Mayor and Council

MAYOR AND COUNCIL BOROUGH OF DEMAREST WORK SESSION Minutes June 8, 2026 7:30 PM The notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, have been satisfied by the inclusion of the date, time and place of this meeting in the annual schedule of meetings of this Governing Body. Such schedule of meetings was published as required by law and is posted at Borough Hall, on the Borough website and filed in the office of the Borough Clerk. Mayor Bernstein invited all in attendance to join in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Bernstein, Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Absent: None Also Present: Julie Falkenstern, Borough Administrator Deena Rosendahl, Borough Attorney Frank Visaggio, Police Chief and members of the Police Department Jason Gangi, DPW Director Andrea Johe, CFO Liz Shick, Borough Auditor John McLoughlin, Fire Chief Ordinance (Introduction): ORDINANCE NO. 1182-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST AND APPROPRIATING $1,040,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $988,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE THE SAME Councilmember Marks made a motion to introduce on first reading by title Ordinance No.1182-26 and it be published as required by law with notice of Public Hearing to be held on June 22, 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Reiss. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None 1 ORDINANCE NO. 1183-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN THE RIVERSIDE CO-OP ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING $350,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING $332,500 IN BONDS OR NOTES TO FINANCE THE SAME Councilmember Collins made a motion to introduce on first reading by title Ordinance No.1183-26 and it be published as required by law with notice of Public Hearing to be held on June 22, 2026. The motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None ORDINANCE NO. 1184-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO UNIMPROVED ROADS, APPROPRIATING $2,530,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING $2,403,500 IN BONDS OR NOTES TO FINANCE THE SAME Councilmember Jiang made a motion to introduce on first reading by title Ordinance No.1184- 26 and it be published as required by law with notice of Public Hearing to be held on June 22, 2026. The motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Ordinance for Public Hearing (Adoption): ORDINANCE No. 1181-26 AN ORDINANCE BY THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST AMENDING THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REPEAL CHAPTER 96 FILMING, MOTION- PICTURE AND TELEVISION; TO ADOPT A NEW CHAPTER 96 FILMING, MOTION-PICTURE AND TELEVISION ORDINANCE Councilmember Marks made a motion to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1181- 26. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jiang and approved by all on a voice vote. 2 Mayor Bernstein asked if anyone wishes to be heard concerning adoption of this ordinance. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Councilmember Collins made a motion to close the Public Hearing on this ordinance and that it be adopted with notice of final passage to be published as required by law. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jiang. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Resolution No. 109-26 WAIVER OF READING THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET IN FULL A motion was made by Councilmember Collins to approve Resolution 109-26; the motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Resolution No. 110-26 SELF- EXAMINATION OF 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET A motion was made by Council President Slowikowski to approve Resolution 110-26; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Collins. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None 3 Resolution No. 111-26 AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH OF DEMAREST TAX COLLECTOR TO PREPARE AND MAIL ESTIMATED TAX BILLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH P.L. 1994, C. 72 A motion was made by Councilmember Collins to approve Resolution 111-26; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Marks. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Resolution No. 112-26 ADOPTION OF THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET Councilmember Collins a motion to open the Public Hearing on the 2026 Municipal Budget The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jiang and approved by all on a voice vote. Mayor Bernstein asked if anyone wishes to be heard concerning adoption of the budget. Speaker(s): There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Councilmember Reiss made a motion to close the Public Hearing and that the budget be adopted with notice of final passage to be published as required by law. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Resolution No. 113-26 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OF DON CHO TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT EFFECTIVE JUNE 8, 2026 A motion was made by Councilmember Reiss to approve Resolution 113-26; the motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Mayor Bernstein then spoke about Sgt. Cho and administered the oath of office. 4 Resolution No. 114-26 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ANDRE SCRUBB, NICO KROSS AND DANIELLA M. GIACHETTI AS PATROL OFFICERS, STEP 1, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026 A motion was made by Councilmember Reiss to approve Resolution 114-26; the motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Mayor Bernstein then spoke about the three new officers, welcomed them and wished them luck. He then administered the oath of office. Resolution No. 124-26 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE A motion was made by Councilmember Marks to approve Resolution 124-26; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Carmeli. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Work Session Discussion Items: Engineering Report Nick Chelius, Borough Engineer, reviewed the monthly engineering report and provided updates on paving projects and the remediation on the compost site. Consent Agenda Mayor Bernstein asked if any member would like to have any resolution removed from the consent agenda and voted on separately. (NONE) Mayor Bernstein asked if any member would like to abstain from voting on any resolution on the consent agenda. Councilmember Collins indicated that he would abstain from voting on Resolution 119-26. Consent Agenda: 5 Resolution No. 115-26 Authorizing Execution of Redevelopment Agreement Resolution No. 116-26 Authorizing Assignment of Professional Service Agreements Resolution No. 117-26 Authorizing Affordable Housing Spending Plan Resolution No. 118-26 Authorizing Updated Personnel Manual Resolution No. 119-26 2026-2027 Alcoholic Beverage License Renewal Resolution No. 120-26 2025 LOSAP Payments Resolution No. 121-26 Release of Escrow Resolution No. 122-26 Authorizing Payments for Compost Site Work Resolution No. 123-26 Payment of Bills Council President Slowikowski made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Reiss Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins*, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Abstain: *Councilmember Collins as to Resolution No. 119-26 only Absent: None Approval of Minutes: May 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Councilmember Reiss to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Jiang, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: None Meeting Open to the Public A motion was made by Councilmember Collins to open the meeting to the public. The motion was seconded by Council President Slowikowski and approved by all on a voice vote. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Councilmember Marks made a motion to close the meeting to the public. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jiang and approved by all on a voice vote. There being no further business before the Council, Councilmember Collins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jiang and approved by all on a voice vote. The meeting was therefore adjourned at 8:06 pm. Respectfully submitted, Julie Falkenstern, RMC Borough Clerk 6