Transcript for Piscataway Council meeting on March 23 2021


Note: Transcripts are generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Please listen to the recording (below) if you feel any text is inaccurate.

Speaker 0     00:00:00    It has been provided as required under chapter 2:31 PM, 1975, the time date, location, or dial in the information. And to the extent known the agenda by posting a copy of the notice on the municipal building municipal court, and the two minutes you have a library, we let you more. If you put a website, providing a copy to the official newspaper of the township, by filing a copy in the office of the township Clark in accordance with the certification by the Clark, which will be entered in the minute, the township continued to use telephone meeting format in United port to make Pizzagate the chance of the COVID-19 as a part of the township ongoing airport to slow the rate of transmission and  or treatment center in order to make sure it's clear record of the meeting can be made. And that all parties are organized fashion.  
Speaker 0     00:00:57    All members to the public will be Nutella during the meeting with a member of the public wish to speak during any public comments person, please press star nine. In order to raise your hand to speak, we will unmute member of the public in new yearly. If they have their hand raised, when it is your turn to speak, you will hear a notification that you have been unmuted. It is that time that you should begin to ask any question you may have. We will have 10 minutes to speak, and the conclusion of it, you will be the mutator again, and the council or admission will respond as necessary. Should you have any further comments or question? The township council is always available by email and phone, and you can always call the mayor office during the normal operating hours. Each member of the public cell only have one opportunity to speak during each public person as the technology does not allowed us to know if there are multiple caller on the line, we ask that if you wish to speak that you dial in on a separate line so that we can recognize you as a separate individual.  
Speaker 0     00:02:08    And you may also submit written comments that  up to 48 hours period, to the prior to the meeting to be read by the township line. During the public comment for set up the meeting, save comments shall be limited to three minutes. Reading. Thank you in advance for your, and as we continue to move the township already in this helping millions Shooter, please roll call please.  
Speaker 1     00:02:40    Councilman Bullard here. Councilwoman Cahill here. Councilman con Sounds a woman in the column here. Councilman urban Council, president shot. Mayor Brian Waller  
Speaker 2     00:03:10    Present  
Speaker 1     00:03:12    Administrator tended to DC township attorney Rajveer  deputy township clerk, Monica Orlando here and on here, Melissa Cedar, the township quick.  
Speaker 0     00:03:26    Thank you, Michelle that's Lego center, please.  
Speaker 1     00:03:32    I pledge allegiance to the flag.  stands one nation under God, Liberty and justice for all.  
Speaker 0     00:03:50    Thank you. Item number five, comment from emesis and counsel regarding for adjournment of the, any matter of this agenda And none. Thank you. Now. Item number six, open to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine to raise your hand. When it is your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you will have been unmuted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you have three minutes in which to make your comment. The counselor or administrator will respond. If necessary after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:04:57    Council president, I've asked the first individual to unmute themselves last four digits 7 6 0 4. You may go ahead with regard to your comments regarding item number 12, the consent agenda items.  
Speaker 3     00:05:10    Good evening. It's Stacy Berger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway on the consent agenda, item resolution, a the authorizing the award of the master energy sales. Can you, uh, or someone on the council clarify what the source of his energy, what the source of the energy is? Whether it includes nuclear and natural gas, um, what the price and what the breakout is,  
Speaker 2     00:05:35    Uh, it's them. So we just had a auction today and we got the conscience from, uh, we got the contract it's, uh, EDF energy was the winning source. And they'll supply that once. Uh, once we submit the contract for them and all the paperwork is completed, we'll get that as part of the due diligence back to us, but they have a guaranteed, it is 100% green energy.  
Speaker 3     00:06:02    I don't know what can, can you clarify though what the breakout is? And what's what you define as a hundred percent green?  
Speaker 2     00:06:08    Uh, they define it as a hundred percent green. So what we will do is after the contracts in place, they is part of the due diligence. They'll send us the report like you get from PSE and G central Jersey power light, or where they get it from. That was not part of what they submitted today. They, we asked for,  
Speaker 3     00:06:25    Was it not part of the parameters of the, of the bed,  
Speaker 2     00:06:30    Not a breakout of say,  
Speaker 3     00:06:34    50% winter, every 50% solar, at least 25% geothermal or anything. We  
Speaker 2     00:06:40    Said, 100% green energy.  
Speaker 3     00:06:46    What could somebody on the council, a council member or someone clarify how you define green energy? So we all know what we're talking about,  
Speaker 5     00:06:57    Mr.  attorney. Um, it's an industry standard it's defined inspection. You indicated that as you indicated, it's, it's various sources of power based on, you know, solar, wind, geothermal, uh, you know, uh, water, uh, hydro, um, et cetera. So the breakdown that, you know, they kind of stick, they tend to call lawyer or, you know, or other sources in there and call it green energy. It's an industry standard definition. Um, the breakdown as to where it'll be coming from, uh, you know, we'll get that into due diligence. Um, but it's not, you know, it's not going to be coming from anywhere other than what would be standard industry for green energy.  
Speaker 3     00:07:44    I thought the article that you put out today said E D E E M E X, but Mr. Dacey just said, edX, could you clarify what the,  
Speaker 5     00:07:54    The Mex is? The, um, agent facilitating the electronic reverse auction  
Speaker 3     00:08:02    And the winning bid came from EDF  
Speaker 5     00:08:06    And EDF energy.  
Speaker 4     00:08:14    Thank you, Jesse  
Speaker 1     00:08:21    Council, president Shaw. I've asked the next individual to unmute themselves. They're identified, um, here as calling user one, you can unmute yourself and speak with regards to the consent agenda items.  
Speaker 4     00:08:36    Thank you,  
Speaker 1     00:08:55    Please press star six to unmute yourself so you can speak at this time. There you go. Please state your name and name and address please. Thank you.  
Speaker 6     00:09:12    David Akins, Ambrose valley lane, counsel item number eight has the, uh, as a final I CA the finance bill, uh, Ben completed  
Speaker 1     00:09:37    Mr. Akins. This is with regard to items on the consent agenda item number 12 right now. So if you had any comments with regard to those items, that would be for this time for open to the public,  
Speaker 6     00:09:48    Okay. Item number  the computer hardware and so forth seems to be a duplication for item J is it, am I looking at this wrong? I'm looking at two different, uh, individuals or entities and they both make mention of a hundred thousand dollars. You clarify that for me, item I for India J for Juliet.  
Speaker 2     00:10:26    So it's Tim. So I is for hardware coming from CDW government, LLC, through the New Jersey education services commission. And, uh, J Juliet is for hardware for Dell marketing, uh, through a state contract. So two separate contracts,  
Speaker 6     00:10:47    Two separate having to be the same amount,  
Speaker 2     00:10:50    Right? Two different contracts, two different vendors.  
Speaker 6     00:10:57    Thank you, Tim was my three minutes up.  
Speaker 1     00:11:04    Not yet.  
Speaker 6     00:11:05    Okay. Item two for tango. Um, well I can get a copy of what the actual bid, so let's go to, uh, item number B was Victor, these various furniture that you're going to purchase for the Mettler house and for elbows vendors, you have a price on that at this point, item V for Victor. And, uh,  
Speaker 2     00:11:41    Uh, so combined combined with that, uh, the national office furniture $3,624 affordable and systems $1,593. There's $1,531 and Safeco products for 2030 $3. So what we've had is we renovated with a, mainly through a county grant, renovated the addict's face of the Mettler house and converted it from unusable space to a, uh, an office space and storage space. So this is the furniture for that. Uh, most of it's maintained through for a county grant and these items for the, uh, community center where the furniture to put up near the golf simulators, uh, which we had planned to do well because of the COVID. We didn't buy it last year. So now that we're reopening up a bit more, we're going to put the furniture in the other two golf simulators, and there's simply high top tables with a couple of high top chairs. Okay.  
Speaker 6     00:12:46    Would you say most of the items that's being paid? Uh, pretty much, cause I didn't told her without pretty much come to the amount that mentored.  
Speaker 4     00:13:01    Yes. Okay.  
Speaker 5     00:13:07    And Mr. Atkins, um, just under $200,000 contracts, they're not to exceed amounts. So the, you know, it depends on the, the purchase amounts. Um, but it gives the, the administration the ability to spend up to a hundred thousand dollars in each of those contracts.  
Speaker 4     00:13:23    Okay. Okay.  
Speaker 0     00:13:28    Thank you. Thank you, David  
Speaker 1     00:13:32    Council, president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised in the queue.  
Speaker 0     00:13:37    Okay. Thank you, Ms. Judo. So now item number seven.  
Speaker 1     00:13:45    President's council president. You have to close the public portion, please.  
Speaker 0     00:14:09    Okay. Yeah. Okay. Now we closed the public portion. Now item number seven, ordinance secondary amendment chapter seven, tropics section 14, 15 prohibited open to the public  okay, Mr.   
Speaker 1     00:14:39    It resolved by the time the council has getaway contribution Jersey that an ordinance entitled ordinance to amend and supplement the revised general ordinances of the handbook. Skagway county of Middlesex, state of New Jersey and many chapter traffic section 14, parking prohibited at all times on certain streets in the township of getaway was introduced on the 23rd day of February, 2021. I passed the first reading and was published on the 26th day of February, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance, having a second reading on March 23rd, 2021 be adopted passed, and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passenger approval in the official newspaper. The brothers that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2021 dash zero six.  
Speaker 0     00:15:42    We'll be this time. If you wish to speak at this time, please press star nine. And raise your hand for item number seven.  
Speaker 1     00:15:58    Council president. I'm asking the first, uh, attendees to unmute themselves. The last four digits of their phone number are nine six nine zero.  
Speaker 7     00:16:10    Yeah. Hi, this is petty from 29 bird road. Um, can you please elaborate, uh, where the parking is going to be prohibited? Is that just around the township area?  
Speaker 5     00:16:26    This is a defense attorney said like way, um, to, to clarify that there's no parking along, TED-like there.  
Speaker 7     00:16:41    Uh, I didn't, I didn't understand. Uh, was there a specific streets or, uh, already an area  
Speaker 5     00:16:52    Yeah, the street is try the municipal buildings Ted way.  
Speaker 7     00:16:58    Okay. Sure.  
Speaker 0     00:16:59    Thanks  
Speaker 1     00:17:05    Council president. I'm asking the next individual who just unraised their hands. So we have no other individuals in the queue raise with our hands raised.  
Speaker 0     00:17:16    Thank you. Okay, so there's no public comments. Anything can I offer  
Speaker 7     00:17:31    Announcement Bullard? Yes. You had my office.  
Speaker 0     00:17:34    Thank you. Thank you please.  
Speaker 1     00:17:41    Councilman Bullard. Yes. Councilman Cahill. Yeah. Councilman con Sounds on. I just need your vote. Wasn't audible. If you could mute yourself. There you go. Yes, I can hear you now.  
Speaker 0     00:18:16    Yeah, it said I was muted by the host. I didn't mute myself. So yes I voted. Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:18:22    Okay. Sound full woman Lombardi. Councilwoman McCollum. Yes. Councilman urn. Yes. Council president Shaw.  
Speaker 0     00:18:34    Yes. Thank you. Okay. Item number eight, ordinance secondary to exit the miniskirt budget appropriation limit and establish a cap bank open to the public  adopting ordinance. Ms.   
Speaker 1     00:18:54    Do you get resolved by the township council? Piscataway township, New Jersey is an ordinance and titled county are 2021 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cath bank, N J S a 48, colon four dash 45.14 was introduced on the 23rd day of February, 2021. And I passed the first reading and was published on the 26th day of February, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance having had a second reading on March 23rd, 2021, the adopted passed and after passage to be published together with a notice of the beta fester approval and the official newspaper. The further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2021 dash zero seven.  
Speaker 0     00:19:38    And you me, you that it's open to the public. If you wish to speak at this time, press star nine. And raise your hand and take your name and address. Thank you,  
Speaker 1     00:19:56    Council president. I'm asking you the first on mute themselves.  
Speaker 7     00:20:04    Can you hear me? Yeah. Okay. I just had question. Uh, can  
Speaker 0     00:20:09    You say your name and address please?  
Speaker 7     00:20:11    Name petique 2,900 road, um, appropriation limit extension. Is that going towards capital expense or general obligation?  
Speaker 3     00:20:29    Um, council, president. This is Councilman Cato. Um, this is our municipal budget. Um, Mr. Patel, we, we cannot adopt the township budget until we get final numbers from the state and the county. So every year we have to vote to exceed the municipal budget budget and create a tap bank. You don't technically exceed the budget, but because we don't have the, the budget from the state yet every year that the council has to vote on this. So it doesn't go to any one particular thing, maybe not capital expense that just the overall budget. Does that answer your question?  
Speaker 7     00:21:13    Um, yeah. So in a sense, uh, what, what we are trying, um, and correct me if I'm wrong, uh, right now, when we're talking about federal level and we are talking that ceiling, is that seminar at the township level where we are just ballooned up the debt ceiling at the township level?  
Speaker 3     00:21:29    No, not at all. We have a 2% cap that's been put in place by the state. What, what this is, is just waiting for the state to give us, um, the township budget, like the budget that we get from the state. And so in order for government to continue to work, we have to, um, adopt a cap, uh, establish a cap, bang to exceed the municipal budget appropriation because we, we cannot adopt our buggy yet until we get numbers from the state. This is not, you know, not exceeding or going beyond what we plan to budget, but in order for governments to continue working, we must do this until we get our numbers from the state.  
Speaker 7     00:22:14    Understood. Okay. And, um, I'm sure with this, uh, there'll be some formula that would go in with a township population and land size, um, in gland skinny  
Speaker 3     00:22:25    As a town set by, I think former governor, we linear our by-lines and we cannot go, um, outside of that 2% cap that was set up in the previous administration.  
Speaker 7     00:22:38    Understood. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Carol.  
Speaker 6     00:22:41    Thank you about the  
Speaker 1     00:22:46    I'm the president I've asked the next individual with their hands raised to unmute themselves Calling user one. Are you there?  
Speaker 6     00:23:03    Yes, I am David David Akins and both the alley lanes. Hi there. Hi Iowa for item number eight, has the maneuverable budget being completed or you're waiting for other information from the state  
Speaker 3     00:23:32    Council president. This is, and in Cahill, uh, Mr. Akins, we, we always worked on, on our budget and car to get it prepared. Um, and we have to stay within the 2% and, and all that. So we don't have it ready yet until we do get the numbers from the state and the county actually  
Speaker 0     00:23:55    Item number nine, if I can go there. What's the, you know, we had talking about eight right now, David. Okay. Thank you,  
Speaker 1     00:24:09    Council president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised to comment about this item.  
Speaker 0     00:24:13    Thank you. Do I have an offer?  
Speaker 1     00:24:18    You have to close the public portion.   
Speaker 0     00:24:22    Counseling Boulevard second. Okay, hold on. Okay. I'm closing the public portion. Okay. Now why offer? Offer counsel and Belarus. Thank you. Ma'am Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 1     00:24:45    Councilman Boulevard, Council, woman Cahill. Yes. Councilman con.  
Speaker 0     00:24:53    Yes. And can I just take counsel present? I have to step out of the meeting for just about two minutes. I'll let you know. And I'm back. I, uh, I got to see, my kids are calling me and I'm downstairs and, um, I'm in charge, which isn't so easy. All done. So I'll let you know. As soon as I come back, it should be just about two minutes. Okay.  
Speaker 1     00:25:12    Councilwoman Lombardi, Councilwoman McCollum. Yes. Councilman Aaron. Yes. Council president Shaw.  
Speaker 0     00:25:24    Yes. Thank you. Ms. Shooter. Okay. Item number nine, ordinance for secondary approving amendment redevelopment plan for block 4, 5 0 1 Lord one point or two open public resolution adopting ordinance. And Sheila, please read that as you listen,  
Speaker 1     00:25:48    It resolved at a township council to scattering township, New Jersey, that an ordinance entitled ordinance of the township of the Skagway county of Middlesex and stayed in New Jersey approving and amended redevelopment plan for block 4, 5 0 1 lot. 1.02 pursuant to N J S a 48, colon 12 eight dash one affect the local redevelopment and housing law was introduced on the ninth day of March, 2021. And I passed the first reading and was published on the 12th day of March, 2021. Now therefore be it resolved that the opposite ordinance having had a second reading on March 23rd, 2021, we adopted passed and after passage be published together with a notice of the date of passage or approval in the official newspaper. The further resolved that this ordinance shall be assigned number 2021 dash zero eight.  
Speaker 0     00:26:38    Thank you, Michigan. Okay. From public. If you want to speak at this time, please hit star nine. Is your hand and state your name and address please?  
Speaker 1     00:26:58    Council president. I'm asking the first individuals to, uh, unmute themselves to speak with regard to item number nine on the agenda.  
Speaker 0     00:27:06    Thank you,  
Speaker 6     00:27:12    David agent Dan Brooks valley lane. This is quick. Uh, what's the address for item number nine?  I just want to know the address.  
Speaker 1     00:27:58    Hold on one second, Mr. Reagan's. Okay.  
Speaker 3     00:28:09    Uh, council, president. This is Councilman Cahill. I, I have it right here. Um, I'm just trying to make sure I'm matching up the lot here. Four or five. Oh one lot one.  
Speaker 0     00:28:26    I think it's 5,700 lane west.  
Speaker 1     00:28:29    No one  road right of way. Correct. Okay. One 50 old near Brunswick road and a portion of north Randall full road, right of way. Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:28:47    Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Davis  
Speaker 1     00:28:56    Council president. There are no other individuals with their hands raised at this time.  
Speaker 0     00:29:01    So I'm closing the public portion. Do highly offer  
Speaker 6     00:29:09    Lombardi.  
Speaker 0     00:29:12    Thank you, Marty and con a second, Please. Roll call please.  
Speaker 1     00:29:23    Counseling and Boulevard. Yes. Councilman Cahill. Yes. Councilman con yes. Councilwoman Lombardi. Councilwoman McCollum. Yes. Councilman RN. Yes. Council president Shaw.  
Speaker 0     00:29:44    Yes. Thank you, sir. Okay. Item number 10. Ordinance amending chapter 21 zoning to add section 21 desk or to supplement landscape standard resolution adopting on an issue that is lead the reservation. Please  
Speaker 1     00:30:20    They're resolve at a time to counsel the scattered township, New Jersey, that an ordinance and titled ordinance to supplement the revised general ordinances of the contract. The Piscataway county of Middlesex state and New Jersey supplementing chapter 21 zoning to add section 21 dash 1 1 0 2 8 supplemental landscape standards being hereby adopted on the first reading, that'd be published in the official newspaper. And then a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time after the scattering and a full building, 4 55 Ho's land Piscataway, New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference. On the 20th day of April, 2021, we have 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 0     00:31:24    Offer. Councilman con. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman  please. Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:31:47    Councilwoman Cato. Yes. Counseling con sounds a woman Lombardi Comes along and Lombardi.  
Speaker 4     00:32:04    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:32:05    Council, woman McCollum. Yeah. Councilman Erin.  
Speaker 4     00:32:10    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:32:11    Council president Shaw.  
Speaker 0     00:32:14    Yes. Thank you. I've done. Number 11  board one audience  any improvement approach appropriately 4.9 million 940.9 million and 4.2 million 45,600 resolution. Please visit assemblies.  
Speaker 1     00:32:46    There was all by the township council, Piscataway township, New Jersey that an ordinance entitled bond ordinance providing for road rehabilitation and improvements. And then by the, to put the Skyway in the county of Middlesex, New Jersey appropriating 4 million, $900,000 bear, um, and authorizing the issuance of 4 million, $245,600 bond or notes of the township to finance part of the cost thereof. I adopted on the first reading, that'd be published in the official newspaper and then a second reading and public hearing be held at 7:30 PM prevailing time at the scattering. And it's 4 55 whose name we New Jersey, as well as by telephonic conference on the 20th day of April, 2021, we have 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 of 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 0     00:33:49    Thank you, Mr. . Yes. Thank you.  second. Thank you.  see that. Please  
Speaker 1     00:34:24    Just needed Mr. Bullard. Can you unmute yourself? Councilman Cato? Yeah. Councilman con Councilman Lombardi. Councilwoman McCollum. Yes. Councilman RN.  
Speaker 0     00:35:02    Yes.  
Speaker 1     00:35:04    Council president shop. Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:35:07    Thank you. Okay. I come to Madrid content engine. That is relation why I need all my depression. No. Okay. Do I have all foot all over? Thank you. Second second. Thank you. Councilwoman Cahill.  
Speaker 3     00:36:29    Yeah.  
Speaker 0     00:36:32    Yes,  
Speaker 3     00:36:40    Yes.  
Speaker 0     00:36:44    Yes. Council president Shaw. Yes. Thank you. Item number 30. And I was spent damn comment from official bouncy man. Any comments? And I was spent. Okay. Costuming, please comment. And don't send,  
Speaker 3     00:37:25    Um, yes. Uh, council, president Shaw. I would like to say something. Um, tonight, um, this past week we saw the ramp this time in Atlanta where Asian Americans were sought out and slaughtered the scourge of intolerance. So prevalent in our nation must be countered wherever it exists or fellow Americans, those of Asian descent are being maligned. They're being marginalized and they are being brutalized. Well, there is peacefulness in our township between neighbors. Many residents are in great dismay. As at the images seen on the nightly news. In my own family, I have two nieces of Asian descent. One is attending college and I fear for her safety. These acts of hate and violence must stop. While we know that the past administration fueled the flames of hate, we in Piscataway will continue to coexist as America should we represent what the dream of America is?  
Speaker 3     00:38:34    We a melting pot, we respect one another. And we understand the value of diversity in early March a week before the Atlanta shooting, the township reached out to the national council of Asian Pacific Islanders. We want to listen. We want to help with our Piscataway civil rights advisory commission. We're looking for ways to be proactive. Very sadly, the Atlanta shootings happened. We then reached out to the Asian Pacific policy and planning council. While these natural groups are very busy right now. I hope that we can engage with them soon. In the meantime, I want all residents of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. And a matter of fact, also to know that your mayor town council and entire township support you, you are our friends and neighbors. I also want all residents to know that this getaway will continue to be a diverse and wonderful town. This will take vigilance. This will take all of us looking out for each other and we will, we will continue to be a home for everyone and we will continue to speak out against Tate. Thank you, council president.  
Speaker 0     00:39:50    Thank you Mrs. Conscious guy, consonant con. Thank you. Uh, cancel, because then I really just want to thank council Cahill for those, those words. I don't know that anyone could say it much better. It gets the only thing I would add to it. And she may have said it as well is, uh, I believe it's really time for our national leaders to act. Uh, I watched some of the, uh, debate or discussion, uh, in Congress today and continues to amaze me how certain, uh, members of Congress, um, just don't get it or indifferent or, uh, they just don't seem to understand what the vast majority of Americans, uh, would like to see occur. So, yeah, another census week of violence in America, um, I, I, not very much more, you could say it in counseling. Kale said it well, thank you. Thank you. It's gone constantly when Lombardi  
Speaker 6     00:40:53    Almost sentiment also. Um, thank you, gab. That was beautifully said. Um, I also want to acknowledge that we did, um, moods, um, Councilwoman, Gabrielle Cahill's mom. So our deepest condolences for her and her family in the loss of her mom. I'd also like to say that I'm happy that we are moving forward, uh, with, um, 100% renewable energy green energy in all of our government buildings. Thank you for your hard negotiating work in that. And I'd like to also wish, um, all of those, um, observing Passover and we have Easter on its way also before our next meeting, a beautiful holiday season. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:41:44    Thank you constantly in the morning.  
Speaker 1     00:41:50    Thank you, council president. I just want to echo a Councilwoman Gabrielle K health comments. Um, it's really unacceptable. Um, you know, phobic behavior and actions or words that we're hearing, um, from some individuals in this country, it gets Asian Americans, or I'll say Asian non-Americans it's to me. Um, we're talking about human beings here and that the behavior is unacceptable. I'm just going to read a quote again, that Martin Luther king said. And I don't know. I mean, a lot of us are familiar with this portion of the quote injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, but, um, while he was in Birmingham jail, this is also part of his quote. We're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. So whatever affects one directly, whatever affects one directly affects us or indirectly. So again, I just want people I'm here not only in Piscataway, but are Asian Americans or Asian non Americans to know that we are, we stand in support of you and the behavior that they give you here is totally unacceptable. Um, so again, it's, it's a horrible thing in terms of the gun violence that we're seeing that, um, Councilman conscious mentioned, um, it's time that we put in, um, and pass laws to stop what we're actually seeing. So we're long overdue here in terms of, um, stopping the gun violence. And again, on a happier note, just want to wish everyone a happy Easter and a happy Passover.  
Speaker 0     00:43:22    Thank you. Uh, constantly Manhattan.  
Speaker 8     00:43:26    Yes. I just want it to, uh, Gabby. Okay. Very well said. Um, and I also want to wish  
Speaker 0     00:43:35    That I'm not happy. Thank you. Oh, it's scale. You're saying the right thing for the hate for any community and any, any or anything. And how about is very concerned about that? And we always upfront for any kind of decency doesn't happen. Anything you always come forward and check it out, what's going on. So, and if you the really sad days for the America for this kind of, uh, hate client and, uh, happy Easter to everybody. Thank you. Uh, Mayo, Brian Wallace.  
Speaker 9     00:44:26    Thank you, cows. The president. I just want to concur with all the comments that were just made. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:44:32    Thank you. May I ran   
Speaker 2     00:44:37    Yeah. So I just want to clarify a David akin said a question before about the budget. The budget was introduced at our last meeting and we are going to have a public hearing on it and adoption is scheduled for April 20th, which will be our next meeting. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:44:52    Thank you.   
Speaker 5     00:44:57    Sure. Yeah. Just want to also clarify on the discussions of, of the municipal budget and deficits, um, compared to the fed, uh, municipal governments, unlike the fed cannot do deficit financing. Um, so, so that should clarify that issue. Other than that. No, no other cars thinking.  
Speaker 0     00:45:39    Yes.  
Speaker 7     00:45:40    Um, I'm sorry. I had a technology problem. I tried to make one comment if I may. And it seems as though our township, the folks are really, really looking into and receiving the vaccinations. You know, that's what I've seen based on, uh, questions. Uh, you know, people have called me quite a bit to, uh, find out how can I get in? Why, why this, why that, so it looks as though, um, we're really into getting our vaccinations. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     00:46:18    Thank you, man. Uh, okay. Now item number 14, again, that says, send for epic 20, 21  2021. Any question Balmain? None. Okay. The non secondary amending chapter 21 zoning to add section 21 dash 1102 dash eight, supplement landscape condor, open to public resolution, adopting audience. Any questions or comments from our audience? Secondary borderline against roar. It's an improvement approach. 13 4.9 million 4.2 million 45,600 open to public resolution adopting ordinance. Any comment or None has been extended altering authorizing reading of C Y 2021 budget by title. Any comment or question? Thank you.  rising self examination of annual measurable budget. Any comment or question?  
Speaker 1     00:47:56    I just have a comment. Just want to thank, you know, um, our finance colleagues for doing an excellent job and putting us in a position of being able to self-examine.  
Speaker 0     00:48:11    Is it a  contract to date on track for three and stump removal, each three salaries in quarter per said, not to exhibit the one that $50,000. Any comment or question? Thanks. Is there a certain local Penzance reflection? Any comment or question? None.  authorizing a word of beat 2021  of various park courts and doing did opening April 8th, 2021. Any comment or question? None. Public hearing calendar. Yes. Go ahead.  
Speaker 1     00:49:03    Yeah, I think I have a question. Um, if you could, if this is the item before, sorry, I didn't take myself off mute the local pension protection. Can we expand on that a little bit?  
Speaker 9     00:49:13    If I may count the president, this has to do with, um, a bill being sponsored by Senate president, Steve Sweeney to allow counties and misspoke miscible governments across the state that the breakout from the, uh, be itself pension unto itself. Um, basically the Ms. Capacities in the counties had been fully funding their pensions, uh, for the last 20 plus years or longer. And this is, this is something good for the, for the pension, for the workers, um, that worked for the county and missile governments.  
Speaker 0     00:49:48    Thank you. Ma'am. Thank you. Ma'am. Thank you. It's gone. Public heading calendar year 2021 ministry budgets. Any comment or question? None. There's Allison Adelson calendar year 2021 research budget. Any comment or question Item, number 15, open to public previous to speak at this time, please press 9,009 two. Raise your hand when it is your turn to speak, you will hear an announcement that you will have an unmuted at that time. Please state your name and address and know that you help three minutes in which you make your comments. The counselor ed Michelle will respond if necessary after you have completed any comment or question  
Speaker 1     00:51:03    Council president, I'm asking the first individual to unmute themselves. Their last four digits of their number are 9 8, 7 9. If you could unmute yourself, please.  
Speaker 0     00:51:13    Thank you. Can you hear me? Yes. This has said Madison. I live at 1 76 Blackford avenue. First. I would like to know who did not have a chance to read the email that I sent after the last console meeting. Hopefully this is a short list.  
Speaker 0     00:51:41    I'm assuming, because I don't hear anything that everyone read the email. Uh, I'm going to go off on a little different bent, a short statement on the science of stopping global warming on the worldwide agreed target of 1.5 degrees Celsius or as close as possible without going over two degrees Celsius, taken from a speech by John Kerry. And this is a quote. The scientists tell us that it just doesn't work to issue mid century goal without reducing emissions sufficiently between now and 2030. Because without that, and without a miracle, it's highly improbable, I'm sorry. And it is highly implausible that you could ever get to 2050 net zero in a, in a way any country would ever choose. That's the end of the quote, to summarize his point. We can't get to the desired, I would say required goal of net zero in 2050, without, without significantly reducing emissions by 2030, significant in this case, it's 50% lowering of emissions, allowing additional fossil fuel infrastructure, which New Jersey is doing is insane. Tell governor Murphy via the resolution that I've asked you to pass. Do you have any questions?  
Speaker 1     00:53:31    Thank  
Speaker 4     00:53:31    You for your insight. Thank you, Mr. Sood you guys glad.  
Speaker 1     00:53:51    Okay. I'm unmuting. The next individual, the last four digits are 9 6, 9 0. You can unmute yourself please.  
Speaker 7     00:54:02    Yeah. Hi, uh, this is pretty Patel 29 Android patrol, just to comment on, um, on pensions and protections, um, just general commenting, weathering muni or state or county governments. One of the things that my understanding of government was a public service. The overall salary was low and it was compensated with lifelong pensions. And that was the trade-off between the private, um, private employment versus the public service employment. What we see today is the, the public side of the government and their payroll is kind of inflating to a level, whether we look at from teacher's side or from police side. And I'm not saying that they are doing bad job or they're underpaid or whatnot, but if they are getting such a high salary and on top of it, they're getting pensions. Then I think one thing is happening that we are actually disincentivizing the private side, um, uh, employment in a way, uh, but more and more people want to work for the government in innovate.  
Speaker 7     00:55:07    So it's a disincentive to a free market and also kind of see, uh, seeding the, uh, solving the seeds of innovate socialism through the back door. So what I would suggest is when, when salary numbers and all of this are looked at, uh, let's look at overarching goals is for public service. You're, you're trading your time, but in the long run, you're getting full rewarded for pensions. Um, also in the police system, I've seen that many times, yes, they, they really work hard. I wholeheartedly support, uh, our local police system, but when their vacations and their times I've seen you in, this is just general problem, public or private people are not taking vacations for, for almost 14. Or they have like overage that goes for month or two months and all this kind of stuff. And I think some of this loss should be reformed because a healthy citizen taking vacation is a good thing.  
Speaker 7     00:56:04    And I don't know why in this world, when America is highly productive and the working hours, whether I look at in corporations or C Corp or any of that, um, you are going up. Uh, so that's something that needs to be looked into that. Um, one other thing I would like to look at, uh, somewhat down to standpoint in our contract is, does general prevalence of wage theft getting injected into, uh, because of it systems, uh, there is no supervisory or, or, or commission that is overseeing this. Um, so, uh, even in, I think somewhere in 2017 or something, uh, they had to look at FLFC act where people were working from home. Uh, they're working for war than I guess, 40 or 50 hours. And those fire 10 hours are getting shortchanged or those numbers are under-reported causing massive imbalances in the world employment system. So that's something that I just wanted to meet as a public comment  
Speaker 1     00:57:10    Council president on unmuting, the next individual with their hand raised the last score did it 7, 6 0 4 can unmute yourself please. 7, 6 0 4. If you can hit star six to unmute yourself, Okay, I'm going to go to the next person. I will try that one after it. I'm unmuting the next person with the last four digits, 8 5, 4 4. If you could unmute yourself, please Just state your name and address.  
Speaker 10    00:58:15    Hi, this is where I Libra 1 0 2 Stratton street south.  
Speaker 10    00:58:23    I am the hello. I am the Middlesex county committee member representing three 10 passing town. This is a random little school theater neighborhood. And in light of today, the approval of green energy on our town and the Arbor day proclamation, our township has another opportunity to continue to fight for clean township in our air faulty, as you may or may not have seen a letter to the editor was posted today in tap into Piscataway regarding serious environmental health and justice concerns regarding 1,690 Washington avenue. Lot, you associate a petition at this time has over 250 signatures, and it states we Piscataway residents like to think of our town as a model middle American community with treeline neighborhoods, good schools and local parks, but increasingly these assets compete with a harsher reality. The salaries become a hotspot for warehouse fraud along the I 2 87 Carter adding vast Walgett, concrete diesel truck emissions, congestion, and land loss to the picture.  
Speaker 10    00:59:32    The most a warning new proposal would allow two more warehouses. I wanted the last wooded properties in town, the 25 acre parcel at 1690 south Washington avenue. What is the fuss about 60 more diesel truck days when the town has added over a thousand since 2015, this parcel borders, the Randall Phil elementary school, I attended by nearly 500 K to three students. And over 45 teachers and staff members, developers have already been allowed to put 186 truck days on the north side of the school property, more than a hundred added in the last six years. Clearly this mayor council and zoning board, aren't considering the serious health risks posed by Depot truck emissions and truck traffic, especially to young children with developing lungs air fall. These studies conclusively show that truck emissions contribute to asthma allergy, decreased lung function and long-term health problems that include respiratory damage, cardiovascular disease, C O P D and lung cancer.  
Speaker 10    01:00:44    During the pandemic, we've discovered that air pollution also correlates with COVID-19 morbidity rates. Sure. The chemical plants along the rarity river Carter are long gone, but logistical centers are taking their places as significant environmental threats. These are emissions include nitric oxide, which interacts with ground-level ozone to further reduce air quality. Our area already earned an app from the American lung association for ground level ozone, and even with recent improvements in fuels and filters, diesel truck emissions contains particulate matter PM 2.5. That is especially damaging when exposures are nearby, recurring, concentrated, and tuna kids like at an elementary school with potentially 230 tough things on its property line next to its playground drop off sites and classroom windows. How could the Skyway zoning board not consider this a deal breaker after all the developer for the 1690 south Washington warehouses need the board to resolve a world residential parcel with irreplaceable freshwater wetlands and would say, no, thank you very much.  
Speaker 3     01:02:19    Council president, I've asked the next individual 7, 6 0 4 to unmute themselves. Who do you mean? It's Stacey Berger at 2 33 Ellis Parkway. And I'm going to pick up where hello. I'm going to pick up where Laura left off I'm in the Middlesex county democratic organization and scholarly democratic organization representative from the Heights board three district two, which has already experienced the invasion of a warehouse in our neighborhood, ultimately saying no would buck the mayor strategy of turning Piscataway into a logistical hub for the I 2 87 corridor during the new on-demand economy. It's an expedient strategy that has allowed giant warehouse complexes to pop up along river road, north, uh, Centennial avenue, north old, new Brunswick road, south Randolph hill and Washington, Southern Washington. It's a strategy that also includes a big cat, big tax breaks for mega developers lowering their property assessments and giving them payment in lieu of taxes deal, which exempt them from paying school and library taxes to have the best amenities in our community.  
Speaker 3     01:03:28    The Randolph dill elementary school is not only vulnerable location as our economy researches more and more trucks will be idling next to the high school playing fields next to the Muslim center and the United Methodist church near the senior center, the library and the new Y near the shore middle school and Grandview elementary school, the river road apartments, possum town, and all the neighborhoods along instruct truck. The mayor even got trees removed at the upper intermediate school named for trees to modify the road for truck traffic. How old this getaway home values there when the COVID housing don't date and house hunters at air quality and scenic landscapes to their preferences, how will our new tradings look if we've jeopardized the tax base of our good school and put our children at risk for truck depots, inconvenient truths are hard but necessary to face. The ugly fact is mayor Waller and the council have pursued a low road development strategy over the past 20 years, as Piscataway has transitioned from a majority white town to being 73% people of color.  
Speaker 3     01:04:30    There's a long established pattern of environmental injustice in New Jersey that follows this demographic shift, replacing greenspaces with polluting industries, uploading the tax basis of schools and public services, isolating residential neighborhoods and stonewalling environmental concerns. This pattern has been recognized by the New Jersey department of environmental protection in a landmark environmental justice law passed last September when the EGA rules are finalized this fall proposal, like the one to rezone 1690 south Washington would require approval by the DEP division of environmental justice are already recognized as an overburden community and proximity to warehouses and distribution centers is high on the list of unequal, health stressors, environmental racism, and Piscataway. The, and the council will protest. The zoning board will scuff, but environmental justice. Isn't just about diverse faces in public spaces. It's about equal protection from pollution and health risks. We call on the zoning board and the council to oppose the rezoning 1690 south Washington. We're not counting on enlightenment. However, we're fighting for our kids to go to safe and healthy schools. We're fighting for our quality of life in Piscataway and for our right to breathe clean clearing from the DEP.  
Speaker 1     01:05:48    So CA council president. I have a comment on there, you know, I, you know, I totally understand, um, you know, everyone's concerned for health always. Um, but when they start to, when the comments are made, that they're concerned about it being a majority white town, I mean, this is a very diverse town here at the Skyway. Um, and when we start to say that we were looking for, um, one race to be dominant or get certain things that were passing or moving forward with, um, we're starting to make it appear that there's racism here. I mean, to me, that's a bit of a concern, but I just want to go on record and stating, you know, I have a concern with the comments that are made here, that it sounds like, um, you know, there's some environmental racism going on here and I, I don't really understand that to be honest,  
Speaker 3     01:06:39    Council president, I'm going to second that as well. Uh, this is Councilman KL. I mean, it is absolutely. And its third statement that was made. We pride ourselves on our diversity in this town. And there is so much that, uh, the local municipal government from years prior, having invested into this town, uh, with the recreation league with no, no fees for our young people and for families who may not be able to afford it to trying to build sidewalks, to make this a walkable town bike lane so that we bike, we've been written up in money magazine as one of the best towns in which to live. I am extremely offended and I'm not going to seek any further because obviously I'm not in notionally. Um, you know, with it right now because the loss of my mother, but I have to tell you that for this council to listen to that third insult is absolutely disgraceful. And I really, I would write like that to be put into the record,  
Speaker 1     01:08:01    My  
Speaker 3     01:08:02    Council colleagues,  
Speaker 0     01:08:05    Okay. Counsel present if I could comment quickly. But in addition to agree with what my colleagues have said, you know, Ms. Berger and anybody else has the to take any position they want on any project in town or any, uh, ordinance or resolution in town and that's democracy and that's just fine and dandy, but, uh, what's, what's inappropriate or are the, or racially divisive statements like that. That's the problem we have in Washington. Uh, and if people can't, uh, state their opinions, uh, debate issues have, have a conversation without making accusations of all sorts and, and comments of all sorts that are entirely divisive. And so, uh, frankly, uh, the speaker, all she, all she has done is harm her own cause. And perhaps, you know, her, her, her followers may cheer, but the vast majority of residents in our town, I think if they heard comments like that would be as offended as we are. Um, that's not who Piscataway is. That's not how the Skyway will be improved. And, uh, that type of divisive, uh, partisan political rhetoric is hurting our country. And I don't want to see it in our town or any more of it in our town.  
Speaker 1     01:09:25    Steve, I appreciate those comments, right? Because this is what we saw, you know, prior to president Biden coming into office. And we don't want that division coming here and tip, escape, this getaway, you know, I've raised my kids here. I'm a product of, uh, of this environment here and T to make such statements. I'm just trying to figure out where we're going. What angle, you know, are people trying to utilize to, to achieve their goals? Because to me in a town like this people, I mean, you don't have to lead this council to experience other cultures. People never see other cultures without going on vacation here. So to me, I mean it it's, you know, I enjoy living here and I'm sure the other residents do too, but we just don't want that type of, I'll say division one year to our account. So to make those comments, I just think it's just unacceptable. So thank you. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     01:10:15    I agree with you guys because I'm living in this town for 38 years, my boat kids raised here and I will see as zero ACL, any diversity on this town also, and there is no race in this town. So next time I request to probably person, please not comment. Any issue, stop. Just go point to point what you help point. Just explain your point. You're not the one that they weren't our wine for the ratio. So be careful next time.  
Speaker 1     01:10:54    And I have one more individual with their hand raised for the public portion. I'm asking them to unmute themselves now.  
Speaker 11    01:11:00    Yes. Hello. Can  
Speaker 1     01:11:01    You hear me? You can unmute yourself. Yes.  
Speaker 11    01:11:04    Hi. My name is Brian rack. I live on 1247 Brookside road. Um, I had comments, but I just wanted to address the previous, uh, comments by the I'm not sure if you understood the quote properly. Maybe if you read the article, it would make sense that the quote was over the past 20 years, Piscataway has transitioned for me, majority white town to being 73% people of color. And then it goes on to talk about how, uh, there's a long established pattern of environmental injustice that follows this demographic shift. So I'm not sure there was any racial motivation there. I think it was just a statement of facts that as the town gets more diverse, the, uh, air quality and other qualities of life go down. I don't think that was meant as a racial. Did you read the article? Did you read the article In the article? I quoted directly from the article. There's an article on insider New Jersey. You can read it right. Or I'm sorry, tap into a Piscataway. I was reading explicitly from the article.  
Speaker 0     01:12:12    So Brian, I can tell you is what it sounded like to me, maybe I'm wrong. And the speaker seemed to say that we're we, the county county government are, uh, allowing warehouses in this town because of some form of environmental racism. That's I think that's a term that I heard. So, uh, you can, uh, shimmer coded if you want. And I'm sure that that, that those things occur in different places around the country. I'm not naive, but I heard exactly what was said, and that's the reason we're all offended. Um, you know, you can oppose what we, what we do. That's fine. You have a right to do that, but you want to make, make the division of, uh, allegations of racism. That's when we stand up and we said we've had enough.  
Speaker 11    01:13:01    Okay, well, that kind of goes into what I was going to ask before. Uh, I heard mention of the civil rights commission I see on the website that's supposed to meet, uh, the fourth Thursday of every month. When is the last time that's met? Are those meetings public? I also see there's an environmental action commission listed in the township code that I don't see listed anywhere on the website. Is that also meeting somewhere that nobody knows about? So no, neither of those are meeting. Am I still connected? I mean, I,  
Speaker 0     01:14:19    You have three minutes to comment any comments.  
Speaker 11    01:14:22    I mean, I would love for his mic questions to be addressed, but I guess that's not going to happen. So neither of the civil, uh, I'm sorry, the, uh, civil rights commission nor the environmental commission is meeting in Piscataway right now. I mean, I guess if no, one's going to answer that question, then I have nothing further to ask here.  
Speaker 0     01:15:23    Okay, now this time I want to close the public portion.  
Speaker 9     01:15:38    Count the president. If I may  
Speaker 9     01:15:43    Just very briefly, I concur with all the council members just said about the comments men by two of the members of the public, they made statements. Uh, one thing I would like to clarify, I, I still, I keep hearing this argument about trees that the Mr. Government took down or someplace or whatever. I don't, I don't understand what they're talking about, but the only trees that I know that were taken down was by the board of education who was chaired by the president at the time, bill Erwin was about 30 mature pine trees around the high school tennis court on hoes lane. That would take him down. I don't know why they were taken down, but they were taken down and I didn't hear any of them jumping up and down about when all those mature trees were taken down. So I just want to leave it at that  
Speaker 0     01:16:32    And do me a Now item number 12, my son, do I Know any, thank you.