[0:00] Very good evening everyone. It's 6:30. I'll call this meeting to order. Would

[0:03] you please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance

[0:09] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it

[0:14] stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[0:20] » God bless America.

[0:26] Roll call. Councilman first council present.

[0:30] » Colin Okonnell first council present. >> Mr. Fuller, second council, present.

[0:35] » Maria Mamer, second word council president.

[0:38] » Michael Hockenberry, councilman at large, present.

[0:40] » Dominic, mayor, present. Jeffrey RHS, third council, present.

[0:43] » Gerald Noni, third councilman, present. >> Stan Seagull, fourth word councilman

[0:48] present. >> Corporation council present.

[0:52] » All right. Thank you everyone. We have no public hearings on the agenda

[0:55] tonight. We do have one presentation. I'd like to call up Laura Meyer from the

[0:58] Fort Jervis Tourist Board.

[1:05] » Well, 2025 the Port Jervis had a lot of great events that happened. Everyone was

[1:11] successful and we had added the Delaware River Cardboard Boat Riotta and Delaware

[1:17] Beach Party to the event last year. We didn't have a lot of contestants, but we

[1:22] had a lot of fun. And um the tourism board would like to present the check to

[1:26] the Port Juris Fire Department special operations team for their assistance the

[1:31] day of. And I think they had a lot of fun. They saved everybody from drowning

[1:35] and injuries at the event. So, we want to thank you.

[1:39] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:40] » Thank you. >> Thanks.

[1:49] » All right. Moving on. Public comment. Five minute limit per person. I just

[1:53] want to uh remind everybody that this is public comment and not public answering

[1:57] session. Okay. Lindsay Ellis Andis.

[2:04] » Hello. Um my name is Lindsay Andis. This is my son Pinn. He's a portervice middle

[2:09] school student. I'm an engineer tech lead accredited associate. Highly

[2:14] experienced in residential structural design with some experience in

[2:18] commercial design. I grew up in Greenville and in January

[2:21] of 2024, we bought our first home here in the city of Port Jervis. In the two

[2:26] years we have lived here, we have fully immersed ourselves into our community.

[2:31] As a volunt I am a volunteer at the warming station a few nights a week. I

[2:35] serve meals. I travel to collect donations and cater to our guests

[2:40] individual needs. I also host movie nights for our guests two Fridays every

[2:47] month for fellow movie enthusiasts. Finn is an athlete playing Fort Jervis

[2:55] youth baseball, football, and wrestling. He's also a frequent attendee of the

[3:00] city's recreation department. You can find him at their after school program

[3:04] multiple days a week, not because he needs to be there, because often I work

[3:08] from home, but because he loves to be there. He attends their seasonal parties

[3:13] and during the summer bounces between Pike Street and Church Street locations.

[3:18] This past summer, the recreation center hosted an open forum for youth residents

[3:24] requesting their input for proposed community center to be located at the

[3:29] Church Street Park. Finn was the only student to attend. He spoke publicly to

[3:34] the committee and shared his thoughts on how the after school youth program

[3:40] would benefit from having outdoor spaces and activities such as basketball courts

[3:45] and brass toss for football. friends and I love this little city and we want to

[3:50] continue to contribute to our community whether it is with our minds, our hands

[3:55] or our hearts. As an observer and a doer, I watch

[4:00] people and I listen. I hear what's happening in the homeless community,

[4:04] their opinions and perspectives. I hear all the youth's chatter at games in

[4:09] school coming from my own living room. When I attended the youth forum this

[4:14] summer regarding the proposed new community center, I listened to the

[4:18] input of my son um and from what the forum leader shared from his meeting

[4:25] earlier with seniors and other community demographics

[4:29] and at an increasing rate. I've been listening to and seeing people's

[4:33] conversations online regarding the turntable.

[4:37] Most recently, I attended the December city council meeting and heard the

[4:41] city's residents thoughts regarding 86 Pine Pike Street, the site of our

[4:48] historic turntable landmark. Emotions were high. Many people shared the same

[4:53] passion to preserve the city's history. Residents came out and tuned eager for

[4:59] informed response from the city. Instead, the mayor issued a brief

[5:03] statement which gave no explanation other than the had no intentions of

[5:07] selling the turntable or the parcel it sits on

[5:11] and made sure to mention two developers, but you didn't vow not to lease it or to

[5:18] transfer ownership or to allow the state or county agency to build grant housing.

[5:24] Can you give us guarantee? Rumors and concerns continue to linger

[5:29] regarding the fate of the turntable at 86 Pine Street. There is a real need

[5:34] right now for unity. The residents of the city feel they are losing their

[5:38] history and their identity. The turntables a landmark which represents

[5:43] our deep routed history in the railroad which the city was built on. Finn and

[5:49] Ben Finn and I are here tonight to propose that 86

[5:53] Pike Street be absorbed by the city's recreation department. Furthermore, as

[5:57] someone who has worked with municipalities to create communal

[6:01] spaces, structures, and expand on the services that they provide to their

[6:06] communities, I encourage the city to consider 86 Pine Street, the future site

[6:10] of the proposed community center. The goal of remediated brownfield is

[6:17] redevelopment. The potential for redevelopment greatly increases with

[6:21] locations with municipal water and sewer, which our city supplies. The

[6:26] Street Park located at 5155 Church Street is two parcels with a combined

[6:32] 3.8 acres. Majority of the park is already occupied by tennis and

[6:36] basketball courts, a splash pad and playground,

[6:40] all leaving limited space for our community center that can serve all the

[6:44] needs of our community, not to mention parking. 86 Pike Street is a single 8.7

[6:50] acre parcel is a current um It currently has municipal parking in

[6:57] place with ample room for expansion. Its proximity to the business district makes

[7:02] it convenient and readily accessible to residents

[7:06] » with more than double the timer. >> Am I done?

[7:13] » Okay. Um 86 Pike Street support can support

[7:19] community center which means all the communities need with room for future

[7:24] growth. It will provide a haven for learning, physical activity, gathering,

[7:28] play, leisure, relaxation and most of all unification. This new community

[7:32] center will serve as a permanent home for our treasured artifacts memorabilia

[7:36] and honor our history with preservation of the turntable. with the city's

[7:40] recreation department continued commitments to our community

[7:45] and the funding assistance of the Brownfield redevelopment grant, New York

[7:50] grant, office of children and family services, Orange County Youth Bureau and

[7:54] other participating state and county agencies. The community center 86 Pike

[7:58] Street is

[8:06] » Laura Meyer tourism.

[8:11] » Tim Simmons.

[8:21] » Thank you, mayor. Um, my name is Tim Simmons. Um,

[8:26] representing the fortress special operations team. Uh this past Saturday

[8:32] we uh held our seventh annual polar plunge. Uh we had an amazing 89 people

[8:40] go in the water on Saturday. Um it was it was awesome. We had a a really good

[8:47] turnout. We probably had uh 200 people there all together that uh

[8:53] were there to watch and participate. Um this year once again um our our good

[9:01] friend Chip Estinus came and u he put together donations pledges from uh his

[9:09] his fellow employees and he presented us with $1,229

[9:14] in pledges and donations that he collected. Um, we're always very

[9:20] fortunate to have the sponsorship of uh local businesses. I just want to take a

[9:27] moment moment to run down the list here. Uh, as always we have the Gun Lady,

[9:33] Never Sync Lumber. Uh this year we had the uh Shop Tattoo, Bagel HQ, Mama Grace

[9:39] Pizzeria, The Erie Hotel and Tiki Bar, Mos and Papa Joe's, Hocking Bears

[9:44] Garage, uh Jim Roner, uh once again Bear Holler Embroidery, Blue Sky Insurance,

[9:52] John Kota and Sun Supply, our county legislator, Tom Fazion, performance

[9:58] forming, the Port Republic Republican city committee, uh our mayor former fire

[10:05] chief uh Tom Calis, Tom's Automotive, Assembly, Assemblyman Carl Brain, and

[10:11] Walsh and Honor Free attorneys of Law. And we always ask our participants to to

[10:17] patronize these. Um the only one we don't ask them to patronize right away

[10:21] is uh the Night O movie funeral home. We think they can wait on that a little

[10:27] bit. But um uh we also had some donations from various people. Uh Judge

[10:35] Honor gave us a $250 donation. Uh and um Paul Hartman gave us a $50 donation and

[10:42] other people I'm not sure who they were along the way gave us various donations

[10:46] as they signed up or came to watch. So um it it was awesome. Um, and without

[10:54] the support of the recck department, uh, John Fagioni, uh, Preston Simonson, and

[10:59] Greg Conland, um, we couldn't do it. They help us out tremendously through,

[11:05] you know, getting everything that we need at at the beach. And, um, also the

[11:10] run signup that, uh, we use to have the participants uh, sign up through. Uh,

[11:17] it's it's really great. But, uh, also the guys special operations team uh are

[11:24] there to to to uh make sure it runs smoothly and make sure everybody's safe

[11:28] and u just as they are all year long. You know, doesn't matter day or night,

[11:34] what time of the day, what the weather is like. Um they're always there to um

[11:41] help people who are having the worst day of their lives. So, uh I just want to

[11:46] thank everybody that was involved and um I want to thank the uh city for allowing

[11:53] us to hold an event like this and next year we will do it again. Uh we've also

[11:59] thought about the idea of uh having a challenge. Um we're going to see if we

[12:07] can send out an invitation to the all the local fire departments. We're going

[12:12] to call it the fire and ice challenge. And the fire department that comes with

[12:16] the most number of members who enter the water will get a trophy and the bragging

[12:22] rights of being the coolest fire department in the area.

[12:26] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[12:30] » All right, Harrison.

[12:39] » Sounds like it's working. I h from the city of Kingston as an

[12:44] employee of the Catskill Mountain Railroad.

[12:48] I've only recently been paying attention to

[12:53] controversy about what's going on with the turntable museum.

[12:58] I request that transparency in order of it much like 12 years ago

[13:07] county started attacking our line to pull it out for a bike trail. It sure

[13:12] felt like we had the rug pulled out from under us because we as the public just

[13:16] did not know what's going on. I would ask that you consider the

[13:20] history of your >> Yeah.

[13:26] » Charles

[13:33] last time, but first and foremost, I'm going let you

[13:37] all know that I a lawsuit against the city. um police department. Um

[13:44] other than that, uh like you said, she sound like she had a good plan for down

[13:49] there, but the other gentleman there, uh Mich

[13:59] was donated. So donate, donation means it's no longer ours. As long as they're

[14:05] here, it's still here to preserve our history.

[14:08] So I I'd like everybody to start looking into uh this uh what was what was it I

[14:18] read? Uh half a million dollar rent for a fire department and are they going to

[14:23] tear out the wall to build a central firehouse?

[14:29] You guys really need to uh open up this stuff. It's like

[14:36] Kelly Decker all over again. Becker 2.0.

[14:43] » Yeah, that's all I got. >> Thank you.

[15:03] » Yeah, I think does a great job.

[15:09] Unfortunately, I'm not here to tell you what a great job you're doing.

[15:17] And I've done a lot of volunteer work over the years for the for the city. I

[15:23] grew up in the city. I went away to college. I came back.

[15:29] I thought I'd leave, but then we bought property here.

[15:33] Uh I tried to rem maintain my in a good way.

[15:41] I thought I was maintaining them. Well, I got a notice

[15:47] in September. Now, when was the first notice?

[15:54] The notice, the first notice was in September

[16:00] that the grass needed to be cut um at my property.

[16:07] and it was the store that my parents owned on Ball Street.

[16:14] I didn't get the notice until the 20th. Uh, apparently the deadline to cut the

[16:22] grass was supposed to be on the 15th.

[16:29] As soon as I got the notice, I called the fellow who was renting the store for

[16:34] me. He's a very good tenant. He pays his rent right on time. I called him up. I

[16:40] said, "Joe, you've got to cut the grass. I got a notice."

[16:45] So, the deadline apparently was the 15th.

[16:49] I wasn't worried about it. I thought, "Well, I didn't get the notice till the

[16:53] 20th. I called Joe. I figured he'd go and mow it. No big deal." So, I threw

[16:59] away the letter. The next day, I get a bill for

[17:05] 54. This piece of this little yard, it's

[17:10] fenced in. It's got a little tiny gate. $354.

[17:17] I never paid more than $50 to have this little yard mowed. So, I

[17:23] call up Mr. Rivera and I said, "I just didn't get this notice until just

[17:30] recently." I said, you know, the post office isn't that fast. I don't go and

[17:38] mow myself. I have the tenants. It's part of their

[17:43] things. I said, I did call them as soon as I got the notice,

[17:49] and I do keep my properties up as soon as I know. I don't go out and inspect

[17:54] them to see that these things are done. But as you can see, you know where my

[18:00] properties are. My house is well maintained. Uh, and I know if I call

[18:07] him, I know he's going to do it. Not my concern.

[18:16] But the bill was $354. I never paid more than $50. It's a

[18:22] little yard. Nobody goes in this little yard. It's got a little gate. Little

[18:28] gate is like partially open. Nobody goes in this yard. I couldn't believe the

[18:33] amount of money. I could understand even if it was $100. I'd said well this that

[18:40] the other $354. I said, "I'm not paying this. This is ridiculous. This is some

[18:46] kind of a money scam." I said, "I'm not paying this."

[18:51] So meanwhile, I just got another bill every month I've been getting a bill.

[18:57] This last month is for $49.50. And on the bottom, it says if I don't

[19:04] pay this, it's going to be added to my city taxes, which is the end of this

[19:10] month. So, one way or another, you plan on taking this money out of my hide. I'm

[19:18] not happy about this. I'm going to be putting this on Facebook and I'm going

[19:23] to be notifying Excuse me. >> What address is that?

[19:28] » It's going to be taken out of my >> address.

[19:32] » The address is 100 street. I'm going to be sending this out to both

[19:40] the representatives because I didn't hear from any of you. I sent you every

[19:45] one of you a letter. I sent the mayor a certified letter. I sent a letter to

[19:51] River a certified letter. And everyone, each of you got a regular letter that

[19:56] you had to sign for. So I know you each got this letter that stated all the

[20:03] information. I can the letter. It said,

[20:09] I received a bill from port service DPW for $374.

[20:15] The work order was from Mr. Rivera authorizing DPW.

[20:22] Your five minutes is over. >> My five minutes are over.

[20:25] » We'll look into this. >> You all got this letter.

[20:28] » I'm going to be sending it to >> look into it.

[20:34] » You better look into it. >> Yes.

[20:36] » Because I'm also sending it to the New York State Attorney General because I

[20:41] know that I'm not the only one that has this has happened to. I won't let this

[20:46] go. This is a scam.

[21:02] What's up?

[21:06] » Hi, I'm Peter Brick. I was born and raised in Port Jervis.

[21:13] Um, which may take some people by surprise

[21:19] because um, unlike everyone else here, I have a

[21:25] strange accent. Don't tell me ask me how this happened. I just do. I've only

[21:31] spent maybe two days outside the country as far as I

[21:35] know. Um,

[21:40] so and and many people when they talk about

[21:45] my accent, they usually guess uh somewhere in Europe, uh, often

[21:52] England, but other places as well. So,

[21:57] um,

[22:00] because of my accent, I can be targeted

[22:06] by ICE, immigrations, and custom enforcement,

[22:12] just because of my act, the way I talk. Um,

[22:17] and I was talking with a law enforcement uh,

[22:23] New York City retired policeman um, last month and he was telling me

[22:30] um, how like he had lots of interactions with the uh, immigration when he was uh,

[22:38] back when he was um, still in the service in the uh, uh, on the

[22:46] in the police department down there. Um, and they like

[22:54] they did not treat people well. Uh, and that was presumably

[23:03] back before this current administration where there's like no restrictions it

[23:10] seems on what uh ICE officers can do to people. um

[23:19] and um

[23:24] the uh arrests of both immigrants and US citizens who might have strange accents

[23:33] um or just um

[23:37] look the wrong way, don't look American enough. Um they

[23:43] their cars can be rammed from behind uh to get them to stop. Um

[23:50] windows smashed in their cars. Um their lives could be extinguished.

[23:57] Um and there is hardly any accountability.

[24:01] And this worries me and it should worry other people. Although maybe some people

[24:07] here don't mind if my life gets snuffed out. Um and people American citizens

[24:13] have been held in detention um uh what amounts to torture facil facilities

[24:22] um here in the US um

[24:29] and um

[24:34] so I would propose to the city to start making uh um protect protective

[24:43] measures. Um

[24:48] uh have city agencies prohibited from sharing informations about immigrants

[24:52] with federal agents unless they're suspected of criminal activity.

[24:59] Um, you know, the big push was supposed to be,

[25:02] » um, oh, we're going to get all the violent criminals out, but turns out

[25:06] ordinary people, um, even people who hold green cards, have visas,

[25:12] they just find out, oh, we're going to we got a quot, we got we're going to

[25:16] yank this visa. Uh, uh, so, uh, what other measures might

[25:23] the city take? um have uh ICE uh prohibited from arresting uh

[25:31] individuals at the city hall, uh other uh city or state facilities, uh

[25:39] I guess school houses. Um

[25:45] uh another uh thing that the city might adopt um

[25:52] uh

[25:58] have the city failed uh barred from honoring detainer requests from ICE

[26:04] unless the uh the person was convicted of a violent or serious crime.

[26:10] or is on the federal fox list or under a judicial warrant

[26:15] » and have other points which I can make next time.

[26:21] » Thank you, Mr.

[26:26] We have no executive session tonight. Moving on to the

[26:31] annual banual mayor's appointments. the ADA committee. I'm going to point

[26:37] this term will run through January 31st, 2026

[26:42] through January 31st, 2028. Jennifer Foster, Ann Marie Foster,

[26:49] Melissa Decker, Gina Torres, Timothy Monahan. For the Civil Service

[26:55] Committee, a term that's going to run through January 13, 2026

[27:01] through May 31st, 2031, I'm going to appoint Lisa owski for the CDA.

[27:08] I would like to appoint Kristen Troy. Her term will run January 31st, 2026

[27:14] through January 31st, 2029. John Russell, whose term will run

[27:19] January 31st, 2026 through January 31st, 2027.

[27:26] Michael Townage, whose term will run from January 31st, 2026

[27:32] through January 31st, 2028. To the IBA, I'd like to appoint Rosita

[27:38] Ever. Her term will run from January 13, 2026 through January 31st, 2028.

[27:46] Mr. Michael Whit, whose term will run from January 13, 2026 through January

[27:52] 31st, 2029. to the planning board to reappoint Mr.

[27:57] Henry Dunn whose term will run January 31st, 2026 through January 31st, 2031.

[28:05] Mr. Joe Budo, whose term will run January 31st, 2026 through January 31st,

[28:12] 2031. Recreation Committee, Debbie Cunningham,

[28:15] whose term will run January 31st, 2026 through January 31st, 2033.

[28:23] to the tourism board. These terms will run from January 31st, 2026 through

[28:30] January 31st, 2028. Miss Laura Meyer, Miss Theresa Bellow, Jackie Smith,

[28:36] Tucker Enright, Robert Bloomer, Tammy Predor, Chucky McBride, Mike Meyer,

[28:41] Nikki Jones, and Regis Foster. Like to appoint to our city uh reappoint

[28:46] to our city marshall. These terms will run January 31st, 2026 through January

[28:52] 31st, 2031. Mr. Jeffrey Brewer and Mr. Stan Seagull, our city historian, which

[29:00] term will run January 13, 2026 through January 31st, 2028. Mr. Kelly Decker,

[29:07] Upper Delaware Scenic Byway Commission rep, which term will run January 13,

[29:12] 2026 through January 31st, 2028. Miss Teresa Straley.

[29:18] For the next round of appointments, we will need votes, council votes

[29:24] to appoint our city clerk treasurer, Stacy Hoskin. Her term will run January

[29:29] 13, 2026 through January 31st, 2037. >> Motion,

[29:38] » Councilman Rhodess, we got a second by Councilman Okonnell.

[29:42] All those in favor? >> All those opposed? Motion carries.

[29:46] Corporation council, Mr. Bull Frank. This term will run January 31st, 2026

[29:52] through January 31st, 2028.

[30:07] Make a motion. >> Councilman Seagull. We got a second by

[30:10] Councilman at large Huckabeberry. Any discussion? All those in favor?

[30:15] » All those opposed? Motion carries. Labor attorney, uh, Mr. Stu Waxman. His

[30:21] term will run January 31st, 2026 through January 31st, 2028.

[30:31] Thomas

[30:34] Henberry. Second by Councilman Rhodess. Any discussion? All in favor?

[30:40] » All opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Our city engineer, which will be MH

[30:45] Engineering. Their term will run January 31st, 2026 through January 31st, 2028.

[30:51] » Motion. >> Council Okonnell.

[30:54] Second by council large Hawkenberry. Any discussion? All those in favor?

[30:59] » All opposed? Motion carries. For this, we'll do a roll call vote. This is for

[31:05] the appointed position of city court judge. This is for Mr. Matthew, the

[31:08] honorable Matthew Wither. This term will run through January 31st, 2026 through

[31:14] January 31st, 2032. Councilman Quigerell,

[31:20] » yes. >> Councilman Okonnell,

[31:22] » yes. Counciloman Fuller. >> Yes.

[31:24] » Council man. Sorry.

[31:31] » Council Laur. >> Yes.

[31:32] » Councilman Rhodess. >> Yes.

[31:34] » Councilman on. >> Yes.

[31:35] » Councilwoman Dennis. >> Yes.

[31:37] » Councilman Seagull. >> Yes.

[31:38] » Motion carried. Motion passes. N. >> All right.

[31:44] The first half. >> Yeah.

[31:48] » Okay. The approval December 8th, 2025. Council meeting minutes.

[31:53] » Motion also by Councilman Rhodess. >> Second.

[31:56] » Second by Councilwoman Fuller. Any discussion on the minutes? All those in

[32:00] favor? >> All opposed? Motion carries. December

[32:04] 29th, 2025. Special common council minutes.

[32:08] » Councilman Laurenberry. Second by Mr. Rhodess. All those in favor.

[32:16] » Two extensions. That's one.

[32:21] I got cherry. I got

[32:31] » all those in favor. >> All those opposed?

[32:35] » Motion carries. >> All right, moving on. Regular business.

[32:39] Code committee council. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, code committee met

[32:44] on January 7th. >> I have one order of business. Um

[32:51] like to make the following motion to adopt

[33:03] » resolution amending the bylaws of the Port Fire Department.

[33:08] Um, this was brought before the code, discussed, reviewed,

[33:14] and just making a bit easier on the fire

[33:19] police. Uh, so therefore, is hereby resolved that common council city for

[33:24] service hereby approves following amendment article 7 section E of city

[33:30] fire departments bylaws effective immediately as noted by all

[33:36] 12. Uh section E captain replace sub

[33:43] sections five and six with the following. The incompetent captain of

[33:48] each company prior to December 31st of each year shall provide the department

[33:52] secretary with a list of members in writing that he recommends that the

[33:56] mayor appoint as member of said fire police squad. The appointment term shall

[34:01] be openended as it as at will and the mayor may remove any person appointed

[34:08] office at any time. Six, the captain of the fire police will

[34:14] ensure that each member is administered an oath of office within 30 days of

[34:19] appointment. Failure to administer or take the required oath of office will

[34:24] invalidate the appointment. If a member voluntarily resigns from the fire police

[34:30] squad or reassigned to another position within the fire department, such member

[34:34] will be required to retake the oath of office should he or she be reappointed

[34:41] to fire police squad. Basically, the fire police used to have

[34:47] to take the oath every year. This just makes it so they can take it when

[34:51] they're appointed to the fire police squad and

[34:55] unless they different position >> and I'd like to make that a motion.

[35:00] » Second. >> Second by Councilman Okonnell. Any

[35:02] discussion? All those in favor? >> All is opposed. Motion carries.

[35:08] » Thank you.

[35:11] » At the code committee, we discussed such items as electric bikes

[35:18] and scooters and went over some of the existing laws that are in place. Uh

[35:23] again, if you have an electric bike or scooter, you're not supposed to be

[35:26] riding on the sidewalk. You are supposed to be riding with traffic on the side of

[35:30] the road and obey all vehicle and traffic laws.

[35:35] We also discussed uh creating a local law.

[35:42] Again, I can't believe we have to discuss these things about animal

[35:46] control with uh abandoning animals. When tenants leave apartments, they're

[35:52] they're leaving their animals and they're to die.

[35:56] It's a terrible thing. I can't believe we even have to address this. So, we

[36:00] have to look at a way to maybe control that a little bit.

[36:06] Um, other was regular business.

[36:13] As far as the building department, um last year we auctioned off four

[36:21] properties which the city own and had clear title to other than city buildings

[36:28] that we use every day. They were the only four parcels in the city that city

[36:32] owns clear title. They were auctioned off with the

[36:39] uh condition that those buildings because they were in such disrepair be

[36:44] taken down within a year's time. If the city were to hold on to those

[36:49] buildings, it would have cost the city over half a million dollars or over 9%

[36:55] of city budget to take those buildings down.

[36:59] At this point, after the auction, I'm proud to say that three of those

[37:03] buildings that were purchased have been demolitioned and have been backfilled.

[37:10] Kel there is building there and they plan to put houses on those buildings.

[37:15] So those properties are back on the tax rolls and they were taken down and

[37:19] didn't cost the taxpayers anything. The fourth building is scheduled to be

[37:25] taken down within the next couple weeks as weather permits. So those four

[37:30] buildings will all be taken down and won't cause the city taxpayers to die.

[37:35] So I'm very proud to say that. Other big things that the building

[37:41] department's been working on, Rumshop was very happy to take delivery of their

[37:47] first building. They have two stick built buildings get on the on the way

[37:52] there.

[37:55] the the building at 29 Jersey Avenue which was in severe disrepair.

[38:02] Building department and the city council was able to get a hold of the owner of

[38:06] that. And as you can see, you can actually take the entire front

[38:13] of a building off without taking the building down, which surprised me. So,

[38:20] I'm glad to see that that's being worked on. It's going to be fixed up and

[38:25] and uh renovate it. Other than that, the next code committee

[38:31] meeting will be February 4th at 6:30 p.m.

[38:38] right into the police. Uh police committee meeting has not met

[38:43] since our last council meeting. However, we will meet Thursday, January 15th at

[38:48] six o'clock here in council chambers.

[38:54] getting into all the other stuff. Um, one thing that we we the police, the

[38:59] DPW, we do we're begging for people to come into compliance.

[39:05] Um, when it snows, get your cars off the street. The DPW plows can't get down the

[39:12] street if your cars are parked there. >> In the month of December, the police

[39:17] department wrote over 200 overnight tickets. We've changed the law to that

[39:23] used to be from December 1st >> to April 15th.

[39:28] » April 15th >> that you couldn't park there any night.

[39:31] So to help people out, we said we won't do that. We only do it when it's

[39:35] snowing. Please comply. And and we're we still

[39:41] we're not exactly sure what to do. You know, we need some some compliance and

[39:46] some cooperation on that matter. The next, like I said, the next police

[39:53] committee meeting will be January 15th and 16th.

[39:56] » That's all. >> Planning and zoning recreation council.

[39:59] » Thank you, mayor. >> Planning or zoning have not met since

[40:03] our last meeting. Um, planning will next meet on Tuesday, January 20th at 7 p.m.

[40:08] in the council chamber. Recreation.

[40:16] One second. Okay. So, the dog the dog yard on Church Street Park and the

[40:22] vehicle entrance at Point to Point Peter are all closed for the winter. They'll

[40:26] reopen this spring. We're all in the process of setting up the sleigh riding

[40:30] hill at West End Beach. Hay bales will be placed along the guard rail for

[40:33] protection. Please no skis or snowboards sleds only. Open during daylight hours.

[40:38] The youth center is open Monday through Thursday 2 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Fridays

[40:43] 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be closed on January 19th. Martin Martin Luther King

[40:48] Jr. Day. The next recreation commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,

[40:52] January 14th at 6:15 in the East Center. And on behalf of the council, I want to

[40:58] thank Tim Simmons, the Portraits Rec Department,

[41:02] um all the volunteers and sponsors who helped put on this year's Porter Polar

[41:07] Pledge. It took place on Sunday, January 10th at West End Beach. It was a huge

[41:11] success. People came from far and wide to take the plunge and brave the

[41:15] blistering cold of the Delaware River. Councilman Vicarelloo and myself somehow

[41:19] survived the took the plunge and somehow survived with all our toes and fingers

[41:23] intact.

[41:27] The plunge was for an amazing cause. Over $3,000 was raised.

[41:33] All proceeds went to the Port Fire Department spee operations team. These

[41:38] honorable men and women selfishly risk their own lives to make our city safer,

[41:42] rescuing countless people every year caught in a horrible situation.

[41:47] They truly represent the best of what our community has to offer. That's all I

[41:51] have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.

[41:54] » Thanks, Councilwoman Fer. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh we have bills to be

[41:59] paid from the general fund, $475,378.81.

[42:05] From the water fund, $116,176.

[42:10] From the sewer fund, $6,42818.

[42:15] From the capital fund, $123,68743.

[42:20] And from trust and agency, $314,44254

[42:26] a total of 1,36,1132.

[42:31] Some larger items to note from the general water and sewer funds. Robert

[42:35] Green truck for $51,943.96.

[42:40] MH Engineering for $85,220. Orange County Sanitary Landfill for

[42:46] $29,57610.

[42:50] Orange and Rockland PE uh Cordova Solar for $54,964.3.

[42:57] From the capital fund, we had MHE engineering for $117,874.93,

[43:05] FAR Engineering for $562.50, and Carol Gallagher Esquire for $5,250.

[43:14] I would like to make a motion to pay the bills.

[43:17] » Second, second by Councilman Okonnell. Any discussion on the bills? All those

[43:22] in favor? >> All opposed? Motion carries. And our

[43:26] next finance meeting will be Wednesday, January 21st at 6 PM here in the council

[43:31] chambers. And that's all I have. Mayor, >> great. Thank you. Tourism Councilwoman

[43:34] Mazar. >> Thank you, Mayor. The tourism board held

[43:38] their annual holiday lighting contest. The winners in order were first

[43:42] placewald oldtime family Christmas located at 92

[43:48] Orange Street with 691 votes. Second place, Christmas Magic, 84 Hammond

[43:54] Street with 499 votes. And third place was Festive Puerto Rico at 129 Crunch

[44:01] Street with 354 votes. Votes were cast on the poor service Facebook page and

[44:08] the board would like to thank everyone who participated in and voted.

[44:14] It went well. The board is now working on the St.

[44:19] Patrick's Day parade which will be held on Sunday, March 1st. Anyone interested

[44:24] in participating can email tourism chair Laura Meyer at flora laura pjyahoo.com.

[44:32] The next tourism meeting will be held this Wednesday, January 14th at 7 p.m.

[44:38] here in the council chambers. And that's all I have.

[44:40] » All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[44:42] » Emergency management. Councilman Rhodess.

[44:44] » Thank you, mayor. >> And happy birthday.

[44:47] » Birthday boy. >> Happy birthday.

[44:49] Happy birthday to you. >> No, no, no, no. Save that for your quote

[44:53] of the day. >> Let's not go there.

[44:58] » Uh from the fire department, Never Sync Engine Company would like to have events

[45:02] for the year. Uh Super Bowl fundraiser starting uh on January 5th, 2026 until

[45:08] the Super Bowl, a spaghetti dinner takeout on March 7th of 2026.

[45:14] uh and also a spaghetti dinner takeout on uh November 7th, 2026. I make that a

[45:19] motion. >> Second, second by Councilman Seagull.

[45:22] Any discussion? >> All those in favor?

[45:25] » All oppose. Motion carries. >> Next thing, uh events for Excelsier

[45:29] Engine Company number five, Super Bowl party on 2826,

[45:35] Daytona party 2226,

[45:39] uh Good Friday pizza takeout 4326. timers night on 51626

[45:46] have a booth at fall forwards 92726 and a members Christmas party on 121926

[45:54] and make that motion second by counciloman any discussion all

[46:00] those in favor. All motion carries. >> Next is the appointment of a

[46:06] probationary driver for David Daniel Moore for never engine company. I make

[46:11] that motion. >> Second by Councilman Seagull. Any

[46:14] discussion? >> All those in favor? All

[46:17] » oppose? Motion carries. >> Appointment of of a driver for Andrew J.

[46:23] Alic for Poke Lad. I make that motion. >> Second. Second by Councilman Seagull.

[46:28] Any discussion? All those in favor I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries. Next

[46:34] department transfer from Michael C. Kwinsky Jr. into Never Sync any company

[46:39] from Tri-State Close Company number six. I make that motion.

[46:42] » Second that. Simply Councilman Seagull. Any discussion? All in favor? All

[46:47] opposed? >> And the last uh is removal of member for

[46:52] Jeffrey M. Winger from uh Excelsier Company number five due to passing away.

[46:59] That motion >> wanger

[47:03] second by council mello. Any discussion? >> All those in favor?

[47:09] Motion carries. And the next fire emergency man meeting since Monday the

[47:13] 19th is going to be a holiday is going to be on Thursday the 22nd here in the

[47:18] council chambers at 6:30 on the 22nd. Thursday. Okay, that's all

[47:24] I have. >> IDA council.

[47:28] » Thank you, mayor. Uh the ADA has not met. The IDA will be meeting uh January

[47:33] 21st at 7 p.m. and a reorganization of officers will take place.

[47:41] » Okay.

[47:45] » CDA council

[47:50] » of the CDA last met at the rec center. The CDA will next

[47:56] meet on January 28th, 2026 at 7 p.m. location.

[48:02] » Good job. >> Housing Veterans PJTV23

[48:07] Councilman Seth.

[48:13] » Thank you. The last meeting of the Port Housing Authority was held on Tuesday,

[48:17] November 18th. There was no meeting in December. The next meeting is scheduled

[48:23] for January 20th at 6 pm at Hillside Terrace.

[48:28] The next senior club meeting is the is January 24th at 1:30 p.m. in the

[48:35] fellowship hall in West End. Veterans should know the flu shots are

[48:40] available at our clinic with many getting the flu. Getting a shot should

[48:45] be considered. Just call the clinic and make an appointment. call the clinic at

[48:50] 845856-5369.

[48:56] Also, the 2006 veterans disability compensation rates starting this past

[49:02] January 1st have been increased by 2.8% to match

[49:09] the adjustments made by the Social Security Administration.

[49:15] PJTV is looking for volunteers to become

[49:18] members and learn television broadcasting and community involvement.

[49:24] Experience is nice, but it's not necessary. Podcasters are also welcome.

[49:30] Junior members 16 to 18 years old are welcome as well. You can contact me at

[49:36] 8452481622 or my email.

[49:42] I'm still updating my monthly calendar andformational email list. If you're

[49:46] interested in being added to the list, you can contact me at stan seagull

[49:51] 2@gmail.com.

[49:55] The um tri-state or the port service naval

[49:59] ship 7241

[50:04] has an annual um contest. One is Voice of Democracy for High School Kids and

[50:11] one is one is Patriot Pen. And yesterday they

[50:17] had an awards ceremony for the winners of that in addition to a really nice

[50:22] gross beef dinner. And I'd like to announce those winners because I think

[50:26] it's a great thing that these kids take the time to talk about patriotism. And

[50:32] every year they have this event and this and the essays that these kids come up

[50:37] with are really really great. So the winners of the portraits high school

[50:41] Voice of Democracy were first place Ava Mills and if I make a mistake by names I

[50:48] apologize ahead of time. Second place was Genna

[50:54] Di Ti. She was they're both 11th graders. And

[50:59] the third place was Bella Cartagena, also 11th grade student. The Portra

[51:06] Middle School Patriot Pen essay winners were first place was Isabelle Fedoric,

[51:12] eighth grader, Elania Sweeney, also an eighth grader,

[51:18] and Brilan Koser, a seventh grader. And I'd like to congratulate them and thank

[51:23] everybody all the kids that got involved in this essay program because I think

[51:27] it's vitally important to be patriotic and to learn about patriotism and the

[51:34] words that they had to say were were were

[51:38] very good. So thank you to all of them. Also

[51:46] I would like to take a minute to thank you for the the fire police. Um it's

[51:53] it's been a hassle to try to get everybody together annually. This way

[51:57] they'll get

[52:01] once and they'll continue until they resign or they leave. So thank you for

[52:06] doing that.

[52:09] » Also um my inspirational

[52:22] believe that you can and you're halfway there. And that was Teddy Roosevelt.

[52:28] And the second one is the best way to get started is to quit talking and start

[52:33] doing. And that's Walt Disney. One of my favorite.

[52:39] Thank you. Happy New Year to everybody. >> DPW Councilman Henber. Thank you, Mayor.

[52:46] The garbage recycling on the week of January 12th will be on it normal

[52:50] schedule. The week of January 19th, garbage recycling will be picked up one

[52:53] day later due to the Martin Luther King holiday. Fourth work cardboard will be

[52:58] picked up on January 23rd. 2026 garbage schedule is available in the city's

[53:03] website at www.porteny.gov or by emailing the DVW office at DVW

[53:09] clerk at portervice.gov. Everybody should receive again the

[53:13] instructions for initials and how to sign up for the notifications.

[53:16] Um most of the city's correspondence is done through there now. You'll get

[53:20] notifications when you can and cannot park on the streets. Hopefully people

[53:24] sign up. That'll

[53:29] probably not. But it's worth a try. I'm trying

[53:33] all residents received or let inventory letters in the mail at this time. If you

[53:37] have already complied with the letter, please disregard. If not, please follow

[53:41] the instructions on how to complete the survey. Christmas tree pickup is ongoing

[53:45] and all the awards that please put your tree curbside for pickup. Last day for

[53:51] pickup will be January 19th. If you get it out there after the 19th, just

[53:55] contact the DPW office and they'll come by and pick it up. It's not a big deal.

[53:58] Our next meeting is scheduled for the middle of this month, January 22nd,

[54:02] Thursday.

[54:06] That is all I have. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir.

[54:10] All right, just finishing up our evening here in the mayor's correspondence. I

[54:13] have a letter from Miss Jackie Smith. Dear Mayor Sigles, I'm ready to submit

[54:16] this letter by resignation from the portrait of IDA board effective

[54:19] immediately. Due to personal circumstances and professional changes,

[54:22] I'm unable to commit the time required to serve the board in full capacity as

[54:26] needed for its full success. It's been a pleasure serving on the board for the

[54:30] past few years. I'm excited for the future of Port Riverside via IDA and the

[54:34] great opportunities that will provide it to our city through the work of the IDA.

[54:38] And I make a motion or entertain a motion motion to accept that with regret

[54:46] second by Councilman Oni. Any discussion? All those in favor?

[54:50] » All opposed? Motion carries. I'd like to thank Jackie for her years of service on

[54:55] the board. And sitting into her seat as councilman or chairman will be Mr. Caleb

[55:01] Russell have a few resolutions to get through.

[55:04] Just some housekeeping items for the beginning of the year. Uh this is the

[55:08] resolution on the common council of the city of Port Jervis. This is for banking

[55:11] and depositories. Whereas the city of Port Jervis common council has

[55:15] recognized the need to maintain and/or establish the accounts to conduct

[55:18] regular business. Is hereby resolved that the common council of the city of

[55:21] Port Jervis directs the city clerk treasurer to utilize official

[55:25] depositories for the funds maintained in a check-in and savings accounts of the

[55:28] city of Port Jervis for the year 2026 as follows. TD Bank, General Operating,

[55:34] Water, Sewer, Capital, Money Market, Recreation, IDA, Senior Citizens,

[55:40] Payroll, Rachel Deets Memorial Fund, Small Cities Grant, and the USDA Water

[55:44] Clarifier Reserve Funds, Mnt Bank, Trusting Agency, Money Market, Federal

[55:50] Drug Forfeiture, and City Drug Forfeiture Funds. I'll entertain a

[55:54] motion. >> So move.

[55:55] » Councilman Laurenbury. >> Councilwoman Fuller. Any discussion? All

[56:00] those in favor? All those opposed. Motion carries. Resolution of the common

[56:05] council of the city of Port Jervis standard workday and reporting for New

[56:08] York State retirement system benefits. Whereas the city of Port common council

[56:12] recognized the need to establish a standard workday for all elected and

[56:15] appointed positions within the New York City for New York State retirement

[56:20] reporting purposes and to satisfy reporting requirements in New York State

[56:23] retirement systems with respect to time work and is hereby resolved and

[56:28] reaffirmed that the common council of the city port hereby establishes a

[56:32] standard workday of eight hours for all employees elected and appointed

[56:35] officials and it is also resolved that all employees elected and appointed

[56:40] Officials who participate in the New York State retirement system are

[56:43] required to submit time sheet time sheets of actual time worked and/or

[56:47] shall complete record of activities log for at least a three-month respective

[56:51] time period and submit to the city clerk for report purposes. Entertain a motion

[56:58] second roads by Councilman Seagull. Any

[57:03] discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Resolution of

[57:09] common council of the city of Port Jervis

[57:12] newspapers, radio and television. Whereas the city of Port Jervis common

[57:16] council has recognized the need to maintain or establish accounts to

[57:19] conduct regular business. It is hereby resolved that the common council of the

[57:23] city port Jervis directs the city treasurer to utilize the time scale of

[57:26] record as his official newspaper for the year 2026 with the pike county dispatch

[57:32] as alternatives when necessary for legal notices local laws ordinances

[57:36] advertisements for bids for materials, equipment and services as being required

[57:41] during the year 2026. And be it further resolved that WDLC be

[57:47] designated as the official radio outlet and

[57:52] PJTV23 provided by Spectrum under the pres

[57:55] present cable franchise agreement be designated television outlet

[58:03] second by Councilwoman Fuller. Any discussion?

[58:08] All those in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Uh lastly, doing the I will be

[58:16] doing the annual state of the city address here in the council chambers.

[58:19] It'll be January 26th at 6 pm. It will be before the 6:30 common council

[58:25] meeting and I will entertain a motion for

[58:27] » adjournment.

[58:33] No >> do that next meeting.

[58:38] All right, I'll entertain a motion for >> adjournment.

[58:42] Second large, second by Councilman Seagull. All those in favor?

[58:47] » All opposed? Motion carries.

[59:06] How are you, sir?

1 12 26 Common Council Meeting

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