Mayor and Council

MAYOR AND COUNCIL BOROUGH OF DEMAREST REGULAR MEETING Minutes June 22, 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. Deputy Mayor for the Day Theo Lenis led all assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Present: Mayor Bernstein, Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Absent: Councilmember Jiang Also Present: Julie Falkenstern, Borough Administrator Deena Rosendahl, Borough Attorney Jason Gangi, DPW Director Andrea Johe, CFO Carl Pavlik, Deputy Police Chief Swearing in the Deputy Mayor for the Day Mayor Bernstein administered the oath of office to Theo Lenis as Deputy Mayor for the Day. Ordinance (Introduction): ORDINANCE NO. 1185-26 ORDINANCE AMENDING AND MODIFYING CHAPTER 122 OF THE DEMAREST BOROUGH CODE A motion was made by Councilmember Reiss and seconded by Councilmember Carmeli to introduce on first reading by title Ordinance No.1185-26 and it be published as required by law with notice of Public Hearing to be held on June 22, 2026. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Abstain: Councilmember Collins Absent: Councilmember Jiang 1 Ordinance Public Hearing (Adoption): 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 A motion was made by Councilmember Collins and seconded by Council President Slowikowski to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1182-26. The motion was approved by all on a voice vote. Mayor Bernstein asked if anyone wishes to be heard concerning adoption of this ordinance. Speaker(s): None There being no members of the public wishing to speak regarding the adoption of the ordinance, a motion was made by Councilmember Marks and seconded by Councilmember Reiss 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. A motion was made by__________ and seconded by___________ Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Jiang 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 A motion was made by Council President Slowikowski and seconded by Councilmember Carmeli to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1183-26. The motion was approved by all on a voice vote. 2 Mayor Bernstein asked if anyone wishes to be heard concerning adoption of this ordinance. Speaker(s): None There being no members of the public wishing to speak regarding the adoption of the ordinance, a motion was made by Councilmember Collins and seconded by Councilmember Carmeli 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. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Jiang 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 A motion was made by Councilmember Collins and seconded by Councilmember Reiss to open the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1184-26. The motion was approved by all on a voice vote. Mayor Bernstein asked if anyone wishes to be heard concerning adoption of this ordinance. Speaker(s): None There being no members of the public wishing to speak regarding the adoption of the ordinance, a motion was made by Council President Slowikowski and seconded by Councilmember Carmeli 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. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Jiang 3 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 asks if any member would like to abstain from voting on any resolution on the consent agenda. (none) Consent Agenda: Resolution No. 125-26 Approving Firefighter Mendez Resolution No. 126-26 2026 Salaries Resolution No. 127-26 Change Order – Gazebo Resolution No. 128-26 Release of Escrow Resolution No. 129-26 Inclusion in Bergen County CDBG Program Resolution No. 130-26 Execution of Bergen County CDBG Agreement Resolution No. 131-26 Authorizing NJDOT Grant Application Resolution No. 132-26 Authorizing Payment #3 – Gazebo Resolution No. 133-26 Authorizing Cancellation of Outstanding Checks Resolution No. 134-26 Payment of Bills A motion was made by Council President Slowikowski and seconded by Councilmember Carmeli to approve the consent agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: Council President Slowikowski, Councilmember Collins, Councilmember Carmeli, Councilmember Marks, Councilmember Reiss Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Jiang Mayor’s Report Mayor Bernstein thanked the CFO and the finance committee for their work on the budget that was recently adopted, noting is a was a particularly difficult year for all municipalities. He then noted that the Borough is fundraising for Demarest Day, an event that relies completely on donations to run. Council Committee Reports Finance & Personnel (Collins) Councilmember Collins echoed the Mayor’s comments on the budget and thanked the team that worked on the budget. Ordinance (Carmeli) Councilmember Carmeli reported that the Shade Tree Commission had reached out to discuss proposed changes to the Shade Tree ordinance. She also noted that the 4 revised noise ordinance was introduced earlier in the meeting and would be considered for adoption on July 13, 2026. DPW & Recreation (Marks) Councilmember Marks reported that the first summer concert of the season would be Wednesday 6/24 following the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new gazebo at 6pm. He noted that Demarest Day planning is continuing. Economic Development (Slowikowski) Council President Slowikowski reported that the Redevelopment Agreement with the approved Redeveloper is almost ready for signatures and that the Council previously authorized its execution after approval by Redevelopment Counsel, Affordable Housing Counsel and Borough Counsel. Police and OEM (Reiss) Councilmember Reiss congratulated the three new officers that were sworn in at the last meeting and are beginning the Police Academy training in the coming weeks and Sgt. Don Cho who was promoted at the last meeting. Fire and EMS No Report Reports of Borough Officials Borough Administrator Ms. Falkenstern reported that she is scheduled to attend a meeting for Seniors at the Demarest library tomorrow where Sgt. Cho will make a presentation on how to avoid scams and protect your identity. She also asked that those present including the Council to spread the word and help with soliciting donations for Demarest Day, she noted that fundraising has been slow and the event relies solely on donations to run. Borough Attorney No report. Borough Treasurer Ms. Johe thanked the finance committee and Borough Administrator for their assistance during a difficult budget cycle. She then reported that the audit is complete and she is working on the corrective action plan. The audit will be forwarded by the Clerk for the Council’s review. Estimated tax bills have been sent for third quarter payments that are due August 1, with a 10 day grace period ending August 10. If not received by 8/10 interest will be owed from August 1. Ambulance No report. Police Chief No report. 5 Fire Chief Deputy Chief Carl Pavlik reviewed the activity of the department noting that call volume has increased from last year. He reported that the Department applied for a SAFER grant to fund / supplement LOSAP payments. DPW Director Mr. Gangi reported that the department is performing regular summer maintenance currently and preparing the gazebo for Wednesday’s event. He congratulated Theo on being Deputy Mayor for the Day and thanked him for visiting his department. Deputy Mayor for the Day, Theo Lenis thanked everyone and said his favorite part of the day was his visit to the Police Department. Meeting Open to the Public Councilmember Reiss made a motion to open the meeting to the public. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Reiss and approved by all on a voice vote. There being no members of the public wishing to speak, Councilmember Reiss made a motion to close the meeting to the public. The motion was seconded by Council President slowikowski and approved by all on a voice vote. There being no other business before the Council, amotion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Reiss, seconded by Council President Slowikowski and approved by all on a voice vote. The meeting was therefore adjourned at 8:02 pm. Respectfully submitted, Julie Falkenstern, RMC Borough Clerk 6