Vineland City Council Regular Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Vineland City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM. Vice President Cruz Gomez presided in the absence of Council President Paul F. Spinelli. All four remaining members (Dr. Elizabeth Arthur, Scott English, Albert Vargas, and Vice President Gomez) were present. The meeting included public comment, final adoption of ordinances, first reading of property purchase ordinances, and action on several resolutions including a cannabis license denial and fire truck acquisitions. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The minutes of the Pre‑Meeting Conference and Regular Meeting of August 25, 2026, and the Work Session of September 1, 2026, were approved unanimously.
• Consent Resolutions: After individual discussion of Resolution 2026‑445 (cannabis license), all remaining resolutions (2026‑444, 2026‑446 through 2026‑462, and reappointment resolutions) were approved en bloc via a consent agenda motion. (The official minutes record each resolution individually, but the transcript shows a single consent‑agenda vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robin Blount (Vineland resident) expressed intense frustration about ongoing vandalism and break‑ins at her home, alleging that a Vineland Police dispatcher refused to send an officer, calling it a “civil problem.” She stated she had not received a response from city administration; Solicitor Tonetta interjected that he would resend his earlier reply.
• Chris Loftin (Vineland resident) advocated for greater public recognition of the LGBTQ+ community, noting the absence of Pride flags at City Hall and mentions on the city website. He asked the Council to consider a change to visibly include the LGBTQ+ community in Vineland’s diversity.
• Agape Hope Fisher (16‑year‑old Vineland resident) criticized the Council’s lack of responsiveness, stating that citizens with genuine questions are “met with being ignored or insulted or even threatened with lawsuits.” She urged the Council to reflect on their purpose as public servants.

Discussion Items

Ordinances for Public Hearing and Final Reading

• Ordinance 2026‑63 – A new ordinance permitting and setting requirements for motion picture, television, and other filming in Vineland, in association with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. No public comment was offered; the ordinance was adopted by a vote of 4‑0.
• Ordinance 2026‑64 – An ordinance to amend the Center City Redevelopment Plan for Block 3802, Lot 3 (211 West Landis Avenue). Several speakers addressed the Council:
  • Brian Lankin (Chair of the Vineland Downtown Business Improvement District (VDID) and owner of Al’s Shoes) supported relocating the soup kitchen currently at 7th & Landis off the Avenue, noting that after 10 years the effort is “the closest we’ve gotten.” He opposed adding another social service in the immediate area.
  • Russell Swanson (Executive Director of VDID, property owner) expressed compassion but argued that the downtown business district is not the right location for more social services. He cited losing one vendor per month out of 125 due to shoplifting, frequent overdoses, and discarded needles. He stated that 70%–80% of Vineland’s food pantries (citing lists of 10–28 pantries) are concentrated downtown, with two currently on Landis Avenue and a third planned by True North Church.
  • Robin Barbetti (VDID employee and Vineland resident) opposed granting a zoning variance for a new social service facility, stating the town now has a “severe homeless crisis.” She noted that 20%–25% of downtown buildings have received new signs or full facades through VDID efforts. She proposed helping the organizer recoup costs and relocate to a more suitable area.
  • Terry Blount (organizer of the proposed center) clarified that her project is a prevention program, not just a food pantry. She described a confusing bureaucratic process: she was sent from zoning to the Board of Health, where the fee increased from $200 to $900, and after months learned the area is not zoned for social services. She stated she has been paying rent on the building since December 2025. Councilmember Dr. Arthur expressed compassion and asked if the city could help Ms. Blount. After discussion, the Council voted 4‑0 to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
• Ordinance 2026‑65 – An ordinance denying an application to amend the Center City Redevelopment Plan for Block 4003, Lot 21 (consistent with Planning Board Resolution 6762). No public comment; adopted 4‑0.
• Ordinance 2026‑66 – An ordinance amending the classification and compensation plans for the Deputy Court Administrator. No public comment; adopted 3‑0‑1 (Councilmember Vargas abstained).

Ordinances for First Reading

• Ordinance 2026‑67 – Authorizes the purchase of 3520 S. West Boulevard for $166,000 for the Electric Utility or other city use. First reading approved; public hearing set for September 22, 2026.
• Ordinance 2026‑68 – Authorizes the acquisition of 1766 E. Wheat Road (Block 1403, Lot 5.02). First reading approved; public hearing set for September 22, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Cannabis License Denial: Resolution 2026‑445, adopting the Cannabis Review Committee’s findings and denying a Class 1 Cultivation Municipal License to Arise Cannabis NJ, LLC, was approved 3‑0‑1 (Vice President Gomez abstained).
• Fire Truck Purchases: Resolution 2026‑460 amended a prior resolution for two fire trucks (one pumper, one ladder truck), and Resolution 2026‑462 authorized the purchase of a ladder truck from Matheny Fire & Emergency for $3,199,990.00 under a national cooperative agreement. Both were adopted.
• Board Reappointments: The Council ratified the reappointment of Al Fisher and Terry Andrus to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (Resolution 2026‑461) and received and filed the Mayor’s reappointment of Planning Board members.
• Other Resolutions Adopted: The consent agenda included approval of a shared‑services Justice Assistance Grant application (Resolution 2026‑444), payment of bills (2026‑446), insurance reimbursement up to $75,000 (2026‑447), several change orders (increases and decreases) for various contracts, contracts for water sampling, motor overhaul services, flushing/lube oil, online payment processing for municipal broadband, revolving loan fund amendments for H5 Vineland LLC and Tower Hospitality LLC, surety actions, and cancellation of outdated checks.
• Next Steps: The public hearing on Ordinance 2026‑64 was continued to September 22, 2026. Public hearings for the two first‑reading ordinances (2026‑67 and 2026‑68) were also scheduled for that date.