you we are now in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have have three each speaker will have have three minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your name for the record is there anyone name for the record is there anyone wishing to address the council Good morning George Tillman Jr good morning good morning um I was good morning good morning um I was invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review council meeting council meeting um last week and I must say that that um last week and I must say that that body is not body is not functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members present at this meeting and no information was available no no information was available no no paperwork from no construction site no paperwork from no construction site no discussion about the compliancy um no discussion at all compliancy um no discussion at all related to what that board was enacted related to what that board was enacted to do only three members of 11 so again to do only three members of 11 so again when we talking about the compliancy of when we talking about the compliancy of the government that is one one one very the government that is one one one very important aspect of the enforcement and important aspect of the enforcement and monitoring phase that board was given monitoring phase that board was given that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Hall by the chairman by her Hall by the chairman by her direction we were told that the city is direction we were told that…
Show full comment (6424 words)
you we are now in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have have three each speaker will have have three minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your name for the record is there anyone name for the record is there anyone wishing to address the council Good morning George Tillman Jr good morning good morning um I was good morning good morning um I was invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review council meeting council meeting um last week and I must say that that um last week and I must say that that body is not body is not functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members present at this meeting and no information was available no no information was available no no paperwork from no construction site no paperwork from no construction site no discussion about the compliancy um no discussion at all compliancy um no discussion at all related to what that board was enacted related to what that board was enacted to do only three members of 11 so again to do only three members of 11 so again when we talking about the compliancy of when we talking about the compliancy of the government that is one one one very the government that is one one one very important aspect of the enforcement and important aspect of the enforcement and monitoring phase that board was given monitoring phase that board was given that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Hall by the chairman by her Hall by the chairman by her direction we were told that the city is direction we were told that the city is not giving that Council a conference not giving that Council a conference room in this facility so the meeting was room in this facility so the meeting was room in this facility so the meeting was moved offsite so that's something that moved offsite so that's something that needs to be dealt with but first and needs to be dealt with but first and foremost that commission needs to be uh foremost that commission needs to be uh um um needs appointments to it um um needs appointments to it immediately because they're not immediately because they're not attending she said they have been attending she said they have been meeting there for the last five months meeting there for the last five months um can we have some meeting minutes to um can we have some meeting minutes to know what was disc discuss in those last know what was disc discuss in those last know what was disc discuss in those last five minute five meetings and what five minute five meetings and what members were there Mr Baptist came there members were there Mr Baptist came there members were there Mr Baptist came there he gave a report a verbal report no he gave a report a verbal report no paperwork to substantiate any paperwork to substantiate any information regarding compliancy I'm information regarding compliancy I'm going to leave at that this last minute going to leave at that this last minute I want to discuss um there's the city I want to discuss um there's the city has in court this week on February the 6 has in court this week on February the 6 has in court this week on February the 6 uh in front of Judge Grace Spencer they uh in front of Judge Grace Spencer they have a petition before the court to have have a petition before the court to have have a petition before the court to have a special election um for the council a special election um for the council vacant Council seat in April at the uh vacant Council seat in April at the uh School Board election I believe that School Board election I believe that that we should have been informed I am a that we should have been informed I am a that we should have been informed I am a candidate we should have been informed candidate we should have been informed in this process um taxpayer money was in this process um taxpayer money was spent on this application this Council I spent on this application this Council I spent on this application this Council I don't know if you're aware of this um don't know if you're aware of this um this court hearing this week for this this court hearing this week for this special election to be done at the special election to be done at the school board election but this is not school board election but this is not doing us any service in the central Ward doing us any service in the central Ward doing us any service in the central Ward to move this election eight weeks out to move this election eight weeks out thank focused mon Elman I just want to say to the people Elman I just want to say to the people of newk question how can elected officials adequately address the crime officials adequately address the crime in your city when they in your city when they violate city state and federal laws violate city state and federal laws themselves just sit back and ponder themselves just sit back and ponder that ask yourself that question that ask yourself that question noas to the city C to Baraka Administration the blood in these Administration the blood in these streets is on your individuals are out of control because they see you out of they see you out of control they see a govern they see a control they see a govern they see a government of elected government of elected officials who support IL legal officials who support IL legal activities when it's to their activities when it's to their advantage we had an Administration that advantage we had an Administration that hired active gang hired active gang members and Drug traffickers running our members and Drug traffickers running our members and Drug traffickers running our rec rec centers you seen an Administration that centers you seen an Administration that covered up crime the police or uh uh covered up crime the police or uh uh traffic traffic guy you know they covered up that no guy you know they covered up that no press conference you see individuals who come into this meeting they sit there and into this meeting they sit there and they allow them to violate our first they allow them to violate our first amendment rights when it's to their amendment rights when it's to their advantage you see the mayor go on all advantage you see the mayor go on all politics is local and basically make a politics is local and basically make a death threat to take out one of our uh death threat to take out one of our uh Community act activists chairman in Community act activists chairman in Africa just sit back and Ponder and ask Africa just sit back and Ponder and ask yourself how can these folks adequately address crime when they adequately address crime when they commit crimes you see the election commit crimes you see the election campaign they go out and terrorize they campaign they go out and terrorize they go to the election polls they force go to the election polls they force people they terrorize Ians just sit back people they terrorize Ians just sit back people they terrorize Ians just sit back noras and ask yourself then now you got noras and ask yourself then now you got a governor who just literally said on a governor who just literally said on the news that he's harboring a illegal immigrant in this house just ask immigrant in this house just ask yourself a question to the individuals over Doge the department of governmental uh Doge the department of governmental uh efficiency I just want to say this stay efficiency I just want to say this stay on on them these political conmen have stole them these political conmen have stole mismanaged and money laundered enough of mismanaged and money laundered enough of mismanaged and money laundered enough of our public our public dollars stay on them thank you for your dollars stay on them thank you for your comments next none uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all let's anything from the council let's anything from the council councilman Ramos yeah thank you Mr councilman Ramos yeah thank you Mr President I I just want to state that um President I I just want to state that um President I I just want to state that um you know I I I agree with um one thing you know I I I agree with um one thing that uh Mr Tillman mentioned and you that uh Mr Tillman mentioned and you know this Council was not aware that the know this Council was not aware that the know this Council was not aware that the city was in city was in litigation uh regarding a proposed uh litigation uh regarding a proposed uh special election you know in the past I special election you know in the past I believe those matters came to the believe those matters came to the council in the form of a council in the form of a resolution that was um voted on um no resolution that was um voted on um no details as far as the costs you know details as far as the costs you know who's going to pay for these costs who's going to pay for these costs associated with a special election um associated with a special election um the timing right it's a April's a few the timing right it's a April's a few months away and we if we do have months away and we if we do have candidates that are interested is it candidates that are interested is it enough time for them to submit uh the enough time for them to submit uh the petitions necessary to be candidates and petitions necessary to be candidates and petitions necessary to be candidates and you know one thing I have to comment I you know one thing I have to comment I read the article and tap into yesterday read the article and tap into yesterday and it gives the impression based on and it gives the impression based on what they reported that this ccil is what they reported that this ccil is locked and nothing is getting done you locked and nothing is getting done you know that's supposedly what the city's know that's supposedly what the city's arguing in court and and I would ask the arguing in court and and I would ask the arguing in court and and I would ask the clerk to go back for the last few months clerk to go back for the last few months clerk to go back for the last few months and bet you that 90% of the items that and bet you that 90% of the items that appeared before us on this agenda get appeared before us on this agenda get approved and if you look at prior to us approved and if you look at prior to us having a vacancy on the council I would having a vacancy on the council I would I would venture to say that a similar I would venture to say that a similar percentage of items that came before the percentage of items that came before the percentage of items that came before the council were approved as well so I don't council were approved as well so I don't council were approved as well so I don't want the public to have the perception want the public to have the perception that we We can't agree on stuff you know that we We can't agree on stuff you know that we We can't agree on stuff you know we we don't agree on everything we've we we don't agree on everything we've never agreed on everything so you know I never agreed on everything so you know I never agreed on everything so you know I just want to put that on the record just want to put that on the record thank you Council Ramos Council M yeah thank you Council Ramos Council M yeah you know I I'm one of those persons you know I I'm one of those persons that understands process because I was that understands process because I was in councilwoman uh M Crump and in councilwoman uh M Crump and I uh at the I uh at the time um the city council at the time time um the city council at the time passed a resolution that our election passed a resolution that our election will go into bani uh resigned and um at the time we were told resigned and um at the time we were told resigned and um at the time we were told that any election taking place place has that any election taking place place has that any election taking place place has to have a to have a resolution uh the city clerk has to give resolution uh the city clerk has to give resolution uh the city clerk has to give a resolution to the city go the a resolution to the city go the governing body this is not an governing body this is not an administrative administrative responsibility this is a responsibility responsibility this is a responsibility of city clerk uh and no disrespect to of city clerk uh and no disrespect to her but knowing the her but knowing the process because I in 1994 in 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a runner runner up councilwoman Miller Kump and I were up councilwoman Miller Kump and I were told by the council at the time that told by the council at the time that there would be no special and that the there would be no special and that the election would go go into the May election would go go into the May election when when I had won the election when when I had won the election by lost by 7ap T election by lost by 7ap T allet we both said look we'll wait till allet we both said look we'll wait till then but again there was a resolution at then but again there was a resolution at then but again there was a resolution at the time the council the time the council said that we're not going to place any said that we're not going to place any resolution that a will concur taxes to resolution that a will concur taxes to the taxpayers at the time late Donald Tucker talked about listen we're going Tucker talked about listen we're going through a reval how we're going to have through a reval how we're going to have who's going to pay the who's going to pay the election so again to read these things election so again to read these things and and it's I think we should have had and and it's I think we should have had a meeting prior to this to discuss this a meeting prior to this to discuss this matter because I think this matter matter because I think this matter should have been discussed with the should have been discussed with the governing body we have the governing body we have the responsibility to appropriate this responsibility to appropriate this election a the clerk will have to do election a the clerk will have to do petition the petitions will have to be petition the petitions will have to be certified it will incur a lot of work certified it will incur a lot of work advertisement etc advertisement etc etc I like to know who's going to concur etc I like to know who's going to concur etc I like to know who's going to concur this this this cost but is it the this this this cost but is it the taxpayers of the central Ward is it the taxpayers of the central Ward is it the taxpayers of the city of New York taxpayers of the city of New York because I was apposed to this because because I was apposed to this because hearing it I received the document last hearing it I received the document last week and I was like really this this was week and I was like really this this was week and I was like really this this was a decision made we the governing party a decision made we the governing party should have been brought to an executive should have been brought to an executive should have been brought to an executive session explain this is what's going on session explain this is what's going on and as councilman uh rainow indicates we and as councilman uh rainow indicates we and as councilman uh rainow indicates we have listen we have voted on not whether have listen we have voted on not whether have listen we have voted on not whether this Council divided we have voted for this Council divided we have voted for the people's concerns and we have done the people's concerns and we have done so CU we didn't get elected just for our so CU we didn't get elected just for our so CU we didn't get elected just for our our own our own agendas and then we're not going to do agendas and then we're not going to do that because the people in the city need that because the people in the city need that because the people in the city need our our services whether it's one war we're not services whether it's one war we're not going to put the five ws of the city one going to put the five ws of the city one going to put the five ws of the city one against another we're five ws and four against another we're five ws and four at larges and we want to make at larges and we want to make sure that we work in that in that way so sure that we work in that in that way so sure that we work in that in that way so again I just want to put that on on a again I just want to put that on on a record record that taxpayers cannot absorb um more that taxpayers cannot absorb um more taxes uh on things that will be taxed so taxes uh on things that will be taxed so taxes uh on things that will be taxed so that's my concern so I want to put that that's my concern so I want to put that in place I think we should have an in place I think we should have an executive session to talk about this executive session to talk about this matter after this meeting to talk so we matter after this meeting to talk so we can hatch out what is it that we're can hatch out what is it that we're doing because we don't I don't know doing because we don't I don't know what's going what's going on thank thank you councilman canana any on thank thank you councilman canana any on thank thank you councilman canana any any other council any other council member I I do concur with you councilman member I I do concur with you councilman member I I do concur with you councilman canana that if we do have any further canana that if we do have any further discussion it must be an executive discussion it must be an executive session uh except for what the session uh except for what the Corporation Council is about to say Corporation Council is about to say that's go obviously no details of of the lawsuit but I appreciate it councilman uh good morning uh city of North Corporation morning uh city of North Corporation Council kyata Stewart so uh there are Council kyata Stewart so uh there are two comments essentially I want to two comments essentially I want to respond to um the first in reference to respond to um the first in reference to the election so as as was commented a the election so as as was commented a few moments ago there is a active matter few moments ago there is a active matter few moments ago there is a active matter pending that's scheduled to go to court pending that's scheduled to go to court tomorrow I will say that it's probably a tomorrow I will say that it's probably a tomorrow I will say that it's probably a best idea that we go into the details of best idea that we go into the details of best idea that we go into the details of it uh in executive session but I will it uh in executive session but I will say that uh for the benefit of the of say that uh for the benefit of the of the audience here um the city's uh two the audience here um the city's uh two main priorities is is is focus the first main priorities is is is focus the first main priorities is is is focus the first part is to try to do the best we can to part is to try to do the best we can to make sure the central War has make sure the central War has representation I do know that uh there representation I do know that uh there staff is still working the the former staff is still working the the former councilwoman's staff is still actively councilwoman's staff is still actively working doing the best they can I do working doing the best they can I do know that some of the council members know that some of the council members here have been trying to help out in the here have been trying to help out in the here have been trying to help out in the Cal War because you recognize that folks Cal War because you recognize that folks Cal War because you recognize that folks have concerns and have questions and have concerns and have questions and things of that nature but uh the things of that nature but uh the representation of the Cal W is also representation of the Cal W is also important to us and whoever it is we important to us and whoever it is we don't really have a a sense of who we don't really have a a sense of who we want it to be right but we know that want it to be right but we know that they need representation we know they they need representation we know they need a voice someone to be sitting at need a voice someone to be sitting at that seat the second thing is that we that seat the second thing is that we recognize that it would be cheaper for recognize that it would be cheaper for the city if we do it during another the city if we do it during another election right we have two essentially election right we have two essentially two options the first one is November two options the first one is November which will essentially almost give it which will essentially almost give it about a year that the seat would be uh about a year that the seat would be uh vacant or we can use the time and vacant or we can use the time and opportunity to make it cheaper on the opportunity to make it cheaper on the residents because there's already a residents because there's already a school board election going on um any school board election going on um any other details I would like to go into other details I would like to go into executive session if you all want to executive session if you all want to kind of get into the think of it though kind of get into the think of it though uh the uh the second uh response I have I know there second uh response I have I know there was some comments in reference to um an was some comments in reference to um an officer who was uh who's charged as a officer who was uh who's charged as a result of causing a death um I I need result of causing a death um I I need you all to kind of appreciate the fact you all to kind of appreciate the fact that there's a process uh based on uh that there's a process uh based on uh the independent the independent prosecutors um um legislation that came prosecutors um um legislation that came out about two or three years ago um the out about two or three years ago um the city is not allowed to prosecute someone city is not allowed to prosecute someone city is not allowed to prosecute someone when the officer is involved with when the officer is involved with causing someone's death as a result of causing someone's death as a result of that the independent prosecutor in this that the independent prosecutor in this situation here is the ESS County situation here is the ESS County prosecutor's office who takes over the prosecutor's office who takes over the investigation the city has to step aside investigation the city has to step aside investigation the city has to step aside and let the essis County Prosecutors and let the essis County Prosecutors Office do what they have to do meanwhile Office do what they have to do meanwhile Office do what they have to do meanwhile we also have to be mindful of the fact we also have to be mindful of the fact that we have to be of the fact that this that we have to be of the fact that this that we have to be of the fact that this person is an employee and that person person is an employee and that person has a process as well if we violate that has a process as well if we violate that has a process as well if we violate that process then that person may be entitled process then that person may be entitled process then that person may be entitled to their job or entitled to a fund of to their job or entitled to a fund of money if we jump over that process so money if we jump over that process so those are kind of two things that are those are kind of two things that are happening at the same time um after the happening at the same time um after the essence County prosecutor's office essence County prosecutor's office conducted their investigation they then conducted their investigation they then um arrested the person or charged the um arrested the person or charged the person and then we then suspended the person and then we then suspended the person so you know there's no way us to person so you know there's no way us to get involved I know folks said there was get involved I know folks said there was get involved I know folks said there was a a cover up that's the last thing that a a cover up that's the last thing that could ever happened in this situation could ever happened in this situation because more importantly the law says because more importantly the law says that the essence County prosecutor's that the essence County prosecutor's office or there has to be an independent office or there has to be an independent office or there has to be an independent uh prosecutor that's involved with that uh prosecutor that's involved with that process again I don't want to go into process again I don't want to go into too many details about the sub and too many details about the sub and substance of the person's status and substance of the person's status and things of that nature but I do think things of that nature but I do think it's important for us to recognize and it's important for us to recognize and appreciate that there's essentially like appreciate that there's essentially like appreciate that there's essentially like a a two-prong process that's happening a a two-prong process that's happening at the same time at the same time and we let the Prosecutors Office do and we let the Prosecutors Office do their part and then after that we did their part and then after that we did our part on the administration side our part on the administration side thank you Mr President if I thank you thank you Mr President if I thank you councilman Gonzalez yes councilman Gonzalez yes H regarding let's say a reappointment or H regarding let's say a reappointment or H regarding let's say a reappointment or reelection of some a failing a vacancy reelection of some a failing a vacancy and you state what the law says so and you state what the law says so there's I can go I go into executive there's I can go I go into executive session it's going to exective session session it's going to exective session on it that you can you can state the law on it that you can you can state the law on it that you can you can state the law that I I'm asking you what the law that I I'm asking you what the law the reason why I said that is because the reason why I said that is because there's actually two points of the law there's actually two points of the law that's going to be a part of the that's going to be a part of the argument tomorrow and I don't want to argument tomorrow and I don't want to tip my hand to the public and more tip my hand to the public and more importantly to the adversary in importantly to the adversary in reference to what's going on there's I I reference to what's going on there's I I reference to what's going on there's I I don't I don't see the need to to discuss don't I don't see the need to to discuss don't I don't see the need to to discuss that in executive section because you that in executive section because you are citing the law I can I can cite the are citing the law I can I can cite the law the law says that you either have it law the law says that you either have it law the law says that you either have it a appointed by the council H within 90 a appointed by the council H within 90 days or you have to have an election days or you have to have an election let's say a general election so it can let's say a general election so it can be an election in April has to be an be an election in April has to be an election either in May that we are election either in May that we are elected or in November when the governor elected or in November when the governor elected or in November when the governor gets elected that's what the law says gets elected that's what the law says council is actually other parts of the council is actually other parts of the law that we're using um that I can law that we're using um that I can address later on thank you all right address later on thank you all right councilman uh Council oh no I thought councilman uh Council oh no I thought you had something all right uh so you had something all right uh so no no well we'll talk about executive no no well we'll talk about executive session for but uh I Believe Miss session for but uh I Believe Miss Gaylord had something to add thank you council president and council members Karen Gaylord executive council members Karen Gaylord executive director nework Workforce Development director nework Workforce Development board I really just wanted to address board I really just wanted to address the uh invitation that was extended by the uh invitation that was extended by the workforce board and nework works to the workforce board and nework works to host the affirmative action Review host the affirmative action Review Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New York onetop um we found ourselves in a York onetop um we found ourselves in a position because of extended hours of position because of extended hours of service to be able to do evening service to be able to do evening sessions uh offer a community center um sessions uh offer a community center um to accommodate those meetings um we were to accommodate those meetings um we were to accommodate those meetings um we were also in a position to bring some also in a position to bring some logistical and administrative support to logistical and administrative support to logistical and administrative support to the committee as well as some Technology the committee as well as some Technology the committee as well as some Technology support as a result of that we were able support as a result of that we were able support as a result of that we were able um not only did that in my observation um not only did that in my observation because I did attend the last meeting um because I did attend the last meeting um because I did attend the last meeting um we minutes were taken uh and we were we minutes were taken uh and we were able to record the session and provide able to record the session and provide the recorded session to the members who the recorded session to the members who uh participated in that meeting and uh participated in that meeting and hopefully now that we have a new space hopefully now that we have a new space with that kind of Technology available with that kind of Technology available they'll be able to do that going forward they'll be able to do that going forward they'll be able to do that going forward um to provide an accurate record for um to provide an accurate record for everyone um I do want to also add that everyone um I do want to also add that um while I was there and I was there um while I was there and I was there from the beginning to the end of the from the beginning to the end of the meeting I believe that there were 10 meeting I believe that there were 10 people uh in attendance I can't speak to people uh in attendance I can't speak to people uh in attendance I can't speak to which ones were uh board members but I which ones were uh board members but I do believe that some uh uh members of do believe that some uh uh members of that advisory committee uh came perhaps that advisory committee uh came perhaps after Mr Tillman you can check the after Mr Tillman you can check the record I know you had to depart because record I know you had to depart because you had a second meeting but there were you had a second meeting but there were some other people there um and I do know some other people there um and I do know some other people there um and I do know that the part of the conversation uh the that the part of the conversation uh the that the part of the conversation uh the agenda was an administrative agenda for agenda was an administrative agenda for actions going forward to build uh the actions going forward to build uh the agenda for meetings going forward and agenda for meetings going forward and that that certainly included uh that that certainly included uh addressing new uh members to that board addressing new uh members to that board and uh uh other supports that could be and uh uh other supports that could be made available so I thought it was a made available so I thought it was a pretty robust agenda that went on for pretty robust agenda that went on for two hours uh and the record is available two hours uh and the record is available two hours uh and the record is available to Mr Tillman and you so I think at this point we unless there's anything else we probably need there's anything else we probably need to go on uh executive to go on uh executive session get a motion for executive session Council Gonzalez yes Kelly yes Pana yes Ramos yes Scott brry yes Silva Pana yes Ramos yes Scott brry yes Silva yes president Trump
you we are now in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have have three each speaker will have have three minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your name for the record is there anyone name for the record is there anyone wishing to address the council Good morning George Tillman Jr good morning good morning um I was good morning good morning um I was invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review council meeting council meeting um last week and I must say that that um last week and I must say that that body is not body is not functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members present at this meeting and no information was available no no information was available no no paperwork from no construction site no paperwork from no construction site no discussion about the compliancy um no discussion at all compliancy um no discussion at all related to what that board was enacted related to what that board was enacted to do only three members of 11 so again to do only three members of 11 so again when we talking about the compliancy of when we talking about the compliancy of the government that is one one one very the government that is one one one very important aspect of the enforcement and important aspect of the enforcement and monitoring phase that board was given monitoring phase that board was given that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Hall by the chairman by her Hall by the chairman by her direction we were told that the city is direction we were told that…
Show full comment (6424 words)
you we are now in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where comment portion of this meeting where each speaker will have have three each speaker will have have three minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in minutes to speak if you're interested in addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your addressing the council please state your name for the record is there anyone name for the record is there anyone wishing to address the council Good morning George Tillman Jr good morning good morning um I was good morning good morning um I was invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review invited to the affirmative action review council meeting council meeting um last week and I must say that that um last week and I must say that that body is not body is not functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members functioning there was only three members present at this meeting and no information was available no no information was available no no paperwork from no construction site no paperwork from no construction site no discussion about the compliancy um no discussion at all compliancy um no discussion at all related to what that board was enacted related to what that board was enacted to do only three members of 11 so again to do only three members of 11 so again when we talking about the compliancy of when we talking about the compliancy of the government that is one one one very the government that is one one one very important aspect of the enforcement and important aspect of the enforcement and monitoring phase that board was given monitoring phase that board was given that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a that and there's only three members at a meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me meeting Not only was there only three me Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Members there it was moved off from City Hall by the chairman by her Hall by the chairman by her direction we were told that the city is direction we were told that the city is not giving that Council a conference not giving that Council a conference room in this facility so the meeting was room in this facility so the meeting was room in this facility so the meeting was moved offsite so that's something that moved offsite so that's something that needs to be dealt with but first and needs to be dealt with but first and foremost that commission needs to be uh foremost that commission needs to be uh um um needs appointments to it um um needs appointments to it immediately because they're not immediately because they're not attending she said they have been attending she said they have been meeting there for the last five months meeting there for the last five months um can we have some meeting minutes to um can we have some meeting minutes to know what was disc discuss in those last know what was disc discuss in those last know what was disc discuss in those last five minute five meetings and what five minute five meetings and what members were there Mr Baptist came there members were there Mr Baptist came there members were there Mr Baptist came there he gave a report a verbal report no he gave a report a verbal report no paperwork to substantiate any paperwork to substantiate any information regarding compliancy I'm information regarding compliancy I'm going to leave at that this last minute going to leave at that this last minute I want to discuss um there's the city I want to discuss um there's the city has in court this week on February the 6 has in court this week on February the 6 has in court this week on February the 6 uh in front of Judge Grace Spencer they uh in front of Judge Grace Spencer they have a petition before the court to have have a petition before the court to have have a petition before the court to have a special election um for the council a special election um for the council vacant Council seat in April at the uh vacant Council seat in April at the uh School Board election I believe that School Board election I believe that that we should have been informed I am a that we should have been informed I am a that we should have been informed I am a candidate we should have been informed candidate we should have been informed in this process um taxpayer money was in this process um taxpayer money was spent on this application this Council I spent on this application this Council I spent on this application this Council I don't know if you're aware of this um don't know if you're aware of this um this court hearing this week for this this court hearing this week for this special election to be done at the special election to be done at the school board election but this is not school board election but this is not doing us any service in the central Ward doing us any service in the central Ward doing us any service in the central Ward to move this election eight weeks out to move this election eight weeks out thank focused mon Elman I just want to say to the people Elman I just want to say to the people of newk question how can elected officials adequately address the crime officials adequately address the crime in your city when they in your city when they violate city state and federal laws violate city state and federal laws themselves just sit back and ponder themselves just sit back and ponder that ask yourself that question that ask yourself that question noas to the city C to Baraka Administration the blood in these Administration the blood in these streets is on your individuals are out of control because they see you out of they see you out of control they see a govern they see a control they see a govern they see a government of elected government of elected officials who support IL legal officials who support IL legal activities when it's to their activities when it's to their advantage we had an Administration that advantage we had an Administration that hired active gang hired active gang members and Drug traffickers running our members and Drug traffickers running our members and Drug traffickers running our rec rec centers you seen an Administration that centers you seen an Administration that covered up crime the police or uh uh covered up crime the police or uh uh traffic traffic guy you know they covered up that no guy you know they covered up that no press conference you see individuals who come into this meeting they sit there and into this meeting they sit there and they allow them to violate our first they allow them to violate our first amendment rights when it's to their amendment rights when it's to their advantage you see the mayor go on all advantage you see the mayor go on all politics is local and basically make a politics is local and basically make a death threat to take out one of our uh death threat to take out one of our uh Community act activists chairman in Community act activists chairman in Africa just sit back and Ponder and ask Africa just sit back and Ponder and ask yourself how can these folks adequately address crime when they adequately address crime when they commit crimes you see the election commit crimes you see the election campaign they go out and terrorize they campaign they go out and terrorize they go to the election polls they force go to the election polls they force people they terrorize Ians just sit back people they terrorize Ians just sit back people they terrorize Ians just sit back noras and ask yourself then now you got noras and ask yourself then now you got a governor who just literally said on a governor who just literally said on the news that he's harboring a illegal immigrant in this house just ask immigrant in this house just ask yourself a question to the individuals over Doge the department of governmental uh Doge the department of governmental uh efficiency I just want to say this stay efficiency I just want to say this stay on on them these political conmen have stole them these political conmen have stole mismanaged and money laundered enough of mismanaged and money laundered enough of mismanaged and money laundered enough of our public our public dollars stay on them thank you for your dollars stay on them thank you for your comments next none uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all uh anything uh I'm sorry uh first of all let's anything from the council let's anything from the council councilman Ramos yeah thank you Mr councilman Ramos yeah thank you Mr President I I just want to state that um President I I just want to state that um President I I just want to state that um you know I I I agree with um one thing you know I I I agree with um one thing that uh Mr Tillman mentioned and you that uh Mr Tillman mentioned and you know this Council was not aware that the know this Council was not aware that the know this Council was not aware that the city was in city was in litigation uh regarding a proposed uh litigation uh regarding a proposed uh special election you know in the past I special election you know in the past I believe those matters came to the believe those matters came to the council in the form of a council in the form of a resolution that was um voted on um no resolution that was um voted on um no details as far as the costs you know details as far as the costs you know who's going to pay for these costs who's going to pay for these costs associated with a special election um associated with a special election um the timing right it's a April's a few the timing right it's a April's a few months away and we if we do have months away and we if we do have candidates that are interested is it candidates that are interested is it enough time for them to submit uh the enough time for them to submit uh the petitions necessary to be candidates and petitions necessary to be candidates and petitions necessary to be candidates and you know one thing I have to comment I you know one thing I have to comment I read the article and tap into yesterday read the article and tap into yesterday and it gives the impression based on and it gives the impression based on what they reported that this ccil is what they reported that this ccil is locked and nothing is getting done you locked and nothing is getting done you know that's supposedly what the city's know that's supposedly what the city's arguing in court and and I would ask the arguing in court and and I would ask the arguing in court and and I would ask the clerk to go back for the last few months clerk to go back for the last few months clerk to go back for the last few months and bet you that 90% of the items that and bet you that 90% of the items that appeared before us on this agenda get appeared before us on this agenda get approved and if you look at prior to us approved and if you look at prior to us having a vacancy on the council I would having a vacancy on the council I would I would venture to say that a similar I would venture to say that a similar percentage of items that came before the percentage of items that came before the percentage of items that came before the council were approved as well so I don't council were approved as well so I don't council were approved as well so I don't want the public to have the perception want the public to have the perception that we We can't agree on stuff you know that we We can't agree on stuff you know that we We can't agree on stuff you know we we don't agree on everything we've we we don't agree on everything we've never agreed on everything so you know I never agreed on everything so you know I never agreed on everything so you know I just want to put that on the record just want to put that on the record thank you Council Ramos Council M yeah thank you Council Ramos Council M yeah you know I I'm one of those persons you know I I'm one of those persons that understands process because I was that understands process because I was in councilwoman uh M Crump and in councilwoman uh M Crump and I uh at the I uh at the time um the city council at the time time um the city council at the time passed a resolution that our election passed a resolution that our election will go into bani uh resigned and um at the time we were told resigned and um at the time we were told resigned and um at the time we were told that any election taking place place has that any election taking place place has that any election taking place place has to have a to have a resolution uh the city clerk has to give resolution uh the city clerk has to give resolution uh the city clerk has to give a resolution to the city go the a resolution to the city go the governing body this is not an governing body this is not an administrative administrative responsibility this is a responsibility responsibility this is a responsibility of city clerk uh and no disrespect to of city clerk uh and no disrespect to her but knowing the her but knowing the process because I in 1994 in 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a 1993 uh it wasn't about top uh who was a runner runner up councilwoman Miller Kump and I were up councilwoman Miller Kump and I were told by the council at the time that told by the council at the time that there would be no special and that the there would be no special and that the election would go go into the May election would go go into the May election when when I had won the election when when I had won the election by lost by 7ap T election by lost by 7ap T allet we both said look we'll wait till allet we both said look we'll wait till then but again there was a resolution at then but again there was a resolution at then but again there was a resolution at the time the council the time the council said that we're not going to place any said that we're not going to place any resolution that a will concur taxes to resolution that a will concur taxes to the taxpayers at the time late Donald Tucker talked about listen we're going Tucker talked about listen we're going through a reval how we're going to have through a reval how we're going to have who's going to pay the who's going to pay the election so again to read these things election so again to read these things and and it's I think we should have had and and it's I think we should have had a meeting prior to this to discuss this a meeting prior to this to discuss this matter because I think this matter matter because I think this matter should have been discussed with the should have been discussed with the governing body we have the governing body we have the responsibility to appropriate this responsibility to appropriate this election a the clerk will have to do election a the clerk will have to do petition the petitions will have to be petition the petitions will have to be certified it will incur a lot of work certified it will incur a lot of work advertisement etc advertisement etc etc I like to know who's going to concur etc I like to know who's going to concur etc I like to know who's going to concur this this this cost but is it the this this this cost but is it the taxpayers of the central Ward is it the taxpayers of the central Ward is it the taxpayers of the city of New York taxpayers of the city of New York because I was apposed to this because because I was apposed to this because hearing it I received the document last hearing it I received the document last week and I was like really this this was week and I was like really this this was week and I was like really this this was a decision made we the governing party a decision made we the governing party should have been brought to an executive should have been brought to an executive should have been brought to an executive session explain this is what's going on session explain this is what's going on and as councilman uh rainow indicates we and as councilman uh rainow indicates we and as councilman uh rainow indicates we have listen we have voted on not whether have listen we have voted on not whether have listen we have voted on not whether this Council divided we have voted for this Council divided we have voted for the people's concerns and we have done the people's concerns and we have done so CU we didn't get elected just for our so CU we didn't get elected just for our so CU we didn't get elected just for our our own our own agendas and then we're not going to do agendas and then we're not going to do that because the people in the city need that because the people in the city need that because the people in the city need our our services whether it's one war we're not services whether it's one war we're not going to put the five ws of the city one going to put the five ws of the city one going to put the five ws of the city one against another we're five ws and four against another we're five ws and four at larges and we want to make at larges and we want to make sure that we work in that in that way so sure that we work in that in that way so sure that we work in that in that way so again I just want to put that on on a again I just want to put that on on a record record that taxpayers cannot absorb um more that taxpayers cannot absorb um more taxes uh on things that will be taxed so taxes uh on things that will be taxed so taxes uh on things that will be taxed so that's my concern so I want to put that that's my concern so I want to put that in place I think we should have an in place I think we should have an executive session to talk about this executive session to talk about this matter after this meeting to talk so we matter after this meeting to talk so we can hatch out what is it that we're can hatch out what is it that we're doing because we don't I don't know doing because we don't I don't know what's going what's going on thank thank you councilman canana any on thank thank you councilman canana any on thank thank you councilman canana any any other council any other council member I I do concur with you councilman member I I do concur with you councilman member I I do concur with you councilman canana that if we do have any further canana that if we do have any further discussion it must be an executive discussion it must be an executive session uh except for what the session uh except for what the Corporation Council is about to say Corporation Council is about to say that's go obviously no details of of the lawsuit but I appreciate it councilman uh good morning uh city of North Corporation morning uh city of North Corporation Council kyata Stewart so uh there are Council kyata Stewart so uh there are two comments essentially I want to two comments essentially I want to respond to um the first in reference to respond to um the first in reference to the election so as as was commented a the election so as as was commented a few moments ago there is a active matter few moments ago there is a active matter few moments ago there is a active matter pending that's scheduled to go to court pending that's scheduled to go to court tomorrow I will say that it's probably a tomorrow I will say that it's probably a tomorrow I will say that it's probably a best idea that we go into the details of best idea that we go into the details of best idea that we go into the details of it uh in executive session but I will it uh in executive session but I will say that uh for the benefit of the of say that uh for the benefit of the of the audience here um the city's uh two the audience here um the city's uh two main priorities is is is focus the first main priorities is is is focus the first main priorities is is is focus the first part is to try to do the best we can to part is to try to do the best we can to make sure the central War has make sure the central War has representation I do know that uh there representation I do know that uh there staff is still working the the former staff is still working the the former councilwoman's staff is still actively councilwoman's staff is still actively working doing the best they can I do working doing the best they can I do know that some of the council members know that some of the council members here have been trying to help out in the here have been trying to help out in the here have been trying to help out in the Cal War because you recognize that folks Cal War because you recognize that folks Cal War because you recognize that folks have concerns and have questions and have concerns and have questions and things of that nature but uh the things of that nature but uh the representation of the Cal W is also representation of the Cal W is also important to us and whoever it is we important to us and whoever it is we don't really have a a sense of who we don't really have a a sense of who we want it to be right but we know that want it to be right but we know that they need representation we know they they need representation we know they need a voice someone to be sitting at need a voice someone to be sitting at that seat the second thing is that we that seat the second thing is that we recognize that it would be cheaper for recognize that it would be cheaper for the city if we do it during another the city if we do it during another election right we have two essentially election right we have two essentially two options the first one is November two options the first one is November which will essentially almost give it which will essentially almost give it about a year that the seat would be uh about a year that the seat would be uh vacant or we can use the time and vacant or we can use the time and opportunity to make it cheaper on the opportunity to make it cheaper on the residents because there's already a residents because there's already a school board election going on um any school board election going on um any other details I would like to go into other details I would like to go into executive session if you all want to executive session if you all want to kind of get into the think of it though kind of get into the think of it though uh the uh the second uh response I have I know there second uh response I have I know there was some comments in reference to um an was some comments in reference to um an officer who was uh who's charged as a officer who was uh who's charged as a result of causing a death um I I need result of causing a death um I I need you all to kind of appreciate the fact you all to kind of appreciate the fact that there's a process uh based on uh that there's a process uh based on uh the independent the independent prosecutors um um legislation that came prosecutors um um legislation that came out about two or three years ago um the out about two or three years ago um the city is not allowed to prosecute someone city is not allowed to prosecute someone city is not allowed to prosecute someone when the officer is involved with when the officer is involved with causing someone's death as a result of causing someone's death as a result of that the independent prosecutor in this that the independent prosecutor in this situation here is the ESS County situation here is the ESS County prosecutor's office who takes over the prosecutor's office who takes over the investigation the city has to step aside investigation the city has to step aside investigation the city has to step aside and let the essis County Prosecutors and let the essis County Prosecutors Office do what they have to do meanwhile Office do what they have to do meanwhile Office do what they have to do meanwhile we also have to be mindful of the fact we also have to be mindful of the fact that we have to be of the fact that this that we have to be of the fact that this that we have to be of the fact that this person is an employee and that person person is an employee and that person has a process as well if we violate that has a process as well if we violate that has a process as well if we violate that process then that person may be entitled process then that person may be entitled process then that person may be entitled to their job or entitled to a fund of to their job or entitled to a fund of money if we jump over that process so money if we jump over that process so those are kind of two things that are those are kind of two things that are happening at the same time um after the happening at the same time um after the essence County prosecutor's office essence County prosecutor's office conducted their investigation they then conducted their investigation they then um arrested the person or charged the um arrested the person or charged the person and then we then suspended the person and then we then suspended the person so you know there's no way us to person so you know there's no way us to get involved I know folks said there was get involved I know folks said there was get involved I know folks said there was a a cover up that's the last thing that a a cover up that's the last thing that could ever happened in this situation could ever happened in this situation because more importantly the law says because more importantly the law says that the essence County prosecutor's that the essence County prosecutor's office or there has to be an independent office or there has to be an independent office or there has to be an independent uh prosecutor that's involved with that uh prosecutor that's involved with that process again I don't want to go into process again I don't want to go into too many details about the sub and too many details about the sub and substance of the person's status and substance of the person's status and things of that nature but I do think things of that nature but I do think it's important for us to recognize and it's important for us to recognize and appreciate that there's essentially like appreciate that there's essentially like appreciate that there's essentially like a a two-prong process that's happening a a two-prong process that's happening at the same time at the same time and we let the Prosecutors Office do and we let the Prosecutors Office do their part and then after that we did their part and then after that we did our part on the administration side our part on the administration side thank you Mr President if I thank you thank you Mr President if I thank you councilman Gonzalez yes councilman Gonzalez yes H regarding let's say a reappointment or H regarding let's say a reappointment or H regarding let's say a reappointment or reelection of some a failing a vacancy reelection of some a failing a vacancy and you state what the law says so and you state what the law says so there's I can go I go into executive there's I can go I go into executive session it's going to exective session session it's going to exective session on it that you can you can state the law on it that you can you can state the law on it that you can you can state the law that I I'm asking you what the law that I I'm asking you what the law the reason why I said that is because the reason why I said that is because there's actually two points of the law there's actually two points of the law that's going to be a part of the that's going to be a part of the argument tomorrow and I don't want to argument tomorrow and I don't want to tip my hand to the public and more tip my hand to the public and more importantly to the adversary in importantly to the adversary in reference to what's going on there's I I reference to what's going on there's I I reference to what's going on there's I I don't I don't see the need to to discuss don't I don't see the need to to discuss don't I don't see the need to to discuss that in executive section because you that in executive section because you are citing the law I can I can cite the are citing the law I can I can cite the law the law says that you either have it law the law says that you either have it law the law says that you either have it a appointed by the council H within 90 a appointed by the council H within 90 days or you have to have an election days or you have to have an election let's say a general election so it can let's say a general election so it can be an election in April has to be an be an election in April has to be an election either in May that we are election either in May that we are elected or in November when the governor elected or in November when the governor elected or in November when the governor gets elected that's what the law says gets elected that's what the law says council is actually other parts of the council is actually other parts of the law that we're using um that I can law that we're using um that I can address later on thank you all right address later on thank you all right councilman uh Council oh no I thought councilman uh Council oh no I thought you had something all right uh so you had something all right uh so no no well we'll talk about executive no no well we'll talk about executive session for but uh I Believe Miss session for but uh I Believe Miss Gaylord had something to add thank you council president and council members Karen Gaylord executive council members Karen Gaylord executive director nework Workforce Development director nework Workforce Development board I really just wanted to address board I really just wanted to address the uh invitation that was extended by the uh invitation that was extended by the workforce board and nework works to the workforce board and nework works to host the affirmative action Review host the affirmative action Review Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New Committee at 375 mcarter Highway the New York onetop um we found ourselves in a York onetop um we found ourselves in a position because of extended hours of position because of extended hours of service to be able to do evening service to be able to do evening sessions uh offer a community center um sessions uh offer a community center um to accommodate those meetings um we were to accommodate those meetings um we were to accommodate those meetings um we were also in a position to bring some also in a position to bring some logistical and administrative support to logistical and administrative support to logistical and administrative support to the committee as well as some Technology the committee as well as some Technology the committee as well as some Technology support as a result of that we were able support as a result of that we were able support as a result of that we were able um not only did that in my observation um not only did that in my observation because I did attend the last meeting um because I did attend the last meeting um because I did attend the last meeting um we minutes were taken uh and we were we minutes were taken uh and we were able to record the session and provide able to record the session and provide the recorded session to the members who the recorded session to the members who uh participated in that meeting and uh participated in that meeting and hopefully now that we have a new space hopefully now that we have a new space with that kind of Technology available with that kind of Technology available they'll be able to do that going forward they'll be able to do that going forward they'll be able to do that going forward um to provide an accurate record for um to provide an accurate record for everyone um I do want to also add that everyone um I do want to also add that um while I was there and I was there um while I was there and I was there from the beginning to the end of the from the beginning to the end of the meeting I believe that there were 10 meeting I believe that there were 10 people uh in attendance I can't speak to people uh in attendance I can't speak to people uh in attendance I can't speak to which ones were uh board members but I which ones were uh board members but I do believe that some uh uh members of do believe that some uh uh members of that advisory committee uh came perhaps that advisory committee uh came perhaps after Mr Tillman you can check the after Mr Tillman you can check the record I know you had to depart because record I know you had to depart because you had a second meeting but there were you had a second meeting but there were some other people there um and I do know some other people there um and I do know some other people there um and I do know that the part of the conversation uh the that the part of the conversation uh the that the part of the conversation uh the agenda was an administrative agenda for agenda was an administrative agenda for actions going forward to build uh the actions going forward to build uh the agenda for meetings going forward and agenda for meetings going forward and that that certainly included uh that that certainly included uh addressing new uh members to that board addressing new uh members to that board and uh uh other supports that could be and uh uh other supports that could be made available so I thought it was a made available so I thought it was a pretty robust agenda that went on for pretty robust agenda that went on for two hours uh and the record is available two hours uh and the record is available two hours uh and the record is available to Mr Tillman and you so I think at this point we unless there's anything else we probably need there's anything else we probably need to go on uh executive to go on uh executive session get a motion for executive session Council Gonzalez yes Kelly yes Pana yes Ramos yes Scott brry yes Silva Pana yes Ramos yes Scott brry yes Silva yes president Trump