost
Speaker 0Ms. Rochester. Hold your mic down in this way that, that when it's recorded Yeah, you have to hold, have to hold it down. Oh,
Speaker 18Thought I had it screen. Okay. So the other day at Park Avenue, he stopped short at that blinking light and we were about the third car back. It was almost a big pile up. So I know it's a hard thing to solve. I know all the signs are up all over, no rigs, over X amount, whatever it is, but it is starting to become a problem again. So just wanted to make you aware.
Speaker 10Thank you,
Speaker 0Thank you, thank you. I, what are
Speaker 9The, the binds that are incurred by those trucks, if we do catch them out there?
Speaker 10I believe it's like 200 plus dollars. Yeah, we did increase it probably.
Speaker 9Didn't we talk about increasing?
Speaker 10Yeah,
Speaker 0It's a statute. It doesn't, it's not steep enough that it deters, but we can't charge more than what statutory level is. Okay. I mean, honestly, I I, the mayor's heard me complain about this quite a bit because you know, I, I know Ms. Register, you were thanking some people here. Actually the idea was that trucks would be taken off once the eight route 18 connection was done. Now, you know, if we had just let sleeping dogs lie, it wouldn't have happened. And some people just complained about it. I'll be honest with you, I don't like them. I have a hard time getting outta my driveway now, so I don't know. It's like the, the devil, you know, the devil you don't know because now it's the traffic's just, it's nonstop. I can't ever get outta my driveway in a reasonable amount of time. So, but I don't know if there's something else we can do. I know we do sometimes the periods of time when we monitor Yeah, right.
Speaker 10Set.
Speaker 0Right, right.
Speaker 9Let's make some money on tickets.
Speaker 0Well, well maybe we can look at it again to see if they could amp it up to him if we could. You know, it is a residential road and you know, I for one would like to make sure it's kept that way. There's a lot of enticement as you know, Mayor from people who wanna put up commercial and we don't wanna do that. It's, it's a nice entrance that leads to the university too.
Speaker 4I'll, I'll mention it to the traffic division.
Speaker 0I appreciate it. Thank you Sarah. Anyone else from the public wish to make a comment right now? Seeing none, I'm gonna close the public abortion
Speaker 10Council president. I forgot question for Raj with the court case. I don't know if all the Councilman Cahn, you just brief the council on the court case.
Speaker 7You're talking about the court case. Yeah. So counsel, an update. There was a court case recently. Yeah. As has been going on pending for a couple years. Just recently, the, the judge dismissed the matter determining that the, the Township took appropriate action. The argument was that it was the Township took our arbitrary and carious action in terms of the zoning of, of the property that the court, the court decided that it dismissed the matter entirely and said that the, the Township took the appropriate action. This is the property that was initially was trying to build, I I think it was 300 h 300 high density housing. The Township denied the application. I believe it was
Speaker 10Also also a hundred thousand square foot commercial too. Yeah.
Speaker 7The Township denied the application 'cause of the, the effect that it would have on the roads, et cetera. The developer appealed as is in pretty much 95% of these cases, the court kind of everybody into a settlement. We were forced into a settlement with the town, with the developer. And as part of it was the, the developer decided that he, it wasn't economically feasible to, to do what he wanted. He chose to then attempt to build a warehouse. The Township, you know, had to, had to comply. Listen, this is private land and the Township can only do what they can. So a warehouse was applied for and approved and there was a, there was a app complaint filed by various individuals against the Township and the planning board saying that it was arbitrary and capricious decision. And the Township ended up winning that matter, that they took a affirmative action. We reduced, I think the, it ended up being that the, the townships actually reduced the population of cars from I think 1200 trips a day. And it's gonna be reducing the traffic substantially on that road. And the planning board took quite a, and as part of the, the testimony the town Township did put, implement a lot of conditions that they were legally able to in order to create a, a safe environment and a buffered environment for that warehouse.
Speaker 0Thank you. So I'll take an offer
Speaker 10Question. And so the question is, I know some of the folks that did file the suit happened to be Board of Education members. The impetus with the court case was, is that it was gonna be the detriment of the students nearby. However, I wanna just remind the public that the Board of Education did cite a child watch place and slash pre-K right in the middle of an industrial zone on a New Brunswick Road and Centennial about a hundred feet away from logistics buildings. I'm not faulting them for doing that. I don't know, I wasn't there when they execute the agreement and voted for it. The question I have Raj is, I, I'm kind of perplexed at this because do we need to send a resolution over to the Board of Education asking them when that property is finished and goes on the tax roll, do they want to accept a revenue from that site? Because if they were adamantly opposed to it, then I'm assuming that they don't want the revenue. I think they should take it, but I, I'm just, I just wanna know for the record, do they want it or not want it? Yeah, we can make that request for Yeah, I mean, it, it's, it's simple. Either yes or no. That's all to make that request for clarification. Okay. That's all. That's all.
Speaker 0Okay. Thank you. Do I have a motion? motion to adjourn? Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any na, we adjourn. Thank you.