Vineland council adopts ordinances, approves downtown district budget and honors retirees

Vineland City Council on Jan. 28 adopted several ordinances, approved the Vineland Downtown Improvement District budget and assessment role, and passed resolutions recognizing two retiring city employees.

The council adopted Ordinance 2025‑1, authorizing pilot agreements for project tax exemptions; Ordinance 2025‑2, to exceed municipal appropriation limits and establish a cap bank; Ordinance 2025‑3, amending Chapter 157 (salaries and compensation); and Ordinance 2025‑4, releasing and extinguishing rights in certain paper streets abutting city‑owned lots. Ordinance 2025‑3 passed on final reading by a 4–1 vote (Mr. English recorded as the sole no vote). Council also approved a resolution adopting the Vineland Downtown Improvement District budget for calendar year 2025 and adopted the assessment role for that district; the assessment role vote recorded one abstention by Mr. Spinelli and otherwise carried on roll call.

Council approved several ceremonial resolutions. Resolution 2025‑32 recognized Dale (surname recorded variably in the record) on his retirement effective Feb. 1, 2025; council members offered thanks and presented remarks and a resolution of appreciation. Resolution 2025‑33 recognized Police Officer Julio de Jesus on his retirement, authorized the transfer of his department duty weapon in recognition of his service, and specified that the weapon would be presented upon submission of all documents required for a legal transfer. Evan Rolice, Vineland’s director of public safety, read Officer de Jesus’s resolution into the record; acting Chief Steve Triantos and others spoke in tribute. Officer de Jesus thanked colleagues and family and noted his years in the juvenile unit and U.S. Marine Corps service.

Council also adopted Resolution 2025‑61 commending the Miss Vineland pageant and its organizers; the resolution noted the pageant’s long history, scholarship awards and community service platform.

Several ordinances were introduced or passed on first reading and scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, including Ordinances 2025‑6 through 2025‑11 covering additional pilot agreements, capital funding for the water utility, municipal alliance committee code changes, zoning amendments, and Police Department composition and membership regulations.

The consent agenda and routine business were approved without extended debate, and the meeting was adjourned.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Resolution 2025‑32 (recognition of Dale, retirement effective Feb. 1, 2025): adopted by roll call (unanimous yes). - Resolution 2025‑33 (recognition of Officer Julio de Jesus; transfer of duty weapon upon completion of legal paperwork): adopted by roll call (unanimous yes). - Resolution 2025‑61 (Miss Vineland pageant commendation): adopted by roll call (unanimous yes). - Ordinance 2025‑1 (pilot agreement for project tax exemption): final reading adopted (roll call unanimous). - Ordinance 2025‑2 (exceed municipal budget appropriation limits / establish cap bank): final reading adopted (roll call unanimous). - Ordinance 2025‑3 (amend salaries and compensation, Chapter 157): final reading adopted, 4 yeas, 1 nay (Mr. English). - Ordinance 2025‑4 (release/vacate paper streets): final reading adopted (roll call unanimous). - Vineland Downtown Improvement District budget for 2025: public hearing held and budget adopted (roll call unanimous). - Assessment role for Vineland Downtown Improvement District 2025 (Resolution 2025‑36): approved (roll call: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain).

Several ordinances were passed for first reading and set for public hearing Feb. 11, 2025 (Ordinances 2025‑6 through 2025‑11).