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 16, 2000, at 8: 00 P. M. Mayor Zisa called the meeting to order and asked everyone to stand for the flag salute and to remain standing for a moment of silence in memory of the Navy personnel who died last week on the ship. The Mayor then asked the City Clerk to call the roll. I Galvis, Present - Councilman Councilwoman Juanita Trammell, Roger B. Mattei, Councilman Deputy Mayor Mark A. Jesus Stein, R. Mayor John F. Zisa, City Manager James S. Lacava, City Clerk Doris L. Dukes and City Attorney Richard E. Balkin 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 meetings held October 2nd and 10th, 2000. Motion offered by Stein, seconded by Trammell that the minutes be approved as submitted. Carried RESOLUTION #301 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 11-2000 ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 32 OF 'THE CODE OF THE 'POLICE DEPARTMENT' 11 • CITY OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY' ENTITLED: I Mayor Zisa: "This ordinance has been advertised according to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?" Motion offered by Galvis, seconded by Stein that there be a public hearing. Carried Mayor Zisa asked if anyone wished to be heard on this ordinance. There was no response. Motion offered by Mattei, seconded by Galvis, that the public hearing be closed. Carried RESOLUTION #301 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, that Ordinance No. 11- 2000 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMEMNT CHAPTER 32, OF 'THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY' ENTITLED: 'POLICE DEPARTMENT' 111 pass its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. I Roll Call: RESOLUTION #302 Ayes - Mattei, OFFERED BY: Galvis, TRAMMELL Trammell, Stein, SECONDED BY: Zisa 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 $1,538.70 610/15 Transamerica Real Estate 2000 Err.Pymt Tax Service $1,770.00 319/14 Fleet Mortgage Group 2000 Err.Pymt Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #303 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: MATTEI 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 I execute an agreement between the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation and the City of Hackensack, which would allocate the jurisdictional responsibility for highway maintenance and control between the City of Hackensack and the State of New Jersey with reference to certain intersections of Route 80 from Garden State Parkway to Route 17, in the City of Hackensack, New Jersey; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the maps outl�ning the jurisdictional limits have been reviewed and approved by the City of Hackensack. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #304 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: STEIN WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement in The Record, six bids were received on September 19, 2000, for the construction of a Bathroom Facility at Johnson Park in the City of Hackensack; and PC WHEREAS, upon review of the bids submitted, GK+A, Architect, discovered the low bidder did not qualify due to the non compliance of the Public Works Contractor Registration Act and I recommended that contract be awarded to the next lowest bidder; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the contract for the construction of a Bathroom Facility at Johnson Park in the City of Hackensack, be awarded to Kaycon General Contracting, Inc., 274 Elm Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, in the amount of $126,250.00; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account #X-50-Q24-014 in the amount of $125,000.00 of the General Capital Fund and account #0- 10-701-271 of the Current Fund in the amount of $1,250.00, P.O. #118581. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESLOUTION #305 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL I WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement in The Record, six bids were received on September 27, 2000, for the Renovation of the Civic Center, 2na Floor in the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, upon review of the bids submitted, Edward R. McGinnis, Architect, PC for the City of Hackensack, discovered the low bidder did not qualify due to the non compliance of the Public Works Contractor Registration Act and recommended that contract be awarded to the next lowest bidder;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the contract for the Renovations of the Civic Center 2na Floor in the City of Hackensack, be awarded to Kaycon General Contracting, Inc., 274 Elm Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, in the amount of $242,000.00; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account #X-50-Pll-001 in the amount of $242,000.00 of the General Capital Fund, P.O. #118582. I Roll Call: RESOLUTION #306 Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack awarded a professional service contract to Joesph Scrivo in the amount of $10,000.00 for financial consultant services; and WHEREAS, said services will exceed the contract amount and it is the recommendation of the Chief Financial Officer that the contract be amended to include an additional $5,000.00; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available from Account No. 0-10-210-204 of the Current Fund in the amount of $5,000.00, P.O.No.114602. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the additional amount of $5,000.00 for Joseph Scrivo, 15 Dogwood Court, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430, be and is hereby approved. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa I RESOLUTION #307 OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: WHEREAS, pursuant to an advertisement in The Record, two bids STEIN for the purchase of one New Street Sweeper with Conveyor Belt were received on August 22, 2000; and WHEREAS, upon review of the bids Alex Tunnard, Superintendent of Sanitation, determined that Tennant took numerous exceptions to the specifications submitted, which in his opinion were major exceptions; and WHEREAS, on September 27, 2000 Tennant was notified by letter via cerfited mail that because of the numerous exceptions the City of Hackensack decided to award the contract to Timmerman Equipment Company; and WHEREAS, pursuant to 40A: 11-32 of the Local Public Contracts Law, Tennant was given the opportunity to present any additional information which might tend to sustain the existing classification and declined to do so; I NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the contract for the purchase of One New Street Sweeper with Conveyor Belt be awarded to Timmerman Equipment Company, 3554 Route 22 West, Whitehouse, New Jersey 08888 for the amount of $122,350.00; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in Account No. X-50-R07-007 of the Capital Fund. P.O. #118564 Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #308 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: GALVIS 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 Euclid Avenue and Carriage House; and exist WHEREAS, the governing body is satisfied that an emergency did and that immediate action aforementioned catch basins to full operation; was necessary and to restore the I WHEREAS, the cost to correct these conditions was $4,350.00, 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. #118579. 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, that the vendor, Kaycon General Contractors, 274 Elm Avenue, Hackensack, NJ, 07601, be paid therefore. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #309 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: STEIN BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Michael O'Sullivan, Jason Peterson, Joseph Ackerman, Ronald Hellpap, Michael Maglio, Keith Rosazza and Anthony P. Riehl, be and I are hereby approved for active membership in the Hackensack Fire Department. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #310 OFFERED BY: MATTEI SECONDED BY: STEIN WHEREAS, Bergen County has been approached for the purpose of exploring the feasibility of forming a public/private partnership and locating an unaffiliated minor league baseball team in Bergen County; and WHEREAS, as a result, the County Executive has formed a Task Force to explore the feasibility of a minor league baseball team in Bergen County, as well as to examine all economic, environmental, traffic, recreational and financial aspects relating to the concept; and I WHEREAS, in recognition of the potential benefits of this particular entertainment for the families of Bergen County there is a need to examine all the benefits and costs related to the minor league concept before making any final decision; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack hereby request the Board of Chosen Freeholders to lend its support of the continuation of the study of the minor league baseball team by the County Executive's Task Force and, in particular, the marketing and feasibility study funded by a private party; and  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of the Task Force report upon review and completion be forwarded to the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack. Roll Call: Ayes - Mattei, Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Zisa RESOLUTION #311 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: MATTEI I WHEREAS, Penny Sue Liquori is owner and taxpayer of certain real property condominium unit known as Block 237, Lot 2.B, unit C006E, designated as 301 Beech Street; and WHEREAS, the taxpayer filed an appeal to her 1999 real property tax assessment, which matter is presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the yearly assessment is $85,600; and WHEREAS, upon review of the information submitted, a reduction appears appropriate; and WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Tax Attorney and Tax Assessor that this matter 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 is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents, including provisions I or applications for Judgment pursuant to the Freeze Act 5 4:51A-8}, which may be necessary to effectuate the settlement of litigation entitled "Penny Sue Liquori v. City of (N.J.S.A. Hackensack", Docket No: 00463-99, presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey, so that the assessment be reduced to $75 ,000; and BE IT FUTHER 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 #312 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: MATTEI WHEREAS, Ann Takvorian is owner and taxpayer of certain real property known as Block 202, Lot 3, designated as 21 Bridge Street; and WHEREAS, the taxpayer filed an appeal to her 1998 and 1999 real property tax assessment, which matter is presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey; and I WHEREAS, the yearly assessment is $850,000; WHEREAS, upon review of information and submitted, a reduction appears appropriate; and WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Tax Attorney and Tax Assessor that these matter 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 is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents, including documents providing for the applications of the Freeze Act (N.J.S.A. 54:51A- 8), which may be necessary to effectuate the settlement of litigation entitled "Ann Takvorian c/o Elm Eastwick Colleges v. City of Hackensack", Docket No: 004220-98 and 004727-99, presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey, so that the assessment be reduced to $775,000; and I BE IT FUTHER 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 #313 OFFERED BY: STEIN SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL WHEREAS, a Bergen County Community Development Grant has been proposed by the following: $129,000.00 Bergen County CAP for their Bergen County Homeless Shelter project at 21 E. Kansas Street; $ 43,000.00 YMCA for their building renovations at the Gymnasiums and exterior project; $ 55,750.00 - Bergen County Division of Family Guidance for their Conklin Center; $ 51,500.00 - for their Connections Program and $ 33,000.00 - for their Office Practice Project; and I 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 projects; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Resolution #300 approved on October 2, 2000 for $400, 000. 00 in CD Funds for the City of Hackensack, be amended to include the acquisition and demolition of I two houses on Camden Street for parking purposes; 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 #314 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL 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 $ 6,426,392.79 Public Assistance II Account 11,095.52 Capital Account 7,997.12 Public Parking System Account 5,362.08 I Public Parking Capital Trust Account Payroll Agency Account 3 / 601. 00 15,065.00 83,705.49 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 Mrs. Dukes advised the Mayor that her Docket was completed. The Mayor acknowledged and congratulated Mrs. Dukes for being honored by Unico during their Columbus Day Ceremony. He stated they said some wonderful things about her and gave her a wonderful plaque. He added his congratulations for her efforts. The audience applauded. Mrs. Dukes thanked the Mayor. Mayor Zisa also announced the opening of the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, stating it has been a long time dream of this City Council. He is looking forward to seeing a tremendous display of talent there. I Avenue ecstatic Mayor Zisa stated the dedication of the renovation of Rowland Park, and was held last week recognized (October 7th) Larry Riley for all of his . The neighbors were efforts. The Mayor read a letter from Mr. Riley and expressed his appreciation and thanks for all of his efforts. The Mayor said he was pleased to report the City received $150,000.00 grant for the renovation of a portion of the Police facility, adding that Hackensack is one of the few communities that was awarded this grant. The Mayor said he attended a meeting in Carlstadt last week regarding the Teterboro Airport. He was encouraged by the level of involvement by other communities. He asked the City Manager, City Attorney and members of Council if they had anything to report. Deputy Mayor Stein proudly announced Hackensack High School's football team is still winning. I Mayor Zisa opened the meeting to the public for discussion of City business. Dorothy Schwartz, 47 Prospect Avenue, made remarks about the consumer price index. Jack Donovan, Willow Avenue, stated he has called City Hall many times to speak with Mrs. Dukes and she has always been a lady and always courteous.  He also stated Miriam Ferguson should be complimented for the work she has done with Staib Park. He said the park is cleaner than any park he has seen. Mayor Zisa said he should have mentioned the efforts of Miriam for the Cultural Arts Center. He thanked Mr. Donovan and said he would pass the information along to Miriam. Mr. Donovan spoke on the subject of the schools as it relates to test scores. The City Attorney also spoke on the matter. I Mr. Donovan also addressed the noise problem with airplanes going into Teterboro Airport. He referred to a "Quality of Life" law in another State relating to the noise level and asked if Hackensack could consider such a law. The City Attorney advised that he did not know if a municipal ordinance could address such a law. Richard Gelber, 304 Clinton Place, made comments about the Teterboro Airport and positive comments about the schools in Hackensack, adding that he feels the teachers are doing a great job. Katherine Haden, 281 Clinton Place, asked assistance with the traffic on Clinton Place which starts early in the morning and goes on all day, as it relates to the decorations on Clinton Place. She said they block the driveways, people encroaching her property and something needs to be done about the amount of noise generated from the crowds in the street. She suggested the Decorators cut back on the number of weeks before Halloween. Mayor Zisa said he does not know if the traffic can be I restricted and suggested that she speaks with the neighbors to see if they can come up with a solution. Susan Galatti, Clinton Place, also addressed the same problem. She said it is not the decorator but the crowds and the noise level until well after midnight. People come in vans and busloads. Property is being damaged and it has gotten out of hand. It is getting difficult and hard to live with. Mayor Zisa said this is the first time he has received a complaint. Paul Marshal, one of the decorators, 290 Clinton Place, said he is aware there is a problem and has decided to run it for two weeks next year. He is trying to close early and the police will be available Friday through Monday before Halloween. No one is calling the news media and is trying to keep peace. He will try to get together with the neighbors. Berniece Kittrell, again addressed the area of High Street, Railroad Avenue and Central Avenue. drug problem in the She said II after she appeared before Council a few meetings ago, the matter was addressed but has returned. There is yelling taking place two and three o'clock in the morning. She asked for help. Mayor Zisa said he would request a "step-up" of the Police and encouraged her not to get involved.  Larry Riley, Rowland Avenue, said he appreciated the recognition given him. Motion offered by Mattei, seconded by Stein, that the public hearing be closed and the meeting be adjourned. Carried (9: 08 P.M.) I . STEIN ·' . c; tU;.. t <JjMA # n OUNC �SUS R. GALVIS ATTEST: I CITY CLERK I