City Council

A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, pn Wednesday, April 25, 1990. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7: 25 P. M. and asked everyone to please stand for the Flag Salute. He then asked the City Clerk to call the roll. Present: Mayor John F. Zisa, Deputy Mayor Sandra A. Robinson, Councilmen Mauro Mecca, Mark A. Stein and Roger B. Mattei, City Attorney Richard E. Salkin, City Manager James S. Lacava and City I Clerk Doris L. Dukes. Mrs. Dukes: "In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, adequate notice to this meeting was provided by sending a notice to the Record and by posting a copy of same on the Bulletin Board in City Hall ". RESOLUTION NO. 171 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: STEIN W HEREAS, N. J. S. 40A-8, as amended, provides that the budget be read by title only at the time of the public hearing if a resolution is passed by not less than a majority of the full governing body, providing that at least one week prior to the date of hearing , a complete copy of the approved budget, as advertised, has been posted in City Hall and copies have been made available by the City Clerk to persons requiring them; and WHEREAS, these two conditions have been met; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the budget shall be read by title only. Roll Call: Ayes - Mecca, Robinson, Stein, Mattei and Zisa I Mayor Zisa called for a motion to hold the public hearing on the I 1990 Municipal Budget for the City of Hackensack. Motion offered by Stein, seconded by Robinson that there be a public hearing. Carried. Mayor Zisa stated that in the past we have had some confrontations at the meetings and assured the citizens that they should feel free to come to the microphone and speak. It is our policy to keep the meetings open so that all citizens may be heard. He advised there will not be any further confrontations on this Council. He will however, limit discussion if necessary. The Mayor opened the meeting for public discussion on the budget. There was no response at the time. The City Manager reviewed and explained an analysis of budget appropriations and revenues for the benefit of the public. The Mayor asked again if anyone from the audience wished to speak. Dorothy Hockberg, 71 Allen Street, thanked the City Manager fdr the explanation of the budget adding that this was the first time i� had ever been explained in this manner. I Grover Reynolds, 197 Berdan Place, spoke at length, asking various question on the budget. Stella Anderson, 331 West Railroad Avenue, asked why the empty apartments are not being taxed, adding that if her house was empty she would have to continue to pay the taxes. She said as a senior citizens, if they could not pay the taxes their homes would be taken. The Mayor stated that unrented apartments are mandated by state law. Gary Maleski, 475 Colonial Terrace, Condo owner asked about the garbage pick up for condos. His taxes have doubled in the past three years and people are selling their property because of the tax rate.  Nat Shatzoff, 101 Prospect Avenue, asked if the CAP Law is still in effect and was advised by the Manager that it was. Eric Martindale, 329 Essex Street, member of the Environmental Commission reported that the commission needs a $1, 000.00 budget. The following commented on the budget with the general consensus being, that the taxes are too high and something has to be done: Hockberg, 71 Allen Street Haywood Gafner, 159 Summit Avenue I Joe Grubowski, 146 Poor Street Geneva Youngblood, 2 21 Hamilton Place William Roured, 155 Summit Avenue Nelson Silva, 34 Brook Street Murray Cohen, 185 Prospect Avenue The Mayor and City Manager responded to the comments made by the citizens. Motion offered by Stein, seccmded by Mattei that the public hearing be closed. Carried. On motion offered by Stein, seconded by Mattei and carried the meeting recess at 9: 40 P. M. and reconvened at 10: 05 P. M. Mayor Zisa asked members of Cc:>uncil if they wished to comment before voting. Councilman Mecca asked the City Manager serveral direct questions concerning the budget, which he had previously raised during various executive sessions. His questions relating to health insurance were answered by Gordon Sieck, Personnel Director at the request of the City Manager. Mr. Lacava answered all other questions asked by Dr. Mecca. Councilman Mattei said in order to effectuate major changes in the budget we would have to go into the fire and police departments. The Council chose not to do that. Councilman StEdn commented on the increases which are already fixed, for which the City has no control. Deputy Mayor Robinson said that due to the school budget, we are not serving our purpose and should have voted "no" on that budget. Mayor Zi�a stated that many hours had been spent on the budget. Although no one is happy, a decision had to be made. There is a freeze on hiring and we have initiated steps to make cuts where we could. He said he would welcome suggestions from the public. Motion offered by Stein, sec:onded by Mattei that the 1990 Municipal Budget for the City of Hackensack be adopted. Roll Call: Nayes - Mecca, Robinson Ayes - Stein, Mattei, Zisa The Municipal Budget is on file in the office of the City Clerk as a permanent record. I Motion offered by Stein that the meeting be adjourned. Carried. - COUNCILMAN MAURO A. MECCA A id � ����