City Council

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, on Monday, October 2, 2000, at 8:00 P.M. Mayor Zisa called the meeting to order at 8:05 PM and asked everyone to stand for the flag salute. The Mayor then asked the City Clerk to call the roll. Present - Councilman Roger B. Mattei, Councilman Jesus R. I Galvis, Councilwoman Juanita Trammell, Deputy Mayor Mark A. Stein, Mayor John F. Zisa, City Manager James S. Lacava, City Clerk Doris L. Dukes and City Attorney Richard E. Salkin Mrs. Dukes: "In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Laws of 1975 adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice to the Record and by posting a copy on the bulletin board in Hackensack". Mayor Zisa called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 18th, 2000. Motion offered by Stein, seconded by Trammell that the minutes be approved as submitted. Carried RESOLUTION #285 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: STEIN BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the proper officers be and are hereby authorized to make the following refunds for the reason stated: AMOUNT BLOCK/LOT NAME YEAR REASON I $1,744.56 343 12A,C015B Mark Pitts c/o Madison Smallwood 1998 Err.Pymt Financial Group, LLC 166.30 554 lA Oritani Savings Bank 2000 Err.Pymt 3,952.18 525 39 Phoenix Funding, Inc. 2000 Err.Pymt 1,097.24 237 2B,C012H Raguindin, Leah 1998 Err.Pymt BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper officers be and are hereby authorized to transfer a tax overpayment in the amount of $561.04 from 1999 taxes on Block 355, Lot 17,C0048 to 2000 taxes on Block 355, lot 17,C0054 as requested by Transamerica Real Estate Tax Service. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #286 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: GALVIS BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the Mayor and City Clerk be and they are hereby authorized to execute an agreement between the Hackensack Housing Authority and I the Hackensack Police Department for Police services for the various housing projects. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Stein, Trammell, Zisa RESOLUTION #287 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack received Change Order #2 from J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. for the Court and Anderson Street CSO Project for six pole disconnect switches and revised water trains; and  WHEREAS, Tom Toscano, Director of Operations recommends that said change order be approved; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Off icer has certified that f unds are available f rom Account #X-50-M05-001 of the General Capital Fund in the amount of $13,669.70; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Change Order No. 2 for J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., be and is hereby approved. Roll Call: RESOLUTION #288 Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: STEIN I WHEREAS, Warnock Fleet and Leasing, 175 Route 10, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936-0524 was awarded a Contract under the State of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Program 1-NJCP; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to purchase a new 2000 Ford Crown Victoria pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:ll-12); and WHEREAS, the cost to purchase the New 2000 Ford Crown Victoria will not exceed $23,657.00; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police recommends and the Director of Purchasing agrees that the utilization of this contract on grounds Warnock Fleet and Leasing, represents the best price available; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack authorizes the purchase of a New 2000 Crown Victoria from Warnock Fleet and Leasing; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available from Account No. 9-10-811-262 in I the amount of $23,657.00 from the Trust Fund. P.O. No. 118528. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #289 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL WHEREAS, Firef ighters Equipment Company, 3053 Route 10 East, Dover, New Jersey 07802 was awarded a Contract under the State of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Program 1-NJCP; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to purchase Scott Air­ Paks for the Fire Department pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:ll-12); and WHEREAS, the cost to purchase the Scott Air-Paks will not exceed $75,021.70; and WHEREAS, the Fire Chief recommends and the Director of I Purchasing agree that the utilization of this contract represents the best price available; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack authorizes the purchase of Scott Air-Paks f or the Fire Department from the Firefighters Equipment Company; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Off icer has certif ied that funds are available from Account No. 0-10-302-262 in the amount of $21.70 and Account No. X-050-R07-002 in the amount of $75,000.00 f rom the Capital Fund. Purchase Order No. 118333.  Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Stein, Trammell, Zisa RESOLUTION #290 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement in The Record, bids were received on August 22, 2000 for the purchase of ONE NEW 2001 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS WITH DUMP AND SNOW PLOW; and WHEREAS,· one bid was received from Deluxe Sales and Services, I Inc.; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the contract for the purchase of ONE NEW 2001 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS WITH DUMP AND SNOW PLOW be awarded to Deluxe Sales and Services, Inc. 600 South River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 in the amount of $117,584.00; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account #X-50-R07-004 ( $107,750.00) and account #0-1 - 425-262 ( $9,834.00) of the Capital and Current Budget. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Stein, Trammell, Zisa RESOLUTION #291 OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: STEIN BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the change of corporate structure for Plenary Retail Consumption License No. 0223-33-015-006, heretofore issued to Bob & Paul Inc., 45 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, with Robert Lax owning 50%, Joseph Marante owning 25% and Robert Freemen, owning I 25% of the stock respectively, be accepted, effective immediately. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #292 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: STEIN WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of Hackensack has been advised that an emergency affecting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Hackensack due to the collapse of catch basins at West Clinton and Clarendon Place; Louis Street and Cedar Street; and 377 Passaic Street; and WHEREAS, the governing body is satisfied that an emergency did exist and that immediate action was necessary to restore the aforementioned catch basins to full operation; and WHEREAS, the cost to correct these conditions was $11,480.00, which is a fair and reasonable quotation; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account 0-10-891-28G, of the Current Fund, P.O. I #118334. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that pursuant to N.J.S.A.40A:ll-6, which authorizes the governing body to award contracts without benefit of public bidding in emergency situations, and that the vendor, Kaycon General Contractors, 274 Elm Avenue, Hackensack, NJ, 07601, be paid therefore. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #293 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, a Bergen County Open Space Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grant has been proposed by the City of Hackensack in the amount of $50,000.00 for improvements to Veteran's Park, in the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the State Inter-local Services Act, such funds may not be spent in a municipality without authorization by the Mayor and Council; and WHEREAS, the aforesaid project are in the best interest of the people of Hackensack; and I WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council are aware that it must provide a dollar for dollar match for the Open Space Trust Award; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack hereby confirm endorsement of the aforesaid project; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Director of the Bergen County Community Development Program so that implementation of the aforesaid projects may be expedited. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #294 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: STEIN WHEREAS, Losurdo Foods, Inc. is the owner and taxpayer of certain real property known as Block 100.H., Lot 4 designated as 20-22 Owens Road; and WHEREAS, the taxpayer filed appeals to their 1999 and 2000 real property tax assessments, which matters are presently pending I in the Tax Court of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the yearly assessment is $904,700 and, upon review of information submitted, a reduction appears appropriate; and WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Tax Attorney and Tax Assessor that these matters should be settled; and WHEREAS, said settlement is in the best interest of the City of Hackensack; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that the Tax Counsel be and he is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents, including requests for the application of the Freeze Act (N.J.S.A. 54:51A-8), which may be necessary to effectuate a settlement of litigation entitled, " Losurdo Foods, Inc. v. City of Hackensack", Docket Nos: 001228-1999 and 000766-2000, presently pending in the Tax Court of I New Jersey, so that the assessment be reduced to $800,000 for 1999 and $775,000 for 2000; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the foregoing settlement is predicated upon a full waiver of any interest payable to the taxpayer on the refund. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #295 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: GALVIS  WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement in The Record, six bids were received on August 30, 2000 for the 1999 Road Resurfacing Phase II, in the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, upon review of the bids submitted, Kenneth G. B. Job1 Consulting Engineer for the City of Hackensack has recommended that the bid be awarded to the low bidder; NOW, THEREFORE1 BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City I of Hackensack that the contract for the 1999 Road Resurfacing Phase II, 215 in the City of Hackensack, Elleen Terrace, Hackensack1 be awarded to New Prince Concrete, NJ 076011 in the amount of $45,662.40; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account No. X-50-Q24-012 of the General Capital Fund, P. 0. #118521 for said amount. Roll Call: Ayes Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #296 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 11-2000 ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 32, OF 'THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY' ENTITLED, 'POLICE DEPARTMENT11• BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance No. 11-2000 as introduced, does now pass on first reading and that said Ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on October 161 2000, at 8:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the City I Council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said Ordinance and that the City Clerk be and she is hereby authorized and directed to publish said Ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said Ordinance will be further considered for final passage. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei1 Galvis1 Trammell1 Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #297 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: MATTEI BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the bills in the following accounts be and are hereby ordered paid: Current Account $ 1,6231173.04 Public Assistance II Account 6,045.95 Capital Account 434,488.09 Public Parking System Account 6,207.76 Trust Account 12,323.16 Payroll Agency Account 1731527.43 I BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said bills are on file as a public record in the office of the Chief Financial Officer. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #298 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: STEIN BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Thomas Toscano be and is hereby appointed as a member of the Bergen County Community Development Committee on behalf of the Mayor and Council to fill the un-expired term of Eugene Duffy, for a term which expires June 30, 2001; Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #299 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Len Falato, Director, Department of Community Affairs be and is hereby appointed to serve as a member of the Local Emergency Management Council of the City of Hackensack. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa I RESOLUTION #300 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, a Bergen County Community Development Grant has been proposed by the following: $400, 000.00 - The City of Hackensack for a Commercial Fa9ade Program and a Redevelopment Planning Study; $ 30, 000.00 - Martin Luther King Senior Center for a Program Coordinator and $ 30,000 for their after school program; $750, 000.00 - Housing Authority of Bergen County for their Tenant Rental Assistance Program and $250, 000.00 for the First Time Home Buyer Program; $ 40, 000.00 - HIP for their project outreach to Disabled Minorities; and $ 51, 086.00 - Hackensack C.A.R.E.S. for their Hackensack Cares Project; I $ 88, 634.00 - American Red Cross for their Hackensack Chapter House Construction and $ 31, 594.25 for their Emergency Services Transportation; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the State Inter-local Services Act, Community Development funds may not be spent in a municipality without authorization by the Mayor and Council; and WHEREAS, the aforesaid projects are in the best interest of the people of Bergen County; and WHEREAS, this resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the municipality and is intended solely to expedite expenditure of the aforesaid Community Development funds; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack hereby confirm endorsement of the aforesaid I projects; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Director of the Bergen County Community Development Program so that implementation of the aforesaid projects may be expedited. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein. Zisa Mrs. Dukes advised the Mayor that her Docket was completed. The Mayor thanked her and asked the City Manager if he had  anything to report. City Manager Lacava reported that the Rowland Avenue Park th Dedication Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 7 , at 10:00 AM. Mayor Zisa asked the City Attorney and members of Council if they had anything to report. Deputy Mayor Stein announced that the Hackensack High School I Football Team is number one in the State and number sixteen in the nation. Mayor Zisa reported the City of Hackensack has hosted the Columbus Day Parade for the past several years and this year it will be held in Garfield. The Parade is scheduled to return to Hackensack next year. The Mayor then opened the meeting to the public for discussion of City business. Dorothy Schwartz, 47 Prospect Avenue, spoke on the subject of the Consumer Price Index as it relates to a correction in the rate, the inflation index and Social Security. Nat Shatzoff, 101 Prospect Avenue, thanked the Council for correcting the signals and the striping of the driveway to his complex, which he had mentioned at the last meeting. He pointed out that Public Service Electric & Gas did some work and defaced the lines. Mr. Shatzoff also stated New Jersey News (Channel 8) did a I news broadcast, which stated rents in New Jersey are the highest in the nation. The Record had an article on September 28th by Associated Press, which stated New Jersey has the highest rents for Apartments. Jack Donovan, Willow Avenue, in an attempt to again address the matter of the Board of Education and the teachers, was told by the Mayor that he would no longer entertain discussion on this subject matter. When Mr. Donovan asked if Fairmount School would be closing, Mayor Zisa said he had not heard of any school closing and asked Mr. Donovan where did he get his information. He did not answer. Len Nix, 83 Elm Ave, asked questions regarding a retaining wall at an apartment complex being built at Grand Avenue and Clinton Place and referred to New Prince Concrete Construction Company having construction equipment and debris in the brook. He suggested Council consider this when awarding a contract. City Attorney Salkin advised him that the City cannot use this as a criteria to award or not to award a contract. I Mr. Nix also made reference to trees that were cut down on Lincoln Street and Spring Valley. Don Gonzalez, 28 Vanderbeck Place, said he reviewed the site plans for the property at Clinton and Grand and there seems to be a drainage and an elevation problem. He feels this will affect the homes on Clinton Place as well as Vanderbeck Place. Mayor Zisa advised that the Planning Board reviews projects. Unfortunately this project dates back to the early 1980's and site plans were not required. The retaining wall has been there f or a number of years. When Mr. Gonzalez stated the wall looks as if it may buckle, Mr. Salkin said that it's not in violation. He also asked about the Developer of Block 240A and the light rail. Mayor Zisa responded. Brian, Captain of the EMT's addressed a request for a special vehicle f or use by the EMT's. was approved. EMT's. Mayor Zisa advised that the request He thanked the Mayor and Council on behalf of all I Motion offered by Trammell, seconded by Mattei, that the public hearing be closed and the meeting be adjourned. Carried (9:35 P.M. ) . � DEPUTY MAYOR MARK A. STEIN r I ATTEST: I