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, April 21st, 2003 at 8:00 P.M. Deputy Mayor Stein called the meeting to order and asked everyone to stand for the flag salute. The Deputy Mayor then asked Ms. D’Auria to call the roll. Present – Deputy Mayor Mark A. Stein, Councilwoman Juanita Trammell, Councilman Jesus Galvis, City Attorney Richard E. Salkin, Acting City Clerk Debra A. D’Auria and City Manager James S. Lacava. Absent – Councilman Roger B. Mattei, Mayor John F. Zisa Ms. D’Auria: "In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Laws of l975 adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice to the Record and by posting a copy on the Bulletin Board in City Hall". Deputy Mayor Stein called for a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held April 7th, 2003. Motion offered by Councilwoman Trammell and seconded by Councilman Galvis that the minutes be approved as submitted. Carried. Deputy Mayor Stein advised that Ms. Catazzo from the Brownstone School was present tonight along with one of their students, David Tranchida, who had painted a picture which he would like to present to Fire Lieutenant Clayton Borchard. David stated that he had previously met Lt. Borchard and that he was lucky to have a Fire Department who puts their lives on the line for us and that he was presenting the painting to them as a thank you for keeping the residents safe. Lt. Borchard commented that gestures such as this are what makes his job worthwhile. Deputy Mayor Stein thanked David and the Brownstone School on behalf of the Mayor and Council. RESOLUTION #123 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2-2003 ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING MUNICIPAL CLAS POSITION AND SALARY RANGES FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS (TELECOMMUNICATIONS) OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK” Deputy Mayor Stein: “This ordinance has been advertised pursuant to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?” Motion offered by Galvis, seconded by Trammell that there be a public hearing. Carried. PUBLIC HEARING Motion offered by Trammell, seconded by Galvis that the public hearing be closed. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, that Ordinance No. 2-2003 ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING MUNICIPAL CLASS POSITION AND SALARY RANGES FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS (TELECOMMUNICATIONS) OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK”, pass its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Roll Call: Ayes – Galvis, Trammell, Stein, Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #124 OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL 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 $1,112.86 27 72A 341 Hudson Street, LLC 2003 ERR PMT $86.66 to New Beginning, refund for two months pre-paid rental of Fire House. Roll Call: Ayes – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #125 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following organization be granted permission to conduct a Raffle in accordance with the application on file in the office of the City Clerk: RA:1699 – Parent/Teacher Guild of St. Francis School Roll Call: Ayes – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #126 OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL WHEREAS, on August 19, 2002, Resolution #271 awarded a contract for the Department of Building, Housing and Land Use for a software program to GovXcel Software in the amount of $10,000.00; and WHEREAS, GovXcel has recently been purchased by Mitchell Humphrey Software; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution changes the name of GovXcel Software to Mitchell Humphrey Software. Roll Call: Ayes – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #127 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, there has been a special day set aside for bringing boys and girls into the workplace; and WHEREAS, they can learn about job opportunities that may be available to them in the future; and WHEREAS, this experience has allowed boys and girls the ability to explore occupations they would not ordinarily learn about; and WHEREAS, the children will be made to understand that they can be anything that they put their minds and motivations to, NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that Thursday, April 24, 2003, be designated as “NATIONAL TAKE YOUR SONS/DAUGHTERS TO WORK DAY”. Roll Call: Ayes – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #128 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 3-2003 ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXCHANGE OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL LANDS BEING (PART OF) LOT 34, BLOCK 315 FOR PRIVATELY OWNED LANDS BEING (PART OF) LOTS 21, 22, AND 23, BLOCK 315, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY. BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance No. 3-2003 as introduced, does now pass on first reading and that said Ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held May 5th, 2003 or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the City 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 – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #129 OFFERED BY: TRAMMELL SECONDED BY: GALVIS WHEREAS, Hackensack Industrial Center Associates is the owner of certain real property designated Block 504.A, Lots 14C and 14G located at 60-80 Commerce Way; and WHEREAS, the owner has filed an appeal to its 2000, 2001 and 2002 property tax assessments, which matters are presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the assessments for the subject property are $700,000 for Lot 14C and $2,200,000 for Lot 14G; and WHEREAS, upon review of information submitted, reductions appear appropriate; and WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Tax Attorney, and Tax Appraiser that this matter should be settled; and WHEREAS, said settlement is in the best interests 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 the settlement of litigation entitled “Hackensack Industrial Center Associates v. City of Hackensack”, Docket Nos: 001217-00, 000795- 01 and 001790-02, presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey, reducing the assessment for each year on appeal to $601,000 for Lot 14C and $1,886,500 for Lot 14G; 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 – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa RESOLUTION #130 OFFERED BY: GALVIS SECONDED BY: TRAMMELL 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 $9,268,510.71 Capital Account 26,708.78 Public Parking System Account 9,431.45 Trust Account 15,423.32 Payroll Agency Account 106,588.50 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 – Galvis, Trammell, Stein Absent – Mattei, Zisa Ms. D’Auria advised the Deputy Mayor that the docket was completed. Deputy Mayor Stein asked the City Manager, City Attorney and City Council if they had any items to report but they did not. The Deputy Mayor opened the meeting to the public for discussion of City business. Ted Dunn, 599 Summit Avenue, stated that he asked a question at the last meeting and also at the Freeholder’s meeting with reference to the Zabriskie Street property and that he has not received an answer from either side. Deputy Mayor Stein advised that Zabriskie Street is already owned by the County and the property located on River Street is not owned by the City either. Mr. Dunn felt that the taxpayers have a right to know who approached who with reference to this matter. Mr. Salkin stated that he can’t answer this question, however, he would like to see government owned property being put back on the tax rolls. Mr. Dunn suggested that the Council attend the next Freeholder’s meeting. Mr. Dunn also stated that at the last meeting a resolution was passed awarding a contract for repair of potholes and asked when work would begin. Deputy Mayor Stein advised that work has begun and Councilwoman Trammell interjected that the work is done in order of importance. Mr. Dunn also inquired as to the working hours of Zoning Consultant Joe Mellone and the Deputy Mayor advised him that Mr. Mellone is shared with Maywood in an attempt to control costs.  Fotios Padazopulos, 72 Broadway, stated that dogs are still barking on the block and he has called the Police Department. He has also been looking at the City ordinance which mandates that the Health Department and the Police Department shall fine the owner of the dog and this is not happening. Deputy Mayor Stein stated that Mr. Lacava will check with the Police Department as to the situation, however, it is up to the discretion of the officer who responds to the call. Paul St. Onge, 110B Arcadia Road, stated that there is a problem on Arcadia Road with reference to parking. He has counted between ten and fifteen vehicles on one block without parking stickers. The Superintendent of the Hackensack Garden Apartments was also seated in the audience and he has asked people not to park in the area without stickers. Mr. St. Onge stated that he has tried to contact the Traffic Division, however, they are not functioning during the late night hours when the violations are occurring. Mr. Lacava stated that he has been in contact with the Police Department regarding this matter, however he was advised that whenever residents are having overnight guests who do not have parking stickers, the Police Department is notified of same so that the vehicle is not ticketed. Mr. Lacava advised Mr. St. Onge that he will look into the matter further. Mr. Montero, 462 Hamilton Place, requested permission to hold a bible crusade in Foschini Park. Deputy Mayor Stein advised Mr. Montero that the laws of church and state do not permit this. Mr. Salkin also stated that it is inappropriate to sanction religious events on public property. Deputy Mayor Stein suggested that Mr. Montero contact City churches for permission to hold the crusade on their property. Mr. Montero stated that he will not give up and that the crusade would be a good thing for Hackensack and that he hopes the matter will be taken into consideration in the future. Geneva Youngblood, 221 Hamilton Place, questioned whether or not gravel is permitted on the strip of land between the sidewalk and the curb. She stated that in front of 228 Hamilton Place the new owners have put down some type of blue stone. Mr. Salkin advised that he will check into whether or not this is permitted and will contact her. Arlene Schatz, 137 Liberty Street, stated that she had two questions for the council. The first question involved Resolution #128 passed earlier this evening and Deputy Mayor Stein advised her that the Resolution will be published in the newspaper no later than the end of this week. Mr. Salkin advised her that the Resolution pertains to parking Area “D” located at Main and Camden and that the land swap is being done with Musically Yours whereby they will be able to add ten onsite parking spaces and the City will gain three municipal parking spaces along with a payment of money to the City. Ms. Schatz also questioned the status of the revaluation and she was advised that due to the amount of paperwork involved that it is presently scheduled for the year 2005 or 2006 and that the City has not yet hired a company to do same. As no one else wished to be heard, a motion was made by Councilwoman Trammell and seconded by Councilman Galvis that the meeting be adjourned. (Carried 8:45 p.m.)  __________________________ MAYOR JOHN F. ZISA ____________________________ _ DEPUTY MAYOR MARK STEIN ____________________________ COUNCILWOMAN JUANITA TRAMMELL ____________________________ COUNCILMAN JESUS R. GALVIS ___________________________ COUNCILMAN ROGER B. MATTEI ATTEST:_______________________ ACTING CITY CLERK