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Record of Proceedings

Vineland City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 13, 2026
BodyVineland, New Jersey
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:10:52

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:01

Dr.

0:01

Arthur?

Speaker 2

0:02

Here.

Speaker 1

0:02

Councilmember English?

0:03

Here.

0:04

Councilmember Vargas?

0:05

Here.

0:05

Vice President Gomez.

0:06

Here.

0:07

President Spinelli.

0:08

Here.

0:08

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaker 3

0:13

Oh.

Speaker 2

0:15

Barcy School here.

0:17

Come on up, guys.

0:20

Help us lead the Nash the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaker 3

1:04

And to the Republic for which it stands,

Unassigned speaker

1:08

one

Speaker 3

1:08

nation under God indivisible with liberty

Speaker 4

1:12

and justice for

Unassigned speaker

1:13

all.

Speaker 5

1:21

So take a look at your parents.

1:23

They're going to take a picture, okay?

Speaker 6

1:46

It's okay, go ahead.

Speaker 2

2:03

I don't

Speaker 3

2:04

know

Speaker 2

2:04

how to say that.

Speaker 3

2:16

Thank you so much, Alan.

Speaker 7

2:18

Thank you.

2:20

Thank you.

Speaker 1

2:56

Put some written notice on the official bulletin board of the lobby of City Hall, providing written notice to the officers of the Daily Journal, Press of Atlantic City in the Vinyland Voice, and filing written notice in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Vinland.

3:08

Mr.

3:09

President, I present resolution number 2025-632.

3:13

A resolution recognizing Alan Pagnini upon retiring from public service effective January 1, 2026, and approving the transfer of vinyl police duty weapon in recognition of years of service with the Vinyland Police

Speaker 2

3:25

Department.

3:25

Chair undertains a motion that resolution number 2025-632 be adopted according to law.

3:32

So move.

3:33

Second.

3:33

Is there any discussion?

3:35

Seeing none.

3:37

Dr.

3:37

Arthur?

Speaker 1

3:38

Yes.

3:38

Councilmember English?

3:39

Yes.

3:40

Councilmember Vargas?

3:41

Yes.

3:41

Vice President Gomez?

3:42

Yes.

3:43

President Spinelli.

3:44

Yes.

Speaker 2

3:45

Alan, come forward, please.

3:53

I'll read the resolution into the record.

4:00

Whereas Alan Pagini began his career with the City of Lineland on September 21st, 1997.

Unassigned speaker

4:06

And

Speaker 2

4:06

whereas Allen has furthered the city's mission by providing valuable public service to the Vinley community.

4:12

Whereas Alan has earned the respect and confidence of his co-workers and employer throughout his many years of faithful service.

Unassigned speaker

4:18

And

Speaker 2

4:18

whereas Alan Pagnini has earned a well-deserved retirement from the city of Vineland, effective January 1, 2026, and his public service career in the police department as police captain.

4:30

And whereas in recognition of service to the city and its residents, the mayor, city council, and the violent police department intend upon represent presenting Captain Pagnini his service weapon.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Center Development████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Economic Development███3%
Personnel Matters██2%
Public Safety██2%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Vineland City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Vineland City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM. All five council members were present. The meeting included lengthy public comments overwhelmingly opposing a proposed AI data center and related tax incentives, the adoption of several ordinances, and the recognition of two retiring police officers. All votes taken were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approved: The minutes of the Pre-Meeting Conference and Regular Meeting of December 23, 2025, and the Work Session and Closed Meeting of January 6, 2026, were approved.
  • Routine Resolutions: The following resolutions were adopted under a consent agenda (no separate discussion):
    • RES. 2026-1: Taxicab licenses for 2026.
    • RES. 2026-2: Donation of office furniture to Millville Municipal Court.
    • RES. 2026-3: Vendor name change (PetroChoice, LLC to Moove NA Distribution, LLC).
    • RES. 2026-4: Professional services agreement with Hardenbergh Insurance Group for risk management.
    • RES. 2026-5: Open-end contract for mobile demineralizer systems ($192,840).
    • RES. 2026-6: Open-end contract for office supplies (state contract).
    • RES. 2026-7: Contract for a City Sports Complex Feasibility Study (not to exceed $71,225).
    • RES. 2026-8 & 2026-9: Change orders for construction contracts ($3,337.50 and $6,093.70).
    • RES. 2026-10: Tax refund.
    • RES. 2026-11: Payment of bills.
    • RES. 2026-12: Temporary appropriations for 2026.
    • RES. 2026-13: Amendment to reimbursement agreement with Atlantic City Electric for transmission planning studies.
    • RES. 2026-14: Annual dues to Public Power Association of New Jersey.
    • RES. 2026-15: Appointment of Makema Edwards Douglas to the Housing Authority.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 20 individuals addressed the council during General Public Comment. The vast majority spoke against the proposed AI data center (Data One / Nebius) and accompanying PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements. Key points raised included:

  • Lack of transparency: Multiple residents criticized the city for limited public information, secretive processes, and no town hall meeting.
  • Environmental and infrastructure concerns: Speakers cited potential water consumption (estimated 100+ million gallons per year per building), strain on the electric grid, noise from generators, air pollution, and impacts on local aquifers and wildlife.
  • Tax revenue loss: Several speakers calculated that the PILOT would deprive Vineland schools of over $800,000 in property taxes, equivalent to roughly 14 teacher salaries.
  • Corporate welfare: Residents argued that Data One and its parent companies (Nebius, BSO) are multi-billion-dollar entities and do not need tax breaks; the PILOT was characterized as "corporate welfare."
  • Demands for studies: Speakers requested independent environmental and water impact studies, and an information session with the developer.
  • Union perspective: Sergio Sanchez (LiUNA Local 77) expressed disappointment that the labor union had not been able to secure a fair opportunity for local workers on the project.
  • Personal stories: Residents described fears about health effects, property values, and the community's future. One speaker (Larry Garrity) directly asked each council member about financial ties to Nebius; the council did not respond.
  • Broader concerns: Deborah Hartman (Galloway Twp.) urged the council to oppose FCC proposals that would limit local control over cell tower siting.
  • Support for reconsideration: Several individuals urged the council to vote "no" on the PILOT ordinances and to halt or reconsider the data center project.

Note: During the public hearing for Ordinance 2025-96 (redevelopment plan denial), attorney Mason Robinson appeared on behalf of the applicant (Cherry Group LLC) and argued for reconsideration. However, the official minutes state that no one was heard on that item. This discrepancy is noted.

Discussion Items

  • Police Retirement Recognitions: Resolutions 2025-632 and 2025-633 recognized Captain Alan Pagnini and Officer Alberto Rosario upon their retirements, and approved the transfer of their duty weapons. Both were adopted with praise from council and Director of Public Safety Edwin Alicea.
  • Ordinance 2025-93 (PILOT for Various Applicants): Adopted on final reading. No public comment was heard specifically on this ordinance.
  • Ordinance 2025-94 (Youth Sports Facility Land Acquisition): The public hearing was continued to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
  • Ordinance 2025-95 (Transfer of Industrial Property to Vineland Industrial Commission): Adopted on final reading.
  • Ordinance 2025-96 (Denial of Redevelopment Plan Amendment for 704 East Elmer Street): After hearing from the applicant's attorney, council adopted the ordinance to deny the amendment, consistent with the Planning Board's recommendation.
  • Ordinance 2025-97 (Automobile Repair Garage at 1316 West Landis Avenue): Adopted on final reading.
  • Ordinance 2025-98 (Preliminary Site Plan Approval Procedure): Adopted on final reading.
  • Ordinance 2025-99 (Purchasing Agent Authority & Bid Threshold): Adopted on final reading.
  • First Reading Ordinances: The following ordinances were introduced and set for public hearing on January 27, 2026:
    • 2026-1: Purchase of 440 W. Landis Avenue for $50,000.
    • 2026-2: Four-ton weight limit for Rieck Terrace.
    • 2026-3: PILOT agreements for various applicants (closely related to the data center project).
    • 2026-4: Amendment to salaries and compensation ordinance.
    • 2026-5: To exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were 5-0 (all council members present: Dr. Arthur, English, Vargas, Gomez, Spinelli).
  • Ordinance 2025-93 (PILOT for various applicants) was adopted, authorizing project tax exemptions.
  • Ordinance 2025-94 continued to January 27, 2026.
  • Ordinance 2025-96 (denial of redevelopment plan amendment) was adopted, rejecting the Cherry Group’s request.
  • First reading ordinances will have public hearings on January 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
  • The council expressed gratitude to the Dane Barse Elementary School Safety Patrol for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and to the retiring police officers.

Meeting Transcript

Dr. Arthur? Here. Councilmember English? Here. Councilmember Vargas? Here. Vice President Gomez. Here. President Spinelli. Here. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Oh. Barcy School here. Come on up, guys. Help us lead the Nash the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So take a look at your parents. They're going to take a picture, okay? It's okay, go ahead. I don't know how to say that. Thank you so much, Alan. Thank you. Thank you. Put some written notice on the official bulletin board of the lobby of City Hall, providing written notice to the officers of the Daily Journal, Press of Atlantic City in the Vinyland Voice, and filing written notice in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Vinland. Mr. President, I present resolution number 2025-632. A resolution recognizing Alan Pagnini upon retiring from public service effective January 1, 2026, and approving the transfer of vinyl police duty weapon in recognition of years of service with the Vinyland Police Department. Chair undertains a motion that resolution number 2025-632 be adopted according to law. So move. Second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Dr. Arthur? Yes. Councilmember English? Yes. Councilmember Vargas? Yes. Vice President Gomez? Yes. President Spinelli.

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